Thursday 3/12/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[superbeets]

Europa League TODAY 20:05

Fiorentina

v

Roma

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT1					More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FIORENTINA	RECENT FORM
ADHDHWAWNWAL​ Most recent​	1 - 1 0 - 1 0 - 1 0 - 1	HDHDADAWHDAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Only 12 goals goals have been scored in the last seven meetings between the teams

EXPERT VERDICT: This fixture is usually tight and in a game where few goals are expected the draw could be the value bet in a tie between these Serie A rivals. Six of the last seven meetings between the clubs finished with under 2.5 goals and the last match in Florence finished 1-1.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL Grand Salami - March

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI

Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
3/1 6 32 41 OVER
3/2 3 15.5 16 OVER
3/3 10 54.5 55 OVER
3/4 4 21.5 16 UNDER
3/5 8 44 46 OVER
3/6 6 31 31 PUSH
3/7 10 53 51 UNDER
3/8 6 30.5 41 OVER
3/9 5 27.5 23 UNDER
3/10 8 43.5 42 UNDER
3/11 3 - - -
3/12 11 - - -
3/13 5 - - -
3/14 12 - - -
3/15 7 - - -
3/16 4 - - -
3/17 9 - - -
3/18 3 - - -
3/19 10 - - -
3/20 3 - - -
3/21 13 - - -
3/22 4 - - -
3/23 7 - - -
3/24 18 - - -
3/25 3 - - -
3/26 11 - - -
3/27 3 - - -
3/28 13 - - -
3/29 8 - - -
3/30 6 - - -
3/31 7 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL Preview: Predators (42-19) at Sharks (33-26)

Date: March 12, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

The Nashville Predators finally snapped their longest losing streak of the season, but they're still not exactly firing on all cylinders.

After winning in overtime against one of the league's worst teams that played a goaltender making his second career start, the Predators will likely face a much tougher test Thursday night when they visit the San Jose Sharks.

Nashville (42-19-7) opened a four-game trip with Monday's 2-1 win over Arizona that ended a six-game skid. James Neal beat Louis Domingue 2:45 into OT for his team-leading 22nd goal as the Predators handed the Coyotes a 12th loss in 13 games.

"You can't pull out of it overnight, but you've got to start with a win and build off that," Neal told the Predators' official website.

Nashville had been outscored 22-11 during the slide - all of the losses coming in regulation - and saw its Central Division lead over St. Louis trimmed from nine points to two.

'You never want to go through this thing, but hopefully it makes us better,' goaltender Pekka Rinne said. 'I don't know if we got comfortable or what, but it's a good learning experience for us. I'm just grateful that we're still battling for the top spot.'

Rinne was sharp against San Jose on Feb. 17, making a season-high 41 saves in a 5-1 win. Nashville has won four of five against the Sharks and Rinne allowed two goals on 76 shots in this season's two meetings, though the Predators lost 2-0 in San Jose on Dec. 13.

Antti Niemi made 29 saves in that one before sitting out the rematch. He's gone 4-2-2 with a 1.70 goals-against average in eight starts against the Predators in San Jose and is coming off what coach Todd McLellan said was one of his best games of the season.

Niemi made 39 saves and stopped seven of eight shootout attempts in Monday's 2-1 win over Pittsburgh, the Sharks' third victory in four games.

'Maybe a win like that injects some life and emotion into a team because of how excited everyone was,' said forward Tommy Wingels, who scored the shootout winner. 'Just keep going and keep the gas pedal down.'

The Sharks (33-26-8), four points back of Winnipeg for the Western Conference's second wild-card spot, won for just the third time in their last 10 games that have gone past regulation.

'That point could make a heck of a difference,' McLellan said. 'We all know where we are, we all know how important they are. We can't afford to give any away. We've done that too often and too much.'

Although top goal scorers Joe Pavelski (32) and Logan Couture (22) have one goal apiece in the last nine games, San Jose killed all three penalties Monday after allowing a power-play goal in each of the previous four contests in which they've been short-handed. The Sharks' 72.5 penalty killing percentage over 14 games since Feb. 7 is one of the worst marks in the league.

The Predators have been having their own problems on special teams. They're 0 for 14 on the power play in the past five games and 2 for 34 in their last 11.

Rookie star Filip Forsberg, second on the team with 21 goals, has gone seven straight without scoring and Neal's winner Monday ended a nine-game goal drought.

Craig Smith, who has one of his 21 goals in the last six games, scored twice against San Jose last month.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Home team dominating Canadiens-Senators rivalry
Justin Hartling

The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators have already met each other three times this season, with the home team winning each contest. The hosting team has actually won four of the past five between the Habs and the Sens.

