# Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Hello All!


O.K., so look: I’m not saying that this will be a successful exorcism of the triple crown drought. I mean,

this is a tough one, and it should be. We’re talkin’ a timeless champion that spans the ages and sets the bar

for greatness.

 

Greatness as in Secretariat. Greatness as in only 11 champions since 1919. War Admiral. Citation.

And who in the congregation is going to ask “...who did they beat?”

 

Not me, because all they did was beat everyone they needed to beat. That’s who they beat.

 

But I believe I am on to something and I’m putting it out there because it’s time. And clearly, we must be doing

something wrong. Affirmed in 1978. That was a long time ago.

 

1978. The first computer bulletin board system is created in Chicago.

1978. Ted Bundy is captured in Pensacola Florida.

1978. Senate proceedings are broadcast on radio for the first time. Cosmos burns up in the atmosphere.

Do you even know what Cosmos is? Charlie Chaplin's remains are stolen from Cosier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland. Annie Hall wins best picture.

In Rome, the corpse of former Italian prime minister Aldo Moro is found in a red Renault 4.

 

A RENAULT 4 !!!

 

I think you will agree that it’s been a while. So then, what does baseball have to do with this and what can

we learn from it? Well, hear me out. Because if I’m right, this will be huge.

 

So some pitcher is in the 5th or 6th inning and is pitching a shutout. That is to say, not just a shutout, but a no-hit

shutout. Things begin to get baseball-ish in the dugout., don’t they? He is sitting over in the far corner by the

water cooler. Alone. The entire rest of the team...coaches, buddies, roommate, bat boy, trainer, manager, even

the damn pitching coach...all avoiding him as if he just came down with a case of Bubonic plague.

 

What’s up? Tradition. Superstition. Over a century of protocol. Respect for the game, for the baseball gods,

and a healthy fear that your slap of encouragement on the pitchers back will be enough to dislodge the history

that could very well be made this day.

 

If only you had kept to yourself and not ruined it by smacking his butt. Or speaking directly to him.

No one wants to have anything to do with him, lest they break the magical spell that is the weave of a baseball

no hitter.


Let’s take a memo. Silence is golden. SO: I’m suggesting that we not utter those words. You know the ones.

Those two words that begin with a “T” and a “C”. And so I’m not going to say T***** C**** for the next three

weeks. I personally am putting my reputation on the line here, and if there is no T***** C**** at Belmont Park

this year, it will NOT be MY fault.

 

Further, I will not say C********* C*****. No sir, not me. Won’t say it. He’s the pitcher, standing on the

precipice of history and I, the living breathing Slew, will not be responsible for ruining this moment.

 

But I cannot do it alone!

 

I’m suggesting that you join me. I am calling for the entire press corps, newspapers, magazines, DRF, Blood Horse,

the entire racing and communications community and each and every racing fan to join me. And that includes you.

Heck, do you really want to be known as the ONE who ruined it? Who jinxed C********* C***** and robbed

him, his owners, his jockey, his trainer, his groom, and the entire world from being witness to a T***** C****? 

 

Well, do you?

 

Do you really want to be the one twit trending on Twitter because you tweeted HIS name?

Or uttered the words that might define HIS place in history? Would you want to be the one that sunk the ship

during the critical battle? The one with the loose lips?

 

Well, do you?

 

I was there on June 5, 2004. Sitting at the finish line when Birdstone upset history in the last 50 yards.

And I’ll tell you that the place went silent as it became apparent he was going to send everyone home to wait for

yet another year to pass. Stone...Cold...Silent. One Hundred and TwentyThousand screaming fans just stopped on

a dime 50 yards from the wire. 

 

Too late. 

 

Just maybe they should have spent the previous three weeks with their collective mouths shut! As for me,

I felt just awful. Why? Because I must have said SMARTY JONES a thousand times on the train ride into

Elmont that day. I’m sure I uttered T***** C**** a million times between the Preakness and the Belmont.

 

And look what happened! I for one, am not making the same mistake again.

 

No sir.

 

And now, as if we needed another brick added to the load, Tom Durkin is retiring. How many times has he

seen the opportunity to call a triple crown champion to the winners circle? How close has he come?

If you said a desperate nose, you would be correct. Here is the final chance. The chance of a lifetime.

Hollywood couldn’t script it any better.

 

So: let’s all join hands, sway to and fro, and sing Kumbaya in one voice for the good of racing.

Let’s unite in respectful silence and not utter his name. Let’s write letters to the editor requesting the no-hitter

approach to racing coverage over the next three weeks. If you see the name in print, avert your eyes.

For the good of the sport, man.

 

If we all work together on this, I promise you...without fail...you will see history. But if we once again fall short, you will have only yourself to blame.

 

Now as for my pick: the field isn’t finalized but I’ll make my pick anyway. I know there will be new shooters.

I know there will be fresh horses. I know there will be trainers, owners and jocks itching to ruin everyone’s fun.

I know there will be multiple efforts to take the horse out of his game. Rush him into the pace.

Box him in on the rail. Slow him down. Speed him up. 

 

No matter. 

 

My pick is C********* C*****

 

Please don’t ruin it for me.


- Slew

 

posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 1:35:58 AM UTC  #   
# Thursday, May 1, 2014
Hello all!

Chalk:

1. a soft, white, porous sedimentary rock, a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite.

2. this Kentucky Derby rant

So...if you are allergic to calcium carbonate or anything close to it...you might want to avert your eyes. Or at the very least, call your private physician and alert him or her to the possibility of you having to be admitted to the local ER.

STAT!

The best horse doesn’t always win. A Kentucky bred doesn’t always win. A champion doesn’t always win. The Kentucky Derby is rarely about the best horse. It may be about the strongest, or the most courageous, or about the slickest ride, or about the one guy that can handle the slop or the lightening fast pace. But this early in the season, it often isn’t about the best horse.

Unless you are Slew. Or Big Red.

But it is almost always about the favorite. That of course, is where the discussion begins, and it is always that point of departure that makes for such a great outcome. If there is one 'fact'...heavily disputed each year by management...which of course in my mind, is enough to validate the rumor, or lore, or whatever...well, if there is one fact it is that with either a fast or drying out track on the first Saturday in May, the race is on in a bigger way than usual.

After all, this is THE KENTUCKY DERBY. Pace seems always to be an issue. One that can crush both the participant as well as the hopeful connections.

So looking at some of the prep races, one has to be impressed with the anointed pre-race favorite, California Chrome. With opening SA Derby quarters of 22.89, 24.13 and 23.79 you would figure a good setup for someone...anyone...laying in wait. At 1:10.81 for the six furlongs and 1:35.03 for the mile, you would expect anyordinary horse to figure he had already earned his oats.

