Haynesfield Returns to Action in Westchester

The first graded stakes race of the Belmont Park spring meeting is Saturday’s $100,000 Westchester (G3), which drew a tough field of six older runners including the return of Haynesfield.

The Steve Asmussen trainee won four of his six starts in 2010, including beating Blame in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park last October.

His Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) did not go as planned, as he faded to finish a well beaten 11th, and he capped off his 2010 campaign by coming up just a neck short in a runner up finish in the Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct to Jersey Town.

The five-year-old has run well off the bench in the past, but should get a good test from a talented field that includes Soaring Empire, the 2/1 morning line second choice, and Christmas for Liam, an up and coming four-year-old colt trained by Todd Pletcher.

The Westchester is the third leg of the Pick 4, in which the base bet has been reduced from $1 to 50-cents.

On Saturdays, beginning May 14, Belmont Park will offer a $300,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 on the final four races of the day. The Late Pick 4 is a wager in which the bettor must correctly pick the winners of the last four races on the card.

Let’s head out to Belmont Park fort Saturday’s featured betting race of the day:

Belmont Park Race 9 The Westchester G3 (5:17 ET)

Haynesfield 9/5

Christmas for Liam 4/1

Soaring Empire 2/1

Caixa Eletronica 8/1

Betting Analysis: Haynesfield is making his first start in five months, and is catching a tough group here, but it is tough to go against this guy, who has won five of his six starts over the Belmont Park main track. Includes in those wins was the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) last October where he beat Blame, who came back to turn the tables in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Our top pick runs well off the bench, missing winning the Sir Keys here in 2008 by a head off a seven month layoff, and beating state bred optional claimers here last June off a similar layoff. The five-year-old is reunited with jockey Ramon Dominguez who was aboard for his last two wins.

Christmas for Liam is in a tough spot here as he makes his stakes debut, but the colt looked very impressive at Gulfstream Park passing his first two allowance conditions at today’s one turn mile distance. He earned a career top speed figure last out drawing clear to beat Alw-2 optional claimers by 7 ¼ lengths. The colt still appears to have plenty of upside potential.

Soaring Empire won the Hal’s Hope (G3) three back, then ran into the tough Tackleberry in his last two starts, coming up two lengths short of that foe in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship (G2), then missing by just a neck last out in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) at a mile. The colt was fourth in the Dwyer (G2) last year in his lone start over the Belmont Park main track, but is much more mature as a four-year-old, popping triple digit Beyer Speed Figures in four of his last five starts.

Wagering

WIN: Haynesfield to win at 8/5 or better.

EX: 5,6 / 4,5,6

TRI: no play

Elkhorn Closes Out Keeneland Spring Meeting

Keeneland wraps up its spring meeting on Friday afternoon with a solid ten race betting card featuring the $150,000 Elkhorn (G2), a 1 ½ mile turf marathon that drew a solid field of eleven older runners.

The hard knocking seven-year-old Rahy’s Attorney is the 2/1 morning line betting favorite and comes into the race off his first win at 1 ½ miles when he took the Pan American (G3) at Gulfstream Park on March 26.

He is up against several other grizzled turf veterans including the nine-year-old Musketier and seven-year-old Winward Islands, who makes his first start since last September for trainer Mark Frostad.

While the closing of Keeneland is not good news, there is plenty of good news for horse bettors.

Belmont Park opens on Friday afternoon for their 56 day spring -summer meeting, and Churchill Downs will start their meet under the lights on Saturday night.

The feature race Saturday night under the Twin Spires is the $200,000 Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (G3) for three-year-olds.

Let’s head out to Keeneland for the closing day featured betting race of the day:

Keeneland Race 9 The Elkhorn G2 (5:23 ET)

Winward Islands 8/1

Rahy’s Attorney 2/1

Musketier 5/2

Simmard 8/1

Betting Analysis: Winward Islands makes his first start since September and this guy runs well off the bench. He beat Alw-2 foes over the turf course here at Keeneland back in 2008 off a year layoff, and last July won the Nijinsky Stakes (G2) at Woodbine off a 13 month layoff. The gelding has been prepping over the polytrack here for the Mark Frostad barn that is 36% winners (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. He likely gets overlooked in the betting here and we should catch a decent price.

Rahy’s Attorney is as tough as it gets, landing in the exacta in 22 of his 32 career starts. The gelding won the Pan American (G3) last out at Gulfstream Park at today’s 1 1/2 mile distance. The seven-year-old gelding has done his best work from a mile to 1 1/8 miles, but he showed last out that the distance is well within his scope.

Musketier exits the Pan American and was getting to our second choice in the late going but ended up 3/4 of a length shy of the top spot. The gelding won this race last year, the third time that trainer Roger Attfield has won this race. He won with Pellegrino in 2006 and Spice Route in 2009 to go along with last year’s victory. The nine-year-old only made two starts last year, but is not showing any signs of slowing down, earning his third triple digit Beyer Speed Figure in his last effort.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 5/1 or better.

EX: 6,8 / 3,6,8,11

TRI: 6,8 / 3,6,8,11 / 2,3,6,8,11

Horse Racing Betting – Grade III Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland on April 28

As long as Keeneland Racecourse keeps running races, horse betting gamblers should be able to make profits. On Thursday, April 28, Keeneland showcases fillies on the lawn in the Grade III Bewitch Stakes.

10 horses will enter the starting gate for the Bewitch Stakes. The likely favorite, Keertana, is listed at 5/2 on the morning line. Although Keertana figures to be very tough in this race on Thursday, there are two other horses that I believe could challenge the five-year-old winner of over $824,000 on April 28.

Keeneland Racecourse – Race 8

Where: Lexington, Kentucky

When: April 28, 2011 at 4:52 pm EST

TV: TVG

Grade III Bewitch Stakes

Purse $150,000. For Fillies And Mares, Four-Years-Old And Upward.

1 1/2 miles over turf

8 – Endless Expanse – - 7/2 morning line odds

This four-year-old filly sired by Red Ransom has won only around $78,000. That pales in comparison to Keertana, but Endless Expanse has won 3 out of 8 lifetime and missed taking home the Grade III Orchid by only a length as the $1.20 to a buck horse racing favorite in her last. Endless Expanse keeps superstar turf jockey Julien Leparoux for this and trainer Christophe Clement has an unparalleled reputation with grass runners. Not only that, but since the Orchid on March 20, the filly has worked twice over the training track at Payson. Endless Expanse is a closer, and that could hurt her, but Leparoux almost always makes the right moves on the turf. Irish breeder and owner Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd didn’t send this gal to Clement to just win allowance races.

Horseplayers should expect a terrific run out of the filly on Thursday.

2 – La Luna De Miel – - 3/1 morning line odds

Since coming over from Germany, the Monsun sired, Graham Motion trained filly has been undefeated. First, La Luna De Miel won an allowance at 1 7/16 miles. Then, the horse beat Endless Expanse in the Grade III Orchid. She’s obviously a player in this since jockey John Velasquez is winning at a 30% clip at the current Keeneland meet and even though Motion is winning at only 4% at Keeneland, nobody will ever doubt his ability to train a horse to run over the sod. La Luna De Miel will stay closer to the pace than Endless Expanse, and that might help her get a jump over my top choice, but I also believe that there’s a run on De Miel in this. What I mean is that she figures to go off at odds below her 3 to 1 morning line.

5 – Keertana – - 5/2 morning line odds

The horse racing odds on Keertana are in no way an indication of her ability to win this race. Can she win this race? Absolutely she can, but her morning line suggests that she’s much better than the rest of the gals in this field. I just don’t believe that’s true. Keertana is a must use in the exotics because she’s won 9 out of 24 races and lost by only ½ a length, finishing third, in the Grade I Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf last fall. Keertana hasn’t finished worse than third in her last three races. That definitely makes her a horse to back in the trifecta, but she lost by 1 ¾ lengths to Zagora and Denominator, finishing third, in the Grade III Hillsborough in her last. Are Denominator and Zagora better than La Luna De Miel and Endless Expanse? I don’t believe so.

Horse Wagering Strategy

Endless Expanse figures to go off at the best odds out of the three main contenders. I will bet on Endless Expanse to win and place.

I will also make an online horse betting exacta wager on Endless Expanse over Keertana and La Luna De Miel. I will reverse the exacta for less. I will bet a trifecta with Endless Expanse and La Luna De Miel in the first two slots with Endless Expanse, Keertana, La Luna De Miel, 3-Zapparition, 10-My Baby Baby.

Good luck!

Catinca Stakes Starts Betting Week Off at Belmont Park

A full field of twelve three-year-old fillies kicks off the week in the $70,000 Catinca Stakes going 6 ½ furlongs over the main track at Belmont Park.

Belle Cherie victor Kid Kate is likely to go off as the favorite for trainer Chad Brown, with Jose Lezcano riding the filly for the fourth consecutive time.

Her main rival is likely to be Belle of the Hall, who went down as the even money favorite at Charles Town in her most recent outing, but is a stakes winner, taking the Jostle at Parx Racing back in June.

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Despite getting beaten 14 lengths in that rich race at the West Virginia track, jockey Ramon Dominguez sees fit to ride her again for trainer Tom Albertrani.

Before we get to the feature, let’s head out to Keeneland for the play of the day:

Today’s Play of the Day from Keeneland:

KEE Race 4 Clm $16,000 (2:48 ET)

• #6 Tiz Late 7/2
• #11 Peace Wine 4/1
• #9 Go Patrick Go 4/1
• #1 Rascality 6/1

Analysis: #6 Tiz Late drops out of a $25K claimer where the gelding set a sharp early pace and faded to finish sixth. He had a productive ’09, winning three of five starts and finishing fourth in a Grade 3 at Woodbine before heading to the bench. He makes his third start off the layoff here for the sharp Trombetta barn. The class drop may take this guy farther here.

#11 Peace Wine tries the fake stuff for the first time in his career after checking in fifth last out against Alw-2 company. Two back the colt was a good second against $40K non-winners of three. The winner and fourth place finisher came out of that race to win next out. He has done his best work on turf, but his pedigree elands more toward dirt and hopefully will take to poly.

Horse Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 5/2 or better.

EX: 6,11 / 1,6,9,11

TRI: 6,11 / 1,6,9,11 / 1,2,4,6,9,11

Today’s Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 8 The Catinca (4:43 ET)

• #8 Belle of the Hall 3/1
• #12 Kid Kate 5/2
• #4 Catch a Thief 4/1
• #2 Karmageddon 15/1

Analysis: #8 Belle of the Hall was outrun last out at Chuck Town in the CT Oaks going seven furlongs and two turns over the tight turns. This gal won the Jostle at Philly three back at today’s distance to start her career a perfect three for three. The cut back to one turn should suit and this filly has been facing a tougher than she catches here.

#12 Kid Kate was bumped around coming out of the gate, tracked the early pace, battled with the leader on the far turn and drew off late with something left in the tank. She has earned solid figs in her last three efforts and fits here. She finished up strongly two back going seven panels at the Spa and the cut back should not pose a problem for her here.

Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 5/2 or better.

EX: 8,12 / 2,4,8,12

TRI: 8,12 / 2,4,8,12 / 2,3,4,6,8,12

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Keeneland

Starting in Race 7: $1: 2,5,6 / 3,11 / 1,2,7,11 = $24

KEE Race 7 Alw $40,000N1X (4:21 ET)

#6 Wildcat Heiress, #5 Wicked Ravnina, #2 Bialy

#6 Wildcat Heiress set the early fractions and weakened to finish in the runner up spot last out in her first start against winners at Hoosier. She popped a bullet work over the poly here on Oct. 18 and her pedigree suggests she should take to the fake stuff. The filly owns solid early and mid pace numbers and looks like decent value in this spot. Hoosier shippers have picked up a few wins at the meeting.

#5 Wicked Ravnina is coming off a decent third last out over the turf at Kentucky Downs. The filly set the early fractions and weakened in the stretch to finish two lengths behind the winner. The winner was Mimi’s Bling, who returned to win the Franklin County in her next start on Oct. 15. The filly makes her third start of her current form cycle for the Maker barn.

KEE Race 8 Alw $51,000N2X (4:52 ET)

#3 Classical Closing, #11 Backstabber

#3 Classical Closing was outrun last out in the slop at Philly in a race washed off the turf and he gets back on the weeds here and looking to bounce back. Two back he was third over yielding turf in the Kentucky Cup Turf Dash, beaten 2 3/4 lengths for the top spot. The runner up Amazing Results won the Carey Memorial ‘Cap (G3) on Oct. 2 at Hawthorne. The gelding fits here with his best and may get overlooked on the tote coming off the poor showing on the off track.

#11 Backstabber is coming off back to back wins at Arlington Park for Catalano, beating Alw-1 foes last out. He is returning off a two month break but sports a couple of quick works here including a bullet drill on Oct. 18 over the poly.

KEE Race 9 Clm $7,500 (5:23 ET)

#11 Wrigley Ivy, #1 Lady Wynne, #7 Nala’s Pride, #2 Flat Chance

#11 Wrigley Ivy gets the nod in a wide open finale to the card. The filly is coming off a neck loss at this level last out in the mud at Hoosier. Three runners she beat that day came back to win their next starts. He has only tried the fake stuff once in her career, a fourth place finish at Turfway Park versus $20K non winners of two back in the fall of ’09. She looks as if she is bred to handle nine furlongs on the fake stuff, by Pleasant Tap out of a Silver Ghost mare.

#1 Lady Wynne beat $7.5K non winners of three last out at Turfway park in a sharp effort and steps up to face open company here. Her last out fig is coming up on the light side, but she has won 2 of her three trips on poly and looks like she is going to be a decent price in this spot on the class hike.

Price Plays From Keeneland:

These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

• R1: #1 Heritage Hall 8/1
• R3: #7 Grizzled Robert 8/1
• R5: #10 Awesome Review 12/1
• R6: #8 Darling Desha 8/1
• R8: #3 Classical Closing 8/1
• R8: #12 Maneke 12/1
• R9: #11 Wrigley Ivy 12/1
• R9: #1 Lady Wynne 10/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today, click here!

Breeders Cup Wagering – Odds on Lookin At Lucky Make Him a Non-Bet

With less than two weeks to go before the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic, the Breeders Cup wagering odds on Lookin at Lucky, Bob Baffert’s three-year-old sensation, has taken a huge, huge hit in the horse racing sportsbook.

Lucky is now the solid second choice behind 19 and 0 superstar Zenyatta. I barely have the Smart Strike three-year-old ranked in my Top 5, actually, and might end up tossing him out of my Top 5 altogether once I get around to making an actual Breeders Cup wagering pick for the race.

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2010 Breeders Cup Classic

Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky

When: Nov. 6th, 2010

TV: ESPN and ABC

BC Classic Power Rankings

1. Zenyatta +250 – - The +250 Breeders Cup wagering odds translates to 5/2. I love Zenyatta to win the BC Classic because even though a lot of other horseplayers are trying to come up for a reason to beat her, all of those reasons are ringing hollow to me. Forget the surface non-issue for a second (Zenyatta is undefeated on dirt, people!). Concentrate on the fact that she’s won chasing both fast fractions and incredibly slow fractions. She can close into anything and she has the best turn of foot I’ve seen since Silky Sullivan in the late 1950’s.

2. Espoir City +1500 – - Here’s why Espoir City is second on my BC Classic power rankings about 10 days before the race. First, he always goes for the lead. Second, because he hails from Japan it’s hard to gauge exactly how incredibly fast he is. What does that mean? It means he could be an absolute freak. Finally, if anybody goes with him early, they might run themselves out of it meaning Espoir City could get an easy lead or end up running with only Haynesfield ala Cat Thief vs. Old Trieste in the 1999 BC Classic. The horse has also won 5 races in a row including 2 Grade II’s.

3. Blame +500 – - The horse owns Churchill Downs and nobody was going to beat Haynesfield in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. If you believe in Blame, then jump, don’t just think about it, but jump on those +500 Breeders Cup wagering odds because he’s going to be the second choice in the wagering on Nov. 6th behind Zenyatta, not Lookin At Lucky.

