Races of the Week

Last week, Strong Contender won the Super Derby, paying $7.60 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.60 to show. Octave finished in a dead heat for second in the Matron Stakes, paying $2.50 to place and $3.20 to show. This week, the Daily Racing Form's races of the week are the Hawthorne Gold Cup at Hawthorne and the Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita. Equibase's race of the week is the Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita.

My selection in the Gold Cup is Flamethrowintexan. Flamethrowintexan has won two in a row, and I think he could get loose on the lead. He's never gone a mile and a quarter before, but I'll take a chance on him. The Form provides free past performances.

In the Oak Leaf, Point Ashley looks like the most likely winner, but at too short a price to bet. The Form provides free past performances.


In the Yellow Ribbon, I'll pick Moscow Burning. I think the pace will set up well for her. Wait a While, the likely favorite is undefeated on the turf, but she has the outside post, and they'll start on the turn. Equibase provides free past performances.