Apparently, California Chrome is no ordinary horse.

Next year, we will be able to use some of the Keeneland races in this analysis, as they are moving back to that stuff you always got on your Sunday goto-meetin'’ clothes when company was coming over. You remember those whoopings, right? But this year, with 6 furlong runs of 1:12.74 in the Blue Grass and 1:13.17 in the Coolmore, they just don’t appear to be relevant. Especially when you consider that the Santa Anita Derby ran a half a second faster than the Gr. III that preceded it which was run on the turf.

It would have been faster still, had Victor Espinoza not geared CC down, so as not to completely embarrass the professional athletes bringing up the rear.

Which was the entire rest of the field.

Now, one might normally say that he didn’t face nuthin’, and that might indeed be a legitimate observation. But it isn’t always the win that counts the most, but rather the manner in which one executes the winning plan. And this horse appears to be mindful of that important fact., because his execution is flawless. For example, compare his ramrod straight final 1/8 to that of the Wood victor, Wicked Strong. My feeling is that Mr. Strong was figuring his take for the day by counting the house and Rajiv had all he could do to convince Mr. Strong that the finish line was that-a-way.

Not the kind of ADD (the learning disorder, not the math operator) you want from your 3 year old Derby student.

Conversely, you have to admire the fortitude and determination of the Fountain of Youth winner and Florida Derby runner up Wildcat Red. He raced for the entirety of the 1 1/16 Fountain and battled tooth and nail to the wire in the Florida Derby, with the Fountain being run in sub :24 quarters thru the first 6 furlongs. Not to mention that he runs like Wicked Strong's daddy and one of my favorites, Hard Spun. You will find that name scattered in these prose from time to time, as he was the Marvin Hagler of his day, and has passed that enviable trait to some of his progeny. So 20-1 on the ML? Well, two dogfights in a row always raises some eyebrows, as the weaker among us cannot imagine there is a 3rd fight left.

Don’t tell that to Messrs. Ali and Frazier.

Like either one of them, Mr. CC Sir (as his friends call him) is the kind you want in your corner.

So my Derby observations can now be fully and completely discounted because not a single other horse impressed me to any great degree, nor did the races they ran. And with comments like the one Jay Privman made regarding Candy Boy: “Think he was hindered by pace in SA Derby...”, which is a nice way of saying he couldn’t keep up with a horse that keeps running, you have to wonder about the race if CC brings anything even close to his “A” game.

As for my strategy, it doesn’t change that much. Last year, it was simply to play the Oaks-Derby double, and the pick 3 and double leading into the Derby, using that as a win bet on my guy Orb. But last year, I had Wise Dan. I doubt we’ll get that lucky this year, although we’ll see how the entries unfold and decide on a final strategy sometime around 4:00 AM on Saturday. And as always, I’ll consult the Slew oracle to see what else might be of interest.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention that should the hope of California cross the finish line first, it would not only give one of my favorite jockeys his second Derby win, but would also be two in a row for the good-guy trainers.

At 77 years of age, former jockey Art Sherman is one of those real life horse trainers. A venerable staple west of the Rockies, few would dispute his acumen with the blue collar lunch pail equine types. But here, he gets to make the coveted Derby walk with one that might not only go into the record books, but one who also has the chance to define an entire subset of the breed...the Cal bred. And while there are only a total of 4 wins between his mom and dad, you don’t have to dig too deep into his family history to find the likes of Mr. Prospector, Cozzene and Northern Dancer coursing through the young horse’s veins.

I imagine then that if he scores, most people would be disappointed because their long shot...almost every other horse...did not.

Not me.

That’s how I see it. However you see it...

...good luck, good ‘capping...and don’t blink!

- Slew


posted on Thursday, May 1, 2014 12:57:26 AM UTC  #   
# Monday, February 17, 2014
Hello all! It has been a while.

For those new to this exercise, we look for horses that going forward into the 2014 season may bring us some measure of success. They are culled specifically from races that Slew...my good buddy Slew...says are superior heats. He, being the silicon Slew, points to the races, and me, being the human Slew tries to make sense of the runners. When these horses run next, they are listed on the daily runner list from Slew's Fast Horses as Key Horses. That is, horses that have come from key races.

Life is hard enough. Why I wish to make it even harder with this task is something I have yet to figure out. Must have been something in my childhood.

But my personal issues notwithstanding, the track played somewhat fast on 02/09/2014 at Gulfstream Park. Of the 12 races that went into the record books, 5 showed 4 splits worthy of note. Of those 5, 2 were maiden races. And just like the Cape of Good Hope, renamed from the Cape of Storms (Cabo das Tormentas), the currents are treacherous, the navigation dangerous, but if you survive, the rewards are worth the trouble.

Gulfstream Park Race 5 02/09/2014

Just because maidens run fast, doesn't mean they will always do so. But we have to look for runners if we are to set up our season, and here we may have found a few. Race # 5 was a turf sprint for fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs, won by Little Alexis in 1:02.85 which is just a few short ticks away from the track record for that distance. Sired by the venerable Mr. Greeley with an added splash of turf class from Giants Causeway on the dam's side, this gal exploded in the lane...and at the windows too. She paid $48.20 and represented the first win of trainer Carlo Vaccerezza's short career. In a race where Gratitude had been anointed the odds-on by the wagering public, Little Alexis not only ran big, but ran inside as well. A place where young horses do not usually like to be, she negotiated the inside run to her advantage, with Alex Solis swinging outside in upper stretch for the home run. A notable career debut will get her noticed going forward. We'll keep an eye on her as well.

My Miss Sophia also needs to be watched, as she set an ambitious pace and was beaten by not quite 2 lengths. By Unbridled's Song and running for Todd "32%" Pletcher, we'll see her stretch out before the summer. Here we have stamina on the top side with the 1996 Sovereign Award (Canada) winning champion sprinter Langfhur on the bottom. I'll be curious to see what she does with Belmont's one turn routes this spring.

Gulfstream Park Race 8 02/09/2014

This contest went 1 1/16 miles on the Hallandale lawn with Leader Avenue, a Street Cry colt finishing up in 1:40.51 in a front running score that was not without challenge. Folks, that means there were challenges turned back. His last on 12/29/2013 was a loss by a short neck to Banzai Charge who has begun his career in fine fashion with 2 wins and a place in 3 races. The second (and last) win was in an AlwOC. In this race, both Market Outlook (2nd) and March Reward (3rd) had their shot but couldn't get to the "Leader". Saez rode, Castellano and Lanerie chased, and all three horses need to be watched going forward.

As for the Cape, Bartolomeu Dias in 1488 was the first European to reach the "Cape of Storms" and it opened the way for trade with the Orient, the big prize. We'll see if we can't ride the winds of these newcomers, brave the uncharted waters...and make a few bucks too!

Gulfstream Park Race 9 02/08/2014

Another route to riches would be the Allowance Optional Claimer, which allows horses of varying backgrounds and career paths to come together in the spirit of friendly competition. It is often the case that the best, most accomplished horse doesn't win these affairs, but rather uses this protected race to warm up for more interesting, and lucrative competition down the road. I like to find these fast races and look for horses that performed well enough, but off of long layoffs. In this case, we had the top 3 finishers all coming off of rather long layoffs. This race for fillies and mares went a mile on the Gulfstream Park turf in 1:34.16, with the stretch run going very quickly. In fact, the 7th furlong went in 11.85 and the final one in a flat 12.01. That's a very nice final quarter from three girls that had been out of action for a while. In fact, it is a nice final quarter, period!

Kittens Point won the affair as the favorite while setting that final fraction of a flat 12 seconds in her first effort in 10 months. She gets in the race even though she was a grade 3 winner while being out of the money only once in her career. In fact, we were on her as a key horse way back in March of 2013 in the Gr. III Herecomesthebride Stakes at $15.60 to win, after her drubbing in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. She followed that with a good effort in the Gr. I Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. She then took a holiday, celebrating her return with a strong run into a very fast 7th furlong on her way to the winners circle in this 62K affair over a firm sod. Most likely on her way to graded stakes action for Graham Motion and Edgar Prado, this daughter of the super sire Kitten's Joy has the added value of the great Kingmambo on the dam's side. She is talented as well as fast. A nice combination in a racehorse.

Bella Castani, daughter of the ill-fated Big Brown followed Kittens Point from the quarter mile marker all the way to the finish line. Finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind the victress, she was waking from a slumber dating back to August 30, 2013 at the Spa in the Riskaverse Stakes where she earned her rest with an 8th place finish. Christophe Clement guides her career and is looking to get this one her 3rd win, with her next race being the 8th in her short career. A win in the Diamondrella Stakes at Belmont on 7/7/2013 and her 2nd place finish to Kittens Point here gives her reason to be optimistic about her chances going forward. She was ridden by the accomplished Jose Lezcano.

Third place finisher English Class, a daughter of yes...you guessed it, English Channel, either led or contested the for the lead at every call and is the least accomplished of the trio. Never-the-less, she ran an enterprising race off a June 2013 layoff, battling Interesting (Ire) the entire way. It was the 2nd race for Interesting (Ire) in this country for Thomas Albetrani and while finishing 6th, she was only 3 lengths back at the wire. These two either cut or contested all the fast fractions, and should be watched going forward. English Class is managed by Brian Lynch and ridden by Abdiel Jaen, I'm curious to see where she shows up next. Interesting (Ire) is a daughter of Raven's Pass. Now, if that name is vaguely familiar, let me refresh your memory:

October 25, 2008. Oak Tree meet. Breeders Cup Classic. Beating Curlin.

Kinda' like having had your daddy invest in IBM when it was 0.25 cents a share.

So we have our first Key Horses for 2014, and that's the way I see it. However you see it, good luck and good 'capping!

- Slew


posted on Monday, February 17, 2014 12:41:10 AM UTC  #   
# Thursday, November 7, 2013
GUESS NOT...

Some things we'll just never know. Was there anyone at all behind the grassy knoll? Did Area 51 have the body of E.T. on ice? Was Pluto a planet? Yes, or no?

And what about Orb? If you scroll down just a little bit you will see my last notation to this blog. I wondered if his return to the races at Saratoga was the start of a second coming, so to speak.

I had it wrong. It wasn't Orb being raised from the ashes, it was Gary Stevens. Who could have known?

So yesterday, the headline that read "Kentucky Derby Winner Orb Retired" was not a shock, but a surprise. And while we write about how 'all too often' 3 year old horses, especially ones that are successful in the triple crown, are retired too early, it makes good business sense. It isn't good for the game, but then the money isn't in the game.

It is in the breeding shed. Which is where you will find the Kentucky Derby winner come next breeding season. Then, in a few years, we'll have little Orb's running around.

What we will never know is if there were physical reasons why the horse was laid up in an equine version of a spa reserved for the rich and famous, run twice, then retired. With the breeding shed being such a lucrative place, that sort of personal health information is kept close to the vest. But it serves as a reminder that the triple crown is a difficult road to hoe for a young equine athlete, and isn't without it's price.

Paid by both the athlete, and the sport.

EXTINCTION REALLY STINKS

It isn't often we are witness to a real live extinction. But that is what will happen at the end of this year when Hollywood Park closes it's doors for the final time in forever. The history of this place is as unique as the ghosts that roam the grounds in the quiet hours.

Opened June 10, 1938, this amazing race place witnessed ownership with names like Jack L. Warner, Al Jolson, Joan Blondell, Walt Disney, Sam Goldwyn, Darryl Zanuck...just to name a very few. But the real stars were named Seabiscuit, Citation and Affirmed. And John Henry became the first 4 million dollar winner when he took the Hollywood Turf Cup in 1983. And back then, 4 mil was worth 4 mil., and the pennies still had copper in them. And speaking of cups, the Hollywood Gold Cup would be won 11 times by horses who would distinguish themselves as Horse of the Year. Names like Seabiscuit, Citation, Swaps, Round Table, Affirmed Ferdinand and Cigar grace that amazing list.

The park was witness to the first shipper transported by air travel to compete in a specific race. Historian was shipped from Chicago to start in the 1946 Gold Cup. In 1957, fans witnessed a triple dead heat for win, and then again in 1997 a triple dead heat took place 3 races after Sharp Cat participated in a walkover in the Bayakoa Stakes.

The first film patrol for recording races to be reviewed by stewards, the Pick Six, the first million dollar race for 2 year olds, Friday night racing and the revolutionary Amtote's AM 300 wagering system all born on the left coast, and all have left their mark.

Shoemaker, Pincay, McCarron. Whittingham & Frankel.

Were this an archeological dig, it would be touted as the find of a lifetime. A virtual historical record of some of the greatest moments, names and events representing an entire age in the historical record of the sport of kings.

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot


I wonder if Joni Mitchell ever played there?

BREEDERS CUP POSTSCRIPT

As my wife said after the Macho Man crossed the finish line with Lazarus on his back:

"Another racing season comes to an end."

