Grade Three Ohio Derby

 Into Mid-America for a highly competitive grade three race.

Thistledown Race 12 {Ohio Derby~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A good group of ten will battle for the victory in this graded stake race.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There should be plenty of speed in the race to produce a swift pace. Only four will try this exact distance for the first time. Speed numbers are very close. Only one horse has raced over the Thistledown track. It should be a very tight race among what some characterize as second level talent among the three-year-old division. Overall it should be one of the best races across North America.

#8 Desert Gate (Prat / Baffert) is the deserved favorite as the only competitor in the field to earn a triple digit speed fig. He will stretch out for this race. This guy will be seeking his third win in a row. He holds the highest last out speed number and two superb workouts. A son of Omaha Beach, he is 85% in the money from seven starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#3 Chip Honcho (J. Ortiz / Asmussen) will challenge with the second highest last out speed number and three solid workouts. He has the tactical speed to adapt to the pace. This lad loves the dirt and will handle the distance. A son of Collect, he is 72% in the money.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#7 Bull by the Horns (M. Husbands / SA Joseph) is sitting on a great effort as he drops a bit in distance with two sound workouts. This guy will close valiantly into a serious pace. He comes in with a decent last out speed fig. A son of Essential Quality, he is 66% in the money from six starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#5 Ocelli (Gaffalione / Beckman) is another closer looking for a fast pace. He is dropping in distance with three hearty workouts. A son of Connect, he is 62% in the money from eight starts.

#2 Robusta (Jaramillo / O'Neill) has improved his speed fig in each of his last three starts with a strengthening workout to lift his performance. A son of Accelerate, he is 28% in the money from seven starts.

#10 Albus (J. Torres / R. Mott) holds a win at this distance and drops in class as well as distance. This guy has tactical speed to stay the pace. A son of Yaupon, he is 60% in the money from five starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#8 Desert Gate  ///  #3 Chip Honcho,  #7 Bull by the Horns,  #5 Ocelli,  #2 Robusta,  #10 Albus.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#3,  #7,  #5,  #2,  #10  ///  #8 Desert Gate.

Best of luck with all your Stakes Saturday wagers!!!

 

Let's Go OHIO

 On this Stakes Saturday we look at the Ohio Derby.

Thistledown Race 12 {Ohio Derby~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A reduced field of eight will go to the gate in this annual event.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

A good group of three-year-olds will battle for a share of the 500K purse. There is enough speed to create an honest pace. Speed figs are fairly close with two in this race having hit the triple digit mark. Only two have experience over the Thistledown track. Three have raced at this exact distance. All have distinguished themself over a dirt surface. It should be a great race to cap off a fine Thistledown card.

#2 Chunk of Gold (Loveberry / E. West) drops in off a decent performance in the Grade one Kentucky Derby. As such he drops in distance with three strong workouts. He should be well positioned in the tracker pack. This colt has hit the board at the distance. A son of Preservationist, he is 80% in the money from five starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#6 Clever Again (J. Ortiz / Asmussen) exits the Grade one Preakness at a longer route and has put in three superb peaking workouts. This colt should be the speed on the front-end. He is the morning-line favorite. A lover of the dirt, he has never gone this distance. A son of American Pharoah, he is 75% in the money from four starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#4 McAfee (J. Velazquez / R. Dutrow) holds the second highest (tie) last out speed number and four solid workouts. This guy also holds the highest speed number at the distance. Look for him to track the pace closely. A son of Cloud Computing, he is 60% in the money from five starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#3 Capo Luca (L. Gonzalez / Puhl) is seeking his fourth win in a row on a stretch out to this distance. He holds three wins from three starts over the track. This guy is another that will track the pace closely. A son of Laoban, he is 50% in the money from twelve starts.

#10 Mo Plex (J. Ramos / Englehart) holds the highest last out speed number and four fierce workouts. He will be stretching out from a sprint to this route distance. This lad should be racing very close to the pace. A son of Complexity, he is 100% in the money from seven starts.

#5 Extradition (R. Bowen / DeCosta) will stretch out to this distance with the fourth highest last out speed number and one sound workout. This guy should be running swiftly late into the pace. He has hit the board in both of his races over the Thistledown track. A son of Gun Runner, he is 55% in the money from nine starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#2 Chunk of Gold  ///  #6 Clever Again,  #4 McAfee,  #3 Capo Luca,  #10 Mo Plex,  #5 Extradition.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#6,  #4,  #3,  #10,  #5  ///  #2 Chunk of Gold.

Best of luck with all your Stakes Saturday plays!!!

 

Stakes Saturday in Ohio

It is Stakes Saturday and we take a look at the Ohio Derby.

Thistledown Race 8 {Ohio Derby~G3~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A great group of nine will take to the dirt in this graded stakes feature. There is enough speed to keep the pace rolling. These fellas have fairly close speed numbers. Most are coming out of graded stakes races including the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. It should be quite a battle for the victory.

