4/30/22 Woodbine Late Pick Four - Results

Race 7 - # 7 Saratoga Vision (Final Odds 4.35) - "C" Selection

Race 8 - The Star Shoot - # 1 Beautiful Empire (3.60) - "C" Selection

Race 9 - # 6 November Fog (2.10*) - "C" Selection

Race 10 - # 9 Lady Maeve (Ire) (3.40) - "B" Selection

Anytime that you see a string of "C" Selections holding a procession through the winner's circle, you know that a whole lot of cashing isn't going on.  Nothing that I feel bad about; as Saturday wasn't a case of horses that I dropped at the last minute or horses that I was undecided about winning.  Rather, Saturday was simply  a case of horses that I had evaluated and concluded that I did not like their chances of winning emerging victorious.  And that happens sometimes; and when it does happen, there's just not much that you can do about it.

Oh well, onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  7 / 1 / 6 / 9  were rewarded with a payout of $314.23 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/30/22 Woodbine Late Pick Four - Preview

“Have no fear of perfection; you'll never reach it.” - Marie Curie

Saturday's featured race at Woodbine is the $125k Star Shoot, a contest for three year old fillies.  In fact, every one of the Final Four contests on Saturday's card is for distaff runners.  So with that let's get to it, as I take a run at The Late Pick Four at Woodbine.

RACE 7 - (F) ALW N1X - Eight and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 5 Guileful (Morning Line 8-1)

B's

# 6 Song of Innocence (ML 2-1)

C's

# 1 Erasmo's Girl (ML 15-1)
# 2 Bluegrass Belle (ML 8-1)
# 3 Twelfth Moon (ML 6-1)
# 4 She Makes a Point (ML 5-2)

# 7 Saratoga Vision (ML 7-2)

Guileful is getting some class relief competing against this group, so if Guileful is ready to run off the vacation then she could come away with top honors here.  Song of Innocence ships in from Florida, and Song of Innocence appears to be in good form.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 8 - (F) The Star Shoot $125k - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 2 Diabolic (Ire) (ML 2-1)

B's

# 4 Aubrieta (ML 5-2)

C's

# 1 Beautiful Empire (ML 10-1)
# 3 Miss Alacrity (ML 3-1)

# 5 Parlance (ML 6-1)

# 6 Howdyoumakeurmoney (ML 9-2)

No surprises in this leg.  Diabolic (Ire) and Aubrieta, both making their three year old debuts, look  strongest here to me, and they also certainly will to the vast majority of ticket makers.  You can pick one or the other to halve the price of your play, but I can't see myself choosing between these two without tossing a coin.  So it's two deep for me in this leg, with all others being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 9 - (F) OC 62.5k B - Seven Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 1 No Mo Lady (ML 7-5)

B's

# 2 Above All Names (ML 15-1)

C's

# 3 Rosebud's Hope (ML 10-1)

# 4 Perseverancia (ML 7-2)

# 5 I Get It (ML 5-1)

# 6 November Fog (ML 5-2)

For the most part, this is just an OC $62.5k/N2X, but with one added restriction in the conditions requiring that runners have no victories over the previous 365 days in order to avoid being eligible to be claimed.  Note for the record that Above All Names and Rosebud's Hope are the two entrants in this field that are in for the tag; but not $62.5k, but $60k, as their respective connections have chosen to accept the lower sales price in exchange for a one pound weight allowance.

No Mo Lady really should be a big ticket single in this leg; but in my opinion Above All Names is my best chance (perhaps only chance) to catch a price in the sequence.  So as in the prior two legs I'm going two deep here, with all others being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 10 - (F) MOC 25k - Seven Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 4 Suspicious Minds (ML 6-1)

B’s

# 1 Classic Queen (ML 5-2)

# 2 Blue Twirlin (ML 4-1)

# 9 Lady Maeve (Ire) (ML 3-1)

C's

# 3 Hallanvaara (ML 12-1)

# 5 Moon Pool (ML 10-1)

# 6 Total Betty (ML 8-1)

# 7 Phil in Echo (ML 20-1)

Scratch # 8 Positive (ML 20-1)

For those who are into such things, take note that Suspicious Minds and Moon Pool are the only two runners in this field that won't be leaving the gate with a price tag on their head.

Suspicious Minds took the Show at this class level last time out, and Suspicious Minds' work tab suggests that she is ready to roll.  Classic Queen is dropping in for a tag for the first time.

Blue Twirlin might appreciate having to cover less ground today than in any prior race of her career.  Lady Maeve (Ire) returns to Woodbine and rejoins the barn of Trainer Kevin Attard; perhaps that will result in victory Saturday for Lady Maeve.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

OK, that's the analysis.  Boy, am I going cheap this week.  Anyway, playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

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

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P4: 5,6 with 2,4 with 1,2 with 1,2,4,9 $6.40

A's with One C

$0.20 P4: 1,2,3,4,7 with 2 with 1 with 4 $1.00

$0.20 P4: 5 with 1,3,5,6 with 1 with 4 $0.80

$0.20 P4: 5 with 2 with 3,4,5,6 with 4 $0.80

$0.20 P4: 5 with 2 with 1 with 3,5,6,7 $0.80

Total: $10.80

Post Time for Race 7 is 4:10 EDT / 1:10 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/23/22 Woodbine Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 1 Elektronic (Final Odds 24.00) - "C" Selection

Race 7 - # 5 Dirty Dangle (4.90) - "B"  Selection

Race 8 - # 1 Join the Dance (1.50*) - "C" Selection

Race 9 - # 5 High Society Girl (2.20*) - "B" Selection

You know it's not a good day when your big ticket single finishes dead last.  You know it's an even worse day when the race where you punch the "ALL" button sees the Post Time Favorite cruise to victory.  Just not much to say about Saturday's results, other than:

Oh well, onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  1 / 5 / 1 / 5  were rewarded with a payout of $162.87 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/23/22 Woodbine Late Pick Four - Preview

“The distance is nothing; it's only the first step that is difficult.” - Marquise du Deffand

It's week two of the Toronto area meeting, and the distances for all of Saturday's contests are, as they were last week, sprints only, so as to help the majority of the runners on the grounds race themselves into shape.  Note also that there are nine events on Saturday's program; and because of that there are two Pick Fours on the card, with the final one ending with the nightcap.  So with all that as prelude let's get to it, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at Woodbine.

RACE 6 - Hcp 20000s - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 9 Reconfigure (Morning Line 2-1)

B’s

# 2 Western Trouble (ML 6-1)

# 5 Souper Success (ML 5-1)

# 6 Alacritous (ML 7-2)

C's

# 1 Elektronic (ML 20-1)

# 3 Maximus Momentus (ML 8-1)
# 4 Fielder (ML 10-1)

# 7 Dynamite Karma (ML 20-1)

Scratch # 8 Lord of Legends (ML 12-1) and # 10 Salvator Mundi (ML 15-1)

Conditions for this contest restrict entrance to runners that have started for a claiming price of $20k or less either this year or last AND made at least on start at Woodbine in 2021.

Reconfigure took the Place in each of his last two races, both at Gulfstream Park on their synthetic track, under similar conditions.  Western Trouble has been very popular at the claim box over the past couple of years; a pretty good endorsement for any runner.  An even bigger endorsement is Western Trouble's connections entering him here, where Western Trouble is not subject to being claimed.

Souper Success has run well in the past off just works.  Alacritous, victorious in four of his last five starts, all at Mahoning Valley, appears to be in top form.  Alacritous is also a multi-time winner at Woodbine.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - OC 62.5k B - Five Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 4 Millennium Force (ML 2-1)

B's

# 2 Dancing Doll (ML 6-1)

# 3 Sparkle Sammy (ML 15-1)

# 5 Dirty Dangle (ML 4-1)

C's

# 1 Spanish Ballerina (ML 3-1)

# 6 Roman d'Oro (ML 5-1)
# 7 Owen's Tour Guide (ML 12-1)

For the most part, this is just an OC $62.5k/N2X, but with one added restriction in the conditions requiring that runners have no victories over the previous 365 days in order to avoid being eligible to be claimed.  Note for the record that Dancing Doll and Sparkle Sammy are the two entrants in this field that are in for the $62.5k tag.

