Please check the Portland Meadows Program
for Jason Beem's Analysis & Picks during our live racing season.
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Feature Race of the Week---The Breeders Cup Classic
I've sat here and thought and thought of how I want to play the Classic. Do I try and hit it big with a trifecta or superfecta, or just pick a couple horses i really like for a an exacta play. All along i've really thought that Summer Bird is the horse I want to key around, so after much debate, I thought, how bout just a good old fashioned Win and Place bet on him? So that's what I'm going to do.
Today's Bets: $50 Win and Place on # 3 Summer Bird
Total Wager: $100
Bankroll left: $96
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Empire Classic from Belmont
Another week and another loss, i'm starting to feel like Rodney Dangerfield, but atleast he won a few times! But we still got some money in the bankroll and we'll try and build it up next week. i'm thinking about putting $2 bucks to win on the field just to cash a single ticket!!
Feature Race of the Week--The Empire Classic from Belmont
A nice full field of 12 assempled for the Empire Classic which gives NY breds a shot at $250k going one mile and an eighth. Future Prospect is going to be the fave, and he should be. He's red hot, for solid connections, love the slop which it is at Belmont today and loves Belmont. We're going to use Future Prospect as well as our top selection, #2 Slevin who loves the mud and should sit just behind. And since he's a 3 year old, he's getting 9 pounds from the fave. Then we're going to spread underneath with some price horses and try to get a good pay day.
Todays Play: $1 trifecta 2,6 with 1,2,5,6,10,11,12 with 1,2,5,6,10,11,12
Total cost: $60
Bankroll Left: $196
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--The QE II at Keeneland
Halfway through the race today I was seriously counting the money. Our top pick Shared Account was on cruise control on an easy lead at 9/1 and the favorite was right along side and running easily. But unfortunately #3 Hot Cha Cha got up the rail and won. We ran second and third which when you play an exacta is worth nothing!!
Feature Race of the Week--The QE II
The Queen Elizabeth II stakes has drawn a pretty small field but a solid group, but certianly it is tough to look past Gozzip Girl. She's 6/5 on the morning line and had a horrible trip in her last start. However she was beaten that day by a couple of today's rivals, including #5 Shared Account who looks to be a lone speed horse here in this race. I think that Shared Account is going to get an easy lead with Gozzip Girl sitting in the second flight, and hope that those two kick to the wire together, preferably Shared Account winning with his 6/1 monring line.
Todays Bets: $20 exacta box 4,5
Total Bet: $40
Bankroll remaining: $256
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--The Hawthorne Derby
Our long shot Quite a Handful ran a solid race at 32/1 finishing third, only beaten a head for second, but our other key horse was no where to be found as Proceed Bee (#6) came on powerfully down the outside to win the Hawthorne Derby and pay a nice $25.40. We'll try again next week in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II stakes at Keeneland.
Feature Race of the Week--The Hawthorne Derby
The Hawthorne Derby had drawn a nice field of ten and looks like it could be a solid wagering event with several horses at prices looking like they could make a splash, including our top pick #4 Quite a Handful who is 10/1 on the morning line. I also really like #7 No Inflation who is the morning line favorite at 3/1. We are going to key these two in the top spot and spread out underneath and try to hit a nice tri!
Today's Play: $1 trifecta 4,7 with 1,3,4,6,7,9 with 1,3,4,6,7,9
Total Cost: $40
Remaining Bankroll: $296
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--The JCGC
Quality Road ran a dynamite race and tried his heart out, but unfortunately favorite Summer Bird caught us in the final 1/16th and won. So we'll move on next week and try to do a little bit better next week in Chicago for the Hawthorne Derby at Hawthorne Race Course.
Feature Race of the Week---The Jockey Club Gold Cup
The Jockey Club Gold cup is an intriguing mix of solid older horses and a couple of the top 3 year olds from this season. Summer Bird will go as favorite and probably deservingly so with his strong win in the Travers. Quality Road was thought of by many as the Ky. Derby favorite before scratching due to an injury. He ran a dissappointing third last time out in the Travers, but he very well could have hated the mud. I think today is the coming out party for Quality Road and he should be right on the pace early with only one real speed horse. Simple Bet, Quality Road to Win.
Todays Bet: $40 to win on #7
Total Bets: $40
Total Bankroll Left: $336
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--BC Derby
We had the wrong Emerald shipper as Winning Machine gave Doris Harwood and Gallyn Mitchell a big win in the BC Derby. Our pick Rooster City was a non threatening fourth and our exacta horse Jersey Town did end up finishing second. We'll now head to Belmont for the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup which features a very nice field of runners!
