Nothing Finer than Turf at Keeneland

Today we look at a Turf allowance race at magnificent Keeneland as it closes out its fall meet.  Churchill is around the corner where the Breeder's Cup will be held next weekend.

Keeneland Race 7 {1 1/16 mile~Turf~3 year old Up~Allowance}
A fantastic field of eight will line up for this allowance feature.  Formula for Success (Albarado / Pucek) looks very strong with the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and one bullet workout.  Max Silverhammer (Lebron / Denzik) will challenge with the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and one mighty workout.  Lonesome Street (Leparoux / Maker) will also challenge with the fourth highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and one sinewy workout.  Plutonium (Lanerie / Pate) will be in the hunt with the third highest last out speed number and a two race progression.  Let's play Keeneland.

$2 SHOW:  #4 Formulaforsuccess.
$2 SHOW:  #6 Max Silverhammer.
10 CENT Superfecta:  #4 Formulaforsuccess / #6 Max Silverhammer / #3 Lonesome Street / #8 Plutonium.
















Friday's Results
Hawthorne Race 6.  Our first pick, Instant Style, finished 3rd for show money of $4.20.  Our second pick, Mona Lisa [GER], finished 4th.  Superfecta went 3-2-5-8.
Bankroll remains unchanged at $14.00.

Sweet Home Chicago

As we begin the horse racing weekend, the Breeder's Cup is only eight days away.  It looks to be exceptionally exciting.  Today we look at a Turf race at Hawthorne Race Course in the Chicago area.

Hawthorne Race 6 {1 mile~Turf~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~Allowance}
It looks like a good group of eight will go to the gate.  Instant Style (Santana / Springer) has a very slight edge with the second highest (tie) last out speed number and three stellar, peaking workouts.  Mona Lisa [GER] (Felix / Catalano) will be ready to challenge with the third highest last out speed number at a longer route, a three race progression, and three strong workouts.  Si Si Mon Amie (Morales / Granitz) will be in the hunt with the highest speed number at the distance and one peaking workout.  Wine Diva (Sukie / Walt) is primed for a shot at a piece of the purse pie with the second highest speed number at the distance and one solid workout.  Also looking for a piece will be P.S. I Love You (Perez / Block) with a decent last out speed number at a longer route, a three race progression, and two hearty workouts.  Let's play Hawthorne Race Course.

$2 SHOW:  #5 Instant Style.
$2 SHOW:  #8 Mona Lisa [GER].
10 CENT Superfecta:  #5 Instant Style / #8 Mona Lisa [GER] / #7 Si Si Mon Amie / #6 Wine Diva, #2 P.S. I Love You.

















Last Sunday's (10/24) Results
Monmouth R10.  Our first pick, Stromin Bud, finished 7th (last).  Our second pick, Soda Pop Kid, finished 2nd for show money of $2.80.  Superfecta went 2-5-1-8.
Keeneland R7.  Our first pick, El Gran Sol, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Secessionist, finished 4th.  Superfecta went 2-3-1-7.
Bankroll falls to $14.00.

Another Derby Prep at Keeneland

The Kentucky Derby is only two weekends away.  Today is one of the last chances to earn additional graded stakes earnings to qualify for a gate in the Derby.

Keeneland Race 9 {Coolmare Lexington~G2~1 1/16 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
A very competitve field of twelve go to the gate in one of the few opportunities for at least two colts in here to get additional graded earnings and make it to the big dance.  Connemarra (R. Baze / Pletcher) will need to win this one to make into the Kentucky Derby. He has a good chance to do so with a solid last out speed number and three victories over the synthetic surface.  Connemarra is coming down in distance from his last and looks ready to run well.  Uptowncharleybrown (Gomez / White) is the other that has to win for the 180k winnings to help him get on the derby bubble.  He will be the sentimental favorite as his trainer Alan Seewald recently passed away.  However, Uptowncharleybrown may suffer the same fate that other potential deby contenders have when moving from dirt to synthetic. He has a decent last out speed number and two solid workouts to make him competitive. 

If cooler weather prevails and the synthetic track tightens up a bit, the big surprise will be Call Shot (Alvarado / Catalano) who has the third highest (tie) last out speed number and by far, the best work out tab of all of these horses.  Trainer, Wayne Catalano, attends to his charges with care and purpose.  This guy has a great chance to close fast and win.  Exhi (Albarado / Pletcher) looks very strong in here also with the third highest speed number last out, a three race progression, and very fine workout.  Expect Lonesome Street (Leparoux / Maker) to be another surprise in here with the fourth highest last out speed number, the third highest speed (tie) number at the distance, and two exceptionally strong workouts.  Heavenville (Bridgmohan / Asmussen) in another who will run well also with the third highest last out speed number and two robust workouts.  Krypton (A. Garcia / McLaughlin) will also show his speed with the highest last out speed number and two athletic workouts.  Krypton has gone this distance over the turf.  The transition from turf to synthetic is much smoother than from dirt to synthetic which gives this guy a little edge.  Let's play the Coolmore Lexington in what will be one the most exciting races of the the Derby prep season.

$2 WIN / SHOW:  #5 Call Shot.
$2 SHOW:  #10 Connemarra.
10 CENT Superfecta:  #5 Call Shot / #8 Exhi / #10 Connemarra / #7 Lonesome Street, #9 Heavenville, #1 Krypton.

















Friday's Results
Aqueduct R8.  Our first pick, Spring Elusion, scratched, consequently there was no SHOW wager allowed. Therefore our second pick, Inner Groove, could not a show wager be placed.  We scrapped this race.
Hawthorne R8.  Our first pick, One Slick Cat, finished 9th (last). Our second pick, Cowboy At Heart, finished 8th.  Superfecta went 1-2-4-7.
Our bankroll sits at $10.40.
    

Ah, Aqueduct and Hawthorne

A splendid Friday for Horse Racing.  Today we look at allowance races at Aqueduct and Hawthorne.

Aqueduct Race 8 {1 mile~3 year old and Up~Fillies and Mares~Allowance}
A small field assembles for this one with each gal coming off a one mile race.  Any of these in here are ready to win.  The slight edge goes to Spring Elusion (Dominguez / Rice) who has the highest speed number last out, is 100% in the money at the distance, and a decent workout.  Inner Groove (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) shows a nice four race progression and 100% in the money at the distance. She will be the speed in the race and should be able to hold on for a piece of the purse.  Cape Cod Carrie (Cohen / Zito) looks solid with a decent last out speed number and two sturdy workouts.  Let's play Aqueduct.

$2 SHOW:  #3 Spring Elusion.
$2 SHOW:  #5 Inner Groove.
NO 10 CENT Superfecta due to a small field.

Hawthorne Race 8 {1 mile~Turf~3 year old and Up~Allowance}
This is a very tough race to handicap. One Slick Cat (LaSala / Delong) will be trying the turf for the first time and also the distance.  Looks ready with the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and one healthy workout.  Musicstreet Menace (Thornton / R. Sherer) has gone the distance with the third highest speed number, has a three race progression, and one good workout.  Cowboy At Heart (Emigh / Janks) could be the surprise.  He will not only trying the Turf for the first time, but also the distance.  Trainer, Christine Janks has the guy ready with two athletic workouts and jockey Chris Emigh in the irons.  Hype (Wade / C. Sherer) has the highest speed number at the distance and the second best speed number last out.  He should close for a piece of this one.  Let's play Hawthorne.

$2 SHOW:  #9 One Slick Cat.
$2 SHOW:  #3 Cowboy At Heart.
10 CENT Superfecta:  #9 One Slick Cat / #3 Cowboy At Heart, #7 Music Street Menace / #3, #7, #8 Musicstreet Menace / #3, #7, #8.
















Thursday's Results
Keeneland R8.  Our first pick, Orchestrator, finished 4th.  Our second pick, Red Hot Buddha, finished 6th.  Superfecta went 7-5-1-3.
We will supplement our bankroll today with $10.00.
Bankroll rests at $15.00.

Three Derby Preps on a Saturday

Today we look at three great prep races for the Kentucky Derby which is only four weeks away.  All of these horses will be competing for the purse to get them to the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.  Kentucky Derby starters are determined by graded stakes earnings.  Only twenty will start in the run for the roses.

Aqueduct Race 9 {Wood Memorial~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
This will be a very talented field going to the starting gate.  Four of the six starters in this race have all posted triple digit speed numbers.  Eskendereya (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) is the favorite and deservedly so.  He has already raced over this distance posting the highest speed number.  Eskendereya also has a three race progression and four serious workouts prepping for this.  Should be counted on for the win.  The battle is for second and third to increase the graded earnings of the others.  Jackson Bend (Borel / Zito) should run a big race.  He currently has a two race progression and three superb, peaking workouts.  Schoolyard Dreams (Dominguez / Ryan) is a wonderful hard charging horse.  He has a triple digit last out speed number, a five race progression, and two fierce workouts in preparation for this race.  The others in here will be fighting for a small piece of the purse.  Carnivore (Shepherd / Delozier) is 100% in the money for his three race career and has posted the best three peaking workout tab.  Awesome Act (Leparoux / Noseda) will be flying late with his three digit last out speed number, a three race progression, and two robust workouts.  Most Happy Fella (Napravnik / Badgett) will be the speedster near the front end of the race.  He has a decent last out speed number, a four race progression, and one limber workout.  Let's play this fine Aqueduct race.

$2 WIN:  #3 Eskendereya
$2 SHOW:  #5 Jackson Bend
NO 10 CENT Superfecta for this race.

Santa Anita Race 6 {Santa Anita Derby~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
Another fabulous Kentucky derby prep.  One of the most exciting of the Southern California season.  Lookin At Lucky (Gomez / Baffert) will be the favorite and should win this one.  Though he does not need the graded stakes earnings, he will need to run a good race to stay sharp for the Kentucky Derby.  Lookin At Lucky is 100% in the money for his seven race career, has the highest last out speed number and two healthy workouts.  Will be the one to beat.  Setsuko (Bejarano / Mandella) is one of only four who has traversed this distance.  He has a decent last out speed number and three well-built, peaking workouts.  Who's Up (V. Espinoza / Puhich) will be the surprise in this ten horse field.  He has the second highest speed number and has the best workout tab with three muscular, peaking workouts.  Alphie's Bet (Solis / Barba) will be closing fast and should be able to get a good piece of the purse.  He has registered a win over this distance, has a good last out speed number and has posted two hardy workouts.  Let's play the Santa Anita Derby.

$2 WIN:  #7 Lookin At Lucky
$2 SHOW:  #5 Setsuko
10 CENT Superfecta:  #7 Lookin At Lucky / #5 Setsuko / #3 Who's Up, #10 Alphie's Bet / #3, #10.

Hawthorne Race 7 {Illinois Derby~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
This is a challenging eight horse field to handicap.  All of these guys have tremendous talent and could pull off the victory.  American Lion (Flores / Harty) has a very slight edge as his workout tab is the very best of the entrants in here. He will be trying dirt for the first time.  American Lion has the third (tied) best overall speed number and a fair last out speed number.  He could be sitting on a big race.  Backtalk (Mena / Amoss) is the morning line favorite who has not yet gone this distance, but has a terrific workout tab which includes a smoking six furlong work.  Boulder Creek (Emigh / Dollase) is the only horse in the race who has gone this distance.  He has a decent last out speed number and two excellent workouts.  Turf Melody (Rose / Motion) looks ready to run a fine race.  He has the second highest last out speed number and one solid workout.  Turf Melody is also the most experienced in here with nine races to his credit.  Yawanna Twist (Prado / R. Dutrow) will undoubtedly be one of the favorites in here.  He is the only one with a triple digit speed number, his last out, and two stout workouts.  Hawthorne has a long stretch run and conditioning will be key to a victory in this race.  Let's play the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course.

$2 SHOW:  #1 American Lion
$2 SHOW:  #7 Backtalk
10 CENT Superfecta:  #1 American Lion / #7 Backtalk / #3 Boulder Creek /#5 Turf Melody, #4 Yawanna Twist.

















Friday's Results
Keeneland R9.  Our first pick, Macias, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Strike the Tiger, finished 2nd for $5.20 in show money.  No superfecta wagered as there were a couple of scratches.
Bankroll dips to $20.30.

We'll be Home for Hawthorne

Here in wintry Chicago we get to look at two races at Hawthorne Race Track. Luckily the temperature will be in the mid-thirties so racing should be pretty competitive.

Hawthorne Race 5 {6 furlongs~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~Optional claiming}
A very nice little sprint race with a seven horse field. Most of the interest will be settling on Afleet Deceit (Sukie / Becker) with the highest speed numbers across the board. She has also put in three good works in the last thirty days, but has had a long layoff. Cruise (Wade / Janks) might be able to pull off the win here. She has had a good last out speed number and a couple peaking workouts. We like her in this spot. Cerveza (Hernandez / Salazar) likes Hawthorne and has worked out nicely for this race. Grace Almighty (Perez / Rivelli) should round out our superfecta play. Let's make our play.

