Opening Day at Churchill Downs

Today is opening day at Churchill downs and we look at the final Derby prep race.  The Kentucky Derby is only one week away and all of the derby contenders have been putting in blistering workouts which can only mean that the track is FAST!!  We will also look at a great Turf race at Golden Gate.  And we will look at another derby prep at Aqueduct, though it is unlikely any of the horses in the race will be pointed toward the derby.  This is a great weekend for racing.

Aqueduct Race 9 {Withers~G3~1 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
This will be a great race with a modest field of six.  D' Funnybone (Prado / R. Dutrow) figures to be the favorite with the highest overall speed number, the highest last out speed number, and three fantastic, peaking workouts.  The only concern here is whether he can get this distance.  He has developed the reputation as a fearsome sprinter and there will be no wagering value to him.  Ibboyee (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) has the second highest speed number overall and at the distance.  He has put in a solid workout tab in preparation for this race.  He should be able to fire on this distance well and close for the victory.  Spangled Star (C. Velasquez / R. Dutrow) is a vastly improving colt, perhaps a late bloomer?  He is 100% in the money over this distance and has put in three strong workouts.  Could be the big surprise.  Most Happy Fella (Coa / Badgett) will show speed and with all of the speed in this race could hold on for a piece of the purse as he has handled this distance nicely.  Most Happy Fella shows a decent last out speed number, is coming down off the distance, and three superb workouts.  Let's give Aqueduct a whirl.

$2 SHOW:  #6 Ibboyee
$2 SHOW:  #5 Spangled Star
NO 10 CENT Superfecta offered in this race.

Churchill Race 10 {Cliff's Edge Derby Trial~G3~1 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
Ahh, with the Kentucky Derby a week away, this will be an extremely exciting race with a least two in here that could get enough graded stakes to make it to the gate on the first Saturday in May.  Pleasant Prince (Leparoux / Ward) looks exceptionally well place in here.  He wheels back after a disappointing finish in the Bluegrass on synthetic.  Churchill is his home track and he knows this dirt well.  He posted a decent last out speed number over the synthetic at Keeneland and has a very fluid work.  Pleasant Prince should be able to close well given the speed in this race.  Game On Dude (Albarado / Baffert) looks tough with a good last out speed number and three athletic, peaking workouts.  He has a goo chance to be victorious in this mile route.  Eightyfiveinafifty (Dominguez / Contessa) is a really fast horse and will lead this group through torrid fractions.  Churchill has been showing speed all week with  exceptionally fast workout times.  Eightyfiveinafifty has the highest last out speed number and two blistering, speedy workouts.  With Ramon Dominguez on board (70% in the money in route races) there is a good chance he could wire this field.  It is very important to watch this race to see how the Churchill track plays leading up to next Saturday's Kentucky Derby.  Another who has a great chance to gain a piece of the purse is Hurricane Ike (Borel / Sadler). He holds the second best last out speed number, a triple digit, and three well-built workouts.  He appears to be ready to press the pace.  Privilaged (Maragh / Sadler) could be the surprise with the third highest last out speed number and three vibrant workouts.  A nice pace pressing horse.  Let's play Churhill Downs.

$2 SHOW:  #4 Pleasant Prince
$2 SHOW:  #1 Game On Dude
10 CENT Superfecta:  #4 Pleasant Prince / #1 Game On Dude / #10 Eightyfiveinafifty / #5 Hurricane Ike, #3 Privilaged.

Golden Gate Race 8 {San Franciso Mile~G2~1 mile~Turf~4 year old Up~Stakes}
A tremendous field of eight Turfers go to the green.  There will be speed. There will be closers.  Golden Balls [IRE] (Blanc / Cassidy) looks to have the edge here with the highest last out speed number and three virile, peaking workouts.  Like his chances.  It should be noted, all of the horses entered here have put in excellent workouts in preparation for this mile on the grass.  Any of these guys could find their way to the winners circle.  Golden Balls [IRE] just seems to be the best.  Bold Chieftain (R. Baze / Dollase) will be the chief competition with the second highest last out speed number and three sturdy workouts.  He is also 100% in the money over the Gold Gate turf course posting the highest speed number.  Should go off as the favorite.  Both Golden Balls [IRE] and Bold Chieftain share the highest speed number (triple digit) at the distance.  Monterey Jazz (T. Baze / Dollase) sports the second highest speed number (triple digit) at the distance and will be part of the speed in this race.  Monterey Jazz has posted the third highest last out speed number and three husky workouts.  Red Sun (M. Martinez / Gaines) could be the surprise in this one with a good last out speed number and four spirited workouts.  He will also show speed in the race and could hold on for a piece of the purse.  Let's play Golden Fields.

$2 SHOW:  #3 Golden Balls [IRE]
$2 SHOW:  #6 Monterey Jazz
10 CENT Superfecta:  #3 Golden Balls [IRE] / #4 Bold Chieftain / #6 Monterrey Jazz / #8 Red Sun.


   















Friday's Results
Keeneland R9.  Our first pick, Brass Hat, finished 2nd for show money of $4.40.  Our second pick, Sudden War [ARG] finished 9th.  Superfecta went 6-11-10-5.
Hollywood R5.  Our first pick, Hockley, finished 2nd for show money of $3.00.  Our second pick, Thomas Baines, finished 3rd for show money of $2.40.  Superfecta went 8-1-5-7.
Bankroll improves to $13.50.