Home teams have outscored their visiting counterparts 12-4 so far this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Northfield Park

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


Race 2 - Post: 6:20 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 71 - Purse:$3000 - FILLIES & MARES NON WINNERS $200 PER START IN 2014-15 OR 2015. AE: N/W $1250 IN LAST 5 STARTS THAT ARE N/W $30,000 IN 2014-15. NO. 9 STARTS FROM 2ND TIER NORTHFIELD


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 1 HALLY 2/1


# 5 LUCKY L 9/2


# 4 BLISSFULL JESSIE 15/1


Look no further than HALLY as the wager here. Can't overlook based on speed figs which have been top notch (71 avg) most recently. A good class horse shouldn't be be forgotten. With an avg class number of 75 all signs look very good for this one. Substantial gains over time for this driver-trainer pair. This standardbred is an obvious selection. LUCKY L - This harness racer has shown us some prior ability, just look at the 74 avg class rating. Should play well for this race. The panel of smart guys noted a strong showing out of this harness racer last time. Looking for a repeat effort of that to end up in the winner's circle. BLISSFULL JESSIE - Has been running competently lately and her style of running should result in a strong performance.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Saratoga Harness

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


Race 2 - Post: 4:20 - 1 mile. TROT - Class Rating: 69 - Purse:$6600 - 5-YEAR-OLDS & UNDER - NON-WINNERS 2


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 1 HIGH SERIOUSNESS 6/5


# 5 DONATO'S DREAM 7/2


# 3 BUBBA'S JER BEAR 4/1


HIGH SERIOUSNESS is the clear stand out wager in the eyes of the wagering panel. This race horse may have some hidden form, a score would be a pleasant surprise. He's doing work in good form, recording very compelling speed ratings. An excellent pick. With a 72 average class rating, this interesting entrant has one of the finest class advantages in the race. DONATO'S DREAM - Feel the need for speed, this race horse has been turning in some top notch speed figs averaging around 73. A respectable class horse should not be be overlooked. With an avg class rating of 73 all signs look very good for this one. BUBBA'S JER BEAR - Hard to put finger on it, but back him in this contest. Battling very well, achieved a bang-up speed figure in his last race (60).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Charles Town

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


Race 9 - Maiden Claiming - 4.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $10500 Class Rating: 45

FOR ACCREDITED WEST VIRGINIA-BRED MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000, IF FOR $4,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS.



RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 11 ISABELLA'S BOY 5/2


# 2 HILLBILLY DANCER 9/2


# 12 LION IN WINTER 8/1


I think ISABELLA'S BOY is a very strong choice. Rodriguez ought to be able to get this gelding to break out quickly in this race. HILLBILLY DANCER - Expect this equine to be right there at the finish line versus these mounts. LION IN WINTER - Don't overlook this gelding in your bets - very dangerous with Castro aboard.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Santa Anita

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


Race 7 - Optional Claiming - 8.0f on the Turf. Purse: $60000 Class Rating: 113

FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $10,000 TWICE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR STATE BRED OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR OPTIONAL CLAIMING PRICE OF $62,500. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING OR STARTER AT A MILE OR OVER ALLOWED 2 LBS. ONE SUCH RACE ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $62,500.



RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 6 BOOZER 5/2


# 4 TALCO (FR) 3/1


# 8 HOME SCHOOL (IRE) 9/2


BOOZER is the best bet in this race. Overall the speed figures of this equine look formidable in this race. Glatt has him trained quite well to break quickly out of the gate. The average class figure alone makes this one a key contender. TALCO (FR) - He ought to be given consideration given the very strong speed figures. Horses who have been prepared to race at this distance and surface by Sadler have shown sharp results as of late. HOME SCHOOL (IRE) - Oneill has him trained quite well to break speedily out of the starting gate.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Laurel Park - Race #2 - Post: 12:59pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $23,000 Class Rating: 86

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#6 KEEP MOMMA HAPPY (ML=15/1)
#1 MINERS QUEST (ML=6/1)
#3 C V OUTLAW (ML=8/1)
#4 WHYPROLONGTHEAGONY (ML=2/1)


KEEP MOMMA HAPPY - My handicapping intuition tells me to be ready for this horse in this race MINERS QUEST - Another way to evaluate class is earnings per race. This horse has the uppermost in the field. I think he'll be close at the finish. C V OUTLAW - As the only speed freak in the race, I expect this gelding to be long gone. I really like that most recent effort on February 13th at Laurel Park where he ran second. Classic handicapping angle - 3rd or 4th start after a layoff generally leads to a big effort. Today could be the day. WHYPROLONGTHEAGONY - You'll be making money left and right by turning your betting money onto this jock/conditioner combination. The latest rating of 86 is the best last race speed rating in the group. This colt is clearly on the improve with Equibase speed figures of 69, 74, 86 last three out.

Vulnerable Contenders: #5 SAWDUST (ML=5/2), #7 ALTERNATE PLAN (ML=5/1), #2 ROJO PERFECTO (ML=5/1),

SAWDUST - Showed some physical problems last time around the track at Laurel Park. ALTERNATE PLAN - Difficult to play this vulnerable equine in today's event. Make him show you something in a short distance event before you play him in a race of 6 furlongs. ROJO PERFECTO - You always figure that this equine has a shot to win, but he fails regularly.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#6 KEEP MOMMA HAPPY is going to be the play if we are getting 5/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,3,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Gulfstream - Race #5 - Post: 3:00pm - Maiden Claiming - 7.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $32,000 Class Rating: 82

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 BREEZY SONG (ML=6/1)


BREEZY SONG - Just missed hitting the board on Jan 19th at Gulfstream. With pretty decent morning line odds right here in this race, she has my interest. This one has recorded the best recent turf speed fig at the distance and surface. Horse has improved at least two speed rating points in last two races. I look for that to continue its positive trend in today's race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 FANCY MALKA (ML=5/2), #5 GEMONADE (ML=3/1), #2 LITTLE BIT LOVELY (ML=6/1),

