1/25: Aqueduct (4th-9th); Gulfstream (7th-10th)
 

Followed up fast finish on Saturday with a big hit Sunday at Gulfstream with $1,300 P4 and some added goodness on 3 P5 consos. As tough as Gulfstream has been, scores like Sunday's are vital to maintain bankroll health. A year ago it took until March to catch a revitalizing bingo ($3k+), so I was pleased to get over on GP at this juncture. The boost came from a generous 11-1 on Live Oak/Albertrani firster Zo Impressive who looked prime from a pedigree standpoint and solid from morning preparations. I put the Hard Spun colt on top as a Best Value because Albertrani has been getting his early runners to hit boards recently and at the price you were offered, Zo Impressive felt like a prime play. It worked out well as he won easily and when Trombetta's won the nightcap at 10-1, the returns were liberal. To offer perspective, if Morrow Cove gets by Change of Command in that finale, the P4 only returns $150. I know several readers/listeners had pieces of Sunday's results and I'm always pleased when that happens! Some decent midweek play at GP and AQU to get back into the action Wednesday.


AQUEDUCT


PRE-SCRATCHES


4th: MSW, 3yo-F, 6f (P6, P3, DD)

Among the firsters, Nitara and Harriet (BOTH SCR'D!) have 'win early' pedigrees, but Starr Gate seems to be working best in prep for bow. It may not mean everytrhing now, but note that Nitara -- the Indian Charlie filly -- must have had some physical negatives to only fetch $8,500 as a KEE September '10 yearling. IC's yearlings sold for an average of $$136k in 2010..

Most Likely: #3 She's Ready Made 3-1 4th
Best Value: #5 Starr Gate 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Brilliant Autumn 2-1 5th


5th: MDN CLM, F&M-4+, 1m (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

Ooof.. Bad field.

Best Value: #1 Indymoolah 10-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 Blazing Arches 2-1 4th
Exotics Use: #2 Thunder Princess 5-2 WON ($4.20)
Super Add: #6 B Karma 8-1 5th


6th: CLM, 4+, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Terrific race for $7,500 claimers. Half the field looks like they can win: 15-1, 12-1 and 6-1 shots (8, 2, 3 respectively) and the three faves (6, 10, 12)..

Most Likely: #3 Value Added Tax 6-1 5th
Best Value: #8 Seeking Anita 15-1 WON ($27.20)
Exotics Use: #2 Vose the Host 12-1 8th
Super Add: #10 Troponin 3-1 6th


7th: MDN CLM, 3yo, 1m-70y (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Red Bendel 9-5 WON ($5.80)
Next Best: #4 Advanceandretreat 2-1 7th
Best Value: #2 Clifford 15-1 9th
Super Add: #9 Pegasus Hellas 15-1 4th


8th: NY-ALW/N1X, 3yo, 1m (DD)

Curious group with 4 last out winners that all seem dubious for various reasons..

Best Value: #2 Jonrah 8-1 5th
Most Likely: #3 Readytodefer 2-1 4th
Exotics Use: #7 Quiet Favorite 8-1 WON ($17.60)


9th: NY-MSW, 3yo-F, 5.5f (Super)

Most Likely: #8 Sacred Success 6-5 WON ($3.30)
Best Value: #2 Elusive Rumor 10-1 10th
Next Best: #7 Notesfromabroad 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #12 Sing Dixie Sing 6-1 2nd


<$100 P6 Play:

4: 3-5
5: 1-3
6: 2-3-8
7: 5
8: 2-3
9: 2-8

2x2x3x1x2x2 = 48 x $2 = $96


<$75 P4 Play:

6: 2-3-6-8-10-12
7: 2-4-5
8: 2-3-6-7
9: 2-8

6x3x4x2 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 4 (8/5/7/6,8,9) Paid $241.25



GULFSTREAM PARK


POST-SCRATCHES


7th: CLM/N2L, F&M-4+, 1m-T/36' (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #2 Moonshine Magic 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #12 Scootles 4-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #4 Gamecents 5-2 WON ($8.60)
Super Add: #10 Artie's Party 8-1 7th


8th: CLM/N2L, 4+, 5f-T/96' (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #11 Defense Mode 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #7 Classic Brook 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Fast Time 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #10 Le Bon Ton Roule 6-1 8th


9th: OC/N1X, 3yo, 1m-T/36' (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Heiko 5-1 6th
Best Value: #4 E Biscuit 10-1 7th
Next Best: #5 Two Months Rent 8-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #3 Liquidity Trap 5-2 4th


10th: MDN CLM, 3yo, 5.5f (Super, Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #4 Horizonbound 7-2 5th
Exotics Use: #9 Storm Clouds Ahead 4-1 WON ($5.60)
Best Value: #1 Toasting Mia 10-1 6th
Super Add: #5 Trueno Jak 6-1 2nd


<$75 P4 Play:

7: 2-4-10-12
8: 1-7-11
9: 3-4-5-7
10: 1-4-9

4x3x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72


Good luck!
Steve

Singling Jonrah? I hope you bet the horse to win as well. Hate to have that type win and no hit the pik 4.

Can't now Freddy with the SCR's. Readytodefer may just take them on a merry chase now. Think Pletcher's Red Bendel is the single. Hate when you have clear weather SCR's like today..

G/L!

Davis gave that horse a great ride in the first, horse was way the best. good to see her riding and winning. She has a good head on her shoulder...well you know what I mean.lol

Agree. Know what you mean. She's a very cool girl..

Nice Pick in the 6th, Steve.

Well, it was wide open and I just wanted to make sure people considered more than the obvious. Seeking Anita was one of the usable prices and obviously I'm partial to the lovable (:rolleyes:) connections... But thanks. He was a nice number and got the set up he needed. He was bred to be a good horse and things never happened for him back when, but he likes the inner and has now won three times for Gary and Nat.

Mr S hasnt exactly been burning up this winter. nice call and yes the pletcher was a single.. You like that ride on American Buffalo?

Steve, well done at the Big A.

#2 Wayward Sailor really benefited on the front end with the scratches of the 6 and 8 in Race 9 @ GP.

Thx Gus!

Congrats Steve.

Do you think it can back a little light (with a $27 & $17 dollar horse in the sequance)?

Thx Matt. Just a little light (parlay $1,145 for $2; $286 for .50) but the short priced winners were very strong and the 5 horse field in the feature may have contributed to Quiet Favorite being smaller in the multis. Andy had a good take on it saying Anita was the one true price and by all rights Zone Breaker should have won that race at 3-2 at which point the thing pays $37.40.

Was great to get one across. It's been a horrific stretch for Gary and the team. Looking back, it makes Ausable's harrowing beat New Year's Day that much more frustrating in the barn's first start of the year.

Forget American Buffalo... What about Valdivia on Thor's Mjolnor? That guy's a sideshow.

valdivia is awful truly awful. I used to think he was ok on turf when he was in Cal not sure I could have been right.