February 8, 2012

Posts Comments

You are here: Home / 2009 / Archives for March 2009

Weekend Review

March 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The Big ‘Cap was all I had hoped it would be. Einstein’s turf prowess translated into victory over the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita. My top pick, Colonel John, scratched out of the race. I didn’t place a win wager, but I liked Einstein the most. Einstein stalked the pace with Leparoux aboard and won by a length over Champs Elysees.
I gave out the exacta on this blog, and played it. The wager returned $224 for a $30 investment. Not too shabby!

Perhaps the other girls are finally catching up to Stardom Bound? She needed every last  bit of ground to win the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks. The daughter of Tapit has now won five Grade I races in a row. That is a truly amazing accomplishment. The connections may be reconsidering an attempt at the Santa Anita Derby. I think Stardom Bound may meet her match when and if she faces Rachel Alexandra. I can’t wait to find out.

I didn’t look at the PPs for the Grade I Kilroe Mile, but  I expected a better run from Artiste Royal. He never really fired, and Gio Ponti got up in the shadow of the wire to take the race from the favored Ventura. The latter has really put together some good races against the males and its only a matter of time before she beats them.

Here are a few other headlines in the industry:

  • Proud Spell will be making her debut on Thursday at Oaklawn Park in an allowance event.
  • Nicanor, who is a full brother to Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, finished second over of the weekend behind a heavy favorite.
  • Old Fashioned worked a bullet :59 with Terry Thompson up in preparation for the Grade II Rebel Stakes.
  • Theregoesjojo is headed for the Florida Derby according to trainer Ken McPeek.

If your looking for news between visits to this blog, I encourage you to visit www.tbablogs.com, and check out all of the great blogs listed there. Blood-Horse and NTRA are also excellent sources for information. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back!

Filed Under: Horse Racing News

I Want Revenge toys with Gotham foes!

March 7, 2009 By 2 Comments

You think I might have learned something when Black Seveteen shipped in from the west coast to take the Vosburgh. Alas, I did not, and I Want Revenge is another one that got away. Congratulations to reader Robert H who said he would bet $400 to win on I Want Revenge. Way to go Robert!

Haynesfield was my top pick. He made a move as they rounded the far turn but ultimately could not keep up. He finished far back. Mr. Fantasy tried to stay with the winner but couldn’t do it, and ultimately lost second to Imperial Council in a head bob. Masala checked in for fourth.

I shouldn’t have put so much faith in Haynesfield. Looking back, he wasn’t beating too much. I Want Revenge was racing against the best the west coast had to offer. I wonder if he will stay in NY or ship back home for the Santa Anita Derby? Regardless of what happens he is now a Kentucky Derby contender!

Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Triple Crown

Grade 3 Gotham Stakes

March 6, 2009 By 4 Comments

The Grade 3 Gotham Stakes is finally here. This race will be among the first steps for New Yorkers who are trying to make it to the Wood Memorial, and ultimately the Kentucky Derby. The fabled Easy Goer holds the stakes record with his time of 1:32.40 for the 1 mile distance. This race hasn’t produced much lately, but last years winner, Visionaire, went on to win the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes later that season. Let’s take a look at the field.

#1 Naos- This son of Lion Heart will be racing for Todd Pletcher, but he doesn’t have much else going for him. He scored a nice allowance win at Philadelphia last out, but I don’t like horses shipping from there. He will have to improve to stand a chance against this field.

#2 Russell Road- This horse is the definition of being a big fish in a small pond.He has won six consecutive races, with five of them coming at Charles Town. He has been winning those races in dominate fashion, and his BSF’s arent too far behind the best in this event. Personally, I can’t bet a horse shipping from Charles Town, but there is no reason he can’t win.

#3 Masala- The second son of Lion Heart in this field. His second to Take The Points earned him a 96 BSF. Take The Points returned to finish a good second in the Sham Stakes. The fact that his BSF has gone up in each of his three starts is encouraging. If it goes up again, he may be the winner. I expect him to rally from behind and put in a good run for jockey Eibar Coa and trainer Todd Pletcher.

#4 Axel Foley- The connections slapped on the blinkers last time out in the El Camino Real Derby, but it didn’t work as well as they had probably hoped.  They will come off this time. The son of Officer will be racing in the Kiaran McLaughlin barn for the first time. I thought this horse had some potential when he first arrived in the U.S., but he has yet to do his best running. He will have to step it up big time for jockey Richard Migliore if he is going to win.

#5 Mr. Fantasy- This guy is the rock star of the group. He has raced only twice, and both were easy wins. He earned a BSF of 97 in the debut, and regressed only 4 points to a 93 second time out. There is a ton of buzz for this son of E Dubai as Kentucky Derby contender. I like his front running style, but he is likely to catch pressure. I’m not sure if he is for real or not, but I will go elsewhere for my win candidate. If he does indeed take the Gotham, which would be no surprise, then he is one to look out for in the future.

#6 Haynesfield- This guy was #10 on my list of Kentucky Derby contenders. I loved his last win in the Whirlaway. I found it to be visually impressive, and the BSF of 90 wasn’t too shabby either. With CC Lopez as the pilot, you have to think his front running style will benefit him. Steve Asmussen is winning at an unreal clip of 40% at Aqueduct. Distance will become an increasing concern for the son of Speightstown when he begins to stretch out even further, but for now I think he should be fine. Haynesfield will win the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes.

#7 Imperial Council- Everyone is abuzz about this colt’s win last out when he took an allowance event at 6.5 furlongs in 1:16 3/5 for a BSF of 94. That was his first race since October, and if he moves up off that performance then the rest of this field may be left in the dust. Trainer Claude McGaughey is 29% 2nd start off the layoff. He is a son of Empire Maker, so pedigree is no question. Rajiv Maragh may have his hands full here.

#8 I Want Revenge- I’ve got to say that the 3-1 ML favorite, I Want Revenge, was a bit of a surprise entry. Smokin’ Joe is in from CA to ride so you have to think that trainer Jeff Mullins is very serious about winning this thing. This move reminds of when Black Seventeen shipped in for the Vosburgh last year and actually won the race. He isn’t among my top three choices, but he is definitely one to be wary of.

#9 Giant Ryan- I cashed on this horse  two races back at 7-1, but he hasn’t been given much a shot by the ML odds maker at 50-1 in today’s race. He is clearly a cut below this field and will have to run a hell of a race to even hit the board.

Plays:

WIN on HAYNESFIELD

$2 Exacta (5,6,7/3,5,6,7)

$1 Trifecta (5,6/3,5,6,7/3,5,6,7,8)

Filed Under: Horse Handicapping, Triple Crown

Santa Anita Handicap

March 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, also known as the Big ‘Cap, has finally arrived. Legendary runners like Seabiscuit, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, and John Henry have all triumphed in this race. Heatseeker took the race last year for jockey Rafeal Bejarano and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Both men have horses in the race this year, but will not be racing as a team this time around.

Jerry Holendorfer will be represented by Blue Exit and jockey Robby Albarado will be in the irons. The son of Pulpit was most recently a close second in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes, behind Cowboy Cal who will also be racing in the Big ‘Cap. This will be his first try at the illustrious 10 furlong distance, but his races suggest it wont be a problem. His beyers however tell me that he will have a hard time keeping up with the classiest runners in this race. If he moves up and enjoys the distance he could be one to fear.

This race will have a rare Chilean bred in Matto Mondo. Bejarano will ride for trainer Richard Mandella. He registered the best race of his career last out en route to a 103 BSF and a win in the Thunder Road Handicap. That race was his first trip over the main track. He beat a good horse in Monterrey Jazz two races back so I’m not too terribly worried about class. I like the tactical speed that this son of Sir Cat possesses. Bejarano has a chance of posting a repeat win in the Santa Anita Handicap thanks to this horse.

Cowboy Cal will likely set the pace under John Velazquez, but I don’t know if he can go the distance. I liked him in his last two races which he won, but his BSF’s were sub par. He has yet to register a number over 100, and I think the winner is going to need to hit the 100′s. In his defense, it seems like progeny of Giant’s Causeway get better with age so there is no reason why he can’t improve. Cowboy Cal will probably take too much money and I can’t like him at a short price.

My top selection for the Santa Anita Handicap will be Colonel John. The son of Tiznow loves Santa Anita, and his 3 wins from 5 starts there reflects that. His best career BSF of 106 came over this distance when he won the Travers by a nose. Garrett Gomez is ice cold in these types of races so you can expect him to get a great ride. The price should be nice since he was 4th in the Malibu most recently. Look for him in the winners circle.

These horses also have a great shot of running a big race: Einstein, Zambezi Sun, Magnum Champs Elysees.

Plays:

WIN on COLONEL JOHN

$2 Exacta (1,8,12/1,6,7,8,12,13)

$1 Trifecta (1,8/1,7,8,12/1,2,6,7,8,12,13)

Filed Under: Horse Handicapping

Jockeys-Sutherland vs Smith

March 5, 2009 By 1 Comment

Apart from the fake race calls, I think Jockeys has turned out to be a good show thus far. Hopefully it is attracting new fans.  The people behind the show have been sending me unreleased footage from the next episode. This weeks clip talks about the rivalry between Smith and Sutherland, who are a couple.Mike is a world class rider, and I’m sure with his help Chantal will get there sooner or later.  I’ve got an interview with a certain Gulfstream Park jockey on the way, so be sure to check back. Enjoy the clip.


Filed Under: Horse Racing News
Newer Posts »