Sunday, December 11, 2011

Great Sunday for Gulfstream

It's a glorious Sunday for a Gulfstream Park Turf race.  With Christmas only fourteen days away don't forget to decorate your pine tree, palm tree, or cactus with at least one horse related ornament to bring in good luck in the coming year.

Gulfstream Park Race 10 {South Beach~7 1/2 furlongs~Turf~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~Stakes}
A huge field of fourteen will line up for this annual race.  This is a great group of gals, many of which we like and have proven their mettle in previous races.  The race may mirror an Euro Turf contest, particularly with a mad rush to the finish.  There will be come terrific speed in this almost one mile distance which could set up nicely for a horse coming off the pace or closing swiftly.

#8 Thai Haku [IRE] (Leparoux / C. Brown) looks ready for success in her one mile specialty.  She is coming off a longer route and has put in a tremendous workout tab of four superb works.  She holds the second highest (tie) speed number at this distance and appears to love this length of grass.
$1 WIN / SHOW.

#6 Askbut I Won'ttell (Maragh / Block) will challenge with the second highest (tie) last out speed number and one vigorous workout.  It helps that she is coming off a longer route.  She also holds the second highest speed number over the Gulfstream grass.
$1 PLACE / SHOW.

#12 Aquitaine (Bravo / Matz) could be sitting on a good race with the fifth highest speed number at the distance, a decent race over a yielding Laurel Park course which was a longer route, and two fantastic bullet works.  We toss a bronze horseshoe to this runner.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#5 Crying Lightening [IRE] (Trujillo / Toner) has to be considered with a strong performance in a race overseas last out.  She is sporting a three race progression and two robust workouts.  We can imagine her grabbing a piece of the purse pie in this one.

#3 Trip for A.J. (Fuller / Milton Wolfson) should put in her typical strong performance, but has run thirteen races this year without a break.  Among this group she does share the second highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and one endurance workout.  Could be a major speed factor.

#4 Speak Easy Gal (Castellano / Marty Wolfson) looks ready to challenge the group on the front end sharing the second highest speed number at the distance and putting in two excellent workouts.  If the speed is controlled she could find herself among the purse holders.

10 CENT Superfecta

#8 Thai Haku [IRE] / #6 Askbut I Won'ttell / #12 Aquitaine / #5 Crying Lightening [IRE], #3 Trip for A.J., #4 Speak Easy Gal.



Stakes Saturday Results
Gulfstream Park R10.  Sugar Swirl-G3.  Our first pick, Pomeroy's Pistol, won (1st) for show money of $2.20.  our second pick, Third Chance, finished 6th.
Superfecta went 1-2-6-4.

Hollywood Park R9.  Hollywood Starlet-G1. Our first pick, Killer Graces, won (1st) for show money of $7.40.  Our second pick, Charm the Maker, finished 2nd for show money of $3.60.
Superfecta went 4-2-3-1.

Bankroll jumps to $16.20.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Stakes Saturday Sugar

Warm and sunny climes are best for winter racing.  How about a little sugar on this Stakes Saturday?  Today we take a peek at two wonderful graded stakes races.  One at magnificent Gulfstream Park and one at venerable Hollywood Park.  Capture the warmth.

Gulfstream Park Race 10 {Sugar Swirl~G3~6 furlongs~3 year old~fillies/mares~Stakes}
An equally matched group of eight will make their way to the gate.  Tons of speedy types in this race which could make it a very fast race.

#1 Pomeroy's Pistol (Castellano / Tarant) could have the edge with a ground saving tracking attack.  She holds the highest last out speed number at a longer sprint and has put in one fluid workout.  She is a lover of the Gulfstream track.
$2 SHOW.

#8 Third Chance (Santana / Divito) will challenge with a nice pressing run.  She has the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two efficient workouts.  Looks ready to run impressively.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#4 Catch A Thief (P. Lopez / Hills) should be in the mix with the third highest (tie) last out speed number, a two race progression, and three robust workouts.  She holds great tactical speed which can be used to great effect in this one.

