Sugar Shake does indeed look like the real deal.

And also, for the name" betters...take a look at "Sugar" winners.

In the 3rd, Sugar Exchange
In the 8th, Sugar Shake

I just might name one "Gimme da Sugar".

Steve:

Just curious, do you bet all these picks or are these mind bets like the public handicappers?

And also when you refer to "we" who are you referring to besides yourself?

Don't bet 'em all.. Tough to be profitable betting them all. (Though frankly, since starting the ATRAB gig in November, you'd be well positive playing them all thanks in no small part to the $20,000 in supers I hit back to back at Hawthorne 4/28). Usually am playing the multi-race suggestions I lay out. Regularly throw down on the individual races I feel best about... I'm not a full card bettor and never was. I've always been able to be patient waiting for spots. I suggest boxing all the time but I frequently end up keying and wheeling the prime value horse(s) I like.

I used "we" from the start in my writing on Derby Trail in 2003 because I really didn't think my "voice" merited writing in the first person.. Who was "I" to be saying anything about anything? (That's still true..). Though some may disagree, to me it is much more pretentious to write "I think", "I believe", etc.., than "we think", "we believe".. I've just stuck with it. I like the way it reads.

Cool Steve, thanks.

You know what I never understood? When a guy like Nick Kling or any other sucessful public handicapper brags about how if you played every single one of his picks, you would make a profit. I dont know about you, but I have never met anybody who approaches betting in the fashion of betting every single race of every single card at a particular meet.

I realize its one way of determining one's success as a public handicapper, but I dont think its a very accurate way of saying whether one guy is "better" than another.

Me personally? I would never bet anybody's picks but if a guy like you or Mormino "agreed" with my logic for liking a particular horse, it may cause me to up my antie, so to speak. I'd rather listen to a guy like yourself or Mormino who is constantly looking for value. Even if it means going bad for a few days, finding that nice value play at 10/1 and betting it appropriately can make up for 2-3 losing days.

Okay, knowing you dont bet them all, just some of them, how do you keep from going insane on the days where you cap, but for some reason decide not to play, and watch a horse you like come in and pay $25 for the win?

Exactly..

I've always felt that people who gave me positive feedback on my analysis were doing so because I helped them take a longer look at a longer priced horse they hadn't considered. That's my cause d'etre basically, and never expected people to blindly just use my tabs... BUT.. with the radio thing, people have been using the tabs and have done well. I can tell you there's a pretty heavy burden tied to doing it like this on a daily basis, and my respect for the cap guys I've gotten to know at DRF is 20X what it was years ago when I was dumb enough to think I knew as much as they did. I didn't.. Still don't..

LOL.. Listen to the show.. JJ and I want to kill ourselves every couple of days when we don't get one in and there's a bonanza.. Luckily, his son Chris has been clobbering everything in sight that I offer. He's up several thousand.

Thanks for all of your insight and knowledge on the Board Steve. I am definitely a beginner when it comes to playing the ponies but the board has been a great help and have learned alot already. I definitely look at your picks when capping a race (or trying to cap a race!) and take your thoughts and picks into consideration.

How can I catch the radio show, I would definitely like to tune in. Again nice kob on the board. Keep em coming!

FL,

Thanks very much.. I appreciate it. Visit the ATRAB website.. The "Listen live" link is on the kleft side near the top... (Or better still, buy a SIRIUS radio!!)

http://www.attheracesandbeyond.com

Steve - I truly appreciate your picks and insight (along with GPK, Gander, Byebyemermaid, Boldruler, Downthestretch55, eurobounce and too many others to give credit to). All of you are helping me to see the details in my 'capping that either I did not see myself or wasn't sure enough of to bet... for that I thank you (and other members of the board). You guys make me better.

PrM: Fri's 6-7-8th features..
 

Prarie Meadows gets the fabulous Holiday Weekend off to a good start with tonight's Saylorville, Oaks and Derby... A little late getting this out, but off we go on the 'busiests' 96 hours of handicapping we know...

PrM 6th: Saylorville, $100,000, F&M-3+, 6f

1. #1 Katy Smiles 6-1: Gets rail for optimum speed voyage
2. #8 Hot Storm 8-5: Stewart hot but will be used to get to front
A. #3 Silver Fortune 12-1: Pleasant price on PrM board regular
B. #2 Red Lifesaver 7-2: Gets good set up for late heroics


PrM 7th: Iowa Oaks (GIII), $200,000, Fillies 3yo, 8.5f

1. #4 Maggie Slew 8-1: Taking price guessing Slew's last foal wires 'em
2. #3 Brownie Points 9-5: Lack of pace, low tab says no thanks to us
A. #1 Saffronista 9-2: Pinchin miss a threat on best
B. #2 Baghdaria 2-1: Amoss-Bejarano potent, but price disuades


PrM 8th: Iowa Derby, $250,000, 3yo, 8.5f

1. #7 Circle the World 3-1: Pletcher-Bejarano look irresistale here
2. #1 Wait in Line 5-1: Minor league Derby player doffs blinks, goes T2D
A. #5 Kingsfield 12-1: Local types frequently hit board these events
B. #4 Spotgone 4-1: Fires family bay has knocked heads with good ones


Tomorrow: More PrM; BEL's Suburban/Mother Goose; PHA's Dr. Penny; AP's Classic; HOL's numerous stakes; MON's Jersey Shore... & more...

Good luck..
Steve
B.

thanks steve ,,,,keep hope alive..the new jockeys guild saying...

7th race...
Maggie's a bit short for me...
3 win
Tri 3/6/124 and 3/124/6. Small saver... 124/6/1234

They are overbetting the **** out of this Blazing Sunset....Prairie's odds do sway alot, he won't be favored by the end but this early action is SO TYPICAL small track/big trainer shipper crap...I LOVE IT

im gonna give more than reag a shot,,ass man n bridgmo...12-1

Scav, it's what I wrote in my post. He's an underlay because of Cali connections. I don't see him getting it done here. Nice Race.

Hooves, I'm right there with you. I played the tri I posted and also an exacta box with MTR and CTW.

i just dropped the ods board..lmfao 200 winplc//

BOOM BABY....I am alive to a $5 pick four right now. I knew Circle jerk would go nuts under the lights....

This is how all my tickets have gone. I went Hot/Bag/Wait in line,Regal/ with two horses.....Odds that all my hopes and dreams get SMOKED in this next leg....

sweet.. cha ching

If I hit this ticket, it will reaffirm my affection for horse racing and handicapping....If I don't, it might send me into the looney bin

5880..im happy now..rough day...

Rough two days for me

Bridgmo has turned into a monster rider. Really, he just continues to improve and when he has the horse, he finishs better then anyone.

Well done all... I had a few $ on lil brother. say what you will, earlie will never lose for lack of use of the whip. Bring in the late legs if you're alive in the p3 or p4!

yes and i saw some of that in m garcia..clear by 5 and whipping that ass..

what kind of odds did MTR go off at??

Bruce, you ALWAYS play Always Earlie it seems like?

9/1

paid 20 and 9 I think

No, just seems like it. I was looking forward to seeing this race all day but never really got a chance to look at the form. Truth be told, I fell asleep and woke up with 4 mtp. Tossing $10 on the Lil Bro was the best idea I could come up with.

I hate my life.....I just had the 4 and 7 in the pick four....for $5...was paying HUGE.....

unreal....

All that capping, for nothing...

**** Tim Douchebag....this horse was responding to the whip the whole stretch and he can't get the friggin thing into this left hand so he had to steady and gets beat by a NOSE....If I have Bejarano/JV/Bridgo/EVEN LAVIOLETTE, I win this race by a length.....

T,
Saw the replay...
Brutal beat there.

Beyond brutal...That right there, is going to cause me to stop until Gulfstream

STAKES: 7/1 Coast-to-Coast
 

The holiday weekend's action kicks into overdrive today as more than a dozen Graded Stakes dot the North American racing landscape.. Steve Asmussen got a leg up on Todd Pletcher and Doug O'Neill in the battle of the Supertrainers Friday night, as More Than Regal topped the Iowa Derby at 9-1. Asmussen, Pletcher and O'Neill have at least 7 stakes starters apiece in the July 4th celebration of thoroughbred racing..