FANCY MALKA - This filly hasn't had any promising efforts in short distance events in the last couple months. GEMONADE - The Brain always warns me to keep my distance from horses in sprint contests that haven't hit the board in short distance contests recently. LITTLE BIT LOVELY - Can't bet on this pony in today's sprint of 7 1/2 furlongs. Hasn't even hit the board in a sprint event of late. This mount ran a mediocre speed figure last out. She shouldn't improve and will likely lose in today's event running that fig.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#3 BREEZY SONG is the play if we get odds of 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Skip

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct

RACE #8 -AQUEDUCT - 4:41 PM

6.0 FURLONGS WINTERIZED INNER DIRT TRACK FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD OPTIONAL CLAIMING $69,000.00 PURSE

#7 ATLANTIC'S SMILE
#2 MAKE THE MOMENT
#6 FRIVOLITY
#5 MISSZIPPITYSLENDA

#7 ATLANTIC'S SMILE has excellent early speed abilities to compliment for this inner track sprint, is the overall speed leader in this O.C. field sprinting at 6.0 furlongs on the dirt, and has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in four of her last five outings, with no finish worse than 2nd, including a "POWER RUN WINS" in her 3rd race back. #2 MAKE THE MOMENT, a 6-1 shot, has produced "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in four straight, hitting the board in three, including a "POWER RUN PLACE" finish in her 4th race back, missing "The Circle" in that race by just a "photographed nose" at the wire.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Woodbine Harness: Thursday 3/12 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

EARLY $1 PICK 4 TICKET:

3,9,10/1,2,7/2/1,3,8,10 - $36

MEET STATS: 89 - 270 / $488.70 BEST BETS: 12 - 26 / $64.30

SPOT PLAYS: 5 - 25 / $54.10

Best Bet: PRESCOTT’S HOPE (6th)

Spot Play: SAM HAYES (7th)


Race 1

(4) OOH SHESA BADLANDS took lots of action at the windows in a large part due to her impeccable breeding but she failed to fire. Perhaps she shows more now with that initial experience under her belt. (3) WARAWEE QUALLY changed barns yet had a similar result while gaining a minor share. She needs to find more late speed to close out a winning mile. (1) MIDNIGHT JET followed a slow pace but at least didn't lose ground when things picked up after the 3/4. She could show further improvement here with a better start.

Race 2

(6) HURRICANE HAZEL is out of a racemare that throws nothing but winners including local Open trotter Watkins (1:53 1/4). She looks ready to go here in her debut and there isn't a whole lot to beat here. (7) GUSCREST was driven more aggressively as expected but beaten late by a heavy chalk that broke at the start and made a tremendous recovery. This one figures highly here. (2) COLLECTOR CLASSIC is another making his debut coming out of the same qualifier as the choice. He closed ground on her late in that mile and could better this placing.

Race 3

(4) JORDIE'S HOPE followed a leader that cut glacial fractions then got trapped in with pace for the entire stretch when the pace picked up. He will have to improve to knock off likely chalk (3) MUCH ADOO who made two moves and was just caught late in a rapid mile for this class. (7) BELLA NOCHE moves back into a conditioned class from claimers and these look easier which should result in her getting a share.

Race 4

The two main protagonists here both met most of these last time and start farthest out here. Of those two, we'll side with (10) ONE LAST BONO who has been a win machine in 2015 and last week bravely held off (9) KIKISKISSINKOUSIN who got a perfect trip and likely projects to get the same here. Of the others, (3) DAPPLE APPLE showed a bit of improvement first time in a new barn and may go forward again here tonight.

Race 5

(7) KIWI PRES was prominent throughout last week as expected and returns to the same class vs. similar opponents; call to repeat. (2) UTOPIA closed a big gap but was too far back. He is likely to lay much closer early and could turn the tables here. (1) DICKS SECRET hit the exacta almost 50% of the time last year and showed good late trot in her last qualifier. She can be a factor in her season's debut.

Race 6

(2) PRESCOTTS HOPE had just pulled into a beautiful 2nd-over spot nearing the 3/4 pole when the one providing his cover made a dirty break and took him out of contention. That he was only beat 1 1/2 lengths tell us he would have jogged then; top call here. (6) SOUTHWIND TERROR luckily avoided that confusion and powered up late to collar the winded leaders. That was his best mile in a while and he is the main danger. (3) SEA DONKEY closed well in a rapid mile vs. better and is a factor here.

Race 7

(3) SAM HAYES came his back 1/2 in :56.0 in his season's debut and looks ready for a much more aggressive steer; top billing. (10) ROAD SENSE continues to race decently and grab shares. He should factor here from an outer post at a nice price. (8) KREMLIN returns from Flamboro after showing improvement in his most recent mile. He is another that can factor at a price in this wide open dash.

Race 8

(3) CAPELO bravely hung on late to repel one that had a nice trip. He was claimed but faces similar and will be tough to down again. (4) SHOCK N ROCK came out of Capelo's pocket and hung but that was an improved effort and his first try vs. these claimers. (6) WARRIOR CALL is in much better form now than when he left WEG for London. Look for him late.

Race 9

(1) SLIP INTO GLIDE finally hinted at recapturing some of last year's excellent form with a good effort from the 10-hole last week. He drops and likely pops at a short price here from the rail. (8) BRUCE THE BRAVE raced Saturday and showed little but returns quickly and drops back to a class where he has been very competitive recently; beware. (9) EXTRACURRICULAR ships in for the potent Laroque/Filion combo; don't sell too short.

