Wild results closed out the FG’s season Sunday including LA Derby stunner from improbable Gennadi Dorochenko and his $3,000 Sharp Humor colt. That result concluded a sequence where I couldn’t include a winner in any of the featured quad. In fact, the stakes P3 of Nates Mineshaft ($20.80), Casino Host ($23.80) and Hero of Order ($220.80) returned a jaw-dropping $52,965 ($1). While the $220 winner was close to impossible to endorse, he was far more plausible than Comisky’s Humor who somehow went off at 26-1 versus Hero of Order’s 109-1. Dorochenko made for an interesting guest Tuesday on ATR. Gave the Santa Anita double carryover a decent run going 4/6, but my first inclination that the long Saturday had taken the starch out was the right thought and I gave back several hundred of the previous day’s good results. Hope everyone did OK and you didn’t get too badly abused by my direction. Aqueduct P4 action to start the race week is VERY difficult with a pair of turf MSW’s that have blow up potential..

AQUEDUCT

POST-SCRATCHES

6th: CLM, 3yo, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Handsome Harbor 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #8 Personal Assistant 3-1 WON ($4.50)
Exotics Use: #6 Misslewhileyouwork 6-1 4th

7th: NY-MSW, F&M-3+, 1m-T (P3, DD, Super)

Super challenging set. Bush (#9 Fujiana) 3 for 9 ($3.06 ROI) with 2nd timers stretching out while going dirt to turf. #1 Always Home (SCR’D) has slew of sibs proficient turf routing including SW full Home and Away..

Most Likely: #9 Fujiana 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #3 Late SCR
Best Value: #6 Penthouse Party 6-1 WON ($10.00)
Exotics Use: #10 Dita 5-2 4th

8th: S/HCP, 4+, 1m (DD, Super)

Very tricky and well matched group..

Most Likely: #4 Joan’s Choice 9-5 2nd
Best Value: #6 Black N Beauty 4-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Saginaw 2-1 WON ($9.00)

9th: MSW, 3+, 1m-T (Super)

Faves look more reliable here than in the 7th, but the next 6 or so look like they have breakthrough potential getting back on the grass after wintering locally..

Most Likely: #1 Shaun Washington 2-1 WON ($4.20)
Best Value: #10 Saturnus 8-1 6th
Next Best: #9 Valley Stream 7-2 7th
Exotics Use: #7 Get Right 8-1 4th

<$75 P4 Play:

High risk sequence with potentially high reward..

6: 4-6-8
7: 3/SCR–6-9-10
8: 4-6
9: 1-4-7-9-10-11

3x4x2x6 = 144 x .50 = $72

 

Hard not to be ragged after a seemingly endless day of racing that had a parade of emotional swings. Enjoyed the Dubai World Cup action with a pair of bulbous P3 thanks to $24 Duty Free winner Cityscape, but it was all tempered by the awful situation involving fatalities in both runnings of the 2 mile Gold Cup. DRF’s Dave Grening made a great point after the second breakdown tweeting that had NYRA run an aborted race a second time with a resultant incident, in the current climate the state would shutter the tracks. Later, was making a nice run at the Aqueduct carryover and delightedly watched Dee Tee’s My Pal of Pals run his best career race, but then was scuttled in the multis when Tim Hills’ Catch a Thief upset the Plugged Nickle. At Gulfstream, Fort Larned’s stunning effort in the Skip Away spoiled the early and middle P4 plays, but the day finished sweetly with the P5/P4 scores that netted $500 on the $144 investment.

Take Charge Indy rewarded his patient fans and Pat Byrne with a dogged Florida Derby win and Grace Hall left little doubt as to her quality with a demolition of the GP Oaks. Union Rags’ coronation as Pope Barbaro II was put on hold after a disappointing third that can be atributed in no small measure to muddled jockeying. Julien Leparoux was race ridden by foes throughtout the event and had the big colt in the wrong places every step of the way. Leparoux fatuously said post-race that he supposes other riders ‘put a target on the favorite’s back’. Guess he missed that course in jockey school. The loss isn’t the end of line for Union Rags who got untracked in the final 75 yards and was progressing, but the cloak of invincibility is gone.

