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

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 17, 2017

Aqueduct (New York):

• Well now. Junior Alvarado returned from shoulder surgery and won twice today in three starts. In his first race since December, he navigated a 7-to-1 shot to victory and then won the finale on an even-money favorite as the replacement rider for Irad Ortiz, Jr. Both wins were for trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

Laurel (Maryland):

• My touted trainer at the circuit Lacey Gaudet had three starters and finished in the money in each (1-1-1). Good job Team Gaudet!
• Lane Luzzi had one ride and finished second on a 27-to-1 bomb, the longest price in the field. He rode lights out to finish second and help an exacta reach $114.
• Sometimes it helps to watch the odds. A 15-to-1 morning line opened near or at 3-to-5. It went off 9-to-2 . The 0-for-6 gelding came out of the gate electric and won the opening race in a romp.
• Trevor McCarthy, who is a solid rider, won three times in four starts. Forest Boyce won both of her starts. The duo combined for wins in five of the eight races.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Imaginary Stables (ownership group) won again. Mentioned last week, it appears they have ties to Philadelphia but the scene in the winner's circle is eye-catching. Trainer Elizabeth Dobles is now 5-for-15 this year and 6-for-34 lifetime. She won both ends of a late daily double last week.
• Trainer Eric Guillot won for the first time at the meet after 21 straight losses.
• Johnny Velazquez had one mount and it was 12-to-1 late in the day. Why not? And he was game but was caught by a whisker. Not a bad strategy considering it is Johnny V. and the odds, though sent off at much less; others must have considered the same or it was a bad morning line.
• The Rainbow Six is more than $800,000 at last check. They should grow exponentially with the Saturday card.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Oaklawn continues to mesmerize. A 34-to-1 went gate-to-wire in race 3.
• After race 5, the $2 Pick 4 paid $76,000. The $2 Pick 3 paid $4,500+.

Freehold (New Jersey):

• At the trotters, a $72.60 winner in race 2 was dwarfed by a $2,249.20 exacta, a $6,157 trifecta an and a $22,440.90 $1 superfecta.

 

[Soliloquy of a Dogge]

I need to stop being lazy and get out to the tracks more often at Santa Anita and Del Mar this year as well as catching more on television.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Gabby Gaudet and Acacia Courtney, two Gulfstream hosts, were conspicuously absent from the broadcast Friday and both apparently are at Laurel. Stronach will not have Gulfstream host the Breeders Cup with the casino such an enormous presence in south Florida. He and his staff are looking for an east coast option and Laurel provides that. The track just may get it. All the pieces are in place.

With Santa Anita not hosting in both 2017 (Del Mar) and 2018 (Churchill Downs), my guess is the Breeders Cup will not go three straight years away from its favorite west coast venue and will return there for 2019. That leaves 2020 for Laurel.

Officials from the Breeders’ Cup World Championships plan to make a scouting visit to Laurel Park on Saturday, a significant step in the Maryland Jockey Club’s hopes of luring one of horse racing’s signature events to the Prince George’s County track in 2019, 2020 or 2021, according to an official with knowledge of the visit.

The Breeders’ Cup officials plan to tour the facility with representatives of the MJC and its Canada-based parent company, Stronach Group, which purchased controlling interest in Laurel Park in 2002 and which has put some $30 million into renovating it over the past two years.

The Breeders’ Cup is the biggest annual event in horse racing, a two-day affair held each fall featuring 13 races with purses that now total $26.5 million — more than four times the combined purses of the Triple Crown races. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, outside of San Diego, will host its first Breeders’ Cup this Nov. 3-4, and the event will be at Churchill Downs in Louisville, for a record-tying ninth time in 2018. But future sites beyond 2018 have yet to be chosen.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...b-is-trying/?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.d7fd3ce0f3f3

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 18, 2017

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Oaklawn is a clean track. A great venue. 36,000 people on site and the total handle exceeded $10,700,000 which is a track record for a non-Arkansas Derby day. As stated a few times, it can both frustrating and encouraging playing here.
• Malagacy (Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher) wins the Rebel Stakes, a percentage of the $900,000 purse offered and gains 50 points towards the Kentucky Derby. A trainer/friend absolutely loves this horse, called him a "monster" and stated as much entering this race. The colt had two prior wins, both at Gulfstream, for a combined 22 lengths but though used, I needed more proof in a race of substance and something that offered distance over speed. There it is! Now 3-for-3 lifetime. And what other track will have a runner-up pay $58.20 in the middle with a 112-to-1 shot. Race finished 6-3-5-4. One wonders if Bob Baffert will have a Kentucky Derby runner at all after American Anthem failed miserably. He needs to find a path.
• In another stakes race, Mor Spirit (Mike Smith), sent off 1-to-2, kicked in up a notch when challenged in the stretch and put away the competition.
  
  ​
• In race 7, the Grade II Azeri Stakes, Jose Ortiz/Brad Cox sent off at 31-to-1 was playable. It returned $45.40 for a third place finish with the chalk running off the board. The tri returned $951.20.
• After race 11, the $.50 Pick 5 returned $21,000+.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• A flared nostril or such. Entering the final race, the #5 (11-to-1) was the only horse singled. If the #5 won, a sole better would have hit the Rainbow Six with more than a million dollars in the pool. Coming around the stretch, the 5 was on the lead only to lose by a nose. The $.20 Pick Six paid $28,000. The $.50 Pick 5 over $44,000.
  
  ​
• Jose Lezcano won three times today, twice on dirt, including 12-to-1 in race 10.
• John Velazquez won the feature race at 11-to-1 with a furious finish not always his style.
• Luca Panici won on a 12-to-1 in race 5.
• Handle was $15,000,000+.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Trevor McCarthy continued his roll with a natural hat trick. He won the first three races and combined with yesterday's output, was 6-for-7 at one point.
• Trainer Larry Jones specializes in young fillies and today was no different in the $100,000 feature race. Jenda's Agenda was sent off at 2-to-5 and will likely eventually be geared to the Kentucky Oaks and/or Black-Eyed Susan.
• You won't see a tighter finish than today's 11th and finale. The 4-to-5 trained by Linda Rice and a 3-to-1 competitor locked up for a fantastic finish. So tight that an objection and inquiry were called, eventually denied.

Aqueduct (New York):

• The $2 Pick 4 after the finale returned $21,128. The race was won by a 15-to-1 with a rider change, similar to yesterday though with chalk.
• Kendrick Carmouche, at 27-to-1 and 14-to-1, and Cornelio Velasquez were the only repeat winners for jockeys or trainers this 9-race card.
• Race 7 was a thriller though Junior Alvarado, in one of his three rides, got nosed for the win at 12-to-1. Paid $14 in the middle which is a handsome return.

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• Canceled its card.

Penn National (Pennsylvania):

• Closed for much of the week due to weather conditions, Penn re-opened tonight,

Santa Anita (California):

• In the Grade I Santa Margarita, Vale Dori improved her record to 8-for-13 with a nice kick at the end to ward off challenger Finest City (near c-favorites). Vale Dori (Rafael Bejarano/Bob Baffert) has won five straight races and is 8-3-1 in 13 lifetime starts.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 19, 2017

Laurel (Maryland):

• Trevor McCarthy continued his searing streak. He went 3-1-1 in 8 rides. The last three days he was 9-2-2 in 21 rides. He won exactly three races in each of the last three days. A special accomplishment.
• Larry Jones and Linda Rice were both entered in the same race but the latter's horse was scratched. Too bad as that affected the odds with Jones' runner who went off 1-to-5 in a win. Jones is now 2-for-2 at the meet.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• In the second to last race, Luca Panici was in the far outside post and in a route at 16-to-1. Success! Head of the class. Valedictorian, a 3-year-old filly, is 3-for-3 this year and has won four of her last five starts with a bad performance among the races. Scratch that outing and you had value here. Topped an exacta which returned $500.
• The horse that I liked from early in the day was Girl Talk who came on at the end and beat her only real competition. Ridden by Luis Saez who just may be the top jockey at the meet when it is all said and done.
• The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $11,000. The $.20 Pick 6 paid over $10,000, the pool had over $1,200,000 in it and the carryover Wednesday will start at $865,950. Again, someone came within an inch or two or winning the pot Saturday which was over a million at the time.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Chuckie Lopez is now 4-for-5 at the meet. He doesn't ride in New York much but 80% is a spectacular percentage. Ever the showman, his patented flexing in the camera after wins is characteristic.
• In the opener, Cournoyer was sent off at 6-to-5 in his third lifetime (second officially) start but had another unimpressive run. In his maiden race, he was declared a non-starter after a gate issue and in his second race, at 49-to-1, met his odds. But this race he was near even money. As a New York-bred, perhaps he will go to Finger Lakes if the bigger tracks are not in his future. The opener had a $500 exacta for a deuce after a 60-to-1 shot won and paid a massive $122.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

As the week advances, there will be more stories and the official draw will be among them. Until that point in time....

The world's top-rated*racehorse Arrogate is on course to grace Meydan on Saturday after featuring among the 14 declared for the Dubai World Cup, which for the third successive year will be without a runner from Britain or Ireland.