Race 10

(3) VELOCITY LANA showed expected improvement and converted 2nd time out. She comes right back in the same class and is a good bet to top this high-5. (9) BET ON HILL was stymied by an extremely slow pace and ill-timed steer and is more than capable of making amends here. (4) HIGH FASHION MEL kept her record perfect with an upset win vs. easier. She is another contender in a very competitive tilt. (8) IN THE SHADOWS parlayed a good debut into a nice win aided by some brilliant slowing of the pace by her pilot. She is another contender at a good price but more likely for a minor share stepping up to face NW2. (10) YOUR MY SECRET was used hard and got no breathers but held on very well considering. She is one to consider on deeper pick 4 tickets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Thursday 3/12 Analysis
By Derick Giwner

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 0 - 0 / $0.00

Best Bet: YOUNG AMERICAN (2nd)

Spot Play: QUICKSILVERCANDY A (4th)


Race 1

(7) IDEAL A LITTLE moves into a new barn and could easily pick up her game. (5) DENYITTOTHEEND hasn't been able to finish her miles lately, but is a clear threat to wire this field. (3) MICHELLE'S IDEA seems to be rounding into form following a two month hiatus from racing.

Race 2

(1) YOUNG AMERICAN looks iffy on current form, but she moves to the rail this week and could be primed for a big effort in her third start back from a layoff. (3) NUTMEGS DESIRE hails from a top barn and should appreciate the inside post. (5) UPFRONTWHOSURLADY could be the one to beat at first glance, yet she doesn't exactly win as often as one would like.

Race 3

(4) TIDEWATER TOMAHAWK was a good second in his first start for trainer Richard Banca and can move forward again. (1) STONEBRIDGE COWBOY has won two of her last three at this level. (6) KID COURAGEOUS A is another coming off a win. Barn won a couple of races here Sunday. (3) SPARTACUS JIM ships down for a good barn and adds Brennan; worth using.

Race 4

(4) QUICKSILVERCANDY A figures to cruise to the front and have her own way; class-dropper. (1) CASE SOLVED hasn't been quite as sharp in recent weeks, but she finds the perfect spot this time around and should be sitting first or second behind a slow clip. (3) ELEGANT DESIRE is off a win; trip threat.

Race 5

(1) TREVOR WIN FOR US started 2015 off slowly and only recently seems to be trending upward. Dover shipper drew best and did have a big season a year ago; worth a shot. (3) DINNER GUEST steps up in fine form and must be used on every ticket. (2) DIGITAL Z TAM draws better and enters a high percentage barn; very capable. (4) ROCKNROLL JEWEL is clearly sharp.

Race 6

(1) FITZ'S Z TAM is a classy gelding that arrives in good form for trainer Blake Baker. You might want to see how Trevor Win For Us races in the fifth for the same barn before laying down big bucks on this guy. (4) CLEM & (3) TOP GEAR are two early speed players with good form; gotta use them.

Race 7

(3) ABBEYLARA has won three straight and should be forwardly placed with the option of controlling the pace. (6) JD'S CALEB MAN enters a new barn while in serious form; using. (4) DUNE DUDE won by four lengths last time but faces tougher this week.

Race 8

(1) BITTERSWEET DREAMS bumped up to this claiming level last time and was a good second from a tough post. She gets pylons position this week and faces a suspect group. (4) CLIMATE HANOVER could take advantage of a fast pace in a field with 3-4 potential early leavers. (3) HUSTLEONHOME enters a new barn; maybe.

Race 9

(1) ALWAYS LOVE ME should push away from the pylons and work out no worse than a pocket trip. (3) FIRSTCLASSFLIGHT moves into a barn that has a high win percentage. Ignore the 20-1 morning line; she has a shot. (4) LITTLE MISS HENRY is a sharp horse moving into a hot barn; good combo.

Race 10

(3) ALITTLEEASTERMAGIC goes for her fourth straight win and faces a rather dull group. (1) HOOSIER CHATTER finds a field without much early speed. She should work out a good trip from the pylon post. (5) JOKES JET drops in search of some form.

Race 11

(7) MAGIC STARLIGHT comes off a string of second-place finishes and finds the right spot to get over the hump. (6) BILLMAR SCOOTER is clear in form and that makes him an obvious player. (1) COLLAGE has to wake up sooner or later.

Race 12

(5) FOX VALLEY HERMIA comes off a nice effort and seems to be sitting on a win. (1) MARTY PARTY comes over from the Meadowlands and lucks into post one. Classy mare can perk up in a hurry. (4) CANACO STAR was claimed right back by Allard and deserves plenty of respect. (3) CHEYENNE MIRIAM is an exotics must.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Thursday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Aqueduct (1st) Keen On Green, 6-1
(2nd) Wisdom of Oz, 10-1


Charles Town (6th) Romantikus, 10-1
(7th) Maginot Line, 6-1


Delta Downs (2nd) Cajun Chu Chu, 4-1
(8th) Best of Birdstone, 9-2


Fair Grounds (2nd) Mean Marine, 8-1
(8th) Call Me West, 8-1


Golden Gate Fields (5th) Khloe Rae, 5-1
(7th) Laff Itup Fuzzball, 8-1


Gulfstream Park (6th) Hellenistic, 9-2
(7th) Fire Blue, 7-2


Laurel (4th) Concealed Identity, 8-1
(5th) Middle Jewel, 10-1


Oaklawn Park (1st) Oaks, 4-1
(4th) Prada's Bling, 6-1


Penn National (4th) Seven Deadly Sins, 4-1
(5th) Wando's Rebel, 9-2


Santa Anita (5th) Kris the Great, 5-1
(8th) Weekendwithbernie, 5-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Golf Pump Brakes on Rory
By Dan Daly

