Saturday 2/19/22 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Top Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, February 19, 2022
By J.W. Paine in Horse Racing

I had to confine myself to two tracks for my Saturday horseracing picks—Fair Grounds Race Course and Laurel Park—but not to worry. You still get more for your money here, because I’m assessing a dozen stakes races between the two.

And of the dozen, six are graded stakes matches, with one of them the Risen Star Stakes, the first big-point match in the Championship Series of the Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification races.

Don’t forget that you can review the full race-cards for both of Saturday’s featured tracks at one of our best horseracing wagering sites.

Good luck!
Saturday’s Picks for Fair Grounds Race Course

We’ve got six stakes races here at Fair Grounds, including four graded stakes matches that include the Risen Star Stakes, so let’s get to it.
Colonel Power Stakes — Race Seven

This is a $100,000 purse, 5-1/2 furlong turf run for four-year-olds and upward. I have to agree with the morning line here and bet on the 7/5 favorite, Just Might, ridden by Colby J. Hernandez.
While his earlier career was a bit of a struggle, this six-year-old gelding is now an experienced and successful campaigner in ungraded stakes races, winning seven of them last year alone.

For the record, Just Might finished in the money 23 of his 33 career starts, winning ten, including the Colonel Power Stakes (Black Type) back in 2020 to his most recent victory in the Richard R. Scherer Memorial Stakes (Black Type) in December.

Co-owner and twenty-year horseracing veteran Michelle Lovell trains Just Might for Griffon Farms and herself.
Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes —Race Nine

This is a $100,000 purse, 1-1/16 miles turf run for fillies and mares four years old and upward. This is not nearly the competitive race it could be, but I still have to back the 3/1 morning-line favorite—Pass the Plate, with Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. in the irons.

This five-year-old mare moneyed 14 of her 21 career starts, winning five, including her most recent, the Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stakes (Black Type) last month here at Fair Grounds.

She notably finished third in last year’s running of the Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes.

Longtime racing veteran Paul J. McGee trains Pass the Plate for owner-breeder Silverton Hill LLC.
Mineshaft Shaft (Grade III) — Race Ten

With a $250,000 purse up for grabs, this is a 1-1/16 miles stakes race on the dirt track for four-year-olds and upward. I’m betting my two dollars on the second-favored (at 7/2) Miles D, with Jose L. Ortiz aboard.

This four-year-old colt finished five of his six career starts in the money, winning three, including his most recent, the Discovery Stakes (Listed) at Aqueduct last November. He also finished third behind Essential Quality and Midnight Bourbon in the Travers Stakes (Grade I) at Saratoga last August.

Breeders’ Cup veteran Chad C. Brown trains Miles D for owners Peter M. Brant and Robert V. LaPenta.
Fair Grounds Stakes (Grade III) — Race Eleven

This is a $150,000 purse, 1-1/8 miles grass run for four-year-olds and upward. It looks to be a tight race indeed between the top two morning-line choices, but I’m buying a win ticket on the 7/2 second-favored Largent, piloted by Luis Saez.

This six-year-old gelding finished in the money ten of his eleven career starts, winning six, his most recent the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (Grade II) in December at Gulfstream Park. He also finished second in last month’s Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (Grade I).

Horseracing Hall of Famer Todd A. Pletcher trains Largent for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC.
Rachel Alexandra Stakes presented by Fasig-Tipton (Grade II) — Race Twelve

This is a $300,000 purse, 1-1/16 miles main track run for three-year-old fillies. I’m backing the second-favored (at 7/2) Awake At Midnyte, with Mario Gutierrez in the irons.
This filly moneyed all three of her career starts, winning her initial maiden attempt last October, then finishing second in both the Jimmy Durante Stakes (Grade III) at Del Mar last November and the Santa Ynez Stakes (Grad II) at Santa Anita in January.

Gutierrez has ridden Awake At Midnyte for all three of her pro races, and with the pair missing first in the Jimmy Durante by a head-bob to Tezzaray, they both have something to prove.

Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup veteran Doug F. O’Neill trains Awake At Midnyte for Reddam Racing LLC.
Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Ford (Grade II) — Race Thirteen

This is a $400,00 purse, 1-1/8 miles dirt track run for three-year-olds. The Risen Star marks the beginning of the “Championship Series” of qualifying races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, and awards points (50-20-10-5) to the top four finishers.

My pick for this run is one of the two second-favored entries (there are two horses at 4/1 in this race)— Pappacap, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.

This three-year-old colt finished five of his six career starts in the money, winning two—his initial maiden attempt last May at Gulfstream, and the Best Pal Stakes (Grade II) at Del Mar in August. He’s also finished second in two Grade I stakes races—the American Pharoah Stakes (Grade I) at Santa Anita in October and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar in November.

Horseracing Hall of Famer Mark E. Casse trains Pappacap for owner-breeder Rustlewood Farm, Inc.
My Saturday Picks for Laurel Park

Laurel Park has a half-dozen stakes races for us, as well, including two graded stakes matches.
Wide Country Stakes — Race Four

This is a $100,00 purse, seven-furlong main track race for three-year-old fillies. I’m betting my two dollars on the 7/2 morning-line favorite, Luna Belle, with Denis Araujo in the irons.

This filly finished in the money five of her six career starts, winning three, including her last two—the Maryland Juvenile Fillies Championship Stakes in December and the Xtra Heat Stakes (Black Type) last month, both here at Laurel Park.

Co-owner Hamilton A. Smith trains Luna Belle for Deborah S. Greene and himself.
Miracle Wood Stakes — Race Five

This is a $100,00 purse, one-mile dirt track run for three-year-olds. I’m calling this race for one of the 6/1 underdogs (there are three), Coastal Mission, with Arnaldo Bocachica aboard.

This gelding moneyed all four of his career starts, winning his initial maiden attempt in September. He then moved on to finish second in the Maryland Million Nursery Stakes (Black Type) in October, third in the Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes (Black Type) in December, and second in the Spectacular Bid Stakes (Black Type) just last month.

With more than four decades in the horseracing business, Jeff C. Runco trains Coastal Mission for owner-breeder Coleswood Farm, Inc.
Nellie Morse Stakes — Race Six

This is a $100,000 purse, 1-1/16 miles dirt run for fillies and mares four years old and upward. I’m betting on the 8/5 morning-line favorite, Miss Leslie, piloted by Angel Cruz.

A consistently strong contender since her first maiden attempt back in 2020, this four-year-old filly moneyed 11 of her 17 career starts, including the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes (Black Type) in November and the Carousel Stakes (Black Type) in December.

Claudio A. Gonzalez trains Miss Leslie for BB Horses.
John B. Campbell Stakes — Race Seven

This is a $100,000 purse, 1-1/16 miles dirt track run for four-year-olds and upward. I like the second-favored (at 5/2) Galerio, with J. D. Acosta in the irons.

This six year old gelding has the best of it in this seven-horse field: 27 money finishes in 32 career starts, with nine wins. He’s notably moneyed six of his eight stakes races, finishing most recently in third place in the Jennings Stakes (Black Type) her at Laurel Park last month.

John E. Salzman, Jr. trains Galerio for owners Bird Mobberley LLC and Grady Griffin.
Barbara Fritchie Stakes (Grade III) — Race Eight

This is a $250,000 purse, seven-furlong dirt track run for fillies and mares four years old and upward. I’m buying a win ticket on the only horse in this race with any success at the graded stakes level—the second-favored Jakarta, ridden by Victor R. Carrasco.

This seven-year-old mare moneyed 16 of her 28 career starts, winning nine, including the Mrs. Claus Stakes (Black Type) in December at Parx Racing.
Jakarta most recently finished third in the Inside Information Stakes (Grade II) at Gulfstream Park last month.

Michael J. Trombetta trains Jakarta for Three Diamonds Farm.
General George Stakes (Grade III) — Race Nine

This is a $250,000 purse, seven-furlong dirt run for four-year-olds and upward. My money’s on the 7/5 morning-line favorite, Cordmaker, piloted by Victor R. Carrasco.

This seven-year-old gelding finished in the money 24 of his 35 career starts, winning 13, including his three most recent—the Richard W. Small Stakes (Listed) in November, the Robert T. Manfuso Stakes (Black Type) in early December, and the Jennings Stakes (Black Type) in January, all at Laurel Park.
He hasn’t moneyed a graded stakes race since 2019—but neither have most of his competition in this seven-horse field. The only exception is this race’s 8/1 underdog, Threes Over Deuces, who finished third in the General George Stakes (Grade III) back in 2020.

Before you start thinking “sleeper!” bear in mind that Threes Over Deuces has won seven of his 41 career starts.

Thirty-year racing veteran Rodney Jenkins trains Cordmaker for Hillwood Stable LLC.

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Oaklawn Picks: Dixie Bell S. with a strong field on February 19
By J.N. Campbell


Oaklawn Park Picks - Saturday, February 19, 2022

Race 1: 1-8-7-2
Race 2: 11-9-1/1A-4
Race 3: 10-6-4-8
Race 4: 3-11-5-9
Race 5: 1-8-9-2
Race 6: 10-7-3-4
Race 7: 6-8-2-1
Race 8: 3-6-5-7
Race 9: 1-4-6-5
Race 10: 7-4-8-1
**Most Likely Winner: Zitman #3 (Race 4)**
**Best Value: Fort Ridge #11 (Race 2)**

Most Likely Winner: (Race 4: Zitman #3, 5/1):

Trainer Karl Broberg has less than a handful of wins at the Meet so far, and that is rather astounding, especially considering how accomplished this Southwest-based conditioner has been over the years. This gelding by Big Brown was a claim off of Wayne Potts. Broberg put him in a Clm10k, and the result was not terrible on the step-up. The miler encountered some traffic, and probably could have given Capture the Glory a run. Now, he comes back into this condition, which should be an easier spot. The switch to Cristian Torres is not a bad play either. Let’s take the Zitman ... he pops!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #3



Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 2: Fort Ridge #11, 10/1):

Here is the “cheapest” of levels in the Oaklawn “Claiming Game” structure, and it brings together a sizable group of older males. I am on the hunt for value, and stumbled upon a nice one from the barn of Ingrid Mason. A strong conditioner, who gets her charges ready, and does it the “right way,” To put it more bluntly ... I like this dropper very much. This gelding might be aged, having run in 56 career races, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have ability moving forward. A recent work gives me confidence, and the Muddy Waters-owned son of Fort Prado looks like he is going to be a wonderful price at double-digit odds.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #11 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)



Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 9: Dirt, 6F, Dixie Bell S., $150k, 3F):

Most of the focus for bettors will be on the stakes action at the Fair Grounds on Saturday, but I would not overlook Oaklawn’s contribution … the Dixie Bell S. is loaded! In this dirt sprint, with so many directions to go in, I would open you mind to the possibilities. Of course, when it comes to forecasting what will register tops on the tote, I am sure Wesley Ward’s Happy Soul #5 will take money. I am decidedly against this one because I think we have little idea how she is going to run, as she makes her ’22 debut. I am not spurning Ward’s preparation abilities, nor the riding history of John Velazquez … I just prefer to key another entry. The filly I want is one half of Brad Cox’s uncoupled entry … Icy Stare Down #1. Ridden by Ricardo Santana, this daughter of Frosted is stepping up into tougher company. She broke her maiden for Cox back on 18 Dec. @OP, and it was an impressive score down the lane. The “Place” horse that afternoon, Steve Asmussen’s Hot and Sultry, already came back and posted a strong speed fig. enroute to a win in a MSW Co. contest. I realize this is a tougher race than those, but let’s not forget that we are talking about the 2x Eclipse Award-winning Cox here. He gets them ready … spots young fillies very well … and now, they add Ricardo Santana, the Meet’s “Leading Rider.” Watching this one work was a true pleasure, and I think she has the requisite gears to get the job done. As for filling out the rest of a ticket, I want to also use Cox’s other entry, Com’ On Sweet Luv #6, and Ingrid Mason’s Hypersport #4. The former already has a stakes try at the Fair Grounds, while the latter is a budding local favorite with a win over the track. In the end, I think Cox’s young filly wins this one … with a resounding noise of victory!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Superfecta, 1 w 4/5/6 w 4/5/6 w 4/5/6

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Interstate Racing Tips – February 19th

Home - Featured - Interstate Racing Tips – February 19th

RSN927

RSN Form Analyst Kevin Casey covers all the daily racing tips for the NSW meeting at the Rosehill featuring the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes on Saturday the 19th of February.

Along with our Interstate Racing Tips, you’ll find Greyhound and Harness Tips, plus a full preview of every Victorian meeting, each and every day of the week with RSN927’s Expert Tipsters and race-callers.

Rail Position: True
Track Type: Turf
Track Condition: Soft 6
Weather: Overcast
Penetrometer: 5.42
Kevin Casey Rosehill Tips

Rosehill, 19th February 2022

Race 1 Selections: 6,18,5,1
Race 2 Selections: 3,1,2,4
Race 3 Selections: 2,11,10,9
Race 4 Selections: 6,8,1,3
Race 5 Selections: 7,9,1,6
Race 6 Selections: 11,14,1,13
Race 7 Selections: 1,13,2,11
Race 8 Selections: 1,5,2,4
Race 9 Selections: 4,12,9,7
Race 10 Selections: 3,10,11,6
Best Bet

Race 10 – 3. Dajraan
Value

Race 6 – 11. Ojai
Quaddie

Quaddie 1: 1,2,8,11,13
Quaddie 2: 1
Quaddie 3: 4,7,9,12
Quaddie 4: 3,10,11

SKY Race caller Josh Fleming covers all the daily racing tips for the QLD meeting at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday the 19th of February.

Along with our Interstate Racing Tips, you’ll find Greyhound and Harness Tips, plus a full preview of every Victorian meeting, each and every day of the week with RSN927’s Expert Tipsters and race-callers.

Rail Position: True Entire Course
Track Type: Turf
Track Condition: Good 4
Weather: Fine
Josh Fleming Sunshine Coast Tips

Sunshine Coast, 19th February 2022

Race 1 Selections: 5,3,4,8
Race 2 Selections: 5,3,6,1
Race 3 Selections: 3,2,6,8
Race 4 Selections: 4,10,3,2
Race 5 Selections: 5,3,2,1
Race 6 Selections: 1,4,3,8
Race 7 Selections: 5,7,6,2
Race 8 Selections: 13,3,9,6
Race 9 Selections: 1,13,14,2

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The Racing Sharks

Free Horse Racing Tips Today – Saturday, February 19, 2022

We have studied the form from all races across the country for Saturday, February 19, and provided our best horse racing tips.

Certainly one of the better renditions of the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington this week in what surely is a sign that we are in for an exciting Autumn Carnival. But let’s park that race in the ‘too hard basket’ and pivot our focus to the home of the Autumn carnival, that being Sydney, where we think we have found you some value picks on a mouth watering weekend of racing.

It looks a ‘rocks or diamonds’ type of card where all the fancied favourites may well just salute but we are taking them on and trying to catch some quality runners working through their preparations whilst the price is still right.

We have made five selections in total and are confident that we have found you some winners! So, read on below to find our best horse racing tips for this Saturday, February 19.
Rosehill, Race 5 – 4. Sixgun ($34/$7.00)

*This horse has since been scratched.*

He’s never been one of mine and I’m tipping of the few supporters he once had, they have all long abandoned him but we can make a case for him here as the ‘roughie of the day’.

He should be coming into this a last start winner after what can only be described as an ‘ugly’ ride no doubt cost him the race at Canterbury. He was sound first up behind the promising De Grawin, then found the 1000m too short second up when doing his best work late on Australia Day.

