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

[Vasilevskiy]

Arrogate is a superb horse. Five steps ahead of every horse that raced there, so impressive. The best race horse in the world easily at the moment, but let's wait a bit more before comparing him to other greats... so much he can still do

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 26, 2017

Aqueduct (New York):

• Mike Luzzi had an interesting day in his two rides.
• At 21-to-1, he rode lights out to finish second and return $11.40 in the middle.
• In another race, he was on a 10-to-1 and once again rode voraciously to finish second but ...but once again, he got caught in an inquiry/objection with one of the Ortizes though this time he lodged it. Irad Ortiz, Jr. and his win was upheld on a 2-to-5 shot. This wasn't as clear cut as the recent foolish decision to remove Luzzi from the win a few weeks ago but certainly some thought Ortiz Jr. should have been DQ'd due to bumping; however, most were in sync with the eventual outcome prior to it being official. Luzzi did less in his DQ than what happened today.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. won five of the nine races. Needless to say, he gets good mounts.
• Junior Alvarado had one mount. A 15-to-1 M/L which opened at 3-to-1. Someone know something? Anyway, the horse went off 17-to-1, got bottled in traffic, finished third and returned $9.60 for that position. Very nice. The 2-to-5 favorite was off-the-board.
• Chris DeCarlo returned after being absent a few months due to injury, and finished fourth in race 8.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Tyler Gaffalione continued his run with three wins today including his 500th victory. He is a rising star for sure. Some are of the opinion he could go to New York for later spring or summer.
• John Velazquez, in his only ride of the day, was involved in an objection/inquiry and shock, he too got the benefit of the doubt. Tyler Gaffalione finished second. Luca Panici, with a 9-to-1 runner, came in third.
  
  ​
• Jose Lezcano, in his only ride of the day, won on turf once again.
• The Rainbow 6 carryover will begin at $1.35 million when racing resumes on Wednesday and there will be a mandatory payout next Sunday.
• Handicappers should note as the meet enters its final days, though the track operates through spring into summer, that the 8-to-12 posts are a combined 3-for-116 in dirt routes. That is just wins but a formidable post nonetheless.

Laurel (Maryland):

• This man can train fillies. Larry Jones won again and he is now 3-for-3 at the meet. Not many can train fillies better.
• Todd Pletcher shipped to Laurel for the first time and won with a 1-to-5 runner. Hey, it is Pletcher.
• Lacey Gaudet is over 25% at the meet and is the leader in $2 ROI with $3.09.
• At last check, Linda Rice was over 43% in wins and in the money 78.3%.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• In race 8, Kerwin Clark rode a 38-to-1 to victory. Clark, who is in his upper 50's, seemed genuinely excited and has won over 3,000 races. The win paid $78.40 as part of a $48,000+ $1 superfecta. The tri paid over $3,670.
• The double paid over $765 after the longest shot on the board won race 9 at 22-to-1.

Sunland (New Mexico):

• In the $800,000 Sunland Derby, a Kentucky Derby prep race, the Steve Asmussen-trained Hence just crossed the finish line first and paid $23.60. The race finished 9-12-2. I don't know much about the winning rider, who is local to the track, but his record indicates over 2,600 wins and more than 15,000 rides. This is a postcard image:
  
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• The $.50 Pick 4 after the fourth race returned $11,312.15.
• Jose Ortiz/Todd Pletcher won race 7.
• Among the prominent national riders here today are Javier Castellano, Martin Garcia, Jose Ortiz, Mario Gutierrez, Florent Geroux, Joe Talamo, Channing Hill and Gary Stevens.
  

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

TWINSPIRES.COM LOUISIANA DERBY (Grade II)

• What: A Kentucky Derby prep race worth 100 points to the winner. This is the first weekend that the winner of a U.S.-based Kentucky Derby prep will be awarded 100 points.
• When: Saturday, April 1, 2017, Race 11 of 15, 5:21 pm Central Time (6:21 pm Eastern Time)
• Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $1,000,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old, open
• Preview article: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/2012/03/24/louisiana-derby-hopefuls-post-final-moves

PP​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line​

1| Patch (KY)| 3/colt| Tyler Gaffalione| 122| Todd A. Pletcher| -
2| Hollywood Handsome (KY)| 3/colt| Francisco C. Torres| 122| Dallas Stewart| -
3| Local Hero (KY)| 3/colt| Florent Geroux| 122| Steven M. Asmussen| -
4| Senior Investment (KY)| 3/colt| Channing Hill| 122| Kenneth G. McPeek| -
5| Monaco (KY)| 3/colt| Rajiv Maragh| 122| Todd A. Pletcher| -
6| Guest Suite (KY)| 3/gelding| Robby Albarado| 122| Neil J. Howard| -
7| Sorry Erik (KY)|3/colt| Kent J. Desormeaux| 122| J. Keith Desormeaux| -
8| Girvin (KY)| 3/colt| Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.| 122| Joe Sharp| -
9| Hotfoot (KY)| 3/gelding| James Graham| 122| Joe Sharp|-

The Florida Derby will be posted here much later in the week. This upcoming weekend closes the Gulfstream Championship Meet. It will be a rockin' atmosphere especially if the Rainbow Six is alive.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

At what point does the Hall of Fame recognize these accomplishments and treat the extension of this pedigree as something extraordinary?

At the risk of reproducing past opinions, some of which were promoted as predictions come true and others as after-the-fact boasts, the Hall needs to right the wrong.

Get on board. We are talking about a generational talent in the pedigree of excellence. Put Unbridled in the Hall of Fame!

http://www.drf.com/news/unbridleds-legacy-continues-grow-dubai-world-cup-godolphin-mile-winners

TITLE: Unbridled's legacy continues to grow with Dubai World Cup, Godolphin Mile winners

Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Unbridled sired a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner from his first crop in Unbridled’s Song, and that colt was sent away favored in the 1996 Kentucky Derby. But as he faded to fifth in the lane after being hampered by foot problems in the lead-up to the race, it was another first-crop son of Unbridled, Grindstone, who staged a dramatic rally to win by a nose.

