Stakes Saturday at Saratoga

Today we look at another test for Kentucky Derby hopefuls during these unprecedented times. Up at beautiful Saratoga we examine the field for the sensational Travers.

Saratoga Race 11 {Travers~G1~1 1/4 mile~3 year-old~graded stakes}

An exceptionally talented field of eight will go to the gate in the annual "Summer Derby". Though this year there are KD points on the line. There is enough speed to keep the pace fast. All of these lads will be stretching out to this distance having only gone as far as 1 1/8 mile in their last. Speed numbers are fairly close and most should improve as they continue their three year-old season. It will be the most exciting race leading up to this years Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in September.

#6 Tiz the Law (M. Franco / Tagg) is the even money morning line favorite. He is the only one in this field to hit triple digit speed numbers. He holds the highest last out speed number and four superlative workouts in preparation for this race. This lad should be tracking the pace ready to unleash in the stretch. He has already posted a victory over the Saratoga track. A son of Constitution, he 100% in the money from six career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#2 Country Grammer  (I. Ortiz / C. Brown) should take another great step forward with the second highest (tie) last out speed number and two solid workouts. He too has notched a win over the Saratoga track. He should be tracking the pace closely ready to strike as they head into the stretch. A son of Tonalist, he is 60% in the money from five career starts.

$1 PLACE  / $2 SHOW.

#4 Max Player (Rosario / L. Rice) should challenge with the fourth highest last out speed number and four robust peaking workouts. He continues to improve with every race and should do so on the stretch out here. This lad comes in from Belmont ready to rock. A son of Honor Code, he is also 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 SHOW.

#8 South Bend (J. Ortiz / Mott) should contend with the third highest (tie) last out speed number and three superb workouts. This guy loves the surface and should relish the extra distance. A pure closer, he already has three wins on his resume. A son of Algorithms, he is 63% in the money from eleven career starts,

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#6 Tiz the Law //  #2 Country Grammer, #4 Max Player,  #8 South Bend.

10 CENT Superfecta ($1.00)

#6 Tiz the Law  /  #2 Country Grammer  /  #4 Max Player,  #8 South Bend  /  ALL.

Last Superfecta Sunday (8/2) Results

Golden Gate R6.  Maiden Claiming. We fumbled our 10 CENT Superfecta play capturing only one of the four needed to cash our ticket. Superfecta went 4-5-2-7.

Our Bronze Horseshoe runner Thick Smoke, finished 8th (last).

Bankroll gets pummeled and drops to $115.83.

Stakes Saturday under the twin Spires

A great card with a numerous stakes races, we take a look at the action at Churchill Downs. On this Stakes Saturday we examine a KD 146 prep race under the Twin Spires.

Churchill Downs Race 10 {Matt Winn Stakes~G3~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A great field of ten comes together to battle for KD 146 points (50-20-10-5) in this featured stakes race. There is enough speed to maintain an honest pace. Speed numbers are very close giving any one of these lads a chance to take home some points for the September 5th Kentucky Derby. Only a couple have had recent races with the rest coming in with modest layoffs mostly due to our new normal. It should be the finest Stakes race on this beautiful Saturday.

#10 Maxfield (J. Ortiz / Walsh) should be the one to beat as he makes his first start since last year. His two races during his 2 year-old season were both wins earning very good last out speed numbers. This lad has put in four powerful peaking workouts which prepare him well for this level of competition. A son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winning Street Sense, he should have an exemplary closing kick.
$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#6 Ny Traffic (P. Lopez / Joseph) has the giddy-up to potentially wire this field. He holds the highest last out speed number at a longer route and four strong workouts. He has already won at this distance. A son of Cross Traffic, he is 72% in the money from seven career starts.
$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#2 Pneumatic (Santana / Asmussen) will be seeking his third straight victory coming over from Oaklawn Park. He holds the third highest (tie) last out speed number and four hearty workouts. This guy will also be stretching out in distance. A son of Uncle Mo, he should be tracking the pace ready to strike.
$2 SHOW.

#11 Attachment Rate (J. Velazquez / Romans) comes in from Gulfstream Park with the second highest last out speed number and two solid peaking workouts. He is one of four that have already races over the Churchill circuit. A son of Hard Spun, he is 80% in the money from five career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#10 Maxfield //  #6 Ny Traffic,  #2 Pneumatic,  #11 Attachment Rate.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#10 Maxfield  +  #6 Ny Traffic  +  #2 Pneumatic  #11 Attachment Rate.




Last Superfecta Sunday (5/17) Results
Gulfstream Park R5.  Claiming.  We cashed our ticket for our 10 CENT Superfecta play earning a meager $3.50. Superfecta went 1-8-4-5.
Our Bronze Horseshoe runner, Dardanellos, finished 2nd for show money of $1.70.
Bankroll gets a tiny blip to $96.85.
  

Stakes Saturday in Hot Springs

On this Stakes Saturday we take a look at the last race on the Kentucky Derby trail.

Oaklawn Park Race 11 {The Arkansas Derby~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A great crop of eleven will take to the Arkansas dirt to chase the Derby dream. With KD 145 only three weeks away, many in this starting gate are seeking additional Derby points to assure their entry into the gate on the first Saturday in May. There is plenty of speed to mount a rapid pace. Speed numbers are reasonably close offering a competitive race. The Arkansas Derby has always been a key race for the Kentucky Derby; this one will be no exception.  It should be a fantastic race.

#7 Galilean (Prat / Hollendorfer) should take another step forward with the third highest last out speed number and three terrific endurance producing workouts. He has 7.5 KD points and a win or second here will get him a spot in this years big dance. A son of Uncle Mo, he should be forwardly placed ready for battle.
$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#3 Omaha Beach (M. Smith / Mandella) could go off as a co-favorite with the highest last out speed number and two bullet workouts. He will be seeking his third win in a row coupled with a 100% in the money record from six starts. This colt has 37.5 KD points, but could use a few more to insure his spot in KD 145. A son of War Front, he should be forwardly placed jostling for position heading into the stretch run.
$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Improbable (J. Ortiz / Baffert) is the other probable favorite with the second highest (tie) last out speed number and two bullet workouts. He will need some additional points to make it to the gate on May 4th as he currently has 25 KD points. Expect this son of City Zip to track the pace and strike in the stretch.
$2 SHOW.

#8 Country House (Rosario / Mott) should challenge with a couple of good last out speed numbers and two solid workouts. This lad continues to improve with every race. He is the only one in the field that has competed at this distance. Count 30 KD points to his credit. A son of Lookin At Lucky, he should be closing swiftly into a fast pace.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#7 Galilean  +  #3 Omaha Beach  +  #1 Improbable  +  #8 Country House.



Last Superfecta Sunday (4/7) Results
Keeneland R8.  Appalachian--G2.  We just missed on our 10 CENT Superfecta box effort capturing three of the four required to hit it. Superfecta went 4-9-5-8.
Our Bronze Horseshoe selection, The Mackem Bullet [IRE] won (1st) for show money of $2.30.
Bankroll get shaved a buck and a dime to settle at $57.16.