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Handicapping The Preakness - November 06, 2008In more signs of the hard economic times, Belmont's recently concluded "Fall Championship Meet" suffered large declines in both attendance and handle. That news came on the heels of Keeneland reporting a similar scenario. Congratulations to apprentice Jody Davis, daughter of former rider Robbie Davis on the first win of her professional career, guiding longshot "Blue Hill Bay ($131) to a wire-to-wire win yesterday at Aqueduct. Rain is in the forecast for the Long Island area, so we have have provided alternate selections for race #2 at Aqueduct, a scheduled turf event. Today we'll head back to the "Big A" for three and down to Churchill for single contest. Today's Best Bet is #5 Color Me Up in Race #4 at Churchill Downs.  Today's Horse Racing Picks: Top pick: #5 (RETRIBUTION) - Head-strong individual with "plenty of gas" will drop off a claim late in the Saratoga Meet by trainer Tony Dutrow. He's never raced this low before and he should be able to take these wire-to-wire. 2nd pick: #1 (Yario) - Cleared the 3l condition running for $35K two back in smart fashion. Had a bit of a "rough" journey last out at the same price, racing between runners the whole way in a sprint. Drops in price and runs at the distance of his latest win. 3rd pick: #10 (Rock Lobster) - Solid runner likes to rally late and does so just about every time. Another who is dropping in value, and he draws outside which should help his style. Veteran would love a fast/contested pace. 4th pick: #7 (True Dancer) - Hard-hitter has finished second in his last pair at this tag and distance, once on this surface and the other at the Meadowlands. Special Race Notes: Selections if race is run on the main track: #1a-Chief Export #2b-Successful Affair #14-Wood Winner #9-Transit of Venus CHURCHILL DOWNS Race #4 at 2:05 PM Eastern Top pick: #5 (COLOR ME UP) - D. Wayne Lukas trained filly has some solid races on her resume. Daughter of "Aptitude" had a poor start last out in the "Indiana Oaks" (G2) and had "no chance" after that incident. Previous run saw her finish third in a (G2). Returns to the track where she broke her maiden and the drop into this 1X allowance sholud get her the win. 2nd pick: #6 (Lady On Holiday) - Hard-hitter stretches-out today off a recent sprint try for trainer Ken McPeek. Moves back to conventional and versatile runner has "hit the board" in five of eight starts. 3rd pick: #2 (Persistent Penny) - Filly broke her maiden in "game" style at Saratoga, but ran very poorly in her first starts against winners at Belmont. Freshened-up since that race by trainer Wally Dollase and she'll be going two-turns today, and that seems to agree with her. AQUEDUCT Race #5 at 2:20 PM Eastern Top pick: #9 (SHOT GUN HOLIDAY) - Lightly-raced runner finished a solid second on Oct. 5, at this price sprinting in the slop. Pair of fine drills since for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, he'll try a mile today and draws a good post. 2nd pick: #8 (Charging Hero) - Claimed in mid-August by trainer Greg DiPrima, he immediately gave him two months of freshening. Return race was strong, chasing the pace at this tag going seven furlongs and holding well for the place. Looks "primed and ready" for his best. 3rd pick: #1 (Sacred Icon) - Improving at this stage for the Nick Zito barn. Has both speed and stalking ability, and believe he'll be involved from start-to-finish. 4th pick: #4 (Daareb) - Well-bred and lightly raced, "Shadwell" stable runner chased the pace in the slop on Oct 5th, his first race in 10 months. Nice work on the 25th and he'll stretch-out to a mile today. AQUEDUCT Race #7 at 3:15 PM Eastern Top pick: #8 (SEVENTH STREET) - Filly by "Street Cry" cost an even $1,000,000 as a two-year-old in February of '07. Excellent speed shown in her only start, last winter at Gulfstream. "Darley" runner is training well for Kiaran McLaughlin and is the choice off the layoff. 2nd pick: #4 (Flying Dixie) - She's been away since Nov. of '07 when she finished fourth in her only race. Training fast for a barn ("Shug" McGaughey) that doesn't usually work them that way. Runs with lasix added off the long break. 3rd pick: #2 (Valid Humor) - Daughter of "Distorted Humor" has alternated betwenn the dirt and the turf in her six starts. Tired in her last on the grass, her first start in 11 months. Moves back to the dirt and I believe it's her "better" surface. 4th pick: #1 (Courting Elaine) - Improving "little by little" for the Bruce Levine barn. Cuts back to a sprint after showing speed going longer. In shape, and she may be a square price. Horse Racing Picks Resources:
Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-November-05-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-November-04-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-November-03-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-November-02-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-November-01-2008 |
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