Ballston Spa Handicap (Grade 2)

#1 Wait A While- Todd Pletcher and Garrett Gomez won this race with this magnificent mare last year. She has two wins from two starts at the distance. Her win in last years Ballston Handicap began a streak of four consecutive 100+ ESF’s. Look for her to stalk the early pace and pounce at the ¾ pole as the 8/5 morning line favorite.

#2 Valbenny- Grade 2 winning filly hasn’t returned to her top form in her two starts in 2008. The distance shouldn’t be a problem for her. I don’t think she will contend for the win, but she may be able to run third, and perhaps second.

#3 Sharp Susan- The lethal combination of Kent Desormeaux and Bill Mott will hook up for this filly. Sharp Susan is owned by IEAH. She was moving away from Valbenny when winning last out after overcoming a poor trip. She seems to be on the improve. While the win is not out of the question, I think she is more likely to run second.

#4 Rutherienne- The French connections of Christophe Clement and Julien Leparoux will bring this filly to the track. She is optimal at this distance of 8.5 furlongs, but has been running at the 9 furlong distance of late. I don’t think she has enough early speed to stay with the eventual winner, but she should be able to pick up third.

#5 Carriage Trial- Edgar Prado and Claude McGaughey saddle this filly for an attempt at her first Grade 2 victory. She hit the board in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff last year, so I don’t know why they haven’t continued to sprint her. She is going to have to stay close early to have a shot at contention in this one.

1st- Wait A While (8/5)
2nd- Sharp Susan (3-1)
3rd- Rutherienne (2-1)

Plays:

$25 WIN on Wait A WHILE

Mast Track took the fast track in the Hollywood Gold Cup.

Within the next week some of the most important key races for the Breeders Cup will take place. The Pacific Classic, Travers, Kings Bishops, Personal Ensign, and Ballerina are all Grade 1 events that will run over the weekend. I’m looking forward to the Pacific Classic the most. I believe the race will be key for the Breeders Cup Classic.

Mast Track, winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup is one of the leading contenders for the Pacific Classic. Under the care of Robert Frankel, with jockey Rafael Bejarano, Mast Track should be very contentious. On Monday morning he worked an easy 5 furlongs in :59.20 and galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:11.40, under the guidance of exercise rider Jose Dominguez. I would also like to note that Frankel not only trains Mast Track, he owns him.

Frankel also has turf star, Out Of Control, in the race. He is coming off of consecutive 2nd place finishes in Grade 1 turf events. In those races he lost to Dancing Forever, and Einstein, both who are top contenders for the Breeders Cup Turf. Edgar Prado will be in the irons. Frankel has an astonishing 6 victories in the Pacific Classic, more than any other trainer.

Leading trainer John Sadler will send out Zappa, who recently claimed victory in the Cougar II Handicap at 1 ½ miles. He toyed with the field, winning by 6 ¾ lengths, and dismissing Big Booster in the process. Others being considered for the race are Well Armed, Student Council, Go Between, Surf Cat, and Barcola.

**I have added a Beginners Guide to wagering, and I have updated the Rankings page. Both of these can be found on the red toolbar below the header. Thanks for reading!

Gary Stevens

I was very excited to learn that eight retired hall of fame riders will be taking part in a pari-mutual race at Santa Anita Park a week prior to the Breeders Cup. Dubbed the Living Legends Race, it will include some of the greatest jockeys in the history of the sport. The participants will include Jerry Bailey, Angel Cordero Jr, Gary Stevens, Chris McCarron, Julie Crone, Sandy Howley, Pat Day, and Jacinto Vasquez. The race will be an allowance sprint, and all mounts will be determined randomly, and the horses will carry 126 pounds.

Personally, my money will be on Gary Stevens. I had the pleasure of meeting him at last years Kentucky Cup, and he was nice enough to sign a hat for me. I have to admit I was a bit start struck, but that didn’t happen when I met Chris McCarron at River Downs. Chris was also very pleasant and surprisingly friendly. He said he would do an interview but I haven’t taken him up on that offer yet. This race will surely be one to remember.

I’ve been really busy lately and I haven’t had time to post. You can expect to see me back in full force starting next week. Maybe I’ll call McCarron and ask for that interview! Thanks for reading, and make sure to check back.

Sprint: My early pick for the Breeders Cup Sprint will be Street Boss. He has been nearly unstoppable since he rolled on to the stakes scene in May. His latest victory in Bing Crosby was nothing short of awe inspiring. He came from last and went to the parking lot in the process, and STILL flattened the field. He will have no shortage of competition to overcome. Benny The Bull has showed no signs of slowing down, and Fabulous Strike is sharp as ever. It wont be easy, but I think Street Boss will show everyone who the boss is in the Breeders Cup Sprint.

Ladies Classic: This is without a doubt the most competitive division at the moment. With the likes of Music Note, Proud Spell, Hystericalady, Zenyetta and defending champ Ginger Punch vying for the win there is no shortage of talent. I am going to go with the undefeated Zenyetta as my early selection. She has already defeated Ginger Punch and will have home field advantage working for her. Any the fillies I mentioned could do it.

Classic: My pick here might surprise you. No, I don’t think Curlin will take this one, and no I don’t like Big Brown either.  I’m going to go with Divine Park to win the Breeders Cup Classic instead. He has been a different horse since laying off the pace, and counts the Metropolitan Mile as his best win this year. He will be meeting up with Curlin in the Woodward on August 30th. Don’t get me wrong, Curlin is probably the better horse at the moment, but there is no guarantee he will even be in the race. As for Big Brown, I believe he is overrated.

Turf: Einstein is having the best year of his career. His most notable wins this year came in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, and the Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes, both Grade 1 events. He will be my early pick to win the Breeders Cup Turf. His best challenger will probably be former winner Red Rocks. Though he hasn’t been very successful in Europe, he is highly contentious in the United States. Einstein’s next start will come in the Arlington Million, while Red Rocks is aiming for the Sword Dancer Invitational.

Mile: It’s going to be hard to wrest the title from Kip Deville. He hasn’t seen much activity this year, but he owns  a win in the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile. I like his chances of defending his title in the Breeders Cup Mile. The most likely horse to pull off an upset is Daytona. Minus his last start in the American Handicap, Daytona has been virtually unstoppable. He has wins in the Shoemaker Mile, and the Arcadia Handicap this year.

Commentator is timeless.

My picks were right on the money last week. My “Play of the Day” on Saturday was Commentator. He got home for a return of $10.80 for a $2 win bet. I also keyed him first on a trifecta wager which returned $625 for a $2 bet. As if that weren’t enough I gave you the trifecta in the Bing Crosby COLD. While it was certainly no monster, paying $194, it was fairly easy to figure out. I also advertised a win bet on Street Boss in that race who returned a respectable $6.40. I also had the trifecta in the Vanderbilt, which paid a measly $135 or so. Alright, I’m done bragging now. Race of the Week is up, so check it out. This weeks race is the West Virginia Derby. You can find the Race of the Week on the red toolbar at the top of the page. Thanks for reading!

Street Boss is poised for a chance at the Breeders Cup Sprint!

I’d say my selections were pretty damn good Saturday. Commentator got home for me, and I gave out a $1 trifecta in that race worth $312. I also had the winner in the Vanderbilt, and I gave out the trifecta which was worth $67.50.  I hope you played it, because unfortunately I did not. Lets take a look at the races for Sunday and see if we can keep this momentum going.

Jim Dandy (Grade 2)

I don’t like morning line favorite Pyro in this spot. I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but he has NEVER won past a 1 1/16. I will look to Wood Memorial winner, Tale of Ekati to get the job done. He should lay close to the speed and make a move late at odds of 10-1. I also like Mint Lane to hold on for a piece.

1st- Tale of Ekati (10-1)
2nd- Mint Lane (5-2)
3rd- Macho Again (10-1)

WIN on TALE OF EKATI
$1 Trifecta (3,5/3,5,7/ALL)
$1 Superfecta (3,5/3,5/1,4,7,8/1,4,7,8)

Bing Crosby (Grade 1)

Its hard to go against morning line favorite Street Boss in this race. He has been bulletproof lately, and I believe he will be a top contender for the Breeders Cup Sprint. “The Boss” will roll late and flatten this field. In Summation should also be moving late. He is clearly the second best horse in the race on paper. Any number of horses could pick up third. Given the odds,  I wouldn’t stick too much money in your exotic wagers. I encourage you to bet Street Boss to win if you can get his morning line odds of 9/5.

1st- Street Boss (9/5)
2nd- In Summation (7/2)
3rd- Jungle Prince (15-1)

WIN on STREET BOSS
$1 Trifecta (1/4/2,3,5,7,9)

Commentators reigns victorious in the 2005 edition of the Whitney Handicap.

Diana (Grade 1)

Bayou’s Lassie looks like she could be lone speed at 12-1. I expect her to hold on for a piece, but I don’t know if she can beat this bunch. I believe Bit of Whimsy is sitting on a big race at 12-1. She is a daughter of Distorted Humor, and has been coming up short going a mile. I expect her to return to form at her preferred distance of 1 1/8.  Dynaforce nearly beat Maralaukana in her first US start at the end of June. Hailing from France, that was her first race since August. She should be in the fray early on, and I expect her to grab a piece. Wait a While and Rutherienne also figure to play a role in the outcome of this ultra tough Grade 1.

1st- Bit of Whimsy (12-1)
2nd- Dynaforce (4-1)
3rd- Bayou’s Lassie (12-1)

Plays:

$1 Trifecta: (1,2,3/1,2,3,4,10/1,2,3,4,10)

Whitney (Grade 1)

I took a stand against Commentator last time out and it paid off, but I am going to take him this time. Though I don’t recall the year, Commentator has already won this race. I’m hoping he can go from flag fall to thats all. The Dutrow trained Rising Moon should be mounting a bid from off the pace. I expect him to get a piece. I also like AP Arrow who has been tabbed at 10-1 after losing as the favorite in the Suburban.

1st- Commentator (3-1) *PLAY OF THE DAY*
2nd- Rising Moon (10-1)
3rd- AP Arrow (10-1)

Plays:

$1 Trifecta (1/2,7-10/2,7-10)

Vanderbilt Handicap (Grade 2)

This really sets up for the former Breeders Cup Sprint winner Thor’s Echo. I believe he could get it done, but I am leaning in another direction. I like Abraaj, based off his third place finish to Benny The Bull. I’m looking for the speed to fade and him to pick up the pieces. I can see First Defence getting a piece if Castellano chooses to rate him.

1st- Abraaj (3-1)
2nd- Thor’s Echo (6-1)
3rd- First Defence (4-1)

Plays:

$1 Trifecta (1,5/1,2,5,6/ALL)

Mushka makes her long awaited return to the track Friday at Saratoga.

Race 1- By Proxy has performed well in his two career starts. The cutback to 6 furlongs should be to his liking. I expect him to improve in his third career start. Look for this son of Tiznow to take the cake at 7/2. I’ll throw At Attention and Charging Hero in my exotics.

$1 Trifecta (2/1,7/1,3,5,7)
$2 Daily Double (2/1,6)
$2 Pick 3 2/1,6/1,3)

Race 2- I really love these 2-year-old maiden races! Todd Pletcher has a coupled entry in this race that looks very appealing, even at 2-1. Join The Dance, has two races under his belt, and his in last race he earned a monstrous ESF of 104. He was reeled in on the lead last time out, but I’m hoping he can go from flag fall to that’s all. His main competition will be the Asmussen and Bridgmahon combo on Unbridle’s Dream. Although heavily bet in his debut race, he sped to the lead and faded. I would stay away from the exotics in this race and place a straight win wager on the coupled entry of Join The Dance, and Forest Tango.

WIN on #1
$1 Pick 4 (1/1,3/1,4,6,10/2,6,12)

Race 3- This optional claimer brings about the return of the highly regarded Mushka. This filly was sidelined after a Grade 2 victory as a 2-year-old. She wont be my pick in this race. I’m going to go with One Carolina instead. I don’t think she will get much company up front, and she has been bulletproof in her two career starts. She has been tabbed at 3-1. My main reason for going against Mushka is the layoff. Many horses run well as two-year-olds only to fade away when they get older. I’m not saying this will be the case with her, but I want to see her race once as a three-year-old before I make up my mind.

$2 Exacta (1,3/1,3,4)
$1 Trifecta (1,3/1,3,4/1,3,4,6)

Race 4- While I am a bit concerned about his post position (10), I will go with Persian at 4-1. He has improved with every start, and will get an extra ½ furlong to get the job done today. Timothy Ritvo has two first time starters coupled as a single entry. Both have flashed some nice gate works and could get there at 8-1. The favorite is the Dutrow trainee Grimaldi. He has only a single race, and was 4 lengths behind my top choice Persian while finishing fourth.

$1 Exacta (1,6,10/1,4,6,10)
$1 Trifecta (10/1,4,6/1,3,4,6,7,8,9)

Race 5- Wow, this is such a large field that I don’t know where to begin. My top selection will be the Graham Motion trained Frenchman’s Cove. He is dropping into the claiming ranks for the first time, and has competed valiantly against allowance foes. Cross The Atlantic looks tough with Ramon Dominguez in the irons. His last race can be discarded due to the lack of pace and the fact that he was checked more than once. He fits well with this group at 10-1.

$1 Exacta (2,12/,2,6,9,12)
$1 Trifecta (2,12/2,6,9,12/1,2,6,9,12)

Ready's Image takes the 2007 edition of the Sanford Stakes

Sanford Stakes (Grade 2)

#1 Officer Ipod- First out winner from the barn of Anthony Dutrow. He won in wire-to-wire fashion in a time of :59 for five furlongs. The son of Officer will retain the services of Ramon Dominguez. I am a big fan of Dominguez, so that is a plus for me. There is no telling what type this one is, but he is going to have to adopt a new running style, or he will get burned up on the front end.

#2 Dagnabit- Undefeated winner of the Tremont is the lone stakes winner in the field. He should lay off the early pace, and make a move towards the top of the stretch. I’m not too impressed with his speed figures. I would definitely use him second and third, but I’m not sure if I would use him on top.

#3 Desert Party- This son of Street Cry is a $2.1 million purchase, owned by the famed Darley Stable. He was much the best first time out, earning an ESF of 93. He will have Edgar Prado in the irons for this one, and should be in the thick of it.

#4 Notonthesamepage- This colt is faaaaaast. He broke the Churchill Downs track record last out going 4 ½ furlongs, while earning an ESF of 107. Wesley Ward has him working like a machine. I’m kind of surprised to see Elvis Trujillo up, but he is capable. If this colt runs back to his last race its all over but the crying. You have to use this colt in all spots.

#5 Bullion Cache- Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez will hook up for this colt. Johnny is going to have to rate this guy, because Notonthesamepage will burn him up if he tries to go with him. These are two-year-olds and anything can happen, but I don’t see it happening for this son of Seeking The Gold.

#6 Vineyard Haven- Earned a very hefty ESF of 98 en route to a first time win at Calder. After that impressive win he was purchased by Bobby Frankel. That says something to me, and it should to you too. Frankel is one of the best trainers in the game and if he thought enough of this colt to purchase him, he is in with a shot. He is one of many with a chance to take this one.

#7 Phosphorescent- Robby Alborado and Dale Romans will hook up for this colt. He is the only colt in the race with a win at 6 furlongs and he took that race from the 9 hole. I like his running style and he should be in the race late. I’ll be throwing him in my exotic tickets.

1st- Vineyard Haven
2nd- Desert Party
3rd-Dagnabit

Plays:
$1 Trifecta (3,6/2,3,6/1,2,3,6,7)

Skip Away captures the Breeders Cup Classic in 1997.

Skip Away is one of the first horses I can recall watching or hearing about as a young child. Admittedly, I can recall little about him, so I decided to make a post about his awe inspiring career. Let’s take a look back to the 90s at one of the best horses to race in that decade.

Sired by Skip Trial, Skip Away was foaled on April 4,1993. Skip Trial earned $1,837,451 throughout his career while winning 9 Graded Stakes, including 3 Grade 1’s. His best victory came as a three-year-old in the Haskell Invitational. As a sire, Skip Away is far and away his best progeny. Other successful progeny include Grade 2 winner Federal Trial, and millionaire Best of the Rest. Skip Away’s dam is Ingot Way. She was sired by Diplomat Way and earned $66,149 while capturing two minor stakes in her career. Skip Away was far and away her best progeny. She also produced a colt named Seeking The Way, by Seeking The Gold that went on to win $471,650.

Born a beautiful gray colt, Skip Away was foaled in Florida. He was purchased by Hubert “Sonny” Hine for his wife, Caroline. She wanted a gray colt because vision problems made it difficult for her to view horses of other colors on the track. They purchased him for the relatively small amount of $22,500 as a yearling.

As a two-year-old, Skip Away won only a single race from six starts. He did flash some signs of future greatness by placing in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes. His first stakes victory would come as a three-year-old in the Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes. He won in grand fashion, smashing the field by 6 lengths and setting a new track record of 1:47.20 for the 1 1/8 distance over the wet fast track.

Just as many colts before him Skip Away went into the Kentucky Derby with much hype. He would finish the race far back and without an excuse. He would press on to the Preakness, and a respectable second place finish to Louis Quatorze. Although Skip Away crushed Louis Quatorze in the Blue Grass, he couldn’t catch him this time, as Louis Quatorze would set a new track record. Skip Away would also finish second in the Belmont Stakes after a daring stretch duel with Editor’s Note.

After the Triple Crown races concluded, Skip Away’s connections opted for the Haskell Invitational, a race which his sire had been victorious in. He would take that race and continue forward to the Jockey Club Gold Cup for a rematch with Louis Quatorze, Editor’s Note, and Horse of the Year, Cigar.

Cigar was sent off the heavy 1/5 favorite. Skip Away took the lead as they turned for home, while Louis Quatorze who had relinquished the lead was fading. Jerry Bailey had Cigar fully extended for the drive home in third. Skip Away’s lead slowly diminished as they hit the wire, and he just barely beat Cigar to the finish.

Trouble wasn’t far away for Skip Away. After two inexplicable defeats in the Philip H. Iselin Breeder’s Cup Handicap, and the Woodward Stakes jockey Shane Sellers was replaced by Jerry Bailey. With Bailey in the irons, Skip Away would adopt a front running style and win 9 consecutive races. Under another new jockey, Mike Smith, Skip Away would leave his greatest mark on racing.

Jerry Bailey wasn’t able to ride Skip Away in the 1997 Breeders Cup Classic, due to an obligation to ride another horse. Due to this, Mike Smith was given the mount. Facing the likes of Deputy Commander and Touch Gold, Skip Away would crush the competition in the Breeders Cup Classic. Unchallenged throughout, he would go on to win by 6 lengths and set a track and race record time of 1:59.16 for the 1 ¼ distance.

Skip Away would race a five-year-old claiming victory in five Grade 1’s, including the Hollywood Gold Cup, Pimlico Special, and Woodward Stakes. He was retired after his loss in the 1998 Breeders Cup Classic. Skip Away ended his career with $9,616,360 in earnings. He was named Champion Three-Year-Old in 1996, Champion Older Male Horse in 1997 and 1998, and Horse of the Year in 1998. He concluded his career with a race record of 38: 18-10-6.

As a sire Skip Away has had a fair amount of success. His most successful progeny is Crystal Violet, who was raced in Japan. In 2001, Gulfstream Park honored Skip Away by changing the name of the Broward Handicap, to the Skip Away Handicap. Skip Away has left a lasting mark on horse racing. Not only was he one of the best horses of his generation, Skip Away is one of the last great horses to race through their five-year-old campaign. Racing needs more horses like Skip Away.