4/30/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Preview

Back to trying to pick a half dozen in a row on a Sunday card at Golden Gate Fields that contains a pair of state bred stakes on some California grass.  Speaking of picking six, the following was part of a press release this past week by the California Horse Racing Board:

"The Board approved a request from the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) to run
five of the northern fair meets as one combined fair race meet, which among other things will
allow for Pick Six carryovers from meet to meet, culminating in Fresno. As allocated, those
venues and dates are: Oak Tree at Pleasanton from June 21 through July 11, the State Fair at
Cal Expo (July 12-August 1), the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale (August 25-September
3), CARF with Oak Tree at Pleasanton (September 20-October 3), and the Big Fresno Fair
(October 4-17)"

Personally, I like it, as it will allow for the possibility of the pool to grow into a sizable amount.  But that's the future; let's return to the present, as we take another run at The Golden Pick Six at The Bay's Best Bet.

RACE 4 - (F) [S] The Campanile $100k - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Miss Sunset (Morning Line 7-5)

B's

None

C's

# 4 Radish (ML 4-1)
# 5 Shari (ML 6-1)
# 6 Lucky Christina (ML 2-1)

Miss Sunset won the Sweet Life charging down the Santa Anita Hill back in February.  Miss Sunset should improve with the return to turf.

Radish won the photo for the Place over Miss Sunset last time out in the Evening Jewel last time out, which was run over the main Santa Anita dirt track.  Shari and Lucky Christina, both sired by Lucky Pulpit, could move up in their turf debut.

RACE 5 - (F) Clm $6.25k - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 2 Upended (ML 7-5)

B’s

# 4 Secret Agent Girl (ML 9-2)
# 5 Stormy Endeavor (ML 5-2)

C's

# 7 Hillside Queen (ML 6-1)

Upended took the Show against more expensive last time out.  Secret Agent Girl tries winners for the first time after winning handily in her first start of 2017.  Stormy Endeavor took the Place at this class level last time out.  Hillside Queen flashed a bit of early speed against more expensive last time out.

RACE 6 - [S] The Silky Sullivan $100k - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Mr. Hinx (ML 5-2)
# 5 Tribal Storm (ML 8-1)

B's

# 2 Grecian Fire (ML 6-1)
# 3 More Power to Him (ML 9-2)
# 4 Ninety Nine Proof (ML 15-1)
# 6 Elwood J (ML 3-1)
# 7 B Squared (ML 7-2)

C's

None

Mr. Hinx and Tribal Storm are the only two in this field that have won competing on the grass.  Three of the starters here are making their turf debuts.  The longest shot on the Morning Line, Ninety Nine Proof, has lost just once in four career starts.  Quite frankly, I think this contest is wide open; so rather than trying to be ultra fine, let's just put everyone on our big ticket and try to get a price.

RACE 7 - OC 62.5k/N2X - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 4 Mah Gellin (ML 5-2)

B’s

# 5 Allaboutaction (ML 3-1)

C's

# 2 Malibu Alex (ML 6-1)
# 6 Top Pirana (ML 5-1)

Mah Gellin has taken the Place at this class level in each of his last two starts.  Allaboutaction looks to be the quickest in this field, and could steal it on the front end.  Malibu Alex has been competitive with Mah Gellin in each of his last two outings, and could turn the tables on that rival today.  Top Pirana could get a nice stalking trip from the outermost post.

RACE 8 - Clm $12.5k N2L - Eight and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 6 Lazzam (GB) (ML 8-5)

B’s

None

C's

# 4 Post Rock (ML 4-1)
# 5 Alamo Pintado (ML 30-1)
# 7 Tacola (ML 10-1)
# 11 Thermopylae (ML 8-1)

Scratch # 13 Neptune's Spear (ML 2-1), who does not draw in off the Also Eligible list

Lazzam (GB) ships in from downstate, and is being priced to sell with a massive class drop off the layoff; which is certainly a huge red flag, but Trainer John Martin tends to win with such.

Alamo Pintado took the Show against classier the last time that he competed on the turf.  Post Rock has finished in the Trifecta at this class level in three of his last four starts.  Tacola could improve with the return to turf.  Thermopylae took the Show behind Post Rock last time out.

RACE 9 - Clm $4k B - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 1 Storm Fashion (ML 7-2)
# 10 Smokin' Steve (ML 6-1)

B's

# 4 One Tuff Minister (ML 3-1)
# 5 Venturi (ML 9-2)
# 9 Himalaya Star (ML 10-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 11 North Pacific (No Line), who does not draw in off the Also Eligible list

This contest is restricted to runners which have either:

1) Not won a race since March 1, 2017; OR
2) Which have never won four races.

So as long as a horse has fewer than four career Wins, he's eligible to run in this race.  If a horse has four career Wins or more, than none of those Wins could have come in either this month or last (note that Claiming and Starter Races for $3.5k or less don't count when computing the Win totals).  For the record, # 4 One Tuff Minister (ML 3-1), # 5 Venturi (ML 9-2), and # 8 Wake (ML 20-1) are the three runners in this field with fewer than four career Wins.

Storm Fashion is getting some much needed class relief.  Smokin' Steve goes first off the claim for Trainer John Martin, who has been winning most everything in sight.

One Tuff Minister took the Place at this approximate class level two starts back, and could be the one running best late.  Venturi could move up going third off the freshening.  Himalaya Star looks to be the speed of the speed, and could steal this one on the front end.

OK, that's the analysis.  While this is a jackpot wager, we won't be putting all our selections on one ticket.  While we still hold out hope that this could be the luckiest day of our lives, budgetary constraints must be respected.  I think it's also safe to presume that our "A" Selections won't form the basis of a unique ticket, so we should be safe in pressing those up.  So with all that, playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P6: 1 with 2 with 1,5 with 4 with 6 with 1,10 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P6: 1 with 2,4,5 with ALL with 4,5 with 6 with 1,4,5,9,10 $42.00

A's with One C

$0.20 P6: 4,5,6 with 2 with 1,5 with 4 with 6 with 1,10 $2.40
$0.20 P6: 1 with 7 with 1,5 with 4 with 6 with 1,10 $0.80
$0.20 P6: 1 with 2 with 1,5 with 2,6 with 6 with 1,10 $1.60
$0.20 P6: 1 with 2 with 1,5 with 4 with 4,5,7,11 with 1,10 $3.20

Total: $54.00

Post Time for Race 4 is 5:18 EDT / 2:18 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/29/17 Golden Gate Fields Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 3 Pepper and Salt (Final Odds 2.10) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - The San Francisco Mile - # 6 Alert Bay (0.60*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 2 Mended (0.40*) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 2 If You Like It (16.20) - No Selection

We hit the "ALL" button in the opening leg just to see our "A" Selection cross under the wire a neck in front of the Post Time Favorite, # 7 Proudtobesicilian (2.00*); so perhaps that contest wasn't such a mess after all.  Instead it turned out to be the nightcap which we didn't fully grasp, having as we did no part of either the winner or the Place runner, # 3 Brookys Star (4.40).

Oh well; onto the next race.

For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the four runners to which we were alive in the finale:

# 1 Russian Radiance (GB) (15.60) - $60.30 Finish: 3rd
# 4 Ryder’s Starlight (5.70) - $38.35 Finish: 6th
# 5 Top Tizzy (5.50) - $21.75 Finish: 5th
# 7 An Unusual Group (1.00*) - $15.35 Finish: 4th

Since a victory by Ryder's Starlight or An Unusual Group would have allowed us to collect our "All A Selections" ticket in addition to our big ticket, the payouts given above would have been trebled had either of those two won.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  3 / 6 / 2 / 2  were rewarded with a payout of $31.45 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/29/17 Golden Gate Fields Late Pick Four - Preview

Graded Stakes competition comes to Northern California Saturday, as the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile is the featured race on the Golden Gate card.  We'll be taking a look at that contest below, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Bay's Best Bet.

RACE 6 - Md $12.5k - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 3 Pepper and Salt (Morning Line 7-2)

B's

# 1 V F Beestrong (ML 20-1)
# 2 Tuscan Warrior (ML 4-1)
# 5 Get Like Me (ML 3-1)
# 6 Smoke and Burn (ML 10-1)
# 7 Proudtobesicillian (ML 5-2)

C's

None

Scratch # 4 Ron Again (ML 5-1)

There are three reasons why I won't be putting in a Golden Pick Six play Saturday.  Those three reasons are Races 4, 5, and 6.  Race 4 is a contest for two year old juveniles, in which the entire field is making their career debut.  Race 5 is carded for non-claiming state bred Maidens, three years old and upward, scheduled to be run at a distance of eight and a half furlongs on some California grass.  None of the entrants in Race 5 has ever previously raced on the turf.

So any selections I would make in Races 4 and 5 would be pure pedigree plays; and while that can be an entertaining challenge in a leg of a sequence wager, having two such legs fall into that category tends to make a six race play either too expensive, or more stabbing than selecting.  Still, I might have been tempted to give it a go were it not for Race 6.

As you can see above, we're using everyone on our big ticket for the opening leg of The Late Pick Four.  While we could reasonably whittle down the contenders by eliminating a couple of starters from our play, I don't think such a move is in our best interests in a contest this competitive.  Had Race 6 contained a clear standout or pair of standouts, we might possibly have put together a reasonably priced Golden Pick Six play using all or most of the fields of Races 4 and 5.  But in my opinion Race 6 on paper is just too close to call; so rather than turn this into a lottery and stab at numbers in Races 4, 5, and 6, we'll simply set the bar lower today and focus on the final four events on the card.

RACE 7 - The San Francisco Mile (Grade 3) - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 G. G. Ryder (ML 5-1)
# 6 Alert Bay (ML 8-5)

B's

# 4 Many Roses (ML 8-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 3 Patentar (Fr) (ML 5-2)

G. G. Ryder, winner of this event two years back, is making his first turf start since last year's running of this contest, and could improve with the surface switch.  Alert Bay, winner of last year's running of this contest, looks to be in top form with his win in a no-condition Allowance race over the Tapeta main track last time out, in a field that contained many that Alert Bay will be facing again today.  Many Roses looks to be quickest by far in this field, and could steal this one on the front end.

RACE 8 - (F) Clm $20k N2X - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 2 Mended (ML 1-1)

B’s

None

C's

# 1 Aly's Last Magic (ML 5-1)
# 6 Sea Myrtle (ML 10-1)
# 8 Bow Tie Belle (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 5 French Tart (ML 15-1)

Mended is a perfect three-for-three since joining the barn of Trainer John Martin, and there's little reason to think that she can't make it four in a row.  Aly's Last Magic was victorious last time out in a field that contained a few that are entered in this event.  Sea Myrtle defeated open (non-conditioned) claimers last time out and could be the one running best late.  Bow Tie Belle, who lost all chance at the break last time out, took the Place in a troubled trip behind Mended two starts back.

RACE 9 - (F) OC 32k/N1X - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 4 Ryder's Starlight (ML 10-1)
# 7 An Unusual Group (ML 2-1)

B’s

# 1 Russian Radiance (GB) (ML 10-1)
# 5 Top Tizzy (ML 5-2)

C's

None

Scratch # 8 Spring Heat (ML 20-1)

Ryder's Starlight got her picture taken three of the last four times that she competed on the turf.  An Unusual Group was a winner over this turf course two starts back, and seems to fit best on class.  Russian Radiance (GB) will be making her first turf start since coming to North America.  Top Tizzy returns off the freshening and will try to take this field from gate to wire.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 3 with 1,6 with 2 with 4,7 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: ALL with 1,4,6 with 2 with 1,4,5,7 $36.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 3 with 1,6 with 1,6,8 with 4,7 $6.00

Total: $46.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 6:21 EDT / 3:21 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/23/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Results

Race 4 - # 6 Stellar Sea (Final Odds 4.80) - No Selection
Race 5 - # 6 Melville (3.30*) - "A" Selection
Race 6 - # 3 You Play the Bench (4.90) - "B" Selection
Race 7 - # 3 Harvest a Storm (4.70) - No Selection
Race 8 - # 2 Nightime Olympics (3.50) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 2 Nowhere Man (4.00) - "C" Selection

We covered half the field in the opening leg on our big ticket, but we still managed to completely miss the winner (as well as Place finisher # 3 Fair Advantage (9.90)).  Still, that cloud did come with a silver lining for those paying attention; as Stellar Sea's victory combined with # 5 Ultra Fame's (3.50) Show finish certainly complimented the winner of the common race from which they both exited; and that winner, Nightime Olympics, went on to score again later on the card in the fifth leg of the sequence.  But even with a silver lining, a cloud is still a cloud; and the bottom line is that today was a day for us to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Golden Pick Six sequence of  6 / 6 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 2  were rewarded with a payout of $4,988.52 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/23/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Preview

It's Sunday!  And that's about all I have as far as introductions go.  So let's just get to it, as we take another run at The Golden Pick Six at The Bay's Best Bet.

RACE 4 - Clm $20k N2X - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 2 El Koreano (Morning Line 8-5)

B’s

# 4 Life Is A Trip (ML 5-2)
# 5 Ultra Fame (ML 9-2)

C's

None

El Koreano was victorious at approximately this class level last time out (cheaper claiming price, but no conditions).  Life Is A Trip is getting some class relief in his 2017 debut.  Ultra Fame could improve with the added half-furlong.

RACE 5 - Alw 40000s N2L - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 6 Melville (ML 2-1)
# 8 Junior G Man (ML 4-1)

B’s

None

C's

# 4 Going for the Win (ML 9-2)
# 5 Native Chieftain (ML 6-1)

Note for future reference that this one is for horses which have not won two races in their career; but with one exemption, as runners get a pass for having one (and just one) win against winners, provided that win was for $16k or less.  For the record, Going for the Win and Junior G Man are the only runners in this field to have visited the Winner's Circle twice in their career.

Note also that Race 9 has these identical conditions at the same distance on the turf; so consider Races 5 and 9 to be two divisions of the same contest.

Melville and Junior G Man are the two runners in this field that best fit here on class and speed.  The only concern with these two is that they both tend to settle for too many minor awards.  Hopefully today each won't out-hang the other long enough to allow another runner to cross under the wire first; but if they should, then hopefully that other runner will be either Native Chieftain (early) or Going for the Win (late).

RACE 6 - Clm $12.5k N2L - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 6 Shoshoni Storm (ML 3-1)

B’s

# 3 You Play the Bench (ML 6-1)

C's

# 2 Academic Code (ML 7-2)
# 5 Radar Jammin (ML 9-2)
# 7 Arch Kisser (ML 8-1)

Scratch # 1 Image of Strength (ML 10-1)

Shoshoni Storm and You Play the Bench are a pair of debut winners from last time out that each ran well enough to warrant strong consideration that one of them will be starting their career two-and-oh.  Academic Code and Radar Jammin took the Place and Show, respectively, at this class level last time out.  Arch Kisser is the one that could be running best late.

RACE 7 - OC 40k/N1X - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 A. P. Zona (ML 9-5)
# 4 Pass Due Payment (ML 9-2)

B’s

None

C's

# 2 Golden Doughnut (ML 8-1)
# 7 Q. T.'s Tribute (ML 7-2)
# 8 Carville (ML 6-1)

A. P. Zona, winner of each of his last two races, goes first off the claim for Trainer Blaine Wright, who tends to do well with such.  Pass Due Payment took the Place at this class level last time out.

Golden Doughnut moves up in class after winning each of his last two events.  Q. T.'s Tribute, sired by Unusual Heat, should improve over his initial turf effort now that he'll be going around two turns.  Carville was a winner in his only prior try on this turf course.  With his early speed, expect Carville to try to smoke the grass before the others can get into top gear.

RACE 8 - ALW N1X - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 9 Hot Lightning (ML 6-1)

B's

# 2 Nightime Olympics (ML 7-2)
# 4 Tentwelvefourteen (ML 4-1)

C's

# 5 Brownie Finale (ML 8-1)
# 6 Johnny Reb (ML 5-1)

Hot Lightning was victorious at this class level last time out, with Tentwelvefourteen taking the Show behind him.  Nightime Olympics, victorious against cheaper stock last time out, goes first off the claim for Trainer Jonathan Wong, who tends to do well with such.

Brownie Finale took the Place against a next out winner at this class level two starts back.  Johnny Reb has been training well for this, his 2017 debut.

RACE 9 - Alw 40000s N2L - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Boleo (ML 7-2)
# 4 Architop (ML 5-2)

B’s

None

C's

# 2 Nowhere Man (ML 4-1)
# 8 Ace On The River (ML 10-1)
# 9 Village Kitten (ML 8-1)

Note for future reference that this one is for horses which have not won two races in their career; but with one exemption, as runners get a pass for having one (and just one) win against winners, provided that win was for $16k or less.  For the record, Nowhere Man and # 3 Carolina Island (ML 6-1) are the only runners in this field with just one career victory.

Note also that Race 5 has these identical conditions at the same distance on the turf; so consider Races 5 and 9 to be two divisions of the same contest.

Architop was victorious at this class level last time out.  Boleo could move up with the surface and distance changes.  Nowhere Man has finished in the Trifecta in each of his tries on this turf course.

Ace On The River could improve with the move to the lawn.  Village Kitten looks to be the one who will be running best late.

OK, that's the analysis.  While this is a jackpot wager, we won't be putting all our selections on one ticket.  While we still hold out hope that this could be the luckiest day of our lives, budgetary constraints must be respected.  I think it's also safe to presume that our "A" Selections won't form the basis of a unique ticket, so we should be safe in pressing those up.  So with all that, playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P6: 2 with 6,8 with 6 with 1,4 with 9 with 1,4 $8.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P6: 2,4,5 with 6,8 with 3,6 with 1,4 with 2,4,9 with 1,4 $28.80

A's with One C

$0.20 P6: 2 with 4,5 with 6 with 1,4 with 9 with 1,4 $1.60
$0.20 P6: 2 with 6,8 with 2,5,7 with 1,4 with 9 with 1,4 $4.80
$0.20 P6: 2 with 6,8 with 6 with 2,7,8 with 9 with 1,4 $2.40
$0.20 P6: 2 with 6,8 with 6 with 1,4 with 5,6 with 1,4 $3.20
$0.20 P6: 2 with 6,8 with 6 with 1,4 with 9 with 2,8,9 $2.40

Total: $51.20

Post Time for Race 4 is 5:16 EDT / 2:16 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/22/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Results

Race 4 - # 5 Lota Spunk (Final Odds 5.30) - "A" Selection
Race 5 - # 5 Sheeza Sassy Girl (7.10) - "B" Selection
Race 6 - # 7 Silken Chief (8.60) - No Selection
Race 7 - # 3 Unusual Meeting (2.90) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 7 Claudia Mae (5.70) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 9 Become an Insider (7.50) - "C" Selection

On March 26, in a shared contest in which all three were making their career debut, Silken Chief had finished fourth behind Place horse Regal Born and Show horse Elegant Tanner.  Saturday, Silken Chief turned the tables on those two rivals, crossing the wire a little over a length in front of Place horse # 6 Regal Born (3.10) and three lengths in front of fourth place finisher # 3 Elegant Tanner (2.40*).  Not anticipating that turnaround, as well as failing to use Become an Insider on our big ticket, made this a day for us to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Golden Pick Six sequence of  5 / 5 / 7 / 3 / 7 / 9  were rewarded with a payout of $801.36 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/22/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Preview

"The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but you still have to mow it." - Anonymous

We'll be looking at a lot of grass in the bay area Saturday, as half of the final six races on the Golden Gate card are scheduled for the lawn.  So with that let's get to it, as we take another run at The Golden Pick Six at The Bay's Best Bet.

RACE 4 - Clm $4k B - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 5 Lota Spunk (Morning Line 10-1)

B's

# 6 On Fire (ML 12-1)

C's

# 1 Mark Ye Well (ML 5-2)
# 2 Papa G (ML 9-5)
# 4 The Natural (ML 10-1)

This contest is restricted to runners which have either:

1) Not won a race since March 1, 2017; OR
2) Which have never won four races.

So as long as a horse has fewer than four career Wins, he's eligible to run in this race.  If a horse has four career Wins or more, than none of those Wins could have come in either this month or last (note that Claiming and Starter Races for $3.5k or less don't count when computing the Win totals).  For the record, # 3 Off the Deep End (ML 7-2), # 5 Lota Spunk (ML 10-1), and # All That Rocks (ML 6-1) are the three runners in this field with four or more career Wins.

Lota Spunk defeated open $3.2k Claimers last time out; and while the claiming price is higher today, the lack of conditions in the prior contest means that this is, at worst, a lateral move on the class ladder for Lota Spunk.

On Fire should improve with the return to one turn racing.  Mark Ye Well probably needs more pace to chance than what he'll find here today; but Mark Ye Well certainly fits at this class level.  

Papa G has shown improvement in each of his last two contests; but the fact that Papa G has backed up in the stretch in each of his four races since his return is a concern.  The Natural filled out the Superfecta behind On Fire two starts back, and, like that rival, should improve with the reduction in real estate.

RACE 5 - (F) OC 40k/N1X - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Lazzarella (ML 9-2)

B’s

# 5 Sheeza Sassy Girl (ML 6-1)
# 7 Everybody Does It (ML 6-1)

C's

# 6 Smiling Ann (ML 5-2)
# 8 Rebeccas in Charge (ML 7-2)

Lazzarella ran well in her one turf try two starts back downstate, and should turn the tables on several in here with the change in surface.  Sheeza Sassy Girl fits here on class, but there's no guarantee regarding how she'll handle the lawn.  Everybody Does It won by the length of the stretch in her only prior turf try.

Smiling Ann would probably be an "A" Selection were this contest being run on the main track; but I'm not convinced that Smiling Ann's debut on the grass will be a happy one for her connections.  Rebeccas in Charge has won two of her last three starts; but Rebeccas in charge will be trying turf for the first time, as well as competing for the first time with blinkers on; and your guess is at least as good as mine as to how she'll handle those changes.

RACE 6 - MSW - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 10 Thorny Weather (ML 7-2)

B's

# 3 Elegant Tanner (ML 3-1)
# 6 Regal Born (ML 4-1)

C's

# 1 Uptown Street (ML 15-1)
# 9 River House (ML 6-1)

Thorny Weather took the Place in his debut at this class level last time out, and could improve with the reduction in distance.  Regal Born and Elegant Tanner took the Place and Show, respectively, in a common race at this class level last time out in which they each made their career debut.  Uptown Street and River House are a pair of first time starters whose pedigrees suggest that they will be ready to run at first asking.

RACE 7 - Clm $20k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 3 Unusual Meeting (ML 3-1)
# 5 Fly Lexis Fly (ML 9-2)

B’s

None

C's

# 6 Small Town Cop (ML 4-1)
# 9 Noble Nick (ML 12-1)

Unusual Meeting missed victory at this class level by just a neck the last time that he competed on the lawn.  Fly Lexis Fly defeated classier competition the last time that he ran on the grass.

Small Town Cop has disappointed as the Post Time Favorite in three of his last four races (all against Allowance company) and should appreciate the class relief here.  Noble Nick appears to be the quickest in this field, and just might steal it on the front end.

RACE 8 - (F) ALW N1X - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 7 Claudia Mae (ML 9-2)

B's

# 3 Princess Ashlyn (ML 5-2)
# 6 Amber Louise (ML 7-2)
# 8 Briartic Gal (ML 4-1)

C's

None

Claudia Mae took the Show behind Briartic Gal last time out; while Briartic Gal, in her most recent race, took the Show behind Amber Louise; while Amberber Louise has finished well behind Claudia Mae in in two of her last three starts.  So any of these three can beat the other two on any given day.  As for which one will come out ahead today, I think Claudia Mae shows signs of being the one most likely to move forward.

Princess Ashlyn ships in from downstate and looks to fit in well with the contenders here; but this will be Princess Ashlyn's first race on a synthetic surface, and her workout over this main track on the 15th doesn't inspire confidence that she will handle it well.

RACE 9 - Md $20k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 5 Onefortheteam (ML 7-2)
# 10 Cedar Rapids (ML 2-1)

B's

None

C's

# 8 Monsajem Saltant (ML 20-1)
# 9 Become an Insider (ML 10-1)

Onefortheteam ships in from downstate and will go first time for Trainer John Martin.  Onefortheteam's pedigree suggests that he will do well with the switch to the lawn.  Cedar Rapids took the Show the only prior time in his career that he ran for a tag.

Monsajem Saltant showed some late interest in his debut last time out, and could improve with the change of surface.  Become an Insider took the Show at this class level the last time that he competed around two turns.

OK, that's the analysis.  While this is a jackpot wager, we won't be putting all our selections on one ticket.  While we still hold out hope that this could be the luckiest day of our lives, budgetary constraints must be respected.  I think it's also safe to presume that our "A" Selections won't form the basis of a unique ticket, so we should be safe in pressing those up.  So with all that, playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P6: 5 with 1 with 10 with 3,5 with 7 with 5,10 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P6: 5,6 with 1,5,7 with 3,6,10 with 3,5 with 3,6,7,8 with 5,10 $57.60

A's with One C

$0.20 P6: 1,2,4 with 1 with 10 with 3,5 with 7 with 5,10 $2.40
$0.20 P6: 5 with 6,8 with 10 with 3,5 with 7 with 5,10 $1.60
$0.20 P6: 5 with 1 with 1,9 with 3,5 with 7 with 5,10 $1.60
$0.20 P6: 5 with 1 with 10 with 6,9 with 7 with 5,10 $0.80
$0.20 P6: 5 with 1 with 10 with 3,5 with 7 with 8,9 $0.80

Total: $68.80

Post Time for Race 4 is 5:15 EDT / 2:15 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/16/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Results

Race 4 - # 5 Little Mustard (Final Odds 0.60*) - "A" Selection
Race 5 - # 3 Sea Myrtle (5.30) - "A" Selection
Race 6 - # 6 I'm Passing Ya Now (0.40*) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 3 Rideo (3.90) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 1 Tizfit (3.10) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 1 Last Minute (6.60) - "B" Selection

Good things tend to happen when the winning sequence contains only two Post Time Favorites, and you have them both as singles on your big ticket.

The correct Golden Pick Six sequence of  5 / 3 / 6 / 3 / 1 / 1  paid $808.30 for a twenty cent wager.  That makes for a profit of $745.90 on our $62.40 investment, or approximate odds of 11.95-1.

I hope you all had it with me.  May God bless us as we spend our winnings.

Onto the next race!

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/16/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Preview

“The very first Easter taught us this: that life never ends and love never dies.” - Kate McGahan

Happy Easter everyone!  Here's hoping that you find all the eggs along with everything else that you're searching for.  As for us, we'll be searching today for the winners of each of the final half dozen races at Golden Gate Fields.  So let's get to it, as we take another run at The Golden Pick Six at The Bay's Best Bet.

RACE 4 - Md $5k - Five Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 5 Little Mustard (ML 1-1)

B's

None

C's

# 3 Diablo Way (ML 12-1)
# 4 Gunny (ML 15-1)
# 6 Plai Kaew (ML 3-1)

Little Mustard drops in for the cheapest price tag of his career, as he tries to prove that the nineteenth time is the charm.  Diablo Way gets blinkers and lasix for the first time today in his fourth career start.

Gunny gets a five pound weight break for being a filly going against the boys; and while I'm not one to pay much attention to weights, I figure that it's worth noting that the last time Gunny only had to carry 120 pounds she took the Place down at Los Alamitos.  Plai Kaew is a first time starter for Trainer Rene Amescua, whose runners tend to do well at first asking.

RACE 5 - (F) Clm $10k - Eight Furlongs Synthetic
NOTE: THIS RACE WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR THE TURF

A’s

# 2 Warrens Goldnugget (ML 4-1)
# 3 Sea Myrtle (ML 5-1)
# 4 Melanie Rose (ML 9-5)

B’s

None

C's

# 1 French Tart (ML 15-1)
# 5 Exactamente (ML 9-2)
# 6 Dame Street (ML 5-2)

Warrens Goldnugget returns to the barn of Trainer Billy Morey after a one race absence, having won both the race in which he was claimed away and the one in which he was claimed back.  Sea Myrtle missed victory by less than a length at this class level last time out.

Melanie Rose enters this contest with a four race winning streak; and while Melanie Rose was the subject of a voided claim last time out, it's worth noting that Melanie Rose was also the subject of a voided claim three starts back, after which she romped to a four and a half length victory in her next race.

French Tart is on the ticket because everyone else entered in this contest is.  Exactamente took the Show behind Warrens Goldnugget last time out, and will be going first off the claim for Trainer Bill Delia, who tends to do well with such.  Dame Street could move up with a more favorable pace scenario to chase today.

RACE 6 - (F) Md $12.5k - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 6 I'm Passing Ya Now (ML 1-1)

B's

None

C's

# 2 Jazz Night (ML 10-1)
# 5 Cup of Kaffy (ML 4-1)

I'm Passing Ya Now drops in for a tag for the first time in her career.  Jazz Night and Cup of Kaffy each ran well in a common contest last time out in which they both debuted.

RACE 7 - Clm $5k N2L - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 3 Rideo (ML 3-1)

B’s

# 1 Ted Oliver (ML 9-2)
# 5 Jury (ML 8-1)
# 6 My Son John (ML 5-2)

C's

# 4 And Then Some (ML 4-1)

Note that this contest has exemptions to the N2L condition; specifically, Maiden, Claiming and Starter races for $4k or less are not considered.  So, technically, this contest should be an N2X rather than an N2L.  For the record, all the entrants in this field have visited the Winner's Circle multiple times in their career.

Rideo, winner by daylight last time out, took the Show at this class level last time out.  
Ted Oliver drops in class after taking the Show against more expensive stock.  Jury could be the quickest in this field and will look to steal this one on the front end.

My Son John, winner against lesser last time out, could get a nice pressing trip with the outside draw.  And Then Some gets some much needed class relief.

RACE 8 - (F) Clm $12.5k N2L - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 2 Prophetinparadise (ML 10-1)
# 4 Our Clementine (ML 8-5)

B’s

# 1 Tizfit (ML 7-2)
# 3 Tough Penny (ML 5-1)
# 6 Spanish Doll (ML 4-1)

C's

None

Note that this contest, like Race 7 above, has exemptions to the N2L condition; specifically, Maiden, Claiming and Starter races for $10k or less are not considered.  So, technically, this contest should be an N2X rather than an N2L.  For the record, all the entrants in this field have visited the Winner's Circle multiple times in their career.

Prophetinparadise took the Show at this approximate class level last time out (lower claiming price but no conditions) and could be the speed of the speed here.  Our Clementine took the Place at this approximate class level two starts back.

Tizfit enters this contest with a two race winning streak.  Tough Penny should move up with the added real estate.  Spanish Doll has finished in the Trifecta in each of her four starts over this main track.

RACE 9 - (F) Md $5k - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 3 Slightly (ML 7-5)

B's

# 1 Last Minute (ML 6-1)
# 6 Belle's Command (ML 3-1)
# 7 Still Spinning (ML 6-1)

C's

None

Slightly missed graduation by just a neck at this class level last time out.  Last Minute projects to be the speed on the rail.  Belle's Command took the Show two and three starts back against more expensive company.  Still Spinning took the Show at this class level last time out.

OK, that's the analysis.  While this is a jackpot wager, we won't be putting all our selections on one ticket.  While we still hold out hope that this could be the luckiest day of our lives, budgetary constraints must be respected.  I think it's also safe to presume that our "A" Selections won't form the basis of a unique ticket, so we should be safe in pressing those up.  So with all that, playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P6: 5 with 2,3,4 with 6 with 3 with 2,4 with 3 $6.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P6: 5 with 2,3,4 with 6 with 1,3,5,6 with 1,2,3,4,6 with 1,3,6,7 $48.00

A's with One C

$0.20 P6: 3,4,6 with 2,3,4 with 6 with 3 with 2,4 with 3 $3.60
$0.20 P6: 5 with 1,5,6 with 6 with 3 with 2,4 with 3 $1.20
$0.20 P6: 5 with 2,3,4 with 2,5 with 3 with 2,4 with 3 $2.40
$0.20 P6: 5 with 2,3,4 with 6 with 4 with 2,4 with 3 $1.20

Total: $62.40

Post Time for Race 4 is 5:20 EDT / 2:20 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/15/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Results

Race 4 - # 6 Blazing Image (Final Odds 8.60) - No Selection
Race 5 - # 4 Newcomb (0.60*) - "A" Selection
Race 6 - # 5 Forbidden Command (3.00) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 2 Misty Bay (1.00*) - "B" Selection
Race 8 - # 4 Pamper Me Now (13.50) - No Selection
Race 9 - # 2 Hock (8.90) - "B" Selection

All our tickets turned into trash in perhaps the quickest way possible, as it was all over for us as soon as Blazing Image broke quickest out of the gate in the opening leg and was never headed, leading all the way from gate to wire to win Race 6 at Golden Gate Fields.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Golden Pick Six sequence of  6 / 4 / 5 / 2 / 4 / 2  were rewarded with a payout of $6,082.38 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/15/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Preview

Two maiden events along with a trio of N2L contests in today's six race sequence means that we're going to have to find winners in races where winners are rather scarce.  So let's get to it, as we take another run at The Golden Pick Six at The Bay's Best Bet.

RACE 4 - Clm $4k N2L - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 3 Clude (Morning Line 6-5)
# 5 Gato Pimiento (ML 2-1)

B’s

None

C's

# 4 Outlook (ML 5-1)

Clude drops a bit on the class ladder after finishing in the money against more expensive in his last few starts.  Gato Pimiento took the Place at this class level behind a next out winner last time out.  Outlook has finished in the money at this class level in each of his last two starts.

RACE 5 - (F) Clm $4k N2L - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 4 Newcomb (ML 7-5)

B’s

# 2 Eighty to Davis (ML 2-1)
# 5 Peppered Gold (ML 6-1)

C's

None

Newcomb gets some much needed class relief here.  Expect Newcomb and Peppered Gold to be the pace setters with Eighty to Davis attempting to swoop in late.

RACE 6 - (F) Clm $5k N2L - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 5 Forbidden Command (ML 9-5)

B’s

# 3 Winter's Nest (ML 7-5)

C's

# 1 Pray Anyway (ML 8-1)
# 6 Esperanza's Mobile (ML 9-2)

Note that, unlike the first two races in this sequence, this contest has exemptions to the N2L condition; specifically, Maiden, Claiming and Starter races for $4k or less are not considered.  So, technically, this contest should be an N1X rather than an N2L.  For the record, Pray Anyway is the only runner in this field to have visited the Winner's Circle just once in her career.

Forbidden Command missed victory by less than a length at this approximate class level last time out.  Winter's Nest goes first off the claim for Trainer John Martin, who's been winning pretty much everything of late.  Pray Anyway will look to be speed on the rail and try to steal this contest on the front end.  Esperanza's Mobile took the Show behind a next out winner last time out.

RACE 7 - (F) Md $20k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Synthetic
NOTE: THIS RACE WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR THE TURF

A’s

# 1 Angel Ella (ML 7-2)

B's

# 2 Misty Bay (ML 2-1)
# 5 Flika (ML 3-1)
# 7 Intwo Mypossession (ML 8-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 3 Masquerade Fair (ML 20-1) and # 6 Cinzia (ML 4-1)

Angel Ella took the Place at this class level two starts back.  Misty Bay has finished in the money in eight of her last nine races, the exception being her most recent try against non-claiming maidens.  Flika took the Place at this class level two starts back, and could be the controlling speed.  Intwo Mypossession tries two turn racing for the first time.

RACE 8 - MSW - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 2 Ice Cream Fame (ML 2-1)

B's

None

C's

# 3 Song for the Crowd (ML 5-2)
# 5 Zahabra (ML 10-1)
# 6 Trickonomics (ML 5-1)
# 7 J C's Nightcap (ML 8-1)

Ice Cream Game took the Place in his debut last time out, and a repeat of that effort should be good enough to win here today.  Song for the Crowd and Trickonomics are first time starters going for trainers (John Martin and Jeff Bonde, respectively, who tend to do well when sending out debut runners.

Zahabra took the Place last time out in his first try on a synthetic surface, albeit against lesser company.  J C's Nightcap has taken the Show at this class level in two of his three most recent starts.

RACE 9 - Clm $6.25k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Synthetic
NOTE: THIS RACE WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR THE TURF

A’s

# 1 Sweet Daddy (ML 2-1)

B’s

# 2 Hock (ML 12-1)
# 4 The Gray Hound (ML 12-1)
# 5 Volkonsky (ML 9-2)

C's

None

Scratch # 6 Danas Best (Aus) (ML 5-2) and # 8 Opsec (ML 4-1)

Sweet Daddy ships in from downstate and is getting some tremendous class relief.  Hock and The Gray Hound project to be the early leaders; together they should give Sweet Daddy enough pace to chase; but if either should get loose from the other, they could steal it on the front end.  Volkonsky has finished in the money nine of the eleven times that he has competed on a synthetic surface.

OK, that's the analysis.  While this is a jackpot wager, we won't be putting all our selections on one ticket.  While we still hold out hope that this could be the luckiest day of our lives, budgetary constraints must be respected.  I think it's also safe to presume that our "A" Selections won't form the basis of a unique ticket, so we should be safe in pressing those up.  So with all that, playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P6: 3,5 with 4 with 5 with 1 with 2 with 1 $2.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P6: 3,4,5 with 2,4,5 with 3,5 with 1,2,5,7 with 2 with 1,2,4,5 $57.60

A's with One C

$0.20 P6: 3,5 with 4 with 1,6 with 1 with 2 with 1 $0.80
$0.20 P6: 3,5 with 4 with 5 with 1 with 3,5,6,7 with 1 $1.60

Total: $62.00

Post Time for Race 4 is 5:16 EDT / 2:16 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/12/17 Charles Town Late Pick Four - Results

Race 5 - # 6 It's Bull Bat Time (Final Odds 4.80) - "C" Selection
Race 6 - # 1 Forest Night (2.40) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 2 Tampered Character (1.40*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 5 Run Banner (1.80*) - "B" Selection

Not having It's Bull Bat Time on our big ticket was a costly error, as he had proven himself to be competitive with # 1 Breadman's Big Guy (4.40) (one of our two "A" Selections in the opening leg) in each of his prior two starts, and therefore should have been granted stronger consideration.

Oh well; onto the next race.

For the record, here is the $0.50 Will Pay for the runner to which we were alive in the finale:

# 4 Start Your Engine (3.70) - $234.35 - Finish: 2nd

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  6 / 1 / 2 / 5  were rewarded with a payout of $139.50 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/12/17 Charles Town Late Pick Four - Preview

Found myself with some time on my hands, so I figured I'd grab a little mid-week action, only to see that the West Coast tracks are all dark until Friday.  And I mean "ALL".  Not just California's Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields, but also Turf Paradise and Sunland Park.  Even Emerald Downs is dark, as they won't have a live card until Saturday.  So, with no options to the West, we turn to the East, and set our sights upon West Virginia; as, ten days prior to the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, we take a run at The Late Pick Four at Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races.

RACE 5 - Clm $5k N2X - Four and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Breadman's Big Guy (Morning Line (3-1)
# 5 Contemplate (ML 5-2)

B’s

None

C's

# 2 Mr. Harmon (ML 5-1)
# 4 Caution High Water (ML 6-1)
# 6 It's Bull Bat Time (ML 15-1)
# 8 North Forest Star (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 7 Destrier (ML 10-1).  Bring in # 11 L G Crash (ML 20-1) off the Also Eligible list.

Breadman's Big Guy won at this class level last time out, closing over a sealed muddy track, and defeating several that he will be facing again this evening.  Contemplate missed by by less than a length in the other division of this class level contest back on March 24, disappointing as the Post Time Favorite.

Mr. Harmon took the Place behind Breadman's Big Guy last time out.  Caution High Water defeated state-bred company in two of his last three races, and was not embarrassed the last time that he faced open (non-state bred) company.  In each of his last two starts It's Bull Bat Time has finished just behind Breadman's Big Guy; perhaps tonight's change in rider will allow It's Bull Bat Time to turn to tables.  North Forest Star closed well after a rough break last time out. 

RACE 6 - MSW - Seven Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Forest Night (ML 3-1)

B's

# 2 Past the Stars (ML 5-1)
# 3 Lil Marshmallow (ML 5-2)
# 4 Midnight With Luti (ML 12-1)
# 5 Wilko Freeway (ML 6-1)
# 6 Floating By (ML 2-1)

C's

None

Forest Night makes his three year old debut here after twice taking the Show against non-claiming maidens as a juvenile.  The "B" Selections are everyone else.  Needless to say, I consider this to be a very evenly matched field, made all the more complicated by the near total lack of early speed.  I believe this contest could easily devolve into chaos, with a half dozen runners all looking at each other and going, "No; you first"; or perhaps even with one horse breaking well out of the gate and the others just letting him go as they fall in line behind.  Either way, choosing which runner(s) to eliminate would constitute more stabbing than selecting; so, for that reason, we'll be hitting the "ALL" button for this leg.

RACE 7 - [S] ALW N2L - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A's

# 2 Tampered Character (ML 7-5)

B's

# 6 He's Royal (ML 3-1)

C's

# 1 Bearcat Kitten / # 1A Blixt (ML 5-2)
# 4 Charitable Flight (ML 15-1)

Note that Bearcat Kitten is actually a Maryland bred (Barak Farm), but is eligible to compete in this contest because his sire, Limehouse, stands at O'Sullivan Farms in Charles Town.

Tampered Character won his debut by as many as he pleased last time out in front of a next out winner.  He's Royal took the Show at this class level last time out, and could move up with the increase in distance.  Blixt took the Place between two next out winners last time out.  Charitable Flight needed that last race after spending nine months on the bench.

RACE 8 - [S] MSW - Four and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Start Your Engine (ML 7-2)

B's

# 2 Golden Man (ML 4-1)
# 5 Run Banner (ML 9-5)
# 6 Good Sport (ML 3-1)

C's

None

Note that Good Sport is actually a Virginia bred (Vermont Farm), but is eligible to compete in this contest because his sire, Hunt Crossing, stands at O'Sullivan Farms in Charles Town.

Start Your Engine took the Place at this class level last time out.  Golden Man and Run Banner are a pair of first time starters that have been training well for this contest.  Good Sport has proven to be competitive at this class level.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1,5 with 1 with 2 with 4 $2.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,5 with ALL with 2,6 with 2,4,5,6 $48.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,4,6,8 with 1 with 2 with 4 $2.00
$0.50 P4: 1,5 with 1 with 1,4 with 4 $2.00

Total: $54.00

Post Time for Race 5 is 8:51 EDT / 5:51 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/9/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Results

Race 4 - # 3 Mama's Secretstorm (Final Odds 1.40*) - "B" Selection
Race 5 - # 6 Olympic Jumble (4.00) - No Selection
Race 6 - # 1 Luck Lasts (1.50*) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 1 Jack the Closer (2.30) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 4 Street Surrender (1.20*) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 5 Martini Effect (4.20) - "B" Selection

Our "A" Selection in Race 5, # 1 Krsto Skye (1.20*), was game late; but coming on five wide in the stretch wasn't where we expected to find our speed horse who drew the rail post; and having to cover all that extra real estate cost him, and us, as Olympic Jumble was able to hold on to win by a neck.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Golden Pick Six sequence of  3 / 6 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 5  were rewarded with a payout of $401.50 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/9/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Preview

So we find ourselves once again on a Sunday in 2017 looking at the Kentucky Derby picture and finding it more muddied than it had been prior to the running of the prep races the day before.  But thoughts regarding the first Saturday in May are going to have to be set aside for the time being, as we take another run at The Golden Pick Six at the place where the Bay comes to play.

RACE 4 - (F) Clm $6.25k - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 5 Emma Named Me (Morning Line 5-2)

B’s

# 3 Mama's Secretstorm (ML 2-1)
# 4 Stormy Endeavor (ML 9-5)

C's

# 1 Informant (ML 10-1)
# 2 Cheers to You (ML 5-1)
# 6 Almost a Saint (ML 20-1)

While the conditions have placed no restrictions upon which three year olds fillies could enter, this race filled with six runners who have one career Win each; so feel free to mark this contest as being for non-winners of two lifetime (N2L) for future reference.

Emma Named Me has shown marked improvement in her last two races with the return to one turn racing.  Mam's Secretstorm looks to be the quickest in this field.

Stormy Endeavor could move up today just by virtue of not having to face Happy Issue again.  Cheers to You goes first off the claim for Trainer Dan Markle, who has been showing a proficiency with such.  Informant showed some nice early foot in her first try on the synthetic last time out; and the bullet work on March 30 suggests that she may be taking to the surface.  Almost a Saint is on the ticket because everyone else is.

RACE 5 - Clm $8k B - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 1 Kristo Skye

B's

# 4 Saint Adalbert (ML 5-2)

C's

# 5 El Rey Fernando (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 2 Royal Alexei (ML 3-1)

This contest is restricted to runners which have either:

1) Not won a race since February 1, 2017; OR
2) Which have never won four races.

So as long as a horse has fewer than four career Wins, she's eligible to run in this race.  If a horse has four career Wins or more, than none of those Wins could have come in the past ten weeks or so (note that Claiming and Starter Races for $6.25k or less don't count when computing the Win totals).  For the record, # 3 Tupelo Cush (ML 15-1) and # 5 El Rey Fernando (ML 6-1) are the only two runners in this field with fewer than four career Wins.

Speaking of Tupelo Cush, do yourself a favor and take a good, long look at his Past Performances.  Tupelo Cush has two Wins in a seventy-five race career, the most recent of which came on July 5, 2015.  Tupelo Cush is zero-for-forty-five in contests over this main track.  Tupelo Cush has competed thirty-three times at today's distance, and has lost them all.  The reason why I want you to commit Tupelo Cush's Past Performances to memory is because, when you hear handicappers say, "If this horse beats me, te salut, he beats me," this is the horse that they're talking about.

Kristo Skye is taking a huge drop down the class ladder, and will be looking to get out quick and ride the rail to victory.  Saint Adalbert took the Show at this class level last time out, and looks to be Kristo Sky's chief competition on the front end.  If those two should burn each other out, El Rey Fernando could be the one running best late.

RACE 6 - Clm $16k - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 1 Luck Lasts (ML 8-5)

B’s

None

C's

# 2 Velocitation (ML 4-1)
# 3 Private Joke (ML 2-1)
# 6 Swiss Minister (ML 8-1)

Luck Lasts looks to be the quickest here, and will seek to repeat his last performance when he rode the rail to victory.  Velocitation benefits from the class drop, but may not have enough pace here to chase.  Private Joke took the Place at this class level last time out, but has been avoiding the Winner's Circle for quite some time.  Swiss Minister could wake up with the class drop.

RACE 7 - Alw 40000s N2L - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 1 Jack the Closer (ML 8-5)
# 3 Sharkzilla (ML 6-5)

B’s

# 2 Loma Cat (ML 8-1)

C's

# 6 Six Gun Smokin (ML 20-1)

Note for future reference that this one is for horses which have not won two races in their career; but with one exemption, as runners get a pass for having one (and just one) win against winners, provided that win was for $16k or less.  For the record, Jack the Closer and Six Gun Smokin are the only runners in this field to have visited the Winner's Circle twice in their career.  Also note that, while not written as such, all runners in this contest are California bred.

Jack the Closer took the Place at this class level in each of his last two starts.  Sharkzilla tries winners (as well as two turns) for the first time after graduating against non-claiming maidens last time out.

Loma Cat made a nice move forward in his first try at route distance last time out.  Loma Cat has also faced several next out winners in his most recent starts, suggesting that he has been doing well versus good company.  Six Gun Smokin, as mentioned previously, is one of only two multi-time winners in this field.

RACE 8 - (F) ALW NC - Eight and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 4 Street Surrender (ML 2-1)
# 5 Envahir (ML 7-2)

B's

None

C's

# 3 Mon Petite (ML 4-1)
# 6 Causeway Carolyn (ML 6-1)

Street Surrender and Envahir are both last out winners at this class level.  Mon Petite has finished in the money behind both Street Surrender and Envahir of late, and could perhaps turn the tables today.  Causeway Carolyn ships in from downstate, and could wake up with the class drop.

RACE 9 - (F) Md $12.5k - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 2 Golden Bubbles (ML 9-2)
# 7 Austria (ML 10-1)

B's

# 1 Lady Sophia (ML 9-5)
# 3 Golden Mission (ML 20-1)
# 4 Gilded (ML 15-1)
# 5 Martini Effect (ML 2-1)
# 6 Kodianne (ML 4-1)

C's

None

Golden Bubbles took the Show at this class level two starts back.  Austria could get a nice stalking trip with the outside draw.  The "B's" are everyone else.  None of the runners in this field has ever been a Post Time Favorite, a sign that this contest could devolve into chaos.

OK, that's the analysis.  While this is a jackpot wager, we won't be putting all our selections on one ticket.  While we still hold out hope that this could be the luckiest day of our lives, budgetary constraints must be respected.  I think it's also safe to presume that our "A" Selections won't form the basis of a unique ticket, so we should be safe in pressing those up.  So with all that, playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P6: 5 with 1 with 1 with 1,3 with 4,5 with 2,7 $8.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P6: 3,4,5 with 1,4 with 1 with 1,2,3 with 4,5 with ALL $50.40

A's with One C

$0.20 P6: 1,2,6 with 1 with 1 with 1,3 with 4,5 with 2,7 $4.80

$0.20 P6: 5 with 5 with 1 with 1,3 with 4,5 with 2,7 $1.60

$0.20 P6: 5 with 1 with 2,3,6 with 1,3 with 4,5 with 2,7 $4.80

$0.20 P6: 5 with 1 with 1 with 6 with 4,5 with 2,7 $0.80

$0.20 P6: 5 with 1 with 1 with 1,3 with 3,6 with 2,7 $1.60

Total: $72.00

Post Time for Race 4 is 5:21 EDT / 2:21 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/8/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Results

Race 4 - # 3 Global Event (Final Odds 2.10*) - "B" Selection
Race 5 - # 4 Light One (1.50*) - "A" Selection
Race 6 - # 4 Deb's Wildcard (11.90) - "C" Selection
Race 7 - # 6 Dumont (1.30*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 2 Squidward (9.50) - No Selection
Race 9 - # 3 Endless Mile (53.50) - No Selection

With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I can see that our play could have been improved in certain areas by the altering of a few judgement calls that we had made prior to the start of the running.  But truth be told, the only way that we were cashing Saturday would have been if we had hit the "ALL" button in Race 8; because I don't see any other way that Squidward would have made it onto our tickets.  I can honestly say (granted, with the aforementioned 20/20 hindsight) that a legitimate case can be made for including Deb's Wildcard (winner of Race 6) and Endless Mile (winner of the nightcap) in our play as part of our big ticket; both of whom paid more than Squidward.  But Squidward?  I still don't see it.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Golden Pick Six sequence of  3 / 4 / 4 / 6 / 2 / 3  were non-existent.  Nobody picked six today.  Those who correctly picked five out of six were rewarded with a payout of $360.26 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/8/17 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Preview

Saturday's a big day for previewing the upcoming Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, with important prep races being held in New York, Kentucky, and SoCal.  As for us, we're going to remain focused on the action at Golden Gate Fields, as we take another run at The Golden Pick Six at the place where the Bay comes to play.

RACE 4 - Clm $12.5k N2L - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 2 Bundesliga (Morning Line 9-5)

B’s

# 3 Global Event (ML 7-2)
# 4 Nowhere Man (ML 5-2)
# 6 Post Rock (ML 4-1)

C's

None

Bundesliga missed victory by just a nose at this class level back in February.  Global Event goes first off the claim for Trainer Jonathan Wong, who tends to do well with such.  Nowhere Man could move up with the stretch out.  Post Rock took the Place at this class level last time out.

RACE 5 - (F) Clm $25k - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 4 Light One (ML 8-5)

B’s

# 3 Hijra (Ire) (ML 4-1)
# 6 Optimism And Hope (ML 9-2)

C's

# 1 If You Like It (ML 2-1)
# 5 Bold Intent (ML 8-1)

Scratch # 2 Bow Tie Belle

Light One and Hijra (Ire), both trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, are both dropping in class after not showing much last time out.  The expectation is that they should return to their prior form against lesser company.

Optimism and Hope drops in class while making her fourth start for Trainer John Martin, who has been winning most everything lately.  If You Like It has rung up three straight Wins against lesser company.  Bold Intent is being used because every other runner in this race is on our tickets.

RACE 6 - (F) OC 62k/N2X - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 1 Emmy And I (ML 2-1)

B’s

None

C's

# 2 Toomuchisnotenough (ML 9-2)
# 3 Qiaona (ML 3-1)
# 4 Deb's Wildcard (ML 12-1)
# 5 Run For Retts (ML 4-1)
# 6 Fervent Femme (ML 7-2)

Another contest where every runner is being used in some form or another.  Emmy And I wanted no part of the Santa Anita Hill last time out in the Irish O'Brien Stakes, and should return to form with her return home, riding the rail to a gate-to-wire win.  But if something else is going on with Emmy And I that caused her poor performance last time out, then this becomes a wide open contest that could be won by anyone.

RACE 7 - (F) Alw 40000s N2L - Eight Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 2 Please Do (ML 4-1)
# 6 Dumont (ML 9-5)

B’s

None

C's

# 3 Thissideofheaven (ML 7-2)

Note for future reference that this one is for horses which have not won two races in their career; but with one exemption, as runners get a pass for having one (and just one) win against winners, provided that win was for $16k or less.  For the record, Dumont is the only runner in this field to have visited the Winner's Circle twice in her career.

Dumont and Please Do took the Place and Show, respectively, at this class level last time out.  Expect to see Please Do up front early with Dumont doing her best running late.  Thissideofheaven has proven to be competitive at this class level.

RACE 8 - ALW N1X - Eight and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 3 Donji (ML 9-2)
# 5 Bronzino (ML 5-2)

B's

# 6 Taelyns Prince (ML 8-1)
# 7 Dynamic Scoring (ML 7-2)

C's

# 1 Eddie and the King (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 8 Undeniable U (ML 8-1)

Donji and Bronzino appear to be the most talented here; look for Bronzino early and Donji late.  Taelyns Prince and Dynamic Scoring seem to fit well on class, as does Eddie and the King; though Eddie and the King may be disadvantaged by the rail draw due to his lack of early speed.

RACE 9 - Md $25k - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 5 Pete and Jack (ML 8-5)

B's

# 1 Dad's a Gambler (ML 9-2)
# 6 Tiz Jims (ML 12-1)

C's

# 4 Traffic Ticket (ML 5-1)

Pete and Jack took the Place at this class level last time out.  Dad's a Gambler showed some late interest in his debut last time out.  Tiz Jims may wake up dropping in for a tag for the first time.  Traffic Ticket closed well against cheaper stock last time out.

OK, that's the analysis.  While this is a jackpot wager, we won't be putting all our selections on one ticket.  While we still hold out hope that this could be the luckiest day of our lives, budgetary constraints must be respected.  I think it's also safe to presume that our "A" Selections won't form the basis of a unique ticket, so we should be safe in pressing those up.  So with all that, playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P6: 2 with 4 with 1 with 2,6 with 3,5 with 5 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P6: 2,3,4,6 with 3,4,6 with 1 with 2,6 with 3,5,6,7 with 1,5,6 $57.60

A's with One C

$0.20 P6: 2 with 1,5 with 1 with 2,6 with 3,5 with 5 $1.60
$0.20 P6: 2 with 4 with 2,3,4,5,6 with 2,6 with 3,5 with 5 $4.00
$0.20 P6: 2 with 4 with 1 with 3 with 3,5 with 5 $0.40
$0.20 P6: 2 with 4 with 1 with 2,6 with 1 with 5 $0.40
$0.20 P6: 2 with 4 with 1 with 2,6 with 3,5 with 4 $0.80

Total: $68.80

Post Time for Race 4 is 5:50 EDT / 2:50 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo