2/4: Aqueduct ($99k C/O); Santa Anita ($65k C/O)
 

AQUEDUCT


POST-SCRATCHES


4th: MSW, 3yo, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Race to watch with any number of nicely-bred, lightly-raced and well-matched 3yo's. Inflation Target is a half to the fast Rattlesnake Bridge and firster Luckysdream a half to Mrs. Weber's turf routing MSW My Lordship. Ashado son Steele Road and Inflation Target were close behind next out LRL stake winner Beggarthyneighbor and Wild Target ran into tough Hardened Wildcat in his debut. Mr. Ast moves to Levine and gets Ramon. Excellent group, many of which might normally have gone to Florida for the winter if not for the NY purse boost..

Most Likely: #4 Steele Road 9-5 5th
Best Value: #2 Wild Target 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Inflation Target 8-5 WON ($4.20)
Exotics Use: #3 Mr. Beer Goggles 6-1 4th


5th: NY-MDN CLM, 4+, 6f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

$99k Double C/O starts here..

Most Likely: #7 Hook and Lateral 8-5 2nd
Next Best: #4 Digital Joe 2-1 WON ($6.20)
Exotics Use: #1 Mr. Rosenthal 7-2 3rd
Super Add: #5 S. Z. Madison 12-1 4th


6th: 73rd Correction, F&M-3+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Nicole H 6-5 WON ($3.00)
Best Value: #7 Winning Image 4-1 6th
Next Best: #6 Golden Mystery 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Streaker 5-1 5th


7th: NY-MSW, 3yo, 1m-70y (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Start of the P4 so watch the board for some clues to this tricky group of Empire colts and geldings. There are angles galore here with several 2nd timers from sharp outfits stretching out (Pearl of Wisdom, Fr. Peter's Missal, Wistful Wildcat, Rkatsiteli) and jockey upgrades like Dominguez getting on Zetterholm..

Most Likely: #1 Pearl of Wisdom 9-5 2nd
Best Value: #9 Rkatsiteli 8-1 9th
Next Best: #4 Wistful Wildcat 5-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Zetterholm 3-1 WON ($5.90)


8th: 119th Toboggan (G3), 3+, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Good edition of this great old standard which dates back to late 19th Century Bronx oval Morris Park. Defending winner #1a Calibrachoa figures tough again and would join impressive list of back-to-back winners of this famed event that includes Al Fried's Affirmed Success (2002-03), Rippey (1948-49), Greentree's Devil Diver (1943-44), Geo. Widener's Hall of Famer Eight Thirty (1940-41), Brookmeade's Okapi (1933-34), J. E. Widener's Osmand (1928-29), High Noon (1915-16) and Augie Belmont's Octagon (1897-98). Tony Dutrow portion of Dubb ownership entry (#2b Candyman E) is in career best form and merits serious consideration on your multi tickets..

SCR #6 J J's Luck Train..

Most Likely: #2b (POE) Calibrachoa 7-5 WON ($2.90)/3rd
Next Best: #1a (POE) Candyman E 9-5 4th/5th


9th: 132nd Withers (G3), 3yo, 8.5f (DD, Super)

Long a late season sophomore staple, The Withers is cleverly being revitalized here to add a second graded event, with next month's Gotham, to the run up toward the Wood Memorial. Alpha seeks to become Kiaran McLaughlin's third Withers winner (Divine Park, Mr. Fantasy) off a strong showing in the Count Fleet to start his 3yo campaign. Bernardini homebred from Darley has had well-publicized deportment issues pre-race, but otherwise looks exceedingly formidable against solid but undistinguished set of foes..

SCR #3 Swag Daddy..

Most Likely: #7 Alpha 1-1 WON ($2.70)
Next Best: #4 King Kid 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #6 Tiger Walk 6-1 3rd


10th: CLM, 4+, 6f (Super)

Most Likely: #10 Late SCR
Next Best: #8 Keechi Bullet 4-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #5 Hopeful Boy 3-1 8th
Super Add: #7 Jitalian 12-1 4th


<$200 P6 Play:

5: 1-4-7
6: 1-7
7: 1-4-5-8-9
8: 2
9: 7
10: 5-8-10

3x2x5x1x1x3 = 90 x $2 = $180

$2 Pick 6 (4/1/5/2,6/3,7/3) Paid $12.80 (5OF6) x 3 = $38.40


$50/$25 P4 Plays:

7: 1-4-5-8-9
8: 1-2
9: 7
10: 2-5-7-8-10

5x2x1x5 = $50 ($25 for .50)



TAMPA BAY DOWNS


POST-SCRATCHES


11th: Sam F. Davis (G3) 3yo, 8.5f

Tampa prep regularly quirky. Don't want any part of low number on Team Valor turf horse State of Play and only including Eckabroni defensively with Pletcher horses in Florida performing over the top. Battle Hardened and Prospective are the two most serious horses in the field and are well-priced. Neck 'n Neck is steadily improving for Wilkes. Will likely have GP Derby winner Reveron 3rd on my exotic tickets with top pair..

Best Value: #3 Battle Hardened 12-1 WON ($11.00)
Next Best: #11 Prospective 6-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #4 Eckabroni 7-2 11th
Super Add: #6 Neck 'n Neck 5-1 5th



SANTA ANITA


POST-SCRATCHES


1st: MSW, 3yo, 6f (P5, Place Pick All, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Mile High Magic 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #6 Late SCR
Exotics Use: #7 Eaton Hall 7-2 4th
Super Add: #8 Immaculate 12-1 WON ($19.40)


2nd: CLM-$12.5k/N2L, 4+, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Seek the Light 4-1 4th
Best Value: #10 Warren's Patron 12-1 2nd
Next Best: #6 Me Salty 9-2 WON ($10.00)
Exotics Use: #8 Jeffery's Groove 8-1 13th


3rd: 53rd Arcadia (G2), 4+, 1m-T (P3, DD, Super)

Hard to envision Mr. Commons being bested here..

Most Likely: #8 Mr. Commons 1-1 WON ($2.80)
Best Value: #6 Willyconker 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Calimonico 8-1 4th
Exotics Use: #2 Pathfork 5-2 6th


4th: Cal-MSW, 3yo, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #10 Jonny's Choice 5-2 2nd
Next Best: #5 Real Conundrum 7-2 WON ($8.20)
Exotics Use: #7 Good Luck Redd 6-1 6th
Super Add: #1 Gifted Monarch 12-1 5th


5th: MSW, 3yo-F, 6.5f-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

$65k P6 C/O starts here..

Nothing clever to impart with obvious set of faves just appearing to have edge..

Best Value: #7 Mirror Ball 9-2 10th
Next Best: #10 Miss Communication 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #2 Belle Passe 5-2 WON ($10.40)
Super Add: #1 Ramona's Ride 8-1 9th


<$75 P5 Play:

1: 5-6
2: 2-3-6-7-8-10
3: 8
4: 5-7-10
5: 1-2-7-10

2x6x1x3x4 = 144 x .50 = $72


6th: 74th Robert B. Lewis (G2), 3yo, 8.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Strong set of sophs for this lead up to the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby with top runners from the HOL Futurity and more. Beyond the obvious, Isn't He Clever's stretchout off Riley Allison demolition is worth following and supporting. Development of Royal Delta brother Empire Way another sub-plot here and binocular set says he 's still kind of torpid..

Best Value: #1 Isn't He Clever 6-1 4th
Next Best: #6 Rousing Sermon 5-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Liason 9-5 DNF-Lost rider
Super Add: #5 Sky Kingdom 6-1 5th


7th: OC/N1X, 4+, 9f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Very good, deep ALW going 9 panels on the lawn..

Best Value: #1 Truism 6-1 9th
Next Best: #12 Unusual Jazz 8-1 8th
Exotics Use: #11 Twin Six 5-1 4th
Super Add: #2 Depriciable 8-1 6th


8th: 64th Strub (G2), 4+, 9f (P3, DD, Super)

As in the Arcadia with Mr. Commons, Tapizar will take some beating. Doubt anyone can run with him early and this strip will make him hard to reel in..

Most Likely: #7 Tapizar 6-5 4th
Best Value: #4 Ultimate Eagle 9-2 WON ($17.00)
Next Best: #2 Prayer for Relief 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #8 Balladry 8-1 5th


9th: CLM-$25k, 4+, 6.5f-T (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Crossing the Line 7-2 WON ($6.20)
Best Value: #12 Wild Revenge 12-1 9th
Next Best: #3 Mark the Bench 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #6 Loro 6-1 3rd


10th: OC-$40k/N1X, 4+, 8.5f (Super, Super Hi-5)

Thumbs up to Hammer for carding a premium ALW like this to end great card. Setsuko back and Carla Gaines has an unexploded powderkeg in American Blend..

Most Likely: #10 American Blend 7-2 3rd
Best Value: #9 Industry Leader 10-1 9th
Next Best: #1 Setsuko 3-1 WON ($5.40)
Exotics Use: #4 Graeme Crackerjack 9-2 4th


<$200 P6 Play:

5: 1-2-7-10
6: 1-2-5-6
7: 1
8: 7
9: 2-3-12
10: 9-10

4x4x1x1x3x2 = 96 x $2 = $192


<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x3x3x4 = 144 x .50 = $72


Good luck!
Steve

Steve dont you think these better horses (Mdn's) are here because the super trainer's want to keep them separate? Mr. Webber isnt purse shopping.lol

Absolutely mind boggling that Digital Joe was not taken down. :wf

why did it take so long- must have been somthing not right

From the NYRA stewards corner:

"RACE 5:Steward’s inquiry and jockey’s objection into the running of race 5.

The # 7 Hook and Lateral ( Taylor Hole) claims foul against # 4 Digital Joe ( Samuel Camacho Jr.) for alleged interference at the 3/8th pole and also thru the last 1/16th of the stretch. At the 3/8th the # 7 takes up slightly due to mild pressure from the # 4 but has plenty of time to regroup, and through the last 1/16th in the stretch the # 4 drifts in on the # 7 tightening up on him. The # 7 never stops riding and is beaten by a head. After reviewing the video and in the opinion of the Stewards, this did not alter the outcome and the race is Official as is."

What a croc of **** this is, what race were these Steward's watching? The 4 drifted into the 7's path clearly forcing the 7 to go inside instead of outside and when the 7 does so, the 4 herds the 7 forcing the 7 to cut off the 1 and clearly preventing the 7 from going by the 4. The conclusion that it did not affect the outcome of the race is outrageous. :wf

I wonder if the stewards come to the same result if Dominguez is riding the 7 instead of Taylor Hole

Not sure about that, but cumulatively, it sure feels like there was enough done by Camacho/Digital Joe to impede Hole/Hook and Lateral more than the head at the finish.

Good Luck getting the pick 6 home here Steve!

Thx Matt. Was too bad. Hate those gate SCR's too.

Lots of action yet to come! Going good at Santa Anita...

Pletcher dead on board at Tampa...

Nice job, Steve! That was a tough gate scratch. I am taking a flyer on your play at Tampa and maybe delve into a little SA after a frustrating day. Keep up the great work!

Thx Nick. Hang in there! The 5th-10th at SA is fun sequence.. Lots of opps. Board disappointing at TAM. Was hoping for quite a bit better number on Battle Hardened. G/L!

Atta boy, Steve! :$:

Would have been nice at a higher price, but I will take 9/2 just the same! Think I am going to roll that back into your pk6!

If Ass Hole stays wide in the stretch he wins and we aren't having this discussion. Going inside was about the 5th stupid thing he did in this race. Horrible ride. Go back to Suffolk.