Gulfstream Park – 4th race – 5-El Vedado (8-1) Has the classic two-sprints-and-a-stretch-out pattern we like so much and at 8-1 on the morning line this daughter of Big Brown offers considerable value in a modest maiden $35,000 claiming turf miler. Exits a fast, highly-rated sprint and goes for a barn that has superior stats with the […]
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Keeneland – 4th race – 5-Veil (3-1) This Shug McGaughey-trained 3-year-old tipped her hand in an excellent debut last month at Gulfstream Park, finishing a strong runner-up in a similar two-turn turf maiden affair without being knocked about, and seems sure to produce a significant forward move with that performance behind her. The daughter of Hat Trick retains […]
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(For the week of April 13-17) CAT RIDE (April 13th, 6th race, GP) – Making his first start since May of last year and only his second start overall, the son of Candy Ride couldn’t have been more impressive in winning a five furlong maiden special weight sprint in fast time with a huge speed […]
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(Updated April 19, 2016) 1 – NYQUIST (D. O’Neill) 126 Uncle Mo-Seeking Gabrielle, by Forestry, Latest workout: April 15, Kee, 5f-1:02.3b Last start: April 2, GP, first, Florida Derby-G1 Ky. Derby qualifying points: (130) 7-7-0-0 – $2,322,600 $400,000 FTF March 2-year-old in training, Eclipse Award winning champion 2-year-old, athletic, medium-sized colt with fluid action, extremely tactical […]
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Keeneland – 2nd race – 4-Stradivari (3-1) Broke his maiden in his second career start in early December like a potential Derby candidate, but had to be stopped on and missed the valuable winter/spring prep races that would have allowed him to become a contender. Makes his comeback in a first-level allowance affair at nine furlongs and […]
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Oaklawn Park – 4th race – 6-Mom’s On Strike (8-1) Performed exceptionally well in her sprint debut at Fair Grounds last month, overcoming a rugged start (bounced repeatedly leaving the gate) before finishing with a strong late rally and a superior gallop out when third behind runaway winner Limitless in a very fast, highly-rated race. Certainly bred […]
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Keeneland – 5th race – 8-Peppermint Zip (10-1) Intriguing shipper from California is bred to move up a ton on grass (City Zip) and gets his chance in this entry-level allowance sprint after demolishing a maiden special weight field at Santa Anita last month over a wet-fast surface. Has big-time winning connections (Pratt/D’Amato) and we suspect […]
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JEFF SIEGEL’S WEST COAST BLACK BOOK (For the week of April 7-10) AMERICAN FREEDOM (April 9th, 12th race, SA) – Was highly-touted prior to his debut and didn’t disappoint, scoring at first asking in superb fashion like a colt with the potential to be something special. The Bob Baffert-trained colt settled just off the pace […]
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JEFF SIEGEL’S EAST COAST BLACK BOOK (For the week of April 6-10) ENCRYPT (April 9th, 4th race, GP) – Tapit gelding from blue hen producer Ava Knowsthecode (Greenpointcrusader, Algorhythms, etc.) finally made it to the race at age four and was green as grass in maiden special weight main track sprint. Broke slowly and was […]
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Keeneland – 3rd race – 10-Brinkley (4-1) Returned off a layoff and was sharp in victory when beating maidens at Gulftream Park with a strong speed figure last month. The Pletcher-trained daughter of of City Zip sports a healthy work tab since that score and should produce a forward move in her first start vs. winners. Looks […]
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These rankings reflect the author’s evaluation of past, present, and projected form expressed in a theoretical true handicap (high weight 126 lbs.) at one mile and one-quarter at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, 2016. (Updated April 12, 2016) 1 – NYQUIST (D. O’Neill) 126 Uncle Mo-Seeking Gabrielle, by Forestry, Latest workout: none since raced […]
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Santa Anita – 1st race – 5-Audacious Angel (4-1) Didn’t get the best of runs when finishing a close fifth as the favorite in a downhill turf sprint in her most recent outing but seems quite likely to make amends today in this maiden extended sprint that has been switched to the main track. The daughter of […]
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FIRST RACE (12:30 PT) – GRADE: B+ Single: 5-Audacious Angel Closing day begins with a maiden sprint for sophomore fillies that originally was card for the downhill turf course but now will be run on the main track. #5 Audacious Angel switches to Bejarano, and looks capable of producing the last run. She’s solid in […]
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Keeneland – 3rd race – Keeneland – 3-Neighlor Swift (8-1) Daughter of Summer Bird was given a race in her debut over five furlongs on turf at Gulfstream Park and after leaving slowly took hold into the lane and finished full of run in an excellent prep for a stretch-out try. She gets her chance over […]
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FIRST RACE (12:00 PT) – GRADE: B Use: 5-Liam the Charmer; 6-Wild and Deb; 8-Clear the Way The status of the main track and whether any races might be transferred from the turf to dirt are questions that can’t be answered as of this writing, so we’ll handicap the card at face value and hope […]
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