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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Yazan: Steve | 30 March 2010 | 9 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Right now the WirePlayers Derby Dozen is a two horse race between west coast-based LOOKIN AT LUCKY and east coaster ESKENDEREYA. Charging hard is ODYSSEUS, who joins AWESOME ACT and NOBLE’S PROMISE in the second tier. Saturday’s Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby will prove if “Lucky” and “Esky” are truly the dominant contenders our [...]
Yazan: Steve | 27 March 2010 | 4 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Don’t forget that Future Wager Pool #3 closes Sunday night – the final pool before the Derby. Live odds show the “Field” at about 3-1, way down from the ML of 8-1. Before placing a bet, you may wanna take a look at the graded earnings list to see who’s likely to make the Derby [...]
Yazan: Steve | 25 March 2010 | 7 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Sometimes you can miss seeing the forest through the trees. For instance, I’ll get wrapped around the axle trying to figure out which particular horse will win a race instead of identifying whether the outcome is likely to be “predictable” or “chaotic.” If I believe the outcome will be predictable, I’ll confidently pick a few [...]
Yazan: Steve | 21 March 2010 | 5 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
It’s a good time to take a closer look at probable KY Derby starters based on graded stakes earnings. Listed below are the top 50 graded stakes money leaders and likely next start. This is an “abridged” list and does not include Triple Crown-nominated fillies (as none are being pointed to the Derby), colts not [...]
Yazan: Steve | 16 March 2010 | 7 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
After spending two weeks in second place behind ESKENDEREYA after the previous poll, LOOKIN AT LUCKY reasserted his dominance over the WirePlayers Derby Dozen. Although he only beat NOBLE’S PROMISE by a whisker, you can argue LUCKY’s victory was more impressive than ESKENDEREYA’s romp in the Fountain of Youth. LUCKY got jostled on the [...]
Yazan: Steve | 06 March 2010 | 5 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Don’t forget, Pool #2 closes Sunday evening. If 7/2 holds up, the field is a viable option considering how great AWESOME ACT looked winning the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. He should be a top contender in the Wood Memorial. Additionally, ALPHIE’S BET won the Sham and MAKE MUSIC FOR ME won the Pasadena Stakes on [...]
Yazan: Steve | 03 March 2010 | 14 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
And Eskendereya storms to the lead! The Fountain of Youth was impressive, but there’s plenty more prep races where that came from; at least I hope. The most anticipated race in the next two weeks may be the Rebel Stakes on March 13th at Oaklawn. It’s where we expect to see Lookin at Lucky and [...]
Yazan: Steve | 17 February 2010 | 8 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Here’s Volume III of the WirePlayers Derby Dozen. Though we’re a little bummed Monday’s Southwest Stakes got cancelled, that just means Saturday is going to be even more jam-packed with Derby prep race action. If you remember way back when In Derby Dozen Volume I, Lookin at Lucky had a commanding lead. But the lack [...]