Millennium Force should benefit from the class relief.  Dancing Doll seems to always run well over this main track.  Sparkle Sammy had a sharp workout over this track on the 15th.  Dirty Dangle could improve going second off the layoff.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 8 - (F) ALW N1X - Six and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 3 Starlight Ridge (ML 7-2)

B's

None

C's

# 1 Join the Dance (ML 9-5)

# 2 Silver Magnatized (ML4-1)

# 4 Hai Bobbi (ML 8-1)

# 5 Luz de La Luna (ML 15-1)

# 6 Bayou Belle (ML 5-2)

I can't recall the last time I singled a runner on the big ticket that wasn't the Morning Line Favorite; but Starlight Ridge has demonstrated a proficiency for today's distance and a fondness for this main track.  So this is the leg where I roll the dice, with Starlight Ridge going solo on my main ticket, with all others being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 9 - (F) Clm $7.5k N2L - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 9 Royal City Reign (ML 8-1)

B’s

# 1 Speedy Fire (ML 20-1)

# 2 Stunning Rivers (ML 6-1)

# 3 Cora (ML 3-1)

# 4 Lacougra (ML 20-1)
# 5 High Society Girl (ML 5-2)

# 6 Shishka (ML 20-1)

# 7 Flawless Pink (ML 12-1)

# 8 Let's Have Fun (ML 20-1)

# 11 Palio Siena (ML 15-1)

# 12 Malicosa (ML 20-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 10 Mi Tormenta (ML 8-1), who graduated in last week's Race 3

So I go from a big ticket single right into a big ticket "ALL".   Yeah, I just couldn't figure this one out.  So if by the grace of The Almighty I'm still alive heading into the nightcap, I'm guaranteed to cash.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 9 with 4 with 3 with 9 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P4: 2,5,6,9 with 2,3,4,5 with 3 with ALL $35.20

A's with One C

$0.20 P4: 1,3,4,7 with 4 with 3 with 9 $0.80

$0.20 P4: 9 with 1,6,7 with 3 with 9 $0.60

$0.20 P4: 9 with 4 with 1,2,4,5,6 with 9 $1.00

Total: $38.60

Post Time for Race 6 is 3:46 EDT / 12:46 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/16/22 Woodbine Pick Four - Results

Race 4 - # 2 Ol' Blondie (Final Odds 7.35) - "C" Selection

Race 5 - # 2 Chancel (5.85) - "A" Selection

Race 6 - # 5 Beautiful Empire (1.75) - "A" Selection

Race 7 - The Long Branch - # 4 Dreaming of Drew (2.95) - "B" Selection

So close and yet so far.  In the opening leg, "B" Selection and Place finisher # 7 Forest B (7.15) was just a half length too slow in getting under the wire.  Or, looking at the sequence from the other end and leaving the opening leg intact, had I made Dreaming of Drew my top pick rather than second choice my play would have cashed Saturday.  But neither of those things happened; and therefore Saturday was a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well, onto the next race.

For the record, here is the $0.20 Will Pay for the one runner to which I would have cashed in the last leg of the sequence:

# 1 Our Secret Agent (0.75*) - $61.99 Finish: 3rd

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  2 / 2 / 5 / 4  were rewarded with a payout of $260.11 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/16/22 Woodbine Pick Four - Preview

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” - J. P. Morgan

Saturday marks the beginning of the 2022 meeting for thoroughbreds in the Toronto area, as the home of the 1996 Breeders' Cup resumes action.  As many of the runners on the grounds will be making their 2022 debut, Saturday's program is sprints and nothing but sprints, with every race being run at a distance of either five furlongs or five and a half furlongs, so that the equine athletes can ease themselves back into competition.

It should be mentioned that this handicapper may need to ease himself back into Canadian wagering, as I often had to remind myself of the following differences: the minimum wager for the Pick Four is twenty cents (rather than fifty); there's only one Pick Four on the card; and the Pick Four races are not the Final Four contests on the program.  So with all that let's get to it, as I take a run at Woodbine's $100k Guaranteed Pick Four.

