http://www.gradedstakes.com Thoroughbred racing from a pundit with an eye for winners Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:05:43 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 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 ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/08/ballston-spa-handicap.html [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="293" caption="Mast Track took the fast track in the Hollywood Gold Cup."][/caption] 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 ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/08/pacific-classic-update.html [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="277" caption="Gary Stevens"][/caption] 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 ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/08/living-legends-race.html 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 ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/08/early-breeders-cup-selections.html [caption id="attachment_139" align="alignnone" width="275" caption="Commentator is timeless."][/caption] 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 ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/07/handicapping-success-race-of-the-week.html [caption id="attachment_130" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Street Boss is poised for a chance at the Breeders Cup Sprint!"][/caption] 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 ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/07/sunday-selections.html [caption id="attachment_126" align="alignnone" width="200" caption="Commentators reigns victorious in the 2005 edition of the Whitney Handicap."][/caption] 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 ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/07/saturday-selections.html [caption id="attachment_121" align="alignnone" width="220" caption="Mushka makes her long awaited return to the track Friday at Saratoga."][/caption] 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 ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/07/saratoga-selections-races-1-5.html [caption id="attachment_114" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Ready's Image takes the 2007 edition of the Sanford Stakes"][/caption] 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 ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/07/sanford-stakes.html [caption id="attachment_109" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Skip Away captures the Breeders Cup Classic in 1997."][/caption] 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. ... http://www.gradedstakes.com/2008/07/racing-legends-skip-away.html