May 22, 2012

2011 Victory Ride Stakes betting preview

 

The ninth running of the six furlong Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes for three-year-old fillies looks like a strong event. The race is named for 2001 Test Stakes winner Victory Ride.

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

#1 Maple Forest (Forestry x Maple Syrple by American Chance) Todd Pletcher trained and Johnny Velazquez ridden filly won like a favorite should last out in a minor stakes at Monmouth Park. Before that she was a well beaten second behind the formidable Pomeroy’s Pistol. She has been pretty good at this distance with 3 wins from 5 starts and she does own a win over the track. Hard to count her out.

#2 Jealous Girl (Petionville x Isla Cozzene by Cozzene) Flopped miserably in the debut, but has done a total 180 since. The lass has won all 4 of her races since then and was an easy winner in all of them, including the Femme Fatale last out. Thsi will be her first try against graded horses, but her sharp figures should make her the favorite. Anthony Dutrow trains and Jeremy Rose is in to ride.

#3 A Z Warrior (Bernardini x Carson Jen by Carson City) Zayat owned filly was an easy winner in the Grade 1 Frizette last year, but has only raced twice since then with losses in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies and the Santa Anita Oaks. Bob Baffert is the best shipper in horse racing and a turn back in distance could be just what this filly needs. She is training like a bear too. Expect a good price on a live filly. Martin Garcia is listed to ride.

#4 Oflee Wicked (Offlee Wild x Slews Majesty by Slew City Slew) Looks to be in too deep for trainer Kirana Mclaughlin. Former New Mexico based filly is very light in the speed figure department. Jose Valdivia will be in the irons.

#5 Funny Sunny (Sharp Humor x Sunny Laugh by Relaunch) Talented lass won her debut at Hoosier and then took an allowance by nearly 11 lengths in her third start. Last out she finished second behind the speedy filly Cascadilla Falls in a minor stakes race. Kent Desormeaux is set to ride for Bob Hess.

#6 Hot Summer (Malibu Moon x Summer Delight by Quiet American) David Fawkes trainee was asked to go too far last out in the Black-Eyed Susan where she was a well beaten third. Before that she won the Comely where future Grade 1 winner Her Smile was third. She is 2 for 3 at the distance with her only loss coming in the debut. Cornelio Velasquez picks up the mount for the first time.

#Precious Soul (Distorted Humor x Love That Jazz Dixieland Band) Couldn’t have won any easier than she did last out for H Allen Jerkens, a man that knows how to win at Saratoga. The only problem is that race was a non winners of 2 races lifetime event and two back she was beaten nearly 8 lengths by Valiant Passion. It gets worse too. Maple Forest finished over 15 lengths ahead of her three back. Jerkens is a guy you never want to count out, but this filly just looks inferior and has an ice cold jockey in Edgar Prado. They will have to hope that last work in :46 4/5 B means she has moved way up.

#Valiant Passion (Lion Heart x Bold American by Quiet American) Both of her wins have been romps at Saratoga. One of those wins was last out in her 2011 unveiling. That was a very bad group, but she won like a good thing. They might be asking a bit too much second off the shelf though. Julien Leparoux will ride for Graham Motion.

#Roman Treasure (Roman Ruler x Jeanne Jones by Nijinsky II) She backed off as the pace setter in the Test last out and the Prioress before that. Those were much tougher races and much tougher horses as a result. This class relief will do her some good. Ramon Dominguez will be in the saddle for Michael Husion.

#10 Moon Buzz (Malibu Moon x Buzz Song by Unbridled’s Song) Lass is a perfect 2 for 2, but against much easier competition at Fair Grounds and Hoosier. Runner up in the last returned to win. She’s got talent, but is she good enough? Steve Margolis trains and Shaun Bridgemahon will ride.

For information on how to get our picks for the Victory Ride Stakes as well as the Travers and Pacific Classic click here. Also, please check out our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Travers & Pacific Classic Picks

So you need help picking the races at Saratoga for the Travers and at Del Mar for the Pacific Classic? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.

For the past 3 years I have handicapped almost every race at Saratoga and for the past year I have done the same for Del Mar. I’ve done quite well too. Some of my recent successes are listed below.

There are many more that I have not mentioned. You can check out how our free picks have done by clicking the Free Horse Racing Picks page. At the time of my writing this post picks on that page are 3 winners ($21.40,  $8.20, $7.20) from 7 starters with two second place finishes at big prices.

 

Picks for the Travers at Saratoga will include top picks for the following races as well as spot plays in at least 3 other races on the card. I plan to focus primarily on Win plays as well as both Pick 4′s and the Pick 6. Exacta, trifecta and superfecta plays will be made available for the Travers and other races as I deem necessary.

 

  • Ballston Spa Stakes
  • Victory Ride Stakes
  • Ballerina Stakes
  • King’s Bishop Stakes
  • Travers Stakes
Picks for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar will include top picks for the following races as well as spot plays in at least 3 other races on the card. I plan to focus primarily on Win plays as well as the Pick 4 and the Pick 6. Exacta, trifecta and superfecta plays will be made available for the Pacific Classic and other races as I deem necessary.

 

  • Del Mar Mile (Saturday)
  • Del Mar Handicap
  • Pat O’Brien Stakes
  • Pacific Classic
I’ve got a proven track record in the big races. Why not join along and optimize your chances of winning? You can play with faith knowing  my history and that I will be betting everything I send you myself. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions via email or by leaving a comment on this page. Best of luck and I hope you join us by clicking the “Buy Now” button below!

Saratoga & Del Mar Picks

Even if you don’t join us, be sure to check out my Twitter and Facebook pages. I give numerous free picks throughout the year and in fact all except for two of the examples listed above were available without charge on our website. You can sign up for our RSS feed to have our posts/picks sent directly to your email.

Travers Weekend Picks & Plays

*****CLICK HERE TO GET OUR 2011 TRAVERS AND PACIFIC CLASSIC PICKS*****

The Midsummer Derby aka the Travers Stakes is finally here, along with tons of other important races. Among the big races that will be contested this weekend are the Pacific Classic, Pat O’Brien Handicap, Victory Ride Stakes, King’s Bishop Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, Ballerina Stakes, Ballston Spa Handicap, and many more. My free picks which were released here on Wednesday fared very well. From five races I had three winners ($4.50, $5.40, $12.20), and a 9-1 shot who ran second and paid $6.80 to place. Not bad, right?

I’ve done very well on the  big days at Saratoga. Just two weeks ago I had Blame as my best bet of the weekend in the Whitney Handicap. He keyed a $2,564 Pick 4 while returning $8.80 win. He nailed the heavily favored Quality Road on the wire. I’ve had countless winners in the everyday races at the Spa with the biggest price being Settle For Medal ($45.20). The maiden runner made perfect sense to me as the only one in the race with experience. He broke poorly in his first start before rallying to finish well behind a well regarded winner. The bettors let him off at a huge price in that race and he made them pay for it. My subscribers and I had him though!

I have big hopes for this weekend of racing. I do my best work on these big days and I have little doubt that I will have a huge day handicapping. I highly encourage you to play along. Below you will find several packages of picks. Choose the one that suits you best and find it on the drop down menu near the “Buy Now” button.

Travers Stakes & Pacific Classic Package ($5.99)

  • Unlike my Triple Crown packages you will get twice the value with this one as I’m throwing in the Pacific Classic which is later on the same day at Del Mar.
  • This package includes my top selection to WIN each of those two races.
  • Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta plays
  • Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4 plays

Stakes Selections ($10.99)

  • This package includes everything from the “Travers & Pacific Classic Package” plus:
  • Selections for the Pat O’Brien Handicap, Ballerina Stakes, Molly Pitcher Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, Victory Ride Stakes, Kings Bishop Stakes, and Del Mar Handicap.

Full Card Saratoga Selections ($15.99)

  • Purchasers of this package get everything listed in the “Travers & Pacific Classic Package” plus more:
  • Top Selections to win every race at Saratoga.
  • Assorted Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta plays
  • Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 6 plays

Saratoga Selections+More( ($55.99)

  • Buyers of this package will receive everything from the “Full Card Saratoga Selections” plus:
  • Selections for every day of racing left at Saratoga ($90 value).
  • Selections for the Pat O’Brien Handicap, Ballerina Stakes, Molly Pitcher Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, Victory Ride Stakes, Kings Bishop Stakes, Molly Pitcher, and Del Mar Handicap.
*****CLICK HERE TO GET OUR 2011 TRAVERS AND PACIFIC CLASSIC PICKS*****