Horse Racing: Sat. Belmont's card (post #1134), NBC coverage begins at 4:30 pm ET

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 19, 2017

April 19, 2017

Aqueduct (New York):

Some nice prices today at New York.
Race 1, $10 winner with Irad Ortiz, Jr/Todd Pletcher doesn't happen often.
Race 2 was the tag team of Cornelio Velasquez/Linda Rice though for short money.
Race 3 was won by Junior Alvarado on a 7-to-1 shot.
Race 4 winner paid $51.50.
Race 5, the $2 exacta was $175.
Race 6, Chris DeCarlo won on one of his two mounts.
Race 7, the winner paid $28.20 with Rajiv Maragh on board, he will be riding in the Kentucky Derby.
Race 8 had a $55.50 winner.
The $2 Pick 4 paid over $7,800.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

Maybe Jose Lezcano is warming up. He won twice today, both races on turf, and the winners paid $19.00 and $12.00. In the latter, he wired the field and held off any challengers with stylish precision.

Gulfstream (Florida):

Tyler Gaffalione won twice.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

Daniel Centeno, who is perhaps the top rider and most successful jockey at the track, won three more times today.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 20, 2017

April 20, 2017

Aqueduct (New York):

Cournoyer has certainly had an interesting start to his career. From being declared a non-starter in his debut at 44-1 (though the book doesn't show the odds; I used him with Mike Luzzi riding) to breaking his maiden today in a most extreme finish when the 6-to-5 favorite (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Todd Pletcher) drifted considerably in an incredible set of circumstances. First win in five official starts for the victor.
Junior Alvarado rode a 10-to-1 Bill Mott colt to precise efficiency in the sixth race. A $1 exacta returned $162. The colt was out for the fourth time and it was apparent by his prior riders that there was hope when Jose Lezcano, Javier Castellano and Johnny Velazquez had ridden.
Mitchell Murrill made a rare New York appearance and won the opener in his only ride and for trainer Michael Stidham. Murrill is a young rider, maybe 22, who hails from Alabama and didn't have the past experiences of many riders who were around horses at a young age. He was the second winningest rider at Arlington (Illinois) last summer. He rode in the Louisiana circuit as well. He is riding at Laurel (Maryland) this weekend mostly for Stidham.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

Javier Castellano has been named North America's top rider the last four years and though I think he occasionally burns money, he is a superior rider and shouldn't go unnoticed hen he has longer odds attached. He is 26 10-3-2 at this meet with a winning percentage at 38% which is nothing short of spectacular especially considering the talent at all levels at Keeneland.
Rarely used veteran Julio Garcia won again for Wesley Ward for whom he is an exercise rider and is now 8 4-1-0 at the meet. He is 24 10-4-3 (42% wins) in 2017.
Trainer Todd Pletcher was a perfect 2-for-2. The last two days, covering three tracks, Pletcher was 11 5-2-1.

Gulfstream (Florida):

Add four more victories to the growing resume of Tyler Gaffalione who finished his day 7 4-1-0. He is winning at a 30% clip this meet and in the money 66%.
Another win for Imaginary Stables headed by owner Ron Paolucci (also Loooch Racing) and trainer Elizabeth Dobles who is 7-for-22 in 2017. Tyler Gaffalione's third win of the day.
Ramsey Zimmerman had a mount today, his first since 2015.

Santa Anita (California):

Joe Talamo won the first two races. In the opener, a $1 super returned over $10,000. In the second race, Talamo rode the longest shot on the board to victory at 12-to-1.

Penn National (Pennsylvania):

Jeremy Rose!!! Just won under the lights on his only mount. Rode for Graham Motion. And at 5-to-1. Rose beat a 1-to-2 favorite.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 20, 2017

ILLINOIS DERBY (Grade III)

What: A graded stakes race for three-year-olds
History: First run in 1923, the race has been held at various tracks in Illinois.
When: Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 5 of 10, 6:17 PM Central Time
Where: Hawthorne Race Course, Cicero/Stickney, Illinois
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $250,000
Runners (age, sex): Three-year-olds, open
Preview article: https://www.paulickreport.com/news/...ly-matched-field-seven-set-g3-illinois-derby/
Full card: http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/HAW042217USA-EQB.html
Television: TVG

PP

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex

|

Jockey

|

Weight

|

Trainer

|

Morning Line

CHARLES TOWN CLASSIC (Grade II)

What: Stanford attempts to duplicate last year's victory in a race worth $1.25 million. The 5, 6 and 8 are owned by Loooch Racing and Imaginary Stables.
History: Inaugurated in 2009.
When: Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 11 of 13, 5:35 PM Eastern Time
Where: Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Charles Town, West Virginia
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $1,250,000
Runners (age, sex): Four-years-old and up, open
Preview article: http://www.drf.com/news/stanford-faces-tricky-assignment-quest-charles-town-classic-repeat
Full card: http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CT042217USA-EQB.html
Television: Fox Sports 2

PP

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex

|

Jockey

|

Weight

|

Trainer

|

Morning Line

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 21, 2017

April 21, 2017

Keeneland (Kentucky):

