BELMONT STAKES Day 2021

 As some degree of normalcy returns to the sports world we look in on a fantastic card for Belmont Stakes Day.

Belmont Park Race 11 {Belmont Stakes~G1~1 1/2 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A field of eight will step up to the gate in one of the best races on the the horse racing calendar.

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

There are a few in here that will make their way to the front and maintain a serious, but controlled pace. Speed numbers are very close among the top contenders.  Workouts have been super strong leading up to this last leg of the Triple Crown. It should be a fantastic race.

#7 Rock Your World (Rosario / Sadler) had a very rough start in KD 147 and should fare better in this modest sixed field. He has put in three exceptional workouts, including a bullet, in preparation for his run. This guy could control the pace from start to finish. A son of Candy Ride [ARG], he has a 75% win rate from four career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#2 Essential Quality (L. Saez / B. Cox) will challenge with the highest (3-way tie) last out speed number and three powerful workouts that include a bullet. He should race close to the pace ready to get first jump on the leader. This son of Tapit, has an 83% win record from six career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#3 Rombauer (J. Velazquez / McCarthy) looks to extend his win streak after his victory in the Preakness last out. That effort helped him share the highest last out speed number among this group. Look for him to track and close explosively in the stretch. A son of Twirling Candy, he is 72% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#6 Known Agenda (J. Ortiz / Pletcher) is bred for the classic distance and will contend. He holds the second highest last out speed number and three stout workouts. He is another tracker--closer in this field. This guy is one of two that have hit the board at Belmont. A son of Curlin, he is 72% in the money from seven career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#7 Rock Your World  //  #2 Essential Quality,  #3 Rombauer,  #6 Known Agenda.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#7 Rock Your World  +  #2 Essential Quality  +  #3 Rombauer  +  #6 Known Agenda.

Have a great Belmont Stakes Day!!!!

Preakness Day 2021

 An exciting day of racing across the country as we venture deep into Spring. Today the focus is on the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Pimlico Race 13 {PREAKNESS~G1~1 3/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A good field of ten will saunter over to the gate in this glorious classic.

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

There is speed as the two Baffert horses will battle on the front end with a couple of others joining the fray. Speed numbers are fairly close which should make the race competitive. Only one millionaire, #3 Medina Spirit, is in the field. Additionally, only three exit the Kentucky Derby to make the race and each deserve consideration. All will make there first start over the Pimlico track. It should be a fun and eye opening race.

#5 Midnight Bourbon (I. Ortiz / Asmussen) looks to improve on his KD 147 performance showing the third highest (tie) last out speed number and three superb peaking workouts. He should find a nice pocket close to the pace setters and seek to strike in the stretch. A son of Tiznow, he is 87% in the money from eight career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#10 Concert Tour (Smith / Baffert) will challenge from the outside post with three solid last out speed numbers and three strong workouts. This lad could be part of the pace scenario with a clean break out of the gate. He will stretch out to this distance. A son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#3 Medina Spirit (J. Velazquez / Baffert) will be the clear favorite and should be on the lead. The Kentucky Derby winner will be chasing the second jewel in the Triple Crown and has a good shot to accomplish that. He holds the highest last out speed number and only triple digit Beyer fig in the field. This guy has put in two hearty workouts in the past thirty days. A son of Protonico, he is 100% in the money from six career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#6 Rombauer (Prat / McCarthy) will take advantage of any grueling pace that might develop with a tracking-closing trip. He holds the fourth highest last out speed number and four fierce peaking workouts. He is another that will be stretching out to this distance. A son of Twirling Candy, he is 66% in the money from six career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#5 Midnight Bourbon  //  #10 Concert Tour,  #3 Medina Spirit,  #6 Rombauer.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#5 Midnight Bourbon  +  #10 Concert Tour  +  #3 Medina Spirit  +  #6 Rombauer.

Best of luck to all.  May at least 60 percent of your tickets cash for a nice Stakes Saturday profit.

Kentucky Derby 147

 The best day on the racing calendar is here as we look in on the Twin Spires in Ol' Kentucky.

Churchill Downs Race 12 {Kentucky Derby~G1~1 1/4 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

With one scratch yesterday, a field of nineteen will enter the the twenty hole gate.

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

There is enough speed to carry a strong and honest pace, Beyer speed figs are all fairly close with a number in here showing nice progressions. Focused and superb workouts have been turned in by a good number in this field. There is certainly parity in this three year-old crop. This should be the best race of the year. Good luck to all.

#14 Essential Quality (L. Saez / B. Cox) is the deserved favorite as he has done nothing wrong and should remain undefeated. The third highest last out speed number and two quality workouts make him the top pick. A handsome son of Tapit, he holds an 100% win rate from five career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#10 Midnight Bourbon (Smith / Asmussen) Will challenge with the fourth highest last out speed number and four super powered workouts. He exits a second place finish in the Louisiana Derby last out at the Fair Grounds. This son of Tiznow, is 100% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#9 Hot Rod Charlie (Prat / O'Neill) should contend with the second highest last out speed number and four dynamic workouts. This guy was the winner in the Louisiana Derby in his last race. Look for him to stay close to the pace-setters. A son of Oxbow, he is 72% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 SHOW(

Others that could hit the board

#8 Medina Spirit (J. Velazquez / Baffert) is a consistent sort with three excellent last out speed figs and four workmanlike works. This guy should be forwardly placed ready for battle. A son of Protonico, he is 100% in the money from five career starts.

#7 Mandaloun (Geroux / B. Cox) should make a dramatic improvement from his Louisiana Derby performance, especially with a brilliant workout tab of four including two bullets. This guy should run mid-pack looking for racing room. A son of Into Mischief, he is 80% in the money from five career starts.

#17 Highly Motivated (Castellano / C. Brown) is heading into the third race of his form cycle after battling the KD 147 favorite last out in the Bluegrass Stakes. He should strategically run mid-pack and strike in the stretch. Another son of Into Mischief, he is also 100% in the money from five career starts.

#1 Known Agenda (I. Ortiz / Pletcher) has shown good improvement along the Derby trail, The Florida Derby winner will be tracking the pace. He has put in three solid workouts in preparation for the big race. A son of Curlin, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

#20 Bourbonic (Carmouche / Pletcher) will be flying from the clouds when the pack turns for home. His speed figures have improved in each of his last three races. He has put in two good works prepping for the race. A son of Bernardini, he is 66% in the money from six career starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel

#14 Essential Quality  //  #10,  #9,  #8,  #7,  #17,  #1,  #20.

Opening Night at Churchill Downs

Updated 2:30 pm PT (4/24/2021) 

With KD 147 exactly one week away, we look in on some evening racing under the Twin Spires for our Stakes Saturday.

Churchill Downs Race 9 {William Walker Stakes~5 1/2 Furlongs~TURF~3 year-old~Stakes}

A field of ten talented lads should hi the grass in this annual contest. 

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

Named after famed Kentucky Derby winning jockey, Billy Walker, this race shapes up as a highly competitive one. Hopefully it will be kept on the TURF. There is a plethora of speed which make this race fast and furious. Speed figs are fairly close. Esteemed trainer, Wesley Ward, has two entered in this race. Also, the stellar sire, Into Mischief, has two progeny entered. It should be a super fine race.

#3 Field Day (Gaffalione / B. Cox) looks to be the controlling speed. He holds the second highest (tie) last out speed number and two good workouts. This guy has already hit the board twice in two starts at this very distance. A son of Broken Vow, he is 100% in the money from six career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#1 Roderick (Van Dyke / W. Ward) is sure to challenge, coming off short layoff. This colt should race close to the speedsters on the front end. He was last seen at Gulfstream Park racing in a Stakes sprint over the dirt and has put in four exceptional workouts in the last thirty days. A son of Into Mischief,  he is 50% in the money from six career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#5 Unitedandresolute (Geroux / Amoss) will contend holding the highest last out speed number and two strong workouts. This guy should be traveling close to the pace as the speedsters cut through the grass. A son of Violence, he is 90% in the money from ten career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#11 Into the Sunrise (L. Saez / W. Ward) is also coming off a modest layoff with three dynamite workouts. He hold a win at this distance from three tries. Expect him to also be motoring on the front end. He is a newly gelded son of Into Mischief. 

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#3 Field Day  //  #1 Roderick,  #5 Unitedandresolute,  #11 Into the Sunrise.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Field Day  +  #1 Roderick  +  #5 Unitedandresolute  +  #11 Into the Sunrise.

Last Stakes Saturday (4/17) Results

Keeneland R9.  Elkhorn Stakes--G2.  Our first pick, Red Knight, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Say the Word, won (1st) for place money of $2.40 and show money of $3.20.  Our third pick, Tide of the Sea, finished 7th.  Our fourth pick, Fantasioso [ARG], finished 4th.

We completely missed on our Exacta play. Superfecta went 2-9-3-8.

Bankroll tumbles to $42.34.

 

Stakes Saturday at Magnificent Keeneland

 With the Kentucky Derby only twenty-eight days away we take in one of the influential preps on the road to KD 147.

Keeneland Race 11 {Toyota Bluegrass~G2~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A fantastic field of nine will enter the gate in search of Derby points.

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

Of this field, seven have accumulated some derby points, but only one, Essential Quality, may already have enough to get himself into the gate on the first Saturday in May. He will be the odds on favorite. Only two in this field have gone this distance. The aforementioned favorite is the only millionaire of the group. This race lacks speed as most take up a tracking position hoping to close gallantly. Speed numbers are very close for the top tier of runners. It should be a great race with a number in here ready to prove their mettle.

#4 Essential Quality (L. Saez / B. Cox) is the deserved favorite as he puts his undefeated record from four career starts on the line. He won last out in the Southwest at Oaklawn Park earning him the highest last out speed number of this crew. He has since put in three dynamite workouts in preparation for this race. A millionaire son of Tapit, could be the pace leader by default.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#3 Highly Motivated (Castellano / C. Brown) should be the chief challenger with the second highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. He has already posted a victory at Keeneland. Currently he is in 33rd position on the KD 147 points leaderboard and will need to win or place second to get himself in the gate. This lad is one of many trackers in this field. A son of Into Mischief, whose progeny relish the Keeneland surface, is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#5 Rombauer (Geroux / M. McCarthy) will surely challenge coming off a victory at this distance in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields. His last three races have produced consistently good speed figs and he has put in four powerful workouts in preparation for the race. He sits in 24th position on the KD 147 points leaderboard. Look for him to be battling among the closers to hit the board. A son of surface versatile, Twirling Candy, he is 60% in the money from five career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#1 Hidden Stash (Bejarano / Oliver) is sitting on an explosive effort with a couple of good last out speed numbers and three superb peaking workouts. This guy ranks 18th on the KD 147 points leaderboard. He should take up a tracking position ready to strike. Another in this field with a win over the Keenland track. A son of Constitution, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#4 Essential Quality  //  #3 Highly Motivated,  #5 Rombauer,  #1 Hidden Stash.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#4 Essential Quality  +  #3 Highly Motivated  +  #5 Rombauer  +  #1 Hidden Stash.

Last Stakes Saturday (3/27) Results

Turfway Park R11.  Jeff Ruby Steaks--G3.  Our first pick, Gretsky the Great, finished a disappointing 5th.  Our second pick, Sainthood, finished 2nd for place money of $9.40 and show money of $9.90.  Our third pick, Like the King, won (1st) for show money of $5.60.

We flubbed our Exacta Wheel play. Superfecta went 1-5-12-9.

Bankroll moves up a notch to settle at $54.13.