RACE 4 - (F) OC 40k/N2L - Five Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 5 Lois Len (Morning Line 2-1)

B’s

# 3 Swirling Dancer (ML 3-1)

# 7 Forest B (ML 9-2)

C's

# 1 Fourteen Days (ML 15-1)
# 2 Ol' Blondie (ML 8-1)

# 4 J M R Gemma (ML 10-1)

# 6 Diamond Crusch (ML 12-1)

# 8 Khozzy Valintine (ML 6-1)

As all runners in this contest have just one career victory, it appears that the option to allow your entrant to be claimed is 100% voluntary on behalf of the connections.  For those who note such things, Swirling Dancer, Diamond Crush, and Khozzy Valintine are the three runners in this event that are available for purchase for $40k.

Lois Len was a victor in her career debut; so Lois Len is accustomed to winning off just works.  This will also be Lois Len's first race since her debut that is not against stakes company; so the class relief could work in Lois Len's favor.

Swirling Dancer took the Place at this class level in each of her last two races.  Forest B won the speed duel but lost the war last time out, settling for the Show at this class level in a contest in which she led in the stretch.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 5 - MSW - Five Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 2 Chancel (ML 20-1)

B's

# 1 Nikolaou (ML 2-1)

# 5 Icing (ML 8-5)

C's

# 3 Red Mercury (ML 15-1)

# 4 Commander Joe (ML 7-2)

# 6 Jimmies Big Day (ML 9-2)

Since this is Opening Day, and all these contests are short sprints, this sequence has a sort of lottery feel to it.  If it's vitally important to you that you cash your Pick Four play today, you may want to give strong consideration to punching the "ALL" button here.  As for me, I thought that I'd use this leg to do a little swing for the fences, which is why I put Chancel on top.  Chancel ran the best race of his career last Fall while simultaneously running the shortest distance of his career.  In addition, Chancel had a solid workout over this track earlier this month; so, why not?

No surprises in the other two runners that I'm using here.  Nikolaou took the Show at this class level last time out.  Icing ships in from Florida for Trainer Mark Casse after having run well in a couple of turf sprints in Gulfstream Park.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 6 - (F) ALW N1X - Five Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 5 Beautiful Empire (ML 3-1)

B's

# 2 Ever So d'Wild (ML 20-1)

# 3 Fast Corey (ML 2-1)

C's

# 1 Sweet Carolena (ML 4-1)

# 4 Takota (ML 10-1)

# 6 Golden Garter (ML 20-1)

# 7 Sterling Speed (ML 8-1)

# 8 Take It Easy (ML 12-1)

# 9 Forest Drift (ML 15-1)

# 10 Wicked Miah (ML 20-1)

Beautiful Empire took the Show against stakes company at Turfway Park last time out, approximately two months ago.  Ever So d'Wild has done well at the five furlong distance throughout her career.

Fast Corey, the only other three year old in this event besides Beautiful Empire, was a convincing winner in her debut at Turfway Park last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - (F) The Long Branch $100k - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 1 Our Secret Agent (ML 7-5)

B's

# 4 Dreaming of Drew (ML 6-1)

C's

# 2 Nikee Kan (ML 5-2)

# 3 Jeanie B (GB) (ML 7-2)

# 6 Ima Beast (ML 20-1)

# 7 Imagery (ML 15-1)

Scratch # 5 Marais (ML 20-1)

Our Secret Agent looks classiest here by far.  The concerns with Our Secret Agent are the distance and Trainer Mark Casse's intent; that is, is this sprint meant to be just a tune up race, a short sprint to get Our Secret Agent in shape for the Graded Stakes to come later this year?  Minus those concerns, Our Secret Agent would probably be a single on my main ticket.

Dreaming of Drew has a prior victory at today's distance, and Dreaming of Drew's work over this track last Saturday suggests that she's ready to fire off the bench.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 5 with 2 with 5 with 1 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P4: 3,5,7 with 1,2,5 with 2,3,5 with 1,4 $10.80

A's with One C

$0.20 P4: 1,2,4,6,8 with 2 with 5 with 1 $1.00

$0.20 P4: 5 with 3,4,6 with 5 with 1 $0.60

$0.20 P4: 5 with 2 with 1,4,6,7,8,9,10 with 1 $1.40

$0.20 P4: 5 with 2 with 5 with 2,3,6,7 $0.80

Total: $15.60

Post Time for Race 4 is 2:44 EDT / 11:44 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/9/22 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 9 - # 6 Scenic Masterpiece (Final Odds 3.80) - "B" Selection

Race 10 - The Evening Jewel - # 7 Power Surge (76.60) - "C" Selection

Race 11 - # 7 Burnin Turf (3.20) - "B" Selection

Race 12 - # 6 Halfberebingie (2.90) - "A" Selection

Long story short, my "A" Selection in the Evening Jewel (Race 10), # 2 Connie Swingle (1.70*), was a head too slow in getting to the line; and for that reason Saturday was a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  6 / 7 / 7 / 6  were rewarded with a payout of $6,072.50 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/9/22 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

“Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities.  Seize common occasions and make them great.” - Orison Swett Marden

Saturday is Santa Anita Derby Day in Arcadia, a race that could produce the winner of the next Kentucky Derby.  Personally, I look forward to enjoying that contest sans wagering interest, as that event does not fall among the Final Four races on the program.  However, despite the absence of the day's featured race, The Late Pick Four did turn out to be a rather intriguing sequence.  So with that as intro let's get to it, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 9 - (F) MSW - Six Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Banjo Queen (Morning Line 8-1)

B's

# 2 Granola Girl (ML 3-1)

# 4 Snark (ML 5-2)

# 6 Scenic Masterpiece (ML 7-2)

C's

# 3 Mygalsdawnnlori (ML 12-1)

# 5 Soul of a Warrior (ML 30-1)

# 7 Lookintogeteven (ML 7-2)

# 8 Adele Darling (ML 15-1)
# 9 Yadiama (ML 20-1)

Banjo Queen made a nice middle move in her debut last time out.  Granola Girl could move up with the return to one turn racing.

Snark and Scenic Masterpiece filled out the bottom two rungs of the Trifecta at this class level last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 10 - (F) [S] The Evening Jewel $150k - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Connie Swingle (ML 9-5)

B's

# 1 Big Novel (ML 3-1)

C's

# 3 Carmen Miranda (ML 8-1)

# 4 Munny Penny (ML 30-1)
# 5 At the Spa (ML 15-1)
# 6 Professors' Pride (ML 4-1)

# 7 Power Surge (ML 15-1)

# 8 Everlys Girl (ML 8-1)
# 9 Youteyourhonor (ML 8-1)

Connie Swingle, making her first start as a three year old, looks to be ready to fire off bench, at least based off her five furlong bullet work on April 3.  Big Novel, boasting a five furlong bullet work of her own on April 2, has won in the past while going around just one turn.

A braver bettor than myself would choose between Connie Swingle and Big Novel, thereby halving the price of the main ticket.  However, I am nowhere near that courageous.  Therefore, Connie Swingle and Big Novel both get a spot on the main ticket, with all others being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 11 - OC 80k/N2X - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf

A’s

# 9 Strike That (ML 10-1)

B’s

# 1 Coulthard (Ire) (ML 6-1)

# 6 Gregdar (ML 8-1)

# 7 Burnin Turf (ML 4-1)

# 8 Anaconda (ML 5-1)

# 10 Harbored Memories (ML 5-1)

C's

# 2 Coast of Roan (ML 10-1)

# 3 Arkaan (ML 8-1)
# 4 Zoffarelli (ML 12-1)

# 5 Encoder (ML 20-1)

# 11 Hudson Ridge (ML 8-1)

For those who note such things, Encoder is the only entrant in this field that will be running with the $80k price tag on his head.

Strike That is going first off the claim for Trainer John Sadler; which shows more than the usual amount of patience, as that claim was over a year ago at Oaklawn Park.  Strike That is also trying the turf for the first time.  Those two factors lead me to believe that this is a very well meant entry; and the class relief that Strike That is getting over his more recent starts makes Strike That very appealing at what should be a very nice price.

