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How to Bet the Rancho Bernardo Stakes on Sunday at Del Mar
The final graded stakes race of the week at is the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap.
The six-and-a-half-furlong event over the main track drew a compact field of 6 led by last year’s winner #4 Skye Diamonds . The five-year-old mare put forth a ...
Racing
Mucciolo’s Graded Plays for Million Day
The biggest racing date on the Arlington calendar is Saturday. The 36th Arlington Million Stakes highlights a 12-race card, with the four of the graded kind. I will take a look at each:
Secretariat (G1)
Sophomores will go 1 ¼ miles on the tur ...
Racing
2018 Beverly D. international scouting report: Nyaleti
Once under consideration for last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), Nyaleti at last makes her American debut in the Beverly D. (G1). The Arlington feature is no afterthought, but mapped out as a possible objective since her rout of t ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Fabulous Fillies Day & New York Stallion Stakes Series
by Dick Powell
More rain, not a lot, came after the races on Wednesday and four races were taken off the turf today and the two that stayed on were raced over courses listed as yielding. The main track is fast going into the day but around here, ...
Racing
2018 Beverly D. international scouting report: Athena
Aidan O’Brien has never won the Beverly D. (G1), but he hadn’t won the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) either, until Athena ran rough-shod over the field on July 7.
Athena’s pedigree details – as a daughter of red-hot Camelot and granddaughter of b ...
Racing
Million Week Friday Late Pick 4 and Spot Plays
by JOE KRISTUFEK
With a tremendous Arlington Million Day card looming on Saturday, it only makes sense to take advantage of some Friday spot plays and the daily TwinSpires.com “15% Win or Lose” Late Pick 4 All-Ways promotion (if you haven’t al ...
Racing
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Playing the Early Pick 4 Around Instagrand in the Best Pal Stakes
Saturday’s feature “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” is the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes. The six- furlong dash over the main track drew a compact group of 5 two-year-olds led by heavy favorite #1 Instagrand .
Oxo Equine spent $1.2 million dollars on I ...
Racing
How to Bet the Beverly D. Stakes
Just how dominant has trainer Chad Brown been in the $600,000 Beverly D. Stakes (gr. III) at Arlington Park ?
Well, for starters, he’s won the race on four occasions, including the last three renewals. For good measure, his runners earned first ...
Racing
Why I'm Betting Robert Bruce in the Arlington Million
If you’re handicapping Saturday’s $1,000,000 Arlington Million (gr. I) at Arlington Park , then you’ve probably already concluded—as have I—that there are plenty of talented horses to choose from.
The 1 ¼-mile race is a “Win and You’re In” for ...
Racing
Analyze It Faces International Challengers in Secretariat Stakes
It’s not hard to imagine that Analyze It will feel a sense of relief when he heads to the starting gate for Saturday’s $400,000 Secretariat Stakes (gr. I) at Arlington Park and realizes that, for once, he will not be joined by Catholic Boy.
...
Racing
2018 Arlington Million international scouting report: Circus Couture
A nephew of globetrotting Group 1 star Jakkalberry, who set an Arlington course record in the 2012 American St Leger, Circus Couture was once an Italian highweight himself. A 10-furlong trip on good ground was a favorable scenario in his prime, but h ...
Racing
Lazarus N Defies U.S. Pacers At Hoosier; ‘Key Race’ Soph Fillies Ready To Romp; Northfield Hosts Top Open Pace
The unofficial beginning of the season’s second half gets rolling with a new addition to the older pacing ranks as Lazarus N debuts in the USA at Hoosier. A slew of horses coming from the Hambo program return in various events and the whole ...
Racing
Saratoga 2yos Analysis: Bill Mott Gets Hot
Two weekends ago, the juvenile races at Saratoga were dominated by trainer Steve Asmussen. Last weekend, it was Bill Mott’s turn to take the spotlight.
The Hall of Fame trainer, best known as the conditioner of two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, ...
Racing
Fast Pace Seems Likely in Fourstardave Handicap
Turf races in New York have a reputation for being very slow-paced events that are difficult to decipher beforehand. How can you handicap effectively when you have no idea who might wind up shaking loose on an easy lead?
