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

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

April 8, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 2: Four across the wire. Always entertaining.
• Race 9: What a finish in the finale. Junior Alvarado rode with a vengeance for his second victory of the day. He defeated Irad Ortiz, Jr. in an impressive stretch battle. Both runners were out for the first time, the only two to debut in the race.
• Manny Franco won three times including the feature $100,000 race.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Race 1: Top Prospect, trained by Mary Eppler, won for the 5th straight time. What makes the story compelling is he is a 10-year old. The gelding still wants to run. Cool stuff.
• Race 9: A rare South Carolina bred ran.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Samy Camacho won his first two starts which gave him a record of 7-1-1 with his last 12 mounts. A stupendous streak. He won multiple times for the fourth straight card.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 9: Jason Servis trained a winner for the 1,000th time; however, he was not present in the winner's circle. It was his only starter of the day.
• Luca Panici, by my count, ended an 82-race skid today. He last won in late February. He struggled mightily in the winter/spring Championship Meet. I expect him to see the winner's circle with some consistency in this spring/summer meet.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Chad Brown is an incredible 10 6-1-1 in the opening three days of the meet. He seemed to be dormant the last few weeks especially at Gulfstream but perhaps he was preparing his horses for Keeneland which has a better turf course than Gulfstream.
• Mark Casse, one win in 14 starts, and Michael Maker, one win in 13 starts, are cold at the meet. Maker, however, finished 1st and 2nd in the same race today with 26-to-1 and 16-to-1 bombers. The $1 exacta paid $347.30. The $.50 tri paid more than $1,200.
• Julio Garcia is 5 2-2-1. He is the exercise rider for Wesley Ward and generally limits his rides to that trainer. He is 56 years of age. He should be considered when playing.
• OK, once again, when Joel Rosario wins early he generally repeats. This happens too frequently not to boast. Rosario won twice yesterday in California and then twice today in Kentucky.
• Race 7: Gas Station Sushi (Corey Nakatani/Richard Baltas) won the $150,000 Grade III Beaumont.

​

• Race 8: Rushing Fall (Javier Castellano/Chad Brown) is now a perfect 4 4-0-0 after a win in the Grade II Appalachian on turf. Rushing Fall is owned by a somewhat young conglomerate that goes under the banner e5 Racing Thoroughbreds, a pharmaceutical company based in Boca Raton, Florida which also happens to be part owner of leading Kentucky Derby contender Good Magic.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Of the 10 winningest trainers at the meet, five have percentages of 20% or better. It has been that competitive in terms of percentages; however, Steve Asmussen has a healthy 8-race lead in the win column.
• Race 1: A McLean Robertson-trained horse opened it up in the stretch and demolished the field by more than 8 lengths.
• Race 2: A 54-to-1 looked potent and paid $111.50 for the win.

Santa Anita (California):

• There was one winning ticket in the $2 pick six and it was worth $730,315. The winner invested $39,874. That is a sizeable chunk of change. Perhaps it was a group effort. Early reports say the ticket was purchased in Oregon which seems not uncommon for big Santa Anita pots.
• Race 7: Hoppertunity (Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert) won for the 8th time , is now 30 8-7-5 and has earned close to $5,000,000.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The Kentucky Derby points leaders. The field is limited to 20 horses and no more than three will be added to an also eligible list. The field is based on a points system (in the first post of this thread). This will change after next week's final major Derby prep, the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn.

[TR][TH]#	Horse	Points	Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings	Career Earnings	Trainer	Breeder/Owner
1	Good Magic	134	$1,838,400	$1,855,000	Chad C. Brown	Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables LLC
2	Audible	110	$803,520	$882,920	Todd A. Pletcher	Oak Bluff Stables, LLC WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd. and SF Racing LLC
3	Noble Indy	110	$640,000	$691,600	Todd A. Pletcher	WinStar Farm LLC WinStar Farm LLC and Repole Stable
4	Vino Rosso	107	$572,500	$620,500	Todd A. Pletcher	John D. Gunther Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
5	Bolt d'Oro	104	$980,000	$1,016,000	Mick Ruis	WinStar Farm LLC Ruis Racing LLC
6	Enticed	103	$545,880	$595,680	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Godolphin Godolphin Racing LLC
7	Justify	100	$600,000	$666,000	Bob Baffert	John D. Gunther WinStar Farm LLC
8	Flameaway	70	$672,260	$704,834	Mark E. Casse	Phoenix Rising Farms John C. Oxley
9	Bravazo	54	$359,913	$436,528	D. Wayne Lukas	Calumet Farm Calumet Farm
10	Promises Fulfilled	52	$266,480	$337,280	Dale L. Romans	David Jacobs Robert J. Baron
11	Magnum Moon	50	$540,000	$577,800	Todd A. Pletcher	Ramona S. Bass, LLC. Low, Lawana L. and Robert E.
12	Runaway Ghost	50	$456,350	$563,510	Todd Fincher	Joe Peacock Joe Peacock
13	Quip	50	$212,000	$282,800	Rodolphe Brisset	WinStar Farm LLC WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd. and SF Racing LLC
14	Free Drop Billy	44	$597,200	$625,220	Dale L. Romans	Helen K. Groves Revokable Trust Albaugh Family Stables LLC
15	Lone Sailor	42	$273,347	$334,237	Thomas M. Amoss	Alexander - Groves - Matz, LLC. G M B Racing
16	McKinzie	40	$320,000	$350,000	Bob Baffert	Summer Wind Farm Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul
17	Hofburg	40	$192,000	$227,950	William I. Mott	Juddmonte Farms Inc Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
18	Firenze Fire	39	$647,500	$669,100	Jason Servis	Mr Amore Stables Mr. Amore Stable
19	Solomini	34	$616,000	$652,000	Bob Baffert	Glenna R. Salyer DVM Zayat Stables, LLC
20	My Boy Jack	32	$502,000	$525,145	J. Keith Desormeaux	Brereton C. Jones Don't Tell My Wife Stables and Monomoy Stables, LLC
21	Instilled Regard	29	$246,000	$294,000	Jerry Hollendorfer	KatieRich Farms OXO Equine LLC
22	Catholic Boy	24	$378,000	$402,000	Jonathan Thomas	Fred W. Hertrich III & John D. Fielding Robert V. LaPenta
23	Snapper Sinclair	22	$321,810	$372,360	Steven M. Asmussen	K & G Stables Bloom Racing Stable LLC (Jeffrey Bloom)
24	Combatant	22	$300,000	$338,550	Steven M. Asmussen	Paget Bloodstock Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC
25	Blended Citizen	22	$159,444	$196,854	Doug O'Neill	Ray Hanson Hall, Greg and Sayjay Racing, LLC
26	Strike Power	20	$209,560	$234,760	Mark A. Hennig	Courtlandt Farm Courtlandt Farms (Donald and Donna Adam)
27	Dream Baby Dream	20	$176,000	$247,643	Steven M. Asmussen	Pegasus Stud LLC Dream Baby Dream Racing Stable
28	Restoring Hope	20	$100,000	$146,880	Bob Baffert	Gary & Mary West Stables, Inc. West, Gary and Mary
29	Old Time Revival	20	$100,000	$128,400	Kenneth Decker	Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Jacks or Better Farm, Inc.
30	Mississippi	20	$96,000	$153,730	Mark E. Casse	Whisper Hill Farm, LLC Magnier, M., Tabor, M., Oxley, J., Smith, D. and Jooste, M.

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[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Just to put Army Mule's 114 Beyer into perspective, here is a listing of such figures for 2018 to date:

Horse	Track	Date	Distance	Beyer Figure
Gun Runner	Gulfstream	January 27	1 1/8 mile	119
West Coast	Gulfstream	January 27	1 1/8 mile	115
Army Mule	Aqueduct	April 7	7 furlongs	114
Accelerate	Santa Anita	March 10	1 1/4 mile	110
Unique Bella	Santa Anita	February 10	1 1/16 mile	109

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[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Color me surprised. Johnny V. stayed in the U.S. to ride Audible in the Florida Derby rather than Forever Unbridled in Dubai in a $10,000,000 race. Perhaps she was overmatched and Johnny V. knew that and/or maybe there was the element of a long journey; however, I am surprised he has chosen Vino Rosso over Audible as a potential Kentucky Derby mount.

Castellano has disassociated himself from Bolt d' Oro who was not among my top five Derby horses at any point -- still has the talent to win -- but Castellano has chosen to remain with a Pletcher mount over Mick Ruis, however that could say more about the horses than the trainers. Fascinating turn of events. And maybe it is about future business practices.

Bolt d'Oro? Now has Victor Espinoza riding.

As far as Pletcher's fourth KY Derby contender -- Magnum Moon will be ridden by Luis Saez -- he is taking applications to ride Noble Indy. That shouldn't be too difficult of a find. Plus, Tyler Gaffalione is awaiting a call.

Leading Kentucky Derby contenders (not in true alphabetical order due to changes)

Horse	Sire	Possible Jockey	Trainer
Audible	Into Mischief	Javier Castellano	Todd Pletcher
Bolt d' Oro	Medaglia d' Oro	Victor Espinoza	Mick Ruis
Bravazo	Awesome Again	Gary Stevens	Wayne Lukas
Combatant	Scat Daddy	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	Steve Asmussen
Flameaway	Scat Daddy	Jose Lezcano	Mark Casse
Free Drop Billy	Union Rags	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Dale Romans
Firenze Fire	Poseidon's Warrior	Paco Lopez	Jason Servis
Enticed	Medaglia d'Oro	Junior Alvarado	Kiaran McLaughlin
Gronkowski	Lonhro	Jamie Spencer	Jeremy Noceda
Good Magic	Curlin	Jose Ortiz	Chad Brown
Hofburg	Tapit	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Bill Mott
Instilled Regard	Arch	Joel Rosario	Jerry Hollendorfer
Justify	Scat Daddy	Mike Smith	Bob Baffert
Lone Sailor	Majestic Warrior	James Graham	Thomas Amoss
Magnum Moon	Malibu Moon	Luis Saez	Todd Pletcher
Mendelssohn	Scat Daddy	Ryan Moore	Aidan O'Brien
My Boy Jack	Creative Cause	Kent Desormeaux	Keith Desormeaux
Noble Indy	Take Charge Indy		Todd Pletcher
Promises Fulfilled	Shackelford		Dale Romans
Quip	Distorted Humor	Florent Giroux	Rodolphe Brisset
Runaway Ghost (injured)	Ghostzapper	Tracy Hebert	Todd Fincher
Solomini	Curlin	Flavien Prat	Bob Baffert
Snapper Sinclair	City Zip		Steve Asmussen
Vino Rosso	Curlin	John Velazquez	Todd Pletcher

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Notes:

• Red and bold under jockey means the rider has been confirmed in the last 24 hours. Others are almost as guaranteed but have yet to be confirmed in such a way.
• The Arkansas Derby is Saturday and among the contestants will be Quip and Solomini.
• Among some named riders without mounts are Tyler Gaffalione, Joel Rosario, Joe Bravo, Robby Albarado, Trevor McCarthy, Shaun Bridgmohan, Corey Lanerie, Calvin Borel, Drayden Van Dyke, Martin Garcia and Mario Gutierrez.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Steve Haskin has released his latest Derby Dozen and the changes are apparent. Quip, Magnum Moon, and Solomini are expected to square off in the Arkansas Derby this Saturday. That should be a competitive race.

1. Vino Rosso
2. Good Magic
3. Justify
4. Audible
5. Bolt d'Oro
6. Mendelssohn
7. Magnum Moon
8. Quip
9. Solomini
10. Flameaway
11. Noble Indy
12. Enticed

Derby Dozen - April 10, 2018 - Presented by Shadwell Farm​

=====================================================

Here is the latest media poll:

Horse (first-place votes) Points
1. Justify (15) 480
2. Bolt d'Oro (1) 437
3. Audible (2) 427
4. Mendelssohn (4) 422
5. Magnum Moon 411
6. Good Magic (2) 401
7. Vino Rosso (1) 328
8. Noble Indy 277
9. Solomini 276
10. Flameaway 265
11. Enticed 264
12. Quip 219
13. Hofburg 193
14. My Boy Jack 168
15. Free Drop Billy 132
16. Runaway Ghost 119
17. Lone Sailor 101
18. Gronkowski 85
19. Bravazo 53
20. Promises Fulfilled 50​

Next 10 receiving votes (with points): Combatant (49), Restoring Hope (18), Sporting Chance (17), Firenze Fire (14), Greyvitos (13), Instilled Regard (8), Analyze It (7), Snapper Sinclair (7), Dream Baby Dream (4), Tenfold (4).

Santa Anita Derby winner Justify moves to top of 2018 Kentucky Derby Media Poll

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Im not sure what to think of the SA Derby. 7 horse field with no real front runners meant Justify was going to get to run its race with ease. Derby field is different and Im sure he faces more pressure there.

I was surprised by Vino in the Wood, as I thought he had no real excuses in the Tampa races.

That is an annual caution to infrequent bettors of the Derby. Factoring in field size can be complicated and the unknown can be risky.

Vino being propelled to the top of Haskin's list surprised me, too. The connections don't hurt but we could have seen DQ's with two important KY Derby races (McKinzie-Bolt d'Oro and Enticed-Vino Rosso).

As far as Smith and Justify...

Hovdey: Smith test-drives his Derby Cadillac | Daily Racing Form

Justify seems to have it all, except experience, and the Kentucky Derby is not the kind of race you can rehearse.

“There’s a lot of traffic, the pace is usually gruelling, and you’ve got to run from start to finish,” Smith said. “All of that might not come into play for your horse, but it’s always good to have one that’s been battle-tested.

“He showed me Saturday he’s got the grit for it,” the rider went on. “The best part of the race was the last 200 yards when he really leveled off and started to reach. Usually at that point you’re running on fumes, but he was just starting to get it together.”

Earlier, Justify had opened daylight on the field entering the backstretch. Was that his idea or the rider’s? “I thought I was going at a very comfortable pace, so I let him open up there to open up the race a little bit,” Smith said. “You take away your horse’s natural talent sometimes by slowing them down too much worrying about the pace. If he’s got that natural talent, why not let him use it? By doing that you turn it into a horse race, not just a sprint for home. Get the competition chasing maybe just a little instead of letting them into the race. And he got more out of it that way, too.”

As for facing a 20-horse Derby field, Smith feels Justify can deal with the crowd.

“He’s so athletic, he can get moving quick,” Smith said. “After he opened up the other day, I let him idle at the half-mile pole, then asked him again on the turn and he picked it right up. That helps in a race like the Kentucky Derby, because the opportunities can open and close so quick. And with his size, I sure wouldn’t want to get in a shoving match with him.”​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Horses in order of favoritism in the three-day April 6-8 Kentucky Derby Favorite Win Pool 4 (Odds and $2 Win Will Pays). The numbers to the left are representative of alphabetical order with #24 including anyone not on the list.

#12 Justify (3-1, $8.40);
#15 Mendelssohn (5-1, $12.60);
#1 Audible (7-1, $16.60);
#14 Magnum Moon (8-1, $19.80);
#8 Good Magic (9-1, $20.60);
#2 Bolt d'Oro (9-1, $21);
#24 Pari-mutuel field of all other 3-year-olds (17-1, $36.80);
#10 Hofburg (22-1, $47.80);
#22 Solomini (25-1, $53,80);
#5 Enticed (27-1, $56.80);
#17 My Boy Jack (27-1, $57.60);
#18 Noble Indy (31-1, $64.60);
#20 Quip (31-1, $64.80);
#6 Flameaway (42-1, $87.60);
#7 Free Drop Billy (47-1, $96.40);
#21 Runaway Ghost (53-1, $109.40); INJURED, will not run
#9 Gronkowski (61-1, $124.60);
#3 Bravazo (65-1, $133.20);
#4 Combatant (66-1, $135.60);
#13 Lone Sailor (78-1, $159.40);
#19 Promises Fulfilled (98-1, $198.80);
#11 Instilled Regard (104-1, $210.80);
#23 Title Ready (285-1, $573,80);
#16 Mississippi (scratched).​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

My review from April 7 which was somewhat subdued. The decision doesn't help those who lost the race. If Junior had done that.... many of us believe the outcome would have been handled differently.

Velazquez Fined $1,500 for Wood Memorial Bumping
Vino Rosso (Curlin) survived an inquiry and an objection by a rival rider in capturing Saturday’s GII Wood Memorial S., but a subsequent stewards’ ruling has imposed a $1,500 fine on winning jockey John Velazquez for “careless riding.”

Closing on the outside, Vino Rosso appeared to be the aggressor when tightening up on rail-running Enticed (Medaglia d’Oro) and jockey Junior Alvarado, delivering two solid bumps in rapid succession approaching the final furlong of the Wood.

The stewards’ ruling described the reason for the fine as a “failure to make a proper effort to maintain a straight course with his mount.” Purse and pari-mutuel payouts are not affected.​

============================================================

April 7, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 10: The $750,000 Grade II Wood Memorial (KY Derby prep race): Well, see my comment above in yesterday's review for authenticity. Once again, Junior Alvarado did not get the benefit of a call. It appeared there was rough riding in the stretch but at no point did I expect Johnny Velazquez to be removed from such a win. A very long objection/inquiry between the top two finishers. Anyway, Enticed is spent. He used every bit of energy. Vino Rosso (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) got the win while Enticed (Junior Alvarado/Kiaran McLaughlin) suffered a heartbreaking defeat.

From Andy Serling (NYRA analyst) who is not among those normally in Alvarado's camp: "I hope I bet a horse that wins and fouls a horse as badly as Vino Rosso did and doesn't come down. Won't ever happen but one can dream."

From Alvarado: "I got bumped three times right here, I got pinched in the rail. I mean, it needs to be just fair. this was way too much. Three bump, and I didn’t even bump it once. So I mean, I don’t even know what to say after that. It’s a completely B.S. "You know like, this is just like, I’m upset, but you know what I mean? Then if somebody else rides that way, it would’ve been taken down. It’s just ...not the right thing. I got bumped three times. I got fouled. What else do I need to get?" (Source: Leif Skodnick (@LeifSkodnick) | Twitter )


​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

April 11, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):

• Irad Ortiz, Jr. won four times and increased his lead as the winningest rider this year in North America to two over Luis Saez.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• When Joel Rosario wins early on a card, he will usually repeat. The point has been made often. It happened again.
• Calvin Borel won on a 16-to-1 shot in race 5.
• The $.50 Pick 5 was an astronomical $115,428.65. The $.50 Pick 4 paid over $11,000.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

ARKANSAS DERBY (Grade I)

