It's Kentucky Derby Time

 We have waded through all of the preps. It is time. KD 148 day.

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

A full field of twenty combatants will enter the gate in the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

This is the most competitive field in a number of years. Any one of these lads could pull off the victory. There is plenty of speed to keep the pace humming and give those coming from off the pace a chance to hit the wire first. Speed numbers are fairly close with a number in this robust field ready for large improvement. Two millionaires show up in the race. It will be one of the most exciting Kentucky Derby's in a number of years.

#3 Epicenter (Rosario / Asmussen) is one of the deserved favorites with the highest (tie) last out speed numbers and three strong peaking workouts. He should race close to the pace, ready for battle on the front end heading into the stretch. This guy has a win at this approximate distance. A son of Not This Time, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#7 Crown Pride [JPN] (LeMaire / Seemer) has prepped better than any of these quality horses after arriving from Dubai, UAE. Winner of the UAE Derby he comes in with improving speed figs and five superlative workouts including two half mile bullets. This guy can be expected to track the pace closely. A son of Reach the Crown, he is 75% in the money from four career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#6 Messier (J. Velazquez / Yakteen) this former Bob Baffert charge is rounding into form nicely. He holds the second highest last out speed number and two strong workouts. He could be part of the pace scenario with a good break from the gate. A son of Empire Maker, he is 100% in the money from six career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#10 Zandon (Prat / C. Brown) is a closer that deserves to be the morning line favorite. He comes in with the third highest last out speed fig and two dynamite workouts. This colt will be desirous of a frothy pace. A son of Upstart, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

#1 Mo Donegal (I. Ortiz / Pletcher) is another seeking a heated pace to make the charge in the stretch. He holds the fourth highest last out (tie) speed number and two sound workouts. A son of Uncle Mo, he is 100% in the money from five career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($4.00)

#3 Epicenter  //  #7 Crown Pride [JPN],  #6 Messier,  #10 Zandon,  #1 Mo Donegal.

50 CENT Trifecta Box ($3.00)

#3 Epicenter  +  #7 Crown Pride [JPN]  +  #6 Messier.

50 CENT Trifecta Straight ($1.50)

#3 Epicenter  /  #7 Crown Pride [JPN]  /  #6 Messier,  #10 Zandon,  #1 Mo Donegal.

$1 Superfecta Straight ($2.00)

#3 Epicenter  /  #7 Crown Pride [JPN]  /  #6 Messier  /  #10 Zandon,  #1 Mo Donegal.

$1 Pentafecta Straight ($1.00)

#3 Epicenter  /  #7 Crown Pride [JPN]  /  #6 Messier  /  #10 Zandon  /  #1 Mo Donegal.

Best of luck to all. Be sure to include some of the long shots in your exotic plays as this Derby has a deep and talented field. Cheers!!!!

Superfecta Sunday at Golden Gate

With the Kentucky Derby in our rearview mirror, we take a look at a very nice Turf sprint in the city by the bay.

Golden Gate Fields Race 8 {5 Furlongs~TURF~3 year-old Up~Fillies/Mares~Allowance }

A solid field of ten ladies will step onto the grass in this allowance feature. There is sufficient speed to give it a fast pace. Speed figs are very close among this group. They all have a chance to pull of the victory in this race. Our task is to string together a winning 10 CENT Superfecta Box ticket.

#10 Marilyn's Smile (Couton / McCanna) is coming off a modest layoff, but appears ready to fire. She holds the highest last out speed number and has put in four strong workouts. A daughter of Smiling Tiger, she should track the pace closely and spring into the stretch. This gal is our Bronze Horseshoe selection.
$2 SHOW.

#8 Dearborn (Ocasio / March) should challenge with the second highest last out speed number at a route and four dynamite workouts. This gal comes up from Santa Anita where she raced well. A daughter of Malibu Moon, she should be forwardly placed.

#7 Gotham Desire (J. Hernandez / Moger) will contend with the fourth highest last out speed number and three hearty workouts. She posts the highest speed fig over the surface. A daughter of Gotham City, she should be rolling late.

#4 Classy Atlantic (F. Alvarado / Specht) should be in the mix with some solid last out speed numbers and three robust workouts. This gal should be on or near the lead ready to roll. A daughter of Stormy Atlantic, she should relish a move back to the Turf.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#10 Marilyn's Smile  +  #8 Dearborn  +  #7 Gotham Desire  +  #4 Classy Atlantic.




Stakes Saturday Results
Churchill Downs Race 12.  KENTUCKY DERBY 145--G1.  Our first pick, Game Winner, finished 5th.  Our second pick, War of Will, finished 7th.  Our third pick, Tacitus, finished 3rd for show money of $5.60.
Exacta went 20-13.
Trifecta went 20-13-8
Superfecta went 20-13-8-5.
Pentafecta (Super Hi-5) went 20-13-8-5-16.
Bankroll gets obliterated, dropping to $14.86.

