February Starts the Kentucky Derby Preps in Earnest

A great day of racing opens the month of February. On this Stakes Saturday we look to the Big "A" for a thrilling Kentucky Derby prep.

Aqueduct Race 8 {Withers~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A great crop of eight three year-olds will head into the gate for this annual Derby prep race. Ten KD points are on the line for the winner. There is enough pace in this one to keep it rolling well. Speed numbers are fairly close leaving to the one ready to make another improvement on the road to the Derby. It should be a fantastic race.

#5 Shotski (L. Saez / O'Dwyer) looks to be ready as only one of two that have gone this distance. He holds the highest last out speed number and four significantly good workouts. This guy has already won at the distance and over the Aqueduct oval. A son of Blame, he has the tactical speed to be close to the pace and launch into the stretch.
$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#8 Portos (J. Lezcano / Pletcher) should challenge having gone this distance three times already while hitting the board twice. This lad holds the second highest last out speed number and three workmanlike works. A son of Tapit, he should take up a nice tracking position ready to strike.
$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#2 Monday Morning Qb (Vargas / Reid) should contend as he stretches out to this distance. He holds the fourth highest last out speed number and two superb peaking workouts. A son of Imagining, he should be forwardly placed ready to roll. This guy has hit the board in all three of his starts.
$1 SHOW.

#7 Vanzzy (Alvarado / Pino) will be in the mix with the third highest last out speed number and three sound workouts. This guy will be stretching out slightly to this distance. He is 75% in the money from four starts. A son of Verrazano, he should be part of the forwardly placed contingent.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#5 Shotski  //  #8 Portos,  #2 Monday Morning Qb,  #7 Vanzzy.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#5 Shotski  +  #8 Portos  +  #2 Morning Morning Qb  +  #7 Vanzzy.




Last Superfecta Sunday (1/26) Results
Sam Houston Race Park R7.  Texas Turf Mile Stakes.  We misfired in our 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket having to pitch due to a key scratch. Superfecta went 10-8-1-7.
Our Bronze Horseshoe, selection, Memorable, finished 9th.
Bankroll tumbles to $90.76.

Racing All Day Long

Today we look at three fantastic races from the East Coast to the West Coast and then the Gulf Coast.  All relatively warm climate races.  Should be suns of fun.

Gulfstream Race 7 {1 1/16 mile~Turf~4 year old Up~fillies/mares~Allowance}
A great full field lines up for this one, including four on the also eligible list waiting to go. 
Speak Easy Gal (Trujillo / Wolfson) looks like the one to beat.  She has some of the best speed numbers across the board and is 100% in the money on the surface, at the distance and on the track.  There is a lot to like about this gal.  Loxy Lady (A. Garcia / Hennig) shows a strong last out speed number and has put in a respectable workout tab.  Oakshela (Castro / J. Carroll) is another with a fine last out speed number and a series of three peaking workouts. She will be there with the wall of closers at the turn.  Miss MVP (Bravo / Hills) shows a fine peaking workout series of two.  Her distance speed number is right near the top.  Let's play Gulfstream.

$2 SHOW:  #11 Speak Easy Gal
$2 SHOW:  #6 Loxy Lady
10 CENT Superfecta:  #11 Speak Easy Gal / #6 Loxy Lady / #8 Oakshela / #2 Miss MVP

Santa Anita Race 8 {Sunshine Millions Classic~1 1/8 mile~4 year old UP~ Stakes}
A very strong filed assembles for this stakes race.  There is no clear favorite of the group.  We will give a slight edge to the closer, Bad Action (J. Velazquez / Pletcher).  He can be considered a distance specialist with a fine last out speed number and a peaking four workout set.  Compari (Gomez / M. Jones) looks very good as well.  He is expected to be the speed and is holding on to a 100% in the money record going into this race.  Jeranimo (Blanc / Pender) is coming off the best last out speed number of the group.  He looks competitive if he can move up to this distance.  Three horses that will compete for the victory are The Usual Q.T. (Espinoza / Cassidy), who is vying for his sixth win in a row; Bold Chieftain (R. Baze / Morey), who has the top overall speed number; and Wicked Style (Bejarano / Arnold) who shows a very strong workout tab going into this race.  Let's give this challenging Santa Anita race a shot.

$2 SHOW:  #6 Bad Action
$2 SHOW:  #8 Compari
10 CENT Superfecta:  #6 Bad Action / #8 Compari / #1 Jeranimo / #7 The Usual Q.T., #9 Bold Chieftain, #10 Wicked Style.

Sam Houston Race 9 {John B. Conally Handicap~G3~1 1/8 mile~Turf~3 year old Up~Stakes}
This will be an exciting evening race going off at approximately 10:28 PM Central Time.  A full field of fourteen goes to the gate.  This will not be a race for the faint of heart handicapper.  Any horse in this field can win this race. All have posted triple digit speed numbers over their career, some on a consitent basis.  We like the Woodbine invader, Pool Play (Husbands / Casse) in this race. He has the top last out speed number and a nice peaking two workout set.  King Dan (Graham / Keen) will challenge with a top last out speed number and four high level workouts.  Going Ballistic (Quinonez / D. Von Hemmel) has the highest speed number on the Sam Houston track, of the group.  Four solid workouts indicate he is ready to fire.  Red Rock Creek (C. Landeros / Asmussen) is tied with Going Ballistic with the best speed numbers across the board.  Add to that, twenty-three career wins and an aggressive three workout tab and this older guy will be ready to compete.  Orientate Express (Murphy / K. Von Hemmel) has fired a terrific two workout set and like King Dan has the second highest last out speed number.  Will no doubt threaten near the lead.  Let's play a night-cap at Sam Houston.

$2 SHOW:  #11 Pool Play
$2 SHOW:  #3 King Dan
10 CENT Superfecta:  #11 Pool Play / #3 King Dan / #6 Going Ballistic / #1A Red Rock Creek, #10 Orientate Express.

















Friday's Results
Aqueduct R8.  Our first pick, William Thomas finished 8th (last).  Our second pick, Gold Vendetta, finished 2nd for $4.30 in show money.  No 10 CENT Superfecta for this race.
Gulfstream R7.  Our first pick, Becky's Kitten, finished 4th.  Our second pick, On Vacation, finished 7th.  Superfecta went 1-2-3-5.
Our bankroll sits at $13.00.