Add another to the list for any pedigree of Unbridled, this time with Uncle Mo as the sire. Unbridled Mo (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) won the $100,000 Grade III DoubleDogDare. A short field and the filly certainly had to utilize every drop of energy but she persevered at 2-to-5. The winner is now 6-for-8 lifetime including six wins in her last seven races.
The finale today yielded shocking prices. Corey Lanerie (28-to-1) beat Florent Geroux (18-to-1) with an exacta the produced $1,386,20. The $2 trifecta paid an astonishing $24,881.80. The $2 superfecta returned $80,000+. The $.50 Pick 5 paid $31,644.
The Wes Welker-owned Undrafted, who has earned over $1,300,000, won race 3.
Chris Landeros won the opener. Decent rider who is perhaps overmatched with the talent at Keeneland this meet but he needed the victory and got it. He is now 1-for-19 at the meet.

Laurel (Maryland):

Sheldon Russell returned to riding after a prolonged absence due to injury. He has suffered major injuries multiple times in recent years. which includes fractured vertebrae in his back more than once, every rib on his left side has been broken, a torn ACL, a punctured lung, torn bicep tendons, a broken ankle, broken feet and most recently fractured hands. It has been estimated he has had more than 20 broken bones since becoming a rider. Stay healthy for a change!
Race 9: Trainer Larry Jones' only starter of the day was a total flop.
Race 7: Trainer Linda Rice's only starter at the track was a win and nice value at 4-to-1. She is now 38 20-6-5 (53% and 82%) at this meet.
Race 6: Ashley Castrenze is now 11 2-2-1 (also won at Parx Philly) this year since her return from broken ribs late last year. And at 5-to-1, she had a satisfactory ride.
The $2 Pick 5 paid $54,918.70.
Race 3: Lacey Gaudet's only starter of the day led most of the way at 16-to-1 but got passed at the wire by two other runners.
Laurel has an attractive card for Saturday.

Aqueduct (New York):

Uncle Sigh, who finished 14th in the 2014 Kentucky Derby, is still running and won today. Junior Alvarado, on board a 14-to-1, led most of the race but finished second.
Mike Luzzi won race 6 with the longest shot on the board.
Angel Arroyo won three times. The last two days, he is a combined 7 4-0-2 (4 wins, two thirds in 7 races).
The $2 Pick 6 was hit for $25,065.

Gulfstream (Florida):

Kathy Ritvo, who doesn't have many runners in her care but is best remembered as the winning trainer with the 2013 Breeders' Cup Classic winner and Florida-bred Mucho Macho Man, had her son riding and to victory as the 7-to-5 favorite in the $75,000 feature race. Michael Ritvo won for the first time this year in just his eighth start.
Veteran Eddie Castro returned from Dubai and raced today. He is expected to stay at the track at least temporarily.

Penn National (Pennsylvania):

This is up there with the largest doubles I have ever seen. Tonight, under the lights, races 6 (40-to-1 winner) and 7 (25-to-1) produced a ticket that returned $5,606.00 for a $2 bet. Race 6, the winner paid $83.60.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 22, 2017

Among the major meets closing and opening this month into early May:

Florida: Tampa Bay closes May 7. Gulfstream remains open until its brief close in the autumn.
Illinois: Hawthorne closes April 29. Arlington opens May 5.
Kentucky: Keeneland closes April 28. Churchill Downs opens April 29.
Maryland: Laurel closes May 7. Pimlico opens May 11.
New York: Aqueduct closes April 23. Belmont opens April 28. Finger Lakes (western NY state) opens April 22.
Ohio: Mahoning Valley (Youngstown) closes today. Belterra (Cincinnati) opens April 28. Thistledown (near Cleveland) opens May 1.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 22, 2017

April 22, 2017

Charles Town (West Virginia):

The track had some decent payouts today for its signature card. The top payouts were in race 6 in which the Pick 3 concluded with a $6,618.60 return, a trifecta paid $2,888.40, the winner produced $45.80 and the show prices were arguably the most noteworthy with $26.80 going to the winner and $49.80 going to the runner up.
Visiting riders included Javier Castellano, John Velazquez, Tyler Gaffalione, Mario Gutierrez and Manny Franco.
Tyler Gaffalione was 4 2-0-2 (two wins in four rides).
Javier Castellano was 3 2-0-0 including winning the feature race on Imperative at 5-to-1 for west coast trainer Robert Hess. Linda Rice's Matt King Coal finished second for a very healthy exacta of $100. Todd Pletcher's Stanford, who won this race last year and went off at 4-to-5, was a bust. I decided to go with the all Loooch Racing-Imaginary Stables exacta and though the stable won with my other pick, the selection involving Tyler Gaffalione on War Story, finished third at 9-to-2.

Aqueduct (New York):

Three jockeys combined to win eight of the nine races led by Kendrick Carmouche and Irad Ortiz's three victories. Junior Alvarado won twice but could have won as many as four races. Alvarado was 6 2-2-1 this day (five out of six in the money). In addition to the questionable call in the finale noted below, he was caught on a 9-to-1 by Irad Ortiz, Jr.'s favorite in an earlier race.
Controversy ensued in the finale. An objection-inquiry upheld Ortiz, Jr over Alvarado. Whether it is the expected or simply John Lennon's "Mind Games" being played redundantly in the head, it is almost customary to expect one of the Ortiz Brothers to get the benefit of the doubt in these cases and Alvarado to get the shaft....even if warranted or not. Once again, even track analyst Andy Serling noted what many have opined.

Laurel (Maryland):

A very sloppy day at the track played havoc with some of the prognostications. Winners also seemed to come off the pace from the back of the pack.
It was such an odd day at the track that race 2 had Larry Jones and Linda Rice in it and yet neither won. The winner was trainer Jose Rodriguez who was 0-for-13 in 2017.
Race 4: Larry Jones' exceptional 3-year-old filly Jenda's Agenda was a pre-race scratch presumably due to the weather. The filly is 3-for-3 lifetime and needless to say will make some waves down the line. The 4-horse race was won by Todd Pletcher's even-money shot.
How in the world does a Chad Brown 3-year-old go off at 5-1 and the second highest price on the board. The $125,000 feature race also had Todd Pletcher and Linda Rice but....Chad Brown at Laurel at that price is a gift.
Jockey Trevor McCarthy, who is as capable as any rider at the meet, was 10 3-1-4 today. Eight times in the money and three victories in 10 races.
Jockey Feargal Lynch was 6 3-0-0 today and each of his three wins were in stakes races.

Gulfstream (Florida):

Edgard Zayas won his first three rides, all coming by the fourth race.
In race 3, a 15-to-1 morning line was bet down to 5-to-1 and found the winner's circle. The Indiana-bred, not many of those run in south Florida, named Indiana Cowboy was the star of the show.
Imaginary Stables, with Elizabeth Dobles training, won yet again. She is now 3 2-0-1 the last three days of racing, one start on each card. The combined ownership group of Loooch Racing Stables, Inc. and Imaginary Stables is 12 5-0-1 (41.6% winning) in 2017 and 27 8-3-2 (29.6% winning) all-time.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

Corey Lanerie had an exceptional day going 7 3-2-1. His three wins came in succession in races 2, 3 and 4.
Joel Rosario also won three straight races, 6, 7 and 8 on the card. He was 5 3-0-0 this day.
In race 1, Luis Saez was DQ and Joe Rocco, Jr. elevated from third to first after a lengthy review. Saez did win later on the card.
Race 9 was the Grade II 1 1/2 miles long Dixiana Elkhorn. A French-bred ridden by usual regular rider Tyler Baze in California was victorious. Itsinthepost won for the fifth time in 25 starts but is 7 3-4-0 in his last seven starts (three wins, four second place finishes in the last seven). Julien Leparoux and Jose Ortiz followed, the latter whom was an atypical 0-for-6.

Hawthorne (Illinois):

The signature race at the meet was held today. Multiplier (James Graham/Brendan Walsh) chased down the 9-to-5 favorite for the victory. Video of the race can be found at the link: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...ultiplier-steps-up-his-game-in-illinois-derby
As an aside, how did this card not make the DRF program?

Santa Anita (California):

The $2 Pick 6 was hit for slightly in excess of $12,000.
Martin Garcia/Bob Baffert won the Grade II Californian with Collected.

Trainers:

Todd Pletcher had runners at six tracks today. His nine runners finished 9 2-2-1. The six tracks (Laurel, Gulfstream, Aqueduct, Hawthorne, Charles Town and Keeneland) covered six different states. It helps to have good assistants, too.
Linda Rice was 7 3-1-1 in four tracks.

leaflover · Apr 23, 2017

I'll be keeping an eye on Luis Contreras this year as i think he's a good enough jockey to ride with the big boys. He was coming around nicely at the Oaklawn meet and is now back at Woodbine.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 23, 2017

April 23, 2017

Aqudeuct (New York):

Joel Rosario should get rider of the week. EDIT: Feargal Lynch won the weekly award for winning three stakes at Laurel. There were much higher profile races this weekend but he amassed the best resume. He continued his sparkling performance from Saturday in Kentucky with a 5 3-0-0 day in New York. He was on such a roll that he won five races in seven mounts. And for the second straight day, he won three consecutive rides in one card. As I often say about Rosario, and mentioned it in this thread, if he wins early enough in the day, and has sufficient opportunity, he will usually repeat. He is a physically gifted rider and the performance he gave in race 7 from the back of the pack is textbook. Document it, highlight it, remember it.
Junior Alvarado took an ugly spill in race 5. He returned earlier this month after a prolonged absence due to shoulder surgery. This injury is to his left shoulder. His horse was euthanized. Alvarado was in the money six of his seven rides this weekend entering the fatal spill. EDIT (Monday's update per the DRF): Alvarado was to undergo an MRI on Tuesday and then go over the results with his doctor on Thursday. In the meantime, Alvarado’s agent, Mike Sellitto, said doctors told him “to be on the safe side, take off a couple of weeks and let it calm down.”
The winter/spring meet closed today. Onto Belmont!

Keeneland (Kentucky):

Race 5 caught many eyes. A $46.60 winner, the runnerup paid $55.00 for place, a $.50 Pick 3 returned $1,517.60, a $.50 Pick 4 paid $9,445.60, the $2 exacta paid $630.60, the $2 trifecta $9,996.40 and the $2 superfecta....$123,266.60.
Robby Albarado, who was scheduled to ride for Dale Romans in the Kentucky Derby, suffered a fractured ankle and will be sidelined for the big race.

Gulfstream (Florida):

Tyler Gaffalione and Luca Panici each won twice. The only riders with multiple wins.

Laurel (Maryland):

Linda Rice remains above 50% at the meet: 41 21-6-6 (80% in the $$$).

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 24, 2017

Garrett Gomez and Chris Antley were two of the best riders in my lifetime and both self-destructed. Two of my all-time favorites, too. Now they are together with the sport's highest honor. Go Go was a phenomenal rider, very clutch, and his induction today should put a little light on an otherwise tortured soul.

Three-time Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) winner Goldikova, multiple Eclipse Award-winning jockeys Javier Castellano,*the late Garrett Gomez, and Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza have been elected to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in the contemporary category, it was announced April 24.

The electees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Aug. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The ceremony is open to the public and free to attend.*

Goldikova, Castellano, Espinoza, and Gomez will be inducted along with the previously announced steeplechase selections of Tom Voss and Good Night Shirt. The Pillars of the Turf inductees will be announced in May.*

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...ldikova-espinoza-among-hall-of-fame-inductees

Winningest Breeders' Cup jockeys:

Mike Smith 126 starts - 25 wins
Jerry Bailey 102 starts - 15 wins
Garrett Gomez 83 starts - 13 wins
John Velazquez 158 starts - 13 wins
Frankie Dettori 92 starts - 12 wins
Pat Day 117 starts - 12 wins

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 26, 2017

April 26, 2017

Keeneland (Kenutcky):

Joel Rosario won the opener, continuing a run in which he was victorious on 8 of 12 mounts.

Gulfstream (Florida):

Luca Panici won twice today including a $24.20 winner.

Tampa Bay Downs (Tampa Bay):

Bombs away in the finale and a fun race to watch. A $74.70 winner and a runnerup, at 77-to-1 who led into the stretch, paid $49.80 in the middle. The exacta was $1,676, the $.50 Pick 5 returned $7,766.30, the $1 super paid $46,040.70 and the $1 Super High Five...was not hit! The top five finishers went off at 36-1, 77-1, 5-1, 19-1 and 57-1.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 27, 2017

Junior Alvarado will be sidelined two months due to another left shoulder injury which will require surgery. He had returned earlier in April after shoulder surgery in December but was dumped Sunday during a ride. Alvarado was my prime New York play.

Also, I noticed on the Belmont entries this weekend that multiple graded stakes winner Calgary Cat will be running Saturday. Calgary Cat is 12-for-28 lifetime with 26 races at Woodbine (one each at Santa Anita and Saratoga). Belmont opens its meet Friday.

April 27, 2017

Keeneland (Kentucky):

The popular meet closes this weekend.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is 14 7-2-0 at the meet after a victory today. 50% at this meet is incredible.
Riders John Velazquez, Jose Lezcano, Corey Lanerie and trainer James Toner each won twice. Lezcano's two wins came on turf and a third ride, also on turf, paid $9.60 in the middle. Joel Rosario was in the money all four rides and ended the day 4 1-1-2.

Gulfstream (Florida):

Tyler Gaffalione and Nik Juarez each won twice.
The finale produced a $54.60 winner which led to one single ticket winning the Rainbow Six. The $.50 Pick 4 paid over $8,500. The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $18,000. The $.20 Pick 6 paid more than $180,000. There was one winner apparently from Nassau County.

Prairie Meadows (Iowa):

The meet opened today with some interesting results.
Race 1, the exacta paid $434.
Race 4, the exacta paid $402.60. The tri paid $3,206.40.
Race 5, the Pick 4 paid $13,916.20. The Pick 3 paid $1,779. There was an $85.00 winner. The exacta paid $295.20. The tri returned $2,896.20.
Race 9, the winner paid $49.20. The exacta paid $136.00. The Pick 3 paid $4,714.20. The Pick 4 paid $24,359. The Pick 5, which wasn't hit, paid $4,841 for having four of five correct.

Santa Anita (California):

Canceled its race card for today due to insufficient entries.

Monticello Raceway (New York):

In the harness world, there was a 100-to-1 winner which returned $202. The exacta was $3.770. The trifecta was $9,689. The superfecta was $73,124.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 28, 2017

April 28. 2017

Keeneland (Kentucky):

The 15-day meet closed today with an average daily attendance of 16,816. On-track handle was $17,668,979. All-sources wagering totaled $137,399,556 or about an average slightly more than $9,000,000. Winningest riders were Joel Rosario (17), Corey Lanerie (15), Julien Leparoux (12) and Javier Castellano (12). Winningest trainers were Wesley Ward (11), Todd Pletcher (8) and Kiaran McLaughlin (7). Churchill Downs opens April 28 (Saturday).
Merrill Scherer , who trains mostly in the Midwest and is 27 9-4-4 (33% wins) in 2017, won comfortably with a rare entry today. He went 2-for-2 at Keeneland this meet. He has been training since 1962 according to one account.
Joel Rosario won the first of his three scheduled mounts. He has been in the money in 8 of his last 10 rides the last three days.
In the 8th race, the 4-to-5 favorite was off-the-board which led to a $.50 trifecta of $594.
In the Grade III $150,000 feature, the longest shot on the board won at 16-to-1 and paid $34.20. Brian Hernandez, Jr. was the winning rider and chased down Julien Leparoux who led most of the 1 1/2 mile race.

Belmont (New York):

The meet opened today with a John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher winner. Pletcher also owns the 4-year-old named Thebigfundamental who is a 4-year-old son to Uncle Mo.
In the fourth race, the first shocker of the meet when a 60-to-1 produced a $123 winner. The winner beat an 8-to-5 favorite. The $.50 trifecta paid $1.578.00.
The feature race was a difficult, enjoyable yet frustrating one to handicap (example: Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher had a 12-to-1 morning line). As it unfolded, trainer David Donk finished 1-2 with John Velazquez riding a 5-to-2 winner and Irad Ortiz, Jr, in the uncommon role of riding a 37-to-1. The $.50 trifecta with Dylan Davis brining home a 79-to-1 shot for third place returned $1,237.50.

Laurel (Maryland):

Lane Luzzi found the winner's circle in the opener on a 7-to-1, a good ride on a horse that could have been used. It was just his 4th win in 103 starts in 2017.
Jevian Toledo scored a hat trick with wins in his first three rides: races 2, 3 and 4. he finished 7 3-0-1 today.
Horatio Karamanos also won three races (five starts).
Linda Rice found the inside hole to her liking today with two victories in two tries. Her record is now 43 23-6-6 which is a tremendous 53% winning and 81% in the money.
The $.50 Pick 5 returned over $8,700.

Gulfstream (Florida):

Tyler Gaffalione won twice and finished in the money in five of his starts. His record today was 6 2-2-1.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 28, 2017

FWIW, to this date, many observers say that Always Dreaming (one of Todd Pletcher's colts in the Kentucky Derby) is training very well and even impressively. Pletcher termed it "exceptional." He didn't appear to be nearly as enthused about Battalion Runner. He seemed to be happy with Tapwrit's work and satisfied with that of Patch.

Pletcher has only two of a potential five jockeys confirmed for his mounts. Manny Franco, I suppose, is one waiting in the wing, Tyler Gaffalione has options one of which is Pletcher. The fifth colt may not be entered. Veterans such as Gary Stevens and Kent Desormeaux could also be available depending on whom is entered.

Also, Girvin and a potential foot issue seem to be a concern.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 29, 2017

April 29, 2017

Notes

The week before the Kentucky Derby is generally quiet.
Just an awesome collaborate moment today in that the three Davis children all won races within minutes of each other. Robbie Davis's daughters won at Philly (Jacqueline) and Laurel (Katie) and son Dylan was victorious at Belmont.
Todd Pletcher was a combined 7 3-1-2 at Belmont and Gulfstream. He gets extraordinary horses but he and his staff(s) also win.
John Velazquez gets to drive Cadillacs but he is also 6-1-4 in 14 starts the last three days.

Parx (Philadelphia, PA):

Pennsylvania-bred Page McKenney was a pleasure to watch in winning the $100,000 feature race. He is now 47 18-14-14 and has surpassed $1,500,000 earned...and the hard way! Great story. He was claimed for $16,000 after a race in 2013. Page McKenney is 7-4-0 in his last 11 starts and has been in the money in 27 straight races and has not been out of the money since April 25, 2014 . That is something exceptional for the mid-Atlantic superstar. On turf, Page is 14 5-2-1 and on dirt, he is 33 13-12-3 (28 of 33 in the $$$).

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

The meet opened tonight under the lights and so far Corey Lanerie has the shining star. He was the winning rider in the first THREE races.
[*]Jose Lezcano/Bill Mott won the feature race with The Money Monster and a $17,00 winner. Syndergaard (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) failed as the 3-to-10 favorite with a fourth place finish. The $2 exacta returned $150.

Belmont (New York):

John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher won consecutive races.
In today's finally, Jose Ortiz was removed from the win after an inquiry/objection. He impeded Mike Luzzi who originally finished third. This time, Ortiz vs. Luzzi went Luzzi's way with the latter was elevated to second place and Ortiz bounced from first to third. Kendrick Carmouche was the winning rider, he finished second prior to the DQ. Unfortunately, Luzzi couldn't get raised two spots.

Laurel (Maryland):

Beaches N Bourbon had to be played, right? And it was a winner.
Sheldon Russell won for the first time since his latest return from an injury. His last prior win came at some point in 2016.
Linda Rice's magnificent streak hit a temporary bump with two losses in two starts.

Gulfstream (Florida):

It is that time of the year. The Grade III Miami Mile had just four runners after three others were scratched. The race was won by Tyler Gaffalione who had two wins today.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 30, 2017

April 30, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

In the feature race today, Tyler Gaffalione and Luca Panici were sent off at odds of 7-to-1 and 9-to-1, respectively. Those odds were two of the three highest on the board and in a stakes race. Too easy to pass. Gaffalione won but Panici finished third. The exacta would have been dynamite; however, a $16.40 winner with the meet's top jock is special. Chalk up two more wins for Gaffalione.

Belmont (New York):

Some of the nation's top riders were getting situated n New York today since Gulfstream is off-season and Kentucky is dark today. And as such, the cream-of-the-crop headed each ticket. Luis Saez (2), Cornelio Velasquez (2; top caliber, at least for New York), Javier Castellano, John Velazquez, Joel Rosario, Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz, Jr. each won.
Vincent Viola's Army Mule was simply fantastic. Purchased for $825,000, the colt made his maiden appearance and walloped the field.

Belterra (Cincinnati, Ohio):

Chelsey Keiser, who is from Ohio, won the first two races bringing home $35 and $10 winners for a daily double of $101.80.

Laurel (Maryland):

Alex Cintron had three wins in four starts and won five of his 10 rides combined Saturday and Sunday.
Ashley Castrenze had a rare favorite and delivered in the finale.

Santa Anita (California):

Flavien Prat won three times.
In the Grade III stakes race, the $1 exacta paid $65 topped by Rafael Bejarano on board a 3-to-1 shot.
Kent Desormeaux was off his mounts and no reason was issued per Bloodhorse.

Golden Gate (California):

Mario Gutierrez/Doug O'Neill combined to win the $100,450 Silky Sullivan feature race with B Squared.

Mountaineer (West Virginia):

Under the lights, rider Luis Quinones has finished first or second on all six mounts. 6 2-4-0.

MiamiScreamingEagles · Apr 30, 2017

This is a staggering sum. Good luck to the connections.

Hip No. 793, a son of Tiznow consigned by Bobby Dodd, Agent, went to John F. Moynihan, Agent for M. V. Magnier, for an OBS record $2,450,000 to top the third session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2017 Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. The bay colt, whose eighth in *:9 3/5 at Thursday's Under Tack session was the sale's co-fastest at the distance, is out of Moonbow, by Distorted Humor, a daughter of stakes winner Storm Beauty. The price surpassed the all-time OBS record of $1.9 million for Inheritance, a daughter of Tapit, purchased by Solis/Litt out of the Woodford Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2015 Spring Sale.

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/follow-day-3-obs-spring-sale/

MiamiScreamingEagles · May 2, 2017

Updates on some runners:

Miss Temple City will run in the Grade II Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill Downs Saturday. Tepin, now retired, won this race the last two years.

Mohaymen is expected to run in the Grade III Westchester Handicap at Belmont Saturday.

Songbird is working her way back. She could run as early as May 7 in the Grade III Adoration Stakes at Santa Anita which was won by Beholder the last two years. Songbird is 12 11-1-0 lifetime losing only by a nose to Beholder in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff. The other part of the plan for Songbird is to get her ready for the Grade I Beholder Mile Stakes (recently renamed, formerly the Vanity) at Santa Anita June 3.

Shaman Ghost, who finished second to Arrogate in the Pegasus, the race with the world's largest purse, is scheduled to run May 19 at Laurel Park in the Pimlico Special. Following that, he could run in the Grade II Suburban Handicap at Belmont July 8.

Arrogate's immediate plans are barren with his next scheduled race to be August 19 in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

MiamiScreamingEagles · May 3, 2017

The early forecast for Louisville Saturday calls for rain, something that is possible for the entire latter half of this week. This topsy-turvy Derby season just got potentially odder. Look at the pedigree and who likes it wet. Then again, Kent Desormeaux rode Exaggerator fairly successfully in the slop last year. Can the Desormeaux's repeat this year with their late Derby addition? Why not. A maiden hasn't won the Derby since 1933.

NBC SPORTS KENTUCKY OAKS AND KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE

Link: http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2...ghting-nbc-sports-groups-derby-week-coverage/
Live coverage of 21 races on Thursday, Friday and Saturday:
Five live races on Thursday, May 4, at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN
Seven live races on Friday, May 5, at Noon ET and 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN (includes Race 9 streamed live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app)
Nine live races during NBCSN (Noon ET) and NBC Derby Day (2:30 p.m. ET) coverage (including five live races in the NBC show)

===================
KENTUCKY OAKS (Grade III)

What: The feature race on Friday's Churchill Downs card.
History: First run in 1875.
When: Friday, May 5, 2017, Race 11 of 13, 6:12 PM Eastern Time
Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $1,000,000
Runners (age, sex): Three-year-olds, fillies. All will carry 121 pounds.
Preview article: http://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article148065544.html
Full card: http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD050617USA-EQB.html#RACE12
Television: NBC Sports. Coverage starts at 12:00 pm ET. Race coverage begins approximately 5:00 pm ET.
Radio: Sirius 219/XM 206. Coverage starts at 3:00 pm ET.

PP

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex

|

Jockey

|

Trainer

|

Morning Line

15 (AE) = also eligible; filly could be scratched
========================================

KENTUCKY DERBY (Grade I)

What: The 143rd running of "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports."
History: First run in 1875.
When: Saturday, May 6, 2017, Race 12 of 14, 6:46 PM Eastern Time
Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $2,000,000
Runners (age, sex): Three-year-olds, open. All entered are colts. All will carry 126 pounds.
Betting Guide with Past Performances: http://www.brisnet.com/brisnet_promos/TwinSpires-Kentucky-Derby-Betting-Guide.pdf
Full card: http://www.drf.com/race-entries/track/CD/country/USA/date/05-05-2017
Television: Coverage starts at 12:00 pm ET on NBC Sports then moves to NBC at 2:30 pm ET through 7:20 pm ET.

PP

|

Rank/Pts.

| Horse (location bred) |

Trainer

|

Points

|

Money Earned

|

Jockey

|

Odds

7.| 1.| Girvin (KY) | Joe Sharp| 150| $849,800| Mike Smith | 15-1
14.| 2.| Classic Empire (KY) | Mark Casse| 132| $2,093,820| Julien Leparoux | 4-1
18.| 3.| Gormley (KY) | John Shirreffs| 125| $884,000| Victor Espinoza | 15-1
9.| 4.| Irap (KY) | Doug O'Neill| 113| $744,000 | Mario Gutierrez | 20-1
17.| 5.| Irish War Cry (NJ) | Graham Motion| 110| $672,660| Rajiv Maragh | 6-1
2.| 6.| Thunder Snow (IRE) | Saeed bin Suroor| 100| $1,621,063| Christophe Soumillon | 20-1
5.| 7.| Always Dreaming (KY) | Todd Pletcher|100| $589,000 | John Velazquez | 5-1
10.| 8.| Gunnevera (KY) | Antonio Sano| 84| $1,137,800| Javier Castellano | 15-1
19.| 9.| Practical Joke (KY) | Chad Brown| 74| $966,000| Joel Rosario |20-1
13.| 10.| J Boys Echo (KY) | Dale Romans| 63| $305,000| Luis Saez | 20-1
6.| 11.| State of Honor (ON) | Mark Casse| 62| $309,564| Jose Lezcano |30-1
16.| 12.| Tapwrit (KY) | Todd Pletcher| 54| $295,570| Jose Ortiz | 20-1
8.| 14.| Hence (KY) | Steve Asmussen| 50| $481,129| Florent Geroux |20-1
3.| 15.| Fast and Accurate (PA) | Mike Maker| 50| $320,712| Channing Hill | 50-1
15.| 16.| McCraken (KY) | Ian Wilkes| 40| $385,048 | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | 5-1
11.| 17.| Battle of Midway (KY) | Jerry Hollendorfer| 40| $224,000| Flavien Prat | 30-1
20.| 18.| Patch (KY) | Todd Pletcher| 40| $200,000| Tyler Gaffalione | 30-1
4.| 21.| Untrapped (KY) | Steve Asmussen| 34| $210,000 | Ricardo Santana, Jr. |30-1
1.| 22.| Lookin At Lee (KY) | Steve Asmussen| 32| $428,600| Corey Lanerie |20-1
12.| 23.| Sonneteer (KY) | Keith Desormeaux| 30| $236,000| Kent Desormeaux | 50-1

Sixteen of the twenty runners were bred in Kentucky. The exceptions were bred in Ireland, Canada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

NOTE: The Derby entrants can be listed by hitting refresh (F5) and then the column header.

MiamiScreamingEagles · May 3, 2017

May 3, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

Tyler Gaffalione continues his hot run. He was 9 3-3-1 (three wins, three seconds in nine starts).
Todd Pletcher may have a 2-year-old in which buzz could follow. Admiral Jimmy won by nearly four lengths in his debut.

Belmont (New York):

In race 7, Todd Pletcher had a 16-to-1 winner. That doesn't happen often nor does one of his runners go off at that price in a nondescript race.
At the two tracks today, Pletcher was a combined 4 3-1-0.

MiamiScreamingEagles · May 4, 2017

Just a side note, Todd Pletcher has 20 starters covering four tracks Saturday including 8 in stakes races.

May 4, 2017

Belmont (New York):

My theory that when Joel Rosario wins early enough on a card that he will repeat was verified for at least another day as he won the third race and returned to the winner's circle in race 4. He won race 7 as well. Rosario has found the magic elixir the last few weeks.
Todd Pletcher won with Driven by Speed, a 5-to-1 New York-bred. This horse could be making noise in New York turf races as the summer approaches.

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

The weather could be an issue the next two days and though perhaps unrelated, Churchill had a lengthy delay today prior to race 6.
Legendary rider Calvin Borel won the last race of the day. It was one day short of the 10-year anniversary of Borel's first Kentucky Derby win in 2007: "a stretch-running sensation."
The $.50 Pick 5 to close the day paid over $23,000. This weekend will be fun!

Gulfstream (Florida):

Jockey Edgard Zayas won three times.
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione had zero winners in seven mounts which is an otherwise bad day for a solid rider. But he also has other rides on the horizon this weekend, one of the biggest in his young life.
Nice horses don't finish last or something to that affect. Durocher, presumably named for the baseball legend, is now 3-for-6 lifetime and has won his last three after a timely ride by the affable Luca Panici. Follow this horse, not many Texas-breds make it to south Florida but this one has achieved success. Winner went off at 6-to-1.

Laurel (Maryland):

Jockey Trevor McCarthy won three times.
A good opening race with four across the wire. Trainer Linda Rice was sent off at 3-to-1 from the far outside post (11) in a short race, but the horse managed a victory.

Santa Anita (California):

There was one winning ticket in the Pick Six worth $439,362. Someone is a happy camper heading into the weekend.

Soliloquy of a Dogge · May 4, 2017

Classic Empire - Irish War Cry - McCracken
Irish War Cry - Classic Empire - Thunder Snow - McCracken

Abel to win, Paradise Woods to place and Farrell to show in the Oaks.

Soliloquy of a Dogge · May 4, 2017

Not This Time was my Derby winner and would've been the class of this field though.

MiamiScreamingEagles · May 4, 2017

^ I am surprised Farrell got a 5-to-1 morning line. That seems like a good play in exotics especially if the line holds.

-----------------------------

Interesting news out of New York...

New York racing’s landscape is about to undergo a significant change.

The New York Racing Association will remove the inner track at Aqueduct and replace it with a second turf course. Further, the main dirt track will be renovated to allow winter racing on it.

The project to remove the inner track began this week – shortly after the Aqueduct backstretch was closed for training for the summer – and should be completed by the time Aqueduct reopens for training in September, and certainly by the time racing returns in November.

When Aqueduct’s current incarnation opened in 1959, it had one dirt track and two turf courses. In 1975, the outer turf course was replaced by a one-mile inner dirt track. The inner track had a limestone base that enabled it to handle winter weather better than the main track, which had a clay/silt/sand base.

http://www.drf.com/news/aqueducts-inner-track-will-become-turf-course

GKJ · May 5, 2017

Mike Smith is the best jockey of all time

MiamiScreamingEagles · May 5, 2017

May 5, 2017

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

KENTUCKY OAKS: Races such as the 2017 Kentucky Oaks can humble the most astute handicapper. Much of the day, the track favored speed over closers until the likes of Farrell faded to obscurity in this feature race. Perhaps it is a prelude for tomorrow, depending on how any future rains hamper the events, but the sloppy conditions today didn't help Farrell who won twice on a wet track and twice at Churchill.
Payouts in the Oaks were remarkable. $20.40 winner. $203.00 for the exacta. $5,727.60 for the trifecta. $171,110.20 (stunning!) for the superfecta, $2,606.60 for anyone who hit 5 out of 6 in the Pick 6 (no one hit the Pick 6 with 6 winners). $131,423.40 for the Pick 5 (mind-blowing!). $24,831.40 for the Pick 4. $3,654.60 for the Pick 3. All based on $2 bets. A payout for the ages. Abel Tasman (Mike Smith/Bob Baffert) is now 4-for-7 lifetime and ended a 2-race skid. The 6-to-5 favorite Paradise Woods, who was coming off an 11 3/4 length win at Santa Anita, failed to make the board or any impact. The race finished 13-12-2-6.
Race 9: The numbers were representative of what can happen this weekend. This was the only non-graded stakes race from 4 through 11. $612.40 for the double. $62.00 winner. $932.20 for the exacta. $8,639.40 for the trifecta. $26,938.00 for the superfecta. $5,204.20 for the Pick 3. All for $2 wagers.
Race 7: $20,000+ superfecta. The Pick 4 paid $5,170. The Pick 5 returned $16,345.80.
Race 4: The Pick 4 paid $11,899.80.
There were 6 graded stakes races on the card of 13. A quality support card to the Oaks. Attendance in the dismal weather, the lowest temperature for an Oaks since 1940, exceeded 105,000. All-sources wagering on the full card was $48.9 million including $14.9m on the feature race. By my count, there was just one race held in approximately a span of 2 hours and 20 minutes some of which was due to the ceremonies preceding and following the Oaks. That is the benefit of simulcast racing and where network TV fails in broadcasting.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

Race 9: The Pick 5 paid $98,565.20. The Pick4 returned $19,646. The Pick 3 paid $3,237.20. All for $2 wagers.

Gulfstream (Florida):

Emisael Jaramillo won four of his six rides.
An Ontario-bred named Peart broke his maiden. Perhaps there is a connection to the band Rush.

Santa Anita (California):

The Joe Talamo Hat Trick. Win the final three races on the card and collect $102 for every dollar wagered.

Belmont (New York):

A card interrupted by torrential rains the expectation which led to many scratches.
The life of a jockey. Tyler Gaffalione, who rode in south Florida Thursday and will be in Kentucky Saturday had six scheduled rides in New York today but was scratched on half.
Race 4: Seven of the 10 horses were scratched which led to a 29 3/4 length victory (you read that correctly) by rider Dylan Davis.
A herky-jerky ride by 7-pound bug Hector Diaz, Jr. whose 7 bumped the 8 out of the gate and then cut in front, legally as it was evaluated, the 6 in the stretch. The winner was sent off at 10-to-1.

Horse Racing: Sat. Belmont's card (post #1134), NBC coverage begins at 4:30 pm ET

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Stanley Cup 2022

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

I love you, Boots

I love you, Boots

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Global Moderator

Ad

Ad

Ad