#4 Divining Rod (Leparoux / Delacour) might have the edge with the second highest last out speed number and three strong peaking workouts. This son of Tapit should be forwardly placed ready to take these talented guys on. He is 100% in the money from six career starts.
$2 WIN  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Whisket Ticket (Pedroza / Baffert) should challenge with the highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and three fluid workouts. This son of Ghostzapper will be making his third career start after two previous victories. He is another that can be expected to be forwardly placed.
$2 SHOW.

#6 Tencendur (Franco / Weaver) will contend with the highest overall speed number on a dirt surface. He is coming out of a longer route (KD 141) and has put in four fantastic workouts that include two bullets. This son of Warrior's Reward will be tracking the pace ready to strike going into the stretch.
$2 SHOW.

Another Wagering Interest

#5 War Story (Desormeaux / Amoss) should be in the mix with a couple of decent last out speed numbers and three robust workouts. He shares the second highest speed number at the distance with three others. This son of Northern Afleet should track the pace ready to romp.

10 CENT Superfecta

#4 Divining Rod  /  #1 Whisket Ticket  /  #6 Tencendur  /  #5 War Story.



Furlong Friday Results
Arlington International R5.  Claiming.  Our pick, Im Moneyinthebank, finished 2nd for show money of $2.20.
We abandoned our 10 CENT Superfecta play due to two scratches.  Superfecta went 3-5-4-7.
Bankroll gains a couple of dimes to settle at $4.08.

Breeder's Cup Friday

Can you believe the Breeders Cup races are here already?  Today we take a look at a very superb race in preparation for a great Breeders Cup Stakes Saturday.

Santa Anita Race 7 {Grey Goose BC Juvenile Fillies~G1~1 1/16 mile~2 year old~fillies~Stakes}
A splendid field of eight will make their way onto the Santa Anita dirt.  This field has the need for speed!!  Any one of these youngsters could win this.  A majority of the entrants are speedsters which could open it up for a gal that likes to come from off the pace.

#3 Spring in the Air (Husbands / Casse) looks ready to tackle the speed laced field with the second highest (tie) last out speed number, a four race progression, and two solid workouts.  She should relish a hot pace and close swiftly.
$2 WIN / $3 SHOW.

#7 Broken Spell (Maragh / Lukas) could surprise with the third highest (tie) last out speed number, a six race progression, and three athletic workouts.  She is another that will come from off the pace hoping for a heated one.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#2 Executiveprivilege (Bejarano / Baffert) should be the overwhelming favorite.  This speedster shares the third highest last out speed number, holds a three race progression, has put in two strong workouts and is undefeated in five career races.  On her home track, she is the one to beat.

#6 Almost An Angel (Rosario / Ward) is another that could surprise with a couple of decent last out speed numbers, a three race progression, and two hearty workouts.  She has the tactical speed to stay close, but not get caught up in a speed dual.

10 CENT Superfecta

#3 Spring in the Air / #7 Broken Spell / #2 Executiveprivilege / #6 Almost An Angel.



Thursday's Results
Thistledown R8.  Allowance.  Our first pick, Zippin Along, finished 3rd for show money of $3.00.  Our second pick, Drica's Luck, finished 2nd for show money of $4.20.
Superfecta went 3-5-7-2.
Bankroll gets a nice bump to $12.31.

Thursday at Thistledown

On a pleasant Thursday in the great state of Ohio, we take a look at a nice sprint race at Thistledown.  A wonderful warm-up to an exciting horse racing weekend.

Thistledown Race 8 {6 furlongs~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~Allowance}
A unique group of eight will go to the gate for this allowance feature.  Plenty of speed will keep the pace fluid.  There are a few trackers in the race which should make things interesting if the pace heats up.

#7 Zippin Along (Banda / Cosine) has a pressing/tracking running style that she can use to great benefit.  She holds the highest last out speed number and a two race progression.  This gal has run well over the Thistledown track.
$2 SHOW.

#5 Orica's Luck (H. Rosario / Tsirigolis) will challenge with the third highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and one good workout.  She has the tactical speed to stay close to the front or if the pace heats up back off a little on the throttle and zoom through the stretch.
$2 SHOW.

#2 Uh Oh Hereshecomes (Seabury / Rini) should be in the hunt with the second highest (tie) last out speed number and a three race progression.  She can be expected to hang back off the pace and push through the stretch.

#8 Danzig Scorpion (De La Cruz / Kamerski) could be in the mix sharing the second highest last out speed number and holding a two race progression.  She could be forwardly placed hoping to hold off those coming from behind.

10 CENT Superfecta

#7 Zippin Along / #5 Orica's Luck / #2 Uh Oh Hereshecomes / #8 Danzig Scorpion.



Last Superfecta Sunday (10/28) Results
Churchill Downs R8.  Pocahontas--G2.  We only selected two racers that ended up in the 10 CENT Superfecta box.  Superfecta went 6-8-7-3.
Our Bronze Horseshoe selection, Cloudy Vow, finished 3rd for show money of $6.60.
Bankroll gets a rise to $9.41.