Thursday 10/22/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Coyotes (3-2) at Rangers (4-2)

Date: October 22, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Although "King Henrik" is expected to be back in net for the New York Rangers, the club's star goaltender must have enjoyed the debut of his new backup.

Following a shutout from Antti Raanta, Henrik Lundqvist is set to face Arizona for the first time since the Rangers acquired standout defenseman Keith Yandle from the Coyotes last season.

Lundqvist started the first six games for New York (4-2-1), posting a 2.16 goals-against average and .931 save percentage before resting Monday against San Jose. With the Rangers playing a back-to-back and having lost three in a row, Raanta stopped 22 shots in a 4-0 victory.

Raanta, acquired from Chicago in a draft-day trade in June, joined Hal Winkler (1926), John Ross Roach ('28) and Marcel Paille ('57) as the only goaltenders to post a shutout in their first start with the Rangers.

Marc Staal, Mats Zuccarello, Jesper Fast and Viktor Stalberg scored for the Rangers, who were outscored 9-2 and went 0 for 12 on the power play during their 0-2-1 stretch.

"Everyone in the room knows that the level we were playing at isn't acceptable," Staal said. "It's something we wanted to take care of."

New York capitalized on its one chance with the man advantage against San Jose.

The Rangers acquired Yandle from the Coyotes (3-2-1) in a multiplayer deal March 1. Although he wasn't as big a factor as the club had hoped with two goals and nine assists in 19 playoff games, he did post a plus-7 rating in those contests and is expected to play a larger role in 2015-16.

Yandle had 65 goals and 246 assists in his eight-plus seasons with Arizona.

"When you're traded you're all in with the team you're with," Yandle told the Rangers' official website. "You try not to dwell in the past, just move forward. For me it's all been about coming to my new team here and helping us win."

One of the promising pieces New York sent west in the Yandle deal was Anthony Duclair, and the young forward has been playing well for Arizona with five goals - including a hat trick against Anaheim last Wednesday - and two assists.

That 4-0 victory over the Ducks was the last of three straight to open the season, and the Coyotes have scored eight goals during the ensuing three-game skid.

Another big issue has been goaltending. Mike Smith allowed two goals during the first three games but has surrendered 11 on 85 shots in the last three. He was yanked after giving up three goals in the first 27 minutes against Minnesota last Thursday, and also let in five against Boston on Saturday.

Smith improved a bit with 22 saves against New Jersey on Tuesday but gave up a goal 43 seconds into overtime in a 3-2 loss. Duclair and Mikkel Boedker scored for Arizona in the opener of a five-game East Coast road trip.

"We have some areas we want to clean up and be harder to play against," Smith told the Coyotes' official website. "You saw that if somebody blows a wheel or turns the puck over, it's an opportunity the other way in overtime.

"The urgency, I feel, hasn't been there."

The Rangers have won three straight matchups and 11 of 14. They've taken six in a row at Madison Square Garden.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Stars (5-1) at Penguins (3-3)

Date: October 22, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Penguins' struggling power play finally broke through in the club's third consecutive victory.

They'll try to close out their longest homestand of their year with another win Thursday night against the Dallas Stars, whose offense has been flourishing behind Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.

Pittsburgh (3-3-0) had been 0 for 17 on the power play before breaking out for two such scores in three opportunities in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory against Florida. Sidney Crosby, suffering through his longest-ever point drought to begin a season, finally put himself on the scoresheet with a first-period power-play goal. He also assisted on Phil Kessel's even-strength goal in the second and Evgeni Malkin's winning power-play score.

The Penguins, who are playing the last of five straight home games before playing six of their next seven on the road, are averaging 33.7 shots, but 1.7 goals.

"I thought we generated some good chances all night," said Crosby, who has seven goals and two assists in four career home games against Dallas. "Could've had more, but it's nice to see that first one go in."

Malkin has scored in three straight games after going without a goal in 13 straight going back to last season - the second-longest drought of his career. Two have been game-winners, already half of his total from a season ago.

"He's a dominant player," defenseman Kris Letang, second on the club with four points, told the team's official website. "It's the player that we expect him to be."

Dallas (5-1-0) is averaging 3.5 goals per game and has scored six times on 20 power-play opportunities. The Stars have won four in a row, with each of the last three coming on the road. They've won 11 of 13 away form home going back to last season.

Seguin and Benn each had a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 2-1 win at Philadelphia as the Stars continued to erase memories of last year's slow start when they dropped 17 of their first 26 contests and finished seven points out of a playoff spot.

"It's been our message the last six months," Seguin said. "Our start is huge. We're playing good hockey and finding ways to win."

Seguin and Benn have 10 points apiece, trailing only Boston's David Krejci (11) for the league lead. They're the franchise's first teammates with 10 points apiece through the first six games since Brian Bellows, Mike Gartner and Larry Murphy combined for 32 points in 1989-90 for the Minnesota North Stars.

No teammates had done it league-wide since Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski for San Jose and Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos for Tampa Bay in 2012-13 .

While Dallas' excellent offense doesn't exactly come as a surprise considering the team added Patrick Sharp after finishing second in the league with 3.1 goals per game in 2014-15, the goaltending has been a revelation.

The Stars ranked 29th last season with a .895 save percentage, but new addition Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen have combined for a .925 mark thus far.

Benn has five goals in his last six meetings with Pittsburgh, and Dallas has won three straight matchups while limiting the Penguins to three goals.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Devils (2-3) at Senators (2-2)

Date: October 22, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

"The Hamburglar" was the primary reason the Ottawa Senators were able to steal a playoff spot last season with one of the best closing runs in NHL history.

Andrew Hammond now sets out to prove he isn't a one-year wonder as the goaltender is scheduled to make his season debut Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils.

Pressed into duty in mid-February after injuries to Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner, Anderson took the league by storm as he became only the second goaltender in history to get at least one point in his first 15 starts, going 14-0-1. The man with the McDonald's character on his helmet finished with a 20-1-2 mark, backstopping the Senators (3-2-1) to one of the wild-card spots, but he failed to carry over that play into the postseason, giving up seven goals in losing the first two games of their first-round series at Montreal before giving way to Anderson in Ottawa's eventual exit in six games.

Hammond parlayed his stretch run into a three-year, $4 million contract extension with Ottawa, which traded Lehner to Buffalo in the offseason. Hammond, who has never faced the Devils, has yet to play due to a strained groin suffered in the preseason, with Anderson getting five starts and Matthew O'Connor one before he was sent to Binghamton.

"You learn good habits in practice that will translate into the game," Hammond said Wednesday at practice. "That's been my focus since training camp started, making sure I make the most of each practice, and coming back from injury, that's even more important. It's been the case last week that I've had really good practices and I'm happy with how they've gone."

Ottawa has been idle since a 4-3 shootout loss to Nashville on Saturday. The top line of Kyle Turris, Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone accounted for all the goals, with Hoffman getting a pair, and the trio have combined for nine goals and 14 assists thus far.

Stone, Turris and two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson share the team lead with eight points, and Karlsson likely will be paired with Mark Borowiecki on the blue line for this game since Marc Methot has been ruled out with a concussion. Forward Clarke MacArthur is also sidelined due to a concussion - the second one he's suffered in eight months - and is sidelined indefinitely.

"The carryover from last year obviously is a big factor and we have to be fair to Clarke and our team in that we allow him to have some time to fully recover and be back in the lineup when he's fully healthy," general manager Bryan Murray said.

New Jersey (2-3-1) has posted back-to-back overtime wins after losing its first four games and is coming off a 3-2 victory over Arizona on Tuesday. Adam Larsson netted the winner 43 seconds into the extra period, finishing a 3-on-1 off a pass from Travis Zajac - who had a goal and two assists for his first points of the season.

'One of the things we didn't have in the first few games was elevated performances by real important guys on our team, guys who are the leaders,' coach John Hynes said. 'The last three games we have had that.'

The Devils have tightened defensively while getting points from their last three games, yielding five goals after allowing 11 in the first three. Cory Schneider is 3-1-1 with a 1.17 goals-against average in five lifetime starts against the Senators, compiling a .954 save percentage.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jackets (0-7) at Wild (3-1)

Date: October 22, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

(AP) - John Tortorella hoisted a Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay and led the New York Rangers to the verge of a championship berth.

At woebegone Columbus, the Blue Jackets have a more modest goal for the veteran coach: Win a game.

Tortorella is back coaching in the NHL after the Blue Jackets fired Todd Richards on Wednesday with the team off to a franchise-worst 0-7-0 start. He'll make his debut when Columbus visits the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.

'He's proven he's a good coach,' said center Brandon Dubinsky, who played for Tortorella with the Rangers from 2008-12. 'He's going to help our group."

Tortorella, who won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004, has been out of hockey since Vancouver fired him in May 2014 after one season. He takes over for Richards, who had been with the Blue Jackets since 2012 and led them to their second playoff appearance in team history in 2013-14, when they lost to Pittsburgh in the opening round.

'One of the problems right now is expectations,' said Tortorella, who signed a three-year contract. 'Expectations that weren't there last year with this club.'

Columbus is the first team to start with seven straight defeats since Chicago in 1997-98 after a 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday. That's not the type of start that was expected from a team that restocked its roster this summer after closing last season on a 16-2-1 run.

'It was a tough start,' right wing Jared Boll said. 'Everything kept snowballing and losses kept piling up. It's still only seven games. We've got a lot of hockey. We can't hang our heads and feel sorry for ourselves and make excuses.'

The Blue Jackets play seven of their next eight games on the road. Tortorella said he wanted to learn as much as he could about his struggling team.

'I need to listen,' he said. 'I want the players to speak to the staff just to find out where they're at.'

Dubinsky, who butted heads with Tortorella at times in New York, said he now appreciates how the coach elevated his game.

'He got things out of me I didn't know I had,' Dubinsky said. 'He's helped my career and I anticipate he's going to help a lot of guys here, especially with the amount of young guys we have here.'

For his part, Tortorella said Dubinsky was the first player he talked to when he arrived at Nationwide Arena on Wednesday.

'I need to lean on him,' Tortorella said. 'He's part of that heartbeat of the club. He needs to be a conduit between the players and the coaching staff until I get to know the other guys.'

One positive he can relay to his new club is that the Blue Jackets have outscored Minnesota 13-5 while winning the last five meetings. The Wild (3-1-1) are coming off a 4-1 loss to previously winless Anaheim on Sunday, their second straight defeat after winning their first three.

"We haven't been really at the level we need to be, so there are things that we have to fix and be better at, and that will help us," forward Zach Parise told the Wild's official website. "There are a lot of things that go into a team looking fast, and playing fast. Our play with the puck has got to be a lot better."

Devan Dubnyk is 4-1-1 with a 1.65 goals-against average in his last six starts against the Blue Jackets and could be in net for this game. Sergei Bobrovsky, who has a 5.07 GAA in five starts, could go for Columbus.

Bobrovsky is 5-1-0 with a 1.46 GAA in his career against the Wild.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Ducks (1-3) at Predators (3-1)

Date: October 22, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Anaheim Ducks put their dreadful offensive start to an end, but they're still waiting for a number of their top players to find the back of the net.

Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler have had little trouble scoring against Nashville recently, however, and they hope that continues when they visit the Predators on Thursday night.

Anaheim (1-3-1) had been shut out in three of its first four games prior to Sunday's 4-1 home win against Minnesota. Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, Rickard Rakell and Mike Santorelli all scored as the Ducks needed five games for a victory for the first time since 2008-09.

Their first win came despite a season-low 22 shots after Anaheim had combined for 72 shots in its previous two games.

"Getting the two points is really important for the psyche of the group," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Now we understand that we can score and play well at times. Hopefully it's like snowball and it builds. I mean, we're not out of the woods or anything, but it was a step in the right direction."

Boudreau's club is still the only team yet to score a power-play goal, failing on all 13 opportunities. The Ducks had issues on the man advantage last season, too, finishing 28th with a 15.7 percent success rate.

Perry, Getzlaf and Kesler, Anaheim's top three returning goal scorers, are all still without a goal despite a combined 31 shots. Getzlaf and Perry at least recorded their first points with an assist apiece against the Wild, while Kesler is still yet to find the scoresheet.

The Ducks have averaged 3.6 goals while winning eight of the last nine meetings - including four straight in Nashville - and each member of that trio has experienced success in the series. Perry has six goals and nine assists in his last 14 meetings, Kesler has four goals in his last three trips to Nashville and Getzlaf has five goals and six assists in his last six matchups.

The Predators (5-1-0) come off back-to-back shootout wins against Ottawa and Tampa Bay. James Neal scored twice in Tuesday's 5-4 victory over the Lightning, pushing his season total to a team-best five - all of which have come in his last three games on 18 shots.

Neal also started hot last season with five goals in his first seven games, though he cooled off with four in his next 19 before finishing with 23 in his first season in Nashville.

"For me, I want to score. I need to score," he said. "When the opportunities are there, you want to bury them, and right now, I feel like those chances are there. I have to take advantage of that."

