Santa Anita P6 double carryover pushed to near $1,800,000 Friday, and two major price horses narrowed winning plays down to just two of deserved $552,545. Ron Ellis started the upsets sending out Victor Espinoza on the Broads’ Tiz a Knight at 29-1 to trip up the 3yo MSW in the 5th. In the nightcap, $106.80 FTS Dubai XYZ stunned for lesser known connections producing the half million dollar sextet and a $22,106 P4. That’s why we play!

Panicky concerns over Big Cap Day at Santa Anita look to have been unfounded, and a great afternoon of racing is in the offing at Arcadia. Aqueduct’s Gothem Day card is very playable, and Gulfstream’s all turf P4 could be a producer. Oaklawn has the Azeri and Razorback as part of its’ P4, and the Magna 5 is very challenging with another confusing Laurel stake as the predictably tough sequence starter. Should be a great day…

AQUEDUCT

PRE-SCRATCHES

2nd: NY-MDN CLM, 3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Game Token 7-2
Next Best: #7 Tocco d’Oro 4-1
Best Value: #1 Keltic Fighter 9-2
Super Add: #10 S. Z. Madison 8-1

3rd: 109th Cappy Capossela, 3yo, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

2-5 is way over the top on Westover Wildcat who is OK, but hardly guaranteed upon his return to the Northeast..

Upsetter: #5 Liston 7-2
Most Likely: #1 Westover Wildcat 2-5
Best Value: #2 Strapping Groom 12-1
Super Add: #4 Golden Ghost 8-1

4th: 117th Toboggan (G3), 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Custom for Carlos 9-5
Next Best: 2 Elusive Warning 5-2
Best Value: #3 Driven by Success 6-1

5th: OC/N2X, 4+, 1m-70y (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 The Roundhouse 8-5
Best Value: #4 Precursor 10-1
Next Best: #5 Goldsville 3-1
Super Add: #7 Sawtooth Mountain 15-1

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x3x3x2 = $72

8th: NY-MSW, 3yo, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

#13 (AE) Justtakemypicture 5-2 a use should he draw in..

Most Likely: #1 Major Star 3-1
Next Best: #6 Power Punch 4-1
Best Value: #9 Tapitdar 10-1
Super Add: #4 Felice Di Notte 15-1

9th: CLM, 4+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 (POE) Temecula Creek 2-1
Best Value: #6 Benlayla 10-1
Next Best: #9 Hedge Fund 5-1
Super Add: #4 Wollaston Bay 10-1

10th: 58th Gotham (G3), 3yo, 8.5f (DD, Super)

One decision to make here is how much you like or dislike the Whirlaway horses..

Best Value: #3 Nacho Friend (8-1): Clever Breen excels with comebackers, stretchouts..
Most Likely: #4 Awesome Act (7-2): Being asked a lot; OK in Cup, bred for this..
Next Best: #2 Yawanna Twist 5-1
Super Add: #8 Turf Melody 8-1

11th: NY-MSW, 3yo, 1m (Super)

Most Likely: #3 Tapped Out Bruno 3-1
Next Best: #2 Spicy Steve 5-2
Best Value: #7 Whateverittakes 10-1
Super Add: #1 (POE) Leatherhead 8-1

<$75 P4 Play:

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

3x4x3x2 = $72

GULFSTREAM PARK

PRE-SCRATCHES

7th: 23rd Herecomesthebride (G3), 3yo-F, 9f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Fun betting race with some attractive prices getting on the grass for the first time (5/9) and Upperline making second lawn start..

Best Value: #5 Profiteroles 15-1
Most Likely: #6 Upperline 6-1
Next Best: #9 Dynazapper 6-1
Super Add: #7 Apple Charlotte 10-1

8th: OC/N2X, 4+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Uncle Indy 3-1
Next Best: #5 Custer 5-1
Best Value: #2 Mean Sax 12-1
Super Add: #8 Brother Nick 15-1

9th: 24th Palm Beach (G3), 3yo, 9f-T (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Bim Bam 5-2
Best Value: #3 Our Champion 15-1
Next Best: #2 Dean’s Kitten 5-1
Super Add: #9 Cat Park 8-1

10th: MSW, 3yo, 8.5f-T (Super)

Most Likely: #9 Alcomatch 3-1
Best Value: #1 Smart Sky 15-1
Next Best: #10 Beau Choix 4-1
Super Add: #4 Hurricane Day 6-1

<$75 P4 Play:

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

6x3x4x2 = 144 x .50 = $72

OAKLAWN PARK

PRE-SCRATCHES

7th: 51st Razorback (G#), 4+, 8.5f (P4, Super)

Most Likely: #8 Gone Astray 5-2
Next Best: #4 Win Willy 7-2
Best Value: #1 Prom Shoes 8-1
Super Add: #3 Jonesboro 5-1

8th: MSW, 3yo, 6f (P3)

Most Likely: #2 Fayoum 3-1
Best Value: #1 Fifth Avenue South 12-1
Next Best: #8 Pulpit’s Secret 5-2
Exotics Use: #7 Bird Empire 7-2

9th: 24th Azeri (G3), F&M-4+, 8.5f (DD, Super)

Best Value: #6 Just Jenda 5-1
Most Likely: #4 War Echo 3-1
Next Best: #1 Freedom Star 6-1
Super Add: #3 Spirit Seeker 8-1

10th: CLM, 4+, 1m (Super)

Most Likely: #6 Alpha Capo 3-1
Next Best: #3 Gold Niner 5-2
Best Value: #5 Pacific Star 12-1
Super Add: #1 Lumberjack Cat 9-2

<$75 P4 Play:

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

3x3x4x2 = $72

SANTA ANITA

PRE-SCRATCHES

5th: OC/N1X, 4+, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Patriotic Soldier 6-1
Best Value: #10 Fantasy Free 6-1
Next Best: #4 E Z’s Gentleman 7-2
Super Add: #6 Bad Boy 4-1

6th: 9th Pasadena, 3yo, 1m-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Macias 9-5
Best Value: #8 Lucky Rave 12-1
Next Best: #4 Alpharabi 3-1
Super Add: #2 Get A Grip 8-1

7th: 10th Sham (G3), 3yo, 9f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #9 Nextdoorneighbor 3-1
Best Value: #6 Kettle River 6-1
Next Best: #2 The Program 5-1
Super Add: #10 Alphie’s Bet 6-1

8th: 71st Santa Anita Oaks (G1), 3yo-F, 8.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Blind Luck 1-2
Best Value: #4 All Due Respect 8-1
Next Best: #7 Cozi Rosie 5-1
Super Add: #2 Crisp 6-1

9th: 0th Kilroe Mile H. (G1), 4+, 1m-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Ever a Friend 3-1
Best Value: #3 Awesome Gem 10-1
Next Best: #9 Fluke 7-2
Super Add: #4 Acclamation 20-1

10th: 73rd Santa Anita H. (G1), 4+, 10f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #13 Misremembered 8-1
Best Value: #5 Eagle Poise 20-1
Next Best: #14 Jeranimo 8-1
Super Add: #1 Pick Six 20-1

11th: CLM/N2L, 4+, 6f (Super, Super High 5)

Oy vey.. What a way to end a day like this!

Most Likely: #10 Hovig 5-2
Best Value: #13 Objectified 20-1
Next Best: #1 Crash Landing 4-1
Super Add: #14 The Final Roar 9-2
High 5 Play: #5 Colorful Dancer 20-1

<$75 P4 Play:

8: 4-5-7
9: 3-4-5-9
10: 5-13-14
11: 10-13

3x4x3x2 = $72

MAGNA 5

PRE-SCRATCHES

LEG A-LRL 10th: Wide Country, 3yo-F, 7f (Super)

Most Likely: #2 Gator Prowl 3-1
Best Value: #1 You Need Me 12-1
Next Best: #5 Judge Sonya 5-2
Super Add: #3 That’s How I Roll 6-1

LEG B-SA 5th: OC/N1X, 4+, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Patriotic Soldier 6-1
Best Value: #10 Fantasy Free 6-1
Next Best: #4 E Z’s Gentleman 7-2
Super Add: #6 Bad Boy 4-1

LEG C-GP 9th: 24th Palm Beach (G3), 3yo, 9f-T (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Bim Bam 5-2
Best Value: #3 Our Champion 15-1
Next Best: #2 Dean’s Kitten 5-1
Super Add: #9 Cat Park 8-1

LEG D-GG 5th: MDN CLM, 3yo, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #10 Highway Bandit 7-2
Best Value: #9 Nisus 9-2
Next Best: #7 Czechmyhart 5-2
Super Add: #8 Gear Shift 6-1

LEG E-GP 10th: MSW, 3yo, 8.5f-T (Super)

Most Likely: #9 Alcomatch 3-1
Best Value: #1 Smart Sky 15-1
Next Best: #10 Beau Choix 4-1
Super Add: #4 Hurricane Day 6-1

<$150 or <$75 Magna 5 Play:

A: 1-2-5 (3-7-8)
B: 1-4-6-10
C: 2-3-6
D: 9-10
E: 9

3x4x3x2x1 = $72
6x4x3x2x1 = $144

Good luck!
Steve

Had nice run at Aqueduct as first half of day’s action including $224 P4 on $48 play. Santa Anita was as difficult as promised though with not a single favorite able to succeed during the P6 with a $332k double carryover available Friday as a result. Much more manageable sequence here too, and pool should swell towards $1,500,000… Hope you did well Thursday! Brad Free joins Rick Hammerle at Santa Anita tonight on “At the Races” to preview the Big Cap card, as well as Gus and Nick and trainer guests.

SANTA ANITA

PRE-SCRATCHES

3rd: MDN CLM, F&M-4+, 5f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Simply Put 9-5 6th
Best Value: #9 Humble Maggie Go 8-1 5th
Next Best: #2 Devil’s Mate 4-1 2nd
Super Add: #6 Kaylie’s Joy 6-1 4th

4th: S/ALW, 4+, 6.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Warrens Summergold 5-2 WON
Best Value: #7 Full On 7-2 4th
Next Best: #1 Belongs to Gotham 3-1 DNF-Lost rider
Super Add: #2 Candy Coat 10-1 3rd

5th: MSW, 3yo, 8.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Hollendorfer’s Maria Mon colt #5 Ziggy’s Stardust has run solidly three straight times, only to find several of the West Coast’s better sophs. Looks likely to graduate here and am interested in stacking nice prices up behind him..

Most Likely: #5 Ziggy’s Stardust 3-1 5th
Best Value: #10 Marenzio 10-1 4th
Next Best: #2 Sarbonne 12-1 9th
Super Add: #9 Dontsellmetofelons 20-1 10th

.10 SUPER PLAY: 5 with 2-7-9-10-11-13 with 2-7-9-10-11-13 with 2-7-9-10-11-13 (1x6x5x4 = 120 x .10 = $12.00)

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

Best Value: #5 Spot the Diplomat 4-1 WON
Most Likely: #7 Spirit of Cochise 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #6 SCR
Super Add: #1 Scofield Barracks 6-1 3rd

7th: OC/N1X, 3yo-F, 6.5f-T (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Elusive Galaxy 5-2 3rd
Next Best: #6 Tanda 3-1 WON
Best Value: #5 Sweet Hanni 6-1 5th
Super Add: #2 Ghost Girl 6-1 6th

8th: MDN CLM, 3yo, 6.5f (Super, Super High 5)

Best Value: #5 Kim’s Leading Man 4-1 4th
Most Likely: #10 Summers At Delmar 2-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 SCR
Super Add: #6 Rise to Power 8-1 7th
High 5 Play: #3 Little Travis 8-1 9th

<$200 P6 Play:

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

3x4x1x2x2x2 = 96 x $2 = $192

<$75 P4 Play:

5: 5
6: 1-4-5–6/SCR-7
7: 3-5-6
8: 3-4/SCR-5-6-10

1x4x3x4 = $48

YESTERDAY: Gulfstream P4 proved nearly unhittable Wednesday, and just 2 .50 plays negotiated the quad successfully for an outrageous $51.5k each. The first three winners paid $20.00 (4th choice Super Add Rocket to the Moon), $54.00 (Unused Giovanna Alyssa) and $21.00 (4th choice Super Add Mannington) before logical $10.60 (Top choice Best Value Intercoastal) prevailed in the nightcap. Had a pretty good afternoon overall, catching some cashers with $12 Best Value Koka Kola Ocean keying a $46 tri ($1) and Intercoastal tripping the 9th race exotics including the $146 triple ($1). Hope you did well!

Sensed when crazily bet (3-5) Bulldogger went down to defeat in Santa Anita 6th that a carryover was in the offing, and sure enough, surprise winners kept coming. $82k P6 and $41k Hi-5 carries as a result, with both nearly unplayable due to the difficulty factor. I take a swing below, but advise that the sextet sequence and Cal-bred MSW nightcap down the hill (!), are brutally tough. Had previously looked at the Aqueduct P4, so that’s offered for your consideration as well.

AQUEDUCTHas long-suffering and perrenial show pony Spencerific perhaps found a field he can beat? Return to race 2 back might be good enough here, but track was giving it up to speed again yesterday, and off pace types may be up against it again today..

PRE-SCRATCHES

6th: NYB-MSW, 4+, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

 

Most Likely: #5 Ponte Vecchio 7-2 3rd
Next Best: #3 Doast 2-1 WON
Best Value: #4 Spencerific 6-1 4th
Super Add: #6 Ruling Decision 5-1 5th

7th: NYB-OC/N2X, F&M-4+, 1m-70y (P3, DD, Super)Not that impressed with underlaid 9-5 Rice fave #2 Shot Gun Gal who is being asked to stretch her speed, but there isn’t a lot here that seems interested in going with her..

 

Most Likely: #8 Eager Emma 7-2 4th
Best Value: #7 Dancing Daisy 5-1 WON
Next Best: #2 Shot Gun Gal 9-5 3rd
Super Add: #4 Bearusa 3-1 2ndNext Best: #8 Cajun Jet 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #1 Rapide One 15-1 6th
Super Add: #4 Vital Argument 6-1 7th

8th: NYB-ALW/N1X, 3yo, 6f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Raynick’s Jet 2-1 WON

9th: MDN CLM, 3yo-F, 1m (Super)Next Best: #5 Quantitativeeasing 5-2 4th
Best Value: #1 Stay Classy 8-1 5th
Super Add: #6 Bar Beach 6-1 8th

Most Likely: #8 Landlash 3-1 WON

<$50 P4 Play:6: 3-5
7: 2-4-7-8
8: 1-3-8
9: 5-82x4x3x2 = $48

 

 

$1 Pick 4 (2,3/7/3/8) Paid $224.50Just one of the reasons this is an impossible sequence, as group of starter foes is confusingly well-matched with all but one making their turf debut..

SANTA ANITA

PRE-SCRATCHES

3rd: S/ALW, 3yo, 1m-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

 

Best Value: #1 Rocky Ice 8-1 8th
Most Likely: #3 Siete Machos 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #4 Unusual Encounter 4-1 6th
Super Add: #7 Worth a Punt 8-1 WONMost Likely: #9 The Legal Blonde 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #3 Skylights 12-1 5th
Next Best: #2 Nubian Princess 12-1 6th
Super Add: #4 Dame Camille 12-1 9th

4th: MDN CLM, F&M-4+, 8.5f (P3, DD, Super)

 

5th: CLM/N2L, F&M-4+, 8.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)Most Likely: #10 Lucy Got Lucky 5-2 3rd
Next Best: #9 Pivital Queen 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #8 Argenta 7-2 8th
Best Value: #6 Go See Cecie 8-1 5th

 

6th: CLM, 4+, 6.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)Next Best: #2 Self Insured 3-1 7th
Best Value: #8 Sognatore 20-1 10th
Super Add: #11 Cee Bargara 5-1 4th

Most Likely: #4 Crossing the Line 9-2 WON

7th: OC/N1X, 3yo-F, 8.5f (DD, Super)Most Likely: #7 Sister Dawn 5-2 4th
Next Best: #6 Harissa 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #1a Smart Seattle 7-2 3rd

 

8th: Cal-bred MSW, F&M-3+, 6.5f-T (Super, Super High 5)Most Likely: #7 Spanish Bunny 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Torrey Cliffs 4-1 3rd
Best Value: #9 Kahlua Mist 15-1 8th
Exotics Use: #1 Streamline Baby 7-2 7th
Hi 5 Play: #3 Foxy Approval 6-1 6th

 

<$100 P6 Play:3: 1-3-4
4: 9
5: 9-10
6: 2-4
7: 6-7
8: 4-7

 

3x1x2x2x2x2 = 48 x $2 = $96

<$75 P4 Play:5: 6-8-9-10
6: 2-4
7: 1-6-7
8: 4-7-9

 

4x2x3x3 = $72

GULFSTREAM PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

 

3rd: OC/N3X, 4+, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Curious group with Travers runner-up Hold Me Back (6-5 ML) headlining, and working solidly for 4yo bow. Tree others here return from breaks as well, leaving the event somewhat formless. Stones River makes potent angle first start for Marty Wolfson, hitting at 37% (+$2.88) with barn newcomers, while Zito offers 2nd/break, blinks added Our Edge, whose last two morning tries may indicate a return towards respectability. Will take some catching, but tricky call in an odd short field..

