I am 'capping the card based on a fast track. The most recent info I've received says the track will be dry tomorrow, so here goes nothin'...
Race 1
TACARO'S HEAVEN is certainly due for a victory after four consecutive 2nds. He looks to be the prevailing speed here, but I'm going to pick him for second again, beaten at the wire by ARTILLERY MAN. If the track is off, however, LUGANIS would be the pick (hell, he might win it on a fast track).
The bet: $8 exacta 7/1,2 $5 exacta 1/2,7
Race 2
Wow, is there a lot of speed in this race or what? I'm going with the rail horse - looks like it took a couple races but the Shuman juice has finally kicked in.
The bet: $12 WP 1
Race 3
The Shuman/Gill entry looks mighty tough. Tempted to just pass the race entirely but if INDIVISIBLE is a fair price, I will give him a shot in his second try against winners.
The bet: $10 WP 9
Race 4
Once again forced to find a horse to challenge the mighty Gill. How about SASSY HOUND? He's a gamer, and always seems to be near the winner. Don't like that the beyers have been going backward but feel his best is plenty good enough to beat this bunch. Or even THE DEPUTY IS HOME. Might be a little cheap, but I love the turf to dirt off the bench and I really like seeing Chavez up.
The bet: $10 exacta box 1-5 $5 exacta box 1-3
Race 5
If they go on turf I like IL BARONE. His American debut at Gulfstream was misleading. The horse never had a chance - very rough trip. This might be Santos' only winner today.
The bet: $15 WPS #10
Race 6
I know it's too much to ask getting the morning line of 8-1 with Bailey/Dutrow, but if EPIC is any price at all I will be all over him.
The bet: $20 WP #1
Race 7
Looking for P Val and CARIB LADY to go out early and never look back.
The bet: $5 exacta 5/7,12 $10 WP #5
Race 8
DEPOSITORY is turning into a very nice racehorse. Can't really see him getting beat so the only challenge is to find the 2nd place horse. MY NAVY finished right behind Depository in last - could do it again, I just don't like the 10 hole. The bomb in here might be STEPATATIME if you're willing to toss the turf debacle...which I am.
The bet: $5 exacta box 7,8,10
Race 9
Lukas lightning strikes again with DESERT WARRIOR.
The bet: $10 WPS #6
Race 10
DR. KASHNIKOW has always run well on the softer turf. I think he'll use that last allowance race as a springboard to a big effort here at a lofty price.
The bet: $10 WPS #3
Race 11
The last effort by CHANGEINTHEWEATHER was very respectable although he came away as the beaten favorite. It's all I can do to keep from betting WINDSOR CASTLE. That horse has cost me more money than I care to remember - I think his win in the Hal's Hope was probably the only race I DIDN'T bet him! STRIVE always runs well fresh and if he gets a good, strong pace here I think he'll make a lot of noise.
The bet: $10 exacta 9/2,8 $20 W #9
Race 12
Even with all the speed, I get the feeling there won't be any kind of crazy duel for the lead or real fast early fractions. I wish there was because FOUFA'S WARRIOR is a beautiful closer and will be entirely overlooked. I touted FUNNY CIDE in the Derby but I'm not sure a repeat is in the cards. My thought is that today PEACE RULES.
The bet: $10 exacta 7/1,3,4 $2 tri 7/1,3,4
$1 super 7/1,3,4
Race 1
TACARO'S HEAVEN is certainly due for a victory after four consecutive 2nds. He looks to be the prevailing speed here, but I'm going to pick him for second again, beaten at the wire by ARTILLERY MAN. If the track is off, however, LUGANIS would be the pick (hell, he might win it on a fast track).
The bet: $8 exacta 7/1,2 $5 exacta 1/2,7
Race 2
Wow, is there a lot of speed in this race or what? I'm going with the rail horse - looks like it took a couple races but the Shuman juice has finally kicked in.
The bet: $12 WP 1
Race 3
The Shuman/Gill entry looks mighty tough. Tempted to just pass the race entirely but if INDIVISIBLE is a fair price, I will give him a shot in his second try against winners.
The bet: $10 WP 9
Race 4
Once again forced to find a horse to challenge the mighty Gill. How about SASSY HOUND? He's a gamer, and always seems to be near the winner. Don't like that the beyers have been going backward but feel his best is plenty good enough to beat this bunch. Or even THE DEPUTY IS HOME. Might be a little cheap, but I love the turf to dirt off the bench and I really like seeing Chavez up.
The bet: $10 exacta box 1-5 $5 exacta box 1-3
Race 5
If they go on turf I like IL BARONE. His American debut at Gulfstream was misleading. The horse never had a chance - very rough trip. This might be Santos' only winner today.
The bet: $15 WPS #10
Race 6
I know it's too much to ask getting the morning line of 8-1 with Bailey/Dutrow, but if EPIC is any price at all I will be all over him.
The bet: $20 WP #1
Race 7
Looking for P Val and CARIB LADY to go out early and never look back.
The bet: $5 exacta 5/7,12 $10 WP #5
Race 8
DEPOSITORY is turning into a very nice racehorse. Can't really see him getting beat so the only challenge is to find the 2nd place horse. MY NAVY finished right behind Depository in last - could do it again, I just don't like the 10 hole. The bomb in here might be STEPATATIME if you're willing to toss the turf debacle...which I am.
The bet: $5 exacta box 7,8,10
Race 9
Lukas lightning strikes again with DESERT WARRIOR.
The bet: $10 WPS #6
Race 10
DR. KASHNIKOW has always run well on the softer turf. I think he'll use that last allowance race as a springboard to a big effort here at a lofty price.
The bet: $10 WPS #3
Race 11
The last effort by CHANGEINTHEWEATHER was very respectable although he came away as the beaten favorite. It's all I can do to keep from betting WINDSOR CASTLE. That horse has cost me more money than I care to remember - I think his win in the Hal's Hope was probably the only race I DIDN'T bet him! STRIVE always runs well fresh and if he gets a good, strong pace here I think he'll make a lot of noise.
The bet: $10 exacta 9/2,8 $20 W #9
Race 12
Even with all the speed, I get the feeling there won't be any kind of crazy duel for the lead or real fast early fractions. I wish there was because FOUFA'S WARRIOR is a beautiful closer and will be entirely overlooked. I touted FUNNY CIDE in the Derby but I'm not sure a repeat is in the cards. My thought is that today PEACE RULES.
The bet: $10 exacta 7/1,3,4 $2 tri 7/1,3,4
$1 super 7/1,3,4
