Wednesday racing at Woodbine and Saratoga

Its always a good day at Ajax downs, never the less it coulda been better, my best pick of the day was picking Corderoy Road to win the first ever Picov Derby, over a tough looking Bye me one Kool Bud, and a struggling Carter's Secret. I'm looking forward to the 3rd of September when my barn will be running 5 horses down at Ajax, as always, I will most definitely handicapping that day. In the mean time we have two very nice cards of racing on tap. At Woodbine they're holding their regular Wednesday night card with a twist, 6 of the 8 races are ungraded stakes! At Saratoga there's a rather average afternoon card with 2 of the 10 being ungraded stakes, lets see what we can make of it shall we.

Saratoga

Race 1: 3-7-8-2
Race 2: 7-6-1-4
Race 3: 3-8-6-4

Race 4: 2-6-3-4 100k My Flag Stakes
Race 5: 6-5-3-8
Race 6: 1-9-8-7
Race 7: 9-7-10-3
Race 8: 4-1-6-7 100k P.G. Johnson Stakes
Race 9: 5-8-10-3
Race 10: 6-10-12

Horse to watch at Saratoga 
RACE 4: #2 Skyfall ( 5-1 ML ): This filly is 4-1-1-1 this year, she got a decent morning line and could be tough throughout, if she doesn't get ridden into a bad spot or get herself in to a vicious speed duel she will be a major contender in the race.

Woodbine 

Race 1: 2-8-10-3
Race 2: 3-8-7-10 125k Halton Stakes
Race 3: 3-2-1-4 125k Kenora Stakes
Race 4: 4-1-3-2 125k Elgin Stakes
Race 5: 1-3-5-6 200k Muskoka Stakes
Race 6: 4-2-5-3 200k Simcoe Stakes
Race 7: 5-6-7-9 125k Algoma Stakes 
Race 8: 7-5-4-6

Horse to watch
Race 2: #3 D's Perfect Soul (12-1 ML): Informed today that this favourite of mine was sold for $700 dollars in the 2009 sale at woodbine, he ran HUGE in his last race, running for his second win in the season, he also ran a really nice race when he placed in a maiden special weight way back in april. I'm looking at him to run real well.

Tuesday Racing at Ajax Downs

Well after a well needed day off today, I'm prepared for a great day of racing at the track where my barn races. We're running only two horses but there are multiple we bred and used to own racing, its gonna be a pretty nice day at Ajax, excluding track conditions and weather conditions. Lets see how well I do here.

Race 1: 6-4-5-1
Race 2: 2-3-4-5
Race 3: 3-2-4-6
Race 4: 4-6-3-5
Race 5: 2-3-6-4
Race 6: 6-4-2-1
Race 7: 8-1A-4-3
Race 8: 10-9-3-4
Race 9: 7-6-4-8 58.1k Picov Derby
Race 10: 9-8-7-4

Horses to Watch:
Race 1: #6 I am Sweet Love ( 5-1 ML): This sorrel filly by Sugarman Perry is seemingly having a better year than all rest of the horses in this field, its not exactly a strong field, and I think the favourites are pretty weak so I tried to beat them here, I like this filly to do just that.

Race 2: #2 The Choochinator ( 5-2 ML ): This is a track favourite at Ajax, this 11 year young gelding is always a fan favourite and always puts in a good effort, hes gotta be coming down to his last few races, make sure you pay attention to this special guy, he's one you wanna see. Coming into this race, having not been successful this year per say, hes 14 for 94 lifetime, again not great, but 94-14-13-13 is nothing to complain about, should have an easy time here, hes also my Best Bet.

Race 8: #3 Real Wild ( 15-1 ML ): A two year old colt from Wild Boyz, this handsome fella used to be at the barn I worked at, he was sent to Barry Wood's farm to be trained by him. His first workout at Ajax was nothing special, but his last time there 14.03 going 250 was pretty nice, he should be a really nice price in this race as Wild Roze and Executive Dash will be taking all the money, I have him third, but don't be surprised if he runs a big race.

Best Bet:
Race 9 Exactor Box 7-6 ( Corderoy Road, Bye me One Kool Bud )

Enjoy the races !

Sunday racing at Del Mar

After a really hot day of handicapping and an upset in the Travers, as well as a few results going my way I'm in a good mood so I've decided that I'll give Del Mar a go. Lets see what I can do on another great card of racing.

Race 1: 7-8-3-4
Race 2: 6-1-4-2
Race 3: 4-11-6-10
Race 4: 3-8-7-5
Race 5: 4-2-3-5 200k Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap
Race 6: 6-2-4-9
Race 7: 3-2-6-7 250k Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes
Race 8: 2-11-3-5
Race 9: 11-7-10-9 1 Mill. Grade 1 TVG Pacific Classic Stakes 
Race 10: 2-1-9-6
Race 11: 5-6-2-1

Best Bet:
Race 5: #4 Obviously ( 3-5 ML ): One look at this horse shows why he is a 3-5 morning line, 3-2-1-0 this year, 15-8-4-2, hes only ever missed the board once, and don't expect him to get his second one here.

Race 9: #11 Game on Dude ( 5-2 ML ): 26-14-5-1, 5 million dollars earned, and only 6 years young. If I owned this horse I'm kicking my self for gelding him. Anyway this field is no soft field but the dude should have no problem at all winning this million dollar grade 1 stakes race. Put your money on this horse you will not regret it.

Horse to Watch:
Race 1: #7 My Slew ( 5-1 ML ): Coming off a win an Allowance Optional Claimer, if he runs a repeat performance of his last time out, he will be tough.

Saturday Racing CONT'D - Woodbine

As promised my Woodbine selections are here this morning. Don'f forget to check out my Saratoga picks on this beautiful Travers day, lucky me , I get to work the whole day. Let's see what I can get done for our Canadian track.

Woodbine
Race 1: 2-1-4-5
Race 2: 3C-1-6-2
Race 3: 5-4-1-6
Race 4: 3-5-1-6
Race 5: 11-7-3-1
Race 6: 2-1A-3-7
Race 7: 6-8-7-2
Race 8: 7-4-6-2 125k Swynford stakes
Race 9: 2-4-1-7
Race 10: 1-1A-7-9


Best Bet: 
Race 10: The 1 Entry ( ML 3-1 ): These two horses coming out of the Sam-Son Farms stable are both well bred, winning horses. Both are coming into their 6th start lifetime. They're having really good years and I'm looking at them to completely dominate this race.

Horse to watch

Race 8: #7 Spadina Road ( 3-1 ML ): This colt by Where's the ring is undefeated in one start he's been working nice and looks tough to me in this race, 3-1 isn't the price I expect him to have come post time, with some luck he'll go up in price to about 5-1 maybe 6-1 if were lucky even higher.






Officeinthevalley: Now I considered just putting this horse in my horse to watch section but, instead I'm going to write a little article on him. He's a 2007 gelding who has been in retirement for the last two years, and I can't seem to find any reason as to why they wouldn't leave him that way ( they being Buttigieg training center ), you have an old horse on your hands who's a decent stakes winner before he retires, now you bring him back and throw him in the fire. He's now in a lower class claiming event because he doesn't have the class he had before and odds are if they get away without losing him this time, next time he could get claimed, and then what, he's gone and you probably ruin the horse.

 I mean lets be honest, when you take a horse out of retirement they aren't ready to race, that's just how it is, racing is behind them, and I get it, he's a gelding and all he's doing is costing you money because to a race stable, he's utterly useless, in my opinion if you don't want him any more then sell him to pleasure riders, but by all means, don't take a horse out of retirement just so somebody else takes him off your hands. You retired him for a reason, he didn't have the same edge in his four year old year, that and probably a few other factors, maybe bone chips, injuries, whatever, point is, if you had a reason to retire him then, what's changed? Yeah maybe the bone chips or injuries are gone (assuming those are factors), but he still doesn't have the edge, he hasn't raced in two years and hes going against horses who have run all year, he's going to have a tough time, and I just think he should still be enjoying his easy going retirement life, maybe that's just me.

 However this is just my opinion and I guess we'll find out how he runs and if I'm wrong or not. I mean it's completely possible that they just think he can race again, and the fact of the matter is that he's just in claiming class now, I really don't know, but if it was me the horse would still be retired.

Anyways thats all I have to say about that.

Enjoy the races folks, don't forget to read my Saratoga Travers day picks, in the article I wrote before this one.'
Talk to ya later

Saturday Racing Saratoga

Well it was a very frustrating day today at both Saratoga and Woodbine, I will be taking Sunday off, however tomorrow is Travers Day at Saratoga and it will be the best card at Saratoga of the entire year. Theres an okay card at Woodbine, I'll be focusing my attention on both Saratoga and Woodbine. Hopefully we do better than today.

Saratoga

Race 1: 3-7-1-5
Race 2: 7-11-10-5
Race 3: 2-9-1-5
Race 4: 12-7-11-1
Race 5: 10-8-9-12
Race 6: 7-10-6-5
Race 7: 5-12-3-1
Race 8: 2-4-6-7
Race 9: 5-9-8-6 500k Grade 1 Test Stakes
Race 10: 4-1-5-6 250K Grade 11 Ketel One Ballston Spa Stakes
Race 11: 2-10-5-9 500k Grade 1 Foxwoods King's Bishop Stakes
Race 12: 2-3-8-7 1 MILLION DOLLAR Grade 1 Travers Stakes
Race 13: 3-7-4-5
Race 14: 1-6-8-11

Horses to watch 
Race 1: # 5 Dads Caps ( 12-1 ML ): This quick colt by Discreet cat has won his last two times out, hes in really tough today, I put him fourth in this race because he's coming out of an Allowance Optional Claimer and I'm not sure he has the class to run here, but he's got the speed, if he can use it to his advantage he could hit the top four for sure.

Race 2: #7 Scam ( 5-1 ML ): Coming off a nice third place finish, this colt by Giant's Causeway got a good morning line, for a horse that stands a real shot at hitting the board. He ran a 78 speed figure his first time out, in a tough Maiden Special Weight , Castellano retains the mount, and he gets a good one here.

Race 3: #1 Sycamore Lane ( 15-1 ML ): This debut runner for Gainesway Stable has put in a few really nice works on the Saratoga property, not the best of which was on the turf, he still ran a nice 48.55 seconds going four furlongs in his first turf workout, if he can repeat his speed from that workout his 15-1 price will make you a very happy person, this horse has me sitting on the fence though because his workouts on Belmont's dirt have been shotty at best, although all four of his works at saratoga were fantastic, and based on his breeding he should be really nice, if Junior Alvarado gives him the best trip he can, this colt has a shot in this one.

Race 8: #2 Rapscallion ( 8-1 ML ): His last outing was a maiden special weight at Saratoga, which he won by 2 and 1/4 lengths, after finishing third and second at Delaware Park, either he got lucky or he likes running at Saratoga, lucky him, hes back there to run again slightly harder. Odds are though that this horse improves yet again and manages to hit the top three, he looks pretty tough. \

Race 12: #2 Orb ( 4-1 ML ): You know who he is, some say he had the best shot to win the triple crown in 37 years, He's back for the first time since the Belmont, and the Kentucky derby winner has been preparing for this race, while Palace Malice and Verrazano have been racing the whole time. Orb's well rested, he's not the favourite, and we have to assume he's ready to go, most people are going to bet Palace Malice and Verrazano, because yes they're both very hot, but expect Orb to go up in price, and run a big race.

Ladies and Gentleman my woodbine picks will come tomorrow morning, enjoy this truly awesome Saratoga Card.

Friday Racing: Saratoga, Woodbine, and Los Alamitos

Well after a pretty nice day at Saratoga and currently doing alright at Remington, I'm back for my third straight day of picks. On my busiest afternoon of the week I've found time to handicap three tracks, Los Alamitos, Woodbine and Saratoga, yet again. The card at Saratoga includes the Grade 1 500,000 dollar Ballerina Stake, and to finish the day off we have a nice Quarter Horse card at Los Al. Lets see what I can do for ya.

Saratoga 

Race 1: 5-7-1-2
Race 2: 2-3-5-6
Race 3: 1-5-2-7
Race 4: 1-8-7-9
Race 5: 7-1-2-3
Race 6: 4-1-3-8
Race 7: 3-1-6-7
Race 8: 8-5-2-3
Race 9: 1-6-10-5
Race 10: 12-11-2-3

Best Bet:
Race 4: #1 Yo Blue (6-5 ML ): This is a three year old gelding by Johannesburg out of Sparkling blue, He's coming out of a very tough starter optional claiming 75k where he finished fourth but he just dropped from the second spot, before that he hit the board 5 starts in a row, 4 of them being wins. He should be really tough in this field, if he can handle the distance this time out, he wins.

Horse to watch:
Race 10: #12 King of Broadway (6-1 ML) :  A three year old colt by Sky Mesa, King of Broadway has been putting in some nice works and finished second in a Maiden Special Weight his last time out to a hot Sliver and Onions, I think if King of Broadway hits a good stride he wins it.

Woodbine 

Race 1: 3-4-5-1A
Race 2: 1-5-3-7
Race 3: 6-2-4-1
Race 4: 1-5-6-2
Race 5: 11-8-2-7
Race 6: 3-9-1-4
Race 7: 8-3-5-4
Race 8: 3-4-1-5
Race 9: 10-2-1-3

Best Bet:
Race 1: #3 Seawatch ( ML 6-5 ): This gelding by Woodman has hit the board 8 of hit last 10 and hit the board each of his last 6, winning 3 of them and finishing 2nd the other three times. He's in a fairly easy starter allowance for horses who have started for 12.5k or less this year, Seawatch has dominated this year, he's got Luis Contreras aboard and , Luis would have to have a really terrible ride for this horse to lose, count on him winning.

Horses to watch:
Race 1: #4 Mail Order Groom ( 6-1 ML ): This horse has been in my sights since I first saw him race a few months ago. Coming off for straight board hits, and a win in his last one, a second before that and two thirds before that. He's running real well this year and I think he will run a big race here.

Race 4: #1 Peggy'sanexecutive ( 9-2 ML ):  A three year old filly by Bold Executive, she could be having a much better year, but shes dropping class for the second straight race, before this she ran in a 25k claimer and before that was Maiden Special Weight, she could find her class here and be a big factor here, her last out was against a few real tough claimers and if they gave her another shot at that level she might do a little better, but she should have an easier time here, don't underestimate her.

Los Alamitos 

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

Best bet:
Race 9: #4 Runaway Foose: Finished second in tough maiden her first time out, this filly by Foose is really nicely bred to bat, expect her to run a big race, she's in tough but she was really impressive her first time out, she should be the best in this group.

Horse to Watch:
Race 8: #8 Royal Regard (4-1 ML ): This 3 year old gelding by Chicks Regard is 3-1-1-1 this year, hes been really hot, beaten late by the #1 and the #5 in this race in his last race, he ran a winning race and still lost however and I think he'll take advantage of the second chance here.

Good Luck to all placing bets, enjoy the races folks!

Thursday Racing at Remington Park and Saratoga

Good day ladies and Gents! Thursday.. not a hugely popular racing day, but seeing as Saratoga is almost always racing, and I couldn't find a reason not to handicap Remington I'm back with picks two days in a row. On the card at Saratoga is the 150k New York Turf Writers Steeplechase Handicap.. quite the mouth full, now normally I am not a huge Steeplechase fan but this race has some of the best steeplechasers to hit the Saratoga Turf. Not only is there that but the much anticipated Alydar Stakes is also on Thursdays card. Remington has nothing special going on but hey, we'll see if we can do anything anyway! I'd also like to thank anyone who played my picks at Saratoga on wednesday you only hit two exactors, and my best bet lost due to a jockey error but hey I wont complain I was pretty close, for a rusty capper Id say I did alright.

Saratoga

Race 1:  1X-1A-1-6 The 150k New York Turf Writers Steeplechase Handicap
Race 2: 4-1-2-6
Race 3: 4-2-1-5 100k Alydar Stakes 
Race 4: 2-1-3-5
Race 5: 4-6-9-7
Race 6: 5-3-2-1
Race 7: 7-6-2-1
Race 8: 3-4-7-8
Race 9: 9-7-3-1

Best Bet:
Race 7: #7 Super Sky ( 7-5 ML ). I had this filly as my AE Pick on Wednesday and she's entered back here today and, like I said yesterday, I've been following her since she was sold at Keeneland and she's a really nice filly. She had a few ups and downs about her first race, but shes back here, and she looks really really tough in this one, if this filly stays above even money make sure you bet her.

Race 1: THE 1 ENTRY (7-5 ML): This entry consists of three horses and I am normally not a huge steeplechase guy but its hard to ignore these guys, with all three 'chasers having a really nice year any of these horses can hit the money, its even some what likely that all three of them hit the board in the NYTWSH.

Horse to Watch:
Race 9: #9 Quick Money: Besides his last race where he was off form this horse has been FANTASTIC through the course of this year in 7 starts hes 2-3-1 , he missed the board in his last outing coming last in a tough Optional Claimer, where none of the horses were available for claiming, he should be tough in the last race on the card at Saratoga, and at 5-1 I'm not turning him down.

Remington

Race 1: 5-4-7-3
Race 2: 6-1-8-9
Race 3: 7-4-11-2
Race 4: 11-8-10-4
Race 5: 1-12-10-9
Race 6: 7-2-6-9
Race 7: 2-5-9-7
Race 8: 11-10-8-5
Race 9: 13-1-11-7

Wednesday racing at Saratoga and Woodbine

Hey folks! I see you've found my blog, this here is my first post, thanks for taking a look!

As you already know tomorrow is Wednesday which means there's a rather Fort Erie comparable card on for tomorrow night at woodbine, however seeing as I have nothing better to do I figure I may as well handicap it. I'm recently coming off a long ( very needed ) but long handicapping break. I hope to get back on a roll like I was when I started my handicapping hobby. Any who Good luck if you're placing any bets! Here are my selections

Race 1: 2-13-1-3
Race 2: 4-9-8-5
Race 3: 4-2-1-8
Race 4: 7-1-8-4
Race 5: 6-2-4-5
Race 6: 3-7-5-4

Race 7: 2-4-5-9
Race 8: 7-1-3-2

Best Bet:
 Race 6 ML Favourite (8/5) Northern Label #3  finds himself  back in a 32k claiming event in a field that should really give him no trouble at all. The colt is coming off a win in another 32k claimer on August 5th. This horse got the shot in a maiden special weight two starts ago finishing dead last, got dropped back to the maiden claimer finished second and is back again to give it another shot, 7 furlongs looks good for this horse and if Orion's Song doesn't hit is very best stride, theres no stopping Northern Label.

Horse(s) to watch:
#7 Dabblemup (8-1) (R4): This three year old son of Star Dabbler has come down from Tampa Bay and is running in his third start at Woodbine. Coming off a second place finish in a 25k claiming event, this class drop should really give this horse his opportunity to win. In 6 starts this year he's finished 2nd in 4 of them , its about time for this horse to win one.

Saratoga

So Wednesday afternoon at Saratoga is the final leg of the NY Bred triple crown the Albany stakes, and the colt that won the first two legs, Amberjack, is back to prove his dominance and win it. Now it goes with out saying that The NY Bred triple crown is not nearly as big of an accomplishment as either the Canadian triple crown or the better known regular triple crown, it is a big accomplishment. Besides that there is the 100k dance of life stakes for three year olds, so lets see what we can do!


Race 1: 7-2-6-1
Race 2: 6-5-3-2
Race 3: 4-2-5-3
Race 4: 1-7-6-3 The 100k Dance of Life Stakes
Race 5: 7-2-5-4
Race 6: 6-4-2-9
Race 7: 6-4-3-1
Race 8: 3-6-5-2
Race 9: 4-6-2-3 The 150k Albany Stakes
Race 10: 3-4-6-8


AE Pick:
Race 8: #11 Super Sky (5-2) I've been following this filly since she sold at the keeneland sale earlier this year, shes put in some nice works and came a nice third, apart from breaking in the air she had a really nice first trip in the Maiden Special Weight on July 22nd. If this filly gets in the race expect her to be a big factor.

Best Bet: 
Race 9: #4 Amberjack (4-5) This three year old son of Indygo Shiner is here to prove how dominate he is, this is the third leg of the NY Bred triple crown, he's won the first two legs of it. The only time this horse didnt hit the board he was listed as DNF, he was eased up toward the finish in a NW1X Op claimer, fortunately he has been able to keep form and has never truly missed the board. He is truly your best bet.

Horse to watch:
Race 9: #6  Go Get the Basil although Amberjack should win, if a horse can take it away from him its this guy. He's 6-1-2-1 this year, and although he finished behind a solid Smooth Bert, he should thrive on the distance and rally up to second or third, definitely a horse to try in your exactor/triactor/superfecta.