Coulthard disappointed as the Post Time Favorite at this class level last time out; perhaps Coulthard can move up off the freshening.  Burnin' Turf won by daylight charging down the hill last time out, and Trainer Dan Blacker tends to do well when placing his last out winners.

Harbored Memories and Gregdar filled out the bottom two rungs of the Trifecta at this class level last time out.  Anaconda took the Show at this class level last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 12 - Md $50k - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 6 Halfbarberbingie (ML 5-2)

B's

# 4 Today Matters (ML 3-1)

# 7 Hulk (ML 6-1)

C's

# 1 Brotherly Love (ML 10-1)

# 2 Its Big (ML 20-1)
# 3 Mongolian Ninja (ML 30-1)

# 5 Tucker's Tribute (ML 12-1)

# 8 Candy for Carmel (ML 6-1)
# 9 Got Curly (ML 10-1)

# 10 Weegee (ML 20-1)
# 11 Asphalt (ML 20-1)

# 12 Lookout Point (ML 12-1)

Scratch the Also Eligible, # 13 Mo Them Down (ML 4-1)

Halfbarberbingie took the Place at this approximate class level two starts back, which was Halfbarberbingie's last grass race.  Today Matters missed graduation by less than a length at this class level last time out.

Hulk appears quickest here; and if he can get an easy lead, Hulk just might steal this one on the front end.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1 with 2 with 9 with 6 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,2,4,6 with 1,2 with 1,6,7,8,9,10 with 4,6,7 $72.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 3,5,7,8,9 with 2 with 9 with 6 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 1 with 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 with 9 with 6 $3.50

$0.50 P4: 1 with 2 with 2,3,4,5,11 with 6 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 1 with 2 with 9 with 1,2,3,5,8,910,11,12 $4.50

Total: $86.00

Post Time for Race 9 is 7:22 EDT / 4:22 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/2/22 Turfway Park Late Pick Four - Results

Race 9 - The Animal Kingdom - # 1 Nobals (Final Odds 3.50) - "B" Selection

Race 10 - The Kentucky Cup Classic - # 6 King Cause (19.30) - "C" Selection

Race 11 - The Bourbonette Oaks - # 4 Candy Raid (52.30) - "C" Selection

Race 12 - The Jeff Ruby Steaks - # 7 Tiz the Bomb (1.60*) - "A" Selection

The key mistake in my play that I could learn from and correct for future plays was not using Tiz the Bomb as a big ticket single.  Tiz the Bomb was indeed a standout, and I should have used him as such.

In the Bourbonette Oaks, I made # 10 North County (4.70) my top selection, despite North County having finished seventh last time out in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra.  Well, it never occurred to me to use Candy Raid, who had finished more than a length behind North County in the Rachel Alexandra, on the main ticket as well.  In retrospect, it's fair to say that I should have given King Cause more consideration in the Kentucky Cup Classic.  But Candy Raid?  I still can't see it.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  1 / 6 / 4 / 7  were rewarded with a payout of $11,924.85 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

4/2/22 Turfway Park Late Pick Four - Preview

“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” - Julia Child

The Road to the Kentucky Derby passes through Florence, KY Saturday, with three year olds competing  on the synthetic in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks.  Since Saturday is the final day of the Turfway Park meet, it is a mandatory payout day for all pools, including the Jackpot Pick Six.  However, I decided to set my sights a bit lower today; so I will be concentrating my energies on the Final Four contests on the card.  So with that let's get to it, as I take a run at The Late Pick Four at Turfway Park.

RACE 9 - The Animal Kingdom $200k - Six Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 7 Rotknee (Morning Line 3-1)

B's

# 1 Nobals (ML 3-1)

# 4 Hoist the Gold (ML 2-1)

C's

# 2 Higher Standard (ML 5-2)

# 3 Immoral (ML 30-1)

# 5 Determined Kingdom (ML 12-1)

# 6 Amicable (ML 30-1)

# 8 Stonevicious (ML 15-1)

Rotknee has been tearing it up against New York breds; and while it would be easy to dismiss those results by saying they've come against lesser competition, the manner in which Rotknee was able to emerge victorious in those contests suggests that Rotknee is well suited to the opponents that he will be facing here.

Last time out Nobals proved that he brings his track with him, provided it's a synthetic track.  Hoist the Gold could projects to be the one getting first run at the leaders.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 10 - The Kentucky Cup Classic $250k - Nine Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 12 Beatbox (ML 7-2)

B's

# 2 Visitant (ML 2-1)

# 10 Cross Border (ML 7-2)

C's

# 3 King Fury (ML 4-1)

# 5 Cupid's Claws (ML 20-1)
# 6 King Cause (ML 20-1)

# 7 Blanket of Roses (ML 50-1)

# 8 American Theorem (ML 20-1)
# 9 Spectacular Gem (ML 50-1)

# 11 Tartufo (ML 30-1)

Scratch # 1 Invader (ML 8-1); # 4 Tiberius Mercurius (ML 30-1); # 13 Cullum Road (ML 30-1); # 14 Sprinklehead (ML 50-1)

Beatbox is three-for-three over this track this meet, with all three victories coming by daylight.  Visitant is the defending champ for this event, having won this contest in 2021.

Cross Border could improve with the return to the synthetic surface, and Cross Border might be the one running best late.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 11 - (F) The Bourbonette Oaks $250k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 10 North County (ML 5-1)

B's

# 2 Let's Be Clear (ML 12-1)

# 7 Mrs. Barbara (ML 5-1)

# 8 Sandstone (ML 5-2)

# 11 Catiche (ML 6-1)

C's

# 1 Red Hot Mama (ML 30-1)

# 3 Tap Dancing Lady (ML 6-1)

# 4 Candy Raid (ML 20-1)

# 5 Schlofmitz (ML 20-1)

# 6 Heavenly Hellos (ML 30-1)

# 9 Champagne Poetry (ML 10-1)

# 12 Vergara (ML 8-1)

North County was simply outclassed last time out, and she ran like it.  I expect North County to run much better today, facing a field that is much closer to her competitive level.

Let's Be Clear demonstrated last time out that she is just fine with competing on the synthetic.  Mrs. Barbara won the Grade 3 Mazarine over the synthetic surface up at Woodbine.  Sandstone might be quickest here, and could be the one that they'll have to catch to win.

Catiche may have finally figured it out, winning for fun last time out over the synthetic surface at Gulfstream Park.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 12 - The Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade 3) - Nine Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 7 Tiz the Bomb (ML 2-1)

B's

# 1 Royal Spirit (ML 10-1)

# 5 Tawny Port (ML 6-1)

# 13 Swing Shift (ML 15-1)

C's

# 2 Stolen Base (ML 7-2)

# 3 Cabo Spirit (ML 12-1)
# 4 Rich Strike (ML 20-1)

# 6 Great Escape (ML 15-1)

# 8 Red Run (ML 6-1)
# 9 Dowagiac Chef (ML 8-1)
# 10 Optigogo (ML 30-1)
# 11 Constitutionlawyer (ML 50-1)

Scratch # 12 Blackadder (ML 15-1)

Tiz the Bomb and Stolen Base go at it again, in what has been, to be honest, a rather one sided rivalry.  I know most punters will be using both Tiz the Bomb and Stolen Base; and Stolen Base was certainly close enough to Tiz the Bomb at the wire to suggest that the tables could be turned today.  But I'm going to take my chances and presume that Tiz the Bomb's dominance over Stolen Base will continue.

Royal Spirit and Swing Shift, bookending the gate at the start, are both trained by Todd Pletcher.  Tawny Port is trained by Brad Cox.  Those three are on the main ticket because of my respect for the connections.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 7 with 12 with 10 with 7 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,4,7 with 2,10,12 with 2,7,8,10,11 with 1,5,7,13 $90.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,3,5,6,8 with 12 with 10 with 7 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 7 with 3,5,6,7,8,9,11 with 10 with 7 $3.50

$0.50 P4: 7 with 12 with 1,3,4,5,6,9,12 with 7 $3.50

$0.50 P4: 7 with 12 with 10 with 2,3,4,6,8,9,10,11 $4.00

Total: $104.50

Post Time for Race 9 is 4:43 EDT / 1:43 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo