The tournament director sheepishly approached the podium, cleared his throat and adjusted the microphone, eliciting a screech of feedback in return. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my duty to inform you and the handful of competitors still out on the course that, in an unprecedented occurrence, the leader in the clubhouse, somehow, has just registered a […]
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Bob Baffert, who won five races in a single day last Saturday at Los Alamitos, graduated from the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Baffert later continued his studies at WU. “WU?” you ask? Yes, WU…Whittingham University. In the 1990s, after Baffert switched from training Quarter […]
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Thanksgiving turkey gravy had hardly congealed when a mature man’s attention turned toward spring and the first Saturday in May. If you think late November is too early to begin analyzing that race’s outcome, you probably aren’t interested in the Kentucky Derby Future wager presented by Churchill Downs and available at Xpressbet. That’s how the […]
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Even though Tiz the Law was upset as a big favorite in last Saturday’s Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, he nevertheless ended up being the 11-1 favorite among 22 individual horses in Pool One of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) that closed last Sunday. Next at 12-1 was Dennis’ Moment, […]
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Tomorrow is my favorite holiday of the year: Thanksgiving. And, by extension, the day also launches my top-ranked weekend. By stroke of pure genius, Thanksgiving always lands on Thursday. Convenient, don’t you think? Unlike other holidays, Thanksgiving doesn’t occupy different days of the week in seemingly random fashion like alien targets in a video game. […]
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Bill Lyon passed Sunday night. Perhaps, fittingly, news of his death arrived as the Eagles played the Patriots in South Philadelphia. I didn’t know him. Not personally, anyway. Never met the man. Yet, somehow, he knew me. Knew what made me tick—as a teenager to almost 60 years old–what made me smile, cheer, sigh and […]
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Is every race won by the horse whose performance was the best? Any seasoned horseplayer can tell you that certainly is not the case. There are a great many examples in which the horse who ran the best race did not win. Take, for example, the recent Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park on Nov. […]
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Now that the Breeders’ Cup has come and gone, many racing fans are looking ahead and contemplating which horses stand a good chance to be honored with a 2019 Eclipse Award. This is the 49th year of the Eclipse Awards. Voting closes on Dec. 31. The 2019 recipients will be announced at Gulfstream Park early […]
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For two magnificent days, at the foot of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains under warm Southern California sunshine, Santa Anita Park played the perfect Breeders’ Cup host. That’s not surprising. I love Santa Anita. Spent 30 years there, even lived in a condo on Huntington Avenue directly across from the track. Will always call it […]
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VENUE: Santa Anita Park on Nov. 1-2. Main Track: dirt, fast Friday and Saturday; Turf Course: firm Friday and Saturday. $6 MILLION CLASSIC (NOV. 2) Results: (1) Vino Rosso, who paid $11.20, (2) McKinzie, (3) Higher Power. Winner: Owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable; trained by Todd Pletcher; ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. […]
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This year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic lacks the marque names, but it offers a wide-open field with fantastic betting opportunities. Below is my analysis and betting strategy for the Classic. 1. Higher Power: (#7, 6-1): He is proven at the distance with a powerful win in the Pacific Classic and has the tactical speed to sit […]
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Omaha Beach will be an overwhelming favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, but he is not the only star attraction in this solid field. Below is my analysis and betting strategies for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. 1. Mr. Money (#4, 6-1) The last time he race at a mile, he was visually jaw-dropping. […]
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The Turf Sprint is the most wide-open betting race during the entire Breeders’ Cup. There are many directions you can go, but make sure you demand value. Below is my analysis and betting strategies for the turf grab bag. 1. Stubbins (#5, 12-1): He has found his niche as a turf sprinter and continues to […]
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The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf is one of the most wide-open Breeders’ Cup races over the two days. Below is my analysis and betting strategies for the Grade 1 race which figures to be dominated on top by European invaders. 1. Albigna (#9, 9-2) Not only does she have arguably the most class in […]
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$1 MILLION JUVENILE TURF SPRINT (FRIDAY) 1. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (3-1 on the morning line) Ward-trained colt has won by daylight both starts 2. KIMARI (7-2) Ward-trained filly is 3 for 3 in United States 3. A’ALI (6-1) Euro youngster is 3 for 3 when ridden by Dettori Nice-price danger: CHIMNEY ROCK (10-1) Son of […]
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