The Mike de Kock-trained Mubtaahij, second to California Chrome last year, leads the challenge to Bob Baffert's superstar, who has clinched the Pegasus World Cup and Breeders' Cup Classic on his last two starts.*

Arrogate is set to be joined by stablemate Hoppertunity and fellow US raider Gun Runner in the Emirates-sponsored showpiece.

Saeed Bin Suroor, the most successful trainer in Dubai World Cup history with seven victories, relies on Move Up, who won the Cumberland Lodge at Ascot last October, while Ryan Moore has been booked to ride Lani, one of four Japanese contenders along with Apollo Kentucky, Awardee and Gold Dream.*

https://beta.racingpost.com/news/in...traction-as-14-bid-for-world-cup-glory/279010

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

Kentucky Derby preps will be run in Dubai and also Turfway. On Sunday, a third Derby prep for this weekend will be held at Sunland in New Mexico. When draws are official, they will be posted here.

 

[Orrfourever]

Cashed a couple tickets this weekend, nothing big. Next weekend maybe...

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

^ What tracks do you normally play?

March 20, 2017

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• A typical light Monday but a $102.40 winner in race 3 helped liven out some exotics. The $.50 Pick 4 after race 5 paid over $11,000 and the daily double paid an astonishing $1,523.80. That is in a select category for biggest double payouts in my recent memory.

 

[Orrfourever]

^ I mostly play Aquaduct and Gulfstream. When there's a Derby prep I'll play that track cause they usually have a good card that day. This past weekend I played Oaklawn, nothing wrong with that race track. I also like Fairgrounds, Chruchill, Keenland, Santa Anita, Woodbine, Winnipeg, Hastings. Well let's just say I play most of them. I cut my teeth at Northlands Park years back. Now sadly I don't think they'll be racing there anymore. Won a few Canadian Derbies. And finally I get out to Marquis Downs here in Saskatoon in the summer, it's not a very big handle. But I like live racing. It's fun listening to the crowd when they start whipping their horse coming down the stretch. You should here me at my keyboard, neighbours probably think I'm nuts. Which I am. Hahahaha Just Kidding...

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

^ I mostly play Aquaduct and Gulfstream. When there's a Derby prep I'll play that track cause they usually have a good card that day. This past weekend I played Oaklawn, nothing wrong with that race track. I also like Fairgrounds, Chruchill, Keenland, Santa Anita, Woodbine, Winnipeg, Hastings. Well let's just say I play most of them. I cut my teeth at Northlands Park years back. Now sadly I don't think they'll be racing there anymore. Won a few Canadian Derbies. And finally I get out to Marquis Downs here in Saskatoon in the summer, it's not a very big handle. But I like live racing. It's fun listening to the crowd when they start whipping their horse coming down the stretch. You should here me at my keyboard, neighbours probably think I'm nuts. Which I am. Hahahaha Just Kidding...

Aqueduct this time of year has little form with just three days of racing each week in March. Gulfstream's turf is worn but that is to be expected from the overabundance of racing at the track which is now a year-round operation except for the brief autumn meet at the old Calder. Keeneland offers handicappers an opportunity to find niches. Saratoga is truly a remarkable meet and with the exception of what can be oppressive heat and large crowds, I have never heard a complaint about the venue. Laurel, I enjoy, and much has to do with the field sizes and a comfort zone.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 22, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 1: Imaginary Stables, mentioned a couple of times in this thread, won their only start of the day. They are now 9-for-37 this year and had a combined three wins prior to 2017. . Trainer Elizabeth Dobles is 6-for16 this year and had just one combined win prior.
• Race 6: A 56-1 came in second and paid over $42 in the middle.
• Ten different jockeys and trainers won the 10 races today. One of the riders was Mario Pino who was out for the first time this year and who has to be in his mid-50s. He has over 41,000 career starts and more than 6,700 wins.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• The 1 won each leg of the first Pick 3 today. 1/1/1 is rather unique.
• Edwin Gonzalez, who won six races a few days ago, seemed to play possum with the even-money favorite and galloped home to victory with an impressive stretch run.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 23, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

• The Rainbow 6 will start at approximately $1,010,200 Friday. It began at $937,000+ Thursday with $300,000+ added. Race 5, which started the sequence, had over $1,000,000 bet into it. All bettors who hit the mostly chalky Rainbow 6 today -- which finished with Quebec (trained by Nick Zito) breaking his maiden at 2-to-5 -- won $190.42. A sizeable difference from a million dollars to any singular winner. That is the tease of such a wager.
• Race 3: An oddity in that there wasn't a clear cut choice. From start of wagering until post-time the six horses had near-similar odds. Ultimately, they went off 3-1, 3-1, 7-2, 7-2, 5-1 and 5-1.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• In the opener, a 46-to-1 shocked the field and paid $94.40.. The $.50 trifecta returned $1,435.
• In the finale, just the name Smelly Cat caught my eye but when I saw he was out for the first time with trainer McLean Robertson, I had a hunch. At 9-to-1, what a terrific ride by the consistent Alex Canchari. $21.00+ winner.

