September 7, 2010

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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

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Munnings favored to win the Grade 1 Kings Bishop Stakes

August 27, 2009 By Ryan Leave a Comment

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A contentious field of eight has gathered to try to win the Grade 1 $300,000 King’s Bishop Stakes over seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga Racecourse. Last year’s race was won by Visionaire. Prior to that, Hard Spun took the race. The list of stars to have competed in this event is a mile long, and this years winner will certainly have a bright future.

Munnings is the morning line favorite at odds of 2-1. Though he is much hyped, he has yet to win a Grade 1 race. His last trip to the track was a third place finish in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational. That was too far for the son of Speightstown to run, and he should perform better while returning to a sprint distance. The best win for Munnings to date came in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens at Belmont Park.

Todd Pletcher is concerned about the rail draw for Munnings. Nobody wants the rail, especially when sprinting. Great horses overcome problems and I’ve heard only the highest of praise for Munnings. If he is as good as everyone thinks he is then it shouldn’t cost him the win. I’ll look elsewhere for my winner, but I’m certainly giving a big look to this one with John Velazquez in the irons.

I’ve grown fond of Big Drama. He is quite a temperamental horse as he proved prior to the start of the Grade 1  Preakness Stakes, and last out in the Grade 3West Virginia Derby. I love his early zip and the stubbornness that he shows to win races. He went crazy on the front end and wasn’t able to hold off Soul Warrior in the West Virginia Derby, but should do well turning back in distance. The son of Montbrook would be a perfect three for three at the distance if not for an iffy disqualification in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes.

He has enough early speed to be close or to take the lead. I expect jockey Eibar Coa to try and go wire to wire. This colt always shows up with a strong race. His only off the board finish came against fierce competition in the Preakness Stakes, where he ended up fifth. I’d like to see him calm before the race. He clearly holds a strong hand for trainer David Fawkes.

Vineyard Haven is the only Grade 1 winner in the race, but will be making his first start since finishing fourth in Dubai back in February. The son of Lido Palace has been training here at Saratoga since early July, but will probably be a bit short coming off the shelf. He has good early speed, but his running style might have changed since his freshman campaign. I won’t be using him on top.

There was a split second when I thought Capt. Candyman Can might run Quality Road down last out in the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes. The gelding ran a strong race, but was not able to get by Quality Road. The gelded son of Candy Ride has never lost at this distance and looks primed for a peak effort.

This will be a good one for horse betting. I’ll go with Big Drama at 3-1. Who do you like in the King’s Bishop Stakes?

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