More than two decades later, both Unbridled’s Song’s and Grindstone’s branches of the Unbridled line were well represented on the world’s richest race card Saturday at Meydan, as Arrogate won the Group 1, $10 million Dubai World Cup and Second Summer took down the Group 2, $1 million Godolphin Mile.

Arrogate became the richest North American-based racehorse of all time by adding the Dubai World Cup to his scores in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup and $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. The colt continues to enhance the legacy of the late Unbridled’s Song, who died in 2013 after spending his entire stud career at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky. Posthumously, the stallion has been represented by champions Arrogate and Will Take Charge, Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Liam’s Map, and Grade 1 winner Tara’s Tango. Unbridled’s Song’s final foals are 3-year-olds this year, and his son Battalion Runner is eyeing the final round of Kentucky Derby preps.

The best runner sired by Grindstone – who began his stud career in Kentucky before moving to his current home in Oregon – was Birdstone, a Grade 1-winning juvenile who went on to take the 2004 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes. Birdstone, in turn, got a pair of classic winners from his first crop in 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and Belmont winner and Eclipse Award champion Summer Bird. The latter, who sired just three crops prior to his death, is the sire of Florida-bred Second Summer.

In addition to siring a Kentucky Derby winner in Grindstone, Unbridled, who died in 2001 at Claiborne Farm, was represented by 2000 Preakness Stakes winner Red Bullet and 2003 Belmont winner Empire Maker. The latter’s branch of the line is responsible for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah via Pioneerof the Nile.

Siring winners in each Triple Crown race is something rare for a Derby winner. It shouldn't go unnoticed. Since, the pedigree has spread like wildfire.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Add another to the list of propping Arrogate ahead of some of the all-time greats. This is from trainer Gary Contessa:

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Twitter source: https://twitter.com/GaryContessa/status/845769397444726788

In the era of increased purses and breeding options, horses won't generally run as much as they did in prior eras and as such it is difficult to compare and contrast resumes. But when insiders are praising a runner with such lofty descriptions, it offers a dynamic that is worthy of respect. Notice he didn't say Spectacular Bid which could be an omission or perhaps he thinks Bid is ahead of those listed.

 

[Orrfourever]

Cashed 1 ticket on Sunday @ Laurel, nothing big.

Special horse that Arrogate. Glad I'm around to watch an athlete like this thoroughbred.

Arrogates performance took me back to 1994 BC Classic.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

New track in Alberta

It appears a new track is close to reality in Alberta.

A new track, planned by Horse Racing Alberta and Century Casinos, is one step closer to becoming a reality – as the facility received approval from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC).

The site of the new track is a field, located south of Edmonton, near the Edmonton International Airport.

“It’s a big project, I think it’ll be the biggest project that Century has undertaken,” Paul Ryneveld with Century Casinos said.

http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/new-50m-horse-racing-track-near-airport-approved-by-aglc-1.3343299

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

Unique Bella sidelined

Unique Bella is sidelined and will miss the Kentucky Oaks. Jerry Hollendorfer had Songbird last year in a similar fate when she missed the race due to a fever. Bella's absence opens up that race dramatically.

http://www.drf.com/news/unique-bella-miss-santa-anita-oaks-and-kentucky-oaks-shin-injury

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

Rider shifts for possible Kentucky Derby runners.

Jose Ortiz has opted to ride Tapwrit over Practical Joke in the Blue Grass Stakes (Kentucky Derby prep) April 8. The former is trained by Todd Pletcher and the latter by reigning Trainer of the Year Chad Brown. Interesting decision and that can be indicative of many things but potentially a conflict involving future mounts. That is the negative of being a jockey in high demand, however.

Joel Rosario will ride Practical Joke.

Irish War Cry will now have Rajiv Maragh riding for the first time. The colt is scheduled to run in the April 8 Wood Memorial in New York. Rosario rode the last time but will be in Kentucky that day.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 29, 2017

Tampa Bay Downs (Florida):

• After race 5, the $1 Pick4 returned an astonishing $21,137.30. The $1 Pick 3 paid $2,223.60.
• After race 9, the $1 superfecta paid over $20,000. The $1 trifecta paid $3,921. The $.50 Pick 5 returned a whopping $43,383.80.
  

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Arrest warrants should be issued to those who bet elsewhere at the odds offered. Jose Ortiz and Jose Lezcano finished 1-2 in a turf race and the exacta returned $111.20...for those two turf riders?! That is a rarity. Kidding aside, two excellent riders on grass. It is not often Ortiz wins with an 8-to-1 shot.
• Emisael Jaramillo had three wins.
• No singular ticket hit the Rainbow 6 and as such the carryover will be $1.445 million for Thursday's card.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

TWINSPIRES.COM LOUISIANA DERBY (Grade II)

• What: A Kentucky Derby prep race worth 100 points to the winner. This is the first weekend that the winner of a U.S.-based Kentucky Derby prep will be awarded 100 points.
• When: Saturday, April 1, 2017, Race 11 of 15, 5:21 pm Central Time (6:21 pm Eastern Time)
• Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $1,000,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old, open
• Preview article: http://www.twinspires.com/blog/2017...ng-forward-week-twinspirescom-louisiana-derby

PP​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line​

1| Patch (KY)| 3/colt| Tyler Gaffalione| 122| Todd A. Pletcher| 9-2
2| Hollywood Handsome (KY)| 3/colt| Shaun Bridgmohan (rider change*)| 122| Dallas Stewart|12-1
3| Local Hero (KY)| 3/colt| Florent Geroux| 122| Steven M. Asmussen|7-2
4| Senior Investment (KY)| 3/colt| Channing Hill| 122| Kenneth G. McPeek| 12-1
5| Monaco (KY)| 3/colt| Rajiv Maragh| 122| Todd A. Pletcher| 12-1
6| Guest Suite (KY)| 3/gelding| Robby Albarado| 122| Neil J. Howard| 4-1
7| Sorry Erik (KY)|3/colt| Kent J. Desormeaux| 122| J. Keith Desormeaux|30-1
8| Girvin (KY)| 3/colt| Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.| 122| Joe Sharp|8-5
9| Hotfoot (KY)| 3/gelding| James Graham| 122| Joe Sharp|30-1

* Francisco C. Torres had successful back surgery Friday, March 31. He was replaced on the #2 in this race.

