AQUEDUCT - RACE 7
What makes this race juicy?
This race is a handicapper's dream if you like trying to beat the favorite for two reasons: first, heavy chalk #8 Gambling Geraldine has not started since a big wire-to-wire maiden win against 2yo's last July at Belmont Park and two, she returns for the first time against older horses and catches a field brimming with early speed. So the old adage "pace makes the race" comes to mind and offers up a great opportunity to play against a potentially vulnerable favorite that could very well need a start.
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
With all the aforementioned speed signed on I'll be looking to find a runner that has shown the ability to pass horses in the lane and #1 Sugar Trade fits the bill. She made her first start off the claim last time at this level for Gary Gullo and closed nicely into a rather pedestrian pace behind a loose winner and today, assuming all the speed starts, she'll get much faster splits to rally into. She's 6-1 on the ML and is worth a win, 2x place and 3x show bet and I'll also be using her in the exotics with #3 Queen Of The Lake and #7 She's Got Rules, two recent maiden winners who have a stalking gear that will come in handy.
For more of Brian's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
Video to spotlight: February 21, 2011 - Aqueduct Race 9
Video caption: Sugar Trade just misses in the ninth at Aqueduct on Feb. 21; gets a ton of speed to rally into today.
What makes this race juicy?
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
With all the aforementioned speed signed on I'll be looking to find a runner that has shown the ability to pass horses in the lane and #1 Sugar Trade fits the bill. She made her first start off the claim last time at this level for Gary Gullo and closed nicely into a rather pedestrian pace behind a loose winner and today, assuming all the speed starts, she'll get much faster splits to rally into. She's 6-1 on the ML and is worth a win, 2x place and 3x show bet and I'll also be using her in the exotics with #3 Queen Of The Lake and #7 She's Got Rules, two recent maiden winners who have a stalking gear that will come in handy.
For more of Brian's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
Video to spotlight: February 21, 2011 - Aqueduct Race 9
Video caption: Sugar Trade just misses in the ninth at Aqueduct on Feb. 21; gets a ton of speed to rally into today.
A pick for Sunday from Aqueduct
March, 13, 2011
3/13/11
8:52
AM ET
By Brian Nadeau | ESPNNewYork.com
AQUEDUCT - RACE 1
PICK: #6 Banking Holiday (7-2) (4 stars)
Our Eyes: 2/27 Wide and rank around first turn, settled well behind runaway leader, rail advance, bumped off-stride early stretch, led midstretch, eased up (?), bumped and pushed inside, tried to come again, missed.
Brian's Playbook: Tough to trust anyone underneath and R2 in the double looks very chalky, so simply make a win and place bet assuming you get 3-1 or better.
Our Eyes: 2/27 Wide and rank around first turn, settled well behind runaway leader, rail advance, bumped off-stride early stretch, led midstretch, eased up (?), bumped and pushed inside, tried to come again, missed.
Brian's Playbook: Tough to trust anyone underneath and R2 in the double looks very chalky, so simply make a win and place bet assuming you get 3-1 or better.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- Highlighting the Todd Pletcher stable’s assault on Aqueduct’s inner track this winter has been the fact it has won 13 stakes races with nine different horses. The barn figures to add to those totals in Sunday’s $60,000 Out Ruled Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
But handicappers will have to decide whether Pletcher will win the race with Buster’s Ready or R Holiday Mood, who comprise 40-percent of the field. The Out Ruled, run at a mile and 70 yards, shares billing with the $60,000 Sweet Envoy Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old males.
Buster’s Ready, a daughter of More Than Ready, is the more accomplished and more seasoned of the two, but R Holiday Mood was visually impressive winning a maiden race on Feb. 12, in her second career start, first around two turns. Though R Holiday Mood’s margin of victory was a mere neck, the filly she beat, Royal Sighting, came back to win a maiden race by 12 3-4 lengths here on Wednesday.
“Seeing her train and the way she galloped out, we were looking forward to stretching her out, and it seemed to help her,” said Jonathan Thomas, who has overseen Pletcher’s New York operation this winter, which has won a meet-best 34 races entering Friday’s card. “Even though we were on the lead, I don’t think that necessarily has to be her style.”
Thomas mentioned that Buster’s Ready and R Holiday Mood breezed in company on March 5 in preparation for the Out Ruled. Both were timed in 48.21 seconds for a half-mile.
“It was a visually impressive work for both of them,” Thomas said. “Very little separated them to the wire, very little separated them galloping out.”
Buster’s Ready has won 2 races from 5 starts, and her three losses have all come to subsequent stakes winners. Two starts back, Buster’s Ready finished second to It’s Tricky, who is undefeated from three starts including an eight-length victory in the Busher. In her last start, Buster’s Ready roared to a 10 3/4-length victory in a starter allowance going two turns over the inner track.
“She’s developed a lot over the winter, muscled up and just grown,” Thomas said. “Her last two starts have given her a lot of confidence too; she’s figured out racing.”
Her proven ability to rate may give Buster’s Ready an edge. David Cohen rides Buster’s Ready from the rail.
Portside and Vixen’s Roar, third and fifth, respectively in the Busher, and Le Mi Geaux, last year’s Grade 3 Schuylerville winner, complete the field.
But handicappers will have to decide whether Pletcher will win the race with Buster’s Ready or R Holiday Mood, who comprise 40-percent of the field. The Out Ruled, run at a mile and 70 yards, shares billing with the $60,000 Sweet Envoy Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old males.
Buster’s Ready, a daughter of More Than Ready, is the more accomplished and more seasoned of the two, but R Holiday Mood was visually impressive winning a maiden race on Feb. 12, in her second career start, first around two turns. Though R Holiday Mood’s margin of victory was a mere neck, the filly she beat, Royal Sighting, came back to win a maiden race by 12 3-4 lengths here on Wednesday.
“Seeing her train and the way she galloped out, we were looking forward to stretching her out, and it seemed to help her,” said Jonathan Thomas, who has overseen Pletcher’s New York operation this winter, which has won a meet-best 34 races entering Friday’s card. “Even though we were on the lead, I don’t think that necessarily has to be her style.”
Thomas mentioned that Buster’s Ready and R Holiday Mood breezed in company on March 5 in preparation for the Out Ruled. Both were timed in 48.21 seconds for a half-mile.
“It was a visually impressive work for both of them,” Thomas said. “Very little separated them to the wire, very little separated them galloping out.”
Buster’s Ready has won 2 races from 5 starts, and her three losses have all come to subsequent stakes winners. Two starts back, Buster’s Ready finished second to It’s Tricky, who is undefeated from three starts including an eight-length victory in the Busher. In her last start, Buster’s Ready roared to a 10 3/4-length victory in a starter allowance going two turns over the inner track.
“She’s developed a lot over the winter, muscled up and just grown,” Thomas said. “Her last two starts have given her a lot of confidence too; she’s figured out racing.”
Her proven ability to rate may give Buster’s Ready an edge. David Cohen rides Buster’s Ready from the rail.
Portside and Vixen’s Roar, third and fifth, respectively in the Busher, and Le Mi Geaux, last year’s Grade 3 Schuylerville winner, complete the field.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Inherit the Gold passed his sternest test to date with an easy two-length victory over odds-on favorite Yawanna Twist in Saturday’s $65,000 Kings Point Stakes for New York-breds at Aqueduct.
Yawanna Twist, the 4-5 favorite, finished second by 2 3/4 lengths over Spa City Fever. Mine Over Matter and Stud Muffin completed the order of finish. Thunder Chief scratched.
It was the fourth consecutive victory for Inherit the Gold - all coming over the inner track - and sixth from 13 career starts. Inherit the Gold is a 5-year-old gelded son of Gold Token owned in part by Susanne Hooper and her husband James, who is also the trainer.
Under Eddie Castro, Inherit the Gold sat third while Spa City Fever set the pace, chased by Yawanna Twist, last year’s Gotham and Illinois Derby runner-up who had won an open company allowance race at Gulfstream last month. Inherit the Gold was third, about 4 1/2 lengths off the pace after a half-mile run in 49.02 seconds.
Entering the far turn, Yawanna Twist went after Spa City Fever and Eddie Castro made a three-wide bid on Inherit the Gold. Turning for home, Inherit the Gold took a short lead from Yawanna Twist and with a couple of taps of Castro’s right-handed whip, Inherit the Gold opened up a 2 1/2-length lead in midstretch. Inherit the Gold, who carried 124 pounds and spotted the runner-up six pounds, was geared down late by Castro and ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.99. He returned $5.40 as the 8-5 second choice.
“When I saw him rev up and make the move it didn’t look like [Yawanna Twist] was really going to fire,’’ James Hooper said. “I thought I was going to the winner’s circle.’’
Hooper said that his initial plan was to run Inherit the Gold back in the Grade 3, $100,000 Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct on April 2, but he may also consider the $1 million Charles Town Classic at Charles Town on April 16.
Yawanna Twist, the 4-5 favorite, finished second by 2 3/4 lengths over Spa City Fever. Mine Over Matter and Stud Muffin completed the order of finish. Thunder Chief scratched.
It was the fourth consecutive victory for Inherit the Gold - all coming over the inner track - and sixth from 13 career starts. Inherit the Gold is a 5-year-old gelded son of Gold Token owned in part by Susanne Hooper and her husband James, who is also the trainer.
Under Eddie Castro, Inherit the Gold sat third while Spa City Fever set the pace, chased by Yawanna Twist, last year’s Gotham and Illinois Derby runner-up who had won an open company allowance race at Gulfstream last month. Inherit the Gold was third, about 4 1/2 lengths off the pace after a half-mile run in 49.02 seconds.
Entering the far turn, Yawanna Twist went after Spa City Fever and Eddie Castro made a three-wide bid on Inherit the Gold. Turning for home, Inherit the Gold took a short lead from Yawanna Twist and with a couple of taps of Castro’s right-handed whip, Inherit the Gold opened up a 2 1/2-length lead in midstretch. Inherit the Gold, who carried 124 pounds and spotted the runner-up six pounds, was geared down late by Castro and ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.99. He returned $5.40 as the 8-5 second choice.
“When I saw him rev up and make the move it didn’t look like [Yawanna Twist] was really going to fire,’’ James Hooper said. “I thought I was going to the winner’s circle.’’
Hooper said that his initial plan was to run Inherit the Gold back in the Grade 3, $100,000 Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct on April 2, but he may also consider the $1 million Charles Town Classic at Charles Town on April 16.
Most Playable Race for Saturday
March, 12, 2011
3/12/11
8:14
AM ET
By Brian Nadeau | ESPNNewYork.com
AQUEDUCT - RACE 8
What makes this race juicy?
Assuming the speedy Kaffiend gets a fast track she looks like the controlling speed in a race loaded with deep closers who aren't exactly breaking any stopwatches. And the best part is that Kaffiend enters off a stop-and-pop sixth-place finish over the track last time that handicappers will probably look at quickly and think she's off-form. But look at her PP's a bit deeper and you see in three muddy or sloppy runs she's always tired badly, yet when she got fast ground over the inner track two-back she battled hard on the lead and held nicely nearing the line. With the cagey veteran and expert front-end rider C.C. Lopez at the controls you know she's going to the front and playing a game of "catch me if you can."
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
In a field of 10, with no standouts and everyone within a few lengths on paper, you almost have to get 5-1 on #5, so I'll be making a win, 2x place and 3x show bet while also keying her on top of the exactas and trifectas over the deep closers of #1, #2, #3 and #6. If you're playing the late Pk4 #5 is also a must-use as well, as this is the type of wide open race that has the ability to knock a large portion of the live tickets out of the pool.
For more of Brian's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
What makes this race juicy?
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
In a field of 10, with no standouts and everyone within a few lengths on paper, you almost have to get 5-1 on #5, so I'll be making a win, 2x place and 3x show bet while also keying her on top of the exactas and trifectas over the deep closers of #1, #2, #3 and #6. If you're playing the late Pk4 #5 is also a must-use as well, as this is the type of wide open race that has the ability to knock a large portion of the live tickets out of the pool.
For more of Brian's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Highlighting the Todd Pletcher stable’s assault on Aqueduct’s inner track this winter has been the fact it has won 13 stakes races with nine different horses. The barn figures to add to those totals in Sunday’s $60,000 Out Ruled Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
But handicappers will have to decide whether Pletcher will win the race with Buster’s Ready or R Holiday Mood, who comprise 40-percent of the field. The Out Ruled, run at a mile and 70 yards, shares billing with the $60,000 Sweet Envoy Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old males.
Buster’s Ready, a daughter of More Than Ready, is the more accomplished and more seasoned of the two, but R Holiday Mood was visually impressive winning a maiden race on Feb. 12, in her second career start, first around two turns. Though R Holiday Mood’s margin of victory was a mere neck, the filly she beat, Royal Sighting, came back to win a maiden race by 12 3-4 lengths here on Wednesday.
“Seeing her train and the way she galloped out, we were looking forward to stretching her out, and it seemed to help her,” said Jonathan Thomas, who has overseen Pletcher’s New York operation this winter, which has won a meet-best 34 races entering Friday’s card. “Even though we were on the lead, I don’t think that necessarily has to be her style.”
Thomas mentioned that Buster’s Ready and R Holiday Mood breezed in company on March 5 in preparation for the Out Ruled. Both were timed in 48.21 seconds for a half-mile.
“It was a visually impressive work for both of them,” Thomas said. “Very little separated them to the wire, very little separated them galloping out.”
Buster’s Ready has won 2 races from 5 starts, and her three losses have all come to subsequent stakes winners. Two starts back, Buster’s Ready finished second to It’s Tricky, who is undefeated from three starts including an eight-length victory in the Busher. In her last start, Buster’s Ready roared to a 10 3/4-length victory in a starter allowance going two turns over the inner track.
“She’s developed a lot over the winter, muscled up and just grown,” Thomas said. “Her last two starts have given her a lot of confidence too; she’s figured out racing.”
Her proven ability to rate may give Buster’s Ready an edge. David Cohen rides Buster’s Ready from the rail.
Portside and Vixen’s Roar, third and fifth, respectively in the Busher, and Le Mi Geaux, last year’s Grade 3 Schuylerville winner, complete the field.
But handicappers will have to decide whether Pletcher will win the race with Buster’s Ready or R Holiday Mood, who comprise 40-percent of the field. The Out Ruled, run at a mile and 70 yards, shares billing with the $60,000 Sweet Envoy Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old males.
Buster’s Ready, a daughter of More Than Ready, is the more accomplished and more seasoned of the two, but R Holiday Mood was visually impressive winning a maiden race on Feb. 12, in her second career start, first around two turns. Though R Holiday Mood’s margin of victory was a mere neck, the filly she beat, Royal Sighting, came back to win a maiden race by 12 3-4 lengths here on Wednesday.
“Seeing her train and the way she galloped out, we were looking forward to stretching her out, and it seemed to help her,” said Jonathan Thomas, who has overseen Pletcher’s New York operation this winter, which has won a meet-best 34 races entering Friday’s card. “Even though we were on the lead, I don’t think that necessarily has to be her style.”
Thomas mentioned that Buster’s Ready and R Holiday Mood breezed in company on March 5 in preparation for the Out Ruled. Both were timed in 48.21 seconds for a half-mile.
“It was a visually impressive work for both of them,” Thomas said. “Very little separated them to the wire, very little separated them galloping out.”
Buster’s Ready has won 2 races from 5 starts, and her three losses have all come to subsequent stakes winners. Two starts back, Buster’s Ready finished second to It’s Tricky, who is undefeated from three starts including an eight-length victory in the Busher. In her last start, Buster’s Ready roared to a 10 3/4-length victory in a starter allowance going two turns over the inner track.
“She’s developed a lot over the winter, muscled up and just grown,” Thomas said. “Her last two starts have given her a lot of confidence too; she’s figured out racing.”
Her proven ability to rate may give Buster’s Ready an edge. David Cohen rides Buster’s Ready from the rail.
Portside and Vixen’s Roar, third and fifth, respectively in the Busher, and Le Mi Geaux, last year’s Grade 3 Schuylerville winner, complete the field.
AQUEDUCT - RACE 9
What makes this race juicy?
The finale is your typical maiden claiming race with a big field we've seen a thousand times. But when basement level $16,000 maiden claimers are tested around 2 turns, it's a great time to be a forgiving handicapper and look for prices. These are the slowest horses on the grounds by nature. With high percentage trainer Rudy Rodriguez dropping #1 Vex all the way to the $16,000 bottom rung, you can be sure that runner will take betting action. But the red flags are obvious that Vex isn't in top health, most noticably the move from a top-level rider like Cornelio Velasquez to struggling 8% pilot Jamie Rodriguez. I think you have to look elsewhere in this group of 10.
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
I'll be building trifecta and superfecta tickets around #7 Running In Cirlces, who adds blinkers and stretches out in distance for a Carlos Martin barn that's been red-hot over the past week or so. With maiden claiming routers, I'm looking for horses who are changing up from their same old, same old. #10 Mama Dukes seldom fires a bad shot and actually is better-bred to route than sprint. She's 0-for-14 lifetime, but a great horse to lean on for underneath in the exotics. The "ALL" button is your best friend in these cheap route races; plan on some chaos underneath.
For more of Jeremy's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
Video to spotlight: February 12, 2011 – Aqueduct Race 6
Video caption: The second, third and fourth-place finishers from Aqueduct's sixth on Feb. 12 will all re-match Friday, including front-running Now Now Girl.
What makes this race juicy?
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
I'll be building trifecta and superfecta tickets around #7 Running In Cirlces, who adds blinkers and stretches out in distance for a Carlos Martin barn that's been red-hot over the past week or so. With maiden claiming routers, I'm looking for horses who are changing up from their same old, same old. #10 Mama Dukes seldom fires a bad shot and actually is better-bred to route than sprint. She's 0-for-14 lifetime, but a great horse to lean on for underneath in the exotics. The "ALL" button is your best friend in these cheap route races; plan on some chaos underneath.
For more of Jeremy's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
Video to spotlight: February 12, 2011 – Aqueduct Race 6
Video caption: The second, third and fourth-place finishers from Aqueduct's sixth on Feb. 12 will all re-match Friday, including front-running Now Now Girl.
AQUEDUCT - RACE 3
PICK: #4 Who's The Cowboy (9-5) (4 stars)
Our Eyes: Simply got too far out of it to catch Ricoriatoa late last time and he probably bounced to boot; today there should be other pace to keep Ricoriatoa honest and he should be rolling in the lane.
Brian's Playbook: First off, make sure both #1 and #3 start because that's where the pace will be coming from; assuming they both do start, 8-5 or better on this guy warrants a win bet and with #1 taking a ton of money you can single Who's The Cowboy in the Pk3 and Pk4 as well to get some additional value.
PICK: #4 Who's The Cowboy (9-5) (4 stars)
Brian's Playbook: First off, make sure both #1 and #3 start because that's where the pace will be coming from; assuming they both do start, 8-5 or better on this guy warrants a win bet and with #1 taking a ton of money you can single Who's The Cowboy in the Pk3 and Pk4 as well to get some additional value.
The New York Racing Association has hired Andrew DiNovo for its newly created position as director of account wagering.
DiNovo, 46, will develop, implement and oversee all aspects of NYRA's account wagering programs, including its telephone, online, mobile, and ontrack platforms, along with customer acquisition, development and analysis for NYRA Rewards.
DiNovo, a native of Albany, N.Y. comes to NYRA from Capital District Off-Track Betting Corp. where he was most recently the director of sales and marketing. Before that, DiNovo led the commercial services division of Time Warner Cable in Albany.
"I am extremely excited to join NYRA and be a part of the best Thoroughbred racing in the country, if not the world," DiNovo said. "NYRA is taking great strides as a leader in quality of services and with the creation of this position, demonstrates its commitment to future technologies."
DiNovo, 46, will develop, implement and oversee all aspects of NYRA's account wagering programs, including its telephone, online, mobile, and ontrack platforms, along with customer acquisition, development and analysis for NYRA Rewards.
DiNovo, a native of Albany, N.Y. comes to NYRA from Capital District Off-Track Betting Corp. where he was most recently the director of sales and marketing. Before that, DiNovo led the commercial services division of Time Warner Cable in Albany.
"I am extremely excited to join NYRA and be a part of the best Thoroughbred racing in the country, if not the world," DiNovo said. "NYRA is taking great strides as a leader in quality of services and with the creation of this position, demonstrates its commitment to future technologies."
OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- James Hooper knew eventually that his top-flight New York-bred gelding Inherit the Gold would be facing better competition. He just didn’t think it was going to happen in Saturday’s $65,000 Kings Point Stakes for statebreds at Aqueduct.
In Yawanna Twist -- who twice placed in graded stakes as a 3-year-old and who was beaten less than two lengths in the Preakness -- Inherit the Gold faces his toughest opponent. Hooper, the part-owner, part-breeder and trainer of Inherit the Gold, welcomes the challenge.
“I’m not afraid of anybody right now,” said Hooper, whose horse has won four of his last five starts. “I’m just praying my horse can give me that same effort that he’s done, and if we can get a 100 Beyer or so I’ll take whatever position I fall in.”
Inherit the Gold has won three consecutive races over the inner track, earning Beyer Speed Figures of 100 in an open-company allowance win on Jan. 13 and a 99 in the Mr. International Stakes for statebreds on Jan. 26.
Hooper gave Inherit the Gold a little break following those two races and brings in a relatively fresh horse to the Kings Point, scheduled for 1 1/8 miles over the inner track.
“The last five or six days he’s telling me that he’s ready to rock and roll, I think,” Hooper said.
Inherit the Gold has won all four of his two-turn races over the inner track and Hooper believes his horse will relish the 1 1/8-mile distance.
Inherit the Gold will carry 124 pounds under Eddie Castro from post 6.
He’ll be conceding six pounds to Yawanna Twist, the Rick Dutrow trainee who returns to New York-bred competition for the first time since he won his first two starts sprinting over the inner track last winter. After that, Yawanna Twist ran second in the Gotham and Illinois Derby and was fourth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Lookin At Lucky, in the Preakness. He lost a shoe in the Preakness and was given ample time to get over a foot injury. He came back with a solid second-level allowance win at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 5.
“So far, knock wood, he’s come back the right way,” said Jim Riccio, who owns Yawanna Twist. “Rick says he’s doing well; the race in Florida he wasn’t cranked up and it was a good race for him.”
Spa City Fever, second to Inherit the Gold in the Mr. International, could play out as the primary speed under Jorge Chavez.
Mine Over Matter, Stud Muffin and Thunder Chief complete the field. Thunder Chief was entered in an allowance race Friday.
In Yawanna Twist -- who twice placed in graded stakes as a 3-year-old and who was beaten less than two lengths in the Preakness -- Inherit the Gold faces his toughest opponent. Hooper, the part-owner, part-breeder and trainer of Inherit the Gold, welcomes the challenge.
“I’m not afraid of anybody right now,” said Hooper, whose horse has won four of his last five starts. “I’m just praying my horse can give me that same effort that he’s done, and if we can get a 100 Beyer or so I’ll take whatever position I fall in.”
Inherit the Gold has won three consecutive races over the inner track, earning Beyer Speed Figures of 100 in an open-company allowance win on Jan. 13 and a 99 in the Mr. International Stakes for statebreds on Jan. 26.
Hooper gave Inherit the Gold a little break following those two races and brings in a relatively fresh horse to the Kings Point, scheduled for 1 1/8 miles over the inner track.
“The last five or six days he’s telling me that he’s ready to rock and roll, I think,” Hooper said.
Inherit the Gold has won all four of his two-turn races over the inner track and Hooper believes his horse will relish the 1 1/8-mile distance.
Inherit the Gold will carry 124 pounds under Eddie Castro from post 6.
He’ll be conceding six pounds to Yawanna Twist, the Rick Dutrow trainee who returns to New York-bred competition for the first time since he won his first two starts sprinting over the inner track last winter. After that, Yawanna Twist ran second in the Gotham and Illinois Derby and was fourth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Lookin At Lucky, in the Preakness. He lost a shoe in the Preakness and was given ample time to get over a foot injury. He came back with a solid second-level allowance win at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 5.
“So far, knock wood, he’s come back the right way,” said Jim Riccio, who owns Yawanna Twist. “Rick says he’s doing well; the race in Florida he wasn’t cranked up and it was a good race for him.”
Spa City Fever, second to Inherit the Gold in the Mr. International, could play out as the primary speed under Jorge Chavez.
Mine Over Matter, Stud Muffin and Thunder Chief complete the field. Thunder Chief was entered in an allowance race Friday.
AQUEDUCT - RACE 8
What makes this race juicy?
In a good-sized field of 9, there is a ton of speed in this race, setting things up for a late-running closer. Those types most often are overlaid on the toteboard as the public gravitates to early speed horses and faster speed figures. This starter allowance race brings together a pretty vast group of horses in terms of accomplishment, with most horses having just 1 career win facing some with as many as 3 and 4 lifetime victories. I think you can find some separation based on pace scenario and past form.
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
All About Alex absolutely stands out to me in this race and should be rolling by them all in the stretch. A 3-time winner and 8-for-9 lifetime in the money on dirt, she's got a consistent run about her and is proven at the distance. Last time out she was clearly second-best to a horse (Cody Samora) who is 5-for-9 lifetime and who was able to step up and run a sensational second in allowance company in her next start. Devilish Spirit clearly appears the classiest of the early speed horses and the most likely to extend her early edge into the stretch. I'll box Devilish Spirit with All About Alex in exactas with a win bet on 'Alex.
For more of Jeremy's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
Video to spotlight: February 16, 2011 – Aqueduct Race 1
Video caption: Latin Rocks (#5) stumbles about as badly as you'll see at the start. A clean gate break will make her part of a hot pace Thursday in her return try.
What makes this race juicy?
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
All About Alex absolutely stands out to me in this race and should be rolling by them all in the stretch. A 3-time winner and 8-for-9 lifetime in the money on dirt, she's got a consistent run about her and is proven at the distance. Last time out she was clearly second-best to a horse (Cody Samora) who is 5-for-9 lifetime and who was able to step up and run a sensational second in allowance company in her next start. Devilish Spirit clearly appears the classiest of the early speed horses and the most likely to extend her early edge into the stretch. I'll box Devilish Spirit with All About Alex in exactas with a win bet on 'Alex.
For more of Jeremy's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
Video to spotlight: February 16, 2011 – Aqueduct Race 1
Video caption: Latin Rocks (#5) stumbles about as badly as you'll see at the start. A clean gate break will make her part of a hot pace Thursday in her return try.
Regal Warrior strong Thursday pick
March, 10, 2011
3/10/11
11:35
AM ET
By Brian Nadeau | ESPNNewYork.com
AQUEDUCT - RACE 3
PICK: #3 Regal Warrior (2-1) (4 stars)
Our Eyes: 2/21 Step slow start, rank off first turn, 4/5-W stalk, wide move to lone F entering far turn, hard to handle stretch, battled back to gain place.
Brian's Playbook: 2-1 seems reasonable, so make a win bet if you get it while also singling in the early Pick 4 to gain some added leverage.
Our Eyes: 2/21 Step slow start, rank off first turn, 4/5-W stalk, wide move to lone F entering far turn, hard to handle stretch, battled back to gain place.
Brian's Playbook: 2-1 seems reasonable, so make a win bet if you get it while also singling in the early Pick 4 to gain some added leverage.
AQUEDUCT - RACE 6
What makes this race juicy?
Red-hot trainer Todd Pletcher brings north Redwood Falls, a likely heavy favorite who debuted third at Gulfstream Park. But there's a hitch: both the horse's debut performance and pedigree suggest he's not at his best around 2 turns. So what we have is a likely heavy favorite with some flaws, and best of all, some good options to turn to in hopes of the upset. The 1-1/16 miles maiden special weight race is loaded with good pedigrees and other high-powered barns.
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
Storm'n Indian improved dramatically in his second career start, not coincidentally when asked the 2-turn question for the first time. He's by Storm Cat out of the wonderful race mare Fleet Indian, a win machine routing in her heyday a few years back. Coupled in a mutuel entry with fellow Kiaran McLaughlin trainee Iscar, this is a solid 2-for-1 proposition to take on the Pletcher heavyweight Redwood Falls. Other horses to consider include longshot Thiskysabeauty, who was able to lure Ramon Dominguez to ride for a low-profile barn in his first career start and ran a solid third sprinting despite showing obvious immaturity. He has a lot of room to improve, but may be a sprinter based on pedigree. Nick Zito showed at Gulfstream on Sunday that older horses are tough for 3-year-olds to beat this early in the year (just ask Dialed In), and Zito has 5-year-old Savannah Bay paired up with the sophomore class today in a covert drop in class. I'll be playing Savannah Bay to win, and in exactas over the McLaughlin entry and longshot Thiskysabeauty, rooting for Redwood Falls to come up short.
For more of Jeremy's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
Video to spotlight: January 30, 2011 – Gulfstream Park Race 5
Video caption: Redwood Falls (#6) is rank early and has tired leg action late, neither of which are great signs stretching out around 2 turns Wednesday.
What makes this race juicy?
Horse Player NOW plan of attack
Storm'n Indian improved dramatically in his second career start, not coincidentally when asked the 2-turn question for the first time. He's by Storm Cat out of the wonderful race mare Fleet Indian, a win machine routing in her heyday a few years back. Coupled in a mutuel entry with fellow Kiaran McLaughlin trainee Iscar, this is a solid 2-for-1 proposition to take on the Pletcher heavyweight Redwood Falls. Other horses to consider include longshot Thiskysabeauty, who was able to lure Ramon Dominguez to ride for a low-profile barn in his first career start and ran a solid third sprinting despite showing obvious immaturity. He has a lot of room to improve, but may be a sprinter based on pedigree. Nick Zito showed at Gulfstream on Sunday that older horses are tough for 3-year-olds to beat this early in the year (just ask Dialed In), and Zito has 5-year-old Savannah Bay paired up with the sophomore class today in a covert drop in class. I'll be playing Savannah Bay to win, and in exactas over the McLaughlin entry and longshot Thiskysabeauty, rooting for Redwood Falls to come up short.
For more of Jeremy's insights, as well as the entire Horse Player NOW team of handicappers, visit HorseplayerNOW.com.
Video to spotlight: January 30, 2011 – Gulfstream Park Race 5
Video caption: Redwood Falls (#6) is rank early and has tired leg action late, neither of which are great signs stretching out around 2 turns Wednesday.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- Along with everybody else, the New York Racing Association’s racing department will be paying close attention to what Uncle Mo does this weekend, wherever he makes his 3-year-old debut.
The connections of Uncle Mo -- last year’s undefeated champion 2-year-old colt -- have long stated their desire to use the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 9 as the colt’s final prep before the May 7 Kentucky Derby. What Uncle Mo does and how he looks this Saturday -- in either the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream or the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs -- could determine how difficult a chore it will be to draw others to the Wood, despite its Grade 1 status and $750,000 purse.
Usually, the Gotham Stakes produces a starter or two for the Wood. But Saturday’s Gotham winner, Stay Thirsty, has the same connections as Uncle Mo -- owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher -- and there is no way the two would run against each other. Stay Thirsty, who earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure for his 3 1/4-length victory in the Gotham, was scheduled to return to the Palm Meadows training center in south Florida this week, where he will likely be pointed to the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on April 3. If Pletcher feels the horse needs more time to recover from the Gotham, the $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 16 is another alternative.
On Sunday, assistant trainer Jonathan Thomas noted that Stay Thirsty had a good energy level and appeared to come out of the Gotham in good shape.
The connections of Gotham second- and third-place finishers Norman Asbjornson and Toby’s Corner indicated Sunday they would probably not run in the Wood – especially if Uncle Mo shows up. Trainer Chris Grove said his main objective with Norman Asbjornson is the Preakness anyway, and he would likely look at the Illinois Derby on April 9 for his colt’s next start.
Graham Motion, the trainer of Toby’s Corner, also mentioned the Illinois Derby as a possibility, after being a little disappointed with his colt’s third-place finish in the Gotham.
“I can’t see coming up there running in the Wood if it’s going to be a tougher race,” Motion said. “The Illinois Derby probably makes sense. I don’t want to completely get off his bandwagon off one race.”
Trainer Kelly Breen didn’t rule out the Wood as a possibility for Gotham fourth-place finisher Nacho Saint, who had a troubled start and then seemed a bit intimidated racing along the inside around the far turn.
“He didn’t have the best of trips the other day,” Breen said. “Possibly, he’s getting better. There’s a small chance of” the Wood.
The degree of difficulty facing NYRA’s racing office for filling the Wood Memorial will be determined this Saturday. But barring a bad performance Saturday by Uncle Mo or a change of heart from his connections after this weekend, it figures to be pretty high.
The connections of Uncle Mo -- last year’s undefeated champion 2-year-old colt -- have long stated their desire to use the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 9 as the colt’s final prep before the May 7 Kentucky Derby. What Uncle Mo does and how he looks this Saturday -- in either the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream or the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs -- could determine how difficult a chore it will be to draw others to the Wood, despite its Grade 1 status and $750,000 purse.
Usually, the Gotham Stakes produces a starter or two for the Wood. But Saturday’s Gotham winner, Stay Thirsty, has the same connections as Uncle Mo -- owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher -- and there is no way the two would run against each other. Stay Thirsty, who earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure for his 3 1/4-length victory in the Gotham, was scheduled to return to the Palm Meadows training center in south Florida this week, where he will likely be pointed to the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on April 3. If Pletcher feels the horse needs more time to recover from the Gotham, the $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 16 is another alternative.
On Sunday, assistant trainer Jonathan Thomas noted that Stay Thirsty had a good energy level and appeared to come out of the Gotham in good shape.
The connections of Gotham second- and third-place finishers Norman Asbjornson and Toby’s Corner indicated Sunday they would probably not run in the Wood – especially if Uncle Mo shows up. Trainer Chris Grove said his main objective with Norman Asbjornson is the Preakness anyway, and he would likely look at the Illinois Derby on April 9 for his colt’s next start.
Graham Motion, the trainer of Toby’s Corner, also mentioned the Illinois Derby as a possibility, after being a little disappointed with his colt’s third-place finish in the Gotham.
“I can’t see coming up there running in the Wood if it’s going to be a tougher race,” Motion said. “The Illinois Derby probably makes sense. I don’t want to completely get off his bandwagon off one race.”
Trainer Kelly Breen didn’t rule out the Wood as a possibility for Gotham fourth-place finisher Nacho Saint, who had a troubled start and then seemed a bit intimidated racing along the inside around the far turn.
“He didn’t have the best of trips the other day,” Breen said. “Possibly, he’s getting better. There’s a small chance of” the Wood.
The degree of difficulty facing NYRA’s racing office for filling the Wood Memorial will be determined this Saturday. But barring a bad performance Saturday by Uncle Mo or a change of heart from his connections after this weekend, it figures to be pretty high.
AQUEDUCT - RACE 4
PICK: #2 Song Of Broadway (7-2) (4 stars)
Our Eyes: 2/10 Broke last, advanced between backstretch, traffic between far turn, eased back, tipped out, guided back inside, tight quarters, solid run to the line.
Our Eyes: 2/10 Broke last, advanced between backstretch, traffic between far turn, eased back, tipped out, guided back inside, tight quarters, solid run to the line.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Bob Ehalt
Bob Ehalt, who grew up a few furlongs from Belmont Park, has followed horse racing as either a fan, turf writer or owner since 1971. He has won three national Associated Press Sports Editors awards for his coverage of the sport and was the recipient of the 2009 Breeders' Cup media award for outstanding social media.
Paul Moran
Paul Moran is a two-time winner of the Media Eclipse Award, and has received various honors from the National Association of Newspaper Editors, Society of Silurians, Long Island Press Club and Long Island Veterinary Medical Association. He also has been given the Red Smith Award for his coverage of the Kentucky Derby.