Best Value: #5 Our Edge 3-1 4th
Most Likely: #6 Hold Me Back 6-5 2nd
Next Best: #2 Stones River 4-1 3rd

4th: MDN CLM, 3yo, 6.5f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #9 Chairman Tucker 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #8 Kola Kola Ocean 6-1 WON ($12.80)
Best Value: #12 SCR
Super Add: #2 Mort’s Legacy 5-1 3rd

5th: CLM, 3yo-F, 1m-T (P3, DD, Super)

Terrific betting race, and note the top 4 (3-9-10-12) from same condition event 1/18 are signed on here. Went elsewhere for top slot with Mogge miss dropping to lowest level, but of those four, Tortora’s #10 Frosty Thunder (10-1) goes from 7# bug to Maragh, and #3 Minnie Sunshine (6-1) had a rough trip under Paco Lopez and returns to Cornelio Velasquez..

Best Value: #1 Maddie’s Odyssey 8-1 WON ($9.60)
Most Likely: #8 Deterrence 6-1 5th
Next Best: #10 Frosty Thunder 10-1 8th
Super Add: #3 Minnie Sunshine 6-1 6th

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

Most Likely: #8 Pax 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #3 Smart Miler 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #6 Backstabber 3-1 5th
Super Add: #1 Rocket to the Moon 6-1 WON ($20.00)

7th: CLM, 3yo-F, 5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

The turf sprints here have been nearly impossible..

Best Value: #6 Halcyon Days 12-1 4th
Most Likely: #3 Dreaminofjosephine 4-1 3rd
Next Best: #2 Checkitoff 8-1 5th
Super Add: #4 Myaaka City 7-2 9th

8th: OC/N2X, 4+, 7f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Royal Vindication 3-1 7th
Next Best: #8 Imperial Council 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #4 Caixa Electronica 10-1 4th
Super Add: #6 Mannington 8-1 WON ($21.80)

9th: CLM/N2L, 4+, 7.5f-T (Super)

Best Value: #2 Intercoastal 8-1 WON ($10.60)
Most Likely: #1 Sunshine Rambler 4-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Cross Village 3-1 4th
Super Add: #8 Ducduc 10-1 2nd

[<$75 P4 Play:

6: 3-4/SCR-6-8 (Hope people moved to the 1 Post-SCR)
7: 2-3-4-6
8: 4-7-8
9: 1-2-6

4x4x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

Despite all attempts appealling to the weather gods, Saturday indeed fell victim to the elements when Santa Anita’s card, and hence the Magna 5, cancelled. The x-out of yet another important Saturday further interupts Derby Trail preparations for West Coast outfits as the Sham will now run March 6, just a week before the March 13 San Felipe. There apparently is no certainty that today is going to go either. And speaking of March 13, what happens if the drainage issue plaguing Santa Anita results in that Saturday being cancelled? In addition to the major Santa Anita Derby prep, Zenyatta is scheduled to run in the Santa Margarita as her prep for the Apple Blossom that day.

Down in Florida Saturday, Gulfstream had their own kind of weather-related disaster, but this one was pretty much man made. The jockey colony, legendary as paragons of good judgement, decided the grass course wasn’t fit for riding in the nightcap after the rock hard surface took some moisture. Gulfstream management reportedly emplored the jocks to ride the $35k Maiden Claiming event, but ultimately were forced to move the race to the main track less than 10 minutes to post and while the horses were in the paddock.

This fiasco, the moving of a race off the turf minutes before post time, has happened at least twice before at Gulfstream in the past three years. Because of arcane Florida wagering law, bettors with P6, P4, P3 and Daily Double plays in this circumstance are forced to live with their tickets and receive no consolation payment. This is felonious and beyond insulting to horseplayers. I was knocked out of the P4 in the second leg when I left Amen Hallelujah off in the Davona Dale, but those that had live P4 tickets going into the 10th were looking at payouts of $1,500 and much, much more for the turf closer and should be rightfully incensed at what subsequently transpired.

In New York, NYRA worked years ago with the Racing and Wagering Board to change similar egregious inequities of ignorant legislative parameters, and the collective managenments at Gulfstream, Calder and Tampa Bay need to immediately make a priority of doing the same in Tallahassee. However, that reality doesn’t let the riders or Gulfstream off the hook for the amatuerish finale Saturday.

On the racing and wagering side Saturday, it was a very good afternoon overall with lots of logical outcomes and solid returns off most of the day’s tabs. The “Sophomore P3” (2nd-4th) produced credible or better performances from Game On Dude, Radiohead and Miner’s Reserve, and big number ‘Best Value’ Goolagong’s runner up effort behind Atrea in the 5th produced a terrific $129 ($2) exacta. Nick Tammaro delivered Sabin winner Aurora Lights to ATR listeners on a plate Friday, and the $23.00 ‘Best Value’ second choice keyed surprising bonus exotics ($38 Exacta; $113 Trifecta; $271 Superfecta) in the 6 horse field. Amazing Joanie’s Catch was second in a stake at a big price for the 4th straight time, but I wasn’t stirred enough by Amen Hallelujah to use the winner prominantly in the Davona Dale to take advantage. The deep and difficult Very One went to Mott-Desormeaux with Changing Skies, who was comparitively bet like iron in the group of 14.

Other than the ridiculous coda that followed the stakes trio, it was a good day. Hope you did well! Second half of the GP card tabbed below, but have to admit that this afternoon’s viewing priority will be the US-Canada Gold Medal hockey tilt that starts at 3:30pm EST. I frequently say that racing provides the best unscripted drama in sports, but this particular matchup is guaranteed in advance to be legend-making and unforgettable based on the backdrop of the game. It is the 50th and 30th anniversaries of the improbable U.S. gold medal efforts at Squaw Valley and Lake Placid, and today offers American Hockey another opportunity to build greater fascination with the great sport in a new generation.

GULFSTREAM

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: OC-$150k/C, F&M-4+, 6f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Virtually a G3 stakes race..

Most Likely: #6 D’wild Ride 2-1 WON ($4.80)
Best Value: #4 Casanova Killer 5-1 6th
Next Best: #1 Pious Ashley 4-1 3rd
Super Add: #2 Flying Dixie 3-1 5th

6th: ALW/N1X, 3yo-F, 9f (P3, DD, Super)

The 5-2 on Christine Daae is perhaps the most humorous ML yet this winter from Gulfstream. She’s more likely to be 2-5..

Most Likely: #8 CHRISTINE DAAE 5-2 WON ($2.80)
Best Value: #2 Jackie’s Express 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #7 Protesting 3-1 4th
Super Add: #5 The Isabella Angel 6-1 6th

7th: CLM/N2L, 4+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #6 Fastus Cactus 4-1 WON ($8.80)
Most Likely: #9 Pentecost 5-2 2nd
Next Best: #2 Distant Strike 3-1 4th
Super Add: #11 Giant Move 12-1 8th

8th: CLM, 3yo, 5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Uggh… Very challenging turf sprint with many formless players..

Most Likely: #9 Zip in Time 3-1 4th
Next Best: #3 Bernard Terrace 5-1 10th
Best Value: #6 Phil the Thrill 8-1 11th
Super Add: #8 Sure Success 4-1 9th

9th: 15th Mac Diarmida (G2), 4+, 11f-T (DD, Super)

Today’s Mac Diarmida gives us all another chance to remember the wonderful man that trained him, Scotty Schulhofer. He was a special guy and spending an evening with he and wife Stephanie will always be a fond memory for me. Here is a link to my thoughts at the time of Schulhofer’s passing in 2006.

Best Value: #8 Expansion 5-1 5th
Most Likely: #4 Precious Passion 5-2 WON ($5.20)
Next Best: #2 Winchester 3-1 2nd
Super Add: #7 Feels All Right 6-1 3rd

10th: MSW, 3yo, 5f-T (Super)

Note that SCR of #12 She’s Packin Heat has allowed AE #13 Assorted Colors to get into the field; Must use..

Most Likely: #4 Morethanatale 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #5 Top Yank 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #13 Assorted Colors 3-1 7th
Super Add: #6 St Expedite 15-1 11th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x3x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72