Happy Thanksgiving

Cheers!  We begin another horse racing weekend on a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  Today we continue the tradition of taking in a race at glorious Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
Happy Thanksgiving !!

Fair Grounds Race 9 {Thanksgiving Handicap~6 furlongs~3 year old Up~Stakes}
A tight field of six will venture to the track in this traditional stakes race.  The group is relatively evenly divided between those that like to race upfront and those that like to come from off the pace.  For the most part the speed numbers are comparable.  It should be a great race.

#2 Gantry (Eramia / Faucheux) might have a tiny edge with the highest (tie) last out speed number, a two race progression, and two strong peaking workouts.  This guy is likely to sit close to the pace and release into the stretch.  He has an enviable 91% in the money record at the distance in twelve starts.
$1 WIN / $1 SHOW.

#6 Mico Magarita (Flores / Asmussen) should challenge with the second highest speed number at a slightly longer sprint, a four race progression, and four superb workouts.  This lad should be coming from off the pace and swooping down the stretch. He is another with a primo in the money record at the distance of 83% in six starts.
$1 SHOW.

#1 Delaunay (Napravnik / Amoss) will be the overall favorite sharing the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and two hearty workouts.  This guy can be expected to share front running duties.  He has the highest speed number at the distance.
$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

Since its Thanksgiving day, let's include the remaining field as the also ran's in our 10 CENT Superfecta play.  Kinda like piling all of the delicious trimmings from the Turkey Table onto our plate.

#4 Foreign Production (Martin / Faucheux) has a legitimate shot with the fourth highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and one modest workout.

#5 Central Banker (Geroux / Stall) could surprise with the third highest last out speed number at a longer sprint, a two race progression, and three excellent workouts.

#3 Strong and Tough (Graham / Mouton) is the "long-shot" in the field with a couple of o.k last out speed numbers.  He does like coming from off the pace and should the pace really heat-up he may grab a piece of the Thanksgiving purse pie.

10 CENT Superfecta

#2 Gantry / #6 Mico Magarita / #1 Delaunay / #4 Foreign Production, #5 Central Banker, #3 Strong and Tough.



Last Superfecta Sunday (11/24) Results
Betfair Hollywood Park R7.  On Trust Handicap.  We manage to include three of the four in our 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket falling short of a win.  Superfecta went 6-4-5-2.
Our Bronze Horseshoe runner, Starspangled Heat, finished 7th.
Bankroll gets plucked and drifts downward to $64.83.
 

To Hollywood for Superfecta Sunday

On this Superfecta Sunday, we take a look at a contentious handicap sprint at legendary Hollywood Park.

Betfair Hollywood Park Race 7 {On Trust Handicap~7 1/2 furlongs~3 year old Up~CA~Stakes}
A smashing field of eight will go to the gate in this stakes feature.  There is enough speed to keep the pace crackling.  A number in here have been lightly raced this year or are coming off brief freshenings. Our task is to cobble a group of four together for a 10 CENT Superfecta Box ticket.

#6 Rousing Sermon (Bejarano / Hollendorfer) looks well prepared to take this one with the second highest last out speed number at a route, a three race progression, and three superb peaking workouts.  He should stay close to the pace ready to strike in the stretch.

#4 Cyclometer (Smith / Headley) can be expected to be the speed of the race with the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and three speedy workouts.  He has not yet gone this distance, but has acquitted himself well going a half furlong longer and shorter.

#1 Starspangled Heat (F. Perez / Abrams) should challenge with the third highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two strong workouts.  He should be tracking the pace and closing well.  He appears ready to take another step up and for that reason he is our Bronze Horseshoe runner.
$2 SHOW.

#5 Mobilized (Nakatani / Mandella) should contend with a couple of decent last out speed numbers and three excellent peaking workouts.  This guy holds the highest speed number at the distance over this very track.  He also is 100% in the money at this distance having traveled it three times.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#6 Rousing Sermon  +  #4 Cyclometer  +  #1 Starspangled Heat  +  #5 Mobilized.



Stakes Saturday Results
Churchill Downs R9.  River City Handicap--G3.  Our first pick, Keep Up, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Daddy Nose Best, finished 5th.  Our third pick, Skyring, finished 9th.
Superfecta went 13-3-12-1.
Bankroll gets punched in the gut and plummets to $69.23.