Saturday, February 17, 2007

The Southwest Stakes

Oaklawn Park in Arkansas has rescheduled the $250,000 Southwest Stakes for Monday afternoon. The race had to be rescheduled following the cold weather which forced several cancellations in Hot Springs. I think this shapes up to be a two-horse race between Hard Spun and Going Ballistic. I think the top pick will be Going Ballistic simply because there appears to be a lot of early speed in this field and that could compromise the chances of Hard Spun, who needs to be in front based on the fact that he has done that in all four previous attempts. The D. Wayne Lukas trainee, Starbase, has the very capable Corey Lanerie in the saddle and comes off a win at Oaklawn on January 20. I am finding it difficult to see the fascination with Teuflesberg. He has a win and a third in two starts at Fair Grounds this winter, but he has not been a stand-out yet. He is racing without blinkers Monday.

Southwest Stakes Selections- Going Ballistic, Hard Spun, Starbase, Teuflesberg

Friday, February 09, 2007

The Risen Star Stakes

At the Fair Grounds tomorrow, one of the greatest horses ever to run in Louisiana is annually honored with the Grade 3 $300,000 Risen Star Stakes. This edition has drawn a full field of 14 and the favorite should be Circular Quay. However, we will take a price pick just to the inside of the post position draw with Izzie's Halo. This horse is a nice 8-1 shot and has a bullet workout on January 31st. Also, he was runner-up to Hard Spun in the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. We will put the favorite, Circular Quay, in the second spot with John Velazquez up after his disappointing 2nd in the BC Juvenile at Churchill Downs. The Steve Asmussen-trained Zanjero will be our show spotter. He is very well-bred and ran 2nd behind early Derby favorite, Nobiz Like Shobiz, in the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct. For the fourth spot, the California invader Notional is worth a look after a strong win in the San Rafael at Santa Anita on January 13. Here's wishing the best of luck to you all.

Risen Star Stakes Selections- Izzie's Halo, Circular Quay, Zanjero, Notional

Friday, February 02, 2007

The Dandy Donn

The Grade 1 $500,000 Donn Handicap will be run at Gulfstream Park and features the first 2007 start of 2006 Horse Of The Year, Invasor. I really don't think that Invasor gets beat. The only race he has lost in ten career starts was the trip to Dubai last year. His last two workouts are outstanding and he drew the rail, which can only help his trip out. I think Magna Graduate could be a possible threat in this spot. He is also making his 2007 debut here and posted a 110 Beyer in his last start, the Grade 3 Queens County. Chatain is the third pick in the Donn off his win in the Grade 3 Hal's Hope at Gulfstream on January 6. He also has a bullet workout on January 29 on his resume'. Hesanoldsalt can be a throw-in for a possible price underneath as well. He was DQ'd from a win in his last go at Gulfstream under Rafael Bejarano. Also, on the card Saturday at Gulfstream is the Grade 3 $150,000 Holy Bull, which features the kick-0ff of the 2007 Derby campaign for Nobiz Like Shobiz. Be sure to watch him through the early months of 2007 as he should be the Derby favorite on the first Saturday of May, if he can get that far. Here's wishing the best of luck to you all.

Donn Handicap Selections- Invasor, Magna Graduate, Chatain, Hesanoldsalt