Sure, Alex Cejka may have won the Puerto Rico Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title, but a certain country music singer who happens to own two Major Championship titles finished a very respectable two shots back for a T10. If not for playing a six-hole stretch on the back nine Saturday afternoon four over par (including a ball that hit the cart path and went OB), John Patrick Daly might have finally ended his 11-year winless drought on the PGA Tour. Laugh all you want but about a T10 at the Puerto Rico Open but this is on the heels of an opening round 65 at Pebble a few weeks ago. I’ve been telling you for years he has one more four day run in him on the PGA Tour before he goes off and dominates the Senior Tour next year.

Crawl, walk, run folks.

The opening round at Pebble with the big boys was the crawl. The T10 at the Puerto Rico Open was the walk; and the run is very close, I know it is. Sure it may be a tournament like the Puerto Rico Open with a lesser field, but a PGA Tour win is a PGA Tour win and still comes with all the perks…including a spot at Augusta. Just remember where you heard it first.

On that note, it was nice to see The Shades of Duval out of the booth and back out on the course where he belongs with a very respectable four round total of even par and a T47. I’m not sure he will ever seriously contend again, or even come close to it, but it sure would be fun to see him make a run one week before he hangs it up for good.

As for the “B Team” tournament this week.

As unwatchable as a majority of the 2014 PGA season was, I have to say the 2015 season so far has been pretty exceptional. I know the ratings don’t quite reflect that yet but if the Majors can follow suit with big names in contention and exciting finishes that will change. The Tour really needs this to keep up, and quite frankly as a fan of golf, so do I.

I’ve never heard, read (tweets) or seen more PGA Players absolutely crucify a golf course and the layout like they did this week. It’s one thing in a major when they try and trick up a good course, or even when the course is almost unplayable like Quail Hollow or The Byron Nelson greens were a few years ago. But not like this, not on a golf course that was in great shape. I didn’t hear or read a single player have one positive thing to say about the course. JB Holmes shot a frickin 62 and still complained about the course. Even in his post round interview DJ didn’t mention a word about the course; which is almost unheard of. Hell, even Brandt Snedeker’s caddie called it, “the worst golf course I’ve ever caddied on.” That’s when you know it’s bad. I would throw out a “Mr. Trump, You’re fired” but that would be way too cliché.

Clearly, all you need to do to succeed on the PGA Tour is “take a leave of absence.” I said the week before he came back that DJ was going to tear it up this year but I had no idea to this degree, this quickly. I mean the man is on a mission his first month back. If he can putt even half way decent he may win 5 or 6 times this year on Tour and throw in at least one Major, if not two, to boot. Personally, I’m all for it. Love the guy. You may start to see guys turning themselves in for all kinds of drug violations here pretty soon just so they can “take a leave of absence.”

According to my email and twitter I am a Tiger lover and have to write about him as much as possible, so my random Tiger stat of the week …On Sunday, DJ became the eighth player with multiple victories in a World Golf Championship event. The seven not named Tiger have combined for 15 WGC wins. Tiger has 18 by himself. I’m sorry but that’s just silly.

What can I say about JB Holmes? A five shot lead to start the round and you can’t close the deal? Really? It wasn’t quite Greg Norman or Jean Van De Velde-esque but it’s a five shot lead going into Sunday on the PGA Tour, you have to close that out JB. The guy didn’t make a single putt over six-feet the entire day on Sunday. With his second runner-up finish in his past four starts (he lost a playoff at the Farmers) he is still a long way from the Furyk zone. So at least he has that going for him.

On a side note, watching DJ and JB each make a hole-in-one 20 minutes apart on the same Saturday was pretty entertaining television.

The only thing harder to get used to than Charley Hoffman and Jason Dufner’s new haircuts is seeing Adam Scott with a short putter. Doral was Scott’s first start of 2015, and his first tournament since switching to the short putter and he finished a very respectable fourth. If he can somehow learn to putt with a short putter again, watch out, the guy still hits it as pure as anyone on Tour.
Can we all pump the breaks just a little bit on Rory and crowning him the next Tiger or Jack. As I have said more times than I can count, the guy is fantastic, and when he’s on, he’s the best in the world. Problem is, he is just too inconsistent to be in that conversation. Tiger has missed 12 cuts in almost 20 years on tour, and three of those have come in the last year alone. Rory has missed 11 cuts on the PGA tour since 2009 (and 29 cuts worldwide). And as much as people want to hate on Tiger and his attitude on the golf course I can tell you with 100% certainty he never once helicoptered a 3-iron, or any club for that matter, into a lake like Rory did on Friday. Granted, it was a helluva a throw, but between the toothache WD and the 3-iron into the lake, the guy has a very long way to go on a lot of levels to even be in the same zip code as Tiger and Jack. I said a month ago that Rory won’t win a single major in 2015 and I stand by that statement. At the rate he’s going, he may not win a single tour event at all. While I doubt that, he definitely isn’t the same player he was at the end of 2014 when everyone was ready to anoint him one of the greatest of all-time.

Bubba, oh Bubba. Broke my heart to see him collapse like that. I actually think his tank job on the back nine Sunday might have even been worse than JB’s was in a way. The guy was cruising along at four under through eight, had a two shot lead all of the sudden, hit it to 10 feet on nine and had the par five 10th after that. He missed the 10-footer for birdie on the 9th and then hit a bad, but not horrible, drive on the 10th and the guy just went completely mental and never recovered. My two year old doesn’t let things affect her as much as Bubba does. I’m starting an online fund raiser to get this guy an all-expense paid trip to Augusta to follow Bubba around next month… and every year thereafter for that matter.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

PGA Johnson's win at Doral causes spike in Masters odds
Stephen Campbell

On the heels of Dustin Johnson's victory at the WGC-Cadillac Championship Sunday, one online sportsbook has given a big boost to his chances at capturing the Green Jacket.

Two weeks ago, Sportsbooks had Johnson's odds to win the 2015 Masters at 45/1, but the book has lowered them to 15/1 in the wake of his dominant performance at Doral.

In front of Johnson is world No. 1 Rory McIlroy (13/2), defending champion Bubba Watson (10/1) and Jason Day (12/1). The highly anticipated event gets underway at Augusta National on April 9.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Golf: Scott made Valspar 'chalk'

Tournament: Valspar Championship
Date: Mar. 12 - Mar. 15
Venue: Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead)
Location: Palm Harbor, FL

The PGA continues its Florida swing of the season when they head to Palm Harbor for the Valspar Championship. This is a fairly new event as it was founded back in 2000 and has been held annually since then at the par-71, 7,340-yard Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club. Scores have become increasingly hard to come by here in the past few years with the winner doing worse in each successive season since Gary Woodland posted a 15-under in 2011.

Last year it was Aussie John Senden who held off Americans Kevin Na and Scott Langley for the win. He shot a score of 7-under over the four days of the tourney, posted the lowest round of the week with a 64 on Saturday and tamed the “Snake Pit” for two birdies on the final day of competition. Only two players (K.J. Choi and Retief Goosen) have earned the trophy here multiple times and eight of the 14 champions have been from other countries besides the United States.

It should be an exciting field to watch as Henrik Stenson and Adam Scott stay in Florida to compete here and join Jim Furyk, Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth to round out players from the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings in the field. Besides that just three other golfers (Matt Kuchar, Patrick Reed and Jamie Donaldson) will be competing from the top-25 in the OWGR.

Now let’s take a look over some players who could do really well this week and bring home a win come Sunday.

Golfers to Bet:

Jim Furyk (20/1): The Valspar Championship is one of 16 tournaments that Furyk has won over his tremendous career, doing so with a score of 13-under par in 2010. Since then he has continued to play solid golf at Innisbrook with a top-20 finish each year and also was the runner-up in 2012. Furyk was the best scrambler on tour last year after being successful in 69.3% of his opportunities and he already has a scrambling percentage of 66.7% on the year. He has dotted the top of the leaderboard in each of the first three events he’s played in this year so far, placing no worse than 14th, and seems poised to earn his first win since 2010 in Palm Harbor this week.

Daniel Berger (40/1): Berger is the newest phenom on what is becoming a young man’s game with super-athletic newcomers poised to rule the game. He showed his ability on the main stage when he took on Paddy Harrington in a playoff at the Honda Classic, eventually losing, but showing that his first win is not far off. It wasn’t his first solid showing, though, and he has six top-25’s and three top-10’s in 11 events this year. His combination of total driving (93, 8th on tour) and scrambling (62.8%, 53rd on tour) should give the 21-year-old the power and finesse that it takes to win on this course.

Harris English (40/1): English missed his last cut at the Honda Classic, but had made it to the weekend in each of the previous six tourneys and included both a third and second-place finish. He’s long off the tee (299.5 yards per, 27th on tour) and has a scrambling percentage of 65.6% (27th on tour) which allowed him to get a seventh-place finish at this event back in 2013. He’s been a consistent competitor on tour over the past three years with a total of 13 top-10’s since the start of 2013 and while he only has two victories, he should always remain a threat to put up some low numbers and this week is no different.

Justin Leonard (500/1): Leonard is a long way away from being the player who has won on the tour 12 times in his career and he hasn’t done so since 2008. While he hasn’t played to the top of his game, he’s always put up solid efforts at Innisbrook and has three top-30 finishes in the past four years; including a fourth in 2013. His scrambling (68.5%, 10th on tour) and driving accuracy (67.9%, 22nd on league) show that he is still an extremely talented golfer and could put up his best effort of the year this week.

Boo Weekley (85/1): Weekley is having a great start to the year and has already nearly matched his winnings from last year and has three top-10’s in his first eight events after getting just one such finish last year in 24 tourneys. The three-time PGA Tour winner is coming off a solid tie for sixth at the Puerto Rico Open when he shot 69-68 on the weekend. He hasn’t performed particularly well here recently, with a missed cut in 2012 and an 84th-place finish last year, but he showed he can tame Innisbrook with a runner-up performance in 2013 where he shot an amazing 63 on Sunday and nearly overtook Kevin Streelman. His amazing ability to dominate the courses with strokes gained tee-to-green (1.22, 10th on tour) and finesse with a 64.3% success-rate scrambling (30th on tour) will give him every opportunity to string together some nice holes and low scores.

Valspar Championship Betting Odds

Adam Scott 12/1
Henrik Stenson 25/2
Jordan Spieth 27/2
Jim Furyk 20/1
Patrick Reed 24/1
Matt Kuchar 25/1
Luke Donald 27/1
Justin Rose 29/1
Brandt Snedeker 30/1
Lee Westwood 30/1
Ryan Moore 30/1
Nick Watney 35/1
Daniel Berger 40/1
Gary Woodland 40/1
Harris English 40/1
Louis Oosthuizen 40/1
Jamie Donaldson 45/1
Kevin Na 45/1
Martin Laird 50/1
Russell Knox 55/1
Jason Dufner 60/1
Sangmoon Bae 60/1
Will MacKenzie 60/1
Ian Poulter 65/1
Padraig Harrington 65/1
Brendon Todd 70/1
Charley Hoffman 70/1
John Senden 70/1
Joost Luiten 75/1
Justin Thomas 75/1
Cameron Tringale 80/1
Boo Weekley 85/1
Kevin Streelman 85/1
Brian Harman 95/1
Charles Howell III 95/1
Brendon de Jonge 100/1
Francesco Molinari 100/1
George McNeill 100/1
Retief Goosen 100/1
Shawn Stefani 100/1
Robert Garrigus 110/1
William McGirt 110/1
Freddie Jacobson 120/1
Jerry Kelly 120/1
Kevin Chappell 120/1
Marc Leishman 120/1
Adam Hadwin 120/1
Chesson Hadley 130/1
Jonathan Byrd 130/1
Tony Finau 140/1
Alex Prugh 150/1
Daniel Summerhays 150/1
Jason Kokrak 150/1
K.J. Choi 150/1
Scott Stallings 150/1
Morgan Hoffmann 160/1
David Toms 170/1
Rory Sabbatini 170/1
Scott Langley 180/1
David Hearn 190/1
Jeff Overton 190/1
Sean O 'Hair 190/1
Carlos Ortiz 200/1
Ernie Els 200/1
Matt Every 200/1
Will Wilcox 200/1
Jonas Blixt 210/1
John Peterson 220/1
Zac Blair 230/1
Alex Cejka 240/1
Jon Curran 240/1
Martin Flores 240/1
Michael Thompson 240/1
Andrew Svoboda 250/1
Blayne Barber 250/1
Brian Stuard 250/1
Bryce Molder 250/1
Charlie Beljan 250/1
Colt Knost 250/1
Jhonattan Vegas 250/1
Michael Putnam 250/1
Spencer Levin 250/1
Vijay Singh 250/1
Ben Crane 300/1
Bo Van Pelt 300/1
Carl Pettersson 300/1
J.J. Henry 300/1
Jason Bohn 300/1
Jim Herman 300/1
John Huh 300/1
Kyle Reifers 300/1
Ryo Ishikawa 300/1
S.J. Park 300/1
Scott Brown 300/1
Stewart Cink 300/1
Chad Campbell 350/1
Chad Collins 350/1
D.A. Points 350/1
Erik Compton 350/1
Fabian Gomez 350/1
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 350/1
Lucas Glover 350/1
Andres Romero 400/1
Billy Hurley III 400/1
Brian Davis 400/1
Danny Lee 400/1
Hudson Swafford 400/1
John Merrick 400/1
Kevin Kisner 400/1
Luke Guthrie 400/1
Mark Wilson 400/1
Max Homa 400/1
Nicholas Thompson 400/1
Ken Duke 450/1
Ricky Barnes 450/1
Steve Wheatcroft 450/1
Derek Fathauer 500/1
Justin Leonard 500/1
Steven Bowditch 500/1
Tim Wilkinson 500/1
Chez Reavie 550/1
John Daly 550/1
Justin Hicks 550/1
Robert Allenby 550/1
Sam Saunders 550/1
Troy Merritt 550/1
Brice Garnett 600/1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Auto CampingWorld.com 500
By Micah Roberts

Are you kidding me with Kevin Harvick? This guy is on some kind of major roll right now and things will get only tougher for the rest of the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers as Harvick goes to his best track, Phoenix, this weekend.

All Harvick has done after winning his first Sprint Cup title in 2014 is finish second-place in the first two races of 2015 and then win his first Las Vegas Cup race on Sunday. If we go back to the final three races of 2014, Harvick has finished first or second in six straight races now. He's won in four of his last nine starts.

And now he goes to Phoenix where he's won six times over his career including the last three races there and four of the last five. How do you bet anyone else this week? The only problem with betting Harvick is that the sports books know all this past history as well and you'll be lucky to get 7/2 odds (Bet $100 to win $350).

So let's see if we can make a case for anyone else and to begin with we'll take a look at Jimmie Johnson who will be the second choice to win at 5/1 odds.

All Johnson has done at Phoenix is win four times and average a 7.7 finish which is tops in the series. The only problem with Johnson is that his last Phoenix win was 2009. He's gone 10 races there without winning -- his longest Phoenix drought.

Carl Edwards is the only driver other than Harvick to win at Phoenix over the past five races there. In addition to his 2013 win, he also won in 2010 and has a 12.2 average finish. The problem with Edwards is that he's yet to have a top-10 in three starts in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing. Because of his past history, you'll only get 12 to-1 odds him which isn't attractive enough considering his slow start to 2015.

Another driver having an awful time of it thus far has been Jeff Gordon who is currently 29th in points. He's had a great car in all three races so far, but has had every kind of bad luck imaginable. On Saturday at Las Vegas, his pole winning car was struck by Danica Patrick in practice and he was forced into a back-up car which had to start from the rear. He's had 32 starts at Phoenix and captured two wins and an 11th-place average finish. His car will be good once again and at 10-to-1 odds, he's an attractive wager. But the bad luck part of his season looms large and might have a few bettors shy away from him at the bet window.

Denny Hamlin also has a career average of 11th-place at Phoenix in his 19 career starts, which includes a win in 2012. Hamlin's best type of tracks over his career has been the flat variety and Phoenix is about as flat as they get. He's had four top-5 finishes in his last six Phoenix starts. He presents good value at 12-to-1 odds.

Brad Keselowski hasn't won at Phoenix before but he did win on similar flat tracks at Richmond and New Hampshire last year. He's finished sixth or better in five of his last six Phoenix starts.

The driver that will probably give Harvick his most competition is Keselowski's Penske Racing teammate Joey Logano who had his best season of racing at Phoenix last year with a fourth and sixth-place finish. Logano has the look of a being a force all season long and he should find himself with his third top-5 finish of the season, and maybe his first win on the track.

The only driver to have top-5 finishes in all three races this season besides Harvick has been Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will get 8-to-1 odds this week. He won at Phoenix in the 2003 and 2004 season and is on a run of finishing eigth or better in his past four starts there, including runner-up in this race last season.

A driver everyopne can't help but root for is Martin Truex Jr. who has shown extraordinary power in the first three races of 2015 and currently sits fifth in points. It's rare to see a single car team have success in NASCAR and it's even rarer to see a team have any success when their garage isn't in Charlotte -- Furniture Row Racing is based out of Denver. If including the two non-points races at Daytona, Truex Jr. has finished eighth or better in all five races, including runner-up at Las Vegas Sunday. His best run at Phoenix was fifth-place in 2009.

Top-5 Finish Prediction:

1) #4 Kevin Harvick (7/2)
2) #22 Joey Logano (8/1)
3) #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8/1)
4) #48 Jimmie Johnson (5/1)
5) #11 Denny Hamlin (12/1)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Preview: Cavaliers (41-25) at Spurs (40-23)

Date: March 12, 2015 9:30 PM EDT

LeBron James guided the Cleveland Cavaliers to five straight postseasons and the 2007 NBA Finals before helping Miami win two titles during four consecutive Finals appearances.

The four-time MVP, however, has never had a great deal of success in San Antonio.

Making his first trip back since last season's Finals, James will get an opportunity to see where his surging Cavaliers stand Thursday night when they try to stop the Spurs' six-game winning streak.

James has come up short 12 times in 17 career games at the AT&T Center after his Heat fell 104-87 in Game 5 of last year's Finals. His 25.2 scoring average in nine regular-season games there is also his worst versus any Western Conference foe.

Defensive wiz Kawhi Leonard, the 2014 Finals MVP, has contributed to San Antonio's success against James.

"He's very sound," James confessed. "I think what also helps him is the anchors that he has behind him in Timmy (Duncan), (Tiago) Splitter and the rest of those guys."

If James can reverse his fortunes in San Antonio, the Cavs will move to 2-0 on a four-game trip. He had 27 points and eight assists to take over sole possession of the team's career assist record in Tuesday's 127-94 rout in Dallas.

After a slow start in James' second stint, Cleveland (41-25) has gone a league-best 22-5 while scoring an East-high 107.4 per game since Jan. 15. The Central Division leaders also have a slight edge in the race for the conference's second seed.

"(The Cavs are) playing at a high level," Spurs guard Danny Green said. "They've got some great guys and great players. And they're playing well together. They're starting to mesh at a key time. It's going to be a good matchup."

The defending champions went through a rough patch of their own, dropping four straight on their nine-game Rodeo trip before getting on track with their longest streak since an eight-game run from Nov. 17-Dec. 1.

San Antonio (40-23), sixth in the loaded West, is averaging 112.2 points on 48.0 percent shooting in the six games. The club built a 26-point lead Tuesday before holding on for a 117-107 home win over Toronto.

Leonard finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and five steals, while Tony Parker had 23 points and nine assists. Parker has averaged 24.5 points in four games since scoring 6.8 per game on 26.0 percent shooting over his previous five.

Coach Gregg Popovich said he thought Duncan would be fine despite hyperextending his left elbow in the contest. Manu Ginobili is also expected to play after sitting out due to gastroenteritis.

"They're going to have a high motor and share the ball," James said. "It's a team that has so much chemistry because they've spent so much time together and they have championship DNA. It should be a good one."

San Antonio has won 10 straight in the series dating to James' first stint in Cleveland. Duncan finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Boris Diaw added 19 points, seven assists and six boards in a 92-90 road win Nov. 19.

James was limited to 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting and made a costly turnover with 1.9 seconds left. Kevin Love was held to 10 while going 4 for 12 from the field.

After starting Tuesday's game without a headband for the first time since the 2003 preseason as a rookie, James joked with reporters that the headband would be a game-time decision.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hot under teams clash when Knicks-Lakers meet
Justin Hartling

In both the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers past four games respectively, the contests have gone under the closing total.

The Knicks offense has been anemic, averaging a mere 82 points in thier past four games. The Lakers have been slightly more respecitable with the 'Lake Show' tallying 92.5 points.

On the season as a whole, the teams have a combined 55-68-3 over/under record.