First up was Blame, the 2009 Super Derby runner-up. He was my top selection when he ran at LAD, and I thought he was just as good if not better than wire job winner Regal Ransom. The latter saved all the ground through tepid splits, while the former raced wide chasing pedestrian fractions.

Blame was clearly 2nd best in the Super Derby, and in my horses to watch section of the LAD program, I said he was a future graded stakes winner.

Super Derby runner-up Blame at Louisiana Downs. He has since captured the Grade 2 Fayette Stakes and Grade 2 Clark Handicap.

The future came quickly as he earned his graded stripes in the Fayette (G2) at Keeneland on Oct 31st.

The Al Stall Jr. trainee stepped up to face tougher rivals such as Einstein and Macho Again in the Grade 2 Clark Handicap (Nov 27th) at Churchill Downs, and he smartly got the job done over fellow sophomore Misremembered.

Blame is headed to Fair Grounds with a possible start in the Mineshaft or New Orleans Handicap. His ultimate goal is the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.

On the Super Derby undercard, William’s Kitten lagged far behind the Sunday Silence field, but like a shot he was almost five to the good on the wire under Garrett Gomez. Late runners do not win too often at Louisiana Downs, so his win was even better than it appeared on paper.

Before the Sunday Silence, the son of Kitten’s Joy made his bones on the turf, and after LAD he had unsuccessful synthetic runs in the Grey (5th) at Woodbine and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (8th) at Santa Anita.

Back on conventional dirt for the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs, and he rallied to finish clearly 2nd best behind controlling speed Super Saver.

It is almost a given that the Michael Maker runner will avoid synthetic ground and point for a dirt campaign with the Kentucky Derby as a springtime dream.

Image:  Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Four wire jobs (3 at 6f) on the speed favoring main track. Turf course played fair with an early runner, a pair of stalkers, and a closer accounting for the four winners.

Curt Bourque booted home a pair, and Brian Hernandez Jr. rode two winners for the red hot Steve Margolis.

Euroears is back in top form following sharp wire job tally in the Thanksgiving Handicap. Jamie Theriot booted home the Bret Calhoun trainee.

On the analysis front, I got home tops Silver Sands ($10.40) and Credit Only ($11.40). I also successfully tabbed the $15.20 3rd race exacta, my $29 best bet exacta in the 6th, the 7th race superfecta, a pair of pick 3’s, the late double, and the $436 late pick four.

Pick 6 carries again, and the pool has crept up to $4,659.

Fair Grounds Preview – Nov 27th

A 10-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Friday, and four grass races are on the schedule. Another beautiful day is expected with sunny skies and highs in the low 60’s.

As mentioned above, trainer Steve Margolis is on a roll, and he has Key Play in the 4th and Cheer Up in the 7th.

Track has generally favored early-pressing types on the main track, especially in sprints.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up), and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Sunday free selection (5th race) from Fair Grounds.

For daily free picks and racing news, visit HorseRacingNation.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Wet track and off the turf on Saturday. Early/pressing types best in the seven sprints (2 wire jobs). Four routes played fair with no wire to wire winners.

Hat trick for Brian Hernandez Jr., and Wes Hawley saddled two winners on the card.

Bickersons runs in the $100k Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood Park on Sunday, Nov 22nd

On the analysis front, I got three exactas home including best bet Cat Eyes/Peachesfromthegitgo ($55.40). I have been very consistent through my first eight full cards.

Pick 6 carries again, and the pool has crept up to $3,476.

Fair Grounds Preview – Nov 22nd

A 10-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Sunday. A pair of turf races are carded, but they may be moved to the main following a wet track yesterday. The Sunday forecast calls for cloudy skies with highs in the 60’s.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up), and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Sunday free selection (5th race) from Fair Grounds.

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

For daily free picks and racing news, visit HorseRacingNation. My Sunday selections include the 9th race from Fair Grounds and the 7th race from Hollywood Park.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Main track played fair on Friday, and early-pressing types fared well on the turf course.

Jesse Campbell and Brian Hernandez Jr. both booted home a pair.

On the analysis front, I got the chalky $18 exacta home in the opener, and best bet Lite The Cigar ($5.40) tallied in the grass feature. My 2nd and 3rd choices nabbed five races.

Pick 6 carries again, and the pool has crept up to $2,905.

Fair Grounds Preview – Nov 21st

An 11-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Saturday, and three grass races are on the schedule. There is a 100% chance of rain with highs in the 60’s.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up), and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Saturday free selection (8th race) from Fair Grounds.

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

For daily free picks and racing news, visit HorseRacingNation.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Early-pressing types dominated the six dirt sprints. Lone main track route was nabbed by a stalker. Stalkers and closers best on the sod.

James Graham and Jamie Theriot both booted home a pair. Bret Calhoun saddled two winners on the afternoon.

Fair Grounds Race Course

On the analysis front, I got Group ($17.20) home in the 2nd, along with the $794.60 pick three that started with him. Also nailed the $287.80 trifecta in the 6th, and my best bet $15.60 exacta in the 7th.

Pick 6 carries again, and the pool has crept up to $2,241.

Fair Grounds Preview – Nov 20th

A 9-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Friday, and three grass races are on the schedule. Mostly cloudy skies are expected with highs around 70.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up), and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Friday free selection (5th race) from Fair Grounds.

Friday’s MySpace free selection is the 5th race from Hollywood Park.

Friday’s Horse Racing Nation free selection is the 7th race from Hollywood Park.

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

Stalking types best on the main, and patient runners solid on the turf.

John Jacinto booted home a pair. Victor Lebron and Greg Foley teamed up for two wins on the card.

Desert Wheat (Lanerie-Mott) got back on the beam in the grassy Mr. Sulu stakes for fillies and mares. Nowandforevermore was 2nd, and my 19-1 top Lee’s Spirit was along for the show under Don Simington.

Had another fine day on the analysis front. Two tops got the job done including best bet Firy Mistress, and my analyzed contenders nabbed the 1st nine races. I correctly tabbed the 2nd race exacta, the 3rd race superfecta, the early double, and numerous rolling Pick 3’s.

Fair Grounds Preview – Nov 15th

A 10-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Sunday, and three grass races are on the schedule. Sunny skies are expected with highs in the 70’s.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up), and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Sunday free selection (4th race) from Fair Grounds.

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

Get an advantage over the competition – use Today’s Racing Digest today.

For daily free picks and racing news, visit HorseRacingNation.

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.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Here are the horses that I voted for in the LAD meet champion categories…

Super Derby winner Regal Ransom goes for the Breeders' Cup Classic next

Two Year Old: William’s Kitten – On the Super Derby undercard, the Michael Maker runner competed in the off the turf Sunday Silence Stakes. He was sitting at the back of the pack and unleashed an eye catching move to blow past the field with breathtaking ease. That visually impressive performance carried him to Woodbine for the Grade 3 Grey Stakes, but he ran flat over the Polytrack surface. He is pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

LA Bred and Two Year Old Filly: The Rumor’s True – Trained by low profile conditioner Steven Duke, the daughter of Kafwain tackled open company in the Happy Ticket on the Super Derby undercard, and she was up to the task in a sharp victory over the promising Seasoned.

Three Year Old Filly: Lightlightlight - The Steve Asmussen trainee captured multiple stakes races at Louisiana Downs, including the Louisiana Cup Oaks on Aug 1st.

LA Bred Three Year Old: Takin’ The Bullet - Enjoyed a productive meet on both surfaces. He was 2nd in a turf race in July and 3rd in the Louisiana Cup Derby on Aug 1st. He capped off the meet with a win in the Red Erwin Stakes on Sept 5th.

Category Seven is entered in the Blushing K. D. Stakes at the Fair Grounds on Nov 6th.

Sprinter: Brother Bean – Blistered six furlongs in 1:09.66 on August 1st in the Louisiana Cup Sprint.

Older Mare: Superior Storm – Talented state bred and multiple graded placed miss had to work harder than expected in a game Louisiana Cup Distaff win. Finished 7th in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland in October.

Turf Horse and Older Horse: Mogumbo Cat - Won an optional claiming turf race in May, and he was a sharp winner of the Shishkabob in August. Landed the place on the main in the Unbridled in September.

Turf Mare: Category Seven – Gem of consistency won a pair of optional claimers and placed in the Top Corsage and River Cities. Next up for this one is the Blushing K. D. Stakes at Fair Grounds on Nov 6th.

Older LA bred: Star Guitar – Captured the Dixie Poker Ace at the Fair Grounds on Jan 3rd. Nabbed the off the turf Louisiana Cup Turf Classic at Louisiana Downs on Aug 1st. Came back two weeks later to nab the Evangeline Mile. His most recent start was a victory in the 77th running of the Gold Cup at Delta Downs.

Left to right: Nick Tammaro, Travis Stone, Jarrod Horak, and Pat Cummings during Super Derby Handicapping Seminar at Louisiana Downs

Claimer: Officer Jo Ann – Enjoyed a fantastic meet with five wins and two place finishes in the claiming ranks.

Three Year Old and Horse of the Meet: Regal Ransom – Came back blazing while making his first start since the Kentucky Derby. In the 30th running of the Grade 2 Super Derby, the Godolphin trainee made all the running in a sharp wire job win. Runner-up Blame came back to capture the Grade 2 Fayette at Keeneland. Regal Ransom goes next in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov 7th.

On Super Derby Day, I was joined by Nick Tammaro, Pat Cummings, and Travis Stone for the Handicapping Seminar. Track Photographer Lou Hodges snapped a pic (photo above), and track announcer Travis Stone added the captions. The dream team had a great time and gave out a few winners along the way.

Handicapping the Breeders’ Cup?

Use the BC Dashboard featuring over 100 replays, morning lines and handicapping analysis for all 14 races!

Images: Lou Hodges, Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

One of the changes to the new meet is the Louisiana Derby. Formerly run at a mile and a sixteenth seven weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby, it will now be contested at nine furlongs five weeks before the first Saturday in May.

Fair Grounds meet begins on November 6th

Exotic bettors should be happy to hear that a $1 Super High 5 will be offered on the final race of every card.

The opening day feature is the $60k Blushing K. D. for fillies and mares traveling a mile and a sixteenth on the turf. Much Obliged is the 8-5 morning line favorite is the 10-horse field.

Some of the new faces in New Orleans will be Hall of Fame trainer Wayne Lukas, who will have a 30-horse string. General Quarters, last seen finishing 9th in the Preakness, is also on the grounds.

I will be following the Fair Grounds closely here, similar to my recap/preview blogs from Louisiana Downs.

For fans of Today’s Racing Digest, I will be posting daily free selections from Fair Grounds on their site, and my full card analysis will also be available to their customers. Click here to view my Digest Handicapper page.

I will be back later this week to preview the Nov 6th card, and note that the opening day card falls on the first day of the 2-day Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.

Handicapping the Breeders’ Cup?

Use the BC Dashboard featuring over 100 replays, morning lines and handicapping analysis for all 14 races!

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The incident occurred near the far turn when Haran took a bad step and broke down under Pat Valenzuela. He was racing on the pace in the maiden turf route, and it set off a chain reaction as Get The Prize (Francisco Torres) fell over the stricken horse. Brazos Cat (Lonnie Meche), Invisible Force ( E J Perrodin), and Heat Pump (Rico Flores) also went down.

Lonnie Meche at Louisiana Downs

Haran had to be put down, but the other horses appeared to escape serious.

Lonnie Meche took the worst of it with a cracked collarbone, fractured wrist, and injured ankle. He is expected to miss 5-6 weeks.

Rico Flores has an ankle fracture and could be out of action for 3-4 weeks.

Francisco Torres and Patrick Valenzuela are both sore but did not have any broken bones. ‘Cisco and PVal are day-to-day and could be back in the saddle as early as August 27th.

Veteran rider E J Perrodin luckily walked away from the scene and is expected to resume riding next week.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever