Free Horse Racing Handicapping - October 03, 2008

Keeneland opens it's short (17 days) fall meet today, and some of the early stakes will have some bearing on who goes to the "Breeder's Cup World Thoroughbred Championships" later this month at Santa Anita.

We'll mix it up a bit today and have a pair each from Keeneland and Belmont.

Best Bet is #1 Precious Kitten in Race #8 at Keeneland.

Thursday's Results: Belmont Park Race #2 Top Pick #2 (Safari Kid) $3.50.
 
Belmont Park Race #7 Top Pick #2 (Jet Setting) $5.20.

Today's Horse Racing Picks:

KEENELAND Race #2 at 1:40 PM Eastern

Top pick: #5 (MIDIANITE) - Talented filly has improved since coming to the barn of Wayne Catalano, and she'll be making her second start off a layoff for the high-octane outfit. She's been successful at this tag in the past and the pace scenario favors her come from behind style.

2nd pick: #6 (Thunder and Belle) - Hard-hitter should move forward off her latest, which came off a vacation. Moves back to her best distance today (eight for 17) and she's a win candidate.

3rd pick: #8 (Dottie Booth) - Makes her first start for trainer Mike Maker, and that angle has produced winners at a 25% rate for the past year. Drops down to the level of her last win and draws a post (12) that is somewhat advantageous on poly-track.

Top pick: #1a (SKIPPING CLASS) - Freshened up for the past three months by trainer Bruce Levine after a sharp try at this tag and distance. Good speed/stalking ability to use and filly has a pair of solid drills leading into this.

2nd pick: #11 (Chit Chat Cat) - Quick filly by "Cat Thief" will make her first start for Chad Brown, and also her first ever on the grass. Claimed in late June from a good barn (Ken McPeek) she has trained steadily for the past 45 days. Speed threat if she takes to the surface.

3rd pick: #6 (Karakorum Playmate) - Tired in her latest which was a switched race at this tag and distance. Race was her first in seven weeks and first for the Steve Asmussen barn. Speedy filly should be in it from start to finish.

4th pick: #8 (Maggie's Miracle) - Shortens up after a front-end try at this tag going a mile. Filly held until the last 100 yards in that one and should be "dead-fit" for this shorter contest.

5th pick: #4 (Judge's Pride) - One of the few eneterd who consistently makes up some ground late. Drops in for a tag and goes dirt to turf.

Top pick: #1 (PRECIOUS KITTEN) - Made what looked like a winning move in her last at Arlington, but she came up a bit "short" in the last furlong. She may have needed that start as she hadn't raced since winning the "Gamely" (G1) on the Hollywood infield on April 13. She's worked five times since that race, so it looks like trainer Bob Frankel won't let a lack of conditioning cost her again.

2nd pick: #2 (Dreaming of Anna) - Talented, speedy, and classy. Always runs her race no matter what the track or the condition of the turf. The filly to catch, and she'll be a handful.

3rd pick: #6 (Forever Together) - Jonathan Sheppard trained filly ran a dull third at Woodbine last out on a course that had a lot of moisture in it. Previous run at Saratoga saw her close strongly to get up late. Late running tactics should land her a small share.

Top pick: #2b (SWEET BAMA BREEZE) - Solid turf runner (3-1-2-0) just cleared the maiden hurdle in her last start. Much improved since coming back from a seven-month layoff and the addition of blinkers. Filly has the added advantage of a tractable running style. Makes it two in a row today.

2nd pick: #1 (Hangingonaprayer) - Turf-loving filly finished a strong second two back at Saratoga at this condition in a 5.5 furlong race. Tired badly last out in a "switched" contest and she'll be moving back to the infield for this. Win contender.

3rd pick: #10 (Go Go Bar) - Just missed in a sharp try at Saratoga on August 2, despite some big traffic woes. Working well for her return, and filly draws a good post for her style. Win contender.

4th pick: #3 (Catty Madeline) - Had some serious traffic isues in her latest fter a sharp maiden win on this track and distance. Freshened up for the past two months and she'll run well.

Horse Racing Picks Resources:

• Take a look at our free horse racing tip here.
• Don't forget to visit our horseracing system.
• Here we show our horse racing handicapping.
• Don't forget to visit our betting guide horse racing.
• Here we show our horse racing bouncing.
• View horse rules here.
• Read our horseracing racebooks here.
• Hop over to our kentucky derby picks here.
• View free preakness stakespicks here.
• Don't forget to read our belmont stakes handicappers here.
• Don't forget to read our 2008 horseracing prior picks here.

Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters:

Horse-Racing-Picks-October-02-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #2 at 1:30 PM EasternTop pick: #2 (SAFARI KID) - Much improved since switching to the barn of "Hall of Famer" Wayne Lukas. Faster, gamer, and just a better animal all around since th...

Horse-Racing-Picks-October-01-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #3 at 2:00 PM EasternTop pick: #8 (LYKE A HURRICANE) - Brings the best recent form and the best "figures" of the entire field. Speed/stalker fits, is working well, and keeps Prado. T...

Horse-Racing-Picks-September-30-2008
PHILADELPHIA PARK Race #1 at 12:25 PM EasternTop pick: #12 (ROYAL STONE) - Filly was sent long last out and finished an even third in a race with a runaway winner. First two races came in sprints and ...

Horse-Racing-Picks-September-29-2008
PHILADELPHIA PARK Race #5 at 2:00 PM EasternTop pick: #3 (KISSA MELISSA) - Claimed by mid-Atlantic regular Mike Gorham three back, filly has improved steadily since that time. Easy win last out in a c...

Horse-Racing-Picks-September-28-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #2 at 1:30 PM EasternTop pick: #4 (PULPITINA) - Showed a lot of promise last season at two, but did not transfer it when she came back earlier this season. She's been freshened up fo...