Saratoga and Del Mar are BACK!
July 20, 2010 by Ryan · Leave a Comment
The two greatest things about summer for racing fans are the meets at Del Mar and Saratoga. Combined with Keeneland, these three boutique meets are arguably the best in thoroughbred racing. The horses are of the highest quality, the crowds are great, and the betting pays dividends when you’re right.
I would probably visit Del Mar over Saratoga if given the choice. The track sits right on the Pacific Ocean and the beach is stunningly beautiful. There are few things in the world that I like more than horse racing and beaches. Saratoga is no slouch though. The track has tons of historical value as it has been around since 1863.
Some of the races we can look forward to at Saratoga are the Whitney Handicap, Jim Dandy Stakes, Traver Stakes, Woodward Stakes, and Alabama Stakes among many more.
All of those races were very memorable in 2009. The Travers saw Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird romp over Quality Road. We got to see Careless Jewel destroy her foes in the Alabama. Who can forget Rachel Alexandra digging in and holding on to beat older males in the Woodward? That performance will be hard for any horse to top this year.
We can expect to see Rachel Alexandra, Blame, and Quality Road race at the Saratoga meet this year. Rachel Alexandra will race Saturday at Monmouth Park in the Lady’s Secret, but her next start is likely to be in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga. Blame and Quality Road will meet in the Whitney Handicap next weekend. The victor of that matchup will be solidified as the top older male in the country.
Del Mar will feature the San Diego Handicap, Pacific Classic, Del Mar Futurity, Del Mar Oaks, and Eddie Read Stakes. Last year we got to see Richard’s Kid take the Pacific Classic at a big price for trainer Bob Baffert. The master trainer also took the Del Mar Futurity with future Preakness Stakes winner Lookin At Lucky. The biggest attraction for this meet will be the undefeated mare Zenyatta who is likely to compete in the Clement Hirsch Handicap.
I’m already counting down the minutes for these two great meets. Del Mar will begin on Wednesday. Saratoga starts on Friday. I’m going to be watching every race to get a feel for how the track is playing. Be sure to join me on this handicapping adventure! For just $10 per card or $69 for the entire meet (each) you can have all my picks for Saratoga and Del Mar. I thrive on this type of racing and I expect to cash some very nice exotic and win tickets. Don’t miss the action!
Nine great horse racing picks for this weekend!
July 16, 2010 by Ryan · Leave a Comment
One of the things I love the most about horse racing is that every weekend has something exciting going on. This weekend we will enjoy the Virginia Derby, Virginia Oaks, Swaps Stakes, Delaware Handicap, and the Arlington Handicap, among many other races. My free pick for this week was Krypton in the Virginia Derby. I’m very excited to see how he will perform at odds of 7/2.
I’ve handicapped nine races this weekend. My top selections range in price from 8-5 to 10-1, but most are above 3-1. It’s very unusual for me to do nine stakes races in a week, but I saw many things I liked and a number of price horses have great chances to win. I feel really good about several picks this week. You can play along for just $10 this week, or join me for a month for only $35.
Be on the lookout for Saratoga picks starting next week. I will be handicapping the card every day and I highly encourage you to play along. Last year my highest priced winner was 21-1 shot Dattt Echo. I also gave out several Pick 4 plays paying in excess of $700. I’m ready to do it again.
Don’t miss out!
Hot Handicapping weekend topped by Caracortado ($11) in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes
February 15, 2010 by Ryan · 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
I’m going to try and best last week. It won’t be easy but I think I can do it. For information on how to get my picks click here or use the form below!
| Gradedstakes.com Picks |
Horse Racing Picks topped by $17.40 winner in the Whirlaway
February 8, 2010 by Ryan · Leave a Comment
I wasn’t too happy when I awoke Saturday morning to learn that Santa Anita had cancelled racing. 3 of the 6 races on my tip sheet were on the card and I felt very good about my chances in the Robert B Lewis. The remaining three races were solid. I had $17.40 winner Peppi Knows in the Whirlaway who was my de facto top selection after the defection of Turf Melody. That race was marred when jockey Jorge Chavez fell off the heavily favored Eightyfiveinafifty who jumped the rail. I have read reports that Chavez is OK, and the horse sustained only a minor injury. I am thankful for that. I love to win, but the well being of the horses and jockeys comes first!
The remaining two races I had given picks for were the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap and the Donn Handicap. My top pick in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap was Yate’s Black Cat, who was a victim of a poor ride by Kent Desormeaux, although he probably wasn’t good enough regardless. Kent tried to go through what I call a “phantom hole”. There was no place for him to move, and his horse clipped heels with Take The Points who was DQed from the win. Court Vision benefited from the decision and was placed first at odds of 4-5.
I strongly disagree with the decision to remove Take The Points from first, and I read that Todd Pletcher may appeal the decision. My comments for the race noted that Yate’s Black Cat was my top choice narrowly over Take The Points, and I used both on top in my exotic bets. Take The Points DQ cost me a trifecta. Although it wasn’t going to pay a ton for a buck, it was a cheap ticket and I had a $5 wager.
I had Quality Road winning the Donn Handicap, along with everyone else on the planet. He returned $2.80 for the win. Dry Martini rallied for second and Delightful Kiss was third. I was able to come up with the exacta that paid $17.20 for $2 on a ticket that cost $6. My trifecta ticket cost $16 to bet and returned $93. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to break the bank with these races, but I am glad I hit them regardless of how much they paid. Like they old saying goes; you can pick the winner but you can’t pick the price.
This weekends lineup includes horse racing picks for Saturday and Presidents Day.
- Sam Davis Stakes
- Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship
- Las Virgenes Stakes
- Robert B Lewis Stakes
- Strub Stakes
- Hurricane Bertie Stakes
- General George Breeders Cup Handicap
- Southwest Stakes
- San Vicente Stakes
Click here for information on how to get my picks and plays. You will be glad you did.
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