That said, Saturday’s $50 ...
Racing
Keying Lyrical Lady in the Adirondack Stakes
Three weeks ago, on opening day at Saratoga , a promising young filly won her debut by 5 ¾ lengths, leading from the start to prevail with authority.
On Saturday, that filly— #3 Lyrical Lady —will attempt to take another big step and secure a grad ...
Racing
Hoosier and Northfield Park host lucrative stakes this weekend
While harness racing ovals such as The Meadowlands and Yonkers Raceway often get top billing for hosting major stakes, this weekend the focus will turn to a pair of ovals that are often well below the spotlight - Hoosier Park in Indiana and Northfiel ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Same Old Same Old
by DICK POWELL
Well, we finally got to Fast and Firm track and course conditions but it didn't last too long. The racing began under steamy-hot conditions and that is usually a precursor to chaotic weather and sure enough, it hit halfway through ...
Racing
2018 Arlington Million international scouting report: Century Dream
Century Dream sets off on his first transatlantic expedition after hitting new heights this season for Simon Crisford. Although untested in stakes company until 2018, he had been given marquee entries at both two and three, so his development isn’t e ...
Racing
New Zealand star pacer Lazarus makes U.S. debut in Dan Patch at Hoosier Park
Having conquered the Antipodes, Lazarus will look to extend his dominance among pacers in this hemisphere when he makes his North American debut Friday night in the $325,000 Dan Patch at Hoosier Park.
The richest Standardbred ever foaled in New ...
Racing
How morning lines were made for the International Turf Festival of Racing at Arlington
by JOE KRISTUFEK
The purpose of the morning line is to give the wagering public a general idea of what the odds on each horse are expected to be at post time.
It's a subjective system, and is merely one person's – the morning line maker's ...
Racing
Solana Beach Stakes Headlines Friday Twilight Card at Del Mar
The stakes action for the week at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club commences with the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes. The one-mile event for California Bred or California Sired Fillies and Mares drew a solid field of 9 that includes the second, third, fo ...
Racing
Out Cap Da Shap at Del Mar on August 8
By SCOTT SHAPIRO
It is hard to believe that the fourth week of the Del Mar summer meeting is upon us, but indeed it is. Since tomorrow is Wednesday that means another chance at the “Out Cap Da Shap” Late Pick 4 promotion “Where the Turf Meets th ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Week Three Wrap-Up
by DICK POWELL
Still not quite Fast and Firm but we will gladly accept Fast and Good these days. The question going into Monday centered upon how Sunday’s drying-out, outside-closer track would perform.
Race 1 was bet like it was a two-horse ...
Racing
Pacific Classic Power Rankings
Del Mar's signature race, the Pacific Classic, takes place in less than two weeks. This year's Pacific Classic lost some luster after Triple Crown winner Justify was retired. No worries. A new rising star figures to throw his hat into the ring while ...
Racing
Half-mile ovals offer plenty of action
While Saturday afternoon's lucrative card at the Meadowlands took center stage, several half-mile harness racing ovals have since offered plenty of action for horses competing in stakes now and eyeing those down the road. Monday's opening race at Oc ...
Racing
2018 Arlington Million international scouting report: Deauville
After a pair of close thirds here in 2016 and 2017, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Deauville launches another raid on the Arlington Million (G1). The five-year-old son of Galileo doesn’t bring the same level of form this time, but he remains capable i ...
Racing
Deciphering Track Biases, Part 1
Track biases… is there a more mysterious aspect of handicapping horse races? Maybe, but I'm not sure what it would be.
In essence, track biases are simple enough. Their name says it all—some tracks can be biased toward horses racing on the lead, o ...
Education
Triple Crown Winner Justify Retired
by Fairway Jay
The news broke last week that Triple Crown winner Justify was being retired from racing. His last appearance at the racetrack was Saturday in the paddock at Del Mar and then paraded onto the track in front of the grandstand. Fans ...
Racing
Good Magic Dominates Haskell Easily
by Fairway Jay
The $1 million Haskell Invitational was the featured event on a historic Haskell Day, and the headliner left no doubt who was best. Good Magic went off as the prohibitive 1-2 favorite in the 7-horse field and dismantled the compet ...
Racing
Catching up with top sellers from 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga
As we look forward to the 98th Saratoga Sale tonight and Tuesday , let’s revisit the top-priced yearlings from last summer’s boutique Fasig-Tipton auction.
The $1 million Orb-Flashy American colt sports an apt name – ELVIS .
Purchas ...
Racing
Momouth Park’s Biggest Day with the 2018 Haskell Invitational and Sports Betting
by Fairway Jay
The 2018 Haskell Invitational is a summer staple, and Sunday’s showdown at “The Shore's Greatest Stretch” has drawn a field of seven 3-year-olds at Monmouth Park. Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic and Preakness runner-up Bra ...
Racing
Mucho impressive at Saratoga
by JOHN MUCCIOLO
There are often telling signs that a horse is ready to run a big race. And on Saturday, Bill Mott’s MUCHO was one of those.
When a juvenile is bet down to 2-1 odds from a 12-1 morning line, chances are he will be live. There a ...
Racing
Diversify Overcomes Obstacles in Whitney Stakes
In the end, the only remote challenge came from Mind Your Biscuits , a multiple Grade 1-winning sprinter trying two turns for the first time. After biding his time in fifth place, Mind Your Biscuits unleashed a sharp rally around the far turn to bri ...
Racing
Arlington Million 2018 pre-entry profiles
The 36th running of the Arlington Million (G1) is a week away, and pre-entries were released Friday for the 1 1/4-mile turf affair. There is a lot on the line in the contest, as the race is not only worth $1 million in purse money but also awards a ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Sunny Third Sunday
by DICK POWELL
Considering how bad yesterday’s thunderstorms were, today at Saratoga was not that bad. Three turf races stayed on; three came off. The main track was originally listed as muddy, by the first race it was good, and then by race 6, i ...
Racing
Hambletonian: Atlanta Better Than The Boys; $274 Elim Triple; Public Seconds Sharp In Features; Lather Up Returns
As reported live from the Meadowlands at the Hambletonian day program, here is a complete rundown of our features’ results based upon our exclusive TwinSpires preview and Hambletonian Trail blogs’ wagering suggestions. And, of course, the o ...
Racing
Hastings Spot Plays for British Columbia Cup Day
by John Mucciolo
Six stakes races will be held at Hastings on Monday as part of British Columbia Cup Day. I will shine some light on a few runners that look good to me on the Holiday card.
Race 3
Six will vie in the Hong Kong Jockey Club ...
Racing
Ample stakes action among thoroughbreds on Saturday
There might typically be little in common between Saratoga Race Course, Laurel Park and Mountaineer Park, but Saturday afternoon all three of them offered numerous stakes races on the main tracks. Saturday's feature at Saratoga was the Grade I, $1.2 ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Whitney Deluge
by DICK POWELL
It takes a lot to wake me up once I go to sleep at night. The Mets blew another great pitching performance by Jacob deGrom so it was lights out. Around 3 a.m. I heard some noise that I couldn't figure out. It didn't sound like the ...
Racing
Meadowlands hosts stakes-filled Hambletonian Day card
Although harness racing fans are accustomed to seeing the sport's best trotters and pacers compete under the lights at various venues, Saturday afternoon the Meadowlands hosted its famed Hambletonian Day card where the best horses of both gaits and a ...
Racing
Sunday Ellis Park 'Place Payout' Suggestions
by JOE KRISTUFEK
Losing a tough photo for the win is frustrating, but now finishing second doesn’t have to suck!
No one hit the full card at Monmouth last week so we are rolling over the $10,000 “Place Payout” bonus to Sunday’s “Kentucky Downs ...
Racing
Ellis Park Kentucky Downs Preview Pick 5
by JOE KRISTUFEK
Newly conceived for this year, Ellis Park’s “Kentucky Downs Preview Day” features four $100,000 turf stakes that feed right into the lucrative Kentucky Downs program in September.
All four stakes, and a really good second-leve ...
