Superfecta Sunday on the Florida Turf

We take a look at the last on the card Turf race in South Florida on this Superfecta Sunday.

Gulfstream Park Race 10 {1 1/16 mile~TURF~4 year-old Up~Maiden Claiming}

After three scratches we get a field of nine that will go to the Turf.  All in here are seeking their first victory. There is some speed to carry the pace forward. Speed numbers are fairly close as all in this race have run quite a few races. Our task is to string together a winning 10 CENT Superfecta Box. It should be a fine race to cap off our horse racing weekend.

#2 Championship Alley (I. Ortiz / Danner) comes in from Tampa Bay Downs to battle these other Florida based horses. He holds three solid last out speed numbers and two good workouts. This lad is 50% in the money over the Turf. A son of Broken Vow, he should be forwardly placed. He is our Bronze Horseshoe selection.

$2 SHOW.

#11 Perfect Enough (Jaramillo / Mi. Wolfson) has hit the board in his last three starts and has put in one strong workout. This guy is 57% in the money from fourteen career starts. He enjoys the surface and the Gulfstream course. A son of He's Had Enough, he should also be forwardly placed seeking a good position.

#7 Noble Nebraskan (L. Saez / Falcone) should challenge with the second highest speed number at the distance and one hearty workout. Despite making his thirteenth career start, he is fourth in average earnings per race (EPR). A son of Noble Mission [GB], he should be tracking the pace ready to strike.

#1 Castillete (Boraco / Bezara) should take another step forward with the third highest last out speed number and one hearty workout. This son of Mizzen Mast, does like the surface and the Gulfstream Park. Expect him to track the pace.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#2 Championship Alley  +  #11 Perfect Enough  +  #7 Noble Nebraskan  +  #1 Castillete.

Stakes Saturday Results

Oaklawn Park R10.  Rebel--G2.  Our first pick, Basin, finished 3rd for show money of $11.00.  Our second pick, Nadal, won (1st) for place money of $4.00 and show money of $4.80.  Our third pick, Excession, finished 2nd for show money of $10.60.

We failed in our $1 Saturday Exacta Wheel effort.

We hit our 10 CENT Superfecta Box cashing for $139.29.

Bankroll mushrooms to $206.92.

Stakes Saturday in Arkansas

As we move along a desolate sports landscape, please stay in good health and be safe above all else.

On this Stakes Saturday we take a look in on another Kentucky Derby prep race down Arkansas way.

Oaklawn Park Race 10 {Rebel~G2~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A solid group of eight will go to the gate in this annual Derby prep race. There is plenty of speed to create a top-line speed fest. Speed numbers are fairly close with a few still improving. Three in here are competing for their next win after succeeding in their previous races. It should be an awesome race.

#3 Basin (Casellano / Asmussen) is coming off an extended layoff, but appears ready to take another step forward. Among these, he holds the fourth highest last out speed number and five high octane workouts. This guy is 100% in the money from three career starts. A son of Liam's Map he can be expected to track the pace closely and strike in the stretch.
$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#1 Nadal (Rosario / Baffert) comes in from California to stretch out to this distance and grab some derby points. He holds the second highest last out speed number and three powerful workouts. This lad is undefeated in two starts. A son of Blame, he should be part of the pace scenario.
$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#2 Excession (T. Baze / Asmussen) comes up from NOLA to battle these hombres. He has fired three successive mid-range speed numbers including his last at a longer route. Add in three superb peaking workouts and this guy could be sitting on a breakout performance. A son of Union Rags, he is 75% in the money at this distance from four starts.
$2 SHOW.

#6 Three Technique (L. Saez / J. Englehart) has already hit the board in one start over the Oaklawn oval. He holds the third highest last out speed number and four strong workouts. Look for him to track the pace and spring into the stretch. A son of Mr. Speaker, he has hit the board in all five of his career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#3 Basin  //  #1 Nadal,  #2 Excession,  #6 Three Technique.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Basin  +  #1 Nadal  +  #2 Excession  +  #6 Three Technique.




Last Superfecta Sunday (3/8) Results
Fair Grounds Race Course R6.  Maiden Claiming.  We just missed on our 10 CENT Superfecta box effort grabbing three of the four wagering interests required. Superfecta went 3-8-10-5.
Our Bronze Horseshoe runner, Caribbean Kitten, finished 3rd for show money of $1.70.
Bankroll slips to $59.68.

Superfecta Sunday at the Fair Grounds

We look in on a challenging Turf race down in New Orleans.

Fair Grounds Race 6 {1 1/16 mile~TURF~3 year-old~Fillies~Maiden Claiming}

A scratch of a first time starter reduces this field to ten well bred maiden fillies. There are still two first time starters among this group. The pace should be steady as a few in here like to be forwardly placed. Of those that have run, the speed numbers are very close. Our task is to cobble together a winning 10 CENT Superfecta Box ticket. It should be a great race.

#10 Caribbean Kitten (Lanerie / Maker) should enjoy the stretch out to this distance. She holds the second highest last out speed number and four tremendous workouts. This gal has already hit the board over the Fair Grounds course. A daughter of Kitten's Joy, she has the tactical speed to move comfortably with the pace. She is our Bronze Horseshoe, selection.
$1 SHOW.

#5 Illusionista (Murrill / Stidham) should challenge with the fourth highest last out speed number and one solid workout. She switches from dirt to turf where she was in the money in her first start. A daughter of Magician [IRE], she should be forwardly placed seeking to pounce.

#6 Threewickedwishes (M. Mena / Calhoun) is another switching from dirt to turf and making her second career start. She holds the third highest last out speed number and has put in three robust workouts. A daughter of Include, she should be tracking the pace seeking to strike in the stretch.

#8 Foxglove (Geroux / B. Cox) will be looking to win in her fourth career start. This gal has already hit the board in all three of her starts. She holds the highest (tie) last out speed number and three hearty workouts. A daughter of Oxbow, she is another that will be forwardly placed.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#10 Caribbean Kitten  +  #5 Illusionista  +  #6 Threewickedwishes  +  #8 Foxglove.




Stakes Saturday Results
Tampa Bay Downs R11.  Tampa Bay Derby--G2.  Our first pick, Chance It, finished 5th.  Our second pick, Sole Volante, finished 2nd for place money of $1.90 and show money of $2.80.  Our third pick, Spa City, finished 7th.  We flubbed our $1 Saturday Exacta Wheel.
Caught only one wagering interest in our 10 CENT Superfecta box. Superfecta went 11-7-1-3.
Bankroll gets smoked and drops to $61.38.

A Derby Points Stakes Saturday

The horse racing action really picks up this weekend with three stellar Kentucky Derby prep races from coast to coast. We will take a look at the race down in Tampa.

Tampa Bay Downs Race 11 {Tampa Bay Derby~G2~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A great field of twelve will go to the gate in KD 146 points in this race. There is enough speed to carry a solid pace forward. Speed numbers are fairly close. It should be noted that there are six exiting maiden special weight races with two of them still searching for their first win. It should be a fantastic race to wager and watch.

#4 Chance It (P. Lopez / Joseph) could be the victor on the front-end. He holds the highest last out speed number and three speed laden workouts. He comes in fresh having already captured a victory at this distance. A son of Currency Swap, he is 100% in the money from six career starts.
$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#7 Sole Volante (Geroux / Biancone) will pose a mighty challenge with the second highest last out speed number and one endurance producing workout. He comes off a victory at this distance over the Tampa Bay Downs track. A son of Karokonite [JPN], is another that is 100% in the money from four career starts. This guy will track and close gallantly.
$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#2 Spa City (Centeno / McLaughlin) should contend with the third highest last out speed number at a longer route and two strong workouts. He has progressed nicely in each of his three career starts. This lad should be forwardly placed ready to pounce. A son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense, he is 66% in the money.
$1 SHOW.

#5 Market Analysis (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) will be making his second career start after winning at first asking. He has put in four powerful peaking workouts in preparation for this race. He is another that will forwardly placed pushing the pace. A son of Hard Spun, he will be stretching out to this distance.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#4 Chance It //  #7 Sole Volante,  #2 Spa City,  #5 Market Analysis.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#4 Chance It  +  #7 Sole Volante  +  #2 Spa City  +  #5 Market Analysis.




Furlong Friday Results
Fair Grounds Race Course R9.  LA Claiming.  Our pick, Fat Clemenza, finished 5th.
We did not cash on our 10 CENT Superfecta Box play, capturing only two of four. Superfecta went 4-10-8-3.
Bankroll gets smoked and drops to $72.08.

Furlong Friday in NOLA

Thank goodness it's Furlong Friday. We look in on the historic race track down in New Orleans for the lucky last on the card.

Fair Grounds Race 9 {6 Furlongs~4 year-old Up~LA~Claiming}

A nice field of ten will go into the gate in this lucky last on the card. Anything can happen in these low level claiming events. There is sufficient speed to initiate a strong pace. Speed numbers are fairly close. It should be a good race to cap off the race day down in NOLA.

#5 Fat Clemenza (Beschizza / Faucheux) might have the edge with the highest last out speed number and one efficient workout. This guy also holds the fourth highest speed number at the distance. He is 62% in the money from eight career starts. A son of Closing Argument, he should track the pace closely and strike in the stretch.
$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#3 King Bandit (Sanjur / Alonzo) should challenge with the third highest (tie) last out speed number. This guy loves the surface, distance, and Fair Grounds track. He shares the second highest number (seven) of career wins among this group. A son of Time Bandit, he should be tracking the pace ready to roll.

#6 My Prophet (C. Hernandez / L. Thomas) should contend with the fourth highest last out speed number and the second highest speed number at the distance. He shares the second highest number of career wins at seven. A son of My Pal Charlie, he should be forwardly placed looking to get first jump on the tracker/closers.

#4 Whatelse Igot Todo (K. Smith / Delany) will be in contention with the second highest last out speed number. He is 63% in the money at the distance from eleven starts. He is another that loves the surface and the Fair Grounds track. A son of Forefathers, he should be tracking the pace closely ready to spring into the stretch.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#5 Fat Clemenza  +  #3 King Bandit  +  #6 My Prophet  +  #4 Whatelse Igot Todo.




Last Superfecta Sunday (3/1) Results
Fair Grounds Race Course R8.  Allownace Optional Claiming.  We struck out on our 10 CENT Superfecta Box play fouling off only one of four. Superfecta went 6-5-7-10.
Our Bronze Horseshoe runner, Markitoff, finished 6th.
Bankroll gets shut-out and drops to $80.48.

Win. Place. Show.

Thursday Strategy Session

Playing WIN, PLACE, SHOW.

Casual horse players or novices are apt to go to the window and place a wager on the horse they like telling the clerk, "across the board".

Is that the smart way to wager?  We prefer to ladder that wager by placing $2 to WIN, $3 PLACE, and $5 to SHOW. The objective here is to protect your front end wager, the WIN, and subsequently cash to break even or come away with a small profit. Essentially you want to preserve your wagering working capital.

Of course sometimes your well though-out selection gets pounded at the window and drops to much lower odds than what you had hoped. This W/P/S strategy helps maintain your bankroll without significant losses.

We use this strategy for our Stakes Saturday selections. Usually the stakes races we look at have larger fields and most times involve larger betting handle. This helps boost payoffs on the various selections that finish in the money. 

For the Stakes Saturday race we usually pick three horse and ladder our W/P/S wagers accordingly. This is an effort to cash on all three of our selections wagering W/P/S on our first pick, P/S on our second pick, and S on our third pick. With sound selections, year over year this strategy has worked reasonably well.

It should be mentioned, however, this year we are not meeting expectations. We started out the year with minor profits and have begun to fade over the last three Stakes Saturdays. Thus far this year we have invested a total of $68.00 and have cashed for a total of $53.80 for a net loss of ($14.20). As the year moves on we hope to have dramatic improvement.

Casual, novice, or journeymen handicappers should consider this strategy to maintain bankroll and shoot for a nice profit.

Superfecta Sunday down in NOLA

We take in a very swell Turf race down in New Orleans for our Superfecta Sunday.

Fair Grounds Race 8 {7 1/2 mile~TURF~4 year-old Up~Allowance Optional Claiming}

A solid field of ten will hit the grass in this feature Turf race. There is almost an overwhelming amount of speed to create what might be a sizzling pace. Speed numbers are super close which will create a very competitive race. Our task is to string together a winning 10 CENT Superfecta Box ticket. It should be a great race down in glorious NOLA.

#3 Markitoff (Lanerie / Kenneally) is coming off a long layoff, but should do well. He holds the second highest speed number at the distance and four strong peaking workouts. This guy is 75% in the money at this distance from four starts. A son of Giant's Causeway, he has the tactical speed to see how the pace develops then join the fray. He is our Bronze Horseshoe selection.
$1 SHOW.

#5 Two Emmys (Murrill / Robertson) will challenge with the second highest last out speed number and two superb peaking workouts. He has a win over the Fair Grounds course in his only start over it. A son of English Channel, he should be forwardly placed. This guy is 66% in the money from six starts.

#4 Duncastle (Geroux / Morley) should be in contention with the third highest last out speed number and three short speedy workouts. This lad is 100% in the money over the Fair Grounds course from three starts. A son of Dunkirk, this guy is 52% in the money from seventeen career starts. Expect him to be part of the pace scenario.

#8 Landofthepharoahs (Graham / Amoss) could surprise having hit the board in his last two and securing the third highest last out speed number. He has put in two hearty peaking workouts. A son of Cairo Prince, he is 55% in the money from eighteen career starts. He is another with tactical speed.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Markitoff  +  #5 Two Emmys  +  #4 Duncastle  +  #8 Landofthepharoahs.



Stakes Saturday Results
Gulfstream Park R14.  Fountain of Youth--G2.  Our first pick, Dennis's Moment, finished 10th (last).  Our second pick, Shotski, finished 4th.  Our third pick, As Seen On TV, finished 3rd for show money of $1.60.
We failed miserably in our $1 Saturday Exacta Wheel effort.
Superfecta went 11-1-6-10.
Bankroll gets smashed dropping to $83.88.