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Handicapping - December 27, 2008It was nice to see a large crowd (33,000) show up under beautiful skies for the opening of Santa Anita's winter-spring meet (84 days). It was also nice to see our longshot pick finish second in the fifth race leading to a $107.00 exact when "boxed" with our third pick. Today's Newsletter will feature five races, with a pair each from the Fair Grounds and Calder, and one contest from Aqueduct. Today's Best Bet is #1 Broadway Gala in Race #12 at Calder Race Course. Friday's Results: Fair Grounds Race #8 Ex. (4-9) $31.00.  Today's Horse Racing Picks: Top pick: #11 (MARTIN'S BAY) - Goes dirt-to-turf and short-to-long for the red-hot barn of Canadian trainer Mark Casse. Set all the pace in the slop last out before tiring late to finish second. Set for the stretch-out and she's a gate-to-wire threat. 2nd pick: #3 (Pretty Persuasion) - Drops into a claimer for her third start of the meet. Finished second in an allowance first out here and tired next out at the same level. Drawn well and she's a win threat. 3rd pick: #9 (Dictina Too) - Excellent barn (Dave Carroll) brings filly back from a two-month break and sends her from the dirt to the turf. Looks well meant and Albarado has had a lot of success with the trainer. 4th pick: #12 (Serenity Lake) - Late runner can compete here, but must avoid a wide trip and hope that the pace is fast/contested. Post is of no help. CALDER Race #8 at 3:30 PM Eastern Top pick: #2 (SANTURI) - Tried both seven panels and a tougher group last out, and at best it was an even effort. Drops back down and shortens-up in distance and think he'll turn it around today. 2nd pick: #5 (Starship Victory) - Finished in the money in his previous pair at this tag and condition. Repeat of either of those efforts makes him a win candidate. 3rd pick: #7 (Skip the Bid) - The main-speed will be making his first start for trainer Dave Jacobson off a recent claim. In fine shape at present, he could prove tough to catch. FAIR GROUNDS Race #6 at 3:50 PM Eastern Top pick: #4 (PINPOINT) - Won easily two back at this level and raced pretty well last out despite a wide journey against tougher than these. Has both speed/stalking ability, but will probably be racing just off the lead today. The horse to beat. 2nd pick: #2 (Admiral Halsey) - Surged late last out to get the "nod" on the wire against weaker. Very consistent runner usually makes the most of his tracking ability and he'll be heard from here. 3rd pick: #7 (Majestic Commander) - Looks like the main speed and he'll be dropping back down to a level he's raced well at in the past. Working well of late and he could prove tough to catch if he reaches the front with little opposition. AQUEDUCT Race #9 at 4:10 PM Eastern Top pick: #3 (RING BERNADETTE) - Lightly raced gelded son of "Phone Trick" has tons of talent and was extremely impressive in winning last out on the main-track here at a flat mile. Working fast since that Nov. 20 win and he looks ready to go. 2nd pick: #2 (Please Impress) - Speedy, draws the rail, and has run well on this inner-surface before (4-1-1-1). Tough opponent. 3rd pick: #4 (Manteca) - Lightly raced and well-bred ("Aptitude") colt will be coming back from a late May layoff when he had just cleared the 1X level and was making it two in a row. Working super for his comeback and can win this, is "cranked-up" fully off the break. 4th pick: #5 (Akenobo) - Makes his first start off a recent claim by Bob Barbara. Stretches-out off that sprint try and is raised from $10K to $25,000. Has speed/ stalking ability and a lot of back class to call upon. CALDER Race #12 at 5:15 PM Eastern Top pick: #1 (BROADWAY GALA) - Looms the heavy favorite and the more-than-likely winner here. Just missed against a tougher group at the Meadowlands last out, filly draws the rail and has Coa aboard. 2nd pick: #4 (Ryder Jax) - Won her last dirt attempt, but was subsequently disqualified. Tried the grass to no avail last out, but she's a big player against this group. 3rd pick: #5 (Great Red Feather) - Debut runner by "Albert the Great" has several better than average drills on view and will certainly be a square price in the wagering. Horse Racing Picks Resources:
Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-December-26-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-23-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-22-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-21-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-20-2008 |
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