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Horse Racing Picks - December 29, 2008Because of the way the holidays fell this year, there are plenty of tracks from which to choose our Monday's races from. We have a pair each from Santa Anita and the Fair Grounds, with one contest from Calder. Today's Best Bet is #5 Soul Warrior in Race #6 at the Fair Grounds. Sunday's Results: Calder Race #7 Ex. (3-2) $10.00.  Today's Horse Racing Picks: Top pick: #7 (ISLAND DREAMING) - Nice progress shown when trainer Bill White moved him to the lawn for his second start. Runs today off a short freshening and he looks set for a big effort. 2nd pick: #5 (Four Star Bo) - Set/pressed the pace last out in his first start with lasix and stayed on well to finish in the money. Should be in this from start to finish. 3rd pick: #8 (King Macho) - Runner will try a distance for the first time today and that's a strong move by the barn (Pablo Andrade 30%). Look for an improved run at a square price. 4th pick: #3 (Five Star D J) - Latest was better than it looks, as a pair of runners have since won out of that contest. Another who could impact the exotics at nice odds. FAIR GROUNDS Race #6 at 3:50 PM Eastern Top pick: #5 (SOUL WARRIOR) - Excellent debut sprinting saw him make a strong sweeping move while 4-5 wide, reach the front in mid-stretch but had to settle for second. Barn is strong second time out and also on this stretch-out in distance. Working well since his debut and he's the horse to beat. 2nd pick: #2 (Prince Teton) - Closed late in first-time blinkers to just miss last out travelling seven furlongs. Colt is in a fine barn (Dale Romans) and is primed and ready for his first distance attempt. 3rd pick: #6 (I Come From Behind) - Brings valuable distance experience to this relatively lightly-raced crew. He's finished in the money in all four of his route races including a stakes at Delta Downs. Contender. 4th pick: #8 (Scene Control) - Working swiftly for his first start off a layoff. He finished a fine third in start number two and was sent in for some rest and growth. Son of the late "Vindication" could be set for a big effort. SANTA ANITA Race #3 at 4:30 PM Eastern Top pick: #5 (SUIT YOURSELF) - Mid-pack type broke his maiden two back, then finished a fine third in his first start against winners. That effort was a strong one as he had to close into a rather pedestrian pace. He has a nice drill since that race and the pace scenario today should favor his style. 2nd pick: #1 (High Intellect) - Trainer Jeff Mullins has this one headed in the right direction and taht's enough to sit up and take notice. Goes third off a long break and he improved last out. Win contender at a square price. 3rd pick: #2 (Nate' N Ed) - The main speed will drop in price and go turf to "poly." Last time he raced on a "poly" surface, he won easily last July. 4th pick: #8 (Distinctive Afleet) - Nice outside draw and runner has good speed to utilize. Goes second off a five-month layoff and should be much "tighter" for this attempt. FAIR GROUNDS Race #8 at 4:50 PM Eastern Top pick: #2 (INSURE) - Goes third off the bench for a very sharp barn (Greg Foley). Has good positional speed and was beaten in her last pair after reaching the top in mid-stretch. Ready for her best. 2nd pick: #7 (Cactus Kitty) - Very consistent runner has finished second in all four starts against winners since breaking her maiden at Ellis Park back in August. Obvious contender will be a handful. 3rd pick: #1 (Omnyti) - Quick mare draws the rail and drops in class for her first start since late September at Retama Park. She's run well off the bench in the past and is working steadily. SANTA ANITA Race #6 at 6:05 PM Eastern Top pick: #2 (PAPA CLEM) - Tries a distance for the first time off a pair of sharp sprint tries at Hollywood Park. This Santa Anita surface (Pro Ride) is his home base and he's working sharply for this. Nice inside post and he looks ready for a big effort. 2nd pick: #4 (Mayor Marv) - Logical contender and probable favorite ran a strong pace-setting/pressing second last out in a fast race. He's the main speed here, has distance experience, and will be tough, though not impossible to defeat. 3rd pick: #5 (Resplendently) - Rallied from far back in his debut at 6.5 furlongs to finish third beaten two lengths. Goes long in start number two and could factor if the speed comes back a bit. 4th pick: #10 (Brian Boru) - Tough post to overcome for more than a minor award. He did well in his debut to make up some late ground. Another who'll be trying two-turns for the first time. Horse Racing Picks Resources:
Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-December-28-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-27-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-26-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-23-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-December-22-2008 |
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