The pick six begins in the 3rd race, and early-pressing speed has been the name of the game in six furlong races recently. If that trend continues, keep an eye on Yankee Romance.

They're off at Hollywood Park!

The 4th race will be run at a mile and a sixteenth on Cushion Track, and this is another speed friendly distance. Halo’s Law could be the one to catch as he stretches out in distance.

Back to six furlongs for the 5th race, and you might have to go deep to get through this wide open leg. Lady Alex is the tepid 7-2 fav breaking from the rail. This is my MySpace free pick of the day.

Six furlongs on the turf in the 6th, and this distance has played fair so far. There is a good mix of speed and closers in this contest, and this is my Horse Racing Nation free pick of the day.

The feature will be contested at the unusual distance of seven and one-half furlongs. This is a virtual replay of the On Trust Handicap as the top three from that event are back in action today. Star Nicholas, Bestdressed, and Enriched are the On Trust trio and the ones to beat in this compact 5-horse affair.

Six furlongs to end the card, and Bubbley Blonde is the one to catch if she breaks cleanly this time around.

For information on Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Hollywood Park Recap – Nov 13th

Horses showing early-pressing speed and staying within striking range did best on Cushion Track. Same can be said for the turf course.

Riding double for Rafael Bejarano.

Hollywood Park Recap – Nov 14th

Three wire jobs on Cushion Track as early-pressing speed continued to do well. Turf course also favored early-pressing types and produced a turf sprint (six furlongs) wire job for the 2nd straight day.

Hat trick for Joel Rosario. Riding double for Alex Solis. John Sadler saddled three winners, and Mike Puype doubled up in the training category.

Bestdressed finished full of run to take down the On Trust Handicap at 7.5f. He was the only late runner to win on synthetic.

Hollywood Park Recap- Nov 15th

Another good day for early-pressing types on synthetic. Edge to forwardly placed runners on turf as well. Note that the grass feature was nabbed by a patient runner, but that was a pace collapse as the three speed players brought up the rear.

Four bagger for Joel Rosario. A pair of wins for Rafael Bejarano. Jerry Hollendorfer saddled two winners on the card.

One of Hollendorfer’s winners was sharp debut runner She’s Funomenal (Fusaichi Pegasus). The juvenile filly coasted to an easy wire job (84 BSF) tally under Rosario and is one to keep an eye on.

There were five losing favs in the pick six sequence on Sunday, and the carryover pool for Wednesday is more than $86k.

Hollywood Park Preview – Nov 18th

An 8-race card is on tap for Wednesday, and as mentioned earlier, there is a pick six carryover of more than $86k.

Wednesday’s 5th race is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Wednesday’s 8th race is my Horse Racing Nation free play of the day.

For information on remaining Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fast and firm conditions on Saturday. Edge to early/pressing types on the main. Turf course seemed to play fair.

Hat trick for Ramsey Zimmerman included one in the stakes ranks. Francisco Torres booted home a pair of stakes winners.

Louisiana Stallion (Fillies): Happyfromthegitgo was part of a favored entry, and both halves flopped. Maiden 2nd timer Pass It Down ($39.80) was the winner for Zimmerman/Mouton. Bombs away in the show pool with payouts ranging from $36.40 to $74.

Louisiana Stallion (Colts & Geldings): Spa shipper Red Rally ($3.60) could not have been more impressive in this extended sprint. ‘Cisco Torres booted home the winner for Merrill Scherer.

Lady Razorback: First timer Storming Suzy ($40.40) upset the applecart in this stakes event for Arkansas breds. Juan Larrosa was the pilot for conditioner William Hornsby.

Francisco Torres at Louisiana Downs

Razorback Futurity: Comedero ($4.20) was visually impressive in this six furlong event. Torres once again winning pilot.  Churchill shipper Brassy Boy was 2nd best.

Other sharp winners on Saturday included Belfast (Mike Burgess) on the grass and Labeled (Michelle Lovell) on the main. Both could show up at Fair Grounds next.

Got a pair of chalky tops home, and three other tops landed the place in a frustrating day on the handicapping front. No dice with best bet or longshot play of the day. Hope to catch fire on closing day!

October 4th Preview

Sunday Weather: Thunderstorms (90% chance). High 70.

Sunday’s closing day 9-race card features four turf races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $6,347, and note that there is a mandatory payout.

Zarco is my longshot play of the day in the opener. 2nd timer is bred for grass and hails from sharp turf barn. Hope the weather holds out.

Sissy Partee (9th race) is my best bet on the card. Same connections struck in last Sunday’s finale, and it could be deja vu all over again.

Note that my Oct 4th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Sunday Selections and the pdf file will open.

That’s a wrap on the ‘09 Louisiana Downs meet. I will post a final look blog next week with thoughts and pictures!

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fast and firm conditions on Friday. Had some rain on Thursday night, but not enough to affect the racing surface. Early-pressing types best on main. Turf seemed to play fair.

Hat trick for leading rider Don Simington. Francisco Torres booted home a pair.

Foreign Production easily captured the 4th as the heavy fav. He might show up in a stakes event at Fair Grounds in the near future.

Kylie’s Dream tried turf and a route of ground for the first time in the 5th, and she did not corner well around the first turn. She finished 8th of 12 in a good learning experience and can go better next time.

Got three tops home on Friday. Two days to go!

Electric Alphabet at Louisiana Downs

October 3rd Preview

Saturday Weather: Sunny. High 80.

Saturday’s 10-race card features four juvenile stakes races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $5,310.

Restless Star (9th race) is my best bet. Likes this oval and turns back in distance. Torres continues to ride well.

Independent Miss (10th race) is my longshot play of the day. Dams has tossed three turf winners, and it’s Torres again!

Note that my Oct 3rd analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Saturday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fast and firm conditions on Thursday. Both surfaces seemed to play fair, and if there was any edge on the main, it appears to be with stalking types.

Sidney Lejeune Jr. booted home a pair.

First timer Centava was impressive in the 5th. She put away a couple of pace rivals, including heavy fav Big Red Grape, and she coasted home nine lengths to the good. ‘Cisco Torres booted home the daughter of Exchange Rate for Henry B Johnson Jr. Worth following.

Got a pair of tops home. Longshot play of the day Sequoia King scratched, and best bet Touch of Iron finished a close but no cigar 3rd.

Post parade at Louisiana Downs

October 2nd Preview

Friday Weather: Sunny. High 80. A good chance of storms on Thursday night, so we will have to monitor the turf situation closely.

Friday’s 9-race card features three grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $4,872.

Dublin Road (1st race) is my longshot play of the day. She added blinkers and dueled through above par splits last time. Speed does well at this distance on the turf.

Smilin’ Del is my best bet on the card. He is back in a route in his 3rd race off a layoff, and Torres climbs aboard today. All systems go!

Note that my Oct 2nd analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Friday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fast and firm conditions on Sunday. Main track played fair, and stalkers held the edge on the turf.

Sidney Lejeune Jr. and Ramsey Zimmerman both booted home a pair.

Wildrally won again over the local green and will be sad to see this meet end.

Got a pair of tops home including best bet Friendly Patriot ($5.40).

And down the stretch they come!

October 1st Preview

Weather: Isolated Thunderstorms (30% chance). High 85.

Thursday’s 9-race card features a pair of grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $4,481.

Touch of Iron (6th race) is my best bet on the card. He makes his 3rd start off a layoff and has run well in both turf outings this year.

Sequoia King (7th race) is my longshot play of the day. Tamo Tiger is clearly the one to beat, but Sequoia King raced wide last time and should improve 2nd off the shelf with Torres in the irons.

Note that my Oct 1st analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Thursday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fast track and back on the turf…yes! Edge to early-pressing types on main. Turf seemed to play fair.

Hat trick for leading rider Don Simington. Rico Flores and Ramsey Zimmerman both booted home a pair. Jerry Cart saddled two winners on the day.

Brian House is 40% with debut maiden claimers, and he struck again in the 8th with Neverknocknoclass ($23.20). Bet down longshot play of the day Popcorn Secret was a non-threatening 8th in the same race.

Got one top home on Saturday. Best bet Ivor’s Empire (9th race) finished a flat 4th at 7-2.

They're off and running at Louisiana Downs!

September 27th Louisiana Downs Recap

Weather: Sunny. High 92.

Sunday’s 9-race card features a pair of grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $4,080 . Dry conditions are expected through October 1st, and we are back on the weeds!.

Friendly Patriot is my best bet in the 3rd race. Raced wide last time, and Lara is 34% with this type of dropper.

Ready Charm is my longshot play of the day in the 5th. I am expecting a wire job attempt after a pair of disappointing efforts to kick off his career.

Note that my September 26th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Sunday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fast track and off the turf on Friday. Four wire jobs on the drying out track.

Hat trick for Dustin Dugas and Jose Riquelme. Morris Nicks saddled two winners on the day as he tries to run down leading trainer Jerry Cart.

Only got one top home on a very competitive Friday card. Late Pick 4 paid on three winners, as did the Pick 6. Best bet He Dances Backward missed by a 1/2 length at almost 5-1. Longshot play of the day Colter Stone made a run but flattened out at around 8-1.

Super Derby show finisher Massone at Louisiana Downs

September 26th Preview

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 87.

Saturday’s 10-race card features three grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $3,778 . Dry conditions are expected through October 1st, so we should be back on the weeds in the not too distant future.

Popcorn Sunset (8th race) is my longshot play of the day. Rallied through traffic to land the show in debut, and barn is 21% with 2nd timers. Improvement expected.

Ivor’s Empire (9th race) is my best bet on the Saturday card.  Does best work over local green, and if we stay on the lawn this one could easily be along in time.

Note that my September 26th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Saturday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Dreary day with occasional showers, and we were off the turf for 7th straight day and 12th time in last 17 racedays. There was definitely some moisture in the fast main track, which seemed to play fair.

Francisco Torres booted home a pair.

Matzoh Toga always looked like a winner in the 5th, and Gerard Melancon gave him a very confident ride. He is going well right now and is a threat to click right back next time.

Got a pair of tops home on Thursday. Best bet Blushing Buddha scratched, and longshot play of the day Ulah Tyson finished a close-up 2nd at 12-1.

Racing at Louisiana Downs

September 25th Preview

Weather: Isolated storms (30% chance). High 80.

Friday’s 9-race card features four grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $3,355. We had more wet weather on Thursday, and at this rate we will not make it back on the turf before the meet ends on Oct 4th.

He Dances Backward (7th race) is my best bet on the card. This race is scheduled for five furlongs on the turf, but my top handles dirt as well. He hails from a profitable barn and should make his presence felt throughout under hustling apprentice Jansen Melancon. Note that his father Gerard is aboard my 2nd choice Zarb’s Dahar.

Colter Stone is my longshot play of the day. Early-pressing type has found consistency with five straight trifecta finishes.

Note that my September 25th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Friday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fast track and off the turf. Main started out fair and favored speed as the day wore on.

The Difference (8th race) was my original top for turf, but I downgraded him to my 3rd choice when the race was transferred to the main. He rallied to miss 2nd by a neck, and look for him to return to the sod next time.

I was hot all week long on the analysis front, and I escaped a post Super Derby bounce with three more tops getting the job done on Sunday, including best bet Jami Baby ($10.20).

Large crowd on hand for '09 Super Derby Day.

September 24th Preview

Weather: Thunderstorms (60% chance). High 77.

Thursday’s 9-race card features three grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $3,004. Wet weather is possible once again, and at this rate we will not make it back on the turf before the meet ends on Oct 4th.

Blushing Buddha (6th race) is my best bet. My top three faced each other on Aug 13th, and Buddha got the best of Helliecat and Shouldofbeenanokie that day. He has since come back to run 3rd in a turf sprint and should go better on surface switch for 23% turf/dirt outfit. Torres strings along.

Ulah Tyson (8th race) is my longshot play of the day, and ‘Cisco Torres rides him as well. Lara is 21% 1st off the claim, and I like the confident class hike after $7.5k place finish off a layoff.

Note that my September 24th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Saturday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever