Saturday 9/9/23 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:28 AM

Jeff Siegel's What You Need to Know - Del Mar - 9/9/23

September 9, 2023
“What You Need to Know” – Del Mar
by Jeff Siegel, 1stbet.com Handicapper & Analyst

Specifically designed for the rolling exotic player, Jeff Siegel’s Daily Santa Anita Handicapping Analysis, Wagering Strategies, and Workout Commentary identify those horses that should be included in daily doubles, pick-3s, pick-4s, pick-5s, and the pick-6.
*
For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing.
*
Grade Descriptions:
Grade A=Highest degree of confidence
Grade B=Solid Play.
Grade C=Least preferred or pass
Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play

__________________________________________________ ____________________________
RACE 1: Post: 1:30 PT Grade: B-
Main ticket (in order of preference): 1-Dreaming of Hope; 9-Asian Monarch
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 10-Little Lady Lou

Forecast: Maiden $50,000 claiming juvenile fillies compete in an abbreviated main track sprint in the Saturday opener, a challenging affair that contains nothing but lightly raced runners and first time starters. Dreaming of Hope, scratched out of a straight maiden turf sprint yesterday in lieu of this clearly easier spot, shows a healthy series of workouts for trainer John Sadler and lands top rider Juan Hernandez, so at 3-1 on the morning line she’s a logical contender. She’ll need to break well from the rail to have her best chance (full discloser; this handicapper is part owner of Dreaming of Hope). Asian Monarch has the benefit of two prior outings, her debut in a maiden $80,000 (a solid third place effort with a reasonable speed figure) before finishing far back in a hot, highly rated straight maiden affair in which she stumbled at the start, trailed early, and was always far back. A repeat of her first race makes her the most dangerous of the known element.

*

RACE 2: Post: 1:59 PT Grade: C
Main ticket: (in order of preference): 2-Mango Moon; 12-Barbera; 9-Queen P
Backups/savers: none.

Forecast: Here’s a messy affair for low level ($16,000) restricted (nw-2) $16,000 claiming fillies and mares that looks treacherous. Tread lightly or pass the race altogether. Mango Moon and Barbera finished a neck apart when second and third, respectively, in a similar affair last month and are the ones to beat if they can turn in two alike. ‘Moon removes blinkers (good handicapping angle) for the first time while switching to Edwin Maldonado, and with just three races on her resume she may have more room for improvement than Barbera, who’s had seven previous starts but has hit the board in all but one of those outings. They’re hard to separate but neither is a slam dunk, as both show speed figures that are considerably lower than par for the level. Stranger danger at 12-1 on the morning line is the recent Los Alamitos mixed breed maiden winner Queen P., who on paper could easily be the quickest in the field.

*

RACE 3: Post: 2:29 PT Grade: B
Main ticket (in order of preference): 3-Naida; 9-Tobacco Honey; 2-Stop Digging
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 5-Madison Rae.

Forecast: Naida has trained like a ready-to-win type, displaying decent gate speed in a pair of recent drills to indicate she is a cut above the norm in this maiden state-bred juvenile filly sprint. She gets in light, and in a race that is likely to have nine newcomers and just one prior starter the daughter of He Be Fire N Nice appears capable of winning at first asking. We have no video on Tobacco Honey and the barn rarely wins with newcomers, but the workout times look decent so maybe this daughter of Prospect Park can run a little. The same can be said for Stop Digging, who has been given a strong foundation to be fit and ready, at the very least. Toss her in.

*

RACE 4: Post: 2:59 PT Grade: A-
Main ticket: (in order of preference): 5-Slider
Backups/savers: none.

Forecast: Slider ran too good to lose in his debut and unless there is something in here as good as the colt who ran him down, Heartland (highly doubtful), the son of Jimmy Creed should earn his diploma in this abbreviated dash for juvenile colts. Based on the powerful speed figure that he earned, the John Sadler-trained colt should leave shorter than his 9/5 morning line while serving as a logical rolling exotic single.

*

RACE 5: Post: 3:29 PT Grade: B+
Main ticket (in order of preference): 9-Loterie; Angioletta; 1-Flattery.
Backups/Savers/Underneath: none.

Forecast: European imports Angioletta and Loterie finished one-two in a maiden race over this course and distance in late July and both displayed considerable promise in doing so. Though she finished behind her rival in that race, Loterie may have been a tad more impressive as she had to overcome a very slow start and traffic at the head of the lane to rally strongly while a bit green and altering her path in the upper lane. Both have every right to step forward considerably with that experience behind them. Then there’s Flattery, who produced an impressive turn of foot to graduate under these conditions in her debut last month despite being given what appeared to be far too much to do from the head of the lane to the wire. Hopefully, she’ll be closer to the pace today from her favorable inside. These are the three main players in this year’s edition of the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf, and each should be included in rolling exotic play.

*

RACE 6: Post: 3:59 PT Grade: B-
Main ticket: (in order of preference): 5-Colt Fiction; 2-Paco’s Pico
Backups/savers: 8-Oil Can Knight; 10-Wyfire.

Forecast: Colt Fiction was overmatched when raised from $20,000 to $40,000 following a win and a claim but he’s back to reality today and can regain his winning form with a repeat of his race before last over this track and distance. The Simon Callaghan-trained gelding retains “win rider” Edwin Maldonado and should find himself in a pace forcing/pressing early position and then have his chance from there. Paco’s Pico was also well beaten in the same race ‘Fiction exits and he, too, should appreciate this much softer assignment. He had speed figures from Florida earlier this year that fit nicely at this level and always has been a genuine and consistent type (first or second in seven of 13 career starts) when properly spotted.

*

RACE 7: Post: 4:39 PT Grade: C+
Main ticket (in order of preference): 4-Closing Remarks; 5-Neige Blanche
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 6-Turnerloose.

Forecast: This bunch takes turns, so we’ll concede our confidence level is low in this year’s edition of the John C. Mabee Stakes-G2 over nine furlongs on grass. Closing Remarks won the Yellow Ribbons H.-G3 over a slightly shorter trip last month but this distance is well within her range, so if she can turn in two alike the California-bred daughter of Vronsky can score again. The thoroughly admirable Neige Blanche has captured 10 of 23 races during her career, including a pair over the Del Mar turf course, so while the French-bred mare was a beaten choice last time when a no-excuse third in a mini-marathon affair the Leonard Powell-trained import certainly is capable of bouncing back with a winning try today.

*

RACE 8: Post: 4:59 PT Grade: B-
Main ticket: (in order of preference): 13-Houndstooth; Mr. Disrespectful
Backups/savers: 8-Midnight Fury.

Forecast: Houndstooth exits a fast, highly rated $40,000 claiming affair in which he wound up a decent third and today shows up in a softer assignment in this starters allowance sprint for older horses. He’s comfortably drawn outside and likely will settle in the second flight and have dead aim from there. Mr. Disrespectful was visually impressive beating a state-bred maiden field in early August while earning a career top speed figure but was subsequently scratched out of a first level allowance sprint August 26 and then didn’t work for five days. In fact, he has recorded only that one drill (4f, :50h) at Los Alamitos in the 34 days since his win. We’re not sure what’s up, but the pattern isn’t a healthy one. Nonetheless, we’ll toss him in.

*

RACE 9: Post: 5:29 PT Grade: B
Main ticket (in order of preference): 2-Seal Team; 7-Aligato.
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 3-Seven Wonders; 13-Lure Him In

Forecast: Seal Team returned off a nine month layoff to record an authoritative nine furlong maiden win last month and did so like a colt with a future. The son of War Front capitalized on a good stalking trip before quickening when produced entering the lane, and the result was what trainer Richard Mandella was hoping for. With a forward move likely, this homebred sophomore ridgling can handle this raise in class. Aligato, freshened since the spring, returns with a healthy series of workouts at San Luis Rey Downs for trainer Mark Glatt (solid stats with layoff runners) and his numbers earlier this year make him the one to fear most. He is reunited with “win rider” Juan Capistrano and should draft into a second flight position and then have dead aim from the quarter pole home.

*

RACE 10: Post: 5:59 PT Grade: A-
Main ticket: (in order of preference): 9-Tamara
Backups/savers: 7-Dreamfyre; 13-Laurent.

Forecast: Tamara overcame a brutal trip in her debut to win like the future star she was bred to be. The daughter of Bolt d’Oro from the magnificent race mare Beholder stumbled at the start, raced in traffic while steadying repeatedly along the rail to the head of the lane, angled out for room and quickened smoothly to graduate going away with a strong speed figure but one that really doesn’t do her justice. In today’s Del Mar Debutante, the Richard Mandella-trained juvenile gets a much better draw and an extra half furlong to work with, so we’re expecting her to step forward big time and verify the highly favorable impression she made last month. At 7/2 on the morning line, she’s a win play and rolling exotic single.

*

RACE 11: Post: 6:29 PT Grade: B+
Main ticket (in order of preference): 8-Chay’s Tornado; 1-Sea of Cortez; 4-Autoline
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 6-Spycatcher.

Forecast: Chay’s Tornado ran very well in a similar two-turn grass event for older maidens last month when going down by just a half-length to Watsonville, who franked the form by winning right back on the raise. The Bob Baffert-trained son of Arrogate almost certainly will produce a forward move today at 4-1 on the morning line and offers good value in the various rolling exotics. Sea of Cortez ran a winning race in his debut when going down by neck in a 14-runner affair over the all-weather, left handed track at Dundalk in Ireland in his debut last November. He trained well last winter at Santa Anita before having to be stopped on and finally makes his U.S. debut for trainer Phil D’Amato in this one mile turf event for older maidens. At 5/2 on the morning line, he’s a logical contender. Another Europe import, the John Sadler-trained Autoline, is a good mover from Ireland with strong (for this level) Timeform Ratings and looks like a live item at 12-1 on the morning. He’s a first time Lasix user than almost certainly is better than his first two races (both fourth place finishes) give him credit for.

*

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:28 AM

Al Cimaglia: Yonkers Raceway Late Pick 4 Analysis

September 9, 2023 | By Al Cimaglia
It is International Trot Day at Yonkers Raceway. The card is loaded with New York Sire Stakes Finals and other big money stakes. The International Trot goes in Race 7 and has a field of 10 battling for a share of a $1,000,000 purse. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 8, and the sequence will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 8 (3:10 PM EST)

1-Dame (6-1)-Not sure this filly can beat the program favorite, but Gingras should have her blasting out and could land in the pocket. Led from gate to wire last time, albeit against lesser but that type of plan hasn't been in the play book. Should be a solid price and if the chalk gets roughed up this filly could benefit the most.
7-Earthwindfire (2-1)-This should be the winner unless the trip is bumpy. Suffered her only loss in the last start versus a 1-9 shot at Tioga who got on the engine and won easily after a 29.4 second quarter. There is no embarrassment in losing to Twin B Joe Fresh, and there isn't a horse that caliber to worry about this time.

Race 9 (3:35 PM EST)

3-Royal Filly (5/2)-The Tony Alagna pupil is having a very nice year posting 5 wins in 12 starts and things have clicked after going 0-7 in 2022. My thinking is the money will show on the one below, and this gal will offer better value in what appears to be a 2-horse race.
5-Instagram Model (2-1)-There were high expectation for this $350,000 yearling purchase. May have fallen short of lofty expectations but has banked over $386,000 in 16 starts. Should add to that total and could cash the biggest check but did lose to #3 in the first start this year.

Race 10 (4:00 PM EST)

2-Leonidas A (20-1)-This veteran has a giant heart and usually doesn't get the respect it should. If the opening half is sizzling, that makes for an interesting finish as this 8-year-old likes to hunt down a target. Will respect chances of getting a hot pace and will use to get some pop in the gimmicks.
3-Allywag Hanover (9/2)-Usually works on the bigger ovals but has good gate speed and should be forwardly placed. Looks like a player if the turns aren't an issue and could offer a fair price. Has had trouble late in miles in some starts and maybe the shorter stretch will help chances.
6-Bythemissal (2-1)-Comes off an upset in the Canadian Derby but lost by only a neck to a super sharp Tattoo Artist. If this race was at an Ohio track she may have been a single on my ticket. The Burke entry is the one to beat but hasn't raced at Yonkers and can't completely trust in a deep field.

Race 11 (4:25 PM EST)

1-Thunder Hunter Joe (5/2)-Winner of 2 in row has the gate speed to protect the rail and shouldn't be worse than 2nd around the first turn. Has not missed the board in 3 races here and has posted 1 win. Using and trying to beat the program chalk #5.
2-Metal Man (5/2)-This is a nice 3-year-old who tries hard and has won 4 of 5 at Yonkers. Should get a decent early seat and may look to make a move before the half to get on the point. Could be tough to collar if gets a smooth trip.
6-Goldin Greatness (5-1)-If the fractions are hot, which should be the case, Bartlett could have the Ryder trainee in striking range. Needs the right trip from this post but best to not overlook because the price should be worth the risk.

$1.00 Late Pick 4

1,7/3,5/2,3,6/1,2,6
Total Bet=$36

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:29 AM

Jeremy Plonk: Kentucky Downs Today | Saturday, September 9, 2023

September 8, 2023 | By Jeremy Plonk
First Post:
12:30 pm ET

Extra Juice:

$10 Money-Back Special on all races. Up to $10 back if your win bet finishes 2nd, 3rd when you play with Xpressbet or 1/ST BET

Featured Races:

Race 3 – $1 million Ladies Marathon
Race 8 – $1 million Franklin-Simpson Stakes
Race 9 – $1 million Ladies Turf
Race 10 – $1 million Turf Sprint
Race 11 – $1 million Ladies Turf Sprint
Race 12 – $1.7 million Kentucky Turf Cup

Betmix Stat of the Day:

With three turf sprint stakes on the card, note that 23 turf sprint stakes have been held at the track since 2019 with just 5 winning favorites (22%) and an average winner at 7-1 odds. Notable turf sprint stakes-winning trainers include Rusty Arnold (3-8), Brendan Walsh (3-11) and Brian Lynch (2-5). Tyler Gaffalione leads the turf sprint stakes jockeys (6-26, 23%).

Jeremy’s Best Bets:

Race 9 (5:16 pm ET)
#5 Henrietta Topham (12-1 ML)

A close-up fourth in this race last year at 12-1 odds vs. what appears to be a much stronger race overall than this year’s lineup. Legitimate excuses in her last two – terribly slow pace at Indianapolis and traffic issues at Ellis – bring you back to her win at Churchill over White Forest, who is the 8-5 morning line favorite Saturday. Take the value and solid prior run over this tricky course.

//

Race 10 (5:54 pm ET)
#12 Dr Zempf (6-1 ML)

In a race absolutely loaded with early speed, counting on the finishers to get the final say. Fourth in Jaipur was stronger than it looks chasing Caravel, Big Invasion and Casa Creed, any of which would be favored in this spot. This was a legitimate Group 1 sprinter in Europe and should be perfectly suited for Kentucky Downs’ sprint trip.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:30 AM

Jon White: Early Breeders' Cup Classic Odds

September 6, 2023 | By Jon White
With such key races as the Travers Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup and Pacific Classic in the rearview mirror, this seems a good time for yours truly to formulate early odds for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The BC Classic, America’s richest race, will be contested at 1 1/4 miles on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

This is going to be the eighth time I have the honor -- and pretty much thankless task -- of setting the morning line odds for the Breeders’ Cup races.

Making the morning lines for all 14 Breeders’ Cup contests is challenging, to say the least. Some of these races are downright inscrutably competitive, so much so that it’s extremely difficult to try and forecast who will be the wagering favorite.

I think one of the most important functions in making a morning line is to have the right favorite. A great many horseplayers want to know who the probable favorite is going to be because that is the horse that they want to bet against in order to get wagering value.

When I made the morning lines for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar, the horse I made the favorite on the morning line did go off as the favorite in 11 of the 14 races.

Two of the three horses I did make the favorite on the morning line but were not sent away as the betting favorite at that 2021 Breeders’ Cup ended up winning -- Pizza Bianca in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Knicks Go in the Classic.

Of course, with about two months to go, we do not know for sure who is going to be in the BC Classic field. For example, just a few days ago we lost a prospective entrant in Disarm, who finished a strong second in Saratoga’s Grade I Travers Stakes on Aug. 26.

Last Saturday (Sept. 2), Daily Racing Form’s David Grening reported that Hall of Fame trainer Steve Assmusen said Disarm “will not race again this year.”

According to Asmussen, Disarm came out of the Travers “pretty jammed up.” Consequently, the Gun Runner colt has been sent to Dr. Larry Bramlage at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky for further evaluation.

Earlier this year, Disarm ran fourth in the Grade I Kentucky Derby. He went on to win the Grade III Matt Winn Stakes and finish fourth in the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes prior to the Travers.

LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC RANKINGS

Arcangelo, winner of the Grade I Belmont Stakes and Grade I Travers Stakes, sits atop this week’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings.

The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings are determined by a panel of voters comprised of members of the Breeders’ Cup Racing/Secretaries Panel, international racing and sports media, plus racing analysts.

The rankings will be updated weekly through Oct. 10.

The Top 10 this week’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Rankings is below:

Rank Points Horse (First-Place Votes)

1. 200 Arcangelo (14)
2. 157 Geaux Rocket Ride (1)
3. 147 Arabian Knight (1)
4. 142 White Abarrio (1)
5. 114 Forte (1)
6. 76 Proxy
7. 67 Bright Future
8. 43 Zandon
9. 38 Mage
10. 36 Ushba Tesoro (2)

MY EARLY BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC ODDS

At this time, I have Arcangelo as the BC Classic favorite at 3-1. The son of Arrogate has rattled off four straight wins, starting with a maiden race in March and followed by the Grade III Peter Pan Stakes in May, Grade I Belmont Stakes in June and Travers in August.

Arcangelo emulated his sire by taking the Travers. Arcangelo will attempt to again follow in his sire’s footsteps by becoming a BC Classic winner. Jena Antonucci has done nothing less than a marvelous training job with Arcangelo.

The score between Arabian Knight and Geaux Rocket Ride is 1-1. When Geaux Rocket Ride won the Grade I Haskell at odds of 12-1, Arabian Knight was the favorite at slightly more than even money despite coming off a long layoff.

With the Haskell under Arabian Knight’s belt, he won Del Mar’s Grade I Pacific Classic last Saturday while turning the tables on Geaux Rocket Ride.

Inasmuch as only a neck separated Arabian Knght and Geaux Rocket Ride at the finish of the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic, I think it’s appropriate to have them at the same price in the 1 1/4-mile BC Classic. I currently have them each pegged at 4-1.

White Abarrio had a sharp four-furlong workout in :47.25 on Wednesday (Sept. 6) at Belmont Park.

I have White Abarrio with the lowest BC Classic odds among the older horses. I consider him to be kind of a tricky horse to try and forecast just how much play he is going to get in the betting.

On the one hand, there seem to be a lot of skeptics as to whether White Abarrio is going to run another biggie after his impressive 6 1/4-length victory in the Grade I Whitney Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. On the other hand, a high Beyer Speed Figure tends to drive a horse’s odds down. White Abarrio will be going into the BC Classic off a 110 Beyer in the Whitney.

At this time, I have White Abarrio at 5-1.

The points in this week’s BC Classic rankings go hand-in-hand with how I currently see the likely betting for the race in that after Arcangelo’s 200 points, Geaux Rocket Ride’s 157, Arabian Knight’s 147 and White Abarrio’s 142, there then is a bit off a drop off to Forte’s 114.

I have Forte at 8-1. I expect his odds to rise after he ran fourth in the Travers. But how much will his price go up? Considering how heavily Forte has been bet this year, I’m reluctant to make him any bigger than 8-1 at this point.

Remember, Forte has been the favorite in each of his five starts this year, going off at 1-2, 1-5, 2-1, 3-5 and 8-5.

Below are my early odds for each horse on the Top 10 in this week’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Rankings:

Odds Horse (Position in This Week’s BC Classic Rankings)

3-1 Arcangelo (1)
4-1 Geaux Rocket Ride (2)
4-1 Arabian Knight (3)
5-1 White Abarrio (4)
8-1 Forte (5)
12-1 Proxy (6)
12-1 Bright Future (7)
15-1 Zandon (8)
15-1 Mage (9)
15-1 Ushba Tesora (10)

ARABIAN KNIGHT MAKES HISTORY IN PACIFIC CLASSIC

The Pacific Classic was first run in 1991. When the great Flightline won the 2022 renewal, he did so while having made the fewest previous career starts of any winner in the race’s history. Flightline had started only four times prior to winning the Pacific Classic.

When Arabian Knight won this year’s Pacific Classic, he went Flightline one fewer. Arabian Knight had raced just a total of three times before his victory last Saturday.

For Hall of Famer Bob Baffert to win the Pacific Classic with such a lightly raced colt in Arabian Knight is yet another example of Baffert’s training prowess.

Baffert increased his record total of Pacific Classic victories to seven. He has won this race with General Challenge in 1999, Richard’s Kid in 2009 and 2010, Game On Dude in 2013, Collected in 2017, Maximum Security in 2020 and Arabian Knight this year.

By the way, Flightline did win his Pacific Classic in much faster time than Arabian Knight.

When Flightline won the Pacific Classic by a record-smashing 19 1/4 lengths, he ran 1 1/4 miles in 1:59.28 or 1:59 1/5 in fifths. To put that 1:59 1/5 clocking into perspective, Secretariat’s final time when he won the 1973 Kentucky Derby was 1:59 2/5, a track record that still stands.

Arabian Knight’s final time in the Pacific Classic was 2:03.19 or 2:03 flat in fifths.

Flightline’s Pacific Classic time was a whopping 3 4/5 seconds faster than Arabian Knight’s. The longtime rule of thumb is that a fifth of a second equates to a length, which means Flightline would have defeated Arabian Knight by 19 lengths.

Baffert trained Country Grammer, who finished second, 19 1/4 lengths behind Flightline, in the 2022 Pacific Classic. Baffert quipped after the race that Flightline was so far in front at the finish that Country Grammer thought he won the race.

There also is a huge disparity in terms of Beyers for Flightline and Arabian Knight in the Pacific Classic.

Flightline posted a gigantic 122 Beyer Speed Figure for his Pacific Classic tour de force.

For Arabian Knight’s Pacific Classic victory, he received a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. This is his first triple-digit Beyer. Arabian Knight previously had recorded Beyers of 97 for his maiden win, 96 for his Grade III Southwest Stakes victory and 95 for his third in the Haskell.

Below are the Beyer Speed Figures for the winners of the Pacific Classic going back to the first running in 1991:

2023 Arabian Knight (101)
2022 Flightline (126)
2021 Tripoli (104)
2020 Maximum Security (107)
2019 Higher Power (107)
2018 Accelerate (115)
2017 Collected (115)
2016 California Chrome (113)
2015 Beholder (114)
2014 Shared Belief (115) synthetic footing
2013 Game On Dude (113) synthetic footing
2012 Dullahan (111) synthetic footing
2011 Acclamation (105) synthetic footing
2010 Richard’s Kid (96) synthetic footing
2009 Richard’s Kid (107) synthetic footing
2008 Go Between (104) synthetic footing
2007 Student Council (99) synthetic footing
2006 Lava Man (109)
2005 Borrego (113)
2004 Pleasantly Perfect (112)
2003 Candy Ride (123)
2002 Came Home (116)
2001 Skimming (119)
2000 Skimming (118)
1999 General Challenge (119)
1998 Free House (117)
1997 Gentlemen (121)
1996 Dare and Go (116)
1995 Tinners Way (112)
1994 Tinners Way (111)
1993 Bertrando (117)
1992 Missionary Ridge (110)
1991 Best Pal (118)

SUPER DERBY IS FAR FROM “SUPER”

Louisiana Downs resurrected the Super Derby this year after a three-year hiatus. This really rubs me the wrong way.

Look, it’s perfectly fine for Louisiana Downs to have a $200,000 stakes race for 3-year-olds. It just should have a different name. This race bears absolutely no resemblance to the “real” Super Derby of the 1980s and 1990s.

I was a writer for the Daily Racing Form at Louisiana Downs in 1980. Track management, led by general manager Vincent Bartimo, boldly put up a large sum of money and worked very hard to get the Super Derby off the ground and establish it as one of the nation’s most important stakes races for 3-year-olds.

In fact, when I spoke with Bartimo in his office prior to the start of the 1980 Louisiana Downs meet and he let the cat out of the bag that the Super Derby was in the works, he clearly was worried such a daring endeavor might turn out to be a colossal flop.

“It’s not yet a done deal, but we are close to announcing that we are going to have a new race in October for 3-year-olds, scale weight, by invitation, at a mile and a quarter on the main track,” Bartimo said. “It’ll be called the Super Derby. The purse will be $500,000. You have worked at tracks all over the country. I’d like to know if you think we’ll be laughed out of racing.”

I was stunned that Louisiana Downs was planning to have a new race with such a lucrative purse.

“No, I don’t think you will be laughed out of racing,” I said. “But you know what? Louisiana Downs deserves a lot of credit for thinking so big. If this doesn’t work, you just don’t run it again next year. But at least you tried. I honestly don’t think enough people in racing are willing to try doing something like this.”

That $500,000 purse for the first Super Derby made it THE RICHEST 3-YEAR-OLD RACE IN THE WORLD AT THAT TIME.

The purse for the 1980 Kentucky Derby was $346,800. The Preakness purse that year was $250,600. The Belmont Stakes in 1980 was worth $293,700.

The 1980 Super Derby actually was the second-richest Thoroughbred race in America. The five richest Thoroughbred stakes races in America in 1980 are listed below:

$549,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (3-year-olds and up at Belmont Park)
$500,000 Super Derby (3-year-olds at Louisiana Downs)
$427,975 Arlington-Washington Futurity (2-year-olds at Arlington Park)
$400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (3-year-olds and up at Hollywood Park)
$350,000 Santa Anita Handicap (3-year-olds and up at Santa Anita)

The first Super Derby was run one year before the Arlington Million became the first $1 million Thoroughbred race in history.

A $500,000 Super Derby purse in 1980 would be equivalent to more than $1.8 million today when adjusted for inflation.

Again when adjusted for inflation, making the Super Derby a $200,000 race in 2023 is roughly equivalent to making the first Super Derby in 1980 a $50,000 race.

Temperence Hill and Eddie Maple (who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009) helped make the first Super Derby a rousing success when they won the race for John Ed Anthony’s Loblolly Stable and trainer Joe Cantey.

“Racing through the drizzling weather and gathering dusk with the power and grace of a champion, Loblolly Stable’s Temperence Hill rolled to an emphatic triumph in the new $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Oct. 18,” I wrote in my Daily Racing Form recap.

“As a result of his 5 1/2-length victory in the 1 1/4-mile event, Temperence Hill became the sport’s latest millionaire. Additionally, thanks to the $300,000 he received for his Super Derby score, the strapping bay colt boosted his 1980 earnings to $1,130,452, catapulting him past the recently retired Spectacular Bid as this season’s leading money winner.

“It is clear that Temperence Hill knows how to win when it counts the most. In the span of just 15 days, he captured the two richest races offered in this country this year. Prior to the Super Derby, he humbled his elders in the $549,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. Temperence Hill also boasts wins in the prestigious Travers and Belmont Stakes, plus Oaklawn Park’s Arkansas Derby and Rebel Handicap.

“On Jan. 1, 1980, Temperence Hill was still a maiden. Now, some 11 months later, the colt has such an impressive record that he looms a solid favorite to nab an Eclipse Award as the best 3-year-old colt or gelding. Without a doubt, his meteoric rise to stardom is one of the highlights of the 1980 racing season.”

Temperence Hill was indeed voted a 1980 Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male.

Also contributing to the success of the inaugural Super Derby was the presence of two giants in Thoroughbred racing, Hall of Fame trainer Laz Barrera and Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker. Barrera trained runner-up First Albert. Shoemaker rode Cactus Road, who finished third.

The Super Derby was one of the most important events of the year in the entire nation for its first two decades or so. The next six winners of this race after Temperence Hill were Island Whirl, Reinvested, Sunny’s Halo (a Kentucky Derby winner), Gate Dancer (a Preakness Stakes winner) and Cr�me Fraiche (a Belmont Stakes winner).

In 1987, future Hall of Famer Alysheba won the Super Derby for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. Alysheba went on to be the Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old male of 1987. In 1988, Alysheba was voted Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year and champion older male.

In 1989, another future Hall of Famer, Sunday Silence, won the Super Derby for Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham. Sunday Silence used the Super Derby as a springboard to his victory over Easy Goer in the BC Classic at Gulfstream Park. Sunday Silence was voted 1989 Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male.

The Super Derby was still an important race on the national calendar when yet another future Hall of Famer, Tiznow, won it in 2000 for trainer Jay Robbins. Tiznow subsequently won the BC Classic in 2000 and was voted Eclipse Awards that year as Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male. Tiznow won another BC Classic in 2001 en route to an Eclipse Award as champion older male. He remains the only two-time winner of the BC Classic.

Congratulations to Big Data, owner Petal Power Racing Stable, trainer Michael Lerman and jockey Emisael Jaramillo for their victory in the 1 1/8-mile Super Derby last Saturday. The Cloud Computing colt previously had raced exclusively at Gulfstream Park, winning two of seven starts.

While Temperence Hill won the first Super Derby when coming off a victory in the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup over no less a foe than the legendary John Henry, Big Data went into this year’s Super Derby without having even run in a stakes race.

Temperence Hill’s Super Derby victory came in a race that had significance nationally, unlike Big Data’s Super Derby win. The 1980 Super Derby and the 2023 Super Derby are about as much alike as apples and oranges.

According to Daily Racing Form’s Mary Rampellini, Big Data has returned to Florida. Lerman has three races under consideration for Big Data’s next start. They are the Grade I Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 23 at Parx Racing, the Grade III Oklahoma Derby on Sept. 24 at Remington Park and the Bourbon Trail Stakes on Sept. 23 at Churchill Downs.

How un-super is the Super Derby with its $200,000 purse? All three races under consideration for Big Data’s next start have a bigger purse than this year’s Super Derby.

The Pennsylvania Derby, a $1 million race, essentially has taken the place of the Super Derby on the national scene. The $400,000 Oklahoma Derby has a purse twice as large as the Super Derby. Even the $300,000 Bourbon Trail Stakes has a bigger purse than the Super Derby.

Lerman is leaning toward the Bourbon Trail.

“The one I like the most at the moment is the ungraded race at a mile and three-sixteenths,” Lerman said, referencing the Bourbon Trail. “I’d rather take incremental baby steps with him, not throw him to the wolves.”

Lerman certainly didn’t throw Big Data to the wolves in the Super Derby, which didn’t have anyone in it remotely close to a Temperence Hill, an Alysheba, a Sunday Silence or a Tiznow.

If present management at Louisiana Downs really wants to reinstitute the Super Derby as it was originally intended, they should come up with a purse this year considerably larger than $200,000. Its purse should be at least the same as the $1 million that’s up for grabs in the Pennsylvania Derby.

If Louisiana Downs ever gets serious and ponies up a seven-figure purse, I then -- and only then -- will not have a problem with the name Super Derby being used.

TURF PUBLICIST-WRITER STEVE SCHUELEIN PASSES AWAY

It was with sadness I learned that retired turf publicist and writer Steve Schuelein died on Aug. 29 at his longtime home in Playa Del Rey, Calif. He was 77.

Born in New York City, Schuelein moved to Southern California in 1982 after earning

I knew Steve well. In the 1980s, while I was on the beat at the Southern California tracks as a reporter and columnist, he wrote the stable notes at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar. Our paths crossed often. I can attest that he did a first-rate job.

In addition to his publicity work, Steve wrote for numerous Thoroughbred racing publications, such as the Daily Racing Form, the Thoroughbred Times (as did I), The Thoroughbred of California magazine, Trainer magazine and harness racing magazines. He retired in the early 2010s.

Steve and I were regulars at a weekly Tuesday afternoon basketball game in the 1980s played on a court in a church near Santa Anita. George Hicker, who to this day is a Thoroughbred owner in Southern California, showed up at our game out of the blue one day. Hicker threw a perfect pass to Steve as he was heading to the basket. The pass literally hit Steve right between the eyes and broke his glasses.

To Steve’s credit, after his glasses were broken, he kept right on playing.

After I hit a few shots from the outside, Hicker said, “Okay, I will guard him.” After hearing that, I told my teammates, “Well, I am NOT guarding him.”

I realized Hicker was way too good for me to try and guard.

When I got home, I had absolutely no energy. My wife took one look at me and asked, “Why are you so exhausted?”

“A new guy showed up at basketball today,” I said. “It took everything I had to try and score when he was guarding me. I don’t know who he is. But I can tell you that he plays basketball on a higher level than I do. He’s really good.”

Just then the phone rang. It was Steve Schuelein.

“Do you know who that new guy who showed up for basketball today is?” Steve asked.

“No, I don’t. I was just telling my wife about him.”

“Well, he was a really good college player,” Steve said. “He played with Dave Bing at Syracuse.”

Sure enough, Hicker played alongside future NBA all-star and basketball Hall of Famer Dave Bing. In fact, when Hicker ended his college basketball career, he was the fourth-leading scorer in the school’s history at the time with 1,245 points.

“I knew it,” I told my wife. “I knew that guy who showed up out of the blue today was a much better basketball player than I’ve ever been.”

Another Steve Schuelein memory I have is joining him to watch the track and field competition at the 1984 Olympic Games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Steve had an extra ticket and asked me to go. He didn’t have to ask twice. What a fun day that was.

Carl Lewis won four gold medals in track and field for the U.S. team at those Olympics to equal the famous performance of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics in Germany.

Another highlight for us at the 1984 Olympics was watching Edwin Moses win the gold medal for the U.S. team in the 400-meter hurdles eight years after winning that event in 1976.

Thanks for the memories, Steve.

TWO DAYS OF RACING I WILL NEVER FORGET

It was during Labor Day weekend 50 years ago that I had two of my most enjoyable days at the races.

On Sept. 2 at Playfair Race Course in my hometown of Spokane, Wash., I bet various amounts on the winner in seven of the 10 races on the card. Those seven winning wagers are listed below:

King of the Ring ($5.50 win mutuel) in the second race.
Fran’s Double ($4.30) in the third race.
Dynamite Don ($4.70) in the fourth race.
Rol’s Fargo ($8.00) in the fifth race.
Force Play ($13.70) in the seventh race.
Kid Lightning ($4.80) in the eighth race.
T.O. Venture ($4.20) in the ninth race.

Force Play was owned and trained by Ron Glatt, father of current successful Southern California trainer Mark Glatt.

On Sept. 3, which was Labor Day, I drove the 276 miles from my home to Longacres near Seattle. I again bet various amounts on the winner in seven of the 10 races on that card. Those seven winning wagers are listed below:

Sweet Linus ($9.00) in the first race.
Dauntful ($6.80) in the third race.
Santarem ($2.70) in the fourth race.
Computer Age ($6.20) in the sixth race.
Power Reigh ($5.40) in the seventh race.
The Ruler Flirts ($12.10) in the eighth race.
Table Run ($3.20) in the ninth race (the Seattle Handicap)

Apprentice Frank Best rode Sweet Linus and The Ruler Flirts.

Best passed away earlier this year on July 17 in Kentucky. He was 68. Best was in Kentucky while working for trainer Grant Forster. Forster won this year’s Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs with Five Star General.

In 1980, Best won the Longacres Derby (now the Muckleshoot Derby) aboard Pappy. From 1996 through 1998, Best rode at Emerald Downs. His final race as a jockey came at Philadelphia Park on Nov. 27, 1999. His final winner came on Westoff in a maiden special weight race at Prairie Meadows the previous September.

TOP 10 IN THIS WEEK’S NTRA TOP THOROUGHBRED POLL

Sophomore stars Arabian Knight and Geaux Rocket Ride, who ran one-two in the Pacific Classic last Saturday, are newcomers on the Top 10 of this week’s NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll.

Arabian Knight is No. 7. Geaux Rocket Ride is No. 9.

Below is the Top 10 in this week’s NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll:

Rank Points Horse (First-Place Votes)

1. 257 Arcangelo (18)
2. 251 Cody’s Wish (8)
3. 201 Elite Power (1)
4. 179 Echo Zulu (2)
5. 158 White Abarrio (2)
6. 143 Gunite
7. 131 Arabian Knight
8. 88 Up to the Mark (1)
9. 68 Geaux Rocket Ride
10. 58 Casa Creed

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:30 AM

Brian W. Spencer's Daily Picks

Del Mar - Race #7

#6 Turnerloose	She was just a touch flat late when racing off the bench last time out, but she has always had a little potential and probably has room to step forward today in the second start off the layoff.
#4 Closing Remarks	She has a claim on this one right back after scoring here with a cozy inside trip last month, but she doesn't always back up her better efforts and might not find quite as dreamy a trip today. Obvious player.
#1 Paris Peacock	She might be able to grind along late to stick around for a piece of this and might get a decent enough trip while right up near the top in a spot without a ton of pace.
Race Summary	Turnerloose should be in a pretty decent spot while tracking the early splits, and she presumably has some upside with that last race under her belt.

Del Mar - Race #10

#8 Pushiness	She's getting a test here against a much tougher group of open players, but she has flashed some sharp pace and looked like a high-upside filly through her first two starts. She's meeting other pace today, so she'll have to work for it, but I think we'll get a bit more attractive price to take the shot today.
#9 Tamara	Beholder filly scored at first asking and showed some professionalism along the way while doing it. You've got three or four potentially committed pace and chasing players, and she might be sitting just behind them and watching it unfold.
#7 Dreamfyre	She's likely to show pace along with the top choice in a way that might turn out to be bad news for both of them, but she's got some obvious talent and probably hasn't been really pushed to fight yet.
Race Summary	#12 Gate to Paradise is another I'd want on the tickets with a sort of even run from the Shirreffs barn on debut that screams out for a step forward today. Interesting to see a couple of really flashy pace fillies line up in here, as they bring styles that become tougher to sustain as the juvenile season rolls on, but Pushiness gets the edge of those at what might be an ok price.

Del Mar - Race #11

#8 Chay's Tornado	Not much wrong with the effort back in July when trying two turns for the first time, and the winner that day was already back to win again since. Think any logical move forward in the third lifetime start would make him tough.
#6 Spycatcher	He is absolutely supposed to handle this field with Grade I and II placings on his page while still not having won a race, but he hasn't shown that final finishing instinct in the late yards, and I wonder if there's a chance that could happen again today even with this softer group.
#9 Dandy Man Shines	Late runner is another who has been in with stakes company -- without quite as much success as Spycatcher -- but he has also been landing those underneath pieces against winless runners of late. He's not going to surprise anyone if he wins this, but it's really easy to see him coming alive too late again.
Race Summary	Chay's Tornado should be able to keep tabs on the likely chalk in here, as they both have some positional pace to be up on the splits, and I think this has the potential to be a really good race that produces some capable allowance players in the near future -- haven't even mentioned the interesting form on #1 Sea of Cortez or #3 Calm Sea in a competitive race.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:30 AM

Frank Carulli's Daily Picks

Pimlico - Race #1

#2 STEP AHEAD (5-2)	Could prove just that as the light weight in the field off Farrior claim.
#3 NOT AS LUCKY AS (9-5)	DQ’d from maiden win, steadied and ran second in follow-up try.
#7 PERFECT PEACE (7-2)	Game second at 1-1/8 miles the last time he ran on the main track.
Race Summary	STEP AHEAD faded in the stretch after chasing the 5-to-2 pace setter in the same spot. He set the pace in his prior two starts and held second. Now he enters a sharp claim barn and gets in light-weighted. Bet to win and place.

Pimlico - Race #4

#6 STORMIN AMANDA (6-1)	Steadied, regrouped to finish third in a two-turn sprint at Timonium.
#7 JANE STREET (7-2)	Broke maiden for $20k two back, wears blinkers, sheds 5 pounds.
#1 RIDE THE RAPIDS (9-5)	Took money in seasonal debut, ran troubled third, draws the rail.
Race Summary	STORMIN AMANDA ‘came back on’ after she steadied off the leader near the half-mile marker and finished third on the class drop to this level. She’s one of many with a chance in here but is worth a win and place bet at 6-1 on the morning line.

Pimlico - Race #5

#3 INFINITE SERIES (6-1)	Wide rally off the claim, ran third to the favorites, steps up.
#8 SHERIFF RONNIE (5-2)	Bid 4-wide on turn, overhauled by 3-to-5 favorite, held second.
#5 AUSTIN FROM BOSTON (8-1)	Finished behind ‘Infinite’ after he was carried out in mid-stretch.
Race Summary	INFINITE SERIES ‘kept on well’ when finishing behind the two favorites at this distance last out. He was 7-wide in the stretch for his new connections, now takes a confident class hike. Play a 3-ALL exacta.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:31 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Hastings

PURCHASE

Hastings - Race 8	Exactor / Triactor / Superfecta / Super Hi-5
Claiming $4,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 67 • Purse: $11,000 • Post: 5:30P
(PLUS UP TO $5,500 THRIF) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE JANUARY 1 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE AUGUST 9 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE JULY 9 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000, FOR EACH $500 TO $3,000 2 LBS. BRITISH COLUMBIA BRED CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.

Contenders				Race Analysis
P#	Horse	Morn Line	Accept Odds	Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. DON'TPASSTHEPEPPER is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * DON'TPASSTHEPEPPER: Horse has a TrackMaster "B" designation. Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rating at least five point s lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. ANIMA: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the di stance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
4	DON'TPASSTHEPEPPER	6/1	5/2
8	ANIMA	6/1	6/1

P#	Horse (In Running Style Order)	Post	Morn Line	Running Style	Good Class	Good Speed	Early Figure	Finish Figure	Platinum Figure
4	DON'TPASSTHEPEPPER	4	6/1	Front-runner	82	75	94.8	70.4	66.9
5	BAKFIRE BABY	5	5/1	Front-runner	68	63	71.4	58.0	47.5
8	ANIMA	8	6/1	Alternator/Front-runner	69	67	77.0	64.8	58.3
1	ROSE OF TEXAS	1	3/1	Alternator/Front-runner	64	70	61.8	59.6	49.1
3	RACINO	3	9/2	Stalker	69	66	59.4	62.8	54.8
7	BAKZONE	7	12/1	Alternator/Stalker	69	63	58.2	57.0	46.0
6	WALKINTHEWALK	6	10/1	Trailer	70	61	41.6	61.0	53.0
9	TEXAS HUMOR	9	5/1	Alternator/Trailer	74	61	58.6	62.0	52.0
2	STORM CRUISER	2	15/1	Alternator/Non-contender	69	58	33.1	36.0	21.0

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:31 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for LethbridgePURCHASE

Lethbridge - Race 7	Exactor / Triactor / Superfecta
Allowance • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 58 • Purse: $6,900 • Post: 3:45P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES OR AB BREDS THAT HAVE NEVER WON FIVE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. (WINNERS OF 3 RACES AND AB BRED WINNERS OF 4 PREFERRED.).

Contenders				Race Analysis
P#	Horse	Morn Line	Accept Odds	Race Type: Lone Front-runner. MISS DIRECTED is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * SHOUT: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. CHICLE SPARKS: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. QUALITY PLUS: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. MISS DIRECTED: Jockey win percentage over the last 30 days is at least 18. LLYRA: Horse is dropping in class, has an inside post position and isn't a Trailer.
5	SHOUT	5/2	6/1
6	CHICLE SPARKS	5/1	7/1
8	QUALITY PLUS	9/2	7/1
7	MISS DIRECTED	12/1	7/1
4	LLYRA	3/1	9/1

P#	Horse (In Running Style Order)	Post	Morn Line	Running Style	Good Class	Good Speed	Early Figure	Finish Figure	Platinum Figure
7	MISS DIRECTED	7	12/1	Alternator/Front-runner	67	50	0.0	45.8	35.3
6	CHICLE SPARKS	6	5/1	Alternator/Stalker	63	51	0.0	51.2	46.2
5	SHOUT	5	5/2	Alternator/Stalker	62	58	0.0	50.4	40.4
4	LLYRA	4	3/1	Alternator/Stalker	61	48	0.0	46.0	38.0
8	QUALITY PLUS	8	9/2	Trailer	60	51	0.0	54.8	50.8
1	BACK INTHAT ACTION	1	15/1	Alternator/Non-contender	69	53	46.0	41.6	31.1
3	DANCING ZAZINGA	3	10/1	Alternator/Non-contender	65	46	0.0	42.8	34.3
2	ANN OF WAR	2	8/1	Alternator/Non-contender	55	35	0.0	41.0	29.0

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:31 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Woodbine

PURCHASE
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 7 - Maiden Special Weight - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $111600 Class Rating: 81

FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 121 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
	# 3 STOLEN VALOUR 15/1
# 10 LEGS LIKE FLATTER 12/1
# 5 MYSTIC LAKE 12/1

I think STOLEN VALOUR is a solid pick especially at a such a nice price. This young horse is worth consideration. TrackMaster shows formidable trainer stats with 2 year olds. Has very good speed figures and has to be considered for a bet for this event. Sharp conditioner with 2 year olds has given bettors good returns (+2 ROI) - very important in baby races. LEGS LIKE FLATTER - Carroll has a formidable winning percentage of 17 in juvenile races. Fits well here and the handler has terrific credentials with younger horses. Overall the speed figures of this racer look strong in this affair. MYSTIC LAKE - Decent bloodlines with one of the top 2 year old sires. Conner has recent return on investment figures which make this entrant a strong wager.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:32 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

PURCHASE

FanDuel Horse Racing - Race #3 - Post: 8:26pm - Maiden Special - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $22,000 Class Rating: 37

Rating:

#2 ITS MAMBO (ML=3/1)

ITS MAMBO - This gelding is in good condition, having run a strong race on Aug 26th, finishing third. Taking a trip to a lower level; has the capability to make his presence felt. Just look at his latest speed rating, 31. That one fits well in this field. This gelding is utmost in EPS (earnings per start). Check out this animal in the saddling enclosure.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 RA'DOM (ML=4/1), #6 SHEBA'S PAL (ML=5/1), #1 GRAYHOP (ML=6/1),

RA'DOM - In this type of situation, this vulnerable equine's inability to close ground in the last clash is a troubling signal. SHEBA'S PAL - In this situation, this steed's inability to make up ground in the last event is a cause for concern. Hasn't hit the board in any sprint events lately. Doubtful to see him doing it this time around either. GRAYHOP - Would have to advance off that fifth place finish last time out of the box to make an impact here.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:	#2 ITS MAMBO to win at post-time odds of 1/1 or better
EXACTA WAGERS:	Skip
TRIFECTA WAGERS:	None
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:	Skip

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:32 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Century Downs

PURCHASE
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 1 - Allowance - 770y on the Dirt. Purse: $15000 Class Rating: 69

QUARTER HORSE 770Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
	# 4 SS PINEAPPLE 3/5
# 3 PAPPIE DUE 7/2
# 1 BIG BOSS 9/2

SS PINEAPPLE has a decent shot to take this race. Strong choice to take this race going in a longer quarter horse. Bryan will probably be able to get this gelding to break out quickly in this competition. Could beat this group given the 69 speed rating posted in his last outing. PAPPIE DUE - Has strong Equibase Class Figures relative to this field - worth a look. He must be given a shot given the quite good speed figures. BIG BOSS - Ran a very strong last race.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:32 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

PURCHASE

Louisiana Downs - Race #1 - Post: 4:05pm - Maiden Special - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $27,000 Class Rating: 59

Rating:

#6 A THOUSAND DOLLARS (ML=5/2)

A THOUSAND DOLLARS - As the only speedy sort in the race, I expect this colt to be long gone. Guerrero is right back for another race today after riding on board this equine for the 1st time on Aug 5th and ought to know the ropes to this one a little better. He has the top earnings per race. Check out this horse. Trainer Wilson moves this animal down in the class scale to face a lower level today. Look for a strong performance given this drop. This colt registered a good rating of 52 in his last race. That fig should be good enough to triumph this time around.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 LOUDTHUNDRHEVYRAIN (ML=3/1), #3 HANDSOME HAROLD (ML=7/2), #4 NATIVE REQUITE (ML=6/1),

LOUDTHUNDRHEVYRAIN - When looking at today's Equibase class figure, he will have to register a better speed rating than last time around the track to be competitive in this dirt sprint. HANDSOME HAROLD - Today's event is 5 1/2 furlongs. Hasn't hit the board in a short distance affair in the last 60 days. Not the greatest of indicators. When looking at today's class figure, he will have to notch a better speed fig than last time around the track to vie in this dirt sprint. NATIVE REQUITE - This gelding hasn't had any on the board results in short distance events in the last two months.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:	Bet on #6 A THOUSAND DOLLARS to win if we can get at least 1/1 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:	None
TRIFECTA WAGERS:	Skip
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:	None

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:34 AM

Colonial Downs Tip Sheet - September 9

Sep. 08, 2023

Historically our BEST BETS have finished in the money 66% of the time at this track.

RACE #1 $75,000 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT 1 1/8 MILES ON THE OUTER TURF - POST TIME: 1:30 PM ET
BEST BET: #5 DETERMINED EMPIRE

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	5-2	5	Determined Empire	V R Carrasco
PLACE	7-2	1	Krone	H Karamanos
SHOW	4-1	2	Afraid Not	J Toledo
WILD CARD	8-5	6	Por Una Cabeza	J Ruiz

ALTERNATE 1	12-1	3	Waridi Candy	K Carmouche
ALTERNATE 2	10-1	4	Hot Bottom Girl	A A Gallardo

* EXACTA: 5-1 BOX, 1-2 BOX, 2-6 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 1/2/5 BOX, 1/2/6 BOX

RACE #2 $40,000 MAIDEN CLAIMING 6 FURLONGS ON THE DIRT - POST TIME: 1:58 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	9-5	6	Imperialty	I Villalobos
PLACE	5-2	2	Connectamundo	J R Leparoux
SHOW	6-1	5	Banker Blayney	G Ashton
WILD CARD	8-1	1	Dialed in a Panic	C Marquez

ALTERNATE 1	5-1	4	Coal Miner	C J Hernandez
ALTERNATE 2	15-1	8	Mr. Ruiz	M Jimenez

* EXACTA: 6-2 BOX, 2-5 BOX, 5-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/5/6 BOX, 1/2/5 BOX

RACE #3 $40,000 STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING 1 1/16 MILES ON THE INNER TURF - POST TIME: 2:26 PM ET
BEST BET: #6 YANKEE DOLLAR

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	3-2	6	Yankee Dollar	A A Gallardo
PLACE	8-1	10	Inannas Quest	F Boyce
SHOW	3-1	4	Panotti	J L Ortiz
WILD CARD	10-1	9	Bali Kuta	H Karamanos

ALTERNATE 1	10-1	5	Misty Mauve	J Ruiz
ALTERNATE 2	30-1	2	Suwannee Chick	C J Hernandez

* EXACTA: 6-10 BOX, 10-4 BOX, 4-9 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 4/6/10 BOX, 4/9/10 BOX

RACE #4 $40,000 MAIDEN CLAIMING 1 1/16 MILES ON THE INNER TURF - POST TIME: 2:56 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	9-5	3	Lakeside Getaway	P Lopez
PLACE	3-2	1	Way too Early	K Carmouche
SHOW	12-1	2	Shes Like Thunder	C J Hernandez
WILD CARD	6-1	7	One Violent Affair	A A Gallardo

ALTERNATE 1	20-1	5	Good Accelebrate	C Hiraldo
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	6	Tribest	C A Torres

* EXACTA: 3-1 BOX, 1-2 BOX, 2-7 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 1/2/3 BOX, 1/2/7 BOX

RACE #5 $70,000 ALLOWANCE 1 1/16 MILES ON THE INNER TURF - POST TIME: 3:25 PM ET
BEST BET: #2 FINGAL

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	10-1	2	Fingal	G Ashton
PLACE	3-1	4	Seven Bridges Road	J Ruiz
SHOW	20-1	12	Small Field	J L Alonso
WILD CARD	5-1	8	Bryce Canyon	C Marquez

ALTERNATE 1	5-2	9	Justintimeforwine	A A Gallardo
ALTERNATE 2	15-1	13	Veloce	R D Allen Jr.

* EXACTA: 2-4 BOX, 4-12 BOX, 12-8 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/4/12 BOX, 4/8/12 BOX

RACE #6 $150,000 STAKES 5 1/2 FURLONGS ON THE OUTER TURF - POST TIME: 3:58 PM ET
BONUS COMMENTARY $150,000 DA HOSS STAKES

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	12-1	3	Maya Prince	F Lynch
PLACE	3-1	8	Nobals	P Morales
SHOW	7-2	7	Souper Quest	A A Gallardo
WILD CARD	15-1	1	Momos	M J Sanchez

ALTERNATE 1	4-1	9	Outlaw Kid	J L Ortiz
ALTERNATE 2	6-1	4	Biz Biz Buzz	P Lopez

* EXACTA: 3-8 BOX, 8-7 BOX, 7-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 3/7/8 BOX, 1/7/8 BOX
COMMENTS: MAYA PRINCE could be a price with a chance as he is undefeated in a pair at Canterbury. NOBALS drops in class in his third start after a layoff and a bullet work between races and is also entered at Kentucky Downs. SOUPER QUEST is a half length from being undefeated in three. MOMOS won his lone race on Colonial grass and is a steady performer.

RACE #7 $125,000 STAKES 1 1/16 MILES ON THE INNER TURF - POST TIME: 4:33 PM ET
BONUS COMMENTARY $125,000 KITTENS JOY STAKES

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	4-1	4	Tok Tok	J Ruiz
PLACE	9-2	9	Massif	J Toledo
SHOW	8-1	8	Skellig Island	H Karamanos
WILD CARD	6-1	7	Manabi	V R Carrasco

ALTERNATE 1	15-1	13	Determined Sail	A A Gallardo
ALTERNATE 2	15-1	5	Silver Front	J L Alonso

* EXACTA: 4-9 BOX, 9-8 BOX, 8-7 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 4/8/9 BOX, 7/8/9 BOX
COMMENTS: TOK TOK won his debut with a strong mid move as the 60 cent favorite. MASSIF ran the highest last race speed figure showing major improvement in his second start. SKELLIG ISLAND showed powerful late pace winning his debut with a bold move in the stretch. MANABI went wire to wire in his debut and has some nice works between races.

RACE #8 $125,000 STAKES 5 1/2 FURLONGS ON THE OUTER TURF - POST TIME: 5:10 PM ET
BONUS COMMENTARY $125,000 ROSIES STAKES

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	4-1	10	King Kontie	F Peltroche
PLACE	6-1	11	Air Recruit	C Marquez
SHOW	5-2	5	No Nay Mets	P Lopez
WILD CARD	20-1	1	Mi Dinero	I Villalobos

ALTERNATE 1	12-1	8	Atmidnight	J Toledo
ALTERNATE 2	30-1	2	Ruddy Buddy	M Fuentes

* EXACTA: 10-11 BOX, 11-5 BOX, 5-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 5/10/11 BOX, 1/5/11 BOX
COMMENTS: KING KONTIE upgraded his game in his second outing and a couple of bullet works since suggest more upside here. AIR RECRUIT won his debut with borderline stakes level late pace. NO NAY METS is unbeaten in two races in the United States with a try at the Royal Ascot in between. MI DINERO won his debut as the favorite and has strong turf breeding.

RACE #9 $250,000 STAKES 1 1/8 MILES ON THE OUTER TURF - POST TIME: 5:45 PM ET
BONUS COMMENTARY $250,000 VIRGINIA OAKS

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	8-5	7	Mission of Joy	A A Gallardo
PLACE	12-1	2	Tufani	F Boyce
SHOW	2-1	8	Alpha Bella	J L Ortiz
WILD CARD	7-2	4	Idea Generation	F Prat

ALTERNATE 1	10-1	1	Root Cause	F Lynch
ALTERNATE 2	12-1	6	Thirty Thou Kelvin	T McCarthy

* EXACTA: 7-2 BOX, 2-8 BOX, 8-4 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/7/8 BOX, 2/4/8 BOX
COMMENTS: MISSION OF JOY drops from a Grade I and tends to run well off the bench like today. TUFANI is training well for her first race since mid July. ALPHA BELLA won his last race with the highest last race speed figure in a 22 length win. IDEA GENERATION missed as the favorite in her last. Trainer Chad Brown rebounds at 29 percent the next time out.

RACE #10 $500,000 STAKES 1 1/8 MILES ON THE OUTER TURF - POST TIME: 6:20 PM ET
BONUS COMMENTARY $500,000 VIRGINIA DERBY GRADE III

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	8-1	9	Integration	K Carmouche
PLACE	7-2	11	Program Trading	F Prat
SHOW	15-1	5	Dataman	J Ruiz
WILD CARD	6-1	2	Gigante	C A Torres

ALTERNATE 1	4-1	4	Salute the Stars	S Russell
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	10	Ari Gold	J L Ortiz

* EXACTA: 9-11 BOX, 11-5 BOX, 5-2 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 5/9/11 BOX, 2/5/11 BOX
COMMENTS: INTEGRATION won his debut by more than 6 lengths with stakes caliber late pace. PROGRAM TRADING is undefeated in three including the highest last race speed figure in a Grade I win. DATAMAN seems to have found his form winning the last two and stepping up the speed number ladder. GIGANTE ran better fractions last out and has two bullet works since.

RACE #11 $150,000 STAKES 1 1/2 MILES ON THE INNER TURF - POST TIME: 6:55 PM ET
BONUS COMMENTARY $150,000 COLONIAL CUP STAKES

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	5-1	11	Glider	A A Gallardo
PLACE	5-2	10	Sy Dog	F Prat
SHOW	20-1	3	Starting Over	T McCarthy
WILD CARD	30-1	7	Dynadrive	H Karamanos

ALTERNATE 1	15-1	4	McLovin	J R Leparoux
ALTERNATE 2	2-1	6	Temple	J L Ortiz

* EXACTA: 11-10 BOX, 10-3 BOX, 3-7 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 3/10/11 BOX, 3/7/10 BOX
COMMENTS: GLIDER should be close to peak form in his third start after a layoff. SY DOG is a steady performer who improved early in his last and usually makes a strong late push. STARTING OVER could pay off at a big price as he won his lone trip at Colonial and is likely to improve in round two off the sidelines. DYNADRIVE is another bomb that has numbers that fit with any other in here.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-09-2023, 06:34 AM

Del Mar Tip Sheet - September 9

Sep. 08, 2023

Historically our BEST BETS have finished in the money 65% of the time at this track.

RACE #1 $40,000 MAIDEN CLAIMING 5 1/2 FURLONGS ON THE DIRT - POST TIME: 4:30 PM ET
BEST BET: #6 BEAU SOLEIL

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	5-1	6	Beau Soleil	T J Pereira
PLACE	4-1	9	Asian Matriarch	G Franco
SHOW	8-1	2	Super Enticing	D A Herrera
WILD CARD	3-1	1	Dreaming of Hope	J J Hernandez

ALTERNATE 1	12-1	4	Miss Pixy Stix	E A Maldonado
ALTERNATE 2	6-1	8	Love Honor and Pay	R A Vazquez

* EXACTA: 6-9 BOX, 9-2 BOX, 2-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/6/9 BOX, 1/2/9 BOX

RACE #2 $14,000 CLAIMING 6 FURLONGS ON THE DIRT - POST TIME: 4:59 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	4-1	2	Mango Moon	E A Maldonado
PLACE	3-1	8	Tenacious Lady	G Franco
SHOW	12-1	9	Queen P	J Valdivia Jr.
WILD CARD	12-1	1	Blackened	R Gonzalez

ALTERNATE 1	6-1	12	Barbera	D A Herrera
ALTERNATE 2	6-1	11	Major Pryce	A Ayuso

* EXACTA: 2-8 BOX, 8-9 BOX, 9-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/8/9 BOX, 1/8/9 BOX

RACE #3 $82,000 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT 5 1/2 FURLONGS ON THE DIRT - POST TIME: 5:29 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	7-2	13	Eboks Dream Girl	U Rispoli
PLACE	4-1	5	Madison Rae	J J Hernandez
SHOW	6-1	4	Envisioned	E A Maldonado
WILD CARD	5-2	12	Mirinda	M E Smith

ALTERNATE 1	3-1	3	Naida	J Torrealba
ALTERNATE 2	15-1	6	Princess Belle	R Gonzalez

* EXACTA: 13-5 BOX, 5-4 BOX, 4-12 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 4/5/13 BOX, 4/5/12 BOX

RACE #4 $82,000 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT 5 1/2 FURLONGS ON THE DIRT - POST TIME: 5:59 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	9-5	5	Slider	H I Berrios
PLACE	4-1	7	Utopian	J J Hernandez
SHOW	4-1	3	Divino	V Espinoza
WILD CARD	8-1	1	Tejon Pass	M E Smith

ALTERNATE 1	8-1	6	Concord Bridge	U Rispoli
ALTERNATE 2	12-1	2	E J Won the Cup	R A Vazquez

* EXACTA: 5-7 BOX, 7-3 BOX, 3-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 3/5/7 BOX, 1/3/7 BOX

RACE #5 $100,000 STAKES 1 MILE ON THE TURF - POST TIME: 6:29 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	4-1	1	Flattery	J J Hernandez
PLACE	5-2	6	Angiolleta	H I Berrios
SHOW	6-1	11	Cailin Dana	R A Vazquez
WILD CARD	7-2	9	Loterie	U Rispoli

ALTERNATE 1	6-1	5	Tambo	T J Pereira
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	4	Double Bay	G Franco

* EXACTA: 1-6 BOX, 6-11 BOX, 11-9 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 1/6/11 BOX, 6/9/11 BOX

RACE #6 $18,000 CLAIMING 6 FURLONGS ON THE DIRT - POST TIME: 6:59 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	5-1	5	Colt Fiction	E A Maldonado
PLACE	5-1	8	Oil Can Knight	E Payeras
SHOW	8-1	10	Wyfire	E Garcia
WILD CARD	7-2	4	Jalen Journey	A Ayuso

ALTERNATE 1	6-1	6	Patron dOro	J J Hernandez
ALTERNATE 2	6-1	2	Pacos Pico	R A Vazquez

* EXACTA: 5-8 BOX, 8-10 BOX, 10-4 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 5/8/10 BOX, 4/8/10 BOX

RACE #7 $250,000 STAKES 1 1/8 MILES ON THE TURF - POST TIME: 7:29 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	9-5	4	Closing Remarks	U Rispoli
PLACE	4-1	3	Oakhurst	J J Hernandez
SHOW	5-2	6	Turnerloose	A Fresu
WILD CARD	5-2	5	Neige Blanche	D A Herrera

ALTERNATE 1	15-1	2	Free and Humble	H I Berrios
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	1	Paris Peacock	D Van Dyke

* EXACTA: 4-3 BOX, 3-6 BOX, 6-5 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 3/4/6 BOX, 3/5/6 BOX

RACE #8 $43,000 STARTER ALLOWANCE 6 FURLONGS ON THE DIRT - POST TIME: 7:59 PM ET
BEST BET: #6 MR. DISRESPECTFUL

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	6-1	6	Mr. Disrespectful	E Payeras
PLACE	8-1	8	Midnight Fury	V Espinoza
SHOW	5-1	1	Storm the Night	E A Maldonado
WILD CARD	7-2	13	Houndstooth	J Torrealba

ALTERNATE 1	15-1	11	Worth Looking	A Ayuso
ALTERNATE 2	20-1	3	Imperial Hornet	D A Herrera

* EXACTA: 6-8 BOX, 8-1 BOX, 1-13 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 1/6/8 BOX, 1/8/13 BOX

RACE #9 $83,000 ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING 1 MILE ON THE TURF - POST TIME: 8:29 PM ET
BEST BET: #2 SEAL TEAM

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	5-2	2	Seal Team	U Rispoli
PLACE	4-1	7	Aligato	J J Hernandez
SHOW	5-1	12	Eastern Ocean	G Franco
WILD CARD	5-1	3	Seven Wonders	R A Vazquez

ALTERNATE 1	6-1	13	Lure Him In	K J Desormeaux
ALTERNATE 2	12-1	6	Dominant Soul	J Valdivia Jr.

* EXACTA: 2-7 BOX, 7-12 BOX, 12-3 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/7/12 BOX, 3/7/12 BOX

RACE #10 $300,000 STAKES 7 FURLONGS ON THE DIRT - POST TIME: 8:59 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	4-1	7	Dreamfyre	H I Berrios
PLACE	7-2	9	Tamara	M E Smith
SHOW	8-1	8	Pushiness	U Rispoli
WILD CARD	5-1	6	Chatalas	J J Hernandez

ALTERNATE 1	6-1	13	Laurent	E A Maldonado
ALTERNATE 2	30-1	14	Cheeky Gal	A Fresu

* EXACTA: 7-9 BOX, 9-8 BOX, 8-6 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 7/8/9 BOX, 6/8/9 BOX

RACE #11 $82,000 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT 1 MILE ON THE TURF - POST TIME: 9:29 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	9-5	6	Spycatcher	R A Vazquez
PLACE	4-1	8	Chays Tornado	J J Hernandez
SHOW	10-1	16	Uncle Oscar	M E Smith
WILD CARD	6-1	9	Dandy Man Shines	U Rispoli

ALTERNATE 1	6-1	14	Bye Bye Ray	G Franco
ALTERNATE 2	20-1	5	Tokamak	D Van Dyke

* EXACTA: 6-8 BOX, 8-16 BOX, 16-9 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 6/8/16 BOX, 8/9/16 BOX