He’s a pretty ordinary conveyance but with more than half of the small field resuming, Josh Parr jumping back on from the good draw and the fact he does have some figures around rain affected tracks, he is worth a cheeky each way ticket early on in the card which could set you up for the day.
Rosehill, Race 6 – 1. Shalatin ($7.00)

So we threw the rule book out the window with our last selection but we are reverting back to type here with this promising colt. The simple rule is as follows – just back the best horse in the race!

And whilst he might still be a maiden, there is no doubt in our mind that this colt is the pick of this bunch going forward.

You could easily pot him off his trials but keen observers would have been able to see the vice like grip he went to the line with on both occasions and certainly on what we have seen so far, he is a horse that needs not only a bit of rein, but also a reminder around the hindquarter of what he is actually there for.

With that in mind we think he would have gone straight past them with some gentle persuasion, and with Group 2 status, and a Slipper berth on the line here, we reckon he’ll get a couple of those turning for home after settling back from the tricky draw and might just be finishing over the top of them.

He’s a very good price for a horse with exposed form and all the hallmarks of a high quality colt about him.
Rosehill, Race 8 – 4. Hilal ($11)

“Back Pike, drink what you like!’ our friends from the west keep telling us. But the only thing more lonely than the unvaxxed Willie Pike sitting by himself in his customised quarantined Sydney jockey’s room at the moment would be the followers of the sandgroper who would be sipping tap water and eating Milk Arrowroot biscuits over the past week.

Yet to register a win since his exodus over east but we think it is high time that run came to an end.

We suggested he was worth an each way ticket when resuming at big odds and whilst his fifth placing didn’t give us a collect, the run was enough to tell us he was worth following up on.

Posted the best closing 600m of any runner in what was a quality field in the Eskimo Prince after being dragged back from a bad draw. He steps up a furlong here, gets a good draw and a rider hungry for a breakthrough win.

Has to be some query over an inconclusive run by star colt Anamoe on what was a ludicrously harsh surface first up. And we think at double figure odds, the Team Hawkes Bondi Stakes winner is the way to go.
Rosehill, Race 9 – 9. Giannis ($7.50)

Sticking with the Eskimo Prince as a barometer for future success here. This fellow dual accepted for this benchmark race along with the Group 2 Hobartville.

Whilst both races are a risk given how he bombed the start first up, this is by far the easier of the two and if there is one thing we have learnt about Chris Waller over the recent years is that he is the consummate professional, leaving no stone unturned, so you can guarantee this big boy would have been back to barrier education classes more than once over the past fortnight.

He does have some form in this department having played up on more than one occasion when he was in Brisbane over the winter. He was able to put those issues aside and produced a cracking run to finish runner up in the Group 1 JJ Atkins to round out that prep and a repeat of that has him well and truly in the mix here.

Another who is probably over the odds however his price in the run will be halved after two strides if he comes out of the machine and we are backing master horseman Chris Waller to have that issue sorted, and that doesn’t sound like a bad bet to us.
Rosehill, Race 10 – 11. Steel Diamond ($7.50)

Without even going back through the history of this tips page, I can guarantee that we said she was on her last chance last start, and I am fairly certain that may not have been the first time we said it. But we are giving her one more.

She just looks ready to win, and try as you might, you couldn’t fault the run last start except to say she was probably looking for a touch further.

She gets that here, 1400m, home track, a bit of rain about, and a good price.

Hopefully we are well in front by now and can have a decent go at good odds and we can finally break even on her!

Best Bet – 1. Shalatin (Rosehill, Race 6)
Next Best – 9. Giannis (Rosehill, Race 9)
Best Roughie – 4. Sixgun (Rosehill, Race 5)

*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of Sportsbet.

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Flemington racing tips & quaddie picks | Lightning Stakes Day
James Herbert

What Lightning Stakes Day 2022
Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington, VIC 3031
When Saturday, February 19, 2022
First Race 12:40pm AEDT
Feature Race Lightning Stakes – Race 7
Watch Live
Sky Racing Watch Live
Sportsbet

Streaming Live at Sportsbet

Flemington Racecourse is scheduled to host a nine-part card for the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes meeting on Saturday afternoon. With four other black-type races on the day, and with the track rated a Good 4 and the rail set true, we are in for a cracking day of racing from 12:40pm AEDT onwards.

Keep reading for our free race-by-race preview and quaddie selections
Race 1: BM84 Handicap (2000m)

In the opening event of the day, the Chris Waller-trained Crystal Pegasus can build on his last-start win and help get our day started on the right note. The five-year-old chestnut gelding defied the leader bias at Rosehill and managed to beat home the smart Casino Kid over 2000m. He stays at the distance and despite this being a tougher assignment in BM84 grade, we anticipate the son of Australia can bring up consecutive wins for the first time in his career. All four of his wins have come at the 2000m, with three of those coming on firmer decks. With James McDonald on board, we anticipate this horse’s turn of foot at the end of 2000m will be the difference.

Selections: 5-7-6-3
Race 2: BM84 Handicap (1600m)

Our best bet of the day comes from the Lindsay Smith stable when Tuvalu steps out over the mile. We were with him at Caulfield when he was ultimately scratched and saved for another day, which came at Flemington last Saturday. He took subsequent Toorak Handicap winner I’m Thunderstruck to within a half-length at Moonee Valley in July and on that form alone should be winning this on his ear. He returned with a dominant 3.5-length win at Warrnambool on January 20, and although he is a month between runs, he is low-flying according to the stable. From barrier six, Jarrod Fry looks set to gain an uncontested lead over 1600m, and under a well-rated ride Tuvalu can lead them a merry dance.

Selections: 5-7-1-2
Best Bet
Race 2 – Tuvalu (#5) $2.15 with Ladbrokes
Race 3: Fillies & Mares BM78 Handicap (1600m)

The market has this Fillies & Mares BM78 down to a race in two between the undefeated Yonce and the ever-consistent Americain Angel. We have sided with the Danny O’Brien-trained Americain Angel, who has managed to string together consecutive wins for the first time in her career and looks to be racing with plenty of confidence on her side. She is yet to miss the top three in five runs at the mile and looks like she will appreciate every metre of the Flemington straight as she builds through the gears. Jamie Kah has notably been the difference in getting the four-year-old into the winner’s stall, with the leading hoop undefeated in her two rides aboard the bay mare. In the field of 11, we expect there to be a genuine tempo throughout, which should set the race up perfectly for our girl to finish right over the top of some vulnerable front-runners.

Selections: 2-5-1-7
Race 4: Talindert Stakes (1100m)

The Listed Talindert Stakes is the first of the Stakes-level races on Saturday, and we are expecting the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Miss Hellfire to bounce back from a poor showing in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. The two-year-old filly raced up on speed on that day but simply couldn’t go on with the job. She was scratched from the Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill and sent to Flemington for this, signalling the stable’s intentions. She draws out wide for this and looks to be one of the leaders in the race. Under a well-rated ride from Michael Dee, we anticipate Miss Hellfire will prove too hard to run down.

Selections: 10-1-12-14
Race 5: The Vanity (1400m)

The Group 3 Vanity over 1400m is for the three-year-old fillies, and we are hoping Godolphin’s Minouche can salute at a double-figure price. The chestnut filly was ridden like the best horse in the race at Caulfield on February 5 and won like a good horse does when put under pressure. Having led the field up, she was passed on the home turn but under riding drove hard late and kept her rivals at bay, despite doing plenty wrong. She draws barrier five under Damien Oliver, and with most of her rivals wanting further and looking to take a sit off the speed, Ollie can have her settled in a prominent position throughout. With a nice tow into the race, we expect Minouche to quicken nicely inside the final 400m and ultimately prove too hard to hold out.

Selections: 5-3-2-1
Best Value
Race 5 – Minouche (#2) $12 with Sportsbet
Race 6: CS Hayes Stakes (1400m)

The opening leg of the quaddie is the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes, where the Enver Jusufovic-trained Pinstriped will be looking to remain undefeated. The three-year-old chestnut gelding made up nice ground from the rear of the field when first-up off a three-month spell at Moonee Valley and looked like a promising type in doing so. He looks like a horse who will appreciate the long straight at Flemington as he works through the gears and build towards a top speed at the right time. Michael Dee will look to have him in clear air approaching the home turn, and from there, his turn of foot can do the rest.

Selections: 7-3-1-11
Next Best
Race 6 – Pinstriped (#7) $3.50 with Bet365
Race 7: Lightning Stakes (1000m)

Click here for our free runner-by-runner preview of the 2022 Lightning Stakes
Race 8: The Elms Handicap (1400m)

Despite the class that Mr Brightside and the red-hot Corner Pocket bring into the race, Elephant looks like the one to beat in The Elms. The Emma-Lee & David Browne-trained five-year-old is bombproof when resuming from a spell, putting together three wins from as many starts when first-up. He was not beaten too far in the Toorak Handicap off a tough run during the spring, and prior to that he was beaten a nose in the Feehan Stakes by subsequent Cantala Stakes winner Superstorm. From barrier nine, Damian Lane will need a touch of luck in gaining a spot in the moving line with cover, but if he does, we’re confident Elephant will take him a long way into the race. He has two wins over 1400m when first-up and can make it three here.

Selections: 1-8-12-6
Race 9: BM84 Handicap (1200m)

We will be hoping to round out the day with a nicely priced winner when the Grahame Begg-trained Rose Quartz looks to make amends for an unlucky run at Caulfield on February 5. Having been held up for a run throughout the home straight, the five-year-old mare did well to be beaten just on 1.5 lengths. She meets The Garden, who finished second on that day, 1kg lighter in the weights this time and will look to follow her rival having drawn inside her. Rose Quartz has one win from one start at the Flemington 1200m, and with that experience and a strong turn of foot on her side, she looks the one to be with in the final race of the day. The $5.50 on offer from Bet365 is more than good enough for us.

Selections: 11-10-3-12
Saturday quaddie tips for Lightning Stakes Day 2022
Flemington quadrella selections
Leg 1: 7-11
Leg 2: 1-2-3
Leg 3: 1-6-8-12
Leg 4: 10-11
Investment: $48 for 100%

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Rosehill race-by-race preview & best bets | Saturday 19/2/2022
Nicholas Lloyd

What Rosehill Gardens Races
Where Rosehill Gardens – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142
When Saturday, February 19, 2022
Feature Race Race 8: Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m)
First Race 12:25pm AEDT
Watch Live
Sky Racing Watch Live
Sportsbet

Streaming Live at Sportsbet

HorseBetting’s New South Wales racing analyst has previewed the 10-race card at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday and brings you his race-by-race preview as well as best bets and quaddie numbers. The Sydney Autumn Carnival is in full swing now, with the running of the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes the feature on what is a bumper program. The track is currently a Soft 5 and the rail is in the true position, so hopefully the track will play fairer than what it did on January 29 when the rail was out 6m and the fence was on fire. The first race gets underway at 12:25pm AEDT.
Race 1: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1400m)

If you’ve got much on on Saturday morning, it wouldn’t be the worst thing for you to miss this race. A capacity field of 18 country gallopers come together for this week’s Highway over 1400m, and it is wide open. We thought the run of Commando Hunt was good enough without being super on February 5 in a very similar race at Randwick over 1200m, where he just didn’t have all that much luck. The winner of that race was Testator Silens, who has since come out and won the Country Championships Qualifier at Nowra, so the form looks good. He has drawn awfully in barrier 18, so Kathy O’Hara will have her work cut out, but we thought the $19 on offer was generous.

Selections: 1-8-12-5
Race 2: Benchmark 94 (1100m)

This could be one of the races of the day, despite only six runners accepted to run. Rule Of Law is looking to make it five-straight wins, while Shadow Crush and Mr Mosaic are chasing three-straight successes, so it will be on for young and old. Bjorn Baker’s Rule Of Law is absolutely flying, however, having won his past four in dominant style, including back-to-back wins at this track. The son of Snitzel goes back to 1100m after winning over 1200m on January 29, so that should suit, while barrier four allows Tim Clark to sit outside Mr Mosaic who has plenty of speed from the inside alley. It is highly competitive race, but we think Rule Of Law can make it five in a row.

Selections: 1-3-6-2
Race 3: Benchmark 72 Midway Handicap (1500m)

We really don’t like these Midway races if we are completely honest. They’re a lottery each week and form seems to go out the window a lot of the time, so they’re proving to be a nightmare to analyse. Annabel Neasham saddles up the race favourite, Military Expert, who had plenty against him last start in a very similar race. The three-year-old colt drew wide, was caught off the track on the day that the rail was the place to be, so it was quite game of him to only go down by three lengths. He now gets out to 1500m which will suit, while barrier five gives Tommy Berry plenty of options. Provided he finds cover and can be handy in the run, he should be winning.

Selections: 3-9-10-1
Race 4:Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m)

The first of the group races on Saturday is the Millie Fox Stakes for fillies and mares. While there is only eight runners, it is a high-quality field with a number of good, consistent mares. Expat is one of those who rarely runs a bad race. The Mark Newnham-trained four-year-old will make her own luck in front, and in this field, she looks to get a soft lead from the outside alley. The daughter of Makfi was dominant when beating Brookspire in the Group 3 Belle Of The Turf at Gosford on December 29, and she looked very good when winning a trial at Warwick Farm on February 4. Her Rosehill stats are exceptional, as is her first-up record, so we are confident she can return a winner.

Selections: 3-1-2-7
Next Best
Expat
$3.90 with Sportsbet
Race 5: 3YO & 4YO Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m)

.
This is a hot race this, with a number of up-and-coming horses lining up. It’s extremely tough to separate a few of these, but we are going to side with the top-weight, Mazu. The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained three-year-old was good when winning the Brian Crowley Stakes back in October at Listed level, where he defeated Battleton and Able Willie. The son of Maurice does rise 3kg from that win, so he meets Able Willie worse off at the weights, but he looked good when narrowly beaten in a trial on January 31, in what was his first hit out since being gelded. Sam Clipperton can get the run of the race from barrier five and give his mount every chance of going back-to-back. There will be plenty of eyes on Able Willie who was luckless last start, while Nasturtium looks to remain unbeaten in four starts and Minsk Moment resumes after running seventh in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring.

Selections: 1-7-6-2
Race 6: Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m)

The two-year-olds will battle out the Silver Slipper Stakes on Saturday, as they look to do what Pierro, Mossfun, She Will Reign and Farnan have done in recent years by winning this race and the Golden Slipper a month later. At this point in time, we believe the fillies have a slight edge over the boys, and with the 2kg weight advantage, it makes them hard to go past in this. We tipped Cythera in her debut when winning the Lonhro Plate in nice style, so we are going back to the well there. The Snowden-trained filly has drawn beautifully once again in barrier two, so she can let the speed go and land in the box-seat under Tommy Berry, who is riding in a rich vein of form. She will have to improve again to beat Queen Of The Ball and Shalatin, but we think she can.

Selections: 15-13-1-11
Race 7: Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m)

The Parramatta Cup gives the stayers a chance on Saturday as they prepare for Sydney Cup campaigns. We have been extremely impressed by what No Compromise has been doing over shorter, unsuitable distances in his first two runs, so now as he gets to 1900m in his third run for the prep, we are keen to be on him. The Chris Waller-trained stayer will only get better as he steps out over even further, but he is the fit horse on the scene on Saturday. From barrier 14, he will have to get back in the run under Jay Ford, but that is his natural pattern anyway. He finds himself dropping 2.5kg from his last start when chasing a slow tempo, so he should be steaming home over the top late.

Selections: 11-1-8-13
Best Value
No Compromise
$6.50 with Sportsbet
Race 8: Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m)

The feature on Saturday is the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes, where a field of 12 colts and geldings will battle it out over 1400m. After flopping first-up in the Expressway Stakes, can Anamoe bounce back and justify his odds-on quote? We think he can, but we aren’t with him. Instead, we are siding with Converge, who went super behind Paulele when resuming in the Eskimo Prince Stakes. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained gelding came up the inside over 1200m a fortnight ago and just felt the pinch late, but we are tipping that he has come through that in super fashion and will relish the rise to 1400m at a track which should suit. Barrier 11 is a bit sticky, but arguably his best runs have been when he has come charging home from a fair way back. At the $6 quote, we are more than happy to be with this Group 1 winner. Outside of the obvious runners, we want to give a special mention to Kiss Sum, who we think can run a huge race at massive odds.

Selections: 2-1-5-13
Race 9: Benchmark 100 (1400m)

In the penultimate race, the Victorian visitors can take the prizemoney back down south in what is a strange old race. Groundswell was racing at Group 1 level during the Melbourne Spring Carnival over 1400m and comes into this race well-weighted. The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained five-year-old is a four-time winner over 1400m, while his best racing is usually done when second-up, which he is on Saturday. After running a good race behind Open Minded and the subsequently Group 1-placed Lighthouse on Australia Day, Groundswell went around in a Flemington jump-out behind Nature Strip last Friday where he went very well. He has drawn poorly in barrier 11, but we are confident that Tim Clark can find the front on him, stack them up and give a strong kick in the straight and prove too hard to catch.

Selections: 1-5-2-6
Race 10: Benchmark 78 (1400m)

To round out the afternoon, a competitive Benchmark 78 will be run and won, where Chris Waller saddles up five runners. We really liked what we saw from Dajraan in his Australian debut, when winning by 1.5 lengths at Warwick Farm on January 26, justifying some heavy market support. The four-year-old entire has drawn the inside alley under Tim Clark, which is the same alley he drew last time out, so we expect it to be a copy and paste job. He should be able to box-seat, get the run of the race and then put his rivals to the sword in the straight. Follow this son of Frankel, because he could sneak into some nice handicap races down on the weights and give his races a shake.

Selections: 3-6-11-13
Best Bet
Dajraan
$3.10 with Sportsbet
Saturday quaddie picks for Rosehill Gardens
Rosehill quadrella selections
Leg 1: 1-8-11-13
Leg 2: 1-2
Leg 3: 1-2-5
Leg 4: 3-6-11-13
Investment: $300 for 100%

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sunshine Coast racing preview & best bets | Saturday 19/2/2022
Nicholas Lloyd

What Sunshine Coast Races
Where Corbould Park Racecourse – 170 Pierce Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551
When Saturday, February 19, 2022
First Race 12:07pm AEST
Watch Live
Sky Racing Watch Live
Sportsbet

Streaming Live at Sportsbet

Metropolitan racing in Queensland heads up the M1 to Caloundra on Saturday to give Doomben a break while Eagle Farm undergoes a 13-week renovation. Nine races will be run and won at Corbould Park, and HorseBetting’s Queensland form analyst brings you his best bets and quaddie numbers for the day. After a decent amount of rain on the Sunshine Coast early in the week, the track has held up reasonably well, rating a Soft 5 with the rail in the true position. The meeting will get underway at 12:07pm AEST.
Best Bet – Wilmot Pass

Kacy Fogden now trains Wilmot Pass as he gears up for his first start in Queensland. The ex-Victorian has some quality form at metropolitan level in Melbourne, having won at Flemington and Sandown, as well as multiple metropolitan placings. The five-year-old son of Rubick went around first-up at Caulfield and failed to make up ground on In The Boat and Marine One, who are both subsequent winners. Wilmot Pass left the Anthony & Sam Freedman stable on the back of that run and headed north, where he was a trial winner at the Gold Coast on Monday, defeating the Group-performed Kiku by half-a-length in one of the quickest heats of the morning. One of Queensland’s top hoops, Ryan Maloney, hops in the saddle after riding the gelding in his recent trial win, while barrier six allows the pair to settle down midfield and potentially hop on the back of the long odds-on favourite, Palladas. The big track at the Sunshine Coast will be right up this galloper’s alley, while two of his three career wins have come when second-up. The stars are aligning.
Best Bet
Race 2 – Wilmot Pass (#3)
$4.80 with Sportsbet
Next Best Bet – Buying Time

There’s no denying that this is a tough race, but when you have a combination like Boris Thornton and the O’Dea & Hoysted stable, it is hard to ignore. That team combine with unbeaten three-year-old Buying Time in a 3YO Handicap over 1000m, the same track and distance that he has won his two starts in comfortable fashion. Both of those wins have come in 3YO Maiden and 3YO Benchmark 65 grade, so he faces his toughest ask yet in 3YO Open Handicap company, but judging off his most recent 1.5-length victory, there’s no reason why he can’t go on with it. Since January 15, this jockey/trainer combination have teamed up in 14 races, combining for six winner at 43% which is simply insane. From barrier three, the son of Deep Field will get the dream run up handy to the speed, before looking to put his rivals to the sword once again. He can remain undefeated after Saturday.
Next Best
Race 7 – Buying Time (#7)
$4 with Sportsbet
Best Value Bet – Air Spirit

As expected in a 16-horse 1000m Benchmark 72, there is speed on speed, and then there’s a bit more speed. While the leaders fly along in front, Tony Gollan’s Air Spirit will be biding her time under Samantha Collett, before unleashing her strong final burst down the big Sunshine Coast straight. The five-year-old mare has only won four of her 20 career starts, and they have all come at this track and distance, so she will be in her element on Saturday. In her first two runs this prep at this track and trip, the mare by Spirit Of Boom got a fair way out of her ground off a reasonably slow tempo and worked home well to not be beaten too far. Now fifth-up and rock-hard fit, the sprinter will be covered up midfield from barrier nine and allowed to have the last crack at them. The drying track will only aid her chances.
Best Value
Race 8 – Air Spirit (#14)
$19 with Sportsbet
Saturday quaddie tips for Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast quadrella selections
Leg 1: 1-2-3-4
Leg 2: 1-5-7
Leg 3: 3-6-7-9-14
Leg 4: 1-2-4-7-10-14
Investment: $360 for 100%

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Morphettville tips, odds & value bets | Saturday, February 19
James Herbert

What Morphettville Parks Races
Where Morphettville Parks Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043
When Saturday, February 19, 2022
First Race 12:21pm ACDT
Watch Live
Sky Racing Watch Live
Sportsbet

Streaming Live at Sportsbet

The Parks track at Morphettville is scheduled to host a nine-race card this Saturday afternoon, and HorseBetting’s Adelaide form expert has run his picked out the top bets on offer at Australia’s best Bookmakers. The track is rated a Good 4 and the rail is out 3m from the 1000m to the winning post, meaning being up on speed will be a significant advantage. Racing is set to get underway at 12:21pm ACDT (12:51pm AEDT).
Morphettville Best Bet – All Banter

The Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained All Banter comes to the Morphettville 1000m on the back of a three-month spell and will look to build on her impressive record at the track and distance. The four-year-old chestnut mare has two wins and two minor placings from four starts over the scamper and looks set to gain an uncontested lead throughout. Ben Price hops on board, and his 2kg claim gets them in with just 57kg. With the weight relief, she gives away just 3kg to main market rival Deep Speed, who will be lurking on her heels if All Banter is not screwed down for this first-up assignment. Having not finished worse than second in three starts when fresh, our pick should prove too hard to run down in a dominant all-the-way victory.
Best Bet
Race 3 – All Banter (#1)
$3.40 with Sportsbet
Next Best Bet at Morphettville – Philonize

Dion Koch has brought his three-year-old filly Philonize to the Parks 1000m following a four-month spell and will look to build on her impressive spring campaign. Having strung together three wins in succession to end her previous campaign, this daughter of Reward For Effort has a trial win to her name as she looks to begin her autumn preparation. Having drawn out in barrier 10, Ben Price should look to settle the bay filly outside of race leader May’s West. With a trial win under her belt and a strong will to win, Philonize looks like she will take some running down in the opening leg of the quaddie. We are happy to take the $2.60 on offer from Ladbrokes.
Next Best
Race 6 – Philonize (#4)
$2.60 with Ladbrokes
Best Value Bet at Morphettville – Toyetic

Formerly with the Anthony & Sam Freedman yard, Toyetic is set to make his debut for the Aaron Bain stable and we are giving him a chance at a double-figure quote. He draws barrier one for this first-up run, and we expect Anna Jordsjo will look to maintain a positive position throughout the 1250m event. Despite winning once from eight career starts, the Sebring gelding has plenty of ability on his day but had just been racing in races beyond his capabilities in Melbourne. His turn of foot is more than good enough to take out this BM60 event.
Best Value
Race 7 – Toyetic (#2)
$13 with Sportsbet
Saturday quaddie tips for Morphettville
Morphettville quadrella selections
Leg 1: 4-7
Leg 2: 2-3-4-10
Leg 3: 2-3-4-12
Leg 4: 1-2-3-4-13
Investment: $160 for 100%

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ascot betting tips, top odds & quaddie | Saturday, February 19
Nicholas Lloyd

What Ascot Races
Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Road, Perth WA 6104
When Saturday, February 19, 2022
First Race 12:37pm AWST
Feature Race Race 8: Listed Detonator Stakes (1800m)
Watch Live
Sky Racing Watch Live
Sportsbet

Streaming Live at Sportsbet

HorseBetting’s WA racing analyst brings you his best bets and quaddie numbers for the Ascot meeting on Saturday afternoon, along with a pick in the Listed Detonator Stakes. The track is rated a Good 4, the rail is out 12m for the entire course, and the first of nine races will jump at 12:37pm AWST.
Detonator Stakes – Platoon

Platoon brings the best form into Saturday’s feature after running in Group 1 races of the Perth Summer Carnival. The Neville Parnham-trained six-year-old ran second behind Regal Power over 2100m at Group 2 level, before finishing third in the Perth Cup on January 1. He’s now six weeks between runs and back to 1800m, where he has won in the past. The son of Praying God should get a good run from barrier seven under Steven Parnham and prove too good for his rivals.
Detonator Stakes
Race 8 – Platoon (#4)
$5.50 with Sportsbet
Best Bet – Spin The Knife

Three-year-old gelding Spin The Knife looks to have panels on his rivals, as he drops back to a 3YO Handicap after finishing fifth in the 3YO Magic Millions Trophy at Pinjarra last start. The son of Snippetson has won three of his eight races and has a very good record over 1000m, so we expect to see him relish the step back in trip. Drawn in barrier one, apprentice hoop Holly Watson will take the Luke Fernie-trained youngster to the front, and with the 3kg claim, he should prove hard to run down.
Best Bet
Race 2 – Spin The Knife (#1)
$2.70 with Sportsbet
Next Best – My Baby Blue Jean

Adam Durrant saddles up the very promising My Baby Blue Jean in what will be the three-year-old fillies fourth career start. The filly by Snippetson has won her past two races, after running third on debut at Belmont. The speedy chestnut will make her own luck in front under Clint Johnston-Porter, and should have too much zip for her rivals over 1100m with only 55.5kg on her back. She won a $70,000 3YO Plate last time out, so we expect her to be too good in a One Metro Wins Handicap. She can extend the winning streak to three.
Next Best
Race 4 – My Baby Blue Jean (#8)
$2 with Sportsbet
Best Value – Our Norman

Winning form is good form, and that is exactly what Our Norman brings to this 2200m Rating 66+ Handicap. The four-year-old son of Trade Fair has been too good for his rivals in his past two, leading most of the way in both runs over 1800m and 2000m respectively, before proving too strong late. Off this gelding’s most recent all-the-way win, he drops 1kg in weight and stretches out to 2200m for the first time, but we think it should suit him. Trainer Chris Willis has kept Troy Turner in the saddler, so that’s a big tick, while he should be able to find the front from barrier six and prove hard to catch with the rail out 12m.
Best Value
Race 7 – Our Norman (#8)
$7.50 with Sportsbet
Saturday quaddie numbers for Ascot
Ascot quadrella selections
Leg 1: 2-4-5-6
Leg 2: 2-5-7-8-14
Leg 3: 1-4-6-16
Leg 4: 3-5-13
Investment: $240 for 100%

[Can'tPickAWinner]

2022 Lightning Stakes runner-by-runner preview & betting tips
James Herbert

What 2022 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes
Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031
When Saturday, February 12, 2022
Prizemoney $1,000,000
Distance 1000m
Status Group 1
Conditions Weight For Age
2021 Winner Nature Strip (5) | Trainer: Chris Waller | Jockey: Jamie Kah (58.5kg)
Watch Live
Sky Racing Watch Live
Sportsbet

Streaming Live at Sportsbet

Flemington is scheduled to host its first Group 1 of the year as a star-studded field assembles for the Lightning Stakes on Saturday afternoon.

Nature Strip is back to defend his crown and has been installed as a $2.50 favourite with online betting sites, whilst his arch-nemesis Eduardo will look to knock him off once again and is a $4 chance in Saturday’s Group 1.

There are some 12 Group 1 victories combined in the nine-horse field, and considering it contains six runners from last year’s Everest, this is sure to be one of the early highlights of the year.

Keep reading for HorseBetting’s full runner-by-runner preview and $100 betting strategy.
silk1. NATURE STRIP (6)

7yo G | T: Chris Waller | J: Jamie Kah (58.5kg)

Nature Strip is back to defend his Lightning Stakes crown, and we think he will do so with aplomb. He is without a doubt the best sprinter in the country, if not the world, and the reigning Everest champion is set to duke it out with half of the field he beat back in October. The Strip has six wins and a runner-up effort from eight runs at Flemington, and despite just four wins from eight starts when fresh, he should still be too speedy for his rivals once again over 1000m. He is a seven-time Group 1 winner, and with James McDonald jumping off to take the ride on Home Affairs, we’re hoping the combination of Jamie Kah and Chris Waller is a winning one again.
silk2. EDUARDO (5)

8yo G | T: Joseph Pride | J: Nash Rawiller (56.5kg)

Eduardo has been going toe-to-toe with Nature Strip for the best part of two years and has dealt Nature Strip each of his last two defeats. He got the better of his rival in The Shorts over 1100m when the pair went stride-for-stride down the Randwick straight. Despite the genuine class that Eduardo has to his name at this stage in his career, the fact he has just one minor placing from three starts at Flemington is what is stopping us from tipping him. However, he has been Nature Strip’s kryptonite in recent times, and with regular Nash Rawiller making the trip south, the stable mean business.
silk3. MASKED CRUSADER (3)

5yo G | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Jye McNeil (58.5kg)

Splitting Nature Strip and Eduardo in last year’s Everest was the Team Hawkes-trained Masked Crusader, and at $9 with Sportsbet, he looks to be the best each-way chance in the race. With most of his rivals looking to gain a spot close to the speed, the backmarker will be the one with the last look at them over the final 100m. He would prefer this over 1200m, but if Nature Strip and Eduardo go too fast for their own good, then Masked Crusader has the turn of foot to get the better of them. He was a good thing licked in The Everest and with even luck can be fighting out the finish here at a nice price.
silk4. GYTRASH (2)

6yo G | T: Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle | J: Mark Zahra (58.5kg)

Many believe that Gytrash should have defeated both Eduardo and Nature Strip in The Shorts when fresh during the spring, but he kept getting shut off for a run with the two in front of him creating too much traffic over the final 100m. He fires fresh, with four wins and four more placings from eight first-up runs. However, he was beaten 4.67 lengths in The Everest and simply got too far out of his ground in the Classique Legend Stakes when finishing 12th, beaten close on six lengths. On paper, he looks a good bet with seven wins from eight starts at 1000m, including a win in the 2020 Lightning Stakes, but we are happy to let Gytrash go around without our hard-earned on. Still, expect a bold showing first-up.
silk5. THE INFERNO (4)

5yo G | T: Cliff Brown | J: Damian Lane (58.5kg)

Former Hong Kong galloper The Inferno was one to follow coming out of the spring, having been beaten a nose in the Moir Stakes before a well below-par performance in The Everest. The Cliff Brown-trained bay gelding certainly has a sharp turn of foot, but in a field like this he may find a few of them too sharp over 1000m. This will be his first look down the Flemington straight, and despite his clear class he will be running on late. We’re happy to wait for another day to back The Inferno, perhaps in a Newmarket Handicap?
silk6. THE ASTROLOGIST (1)

5yo G | T: Leon & Troy Corstens | J: John Allen (58.5kg)

The first of the Leon & Troy Corstens-trained is Flemington specialist The Astrologist, who absolutely eats up the Flemington straight (9: 3-2-3). His best results have come over 1200m, however, and they were in much easier races than this. This will be his first step into Group 1 company, and despite his impressive track record, he is a $51 chance with Ladbrokes for a reason.
silk7. SWATS THAT (9)

4yo M | T: Leon & Troy Corstens | J: Damien Oliver (56.5kg)

The second of the Leon & Troy Corstens runners, Swats That is seemingly a shadow of the horse she promised to be in her three-year-old season. The only mare in the race finished third in the Black Caviar Lightning last year, but that has proved to be one of the best results in her last seven starts, with her spring being well below par. It was somewhat saved by a second-place finish in the VRC Sprint, where she beaten some 3.25 lengths by Nature Strip. With that in mind, we simply cannot have her and can’t see her starting any shorter than her current $41 quote.
silk8. HOME AFFAIRS (8)

3yo C | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (55.5kg)

The Chris Waller-trained Home Affairs returns to the track where he smashed his rivals in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day in the spring. That was against his own age group, and this is certainly much harder than that. It showed at his start prior in The Everest when thrown in the deep end by Waller, as the colt simply could not keep up with the breakneck speed Nature Strip and Eduardo run their races at. He is the better of the two three-year-olds in the race in terms of future prospects, but we expect he will be feeling the pinch late in a race like this.
silk9. PROFITEER (7)

3yo C | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr | J: Brett Prebble (55.5kg)

The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr-trained Profiteer is a genuine speedster and holds a win to his name at the Flemington 1000m. That was on Melbourne Cup Day when defeating Direct and Enthaar, two horses who would be going around at a big price in a race like this. There is no doubting he has above-average ability and the 1000m is ideal for him. He peaked on his run with 100m to go in the Moir Stakes during the spring, and that was with just 52kg on his back in arguably a weaker Group 1 race than this. We think he should be starting at a much bigger quote than the $11 currently on offer at Neds.
2022 Lightning Stakes tips & best bets

Nature Strip is the best sprinter in the world for a reason. He keeps producing when many doubt him, and we expect he will kick off his 2022 campaign with a win in the Lightning Stakes. He is striving to become the first since Black Caviar (2011-2013) to claim the race on consecutive occasions, and despite historically being vulnerable fresh, he looks a clear top selection in the Group 1 feature. He eats up the 1000m and loves the Flemington straight and should be too good for a field that he has beaten on a couple of occasions in the past 12 months. Expect Eduardo, Masked Crusader and Gytrash to be fighting out the minor placings.

Selections:

silk1
NATURE STRIP

Odds at Bet365bet365
silk14
EDUARDO

Odds at Bet365bet365
silk7
MASKED CRUSADER

Odds at Sportsbetsportsbet
silk6
GYTRASH

Odds at Bet365bet365

$100 betting strategy
$100 win Nature Strip ($2.50)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Rocket Picks ��: Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park, Fair Grounds, and Santa Anita for February 19, 2022
By: Aaron Halterman
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It’s another Saturday of racing! For the free pick 4, we will head to Gulfstream Park for the late sequence on the card! We will also have full card selections for Fair Grounds, Oaklawn Park, and Santa Anita for the paid Rockets, so be sure to check those out. Let’s see if we can get this home today.

Below is our free Late Pick 4 for Gulfstream Park:

Gulfstream Park February 19, 2022

Race 9: Allowance Optional Claiming

#3 Hit the Woah gets back to the turf today, while also making her second start off of the layoff. #8 Trevess will also move to the turf for this one after some impressive victories over the synthetic surface.

Race 10: Claiming
freestar

#2 Dr. Shane was a winner over this surface last time out, and matches up very well with this field today. #8 Rocket Joe Copper will also be looking to make it two in a row after winning at this level and over this surface last time out.

Race 11: Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes

#4 Miles Ahead has won two straight here at Gulfstream Park, and has really not been challenge in either race. #1 Gatsby was a nice winner last time out, and was second to the favorite two starts back.

Race 12: Maiden Claiming

#9 Quantum Theory was second at a lower level last time out, but moves to the turf today, which could help his chances. #2 Irish King will also move over to the turf for this race after a decent debut over the synthetic last time out.

THE TICKET
freestar

$.50 Pick 4 (Races 9-12) 3 / 1,2,3,4,5,8 / 1,4 / 2,4,5,6,9- $30

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Robin Goodfellow's racing tips: Best bets for Saturday, February 19
By Sam Turner For The Daily Mail

ASCOT

ROBIN GOODFELLOW

1.15 Hecouldbetheone

1.50 Does He Know

2.25 Fiddlerontheroof (nb)

3.00 Zacony Rebel (nap)

3.38 Mister Fisher

4.10 Imphal

4.45 Missed Vacation

GIMCRACK

1.15 Skytastic

1.50 Doyen Breed

2.25 Caribean Boy

3.00 Cap Du Mathan

3.38 Dashel Drasher

4.10 Guerlain De Vaux

4.45 Missed Vacation



HAYDOCK

ROBIN GOODFELLOW

1.00 Adrimel

1.30 Porticello

2.05 Third Wind

2.40 Blaklion

3.15 Tokyo Getaway

3.50 Green Book

4.25 Bob And Co

GIMCRACK

1.00 Keep Rolling

1.30 Porticello (nb)

2.05 Thomas Darby

2.40 Secret Reprieve (nap)

3.15 Bushypark

3.50 Hillcrest

4.25 Bob And Co



WINCANTON

ROBIN GOODFELLOW

1.38 Grivetana

2.13 Flagrant Delitiep

2.48 Tide Times

3.20 Goshen

3.58 Stellar Magic

4.33 Ask Me Early

5.05 Braganza Bay

GIMCRACK

1.38 Grivetana

2.13 Native Robin

2.48 Max Dynamo

3.20 Goshen

3.58 Mr Glass

4.33 Ask Me Early

5.05 Walk Away Now



LINGFIELD

ROBIN GOODFELLOW

12.50 Tattered Flag

1.25 Mashkuur

2.00 Mr Mac

2.35 Sherpa Trail

3.10 Chrysos

3.45 Desert Emperor

4.20 Shoot To Kill

4.55 Global Acclamation

GIMCRACK

12.50 Addingham

1.25 State Legend

2.00 Sir Joseph Swan

2.35 Miss Elsa

3.10 Chrysos

3.45 Protected Guest

4.20 Shoot To Kill

4.55 Jack Ryan

Newmarket – 12.50 Addingham (nb)


NEWCASTLE

ROBIN GOODFELLOW

5.00 Termonator

5.30 Eydon

6.00 Yaahobby

6.30 Lady Ziana

7.00 Jems Bond

7.30 One Hart

GIMCRACK

5.00 Ghostly

5.30 Oceania Legend

6.00 Yaahobby

6.30 Odd Socks Havana

7.00 Won Love

7.30 Tantastic

Northerner – 5.00 Termonator (nap); 6.30 Odd Socks Havana (nb).

Newmarket – 5.30 Eydon (nap)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

How to bet with, and against, Hidden Connection in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes
John Mucciolo

Six of the 11 sophomores fillies entered for the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) at Fair Grounds on Saturday have enjoyed previous stakes success. In addition to the quality of the field, the top-four finishers of the 1 1/16-mile affair will receive qualifying points (50-20-10-5) in the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Oaks series event.

2021 Pocahontas S. (G3) heroine #11 Hidden Connection (3-1) will make her season debut for conditioner Bret Calhoun. By Connect, the $85,000 two-year-old purchase dominated in her initial two lifetime tries prior to checking in fourth behind the sensational Echo Zulu in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar in November.

Hidden Connection is training like a horse who is ready to roll, and the Kentucky-bred is also proven capable of running off of morning works as she did on debut. Dark bay filly fired a bullet five furlongs in her most recent morning drill on the surface, and she will retain the services of regular pilot Reylu Gutierrez.

The morning-line choice is obviously quite talented, but she faces a tall task in this endeavor, especially while breaking from the widest post.

Golden Rod S. (G2) victress #4 Dream Lith (6-1) will also make her season debut in this offering for Diodoro. Following a stylish victory at Saratoga at first asking, the Medaglia d’Oro dark bay failed in her first pair of graded races, but the addition of blinkers seemingly made the difference in her juvenile finale at Churchill Downs.

Unbeaten #1 La Crete (8-1) is a half-sister to the 2021 winner , La Clairiere. Trained by Asmussen, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro led throughout in a first-out score beneath the Twin Spires prior to a game late tally in the Silverbulletday S. Joel Rosario will once again guide the top prospect.

#2 North County (8-1), also unbeaten, rallied bravely to annex the Untapable S. on the course last time out. Brendan Walsh pupil has passed each test to date, and the daughter of Not This Time can’t be ignored at a nice number.

The Doug O’Neill-trained #9 Awake at Midnyte (7-2) exits a fine runner-up performance in the Santa Ynez S. (G2) at seven furlongs, and the Nyquist sophomore figures to improve with the added ground in her local bow. The $320,000 yearling purchase will be forwardly placed from the start under Mario Gutierrez.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Aqueduct Horses in Focus for Saturday, February 19
Posted on February 18, 2022 by David Aragona

RACE 1: GET YOUR GOLD (#3)

Flattery’s Music is the horse to beat in the opener, but she’s not exactly the most convincing favorite. She lagged behind early and just passed some tired rivals in the stretch. That wasn’t the strongest field, but it was on the turf against maiden special weight company. The class drop should help and she also figures to be more comfortable over dirt. Her dam was a stakes winner on dirt, so she’s probably meant for this surface. Linda Rice is 6 for 25 (24%, $2.04 ROI) with maiden second time starters going from turf to dirt over 5 years, but the barn has been very cold as of late. A couple of rivals exit a race at this level on Jan. 14, but I don’t want runners from that affair. It was a very weak race and I’m more interested in the first time starters. Kiss Me Smile and Credit Suspended both make some sense. The former didn’t sell that well but goes out for Mike Maker, who has good stats with firsters in maiden claiming dirt sprints over 5 years. Credit Suspended has a nice pedigree as a 3/4-sister to Blewitt, but it’s not a good sign that she’s debuting for just $25k. I’m actually intrigued by another firster who figures to get somewhat ignored. Get Your Gold goes out for Ralph D’Alessandro, who is one of the most underrated trainer on the circuit at this time of year. He’s not known for winning first time out, but he’s sent out some big prices to do fine in their debuts, including an 80-1 winner over this track a couple years ago. This filly’s dam possessed a ton of early speed, so she’s bred to be fast. She sports some decent workouts for the debut in a race where the shorter prices do very little for me.

RACE 5: CERRETTA (#4)

The barn change seemed to wake up Kisses for Emily last time, as she showed a new dimension, closing from off the pace to finish a strong second. While she did have to overcome a slow start, she was aided by the track profile, as she rode the rail for much of her trip before angling out in the stretch on a day when the inside was an advantage. That said, she’s shown some promise along the way and could finally be figuring things out. I don’t think she’s necessarily much better than Darn That Song from the same race. Darn That Song was briefly on the rail early, but got steadied and angled off the gold rail on the turn before understandably flattening out. I prefer them to some others who could attract support. True Empress has had her chances but should be competitive here if running back to her performance two back. Celine the Queen has a ton of early speed, but she hasn’t been able to sustain it in her two prior runs. I want to go in a different direction with one of the first time starters. Cerretta is a daughter of 10% debut sire Midnight Lute. While her dam was winless in two starts, she handled dirt and has produced one winner, a turf horse. H. James Bond is 0 for 35 with first time starters in dirt sprints over the past 5 years, but he’s had some big prices hit the board in that sample. Notably, Bond has run 7 first time starters at this current Aqueduct meet, and 4 of those 7 have finished second at odds of 5-2, 9-1, 11-1, and 15-1. She posted some fast workouts at Saratoga last fall, and Bond’s go-to rider McCarthy takes the mount.

RACE 8: MY BOY TATE (#4)

This Hollie Hughes is essentially a two-horse affair between the expected favorites. Wudda U Think Now figures to attract support given his likely pace advantage. He should be the controlling speed here, depending on how much pressure Runningwscissors applies. Wudda U Think Now comes off a dominant score against optional claiming foes, winning by over 10 lengths. He got a 115 TimeformUS Speed Figure for that effort, knocked down from a 125 final time number due to setting a very slow pace. In addition to having soft fractions in his favor, he also was riding a gold rail on Jan. 16, which almost surely enhanced his performance. He’s still dangerous here if getting back to his prior form, but I don’t want to take him as the favorite. I prefer My Boy Tate. This likable 8-year-old gelding is seeking his third victory in this race and he’s coming into it in great form. He got disqualified out of his victory in the Say Florida Sandy last time, but he ran the best race that day, slicing between horses to get up over his rival Lobsta. I don’t mind the cutback to 6 furlongs, and he has the tactical speed to not lose contact with his main rival early, as long as Manny Franco rides him with some awareness of the pace. I’ll take My Boy Tate’s strong finish over Wudda U Think Now’s tactical speed.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Laurel Park: Stakes plays for Feb. 19
John Mucciolo

A six-pack of black-type races, with two of the graded variety, will headline a major day of racing at Laurel Park on Saturday.
Race 4 – Wide Country S.

Sophomore fillies will travel seven-eighths on the dirt with eight signed on for the tilt. I fully expect the John Salzman-trained #8 Buff My Boots (6-1) to show vast improvement in her second off the layoff. By Buffum, the three-year-old miss has endured less-than-desirable voyages in two straight and figures to get a better trip from the outside draw in this spot.

The Maryland-bred owns a previous stakes triumph on the oval and could offer good value. Regular jock Acosta will be up and forcing the tempo from the opening bell.
Race 5 – Miracle Wood S.

A total of nine three-year-olds will travel a one-turn mile in the $100,000 endeavor. Trainer John Robb has a pair of dangerous threats in the field, and I like his #2 Alottahope (4-1) to get the job done. The gelded son of Editorial displayed a lot of potential in his first trio of outings, all on this surface, prior to being outrun behind a flashy winner in the Spectacular Bid S. most recently. The bay is proven to be capable at seven panels, and negotiating another furlong seems well within his scope from a good post slot. Xavier Perez retains the mount.
Race 8 – Barbara Fritchie S. (G3)

A nice field of eight fillies and mares will contest the co-feature. #8 Belle of the North (8-1) has no early zip and could have a lot of work to do turning for home, but she appears to be sitting on a top showing while making her 2022 bow. Trained by Jose Corrales, the Street Boss filly has won or placed in each of her career sprint efforts to date, led by a rallying score in the Safely Kept S. two back. She cuts back in distance after trying 1 1/8 miles in her sophomore finale, and I expect her to be the one to hold off in the lane under Karamanos.
Race 9 – General George S. (G3)

The $250,000 dash is void of early speed, so I will take my chances with the fleet #4 Sir Alfred James (3-1) as a wire-to-wire selection for Norman Cash. Six-year-old son of Munnings is something of an all-or-nothing venture, but he will control things from the onset with a decent break from the gate while making his local debut. The bay has finished last in two straight stakes tries, but he is a different animal when he establishes the early edge.