Here's a look at Saturday's important features..


BELMONT PARK:

8th: The 50th Mother Goose (Gr. I), $250,000, 3yo fillies, 9f

1. #7 Pine Island 12-1: Shug-Phipps NEVER misplace their fillies 2ND
2. #4 Ready to Please 3-1: Pletcher miss needs fig boost; will relish distance 3RD
A. #3 Lemons Forever 7-2: Oaks shocker gets great set-up for late kick 4th
B. #2 Bushfire 7-2: Acorn re-rally winner simply too game to ignore 1ST


9th: The 120th Suburban Handicap (Gr. I), $400,000, 3+, 10f

One of America's most storied events..

1. #7 Tap Day 4-1: Hennig get Johnny V., sits stalking trip
2. #3 Andromeda's Hero 12-1: Price a plus on constantly improving Zito red
A. #6 Invasor 9-5: Awfully low tab on PIM Special winner who could react 1ST
B. #5 Rathor 7-2: "Now" horse will get modest pressure; could wire


MONMOUTH PARK:

9th: Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup (Gr. III), $150,000, 3yo, 6f

1. #1 Henny Hughes 2-1: K-Mc simply great off extended breaks 1ST
2. #3 Changing Weather 6-1: Only way to make money here is Darley closer
3. #5 He's Got Grit 5-1: More value from Asmussen gelding; (Think 'Anew')


PHILADELPHIA PARK:

9th: Dr. Penny Memorial H'cap (L), $100,000, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T

1. #7 Pommes Frites 2-1: Mott Beaugay winner faces modest pace pressure 1ST
2. #12 Inapinch 12-1: This is the F&M Turf Breeders' Cup for local claimer
A. #4 Marchonin 5-1: Toss Matz bay's off turf flop last
B. #2 Ozone Bere 4-1: Clement grey 3rd to Gorella/Frites in (GII) Just a Game


WOODBINE:

9th: The Dominion Day (Gr. III), $200,000, 3+, 10f

1. #2 Arch Hall 3-1: Casse Gr. III winner not off board in 2+ years
2. #6 Scipion 10-1: Biancone-Payson 4yo point to good one 3rd/layoff
A. #5 Cryptograph 4-1: Pierce-Kabel a potent WO force historically
B. #1 Funny Cide 9-5: Returns to trip he likes, but 9-5? Can't see.. 1ST


CHURCHILL DOWNS:

10th: The Firecracker BCH (Gr. II), $250,000, 3+, 1m-T

1. #1 Miesque's Approval 4-5: Aced Artie @ KEE; From 49-1 in Jan. to 4-5 now 1ST
2. #4 Gigawatt 8-1: Lerman's 1 win '06 came with this 6yo in CRC green Gr. 2
A. #7 Thunder Mission 20-1: Nicks' Pulpit gelding chasing good ones all year
B. #3 Free Thinking 6-1: Danner bay get Leparoux; likes CD and trip 2ND


ARLINGTON PARK:

8th: The Arlington Classic (Gr. III), $150,000, 3yo, 8.5f-T

1. #7 Storm Treasure 7-2: Asmussen red found trouble all the way in Jeff Cup
2. #8 Proudinsky 4-1: German import from Tanaka a proverbial mystery horse 2ND
A. #4 Creative Force 6-1: State bred fits; Note best sod tries came on soft
B. #1 Kingship 8-1: Werner trainee exploded last when moved to lawn 1ST


HOLLYWOOD PARK:

3rd: 52nd A Gleam Invitational H'cap (Gr. II), $150,000, F&M-3+, 7f

1. #2 Somethingaboutlaura 8-5: Hollendorfer red just missed classy pair last 1ST
2. #5 Maryfield 9-5: O'Neill listed winner tries for initial graded score 2ND
3. #4 Allswellthatnswell 6-1: Warren mare chased fave, My Miss Storm Cat 3RD


6th: 9th Cash Call Invitational (Gr. III), $750,000, F&M-3+, 1m-T

1. #5 Sweet Talker 3-1: Motion/Dominguez come West for one reason only 2ND
2. #9 Dance in the Mood 7-2: Recall Cesario in Oaks on this card last year 1ST
A. #3 Shining Energy 5-2: ML choice from Canani has some tactical options
B. #1 Cambiocorsa 5-1: O'Neill's Cal-bred on 7 race run; this good though?


