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 Discontent and Launching Pad were separated by a head in a similar local turf sprint on Nov 14th.

Bad Boy goes for three straight wins in the 7th, and he’ll have to run down Usurp.

8th and final race is a wide open maiden claiming route. Zohan was too close to a fast pace last time, and he predictably lost his punch in a 4th place effort. Pace should be on the tepid side today, and he is eligible to rebound. This is my Horse Racing Nation Play of the Day.

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

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 18th

Three wire jobs in Cushion Track sprints. Lone turf race carded was nabbed by a stalker.

Quinonez and Rosario both booted home a pair. Two more wins for trainer John Sadler.

Note that I successfully tabbed the Wednesday pick six on my suggested $72 Budget Ticket on pick6blog.com. 6 of 6 paid $748.80, and that is my 4th winning pick six ticket on the site since Labor Day!

Hollywood Park Preview – Nov 19th

Another 8-race card is on tap for Thursday, and there is a pair of turf races in the pick six sequence.

Thursday’s 3rd race is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Thursday’s 7th 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

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

The fall meet has been scaled back to 27-days. The first two Friday programs will be run at night, and Friday racing will move back to daylight hours on Nov 27th.

Highlights of the meet begin with the Turf Festival, which kicks off with the Grade 1 Citation on Nov 27th. The Grade 3 Generous and Grade 1 Matriarch will be contested on Nov 28th, and the 3-day turf extravaganza ends with the Grade 3 Miesque and Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on Nov 29th.

Two-year-old males take center stage in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity on Dec 19th, and the juvenile fillies take their turn in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet the following day.

I will have all of the Hollywood action covered in my daily pick six blog, which began with the Del Mar meeting earlier this summer.

I successfully pegged one pick six and Del Mar and two more during the recently concluded Oak Tree meet.

The opening night Hollywood (Nov 13th) pick six is now posted, and click here to view the free analysis and tickets.

Friday’s free Horse Racing Nation selection is the 8th race from Hollywood Park, and you can view my pick here.

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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

Fairplex Park wrapped up their meet on Monday, and my Pick 9 ticket ended up with four winners. Nobody correctly tabbed nine winners during the 15-day fair stand, and tickets with seven on the final day were rewarded with $51k.

Winners' circle at Santa Anita Park

Back to Oak Tree, and the opening day feature race is the Grade 3 Morvich Handicap, which is the local prep for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Desert Code finished 7th in this race last year before winning the BC Turf Sprint at 36-1. He has not been seen since April, and he is looking to get back on the beam following a pair of disappointing efforts earlier this year. He reunites with winning BC pilot Richard Migliore.

California Flag looks like the one to catch and beat. He won the ‘08 Morvich and exits a determined win in the Green Flash at Del Mar. This is my Horse Racing Nation free selection of the day.

If you are interested in the Pick 6, I will be covering the daily action on my pick six blog, and you can view the opening day ticket here.

In addition, we will be all over the Breeder’s Cup on Horse Racing Nation, and I will be posting many blogs about the big event in the coming days and weeks.

For those interested in my Louisiana Downs analysis, note that our ‘09 meet ends on Sunday, Oct. 4th. I have completed my Thursday (Oct 1st) analysis, and you can view it here. Just click on the Thursday Selections and the pdf file will open.

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Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

For those interested in my Pick 6 thoughts, click here for free analysis and tickets. Below is my take on the Fairplex Park closing day Pick 9…

And away they go!

Race Two: #5 Bye Now (6-1) earned best last race speed rating at 6.5f, and place finisher came back to win. Handles this shorter distance. #6 Idabetabuck (2-1) was nostrilized at this 4f distance last time. I like hustling apprentice Santiago Reyes. #7 Swiss Lad (4-1) is a 4-time local winner. #2 Thunderfrmdownundr (5-2) has hit the board in both local starts.

Race Three:  #7 Wada Falls (4-1) scurries up the ladder following a clear place finish here. Mullins is 3 for 4 with horses wheeling back quickly, and Pedroza strings along. #2 Apache Annie (5-1) is 2 for 2 at this distance and meets suspect speed. Could be along in time under Martin Garcia. #3 Peace Roll (5-2) is capable of stalking and pouncing, and that style might play well in this spot.

Race Four: #1 Dances With Tigers (3-1) is back at her claimed level and sports a pair of local bullets. It’s Pedroza/Mullins again. #3 Sheza Maneater (5-2) looms the one to catch.

Race Five: Three deep in here. #2 Fri Guy (5-2) finished a clear 2nd in a local route on Sept 28th. #1 Elusive Pleasure (8-5) should flash speed from the rail.  #10 Jack Flash (5-1) won under Pedroza here last out.

Race Six: #6 Storm Brave (5-1) drops and looms the target after local show finish in the optional claiming ranks. #5 Self Insured (3-1) goes for Spawr, and he’s 18% 1st off the claim. Pedroza here, and he exits above par tally at Del Mar.

Race Seven: Two main players look like #6 Easy Moment (5-2) and #9 Amore Di Aleyna (8-5). The former attracts the leading rider, and it seems as though Santaigo Reyes chose the latter.

Race Eight: I’ll single the Pedroza fav. #2 Lion Princess (4-5) earned above par speed ratings in a pair of sharp efforts at the current meet.

Race Nine: #4 Joshua’s Dream (2-1) has won six races this year, and he scored for new trainer Jerry Hollendorfer last time. Versatile running style.

Race Ten: If I’m still alive, I feel comfortable going two deep. I’ll use Pedroza/Sise firster #4 Romance Writer (5-2), along with #10 Sheza Screamer (8-5), who exits a clear place finish here.

Monday Pick 9 Ticket

$1 Pick Nine  2-5-6-7/2-3-7/1-3/1-2-10/5-6/6-9/2/4/4-10 ($576)

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