#6 Strike The Moon (Prado / Trombetta) will be in the hunt with the fourth highest last out speed number at a longer sprint and three superb, peaking workouts.  She could also track the leaders ready to jump right in the stretch.

10 CENT Superfecta

#1 Pomeroy's Pistol / #8 Third Chance / #4 Catch A Thief / #6 Strike the Moon.


Hollywood Park Race 9 {Hollywood Starlet~G1~1 1/16 mile~2 year old~fillies~Stakes}
Unlike the Sugar Swirl, this race has no speed.  It should make for a very strateegically run event.  With a small field of six, expect them to bunched up nicely ready to close at the turn.

#4 Killer Graces (Talamo / Hollendorfer) has a minute edge with the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two fine workouts.  She is 100% in the money in four races over the Hollywood track.
$2 SHOW.

#2 Charm the Maker (Gomez / McAnally) will mount a significant challenge with the highest last out speed number and four super strong, peaking workouts.  She has a win over the Hollywood cushion track.  Would be no surprise for her to notch another one.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#1 Weemissfrankie (Bejarano / Eurton) should be in the race from start to finish.  She has the fourth highest last out speed number and two solid workouts.  She also has the highest speed number at the distance.  She could also be victorious.

#3 Lady Pecan (M. Garcia / Baffert) could surprise with the third highest (tie) last out speed number, a three race progression, and three superb workouts.  She could sit and strike at the top of the lane.

10 CENT Superfecta

#4 Killer Graces / #2 Charm the Maker / #1 Weemissfrankie / #3 Lady Pecan.



Friday's Results
Gulfstream R9.  Our first pick, Game Fair, won (1st) for show money of $2.80.  Our second pick, Donate, finished 10th.
Superfecta went 2-6-4-5.
Bankroll slips to $11.20

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Friday Maiden Challenge

We go to the Turf this Friday for a challenging maiden special weight race at glorious Gulfstream Park.

Gulfstream Park Race 9 {7 1/2 furlongs~2 year old~fillies~Maiden Special Weight}
An interesting group of twelve will make the start in this one.  These maiden races are probably the most difficult to handicap.  In this race there is one first time starter and a number of fillies making their second career start.  Workout tabs may be the key with horses ready to improve in any given race in their young careers.  Let's give this one a shot.

#2 Game Fair (Leparoux / Motion) looks ready to improve in her second start having run a nice seven furlong race on synthetic, last out scoring the third highest speed number.  She has put in three superb, peaking workouts.
$2 SHOW.

#11 Donate (Santana / Divito) is a speedster who holds the highest last out speed number and one sharp workout.  She will be moving up in distance and could wire this field.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#3 Ainsley (Desormeaux / Sacco) appears ready to make a sound effort with a tremendous workout tab of three well-built, peaking works.  She has a month freshening prior to this race.

#6 Beijoa (Castellano / Mott) will be making her first start and looks ready to make a good one.  She has pieced together four fierce workouts that include two bullets.  She will be one to watch.

10 CENT Superfecta

#2 Game Fair / #11 Donate / #3 Ainsley, #6 Biejoca / #3, #6.



Thursday's Results
Hawthorne Race Course R6.  Our first pick, Tayler's Destiny, won (1st) for show money of $3.00.  Our second pick, Missjeanlouise, finished 2nd for show money of $3.60.
Superfecta went 5-7-4-3.
Bankroll rises to $12.50.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Cold Chicago Thursday

Thursday will be seasonably cold in the Windy City.  We begin our horse racing weekend with a peek at a sprint race at century old Hawthorne Race Course.

Hawthorne Race Course Race 6 {6 furlongs~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~IL~Allowance}
A tidy group of seven will shuttle off in this dirt sprint.  Speed will be the norm in this one with a full group of forwardly placed.

#5 Tayler's Destiny (Geroux / Bruggerman) appears to have the edge with the highest speed number at the distance, the third highest (tie) last out speed number at a longer sprint, and one bullet work.  She will be going for three wins in a row on the front end.
$2 SHOW.

#7 Missjeanlouise (Cosme / Catalano) is another coming off a little longer sprint sharing the third highest last out speed number.  She has a two race progression going and has put in three solid works.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#2 De Lica (Martinez / Scherbenske) holds the second highest speed number at the distance, the fourth highest last out speed number, and one good workout.  She could track the pacesetters and swoop through in the stretch.

#1 Algonquin Posse (Emigh / Becker) is coming off a 90 day rest with three robust, peaking workouts.  She could be a force to contend with having decent tactical speed.  Her success on synthetic could be transferred to dirt.


10 CENT Superfecta

#5 Tayler's Destiny / #7 Missjeanlouise / #2 De Lica / #1 Algonquin Posse.



Last Sunday's (12/4) Results
Hollywood Park R8.  Bayakoa.  Our first pick, Washington Bridge, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Bauble Queen, finished 3rd for show money of $3.20.
Superfecta went 3-4-6-1.
Bankroll dips to $10.00.
 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Hollywood Gals Romp

We close out our horse racing weekend with an excellent graded stakes race at Hollywood Park.

Hollywood Park Race 8 {Bayakoa Handicap~G2~1 1/16 mile~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~Stakes}
A superb field of seven line up for this annual.  Speed, trackers, and closers make up the field.  It has the workings for a great race.

#2 Washington Bridge (Talamo / Hollendorfer) has a slight edge with the highest (tie) last out speed number, a four race progression, and four solid, speedy workouts.  She can be expected to close in what should be a fast pace.
$2 SHOW.

#6 Bauble Queen (Bejarano / Kruljac) will challenge sharing the highest last out speed number, in the midst of a five race progression, and running three superb peaking workouts.  She should track and close swimmingly.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#3 Ellafitz (M. Garcia / Baffert) will share the front end duties and could pull off the win if the pace doesn't become torrid.  She holds the second highest speed number at the distance and has put in four endurance producing workouts.

#7 City to City (Gomez / Hollendorfer) will be a contender with the third highest last out speed number and three robust workouts.  She could find herself mid-pack ready to launch a diligent closing run.

10 CENT Superfecta

#2 Washington Bridge / #6 Bauble Queen / #3 Ellafitz / #7 City to City.



Stakes Saturday Results
Gulfstream R9.  Spectacular Bid.  Our first pick, Luke of York, was scratched.  Our second pick, Town Prize, finished 3rd for show money of $2.80.
Superfecta went 7-6-8-1.  Ours was dumped due to the scratch.

Fairgrounds R10.  Our first pick, Greek Warrior, finished 7th.  Our second pick, Lights Out Lidge, finished 5th.  Our third pick, Atom Splitter, finished 2nd for show money of $4.60.
Superfecta went 5-8-9-3.
Bankroll dips to $10.90.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Sunny South for the Winter

The first weekend of December is here.  It is time to look at the sunny south for our racing pleasure.  On this Saturday (12/3) we see the opening of the South's premiere race track, Gulfstream Park.  Not forgotten is the vernerable Fair Grounds Race Course which we will also take a look at.

Gulfstream Park Race 9 {Spectacular Bid~6 furlongs~2 year old~Stakes}
We are looking forward to some great racing at Gulfstream with it's earlier opening.  This race shapes up to be, well, spectacular.  There is nothing better than taking in a race amongst the youngsters.  A very pleasant field of eight will make their way to the gate.  There is a good group of those forwardly placed in this one.  Consequently, it could open the door for a closer to take this one.  Rambunctious two's can get carried away in fast early fractions.

#5 Luke of York (Maragh / DiVito) will be going for three wins in a row while transferring his racing talent from synthetic to dirt.  He appears to be a true closer holding the highest (tie) last outr speed number, a two race progression, and three vigorous workouts over dirt surfaces.  He should close well in this sprint.
$2 SHOW.

#8 Town Prize (Saez / Banach) will also make the transition from synthetic to dirt with a couple of decent last out speed numbers, a two race progression, and three sensational workouts.  This guy appears to have great tactical speed and could let the fast and furious ones go in order to settle back and pick up the pieces.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#3 Vexor (Castellano / Kimmel) looks ready to run well sharing the highest speed number at the distance and two bullet workouts.  He should be up close to the pace-setters ready to strike in the stretch.

#7 Ancient Rome (Rocco / A. Dutrow) could be the speed that holds on for a piece sharing the highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and four robust workouts.  He will be ready to rock.

10 CENT Superfecta

#5 Luke of York  / #8 Town Prize / #3 Vexor / #7 Ancient Rome.


Fair Grounds Race 10 {1 1/16 mile~TURF~3 year old Up~Allowance}
On this December Saturday we have get some Turf on our docket.  This race shapes up nicely as ten will make the start under sunny New Orleans skies.  A wonderful balance of running styles will make this one a bit challenging.

#1 Greek Warrior (Mena / Calhoun) could go off as the favorite and deservedly so with the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and one excellent workout.  He should handle the move from a sprint to a route.
$2 SHOW.

#10 Lights Out Lidge (Napravnik / Johnston) will challenge with the third highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two athletic workouts.  He can be expected to close swiftly in the stretch.
$2 SHOW.

#8 Atom Splitter (Zimmerman / Mathews) should have a mighty impact with the fourth highest last out speed number and two sturdy workouts.  He also holds the third highest speed number at the distance.
$2 SHOW.

Another Wagering Interest

#4 Sour (Leparoux / Stall) will be making his eleventh start of the year after a brief freshening.  He holds the highest speed number at the distance, the second highest last out speed number and hast put in two hearty workouts.  No question he should be in the hunt.

10 CENT Superfecta

#1 Greek Warrior / #10 Lights Out Lidge, #8 Atom Splitter / #10, #8 / #4 Sour.



Friday's Results
Calder Race Course R10.  La Prevoyante.  Our first pick, Cheetah [GB] finished second for show money of $1.70.  Our second pick, Senada, finished 5th.  Our third pick, Casablanca Smile [CHI] won (1st) for show money of $3.20.
Superfecta went 6-10-9-7.
Bankroll shows slippage to $11.70.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Sunny Florida Turf

It's going to be a fine Friday.  Today we look at a nice long Turf contest at Calder Race Course.

Calder Race Course Race 10 {La Prevoyante~G3~1 1/2 mile~TURF~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~Stakes}
A great group of eleven gals go to the gate for this Turf "marathon".  Virtually no speed is entered which should make for an interesting race.

#10 Cheetah [GB] (Maragh / Clement) should be able to pull off a victory with the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and one strong workout.  She could track and pounce.
$1 WIN / SHOW.

#3 Senada (Prado / Tagg) will challenge with the highest last out speed number, a five race progression, and four diligent workouts.  She could be rolling late.
$1 PLACE / SHOW.

#6 Casablanca Smile [CHI] (Castellano / McGaughey) returns to the track after nearly a year off, but holds the second highest speed number at the distance and has put in three superb workouts in preparation for this race.  She could hold off all others with a run on the front end.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#11 Emerald Beech (Solis / Sheppard) will also challenge this group with the second highest speed number over the Turf surface.  She has the fourth highest (three-way tie) last out speed number and has put in one robust workout.

#7 Thislilsoulofmine [CAN] (P. Lopez / Attfield) could surprise with a couple of decent last out speed numbers and two stout, peaking workouts.  She could be among the large contingent of closers seeking a piece of the purse pie.

10 CENT Superfecta

#10 Cheetah [GB] / #3 Senada / #6 Casablanca Smile [CHI] / #11 Emerald Beech, #7 Thislilsoulofmine [CAN].



Thursday's Results
Hollywood Park R7.  Our first pick, Pleasing Sunrise, finished 5th.  Our second pick, Shesoprovocative, finished 4th.
Superfecta went 9-1-3-8.
Bankroll slips again to $13.00.