9th: 62nd Landaluce (L), $100,000, 2yo fillies, 6f

1. #10 Pinata 12-1: Nice value on Graph Racing purchase from Miller 1ST
2. #6 Coco Belle 4-1: SCR
A. #9 Holly Torque Tango 9-2: Love fact Koriner red "dueled, prevailed" 2ND
B. #8 Thru n' Thru 2-1: Baffert 'Belle' beater better beware bounce

Longshot exotic value: #2 Doubloon City 20-1


PRARIE MEADOWS:

8th: 9th Iowa Sprint H'cap (L), $125,000, 3+, 6f

1. #8 Coach Jimi Lee 5-2: Hard not to root for DiVito 6yo trying for 3rd in row 1ST
2. #5 Brooker 8-1: O'Neill bay gelding 3 for 5 trip; rarely misfires 3RD
A. #1 Bishop Court Hill 9-5: Didn't exactly top Ta Wee in that Carter win 2ND
B. #2 Semaphore Man 4-1: Von Hemel clan pass-around usually a minor factor 4TH


9th: 10th PrM Cornhusker BCH (Gr. II), $300,000, 3+, 9f

Absolutely bizarre cast make for a great betting race..

1. #13 Good Reward 10-1: Shug not here on lark; Winner if OK revisiting dirt
2. #4 Three Hour Nap 8-1: Prefers 9 panels and adjusts to any pace
A. #11 Alumni Hall 4-1: Howard-Farish veteran alternates big tries
B. #12 Mayan King 15-1: Price too inviting to not use Contessa shipper
C. #1 Gouldings Green 8-1: Are AP stewards down to help Hanshin "winner"?

Longshot exotic value: #6 Wayzata Bay 20-1

Enjoy the great day.. Tomorrow, a long look at the lucrative Hollywood card as well as the Poker and Astoria at Belmont and Stars and Stripes at Arlington..

Good luck..
Steve

The ish rides continue with Jesse Campbell winning today's award in the 4th at Arlington....unreal

I'm telling you folks... NEVER.. NEVER question the Phipps/Shug moves with their fillies. They absolutely are 100% well meant whenever they go in races like these... Keyed a $250 triple for me, and it's too bad there wasn't a super on this race because we had it too. Felt strongly about Teammate and Joint Effort as tosses... Effort was facing an 0-2-X pattern and Teammate is not back from the last big try...

Happy with the straight tri at HOL too.. Allswell slides to 15-1 to get the tri to $41..

Nice calls, especially on the Mo Goose. Very nice run from Pine Island. I missed on a karma play there as I live close to a major street named Pine Island Road (though neither pines or islands in eyeshot). And how about Bushfire? 3 G1's by July 1st! I got off her train today, but she just wins.

I was on the phone with a friend after the race and we were trying to remember the last filly to have won three grade 1s races this early in the year as a 3 year old. We couldn't come up with one. I hope she stays sound and can come back in either the CCA or Alabama. If she can come back good and get one of these two races, she'd finish the summer with 4 G1's including a race at 10f.

Bushfire is very, very close to doing some rare and remarkable things.

S2S,

Thx.. having a very good afternoon, and Pine Isle was key.. This Bushfire is remarkable though.. period. Stunningly game EVERY time out.

Kicking myself after talking up Arbuckle Bandit on the radio yesterday in the AP Classic as a "use", and then leaving him out... Got exacta, but tri was BOFFO with the bomb holding on for third.. $1,000+!

G-D Nolan's Cat ruined my play at Woodbine though... It's END TO END ACTION KIDS!!!

Hope ya hit the "Pinata"!!!
 

Waiting for payoff, but hope you whacked the Pinata!!