Happy New Year Members! Let’s have a killer year at the races!
Let’s start with the best Pegasus Seminar in the game! Nobody Does it Better! DETAILS HERE! Yes this one is FREE!
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TRACKING TRIPS Horses in today:
Luck (#7, 8/5) is entered Santa Anita Park on Saturday, January 1st, 2022 in Race 8 (Robert J. Frankel S.).
YOUR NOTES: 8/7/2021, Del Mar, Race 8- Came from far back in US debut after working very well and showing some ability in Europe, split horses and had good acceleration and can run some. 10 FIG 4 +
This one is deadly on the cut back today, tough to beat in my book and a single for me!
Money in the Bank (#7, 6/1) is entered Aqueduct on Saturday, January 1st, 2022 in Race 7.
YOUR NOTES: 12/3/2021, Aqueduct, Race 7- was completely blocked through the stretch in a roughly run race and had no place to go. 10 FIG 7-
Live and dangerous, a must use!
HORSES TO WATCH:
GULFSTREAM PARK:
RACE 4- #6 Fast and Flirty is right off the maiden breaker, an angle I frankly often avoid, that said this filly is in a good spot, was well thought of from the jump, caught an off track in debut and put it together second time out, I think she can go forward again and make plenty of noise especially with what looks like a nice projected trip.
RACE 9- #8 Grand Sonata makes a lot of sense to me especially if the course pays fair, looks to be the best late runner and may only be faced with running down the other Pletcher, #5 Chanceux who could be tough on the lead.
RACE 10- The Mucho Macho Man:
Sport Pepper breaks from the rail with Corey Lanerie. He has some speed and is going turf to dirt and has a win on the dirt at Keeneland. His trainer has won with this move before, and the works are good. I think he has a chance at a big price, but from the rail with other speed in the race he has his work cut out for him. He will need a very crafty ride by Lanerie to win this.
Strike Hard is coming off his career best race. He is the morning line favorite at 2-1. I am not a believer. I’ll need to see him string two together before thinking he can handle these.
Simplification ran huge in his second start and then regressed in the next one. He has speed and stretches out and is bred to run this far and longer. He will likely set the pace and the friendlier the track is to speed the better his chances become. He has back-to-back six furlong works and that is a move you don’t see often but a move I personally like a lot. I think he’s the horse to beat.
Mr. Rum Runner has yet to run a bad one and has speed. He should be in this early, I doubt he is in it late.
Skippylongstocking adds blinkers and has a perfect style for the way this race shapes up. He should be stalking the speed while not too far out of it and get the jump on any closers. He has some bottom to him and also has Tyler Gaffalione up. I will land here based on how I think the race unfolds and the slight edge I give him over the Mott horse we’ll look at next.
Graphic Deal might turn out to be the best horse in here and I like Mott moving him from a maiden win to a stake. He also gets a nice pace set up with speed and stalkers lined up in here. He is working well and Saez should have him rolling at the right time. He can win, and I would not discourage anyone who likes him, but I will lean to the more experienced runner to his inside for this race anyway.
OAKLAWN PARK:
Race 9- The Smarty Jones drew a big field, 14 actually and the trip and ride likely determines the winner. I’ll be watching this one with a keen eye on #14 Ben Diesel. Unfortunately he drew a marooned post especially with the short stretch and finish line on top of the short run to the first turn. That said I think this colt can run some and with a rough trip likely here it may pay to watch with a small wager to keep things honest but with an eye on the future. I believe he will get better and they may just be giving him a nice education today. Stay tuned.
SANTA ANITA:
Bob Baffert and John Velazquez are on a tear. The horses are firing big time and Johnny has to be feeling pretty good about a new western zip code for the winter. That said I like a spot to upset them and the apple cart today. We’ll get to that in a minute.
RACE 7- #1 Mackinnon is a talented horse and his race on dirt way back when was not as bad as it looked. This colt has some grit and has overcome and ran well with trouble albeit on turf. His dirt works are excellent. I think he will handle the dirt fine, and I like how he is bred for it. I think he is faster than he looks and will or at least can show that from the rail. He has class and I look for a big race from him today, and I also believe he gets a little lost in the wagering shuffle. We have two from the white hot Baffert barn and a horse off a troubled trip in the Breeders’ Cup to monster Corniche. That will all help the price. The field is small so we won’t get a bomb but he should be more than fair in the multi-race wagers. Hey. it is a risk, turf to dirt and all, but I play it and call it the way I see it and I am not afraid to be wrong or humbled and equally not afraid to go after it hard and make it count when i’m right. Most of you know this about me, and also I will be right enough to get em in the long run!!! I’m taking a shot. Single. Win!!! Two exactas, 1-2, 1-3, no reverse.
Again Happy New Year and enjoy the races. Hope to see you all at the Pegasus Seminar or at the race itself. We’ll be there. We appreciate the support and see all of you! Grazie! Buon Anno!
#MEMBERSHIP! #BEWITHUS!