Santa Anita Superfecta Sunday

We take a look at the maidens on this Superfecta Sunday at the "Great Race Place".

Santa Anita Park Race 7 {6 Furlongs~3 year-old~Fillies~Maiden Claiming}

A vibrant field of eleven will saunter to the gate in this Maiden race. There may be enough speed to keep an honest pace on the front end. Speed numbers for those that have a race or two under their saddle are fairly close. There are three first time starters in the field. It should be a challenging group to lasso a winning 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket, but that is what we must try to do.

#3 Naughty Sophie (Prat / Miller) might have a slight edge as she makes her second start. She holds the highest last out speed number at a slightly longer sprint and has put in two solid works. She should be forwardly placed ready to strike. She is our Bronze Horseshoe selection.
$2 SHOW.

#4 Tengs Rhythm (Desormeaux / Mullins) will challenge with the third highest last out speed number at a half a furlong longer distance and three sharp peaking workouts. This gal has hit the board in all three of her career starts including one at this distance. She should be tracking the pace.

#9 Baby Brown (Maldonado / Morey) should contend with the second highest last out speed number and two hearty workouts. She stretches out by a furlong and should enjoy a trip near the front end. This gal hit the board in her first career start.

#10 Much too Much (Ceballos / Machowsky) is a first time starter who looks primed and ready to go at first asking. A daughter of Colonel John, she has put in four superb peaking workouts prepping for her debut. Her trainer has strong stats with first timers.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Naughty Sopie  +  #4 Tengs Rhythm  +  #9 Baby Brown  +  #10 Much too Much.




Stakes Saturday Results 
Pimlico R13.  143rd PREAKNESS--G1.  Our first pick, Justify, won (1st) for win money of $1.40.  Our second pick, Good Magic, finished 4th.  Our third pick, Quip, finished 8th (last).
Finishing numbers were thus:  7-8-6-5-2.
Bankroll gets clobbered, dropping to 238.00.

Preakness 2018

Stakes Saturday and the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

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

A good group of eight will load into the gate on an incredibly sloppy track. The mudders will have their day frolicking in the soup.  Justify is the over all favorite and will be extremely hard to beat. There is plenty of speed to keep the pace moving. Speed numbers are fairly close with the top two Justify and Good Magic holding sway. It should be a terrific running of the Preakness.

#7 Justify (Smith / Baffert) coming off a thrilling Kentucky Derby win, this guy is set-up brilliantly to capture the second jewel of the Triple Crown. With the highest last out speed number and two strong workouts, he should be able to strut into the winners circle. A son of the late great Scat Daddy, he should stay very close to the pace in the early going and then make his move. We will key him in the exotics and place only a token win wager.
$1 WIN.

#5 Good Magic (J. Ortiz / C. Brown) should give a good fight for the win with the second highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and two solid works. A son of Curlin whose progeny have an affinity for the mud, he should put forth a solid effort while tracking the pace closely.
$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#1 Quip (Geroux / Brissett) should be gunning for the champs with plenty of rest after his 2nd place effort in the Arkansas Derby. He shares the third highest last out speed number and has put in two sound workouts prepping for the big race. This son of Distorted Humor should be another that sits in right behind the speed. He should enjoy the additional distance.
$1 SHOW.

#2 Lone Sailor (I. Ortiz / Amoss) should contend with a couple of very good last out speed numbers and two robust, peaking workouts. This son of Majestic Warrior should enjoy the slop as he guns the engines heading into the turn with a supreme closing kick. He is one of four exiting the Kentucky Derby.

#6 Tenfold (Santana / Asmussen) is a new shooter who just missed capturing a gate in KD144. He shares the third highest last out speed number. a two race progression, and three significant peaking workouts. A son of Curlin, he should be forwardly placed.

The Exotic Plays

Exacta Wheel  #7 Justify  /  #5 Good Magic, #1 Quip,  #2 Lone Sailor, #6 Tenfold.

Trifecta  #7 Justify  /  #5 Good Magic, #1 Quip  /  #2 Lone Sailor, #6 Tenfold.

Superfecta #7 Justify  /  #5 Good Magic  /  #1 Quip, #2 Lone Sailor,  #6 Tenfold  /  ALL.



Last Superfecta Sunday (5/13) Reults
Santa Anita R7.  Allowance Optional Claiming.  We misfired on our 10 CENT Superfecta play capturing only one of the four required for the win. Superfecta went 8-5-3-4.
Our Bronze Horseshoe runner, Twentytentyvision, finished 4th.
Bankroll dips to $249.10.

Superfecta Sunday at Belmont

On this Superfecta Sunday we take in a great Turf sprint at beautiful Belmont Park.

Belmont Park Race 6 {7 Furlongs~TURF~3 year-old Up~Allowance}

A high quality field of twelve will take to the green in this allowance feature. There is some speed to produce comfortable fractions. Speed figs are fairly close which should indicate significant competitiveness. All appear to be starting fresh with the vast majority of the field having short to extended layoffs. Our task is to string together a winning 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket. It should the most exciting race on the day.

#10 Dowse's Beach (J. Ortiz / Clement) might be favored coming off an extended layoff. He shows the third highest last out speed number and three sound workouts. He should be forwardly placed allowing him first strike capability. He excels at the distance and over the Belmont Turf.

#2 Tombelaine (Castellano / C. Brown) will challenge with the second highest last out speed number at a slightly longer Turf sprint down at Gulfstream Park, and three workmanlike works. He should track the pace closely ready to spring into the stretch run.

#8 Glorious Empire [IRE] (Graham / Morely) comes in from Fairgrounds where he earned a couple of excellent last out speed numbers and has put in three strong peaking workouts during a brief freshening period. With the right pace, this lad will be closing swiftly. He is our Bronze Horseshoe selection.

$3 SHOW.

#4 Chiltern Street (Rosario / W. Ward) should contend with the highest speed number at the distance and three tremendous workouts. This guy should be part of the pace makers on the front end. He also shows the highest speed fig over the Belmont Turf course.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#10 Dowse's Beach  +  #2 Tombelaine  +  #8 Glorious Empire [IRE]  +  #4 Chiltern Street.

Stakes Saturday Results

Churchill Downs R12.  143rd KENTUCKY DERBY.  Our first pick, Irish War Cry, finished 10th.  Our second pick, Classic Empire, finished 4th.  Our third pick, Hence, finished 11th.

Trifecta went 5-1-11.

Superfecta went 5-1-11-14.

Pentafecta (Super Hi-Five) went 5-1-11-14-19.

Bnakroll nearly gets wiped out falling to a bottom level $5.45.

Belmont Stakes Day

Stakes Saturday arrives with the last of the Triple Crown races, The Belmont Stakes.


Belmont Park Race 11 {Belmont Stakes~G1~1 1/2 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
A fantastic field of fourteen will break from the gate in this fabulous Triple Crown race.  There are plenty of speedsters mixed with forwardly placed types to keep the pace rolling.  The two big winners of the earlier Triple Crown races are back, Kentucky Derby 139 winner, Orb and Preakness 138 winner Oxbow.  Both have a shot.  World class trainer, Todd Pletcher, has five entrants in the race.  Could his charges score the Exacta? Trifecta? Superfecta?  All of them look well primed and have some of the leading riders in the country on-board.  Belmont has experienced a good amount of rain over the last 24 hours which could put a damper on all handicapping efforts.  But this is a big one, let's give it a whirl.

#9 Revolutionary (Castellano / Pletcher) is coming out of KD-139 with a nice rest, skipping the Preakness.  He holds the third highest (tie) last out speed number, a three race progression, and two steady workouts.  He should close just as vigorously as he did in the Derby, last out.  This handsome son of War Pass appears ready to take another step forward for his wonderful connections, Winstar Farm, LLC.
$1 WIN / $2 PLACE / $3 SHOW.

#13 Unlimited Budget (Napravnik / Pletcher) will challenge these boys with heart and style.  She has a magnificent pedigree as the great Street Sense is her Daddy and Unlimited Pleasure is her mum.  She holds the fourth highest last out speed number and has put in three robust peaking workouts.  She has the tactical speed to stay close to the pace and pounce in the stretch.
$1 PLACE / $2 SHOW.

#3 Overanalyze (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) should contend with a couple of decent last out speed numbers and three superb, peaking workouts.  He has scored a victory over the Belmont track in one start over it.  This wonderful son of Dixie Union is still improving and has an opportunity here to showcase his ability.  Expect him to track and close swiftly into a fluid pace.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#5 Orb (Rosario / McGaughey) sure will be in the mix with his confident KD-139 win and foruth place finish in the Preakness.  He did well speed number wise in his last out, The Preakness and has put in two dutiful workouts.  Should the Belmont track come up wet, this son of Malibu Moon has an excellent shot to score again.

#6 Incognito (I. Ortiz / McLaughlin) could surprise with a couple of decent last out speed numbers and two solid workouts.  This gray son of A.P. Indy certainly has the pedigree to last the distance and the ability to be a top stakes horse.  Here is his chance to put it all together for his World class connections, Godolphin.  Look for him to be tracking the pace setters and launch into the stretch.

10 CENT Superfecta

#9 Revolutionary / #13 Unlimited Budget, #3 Overanalyze / #13, #3 / #5 Orb, #6 Incognito / #5, #6.



Friday's Results
Belmont Park R10.  Brooklyn--G2.  Our first pick, Calidoscopio [ARG], won (1st) for show money of $2.35.  Our second pick, Ruler On Ice, finished 6th.  Our third pick, Fast Falcon, finished 3rd for show money of $1.65.
Superfecta went 4-5-6-2.
Bankroll gains a few dimes settling at $21.80.