In race 10, Farrell will command a great deal of attention as a possible front runner in the Kentucky Oaks especially if she impresses at M/L odds of 8-5 in the Fair Grounds Oaks.

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

XPRESSBET FLORIDA DERBY (Grade I)

• What: 100 points on the line in one of the most important Kentucky Derby prep races annually. This race has been won by the likes of Nyquist, Orb, Big Brown, Scat Daddy, Barbaro, Empire Maker, Monarchos, Unbridled's Song, Thunder Gulch, Holy Bull and Unbridled and that is just since 1990.
• When: Saturday, April 1, 2017, Race 14 of 14, 6:40 pm Eastern Time
• Where: Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $1,000,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old, open
• Preview article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/teresa...lion-florida-derby-field-odds-post-positions/

PP​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line​

1| State of Honor (ON)| 3/colt| Julien R. Leparoux| 122| Mark E. Casse| -
2| Talk Logistics (FL)| 3/colt| Joe Bravo| 122| Edward Plesa, Jr.| -
3| Charlie the Greek (FL)| 3/colt| Leonel Reyes| 122| Mikhail Yanakov| -
4| Always Dreaming (KY)| 3/colt| John R. Velazquez| 122| Todd A. Pletcher| -
5| Quinientos (KY)| 3/gelding| Carlos Montalvo| 122| Enrique A. Sanchez| -
6| Coleman Rocky (KY)| 3/colt| Jose L. Ortiz| 122| Gustavo Delgado| -
7| Unbridled Holiday (FL)| 3/colt| Nik Juarez| 122| Patrick L. Biancone| -
8| Impressive Edge (KY)| 3/colt| Corey J. Lanerie| 122| Dale L. Romans| -
9| Battalion Runner (KY)| 3/colt| John R. Velazquez| 122| Todd A. Pletcher| -
10| Three Rules (FL)| 3/colt| Luis Saez| 122| Jose Pinchin| -
11| Gunnevera (KY)| 3/colt| Javier Castellano| 122| Antonio Sano| -

This upcoming weekend closes the Gulfstream Championship Meet. It will be a rockin' atmosphere especially if the Rainbow Six is alive.

Notice John Velazquez has two mounts in the race. One will be scratched or a rider change (that possibility very unlikely) will be announced. Indications seem to be Battalion Runner will not be sent to California for the Santa Anita Derby as was once rumored. Rather, the colt could be sent to New York for the Wood or Oaklawn for the Arkansas Derby.

Handicappers should note as the meet enters its final days, though the track operates through spring into summer, that the 8-to-12 posts are a combined 3-for-116 in dirt routes. That is just wins but a formidable post nonetheless.

I made that note a few days ago, some of the top talent in the Florida Derby drew the outside in today's draw. Gunnevera, who may go off the favorite, has the far outside, post #11. The talent should overcome post draws but the way the meet has been conducted, the outside in dirt routes has not been favorable.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The Rainbow Six has the potential to be epic.

http://www.paulickreport.com/horsep...schedules-guaranteed-pools-florida-derby-day/

Gulfstream Park has scheduled guaranteed pools for the 20-cent Rainbow 6, the 50-cent Late Pick 4 and the 50-cent Late Pick 5 on Saturday's $1 million Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) program.

The Rainbow 6 (Races 9-14) will offer a $2 million jackpot pool guarantee if the popular 20-cent wager goes unsolved on Thursday and Friday. The Late Pick 4 (Races 10-14) pool will be guaranteed at $750,000, while the Late Pick 5 (Races 10-14) will offer a $500,000 pool guarantee.

Saturday's 14-race program will offer nine stakes worth $2.45 Million in purses. The 66th running of the Florida Derby will anchor all three multi-race wagers with guaranteed pools. Xpressbet Fountain of Youth (G2) winner Gunnevera was installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite in a field of 11 entered in Gulfstream's signature race Wednesday.
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 went unsolved for the 24th consecutive program at Gulfstream Park Wednesday, resulting in a carryover jackpot of $1,445,652.70 for Thursday's program

Multiple tickets with all six winners were each worth $4,058.23.

The Rainbow 6 carryover jackpot is paid out only when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day's pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

There was a carryover of $1,354,776.50 heading into Wednesday's six-race sequence that spanned Races 6-11 and generated a handle of $378.728.

The Rainbow 6 was last solved Feb. 23, when a unique ticket was worth a $324,179.78 jackpot payoff.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 30, 2017

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Wild numbers in race 3. A $123.40 winner topped a $2 exacta which returned $1,885.20 and $11,620.40 for a $2 trifecta. The $1 superfecta paid $58,182.10. The $2 Pick 3 gave successful handicappers $2,745.40. In race 4, a 1-to-5 won.
• In a 12-horse field in race 7, the four outsides runners -- 9-10-11-12 -- finished in the top 4. A 69-to-1 finished second and paid $56 in the middle.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• In race 3, a $45 winner, $2 tri paid $3,444.80 and the $1 superfecta paid $15,685.320.
• In race 5, the $2 Pick 4 paid $15,497.20, the $1 superfecta paid $40,660.90, the $2 Pick 3 paid $1,979.20 and the $2 trifecta paid $2,975.80.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• $1,543,677 will be in the Rainbow Six pool to start tomorrow.

El Areeb is off the Derby trail.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 31, 2017

Aqueduct (New York):

• Irad Ortiz, Jr. had four wins in eight rides.
• Another successful comeback. Chris DeCarlo, in just his second ride of 2017, won in a romp on a 6-to-1. DeCarlo had been sidelined since late 2016 with an injury. DeCarlo is in his upper 40s and has been riding since the mid-1980s.
• Typical Junior Alvarado win in race 7. From the back and outside, on a 7-to-1. Alvarado has 4 wins in 17 rides (24%) this year after a prolonged absence due to surgery. John Quiles, the winning trainer, is 2-for-14 this year. He was 1-for-208 going back to the start of 2008.
• In race 6, an 80-to-1 came in second and paid $48.20.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Trainer Larry Jones won one of his two starts, the loss snapped a perfect 4-for-4 record at the meet.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Tyler Gaffalione opened the card by winning with the longest price on the board. The winner paid $31.00.
• Javier Castellano added three more wins to his likely Hall-of-Fame resume.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• In race 8, the $100,000 feature, the eventual winner opened at 1-to-9. The superfecta returned a healthy $3.59 for a dime. Not exactly Oaklawn-ian payouts but it happens.

