Betting Guide Horse Racing - December 26, 2007

Hope everyone had a pleasant holiday as we head into the final week of 2007. Aqueduct reopens today after their annual Christmas break. We have a total of four races, three from the Big A. and one from Turfway Park. Turfway has switched it's schedule so that they will be racing in the afternoons with the exception of Fridays, when they will race at night.

Today's Best Bet is # 1 Wild Garden in Race # 4 at Aqueduct.

Today's Horse Racing Picks:

AQUEDUCT Race #TWO (12:55 PM Eastern)

(# 6) BRITISH COLUMBIA - Colt improved noticeably when sent long for the first time. Recent purchase by the Darley Stable for $450,000 was beaten in last by his entrymate. He's worked fast and frequently since, and he looks primed for a big effort.

(# 1a) Mr. Shortcake - Ran a big race in his distance debut from a poor post (11). Stayed close, bid, and finished well, as he has in most of his races. Draws a poor slot again today, but he has already shown that he can overcome it.

(# 4) Buddy's Holiday - Closed late in his debut sprinting on Nov. 22nd, making up 6 lengths in the last 1/8th. Stretches out off the debut run and trainer Bruce Levine adds lasix today.

(# 1) Spurrier - Coupled with the second pick, he has shown enough in his pair of appearances to warrant a chance in this mostly lightly raced field.

(# 1) WILD GARDEN - Impressed in her lone outing, as she broke from the rail, was close up entering the turn, dropped back, then rallied strongly to gain the place. Has a pair of works since the initial run and can take this in start number two.

(# 5) Straight N' Narrow - Makes her second start after being away from the races for almost 10 months. Rallied while wide last out to finish a fine second behind an easy wire-to-wire winner. Should improve in second off the bench.

(# 2) More Than Thunder - First-timer has a very impressive gate work on Nov. 30th. Trainer Tom Albertrani has had a good year on all fronts, and his debut stock is winning at a 17% rate.

(# 3) Hatta Diamond - Another debut runner comes from the fine barn of Kiaran McLaughlin. Works are better than average, and trainer has had a phenomenal year.

(# 12) DETROIT'S DANCER - Sprinted in last at a higher price-tag, trainer Dan Smithwick sends gelding a distance of ground today. Has faced better all season on the turf, but he is 3 for 5 on this surface, and a pair of them has been at two-turns. Takes these with an alert break.

(# 7) Cupid's Honour - Does well at this price, and he's another stretching out off of a sprint. Has been racing in starter allowances and has fared reasonably well.

(# 1) Chief Tudor - Good effort on Nov.25th finishing 3rd after returning here from Louisiana. Fits well at this $5000 tag and at age 10 can still bring a pretty good race.

(# 9) Bali Warrior - Owns a pair of wins on this course, and his return race after 2 months on the sidelines was encouraging. Closer can impact these late, and the faster the pace the better.

(# 4) JOVANNA - Fliiy won her debut like a real talented individual. Sent into a stakes at Finger Lakes off the maiden win at the Spa., she ran a fine second in that added money event. Worked well for her return last out, but a poor break and a subsequent weak ride cost her any shot at the win. Dutrow runner gets a positive rider switch to Channing Hill for this.

(# 9) Jet Setting - Filly was extremely impressive in her only race which came at Saratoga on August 27th. Sent hard from the gate, she dueled the other speed filly in the ground, then drew off in real race-horse time to win easily. Has been away since but she appears to be a filly with a future, and may come back bigger and better. Asmussen barn has been on fire both here and at the Fair Grounds.

(# 1) La Ransom - Ran a fine second first time against winners for Tony Dutrow. Trainer has been winning at almost 30% for the year, and one of his main riders, Ramon Dominguez is aboard.

(# 6) Bar City - Has never raced on the dirt, but has been working well on that surface for some time now. Has been "thrown to the wolves" so to speak, as after winning her debut, she has been facing stakes competition since.

Horse Racing Picks Resources:

• Take a look at our triple crown belmont here.
• Read our triple crown preakness here.
• Read our derby picks here.
• Check out horseracing betting here.
• Don't forget to read our horseracing rules here.
• Don't forget to visit our horse racing theory.
• Updated today: horse racing bet types.
• View our updated horse racing handicapping philosophy.
• Check out our updated horse racing handicapping.
• Here we show our horse picks.
• View our 2007 horseracing prior pick results here.

Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters:

Horse-Racing-Picks-December-24-2007
CALDER Race #FIVE (2:15 PM Eastern)(# 8) SILVER CHARITY - Has become a better filly since returning from some time off, and a switch back to the Bill White barn. Still has room for more improvement an...

Horse-Racing-Picks-December-23-2007
TURFWAY PARK Race #THREE (2:00 PM Eastern)(# 9) YANKEES BLAST - Makes her second start off a June layoff for trainer Bill Ford. Mare just missed at this condition and distance last out getting beat by...

Horse-Racing-Picks-December-22-2007
CALDER Race #TWO (12:50 PM Eastern)(# 7) LASER - Gets a huge trainer change today. Big improvement expected back on grass and first career start in a claimer. More early kick expected with new speed r...

Horse-Racing-Picks-December-21-2007
TAMPA BAY DOWNS Race #ONE (12:25 PM Eastern)(# 8) R TOWN LEADER - Shortens up and goes second off a layoff for trainer Kirk Ziadie. Blinkers also come off this son of "Delaware Township." He's working...

Horse-Racing-Picks-December-20-2007
FAIR GROUNDS Race #TWO (2:00 PM Eastern)(# 4) VALUE YOUR MONEY - Sharp effort in last at Delta Downs when dropped in for this tag. Has some speed and should be just off the lead in here. Can take this...