$2 SHOW: #3 Cruise
10 CENT Superfecta: #3 Cruise / #5 Cerveza / #1 Afleet Deceit / #4 Grace Almighty

Hawthorne Race 8 {6 1/2 furlongs~3 year old Up~Illinois Allowance}
A full field assembles for this solidly competitive sprint. If Cactus Town (Riggs / Berndt) can maintain the lead he will wire this field for his fourth lifetime victory at Hawthorne. He has solid speed numbers overall and on the surface. He also has the best speed number last out and a couple of good works leading up to this. Peterman (Sanchez / Rosin) looks solid going into this one. He should be the surprise in this race. Cart Doctor (Sukie / Cristel) also will run strong with a decent last out speed number and the strongest workout in preparation for this race. Executive Coach (Stanley / Kotkomp) is a consistent performer and specialist at this distance. Our only concern is that he has run fifteen races already this year. Let's make our second play at Hawthorne.

$2 SHOW: #7 Cactus Town
10 CENT Superfecta: #7 Cactus Town / #3 Cart Doctor / #8 Peterman / #4 Executive Coach

Thursday Results
Fairgrounds R6. Our pick, Forest Queen, finished 4th. We scrapped the superfecta play as half the field scratched. We have had a tough time handicapping the Fairgrounds races this year.
Hollywood R7. Our choice, El Martillo, was scratched from the race. No Superfecta; small field.
Our bankroll drops to its lowest level. We will supplement it with an additional $10.00 for a total Bankroll of $12.40.

Double H Sunday

On this first Sunday in December we look at good allowance race at Hawthorne Race Course and a very competitive stakes race at Hollywood Park.

Hawthorne Race 8 {1 1/16 mile~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~IL~Allowance}
Talk about parity, this race has a number of horses in here that could pull off a victory. Indian Blossom (Wade / Asmussen) has done well before off a layoff and certainly has some great works prior to this race. Trainer, Steve Asmussen always has his horses ready to run. This gal is no exception. She likes the Hawthorne track and has the highest speed number of this group on it. The trip will be the key as you can expect a wall of closers heading for the wire. Del Bonita (Thornton / Yanez) can be described as the specialist at this distance. She is 100% in the money and she too likes the Hawthorne track. Sweetest Lil Star (B. Meier / Lamew) is another who is in her comfort zone on the Hawthorne track. She looks ready to put in a good effort today. Have Faith (Sanchez / Williamson) and Southern Wonder (Sukie / Darjean) both look ready to run a great race. Let's play Hawthorne.

$2 SHOW: #10 Indian Blossom
10 CENT Superfecta: #10 Indian Blossom / #6 Del Bonita / #9 Sweetest Lil Star / #3 Have Faith, #7 Southern Wonder.

Hollywood Race 8 {Vernon O. Underwood~G3~6 furlongs~3 year old Up~Stakes}
A quality field assembles for this race. Eight year old Delta Storm (Bejerano / Mitchell) has done some exceptional work outs leading up to this race. With quality speed numbers across the board, Delta Storm should prove his capability with another victory here. His competitor will be Noble Court (Rosario / Sadler). Both will close for home in furious fashion. Noble Court is 100% in the money on the Hollywood track and will be tough. The unknown factor in this race is the Argentinian bred, Mr. Cacht(ARG) (Valdez / Mullins). He could be a big surprise in this race. His has posted very solid work outs. Also, he has ten wins in his native Argentina. Paul's Hope (Solis / Hollendorfer) has done some serious works in anticipation of this event and will be ready. Kinsdale King (Garcia / O'Callaghan) also has done some very fine workouts. He should force the pace in the race. Let's play Hollywood.

$2 SHOW: #3 Delta Storm
10 CENT Superfecta: #3 Delta Storm / #4 Noble Court / #6 Mr. Cacht(ARG) / #5 Paul's Hope, #1 Kinsdale King.

Saturday's Results
Fairgrounds R9. Our pick, Elision, finished 4th. Superfecta went 2-3-9-1.
Hollywood R8. Our pick, Silver Swallow, finished 2nd for show money of $3.80. Superfecta went 2-3-4-6.
Our bankroll sits at $10.70.