The Starlight Racing owned colt will begin his quest for racing’s most coveted prize, the Kentucky Derby, with a start in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes on January 29. It is there that he will meet champion and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Hansen. Trainer Todd Pletcher is throwing him directly to the wolves. To be the best he will have to beat the best. Might as well give him a shot against the best, right? He might surprise everyone.

Algorithms has the pedigree to run for days and should love the extra ground that the Kentucky Derby and its prep races will offer. His sire, Bernardini, is noted as a winner of the Preakness Stakes, Travers Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup. His stamina is already showing in progeny like Travers Stakes victor Stay Thirsty. He’s got Cryptoclearance as his damsire. That horse won the Florida Derby and Donn Handicap. He’s known for producing stars like Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop.

Ava knowsthecode has had great success as a broodmare. Algorithms is a half brother to Hutcheson Stakes winner Keyed Entry and Woody Stephens Stakes winner Justin Phillip.

One of the most impressive things about Algorithms is his running style. In both of his races he has taken up a spot near the front in the early going before finishing up very strongly in the late stages of the race. He could be a push button horse. This will serve him well in his quest for Kentucky Derby glory.

He might be not be ready for Hansen on January 29, but Algorithms has a big future and is likely to remain a key Kentucky Derby Contender all the way to the finish.

Awesome Feather sold for $2.3 million after completing an undefeated two-year-old campaign capped with a Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies victory. Her only race since then was an overnight stakes victory going seven furlongs on October. She’s going to face much, much tougher going nine furlongs in the Grade I Gazelle Stakes from Aqueduct.

It could be too much to ask the champion filly to face this kind of competition in only her second race back. I’m going to call for her undefeated run to end at seven races.

My top selection for the Gazelle is R Gypsy Gold from the barn of Todd Pletcher. The filly is bred top and bottom to love this distance and she rides a two race win streak after taking a minor stakes event last out at Belmont. Since her last win she fired a very nice four furlong work in :47 3/5 B. A peak effort could be in order as she tries to annex this Grade I event. John Velazquez will ride.

Love And Pride is another interesting option. Also trained by Pletcher, she was third as the favorite last out against R Gypsy Gold and before that she faded in the Cotillion after contesting the pace against Plum Pretty. Her two races before those were devastatingly easy and one of them was at today’s distance. If she can be the same filly she was in those wins, then she could find herself in the winner’s circle.

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Be sure to save some time before or after Thanksgiving dinner to watch and wager on what looks like a great field in the Grade III Fall Highweight Handicap from Aqueduct at 2:42 pm.

Calibrachoa has the honor of carrying top weight of 135 lbs after a last out romp in the Bold Ruler Handicap. He rebounded nicely there to break a three race losing streak. The former claimer will be coupled once again with stablemate Caixa Eletronica who finished third behind him last out after bobbling at the break. His impost is listed at 134 lbs. Their trainer, Todd Pletcher, has one more entry in the form of Driven By Success, but that one is likely to scratch in favor of a NY-bred race on 11/20. All three are owned by Mike Repole.

The entry will be very tough to defeat, but one horse that stands a chance is General Maximus. The John Terranova trained son of Freud was last seen taking down the NY-bred Hudson Stakes in his first race since June 24. The time off was for a surgery to remove an undescended testicle.  He’s working very well since that triumph and reunites with jockey Corey Natakani, a rider who excels in sprint races. The colt will tote 130 lbs.

Another horse to consider is Nathan’s HQ. Trained and ridden by Clyde Martin, the son of Yonaguska chased a freak of nature last out called Poseidon’s Warrior in the Newcastle Stakes. The winner threw down some heavy fractions and won with a fair bit of ease, but Nathan’s HQ was not embarrassed just 1 3/4 lengths back in second. His burden will be 131 lbs.

Another horse to note is Frazil. He’s in tough here, but the gelding is as consistent as they come. He has won seven races in 12 starts this year and finished off the board only once. I’ve always liked the gelding and I’d love to see him do well, but he’s going to have to dig deep to do so. He’s in light at 126 lbs.

The horse to bet here is General Maximus. His running style fits well and I’ve got a feeling we havent seen anything close to his best stuff yet. Let’s hope he wins to make for an extra happy Thanksgiving.

$150,000 is on the line Thursday at Saratoga in the Grade 2 With Anticipation Stakes for two-year-olds going 8 ½ furlongs on the turf at Saratoga.

The race is likely to have Breeders Cup implications and you can expect to see the winner in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf later this year at Churchill Downs.