Racing
Saratoga stakes plays for Whitney Day
by John Mucciolo
A total of five graded races will take place at Saratoga on Saturday, with the $1.2 million Whitney Stakes (G1) leading the way. I will take a look at each.
De La Rose Stakes (Race 5)
Turf affair came up with a graded qua ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Hall of Fame Friday
by DICK POWELL
At 10:30 this morning, the main track was listed as fast and the Mellon and inner turf courses were firm. Rain began shortly afterwards and by the time I got to the track just after noon, it was downgraded to muddy (sealed) and the ...
Racing
A look at Saturday's Late Pick 4 at Arlington
As we gear up toward its biggest day of the meet next Saturday, it pays to keep tabs on the goings-on at Arlington.
Every racing day, TwinSpires.com offers the Late Pick 4 All-Ways Bonus: 15% Win or Lose . Opt in and bet at least $50 into the ...
Racing
Shapiro's strategy for Saratoga All Stakes Pick 4 on Whitney Day
by SCOTT SHAPIRO
The Whitney Day slate at Saratoga is loaded and includes an all stakes Pick 4 over the final four races of the Saturday afternoon card.
The Test Stakes (G1) for three-year-old fillies gets things rolling and the Lure Stakes ov ...
Racing
Kristufek's Ellis Park Turf Spot Plays for Saturday
by JOE KRISTUFEK
Saturday morning I’ll pack up the car and make the two-hour drive from Louisville to Henderson to spend the weekend at Ellis Park, where last summer I served as the on-air racing analyst.
With Sunday’s Kentucky Downs’ Preview ...
Racing
Lightning Spear Earns Breakthrough Win in Sussex Stakes
Trained by David Simcock and owned by Qatar Racing Limited, Lightning Spear equaled his career-best 122 Racing Post Rating with his gallant run to the finish line. Only time will tell if he travels to the U.S. to compete in the Breeders’ Cup , but w ...
Racing
A Pair of Maidens In With Significant Chance in Sunday's Sorrento at Del Mar
The second of two graded stakes events on tap for Sunday’s card at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes for two-year-old fillies.
The 2018 rendition is a challenging one for handicappers as 7 of the 10 fillies entered come ...
Racing
Defending Champion Cambodia the One to Beat in Saturday's Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar
As usual the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap conducted at a mile and a sixteenth over the sod drew a solid field of fillies and mares.
The $200,000 event is not only a challenging part of the late Pick 4 on Saturday afternoon “Where the Turf Meets ...
Racing
Meadowlands host huge Hambletonian Day card
While many harness racing enthusiasts are accustomed to seeing the sport's best trotters and pacers compete under the lights, this Saturday afternoon the Meadowlands will host the Grade I, $1 million Hambletonian Stakes on a stellar, stakes-filled ca ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Slim pickings Thursday
by DICK POWELL
Even with fast and firm conditions for the second day in a row, field sizes are brutally short. The first five races have field sizes of six, six, seven, four and seven. Sunny and humid conditions might lead to afternoon thundersto ...
Racing
How to bet the West Virginia Derby
by John Mucciolo
It’s West Virginia Derby Day at Mountaineer with seven stakes on a special afternoon card. The feature is the $500,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) , with nine going postward in a competitive cast.
We've got $5,000 to payou ...
Racing
Saratoga 2yos Analysis: Steve Asmussen Keeps On Winning
Just how deep is ’s roster of talented young two-year-olds?
No one can say for certain, because seemingly every week—or at times, every day—Asmussen unleashes another promising young runner. Last week at Saratoga , Asmussen won three juvenile rac ...
Racing
Del Mar 2yos Analysis: Baffert's Barn is Loaded
If anyone thought that Bob Baffert’s barn might be lacking in star power following the retirement of Triple Crown winner Justify… well, you need not have worried.
While it’s too early to say whether Roadster or Chasing Yesterday will achieve r ...
Racing
Turf Spot Plays for Woodbine on Friday
Maximize your Win-Place-Show betting Fridays at Woodbine!
by John Mucciolo
Nine races are on tap at Woodbine on Friday Aug. 3, five of which will be run on the lawn with the remaining four on the Tapeta surfaces. The grassy r ...