Santa Anita (California):

• A very chalky day. The highest priced winner came in the opener at $8.60. In the eight races, favorites won five, finished second twice and third once.

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Lady Eli, (9 7-2-0) who won her first six races before being injured in July 2015, will return April 15 in the Grade I Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland (Kentucky). She has not been out since Breeders' Cup weekend. I would assume Chad Brown will have Irad Ortiz, Jr. ride for him. Tepin won this race in 2016.

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Meet schedules updated:

• The Kentucky racing calendar is as follows:
  • Turfway Park closes April 6.
  • Keeneland runs April 7 through April 28,
  • Churchill Downs runs April 29 through June 30,
  • Ellis Park runs July 1 through September 4,
  • Kentucky Downs runs September 2 through September 15,
  • Churchill Downs runs September 15 through October 1,
  • Keeneland runs October 6 through October 28,
  • Churchill Downs runs October 29 through November 26
  • Turfway Park runs November 29 through December 31.
• The New York racing calendar is as follows:
  • Aqueduct runs March 31 through April 23.
  • Belmont runs April 28 through July 16.
  • Saratoga runs July 21 through September 4.
  • Finger Lakes, which is not part of the NYRA, will run April 22 through November 28.
  The southern California racing calendar is as follows:
  • Santa Anita runs through July 4.
  • Los Alamitos operates July 6 through July 16.
  • Del Mar runs July 19 through September 4.
  • Los Alamitos runs September 7 through September 24.
  • Santa Anita runs September 29 through October 29.
  • Del Mar operates November 1 through November 26 (Breeders Cup!)
  • Los Alamitos runs November 30 through December 17.
• Gulfstream (Florida) conducts a meet from April 5 through September 30 after the current meet ends April 2. The former Calder, now Gulfstream Park West, will follow with its autumn meet.
• Hawthorne (Illinois) will run through April 29. Arlington (Illinois) runs May 5 through September 23.
• Fair Grounds (Louisiana) closes April 2. Evangeline Downs (Louisiana) will run April 12 through September 2.
• Woodbine (Toronto) opens April 15. It closes December 10.
• Oaklawn (Arkansas) closes April 15 and is dark for the remainder of 2017.

 

[Orrfourever]

Good luck to every one betting the ponies today...

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

April 1, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

• The total handle exceeded $30,000,000. Impressive! It was the second highest in Florida Derby history and the third largest non-Breeders' Cup handle ever.
• Over $2,000,000 was bet into various races including more than $3m in the 9th and more than $4.6m in the feature race.
• No singular ticket hit the Rainbow Six and as such the carryover for Sunday's concluding day of the meet will start at $1.9m. Many tickets were 6-for-6 and rewarded with slightly under $90.
• In 14 races, 13 different jockeys (Joel Rosario and Jose Ortiz won twice) and trainers (Todd Pletcher and Christophe Clement won twice) were victorious and that includes the dead-heat.
• In the opener, the race had Jose Ortiz at 7-to-1, Johnny V./Todd Pletcher at 3-to-1 and Javier Castellano at 19-to-1. The winner was a 10-to-1 morning line bet down to 7-to-2. Corey Lanerie/Ron Faucheaux won, the latter his first victory of the meet. The winner set a track record with the final time.
• Another odd morning line bet down, this time 20-to-1 reduced to 9-to-2. The 10-to-1 and 20-to-1 morning line winners produced a daily double of just $83. Of course, what matters is the closing line but imagine having those two to start the day and getting only $83 back. Luca Panici finished second at 40-to-1 and paid $26.80 and $13.40. That horse could have been used being the favorite in two of nine lifetime races. The $1 superfecta returned $12,137.60.
• In the third race, a 20-to-1 morning line sent off at 10-to-1 won. In the opening three races, morning lines of 10-1, 20-1 and 20-1 were victorious.
• In the fifth race, speed kills. The winner was ridden by Paco Lopez at 9-to-1. He was the longest shot on the board and saved ground after a blistering pace set by others. He won by closing efficiently and nipping Javier Castellano by a nose, the later with a 4-to-5 shot. Castellano had better days.
• There was a dead-heat in race 9. Jose Lezcano and Luis Saez were equal at the wire. Lezcano, who excels on turf, went off at 10-to-1. Trainer Josie Carroll was 0-for-28 at the meet.
• In race 10, the Grade II (turf) Honey Fox, Jose Lezcano finished second with a 15-to-1 to a 1-to-5 favorite ridden by Jose Ortiz. Celestine, the victor, is now 8-for-16 lifetime. Lezcano had three rides today and finished in the money in each (3 1-1-1).
• In race 13, the Grade II Pan American, post time was exactly at 6:25 17 minutes behind schedule and during the Louisiana Derby. In a perfect world, track officials would and should be cognizant of such conflicts.
• In the Florida Derby, John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher had an untested commodity with Always Dreaming who won stylishly at 2-to-1 and recorded a 97 Beyer Figure.. As I have said a few times in this thread and the prior, Pletcher is loaded with a wonderful stock of 3-year-olds. Javier Castellano/Antonio Sano opened at 1-to-2 with Gunnevera in an unfavorable post but also speed was playing into the card much of the day and that drew some leery eyes.
  
  ​

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• The track had 15 races on its card. The Louisiana Derby Day, its signature event, was the feature race.
• Brad Cox, one of the best trainers at the meet, was 1-3-2 in 8 starts.
• In the second race, the winner paid $65.80.
• The $2 Pick 3 after the eighth race paid $6,985.40.
• In the sixth race, the winner paid $60,00 and the $1 superfecta returned $13,760.80.
• Honorable Duty won the New Orleans Handicap, race 8 a Grade II with a $400,000 purse. Third straight win for the 5-year-old gelding who is now 6-for-12 lifetime. including a perfect 3-for-3 at the track. He received a 105 Beyer Figure.
• Tyler Gaffalione made a rare visit to the track and won his second mount of the day, race 9 a Grade II with a $300,000 purse. All three of his rides today were in Grade II races.
• Farrell won the Louisiana Oaks and perhaps elevated herself to the number one contender's role in the Kentucky Oaks. The 3 1/2 length victory was worth 100 points towards the Kentucky Oaks. Farrell is 5-for-7 lifetime including 2-for-4 at Churchill Downs where she ran her first four races and a perfect 3-for-3 at Fair Grounds. Channing Hill rides for his father-in-law Wayne Catalano. In her male DNA, Farrell has Malibu Moon, A.P. Indy, Unbridled's Song, Seattle Slew, Mr. Prospector and Unbridled. Hello!
• Girvin defeated the field in winning the Louisiana Derby, a Kentucky Derby prep race, at 8-to-5. Winning rider Brian Hernandez, Jr. will in all likelihood have options in the Kentucky Derby especially since he has McCracken who many feel is the potential Derby favorite. Unless something unexpected occurs, he will pick McCracken over Girvin. Tyler Gaffalione/Todd Pletcher finished second at 4-to-1 at about 1 1/12 lengths behind the winner and despite the loss ran a nice race.
  
  ​

Aqueduct (New York):

• In the opener, a gray/roan horse was stunning in what basically was a white shine. Not often thoroughbreds have that makeup.
• Cornelio Velasquez won three times including twice for Linda Rice. They have a proficient record when teamed.
• Mike Luzzi actually got a DQ in his favor. He originally finished third in his lone ride of the afternoon but was elevated to second on a 14-to-1 losing only to the 2-to-5 favorite,

Laurel (Maryland):

• The #4 opened at 1-to-9 and went off 9-to-2 before winning.
• The #6 and 7 hooked up in an awesome stretch duel in the third race. However, rider Steve Hamilton seemed to misjudge the finish line steps away and elevated his body before returning to the sit position. Caused some angst. Noses separated the two runners.
• Angel Rodriguez, a fairly successful rider at Penn National, won his only ride here and upped his record at the meet to 3-for-9 (33%).

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Trainer MacLean Robertson had two starters and finished second both times including a 15-to-1.
• Trainer Brad Cox won with his only starter beating the above.

Turf Paradise (Arizona):

• The day began with a $55.40 winner and a dead-heat for second.

Santa Anita (California):

• One ticketholder nearly collected $689,105 but when Lifeline ($3.40)defeated Fortune of War by a length, the unique ticket holder also was beaten. Instead, six winning tickets in the Pick Six collected $21,213.
• Dortmund was a bust yet again. Back on dirt after a try on turf, he tired. Since the switch from Bob Baffert to Art Sherman, Dortmund has had two races and both were miserable failures.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Updated information regarding the Kentucky Derby futures poll (posted Sunday night April 2):

http://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-future-pool-4-mccraken-tepid-choice-5-1

-----------------
The leading point producers from the Kentucky Derby prep races:

1. Girvin Joe Sharp 150 $849,800
2. Thunder Snow (IRE) Saeed bin Suroor 100 $1,621,063
3. Always Dreaming Todd Pletcher 100 $589,000
4. Gunnevera Antonio Sano 84 $1,137,800
5. State of Honor Mark Casse 62 $309,564
6. Tapwrit Todd Pletcher 54 $295,570
7. J Boys Echo Dale Romans 53 $255,000
8. Malagacy Todd Pletcher 50 $540,000
9. Hence Steve Asmussen 50 $481,129
10. Fast and Accurate Mike Maker 50 $320,712

http://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-2017-point-standings

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

Update announced Sunday involving two more runners from Pletcher's expanding and talented catalog:

• Battalion Runner will now be pointed to the Wood Memorial in New York
• One Liner will be shipped to Oaklawn for the Arkansas Derby

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

April 2, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

• The Championship Meet closed today. The Spring/Summer meet, which by comparison is less salient, opens this week. Luis Saez (102), Paco Lopez (90) and Tyler Gaffalione (62) were the three winningest riders. Riders over 20% in wins, with a minimum 40 wins, included John Velazquez (22%), Jose Ortiz (22%) and Luis Saez (21%). Todd Pletcher led trainers with 58 wins and with 28% based on a minimum 20 wins. He was in the money 53% of his 210 starts.
• With the closing of the meet, there was a mandatory payout with the Rainbow Six which exceeded $9,000,000 after more than $7,000,000 was bet into that jackpot alone. Winning tickets each received $48,881.88. And with the thrilling finale, heartbeats must have missed a beat or two. See below:
• Luca Panici, who won twice today, had an absolutely fantastic ride in the finale to nail the win. If every ride could be performed so stoutly, the results would be more pleasing. Watch Panici on board the #12 and the energy he exerted to get the victory. He doesn't quit. Start the video at 25:30 (race 11):
  
  ​

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• The track had 12 races including six (6) purses worth $100,000. Many national riders rode. Among the winners in the stakes races were Jose Ortiz, Julien Leparoux and Tyler Gaffalione.
• After race 11, a $2 Pick 5 paid $140,434.80 while a successful $.50 Pick 5 bet returned $35,108.70. The $1 superfecta paid $13,712.80. A $1 trifecta returned more than $1,800.
• In race 10, an exacta with Jose Ortiz and Javier Castellano, regular riders at Gulfstream and New York, returned $108.80.
• In race 2, a 50-to-1 was runner-up and paid $31.00 for place and $39.00 for show. The 7-to-5 favorite was off-the-board leading to the payouts.
• In race 1, a first-time starter won and topped an exacta that paid $244.20.

Aqueduct (New York):

• While the sting of the oft-mentioned ridiculous DQ from late February has waned, Mike Luzzi, who won twice today, got revenge for the decision by the stewards and won on board that same horse Mr. Buff today. At the time, many observers, including insiders, lambasted the ruling. Luzzi's other win was on a 17-to-1 in which he shot out of the gate and held on for victory in a ride that was made-for-profit. Nice job, Luzzi. What made it even better was Chris DeCarlo, in his only ride of the day, came in second for an awfully generous $122 exacta. The two wily vets delivered.
  
  ​

Laurel (Maryland):

• Lane Luzzi won the opener in one of his two rides. Something was in the air! Father and son winners at two tracks.
• A bad spill in race 8 resulted in a tragic end for one horse. Jockey Victor Carrasco has a fractured shoulder blade and is out two months. Guillermo Rodriguez, another rider, also suffered an injury which will keep him out for as much as ten weeks after surgery to spleen and other areas. The winner paid $75. The exacta was $655.60.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Today was the closing day of the meet and 14 races were run.
• Ashley Broussard brought home the day's largest winner at $132.80. The exacta paid $1,060. The $1 tri paid $6,327.

Santa Anita (California):

• The $1 super paid $11,699.90 in race 4. It ended what was a mostly chalky weekend at the track.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A huge weekend approaching with Kentucky Derby preps. Contenders will be confirmed by mid-week. Each of the three races will be aired on NBCSN.

• New York: Wood Memorial at Aqueduct (runners could include Battalion Runner, Irish War Cry, Mo Town).
• Kentucky: Blue Grass at Keeneland (runners could include Practical Joke, Tapwrit, McCracken, J Boys Echo).
• California: Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park (runners could include Gormley, Iliad, American Anthem, Battle of Midway, Term of Art, Royal Mo)

The Blue Grass is such a key event, it has its own website: http://www.keeneland.com/bluegrass/races/Toyota-Blue-Grass-(G2)

Todd Pletcher's Kentucky Derby woes have been spotlighted endlessly but he has a rich pool this year the big race at Churchill notwithstanding. I expect him to have a terrific meet at Keeneland. Chad Brown, too. Practical Joke vs. Tapwrit in the Blue Grass and throw in McCracken and others and we should have a pleasurable and significant race.

Keeneland, of course, is one of the most popular tracks annually with everyone from handicappers to insiders.

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

Steve Haskin ranked his latest Kentucky Derby Dozen (April 4, 2017) on Bloodhorse.com.

• 1. Always Dreaming -- Todd Pletcher
• 2. Gunnevera -- Antonio Sano
• 3. McCracken -- Ian Wilkes
• 4. Girvin -- Joe Sharp
• 5. Tapwrit -- Todd Pletcher
• 6. J Boys Echo -- Dale Romans
• 7. Practical Joke -- Chad Brown
• 8. Classic Empire -- Mark Casse
• 9. Iliad -- Doug O'Neill
• 10. One Liner -- Todd Pletcher
• 11. Malagacy -- Todd Pletcher
• 12. Irish War Cry -- Graham Motion

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

WOOD MEMORIAL STAKES (GRADE II)

• What: A Kentucky Derby prep race worth 100 points to the winner.
• History: First run in 1925, the most recent winner of this race to go onto Churchill Downs and win the Kentucky Derby was Fusiachi Pegasus in 2000. Prior to that, it was the Johnny Campo- trained Pleasant Colony who became household names.
• When: Saturday, April 8, 2017, Race 10 of 12, 5:52 pm Eastern Time
• Where: Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens, New York
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $750,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old, open
• Preview article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/teresa...positions-and-morning-line-odds/#4f9ca9524cb0
• Full card: http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/AQU040817USA-EQB.html
• Television: Part of the NBCSN coverage from 5:30 p.m. ET - 7:30 p.m. ET.

PP​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line​

1| Glennrichment (KY)| 3/colt| Kendrick Carmouche| 123| Rudy R. Rodriguez| 15-1
2| Mo Town (KY)| 3/colt| Javier Castellano| 123| Anthony W. Dutrow| 6-1
3| Battalion Runner (KY)| 3/colt| John R. Velazquez| 123| Todd A. Pletcher| 2-1
4| Bonus Points (MD)| 3/colt| Luis Saez| 123| Todd A. Pletcher| 20-1
5| True Timber (KY) |3/gelding| Paco Lopez| 123| Kiaran P. McLaughlin|12-1
6| Stretch's Stone (NY)| 3/colt| Manuel Franco| 123| Bruce N. Levine|15-1
7| Cloud Computing (KY)| 3/colt| Irad Ortiz, Jr.| 123| Chad C. Brown| 5-2
8| Irish War Cry (NJ)| 3/colt| Rajiv Maragh| 123| H. Graham Motion| 7-2

TOYOTA BLUE GRASS STAKES (Grade II)

• What: A Kentucky Derby prep race worth 100 points to the winner. A small but talented field. Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher square off with talented colts against the acclaimed McCracken.
• History: The most recent winners of this race to go onto victory in the Kentucky Derby were Strike the Gold (1991) and Spectacular Bid (1979). There was an all-weather track for many years at Keeneland before reverting to dirt in 2015. It was a Grade I race in recent years prior to this running.
• When: Saturday, April 8, 2017, Race 10 of 11, 6:17 pm Eastern Time
• Where: Keeneland Racecourse, Lexington, Kentucky
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $1,000,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old, open
• Preview article: http://www.drf.com/news/mccraken-draws-post-2-blue-grass-made-7-5-morning-line-favorite
• Full card: http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/RaceCardIndexKEE040817USA-EQB.html
• Television: Part of the NBCSN coverage from 5:30 p.m. ET - 7:30 p.m. ET.

PP​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line​

1| It's Your Nickel (KY)|3/colt| James Graham| 123| Kenneth G. McPeek| 20-1
2| McCraken (KY)| 3/colt| Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.| 123| Ian R. Wilkes| 7-5
3| J Boys Echo (KY)| 3/colt| Robby Albarado| 123| Dale L. Romans| 4-1
4| Tapwrit (KY)|3/colt| Jose L. Ortiz| 123| Todd A. Pletcher| 5-2
5| Wild Shot (KY)|3/colt| Corey J. Lanerie| 123| George R. Arnold, II|15-1
6| Irap (KY)|3/colt| Julien R. Leparoux| 123| Doug F. O'Neill|20-1
7| Practical Joke (KY)| 3/colt| Joel Rosario| 123| Chad C. Brown| 7-2

SANTA ANITA DERBY (Grade I)

• What: A highly talented field. 100 points goes to the winner of this race towards entry for the Kentucky Derby.
• History: Three of the last five Kentucky Derby winners also won this race.
• When: Saturday, April 8, 2017, Race 8 of 11, 4:12 p.m. Pacific Time, 7:12 pm Eastern Time (amended times)
  
• Where: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $1,000,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-years-old, open
• Preview article: http://www.brisnet.com/content/2017/04/santa-anita-derby-attracts-competitive-field-13/
• Full card: http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA040817USA-EQB.html
• Television: Part of the NBCSN coverage from 5:30 p.m. ET - 7:30 p.m. ET.

PP​

| Horse (location bred) |

Age/Sex​

|

Jockey​

|

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line​

1| Term of Art (KY)| 3/colt| Tyler Baze| 124| Doug F. O'Neill| 12-1
2| Reach the World (KY)| 3/colt| Mike E. Smith| 124| Bob Baffert| 5-1
3|Battle of Midway (KY)| 3/colt| Corey S. Nakatani| 124| Jerry Hollendorfer| 5-1
4| Comma Sister (KY)| 3/colt| Israel Ocampo| 124| George Papaprodromou| 50-1
5|So Conflated (FL)| 3/ridgling | Mario Gutierrez| 124| Doug F. O'Neill|15-1
6| American Anthem (KY)|3/colt| Martin Garcia| 124| Bob Baffert| 5-1
7| Kimbear (KY)| 3/colt| Joseph Talamo| 124| J. Eric Kruljac| 12-1
8| Gormley (KY)| 3/colt| Victor Espinoza| 124| John A. Shirreffs| 9-2
9| Iliad (KY)| 3/ridgling| Flavien Prat| 124| Doug F. O'Neill| 7-2
10| Milton Freewater (CA)| 3/colt| Tiago Josue Pereira| 124| Doug F. O'Neill| 30-1
11| Irish Freedom (KY)|3/colt| Rafael Bejarano| 124| Bob Baffert|20-1
12| Midnight Pleasure (KY)|3/colt| Jamie Theriot| 124| Mick Ruis|30-1
13| Royal Mo (KY)| 3/colt| Gary L. Stevens| 124| John A. Shirreffs|10-1

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

April 5, 2017

Aqueduct (New York):

• The meet opened today and Jose Ortiz won three times, including the first two on the card, and began the day 3-for-3 through four races. His brother Irad was 2-0-5 in 8 races including four consecutive third place finishes through the opening four races on the card. A very unique accomplishment.
• A 1-to-9 won and received over $140,000 in the show pool alone. At least for today, bridge jumpers survived to tell their stories. Exacta bettors were celebratory when the longest shot on the board, at 36-to-1, finished second.
• You know you have horse! Junior Alvarado was sitting pretty when his horse obviously wanted to run. The gallop, the muffled strides were apparent early. Eventually, Alvarado, went inside and let the 3-year-old run to an eventual 6 1/2 length romp. The rider likely sensed the gelding wanted to strut his stuff and timed it exquisitely with the second longest short on the board albeit in a small field. Watch here (race 3, April 5, 2017) -- https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/replays It really is a remarkable intellectual and athletic achievement.
• Mike Luzzi had one ride and finished third on a 30-1 bomb. This horse was off the board, in another area code, make that another time zone when the race was about 2/3rds through. Somehow, Luzzi found the accelerator and made any "all" bettors in trifectas delirious when he powered the runner to the show finish. Watch here (race 6, April 5, 2017) and try to find the six until the finish: https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/replays

Gulfstream (Florida):

• The Spring/Summer meet opened today.
• The Rainbow Six today was hit. With all the hoopla surrounding Sunday's Championship meet's mandatory payout, and with eventual winners getting about $48,000, there were five horses singled in today's finale, about half the field. And the inside post won at 7-to-1. The winner got $35,516.80 (base on a $.20 bet). There wasn't much pomp-and-circumstance but someone is celebrating.
• The $.50 Pick 5 paid $15,600+.
• As an aside for numbers players, the Championship meet ended and each of four categories was topped by the #1 post position. Dirt sprints and routes and turf sprints and routes were all headed by the #1 post in total wins and winning percentage. The inside was the place to be at Gulfstream the last four months.
• Don't be surprised if the lesser known jockeys and trainers make an impact in the early stages of the meet.

Penn National (Pennsylvania):

• Jeremy Rose won his only scheduled mount of the day. I do not know why he is getting fewer mounts, or so it seems, but he broke a streak of three consecutive second place finishes with this horse and finally found the winner's circle.
• Bombs away! A $112.00 winner was part of an extraordinary double which returned $3,205.20. Three grand for a $2 double. The $2 Pick 3 returned $7,988.60.

And the purse for the Pegasus, the world's richest horse race, has been raised to $16,000,000 from the initial offering of $12,000,000. Frank Stronach ain't messin' around.

 

[Soliloquy of a Dogge]

And the purse for the Pegasus, the world's richest horse race, has been raised to $16,000,000 from the initial offering of $12,000,000. Frank Stronach ain't messin' around.

Holy crap. Gotta imagine that the World Cup's purse is going to increase as well one would think. This is a smart move by Stronach that should attract more interest with the minimum purse for every starter being increased. I still think the event is structured in a somewhat tacky manner and the race would be better suited at the classic mile and a quarter distance. 10f would attract more world class horses from all over the globe. The event also needs a more enticing card of races at multiple distances and surfaces if it wants to become a truly alluring event that is going to attract widespread interest and eventually achieve a status comparable to the DWC (which is what the end goal appears to be).

I do worry about the trend of increasing these purses to extravagant sums and the possible effect it may have when it comes to other races with smaller purses and fields in the future. I don't think it's necessarily a good thing for the sport or does much to increase interest or participation in the industry. It's already hard enough for the smaller owners with excellent horses to run them and this event, at least in its current iteration, comes off as little more of an egotistical endeavor for the ultra wealthy rather than something that is attempting to establish its own tradition. The amount of racing revenue is already primarily distributed to a select handful of owners at the top who already can afford to buy the top yearlings and two year olds while leaving less and less for the little guys who buy the claiming and allowance horses. This only exacerbates a growing trend and because of it less of these claiming and allowance horses are being purchased (as well as broodmares) and is a primary reason why the breeding industry is shrinking and foal rates are dropping. And I do really wish that even a small portion of all these millions being thrown around could be directed towards supporting reputable off-the-track thoroughbred rescue and retirement facilities as lord knows there are a number of organizations that could use the money.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

^ There was mention of an increased purse after the World Cup a couple of weeks ago. I wouldn't be surprised if Stronach raised and anted with that in mind.

What you say has merit. The monetary angle is cause for concern. Times change, now we have casinos propping purses at some tracks. It takes a skill to handicap properly and certainly cam be time-consuming which doesn't mesh with the quick gratification of current times. The race has its detractors but this time last year Arrogate was a non-factor as a commodity and now is mentioned in the same breathe as some of the greats. Maybe another storyline will develop along the line of Arrogate-California Chrome that is under-the-radar. Being January is an off-time for much of the racing industry, the timing is ideal to get exposure for the sport in between the Breeders' Cup and eventual Derby preps.

April 6, 2017

Aqueduct (New York):

• A very sloppy day with the weather. Race 7 was delayed for a period of time.
• Junior Alvarado won his only ride of the day -- similar to yesterday -- and is now 6-for-23 (26%) in 2017 and since returning from his prolonged absence due to injury.
• A Junior Alvarado-Mike Luzzi exacta, both with their lone rides, didn't materialize when a 46-to-1 separated the pair. Alvarado's winner was sent off at 6-to-1 after a 15-to-1 morning line.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• A short 8-race card, winning jockeys were limited to four riders including Emisael Jaramillo (3), Tyler Gaffalione (2), Miguel Vasquez (2) and Edgard Zayas (1).

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Calvin Borel won the opener on a 16-to-1 shot.
• Even when the winner produces only $5.00, the $.50 trifecta paid $157.70 and the $1 superfecta paid $3,489.90.

Santa Anita (California):

• Two days before the Santa Anita Derby and someone just nailed the Pick Six at Santa Anita for $1.2 million. Winning numbers are 2-1-5-8-4-3. The final leg produced a $55.00 winner. If you picked 5 out of 6 (one loss) races correctly, you received a consolation of $1,375.00.

 

[leaflover]

Does anyone know if Om was retired?
He ran another race shortly after the BC Turf Sprint and nothing since. He may not win them all but he made them interesting.

 

[GKJ]

It's like impossible to find info on a horse with a name like that.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Does anyone know if Om was retired?
He ran another race shortly after the BC Turf Sprint and nothing since. He may not win them all but he made them interesting.

He is listed as having worked in early January. That is an indication he wasn't retired following his most recent race. I don't know of any workouts since then but if I find more info, I will post it here.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

April 7, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

• 1-to-2 shot won the opener but Luca Panici rans lights out to get second on a 16-to-1 for a pretty exacta of $22.20.
• LucaPanici was in the money in four of his five starts including a win.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• The meet opened today. Among the visiting and well-traveled riders were Javier Castellano, Johnny Velazquez, Jose Ortiz, Luis Saez, Joel Rosario, Corey Lanerie, Florent Geroux, Julien Leparoux and Jose Lezcano.
• The graphics on the simulcast feed appeared too small for some data especially rider changes and scratches. Also, the color scheme of light brown with green for other info did not mesh well. The info regarding payouts, however, was exceptional. Too many tracks have green as the primary color, too. Some, such as the New York tracks, Laurel and Gulfstream, have appealing presentations even though the setups are different. White-on-black has been known to work.
• In the opener, 14 horses were entered including a 1A, 2B, 3C and 4D. I am not sure I have seen a 4D run. It is rare enough to see a 3C. There was a dead-heat for second in the opener.
• A 3-to-5 wired the field in race 2.
• In race 4, a fantastic finish with four across the wire but Javier Castellano held on after a gate-to-wire run with the second highest price on the board at 14-to-1.
• In race 6, the $1 superfecta returned $10,552.
• In the feature race, a Grade III $150,000 purse, east coast rider Javier Castellano won for west coast trainer Tim Yakteen on a 10-to-1 shot. Castellano winning twice on a card is common but with two prices is unfamiliar turf.
• The feature race also had some of the largest payouts of the day with a $20.80 winner, $50 for place to the runner-up who was a 59-to-1 shot, a $944 exacta, a $6,805 trifecta and a $40,899 superfecta (all based on $2 bets).
• Jose Ortiz, Javier Castellano and Corey Lanerie were riders who won twice.
• Trainer Wesley Ward won the opening and closing race.

Laurel (Maryland):

• In race 4, trainer Larry Jones won in a romp at 3-to-2. He improved to 5-for-7 at the meet.
• In race 5, trainers Linda Rice and Larry Jones finished 1-2 for a welcomed exacta of $10.80. The only question was which order these two would finish, barring the obvious surprise.
• Linda Rice was 3 2-0-1 (2-for-3) and improved her mark at the meet to 30 16-4-5. She is 53% in wins and 83.3% in the money.
• The closing race was delayed with two scratches. The race with an original post time of 5:10 eventually went off at 5:52. Hopefully, there was no significant injury.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Can I say this was my pick of the day at 15-1? At least outside of the layups at Laurel mentioned above. Very simple: Chuckie Lopez at Aqueduct. The horse has won four of his last 5 at the track since coming in from Philly. Lopez doesn't ride New York often but when he does, he usually has success and though my numbers may be off, I think he is 6-for-7 in 2017 at New York. For a visiting rider, that is sensational. The vet rider obviously has a knack. And let's assume he did his patented flex for the camera afterwards. Now the negative, he was suggested in exactas involving Linda Rice's two entries but both failed including the 3-to-5 favorite.
• Race 8, mentioned above, finished 1-2-3-4-5-6 with six horses entered. Very rare.