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Handicapping The Preakness - July 23, 2008Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York opens its doors today for its annual six-week summer meeting. Racing will be conducted on Wednesday through Mondays with Tuesday being dark. Thirty-six day session will run through Labor Day. There are threats of possible "severe" thunderstorm weather in the Saratoga Springs area, so we'll limit our first day action to a pair from there and one each from Del Mar and Arlington, where a horse we like will be our best bet. Today's Best Bet is #4 Sugar Mom in Race #7 at Arlington Park. Tuesday's Results: Philadelphia Park Race #1 Exacta (2-6) $22.40. Delaware Park Race #1 Exacta (5-6) $24.80. Today's Horse Racing Picks: (# 1) ACCREDIT - Freshened up since finishing second in an allowance on June 8 at Belmont. Runner had a busy fall/spring starting seven times, so the rest was well deserved. Very speedy colt placed in three stakes earlier this year, including narrow losses in a pair. Working fast for his comeback, he draws the rail and is a serious wire-to-wire threat. (# 2) Connecticut Yankee - Colt has shifted locales (Kentucky to New York) and also trainers (Wayne Mackey to Jimmy Jerkens). Interesting to see the top Jerkens outfit accept this rather speedy runner. Trainer improves just about anything he touches and he may sneak away at a price. (# 4) Icetate - Four-year-old has come to hand quickly for trainer Steve Asmussen. Improving with each start, he overcame adversity to break his maiden on the Churchill dirt two back and then had traffic problems late in his first against winners on the grass. Moves back to the dirt and is a solid fit here. SARATOGA Race #NINE (5:15 PM Eastern) (# 3) COLLEGIATE - Professional-looking victory first out. Filly was on the fast pace the whole race, and responded in mid-stretch when jockey Edgar Prado "shook the reins" and "showed her" the whip. Daughter of "Saarland" has a pair of bullet drills since and I think she's up to the challenge. (# 1) Ocean Colors - Debut at Churchill could not have been more impressive. Broke running, was challenged at the top of the stretch and drew off with ease. Daughter of "Orientate" has a local drill since arriving and draws the rail. One of a pair from trainer Steve Asmussen and they race uncoupled. (# 5) Chartreaux - Rated well, back off a solid quarter in her debut, then rallied resolutely while six wide to be up in the final strides. Lots of speed signed on here, so her ability to pass other runners could be important. (# 6) Ouchy Night - Easy win in a good-looking debut on June 25. Broke well, rated kindly and exploded when asked. Sharp drill on July 16 indicates that she is doing well. ARLINGTON PARK Race #SEVEN (5:30 PM Eastern) (# 4) SUGAR MOM - Makes her first start for trainer Wayne Catalano and he wins at an incredible 39% with his new stock. Filly ran second in two of three in Kentucky when trained by Pat Byrne. She's had almost four weeks since her latest start and she has a very sharp work on this surface July 16. The choice for the win. (# 3) Posse in Effect - Horse drew a tough post (10) in her debut at Churchill and she had a wide trip. Resides in a winning barn (Tom Proctor)and trainer has always had a deft hand with youngsters. He's very strong second time out (seven for 14). (# 6) Proud'n Gold - Todd Pletcher-trained filly was off slowly in her well-bet debut on June 21. She has a good-looking work on July 10 and major improvement would be no surprise. (# 8) Carpathian - Showed speed in her debut but "bled" during the running. Trainer Steve Asmussen adds lasix today and daughter of "Grand Slam" should run better. DEL MAR Race #FOUR (6:30 PM Eastern) (# 8) THE FINAL ROAR - Drops into a claimer for the first time and his speed/stalking ability may be too much for these. Gelding has had over a month since his latest and has a pair of very sharp works on the local surface. (# 5) Seven Lucky J's - Just missed in his last when blinkers were added and he dropped in for a tag off an early-May debut. Heavily bet in his narrow loss on July 3, he need only repeat the effort to be in the final mix. (# 4) Red Jasper - Away slowly in his debut at this price, he took his share of wagering dollars that day. Trainer (John Sadler) is much better second time out (18%) and colt gets the services of Gomez today. (# 7) Form a Posse. - Another trainer (Dan Hendricks) who's much better after his runners have a start (18%), and blinkers are added today. Son of "Posse" has a fast work on July 16, presumably with the "hood" on. Horse Racing Picks Resources:
Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-July-22-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-July-21-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-July-20-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-July-17-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-July-16-2008 |
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