Pekka Rinne had another difficult outing, allowing four goals for the second straight start after he had given up only two on 80 shots in his first three.

"It was a fun game to play, a little bit frustrating as a goalie," said Rinne, who is 1-3-0 with a 4.18 goals-against average in his last four starts against the Ducks. "I don't want to give up four every night, but it was fun."

Nashville has outscored opponents 6-0 in the first period, while Anaheim has been outscored 5-2 in the first 20 minutes.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Panthers (3-2) at Blackhawks (3-3)

Date: October 22, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

The Chicago Blackhawks are a long way from where they're used to being, and they will need to get back on track without one of their biggest stars.

The Blackhawks will take on the visiting Florida Panthers on Thursday night without two-time Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith, who underwent knee surgery Tuesday and will miss four to six weeks.

Last season's Conn Smythe Trophy winner had a meniscal tear repaired in his right knee, something coach Joel Quenneville said had been bothering his top defenseman. He was placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, meaning he will miss at least 10 games.

Keith only has two assists but he's led the Blackhawks in average ice time the last 10 seasons.

'Obviously, you look at a guy like Duncs, he can be arguably maybe the most valuable guy on the team with what he brings to the table,' forward Patrick Kane said.

It's another pothole on a bumpy early season road for Chicago (3-3-0), which needed another face-lift after its third Stanley Cup in six seasons and will be forced to mix around its defensive pairings without Keith.

David Rundblad, Viktor Svedberg and Trevor Daley may be in line for more ice time, and Michal Rozsival could return next month from long-term injured reserve. Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson remain as Chicago's longtime back liners.

'A lot of defensemen are going to get a lot more responsibility, quality enhanced in their ice time as well,' Quenneville said. 'I don't think we want to change our style of play, but at the same time we want to make sure that we're tight.'

Defense and goaltending has been an issue at times for the Blackhawks, who have allowed four goals in their wins and 10 in their losses.

Twice Corey Crawford has lost while surrendering three goals on less than 30 shots, but he has allowed three goals on 59 shots in his two wins.

Florida (3-2-1) has been about as hit-or-miss. The Panthers have 14 goals in their wins and four in their defeats. They are 5 for 15 on the power play in victories compared to 0 for 9 otherwise.

The top line has done much of the damage with Jaromir Jagr and Aleksander Barkov combining for seven goals and 13 points, while Jonathan Huberdeau has two assists.

Florida was lucky to get a point from a 3-2 overtime loss at Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The Panthers trailed 2-0 late but tied the game with goals from Quinton Howden and Derek MacKenzie in the final 11 minutes, 4 seconds.

The goals were the first of the season from Howden and MacKenzie, light contributors on the offensive end.

"They played the game with real good passion and good work ethic," coach Gerard Gallant said. "You hope that rubs off on some of the top players sometimes."

Crawford has won four of his last five starts against Florida, two in shootouts, with a 0.91 goals-against average and .964 save percentage. Roberto Luongo has lost each of his last four against Chicago, one in a shootout, with a 2.49 GAA and .925 save percentage.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Capitals (4-1) at Canucks (2-1)

Date: October 22, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

The Washington Capitals opened their trip through Western Canada with their best scoring performance of the season and another milestone for the red-hot Alex Ovechkin.

Ovechkin tries to score in a fifth consecutive game Thursday night while leading the Capitals to their first road win over the Vancouver Canucks in 14 seasons.

Washington (4-1-0) pulled away for a 6-2 victory over Calgary on Tuesday with a trio of second-period goals and Ovechkin started the run just 30 seconds after the intermission. The tally also represented his 900th career point, and he registered his 901st by assisting on T.J. Oshie's third goal in as many contests.

"It's still real early, but these five games have been a good stepping stone. We've got some good tests coming up in teams, and that will be where we'll really have to be prepared," goaltender Braden Holtby told the team's official website. "Vancouver is really going to be a very good test for us. If we can stick to our game plan and not get too far ahead of ourselves, we'll be successful."

The Capitals have outscored opponents 14-4 during a three-game winning streak. Nicklas Backstrom has three goals and two assists in two games since returning from a hip injury.

He'll try to provide another standout performance while sending the Capitals to their first win in Vancouver since Feb. 14, 2001. Washington has gone 0-5-1 in its last six trips and is 2-10-1 in its past 13 overall matchups.

The Capitals dropped both games last season, falling 4-2 in Vancouver on Oct. 26.

The Canucks, however, enter this matchup having gone winless in their first three home games (0-1-2) for the first time since 1995-96. They haven't gone winless in four straight home games to open a season since 1994-95.

Vancouver (3-1-2) dropped to 1 for 20 on the power play by going 0 for 2 in Sunday's 2-1 overtime loss to Edmonton and is hoping to use its three-day break to its advantage.

"It was nice to practice a bit and work on our systems. Obviously, we weren't too happy with our result against Edmonton," defenseman Christopher Tanev said. "It's good to get back at practice for a few days and work hard and hopefully be prepared for (Thursday)."

The Canucks have kept Ovechkin to a combined three goals in his last eight matchups. He had a goal and an assist in each of his first two.

Vancouver's Daniel Sedin has five goals and five assists in a five-game point streak against the Capitals. Radim Vrbata has four goals and four assists in his last five meetings, but doesn't have a point so far this season after producing a career-best 63 in 2014-15, including 31 goals.

Ryan Miller has been in net in every game for the Canucks and is 4-1-0 with a 2.13 goals-against average in his last five games against Washington, including both matchups last season.

Holtby is slated to start in Vancouver and Philipp Grubauer will make his season debut in the finale of the road trip Friday against Edmonton. Holtby took a 4-3 loss in his only game versus the Canucks on Dec. 2.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kings (2-3) at Sharks (3-2)

Date: October 22, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

While the Los Angeles Kings appear to have righted themselves since a season-opening loss to San Jose, the Sharks have been veering off course following a splendid start.

The Sharks hope a return home triggers a return to early season form when the Pacific Division rivals face off again Thursday.

A 5-1 road win over the Kings on opening night fueled a 4-0-0 start for San Jose (4-2-0) under new coach Peter DeBoer, but the Sharks have since been outscored 10-3 in consecutive defeats to the New York Islanders and Rangers that concluded a four-game trip.

An offense that produced 16 goals through the first five games managed 22 shots - 9.5 less than its season average - against Rangers backup goaltender Antti Raanta in Monday's 4-0 loss. Counterpart Martin Jones stopped just 24 of 28 shots after posting a 0.49 goals-against average in winning his first four starts with the Sharks.

