[BrianJ]

SPA Picks 7/26/06

Race 1
Massoud-Did well over course last year. John Velazquez gets him up after pace meltdown.
Noah A-Came running against classy El Prado Rob. Square at 10-1
Hourly Storm-Eight year old rarely runs a bad one. Price to complete the tri.

Race 2
Rondo-Has two 90+ beyers. Paid 2.9 mil. Avoid at anything less than 3-5 odds.
Ready Read-2nd to the freakish Spring at Last. Best chance to beat fave.
Marquet Desire-Comes out of same 7/4 race as Ready Read. Has the right to improve.

Race 3
I’m A Yankee-Ran well against a very nice NY Bred named Run Red Run. Solid fave.
Benlaya-Ran a respectable race in the Mike Lee. Might want more distance.
Sly Diamond Jim-Consistent sort, but has stamina issues. Not my cup of tea.

Race 4
Megatrend- Has won up at the Spa each of the past 2 years. Unproven on the lawn.
Silver Timber-Ran well 1st on turf. Rice does well in turf sprints. (Second in Command)
Red Down South-This horse loves the lawn and is always a threat at a price.

Race 5
Media City-650K 2 yo in training purchase. By a sire who throws precocious runners.
Consecration-Ran into a bear in his debut. Strong BSF. Likely to be overbet though.
Trip to the Bank-Should run well, but doesn’t have nearly as much as potential.

Race 6
Spring at Last-Freakish debut over a VERY slow track. Came off the pace to score impressively. Best Bet of the Day. I hope to get 2-1 odds.
Political Force-Strong second to Bluegrass Cat in last year’s Nashua. Good works also.
Congo King-Dutrow hits at 56% when he puts Cornelio up. Solid debut win at SPA

Race 7
Spanish Chestnut-Former Derby rabbit sports an impressive 57.4 bullet. 6 ½ should be right up his alley. Good post position.
Awesome Twist-Best closer in the race. Playable with all the speed in the race.
City Weekend-Another closer at a price. A repeat of his last makes him competitive.

Race 8
Royal Fudge-Shocked Hushion’s 2-5 shot Quick One at Spa last year. Prep helps.
Sweet Sweet-Classy NYB ran well vs. Yolanda B. Too at BEL. Jumps back after FL trip.
Great Lady K-Ran well recently vs. odds on Frankel Citronnade. Should get a piece.

Race 9
Cotton Blossom-Deceptively strong debut at Monmouth. Johnny V. jumps on.
Desire to Excel-Ran a very strong race in the Astoria, but winners of that race rarely take the Schuylerville.
Expertise-Lukas has won the last 2 running of this race. Swift time at CD.

Race 10
Brilliant Cut-Prado hops on for Frankel. Turf work might be desperation or intentional.
Pulpiteer-Solid comeback in the slop at BEL. Expensive colt ran ok vs. a solid turf MSW.
Tempt Fortune-Closed in a 6F turf race at BEL. 108.3 is quick. Todd might have been prepping. Horse to beat.

Good Luck to everybody