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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Remington Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 5 - Allowance - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $38250 Class Rating: 71

FOR ACCREDITED OKLAHOMA-BRED FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN OR CLAIMING OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS.



RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 5 LINGERING SMOKE 7/5


# 8 SIS BOOM BAH 30/1


# 2 JUSTSIGNTHECHECK 4/1


LINGERING SMOKE has a very good shot to take this race. Demonstrates the look of a money-making play, averaging a solid 58 Equibase speed fig which is one of the most competitive in this group of horses. Recorded a very good speed figure last time out. Has been running quite well and has among the most favorable speed in the race for today's distance. SIS BOOM BAH - Has some encouraging handicapping angles which make this entrant a bet. She should have a strong performance versus this less demanding bunch. JUSTSIGNTHECHECK - Have to bet on this filly with the reliable earnings per start in dirt route events. Chleborad and Birzer have a good winning percentage together.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Hawthorne

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 6 - Optional Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $21000 Class Rating: 76

FOR TWO YEAR OLDS WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $8,800 ONCE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $75,000. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE SEPTEMBER 16 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $75,000



RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 2 CHICAGO SON 9/5


# 1 STREET LAW 9/2


# 8 HOMBRE NATURAL 5/1


I've got to go with CHICAGO SON. Has very strong Equibase Class Figures relative to this group of horses - worth a look. Has to be given consideration versus this group of animals displaying very strong numbers as of late and an average Equibase Speed Figure of 73 under similar conditions. Recent numbers for the jock - 15 win percent - make this colt stand out in this group of horses in this race. STREET LAW - Overall the Speed Figures of this animal look solid in this contest. The Lasix change (with second time Lasix) may spark a major improvement for this gelding. HOMBRE NATURAL - Recorded a formidable speed figure in the most recent race. Can run another good one in this race.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Belterra Park - Race #6 - Post: 3:55pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $6,400 Class Rating: 76

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#9 HEY JUDY (ML=7/2)


HEY JUDY - I like to see fast works. This filly's last one was very good. Second fastest of the day. We have lots of early speed with this magnificent animal. She could wire this field.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 BEAUTIFUL SCORE (ML=5/2), #10 DAMASCENE (ML=9/2), #4 MISS KRIS (ML=6/1),

BEAUTIFUL SCORE - Couldn't make up any ground at any point on September 23rd. Hard to bet on today at the expected odds. DAMASCENE - Not likely that this steed can get it done in this sprint after displaying no speed in that last route contest. MISS KRIS - Awfully tough to bet on any racer that just won a Maiden Claimer, then steps up to face winners. Tough to support any animal that runs as well as she did and then lays up and doesn't workout at all.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - HEY JUDY - I start with the class in the field then work my way down. This one's got the top earnings per start. No need to look further.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:

#9 HEY JUDY to win at post-time odds of 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
9 with 10

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts


Bar

Keeneland - Race #4 - Post: 2:38pm - Claiming - 8.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $21,000 Class Rating: 80

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 JAZZY GENIUS (ML=5/1)
#7 DEVILISH REASON (ML=2/1)


JAZZY GENIUS - Trainer Cowan moves this animal down the class ladder to face a lower class of horses. Look for a nice race in this race. Don't often see a beneficial return on investment like +52. This jockey/trainer pair has done well together over the last twelve months. Coming off a seventh place finish at Arlington, some may skip this horse. I'm not. She just missed hitting the show spot, and has pretty good morning line odds today. This filly's last speed fig earned on September 28th is at the top in last race speed figures. DEVILISH REASON - This filly is in fine condition. Ran first on September 20th.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 LEAVE IT IN VEGAS (ML=7/2), #6 FIFTH AND MARKET (ML=4/1), #5 FASTER THEN LIGHT (ML=5/1),

LEAVE IT IN VEGAS - The fig last out doesn't fit very well in this race when I look at the class figure of today's race. Mark this horse as a vulnerable competitor. FIFTH AND MARKET - Will not be easy for this racer to beat this bunch off of that last speed fig. Not likely to improve enough to run a figure anywhere near today's Equibase class figure, so put her on the questionable challengers list. FASTER THEN LIGHT - The finish position of eighth in the last race shows me that this horse may be going off form.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:

Go with #4 JAZZY GENIUS on top if we're getting at least 5/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #7 - BELMONT PARK - 4:02 PM EASTERN POST

6½ FURLONGS DIRT THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $32,000.00 CLAIMING $53,000.00 PURSE

#8 ROYAL CURRIER
#6 REGULUS
#4 BERNIE THE MAESTRO
#7 BACK FORTY

#8 ROYAL CURRIER has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in four of his last five "adventures," including back-to-back "POWER RUN WINS" in his 2nd and 3rd races back.Jockey Irad Ortiz and Trainer David Jacobson send him to the post ... they've hit the board with an even 50% of their entries saddled as a team to date. #6 REGULUS, a 9-2 shot, shares the speed honors in this field sprinting at, or about 6½ furlongs on the dirt with my top pick in this race, and has turned in a trio of "POWER RUNS" in his respective last five outings, hitting the board in a pair, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his 5th race back.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Santa Anita Park

RACE #4 - SANTA ANITA PARK - 2:32 PM PACIFIC POST

8.0 FURLONGS TURF THREE YEAR OLDS $50,000.00 CLAIMING $45,000.00 PURSE

#1 NUMBER FIVE
#3 TOSHEEN
#4 FLAT GONE
#8 MY SECRET AFFAIR

#1 NUMBER FIVE takes a class drop (-8) this afternoon, and has produced "POWER RUNS" in each of his last four outings, hitting the board in three, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his 3rd race back. #3 TOSHEEN, a 5-1 shot, is the overall speed leader in this claiming field racing at the mile distance on the turf, and posted "Circle Trips" in both his 4th and 5th races back ... he's coming off "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in both of his last two "adventures," including a "POWER RUN SHOW" result in his 2nd race back. Jockey Edwin Maldonado and Trainer Peter Mullins send him to the post ... they've hit the board with 51% of their last 75 entries saddled as a team to date.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Thursday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Belmont Park (4th) Red Guard, 5-1
(5th) Jilly Mac, 3-1

Belterra (2nd) Jean Z, 4-1
(8th) Code Blue Zone, 4-1

Charles Town (4th) Crafty Mary, 7-2
(8th) Dynamonds Forever, 3-1


Delaware Park (2nd) Dry Run, 4-1
(8th) Picko's Pride, 9-2


Delta Downs (3rd) Elusive Best, 5-1
(6th) My Shout, 7-2


Finger Lakes (3rd) My Honey Laurie, 3-1
(4th) Beat of the Drum, 4-1


Golden Gate Fields (3rd) Boston Charley, 3-1
(4th) Vibrato Jazz, 3-1


Gulfstream Park West (1st) Monteamira, 4-1
(9th) C D Gold, 5-1


Hawthorne (5th) Blarney d'Or, 3-1
(6th) Street Law, 9-2


Indiana Grand (7th) Cat's in the Mood, 4-1
(8th) Stealthy Traveler, 9-2


Keeneland (7th) Joyful Moments, 6-1
(8th) Villandry, 6-1


Laurel Park (4th) Alfredo Romana, 7-2
(8th) Bama Bound, 3-1


Penn National (2nd) Miss Black Ice, 9-2
(4th) Becket's Calling, 7-2


Remington Park (2nd) Lila Grace, 4-1
(8th) Walk Around Zoe, 7-2


Santa Anita (3rd) Awesome Indy, 4-1
(8th) Ina Mina, 7-2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bumgarner gets shot to send Giants to World Series
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

SAN FRANCISCO -- Left-hander Madison Bumgarner will aim to repeat his Game 1 dominance when he starts for the Giants in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday, hoping to pitch San Francisco into the World Series.

However, a lot has changed in the five days since the shutout effort.

The biggest difference: the site.

When Bumgarner limited the Cardinals to four hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings in St. Louis on Saturday, it continued his remarkable run of road success this season. He went 11-4 with a 2.22 ERA away from home in the regular season, then pitched a shutout at Pittsburgh in the NL wild-card game.

However, Bumgarner hasn't been nearly as sharp at AT&T Park in San Francisco. He took the loss in the Giants' only setback in the NL Division Series against Washington at home, committing a crucial throwing error. In the regular season, he went just 7-6 with a 4.03 ERA in San Francisco.

Now he takes the mound at home with the Giants one win from a World Series matchup with the Kansas City Royals. San Francisco leads the NLCS three games to one after a 6-4 win Wednesday.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy had a chance to assure Bumgarner would pitch only road games in the NLCS by holding him back for Game 2 in St. Louis. That would have put him in line to pitch Game 6, if necessary, also in St. Louis.

Bochy chose to go immediately with his ace, but then he watched as the Giants lost Game 2 in St. Louis with right-hander Jake Peavy on the mound. Peavy is slated to make the Game 6 start in St. Louis should the series extend that far.

Bumgarner will be matched up with Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright, who wasn't himself in a Game 1 loss to San Francisco. The right-hander gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wainwright must escape slump to save Cards' season
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

SAN FRANCISCO -- St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright senses his postseason reputation is changing.

On Thursday, he will get one more chance to do something about it.

Wainwright, who won at least 19 games in four of his past five regular seasons, entered the 2013 World Series with stellar postseason record: 4-2 with four saves and a 2.10 ERA seven starts and nine relief appearances.

The Boston Red Sox beat him twice in the Fall Classic last fall, and his postseason woes continued this year.

Wainwright was torched for nine runs (eight earned) on 17 hits in nine innings in his first two postseason starts this month, series openers against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series and the San Francisco Giants in the NL Championship Series.

Just like that, his postseason record dropped to 4-4, his ERA rose to 3.17.

"What I want to get back into is throwing quality games in the postseason," Wainwright said on the eve of his Game 5 start in San Francisco. "You know, until last year's NLCS, I was undefeated in the postseason. I just don't want to get a bad rap (of not) being a good playoff pitcher.

"That's the time I want to shine the most. That's the time that every pitcher wants to shine the most. I know I'm capable of doing that."

He will need to get the job done Thursday against the Giants and ace Madison Bumgarner at AT&T Park to force the series back to St. Louis for Game 6. San Francisco took a three games to one lead with a 6-4 win Wednesday.