'We lost pretty much every facet of the game,' DeBoer said. 'Lost races to pucks, lost battles, lost special teams (battles). There's a price to pay to win and the other team was more willing to pay that price than us so we got what we deserved.'

San Jose had no such issues in its Oct. 7 visit to Staples Center, where it outshot the Kings 32-20 and beat Jonathan Quick for five unanswered goals after Los Angeles' Nick Shore scored 1:49 in.

The loss was one of three straight for Los Angeles (2-3-0) during a five-game homestand, but it's rebounded with consecutive 2-1 victories over Minnesota and Colorado to close out the residency.

Improved play from Quick has been essential to the resurgence. After registering a 3.70 GAA and .861 save percentage in the three losses, the 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy recipient turned back 47 of 49 chances in the wins.

Tyler Toffoli aided the cause with his third goal in four games in Sunday's triumph over the Avalanche, in which Marian Gaborik registered his first of the season. The Kings had just two goals during their losing streak.

'I just think we're playing a lot faster,' Toffoli said. 'We're playing a lot faster in our own zone, using our speed breaking out and coming through the neutral zone, and finishing our plays.'

Los Angeles continues to struggle on the power play, though, ranking 29th in the league with a 1 for 21 success rate. The Kings were 0 for 6 with the man advantage while the Sharks received power-play scores from Joe Pavelski and Tomas Hertl in the previous meeting.

San Jose hasn't produced a power-play goal in three straight games coinciding with Logan Couture's absence. The talented center is expected to miss four to six weeks after breaking his right fibula in practice last Thursday. The defense has been hit with a significant loss as well with veteran Paul Martin having missed the two defeats with a lower-body injury.

Including their comeback from a 3-0 deficit in a 2014 first-round series, the Kings have won seven of the teams' past 10 matchups. They were dealt a 4-2 loss in their lone visit to San Jose last season as Couture scored twice, but Quick stopped 31 shots in a 2-1 victory at Levi's Stadium on Feb. 21.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Dallas Stars won last four games, allowing eight goals. Penguins won last three games, allowing total of three goals.
-- Devils won last two games; their last three went OT/SO.
-- Nashville won five of its first six games.
-- Chicago won last two home games, 4-1/4-1.
-- Washington won last three games, outscoring foes 14-4.
-- Kings won last two games, both by 2-1 scores; they've scored six goals in five games.

Cold teams
-- Arizona lost last three games, allowing 12 goals. Rangers lost three of last four games.
-- Senators lost three of their last four games.
-- Ducks lost four of last five games, scoring five goals.
-- Columbus is 0-7 already; this is first game for new coach Tortorella. Minnesota lost 4-1/2-1 in its last two games.
-- Florida lost its last two games, 3-2/4-2.
-- Vancouver is 0-3 at home this season, 3-0 on road.
-- San Jose lost its last two games, 4-0/6-3.

Series records
-- Rangers won eight of last ten games with Arizona.
-- Dallas Stars won four of last five games with Pittsburgh.
-- Senators won six of last nine games with New Jersey.
-- Ducks won eight of last nine games with Nashville.
-- Minnesota lost its last five games with the Blue Jackets.
-- Blackhawks won their last seven games with Florida
-- Canucks won six of last seven games with Washington.
-- Kings won seven of last ten games with San Jose.

Totals
-- Last four Ranger games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Dallas-Pittsburgh games stayed under.
-- Last four New Jersey-Ottawa games stayed under.
-- Last seven Anaheim-Nashville games went over total.
-- Under is 8-0-1 in last nine Columbus-Minnesota games.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Chicago-Florida games.
-- Over is 4-1 in last five Vancouver-Washington games.
-- Last three San Jose games stayed under the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Thursday's Tip Sheet
By Joe Nelson

The Thursday night schedule in college football features three games this week with important closely-lined matchups in the Sun Belt, AAC, and Pac-12. A lot is at stake in the conference races in these Thursday night games that will feature six quality teams with a combined record of 29-8.

Match-up: Georgia Southern Eagles at Appalachian State Mountaineers
Venue: Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina
Time/TV: Thursday, October 22, 7:30 PM ET – ESPNU
Line: Appalachian State -6, Over/Under 63
Last Meeting: 2014, at Georgia Southern (-19½) 34, Appalachian State 14

Both Georgia Southern and Appalachian State had quick success joining the FBS level last season. Willie Fritz took over the Georgia Southern program last season after Jeff Monken left to take the Army head coaching position and right out of gate the Eagles looked like they belonged, giving NC State and Georgia Tech tough games in non-conference action. The Eagles wound up 9-3 on the season with a perfect 8-0 record in the Sun Belt, but the team was not eligible for the postseason.

Appalachian State did not appear quite ready to for the jump in competition with losses in five of the first six games, including losing by 20 at Georgia Southern in the first Sun Belt game for both teams. In the second half of the season, the Mountaineers rattled off six consecutive wins posting big numbers in the process as well and the Mountaineers opened the 2015 season as the favorites in the Sun Belt.

Georgia Southern lost badly in its opening game against West Virginia, but quarterback Kevin Ellison was suspended for the first two weeks. The Week 2 win over Western Michigan looks pretty impressive at this point in the season although the four wins since that game have not come against quality competition. After being shutout in the opening week, the Eagles have scored at least 43 points in all five games and Georgia Southern is the #1 rushing team in the nation with 399 yards per game.

Appalachian State also took a lopsided non-conference loss, losing 41-10 at Clemson but the statistics were respectable in that game. The 5-1 start has not featured stiff competition either, but three of the wins have come on the road for the Mountaineers. The Appalachian State defense is allowing fewer than 12 points per game and the Mountaineers are 17th nationally in total offense and 15th in scoring offense.

Some players to keep an eye on are Georgia Southern running back Matt Breida who has rushed for 875 yards this season on an incredible 10.3 yards per carry. Appalachian State running back Marcus Cox has impressed as well with 687 yards on 5.9 yards per carry with both players coming off over 1,400-yard seasons last year. Georgia Southern safety Antonio Glover and Appalachian State corner Latrell Gibbs are both among the national leaders with five interceptions each with Gibbs returning two picks for touchdowns.

Match-up: Temple Owls at East Carolina Pirates
Venue: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina
Time/TV: Thursday, October 22, 7:00 PM ET – ESPN2
Line: East Carolina -3, Over/Under 53
Last Meeting: 2014, at Temple (+10) 20, East Carolina 10

The American Athletic Conference has been an afterthought in the national picture, but the conference is starting to build its reputation with a group of former Big East squads and some promising newcomers. Three AAC teams currently sit in the AP top 25 with undefeated 6-0 records and the league can collectively boast about non-conference wins over Miami, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Louisville, and Ole Miss.

The AAC is split into two divisions this season and there will be a championship game in December after three teams split the conference title last season at 7-1. In the East division, the top contenders appear to be Temple and East Carolina and this Thursday night matchup will likely play a big role in that race. Temple is 3-0 in league play and the Owls already have a win over the preseason division favorite Cincinnati. Temple will have a tough crossover game with Memphis in November, as there is not a great margin for error and this head-to-head battle will determine the tiebreaker in most scenarios. East Carolina lost at Navy for its lone miss in conference play, but a win this week would put the Pirates in the driver’s seat and the home finale with Cincinnati will be the toughest remaining test.

With wins over Penn State and Cincinnati in the first two weeks, Temple made national headlines, but the schedule has been very weak since and the Owls have had some inconsistent performances, including nearly losing to Massachusetts. The Owls have a veteran defense that is allowing fewer than 15 points per game, but the offensive numbers are marginal although running back Jahad Thomas already has 756 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker is a third year starter and he has transformed into a pure pocket passer after being much more of a runner early in his career. Walker has only topped 200 yards passing once this season as this is a team that leans on the running game and defense.

East Carolina is just 4-3, but the schedule has been difficult with losses against Florida, Navy, and BYU, all of which were on the road. Projected starting quarterback Kurt Benkert was injured just before the season started, but Blake Kemp has done a capable job leading the offense with 71 percent completions and over 1,500 yards passing. He does have six interceptions but also 10 touchdown passes. The Pirates are starting to more consistently use two quarterbacks as James Summers played a lot of snaps last week and he provides a significant rushing presence that will be a change of pace and a challenge for the Temple defense.

Match-up: California Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins
Venue: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
Time/TV: Thursday, October 22, 9:00 PM ET – ESPN
Line: UCLA -3, Over/Under 67½
Last Meeting: 2014, UCLA (-7) 36, at California 34

A few weeks ago, UCLA was the #7 ranked team in the nation and considered a national playoff contender. The Bruins have now lost back-to-back games by lopsided margins and the defense has been crippled with injuries. At 1-2 in league play, UCLA is staring up at Utah who is 3-0 in conference play and the Bruins will head to Salt Lake City in November and then close the season across town at USC as there are still tough games ahead.

California already has as many wins last season with a 5-0 start that turned to 5-1 losing at Utah in the last game for the Bears. It seems likely that California will make its first bowl appearance since 2011 and the first under Sony Dykes who is in his third season in Berkeley. The second half schedule features five very difficult games as the home game with Oregon State looks like possibly the only game in which the Bears will be favored.

These teams played at a similar juncture last season as it was a very entertaining game with Cal erasing a 24-14 deficit in the second half and UCLA kicking a field goal in the final minutes to go ahead while Cal quarterback Jared Goff was intercepted near the end zone to end the game after the Bears moved near field goal range. Goff and current Packers reserve Brett Hundley both threw for over 300 yards in that game with UCLA also doing great damage on the ground, but needing to overcome a 3-1 turnover deficit.

Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen had a very impressive start to the season for UCLA, but he now has seven interceptions with some shaky performances in the two defeats. Running back Paul Perkins has done his part with nearly 700 yards rushing on 6.0 yards per carry. UCLA has faced a very difficult schedule overall and the next several weeks should provide an opportunity for the Bruins to rebuild their record as they will be favored each of the next four games although playing as just a slight favorite this week.

The non-conference win at Texas was big for the California program and taking care of business in tight games with wins over Washington and Washington State to start the Pac-12 season were critical to getting the Bears back to respectability following a 1-11 season in 2013. Beating one of the Pac-12 powers on the road would be a huge step and this has to be viewed as one of the biggest games of the season for the Bears. USC and Oregon are next on the schedule as the Bears could be in a delicate position as a four-game slide to wipe away the strong start is certainly a realistic possibility.

Goff is emerging as a NFL prospect in his junior season, completing 67 percent of his passes while almost eclipsing 2,000 yards already this season. Goff has 17 touchdowns, but also nine interceptions as he is asked to carry a heavy load for the offense, averaging nearly 40 throws per game. Kenny Lawler has 34 receptions and eight touchdowns as the junior has been the favorite target.

Both teams have fairly average defensive numbers with the schedule for UCLA certainly rating as a tougher overall slate at this point. California has actually won S/U in four of the past seven meetings and nine of the last 16 meetings, covering as well in five of the last seven. California has only won one of the last seven meetings at the Rose Bowl, going 1-5-1 ATS in that span since 2001 including losing by 27 two years ago.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Game of the Day: California at UCLA

California Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins (-3.5, 68)

California looks to bounce back from its first loss on Thursday as the 19th-ranked Golden Bears visit injury-plagued UCLA, which has struggled without three defensive starters. The Bruins, who have dropped back-to-back games after opening with four straight wins, spent their bye week searching for ways to slow down a California offense that ranks 12th nationally in scoring at 40.2 points per game.

The Golden Bears have been off since Oct. 10, when quarterback Jared Goff’s Heisman Trophy campaign derailed as the junior threw five interceptions in a 30-24 loss at Utah. Goff is tied for eighth nationally in touchdown passes (17) and is 12th in passing yards (1,970) despite playing behind an offensive line that has allowed 11 sacks in the past three games. He should have more time to throw against a depleted UCLA defense that has lost tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, linebacker Myles Jack and cornerback Fabian Moreau to season-ending injuries. If UCLA is going to avoid its first three-game regular-season losing streak since 2010, the Bruins will likely need freshman quarterback Josh Rosen to keep pace with Goff and the high-powered California offense.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Thursday, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: UCLA opened as 4-point home favorites and have come down slightly to sit at -3.5. Meanwhile, the total has been on the rise since opening at 65.5 and now sits at 68.

INJURY REPORT:

California - RB D. Lasco (probable Thursday, hip).

UCLA - OL A. Redmond (probable Thursday, hand), LB D. Hollins (questionable Thursday, knee), RB N. Starks (questionable Thursday, head), OL P. Moala (questionable Thursday, hand), OL C. McDermott (doubtful Thursday, knee), WR T. Scott (out for season, knee).

WEATHER REPORT: It should be a beautiful night for football in Pasadena. It should be a clear night in temperatures in the low 70's at gametime. There will also be a slight six mile per hour wind blowing towards the north endzone.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Both teams enter the game off disappointing losses, the Bears their first of the season and the Bruins off back-to-backs defeats. Cal’s 13–4-1 ATS mark in games off a loss is intriguing but they just had their “bubble burst” and the visiting team is 0-5 ATS. Can’t see UCLA dropping three in a row." - Marc Lawrence

ABOUT CALIFORNIA (5-1, 4-2 ATS, 2-4 O/U): The Golden Bears are seeking to avenge their 36-34 loss to UCLA last season, when Goff threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns, including one to wide receiver Kenny Lawler, who leads this year’s squad with 34 catches, 465 yards and eight TDs. The running game could receive a spark if Daniel Lasco (hip) is available after missing most of the last four games. Defensive end Kyle Kragen (35 tackles and five sacks) heads a unit that ranks first in the nation with 21 turnovers gained but failed to contain Utah’s Devontae Booker, who rushed for 222 yards and two scores.

ABOUT UCLA (4-2, 2-3-1 ATS, 2-4 O/U): Rosen has thrown for 889 yards and seven touchdowns in his last three games, but he’s been sacked five times in the last two and will likely be without starting left tackle Conor McDermott, who is listed as questionable due to a sprained knee. Paul Perkins, who leads UCLA with 681 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, could receive a heavy workload against a California defense that was dominated by Utah’s ground game. Run defense has been a major concern for UCLA, which is allowing 285 rushing yards per game in Pac-12 play after Stanford ran for 310 in last Thursday’s 56-35 win over the Bruins.

TRENDS:

* Home team is 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* California is 1-5-1 ATS in the last seven meetings at UCLA.
* Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings at UCLA.

CONSENSUS: The public is split almost dead even for this Pac-12 matchup, with 51.03 percent of wagers backing California.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Seahawks head to SF

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-4) at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-4)

Line: Seattle -6, Total: 42.5

A pair of slumping division rivals will open play in Week 7 when the Seahawks visit the 49ers.

Seattle (1-4-1 ATS) has held a fourth-quarter lead in all four of its defeats this season, including last week's 27-23 home loss to Carolina. Now the team has to go on the road where it is 0-3 SU (0-2-1 ATS) and giving up an eye-popping 29.3 PPG. After three straight losses by a combined 79 points, San Francisco (3-3 ATS) has two straight ATS wins with a last-minute road loss to the Giants followed by a 25-20 home win over Baltimore last week.

These NFC West combatants have played five straight defensive matchups finishing Under the total. The Seahawks have won four of these games (5-0 ATS) including a 19-3 road win last season and a 17-7 home victory three weeks later. Since 1992, the 49ers are only 11-17 SU (9-19 ATS) in this rivalry. Seattle has some favorable betting trends this week with a 17-7 ATS record versus bad defenses (24+ PPG) under head coach Pete Carroll and the fact that NFL teams coming off upset wins as home underdogs are only 46-84 ATS in the past five seasons. But San Francisco bettors can point to home underdogs (or pick) with a good offense (5.4+ yards per play) after allowing 400+ total yards in two straight games going 36-14 ATS since 1983. Also, its Thursday opponent is 0-6 ATS on the road in the past two seasons after a game where 50+ total points were scored.

Because of the short week, there are several injuries for both teams to contend with. The Seahawks defense could be severely short-handed with LB Bobby Wagner (pectoral), DT Jordan Hill (quad) and CB Tye Smith (hip) all questionable, while the 49ers could be slowed in the ground game with RB Reggie Bush (calf) and G Brandon Thomas questionable, and top RB Carlos Hyde still not 100 percent recovered from a foot injury.

Seattle is gaining a respectable 352 total YPG (138 rushing, 214 passing) on 6.0 yards per play this season, but has scored 26 points or less in five straight games. QB Russell Wilson has completed 69% of his throws, but has just 7 TD passes (and 3 INT) over six games. Although his passing numbers haven't been great in this series (179 YPG, 9 TD, 5 INT), Wilson is a perfect 7-0 ATS (5-2 SU) against the 49ers.

The Seahawks are gaining a strong 4.8 yards per carry this season, but star RB Marshawn Lynch (3.3 YPC, 1 TD) is the team's only main rusher below 5.0 YPC. Lynch has been slowed by a hamstring injury that kept him out of action for two games and he managed only 54 yards on 17 carries (3.2 YPC) in last week's loss to Carolina. The one positive for this offense in the Panthers defeat was the play of TE Jimmy Graham who caught eight passes for 140 yards. When Graham faced the Niners last year as member of the Saints, he hauled in 10 receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

The Seattle defense has underachieved all season (20.8 PPG, 320 total YPG), especially on the road where opponents have 29.3 PPG on 377 total YPG (6.0 yards per play). The much-ballyhooed "Legion of Boom" has given up 220 passing YPG (6.9 YPA) on 66% completions to opposing quarterbacks, including 273 passing YPG (7.9 YPA) on 70% completions on the road. Also, the unit has forced only six forced turnovers in the past five games combined, and are facing a team with zero giveaways in two straight contests.

San Francisco's offense managed just 12.0 PPG in the first four weeks of the season, but has more than doubled that (26.0 PPG) in the past two games. A big part of that surge has been the play of WR Anquan Boldin (333 rec yds, 2 TD) who has back-to-back, 100-yard receiving games. QB Colin Kaepernick has thrown for 222 YPG on a respectable completion percentage (62.4%) this season, but has just 6 TD and 5 INT through six contests. He has been dreadful in this rivalry too, going 2-5 SU (0-7 ATS) with 137 passing YPG, 3 TD and 9 INT.

With that in mind, the Niners will try to establish the ground game that opened the season with 230 rushing yards versus Minnesota, but has averaged only 101 YPG in five games since. The lowest output of the year was 65 yards on 25 carries last week, but the team is hoping RB Carlos Hyde (430 rush yds, 4.1 YPC, 3 TD) is healthier this time around. Seattle has given up 244 yards on the ground (3.8 YPC) in the past two weeks and San Francisco has run for at least 140 yards in three of the past four meetings with the Seahawks.

The Niners defense has been terrible all season in allowing 26.7 PPG and 409 total YPG. While the run-stop unit has been respectable (103 YPG on 4.0 YPC), the passing defense has surrendered a gaudy 306 YPG on 8.0 YPA and 70% completions. And even with two takeaways last week, the unit has only five forced turnovers through six games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

TNF - Seahawks at 49ers
By Tony Mejia

Only one of these NFC West teams was expected to be 2-4 entering Week 7, but that doesn’t mean San Francisco can’t rise up and surprise.

Coming off a win over Baltimore on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers come in as confident as they’ve been all season. San Francisco is looking for a victory that would not only extend their realistic playoff aspirations, but also significantly damage a Seahawks team that has become a hated rival over the past half-decade. Seattle spoiled the 49ers Super Bowl run in 2013 and the franchises have gone in opposite directions since. The Seahawks picked at the scab late last season by mathematically eliminating San Francisco last December, effectively ending the Jim Harbaugh era.

That’s why it’s ironic and somewhat shocking that these teams find themselves on equal footing six weeks into ’15. In fact, rookie head coach Jim Tomsula’s team comes off a win in an impressive performance, while Pete Carroll’s has been sidetracked by distractions, injuries and uncharacteristic breakdowns. The Seahawks come off an ugly home loss to Carolina that has seen their futures odds reach unexpected levels due to the hole they’ve dug themselves. Despite this, the Seahawks are a healthy 6.5-point road favorite here. Most books have placed the total at 42. A clear night and moderate 10-15 mph wind is expected.

The 49ers improved to 2-1 in Santa Clara with a strong defensive effort against the Ravens and an aggressive vertical passing game led by a suddenly resurgent Colin Kaepernick. Receivers Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith had the extra motivation of going up against the franchise that let them go and both had tremendous days, combining for 198 yards in getting off in the same game for the first time. Boldin and top rusher Carlos Hyde are listed as questionable for this contest, while backs Reggie Bush and Bruce Ellington are now probable.

Boldin's potential absence due to an ailing hamstring ailment would be a particularly difficult blow since he's really gotten going. While Sunday's big night from the top targets can be attributed to better chemistry as a tandem and with Kaepernick, the quarterback’s improved decisiveness and accuracy has been a driving force as he’s benefited from lining up under center as opposed to a heavy dose of shotgun. It’s been a rollercoaster season, starting off with decent efforts against the Vikings and Steeelers before the bottom fell out in losses to Arizona and Green Bay. His combined QBR for Week 3 and 4 was 23.3 as he averaged just 113.5 yards while throwing five interceptions without a touchdown. Over the past two weeks, he’s thrown for an average of 301 yards, doling out four TDs without a pick and has sporting a two-week average of 116.5, narrowly pulling off an upset of the Giants and taking down the Ravens.

Even if the discrepancy between his good days and bad ones wasn’t so vast, Kaepernick was always going to be this matchup’s biggest variable. His struggles against the Seahawks are well-known because head-to-head meetings with Russell Wilson have been so high-profile. Kaepernick is 2-4 in regular-season games with two TDs against seven interceptions. He was also memorably picked off twice in the fourth quarter of the 2013 NFC Championship game.

“They’re a good defense,” Kaepernick said Tuesday. “I’m not going to take credit away from them and what they’ve been able to do. I do have to go out and I have to perform better.”

The Seahawks defense certainly feels the same way, having lost three games they certainly could’ve won simply by holding on to the lead. A secondary that lost last week’s home game against Carolina because Richard Sherman misread a signal of the coverage they were supposed has atonement on their minds. Top linebacker Bobby Wagner is expected to play after missing Sunday’s game due to a pectoral strain, which should definitely aid a front seven that’s seeing a third consecutive mobile quarterback after losing against Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton and the Panthers’ Cam Newton. Seattle has given up an average of five points in its two wins and 28.75 in four losses. Defensive end Frank Clark, who suffered a hamstring injury last week, should play. Defensive tackle Jordan Hill won’t play due to a quad injury.

Total bettors have seen the ‘over’ produce a 3-2 record on the Thursday night CBS-NFL Network primetime broadcast this season. San Francisco is 5-3 in Thursday night games, but just 3-5 ATS. Seattle is 4-3 SU, but 5-2 ATS in these weekday openers.

This week’s total opened at 41.5 points for this divisional matchup but has since been bet up. VegasInsider.com NFL totals expert Chris David offers up his opinion.

"This particular matchup has watched the ‘under’ go 6-1 in the last seven encounters and I’m guessing most would be leaning that way on Thursday, but the current form for both teams could have you scratching your head,” said David. “For starters, Seattle’s defense just isn’t the same without linebacker Bobby Wagner and when he doesn’t play, it’s almost an automatic ‘over’ lean. He’s listed as probable (shoulder) this week but if he’s a late scratch, you can’t ignore the fact that Seattle is 5-1 to the ‘over’ without him going back to last season. Even with him this season, it should be noted that Seattle is allowing 29.3 PPG on the road compared to 12.3 PPG at home.

“Kaepernick has helped San Francisco find some offensive pop that last couple weeks (27, 25) but that was against weaker units. The 49ers have been very stout defensively at home, allowing 13.3 PPG, which is tied for second in the league. That unit alone has helped the ‘under’ go 2-1 at Levi’s Stadium this season. Since the venue opened, the ‘under’ is 8-3.”

The Seahawks have had issues getting their offensive line to play as a cohesive unit and have had injuries to running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson derail the ground game, but this is the healthiest they've been this season on that side of the ball. Tight end Jimmy Graham comes off his most productive game since arriving from New Orleans, catching a season-high 8 passes on 12 targets for 140 yards. Carroll felt he moved real well with Wilson and really got on the same page with him. Wilson has thrown for over 200 yards in every game thus far and has accounted for seven touchdowns and just three interceptions. He's thrown for seven scores and only four INTs in his regular-season meetings with the 49ers, going 4-2 in his starts.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Thursday Night Football'

One of these days sports bettors may lose faith in the struggling Seahawks who are 1-4-1 against the betting line. But, it's not happening this week as they've been pegged -6.5 point road chalk in the Thursday night affair vs San Francisco.

Part of the reason, Seahawks have cashed eight straight against their division rival. Additionally, under Pete Caroll, Seahawks have been good bets in Thursday Night Football posting a 5-0 record at the betting window. Adding to those numbers, Seahawks have thrived vs a division foe off a SU win going 12-3 ATS last fifteen in the situation.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions October 25, 1:00 EST

Vikings 29th ranked offense (19.2 PPG) and its lock down defense (16.6 PPG) has kept 'Under' gamblers happy with the team posting a perfect 5-0 'Under' on the campaign. A good chance 'Under' bettors will hit pay dirt once again when Vikings visit Lions. The teams have played 'Under' in 4 of the last 5 meetings and in 6 of the past 8 encounters in Detroit. Vikings are 8-1 'Under' vs the division, Lions 8-4 'Under' vs NFC North, Vikings 7-2-1 'Under' in enemy territory, Lions 13-3 'Under' after an ATS loss.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

At the Gate - Thursday
By Mike Dempsey

There was 200 horses pre-entered for this year’s Breeders’ Cup, which will be held on Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland, and there is no shortage of star power.

The headliner of course is Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who will face older foes for the first time when he takes on nine rivals in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The colt is the current 13-10 betting choice in early Classic wagering.

Among the foes he will face are the mare Beholder, Honor Code, Tonalist and Keen Ice, who delivered the Triple Crown winner his first defeat since his debut when he pulled off the upset in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

Beholder is the second choice in early Classic betting at 3-1, and it appears she is over the temperature she spiked on Tuesday.

The Breeders’ Cup will be televised live by NBCSN and NBC. The Breeders’ Cup Classic will be broadcast live at 5:35 p.m. ET on NBC (4-6 p.m. ET).

There were 32 horses entered from overseas including superstar Golden Horn, winner of the The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) who will go off as the betting favorite for the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). The three-year-old colt is the current 4-5 betting favorite in early Turf betting.

Trained by John Gosden, the colt has won seven of his eight career starts including four Group 1 races.

The 13 races offer purses of $26 million and 10 of the 13 races are oversubscribed. It is going to be two great days of betting action and championship racing.

Latest Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds.
American Pharoah 13-10
Beholder 3-1
Honor Code 4-1
Tonalist 6-1
Keen Ice 8-1
Frosted 10-1
Gleneagles 14-1
Smooth Roller 20-1
Wicked Strong 25-1
Hoppertunity 30-1
Coach Inge 55-1
Hard Aces 60-1
Effinex 100-1

Here is today’s opener from Belmont Park to get the day off to a good start:

BEL Race 1 Clm $50,000 (12:55 ET)
#3 Dominic's Smile 4-1
#5 Crown the Kitten 2-1
#1 Talbot County 12-1
#2 The Catmancan 5-1

Analysis: Dominic's Smile steps up to the $50,000 level after beating $25,000 non-winners of three last out against older. She finds a good spot here facing straight three year olds in his first go off the claim by the Klesaris barn that is 16% winners first off the claim. The switch to turf really suited this guy, who has landed in the money in four of five trips on grass.

Crown the Kitten was bumped on both sides and in tight company out of the gate, came with a wide run and rallied to finish in the runner up spot, beaten just 3/4 of a length for the top spot. He comes back here off a 2 1/2 month break here for the Ward barn. He was competitive versus tougher than these earlier this year.

Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 3,5 / 1,3,5
TRI: no play

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 8 OClm $62,500N2X (4:46 ET)
#8 Love and Marriage 7-2
#9 Sparkle Factor 9-2
#10 Run of the River 6-1
#3 My Sweet Girl 6-1

Analysis: Love and Marriage tracked the early pace and just missed last out in a game effort in her first go off a 10 month layoff, beaten a couple of noses for the top spot. The winner Harp N Halo came back to win the Avowal Stakes at Woodbine in her next outing. She now comes back off a 2 1/2 month break but the barn is solid off short breaks.

Sparkle Factor makes her U.S. debut for the Clement barn that is 26% winners with runners making their first start after shipping in from across the pond. The barn is good off the bench and while this gal has not won since last June she popped a bullet work for her debut here and adds lasix.

Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 8,9 / 3,8,9,10
TRI: 8,9 / 3,8,9,10 / 3,7,8,9,10

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Belmont Park
R1: #1 Talbot County 12-1
R4: #1 Enduring Touch 8-1
R7: #12 Charity Reins 8-1

Good luck today!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Hoosier Park

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


Race 4 - Post: 6:45 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 81 - Purse:$8280 - WINNERS OF 2 BUT NOT MORE THAN 4


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 1 MUSASHI 7/2


# 7 CAMTURO ROCK 3/1


# 4 BIG WORLD OF ROCK 4/1


Feel pretty confident putting cash down on MUSASHI. Not many knocks against this nice horse, let's give him a shot. Could definitely better this field of horses given the 75 TrackMaster Speed Rating recorded in his most recent contest. Exemplary in the money percentage for Welch and this race horse. A really strong chance to get the win. CAMTURO ROCK - Take a look at this harness racer's average speed number of 86 and compare to today's class rating. Looks like a really good bet. He has very good class numbers, averaging 86. Should be considered for a bet this time. BIG WORLD OF ROCK - A great win percentage has been earned by interesting entrants beginning from the 4 position. Horoscope said take a chance today, this standardbred is as good as any to take a shot with.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Rideau Carleton

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


Race 1 - Post: 6:30 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 66 - Purse:$4650 - NW $7,500


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 1 BREAKING BAD 7/1


# 2 JOLTED 4/1


# 6 DRAGON SPRING 5/1


All signs point to BREAKING BAD for the pick and could score at a price in here. This interesting entrant has shown us some prior ability, just look at the 67 avg class number. Should play well in this contest. Chances are greatly increased for horses coming from the 1 position at Rideau Carleton. JOLTED - The brain trust gives this interesting entrant a competitive chance to win this one, class ratings are tops in the field of starters. Certainly did like this gelding's last race. Ran a big 68 speed rating. Major contender. DRAGON SPRING - Sometimes you just have to go with good feelings, love this one's chances.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Lone Star Park

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


Race 5 - Maiden - 330y on the Dirt. Purse: $6300 Class Rating: 72

QUARTER HORSE 330Y, FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 4 ONE FAMOUS MOON 5/2


# 10 BONITO CARTEL 4/1


# 9 SHESA COSMO 6/1


I back ONE FAMOUS MOON here. With Martinez uptop her, this filly will probably be able to break out sharply for this race. Last time out, this filly faced a rougher bunch. Must be given consideration - I like the numbers from the last race. BONITO CARTEL - Should be considered based on the formidable speed rating recorded in the last contest. Has to be considered as she drops to compete against this less demanding field of horses. SHESA COSMO - There is a decent chance that this entry's late pace will improve on Lasix. I can't pass on this filly given one of the best jockey and conditioner combos on the grounds.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Remington Park

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


Race 2 - Claiming - 7.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $12100 Class Rating: 79

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500. OKLAHOMA BRED CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 1 BABY TRUMP 8/5


# 2 PLASKA 9/5


# 7 STRUCK GOLD 20/1


BABY TRUMP looks solid to best this field. He should have a strong outing versus this softer field. Must be considered a key contender on earnings per start at the distance/surface alone. Have to examine solely on class, with some of the best class numbers of this group of horses. PLASKA - Sharp gains over time for this jockey and trainer duo. Looks strong versus this group and will probably be one of the early speedsters. STRUCK GOLD - Has ran soundly in dirt sprint races. Will more than likely be one of the leaders of the group going into the halfway point of the race.