Saturday Graded Stakes Preview
Yazan: Steve | 05 August 2011 | 2 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
There are 4 graded stakes on Saturday, most notably the G.1 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga for older horses and the G.1 Clement Hirsch at Del Mar for older mares. Mountainer Park Grade 2 West Virginia Derby ($750K) – 1 and 1/8 miles – Race 8 - 5:35 post time. The 2011 edition lacks the star power [...]
BLAME – A Horseplayer’s Horse
Yazan: Steve | 16 November 2010 | 7 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
BLAME Originally uploaded by WirePlayers While I could care less about who wins the Horse of the Year, one thing that burns my ass is how some overzealous ZENYATTA fans have dismissed BLAME’s extraordinary accomplishments. What they fail to realize is that by denigrating his abilities, they diminish hers as well. The horses BLAME beat [...]
BLAME ‘n Me
Yazan: Steve | 11 November 2010 | 5 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Oddly enough, I first became intrigued with BLAME after one of his four defeats, the 2009 Grade 2 Super Derby. In that race, he closed in the final eighth of a mile against a loose on the lead REGAL RANSOM with such a rush that I made a point to bet his next race. The Super [...]
BLAME with trainer Al Stall Jr.
Yazan: Steve | 11 November 2010 | Comments Off
Categories: Horse Racing
BLAME with trainer Al Stall Jr. Originally uploaded by WirePlayers In 2009, BLAME won four times in six races at age three. Three of his victories came in stakes races including the Grade 2 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland and the Grade 2 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs; both against older handicap horses. The Clark had [...]
2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner BLAME
Yazan: Steve | 11 November 2010 | Comments Off
Categories: Horse Racing
2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner BLAME Originally uploaded by WirePlayers BLAME’s victory in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic was the culmination of an exceptional career. Over his three year racing career, BLAME had nine victories in 13 races; including three Grade 1s, two Grade 2s and a Grade 3. Incredibly, BLAME was only favored three [...]
Belmont Park’s Super Saturday Selections
Yazan: Steve | 01 October 2010 | 5 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
There was a time Belmont’s fall meet was the end of year championship. Over the past 25 years, the Breeders’ Cup has relegated Belmont’s prestigious fall meet to a series of BC prep races. At least this year’s fall meet can be considered a legitimate BC prep now that the BC is back on dirt at [...]
Is There A New Sheriff In Town?
Yazan: Steve | 06 August 2010 | 6 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
The leader of the male handicap division, QUALITY ROAD, is putting his supremacy on the line in Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga going 9 furlongs over the main track. QUALITY ROAD has dominated the competition in 2010; most notably in a 12+ length victory at Gulfstream Park in the G1 Donn Handicap. The [...]
Caught in a Speed “Fig” Trap
Yazan: Steve | 17 June 2010 | 5 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Last weekend featured great performances by four potential Breeders’ Cup Classic starters. Most noteworthy was ZENYATTA’s win in the G1 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood. She won her 17th race in a row, breaking CIGAR’s record for consecutive wins. My good friend Rob (aka Amateurcapper) was at the race and passed along this pic. Checkout AmCap’s [...]
Four Good Turf Races To Bet This Weekend
Yazan: Steve | 11 June 2010 | 9 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Just a week after the Triple Crown season concludes, horse racing offers a great weekend to bet the races. For good reason, many will watch RACHEL ALEXANDRA on Saturday in the G2 Fleur de Lis Hdcp at Churchill Downs & ZENYATTA in the G1 Vanity Hdcp at Hollywood Park on Sunday. Unfortunately, these races probably [...]
It’s the Preakness, Man
Yazan: Steve | 19 May 2010 | 5 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Attending the KY Derby and Preakness lets you compare two distinct experiences. An analogy may be the difference between Las Vegas and Atlantic City: Las Vegas (the Derby) has more cachet and the crowds are attractive and hip. Atlantic City (the Preakness) feels older, dingier, and more casual. Instead of sundresses and Derby hats, it’s [...]
Bet Hard
Yazan: Steve | 01 December 2009 | 2 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Walk Bet Hard My wagering experience last weekend drove home the point that handicappers should always stand firm when they have strong opinions. Case in point: last Friday’s Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs. As some may know, I’ve been high on Blame the past few months. I was impressed with his fast finish in the [...]
A Journey into the Heart of American Horse Racing
Yazan: Steve | 30 October 2009 | 4 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Making our annual pilgrimage to Keeneland racetrack this weekend – the sixth straight year we’ve driven 8+ hours from DC to Lexington. Lexington’s gotta be the only place in America where everyone’s into horse racing. Horseplayers who are pariahs in their home town can feel perfectly at home here. In DC, no one talks about [...]
Regal Ransom Wires The Field
Yazan: Steve | 20 September 2009 | 1 Comment
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Regal Ransom cruised to victory in Saturday’s Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. As expected, veteran jockey Richard Migliore took him to the front and set a slow pace assuring Regal Ransom had plenty left for the stretch run. Blame closed well but never seriously challenged for the win. Regal Ransom and Blame were bet [...]
Super Derby Preview
Yazan: Steve | 18 September 2009 | 1 Comment
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Though I’m hesitant to play any stakes race with the name “super” in it, let’s take a stab at the Louisiana Downs Super Derby, a grade II at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. The morning line favorite Soul Warrior is coming off a victory over Big Drama and Mine That Bird in the West Virginia [...]