What: The final major Kentucky Derby prep race.
Where: Oaklawn Park (Hot Springs, Arkansas).
When: Saturday, April 14, 2018, Race 11
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $1,000,000
Age: 3-year-old
Time: 6:18 pm Central Time (7:18 pm Eastern Time)
Television: TVG
History: First run in 1936, American Pharoah, Smarty Jones, Curlin and Afleet Alex are among the winners in the last 15 years.​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Beautiful Shot (FL)	Richard E. Eramia	122	J. Keith Desormeaux	30/1
2	Machismo (KY)	Scott Spieth	118	Anthony T. Quartarolo	20/1
3	Tenfold (KY)	Victor Espinoza	118	Steven M. Asmussen	10/1
4	Dream Baby Dream (KY)	Luis Contreras	118	Steven M. Asmussen	15/1
5	Solomini (KY)	Flavien Prat	118	Bob Baffert	2/1
6	Magnum Moon (KY)	Luis Saez	122	Todd A. Pletcher	8/5
7	Plainsman (KY)	C.J. McMahon	118	William B. Van Meter	30/1
8	Quip (KY)	Florent Geroux	122	Rodolphe Brisset	9/2
9	Combatant (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	118	Steven M. Asmussen	6/1

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STONESTREET LEXINGTON STAKES (Grade III)

What: Kentucky Derby prep race
Where: Keeneland Racecourse, Lexington, KY
When: Saturday, April 14, 2018, Race 9
Distance: 1 1/16 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $200,000
Age: 3-year-olds
Time: 5:34 pm Eastern Time
Television: TVG​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Battle At Sea (LA)	Kendrick Carmouche	118	Michael J. Maker	8/1
2	Telekinesis (ON)	Javier Castellano	118	Mark E. Casse	4/1
3	Seven Trumpets (KY)	Robby Albarado	118	Dale L. Romans	8/1
4	Honor Up (NY)	Jose L. Ortiz	118	William I. Mott	12/1
5	Magicalmeister (KY)	John McKee	118	James K. Chapman	20/1
6	Greyvitos (VA)	Joel Rosario	120	Adam Kitchingman	6/1
7	Pony Up (KY)	John R. Velazquez	118	Todd A. Pletcher	6/1
8	Gracida (LA)	Julien R. Leparoux	118	Doug F. O'Neill	12/1
9	Navy Armed Guard (KY)	David Delgado	118	Joan Scott	20/1
10	Zanesville (KY)	James Graham	118	Thomas M. Amoss	20/1
11	Arched Feather (KY)	Victor Lebron	118	Edward Harrison Frederick	20/1
12	My Boy Jack (KY)	Kent J. Desormeaux	120	J. Keith Desormeaux	5/2

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[MiamiScreamingEagles]

This is a deep field and should be a good one to handicap. Chad Brown sends three.

JENNY WILEY STAKES (Grade I)

Where: Keeneland Racecourse, Lexington, KY
When: Saturday, April 14, 2018, Race 10
Distance: 1 1/16 mile
Surface: Turf
Purse: $350,000
Age/sex: 4-year-olds-and-up, fillies and mares
Time: 6:12 pm ET​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Cambodia (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	120	Thomas F. Proctor	6-1
2	Lovely Bernadette (KY)	Robby Albarado	120	James P. DiVito	30-1
3	Off Limits (IRE)	Joel Rosario	123	Chad C. Brown	5-1
4	Dona Bruja (ARG)	Jose L. Ortiz	118	Ignacio Correas, IV	4-1
5	Kitten's Roar (KY)	Kendrick Carmouche	120	Michael J. Maker	12-1
6	Bletchley (GB)	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	118	Mark E. Casse	30-1
7	Sistercharlie (IRE)	John R. Velazquez	118	Chad C. Brown	7-2
8	La Coronel (KY)	Jose Lezcano	120	Mark E. Casse	9-2
9	Ultra Brat (KY)	Nik Juarez	118	H. Graham Motion	30-1
10	Proctor's Ledge (KY)	Feargal Lynch	118	Brendan P. Walsh	12-1
11	Fourstar Crook (NY)	Javier Castellano	120	Chad C. Brown	5-1

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[MiamiScreamingEagles]

April 12, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):

• Paco Lopez won three times and has victories in four of his last six starts.
• Linda Rice won both ends of the early daily double.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Breaking news...Todd Pletcher has a hot 2-year-old filly. In the first 2-year-old race of the season, Valkyrie Gold, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, looks like another potentially strong Pletcher runner. She won her maiden in a $65,000 race.

​

• Not the best of days for Tyler Gaffalione but he still managed a 2-2-3 mark with mounts in all 9 races.
• Race 5 was won by the effective Elizabeth Dobles with Tyler Gaffalione riding. She is young and learning but she is succeeding with Imaginary Stables among others.
• The $.50 Pick 5 following the 5th race paid over $51,000. The race day opened with a 23-to-1 bomb.

​

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• There were decent payouts, approximations posted below. Adam Beschizza had four mounts and factored effectively in three.
• Race 9, a $24.00 winner. Adam Beschizza paid $24.00 to win.
• Race 8, a $25.00 winner. Adam Beschizza paid $24.00 in the middle.
• Race 7, a $15.00 winner
• Race 5, a $23.00 winner. Adam Beschizza paid $23.00 to win.
• Race 4, a $14.00 winner.
• Race 3, a $22.00 winner.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Ricardo Santana, Jr. got a pie in the face after a celebratory photo op following his 1,000th lifetime victory. He gets to ride for Steve Asmussen and is very successful at it. Today, Santana rode in each of the 10 races, including seven for Asmussen, and was 4-2-2. He has been in the money 11 of his last 13 mounts.
• If there was such a thing as a lock -- and there isn't -- it was in the $150,000 feature race in which Mitole opened at 1-to-9 and won for Steve Asmussen at 2-to-5 under the direction of Ricardo Santana, Jr. The victory was by more than nine lengths.
• Race 7: A 7-to-1 won huge...by more than 10 lengths.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

OAKLAWN ADJUSTS ITS 2019 RACING CALENDAR
The shift in its racing schedule by Oaklawn for 2019 is breaking from its tradition. In 2019, the racing calendar will be extended into May which coincides with the Kentucky Derby. The meet is slated to open in late January and race for 57 days. It appears the Arkansas Derby will happen three weeks prior to the meet's close. The Derby this year follows the normal pattern of happening the weekend the track shuts for the year. McLean Robertson is on board by saying "I hate January racing. January is just a hard month to train in Arkansas." Oaklawn is an annual favorite. The track seemingly has bombs in the first few weeks then settles into a pattern. Astute handicappers can get frustrated with that pattern but reap profits when successful. No telling if that will change with the altered dates.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Aqueduct (New York):

• The combo of Javier Castellano and Chad Brown won twice. Other riders who won twice include Manny Franco and Jersey Joe Bravo. Joe Bravo: Have Whip, Will Travel!. Trainer Rick Violette won twice including with Junior Alvarado on the outside post at 8-to-1, a starter who was 1-for-22 lifetime. Alvarado on the outside, a match made in horse racing paradise and at 6-to-1.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Today's attendance surpassed 28,000 and was an all-time record for any Friday at the track.
• That "tote delay" following race 6 was among the longest I have experienced.
• In the $300,000 Grade I Maker's 46 Mile, Heart to Heart (Julien Leparoux/Brian Lynch) won for the 15th time including second straight Grade I victory.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Mike Allen won for the 2,000th time. His brother Ronnie, who was in the celebration photo, won twice. Samy Camacho, who got nipped by Allen in the milestone victory, had four victories today. He has been riding hot.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Jonathan Gonzales was one of four riders who won twice. He was absent from April 2017 until earlier this year though I am not sure the reason. He last tasted victory in November 2016.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Race 7: Mike Smith had two rides today. The first was for McLean Robertson, a trainer I have touted often. Using Smith should be an indication of Robertson's abilities. However, Amy's Challenge, 4 3-1-0 under regular rider Jareth Loveberry, was sent to the lead by Smith but faded to third in the Grade III $400,000 Fantasy Stakes. Sassy Sienna (Gary Stevens/Brad Cox), a filly I mentioned as a potential threat following her maiden race in Indiana on July 19, 2017, won at 11-to-1 and is now 9 3-2-2. But 1st and 3rd get nothing in exactas. Sassy Sienna could next appear in the Kentucky Oaks. The $2 Pick 3 paid over $3,000.

​

• Race 9: In the Grade I Apple Blossom, a $700,000 purse, Unbridled Mo (Ricardo Santana, Jr./Todd Pletcher) stole the show and recorded an $11.60 win. She is now 10 7-0-0 and didn't get near the respect she deserved. Unique Bella (tr. Jerry Hollendorfer) a sensational talent with wonderful pedigree, blew the break under Mike Smith, and finished second which in itself was terrific considering where she was initially. She is now 10 7-2-0 and was sent off as the prohibitive favor. This Unbridled pedigree sure is purdy good.

Friday, Oaklawn Park
APPLE BLOSSOM H.-GI, $700,000, OP, 4-13, 4yo/up, f/m,
1 1/16m, 1:43.94, gd.
1–UNBRIDLED MO, 116, m, 5, by Uncle Mo
1st Dam: Unbridled Waters, by Unbridled
2nd Dam: Waterside, by Topsider
3rd Dam: Talk Out, by Tobin Bronze
1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Red Oak Stable (Brunetti) (KY); T-Todd

1. Pletcher; J-Ricardo Santana, Jr.. $420,000. Lifetime Record:

10-7-0-0, $960,880. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the

2–Unique Bella, 123, f, 4, by Tapit
1st Dam: Unrivaled Belle, by Unbridled’s Song
2nd Dam: Queenie Belle, by Bertrando
3rd Dam: Lady Argyle, by Don B.
‘TDN Rising Star’ ($400,000 Ylg ’15 KEESEP). O-Don Alberto
Stable; B-Brushwood Stable (PA); T-Jerry Hollendorfer.
$140,000. *1/2 to Unbridled Essence (Essence of Dubai), GSW,
$324,957.​

» Unbridled Mo Scores the Upset in the Apple Blossom, Unique Bella Second

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

BEFORE THE RACE​

WINX GOING FOR 25 STRAIGHT WINS

Winx is attempting to win a race for the 25th consecutive time. If she succeeds, she will match Black Caviar for the all-time record in Australia's racing history.
When: Saturday, 3:05 pm local time, 1:05 am. Eastern Time; 10:05 pm Friday Pacific Time
Where: Royal Randwick Racecourse, (Australia)
What: (Grade I) Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Distance: 1 1/4 mile
Television: TVG
Radio: http://www.skyracing.com.au/index.php?component=content&Itemid=114&id=96/
Her last defeat: April 11, 2015
Jockey: Hugh Bowman is 24 23-1-0 on Winx and has ridden her last 21 races.
Trainer: Chris Waller.
Foaled: September 14, 2011
​

AFTER THE RACE​

Winx breaks last, rebounds and wins. Make that 25 straight wins.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

April 14, 2014

Aqueduct (New York):

• Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Chad Brown teamed for three wins and totaled a 6 3-2-1 day.
  • Ortiz, Jr. is scorching the meet with 12 wins, 32% winning percentage and in the money 62%.
  • Brown was 10 3-4-1 and won three of the six races in which he entered horses. At Aqueduct and Keeneland totaled, Brown was 13 4-5-2 and won four of the seven races in which he entered horses. The two times he did not hit the board -- 11 out of 13 were races in which he finished second; otherwise, he hit the board in every race he had a horse entered.
• Junior Alvarado had another sensational finish this time in the feature race with the second longest shot on the board at 18-to-1. He went gate-to-wire...with an 18-to-1 bomb! He paid $38.60.
• Todd Pletcher sent out three in the feature and could only manage the show position. He was 5 0-0-1 today in New York and 14 3-2-2 overall spanning four tracks.
• The $2 Pick 6 paid $88,000. The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $36,000.

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• A Quebec-bred horse finished fourth in race 5. According to The Jockey Club website only two from the province ran in 2017. In 2017, horses bred in 43 states and 6 provinces ran in North America.

Laurel (Maryland):

• The track was on the turf for the first time since 2017.
• Tais Lyapustina won for the third time as a pro and second time in her last three starts. She began her career 0-for-49, didn't win until late last month and is now 3-for-73. She is a Maryland-native.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• In the Grade III Lexington Stakes, a $200,000 purse and one of two Kentucky Derby prep races this day, My Boy Jack (Kent Desormeaux/Keith Desormeaux) used every ounce of strength and fortitude to defeat Telekinesis (Javier Castellano/Mark Casse). My Boy Jack is 10 3-3-2 and had been based in California. The Desormeauxs will be headed to Churchill Downs for a race the first Saturday in May.

​

• If Adam Beschizza was unknown prior to today, he received ink when his 8-to-1 out-dueled John Velazquez and the prohibitive favorite in a $100,000 stakes race. Triple Chelsea, trained by Joe Sharp, won for the third straight time. Sharp basically handpicked Beschizza, Italian-born riding in England, to come to the U.S. late last year and the pair have been stellar.

​

• Sistercharlie (John Velazquez/Chad Brown) paid $8.80 with a win in the Grade I $350,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes. The Irish-bred winner ran for the second time in the U.S., both races were wins under Velazquez. Brown was a remarkable 1-2-3 in that race, his three runners paid $54.60 for the $.50 trifecta. To top a ticket in that capacity is exceptional, to do it in a Grade I is something almost fairytale.
• John Velazquez won consecutive races, the 10th and 11th on the card. The first win ended a 14-race losing streak since his controversial victory on board Vino Rosso in last Saturday's Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.
• If Joel Rosario wins early on the card...it happened again. He repeated in race 6 after winning race 3.
• Javier Castellano was 9 3-3-1. He had another victory removed and was placed fourth after a riding infraction. One win was in the $200,000 Grade III Ben Ali Stakes in which Rated R Superstar (tr. Ken McPeek) was last of seven entering the stretch but powered home to victory.
• For those of us who like to find bombs in the money but don't necessarily need them to win, early payouts were beneficial.
  • Race 2: 46-to-1 in 2nd paid $31.80 in the middle.
  • Race 3: 25-to-1 and 24-to-1 in 2nd and 3rd. Payouts were $20.20 and $13.40, respectively.
  • Race 4: 14-to-1 in 2nd.
  • Race 5: 54-to-1 in 2nd paid $52.40 and $21.20, respectively.
  • Race 6: 74-to-1 in 3rd paid $12.80.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Tyler Gaffalione won 4 times in 9 starts.
• In the opener, the place horse paid $55.60 and $21.60.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• The annual and popular meet closed today. The crowd was listed at 64,000+. More than $15,000,000 was wagered.
• Magnum Moon (Luis Saez/Todd Pletcher) took the $1,000,000 Grade I 82nd running of the Arkansas Derby, a key Kentucky Derby prep race. He is now 4 4-0-0 with wins at three tracks. He was a bit awkward as the race was closing and perhaps needs blinkers but he has talent. Next stop: Churchill Downs. Todd Pletcher is loaded once again. Quip successfully battled for second place, I looked elsewhere for a runner up.

TODD PLETCHER

Became the first trainer in history to win the Wood Memorial and the derbies in Arkansas, Florida and Louisiana in the same year with different horses. Along with the Santa Anita Derby and Blue Grass, arguably four of the six biggest Kentucky Derby prep races.​

• In the $750,000 Grade II Oaklawn Handicap, City of Light (Drayden Van Dyke/Michael McCarthy) won at 9-to-2. A Kentucky-bred with California connections, he ran exclusively there prior to this race and now has a 7 4-3-0 mark..
• In the Grade IIII Clount Fleet, Whitmore (Ricardo Santana, Jr./Ron Moquett) excelled with an incredible burst of energy to improve to 18 10-3-2.

XBTV on Twitter​

• Trainer Ron Moquett had one of the best days of his life. He was 6 3-1-0 at Oaklawn and 3 1-0-1 at Keeneland for a total of 9 4-1-1 at the two tracks.
• In the finale of the meet, a rare 1 3/4 mile race, horses were bred in seven states including Kansas and Oregon.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

An updated look at the Kentucky Derby 2018 point standings. The race is Saturday, May 5, 2018.

Points are earned by the top four finishers in designated Kentucky Derby prep races.

The maximum field is 20. Usually two or three extras (also eligible) are added in case of injury.

This has the potential to be a very interesting Kentucky Derby.

[TR][TH] Rank	Horse	Trainer	Points	Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings
1.	Magnum Moon	Todd Pletcher	150	$1,140,000
2.	Good Magic	Chad Brown	134	$1,838,400
3.	Audible	Todd Pletcher	110	$803,520
4.	Noble Indy	Todd Pletcher	110	$640,000
5.	Vino Rosso	Todd Pletcher	107	$572,500
6.	Bolt d'Oro	Mick Ruis	104	$980,000
7.	Enticed	Kiaran McLaughlin	103	$545,880
8.	Mendelssohn	Aidan O'Brien	100	$1,947,299
9.	Justify	Bob Baffert	100	$600,000
10.	Quip	Rodolphe Brisset	90	$412,000
11.	Flameaway	Mark Casse	70	$672,260
12.	Solomini	Bob Baffert	54	$716,000
13.	Bravazo	D. Wayne Lukas	54	$359,913
14.	My Boy Jack	Keith Desormeaux	52	$622,000
15.	Promises Fulfilled	Dale Romans	52	$266,480
16.	Free Drop Billy	Dale Romans	44	$597,200
17.	Lone Sailor	Tom Amoss	42	$273,347
18.	Hofburg	Bill Mott	40	$192,000
19.	Firenze Fire	Jason Servis	39	$647,500
20.	Combatant	Steven Asmussen	32	$350,000
21.	Snapper Sinclair	Steven Asmussen	22	$321,810
22.	Reride	Steven Asmussen	20	$298,000
23.	Dream Baby Dream	Steven Asmussen	20	$181,000
24.	Restoring Hope	Bob Baffert	20	$100,000
25.	Sporting Chance	D. Wayne Lukas	12	$337,000
26.	Greyvitos	Adam Kitchingman	12	$310,000
27.	Givemeaminit	Dallas Stewart	12	$196,000
28.	Pony Up	Todd Pletcher	12	$101,580
29.	Machismo	Anthony Quartarolo	5	$25,422

[TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

[TBODY][TR][TH]==================[/TH][/TR][/TBODY]
[TBODY][TR][TH]
Update with the addition of Gronkowski.

[/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

 

[GKJ]

Todd Pletcher is going to run all the horses.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Aqueduct (New York):

• Make that three more wins for Junior Alvarado. He is second to Irad Ortiz, Jr. in wins (13-10), winning percentage (30-26) and percentage in the money (59-55).
• Adam Beschizza made it to New York. Mentioned a few times in this thread including yesterday's recap at Keeneland, he finished second with an 18-to-1 in his first ride. He rode for Joe Sharp.

Laurel (Maryland):

• A 134-to-1 bomb finished place and paid an astounding $96.60 in the middle. The $2 tri paid over $5000.
• The $.20 Pick 6 paid out cents short of $400,000, the first time the bet was hit in 31 racing cards. The winning ticket was purchased by someone in an OTB in the state of Maine. The total of $399,545.94 was an all-time record for racing in the state of Maryland.
• The $2 pick 5 following the 5th race paid over $32,000. The $2 Pick 4 after the same race was an incredible $16,540.40.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Tyler Gaffalione was 8 2-2-3 today. At one point he won 6 of his last 12 rides.
• Four jockeys won twice on the 10-race card.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Brian Hernandez, Jr., a very capable rider, won three times.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Aqueduct's Wednesday card was released and among the riders is trainer-owner Robbie Davis. He is 56 years old and hasn't ridden in 5 years. He has three children who are currently riders among whom is son Dylan who is at the meet and rides elsewhere on this card. The father began riding in the early 1980s and has amassed over 3,300 wins in over 24,000 starts.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

​

GIANT'S CAUSEWAY HAD PASSED
His racing record was 13 9-4-0 but that was secondary to his ability to help produce great runners. Storm Cat, his daddy, died four years ago at age 30.

============================

Gifted athlete and remarkable sire Giant's Causeway , long a cornerstone of Ashford Stud's Kentucky breeding operation, died April 16 following a brief illness, according to Coolmore Stud. He was 21.

=============================

Giant's Causeway first broke into the top five on the North American leading general sire list in 2006 as a third-crop sire. He became North America's leading sire in 2009, 2010, and in 2012, and consistently remained among the top five sires through 2014. Early in his stud career, Giant's Causeway was shuttled twice to Australia (2002, 2004) and once to Argentina (2008). Since 2009, he remained in the States.

Through April 16, Giant's Causeway has sired 178 black-type winners, of which 104 won graded/group stakes. The ever-present will to win among Giant's Causeway's progeny was enhanced by an adaptability indicated by his 77 black-type winners on dirt and synthetic surfaces and 113 black-type winners on turf.

His top runners include eight champions: Shamardal, Take Charge Brandi, Irish Mission, Showcause, Giant's Steps, Step In Time, Kung Fu Mambo, and Bambina Mia. The sire's runners have amassed more than $165 million to date, with his 2-year-olds alone having won more than $17.85 million in purses.

Predictably, Giant's Causeway attracted a lot of attention in the commercial markets. His auction yearlings have generated nearly $164 million in total sales through 2017 and averaged $234,932. Twenty of his yearlings sold for seven figures, with his winner Giant Among Men fetching the highest price of $2.6 million at 2006 Keeneland September sale. Giant Among Men was out of Dissemble, the dam of multiple grade 1 winner Leroidesanimaux, who sired Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Animal Kingdom .​

Giant's Causeway Dead at 21 - BloodHorse

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

April 18, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):

• Tough outing for Robbie Davis -- mentioned earlier in this thread -- in his return to racing. A slow break doomed him, perhaps he lost his irons or the horse wavered. But the 56-year-old returned to racing and perhaps will ride with one of his three children in the future.
• Eric Cancel returned to racing. He had been out with broken bones in his back suffered in late January.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. won three times.
• My goodness. David Cohen, who returned to racing at Oaklawn in Arkansas after a 3-year-hiatus, got the Junior Alvarado i.e. outsider treatment from New York stewards. Irad Ortiz, Jr.. was put up after slight bumping in the stretch. Tough break for Cohen. Another unpopular decision by stewards.

​

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Calvin Borel was 2-for-2. I am not sure the last time he won two races on a card. Good for him. He has been in the money with his last five mounts.

Indiana Grand (Indiana):

• The graphics on the simulcast sure are colorful. The meet opened earlier in the week.
• The last race of the day was for Quarter Horses. There were eight different states listed as the bred location including North Dakota, Alabama and North Carolina, three states that rarely arise for T-breds.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

2018 Breeders Cup Challenge Series

• What is the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: 82 automatic qualifying stakes races. Twelve nations will host at least one race. Full schedule and dates throughout 2018: The Breeders’ Cup Challenge | Breeders' Cup
• What is the Breeders' Cup?: A culmination of the year's best race horses with a 14-race schedule spread over two days in November. The purse money is in excess of $30,000,000.
• When: 35th Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held on November 2-3.
• Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
• Link to website: http://www.breederscup.com/races
  
• Link to the Challenge Series: Challenge Series | Breeders' Cup
  
• Additional link to which races NBC will cover: Challenge Series TV Schedule | Breeders' Cup

DATE	TRACK	RACE NAME	WINNER	RACE CHART	DIVISION
1/6	Kenilworth	Paddock Stakes	Oh Susanna (AUS)	n/a	Filly & Mare Turf
1/7	Kenilworth	L'Ormarins Queen's Plate	Legal Eagle (SAF)	n/a	Mile
2/18	Tokyo	February Stakes	Nonkomo Yume (JAP)	n/a	Classic
4/7	Royal Randwick	Doncaster Mile	Happy Clapper	n/a	Mile
4/7	Royal Randwick	Legacy Stakes	Alizee (AUS)	n/a	Filly & Mare Turf
5/1	Palermo	Gran Premio Criadores			Distaff
5/25	San Isidro	Gran Premio 25 de Mayo			Turf
5/27	Club Hípico de Santiago	Gran Premio Club Hipico Falabella			Mile
5/28	Santa Anita	Shoemaker Mile			Mile
6/3	Tokyo	Yasuda Kinen			Mile
6/9	Belmont	Metropolitan Handicap			Dirt Mile
6/9	Belmont	Jaipur			Turf Sprint
6/9	Belmont	Ogden Phipps			Distaff
6/10	Hipódromo da Gávea	Grande Premio Brasil			Turf
6/16	Churchill Downs	Fleur de Lis H.			Distaff
6/16	Churchill Downs	Stephen Foster			Classic
6/19	Ascot	Queen Anne			Mile
6/20	Ascot	Prince of Wales			Turf
6/21	Ascot	Norfolk			Juvenile Turf Sprint
6/23	Ascot	Diamond Jubilee			Turf Sprint
6/24	Hanshin	Takarazuka Kinen			Turf
6/24	Hipódromo de Monterrico	Gran Premio Pamplona			Filly & Mare Turf
6/30	Woodbine	Highlander Stakes			Turf Sprint
6/30	Gulfstream	Princess Rooney Handicap			Filly & Mare Sprint
7/7	Belmont	Belmont Sprint Championship Stakes			Sprint
7/28	Del Mar	Bing Crosby			Sprint
7/28	Ascot	King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes			Turf
7/29	Del Mar	Clement Hirsch			Distaff
7/29	Monmouth	Haskell Invitational			Classic
8/1	Goodwood	Sussex Stakes			Mile
8/4	Saratoga	Whitney			Classic
8/11	Arlington	Beverly D.			Filly & Mare Turf
8/11	Arlington	Arlington Million			Turf
8/12	Deaville	Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques le Marois			Mile
8/18	Del Mar	Del Mar Handicap			Turf
8/18	Del Mar	Pacific Classic			Classic
8/22	York	Juddmonte International			Turf
8/23	York	Yorkshire Oaks			Filly & Mare Turf
8/24	York	Nunthorpe Stakes			Turf Sprint
8/25	Saratoga	Sword Dancer			Turf
8/25	Saratoga	Personal Ensign			Distaff
8/25	Saratoga	Ballerina			Filly & Mare Sprint
8/25	Saratoga	Forego			Dirt Mile
8/25	Del Mar	Pat O'Brien Stakes			Dirt Mile
9/1	Saratoga	Spinaway			Juvenile Fillies
9/15	Churchill Downs	Iroquois Stakes			Juvenile
9/15	Leopardstown	Matron Stakes			Filly & Mare Turf
9/15	Leopardstown	Irish Champion Stakes			Turf
9/15	Leopardstown	Watson Champions Juvenile Stakes			Juvenile Turf
9/15	Woodbine	Woodbine Mile			Mile
9/15	Churchill	Pocahontas S.			Juvenile Fillies
9/16	Curragh	Flying Five Stakes			Turf Sprint
9/16	Curragh	Moyglare Stud Stakes			Juvenile Fillies Turf
9/16	Woodbine	Natalma Stakes			Juvenile Fillies Turf
9/16	Woodbine	Summer Stakes			Juvenile Turf
9/28	Newmarket	Shadwell Rockfel			Juvenile Fillies Turf
9/29	Belmont	Joe Hirsch Turf Classic			Turf
9/29	Belmont	Vosburgh			Sprint
9/29	Newmarket	Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes			Juvenile Turf
9/29	Santa Anita	FrontRunner Stakes			Juvenile
9/29	Santa Anita	Zenyatta Stakes			Distaff
9/29	Santa Anita	Chandelier Stakes			Juvenile Fillies
9/29	Santa Anita	Rodeo Drive Stakes			Filly & Mare Turf
9/29	Santa Anita	Awesome Again Stakes			Classic
9/30	Nakayama	Sprinters Stakes			Turf Sprint
10/5	Keeneland	Phoenix Stakes			Juvenile
10/5	Keeneland	Alcibiades Stakes			Juvenile Fillies
10/6	Keeneland	First Lady Stakes			Filly & Mare Turf
10/6	Keeneland	Throughbred Club of America Stakes			Filly & Mare Sprint
10/6	Keeneland	Breeders' Futurity			Juvenile
10/6	Keeneland	Shadwell Turf Mile			Mile
10/6	Belmont	Frizette			Juvenile Fillies
10/6	Belmont	Jockey Club Gold Cup			Classic
10/6	Santa Anita	Santa Anita Sprint Championship			Sprint
10/7	Chantilly	Prix Marcel Boussac			Juvenile Fillies Turf
10/7	Chantilly	Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere			Juvenile Turf
10/7	Chantilly	Longines Prix de l'Opera			Filly & Mare Turf
10/7	Belmont	Flower Bowl			Filly & Mare Turf
10/7	Belmont	Champagne			Juvenile
10/7	Keeneland	Spinster Stakes			Distaff
10/7	Keeneland	Bourbon Stakes			Juvenile Turf
10/7	Keeneland	Jessamine Stakes			Juvenile Fillies Turf

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Aqueduct (New York):

• Mike Luzzi is 39 0-1-5 this year. Today he was 3-0-1-1. He hit the board with 23-to-1 and 11-to-1 runners. He hasn't won since October, 74 straight defeats. He doesn't get many opportunities.
• Dylan Davis and Irad Ortiz, Jr. both won twice.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 8: Yikes, Gaff. Tyler Gaffalione did what you don't want to do on the lead: Get beaten on the rail and while under a hand ride.

​

• Luca Panici won consecutive races early on the card. It has been a long drought before he can say he accomplished that feat. But as said a few days ago in this thread, I expect him to win significantly more this meet than the Winter/Spring Championship Meet.
• The $.20 Pick 6 paid over $11,000 to all winners.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Such a nice product, the animals were chic and majestic in many instances.
• Florent Geroux won three of the first five races, Albin Jimenez won the other two.

Lone Star (Texas):

• The meet opened today and continues through the latter part of July.
• Lane Luzzi -- remember him? -- brought home a 105-to-1 bomb for second place in the finale. The payouts were $70.60 and $27.40 for place and show, respectively. The remarkable payout of $2,700+ for a $2 exacta was perhaps surpassed in reaction by the $.50 trifecta of $5.400+. The $.10 super was a hair under $1,500 buoyed by a 94-to-1 in fourth spot.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Nearing opening dates for the following tracks:

Arlington (Illinois): May 4

Belmont (New York): April 27

Belterra (Ohio): April 27

Canterbury (Minnesota): May 4

Churchill Downs (Kentucky): April 28

Delaware Park (Delaware): May 30

Emerald Downs (Washington): April 22

Hastings (British Columbia): April 21

Lone Star (Texas): April 19

Louisiana Downs (Louisiana): May 5

Monmouth (New Jersey): May 5

Mountaineer (West Virginia): May 1

Northlands Park (Alberta): May 5

Pimlico (Maryland): May 10

Prairie Meadows (Iowa): April 26

Presque Isle (Pennsylvania): May 14

Ruisodo (New Mexico): May 25

SunRay (New Mexico): April 21

Thistledown (Ohio): April 30

Woodbine (Ontario): April 21​