Feature Race of the Week---The BC Derby from Hastings
Well we venture north of the border to our friends at Hastings Park for their premier event, the British Columbia Derby. It's a solid field mixed with Hastings based contenders as well as many of the top three year olds from Emerald Downs. There is a pile of speed in here, so I'm going to try keying a stalker, #4 Rooster City who is 8/1 on the morning line and should sit 5th or so in the early going. I'm going to bet him to win and place and box him in an exacta with #2 Jersey Town.
Today's Bets: $20 win and place on #4
$10 exacta box: 2 and 4
Total Bets: $60
Current Bankroll:$376
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--The Super Derby
Wow, i mean that wasn't even close. This is really starting to get pathetic. The only race we hit was the Super Derby itself and we had the top three finishers. So the one time i try a new angle and play a pick 4, i would have hit the trifecta! figures huh?? anyways, we'll try to pick ourselves up and try to get the bankroll back up for live racing which is only ten days away.
Feature Race of the Week--The Super Derby
We are going to try something new and different with our Feature Race of the Week Louisiana Downs is guaranteeing their all stakes Pick 4 at $100,000 so instead of playing just the race, we're going to take a stab at the Pick 4 that covers races 9 through 12, with the Super Derby being race 11. In the Super Derby we are going to go three horses deep and use $3 Massone who is trying dirt for the first time, but i figured why not give him a try. #4 Regal Ransom was in top form in Dubai and was right there turning for home in the Kentucky Derby. #5 Blame is an up and comer and goes for solid connections.
Should be a great card at Louisiana Downs and make sure to give a listen to track announcer Travis Stone on the big day.
$1 Pick 4 ticket 4,6,10 with 4,5,7 with 3,4,5 with 5,6
Total Bet: $54
Bankroll Left: $418 (ouch)
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week- Pacific Classic Recap
Wow, we weren't even close in the Pacific Classic. I'm trying to remember the last ticket we cashed, and I can't even remember. But undeterred and with a week's vacation under our belts, we'll be heading down to Bossier City Louisiana for the Super Derby!!
Feature Race of the Week--The Pacific Classic
We head to where the turf meets the surf, and we need to start heading to the winner's circle on our picks, because summer is drawing to a close and we gotta build our bankroll for the Portland Meadow meet!! So we're going to play a trifecta bet, and try and get some value in it. We're going to use #1 Informed who i believe is 10/1 on the morning line and #3 Rail Trip who is the 3rd choice at 7/2 on top. Underneath we are going to spread out and add #2 Song of Navarone, #8 Global Hunter, #10, Einstein and #12 Awesome Gem.
Today's Bet: $1 trifecta 1,3 with 1,2,3,8,10,12 with 1,2,3,8,10,12
Total Cost: $40
Bankroll left: $472
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Travers
Well that was pathetic, Kensei took the lead going into the turn and had it til about the quarter pole and then spit it up pretty badly and faded through the stretch. The way our picks have been running this summer, live racing can't get here soon enough! But we'll get back up and try to get 'em next week!
Feature Race of the Week--The Shadwell Travers
I think it might be time to get back to basics in the travers, which with a smallish field of 7 doesn't make much sense to try and play an exotic bet, so lets just go back to a good old fashioned across the board wager on our top pick #7 Kensai. This horse is really coming into his own since stretching out to two turns and goes for top top connections. This horse's owner also owns Rachel Alexandra and he had planned on putting her in the Travers, but he's very confident in this horse's chance to win it, so if he's that confident, so are we at 7/2.
Today's Bet: $20 WPS on #7 Kensai
Total Bet: $60
Total Bankroll Left: $512
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--The Del Mar Oaks
Ok, i gotta admit, that was a tough beat yesterday. Our top pick, #1 Internallyflawless ran amazingly well and won at 6.90 to 1!! Well Monied, one of our underneath horses loomed up and looked like he was going to get second before longshot Nan came up to get past him for the runner up in the final yards. That would have been a nice score if Well Monied could have gotten up, but alas, we came up empty.....again. So we'll try again next week.
Feature Race of the Week---The Del Mar Oaks
I think this race has some good value potential and i'm going to try an exacta, but a little different then my normal style. I'm going to key the two horses I think have a big shot for first and put them underneath with the favorite, and a 20 to 1 morning line first time turf horse. # 1 Internally Flawless comes off a decent effort in the San Clemente but that was first start off a long layoff. This one could be primed for a big run today! #3 Hermione's Magic was very impressive in US debut and goes for very solid connections. We're going to key them with #5 Well Monied and #10 Donttellmewhattodo.
Today's Bets: $10 exacta 1,3 with 1,3,5,10
Total Bets: $60
Total Bankroll Left:$572
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Longacres Mile
Assessment got a great trip from the 12 hole and held off both Awesome Gem and Teide who were our top two picks. The trifecta paid two hundred and something dollars and would have been a nice hit if we could have just passed that pesky Assessment. But oh well, we move forward next week and try to recoup some of our losse.
Feature Race of the Week---The Longacres Mile
Well we got close in the Million, and the mile is another great betting race, so we're going to throw some big money at it and try to get a big payoff with a trifecta play! I'm going to use 3 horses in the top spot. Awesome Gem (#7) is the deserving favorite and has a lot of back class and a running style that should have him in a good spot behind a speed duel. #8 Teide competed in the tough NY circuit and ran very well his last two at Hastings. Plus he's 10 to 1 morning line!! #10 Sierra Sunset will be the last one we'll have on top, and in the second and third spot we will use those three plus #1 Gallon, #2 Wasserman, and #12 Assessment.
Today's Bets: 7,8,10 with 1,2,7,8,10,12 with 1,2,7,8,10,12
Total Bets: $60
Balance Remaining: $632
Starting Balance: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--Arlington Million
Gio Ponti, our key horse was very impressive as he won his fourth Grade 1 in a row with a great win in yesterday's Million. And our longshot Stotsfold ran brilliantly at 25 to 1 to get second, unfortunately we didn't have Just as well who finished up the trifecta at 12 to 1. The trifecta ended up paying more than $400 bucks, so if we would have just spread more in the third spot, wham! but instead we look forward to next week's feature race, the Grade 3 Longacres Mile brought to you by our friends from the north, Emerald Downs.
Feature Race of the Week--The Arlington Million
What a great race this is!! I am so excited for the Million as well as the whole day at Arlington Park. I can see this race going a lot of different ways so we are going to try and hit a nice trifecta and we are going to key off probably the top grass horse in the country right now, #6 Gio Ponti. I'm going to use him in the first and second spots and spread out by using #1 Einstein, #2 Presious Passion, #4 Stotsfold, and #7 Gloria De Campeao. It's a very tough race, but we'll see if we can get some money rolling in for a change!
Today's Bets: $1 trifecta 6 with 1,2,4,7 with 1,2,4,7
$1trifecta 1,2,4,7 with 6 with 1,2,4,7
Total Bets: $24
Balance remaining: $692
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--The WV Derby
At about the quarter pole our bets looked alright, but then the #5 faded, The #1 came running on, and in the last few yards, our top selection Big Drama got caught by Soul Warrior. So we move forward into one of my favorite races and days of the year, the Arlington Million. There is a star studded cast assembled for the Million including the top older male horse in training in America, Einstein!
Feature Race of the Week--The West Virginia Derby
This race doesn't look to be the greatest betting opportunity because in all honesty, the two favorites look pretty tough, those being Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and Big Drama. I think that Big Drama could have a very big tactical advantage over MIne That Bird because he has decent early speed, and at 1 mile and 1/8 this race is shorter than those in which Mine That Bird has had his best success. I'm going to to key Big Drama on top in a exacta and trifecta wager, and use Mine That Bird as well as Canadian shipper Monty's Best.
Today's Bets: $10 exacta 4 with 2,5
$10 trifecta 4 with 2,5 with 2,5
Total Bets: $40
Bankroll Balance: $717
Starting Bankroll $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap---Claiming Crown Jewel
Furthest Land got hammered at the windows, didn't break especially great and never looked comfortable running behind a pretty soft pace up front and was never really in contention. So we lost our bet, and we'll move on to the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park which sees the return of Derby hero Mine that Bird!
Feature Race of the Week --- Canterbury Park, Claiming Crown Jewel
This week's feature race of the week takes us to suburban Minneapolis to Canterbury Park for the Claiming Crown Jewel. It's a small but talented group of 6 and I think we're just going to try a good old fashioned win bet in this one. Furthest Land #2 is from very solid connections and is the 2nd choice on the morning line at 5/2. I think he should be close up to the pace and looks like he has a big shot. I"m just going to put $30 to win on him and hope he can take it!
Today's Bet: $30 win on #2
Total Bet: $30
Bankroll Balance: $757
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--The Delaware Handicap
Well that was a tough one. The three horses we had in our bet finished 1-2-3 and the only way that we could have lost was if the #7 Swift Temper won. Well take a guess who won! Swift Temper got away with slow fractions and was able to hold off our top pick Icon Project who finished second while the favorite Unbridled Belle finished third. The exacta paid $65 for a 2 dollar pay off, so if we would have just boxed all three, for an extra $20 we would have made $325!!
But alas we didn't so we will take a stab next week at the Claiming Crown Jewel at Canturbury Downs in Shakopee, Minnesota!!
Feature Race of the Week---The Delaware Handicap
The Delaware Handicap is a $1,000,000 race and has drawn a small but solid field to go the mile and a quarter. Unbridled Belle is certainly the one to beat coming off a massive win in the Obeah Stakes at Delaware Park a few weeks back. Unbridled Belle (#5) won this race back in 2007 and finished third in it in 2008. She seems to have done her best running at Delaware Park when on or close to the lead, and she doesn’t have much pace opposition in the Del Cap, with the exception of Swift Temper. Swift Temper has the look of a horse that will be close up early and could very well have a say. I also like the looks of Icon Project (#3). Icon Project won by 13 lengths in a Grade 3 at Belmont last month and notice Jose Valdivia who just won a Grade 1 last week at Hollywood Park returns to ride this one. I’m going to try and beat Acoma (#4) who will most likely be the 2nd choice in the race. My thinking is that this one might be somewhat far back early on and might have a lot to do late.
Today’s Bets:
$10 exacta 3,5 with 3,5,7
Total Cost: $40
Total Bankroll left: $787
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Princess Rooney
Well my horse Dubai Majesty was close up early and folded like a cheap suit on the turn and probably finished last or second last, honestly I quit watching about the quarter pole. But with one of our horses scratched, our total bet and loss turned into $36 bucks.
We'll get back at it next week with the $1,000,000 Delaware Handicap.
Feature Race of the Week—The Princess Rooney Handicap from Calder
With projected favorite Indian Blessing scratched from the Princess Rooney, this has all of a sudden turned into a great betting race!! I think I’m going to try and swing for the fences and do a trifecta play and hopefully make a big score. We’re going to key #8 Dubai Majesty (5/1 morning line) in all spots of the trifecta with 5 horses, which will end up costing us $60 dollars.
#6 Game Face will probably be the favorite and I was originally inclined to toss her out. But she should get a nice pace setup as there is lots of gas in here, so I will include her. We will also include #4 BR’s Girl, #5 Pious Ashley, #7 Keep the Peace, and #9 Marina Ballerina.
Today’s Bets:
$1 trifecta 8 with 4,5,6,7,9 with/4,5,6,7,9----$20 bucks
$1 trifecta 4,5,6,7,9 with 8 with 4,5,6,7,9---$20 bucks
$1 trifecta 4,5,6,7,9 with 4,5,6,7,9 with 8---$20 bucks
Today’s Bets: $60
Total Bankroll left: $803
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Cleveland Gold Cup
Well one of our horses, #6 Raise the Reward was a late scratch, so we ended up with just a 2 horse, $5 exacta box. Well we got the winner home #3 Hurley's Way, but unfortunately the other half of our box, #7 Brother Terry was part of a very quick early pressured pace and wasn't able to hang around for the exacta.
But we only lost $10 bucks, so we'll rebound next week and go to Calder for the Grade 1 Princess Rooney Stakes, one of the top sprints for older fillies and mares in the country!
Feature Race of the Week—The Cleveland Gold Cup from Thistledown
This is a very interesting edition of the Cleveland Gold Cup this year as 8 Ohio-breds are set to contest the mile and one eighth distance at Thistledown. Hurley’s Way (#3) is the morning line favorite at 5/2 and comes off a solid second in the Green Carpet Stakes at River Downs. That was on the grass and the horse is yet to race on dirt, but he has lots of back class coming in from Southern California. Also trainer Doug Cowans and Rodney Prescott are top Ohio connections.
I’m going to use Hurley’s Way in a three horse exacta box along with Raise the Reward (#6) who goes for Tim Hamm, who is probably the top Ohio Stakes trainer in the state. Brother Terry (#7) is another contender who could jump up and is 6/1 on the morning line.
Today’s Bet: $5 Exacta Box 3,6,7
Total Bet Cost: $30
Current Bankroll: $843
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feautre Race of the Week Recap---The Mother Goose
Well Rachael Alexandra won as expected and did so by almost 20 lengths. So far at the mile and one eigth distance she's 2 for 2, with both wins being over 19 lengths. She is scary good. Unfortunately for us, our exacta player was scratched early so our bet was a wash for the week. It's too bad too, because the 4 and 5 dueled each other as i was hoping, so i think that Don't Forget Gil would have been able to close in and get second, but alas we will move forward next week and try our luck in Cleveland at Thistledown for the $100,000 Cleveland Gold Cup!
Feature Race of the Week---The Mother Goose Stakes
The Mother Goose marks the start of the second half of the year campaign for Rachael Alexandra. Probably a slam dunk to be the champion 3 year old filly of the year and with a solid second half of the year, a great chance to be horse of the year. Rachael is 1/5 on the morning line and looks to completely dominate this field. There is other speed in this race so it will be interesting to see what Calvin Borel does, whether he takes it to them early, or lays back and comes from just off the pace. It’s a big advantage having a filly with such ratability.
As far as betting the race, well I think the option is to try and hook up an exacta with Rachael on top. So for that, I’m going to go a price horse underneath, #2 Don’t Forget Gil. She’s 15/1 on the morning line and is the only other horse in the race with a graded stakes win, which was the Florida Oaks down at Tampa. She ran ok in the Grade 2 gamely and threw a clunker at Pimlico in the Black Eyed Susan. She comes from off the pace, where as the other two horses that are given a shot in here, both will be up knocking heads with Rachael early on. My hope is that Rachael puts them away, and Don’t Forget Gil picks up the pieces.
Today’s Bets:
$20 Exacta 3 with 2
Total Bets: $20
Total Bankroll Balance: $853
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--The Obeah Stakes
The Obeah Stakes went basically the opposite of how I handicapped it. Unbridled Belle was not very beatable, in fact she won by over 11 lengths. She was so much the best it was scary. My horse ran a very flat and even third and never at any point looked to be a contender. So we will move on and move forward as next week we move to Belmont Park for the Mother Goose which will feature Rachael Alexandra!! Should be an exciting day!
Feature Race of the Week---The Grade 3 Obeah Stakes from Delaware Park
The Obeah is an intriguing little race with a favorite that I think is very beatable, which makes it a good betting opportunity in my mind. Unbridled Belle is certainly the back class of the field and won this race last year by 5 and ¾ lengths. She’s a Grade 1 winner and goes for top connections. However, she is coming off two of the worst races of her career and could be on the downturn of a brilliant career at age 6.
So I’m going to take a shot with #8 Skylighter for the Bobby Frankel Barn and jockey Mike Smith. I can’t think Smith is going to fly cross country to run in a Grade 3 stakes unless he really thinks he’s going to win. The horse has good speed, can sit just off the pace and I think is the horse to beat.
Underneath I’m going to use three long shots, all at 10/1 or higher. #3 All Night Labor, #4 You Asked, and #6 All Smiles. We’re going to try our same exacta strategy, keying the top pick over three horses.
Today’s Bets: $10 Exacta key #8 with 3,4,6
Total Bet Cost: $30
Total Bankroll Balance: $873
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Stephen Foster
Wow, that was a tough one to take as Einstein was probably the best horse and our longshot Macho Again ran huge to win. Einstein had all sorts of trouble, never had a clear run until the final yards, and still almost got second. It was a tough loss for us, but we’ll rebound next week and go to Delaware Park for the Obeah Stakes. We’ll see ya then!
Feature Race of the Week---The Stephen Foster Handicap
The Stephen Foster was won last year by Curlin who was the top older horse in the
country and probably the world. Well this year’s edition features Einstein who is probably the top older horse going right now. Coming off back to back Grade 1 wins in the Santa Anita Handicap and the Woodford Reserve Classic, it’s hard to think Einstein won’t win here. In fact, even his third place finish in the Donn Handicap was very impressive, because he broke from the wide outside post position with that short run up to the first turn at Gulfstream.
I really think Einstein is going to win. In fact I think his 2/1 morning line is a overlay and don’t think there is any shot he goes off that high of odds. But I’m going to do like last week and just key my top horse on top of a couple horses in the exacta and see if we can put up another winner.
Underneath I’m going to use number 2 Macho Again who has a good late closing style and is 10/1 on the morning line, and number 4 Arson Squad who has been working well for his comeback and has solid connections.
Today’s Bets:
$20 Exacta 3/2,4
Total Cost: $40
Bankroll left: $903
Starting bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap—The Charles Whittingham
Don’t adjust your computer screens, we actually won our bet this week!! Our little $30 exacta play yielded a payout of $147 dollars as Midships sat just off the early leader, took command turning for home and turned on the afterburners to win the Charlie Whittingham. The final quarter of the mile and one quarter race was 23 and 1, so they were flying down the homestretch. 6/1 shot Globetrotter got up for second and gave us the nice little payout we were looking for.
That puts the bankroll up to $943 dollars as we move next week to legendary Churchill Downs for the Grade 1 Stephen Foster next week.
Feature Race of the Week---The Charles Whittingham Handicap
The Charlie Whittingham is always a solid Grade 1 race, but this year features only 1 Grade 1 winner, and that’s the horse that won this race last year, #6 Artiste Royal. Artiste Royal has a deep closing style and is always dependent upon a strong early pace, something he may or may not get in this race.
#2 Midships has won two Grade 2’s in a row but has had pretty easy leads in both those starts. The presence of #3 Liquidity adds a horse that has some decent tactical speed to the race and could prove a bit troublesome to Midships.
My contention is that Midships is going so well right now that a little pace pressure might not hinder him. So I’m going to key him on top in the exacta over three horses, number #4 Globetrotter, #5 Madeo, and #6 Artiste Royal.
$10 Exacta 2 with 4,5,6
Total Bets: $30
Bankroll Balance: $796
Starting Bankroll $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap—The Nassua Stakes
Boy could I have not been more wrong about the Nassua Stakes. Not only did Rutherienne win at 4/5, but she absolutely crushed the field to win by 3 lengths going away in the end. My 1 horse and 10 horse were both pretty flat down the lane, but carrying the weight of being my picks has a way of killing a horses chances down the lane.
Well this week we’ll move out west and go to one of my favorite tracks, Hollywood park for the Charlie Whittingham!!
Feature Race of the Week—The Nassau Stakes from Woodbine
The Grade 2 Nassau Stakes features a nice field of ten assembled to go the mile and one sixteenth over the ever so large Woodbine turf course. Because of the size of Woodbine’s turf course, this is a one turn trip and features a very long home stretch. #5 Rutherienne has been installed as the 2/1 favorite but I think she is very very vulnerable. She hasn’t had a win in over a year, but that being said, has only been off the board in 2 of 18 starts, so clearly she is one to keep in your exotics. But I am going to try and beat her for the top spot.
#1 Tell It as It Is is going to be my top selection. This horse is a closer and has won 5 out of 12 at Woodbine. If you look at her last two races, she’s been severely wide in both starts, but still closed late. If she can avoid getting too much trouble on the one turn, and with the extra stretch, she is my top selection.
#10 Points of Grace enjoyed a fine winter at Fairgrounds where she had two wins and two seconds over the grass course. She has good tactical speed and should be somewhat close up for the long run in.
I’m going to key these two on top of a trifecta and an exacta play with #2 Roses N Wine, #5 Rutherienne, and # 6 Favorite Fantasy. Both numbers 2 and 6 are 15/1 on the morning line.
Today’s Bets:
$1 Trifecta 1,10/1,2,5,6,10/1,2,5,6,10 for $24
$2 Exacta 1,10/1,2,5,6,10 for $16
Total Bets: $40
Bankroll Balance: $826
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Hanshin Cup
Man have my picks been lousy lately. I mean the pace was alright in the Hanshin Cup but my horses were just spinning their wheels for the most part, finishing third and fourth, but no where near the runaway winner Vacation or the second place finisher Dominican. I think next week I might decide who I’m going to pick, then throw them out and play the other horses. Hmmmm…there’s an idea!
In all seriousness we’ll be back next week with selections for the Nassua Stakes from our neighbors to the north at Woodbine. We’ll see you then for some Peameal, Polytrack fun from Ontario!
Feature Race of the Week---Hanshin Cup from Arlington Park
The Hanshin Cup is always a thrilling Grade 3 race from Arlington Park and the last two winners of the race are both in this years edition. Spotsgone won the race in 2007 and Coragil Cat won last years race.
Spotsgone (#5) is a patented front runner and the year he won, he was all alone the whole way. It doesn’t appear he’s going to get that kind of trip today as there is other speed signed on including #1 Stonehouse, and #4 Voy Por Uno Mas. The one turn mile is tricky, because even though it is a “route” in distance, they sometimes will go at it early like a sprint, and that could prove dangerous for the front runners.
That being said I’m going to try the same bet as last week, a three horse exacta box for $5, and go with three closers hoping that this race falls apart in mid stretch. I’m going to box #2 Cherokee Artist, #7 Amazing Results, and #8 Coragil Cat. All should be reserved early and will be making runs at the end, all have good records over the synthetic track at Arlington, and all go for very solid connections.
