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Saturday, February 24, 2007

Races of the Week

After a slow start in 2007, I've had four consecutive in-the-money finishes. Any Given Saturday won the Sam F. Davis Stakes, paying $2.40 to win, $2.20 to place, and $2.10 to show. Silmaril finished second in the Barbara Fritchie Breeders Cup Handicap, paying $3.80 to place and $2.60 to show.

This week, the Daily Racing Form's races of the week are the Gulfstream Park Breeders Cup Handicap and Las Flores Handicap at Santa Anita. Equibase's race of the week is the Tampa Bay Breeders Cup Stakes.

In the Gulfstream Park Breeders Cup Turf, I'll bet Jambalaya, who makes his second start off of a layoff. Jambalaya's Beyer figures are competitive with the rest of this field. He likes a mile and three eighths. He drew the three post, which won't hurt with a short run to the first turn. Honey Ryder, a mare taking on males for the first time, could also be tough. Maybe I'll bet an exacta. The Form provides free past performances.

My selection in Las Flores is Secret Scheme, who is undefeated at six furlongs and comes off of a third-place finish in the Santa Monica Handicap. The Form provides free past performances.

In the Tampa Bay Breeders Cup, I'll bet Cherokee Prince. I think he could steal this race on the front end. Equibase provides free past performances.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Last week, Notional won the Risen Star Stakes, paying $7.80 to win, $4.80 to place, and $4.00 to show. Law Breaker finished second in the San Vicente Stakes, paying $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show.

This week, the Daily Racing Form's races of the week are the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and the Barbara Fritchie Breeders Cup Handicap at Laurel Park.

My selection in the Davis is Any Given Saturday, who makes his first start of the year. Any Given Saturday is the only colt in this field who has placed in a graded stakes race, finishing second in the Kentucky Jockey Club stakes last year. John Velazquez comes in to ride him. The Form provides free past performances.

In the Fritichie, I'll pick Silmaril, who likes Laurel, likes the 7 furlong distance, and can come from off the pace. The Form provides free past performances.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Local Stakes Schedules

Thistledown and Northfield Park have both released their stakes schedules for 2007, and two marquee events will appear earlier in the year.

The Grade II Ohio Derby will be run on Saturday, June 2. According to Thistledown Racing Secretary William Couch, "On the recommendation of the American Graded Stakes Committee, we have moved the date for the Ohio Derby. We hope to be an alternative to the Belmont Stakes for colts who are on the Triple Crown trail." Mr. Couch further stated "We will be the only graded stakes race on the weekend of June 2nd for three-year-olds. There really is nothing else that weekend."

The $125,000 Battle of Lake Erie Pace, Northfield's premier event for older male pacers, will be held on Saturday, April 21.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Races of the Week, Part II

Law Breaker is my selection in the San Vicente Stakes. Law Breaker is the only colt in this field who has beaten winners. He's never run at this distance before, but his Tomlinson rating indicates that he should like it. The Daily Racing Form provides free past performances.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Races of the Week, Part I

This week, the Daily Racing Form's races of the week are the Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds and the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita.

In the Risen Star, Circular Quay looks like a heavy favorite, but I'll try to beat him with Notional. Circular Quay is making his first start since November, and has never won around two turns. Notional is undefeated on a natural dirt surface, and his most recent Beyer figure is competitive with the rest of this field. I'm not thrilled about the outside post at a mile and a sixteenth, but I still think Notional will be worth a bet. The Form provides free past performances.

I'll post my selection for the San Vicente later today or tomorrow morning. In the mean time, you can check out the free past performances, courtesy of the DRF.

Barbaro, 2003-2007

I've been late to comment on the death of Barbaro last week because I couldn't think of anything original to say. I'm sure I'm not the first to say that Barbaro's owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, are to be commended, not only for sparing no expense to save him, but also for making the decision to spare Barbaro the pain that would have resulted from further attempts to save him. My condolences to Barbaro's connections.

The NTRA has established a Barbaro Memorial Fund, the proceeds of which will go to laminitis research.

The Daily Racing Form has links to videos of Barbaro's races.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Races of the Week

This week, the Daily Racing Form's races of the week are the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park and the Thunder Road Handicap at Santa Anita.

In the Donn, I'll pick Invasor. Invasor, now a champion on two continents, won't pay much, but he's clearly the class of the field. The Form provides free past performances.

My selection in the Thunder Road is Cervelo. Cervelo has won two in a row on the turf in southern California. He looks like the only early speed in this field, so the pace should set up well for him. The Form provides free past performances.