Pithy, I know. Of course, the other side of that coin is that a new one is about to begin. That's the good news. The bad news is that they go so quickly, the next one is here before you know it. I mean, I said I was going to find a new group of key horses just a few months ago, for the fall. I just checked my calendar, and it says November.

I'm already thinking Gulfstream Park, the Florida Derby, and...well, you know.

This is the third breeders cup I have missed in a row. Last year, I was hauling water from the lake and using it to make a little steam (and flush the toilets). You would be surprised how warm 50 degrees feels in a small room when the rest of the house is 45. And how heavy water is!

This year my schedule played the cruel trick of keeping me from...well...losing my shirt. Along about Wednesday, after I had thoroughly reviewed Friday's card, I made two notes to self: Euros on the grass, and Stevens on everything else. Too bad I ignored them both!

My heart was with Big Blue Kitten even though my PP's clearly show that I circled the two Euros that made up the exacta and even commented on The Fugue in posts the day before it all began to unfiold. I mean, c'mon. Those guys didn't come over here because they have nothing else to do! And come to think of it, those animals must have thought they had gone to turf heaven with the surface something other than a Euro-bog. You can actually run on this stuff. And oh yes, as I look at my marks on the form, what has the biggest circle?

Magician's first time lasix of course.

Handicapping 101, don't you know. It was the second time for The Fugue. The first time, she most likely takes the money if she doesn't get mugged. Twice!

But all's well that ends with a race that plays out just as you see it, and for me, that was the BC Mile. Za Approval is a Key Horse for me and being run down by the reigning horse of the year Wise Dan is nothing to be ashamed of. Especially when the exacta pays a generous $33 and the trifecta pays $210 for a buck. After that, I didn't care if Rudolph won the Classic. Heck, he could have been named reindeer of the year! I mean, we know he can get the distance.

Finally, congratulations to Mucho Macho Man, Gary Stevens, and the miracle that is Katherine Ritvo.

And just like his trainer, Mucho Macho Man was...all heart!

- Slew

posted on Thursday, November 7, 2013 12:51:18 AM UTC  #   
# Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Hello All!

I'm getting ready to return to the Spa in anticipation of a big weekend
of racing culminating in the mid-summer derby, The Travers Stakes.

Of course, we are looking forward to seeing the mid-summer form of the
Derby winner, Orb. Shug has not only given him some well deserved down
time, but spared no expense and treated him to the ultimate horse spa.
Pools, treadmills, hyperbaric treatment...you just try to get yourself a
hyperbaric treatment.

Go ahead. I dare you.

First, go find a chamber. Then, when you do, ask how much it will cost.
Then after they pick you up off of the floor, ask your insurance company
if they will approve it. Just try it. I know people who have genuinely
needed these treatments, some as a precursor to maybe living an almost
normal life... and spent months and in one case over a year in the court
system trying to get the court to force the insurance company to
fulfill their responsibility.

You'll die trying.

But Shug has treated his deserving Derby champion to the very best and
has noted growth and maturity as well. And seeing as how I loved him in
the Derby, I'm curious to see how much I love him off the layoff, as I
expect he will be a bit off the favoritism in the race.

You think 4-1? With Palace Malice and Verrazano getting much of the
attention, it is possible. And it is hard to separate rooting for Shug
from the cold and calculating handicapper's spirit that needs to prevail
in the face of such a good-guy with such a good-horse.

I assure you I'll be lying awake in my hotel room staring at the
ceiling, as if the answers were hidden in that cheap texture paint they
use.

But this is Saratoga, and the only thing cheap IS the paint. Not the hotel. Not the food.

Not the payoff...if you get it right.

So sharpen your pencils...good luck and good 'capping!

- Slew
            
posted on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 2:53:46 AM UTC  #   
# Thursday, June 13, 2013
WARNING: Not for the faint of heart. Read at your own risk!

Hello students of the game!

I remember many years ago the DRF website...fairly new at the time, had a community where horse players could gather. A place where everyone was an expert. Everyone was a winner. Everyone was a high roller. The handles were memorable.

I'll spare you.

But one individual stands out to this day. I don't know who he was, and I cannot be sure he was on the level, although I think he was. His point of view was a simple one: racing is fixed!

AND...(this is the best part)...there is a secret language that the 'insiders' know. This racing 'code' told you, the insider, who to bet. And when. A sort of T
horoughbred Da' Vinci code
. Well, after all these years...I think I have cracked it. It is quite simple, and really, genius. Let me give you an elementary example:

It is May 5th and you are sitting in the Arlington grandstand. You look like an ordinary horseplayer. Maybe you have a hotdog on the seat next to you, your marked up DRF is in your lap, you are enjoying a beautiful May day at the track. It is 10 minutes to race 5 post time and you look at the following lineup, trying to deduce the exacta:

# PP HORSE
1 1 J Evans
2 2 Sacred Range
3 3 Rafale (GB)
4 4 Sgt. Major Ross
5 5 Cadcam
6 6 My Jokester
7 7 My Contender


O.K., so this is a shamefully easy example. While the entire racing world is throwing money at the favorite Rafale, you know better. Because you know that the secret language of racing is at work here. Your personal ticket to the winners circle. Figure it out yet? No?

My, My. As in My Jokester and My Contender. That is why they are there, folks. And this is what that guy all those years ago was talking about.
Racing's Da' Vinci code
. At work!

The 7-6 exacta paid $63.00.

O.K., you think I'm kidding...right? Here is another simple example. It is 5 days later, and you are sitting in the exact same seat because you hit that 7-6 exacta 50 times and you're not changing nuthin'! You got that same hot dog and the DRF is sitting there in front of you, open to race 8. You have spent 20 minutes figuring pace for this 1 & 1/16 mile starter allowance and you are getting nowhere. Handicapping principles are falling left and right. It is now just a minute before post and this is what you see:

# HORSE
1 Hungry Wildcat
2 Switching to Glide
3 Name Dropper
4 Nic the Quick
5 Musicstreet Menace
6 Codeword (IRE)
7 Silver Rock Star
8 Nolangrant'skitten
9 Part'n Parcel
10 Charging Home
11 Pedrolino
12 Paisano Creek


OK, so the exacta please? C'mon, c'mon. Nothing to do with Mickey Rivers, either. They are going to the post. NO? Wait...Then, you get it. Nolangrant'skitten & Hungry Wildcat. Must be and worth a shot.

The old feline play. As old as racing itself. When you see two felines in the same race...they don't have to be of the same type, it's a go. But you must know that cross breeding between wildcats and house cats has occurred throughout almost the entirety of the species' range. That is what make this exacta possible.

Paid $202.20!

So you see where I'm going with this? Of course, I know you are not convinced, but what the hell do I care what you think? I mean, you believed the Mayans!!! All around us are mysteries unsolved, dimensions unseen, meanings undefined. It seems to me that racing has figured out a perfect language that only insiders know, and I'm going to show you how it works. Now the exacta is only one way that the code helps those in the know take your money. But the code enables sharp players to score playing other types of wagers. I'm going to show you a daily double, once again from Arlington Park that hit on 5/18. Here are the entries for races 9 and 10. See if you can figure out what the 'racing gods' are trying to tell you:

Race 9

# PP HORSE
1 1 Age of Aquarius
2 2 Lil Miss Richie
3 3 Carolina Cruisin'
4 4 Ann Accolade
5 5 Lydia's Angel
6 6 Miss Darla
7 7 Stay Foolish
8 8 Bye Bye Bunting
9 9 Scorpiobdancing

and now race 10

# PP HORSE
1 9 She's Intoxicated
1A 11 My Place Or Yours
2 1 Sweet Harp
3 2 Three Cat Rules
4 3 Sharp
5 4 Glad It's May
6 5 Little Miss Be
7 6 Betterlegsonatabl
8 7 Spring Formal
9 8 Astral
10 10 Take What You Can


Well, maybe this time you got a bit closer. There is really only one possibility: Lil Miss Richie & Little Miss Be. I mean, you want it handed to you on a silver platter? Well...here it is: a short form English prefix daily double that paid $156.80. And you thought you needed speed figs when all you need is a Webster's dictionary!

So here were 3 simple forms of secret communication that the racing gods use to clue in those in the "know".

Now that you are clued in too, let us go back to the exacta. Here is a race from Arlington that ran on 5/26. It was race 1. See if you can figure out the exacta:

# PP HORSE
1 1 Queen of Scioto
2 2 Arrested by Duffy
3 3 Electric Boat
4 4 Let It Rain
5 5 A. J.'s Love
6 6 Queen for Life
7 7 Ancient Eyes

So this one is soooo easy. Shamefully easy. Your 5 year old daughter would know this. In fact, so many people played the 6-1 exacta it only paid $23.40. So now that you have a handle on the exacta, let's go back to the daily double. Scope it out and see if you can do it. It is race 6 on 5-27 at Arlington Park. You want to play the double. Here are the entries for races 6 and 7:

Race 6
# PP HORSE
1 1 One for Biscuit
2 2 Buddy's Bid
3 3 Exotic Wildcat
4 4 Perfect Casting
5 5 Gavilan
6 6 Bingorun
7 7 Grand Silver
8 8 Daddyspentdamoney
9 9 Denim

Race 7
# PP HORSE
1 1 Candy Bites
2 2 Hughes the Daddy
3 3 Razman
4 4 Strong Response
5 5 Card
6 6 Tallahatchie Luke
7 7 Next Speaker
8 8 Chatfield Road
9 9 Chucks Turn


See how easy it is? Sure you do! The 8-2 daddy daily double paid 72.40. That ain't chump change. And it ain't your daddy's $72.40 either.

O.K., then. So let's get one that is a lil' harder, shall we? It is a 6 furlong allowance at Arapahoe Park, and you want to play the exacta. Check out the entries. What would you play?

# PP HORSE

1 1 EET CETERA
2 2 SCUNC
3 3 SEMELE
4 4 LIL WAYNE
5 5 TTT TINY TINA
6 6 MISTER EDD
7 7 MY FRIEND BEE
8 8 CZMOKEY THE BEAR SWA
9 9 DJETS SON
10 10 ZELLS BELLS
11 11 RASTA ROCKET


Not only should it be obvious by now, but they are right next to each other. THAT, my friends...is a slap in the face to the losers. Which excludes you, naturally. because you saw it right away.

Manners, manners...and ladies first! That's right. The 5-4 exacta of TTT Tiny Tina & Lil Wayne paid $66.80. Folks...size DOES matter!

Now, one of my favorites. This one is great. And it shows just how cunning the 'racing gods' can be. And just how sneaky racing's
Da' Vinci Code
is.

We are at Belmont Park. yes...New York, New York. If you can make it here...well anyway, check this out. It is race # 1 on May 3, 2013 and you are looking to start the day with a double. O.K., so here are the entries for the first two races:

Race 1

# PP HORSE
1 1 My Bella Beauty
2 2 Currency Union
3 3 Sweet Sway
4 4 Sister City
5 5 Lurabell
6 6 Run a Dubb Dubb

Race # 2

# PP HORSE
1 1 Madgi
2 2 Sister State
3 3 Make It Anywhere
4 4 Previous
5 5 Street Beauty

So, I can hear you stuttering. No freakin' way. Right? Wrong, Chobani breath! Because the double of Sister City/Sister State paid $16.20. Not much. But then, it's New York. Why do you think they can make it anywhere?

Here is another NY special. On 5-17, a State Bred race had the following lineup:

# PP HORSE
1 1 Lumineuse
2 2 Don't Hook My Halo
3 3 Palace Dreams
4 4 Therapy
5 5 Pie's First Lady
6 6 Shake Senora
7 7 Wild Frances
8 8 McGillycuddy's Gal
9 9 Hot Rendezvous
10 10 Ready for Therapy


Now, first a hint. The hint is that it is a NY Bred race and you need to be familar with NY breeding. The next hint is the character Hugo Z. Hackenbush in the Marx Brothers movie A Day at the Races.

Got it? Yes! Both ends of the exacta were by Freud. Ready for Therapy / Therapy paid $44.80.

THAT'S CRAZY!

And how about May 30 when Bushie and Bushwacked paid $37.80!

In fact, Slew had two horses that placed and showed on 5-30 at Belmont. Slew's horse in this race was Film Shot. Here is what the results looked like:

# HORSE         JOCKEY                 WIN    PLACE   SHOW
5 Hangover      Kid I. Ortiz, Jr.      $23.60 $10.60 $5.00
6 Film Shot     E. Prado                       $7.10 $4.00
3 Screenplay    J. Espinoza                          $3.10


Filmshot and Screenplay. Are you kidding...Mr. DeMille? And do you know what the trifecta paid? How about this:

$2 Trifecta (5-6-3) Paid: $363.00

Seriously?

Well, congratulations! You have completed the class on racing's "secret code". As with any course of this level, you must pass a final exam to continue. I suggest you refrain from all wagering and handicapping activity until such time as your grade is a passing one. You may take this test up to 3 times. If you do not pass by then, you can still eat hot dogs but must cease all horse wagering and handicapping activity immediately and take up a new interest. Badminton anyone?

So...here goes...and good luck!

Question #1:

You are at Canterbury Park on 5/17. It is race 3. You have 17 apples, 12 oranges and $14 in your pocket. Race 2 is a cheap claimer with 7 horses. With the all button in race 2,you need 2 singles in race 3 & 4 for a successful pick 3.

Here are the entrants for those races:

Race 3
# PP HORSE
1 1 Patriate
2 2 Swiss G's
3 3 Seattle Sal
4 4 Already There
5 5 No Crossing Lane
6 6 Marathon Moon
7 7 Backtrack
8 8 King of Rhythm

Race # 4
# PP HORSE
1 1 Cap and Trade
2 2 Talk About Me
3 3 Bleu Moon Magic
4 4 Tapitintime
5 5 Talkin Bout
6 6 Amazingly Karen
7 7 Somerset Ballerina
8 8 Chile Win


The pick 3 paid $200.90. Who won the last two legs?

Question # 2

You are at Calder on 6/2 and praying for the exacta in race 2. Here are the entrants:

Race # 2
# PP HORSE
1 1 Cambiata
2 2 Jill's Reflection
3 3 Proverbs Thirtyone
4 4 Follow My Luck
5 5 My Novena
6 6 Holy Day
7 7 Karen's Wildcat


Now, be careful. This is a bit of a trick question. The exacta paid $38.40. Who do you use as an exacta box in this race?

Question # 3

Back to Calder. it is 5/31 and you are playing race #5. Once again, you are playing the exacta. Here are the horses:

Race #5
# PP HORSE
1 1 No Calcetines
2 2 Gold Man
3 3 My Big News
4 4 Treasures Image
5 5 Dangerous Brew
6 6 Financial Pathway
7 7 Luigi Q
8 8 Solicitation
9 MTO Gold Vegas
10 AE Big Bentley
11 AE Wat
12 AE Concorde County
13 AE Revere's Ride
14 AE Jim N John


The race stayed on the turf and the exacta paid $57.60. Who do you play in the exacta?

Question # 4

Here is a history question. It is Canterbury Park on 5/18. Here are the horses for race #3:

Race #3
# PP HORSE
1 1 Smokin Mojo
2 2 This Guy
3 3 Blothefeld Away
4 4 Candy Can Do
5 5 Union Buster
6 6 Star Searcher
7 7 Eighteen Wheels
8 8 Forest Colors
9 9 Dakota Smokey


You are going to play the exacta box which paid $33.00. DO NOT fall for the trap here. Which horses do you use, good buddy?

Question #5

Here is a more esoteric example of racing's
Da' Vinci code
at work. It is May 4 at Calder. You are soaking up the sunshine and looking at race 8. You got some cash in your pocket and lookin' to play the exacta. Here are the horses:

# PP HORSE
1 1 Mize the Big Cat
2 2 Well Read
3 3 Avie's Pegasus
4 4 Calpullec
5 5 Flyin Trey
6 6 Include Traci
7 7 Brave Apache
8 8 Run Smart One


The exacta paid $32.60. You had it. Which two horses did you use?

EXTRA CREDIT QUESTION

This one is a tough one, and I don't expect all of you, or maybe any of you to get it. That is why it is offered as extra credit. Here goes:

You are at Canterbury Park on 5/31. It is race 3. You have 14 cows, 3 pigs, and 27 goats,. You are playing the exacta which paid $57.00. Here are the horses:


# PP HORSE
1 1 Setnmupknocknmdown
2 2 Model Citizen
3 3 Mack's Tiger Paw
4 4 In Jeopardy
5 5 Private Warrior
6 6 Resist
7 7 Finding Candy
8 8 Evert
9 9 Common Sense
10 10 Soul Sacrifice
11 11 Wild Student


Which two horses, and in what order, made up the exacta in this race?

The horses please???

Well...time is up. All answers can be found in the DRF or Equibase results.

Put down your pencils and hand in your papers. And the next time you handicap...bring your dictionary AND Little Orphan Annie decoder ring!

It's post time!

Good luck and good 'capping!

- Slew



posted on Thursday, June 13, 2013 3:22:57 PM UTC  #   
# Sunday, May 5, 2013
The blood cannot get any blue-r.
A.P. Indy on top and Unbridled on the bottom.

The jockey can't get any hotter. He took Keeneland. He took the World Cup.
He took the Kentucky Derby.

The ownership cannot get any classier. Phipps. Janney.
Cornerstones of American racing foundation.

The trainer cannot get any better. No hype. No headlines. No glitz.
Simply Shug.

The horse cannot get any more perfect.
Orb.

A simple name. The kind of name that feels like it belongs. No beginning or end.
No front, back or sides. No top or bottom.

A sphere. By definition: perfect.

Congratulations.

- Slew



posted on Sunday, May 5, 2013 1:47:26 AM UTC  #   
# Friday, May 3, 2013
Hello All !

It was 2004 and Smarty Jones was 4-1. I could only sit and stare at odds I could not believe. If I could have, I would have taken a second mortgage out on my house and put it all on his nose. The thought occurred to me. If I could have accessed my line of credit, well...I might have.

I settled for a much smaller wager and winning was never so anticlimactic. There was in my mind, never any doubt.

Now in horse racing, doubt is a killer. But so few times in my handicapping life has there ever been no doubt. Especially when it comes to the Kentucky Derby. I don't have to go into the particulars...20 horses...outside posts...crush around the first turn...3 year old babies. And so on. And why complain about what makes the race so great?

So contrary to that race in 2004, there isn't just one horse for me. In fact, I think that of all the Derby races, this one gives me the most pause. Or at least, pause enough. Some have been all buttons with no sense of feel for anything at all. Others have just been disasters. This one...I like a bunch. But only one can win.

As I wrote after the Wood, no really fast races to go on. Slew lists Goldencents, Orb, Itsmyluckyday and Black Onyx. And just for the record, Lines of Battle. All except the last are coming out of races rated a '3'. OK, but not great. All but the last won those races. As I look around at the horses I have written about since last summer, two stand out. Orb and Revolutionary. That Calvin will be riding Revolutionary and Rosario riding Orb makes it even more interesting. If not difficult. Can it get any better than that?

Nope.

I also like the way Normandy Invasion ran the Wood and wrote that I had thoughts of Empire Maker and Funny Cide reversing themselves in the Derby for an exacta that got me the dubious honor of paying for dinner. Which then leads us to Verrazano. The 'big horse'. Reminiscent of Point Given. I love a big horse in the Derby. One that can get bounced around and survive. Or do the bouncing and survive. It can be a very tough go. Big is a help. Except if you are Smarty Jones.

Then...you don't need no stinkin' big.

I have been asked what my thoughts are about the Derby. I wish I knew. I'm not a better handicapper than you and if I have an edge...it's Slew. And I share that with you so you have the same edge. But somehow, I'm asked so here then...are my thoughts:

Calvin & Revolutionary draw the 3 hole and so he doesn't have to work to get to his favorite place. That favorite place was named after him, by the way. Bravo has to try and get Black Onyx into some sort of position early or else he gets shuffled back to downtown Louisville. Trouble is, Black Onyx isn't the speed type. It isn't until we go out to post 8 and Goldencents do we have any real speed and also first timer Kevin Krigger looking to make headlines. Then all the way out to Falling Sky and Verrazano for the next speed duo and at this point I would imagine we have our first flight around the clubhouse turn.

Verrazano will be kept in striking distance down the back stretch and Garret Gomez will be looking to stick around with Vyjack. I doubt that will last too long though. Through all this, Rosario and Orb will be taking it all in. I suspect from a vantage point around the middle of the pack and begin to move on the leaders somewhere around the far turn. So will Calvin and Revolutionary.

Who will win? Got me.

But if I were to be shot at dawn and had to predict something, I would say my top four would be Revolutionary, Orb, Goldencents and Normandy Invasion. And let me stipulate something here: on a confidence level of 1 to 10...it's a 4. So: here is my plan. And it isn't the first time it has come to this for me. Which horse do I rely on?

Dreaming of Julia! And Wise Dan!

The great thing about betting this race in the 21st century is the opportunity to win it without actually picking the winner! With that in mind, I plan on playing into Derby from the Oaks AND from the two races preceding the Derby. From the Oaks, I'm relying on Dreaming of Julia to be way the best. I will play a double to the Derby with the all button as a hedge, and then add the four horses listed above to it for a real payoff. I will also play a smaller double using Silsita just 'cause Slew says so. Same strategy with the races preceding the Derby, probably using a pick 3.

Now, as to the winner. I have been on Revolutionary from the Saratoga meet. Same with Orb. Love those horses. But if anything nags at me, it is the speed of Goldencents. Also the finish of Normandy Invasion in the Wood. And the size and performance of Verrazano. I mean, I can see Goldencents going wire to wire. Or close to it. He sits at the top of Slew's list. I have to respect that.

But when all is said and done, I think ORB will win. As much a nod to the hottest rider on the planet as to the horse, his connections, and his breeding.

What does all this mean? If means I wish Smarty Jones was running. It also means you most likely have a better idea than I do.

What it really means is that I'm more comfortable picking the winner of some other race that I can link to multiple selections in the Derby. In this case, the payoffs are usually worth it and that is what I plan to do. It is the opportunity that wagering in this century gives me, as opposed to 50 years ago when it was winner take all or nothing. Well, just because you cannot decide on a winner doesn't mean you can't cash a winning ticket. Does that make me a coward?

Well, if it means having to buy dinner again...I'm all in!

It would be nice to pick the winner of the Derby!

But nicer not to have to...to cash the winning ticket!

Enjoy...Good luck...and good 'capping!

Slew

posted on Friday, May 3, 2013 3:35:47 AM UTC  #   
# Wednesday, April 10, 2013

APRIL 7, 2013

Once again the times aren't notable.

1:50.27, which is 3+ seconds off of the 1:47 track record set by Riva Ridge 39 years ago. But no track record was to be set with a 77-1 shot calling the early shots.

This current crop...at least the cream that has risen in recent weeks, doesn't seem to crave speed. But they do appear to know how to win.

I thought Verrazano ran an excellent race and Johnny V rode a smart one. Now, it will be interesting to see what his agent does as to his Derby mount.

And after he makes that decision, who will ride Orb?

Normandy Invasion also ran a very interesting race. The kind of race you might think was a prep for the big dance.

Remember Empire Maker? and a 'gutsy' NY Bred gelding by the name of Funny Cide?

Not only do I remember both of them, but also the cold exacta that followed in the Derby.

Like it was yesterday.

- Slew

posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 1:08:14 AM UTC  #   
# Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Somewhere around the late 1980's or early 1990's I sponsored a show jumping class at the USET in Gladstone, NJ during their championship meet. The day was dreary and soaking wet, and when the class was won and the trophy needed to be presented, I was in no mood to slog thru the mud in the pouring rain. What to do? Send my wife!

Which I did, and she went willingly. I couldn't figure out why, but no matter. My shoes were dry, and that is where the matter ended...until 2006, when Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby.

"Do you know who that is?" she inquired of me, referring to the winning trainer, Michael Matz.

"Yeah. That is Michael Matz. He just won the freakin' Derby!"

"Do you remember meeting him?"

"Meeting him? I never met him."

"Except you should have! He was the winner of the class you sponsored at the USET. You know, when you wouldn't leave the VIP tent to present the trophy..."

Cold case...reopened!

I had no idea...never had a clue...that it was Michael Matz who had won that trophy.

January 5, 2013 Race 10 - Michael Matz won the 100K Marshua's River Stakes (G3) with Hard Not to Like  (Rocco, Jr.) off an 8 month layoff, a bobble on the backstretch, a long battle with Channel Lady (Pletcher/Castellano) during which she was headed in deep stretch, only to come back and run clear in the final strides. The comment by the trackman was "...would not give up...".

Neither would her daddy, the tough as nails Hard Spun, who won 7 times at 6 tracks. He too would not give up, headed by First Defence during the 2007 running of the Kings Bishop Stakes at Saratoga, he would not stand for it. He reclaimed the lead and fought for the win in the final furlong, finally shrugging off his adversary in the last seventy yards. The race was Saratoga at its best!

As for Channel Lady, she came off that tough beat 34 days later to win the Suwannee River Stakes (G3) on Feb. 9, 2013, turning the tables on Hard Not to Like in a front running win. But back to the Marshua's River: that race was finished in a scorching 5.75 seconds for the final 16th with the 4th split in 23.03. Closing into that fast finish while lacking room to run was the third place finisher Leading Astray (Block/Lezcano), an Ill. bred ATM machine who while slightly overmatched, showed that her 9 for 9 finishes in the money (5 wins) are not to be trifled with. Trained by Chris Block, she continues to work well at Gulfstream Park. We’ll watch Leading Astray going forward.


Hard Not to Like  (Hard Spun - Like a Gem, by Tactical Cat)
Channel Lady (English Channel - Queen Supreme, by King of Kings (IRE))
Leading Astray (Belong to Me - Taxable Deduction, by Prized)

See Hard Spun win the King's Bishop at Saratoga in 2007

January 10, 2013 Race 6
- A MSW for the girls 4 & up at a mile. Breaking from post 2, Why Katherine (Attard/Castellano) gained inside advantage and led all the way. The race within the race was between Spring Reason (Sheppard/Rosario) and Flower Mart (Clement/Lezcano) as they fought to catch the front runner who put up final furlongs of 11.54 and 11.86. You try running that fast, Paco. It ain't easy. Or try chasing someone running that fast. That ain't easy either! But here is what intrigues me about this race: the rail was out 84 feet and the run-up was 135 feet. That is 45 yards before they tripped the timer. And 84 feet puts the turf course somewhere around North Miami Beach! I'm wondering if there was an unfair advantage to the inside runner Why Katherine and whether the place and show horses ran a better race than it will look on paper. I'm also wondering what the bettors will think next time when they see that Spring Reason finished 10th in her last (3rd) MSW start. And we know that  Mr. Sheppard is never in a rush. It should be noted that Flower Mart was odds-on and Spring Reason was 2-1. With all deference to the wonderful Paul Harvey…

I have a feeling this story ain't over.

Why Katherine (Whywhywhy - Include Katherine, by Include)
Flower Mart (Street Sense - Coronado Rose, by Coronado's Quest)
Spring Reason El Prado (IRE) - Spring Season, by Seeking the Gold)


January 13, 2013 Race 8 - Shug's Devine Luck (Castellano) had just broken her maiden on 12/1/2012 and in this N1X money allowance on the turf, found the lead only to be closely spied the entire way by Nayarra (Motion) and Edgar Prado. The stretch was not kind to her and while Nayarra was fixin' to go by…something strange happened: Inaugurate nipped Nayarra at the wire in a blanket finish while Devine Luck finished 7th by about 2 lengths. The official margin of victory was a neck. Now Mr. Prado has not gone un-noticed of late, with some pundits postulating a resurgence of sorts by this top rider who seems to have had a bit of a slump in recent years. But as any pilot will tell you, unless you are getting good horses times will be tough. And the business is very fickle. For example, it is difficult to imagine looking back, how hard Jerry Bailey had to work to convince the late great Bobby Frankel that Medaglia d'Oro should be his to ride.  I’m talkin’ the GREAT Jerry Bailey, not your electrician friend Jerry Bailey. Now, you may have noticed that I have emboldened not just the horse here, but also the rider. Take that as you will. But as I look through these races, I see his name come up on some mounts that look to be poised to do some serious running. I hope so, because he is on Slew's watch list too.

Divine Luck (Ghostzapper - Oh What a Windfall, by Seeking the Gold)
Nayarra (Cape Cross (IRE) - Massarra (GB), by Danehill)
Inaugurate (Empire Maker - Top Mambo, by Kingmambo)


January 24, 2013 Race 9 - A Starter Allowance that has already had 3 horses run on to PLACE in their next start. Won by the Pa. bred Rustler Hustler (Cibelli/Rocco, Jr.) beating the favorite Screenplay (Terranova,II/Castellano), it seems that both Screenplay (2nd) and Chosen Empire (4th) are horses to look for in their next start. Not world beaters by any stretch, but the race was run to a constant beat that went fast at each call, and Screenplay has made a living at the Starter Allowance level. Not so much for Chosen Empire ( Gray/Bravo) who may drop to a straight claiming. Either way, they will merit a long look next time or two out.

Rustler Hustler (Ecton Park - Cozzy Temper, by Cozzene)
Screenplay ( Stephen Got Even - Sansa, by Unbridled)
Chosen Empire ( Empire Maker - Choice Spirit, by Danzig)


February 1, 2013 Race 5 - An Allowance Optional Claiming with a tag of $100K and a purse of $65K, this race was won by Barclay Tagg's Beau Choix (Saez) from off a fast pace. This one went on to run 3rd with Castellano up behind the accomplished Data Link on Feb. 23rd in the Grade III Canadian Turf. Upgrade ridden by Johnny V. and trained by Michelle Nihei may have needed this one just a bit. Look for him in his next start, especially if Michelle hikes the class ladder to a soft Grade 3. Conversely, Decisive Moment (Arias/Trujillo), the enterprising pace setter who cut impressive fractions on the lead will need a drop to softer company. He was 14-1 in this affair, but won't be half that in his next start if the others are less than stellar.

Beau Choix (Elusive Quality - Belle Cherie, by Belong to Me)
Data Link (War Front - Database, by Known Fact)
Upgrade ( Saint Liam - Emily Ring, by Fit to Fight)
Decisive Moment (With Distinction - Lady Samira, by Dehere)


February 2, 2013 Race 1 - We will finish up with a scorcher. In this ALwOC for 3 year old fillies on the turf at one mile, Coffee Clique (Lynch/Rocco, Jr.) ran into fast fractions set by Silsita (Pletcher/Valesquez) and then set the after burners on high and finished up in 11.69 for the final panel and 1:34.25 for the mile journey. She was ridden by Joe Rocco, Jr. that day and has won 2 of 3, breaking her maiden at Woodbine in her first try. I love the trackman's comment: "Strong hand ride". Any filly that doesn't need a swat or two to finish up in a sub 12 furlong gets her oats hand delivered by me anytime. She showed quite a turn of foot and is one to keep an eye out for. Also notable was the slow starting Kittens Point (Motion). Ridden by Johnny V. and starting over after a drubbing in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, she broke slowly and was angled out in the stretch, rallying for the place spot while making up significant real estate during the fastest fractions of the race. Again, one to watch for as she finds her legs and confidence.

Coffee Clique (Medaglia d'Oro - Miss Chapin, by Royal Academy)
Silsita (Macho Uno - Naturally Wild, by Wild Again)
Kittens Point (Kitten's Joy - Rendezvous Point, by Kingmambo)


So ends part two of the my Gulfstream Park review. I'm looking at another 6 possible races for the next installment, but that may change as March moves into spring. It must also be noted that almost all of the races cited so far (maybe all?) in these reviews have been on the turf. Now, I love the dirt and do not mean to have a turf bias here. But the impressive fractions and high quality races seem to have been on the turf over the last few months. And if that is what it takes to find my next few money makers, so be it.

That's how I see it. However you see it, good luck and good 'capping!

- Slew

posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 11:58:06 PM UTC  #