The Florida Derby

The Grade 1 $1,000,000 Florida Derby will be Saturday at Gulfstream Park and it figures to be a contentious race with nine starters. This is the race that Barbaro won last year en route to his victory on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. I will take the winner of the Fountain Of Youth, Scat Daddy, to get the win here. He barely got up to beat a game Stormello on that day and he is also in this field. I think Stormello has more heart and guts than any other 3-year-old this year, but I am hoping he fires his biggest shot in five weeks. Adore The Gold is worth a look also with some devastating workouts in the days leading up to this try. The winner of the Risen Star at the Fair Grounds, Notional, is the fourth selection coming off a bit of a layoff here.

Florida Derby Selections- Scat Daddy, Stormello, Adore The Gold, Notional

The Louisiana Derby

The 94th edition of the Grade 2 $600,000 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds takes place on Saturday and it is a very contentious group of eight horses in this one. Trainers Todd Pletcher and Doug O'Neill have been hogging all the headlines on the Derby Trail this year and this race is no exception as that pair have three of the eight runners available. My top pick will be Liquidity, an O'Neill trainee that ran 2nd in his last two and was Sired by two-time Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Tiznow. Circular Quay, one of the two Pletcher runners, is going to be the favorite and is almost assured to get a better trip on Saturday than he did in the Risen Star at FG back on February 10. The other Pletcher horse, Soaring By, gets the third spot here after a win and a second in his first two starts and he has Edgar Prado in the irons Saturday. We'll round out the top four with Delta Jackpot winner, Birdbirdistheword. His last two workouts have been bullets and he could provide a price in this race. Here's wishing the best of luck to you all.

Louisiana Derby Selections- Liquidity, Circular Quay, Soaring By, Birdbirdistheword

The Big 'Cap

Lava Man should win the Santa Anita Handicap for fun on Saturday. The Big 'Cap is a Grade 1, $1,000,000 event with a rich and proud history. After all, this is the race that Seabiscuit and Red Pollard came back to win in 1940 and put a cherry on top of that outstanding movie. Back to business, though, Lava Man has won eight of the last nine and the only loss came in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. Arson Squad is the second choice after winning the Grade 2 Strub Stakes on February 3 and posting a bullet workout on March 1. The third choice is Sunshine Millions Classic winner, McCann's Mojave. He has won three straight entering the 'Cap and is 5 for 10 at Santa Anita. Awesome Gem rounds out the top four. He won the Grade 2 San Fernando Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on January 13. His Sire is 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Awesome Again. All three of his wins have come at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita Handicap Selections- Lava Man, Arson Squad, McCann's Mojave, Awesome Gem

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

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

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

Barbaro

2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro, was euthanized on Monday. Barbaro suffered a devastating injury during the 2006 Preakness while trying to keep the dream of the Triple Crown alive and the complications resulting from that injury were just too much for him to overcome. I think it is a testament to the heart of a champion that Barbaro had that he survived for 8 months following the injury. He never lost on the racetrack and he only lost the ultimate race after giving his all trying to win it. Many sports fans don't necessarily agree with the idea of horse as athlete and while they may have a minor technical point there, I would certainly hope that no one would be able to argue with the fact that Barbaro was a champion in not only ability, but also heart and soul.

MAXXAM and The Millions

Sam Houston Race Park hosts one of its spotlight races on Saturday night with the $100,000 MAXXAM Gold Cup. A field of ten has entered and the top pick on this front is the Steve Asmussen-trained More Than Regal. He won the Zia Park Derby last time out on December 9 and should be ready to rock and roll in his return go. Saturday is also the Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream and Santa Anita Parks. The highlight race in Florida is the $1,000,000 Classic and the pick there is Sweetnorthernsaint over Silver Wagon. Silver Wagon has never been this far before and the extra furlong could get him in the end. The prime California race is the $500,000 Turf featuring the best horse on the West Coast, Lava Man. However, I will look for a bit of an upset with the Neil Drysdale trainee, Sherwood Park, who is 3 for 4 over the grass at Santa Anita. Enjoy the first great racing weekend of 2007 and here's wishing the best of luck to you all.

Welcome to 2007

The calendar has now clicked over to 2007 and we are back to some important racing events happening again. The Breeders' Cup announced the addition of three more races to be run on Friday, the day before the traditional BC program. The Dirt Mile, Filly and Mare Sprint, and Juvenile Turf will be run on Friday at Monmouth Park, when the BC visits the Garden State for the first time. I think this is a tremendous addition (although I would also like to see them add a turf sprint). The only negative for us race-callers might be the end of All-Star Announcers Day (which I have been fortunate enough to be a part of three times, including this past year at Churchill Downs). That is traditionally the Friday preceding the BC card, so we'll have to see how that all shakes out in the coming year, but BRAVO!!! to the BC for expanding the opportunites of horses and horsemen to win these prestigious races.

I also wanted to alert everyone that we are racing at Sam Houston Race Park as well. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday programs are available and you can link to the SHRP website through the menu on the right of this page. Our MAXXAM Gold Cup is coming up on January 27th and I will have picks up for that race right here the day before. There will also be a look at the Sunshine Millions that day as well. Here's wishing the best of luck to you all in 2007.

Young At Heart

The juvenile runners will make the headlines at Belmont Park today. The Breeders' Cup World Championships are just three weeks off and The Grade 1 Frizette and the Grade 1 Champagne could provide an insight into how the juvenile races on BC day will be run. To start, the Grade 1 Frizette is for Juvenile Fillies and I will go with the Todd Pletcher-trained Awesome Ashley, who broke the maiden at Belmont at today's distance in her most recent go. For second, I like Meadow Breeze, who scored in the Grade 1 Matron on September 23rd under the ride of Kent Desormeaux. To round out the top three, I'll take Allude, who was sired by 2002 BC Sprint winner, Orientate. The boys will run in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes and I'll go with another Pletcher horse, Scat Daddy, who has two wins and a second in three lifetime performances. Nobiz Like Shobiz is my second pick who won by over 10 lengths at this distance in his only other start on September 9th over the Belmont oval. For third, I will go with 10-1 shot, I'm A Numbers Guy, who could upset the apple cart today at a nice price. He has a bullet workout on October 9th to admire. The best of luck to you all.

Super Derby XXVII

Louisiana Downs will host the 27th version of the Super Derby on Saturday and a field of eight has entered, but it seems that there are only three or four serious contenders in this field. I will pick the Bob Baffert trainee Point Determined as the winner here. He was Sired by Point Given, who SHOULD have won the Triple Crown, and returns to the dirt after a failed effort on the turf in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby. His only other really dull effort came in the Kentucky Derby, where he finished ninth after getting bumped around in the 20-horse traffic jam. Lawyer Ron, who spent the better part of the spring as my Derby winner, will be second-best today. He came back after a break following the 12th-place result in the Derby to win the St.Louis Derby at Fairmount Park under the lights. He also threw a bullet workout on the board on September 16th. The show spot goes to Strong Contender, who has never missed the money in six lifetime starts. He has not run since finishing 3rd in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth on August 6th. The fourth spot might go to local Louisiana horse, Costa Rising, who appears to be part of the speed in here and might hold off the rest to get a cut. The best of luck to you all.

The Summertime Derby

The 137th running of the Travers Stakes takes place on Saturday at Saratoga in upstate New York. The best in this field is the best horse currently in training in North America, Bernardini. He devastated the field in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy over this racetrack and he and jockey Javier Castellano are now a perfect 3 for 3 when paired together. The two Todd Pletcher trainees come next and I'll put High Cotton in the place position. He and Garrett Gomez are 2 for 2 when running together and this colt's workout on August 19th was a blistering five-furlong bullet. Bluegrass Cat won the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on August 6th, but that came after almost two months off. I don't know if he will be as fresh as he needs to be to challenge the top pick. I'll round out the top four with Kip Deville, who is making the turf-to-dirt switch here and possesses plenty of early speed. He might get run into the ground by Bernardini, but if the pace is soft, he might hang in there for a piece of the action.

One Million Dollars

The 24th running of the Arlington Million takes place in Chicago this Saturday. It is one of the better turf races in the world and always is instrumental leading into the fall season and the Breeders' Cup Would Thoroughbred Championships. We will go with English Channel to win even with the #11 post position. Trainer Todd Pletcher has been winning almost everything lately and this horse has been outstanding in every 2006 start, winning three of four. Cacique defeated the top pick at Belmont in the Manhattan Handicap on June 10th, but has lost twice to that colt as well. The Tin Man is an 8-year-old veteran that scored a win in a Grade 2 at Hollywood on July 2nd and gets Victor Espinoza aboard. He just might be in too tough here. The best of the Euro invaders appears to be Soldier Hollow. He has 6 wins at the distance and was Sired by former Breeders' Cup champ, In The Wings. Here's wishing the best of luck to you all.

A Haskell Happening

The Grade 1 Haskell Invitational is this Sunday at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. It is the highlight of the Jersey track's meet and since this is my old home state, let's take a good look at the Haskell. I will go with the John Ward-trained Strong Contender as the winner here. He posted a phenomenal Beyer speed figure of 109 in winning the Grade 2 Dwyer at Belmont Park on July 4th. While there is a bounce possibility, he will have Edgar Prado aboard and that should help with that factor. Bluegrass Cat was the runner-up in Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, but that is just the problem. He has finished 2nd in three of the last four races. His last win was an ungraded Stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs in February. Deputy Glitters might get the balance of the bucks here. He won the Grade 2 Ohio Derby at Thistledown last time out on July 15th and beat Bluegrass Cat in the Tampa Bay Derby in March. The longshot to like in here is Praying For Cash with Jersey Joe Bravo in the irons. This horse is 8-1 on the morning line and loves the Monmouth strip, winning three of four starts over this racetrack. Here's wishing the best of luck to you all.

A Dandy Jim Dandy

I think we have a new favorite for Horse Of The Year, racing fans. Bernardini was absolutely magnificent in winning the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga yesterday. The Preakness champion continues to improve with each successive start and in the Jim Dandy, he was simply awesome. Jockey Javier Castellano held the horse back through the first stages of the race and then barely had to move coming through the stretch. That was a perfect prep race for the "Summertime Derby", The Travers Stakes, and Bernardini will be an overwhelming favorite for that one and for almost every other start he will make this year. I know Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby on cruise control, but Bernardini might very well be the better horse.

It Is Now Summer

I know it has been hotter than Hades lately around the entire country, but there is no better sign of summer in the horse racing world than tomorrow afternoon when SARATOGA kicks off its annual summer ritual in upstate New York. The great races at the "Graveyard of Champions" will this year include the Woodward Stakes, which was moved over from Belmont Park for this year. Of course, the "Summertime Derby", the Travers Stakes is the highlight of the meeting.

As an easterner originally, Saratoga would be my summer spot over Del Mar in a photo finish, but how about Giacomo coming back last weekend at Del Mar and winning the San Diego Handicap? That is his first win since the Kentucky Derby he won at 50-1 in 2005. Next up for Giacomo is the Pacific Classic later this Del Mar meet against the likes of Lava Man.

Here's wishing the best of luck to you all.

Oh, Susanna!!!

Churchill Downs runs the big race this weekend, the Grade 1 $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap, named for the man who penned the Kentucky Derby theme, My Old Kentucky Home. A very intriguing field of ten will go postward on Saturday in the Foster and I will top the tensome with West Virginia. Well, I know that is a ways from Kentucky, but this Todd Pletcher trainee has a win and a third in two starts since April Fool's Day and has won thrice at this distance in his career. Oaklawn Handicap winner, Buzzards Bay, is my second choice in the Foster. He has won two straight, but has been away from the races since April 8th. He does show a strong workout at Hollywood Park on June 10th. Love Of Money posted a 110 Beyer in running 2nd in the Westchester Handicap at Belmont Park on May 3rd. This horse should be toward the front almost all the way on Saturday and gets Edgar Prado aboard. Brass Hat will likely go off as the betting favorite in this race, but be careful with him since he is returning from Dubai and horses coming back from there rarely do as well as they did before the trip. The best of luck to you all.

Sidewalks of New York

I know they sing New York, New York before the Belmont Stakes nowadays, but not too long ago the traditional song of the race was "Sidewalks of New York". With that out of the way, I will go with Bob And John to win the 138th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. Toss the Derby right out of consideration. He got a miserable trip and never really had a chance after the early problems. Also, if the track comes up sloppy, he won the Wood Memorial over a sloppy strip. For second, I lean toward morning-line choice and Derby runner-up, Bluegrass Cat. He is at best a weak morning-line favorite. He got the best trip of all in the Derby and was expertly ridden that day by Ramon Dominguez. So, the connections go back to John Velazquez to ride. He is no slouch and has won four times aboard this horse, but Dominguez deserved another shot. The price pick in the Belmont is High Finance because he has the best Beyer speed figure in this field ( a 103 last time out) and he has been quite impressive in winning his last two, including the last at Belmont Park. Sunriver, the winner of the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont on May 20th, gets fourth placement with Rafael Bejarano aboard. The best of luck to you all.

Maryland, My Maryland

I am not trying to be the Grinch that stole the Triple Crown, but Barbaro is certainly not a lock in the 131st Preakness Stakes Saturday. He wil be a heavy, heavy favorite in Baltimore. Probably too much of a favorite to have any value on him. Therefore, I will go against the popular wisdom and go with Sweetnorthernsaint for the second straight race. He never really had a chance in the Derby after getting creamed at the start of the race and STILL managed to be right there at the top of the stretch before coming up empty. Barbaro comes next in second, right where I picked him two weeks ago. My third choice in here could represent the lone speed in the field. Like Now won the Gotham Stakes in New York and ran 2nd in the Coolmore Lexington four weeks ago. He drew the rail and more than likely will try to steal this race on the front end. If the early fractions are dawdling, he could win. Brother Derek overcame his miserable post position in Kentucky and dead-heated for fourth in the Derby despite being wide every step of the way. Here's wishing the best of luck to you all.

My Old Kentucky Home

The first Saturday in May has arrived and that means that it is time for the 132nd Kentucky Derby. A full field of 20 will face the starter and it appears to be a most talented bunch. There is quite a bit of speed in this race and my four top picks all appear to be horses that could be in the pace fight or lay just off of the pace. I will put Sweetnorthernsaint as the winner here. His Beyer figures have been outstanding in recent races and his win in the Illinois Derby was quite impressive. Next comes the undefeated Barbaro. He stormed through Florida on his way to the commonwealth and seems to be among the versatile runners in this Derby. The livest longshot in the Run For The Roses just might be Keyed Entry, who is 30-1 on the morning line despite having never been worse than 3rd in five lifetime starts. Lawyer Ron has been in my spotlight since February and might very well do it today, so I definitely make him a factor. However, he has not faced the toughest competition in Arkansas and his speed figures just don't measure up to the top pick here. Have a mint julep for me and I truly wish the best of luck to you all on Derby Day.