Archive for April, 2010
Worth the Wait – Derby Dozen Volume VIII
Yazan: Steve | 29 April 2010 | 8 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
The time is at hand to finally see who’s the best three-year old in the land. And then the next day, they’ll run the KY Derby. (rim shot please) For bragging rights (or shame if their horse finishes last), here’s our top Derby picks: LOOKIN AT LUCKY – Geno, Carly, Rob, Jessica, Brian A. AMERICAN [...]
Top 35 Graded Stakes
Yazan: Steve | 25 April 2010 | 3 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
2010′s Derby prep races are complete and graded stakes earnings for potential Derby starters are listed below. AIKENITE’s 2nd place in the Derby Trial Stakes gives him enough money to make the field, but owner Cot Campbell said the Derby is not an option. And with ESKENDEREYA out of the Derby, HOMEBOYKRIS should be in the [...]
Checking out Keeneland’s Carpet
Yazan: Steve | 22 April 2010 | 3 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Going to Keeneland three days after Charles Town won’t only lead to culture shock, but you can also bear witness to two of racing’s more disruptive trends: the “racino” (at CT) and the synthetic track (at KEE). Keeneland installed their own synthetic concoction, Polytrack, in October 2006. Some like it, some don’t. Seems ironic that [...]
Top 35 Graded Stakes Earnings
Yazan: Steve | 21 April 2010 | 4 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Below is an abridged list of graded stakes money leaders. Both NOBLE’S PROMISE and INTERACTIF are on the fence for the Derby. NOBLE’s PROMISE is recovering from a lung infection and Ken McPeek wants to see how he trains this week. INTERACTIF’s only raced on grass or synthetic and Todd Pletcher’s waiting to see how [...]
Back to the Future – Classic Charles Town
Yazan: Steve | 18 April 2010 | 3 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Charles Town’s always been a small-time, minor league race track; a six “furlin” bullring offering cheap claimers and state bred stakes for your betting pleasure. Not to say it doesn’t have a soft spot in my heart, my family took me to Charles Town growing up and it’s where my love of horse racing first [...]
Seven for Pletcher?
Yazan: Steve | 15 April 2010 | 5 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
In Keeneland’s Lexington Stakes on Saturday only CONNEMARA has a chance to make the KY Derby field. With $138,000 in graded stakes earnings and $180,000 for first place, he could be safely in the field with a victory. The $60,000 second place paycheck will leave him a little short unless there’s multiple unforseen withdraws. If [...]
WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume VII
Yazan: Steve | 13 April 2010 | 10 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
A single vote separates our top two Derby contenders with one legitimate graded prep race remaining (Saturday’s Lexington Stakes at Keeneland). Of Pletcher’s six likely Derby entrants, four made our illustrious Derby Dozen list. Though his 0-for-24 Derby record doesn’t bode well, he’s never had a horse dominate like ESKENDEREYA. I don’t pretend to know [...]
KY Derby Graded Earnings
Yazan: Steve | 10 April 2010 | 3 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Todd Pletcher figures to have six Derby entries; John Sadler, Bob Baffert, and Michael Maker all have two likely starters. HOMEBOYKRIS holds down the 20th and last spot. Maybe next week’s Lexington Stakes winner ($180K for 1st place) will have enough graded earnings to knock him out. Can DROSSELMEYER get in done?. Graded Stakes Earnings [...]
Searching For Clues in the Blue Grass
Yazan: Steve | 08 April 2010 | 4 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
A while ago I listed eleven betting angles and might try a few more on for size in Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes this Saturday. ODYSSEUS looks like an attractive bet at 7/2, but he should get bet down from there and may be a post-time underlay. I’m not excited about taking short odds on a [...]
KY Derby Graded Stakes Earnings
Yazan: Steve | 04 April 2010 | 7 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
In response to a request by Norm, we now have a column showing graded stakes money earned at age three (during 2010 only). Graded Stakes Earnings (w/ age 3 only $) # Horse Total Graded Earnings Age 3 Graded $ Trainer Next Start 1 LOOKIN AT LUCKY $1,480,000 $270,000 Bob Baffert KY Derby 2 NOBLE’S [...]
When Pace and Form Collide
Yazan: Steve | 03 April 2010 | 3 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Thoughts on Saturday’s three Derby preps: In the Wood Memorial, AWESOME ACT is the best closer in a race that should have a good pace to run down. With a good trip, AWESOME ACT (9/2) could beat an odds on ESKENDEREYA (4/5). The Santa Anita Derby appears devoid of any pace. That should help SIDNEY’s [...]