Penn National (Pennsylvania):

• A couple of bombs tonight led to a $.50 Pick 3 returning $1,659. A $.50 trifecta in race 7 paid $1,472.30.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The list of nominees to the Florida Derby has 23 runners including five from Todd Pletcher's stable. It was mentioned here a few weeks ago, but Pletcher is loaded with such runners. He has an excellent collection; now he has to produce more so than usual.

One of Pletcher's stars is Battalion Runner, who is high on many Kentucky Derby lists including one TVG analyst who has him at #2, could run in the Santa Anita Derby.

 

[Orrfourever]

In the finale, just the name Smelly Cat caught my eye but when I saw he was out for the first time with trainer McLean Robertson, I had a hunch. At 9-to-1, what a terrific ride by the consistent Alex Canchari. $21.00+ winner.

[/LIST]

You might have mentioned.

I could use some extra cash.

From my all time favourite movie Let it Ride. hahahaha

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

^ I play McLean Robertson in certain settings. His home base is Canterbury in Minnesota but he ships well. Had a good meet at Delaware a couple of summers ago.

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

March 24, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

• The Rainbow Six will be guaranteed to reach at least $1,500,000 starting Saturday. The Rainbow Six has a mandatory payout April 2 when the meet closes.
• Nicky Figueroa, a 7-pound bug who hails from the same hometown as Johnny Velazquez, won three times in four rides.
• Chalk up two more turf wins for Jose Lezcano. Luis Saez also won twice.
  What a monster ride by Tyler Gaffalione, on a 10-to-1, chasing down Luis Saez, who rode a 5-2 to an aggressive if not seemingly comfortable lead.
  
  ​
• Ten different trainers won during the 10-race card.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Manny Franco had three wins.

Hawthorne (Illinois):

• In race 2, the winner returned $122 (60-to-1 shot). Exotics included $613.50 for the exacta, a $.20 trifecta for $831 ($4,155 for a $1) and a $.20 superfecta for $8,158 ($40,790 for $1).

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Start times for the beginning of the 9-race card:

• 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time
• 4:45 a.m. Pacific Time
• 3:45 p.m. Gulf Time (in Dubai)

Live on-site television coverage begins on TVG starting at 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time.
Television coverage begins on NBCSN at 10:30 a.m. ET which will include the final four races:

• Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News (race 6)
• Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (race 7)
• Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (race 8)
• Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (race 9)

Select key races this weekend:

UAE DERBY (Grade II)

• What: 100 points will be awarded to the winner of this Kentucky Derby prep race.
• When: Saturday, March 25, 2017, Race 4 of 9, 9:25 a.m. Eastern Time, 6:25 a.m. Pacific Time and 5:25 p.m. Gulf Time in Dubai.
• Where: Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, UAE
• Distance: approximately 9.5 furlongs or 1 3/16 miles
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $2,000,000 (U.S. dollars)
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old, open
• Television: TVG (live on-site coverage starting at 7:45 a.m. ET) and NBCSN (starting at 10:30 a.m. ET which will include the last four races on the card).
• Race card: http://www.dubaiworldcup.com/race/racing-info
• Preview article: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...erby-features-japans-kentucky-derby-qualifier