Captain Webb (English Channel x Miss Mary Pat by Service Strip) has been tabbed the 3-1 morning line favorite after a flashy maiden win going the same distance as today’s race over the same track. The second place finisher in that race, Daddy Nose Best, returned to win next out against a strong group. He is owned by James Scatuorchio (he also owned the English Channel) and trained by Todd Pletcher. Not surprisingly, John Velazquez is listed to ride.

He was bet to favoritism in the debut for obvious reasons like wonderful turf breeding, top notch connections and a blazing :59 B turf move going five furlongs. He didn’t disappoint that time, but this will be a much tougher group. My natural tendency is to try to beat the favorite, but that may be tough to do in this spot.

State of Play (War Front x Valeta by Procida) probably rates the best chance to upset at 5-1. He races for Team Valor International and is trained by Graham Motion. His debut resulted in a strong win over a good field at the Spa going 5 ½ furlongs on the grass. Ramon Dominguez will be in the irons and it is likely he will put the colt on the lead.

Another interesting option is Optimizer (English Channel x Indy Pick by AP Indy) who races for D Wayne Lukas and owner Bluegrass Hall. His maiden win came against a good field at first asking. I love the way he finished up in the lane and he should have plenty of room to move forward. Robby Albarado will keep the mount.

Like I said before, it’s going to be hard to get away from the chalk here. The other two I mentioned are worth a look though.

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The Midsummer Derby is one of the most coveted races in all of thoroughbred racing. Trainer Chad Brown was quoted yesterday saying he wants to win this race more than any other, including the Kentucky Derby. He will have a chance with the rail horse, Bowman’s Causeway. Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole will have the unlikely favorite in Stay Thirsty. Who would have guessed at the end of last year that of his two stars this would be the colt, and not Uncle Mo, in the big race? Certainly not I.

The Travers Stakes is for three-year-old colts and geldings going 10 furlongs on the main track at Saratoga. Last year’s winner Afleet Express was retired due to injury soon after and the winner before him, Summer Bird, won the Eclipse Award for Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse.

Check out our Horse Betting page for information on how and where to bet the Travers Stakes online.

#1 Bowman’s Causeway (Giant’s Causeway x Victory Encounter by Victory Speech) Martin Schwartz owned colt has done much better since moving to the barn of Chad Brown. Last out he was beat a dirty nose by Pender Harbour in the Prince of Wales and before that he was a good fourth in the Queen’s Plate. He is going to have to improve to win, but don’t think he cant do it at a big price. Ramon Dominguez gets up for the first time.

#2 Rattlesnake Bridge (Tapit x Prall Street by Cherokee Run) Got up in the last jump to win the Long Branch last out after a poor beginning. Before that he was second in a strong allowance race against older horses. Gutsy colt seems to be putting it all together and this might be his day.

#3 Moonshine Mullin (Malibu Moon x Mullen Road by Distant View) Shocked us all when he finished second in the Jim Dandy last out at nearly 40-1 under Emma Wilson in his first try over a dirt surface. Before that he won the Victoria Park at Woodbine. Trainer Reade Baker likes how the horse has been doing and believes he will move up after his strong effort last out. Should handle the distance.

#4 Ruler On Ice (Roman Ruler x Champagne Glow by Saratoga Six) Belmont Stakes winner is quite versatile and is working well after his third place effort in the Haskell. He should be fine at the distance given his last two races. Kelly Breen trains and Jose Valdivia will ride.

#5 Malibu Glow (Malibu Moon x Golden Locket by Storm Creek) Taking a stab at the Travers after being soundly defeated in the Dwyer two back. He followed that effort up with a strong win going 9 furlongs. That wasn’t much of a group though. These horse can improve over night so he’s got a shot.

#6 Raison d’Etat (A.P. Indy x Sightseek by Distant View) Regally bred colt seems to only now be figuring things out. He broke his maiden two back by a massive 7 ¾ lengths in a very quick time. Next out in the Curlin he didn’t quite have his punch, but the lightly race Bill Mott trainee could jump right back up in this spot. Distance will be no problem and he is plenty good enough. Is he ready now though?

#7 Coil (Point Given x Eversmile by Theatrical) Won from off the pace as our top selection in the Haskell last out. Trainer Bob Baffert joked on Twitter that his latest work, a bullet four furlongs in :46 B, set off an earth quake. His sire Point Given won this race as did Point Given’s sire, Thunder Gulch. Is it something in the blood? Bob Baffert and Martin Garcia will hope so.

#8 J W Blue (Sky Mesa x Kentucky Storm by Dynaformer)  Very deep closer always seems too far back. Last out in the Barbaro he rallied from 13 off the pace and just missed. He appears a tad bit out classed here for trainer Tony Dutrow and jockey Cornelio Velasquez. The jockey upgrade should do him some good.

#9 Stay Thirsty (Bernardini x Marozia by Storm Bird) Man, has he turned it around! I never saw his last out win coming where he romped by 4 in the Jim Dandy. Before that he was beaten ¾ of a length by Ruler On Ice in the Haskell. If he runs back to that last race he will be quite formidable. Trainer Todd Pletcher says he is doing very well. JJ Castellano keeps the mount.

#10 Shackleford (Forestry x Oatsee by Unbridled) Speedy Preakness winner has finally won me over. I thought his win in the second jewel of the Triple Crown was a bit fluky, but he verified it last out with a strong effort to be second beaten only neck in the Haskell. It is likely that Jesus Castanon and trainer Dale Ramons will send from this outside post and play “catch me if you can”. They might not be able to run him down if he goes too slow up front.

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The Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap is for three-year-olds and upward going 9 furlongs on the grass at Saratoga. Notable winners include 1994 victor Lure who twice won the Breeders Cup Mile, Yagli who won the United Nations and Manhattan in the year following his win in this race and 2004 Breeders Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller.

2010 Bernard Baruch winner Get Stormy is back to defend his crown against 10 other horses. Let’s take a look at the field.

#1 Interaction (Easing Along x Inter Rails by Ride The Rails): Globe trotting Argentinian bred didn’t quite have it last out in the Arlington Handicap where he tracked the leader in second, but faded to eighth at the finish. He hasn’t won since leaving his native Argentina in 2009 so it’s hard to see him doing so in this spot. Cornelio Velasquez will ride for trainer Christophe Clement.

#2 Turallure (Wando x Personal Allure by Wekiva Springs): He was compromised by a slow pace last out in the Four Star Dave where he ended up fifth. Before that he won the Opening Verse at Churchill Downs by a length over Tajaweed. The Charles Lopresti trainee could be tough at this distance if he gets some fractions to chase. Julien Leparoux is back aboard. He rode him to victory in the aforementioned Opening Verse.

#3 Paris Vegas (Maria’s Mon by Tell Seattle by AP Indy): Trainer Thomas Voss is a solid horseman, but 0 for 15 at the meet. This horse doesn’t look good enough to get him off the snide.

#4 Beau Choix (Elusive Quality x Belle Cherie by Belong To Me) Well bred colt appears to be figuring things out. Two back he won a minor stakes race at Belmont Park in a good time over Pocket Cowboys. Last out he was third in the Four Star Dave, a race that was pretty much a merry go round. He will have to move forward, but is clearly a threat for trainer Barclay Tagg and rider Jose Lezcano.

#5 Baryshnikov (Empire Maker x Ski Dancer by Baldski) Former claimer has really turned around for trainer Mike Maker. He has fallen short in his last two races at 8 and 8.5 furlongs, but figures to move up at a distance where he posted a career best BRIS figure of 105 in late May. He has ran several races which say he can win here. Corey Lanerie is set to pilot the horse.

#6 Boots Ahead (Storm Boot x Mostbeautifulsound by Miswaki) Hard trying gelding won an optional claimer last out. Before that he was a close third behind Beau Choix and Pocket Cowboys in a minor stakes race. He runs well more often than not, but this will be a big class test for the George Weaver trained Eddie Castro ridden entry.

#7 Blues Street (Street Cry x Capote Blues by Capote) Raced evenly last out in the Fourstardave where he was fifth. He didn’t have much of a shot that day due to slow pace and a vastly superior horse setting that slow pace in the form of Sidney’s Candy. He figures to get a much better pace setup this time and is as good as anyone in the race. Recent efforts where he was second by a nose to Little Mike in a Grade 3 at Gulfstream and a win in an optional claimer at Belmont say he can win this. Kent Desormeaux picks up the mount for Todd Pletcher.

#8 Hymn Book (Arch x Vespers by Known Fact) Shug McGaughey trained gelding was a distant second to one of the best older horses in the land in the Suburban last out, Flat Out. Before that he won the Three Coins Up Stakes over 2009 Wood Memorial winner I Want Revenge. Three of his five lifetime wins have been on the sod and he also owns a win at the distance. He looks like a horse that is improving and that makes him deadly. John Velazquez will be in the irons.

