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Horse Racing Handicapping - September 06, 2008It was announced by his connections that reigning Horse of the Year "Curlin" will make his next (and possible final) start in the $750,000 "Jockey Club Gold Cup" at Belmont Park on September 27. Curlin won this race last year in a stirring stretch battle over "Lawyer Ron" and is undefeated on dirt since. Probability of an "off" track today at Belmont with heavy rain in the forecast up and down the Atlantic seaboard, so we've limited our races to five scheduled dirt contests. Today's Best Bet is #2 Coyoteshighestcall in Race #8 at Belmont Park. Friday's Results: Belmont Race #2 Ex. (1-4) $71.50. Belmont Race #9 Ex. (1a-4) $64.00.  Today's Horse Racing Picks: Top pick: #5 (POCATELLO) - Speedy runner drops to a career low in price and is coming off a strong third place finish in his lst at Saratoga. Threat to go wire-to-wire. 2nd pick: #6 (Sonny's the One) - Makes his first start off a Greg DiPrima claim and that move has been successful at a 26% rate for the young trainer. Sharp recent work on view and Coa is aboard. 3rd pick: #7 (Five Card Poker) - Lightly-raced runner will make his first start on the New York circuit after running well (7-3-0-2) at both Philly Park and Monmouth. Stalker fits if he handles the new surfcae. 4th pick: #8 (Gimmearoutine) - Good overall slate (14-2-2-5)nad he's coming off a strong second place finish at saratoga against $25K foes. Stalker needs to avoid a wide trip. BELMONT PARK Race #4 at 2:30 PM Eastern Top pick: #5 (PELELIU) - Well-bet from the day she set foot on the track, daughter of "Kelly Kip" looked good in her last (a win) at Saratoga and she'll be making only her third start since March, so further improvement could be coming. 2nd pick: #1 (Sorority Sister) - Tries this condition for the first time after picking up her second career victory last out at Saratoga. Lightly raced, she has improved her game since blinkers were added. 3rd pick: #2 (Goretty) - Speedy filly was "bumped" at the start last out at the Spa. and basically had no chance being a front-runner. Claimed that day by Dave Jacobson, she runs back six-weeks later at the same tag. 4th pick: #3 (Holy Trouble) - The top three look like stronger win candidates, but this filly could complete the tri at a good price. BELMONT PARK Race #5 at 3:00 PM Eastern Top pick: #1 (SMARTY MARTY) - Daughter of "Smarty Jones" flashed good speed in her latest at Saratoga at the MSW level. Todd Pletcher trainee drops into a claimer for the first time today and also draws the rail. Threat to go "all the way" on the class reduction. 2nd pick: #7 (Credit Limit) - Firster from the barn of Rick Viollette has some good works to reccommend her and the trainer wins at 15% with his debut runners. 3rd pick: #5 (Imandra) - Attracted Coa in her debut on a sloppy track at the Spa. and filly showed good speed before backing up. Working well since, she'll also run in a claimer in start number two. 4th pick: #6 (Who Plays Brahms) - Rallied in her debut against a speed-favoring surface to finish third for Allen Jerkens. Home-bred has a sharp drill on August 25 and should run better today. BELMONT PARK Race #8 at 4:30 PM Eastern Top pick: #2 (COYOTEHIGHESTCALL) - Sticks out over this field if he runs (he's also entered in a stake at Delaware Park today). Stakes winner is the class of the field and is three for four at this distance. Wins it if he runs. 2nd pick: #8 (Cielo Song) - The main danger finished second at Saratoga at this distance last out in his first start off a Gary Contessa claim. Draws a good post and I think he'll attempt to win this early with his fine speed. 3rd pick: #3 (Fort Apache Star) - Won a starter allowance at Saratoga two back and followed that up with a fourth place finish at this distance on August 15. He finished almost four lengths back of "Cielo" that day and will need to reverse that to have any chance. 4th pick: #4 (Ferocious Won) - Speedy sort had a wide trip at Saratoga in a race common to several others entered here. He's two for five at this distance and has 3 lifetime wins on this surface. BELMONT PARK Race #10 at 5:30 PM Eastern Top pick: #2 (HEAD HEART HOOF) - Just failed to hang on in his debut run at Saratoga on August 18. Trainer (Seth Benzel) has picked it up the past weeek with his first three career wins and this colt can win this on the front end. 2nd pick: #10 (Vinnie Van Go) - Well bet in both starts, colt by the popular "Hook and Ladder" finished second in his bow on July 23 at Saratoga, then "stumbled" in start number two losing all chance. Colt has a sharp work since, and he's a big player today. 3rd pick: #3 (Clever Martini) - Firster from the fine barn of Barclay Tagg. Colt worked six times in a one-month period at Saratoga without starting. Looks well-prepared, and the trainer's main rider, Eibar Coa is aboard. 4th pick: #1 (Aoja) - Trainer (Pat Kelly) doesn't score with many youngesters, but this colt has some talent and has been well-backed at the windows. Threat for all the money slots. Horse Racing Picks Resources:
Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-September-05-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-September-04-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-September-03-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-September-02-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-September-01-2008 |
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