Saturday, November 26, 2011

Escape to New York

Nothing more enjoyable than a stakes race on a Saturday.  In this case we look at a grade one at Aqueduct.

Aqueduct Race 8 {Cigar Mile Handicap~G1~1 mile~3 year old Up~Stakes}
An evenly matched group of seven line up for this annual affair.  Two will be a single wagering interest.  There is some significant speed in this race and with controlling, modest fractions they could come out ahead of the trackers and closers.  Excitement level will rate high as all are well known horses making the run.

#3 Haynesfield (Dominguez / Asmussen) looks the best prepared for this race with a strong last out speed number, a two race progression, and three superb, peaking workouts.  Add to that the terrific year trainer, Steve Asmussen is having and you have a formula for potential victory.
$1 WIN / SHOW.

#5 To Honor and Serve (Lezcano / Mott) will likely have the front end duties attempting to stave off all challengers, which one can expect the entire field to be.  He has a very respectable speed number at a longer distance and has put in two exceptionally strong workouts.  He could wire the field.
$1 PLACE / SHOW.

#1A Caixa Eletronica (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) looks like he is ready to sieze the day with the second highest last out speed number covering a longer sprint distance, a five race progression, and one sturdy workout.
$2 SHOW.

10 CENT Superfecta
Due to the small field there is not 10 CENT Superfecta offered for this race.



Friday's Results
Hollywood Park R7.  Our first pick, Hiatus, finished 7th.  Our second pick, Jairzihno [GB], finished 3rd for show money of $2.80.
Superfecta went 8-3-2-1.
Bankroll gets clipped to $22.95.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Hey, Hey Hollywood Turf

The beautiful thing about the Thanksgiving weekend is that many people seek out entertainment venues to have a full, exceptional weekend.  Whether it be a college basketball game, movie, or better yet, a horse race, these types of activities make for a well rounded four day vacation.

Today we go to the Hollywood Turf.  Much better than a Hollywood movie.

Hollywood Park Race 7 {1 1/4 mile~Turf~Optional Claiming}
A delightful field of eight will make their way to the gate in this TURF battle.  Not much speed indicates that it could be a fairly bunched up group that will battle in the stretch.

#7 Hiatus (Smith / Hess) has a tiny edge with the second highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and three aggressive workouts.  This guy should close quickly in the stretch outleaning the others at the wire.
$2 SHOW.

#2 Jairzihno (Talamo / Mitchell) will challenge with a decent last out speed number and three stamina producing workouts.  He has raced well at this distance and likes the Hollywood Turf.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#3 Antidote (Rosario / Sadler) appears ready to run well with the third highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and one bullet workout.  He has the tactical speed to go the distance.

#1 Erbia (Espinoza / Palma)  will be a contender with the highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two vigorous workouts.  He should be among the closers gaining ground in the stretch.

#6 Yodelen Dan (M. Garcia / Mullins) is the grizzled veteran seeking yet another victory.  He holds the highest speed number at the distance and sports a 100% in the money record at the same.  Another who relishes the Hollywood Turf, he should put in a game performance.

10 CENT Superfecta

#7 Hiatus / #2 Jairzihno [GB] / #3 Antidote / #1 Erbeia, #6 Yodelen Dan.



Thursday, Thanksgiving Day Results
Churchill R11.  Falls City Handicap.  Our first pick, Ravi's Song, was scratched.  Our second pick, Arena Elvira, won (1st) for show money of $2.80.
Superfecta went 1-9-2-5.  We scuttled ours due to the scratch.
Bankroll gains a few cents to $24.35.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thankful Thanksgiving

On this Thanksgiving day we are thankful for all the equines that have given us such joy in all of the races of the past season.  We are thankful for the freedom to pursue our passions.  And we are thankful that horses are still loved throughout the world.

On this Thursday we look at a great graded stakes race at the premiere track, Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs Race 11 {Falls City Handicap~G2~1 1/8 mile~3 year old Up~fillies/mares}
A fantastic field of ten will assemble for this turkey day racing feast.  A little speed, some trackers and a crew of closers will make this race appealing.  There is no clear favorite and it should be a highly ccompetitive race.

#10 Ravi's Song (Lanerie / Bowman) has a very slight edge with the second highest (three-way tie) last out speed number, a two race progression, and three stellar, peaking workouts.  She will be among the group of closers angling for the win.
$2 SHOW.

#1 Arena Elvira (Alvarado / Mott) looks ready to advance her 100% in the money record in her twelfth career start.  She shares the second highest last out speed number, holds a two race progression, and has put in two solid workouts.  She can be expected to track and close.
$2 SHOW.


Other Wagering Interests

#8 Super Espresso (Castellano / Pletcher) appears to be a top contender with the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and three superb, peaking workouts.  She will be among the crowd of closers.

#5 Juanita (Prado / Maker) will be the speed of the race.  Should she control it to her liking she could fend off those chasing her for a victory.  This gal also shares the second highest last out speed number, is moving forward with a six race progression, and has put in four sensational, peaking workouts.

#2 It's Tea Time (Cruz / Arnold) could surprise with the third highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and two strong, peaking workouts.  She is another of the closers looking for an opening to hit the wire first.

10 CENT Superfecta

#10 Ravi's Song / #1 Arena Elvira / #8 Super Espresso / #5 Juanita, #2 It's Tea Time.



Last Sunday's (11/20) Results
Churchill Downs R9.  This race had the most scratches we have seen in a long time, twelve in total, that we have seen in a very long time.  It left a field of five with no SHOW wagers and no 10 CENT Superfecta.  We scuttled the effort.
Bankroll stands at $23.55.
 

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sunday Turfing at Churchill

Sunday concludes another wonderful horse racing weekend.  Today we take a gander at a Turf race at magnificent Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs Race 9 {1 mile~TURF~3 year old~fillies/mares~Allowance}
Thunderstorms are predicted and they could wash this one off the turf.  A full field of twelve are expected to make the start.  All of these gals are closely matched in ability.

#12 Artemus Kitten (Goncalves / Maker) looks much the best with the second highest last out speed number at a longer route, the highest speed number at the distance, and three excellent workouts.  She could close down this field in swift fashion.
$2 WIN / $3 SHOW.

#8 Startling Beauty (Hernandez / Arnold) appears ready for a strong challenge with the fourth highest (tie) last out speed number at a longer route, the second highest speed number at the distance and one fierce bullet workout.  She could track the pace and get first jump in the stretch.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#6 Jamacian Ginger (Bridgmohan / Wilkes) could surprise coming off a decent layoff sharing the fourth highest last out speed number, having been in the midst of a two race progression, and putting in four fantastic, peaking workouts.  She will be among the pace trackers.

#2 Gypsy [GB] (Prado / Motion) will be among the contenders if it stays on Turf.  She holds a 66% in the money record while racing in France.  Prior to her lengthy layoff she won her last race, a longer route, and was on the verge of a two race progression.  In preparation for this race she put in four tremendous workouts.  She could be victorious.

A Mudder Alternative
Should this race move to the slop and mud there are two fillies to consider.

#13 Globe Trot (Albarado / Romans) is signed up for the main track only (MTO) and has competed well over an off track.  Holding the highest speed number in such conditions while in the money in her two efforts.

#7 Bonita Muneca (Castanon / A. Rodriguez) will be on the Turf with the rest, but deserves a look if it comes off the grass.  She holds the second highest speed number for an off track and has scored some purse cash in two of three outings in the muck.

10 CENT Superfecta

#12 Artemus Kitten / #8 Startling Beauty / #6 Jamacian Ginger, #2 Gypsy [GB] / #6, #2.



Stakes Saturday Results
Delta Downs R7.  DD Jackpot.  Our first choice, My Adonis, joined in a speed duel and finished 9th.  Our second pick, Sabercat, won (1st) for show money of $5.60.  Our third pick, Tiz Moe, finished 8th.
Bankroll gets nipped to $23.55.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Ole` The Bullring

A Stakes Saturday awakens.  Today we peer at a race that essentially begins the road to the 2012 Kentucky Derby.  It is the Jackpot at Delta Downs.  The winner of this race will most assuredly be guaranteed a start at KD 138, notwithstanding any injuries.

Delta Downs Race 7 {Delta Downs Jackpot~G3~1 1/16 mile~2 year old~Stakes}
This showcase race can be considered the unofficial start of the Kentucky Derby trail.  An excellent field of ten will be assembled for the start.  This years field of exceptional two year olds have the talent to make it to the gate on the first day of May 2012.  Expect a few minutes of heart pounding excitement as they race around the little track that could.

#5 My Adonis (Trujillo / Breen) has a slight edge having already been around "the bullring" with the third highest (tie) last out speed number and two strong, peaking workouts.  This guy will be forwardly placed ready to strike in the stretch of this six furlong oval.
$2 SHOW.

#8 Sabercat (Melancon / Asmussen) will be a contender sharing the third highest last out speed number and putting in three significant, peaking workouts.  He could be in mid-pack ready to unleash a bit of speed in the stretch to the finish.
$2 SHOW.

#3 Tiz Moe (Theriot / Calhoun) this colt could be the surprise of the race with a couple of decent speed numbers in his two race career.  He too has been around the Delta Downs track.  In prepping for this race he has put in two superb workouts.  He gets a bronze horseshoe for one that could improve greatly.
$2 SHOW.

Another Wagering Interest

#6 Drill (M. Garcia / Baffert) is the odds-on favorite for this race with a grade one win already under his saddlecloth.  He holds the highest speed number at the distance and has put in the best set of, er, drills for this race.  A workout tab of four sensational, peaking workouts.  Clearly the one to beat, but can he handle this tiny little track from a mid-post position?  We will see.  No matter how he does, he will be a strong contender on the KD 138 trail.

10 CENT Superfecta

#5 My Adonis / #8 Sabercat / #3 Tiz Moe / #6 Drill.



Friday's Results
Hollywood Park R3. Msw.  Our first pick, Global Domination, finished 2nd for show money of $2.40.  Our second pick, Vader, finished 9th.  (The dark side must have got him.)  Our third pick, High Test, won (1st) for show money of $2.20.
Superfecta went 5-2-10-3.
Bankroll gets a chill to $24.05.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Fab Hollywood Turf

Evening Turf on a Friday is a great way to segue into an exciting day of Saturday Stakes racing.

Hollywood Park Race 3 {6 furlongs~TURF~3 year old Up~Maiden Special Weight}
An intriguing field of ten will make the late night start in this maiden Turf race.  A couple of first time starters sprinkled with a few with longer layoffs should make this one interesting to watch.

#2 Global Domination (Sutherland / Headley) looks ready to break out with the second highest last out speed number and five glorious, peaking workouts.  This guy should track the pace and swoop down in the stretch.
$2 SHOW.

#6 Vader (M. Garcia / Koriner) is a well-bred first time starter out of the Seattle Slew lineage.  This guy looks ready with a robust workout tab of four superb, peaking works, to perform well at first asking.
$2 SHOW.

#5 High Test (Flores / Puype) should be a top challenger with the highest last out speed number in his only start and two vigorous, peaking workouts.  This guy appears ready to fire.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#7 Sarbonne (Espinoza / Shirreffs) should be in the hunt with the fourth highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and four swift workouts.  He could track and close for a major piece of the purse pie.

#10 Rock Off (Rosario / Canani) holds the second highest speed number along with a 100% in the money performance at two races, at this distance.  He could be in the mix going into the stretch run.

10 CENT Superfecta

#2 Global Domination / #6 Vader / #5 High Test / #7 Sarbonne, #10 Rock Off.



Thursday's Results
Aqueduct R1.  Sunny and Mild.  Our first pick, Ron the Greek, won (1st) for win money of $3.35 and show money of $3.40.  Our second pick, Bigger Is Bettor, finished 2nd for show money of $8.80.
Due to the small field there was no 10 CENT Superfecta.
Bankroll nearly doubles to $25.65.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Aqueduct Worlds

A smashing horse racing weekend begins with a look at a smart stakes race at Aqueduct.

Aqueduct Race 1 {Sunny and Mild~1 1/8 mile~3 year old Up~Stakes}
A talented field of six will make the start in this nice little stakes route.  There should be a good blend of speed, trackers, and closers to keep it interesting.

#6 Ron the Greek (Lezcano / Mott) appears ready to make a solid effort with the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two robust workouts.  He can be expected to make a strong close.
$1 WIN / SHOW.

#1 Bigger Is Bettor (Lezcano / Ubillo) looks ready to move up to a excellent run with two decent last out speed numbers, a two race progression, and two athletic workouts.  He could also close into a piece of the purse pie.
$2 SHOW.

10 CENT Superfecta
Small field precludes any superfecta wager.



Last Sunday's (11/13) Results
Hollywood R7.  Sharp Cat.  Our first pick, Charm the Maker, won (1st) for show money of $2.10.  Our second pick, Willa B. Awesome, finished 3rd for show money of $3.20.  Our third pick, Killer Graces, finished 2nd for show money of $3.00.
Superfecta went 6-2-4-1.
Bankroll gets a raise to $14.15.