Hope everybody enjoyed the day and did well! Louisiana Derby Day in NoLa and a $256k double carryover at Santa Anita which will balloon past $1,500,000 with New York closed thanks to byzantine Palm Sunday/Easter Sunday laws.

FAIR GROUNDS

POST-SCRATCHES

7th: OC/N2X, 4+, 1m-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

NOTE: #14 (AE) Tutti Buna Gente DOES get in..

Most Likely: #3 Forbidden Forest 7-2 3rd
Best Value: #4 Up and Out of Site 12-1 10th
Next Best: #14 Tutti Buona Gente 9-2 6th
Exorics Use: #5 Grizzled Robert 6-1 11th
Super Add: #2 Avenstoke 12-1 12th

8th: 87th New Orleans H. (G2), 4+, 9f (P3, DD, Super)

SCR #1 Nehro..

Race hinges somewhat on Pants on Fire and how agressive Napravnik chooses to be with him. Nates Mineshaft will obviously go and Mission Impazable — in special UK Final Four silks — will tuck behind. If Napravnik prompts, pace could seriously heat up with Redeemed another that can factor on pressure front. All that to say that Toby’s Corner may be a prime beneficiary if the grappling on the front end gets particularly overt..

Most Likely: #2 Mission Impazable 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #4 Toby’s Corner 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #8 Fast Alex 8-1 7th
Exotics Use: #5 Redeemed 4-1 6th

9th: 20th Mervin Muniz H. (G2), 4+, 9f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Good, deep group that includes last year’s winner in Smart Bid, a host of locals that have been on the FG turf stake stump all season and invaders from farand wide..

Most Likely: #4 Smart Bid 5-2 7th
Next Best: #2 Slow Pace 12-1 5th
Best Value: #5 Swift Warrior 12-1 6th
Exotics Use: #11 Papaw Bodie 8-1 2nd

10th: 99th Louisiana Derby (G2), 3yo, 9f (P3, DD, Super)

Bulky field and there shouldn’t be anyone viewed as an overwhelming. Mark Valeski would be the most logical certainly and can provide the Joneses — Brereton and Larry — with a sophomore sweep after Believe You Can’s Oaks win Saturday. Shared Property has had some excuses in the Risen Star and Lecomte and has the ideal opportunity to put it all together after getting the fair draw. Late Maiden-winnings additions to the fray (12-1) Windsurfer (Pletcher/WinStar) and (7-2) Cigar Street (Margolis/Ballis-Lewis) provide intrigue as ‘now’ types with the former offering a lot more value. Two locals that appear to be escaping mention are Risen Star show horse Z Dager (8-1) and poorly drawn Afford (15-1). Either can juice the exotics..

Most Likely: #1a (POE) Mark Valeski 2-1 2nd
Best Value: #7 Shared Property 10-1 5th
Next Best: #3 Windsurfer 12-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Cigar Street 7-2 4th
Super Add: #13 Afford 15-1 7th

<$50 P4 Play:

7: 3-4-5-14
8: 2-4
9: 2-4
10: 1-3-6-7-10-13

4x2x2x6 = 96 x .50 = $48

SANTA ANITA

POST-SCRATCHES

4th: OC/N1X, 3yo, 6.5f-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

$256k C/O starts here..

Seems like there’s a lot of speed here..

