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Belmont Stakes Pick - December 13, 2008In some racing news: Santa Anita has announced a 10% reduction in its purse structure beginning with the winter-spring meet that begins the day after Christmas. The "Breeder's Cup" has announced a one-year suspension in its $5,000,000 program providing "supplemental" payments to stakes purses at various tracks throughout the United States. The New Mexico-bred and raced mare, "Pepper's Pride" will try for her 19th consecutive victory tomorrow at Sunland Park. Race may very well be her last according to her connections. Today's Newsletter will feature five races, two each from Aqueduct and the Fair Grounds, and one contest from Hollywood Park. Today's Best Bet is #1 Superior Storm in Race #7 at the Fair Grounds. Friday's Results: Aqueduct Race #6 Top Pick #6 (Bitabaz) $4.30.  Today's Horse Racing Picks: Top pick: #3 (DROWNING BEAR) - Tired last out while saving ground in a contest where he had position but could not offer a rally. He has a nice work since and is making his third start back after being away almost a year. Takes this from just off the lead. 2nd pick: #1 (Phobia) - Very speedy runner was claimed out of a win last out against 20K 2l open claimers. New trainer (Greg DiPrima) is very good first off the buy (21%) and this gelding has the best early speed and draws the rail. 3rd pick: #11 (Raffie's Deer) - Impressed last out in picking up his maiden win. Effort was his second for Steve Asmussen and second back off an eight-month layoff. Post is tough and he'll need to avoid a wide trip. 4th pick: #8 (Fire Marshall) - He's been at this level for nine starts at various distances with a pair of seconds and three third-place finishes. Stalker is not a strong win contender, but could hit the board at a square price. 5th pick: #7 (Miller's Mint) - Returns from a May 10, layoff for trainer Mike Hushion. Lightly raced and he has ability, though he may have longer races on his agenda. FAIR GROUNDS Race #6 at 3:50 PM Eastern Top pick: #8 (FOREIGN PRODUCTION) - He beat tougher open company in easy fashion on this surface November 22, and today will face-off against fellow Louisiana-breds. He can beat these from on the lead or from just off the top. He'd be undefeated if not for a very "rough" trip in his debut. Short-price is expected so you may need to play exactas to maximize your wagers. 2nd pick: #4 (Two Nickel Bud) - Tired badly after being involved in a fast/contested pace last out. Cuts back a furlong today and has been freshened-up for this attempt. 3rd pick: #3 (Gaston) - Doesn't have any speed and he's broken "poorly" a couple of times, but he has steadily exhibited a strong closing kick and many in here will be "spent" by mid-stretch. 4th pick: #5 (Leestown Gift) - He finished second two back against "open" company and he raced evenly last out while holding his position late. Nice exacta use. AQUEDUCT Race #9 at 4:10 PM Eastern Top pick: #3 (KISSA MELISSA) - Sharp shipping barn (Mike Gorham) sends this filly up the turnpike where she's run competitive races in a trio of starter-allowances at Philly Park. She also had a solid year at Delaware and she comes here in shape and with a nice stalking gear. Rail draw should assure a strong effort. 2nd pick: #5 (Eightyfive S) - Claimed last out by Gary Contessa when filly was dropped down to $20,000 for the first time. She just missed winning that day and is "wheeled" back at just above the purchase price. Very dangerous. 3rd pick: #2 (Peleliu) - Another who was claimed last out, this one by the lethal barn of Scott Lake. Filly has both speed and stalking ability and new trainer is one of the best off the claim (27%). She broke her maiden on this surface last February. 4th pick: #10 (I'llthinkofsumthin) - She's had a solid year (12-2-3-3) with most of her races coming against tougher. Another with a good combination of speed and a stalking gear, she'll need to avoid a wide trip fom this post. FAIR GROUNDS Race #7 at 4:20 PM Eastern Top pick: #1 (SUPERIOR STORM) - Had a nice sprint prep and probably wasn't 100% for that effort. Stretches-out in distance, has speed/stalking ability and she draws the rail. Very much the horse to beat. 2nd pick: #4 (Collectzcat) - Don't think she cared for the "sloppy" track last out, so the race is best viewed as a toss. Prior pair were excellent winning efforts. 3rd pick: #2 (Sammie Sam) - Tough competitor has been a bit "hot and cold" in her form, but she fits here and in her last beat the "Cat" easily in the "muck." Needs her very best to beat the top two on a fast track. HOLLYWOOD PARK Race #9 (THE HOLLYWOOD STARLET) at 7:30 PM Eastern Top pick: #3 (ALPHA KITTEN) - Lightly raced and improving quickly at this stage, she gives away some "racing savvy" to most of the others. Tries a distance for the first time, but she has exhibited a lot of talent in her pair of sprints, her maiden win when she was away slowly, and a strong second-place finish last out in the G2 "Anoakia". Working well and she's the choice for the win. 2nd pick: #2 (Laragh) - Filly was only beaten a length in the "Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf" at Santa Anita. Has a lot of speed and although her best races have been on the grass, she won at Del mar on August 9, in an impressive performance. She'll need to be extra sharp off her busy fall campaign. 3rd pick: #5 (Dave's Revenge) - Has absolutely no early speed and although she finished fourth in the "Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies", the pace collapsed turning for home and many runners made up considerable ground. In this small field her task is a difficult one. 4th pick: #6 (Pamona Ball) - Won a stakes on this surface last out and that made it two wins in a row. Field was small and the opposition weak in the stakes win, so she'll need to step it up today. Horse Racing Picks Resources:
Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-December-12-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-11-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-10-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-09-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-08-2008 |
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