Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 7th Main track was sloppy by the 4th race. Off the turf. Four wire jobs including three over a route of ground. Four bagger for James Graham. Category Seven was necked out of the place in the optional claiming feature, which was taken off the turf. She is better on the sod and can rebound next time if she gets her preferred footing. On the analysis front, I got home best bet top Kim’s Pretty Karen ($11.40) and Just Another Girl ($10.40). I also correctly tabbed the $28.40 3rd race exacta, and the $43.40 pick three ending with the 4th race. Fair Grounds Preview – Dec 10th A 9-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Thursday, and four turf races are scheduled. The skies are expected to be mostly cloudy... [Read more]

There is a pick six carryover of almost $115k  at Hollywood Park on Wednesday, and below is a preview of the sequence, which covers races three through eight. A field of seven has been assembled for the opening leg of the pick six, and Carnival Queen is the 2-1 morning line favorite. Note that the aforementioned fav likes to run from off the pace, and horses with that style are only winning about 1 in 8 races at six furlongs. The 4th race is a claiming route for fillies and mares, and this event seems to boil down to Recess and Stanford Dolly. This is my MySpace free selection of the day. Dinnr With Nikki C is the fav in the 5th, and she looms a factor from the outset as she stretches out in distance. Over to the turf course for the 6th, and... [Read more]

My first Kentucky Derby top ten post appeared here on Nov. 15th. A few prep races have been run since, so here is my updated list.  Please click on the name of each horse to view their Horse Racing Nation profile page, which includes news, pedigree, results, and video. Two horses have dropped from the original list, including Homeboykris. The Rick Dutrow trainee was a disappointing 5th in the Remsen on Nov 28th. Thiskyhasnolimit, 6th in the Kentucky Jockey Club, is also gone from the top ten. A couple of new shooters have been added to the honorable mention list, starting with Rule. The Todd Pletcher trainee was the 3rd WinStar Farm colt to win a graded event in the past few weeks. The other two (American Lion, Super Saver) are part of my... [Read more]

Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 6th Fast main track and turf listed as good . Stalking types best on both surfaces. No riding or training doubles on Sunday. PVal, back from injury, found the winners’ circle in the 6th aboard Sturges Ducoing first time starter U Belong To Me. On the analysis front, I got home value top Wild Strike ($14.20) in a day that saw six of my 2nd and 3rd choices score. I also correctly tabbed the 4th race superfecta, and the $186.40 pick three ending with the 7th race. Consistent filly Category Seven is back in action at Fair Grounds on Dec 7th Fair Grounds Preview – Dec 7th A 9-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Monday, and three turf races are scheduled. The skies are expected to be cloudy with a 40% chance... [Read more]

Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 5th Fast main track and good turf (Pago Hop). Edge to early/pressing types on the main track. Patient types did well in the lone race run on the sod. Hat trick for Shaun Bridgmohan included a pair with trainer Steve Asmussen. Agilar and Lanerie both booted home a pair. Cody Autrey saddled two winners on the day. Exciting renewal of the Pago Hop Stakes went to Akilina, who held on by a determined head over Dancin Perfect. Christophe Clement saddled the winner, and Shaun Bridgmohan capped off a big day in the irons. When I perused the Saturday rider changes I noticed a familiar name…welcome back PVal! Pat Valenzuela returned to the saddle at Fair Grounds on Dec 5th On the analysis front, I got home best bet top... [Read more]