Most Likely: #8 SCR
Next Best: #1 Koast 6-5 WON ($3.00)
Exotics Use: #3 SCR
Super Add: #6 Frenemy 8-1 2nd

5th: OC/N1X, F&M-4+, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Trapper’s Bounty 8-5 WON ($5.40)
Next Best: #7 Line One 3-1 7th
Best Value: #4 Mona Storm 5-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #3 You Can Dream 4-1 2nd

6th: Cal-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 1m-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Shezabigbroad 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #8 Speedway Monkey 6-1 5th
Next Best: #7 Unusual Hottie 2-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #3 Bodie Girl 4-1 WON ($11.20)

7th: CLM/N2L, 3/4+, 8.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Odd race with conditions for 3yo’s that gets Ello Guv a 9# break on most of the field as lone sophomore taking advantage. Hard to be enthused about any of the three ML faves, especially with #4 Uzziah (7-2) just 1 for 24 career. Will cast my lot with 8-1 outsiders Panther’s Claw and Moonlight Beach grabbing hold of some karma angles and positive reviews of their sunrise semesters..

Best Value: #9 Moonlight Beach 8-1 5th
Next Best: #8 Panther’s Claw 8-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #5 Jim’s Decision 5-2 4th
Super Add: #4 Uzziah 7-2 7th

8th: 1st Sidd Finch, 4+, 1m-T (DD, Super)

Leave it Hammer to name a 4/1 feature after the greatest April Fool’s prank in history. Well-matched set too. Dewey’s Special dangerous all the way if Donato doesn’t engage..

Most Likely: #5 Calimonco 5-2 WON ($7.20)
Next Best: #2 Dewey’s Special 8-5 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Haimish Hy 3-1 4th
Super Add: #4 Donato 6-1 6th

9th: Cal-MSW, 3+, 5.5f (Super, Super Hi-5)

Scramble to close out tricky sequence with 4 of the firsters looking OK..

Most Likely: #10 Night Wind 9-2 5th
Next Best: #11 Enduring Promise 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #8 Pretty Darn Quick 3-1 WON ($8.60)
Exotics Use: #3 Kilat 6-1 9th

<$150 P5 P6 Play:

4: 1
5: 1-7
6: 6-8
7: 8-9
8: 2-5-6
9: 8-10-11

1x2x2x2x3x3 = 72 x $2 = $144

<$75 P4 Play:

6: 6-8
7: 4-5-8-9
8: 2-5-6
9: 1-3-5-8-10-11

2x4x3x6 = 144 x .50 = $72

 

World Cup card not really in my wheelhouse, but with the Carnival coverage ATR has offered these last few winters with Pat Cummings and Dick Powell, it’s been fun to take shots on the big morning. Will play some rolling P3’s, exacta boxes and/or tri keys (.50 available) for action ahead of the big day.

MEYDAN

POST-SCRATCHES

2nd: Godolphin Mile (G2), 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Top tab seems one of the night’s most likely winners on best..

Most Likely: #4 African Story 7-2 WON ($3.20)
Best Value: #9 Red Jazz 20-1 3rd
Next Best: #11 Do It All 4-1 12th
Exotics Use: #3 Sandagiyr 6-1 8th

3rd: Dubai Gold Cup (G3), 2m-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Abandoned due to fall of Fox Hunt (RIP); Re-run after World Cup..

4th: UAE Derby (G2), 9.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Feels like a middling renewal of this..

Best Value: #6 Mickdaam 8-1 4th
Next Best: #13 Wrote 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #14 Helmet 10-1 12th
Super Add: #4 Balada Sale 8-1 6th

5th: Al Quoz Sprint (G1), 5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Some healthy prices on the US line taking action in Europe..

Best Value: #2 Addictive Dream 20-1 15th
Next Best: #6 Joy and Fun 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #10 Ortensia 8-1 WON ($7.20)
Super Add: #5 Nocturnal Affair 20-1 6th

6th: Golden Shaheen (G1), 6f (P3, DD, Super)

American speed stands up well in this annually..

Most Likely: #1 Rocket Man 9-2 2nd
Best Value: #3 Giant Ryan 8-1 5th
Next Best: #7 The Factor 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #5 Krypton Factor 10-1 WON ($18.80)

$1 Exacta (5-1) Paid $31.70

7th: Duty Free (G1), 9f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #10 Mutahasee 10-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Ambitious Dragon 4-1 7th
Exotics Use: #11 Cityscape 12-1 WON ($24.60)
Super Add: #7 Dark Shadow 10-1 9th

$1 Pick 3 (10,11/5/11) Paid $1,166.40
$1 Exacta (11-10) Paid $99.10

8th: Sheema Classic (G1), 12f-T (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #8 Cirrus des Aigles 3-1 WON ($9.00)
Best Value: #3 Beaten Up 20-1 6th
Next Best: #9 St. Nicholas Abbey 2-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Songcraft 8-1 8th

$2 Pick 3 (5/11/8) Paid $700.10
$1 Exacta (8-9) Paid $12.70

9th: World Cup (G1), 10f (Super)

Fun assembly of international players and Mott stacks up as clever with as anyone here with BC Distaff mare that should sit ideal trip under Lezcano. I’m very interested in the solid, under radar German-bred Zazou at a juicy number too. Shamardal offspring clicking on synthetics at 23% while Peslier and successful Chantilly prep further enhance appeal on 19/7-1-4 millionaire 5yo..

Most Likely: #7 Royal Delta 8-1 9th
Best Value: #3 Zazou 15-1 5th
Next Best: #4 So You Think 5-1 4th
Exotics Use: #14 Game On Dude 3-1 12th

**3rd: Dubai Gold Cup (G3), 2m-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #10 Opinion Poll 3-1 WON (N/A)
Next Best: #11 Fox Hunt (Fell; Euthanized)
Best Value: #12 Zanzamar 20-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #8 Mikhail Glinka 8-1 9th

GULFSTREAM PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: OC/N2X, 4+, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Simba’s Story 5-2 3rd
Next Best: #8 Wiki 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #1 Watch Me Go 15-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Andersonstate 12-1 4th

2nd: 3rd Sir Shackleton, 4+, 6.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

SCR Zero Rate Policy & Soaring Stocks who are running in New Orleans..

Most Likely: #8 Jersey Town 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #7 Nathan’s H Q 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Will’s Wildcat 4-1 4th
Exotics Use: #5 Action Andy 5-1 5th

3rd: 35th Rampart (G3), F&M-4+, 9f (P3, DD, Super)

In easy a stake spot for a major horse as you’ll ever see..

Most Likely: #5 AWESOME MARIA 3-5 WON ($2.20)
Next Best: #3 Lacie Slew 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Belovda 3-1 2nd

4th: ALW/N1X, 4+, 1m-T/48′ (P3, DD, Super)

As discussed with Welsch on ATR Weekend Preview, Kanagaro and Za Approval have esge on field. Get a Grip and Exclusive Strike are the useful prices to play with..

Most Likely: #6 Za Approval 5-2 WON ($4.20)
Next Best: #5 Kanagaro 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #1 Get a Grip 15-1 10th
Exotics Use: #8 Exclusive Strike 5-1 3rd

5th: 27th Skip Away (G3), 4+, 9.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Exiting the Donn, Where’s Sterling is supposed to beat these. Note Dixie Emperor’s 3 stiff drills at Calder since turf stake fiasco..

Most Likely: #1 Where’s Sterling 5-2 4th
Best Value: #6 Dixie Emperor 12-1 7th
Next Best: #8 Self Control 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #4 Alma d’Oro 3-1 2nd

<$50 P4 Play:

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

6x1x2x4 = $48 ($24 for .50)

6th: MSW, 3yo, 1m-T/48′ (P3, DD, Super)

Very little to go on but breeding and trainer stats with 7 firsters and 3 2nd timers..

Best Value: #2 Fast Falcon 15-1 6th
Next Best: #10 Upkeep 4-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Circularity 20-1 7th
Super Add: #5 Distortionist 6-1 4th

7th: MSW, 3yo, 7f (P3, DD, Super)

Tons of pedigree on display here including Spin Out (1/2 to Friendly Island), Present Course (1/2 to Telling), Ez Effort (1/2 to Uh Oh Bango), Fort Booneborough (1/2 to Twilight Road), North Ocean (Out of Beautiful Pleasure), Bocelli (1/2 to Stay Thirsty/Andromeda’s Hero)..

Most Likely: #2 Ez Effort 3-1 WON ($2.60)
Best Value: #4 Street Thug 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #3 Present Course 6-1 5th
Exotics Use: #8 Fort Boonesborough 8-1 4th

8th: 63rd Appleton (G3), 4+, 1m-T/48′ (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #8 Trend 5-1 2nd
Best Value: #6 Decisive Moment 15-1 6th
Next Best: #4 Brilliant Speed 5-2 5th
Exotics Use: #2 Corporate Jungle 4-1 WON ($6.00)

<$50 P4 Play:

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

4x6x1x4 = 96 x .50 = $48

9th: OC/N1X, 3yo, 9f-T/108′ (P5, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #10 Easy Crossing 5-2 WON ($4.00)
Best Value: #11 Joy of the Toy 5-1 6th
Next Best: #6 Bellefire 10-1 8th
Exotics Use: #3 North of Never 12-1 4th

10th: 44th Gulfstream Oaks (G2), 3yo-F, 9f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Yara no fluke but Grace Hall and Zo Impressive still feel more imposing..

Most Likely: #2 Zo Impressive 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Grace Hall 2-1 WON ($4.40)
Best Value: #1 Yara 6-1 5th
Exotics Use: #7 And Why Not 4-1 6th

11th: 63rd FloridaDerby (G1), 3yo, 9f (P3, DD, Super)

Not much mystery to this with Union Rags and El Padrino notches above and Take Charge Indy looking to erase doubts about readiness due to Byrne’s quirky handling..

Most Likely: #6 Union Rags 6-5 3rd
Next Best: #8 El Padrino 2-1 4th
Exotics Use: #3 Take Charge Indy 5-1 WON ($17.40)
Best Value: #4 Neck ‘n Neck 20-1 5th

12th: 51st Orchid (G3), F&M-4+, 12f-T/48′ (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #8 Hit It Rich 3-1 WON ($7.40)
Next Best: #9 Keertana 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #4 Woodford Belle 12-1 4th
Exotics Use: #2 Aqsaam 4-1 2nd

13th: MDN CLM, 3+, 8.5f-T/108′ (Super, Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #5 Imhotep 3-1 WON ($)
Best Value: #6 Torment 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #11 Bold Forest 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #3 Liquid Luck 10-1 6th

<$75 P5 Play:

9: 10-11
10: 1-2-5
11: 3-6-8
12: 2-4-8-9
13: 5-6

2x3x3x4x2 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 5 (10/5/3/8/1,5,9) Paid $331.75
$0.50 Pick 5 (10/5/3/8/1,5,9) Paid $5.35 (CONSO) X 9 = $48.15

<$75 P4 Play:

10: 1-2-5-7
11: 3-6-8
12: 2-4-8-9
13: 5-6-11

4x3x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 4 (5/3/8/1,5,9) Paid $129.40

AQUEDUCT

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 8.5f-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

$28k C/O starts here..

Notable SCR of favorite #7 Indigene Charm which opens up opportunity for #11 L. C. Sleepy (4-1) to draw in..

Best Value: #5 Special Action 5-1 WON ($8.50)
Next Best: #11 L. C. Sleepy 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #2 Sorry No Refunds 3-1 9th
Super Add: #9 Crea’s Law 4-1 8th

6th: CLM, F&M-4+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

Best hop is the drop and there’s plenty to choose from here. Could throw wrench in P6 plays with half the field possible..

Most Likely: #6 Bobity Boo 5-2 5th
Best Value: #13 Sweet Hot Toddy 10-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 Speckledbird 7-2 WON ($6.60)
Exotics Use: #4 Life’s Measure 6-1 7th

7th: NY-MSW, 3+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Happy to get Dee Tee City Zip colt My Pal of Pals turf season underway here, though shorter distances on the Belmont/Saratoga lawns the best spots for him. Should be forwardly placed and will take them as far as he can..

Most Likely: #8 Cientifico 4-1 WON ($17.60)
Best Value: #1 Suspicious U 6-1 5th
Next Best: #7 Pearl of Wisdom 2-1 7th
Exotics Use: #4 My Pal of Pals 15-1 3rd

8th: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Flo’s Greatness 5-2 3rd
Next Best: #2 Recurring Dream 4-1 WON ($8.00)
Best Value: #10 Readytodefer 6-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #4 Russian Ally 8-1 7th

9th: Plugged Nickle, F&M-4+, 1m (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Great Gracie Dane 5-2 6th
Next Best: #4 Opus A 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #3 Empress of Gold 5-1 5th
Exotics Use: #6 One Last Dance 5-1 4th

10th: NY-MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (Super)

Best Value: #5 Kissinginthedark 8-1
Next Best: #2 Karakorum Magic 3-1 WON ($3.80)
Exotics Use: #9 Skinnydipper 4-1
Super Add: #10 Carrot Thief 6-1 2nd

<$150 P6 Play:

5: 5-11
6: 2-6-13
7: 1-8
8: 7
9: 1-4
10: 2-5-9

2x3x2x1x2x3 = 72 x $2 = $144

<$50 P4 Play:

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

2x4x2x3 = $48 ($24 for .50)

 

Fun and profitable day Thursday with a pair of P4 wins at GP & SA worth $270 and $214 respectively on $48 and $72 investments. Coming back with some modest action at Aqueduct for the $150k Guaranteed P4. Hope you did well yesterday and are ready for a huge weekend! If you missed ATR Weekend Preview live Friday, catch up on the SiriusXM replay or Archive, Podcast & Stream at www.attheraceswithstevebyk.com for Jay Privman, Marcus Hersh, Steve Crist, Ed DeRosa, Nick Tammaro, Rick Hammerle and Mike Welsch getting you prepared..

AQUEDUCT

PRE-SCRATCHES

5th: NY-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #9 Gambling Geraldine 2-1
Best Value: #2 Sammzilla 6-1
Next Best: #5 Easy Ending 5-2
Exotics Use: #6 My Jopia 12-1

6th: OC/N1X, 4+, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Won Fast Bullet 7-2
Best Value: #5 Premium Wine 6-1
Next Best: #6 Cat in the Forest 8-5
Exotics Use: #1 Mandated Bliss 12-1

7th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Race opened way up by SCR’s of top choices..

Most Likely: #12 City Strut 5-1
Best Value: #10 Classic R and B 15-1
Next Best: #2 Cat Sweep 6-1
Exotics Use: #8 Atitlan 6-1

8th: OC/N1X, 3yo-F, 6f (DD, Super)

Interesting group. Lots of speed here..

Most Likely: #9 Sacred Success 2-1
Best Value: #2 Double the Energy 12-1
Next Best: #8 Union Victory 8-1
Exotics Use: #1 True Feelings 5-2

9th: MDN CLM, 3+, 8.5f-T (Super)

Highly vulnerable favorite here in Win for the Zipper. Lots of pricey alternatives..

Best Value: #3 Carolina Chant 10-1
Next Best: #5 Quartermain 5-1
Exotics Use: #11 Man in Brown Suit 3-1
Super Add: #8 Forty Rock 20-1

<$50 P4 Play:

6: 1-3-5-6
7: 2-8-10-12
8: 9
9: 3-5-6-8-11-13

4x4x1x6 = 96 x .50 = $48

Good luck!
Steve

What a pleasure it was Wednesday to get turf racing back on the landscape in New York with the first two full field events feeling more like the Flower Bowl and Man O’War than $20k claiming tests. Came within a head of begining grass season with a bang too as 39-1 In Her Hey Day was overhauled by favorite Bob’s Pinup Girl in the final yards. As mentioned Tuesday on ATR, In Her Hey Day had run a quality 2nd on the Aqueduct lawn in December after being forced off the turf in a series of starts prior. I thought that effort made her worth tossing in as an exotics candidate. When she floated from 15-1 up towards 40-1, the Frank Martin trainee was even more fun to fool around with.

Horses like In Her Hey Day make turf racing what it is and you only need to get a couple of them home every so often to positively impact the bankroll. She paid $23.00 to place and boosted the exacta to $45.25 with the $1.30-1 winner. Missed the P4 later when first time starter Bigshotinthenews burst forth late for Jeremiah Englehart in the 6th, but chalky winners thereafter depressed the quad to $49.50 for each .50 increment. Hope everyone did OK. Gulfstream and Santa Anita P4’s to consier for Thursday..

GULFSTREAM PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

7th: CLM/N3L, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T/108′ (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Forced to respect favored Sovereign Crisis (5-2) SCR’D!, Virtously (4-1) and El Bendinat (5-1), but Sola Gratia (8-1), Miss Olivia Rae (12-1) and Mae Ruler (15-1) are all as attractive for wagering purposes. Fun betting affair and if we can subdue at least 2 of the short numbers, a potential bonanza..

Best Value: #9 Sola Gratia 8-1 WON ($11.40)
Next Best: #5 El Bendinat 5-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #3 Miss Olivia Rae 12-1 4th
Super Add: #7 Mae Ruler 15-1 8th

8th: MSW, 3yo-F, 9f-T/48′ (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Vacationing 7-2 5th
Best Value: #6 Left a Message 10-1 WON ($11.00)
Next Best: #9 Lady Kierkegaard 6-1 6th
Exotics Use: #7 Debase the Dollar 8-1 4th

9th: OC/N2X, F&M-4+, 6.5f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Shared Heart 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #8 Lady of Greatness 5-1 WON ($6.40)
Next Best: #7 Flying Trip 8-1 7th
Exotics Use: #10 Henny’s Hurricane 12-1 5th

10th: MDN CLM, 3+, 9f-T/108′ (Super, Super Hi-5)

Best Value: #10 Chilaca 6-1 WON ($9.00)
Next Best: #5 Dreaming of Buffie 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #11 American Doe 8-1 3rd
Super/Hi-5: #3 Go Zapper 30-1 4th

<$50 P4 Play:

7: 3-5-7-9
8: 2-6-7-9
9: 1-8
10: 5-10-11

4x4x2x3 = 96 x .50 = $48

$0.50 Pick 4 (9/6/8/10) Paid $272.15

SANTA ANITA

PRE-SCRATCHES

5th: MSW, 3yo-F, 6.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Good group coming down the hill. Hard not to focus in on Mandella’s Perfecta who just missed behind subsequently stakes-placed Vionnet in debut..

Most Likely: #3 Perfecta 3-1 4th
Best Value: #5 Sydney’s Darling 9-2 3rd
Next Best: #9 Swingaway 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #7 Nihilist 5-2 WON ($7.40)

6th: MDN CLM, 3yo-F, 5.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Zenett 7-2 8th
Best Value: #8 Secret Genius 15-1 2nd
Next Best: #1 Flashy Rae 4-1 WON ($12.60)
Exotics Use: #5 Rich in Tradition 15-1 5th

7th: ALW/N2X, 4+, 9f-T (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Holladay Road 9-5 WON ($3.60)
Best Value: #3 Tippety Tap Tap 8-1 8th
Next Best: #6 Massone 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Ten Devils 9-2 5th

8th: Cal-MDN CLM, 3yo, 6f (Super, Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #1 Alworth 3-1 4th
Best Value: #8 Bay Street 8-1 5th
Next Best: #10 Warren’s Nicholas 6-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #2 New Hire 6-1 WON ($22.20)
Super/Hi-5: #5 Chittagong 12-1 7th

<$75 P4 Play:

5: 3-5-7-9
6: 1-2-8
7: 3-4-6
8: 1-2-8-10

4x3x3x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 4 (7/1/4/2) Paid $214.15