#9 Loup Breton (Anabaa x Louve by Irish River) Grade 2 winner just doesn’t seem to have it anymore. Don’t count him out though. He picks up a hot jockey in JJ Castellano and he does have Pletcher in his corner. The man has been known to turn a horse or two around in the past.

#10 Moryba (Hard Buck x Valetza by Baronius) Bill Mott trained horse was second to Sidney’s Candy last out, but it’s hard to give any credence to that race because they ran 1-2 the entire way and set glacial fractions. He could jump up and run big here, but I’m leaning against. I just don’t think he is good enough.

#11 Get Stormy (Stormy Atlantic x Foolish Gal by Kiri’s Clown) Won the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile and Woodford Reserve Turf Classic before fading in the Monmouth Stakes last out. He figures to get an easy lead with Ramon Dominguez and for that reason he rates a strong chance to be a repeat winner of this race.

My top pick to win the 2011 Bernard Baruch Handicap is Hymn Book. He will get seven pounds on the favorite and should be tracking close behind him. Look for him to blast off for the win turning for home. To get more Saratoga picks for Friday as well as into the future check out our Saratoga Picks page. Also, please consider playing the race at Twin Spires where new players get a $100 sign up bonus!

Uncle Mo looked like the “next coming” in his Breeders Cup Juvenile triumph. Check out the video of the race above. Seriously, even if you have seen it, watch it again.

Many thought the son of Indian Charlie would take the Kentucky Derby, but it wasn’t meant to be as a GI tract infection kept him from racing. His loss in the Wood Memorial sort of foretold his future troubles. He should have crushed that group so it’s clear that something was amiss that day at Aqueduct.

Todd Pletcher has handled him with kid gloves since then and has steadily prepared him for the Grade 1 King’s Bishop going seven furlongs at Saratoga. If his recent work of :59.95 for five furlongs is any indication, the colt is ready to run a huge race.

The layoff isn’t likely to hinder him much, if at all. Let’s not forget he broke his maiden first out over this track by about 14 lengths. The point being not that he handled a group of horses that hadn’t won, but that he fires fresh. The maiden win rates among the best by any horse ever in that caliber of race.

It’s scary to think how good Uncle Mo could be if he lives up to his potential. Racing really needs a star right now and I’m putting my money behind the Repole owned and Pletcher trained colt. He will be extremely hard to beat in the King’s Bishop.

The Continental Mile is a one mile turf race for two-year-olds at Monmouth Park worth $65k. Last year’s winner Rustler Hustler hasn’t turned out to be much of a horse, but the 2011 field has great potential.

Wes Ward’s gelding Black Rhino (El Corredor x Foreign Aid by Danzig) looks to be the pacesetter. He was last seen setting the fractions for Overdriven in the Sanford Stakes before fading to be fourth beaten 7 ½ lengths. Before that he broke his maiden by 8 on the Churchill Downs turf course going five furlongs. Quite an emphatic win! Robby Albarado will ride and he figures to be tough to beat here after firing a :58 3/5 H work at Aqueduct on Wednesday.

Finale (Scat Daddy x Twinkle by Live One) will have plenty of support for trainer Todd Pletcher. He broke his maiden last out going six furlongs on the grass at Belmont and did so by 5 ¾ lengths under only hand urging from John Velazquez. Joe Bravo picks up the mount as Johnny V has several high quality mounts at Saratoga on Saturday. I have to view this as a negative, but in the end it shouldn’t keep you from betting the horse if you like him.

I will make my pick Team Valor International’s filly Visionaria (Byron x Fine Lady by Selkirk). She ships in after a win last out in Milan and owns a record of 2 wins from 3 lifetime starts. Graham Motion is doing very well all around at the moment and has had plenty of success bringing horses in from overseas. I’m hoping this lass can best the boys under his tutelage.  Jose Valdivia will be the pilot aboard the filly.

If you plan to bet the Continental Mile please check out our Horse Betting page for information on where to play. Also, consider checking out the virtual horse racing version of the event by visiting our Horse Racing Games page!

The Saratoga Special Stakes is one of the premier races for two-year-old’s every year at the Spa. Last year’s running was taken by Kantharos who won emphatically eased up at the wire. Sadly, his career ended prematurely due to an injury.

