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Horse racing picks for Santa Anita, Aqueduct, Turfway and Tampa Bay

March 5, 2011 By 2 Comments

The racing action will get pretty intense this weekend. Several of the best races will be going down at Santa Anita. Among them are the Santa Anita Oaks, Kilroe Mile and Santa Anita Handicap. I’ve already given my selections for two of those races, but lets recap.

A Z Warrior won first out and is working well so firing fresh shouldn’t be a problem for her. The Frizette winner should appreciate going two turns and she may get over looked as Turbulent Descent tries to make up for her first defeat last out. Both fillies will be tough, but Baffert’s girl is our pick in the Santa Anita Oaks.

Caracortado looks double tough as he tries to remain undefeated on the grass in the Kilroe Mile. The price is good enough at 5-2 as he really hangs over this field in my eyes.

While I took the chalk in the Kilroe, I am swinging for the fences in the Big ‘Cap. Soul Candy will break from the rail in his first try on dirt and should come closing like a freight train in the lane. Distance will be no problem and he seems like an improving horse. I’ll have a fair amount of cash on him at odds of 30-1 in the Santa Anita Handicap.

Santa Anita isn’t the only place with great action this Saturday. The Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct features Stay Thirsty who placed behind Boys At Tosconova in the Hopeful last year. He looks vulnerable racing for the first time in over three months. Whirlaway Stakes winner Toby’s Corner is getting better all the time and will be moving fast in the stretch. If Stay Thirsty has the lead in the stretch it is likely Toby’s Corner will run past him. This is the best play of the weekend.

Moe Man looks interesting in the Challenger Stakes. He may get overlooked because Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer is in the race as is Northern Dancer Stakes winner Colizeo. Both are coming into this event on significant layoffs. Moe Man, trained by Ian Wilkes has been running solidly against stakes horses. It will take a rapid pace for him to come flying under Freddie Lenclud, but at 8-1 he is worth the shot.

Admiral Perry will go forward at 5-1 in the Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park. He has won 2 in a row and I don’t think we have seen his best stuff yet. Ben Creed gets the mount for trainer Shug McGaughey.

If you’re looking for a place to wager online this weekend please consider Twin Spires. Click the link to read 10 reasons to play with them! For regular picks bookmark our Free Horse Racing Picks page.

 

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Caracortado looks tough in Frank Kilroe Mile

March 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Graded Stakes is a big fan of the gelding Caracortado. He always runs hard and we have cashed many times thanks to him. One of those times came last out in the SunShine Millions Turf where ran past The Usual QT at odds of 3.10-1. Another time was in the Robert Lewis last year where he was 9-2. He was an easy winner that day.

The Michael Machowsky trainee has won 7 times from 11 starts. He has found a new home on the turf and looks to be improving. He will come running hard in the Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita this Saturday.

His biggest challenger could be last years runner up, Fluke. The son of Wild Event missed by just a nose to Proviso last year. Since then he has been second in the Arcadia Handicap and a winner in the Thunder Road Handicap. Joe Talamo had the option to ride Fluke or Caracortado and decided to ride Caractorado. Rafael Bejarano will get the mount on Fluke. Bejarano should be happy as this horse beat a tough field last out and seems to be coming back to the form that helped him win the Citation Handicap in 2009.

Jeranimo is back in the Kilroe Mile after failing to fire as the favorite last out in the SunShine Millions Turf. He finished a dull fourth. Before that he won the grade 2 San Gabriel. The son of Congaree  tends to work in a clunker after running a few big races sometimes. It would be no surprise to see him get back on track here. David Flores will pick up the mount for trainer Michael Pender.

Acclamation will return here for his first race since late July. Last year he won Jim Murray Memorial Handicap and the Charlie Whittingham Memorial Handicap. He was ninth in this race last year, but he has turned into a better race horse since that effort. His works are strong, but he is tough to gauge considering the long rest.

He may not get much consideration, but Gallant Son deserves a look. He was a close fourth in the Shoemaker Mile last year after he won the Inglewood Handicap. In his first race of 2011 he finished second in an allowance race going 6.5 furlongs on the downhill turf course. That should set him up perfectly for this race.

Caracortado looks too tough to beat here. We will make him our top selection.

Who do YOU like?

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Challengers lining up to face Pletcher and Borel’s Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver

May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment


For the third time in four years Calvin Borel rocketed his mount to the front of the pack in the Kentucky Derby. In 2007 it was aboard juvenile champion Street Sense. He did it on super long shot Mine That Bird in 2009. This time it was on Super Saver. The Cajun jockey held three fingers to the sky after the race to signify these three horses.

Soon after he boldly stated that the son of Maria’s Mon would win the Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher said that Super Saver’s next race would come in the Preakness (shocking, right?). Calvin may believe he has the 12th Triple Crown winner of all time, but several challengers will line up to oppose him.

The first one that leaps out to me is Grade 2 Louisiana Derby runner up A Little Warm. He was very impressive stretching out in distance for the first time in that race. He appeared to be a sprinter, but he proved his doubters wrong by digging in and holding on for second after he came under attack early in the stretch run. If he can improve on that effort he would be dangerous in the Preakness. If Bob Baffert doesn’t send Conveyance his chances will be increased. Conveyance would likely burn him to a crisp on the lead.

I also like Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis winner Caracortado. The gelded son of Cat Dreams has had excuses in his last to races. In the Grade 2 San Felipe he had no fractions to chase and Sidney’s Candy easily pulled the wire job. In the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby he had to check sharply after the Gomez-Espinoza incident where Lookin at Lucky was slammed into the rail. If he goes to the Preakness and the fractions are sharp you can bet your ass he will come flying late. The only thing working against him is that Pimlico Racecourse favors speed.

The Kentucky Derby favorite, Lookin at Lucky, would have a heck of a chance if Bob Baffert decides to send him. He has encountered plenty of trouble in his three-year-old campaign, but has handled it well. He rallied to win the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes after clipping heels. In the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby he was unable to overcome being slammed into the rail, but still finished third. He put in a nice rally in the Derby but couldn’t overcome his rail post position. If Garrett Gomez can navigate a clean trip he will be loaded for bear turning for home and could mow them all down.

Others considering the race are Kentucky Derby third place finisher Paddy O’Prado. He is the definition of the “now” horse. He continues to improve with every start. Nick Zito and Bob LaPenta are toying with idea of starting Kentucky Derby runner up Ice Box in the Preakness, but will probably save him for the Belmont Stakes. Ice Box was easily the best colt in the Derby, but didn’t win because of an awful trip. Their other horse, Jackson Bend, is likely to go.

Other Kentucky Derby also rans’ considering the Preakness are Dublin, Make Music For Me, and Conveyance. New shooters include the Grade 3 Derby Trial first three finishers Hurricane Ike, Aikenite, and Pleasant Prince. Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby runner up Schoolyard Dreams and Grade 3 Illinois Derby fourth place finisher Turf Melody wrap up the list of potential challengers. Super Saver will undoubtedly be in with a huge shot, but these horses won’t make it easy on him.

Who is your early pick for the Preakness? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

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Kentucky Derby Top 10 List

March 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Kentucky Derby is rapidly approaching. Several of the top prep races have already been contested and several of the horses that will be in that gate on the First Saturday in May have already had their final preparatory race. Plenty of others have not so there is still much to be decided. Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders.

#1 Lookin at Lucky- The defending juvenile champion has done very little wrong in his career. If not for a poor trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile he would be undefeated. He is a son of Smart Strike so his pedigree is top notch. Trainer Bob Baffert has taken the roses three times (Real Quiet, Silver Charm, War Emblem), which means this colt couldn’t be in better hands. I love the fact that his highest Beyer Speed Figure was recorded on dirt when he won the Rebel Stakes after a trip from hell. Look for a huge effort in the Santa Anita Derby if that is his next race.

#2 Odysseus- Have you seen this son of Malibu Moon’s last two races? If not then I suggest you head over to YouTube and check him out. He crushed an allowance field by 15 lengths two back at Tampa Bay Downs. After that win he returned in the Tampa Bay Derby. He appeared finished at the top of the stretch, but came on again to register a narrow victory. He is visually impressive and “looks the part” so to speak. He is expected to race in the Bluegrass Stakes. Be on the watch for him.

#3 Sidney’s Candy- I love the way this horse won easily in his last two races. He took the San Vicente easily. He returned for another easy score in the San Felipe. The latter was his first try around two turns. Some question his ability to stay, but I don’t think he will have a problem being a son of Candy Ride. It’s hard to say how good he is at this point, but he will get the acid test next out in the Santa Anita Derby.

#4 Awesome Act- I love the way he skipped over the track in his Gotham win. That was his first race of the year. The son of Awesome Again seems to be getting good at the right time for his European connections. He ended his two-year-old campaign with a fourth place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Look for him in the Wood Memorial.

#5 Eskendereya- This colt is atop many Kentucky Derby lists, but I have to see him reproduce his Fountain of Youth effort before I get on board. I view him as a Bellamy Road type of colt in the sense that while Bellamy Road was an incredible runner, he didn’t show up on Kentucky Derby day. I can see that happening with this one. If he impresses in the Wood Memorial I’ll hop on the bandwagon, but until then I prefer the top 4 over him.

#6 Interactif- He is a stakes winner on the turf for trainer Todd Pletcher. His first start over the synthetic resulted in a second place finish behind Sidney’s Candy in the San Felipe. He was moving well late despite the fact that he had no fractions to chase. He will return in the Bluegrass Stakes.

#7 Schoolyard Dreams- I loved his big move in the Tampa Bay Derby. He was narrowly defeated by Odysseus in that race. He is handled by Derek Ryan who trained 2009 Illinois Derby winner Musket Man. His next start will come in the Wood Memorial.

#8 Jackson Bend- He is in perfect hands with Nick Zito. He ran into a horse that wasn’t going to lose last out when he was second to Eskendereya in the Fountain of Youth. It will be interesting to see how Calvin Borel handles him in the Wood.

#9 Caracortado- How can you knock a gelding that has lost just once? Throw in the fact that he lost due to a slow pace and he looks even better. I love the way he rolled up on the pacesetters in his Robert B. Lewis win. He will need a strong performance in the Santa Anita Derby to stay on track for the First Saturday in May.

#10 Noble’s Promise- The son of Cuvee was last seen finishing a close second to Lookin at Lucky in the Rebel Stakes. He could make some noise in his next start which in all likelihood will be the first time he hasn’t competed against “Lucky” since his triumph in the Futurity at Keeneland.

Follow the 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders and the upcoming prep races next week on Stakes Tracker on Horse Racing Nation:
  • 2010 Santa Anita Derby
  • 2010 Wood Memorial
  • 2010 Illinois Derby

This list will change drastically after the Wood Memorial, Bluegrass Stakes, and Illinois Derby are conducted this weekend. I firmly believe that the winner of the Kentucky Derby will come from one of those two races, or the Santa Anita Derby. I’m putting very little stock in the Lanes End, Florida Derby, Sunland Derby, and Louisiana Derby. I believe the winners of those races are a cut below those on this list. The most important question still remains; who do YOU like?!

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Hot Handicapping weekend topped by Caracortado ($11) in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes

February 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Those who purchased my selections this weekend were rewarded when I correctly picked the winner in 5 of 7 races. I’m hoping to continue handicapping hotly this weekend and I am looking forward to all of the stakes action! Let’s examine the races where I was successful.

Robert B. Lewis Stakes: Caracortado ($11)- I had a REALLY good feeling about this gelding. He had never failed in four tries and had already proved he could go two turns whereas the favorite had not done so. Paul Atkinson gave him a great ride and he won fairly easily. Trainer Michael Machowsky is pointing him to the San Felipe Stakes where he could meet up with Lookin at Lucky in a matchup akin to David and Goliath.

San Vicente Stakes: Sidney’s Candy ($6.60)- I believed this colt would trounce all comers in this race and he did so. He lived up to the form he showed over the summer at Del Mar. He won this race quite easily and has to be the early favorite for the Santa Anita Derby. He looked scary good and I’m really looking forward to seeing more of him.

Santa Maria Handicap: St Trinians ($4.60)- I believed that Life Is Sweet freaked when she won the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic due to the fast pace set by Careless Jewel. While she ran second, I was right to believe she couldn’t handle my top selection St Trinians who improved her record in the US to a perfect four for four. Mike Mitchell wants her next start to come in the Santa Anita Handicap. I may support her there also depending on the field!

Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship: Munnings ($4)- It seems that all this son of Speighstown really needed was a fast track. Trainer Todd Pletcher wants to target a Grade 1 race for his next start. If the track is fast he will have a heck of a chance to win.

Las Virgenes Stakes: Blind Luck ($2.40)- Who didn’t have this filly? She is incredibly fast although she narrowly got up after a perfectly timed ride by Rafeal Bejarano. I advised bettors to sit this race out because she looked overwhelmingly good, but wasn’t worth a bet at such a short price. Like many of the other previously listed horses, I can’t wait to see more of her!

This weekends lineup includes:

Fountain of Youth Stakes

Risen Star Stakes

Hutcheson Stakes

El Camino Real Derby

Mineshaft Handicap

San Carlos Handicap

San Luis Obispo Handicap

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Tiz Chrome and American Lion head Robert B. Lewis Stakes

February 11, 2010 By 4 Comments

The Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes has been very strong in recent years. Some of the recent winners include Pioneerof The Nile, Crown of Thorns, Great Hunter, and Declan’s Moon. The race is contested at 8.5 furlongs over the main track at Santa Anita. The field is left short at just 5 horses this year after draining problems caused it to be canceled when it was supposed to run last weekend.

Bob Baffert will attempt to win this race for the second year in a row and the fourth time overall with Tiz Chrome. The son of Tiznow won a minor stakes last out in a blistering time going 6.5 furlongs at Hollywood Park. He powered away to win by 4 lengths. Garrett Gomez will retain the mount. It will be interesting to see how he handles the distance. His pedigree suggests he won’t have any problems, but you never know.

Caracortado looks like a strong contender for trainer Michael Machowsky and jockey Paul Atkinson. He has won all four of his races. He has a versatile running style which will come in handy due to the short field in this event. The son of Cat Dreams rallied strongly last out to win a statebred stakes event by 1 3/4 lengths. La Nez finished third in that race and will be racing against Blind Luck in the Las Virgenes earlier on the card. If she fares well it would flatter the form of this gelding.

American Lion enters this race after a winning effort in the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue. The Eion Harty trainee broke onto the scene with a 6 3/4 length maiden special weight win at Keeneland. He is also a son of Tiznow like his rival Tiz Chrome. Julien Leparoux will pilot the colt. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if he was able to put together a big effort and win this race.

Dave In Dixie and Tango Tango round out the field. The latter ships in from Golden Gate and the prior was last seen finishing 6th in the Norfolk Stakes.

Who is your top selection for the Robert B. Lewis Stakes?

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American Lion returns in Robert B. Lewis Stakes

February 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

It seems that trainer Eion Harty has yet another fast son of Tiznow in his barn. American Lion closed furiously to take the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue in his last start at two and will be making his first start as a three-year-old this weekend in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park. He appears to be training well and he should relish the extra distance. He will have to race well off the shelf if he wants to win this race like Pioneerof The Nile did last year.

Bob Baffert’s barn is stacked with three-year-olds this year; who would’ve thought? He sends out stakes winning Macias and Tiz Chrome in this race. Macias won a minor stakes event on the turf in his last trip to the track . He will have to prove he can run on the main track if he wants to win here. Tiz Chrome is a perfect two for two and has blazing early speed. I have my doubts about his ability to stretch his speed out, but I never doubt a Baffert runner.

Caracortado is the most proven runner in the field. He has won all four of his starts and most recently found the winners circle going two turns in a Cal bred stakes race. His style fits this race very well and should be a handful for jockey Paul Atkinson. Trainer Michael Machowsky also bred the gelding.

Dave In Dixie is in with a shot for trainer John Sadler and jockey Joel Rosario. He was an impressive debut winner last summer, but ran 6th in the Grade 1 Norfolk after that. This will be his first race in several months. The colt probably won’t be ready off the shelf, but nothing is impossible.

Tango Tango has been running at Golden Gate and will try to win here for Rafeal Bejarano and Jerry Hollendorfer. Domonation was last seen running third behind Conveyance in the Grade 3 San Rafeal.

Who do you like in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes? My picks and plays are available by clicking here.

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