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Gulfstream Park Picks

February 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This weekend of racing at Gulfstream will be one of the best of the young year. The horses are on full tilt as they try to progress toward their respective goals such as the Florida Derby and then the Kentucky Derby. We have covered the races extensively this week. Some of the horses we like are listed below.

Davona Dale Stakes: Dancinginherdreams (5-2)

Hutcheson Stakes: Manicero (12-1)

Fountain of Youth Stakes: Soldat (2-1)

Earlier this week Archarcharch won the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park and paid $31 to win as our top selection. It is our hope and expectation to continue winning into the weekend at Gulfstream. You can join along and get all of our picks and plays from Gulfstream for Saturday at the affordable price of $9.99. The following is included in your picks package.

  • Top pick to win every race from Gulfstream Park on Saturday 2/26/11
  • Assorted exacta, trifecta and superfecta plays
  • Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6 plays

Don’t miss out on the action. Click the “Buy Now” button below to join in on the fun and make a few dollars with your friends at Gradedstakes.com!


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Field of 10 set to vie for wide open Hutcheson Stakes

February 24, 2011 By 2 Comments

The Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes came up as competitive as any of us could have hoped. Every single one of the 10 entrants have a shot of taking home the win. The 7 furlong race is a prep for the Florida Derby. Some notable graduates include Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Spectacular Bid as well as Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Swale. Other champions to win the race include Lord Avie, Holy Bull, Housebuster and Fly So Free.

Let’s take a look at the field.

#1 Crossbow- He beat a nice colt named Sovereign Default last out when taking an allowance by ¾ of a length over this course and at this distance. The son of  Bernardini has very good early speed. That is good for him because it appears Ramon Dominguez will be forced to gun for the lead from the rail. Kiaran McLaughlin can train with the best of ‘em and he surely wouldn’t have this colt in the race if he didn’t think he couldn’t win. I don’t like the rail, but don’t count him out. He’s got a ton of talent.

#2 Madman Diaries- Wes Ward takes the hood off after this one finished fourth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf last out. He vied for the lead the whole way before relenting in the stretch. Before that race he won the Grade 3 Sapling going 6 furlongs at Monmouth. I expect him to be more effective going back to a dirt sprint here. The works are strong and you have to respect a barn that fires at 21% on 90+ days rest.

#3 Travelin Man- Todd Pletcher trainee was ridden out to win by 7 1/4 lengths in his debut. The son of Trippi scorched the clock, finishing the 6 furlongs distance in 1:09 flat. The five furlong split for the race was :56 2/5. He looks like he has a bright future. Grade 2 company for his second start presents no easy task though. The son of Trippi will have to rate in order to win as there is too much speed for him to duel and keep going.

#4 Razmataz- Son of Forest Wildcat won a first level allowance in his fourth lifetime start last out. He proved he can rate and win in that race. He appears to be on the outside looking in, but Todd Pletcher has him here for a reason. I just don’t know what it is.

#5 Flashpoint- Was the easiest of winners first out for trainer Rick Dutrow. He won by 6 1/2 lengths and the runner up returned to win next time out. The race was strong, but I’m always skeptical of big wins on the Aqueduct inner track. He is working well, but ultimately others rate higher.

#6 Little Drama- Half brother of Breeders Cup Sprint winner Big Drama broke his maiden second time out in a $150k state bred stakes event. He was 5th last out behind Reprized Halo and Gourmet Dinner after setting the pace. This is his first race in over four months so he probably needs this one.

#7 Leave of Absence- Had a poor trip in the Holy Bull last out where he finished 6th beaten 11 lengths for the win. Before that he was second in the $100k Spectacular Bid Stakes. I love his closing style. It appears Violette will try and get him a bit closer today as he puts on the blinkers. He’s got a big shot rallying from off the pace.

#8 Black N Beauty- Tired down the stretch in the Holy Bull after setting the pace. Before that he won a first level allowance and a maiden special weight. $3k auction purchase has really over achieved. His shot of winning is as good as anyones, but I’m a bit down on the Dale Romans barn. His stakes horses don’t seem to be winning.

#9 Manicero- I’ve followed this colt’s career closely and he is quite the horse. He has won 4 of 5 lifetime races including the Pasco and Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in his last two races. Saez should rate him just off the speed and push the button entering the stretch. I’ve got a feeling if he gets the lead down the lane he will be tough to pass. Manicero is my top selection to win the Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes.

#10 Royal Currier- Gelded son of Red Bullet finished second to a monster named Fort Hughes in the Jimmy Winkfield last out. Before that he won a $75k minor stakes race at Parx and a $70k race at Belmont. He could have an impact here if he improves. Elvis Trujillo gets the mount.

This race is wide open. As I previously stated I’m going with Manicero to win, but I will also use Madman Diaries, Leave of Absence, Black N Beauty and Royal Currier on my Pick 4 ticket.

Who do you like? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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Radiohead looks for first U.S. win in the Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes

February 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes at 7 furlongs is perfect for colts that aren’t ready to go 9 furlongs in the Fountain of Youth. The race has produced notable sprinters and routers alike. Kentucky Derby winners Spectacular Bid and Swale both own a win in this race. Last year’s winner was Capt. Candyman Can who would go on to win the Grade 1 King’s Bishop. The field for 2010 is very strong and the winner will pick up much needed graded stakes earnings for the Kentucky Derby.

Although he didn’t fare well in his first start in the United States, Radiohead still looks like a strong contender. His only race in the US was a seventh place finish in the Breeders Cup Juvenile. The son of Johannesburg is trained by Richard Dutrow for IEAH Stables. He won the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes as Ascot last summer. He is working sharply for his first race over the dirt. Julien Leparoux will have the mount. He usually does well with horses coming in from overseas.

Richard Dutrow also has Grade 2 Saratoga Special winner D’funnybone entered in this race. He backed up big time last out in the Breeders Cup Juvenile after pressing the pace. I’ll forgive that effort because dirt horses werent running well on that weekend at all. The son of D’wildcat delivered an electrifying win in the Grade 2 Futurity at Belmont before the Breeders Cup. If he can regain that form he will be tough. He figures to get a nice stalking trip with Edgar Prado in the irons.

A Little Warm and Wildcat Frankie could shake things up for the Dutrow runners. They finished one-two in the Spectacular Bid Stakes, respectively. Wildcat Frankie has posted an allowance win since then, but A Little Warm hasn’t raced since. A Little Warm is trained by Anthony Dutrow and will be ridden by Jeremy Rose. A wet track would likely help his chances. Wildcat Frankie will be piloted by Paco Lopez  for trainer James Hatchett.

City Trooper, Ibboyee, Sum Champ, and Hear Ye Hear Ye round out the field. Who do you like in the Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes?

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