Racing
Shapiro: How to bet the 2018 Whitney
by SCOTT SHAPIRO
Saturday’s feature on a loaded 11-race card in Saratoga Springs is the $1.2 million Whitney Stakes.
The Grade 1 event conducted at 1 1/8 miles over the main track drew a field of eight led by the dominant victor of the Suburba ...
Racing
Daisycutter Handicap Headlines Friday Twilight Card at Del Mar
The Friday feature at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is the $75,000 Daisycutter Handicap run at five furlongs over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
This year’s rendition of the Daisycutter drew a competitive group of 9 led by 2-1-morning line favorit ...
Racing
Meadowlands’ Magnificent Racing Menu On Hambletonian Day Is Rife With Profit-Probability
The first weekend in August is upon us and as is tradition, TwinSpires harness blog is focused on the stream of stakes surrounding the Hambletonian program at the Meadowlands Aug. 4. In this preview blog and our Hambletonian Trail blog we a ...
Racing
Hambletonian Heats and Oaks Finals Are Historic Highlights At the Meadowlands
The first Saturday in August is now this Saturday. North America’s top sophomore trotters gather to compete for the Hambletonian prize at the Meadowlands with the fillies going in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks and a total of 16 colts and o ...
Racing
How to Bet the Whitney Stakes
He may have been a last-minute entrant, but #6 Diversify certainly looms as the horse to beat in Saturday’s $1.2 million Whitney Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga , a prestigious “Win and You’re In” prep race on the road to the Breeders’ Cup Class ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Week Three Begins
by Dick Powell
Ten days in the books, 30 more to come. Yesterday, the forecast for today was not only a washout but dangerous thunderstorms with hail and lightning were predicted. There was a light drizzle around 10 a.m. (ET) and, so far, it has ...
Racing
Why I'm Betting Santa Monica in the Waya Stakes
“Deep” probably isn’t a strong enough word to describe the depth of trainer Chad Brown’s stable, at least when referring to the number of quality female turf horses he trains. “Essentially bottomless?” Yes, that has a more accurate ring to it.
So ...
Racing
How to Bet the Test Stakes
What do you do when four of the top contenders in a given race seem certain to engage in an all-out battle for the lead, but you don’t really care for the chances of their late-running rivals?
That’s the question I’m faced with when handicapping S ...
Racing
Regally bred Dream Pauline could be the next big thing Thursday at Saratoga
The eighth race at Saratoga on Thursday is a first-level allowance for fillies and mares at six furlongs. DREAM PAULINE , a fine debut winner at Aqueduct in December, makes her return for conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin.
The daughter of Tapit caugh ...
Racing
Hambletonian Future-Bet #3 Offered With Cast Of Classic Race
The third Hambletonian Future Wager takes action Wednesday, Aug. 1 at noon and closes on Friday, Aug. 3 at 10:00 pm.
Entries have been taken and drawn for the Saturday, Aug. 4 $1 million Hambletonian (see complete analysis Thur ...
Racing
How to play the Canterbury Humpday Showdown
Wednesdays replace Sundays on the Canterbury Park calendar in August, and TwinSpires.com will be offering the Humpday Showvivor on every Wednesday program at the Shakopee, Minnesota, course.
Opt in and place a Show wager of exactly $5 on a s ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Week Two Wrap-Up
by DICK POWELL
Week two had just about everything except a turf course listed as Firm. The main track was all four designations -- Fast, Good, Sloppy and Muddy. The Mellon turf course was Good and Yielding while the Inner turf course was Good, Y ...
Racing
Baffert Ships Once On Whiskey for West Virginia Derby
It’s not every day that trainer runs a horse at Mountaineer , but then again, it’s not every day that the West Virginia racetrack hosts a graded stakes race worth $500,000.
Thus, it’s not too surprising that Baffert will be in action on August ...
Racing
Good Magic Rebounds to Win Haskell Invitational
If there’s one aspect that you can knock about Good Magic’s performance, it’s that he did not run a particularly fast race despite enjoying a picture-perfect trip—he never had a straw in his path, but his speed figures (98 Beyer and 103 BRIS) were on ...
Racing
Playing the Indiana Grand "10% Win or Lose" Pick 4
They're sloppy and off the turf to start Tuesday's Indiana Grand card, but TwinSpires.com's " 10% Win or Lose! " offer goes on. Opt in and wager at least $50 into either of the Pick 4 pools at Indiana Grand every Tuesday and earn a 10% bonus on winni ...
Racing
Out Cap Da Shap at Del Mar on August 1
by SCOTT SHAPIRO
After failing to get to Beach View in the featured $100,000 Cougar II H. (G3) last Wednesday afternoon, I am back for the third "Out Cap Da Shap" promo of the Del Mar summer meeting.
Last week saw six winners split an add ...
Racing
Unique Bella Overcomes Adversity in Clement L. Hirsch Stakes
The final time of 1:44.40 was modest, as was Unique Bella’s time for the final five-sixteenths of a mile (:32.84), but the lack of a shoe surely compromised her performance to some degree, and despite that obstacle she did give the impression of havi ...
Racing
Ocean Downs and Yonkers offer stakes action on Monday
A pair of half-mile harness racing ovals separated by several states offered stakes action on Monday evening as Ocean Downs hosted a quartet of Maryland Standardbred Race Fund events for two-year-olds early on the card while Yonkers Raceway in New Yo ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Day Ten
by DICK POWELL
The last day of week two saw the turf still less than firm and the main track a blazing fast condition. Not sure why they continue to treat it as if it is going to rain but it is tight as a drum.
Race 1 was the postpo ...
Racing
Turf sprints bookend Late Pick 4 Monday at Saratoga
I find turf sprints to be among the most challenging races to handicap. But they can also be the most rewarding, often producing healthy payouts. So Monday’s late Pick 4, which has turf sprint races in the first and closing legs, has to be given a pl ...
Racing
Ocean Downs and Pocono Downs offer solid Sunday cards
While many thoroughbred racing fans were focused on watching Good Magic capture the Grade I, $1 million Haskell Invitational to perhaps inherit the role of top three-year-old for the remainder of the season in light of the early retirement of Triple ...
Racing
Post Jim Dandy and Haskell Top Active 3-Year-Old Rankings
Both the Jim Dandy and Haskell Invitational took place this weekend. Good Magic easily won the $1 million Haskell Invitational. Tenfold took the Jim Dandy. Now that the two biggest preps of the summer for the Travers Stakes are out of the way, it's t ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Sunny Sunday
by DICK POWELL
Bad weather left town and the main track was finally listed as fast. The Mellon turf course, which drains faster, was listed as good and the inner turf course started out as yielding. The main track was heavily sealed before the ra ...
Racing
2018 Haskell Invitational one-liners
Although only seven line up in today’s Haskell Invitational (G1), the $1 million contest at Monmouth Park should have a bearing on the state of the three-year-old division post-Justify. And aside from the allure of a Grade 1 on the resume, it also fu ...
Racing
Ransom the Moon Defeats Roy H Again in Bing Crosby Stakes
Following the race, Prat credited a change in tactics for producing Ransom the Moon’s big finish. “I was thinking I was riding this horse up too close,” Prat told Del Mar publicity. “I might have been taking his kick away from him. So today I went a ...
Racing
Double-Digit Duo Of ‘Doherty’ Winners; Favorite Fillies Fly In ‘Oaks’ Pair; Adios Groups Applauds Public Choices
There were ups and downs on the three-day betting campaign but some fine winners and exotics came through in our features, freshman section and horses-to-watch list.
Here’s how everything went:
Thursday, July 26
A bettor’s story ...
Racing
Meadows and Meadowlands offer top Saturday cards
Saturday afternoon the main event for standardbred racing fans was the latest edition of the diluted Adios Pace at the Meadows while trotting fans focused their attention on the action at the Meadowlands later that evening. Heading into the $400,000 ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Jim Dandy
By DICK POWELL
So, it rained most of the night with thunderstorms rolling through the Saratoga area. But they stopped in the morning and the sun started drying things out. The day began with the main track listed as Muddy, the Mellon turf course ...
Racing
Making Money around Unique Bella in the Clement L. Hirsch
By SCOTT SHAPIRO
The Clement L. Hirsch (G1) came up very weak outside of 2-5 morning line favorite Unique Bella , so as a horseplayer the question becomes how to make money around the star Don Alberto Stable filly.
The daughter of Tapit has ...
Racing
How to play the $8,000 Place Payout on Haskell Day
With the cancellation of racing at Lone Star Park last weekend, there is now an $8,000 bonus in the TwinSpires Place Payout , which will be conducted on Sunday's 14-race Haskell Invitational (G1) program at Monmouth Park.
Opt in and wager $5 Pla ...
Racing
Poet's Word Rallies to Victory in King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
By virtue of his hard-fought victory, Poet’s Word received a “Win and You’re In” berth to the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. I) at Churchill Downs , though only time will tell if his connections choose to accept the invitation. With two straight Gro ...
Racing
Betting the Late Pick 4 at Saratoga
By SCOTT SHAPIRO
The second Saturday of the Saratoga meeting includes four graded stakes races, three of which are included in the late Pick 4 that commences with the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap in Race 8.
Here are my thoughts:
...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Stormy Friday
By DICK POWELL
This is getting ridiculous! Crazy weather hit Saratoga again Friday afternoon with thunder, lightning and heavy rain. Then, the sun came out. Then it started storming again and it might continue into the night. I live about 10 mil ...
Racing
How to Bet the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot
Although Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) is shaping up as a chalkfest, there’s still one overpriced horse eligible to go close, and make the Ascot feature worth betting.
But first, we’ll have to sort through the principals in ...
Racing
‘Little Pharoah’ and other maidens of interest at Del Mar
The Bing Crosby (G1), featuring TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) hero ROY H, is the headliner Saturday at Del Mar. A strong field has been assembled in what could prove to be a really good one.
But a trio of maiden special weight events are ...
Racing
Saratoga Stakes Plays for Saturday
A quartet of graded stakes races will take place on Saturday at Saratoga. Here is what I expect:
Amsterdam (G3)
Seven sophomores will dash six panels on the main strip in a strong field. Four in the cast are exiting a try in the deep Woody St ...
Racing
How to bet the Bing Crosby at Del Mar
by SCOTT SHAPIRO
A solid rendition of the Bing Crosby (G1) headlines a strong 10-race card on Saturday afternoon at the Del Mar.
The $300,000 event run at three-quarters of a mile over the main track drew a field of 11 led by 2017 ...
Racing
American Pharoah's Sister Headlines Three Strong Maiden Races Saturday at Del Mar
Maiden special weight events are not for everyone, but they are some of my favorite races to handicap, especially at the boutique summer meetings in California and New York.
A trio of protected non-winner races are a part of the ten-race card on ...
Racing
Harrington offers Governor's Day card
While many harness racing enthusiasts are accustomed to seeing the sport's best trotters and pacers compete on weekends, local standardbred fans were given a treat on Thursday evening when Harrington Raceway hosted its annual, lucrative Governor's Da ...
Racing
Saratoga Diary: Wet & Off the Turf
By DICK POWELL
Heavy rain hit Saratoga Wednesday night and into Thursday morning resulting in a very wet main track and not only was there no turf racing but the steeplechase that was scheduled for race 1 was postponed until Monday.
The actio ...
Racing
Unique Bella Stands Out in Clement L. Hirsch Stakes
She’s been almost unstoppable, winning eight of her eleven starts. Her rare defeats have come under extenuating circumstances. She’s got blazing early speed and can carry it around two turns, and she’s already won twice at the Grade 1 level.
That’ ...
Racing
Del Mar 2yos Analysis: Baffert Set to Debut Chasing Yesterday, Roadster
The first week of summer racing at Del Mar is complete, and suffice to say there was lots of noteworthy action on the juvenile racing front, with plenty more to come this week.
With the main juvenile stakes races coming a bit later in the meet ...
Racing