Horse Racing Handicapper - October 18, 2007

We've selected four races from Belmont Park and Santa Anita for picks and analysis.

Tough loss yesterday as we had the $71 horse in race #2 at Santa Anita, but we needed our top choice #4 to run second to hit the exacta and triple. We did have the $134 exacta and $478 tri in race #5 at Belmont by keying our top selection #8 first and second in our exotic bets.

Today's Best Bet is #6 Russian Sage in Race # 6 at Belmont Park.

Belmont Park Race #5 Suggested Exacta Box (7-8) Paid $134. Trifecta (7-8-2) Paid $478.

Santa Anita Race #3 Top Pick Winner #5 (Oceanus) Paid $4.60.

Today's Horse Racing Picks:

BELMONT PARK Race #FOUR (2:30 PM Eastern)

( # 5) KAPER LAKE - Drops into a claimer, goes long to short, and makes his third start off a ten-month layoff. Looks well set up by trainer Dan Peitz, who is a much better conditioner than his record indicates.

(# 3) Pay in Kind - He also goes third off a lengthy absence, and improved noticeably in the second start back. Very dangerous opponent.

(#'s 1 and 1A) Last Train Babe and Salzburg - We'll take either of this Richard Dutrow entry as our third pick. "Last Train Babe" ran in two very tough straight-maiden races last winter, and was well bet in both. "Salzburg" has been freshened up since his initial pair of starts this past summer at Monmouth and Saratoga.

(# 4) Sobrino - Makes his East Coast debut for trainer Bruce Levine after beginning his career in So. Cal. in a good barn (Vlad Cerin). Trainer has done well with these transplants before.

(# 7) FORT CARILLON - Pretty evenly-matched field on view. This filly fits well with this group and a repeat of any of her last five races will make her tough. The two at Saratoga are much better than they look, as they came from very poor posts (10 and 12) on that sharp course.

(# 8) Dr. D's Archangel - Should be much tighter today with the Spa start behind her. All turf races are acceptable and they have come against better competition. Drops today to her lowest level ever.

(# 9) In For a Dime - Sharpened in a sprint last out, and she stretches out today to a more likely distance for success.

(#'s 1 and 5) Bella Attrice and Grand Cayman - Would use this pair in small exacta boxes with the top selection.

(# 6) RUSSIAN SAGE - Has the best turf race on view of any in here who have tried that surface. Draws a good attack post for supposed stalking tactics. Has been well backed in all starts and attracted top riders in all three.

(# 2) Wishful Tomcat - Consistent runner on dirt, tries the infield for the first time. Has speed and a good post, and should be prominent the whole race.

(# 4) Burnished Copper - Excellent try in only start and it came at this track, surface, and distance. Raced a bit "greenly" and closed late to get the place. Very fast pace that day may have aided her a bit.

(# 1) Grey Expression - Draws the hedge and makes second lifetime start. Only two lengths behind the third pick in last, and Linda Rice continues to send out very "live" runners.

(# 8) FLYING HOME - Goes third off a freshening for trainer Carla Gaines. Has already run well over this surface in latest. Bet to favoritism in two starts so far, she should get a perfect stalking trip from this outside post.

(# 5) Remember Seattle - Possible favorite ran second in only start so far and it came over this new all-weather surface. Well bet in that lone outing, trainer Terry Knight adds blinkers today.

(# 6) Bouquet of Roses - Debuts for the top barn of Rafael Becerra. Attracts Nakatani for the unveiling, and the trainer/jockey combination is 12 for their last 44 together.

(# 7) Aurora Skye - Ran well at long odds at Del Mar in only start despite a very poor start. Works are fine for run number two.

Horse Racing Picks Resources:

• Here we show our belmont stakes picks.
• Don't forget to read our preakness handicappers here.
• Don't forget to visit our handicapping the kentucky derby.
• Hop over to our horse racing sports book here.
• Take a look at our horse rules here.
• Hop over to our bouncing horse racing here.
• View betting guide horse racing here.
• Don't forget to visit our horse racing handicapping philosophy.
• View our handicapping horse racing here.
• Check out our updated free horse racing tips.
• View our updated 2007 horse racing prior pick results.

Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters:

Horse-Racing-Picks-October-17-2007
BELMONT PARK Race #TWO (1:30 PM Eastern)(# 6) SHE BELONGS TO US - Filly has run twice on the grass and they have produced good efforts. Showed some speed in both, and trainer Gary Contessa adds blinke...

Horse-Racing-Picks-October-16-2007
DELAWARE PARK Race #THREE (1:35 PM Eastern)(# 6) OUR LUCILLE - Ran second despite a poor start in latest. Lightly-raced filly chased a runaway winner all the way around and stayed on well to get the p...

Horse-Racing-Picks-October-15-2007
DELAWARE PARK Race #FOUR (2:05 PM Eastern)(# 3) ALL AMERICAN MIZ - Speedball has been well traveled this year with starts at five different tracks. Last time she was in a starter allowance, she won he...

Horse-Racing-Picks-October-14-2007
BELMONT PARK Race #TWO (1:30 PM Eastern)(# 8) STORMY WINTER - All three efforts on her resume are good. Latest off a seven-week layoff was very good at this track. Winner that day has come back to run...

Horse-Racing-Picks-October-13-2007
BELMONT PARK Race #ONE (1:00 PM Eastern)(# 1) TENACIOUS STAR - Has been on the sidelines for two months for trainer Richard Dutrow. Last time that scenario occurred he broke his maiden by 3 1/2 length...