It would take all day to list notable winners of this race, but some of my favorites to win the Saratoga Special are Kodiak Kowboy, Gulch, Conquistador Cielo, Bold Forbes and Native Dancer. Click here to learn more about the history of this race which has been contested since 1901.

Todd Pletcher’s colt Stat (Unbridled’s Song x Di’s Time by Gilded Time) is the 7/5 morning line favorite. He won first out by 1 ¾ lengths over Trade and Street Fight. John Velazquez will ride  for owners Bortolazzo Stable Llc. His debut win looked strong, but I’m not willing to accept such a short price.

My top selection to win the Saratoga Special is Union Rags (Dixie Union x Tempo by Gone West). The Chadds Ford Stable owned colt won first out at Delaware closing from seventh. He easily ran past the pacesetter to register a 1 ¾ lengths score. Trainer Michael Matz doesn’t come to Saratoga to play around so we know he thinks this guy is the real deal. JJ Castellano picks up the mount at 5-1.

Banner Bill (Rockport Harbor x Temporada by Summer Squall) and Indian Evening (Indian Charlie x Unenchantedevening by Unbridled’s Song) ship in from Woodbine for this prestigious race. The latter was an easy first out winner for Josie Carroll and Vinery Stables. Banner Bill is a perfect three for three with a hard fought length win in the Colin Stakes last out. Rajiv Maragh will ride Indian Evening and Alex Solis will be the pilot on Banner Bill.

Italo (With Distinction x Dance Forthe Green by Gone West) won his debut at Longchamp for Wes Ward. After that he ran last in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Cant count him out at 10-1, but I also cannot see enough to back him. Jeffrey Sanchez is listed to ride.

Trinniberg (Teuflesberg x Bella Dorado by Seeking The Gold) will get plenty of action after an easy first out win at Calder in which he crossed the wire 5 ¾ lengths clear of his closest foe. Trainer Bisnath Parboo isn’t well known, but a capable conditioner nonetheless. Cornelio Velasquez gets the call on this 3-1 shot.

To get all of our thoughts on the action at Saratoga check out our Saratoga Picks page. Also, considering wagering at Twin Spires where new players get a $100 sign up bonus!

The Haskell Invitational is one of two races leading up to the Travers Stakes later this month. The main difference between this race and it’s counterpart (Jim Dandy Stakes), is that this race is a Grade 1. Not only that, but it boasts a purse of $1 million. For these two reasons winning the Haskell is every bit as important as taking the Travers later on this summer. Eight out of the last ten Haskell winners have gone on to win the Eclipse Award for top three-year-old male. With the picture atop the division increasingly foggy this race takes on even more meaning.

 Shackleford (Forestry x Oatsee by Unbridled) should play the role of favorite. The speedy colt led the field of 20 turning for home in the Kentucky Derby before fading to fourth. His signature win came next out in the Preakness where he scored from just off the pace. The battle hardened racehorse faded in the Belmont Stakes last out as the distance proved too much for him. He has three works since then including two bullets and it appears all systems are go. I’m going to look another direction as I believe the colt is over hyped and when you get down to it just isn’t that good.

Kelly Breen brings Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice (Roman Ruler x Champagne Glow by Saratoga Six) and Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire (Jump Start x Cabo de Noche by Cape Town). Ruler On Ice benefited from an off track at Belmont and in my eyes he still has to prove he belongs. His stable mate on the other hand is a serious contender. He looked great winning the Pegasus Stakes last out, but he is a bit light in the speed figures department.

My pick for this race is Coil (Point Given x Eversmile by Theatrical). Trainer Bob Baffert is deadly when shipping and 41% winners when removing blinkers which he will do for his charge in the Haskell. I’m hoping this will help him relax and sit just behind what appears to be plenty of early speed in this race. Coil has limitless potential and is still lightly raced having made just five starts. He’s working tremendously and the Haskell could be his coming out party. Martin Garcia is the pilot.

Another interesting horse that I almost made my pick is Astrology (AP Indy x Quiet Eclipse by Quiet American). I love his running style and I believe we haven’t seen his best yet. Steve Asmussen trains and Julien Leparoux will ride.

Joe Vann (Silver Deputy x Polish Flower by Danzig) and J J’s Lucky Train (Silver Wagon x Delta Sensation by Thunder Gulch) could be pace factors. I really encourage throwing Joe Vann in considering he races for Todd Pletcher and will be a juicy price at 15-1.

We will be betting Coil at Twin Spires where new accounts get a $100 sign up bonus. Check them out!