Today’s Bets:
$5 exacta box 2,7,8
Total bet cost: $30
Balance left: $866
Starting balance: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap--The Black Eyed Susan
Well we were somewhat on the right track with Payton D'Oro winning at 5/2 in the Black Eyed Susan. Unfortunately Bon Jovi Girl got up for the second spot and foiled our exacta as the number 7 horse who we played finished up third.
So we've been close lately, but unfortunately close in horse racing doesn't pay the bills. So we shall try our hand again next week as the Feature Race of the Week moves to beautiful Arlington Park for the Grade 3 Hanshin Cup. Picks will be up thursday afternoon, and don't forget you can always find our picks as well on www.955thegame.com on our weekly radio show, which can be found under the personalities section of their website.
Feature Race of the Week---The Black Eyed Susan
The Black Eyed Susan is the premier race for 3 year old fillies during the upcoming Preakness Weekend at Pimlico race course and with the top 3 year old filly in America, Rachael Alexandra going against the boys, there are plenty of opportunities for a number of these to step up and take the Black Eyed Susan.
The 2 to 1 favorite is a horse named Hooh Why (#1) who is a grade 1 winner and has certainly been excelling at route races. The trick is that those races have been coming over the all-weather surface. The Derby was proof that for the most part, horses that were coming off of the all weather didn’t run as well on the main track. Granted Pioneerof The Nile ran 2nd, but he was just a nose ahead of Papa Clem and Musket Man who have been trying dirt, while the poly horses such as General Quarters, Advice, and many others were up the track.
So I’m going to steer away from the favorite who also could get bet well because there isn’t a ton of speed in here.
I’m going to box #2 Payton D’Oro, #7 Casanova Move, and #8 Don’t Forget Gil. All three have good tactical speed, and if #5 Bon Jovi Girl can go at it with the favorite early, then we have a good shot of picking up the pieces.
Today’s Bet: $5 Exacta Box 2,7,8
Total Bet: $30
Total Bankroll: $896
Starting Bankroll: $1,000
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Peter Pan Stakes
The Peter Pan shaped up with #2 horse setting a blistering pace and he quickly gave up in the stretch. #3 Charitable Man took over and prevailed in a driving finish over the #6. We had the first two slots in our trifecta, but unfortunately the #4 horse got up into third late in the race and foiled our bet. But we'll be back at em next week with the Black Eyed Susan.
Feature Race of the Week---The Peter Pan Stakes
The Peter Pan is often used as a prep for the Belmont Stakes and this year’s race is no exception. Last year the race was won in stunning fashion by Casino Drive who was going to be the expected Belmont second choice behind Big Brown, but unfortunately had to scratch. Casino Drive went on to run in the Dubai World Cup.
This year’s edition is a small but talented field that features mostly also ran’s from the big Kentucky Derby prep races. Imperial Council has been installed as the 2 to 1 morning line favorite, even though I Want Revenge certainly handled him in their last two meetings. Imperial Council is one that could certainly win and could certainly hit the board, but I’m going to play around him and go with some better prices on top for my trifecta bets this week.
I’m going to put #1 Stately Character , #3 Charitable Man, and #5 Scorewithcater. Now based on last week, you certainly have to like the chances of #5 Scorewithcater because his last two starts he beat Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, both starts at Sunland Park. The Sunland Derby is turning out to be a key race with Mine That Bird and Advice both coming back to win Graded races in their next starts. Picks up top New York jockey for this, and is 10/1 on the morning line.
Today’s Bets!
$1 Trifecta 1,3,5/1,2,3,5,6/1,2,3,5,6
Total bet: $36
Total Bankroll left:$926
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Kentucky Oaks
Well Rachael Alexander won…..by 20 ¼ lengths!!!!! She is so far ahead of her class this season it’s almost ridiculous. Jockey Calvin Borel must have gotten a sore neck looking around for competition, but there simply was none. Justwhistledixie was a late scratch, and she was the obvious second choice, so Rachael was clearly the horse to beat and she didn’t disappoint. Because of the scratch and the fact that a bomber ran up into second, we got blanked for the week, but only lost 6 bucks. We’ll be back at it again next week!!
Feature Race of the Week---The Kentucky Oaks
It appears that the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks will be centered around Rachael Alexandra who is the 3/5 morning line choice in the most prestigious race in the country for 3 year old fillies. Rachael Alexandra (#6) has been nothing short of miraculous this season with three very powerful wins, two at Oaklawn Park and one at the Fairgrounds. In fact, her win in the Fairgrounds Oaks, she ran 1 second faster than Friesan Fire who won the Louisiana Derby later in the day at the same distance. Rachael Alexandra has done some great work at Churchill Downs as well, and has also succeeded over an off track, which there is liable to be at Churchill on Friday and possibly Saturday as well.
As far as alternatives to the favorite with some potential to run well, I look to numbers 4,5, and 8. Gabby’s Golden Gal (#4) comes off a breathtaking win in the Sunland Park Oaks, her first start over a dirt surface. Justwhistledixie (#5) has rattled off five consecutive wins and will be a clear second choice in the betting. Flying Spur (#8) ran a good second behind Rachael Alexandra and is lightly raced and gets Garrett Gomez.
So as far as betting, I’m going to key Rachael Alexandra on top in the trifecta and also box the other three in a small exacta box.
Today’s Wagers:
$2 trifecta 6 with 4,5,8 with 4,5,8=$12
$1 exacta box 4,5,8=$6
Total wagers: $18
Bankroll Balance: $950
Feature Race of the Week ---The Texas Mile
Unfortunately Jason Beem does not have selections available for you this weekend. His balance stands at $968 and will try to make it grow next Friday in the Kentucky Oaks. Check back soon!
Feature Race of the Week Recap---The Coolmore Lexington
Square Eddie made a breathtaking move on the far turn and looked to be every bit the winner as the field entered the stretch in the $300,000 Grade 2 Coolmore Lexington Stakes, but proceeded to flatten out inside the final furlong and was passed by Advice who went on to score at 15 to 1 under Garrett Gomez. Another long shot, Conservative ran up into the exacta at 17 to 1 with Square Eddie ending up third. We had Advice at the price in our wager, and we had Square Eddie, but alas, Conservative getting up into second cost us our win this week. Do take note that number 12 Hull was a late scratch, thus reducing our bet to $12.
We’ll be looking for another price winner next week when we look at the Texas Mile Stakes which will be taking place at Lone Star Park next Saturday afternoon. Be sure to check here each week as we analyze our feature races of the week, and also you can check out my Podcast page at 955thegame.com under the personalities section.
Jason Beem
The $300,000 Grade 2 Coolmore Lexington Stakes represents one of the final opportunities for 3 year olds to gather up those precious graded earnings to be eligible for the Kentucky Derby on May 2nd. A full field of 12 has shown up all hoping to reserve a spot on the first Saturday in May
Square Eddie is probably the biggest name in the field because of his solid work as a two year old when he finished second behind Midshipman in the Breeders Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. He has proven he can run around two turns and that he can run on the synthetic. He finished a mildly disappointing second in his seasonal debut at 3/5 in the San Rafael Stakes, beaten by The Pamplemousse.
There are lots of horses with a great chance to win and in a 12 horse field, there is only one horse with a 20 to 1 morning line. A couple of long shot chances that I really think could run big are #2 Omniscient, #5 His Greatness, #11 Advice and #12 Hull.
Hull and His Greatness are my two bomber plays. His Greatness is the longest shot on the morning line at 20 to 1 and comes off a decent third place finish at Hawthorne in the Illinois Derby. He was very close to some solid fractions and still kept on to finish third. Hull is 2 for 2 with two monster wins at Fairgrounds and Turfway Park. He’s got a lot of speed and should be on the lead or very close to it. The post is not terribly kind, but with the short stretch run to the first wire at Keeneland, being on or close to the lead could be very helpful.
Over 55,000 people attended the 73rd running of the Grade 2 $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and they witnessed a great race between Papa Clem and Old Fashioned. Old Fashioned was sent off as the even money favorite and set very demanding early fractions of 22.65 and 46.19 for the opening quarter and half mile. Papa Clem was backed down to 4 to 1 and is generally a front runner. However in the Arkansas Derby he was taken back off the pace by jockey Rafael Bejarano and sat fifth throughout the early portions of the race. Bejarano guided Papa Clem four wide around the turn and they engaged the leader Old Fashioned at the Quarter Pole.
As they entered the stretch, Papa Clem looked as if he would draw away from Old Fashioned, but the favorite dug back in and battled all the way down the lane. In the end Papa Clem took home the $600,000 winner’s share by half a length. Old Fashioned finished up second and long shot Silver Bird finished up third.
After the race it was discovered that Old Fashioned had suffered a knee slab fracture and while the injury is not life threatening at all, he is off the Kentucky Derby trail and possibly will be forced to retire.
In our exacta box for the week, we didn’t have Papa Clem so we start the summer season down $20 early, but it’s a long road to October and I’m very optimistic about the races in the coming weeks.
Don’t forget next week our Feature Race of the Week is the $300,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland and we’ll have our picks posted up on the website early Friday afternoon