Horse Racing Info. 1/14

[TheGame]

At the Gate - Thursday
By Mike Dempsey


Entries were drawn yesterday for Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Day card at Gulfstream Park. We have an 11-race card with six stakes with over $1 million in purses up for grabs.


The headliner is the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Classic which drew a field of 10. I was surprised to see Mr. Jordan entered by trainer Ed Plesa.


The colt ran last Saturday in the Hal’s Hope (G3) but was bumped around coming out of the gate and checked in a distant fifth, beaten 15 ¼ lengths.


The race looks wide open. Among the main contenders are Sunshine Millions Classic Preview winner Saraguaro, recent second level optional claimer winner Abounding Legacy and Claiming Crown Iron Horse winner Runs With Bulls.


The $200,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff drew a field of 10 led by talented Flutterby, who was the beaten chalk in the Sunshine Millions Distaff Preview where she had to settle for third behind a couple of foes she faces again-Legal Laura and My Miss Venezuela.


I will have selections for the Classic along with the $200,000 LeComte (G3) from Fair Grounds in Saturday’s column. The LeComte is a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race.


Here is today’s opener from Gulfstream Park to get the day off to a good start:


GP Race 1 Clm $35,000 (12:35 ET)
#8 Tetradrachm 8-1
#5 Riviere Du Loup 7-2
#6 Star Contender 5-1
#9 Gunderson 4-1


Analysis: Tetradrachm drops back in for a tag after checking in sixth last out against Alw-2 optional claimers. The Mott barn claimed this guy for $35,000 two back where he made a mild late rally to finish fourth. This guy is graded stakes placed but has not lost 23 straight races. Mott was the trainer when he last won in '13. He catches an easier spot and we should catch a fair price.


Riviere Du Loup beat $35,000 foes last out after beating non-winners of three in his previous start. He has now landed in the exacta in 6 of 9 career starts on turf. He comes in here in the sharpest form of his career and looks capable of winning right back.


Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 9-2 or better.
EX: 5,8 / 5,6,8,9
TRI: 5,8 / 5,6,8,9 / 5,6,8,9,10


Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Gulfstream Park:


GP Race 8 OClm $16,000SAL (4:05 ET)
#2 Market Blaster 10-1
#11 Saturday Special 4-1
#1 Afleet Accompli 6-1
#3 Percussion 6-1


Analysis: Market Blaster faded badly and was pulled up last out in the slop in the Claiming Crown Jewel. The gelding came into that race having won three of his four previous starts. He sports a pair of works since and fact barn brings him back protected looks like a good sign he is going to rebound here. He beat Alw-3 optional claimers at Philly back in August. Decent value if he goes off near his 10-1 morning line.


Saturday Special was not much of a threat in the Claiming Crown Iron Horse last out and fits better in this spot. He reeled off three straight this summer at Monmouth Park before coming up short two back at Delaware Park against $8,000 starter allowance foes. The cut back to one turn here should suit and he will be forwardly placed likely get sent from his outside post.


Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 9-2 or better.
EX: 2,11 / 1,2,3,11
TRI: 2,11 / 1,2,3,11 / 1,2,3,5,11


Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.


Gulfstream Park
R1: #8 Tetradrachm 8-1
R2: #2 El Kracken 8-1
R2: #3 Never in Trouble 10-1
R3: #6 Just Like Kaki 10-1
R5: #9 Hanover Honey 10-1
R5: #1 Check Your Six 8-1
R5: #5 Livin for Love 8-1
R6: #2 In Excessiveness 8-1
R7: #1 Mystic Sky 8-1
R8: #2 Market Blaster 10-1
R9: #5 Sing Lady Sing 12-1
R10: #4 Bay Point Count 12-1

[TheGame]

Re: Horse Racing Info. 1/14

Woodbine Harness: Thursday 1/14 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale


DRF HARNESS


Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool


20-CENT PICK 5: 1,7/4,6,7/2,3,4/5,7,10/1,4 = $14.40


EARLY PICK 4: 2,6/1,4/1,3,5,8/3,6,7,8 = $64


LATE PICK 4: 3,6,7,8/3,4/4/2,3,6 = $24


MEET STATS: 192 - 584 / $1035.80 BEST BETS: 30 - 53 / $102.60


SPOT PLAYS: 16 - 53 / $183.80


Best Bet: IWILLNOTBEMACHED (9th)


Spot Play: NEW STANDARD (7th)




Race 1


(7) BAD AS LEADER ripped off a lifetime-best score in the opening leg of this series last week and should repeat here. (1) MATTJESTIC TEMPO makes her second start back from a break and gets a better post. She could threaten the choice with the right trip. (2) TILIKUM looks best of the rest.


Race 2


(6) WANAKA finished quickly in both of her last two starts and won't be held off much longer. (7) BIG RED LAVEC has tractable speed and looks like the main threat. (4) ERJA could give the top two a tussle if she stays flat.


Race 3


(3) TWIN B SWEETHEART got stung early last time and paid the price. Post relief here should mean an easier trip. She will need instant results to make the final of this series, too. (4) DOUBLE OLIVES raced aggressively last time but was nailed by the pocket-sitter. She might be better coming off a helmet. (2) CAMPS BAY looks good off her last start but always seems to be coming too late; minor share predicted.


Race 4


(7) SANDY DE VIE made an aggressive move in the third quarter but couldn't sustain it last time. She could do much better here if she can latch onto some cover. (5) WINDSUN GLORY is a full-sister to one that won 12 of 29 last year as a 3-year-old and took a mark of 1:54 2/5. Stable is typically patient but this one could be ready at first asking. (10) MONEY MAGIC is logical but needs to clear quickly to have a shot. (2) JENS CREDIT is out of a dam that has produced 7 winners of 98 races total; consider for exotic wagers.


Race 5


(1) VEGILANTE HANOVER drops in class here to a more logical spot and he could attract a claim halving in value. Look for Christoforou to move earlier this time. (4) REGAL FAME just about lasted despite the pace picking up considerably late in the mile last week. Keep him on your Pick 4 tickets. (2) JENKINS CRREK gets major post relief for his second start in this class. He could make some noise at a big price.


Race 6


(8) CALIFORNIA RACHEL stopped when racing over an off track last time. Look for a more patient drive here and a better result. (5) CRAZY BLUE has faced better in many of his recent starts and should go better here. (1) COUNTRY PROPHET has three races in his past six that would make him ultra-tough tonight. Complicating matters is a 4-week break after a poor finish; head scratcher.


Race 7


(7) NEW STANDARD raced okay in his debut behind a dominant winner. The 3rd-place finisher has already come back to win in his 2nd lifetime try; top call. (8) COME ON AARON is from a decently producing dam and finished quickly in his Jan. 4 qualifier; using. (3) DANCINTHESHADOW faces substantially easier here and should wake up with a better try. (6) KWICKY KWANZAA gets a significant driver change; take note.


Race 8


(4) AMAZING CONTROL was the easiest of winners last week in the opening leg of this series and looks good to repeat here. (3) CRACKLIN ROSIE made a big recovery after breaking when racing following a 3-week layoff. Returning in 7 days should help here. (8) DONTBRUISECARRIE converted off a perfect trip but that journey will be hard to duplicate from this post.


Race 9


(4) IWILLNOTBEMACHED dropped to this condition last week, set a solid pace and won easily. He seems to have found his level; call to repeat. (1) SURF REPORT moves back to a 7-day cycle here after missing a month and is in with a good chance. (7) JIMMY BE GOOD closed nicely late to score an upset last week and his good form should be respected.


Race 10


(6) BIG BANG BOOM qualified sharply on the 7th indicating he might have some issues worked out; top call. (2) BAD GAMER looked hopelessly out of it at the three quarters last week and rallied strongly late to win. He's a must-use in the late Pick 4. (3) BIEBER HANOVER can get a good piece of this racing from close range. (10) GIOVANNI raced well last week and has done well from the 10-hole in the past. (7) SPORTY MERCEDES could share returning from a break here.

[TheGame]

Re: Horse Racing Info. 1/14

Yonkers: Thursday 1/14 Analysis
By Brewster Smith


DRF HARNESS


FINAL 2015 STATS: 246 - 1167 / $1,690.80


BEST BETS: 29 - 97 / $127.80


Best Bet: MONTREAL PHIL (6th)


Spot Play: CRUISINWITHMYBABY (2nd)




Race 1


(1) AMASA AL's last trip to the post was sitting in the 3-hole for a half; came outside with dull cover and could not move forward. This should be a better spot for this 10-year-old gelding to return to the winner's circle; we shall see. (4) BIG BAMBU gets a better slot to work with after coming from the 7-hole last time out and not firing; maybe. (7) SAINT WILLIAM A moves down in class; should help his cause.


Race 2


(2) CRUISINWITHMYBABY showed good speed against some of these last out, but could not get past Born to Dream and Simple Saver N. Good chance this pacing mare can make amends; logical for win honors. (4) FOUR HOUR NAP caught a good trip at the Meadowlands last week to just miss the score by only a neck; beware. (3) SIMPLE SAVER N has put in two seconds in a row; the one to catch.


Race 3


(4) SENTIMENTAL LADY was sent down the road by Sears to just hold off Ginger Spice N for all the glory last week. Mare seems to be heading in the right direction; two straight is not out of the question. (2) HUSTLEONHOME came outside to grab the lead briefly but did not have the fire to close the deal last out; big threat. (6) M A REFLING clearly did not appreciate the 8-hole last out, but she should be geared up for this event; maybe.


Race 4


It's been quite a while since (1) MACHO CHICK met the cameraman for pictures. Nine-year-old miss showed signs of life in her Jersey finale, coming wide off the turn to nail down the show spot; ready for action. (7) DEREK DELIGHT is a fast pacing mare that was on her way for her third straight victory, but tired in the final strides. Post hurts tonight, but she is very capable. (2) BAD GIRL VEGAS returns inside where she was a game second two trips ago; watch out.


Race 5


(7) LITTLE MISS HENRY was on the engine for Sears last out and never looked back for the score. Now she will have to boss these from the seven path; quite possible. (4) I DO IT MYSELF had live cover but could not get to the winner Little Miss Henry in their last outing. She could turn the tables on that rival, but she will need a favorable trip. (5) DELICIOUSLYNAUGHTY flashed speed in her first attempt at Yonkers but did not have the fire to go forward. She needs different tactics to contend, just like the race at Saratoga on December 11th.


Race 6


You have to like the way this 12-year-old pro (1) MONTREAL PHIL keeps on going, with a solid placing at the Big M on January 2nd. He gets his feet back on Yonkers ground and desrves the call. (4) IDEAL CARVER was caught on the rim and went flat in the final stretch drive recently; could have a say in the outcome. Bartlett sent (3) ZIGGY SKY right to the front and never looked back in his first 2016 start; major player in all the exotic slots.


Race 7


(5) THESEYESRCRYING was out of touch with some of these last out, but gelding does leave the 8-hole. He is clearly better than his latest; primed to move forward. (6) HARDTS OR BETTOR made his 2016 debut a winning one while charging down the lane; dangerous for the repeat. (3) UNCLE GOODFELLOW is quite fast out of the gate, but tired badly at even money last time out; don't overlook.


Race 8


(8) JUST PLAIN LUCK is a consistent gelding with tactical speed, so good position should not be a problem; ready to put it all together. (2) MAGIC MANNY did not pick his feet up until 3/4's where he was flying fast to miss the score by a length and a half; big threat. (4) THEREISAPACEFORUS does have closing kick, but needs to go back to his December 11th run to contend with these; maybe.


Race 9


(1) WANNA ROCK N ROLL gets the best of the draw and moves down in class; capable of being the boss over these with a fine-timed drive from Carlson. (6) QUICK AINT FAIR has hit the board in 12 of 19 trips last year and is coming off her fourth straight score; very dangerous. (7) VALENTINA DE VIE was facing open foes, so this class drop can only help her cause; we shall see.


Race 10


(4) IMAGE OF FELICA takes a nice drop in class and with a favorable trip, this gal can mow these down for all the glory. (2) KIDDIE MCCARDLE was very wide turning for home and blew past them all for her second straight score recently; contender despite the rise in class. (5) JENNAS PATRIOT put in an even finish last out, and hey, she lost the score by only a half-a-length; watch out.

[TheGame]

Re: Horse Racing Info. 1/14

SPOT PLAYS


For Thursday




TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE




Aqueduct (4th) Jai Alai, 3-1
(5th) Distinctive Lady, 6-1


Delta Downs (3rd) Father of Storms, 4-1
(6th) Witch Hunt, 9-2


Fair Grounds (3rd) Amazing Arlie, 9-2
(7th) Pomeroys Uprising, 6-1




Golden Gate Fields (6th) Drouillard, 4-1
(7th) Doubledeesonthetees, 3-1




Gulfstream Park (9th) Twenty in One, 4-1
(10th) Unspoken Quality, 4-1




Penn National (2nd) Forest Breeze, 7-2
(4th) Bears Personality, 8-1




Santa Anita (1st) Knock Em Flat, 6-1
(8th) Profound Visionary, 4-1




Turfway Park (2nd) Fields Road, 9-2
(4th) Proper Impulse, 9-2