Opening Night at Churchill Downs

Updated 2:30 pm PT (4/24/2021) 

With KD 147 exactly one week away, we look in on some evening racing under the Twin Spires for our Stakes Saturday.

Churchill Downs Race 9 {William Walker Stakes~5 1/2 Furlongs~TURF~3 year-old~Stakes}

A field of ten talented lads should hi the grass in this annual contest. 

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

Named after famed Kentucky Derby winning jockey, Billy Walker, this race shapes up as a highly competitive one. Hopefully it will be kept on the TURF. There is a plethora of speed which make this race fast and furious. Speed figs are fairly close. Esteemed trainer, Wesley Ward, has two entered in this race. Also, the stellar sire, Into Mischief, has two progeny entered. It should be a super fine race.

#3 Field Day (Gaffalione / B. Cox) looks to be the controlling speed. He holds the second highest (tie) last out speed number and two good workouts. This guy has already hit the board twice in two starts at this very distance. A son of Broken Vow, he is 100% in the money from six career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#1 Roderick (Van Dyke / W. Ward) is sure to challenge, coming off short layoff. This colt should race close to the speedsters on the front end. He was last seen at Gulfstream Park racing in a Stakes sprint over the dirt and has put in four exceptional workouts in the last thirty days. A son of Into Mischief,  he is 50% in the money from six career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#5 Unitedandresolute (Geroux / Amoss) will contend holding the highest last out speed number and two strong workouts. This guy should be traveling close to the pace as the speedsters cut through the grass. A son of Violence, he is 90% in the money from ten career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#11 Into the Sunrise (L. Saez / W. Ward) is also coming off a modest layoff with three dynamite workouts. He hold a win at this distance from three tries. Expect him to also be motoring on the front end. He is a newly gelded son of Into Mischief. 

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#3 Field Day  //  #1 Roderick,  #5 Unitedandresolute,  #11 Into the Sunrise.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Field Day  +  #1 Roderick  +  #5 Unitedandresolute  +  #11 Into the Sunrise.

Last Stakes Saturday (4/17) Results

Keeneland R9.  Elkhorn Stakes--G2.  Our first pick, Red Knight, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Say the Word, won (1st) for place money of $2.40 and show money of $3.20.  Our third pick, Tide of the Sea, finished 7th.  Our fourth pick, Fantasioso [ARG], finished 4th.

We completely missed on our Exacta play. Superfecta went 2-9-3-8.

Bankroll tumbles to $42.34.

 

A Grade Two Stakes Saturday

 We look in on that beautiful Track, Keeneland, for a Stakes Saturday Grade two TURF race.

Keeneland Race 9 {Elkhorn Stakes~G2~1 1/2 mile~TURF~4 year-old Up~Graded Stakes}

A diluted field of eight will hop onto the grass in this annual contest.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

A great group of Turfer's will show their staying power in this exceptional race. There is enough speed to maintain an honest pace. Only three have not raced over the Keeneland Turf. Speed numbers are fairly close making it very competitive. Super strong Turf pedigrees appear throughout this group. It should be one of the most exciting races on this Stakes Saturday.

#10 Red Knight (Graham / Mott) should go off as the deserved favorite as he comes in fresh off a modest layoff. He holds the second highest speed number at the distance and has put in three high powered workouts in preparation. This lad should be tracking the pace closely. A son of Pure Prize, he is 72% in the money from twenty-two career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#2 Say the Word (L. Saez / D'Amato) will challenge with the highest last out speed number and two dynamic workouts. He should track and close gallantly. This guy has hit the board in all four of his starts at this distance. A son of More Than Ready, he loves the Turf and the Keeneland grass.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#6 Tide of the Sea (Corrales / Maker) should contend with the second highest last out speed number and four superb workouts. He has two wins at this distance in two appearances at same. Look for him to show speed and attempt to wire this field. A son of English Channel, he is 81% in the money from eleven career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#8 Fantasioso [ARG] (Bejarano / Correas) comes in off an layoff after racing in Argentina for his early career. While in Argentina he hit the board in his last two starts. He has put in four rigorous workouts in preparation for his first North American start. A son of Strategic Prince [GB], he is 65% in the money from twenty-three career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#10 Red Knight  //  #2 Say the Word,  #6 Tide of the Sea,  #8 Fantasioso [ARG].

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#10 Red Knight  +  #2 Say the Word  +  #6 Tide of the Sea  +  #8 Fantasioso [ARG].

Results from Our Previous two Stakes Saturday's

(4/3)  Keenland R11.  Toyota Bluegrass Stakes-G2.  Our first pick, Essential Quality, won (1st) for win money of $1.50, place money of $2.20, and show money of $3.35.  Our second pick, Highly Motivated, finished 2nd for place money of $1.70 and show money of $2.60.  Our third pick, Rombauer, finished 3rd for show money of $5.40.  Our fourth pick, Hidden Stash, finished 4th.

We hit the Exacta for $3.70 and the 10 CENT Superfecta for $7.56. Superfecta went 4-3-5-1.

(4/10)  Oaklawn Park R12.  Arkansas Derby--G1.  Our first pick Concert Tour, finished 3rd.  Our second pick, Super Stock, won (1st) for show money of $2.80.  Our third pick, Caddo River, finished 2nd for show money of $2.40.

We missed on the Exacta and the 10 CENT Superfecta box. Superfecta went 1-2-5-4.

Bankroll settles at $54.14.

We take on the Arkansas Derby

 As KD 147 draws nearer, we take a look at this years final prep race on the Derby Trail, the Arkansas Derby.

Oaklawn Park Race 12 {Arkansas Derby~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A short field of six will go to the gate in this year's running of the Arkansas Derby.

Past Performances used:  DRF Formulator.

Despite the low number of entrants, this is a stellar field of colts making the final prep before the first Saturday in May. There is a ton of speed to keep this pace moving. Speed numbers are fairly close as each of these six colts continue to improve. None of them have gone this distance. All have run over the Oaklawn track. It should be a great day of racing and the KD 147 picture should become a lot clearer.

#5 Concert Tour (Rosario / Baffert) should remain unbeaten. It is his race to win. With the highest last out speed number and two strong workouts, he is the deserved favorite. This son of Street Sense, should go off on or near the lead and shuffle off convincingly.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE.

#1 Super Stock (Santana / Asmussen) will challenge with the third highest (tie) last out speed number and three superb peaking workouts. He should be tracking the pace closely. A son of Dialed In, he is 72% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#2 Caddo River (Geroux / B. Cox) should show speed from the start. He comes into this race sharing the third highest last out speed number and two vibrant workouts. A son of Hard Spun, he is 80% in the money from five career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#6 Last Samurai (Court / D. Stewart) could surprise as a continually improving colt. This guy should stay close in this tightly grouped field and strike in the stretch. He has put in four hearty workouts in preparation for this race. A son of Malibu Moon, he has a win from four career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#5 Concert Tour  //  #1 Super Stock,  #2 Caddo River,  #6 Last Samurai.

50 Cent Trifecta ($4.00)

#5 Concert Tour  /  #1 Super Stock,  #2 Caddo River  /  ALL.

 

Stakes Saturday at Magnificent Keeneland

 With the Kentucky Derby only twenty-eight days away we take in one of the influential preps on the road to KD 147.

Keeneland Race 11 {Toyota Bluegrass~G2~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A fantastic field of nine will enter the gate in search of Derby points.

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

Of this field, seven have accumulated some derby points, but only one, Essential Quality, may already have enough to get himself into the gate on the first Saturday in May. He will be the odds on favorite. Only two in this field have gone this distance. The aforementioned favorite is the only millionaire of the group. This race lacks speed as most take up a tracking position hoping to close gallantly. Speed numbers are very close for the top tier of runners. It should be a great race with a number in here ready to prove their mettle.

#4 Essential Quality (L. Saez / B. Cox) is the deserved favorite as he puts his undefeated record from four career starts on the line. He won last out in the Southwest at Oaklawn Park earning him the highest last out speed number of this crew. He has since put in three dynamite workouts in preparation for this race. A millionaire son of Tapit, could be the pace leader by default.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#3 Highly Motivated (Castellano / C. Brown) should be the chief challenger with the second highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. He has already posted a victory at Keeneland. Currently he is in 33rd position on the KD 147 points leaderboard and will need to win or place second to get himself in the gate. This lad is one of many trackers in this field. A son of Into Mischief, whose progeny relish the Keeneland surface, is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#5 Rombauer (Geroux / M. McCarthy) will surely challenge coming off a victory at this distance in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields. His last three races have produced consistently good speed figs and he has put in four powerful workouts in preparation for the race. He sits in 24th position on the KD 147 points leaderboard. Look for him to be battling among the closers to hit the board. A son of surface versatile, Twirling Candy, he is 60% in the money from five career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#1 Hidden Stash (Bejarano / Oliver) is sitting on an explosive effort with a couple of good last out speed numbers and three superb peaking workouts. This guy ranks 18th on the KD 147 points leaderboard. He should take up a tracking position ready to strike. Another in this field with a win over the Keenland track. A son of Constitution, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#4 Essential Quality  //  #3 Highly Motivated,  #5 Rombauer,  #1 Hidden Stash.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#4 Essential Quality  +  #3 Highly Motivated  +  #5 Rombauer  +  #1 Hidden Stash.

Last Stakes Saturday (3/27) Results

Turfway Park R11.  Jeff Ruby Steaks--G3.  Our first pick, Gretsky the Great, finished a disappointing 5th.  Our second pick, Sainthood, finished 2nd for place money of $9.40 and show money of $9.90.  Our third pick, Like the King, won (1st) for show money of $5.60.

We flubbed our Exacta Wheel play. Superfecta went 1-5-12-9.

Bankroll moves up a notch to settle at $54.13.

Stakes Saturday at Turfway Park

 Derby points are on the line again as we turn attention to the Tapeta at Turfway Park. The 2021 Kentucky Derby is only 35 days away.

Turfway Park Race 11 {Jeff Ruby Steaks~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~graded Stakes}

A full and fantastic field of twelve will go to the gate in this annual prep race.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

All, but three in this field like to be close to the pace as their are speedsters and pressers that will lead the way. The entire field will be stretching out to this distance for the first time. Speed numbers are very close making it quite a competitive event. Interestingly, only half the field have synthetic or turf experience prepping for this one. It should be a high quality race on a day with terrific racing across the country.

#10 Gretzky the Great (C. Landeros / M. Casse) might have the edge with the third highest last out speed number and two superb peaking workouts. He has hit the board in both of his starts over the synthetic surface. Expect this guy to be battling with the forwardly placed herd. A son of Nyquist, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#5 Sainthood (Corrales / Pletcher) should challenge coming off the dirt in his third career start. This lad has hit the board in both of those starts. Pedigree suggests he should get over the synthetic smoothly. His four strong peaking workouts indicate he is ready for a good run. A son of Mshawish, this guy is 100% in the money from two career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Like the King (Van Dyke / W. Ward) will contend with the second highest last out speed number over this surface and one fierce bullet workout. He is another that should be running with the lead pack. A son of Palace Malice, he is 100% in the money from five career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#12 Hockey Dad (Bejarano / O'Neill) comes in from California where he has stitched three wins in a row and has put in two hearty workouts. Look for him to be guided just off the pace ready to spring into the stretch. Another son of Nyquist, he is 75% in the money from four career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#10 Gretzky the Great  //  #5 Sainthood,  #1 Like the King,  #12 Hockey Dad.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#10 Gretzky the Great  +  #5 Sainthood  +  #1 Like the King  +  #12 Hockey Dad.

Our Previous Stakes Saturday Play (3/13/2021)

Oaklawn Park R11.  Rebel Stakes--G2.  Our first pick, Get Her Number, finished 7th.  Our second pick, Keepmeinmind, finished 6th.  Our third pick, Caddo River, finished 5th.

We were complete shut out in our Exacta and Superfecta play.  Superfecta went 7-3-2-8.

Bankroll gets crushed and drops to $51.63.

A Rebellious Stakes Saturday

 Off we go (virtually speaking) to another fine Kentucky Derby prep down in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Oaklawn Park Race 11 {Rebel Stakes~G2~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A very good field of eight will go to the gate in attempt to gain points for entry into this year's Kentucky Derby.

Past performances used:  DRF Formulator.

All but one in this field are Triple Crown nominated. This appears to be a speed laden event. If left uncontrolled on fast Arkansas dirt, it could set up nicely for a horse coming from off the pace. Speed numbers are very, very close among this talented field. It should be one of the best Stakes races of the day.

#4 Get Her Number (Castellano / P. Miller) is coming off an extended lay off, but is well prepped with five strong peaking workouts. This colt holds the second highest (tie) speed number at the distance. This will be his first race over the Oaklawn oval for the Californian invader. Look for him to be forwardly placed. A son of Dialed In, he is 66% in the money from three career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#6 Keepmeinmind (Cohen / Diodoro) comes in from Kentucky where he is 100% in the money from three starts at this distance. He will take advantage of any boiled over pace. This will also be his first start at Oaklawn. Like all but one in this race he comes off a win coupled with two solid workouts. A son of Laoban, he is also 100% in the money from four career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Caddo River (Geroux / B. Cox) could go off as the co-favorite seeking his third win in a row. He holds the second highest last out speed number and four explosive workouts. This colt is one of two with a win over the Oaklawn track. He will show speed and could wire this field. A son of Hard Spun, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#7 Concert Tour (Rosario / Baffert) is the other that could share favorite status with the highest last out speed number and three stamina building workouts. This colt should be motoring on the front end as he seeks his third win in a row. He stretches out from a sprint to conquer this distance. A son of Street Sense, he invades from California with two wins from two career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3)

#4 Get Her Number  //  #6 Keepmeinmind,  #1 Caddo River,  #7 Concert Tour.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#4 Get Her Number  +  #6 Keepmeinmind  +  #1 Caddo River  +  #7 Concert Tour.

Last Stakes Saturday (3/6) Results

Tampa Bay Downs R11.  Tampa Bay Downs~G2.  Our first pick, Candy Man Rocket, finished 11th.  Our second pick, Hidden Stash, finished 2nd for place money of $2.10 and show money of $3.40.  Our third pick, Super Strong, finished 10th.  Our fourth pick, Promise Keeper, finished 12th.

We failed miserably in our Exacta Wheel play. Superfecta went 10-8-7-9.

Bankroll plummets to $74.03.

Stakes Saturday in Tampa Bay

 Another Derby Prep is on tap for this Stakes Saturday as we look in on a full field down in Tampa.

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

A nice full field of twelve will go to the gate in search of Kentucky Derby points.

Past Performances used:  DRF Formulator.

There is plenty of speed to put some steam on the pace. Speed numbers are fairly close allowing any of these lads to take a major step forward toward victory. Only five have raced over the Tampa Bay surface. All have trained well coming into this race. It should be a tremendous race. Eight have been nominated to the Triple Crown.

#3 Candy Man Rocket (Jr. Alvarado / Mott) could have the edge with the highest last out speed number and two terrific workouts. This guy already has notched a win over the Tampa dirt. He will be seeking his third win in a row. Look for him to be forwardly placed in a strategic position. A son of Candy Ride [ARG], he is 66% in the money from three career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#8 Hidden Stash (Bejarano / Oliver) should challenge with the second highest last out speed number and three superb peaking workouts. This fella has hit the board in all three of his starts at this distance. Look for him to take advantage of a fast pace with his tracking capability. A son of Constitution, he is 80% in the money from five career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#2 Super Strong (Gallardo / Joseph) should contend with a first place finish last out and four dynamite workouts. He will be stretching out to this distance and will be running over the Tampa Bay surface for the first time. This son of Kentucky Derby winner, Super Saver, will be making his second career start. It is likely he will track the pace and strike.

$2 SHOW.

#11 Promise Keeper (L. Saez / Pletcher) should take another step forward with the third highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. Look for him to be forwardly placed in the mix from the opening bell. He will be making his third start of the form cycle. Another son of Constitution, he is 50% in the money from two career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#3 Candy Man Rocket  //  #8 Hidden Stash,  #2 Super Strong,  #11 Promise Keeper.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Candy Man Rocket  +  #8 Hidden Stash  +  #2 Super Strong  +  #11 Promise Keeper.

Previous Stakes Saturday (2/20) Results

Santa Anita Park R7.  Buena Vista--G2.  Our first pick, Going to Vegas, finished 4th.  Our second pick, Mucho Unusual, finished 2nd for place money of $4.20 and show money of $4.50.  Our third pick, Red Lark [IRE], finished 5th.

We failed in our Exacta Wheel play.  Superfecta went 8-2-3-7.

Bankroll drops like a rock to settle at $83.93.