2/7/15 GP / SA X-Country Pick Four - Results

Race 12 (GP) - The Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap - # 1 Mshawish (Final Odds 1.40*) - "A" Selection
Race 13 (GP) - The Donn - # 1 Constitution (2.80) - No Selection
Race 7 (SA) - The San Marcos - # 1 Finnegans Wake (1.90) - "A" Selection
Race 8 (SA) - The San Antonio - # 5 Shared Belief (1.00*) - "A" Selection

Constitution did something today that he had never done before by doing something today that he had done several times before.  Doing what he did so frequently during the early part of 2014, Constitution led the field at Gulfstream Park into the stretch and kept on leading them to the wire, defeating older horses for the first time in his career to win The Donn, with # 4 Lea (1.30*) trailing three quarters of a length behind.  And that three quarter of a length difference was the difference between us collecting and contributing, as our "A" Selections took the other three legs of the X-Country Pick Four.

Oh well; onto the next race.

But perhaps the real story on the day was the The San Antonio, the event that had been dubbed The Rematch.  Re-capturing the form that he displayed last year on the way to winning The Kentucky derby and The Preakness, # 8 California Chrome (1.40), the 2014 Horse of the Year, gave notice that he is ready to compete at the highest levels again in 2015, showing tremendous heart and determination in crossing the Finish Line six and a half lengths in front of # 1 Hoppertunity (5.70).  California Chrome was truly impressive in defeat; a defeat that also served to highlight just how dominate Shared Belief is right now.  For while California Chrome showed just how great a horse he is today, Shared Belief showed today that he was clearly the better of the two.  Just an outstanding performance by both of these great champions.  Hopefully The Good Lord will bless us with many more battles between these two tremendous athletes.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct X-Country Pick Four sequence of  1 / 1 / 1 / 5  were rewarded with a payout of $68.25 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

2/7/15 GP / SA X-Country Pick Four - Preview

The Stronach Group, owner of Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita, has put together a Cross Country, or rather, an X-Country Pick Four for Saturday that pairs a couple of Graded Stakes from the Florida racetrack with a pair of Graded Stakes from The Great Race Place in SoCal.  Horse players who play the X-Country Pick 4 at the Stronarch Group owned Xpressbet.com will receive 0% takeout on their wager.  Full details on the wager are available here, while details as to how I'll be playing it follow below.

RACE 12 (GP) - The Gulfstream Park Turf (Grade 1) - Nine Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Mshawish (Morning Line 7-2)
# 4 Grand Tito (ML 15-1)

B's

# 3 Imagining (ML 3-1)
# 5 Manchurian High (ML 12-1)
# 6 War Correspondent (ML 8-1)
# 8 Lochte (ML 5-1)

C’s

None

Mshawish and Grand Tito ran one-two last month in the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale, with Mshawish beating Grand Tito to the wire by a neck.  Both runners seem capable of repeating that effort today.  Lochte and Imagining ran one-two in this event last year; both entrants have held their form well since.   

Manchurian High was the clear winner of the Florida Sunshine Millions Turf last time out, and three starts back was the winner of Laurel Turf Cup.  While today's contest is obviously a couple of steps up the class ladder from those two events, the hurdle is not insurmountable.  

War Correspondent looks like a horse on the improve, having just missed by a neck last time out in the Grade 2 Autumn on the synthetic at Woodbine.  War Correspondent has not finished more than a length in back of the winner in any of his six career tries.

RACE 13 (GP) - The Donn (Grade 1) - Nine Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Lea (ML 9-5)

B's

# 8 Protonico (ML 6-1)

C’s

None

# 7 Sloane Avenue (ML 15-1) has been scratched.

Lea, winner of this event last year (in which he also set the track record for this distance) prepped for this year's running the same way he entered last year's running: by winning the Grade 3 Hal's Hope.  The last horse to win this event two years in a row was Cigar; who, like Lea, was trained by Bill Mott; and who, like Lea, made a mid-career switch from turf to dirt.

Protonico, one of three in this contest trained by Todd Pletcher, was just a half length behind Hoppertunity at the wire last time out in the Grade 1 Clark.  The start prior to that Protonico was the clear winner of the Grade 3 Discovery.  Protonico has won previously off the bench, and just may take another step forward today.  Conversely, # 1 Constitution (ML 7-2) has been unable to find the Winner's Circle since he began competing against against older horses.  

# 10 Prayer for Relief (ML 12-1) was just half a length behind Lea in the Hal's Hope last time out, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 106 in the process.  So why isn't Prayer for Relief on our ticket?  Because the previous three times that Prayer for Relief earned a Beyer of either 106 or 105, he took a step back in his next race (in most cases, several steps back).  Maybe this time will be different; maybe today Prayer for Relief will finally break through that personal ceiling of the 106 Beyer Speed Figure; but I'm betting that he won't.

RACE 7 (SA) - The San Marcos (Grade 2) - Ten Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Finnegans Wake (ML 5-2)

# 8 Dynamic Sky (ML 3-1)

B's

# 6 Diamond Bachelor (ML 20-1)

C’s

None

# 7 Quadrivium (No Line) has been scratched.

Finnegans Wake enters this contest with a two race winning streak, both Grade 2 events.  Dynamic Sky won the Grade 3 Red Smith two starts back on the yielding Aqueduct turf; so Dynamic Sky's stock obviously goes up if the rains come down.  Diamond Bachelor enters this contest after having just competed Sunday, and could take a big step forward in his first turf contest at a classic distance, as his breeding suggests that he will find the extra real estate to his liking.

RACE 8 (SA) - The San Antonio (Grade 2) - Nine Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Shared Belief (ML 7-5)

B's

# 1 Hoppertunity (ML 4-1)

# 8 California Chrome (ML 6-5)

C’s

None

Shared Belief probably isn't going to get mugged right out of the gate today.  Hoppertunity enters this contest with a two race winning streak, and (as he showed in the Clark) he has no problem winning a Grade 1 contest starting from Post Position 1.  California Chrome will be overbet and has yet to beat older horses; but a horse that missed winning the Breeders' Cup Classic two starts back by just a neck is not easily tossed.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1,4 with 4 with 1,8 with 5 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,3,4,5,6,8 with 4,8 with 1,6,8 with 1,5,8 $54.00

Total: $58.00

Post Time for Race 12 (GP) is 5:28 EST / 2:28 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

2/5/15 GG R2 - Horse Watch Follow-Up

City Chapel, the longshot claim that we've been following, returned to the claiming ranks Thursday, running with a $25k price tag on his head in Race 2 at Golden Gate Fields.  Breaking from Post Position 6, City Chapel (Final Odds 5.60) ran midpack throughout, finishing the six furlong contest fourth in the field of six, three and a half lengths behind the winner, Passing Game (0.60*).  For his efforts City Chapel earned $1,380 in purse money, thus bringing his total earnings since being claimed for $4k by Owner / Trainer Victor Trujillo to $115,725.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

2/3/15 Turf Paradise Pick Five - Results

Race 4 - # 6 Mesa Brute (Final Odds 2.70) - "B" Selection
Race 5 - # 4 Cowgirl Queenie (1.70) - "A" Selection
Race 6 - # 5 Northern Choice (5.80) - No Selection
Race 7 - # 4 Runaway Cal (1.50*) - "B"  Selection
Race 8 - # 8 Peppermint Gal (3.30) - "C" Selection

The sequence began and ended with debut runners finding their way to the Winner's Circle; and while both were on our tickets, neither was an "A" Selection for us.  Perhaps that was just as well, as we totally whiffed on the winner of the race in the middle, Northern Choice; indeed, we didn't have any of the Trifecta horses in that contest on our tickets; not the Place horse # 8 Rebel My Man (19.90), nor the Show horse # 3 Cookie's From Tony (12.70).  So no matter what we had done with our selections in the other four legs, there was no way we were hitting that one in middle.  Not really sure if that should be a cause for concern or a source of comfort; but regardless, the bottom line is that today was our day to contribute and not collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Five sequence of  6 / 4 / 5 / 4 / 8  were rewarded with a payout of $427.30 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

2/3/15 Turf Paradise Pick Five - Preview

Another day away from the office, another chance for a mid-week special.  Today is Tuesday, meaning that California is dark while Arizona is running; so let's move our action to Turf Paradise and take a shot at their Pick Five.

RACE 4 - Md OC $30k - Seven and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 2 Our Brother B. A. (Morning Line 9-5)

B’s

# 6 Mesa Brute (ML 2-1)

C's

# 3 Ready Set Jet (ML 8-1)

Our Brother B. A. has taken the Place at this class level in each of his last three races.  Mesa Brute is a first time time starter; note that Trainer Robertino Diodoro wins with approximately 20% of such.  Also note that there are no noticeable gaps in Mesa Brute's workouts from December 7 onward.  Ready Set Jet showed some early speed in his debut last time out, and may appreciate the surface switch.

RACE 5 - (F) Clm $3k B - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Sharp Bella (ML 7-5)
# 4 Cowgirl Queenie (ML 1-1)

B's

None

C’s

# 5 Super Amazing (ML 5-1)

The conditions for this one limit it to runners that have not won a race since Oct 3, 2014, OR which have never won four races in their career.  Cowgirl Queenie missed winning by less than a length at this class level at today's distance last time out, with Sharp Bella just a neck behind her.  Super Amazing stretches out for Trainer Jay Kruljac, who wins with a third of such (in a very small sample size).

Sharp Bella and Super Amazing are eligible for this contest due to having only three career victories each, while Cowgirl Queenie, with six career wins, makes it to the gate due to her last trip to the Winner's Circle coming on Sept 14, 2014.

RACE 6 - Clm $3k N2Y - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Causeithertz (ML 8-5)

B's

# 1 Inclined to Win (ML 8-1)
# 4 Willing Warrior (ML 7-2)

C’s

None

Per the conditions, the cutoff date from which entrants cannot have two Wins is May 6, 2014.  Inclined to Win just missed defeating open (non-conditioned) claimers three starts back.  Willing Warrior crossed the wire first last time out under these conditions, but was DQ'd back into Place.  Causeithertz is taking a massive class drop, but is also competing on real dirt for the first time in his career.

RACE 7 - Clm $6.25k N3L - Seven and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 10 Sir Searsucker (ML 5-1)

B's

# 2 Cavour (ML 6-1)
# 4 Runaway Cal (ML 9-2)

C’s

# 6 Mr. Cactus (ML 7-2)

# 11 Run Stormy Run (ML 15-1) does not draw in from the Also Eligible List, and therefore gets to spend another day recovering from various Super Bowl parties.

Sir Searsucker took the Show against more expensive two starts back, his last contest on grass.  Cavour has finished in the Trifecta in five of his six career tries on the Turf Paradise grass.  Cavour will also be running with the lowest price tag of his career on his head.  Runaway Cal missed winning by less than a length last time out at this class level.  Mr. Cactus should appreciate the turn back in distance.  

RACE 8 - (F) Md $5k - Four and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 9 Worldly Pirate (ML 5-2)

B's

# 4 Fu Peggi Sue (ML 2-1)
# 6 Street Candy (ML 8-1)

C’s

# 2 Champ Cynda (ML 20-1)
# 8 Peppermint Gal (ML 3-1)

# 3 Dixie's Lil Dandy (ML 10-1) has been scratched.

Worldly Pirate has finished in the money in each of her last two tries at this class level.  Fu Peggie Sue has finished in the money against more expensive.  Street Candy was within two lengths of the winner two starts back at this class level.

Champ Cynda showed some brief early speed in her debut last time out.  Peppermint Gal, a home bred making her debut, has the best Tomlinson Rating for today's distance in the field.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P5: 2 with 2,4 with 6 with 10 with 9 $2.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P5: 2,6 with 2,4 with 1,4,6 with 2,4,10 with 4,6,9 $54.00

A's with One C 

$0.50 pick P5: 3 with 2,4 with 6 with 10 with 9 $1.00

$0.50 pick P5: 2 with 5 with 6 with 10 with 9 $0.50

$0.50 pick P5: 2 with 2,4 with 6 with 6 with 9 $1.00

$0.50 pick P5: 2 with 2,4 with 6 with 10 with 2,8 $2.00

Total: $60.50

Post Time for Race 4 is 4:24 EST / 1:24 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

2/1/15 Golden Gate Fields Golden Pick 6 - Results

Race 3 - # 6 Unbridled Bounty (Final Odds 4.90) - No Selection
Race 4 - # 5 Quick and Silver (2.40*) - No Selection
Race 5 - # 5 Harry's Here (1.00*) - "A" Selection
Race 6 - # 4 Lucky Moment (1.20*) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 6 Aalsmeer (1.50*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 3 Alpine Gathering (3.00) - "A" Selection

Well. we were able to get in a nice long nap prior to the Super Bowl.  Indeed, we didn't even have to wait for the end of the opening leg to start snoozing, as our ticket was pretty much dead the moment our single "A" Selection in Race 3, # 1 Faith Hope Love (0.60*), went the opening quarter in twenty-two seconds flat; as you knew that there was no way she was going to be able to maintain that pace for the full race on the Tapeta surface.

We considered Race 4 indecipherable if you were playing against # 6 Eagle Screams (2.70), but the rest of the betting public was able to figure it out, as the winner Quick and Silver was the Post Time Favorite; so hopefully you listened to them instead of me on that one.  

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Golden Six sequence of  6 / 5 / 5 / 4 / 6 / 3  were rewarded with a payout of $751.66 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo