Stakes Saturday: Dubai and Florida

On this Stakes Saturday there is a number of bountiful race cards across this great nation and in fascinating Dubai, UAE.  Let's go long on the TURF and enjoy one of the best Derby preps.

Meydan (Dubai, UAE) Race 3 {Dubai Gold Cup~G3~2 mile~TURF~4 year old Up~Stakes}
A spectacular race shapes up as ten endurance runners take to the beautiful Meydan course.  An international cast will run smoothly through the turns only to quicken as the finish appears on the horizon.  The vast majority have already run over the Meydan course.  Few have traveled this long distance.  It should shape up as a fantastic race.  Overseas racing takes win and place bets, but pays out for the runner finishing third as well.  With that in mind let's give this one a roll.

#7 Saddler's Rock [IRE] (McDonogh / Oxx) is one of two runners that has gone this distance twice securing one win.  He looks formidable based on his last two races the most recent here at Meydan.  He sports a 50% in the money record.
$2 WIN / $3 PLACE.

#3 Cavalryman [GB] (DeSousa / bin Suroor) will challenge with a nice third place finish in his last, The Dubai City of Gold.  He too has gone this distance twice.  He shows a 48% in the money record covering twenty-nine races.  A veteran of the TURF endurance races, he should do well here.
$2 PLACE.

#10 Star Empire [SAf] (Soumillon / de Kock) should contend here with an impressive 81% in the money record.  He looks ready to take another step forward holding a four race progression.  He has been competing well over the Meydan track having finished in the money in his three outings this year.
$2 PLACE.

Other Wagering Interests

#2 Ahzeemah [IRE] (Fallon / bin Suroor) should be in the mix with an superb 84% in the money record.  He holds a three race progression and will be stretching out another quarter mile from his last out.  An experienced fellow over this course, in that race he notched a victory.

#8 Tenenbaum [GB] (Barzalona / Al Zarooni) will be in the hunt posting a three race progression going into this race.  He holds a 72% in the money record  over the grass.  An improving gelding also seeking to stretch out another quarter mile.

10 CENT Superfecta

#7 Saddler's Rock [IRE] / #3 Cavalryman [GB] / #10 Star Empire [SAf] / #2 Ahzeemah [IRE], #8 Tenenbaum [GB].



Gulfstream Park Race 12 {Florida Derby~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year olds~Stakes}
A very solid field of ten will venture to the gate hoping to secure major Kentucky Derby points.  Only four have gone this distance, but most appear to have the pedigree for it.  Some superlative speed numbers show up.  There will enough speed and pressers to keep the pace honest to allow the trackers and closers a chance at the stretch run party.  Could be one the most exciting races on this Stakes Saturday.

#6 Orb (J. Velazquez / McGaughey) will be closing fast and efficiently.  He holds the third highest last out speed number, a five race progression, and three strong workouts.  This guy has also been victorious twice over the Gulfstream track.
$1 WIN / $2 PLACE / $3 SHOW.

#1 Shanghai Bobby (Napravnik / Pletcher) will be the deserved favorite with the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and four superbly beneficial workouts.  He should be the speed of the speed as he tries to wire this field.  A superstar millionaire, he will be sharpening his focus on KD 139.
$1 PLACE / $2 SHOW.

#3 Itsmyluckyday (Trujillo / Plesa) should challenge with the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and four endurance building as well as peaking workouts.  He favours this track showing two wins.  This guy will be running fresh off a sixty day layoff.  He could press or track depending on how the pace sets up.
$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#2 Pick of the Litter (Castanon / Romans) is only one of two in this race that has not yet been nominated to the Triple Crown.  He holds the fourth highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and three speedy peaking workouts.  This boy can be expected to be forwardly placed.

#7 Indy's Illusion (Maragh / Tagg) should be in the hunt with a couple of decent last out speed numbers, a three race progression, and three hearty peaking workouts.  He is the only one in this race that has gone this distance three times securing a 66% in the money run.  This guy could be the big surprise if others stumble at the distance.

10 CENT Superfecta

#6 Orb / #1 Shanghai Bobby / #3 Itsmyluckyday / #2 Pick of the Litter, #7 Indy's Illusion.



Friday's Results
Santa Anita R3.  Allowance.  Our first pick, Jolly Days, was scratched.  Our second pick, Caelis [GB], finished 3rd for show money of $3.60.
We bolted from our 10 CENT Superfecta play due to the scratch.  Superfecta went 4-6-3-8.
Bankroll gets a minor bump to $11.45.  We will supplement with twelve bucks for todays great races.