4. Quality Road +500 – - People are shying away from Quality Road because there’s a rumor that he doesn’t want 1 ¼ miles. That’s bull. The horse has a 2nd and 3rd out of 2 races at the classic distance and is 8-3-1 out of 12 lifetime races. He’s not going to have a problem with the distance. He’s going to have an issue catching Haynesfield and Espoir City and then holding off Zenyatta and Blame.

5. Lookin At Lucky +300 – - I just can’t endorse a horse that preps for the Breeders Cup Classic at Indiana Downs. I know that Lookin At Lucky is a very, very good racehorse, but he’s not worth a bet at those +300 Breeders Cup wagering odds. He beat Thiskyhasnolimit, Trappe Shot and First Dude in his last 3 races. Those 3 don’t come close to Quality Road, Blame and Zenyatta.

6. Fly Down +2000 – - Fly Down has rounded into a very, very good racehorse for owner Richard Pell and trainer Nick Zito, but this is a much different race than the Jockey Gold Cup where he finished 3rd to Haynesfield and Blame.

7. Haynesfield +600 – - Haynesfield’s Breeders Cup wagering odds dropped significantly in the sportsbook after his Jockey Club Gold Cup victory. I believe he’s a good racehorse, but there’s a huge, mammoth difference between winning a 1 ¼ mile race at Belmont Park and a 1 ¼ mile race at Churchill Downs. Plus, there were no Espoir City type speedballs in the JCGC.

The Breeders Cup is less than two weeks away!

Log onto the horse racing sportsbook and make Breeders Cup wager futures bets on the Breeders Cup Classic, click here!

Belmont Park Pick 4 Wager with Thoroughbred Betting Odds

Full fields have lined up for many of the races on Belmont Park’s New York Stakes Day card.  Because the races are limited to New York foaled horses, great thoroughbred betting odds can be found on a number of entrants in each of the 4 races that makes up Belmont’s Pick 4.

It’s taken me hours to find the right race where I’m not going to go deep.  Make no mistake, this is not going to be a cheap Pick 4 to bet on Saturday, but it could provide big profits should one or two of my price horses cross the finish line first.

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Belmont Park Pick 4 – Oct. 23rd

Belmont Park – Races 7 thru 10

Where:  Elmont, NY

When:  Race 7 (Leg 1) – 4:11 pm EST
             Race 8 (Leg 2) – 4:43 pm EST
             Race 9 (Leg 3) – 5:15 pm EST
             Race 10 (Leg 3) – 5:47 pm EST

TV:  HRTV and TVG

Race 7 (Leg 1)

Sleepy Hollow Stakes

Purse $100,000. For Two-Year-Olds Foaled In New York State And Approved By The New York State-Bred Registry.

7 furlongs over dirt

Horses Used: 1-Crea’s Law, 6-Bandbox, 9-Hysterical Cat

Analysis:  I could easily go around 10 deep in this thing and still not feel comfortable.  I’ve got take a stand someplace besides the final leg and that’s why I’m only going 3 deep in this race.  Crea’s Law is 12/1 on the morning line and doesn’t look special, but trainer Todd Pletcher can get two-year-old gals going in a hurry and this Thunder Gulch filly should get better as the length of the races increase.  She’s the upset special.  Bandbox goes for well respected, although relatively unknown, trainer Rodney Jenkins.  The fact that Dominguez shows up on Bandbox instead of one of the Pletcher entries says a lot.  Don’t expect 3/1 thoroughbred betting odds on this gal, though.  Try 8/5.  Hysterical Cat is bred to be a champion, sired by Bluegrass Cat out of a Distorted Humor mare, but she hasn’t run like a champion since her maiden breaking score.  Still, if Pletcher’s got her to improve, she could win this easily.

Race 8 (Leg 2)

Iroquois Stakes

Purse $125,000. For Fillies And Mares Three-Years-Old And Upward Foaled In New York State And Approved By The New York State-Bred Registry.

7 furlongs over dirt

Horses Used:  6-Sapphire Sky, 8-R Betty Graybull, 10-Meese Rocks

Analysis:  I made a nice score on R Betty Graybull in the $70,000 Anniron Stakes when she won at 10/1 odds.  This race is tougher, but Betty is 3-1-1 out of 7 at Belmont Park and 2 out of 4 at the 7-furlong distance.  Horse for course?  Maybe.  Sapphire Sky should improve off of the 4th place finish in the Anniron.  She’s run numbers that tower over the rest in this field.  She’s a player.  Meese Rocks might get the lead all to herself in this.  Jockey Ramon Dominguez has been money at Belmont Park.  So, she’s a must use even though she might get over bet yet again.

Race 9 (Leg 3)

Empire Classic Stakes

Purse $200,000. For Three-Year-Olds And Upward Foaled In New York State And Approved By The New York State-Bred Registry.

1 1/8th miles over dirt

Horses Used:  1/1A-Manteca/Ibboyee, 2/2A-Friend Or Foe/Mine Over Matter, 3-Wishful Tomcat, 5-Icabad Crane, 7-Stormy’s Majesty, 8-Giant Mover

Analysis:  A wide-open rendition of the Empire Classic greets horseplayers on Saturday afternoon at Belmont Park.  Using both entries, 1/1A and 2/2A, is a must since all 4 horses are capable of winning this.  Both entries will probably be over bet but leaving them out of the Pick 4 is impossible to do.  Wishful Tomcat is the best horse in this race and should win it if he’s healthy enough.  Tomcat has won 50% of his races and will be in a good position throughout.  I’m expecting Icabad Crane to keep his 8/1 morning line thoroughbred betting odds.  The Graham Motion trainee returns to his preferred surface after running a respectable 3rd in a $100,000 state-bred stakes.  Stormy’s Majesty will likely receive a lot of attention because of his 4 out of 6 lifetime record but is a must use because his best is good enough.  Giant Mover might get overlooked in this and that wouldn’t be smart.  He’s 3 and 2 at Belmont Park out of 6 races and 8 out of 16 lifetime.
Race 10 (Leg 3)

Ticonderoga Stakes

Purse $125,000. For Fillies And Mares Three-Years-Old And Upward Foaled In New York State And Approved By The New York State-Bred Registry.
1 1/8th miles over inner turf

Horses Used: 2-Chestoria, 6-Meriwether Jessica

Analysis:  I thought about singling 4/1 morning line Meriwether Jessica to win this.  She was in over her head in the Noble Damsel Grade III and now returns to a level where she’s been very successful.  There isn’t a ton of speed in this race.  So, jockey David Cohen should be able to put the Richard Violette trainee in a good position as soon as they break from the gate.  I’m expecting her to bounce back with a win after that horrid Noble Damsel effort.  Chestoria is the likeliest winner if the pace is swift.  She’s won 5 out of 14 races over Belmont Park’s turf course and will be closer to the pace than You Go West Girl.  Her thoroughbred betting odds are going to be on the low side, however.

3 x 3 x 6 x 2  = 108 combinations

$1 Pick 4 = $108

Good luck!

Get thoroughbred betting odds on horses running on Oct. 23rd through this link!

Sources:  brisnet.com, equibase.com

Horse Racing Bet on the Empire Classic Should Lead to Healthy Profits

A horse racing bet on the Empire Classic should lead to healthy profits for gamblers on Oct. 23rd.

The Empire Classic, Belmont Park’s feature race on their New York Stakes card, boasts a full field of 11 horses including 2-coupled entries.  Among the New York thoroughbred stars lining up for a crack at the $200,000 purse are Ibboyee, winner of the $100,000 New York Derby, Friend Or Foe, 4th place finisher in the Grade II Jim Dandy, 12-time winner Naughty New Yorker, and Stormy’s Majesty the $100,000 Albany Stakes winner.

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Will one of the above-mentioned equines prove to be the best to back with a horse racing bet on Saturday in the Empire Classic?  Or, is there another equine that horseplayers should have their eyes on?

Belmont Park – Race 9

Where:  Belmont Park, Elmont, New York

When:  Oct. 23rd, 2010 at 5:15 pm EST

TV:  HRTV and TVG

Empire Classic Stakes

Purse $200,000. For Three-Year-Olds And Upward Foaled In New York State And Approved By The New York State-Bred Registry.

1 1/8th miles over dirt

5 – Icabad Crane – - 8/1 morning line odds

There appears to be enough speed to set up the pressing son of Jump Start.  Icabad Crane was last seen trying his hand on turf for trainer Graham Motion in the $100,000 West Point Stakes.  He burned some of my dough that day.  So, I’m looking to get it back this Saturday in the Empire Classic.  Crane finished 3rd in the grass race, but before that, he put in an excellent run to lose to Giant Mover after chasing soft 48 and 1 half –mile and 1:12 6-furlong fractions.  The horse should be set since Motion has put some works in to this guy and Graham has won with 3 out of 9 saddled horses this meet.  I can think of worse horse racing bet stabs in this thing than putting some bucks on Icabad Crane.

3 – Wishful Tomcat – - 4/1 morning line odds

If Wishful Tomcat is right, then forget it.  The horse is easily the most talented animal in this race.  He’s won 10 out of 20 lifetime races, gets the services of the awesome Ramon Dominguez and runs for trainer Richard Dutrow.  Dominguez has won with 42 out of 159 mounts at this meet.  That’s a 26% winning percentage.  I know some horseplayers that are betting Dominguez “blind” at the current Belmont meet.  I don’t suggest that but it does speak about how well the man is riding.  Wishful Tomcat has tons of ability but now, at the age of 5, it’s apparent that he’s had some bad luck in the health department.  He’s only run in 3 races since June of ’09.  Still, he’s gone 2 and 1 out of those 3.  So, he’s worth a look for the win slot if he drifts up from the 4/1 morning line odds.

4 – 1/1A Manteca, Ibboyee – - 7/2 morning line odds

A horse racing bet to win on Manteca and Ibboyee, Todd Pletcher’s entry in this race, makes a lot of sense, but there’ s no way that horseplayers get anything close to 7/2 on this pair.  Try 2/1.  Both of them have a shot to win the race and Ibboyee would probably be a top three or even a top two choice on his own in this.  Ibboyee has turned into a racehorse with a victory in the $150,000 New York Derby and a 2nd in the Albany Stakes.  Manteca failed in his first off of a short layoff but could improve big time in this race.  I love these two but I believe that expecting 7/2 is dreaming.
 
Horse Wagering Strategy

This is a typical wide-open New York bred only race.  So, with that in mind, I’m going to put some dollars on Icabad Crane to win and place.

I will also bet a healthy trifecta keying Icabad Crane in the win, place and show slots with a box made up of 1/1A-Manteca/Ibboyee, 2/2A-Friend Or Foe/Mine Over Matter, 3-Wishful Tomcat, 7-Stormy’s Majesty, 8-Giant Mover.

Good luck!

Horse racing bet wagers are only a click away!

Sources:  drf.com, brisnet.com, equibase.com

Neon Light, No Explaining to Battle in Valley View at Keeneland

A full field of three-year-old fillies will load in the gate for Friday’s feature at Keeneland, the $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View (G3).

The 1 1/6 mile turf event drew a full field of a dozen runners with a couple of fillies on the also eligible list in case of a late scratch.

Julian Leparoux will be aboard Neon Light, a German bred filly who will be making her first start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who takes over the training duties after the filly was privately purchased by the Lady Sheila Stable after making her U.S. debut.

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The filly arrived in the U.S. in July and was seventh in the Lake George (G2) at Saratoga.

If she runs back to her German form, which includes a victory in Group 3 company and a good third against Group 2 foes, she will be the one to beat.

The other filly in the race worth a good look is the Roger Attfield trained No Explaining, who finished in a dead heat for third in the Ontario Coleen at Woodbine in her last start.

Before we get to Keeneland, we will attempt to pad our bankroll with a quick stop at Belmont Park:

Today’s Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 5 Clm $25,000B (3:07 ET)

• #3 Thou Swell 4/1
• #8 Coronation Day 6/1
• #7 Scorper 3/1
• #1 Targhee Pass 7/2

Horse Betting Analysis: #3 Thou Swell was outrun last out against Alw-2 optional claimers in his first start off a three month break and drops into a softer spot here tagged for $25K and facing non winners of three.

This guy earned speed figs in his previous three starts versus tougher that are good enough to be in the mix here and he showed enough tactical speed two and three back that the cut back to seven furlongs may suit this guy.

The Jerkens barn is 23% winners with horses making their second start off a 45-180 day layoff.

#8 Coronation Day was off last and made a good late run to finish fourth last out at this level, beaten 1 3/4 lengths for the top spot. The gelding makes his third start of his current form cycle and gets an extra furlong to run them down here.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 3,8 / 1,3,7,8

TRI: 3,8 / 1,3,7,8 / 1,2,3,7,8,10

Today’s Play of the Day from Keeneland:

KEE Race 9 The Valley View (5:23 ET)

• #12 Neon Light 5/1
• #8 No Explaining 4/1
• #7 In the Slips 5/1
• #4 Jenny’s So Great 5/1

Analysis: #12 Neon Light makes her first start since July and her first start for the McLaughlin barn that takes over the training duties after a private purchase. Her U.S. debut was a seventh place finish in the Lake George (G2), which was off a four-month layoff.

This filly won a Group 3 in Germany last fall in her second career start and still appears to have a ton of upside potential. The barn is 23% winners with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff.

#8 No Explaining ships in from Woodbine where last out the Attfield filly made a mild late run to finish third last out in the Ontario Colleen as the beaten favorite. Two back she came from off the pace to make a good late rally to finish third in the Lake George (G2), finishing ahead of our top pick.

She should get a good pace set up here as there is plenty of early zip signed up to go here.

Horse Racing Wagering

WIN: #12 to win at 7/2 or better.

EX: 8,12 / 4,7,8,12

TRI: 8,12 / 4,7,8,12 / 3,4,7,8,11,12

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Belmont Park

Starting in Race 7: $1: 3,4,7 / 6,10 / 1,3,5,6 = $24

BEL Race 7 Md Sp Wt (4:11 ET)

#7 Ostensibly, #3 March Mischief, #4 Alpha Centauri

#7 Ostensibly showed some promise last summer with a decent third in her debut, then was put on the sidelines for over a year. She came back last out in a race taken off the turf and faded to finish fifth after tracking the early pace, being taken back, then coming up empty late. She has a nice turf pedigree, by Cozzene out of the Polish Numbers mare Supposedly ($150K) a stakes winner on the grass.

#3 March Mischief made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot last out at the Spa. The winner was the first timer Unbridled Humor, who came back to beat Alw-1 foes at Keeneland on Oct. 13. She is out of the dirt stakes winner March Magic ($638K). With four of these stretching out from sprints, she should see more pace in front of her today.

BEL Race 8 Clm $12,500B (4:43 ET)

#10 End of the Gulch, #6 Devilish Due

#10 End of the Gulch is back in for a tag after getting outrun last out against state bred Alw-1 foes. The gelding stalked the early pace from the inside and faded badly. He is better than he showed last out and was competitive in his previous two starts earning s figs in runner up finishes that would put him in the mix here. His last was just too bad to believe, I will take a stab we see a much better effort here.

#6 Devilish Due was bumped coming out of the gate, pressed the early pace from the inside and could not match strides late with the winner while holding onto the runner up spot. The winner was Cires, who came back to beat $25K non-winners of four at Philly in his next start on Oct. 16.

BEL Race 9 OClm $50,000N2X (5:15 ET)

#6 Royal Rhetoric, #1 Cagey Girl, #3 Acquired Cat, #5 We Need V L T’s

#6 Royal Rhetoric made a good late rally to beat state bred Alw-1 foes last out and steps up a notch into a pretty tough spot here. However, there is a ton of early speed in here, which could set things up nicely for his late run. If the race falls apart late this guy should be coming, and is proven over ground with some give to it. Worth a look at what should be a generous price.

#1 Cagey Girl set the early fractions and could not hold off the winner late in a game runner up finish against $100K optional claimers, which was essentially a Alw-4 race. The winner of the race was Meriwether Jessica, who came back to win the state bred Yaddo in her next start on Aug. 20. The mare won at this level two and three back and drops back to that condition here.

Price Plays From Keeneland:

These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

• R3: #4 Lucky Dragon 8/1
• R4: #10 Green Bikini 8/1
• R5: #2 Tabby 12/1
• R6: #1 Royalstraightflush 12/1
• R7: #2 Looking 8/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

Find the latest morning line thoroughbred betting odds in the racebook, click here.

New York Breds Showcase Talent at Belmont Park

With seven stakes for New York breds and over a $1 million in purses handed out, Belmont Park is the place to be on Saturday.

That goes not only owners and trainers of state bred horses, but horseplayers as well. With large competitive fields throughout the card and a $300,000 guaranteed late Pick 4, there will be plenty of money up for grabs for horse racing betting fans too.

The stakes action kicks off with the $125,000 Hudson for three-year-olds and upward going six furlongs.

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Driven by Success will likely be the favorite as the five-year-old gelding exits a non threatening fifth place finish in the Vosburgh (G1) and returns to the state bred ranks.

The gelding ran huge two back winning the Vic Ziegler Memorial over New York breds at Saratoga in August.

His main rival will be Endless Circle, who has won four of his five starts since being claimed by trainer Rudy Rodriguez for just $14,000 in April.

The six-year-old comes into the race having won back to back stakes against New York breds.

A field of eleven two-year-old fillies will go in the $100,000 Maid of the Mist at seven furlongs.

Rodriguez again has a major player in Saltamontes, who broke her maiden in her debut at Saratoga, then won the Friendly Beauty in gate to wire fashion at Belmont Park in her first start against winners.

The only other stakes winner in the field is Lady Vi, who won the Lady Finger at Finger Lakes in September for trainer Phil Serpe.

The Dave Duggan trained Sentimental Lass figures to garner plenty of attention at the betting windows off her 10 ½ length maiden score on Sept. 26.

The first stake on turf is the $125,000 Mohawk for three-year-olds and upward which drew a field of eleven.

Straight Story figures to be a very short price despite getting outrun in a 13th place finish in the Woodbine Mile (G1) in his most recent start.

The Alan Goldberg trainee had some tough luck last year, losing photos in the Jamaica (G1), Virginia Derby (G2) and Colonial Turf Cup (G2).

The four-year-old colt won his last two starts against state breds including the West Point at Saratoga on Aug. 19.

Four in the field exit the Ashley T. Cole, which was won by Uncle T Seven, who comes into the race sharp for trainer John Kimmel.

A field of eleven two-year-old colts and geldings will do battle in the $100,000 Sleep Hollow at seven furlongs on the main track.

Trainer Rodney Jenkins ships in Bandbox, who won the Charles Town Juvenile by 9 ½ lengths and will be facing New York breds for the first time.

Trainer Todd Pletcher sends out three juveniles including High Rock Springs Stakes winner Never Right Joey.

One of the most wide open races on the card is the $125,000 Iroquois for fillies and mares at seven furlongs on dirt.

The top four finishers from the Anniron Stakes are back, a race won by R Betty Graybull at 10/1 odds. The filly is trained by Linda White, the former top assistant to the late Alan Seewald.

She may have her hands full with Lovely Lil, who returns to the state bred ranks after getting outrun in the Gallant Bloom (G2) in her most recent outing.

The Michael Hushion trainee started her career by breaking her maiden and beating state bred first level allowance foes by a combined 15 lengths.

The marquee event of the day is the $250,000 Empire Classic for three-year-olds and upward at nine furlongs on the main track.

Trainer Dominic Galluscio will be looking to win the Empire Classic for the third time in five years when he sends out the talented three-year-old Stormy’s Majesty, who won the state bred Albany followed by a runner up finish in the Star of Cozzene in his most recent start.

The Galluscio barn won this race with Dr. V.’s Magic in 2007 and Organizer in 2006.

The main competition will come from fellow three-year-old Friend or Foe, who won the Mike Lee against state breds and then was in tough in the Jim Dandy (G2) and Travers (G1) in his last two starts.

Rick Dutrow will send out Wishful Tomcat, who has won his last seven starts when facing state bred company.

The finale on the card is the $125,000 Ticonderoga for fillies and mares going nine furlongs on the inner turf course, which drew a full field of ten along with a pair of runners on the also eligible list.

The top five finishers of the John Hettinger Stakes return, a race won by Exclusive Scheme at 6/1. Two back the filly was sixth in the Yaddo Stakes behind three runners that are in today’s race.

Chestoria is a five time winner over the Belmont Park turf and exits a fourth place finish in the Noble Damsel (G2).

You Go West Girl is the defending champion of the race, but has gone winless in six starts since taking the race last year.

The Tom Proctor mare has had some tough luck, coming out on the wrong end of three photo finishes during that span, including a head loss in the Cardinal Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs last fall, and a neck loss in the Yaddo on Aug. 20 at Saratoga.

Even today’s non stakes are great betting races, all three drawing full fields, a first level allowance race on the turf and a pair of state bred maiden races.

There is plenty of big money to be won in the Big Apple today.

Find the latest morning line thoroughbred betting odds in the racebook, click here.

Veterans Musketier, Presious Passion Hook up in Sycamore at Keeneland

Thursday’s $100,000 Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland lost is morning line favorite to retirement, but will still draw a full field of older runners who will go 1 ½ miles over the turf course at the Lexington track.

The ten-year-old Cloudy’s Knight, who was the defending champion in the Sycamore will be a late scratch as the Jonathan Sheppard trainee will be retired after a minor injury sent him to the sidelines.

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That sill leaves a solid group of turf runners including the speedy Grade 1 winner Presious Passion, who is seven years old, as well as nine-year-old Brass Hat, eight year old Musketier, and seven-year-old Yate’s Black Cat.

Perhaps Keeneland should have looked into having the AARP sponsor this years’ running of the race.

Musketier is making his first start since winning the Elkhorn (G2) at the spring Keeneland meeting, and is sent out by the Roger Attfield barn that excels at bringing horses back off the layoff.

Today’s Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 3 Md $50,000 (2:03 ET)
#2 For Wes   5/2
#6 Gold Raptor   2/1
#3 Actlikeyoumeanit   7/2
#7 Seattle Louie   4/1

Analysis: #2 For Wes dueled for the early lead, headed for home with the lead, could not hold off the winner, and had to settle for the runner up spot. The colt caught a racing strip that was playing to outside stalkers and closers that day. The colt draws the rail and owns solid early and mid pace numbers. I doubt they can run them down here if he shakes loose heading for home.

#6 Gold Raptor was bumped hard coming out of the gate and faded to finish sixth after stalking the early pace. The gelding was sent off at 9/2 in a field of nine in his debut. He drops in for a tag here for the rice barn that is 29% winners moving runners from maiden special weight to maiden claiming. The gelding is out of the stakes winner Tuff Chick ($386K) who has dropped two other foals to race, both winners, top earner Daddy Forty Nine ($68K).

Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 9/5 or better.
EX: 2,6 / 2,3,6,7
TRI: 2,6 / 2,3,6,7 / 1,2,3,6,7

Today’s Play of the Day from Keeneland:

KEE Race 8 The Sycamore G3 (4:52 ET)
#7 Musketier   5/1
#11 Tajaaweed   20/1
#8 Solitaire   30/1
#6 Presious Passion   3/1

Analysis: #7 Musketier is making his first start since winning the Elkhorn (G2) here at the spring meeting, and that victory was coming off a 6 1/2 month layoff. With the scratch of Cloudy’s Knight this guy will end up a lighter price in here. The eight year old has done his prepping at Woodbine for the Attfield barn that is 32% winners (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff.

#11 Tajaaweed weakened in the stretch to finish sixth last out over the poly versus Alw-3 optional claimers. He has done his best work on turf and made a good late rally to finish a solid third three back in the Arlington Handicap (G3) Two back he was in tough in the Arlington Million (G1), checking in a non threatening sixth. The switch back to the turf should suit this guy and the price will be right.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 7,11 / 6,7,8,11
TRI: 7,11 / 6,7,8,11 / 2,6,7,8,11,12

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Belmont Park

Starting in Race 7: $1: 4,8 / 1,6,8 / 1,5,8,9 = $24

BEL Race 7 OClm $50,000N2X (4:11 ET)
#8 Pleasant Strike, #4 Laureate Conductor

#8 Pleasant Strike drops a notch in class after failing to fire last out against Alw-3 optional claimers. The six year old won at that level two back and did it over ground with some give to it, which he should catch again as the turf was labeled as good for Wednesday’s card and there is a slight chance we cold see more rain today. This gut came out on the wrong end of photos in two consecutive Grade 3′s last fall and should be able to win at this level.

#4 Laureate Conductor set the early fractions and could not hold off the winner late in a runner up finish at this level going 1 1/4 miles. The cut back to nine furlongs here should suit ands this guy has handled less than firm ground.

BEL Race 8 Alw $46,000N1X (4:43 ET)
#8 One Turn Eddie, #6 Reading Group, #1 Hittin the Note

#8 One Turn Eddie set a sharp early pace last out, opening up a clear lead but ran out of gas in the final furlong, tiring to finish third. Castellano went out just too fast and if Lezcano can get this guy to rate he may prove tough to catch here as there is not much other early zip signed up to go here. He is back with state breds here as he makes his third start off the claim by the RRod barn. Anytime a RRod runner goes off near 8/1 we have to take a good look.

#6 Reading Group may be forwardly placed on the stretch out. The colt did not fire his best last out in a sixth place finish behind repeat winner Wise Stop, but checked in second two and three back going seven furlongs. The colt broke his maiden at a one turn mile here last fall.

BEL Race 9 Md $25,000 (5:15 ET)
#5 Dixie Kid, #1 Tulane Up, #9 Ruby Flame, #8 Truth Will Tell

#5 Dixie Kid invades from Delaware Park where last out the filly made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot for a $30K tag in her second career start. The third place finisher in the race was  Bureaucrat, who came back to graduate in her next outing for a $25K tag at Laurel Park on Sept. 17. The filly has some pedigree, by Lemon Drop Kid out of a Dixieland Band mare that has dropped four winners including two on turf.

#1 Tulane Up was off a step slow in her debut and made a mild late bid to finish fourth in her debut going six furlongs over ground labeled as good. She should move forward off that effort for the Terranova barn. She has two sibs that are winners including one turn turf winner Judge Well ($34K).

Price Plays From Belmont Park:
These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

R2: #8 El Primero   15/1
R4: #10 Mesa Girl   15/1
R6: #5 Crystal Galopoff   15/1
R8: #8 One Turn Eddie   8/1
R9: #1 Tulane Up   8/1
R9: #9 Ruby Flame   12/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

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