PP​

|

Morning Line​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Weight​

|

Trainer​

1 | 30-1| Qatar Man (IRE)| 3/colt| C. O'Donoghue | 121 Lbs | M. Botti
2 | 6-1| Master Plan|3/colt| J. Velazquez | 121 Lbs | T. Pletcher
3 | 7-1| Lancaster Bomber|3/colt| R. Moore | 121 Lbs| A. O'Brien
4 | 99-1| Midnight Chica| 3/filly| C. Hayes | 117 Lbs | D. Selvaratnam
5 | 15-1| Top Score (GB)|3/colt| A. de Vries | 121 Lbs | S. bin Suroor
6 | 8-1| Fawree|3/colt| B. Fayd'Herbe | 121 Lbs | M. de Kock
7 | 30-1| Bee Jersey|3/colt| S. Hitchcott | 121 Lbs | D. Watson
8 | 50-1| Vettori Kin (BRZ)| 3/colt| J. Rosario | 131 Lbs | K. McPeek
9 | 15-1| Fly At Dawn| 3/colt| W. Buick | 121 Lbs | C. Appleby
10 | 5-1| Epicharis (JPN)| 3/colt| C. Lemaire | 121 Lbs | K. Hagiwara
11 | 50-1| He Runs Away (ARG)| 3/colt| S. de Sousa | 131 Lbs | R. Colombo
12 | 15-1| Spirit of Valor|3/colt| S. Heffernan | 121 Lbs | A. O'Brien
13 | 8-5| Thunder Snow (IRE)| 3/colt| C. Soumillon | 121 Lbs | S. bin Suroor
14 | 99-1| Nomorerichblondes| 3/filly| A. Fresu | 117 Lbs | A. bin Harmash
15 | 12-1| Cosmo Charlie| 3/colt| P. Dobbs| 121 Lbs | D. Watson
16 | 50-1| Adirato (JPN)| 3/colt| Y. Take | 121 Lbs | N. Sugai

DUBAI WORLD CUP (Grade I)

• What: Now the world's second largest purse (Pegasus, $12m). Arrogate looks to build his resume at imposing odds of 1-to-3.
• When: Saturday, March 25, 2017, Race 9 of 9, 12:45 p.m. Eastern Time, 9:45 a.m. Pacific Time and 8:45 p.m. Gulf Time in Dubai.
• Where: Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, UAE
• Distance: approximately 1 1/4 mile
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $10,000,000 (U.S. dollars)
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old and up, open
• Race card: http://www.dubaiworldcup.com/race/racing-info
• Preview article: http://www.brisnet.com/content/2017/03/arrogate-draws-post-9-dubai-world-cup/

PP​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line​

1| Apollo Kentucky| 5/horse| C. Lemaire| K. Yamauchi| 30-1
2| Long River| 7/horse| M. Barzalona| S. bin Ghadayer| 60-1
3 |Gold Dream|4/colt| J. Moreira| O. Hirata| 50-1
4 |Lani| 4/colt| R. Moore| M. Matsunaga| 60-1
5 |Gun Runner|4/colt| F. Geroux| S. Asmussen| 8-1
6 |Move Up| 4/colt| A. De Vries| S. bin Suroor| 60-1
7 |Awardee| 7/horse| Y. Take| M. Matsunaga| 30-1
8 |Furia Cruzada| 5/mare| A. Fresu| E. Charpy| 60-1
9 |Arrogate| 4/colt| M. Smith| B. Baffert| 1-3
10| Keen Ice|5/horse| J. Castellano| T. Pletcher| 20-1
11 |Neolithic| 4/colt| J. Velazquez| T. Pletcher| 20-1
12 |Hoppertunity|6/horse| F. Prat| B. Baffert| 15-1
13| Special Fighter|6/horse| F. Jara| M. Ritchie| 30-1
14 |Mubtaahij| 5/horse| C. Soumillon| M. de Kock| 8-1

JACK CINCINNATI CASINO SPIRAL STAKES (Grade III)

• What: A chance for someone to emerge from under-the-radar in a Kentucky Derby prep worth 50 points to the winner.
• When: Saturday, March 25, 2017, Race 10 of 12, 5:55 p.m. Eastern Time
• Where: Turfway Park, Florence, Kentucky (about 10 miles south of Cincinnati)
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile
• Surface: All weather track
• Purse: $500,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old, open
• Race card: http://www.drf.com/race-entries/track/TP/country/USA/date/03-25-2017
• Preview article: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/220571/kittens-cat-poised-for-spiral-stakes and http://www.drf.com/news/spiral-stakes-contenders-dont-have-derby-fever-–-yet

PP​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line​

1| Blueridge Traveler (KY)| 3/colt| Channing Hill| 123| Kenneth G. McPeek| 15/1
2| Soglio (KY)| 3/colt| Trevor McCarthy| 123| H. Graham Motion| 6/1
3| Fast and Accurate (PA)| 3/colt| Tyler Gaffalione| 123| Michael J. Maker| 15/1
4| Convict Pike (KY)| 3/colt |Angel Cruz| 123| George R. Arnold, II| 8/1
5| Colonel Samsen (KY)| 3/gelding| Jose Lezcano| 123| Eoin G. Harty| 12/1
6| Giant Payday (KY)| 3/colt |Chris Landeros| 123| Ian R. Wilkes| 8/1
7| Shiraz (NY)| 3/colt| Rafael Manuel Hernandez| 123| Michael J. Maker| 15/1
8| Kitten's Cat (KY)| 3/colt| Luis Saez| 123| Joe Sharp| 4/1
9| Parlor (KY)| 3/colt |Jesus Lopez Castanon| 123| Eddie Kenneally| 5/1
10| Bronson (KY)| 3/colt |Manuel Franco| 123| Todd A. Pletcher| 10/1
11| King and His Court (ON)| 3/gelding| Gary Boulanger| 123| Mark E. Casse| 5/1
12| En Hanse (KY)| 3/colt| Robby Albarado| 123| Michael J. Maker| 15/1

SUNLAND DERBY (Grade III)

• What: A Kentucky Derby prep race worth 50 points to the winner.
• When: Sunday, March 26, 2017, Race 9 of 10, 5:28 pm Mountain Time (7:28 pm Eastern Time)
• Where: Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, Sunland, New Mexico
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $800,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old, open
• Preview article: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...mo-money-carries-local-hopes-in-sunland-derby and http://www.brisnet.com/content/2017/03/conquest-mo-money-faces-bevy-shippers-sunland-derby/

PP​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line​

1| Shareholder Value (KY)|3/colt| Javier Castellano| 122| Thomas M. Amoss |6-1
2| Hedge Fund (KY)| 3/colt| Jose L. Ortiz |122| Todd A. Pletcher |6-1
3| Bronze Age (KY) |3/colt| Martin Garcia |122 |Bob Baffert |3-1
4| Oxford Lane (KY)| 3/colt| Richard E. Eramia| 122| Kenneth G. McPeek |15-1
5| Irap (KY) |3/colt| Mario Gutierrez |122| Doug F. O'Neill |6-1
6| Dilettante (FL) |3/colt| Gary L. Stevens| 122| D. Wayne Lukas |12-1
7| Kimbear (KY)| 3/colt |Joseph Talamo| 122| J. Eric Kruljac |15-1
8| Wine N Divine (KY)| 3/gelding| Miguel A. Perez |122 | Greg Green|30-1
9| Hence (KY)| 3/colt |Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr.| 122 |Steven M. Asmussen |12-1
10| Balandeen (KY)| 3/colt |Channing Hill| 122| Chris A. Hartman |10-1
11| Total Tap (KY) |3/colt| Florent Geroux |122 |Steven M. Asmussen |10-1
12 |Conquest Mo Money (NY)|3/colt |Jorge Carreno| 122 |Miguel L. Hernandez| 9-2

Some riders, Javier Castellano to name one, will be in Dubai Saturday and then New Mexico Sunday.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Ongoing info with the UAE races can be found here including entries and odds.

https://www.tvg.com/racetracks/US/dubai/Twilight/race-4

Thunder Snow, a Godolphin colt bred in Ireland, won race 4 and received a lofty 100 points for entry into the Kentucky Derby [the updated chart is in post #1 of this thread.]

 

[GKJ]

Bob Baffert, who trained a Triple Crown winner 2 years ago, just said Arrogate is the best horse he's ever seen.

Terrible break and still runs off in Dubai, which is already hard enough for American horses

Last 4 races:

Travers - W
Breeders' Cup Classic - W
Pegasus World Cup - W
Dubai World Cup - W

 

[Soliloquy of a Dogge]

Did anybody get flashbacks there or was it just me? For a split second I was thinking Mike Smith was on board unbelievable supermare Zenyatta again. Similar silks and all

Arrogate is a complete stud. To break that poorly and to win with such ease is incredibly impressive. Moves past the field 4 or 5 wide in the far turn like they're standing still. Top of the homestretch it was all over even though Arrogate had another couple to track down. I'm amazed how fresh this horse looks after he runs; reminds me of American Pharoah in that manner.

I think that it's best to take trainers and jockeys etc with a grain of salt when they declare that "(insert horse here) is the greatest horse they've ever trained/ridden". I have a lot of respect for Bob and he's my favorite trainer in the sport but there are so many variables and rarely is it possible to make fair comparisons that account for the difference in development, age, running styles etc. Arrogate had his shin problems as a two year old, was carefully nurtured and developed while he matured into his 3 year old season and he is an absolute freak of nature now. He's just getting better every time he hits the track; can't wait to see how dominant his 4 year old season is based on what he's already accomplished so far.

 

[Soliloquy of a Dogge]

Hadn't seen Mike Smith's comments post race, guess he was thinking the same thing.

"I missed the break completely," Smith said.

"I said, 'I'm just going to ride him like Zenyatta.' I had no choice but to just sit there and let him collect himself."

 

[GKJ]

What the hell is going on with your username now?

Arrogate probably takes a bit of a break now until the summer in order to stay fresh. The big races for older horses dries up this time of year in order to focus on the Triple Crown. Turnaround from Dubai tends to be really tough, too.

 

[Soliloquy of a Dogge]

What the hell is going on with your username now?

Nothing. I didn't like the previous one.

Arrogate probably takes a bit of a break now until the summer in order to stay fresh. The big races for older horses dries up this time of year in order to focus on the Triple Crown. Turnaround from Dubai tends to be really tough, too.

Agreed. Though it's difficult to know what Bob's thinking.

Selfishly, I'd love to see him have a go at the Met Mile and Pacific Classic.

The Met, while short, works to his advantage with the one long sweeping turn. Configuration wise it definitely lines up with his big stride. The only problem is he isn't very good at breaking and in a race of that distance, it's a must to break well. Distance horses like Big Red, Slew, Affirmed, Bid handled an under a mile distance well as did his sire, Unbridled's Song.

The Pacific Classic because, well, I'd get to see him in person again. Gives me even more of an excuse to head to Del Mar. And it makes sense in terms of a BCC campaign. I guess he could go to the Whitney as well, though. Woodward is another potential option.

 

[GKJ]

Pacific Classic is an attainable goal. Met Mile, I wouldn't be so keen on. You get horses who train up to that race who are in their sharpest form running a sharp race.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

This was a day to remember in many ways but some payouts were shocking.

March 25, 2017

Meydan (Dubai, UAE):

• I have been told by plenty of people whose memories go beyond the height of Secretariat that Arrogate is a top three horse. Simply stunning talent perhaps only exceeded by these remarks from people who are not wowed so easily. Arrogate has Unbridled in his blood, as grandsire, so he gets my immediate boost. Add another to the list! As a side note, Gun Runner is a wonderful horse. Arrogate received a 115 Beyer for his race.
• ARTICLE: ‘The Greatest Horse I’ve Ever Seen’: Arrogate Misses The Break, Then Circles The Field In Dubai World Cup http://www.paulickreport.com/news/t...e-misses-break-circles-field-dubai-world-cup/
  
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• With the significant purses available, some of the top riders in the U.S. were in attendance. Javier Castellano had one ride (7th), John Velazquez had two (3rd and 3rd), Joel Rosario had three (1st, 3rd and 10th), Florent Geroux had two (2nd and 6th) and Mike Smith had a singular ride and of course won with Arrogate.
• Of the eight T-bred races on the card, three winners were USA-bred, two from Great Britain, one from Ireland, Japan and France.

Turfway (Kentucky):

• Where to begin?! The latter half of the card was fantastic.
• Race 8, the $1 superfecta paid $15,154.80. The $2 exacta of $915 was because a 17-to-1 topped a 70-to-1.
• Race 9, Robby Albarado won the Grade III Bourbonette Stakes on board a 12-to-1.
• Race 10, congrats to Tyler Gaffalione for winning the Grade III Spiral Stakes (Kentucky Derby prep). While I mentioned Gaffalione as a rising star, he needed to win one of these races to propel his standing and he did on board a 24-to-1 bomb. The horse ran twice at Presque Isle, to be taken to this level was something remarkable.
  
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• Payouts in race 10, the Grade III Spiral Stakes, were something incredible especially for a race of that magnitude. The $2 Pick 3 paid $13,934.20. The $1 super paid $30,751.20. The $2 trifecta paid $5,639.00. The $2 double paid $988.40. The $2 exacta paid $799.80. The winner, under Tyler Gaffalione, paid $51.00.
• Race 11 culminated with some exotic exotics. $47.20 winner. $324,60 exacta. $1,407.40 for the trifecta. The $2 double paid $448.00. So far, nothing truly sensational. Now comes the addendum. $2 Pick 4 (races 8-through-11) returned $317,744.80. The $2 Pick 3 paid $33,488.00.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• This track is beyond description. Sure it is seasonal and the track lacks a turf course but this is spellbinding. And now onto the races...
• Race 10, $45.40 winner topped a ticket. The $2 Pick 4 paid $234,896.60 (yup, over $220k). The Pick 5 was so tough no one hit it but 4 out of 5 returned $14,653.60. The $2 Pick 3 paid $5,081.80. That in itself would have garnered attention at a normal track.
• Race 8, I used McLean Robertson and his 16-to-1, but he got nosed out for second. A 32-to-1 won the race. The $.50 Pick 3 paid over a grand. The $.50 tri returned over $1,300.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 8, the start of the Rainbow 6 had $1.976 million bet. And as such the wager began with a 99-to-1 shot which returned $206.40 for the win. Let that sink in! The $1 super paid over $22k, the $.50 trifecta paid $2,299. The exacta paid $1,847. The winner also returned $70.20 for place. $2 across-the-board would have returned $297.
• The winning rider with the 99-to-1 was a replacement for Elvis Trujillo. Carlos Montalvo also won the following race and as such an all-Montalvo double paid $907 which is astronomical for the same rider.
• The Pick 4 after race 9 paid $27,501.20. The Pick 3 paid $1,846.
• In race 12, the Grade II feature, Jesus Rios was the winning jockey and he entered the week 1-for-82 at the meet. He had the horse, as they say. Fear the Cowboy raced at Canterbury, Sam Houston, Delta Downs and Evangeline and now a Grade II at Gulfstream.
  
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• The handle was over $14,000,000. An early prediction by me, but especially if the Rainbow 6 has a guaranteed payout this upcoming weekend, we may see record-setting numbers. The Florida Derby is seven days away.
• Winners of today's Rainbow Six received $40,227 for hitting all six races. Remember, the 99-to-1 started off the sequence. Likely, some "all" bettors survived. Carryover will be $1,239,000+ for Sunday.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• After race 10, the Pick 5 paid $28,901.60 and the Pick 4 paid $10,728.90 each with $2 bets.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Races 7 and 8, the double was a massive $1,456 with the first winner paying $50.40.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Trainer Lacey Gaudet did it again! Her only starter and it won from the 1 hole. She is now well above 20% at the meet, nearing 25% at last check.
• Linda Rice had two starters and won both. While one was very chalky the other was sent off at 6-to-5. You jump on Rice at this meet at those odds in most settings. She is a very good trainer.
• Kudos to Sarah Shaffer, a 10-pound bug, who suffered what appeared to be a catastrophic injury late 2016 but recovered and rode her first win (third ride since return) in many weeks. And she romped on board a 20-to-1. The runner was 0-for-12 lifetime and was mainly a Penn/Parx horse under the direction of a new trainer.
• And finally Lane Luzzi! The kid had two rides and he delivered a 50-to-1 bomb into second place, worth $23.00+ in the middle. That works in many exotic wagering.

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• The $2 Pick 4 after race 8 paid $4,009.60.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Terrible feature race with just three runners in a $100,000 purse.
• Junior Alvarado did another fine job in a win, his usual patience and going to the outside worked.
• Trainer Rudy Rodriguez won three straight races and was in the money with 5 of his 7 starters.

Santa Anita (California):

• The double after race 2 returned $910 with $49 and $35 winners.
• The $1 Pick 3 paid $2,400+.
• The winner in race 6 paid $106.40.
• In the Grade II feature race, also the final race on the card, the exacta returned $173 for a $1 bet. The $1 Super Hi Five paid over $10,000. The favorite -- Ashleyluvssugar -- finished third and appeared to have tired in the stretch. A French-bred and an Irish-bred finished 1-2.
• Single ticket carryover of $413,075 for Sunday's pick six.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The Louisiana Derby and the Florida Derby highlight next weekend's racing, both Kentucky Derby preps. Louisiana has already done draws. That is a week away, plenty of time to digest. Here are the entries for some of the card including the Louisiana Derby: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...lds-set-for-louisiana-derby-fair-grounds-oaks

Updates on possible Kentucky Derby runners in addition to those entered in Louisiana (above):

• Always Dreaming (Todd Pletcher) probable to Florida Derby at Gulfstream
• Impressive Edge (Dale Romans) to Florida Derby at Gulfstream
• Gunnevera (Antonio Sano) probable for Florida Derby at Gulfstream
• Practical Joke (Chad Brown) probable for Florida Derby at Gulfstream
• Battallion Runner (Todd Pletcher) probable to Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita
• Iliad (Doug O'Neill) probable to Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita
• Gormley (John Shirreffs) probable to Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita
• El Areeb (Cathal Lynch) probable for Wood Memorial at Aqueduct
• Irish War Cry (Graham Motion) probable for Wood Memorial at Aqueduct
• One Liner (Todd Pletcher) probable for Wood Memorial at Aqueduct
• Mo Town (Tony Dutrow) probable for Wood Memorial at Aqueduct
• McCracken (Ian Wilkes) probable to the Blue Grass at Keeneland
• Tapwrit (Todd Pletcher) probable to the Blue Grass at Keeneland
• Lookin At Lee (Steve Asmussen) probable to the Blue Grass at Keeneland
• J Boys Echo (Dale Romans) to Blue Grass at Keeneland
• Classic Empire (Mark Casse) probable to the Blue Grass at Keeneland
• Untrapped (Steve Asmussen) probable to the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn
• Malagacy (Todd Pletcher) probable to the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn