Saturday Stakes Races 3-8-2014

This Saturday features superb racing from Santa Anita, Tampa Bay Downs, and Gulfstream Park. 

Santa Anita plays host to the GI $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap which features the top two finishers from the Breeders Cup Classic in November, Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge. Last years Santa Anita Handicap winner, the always tough Game on Dude, will also be a major player. The undercard to the Big Cap features three very deep graded stakes races including the GI $350,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes, and the GII $300,000 San Felipe a Kentucky Derby Prep race worth 50 points to the winner. 

Tampa Bay Downs has its biggest racing day of the year on Saturday featuring the GII $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby as well as two graded stakes race on the turf proceeding it. At Gulfstream Park the feature is the GII $250,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap featuring the return of the 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice. Below are my selections for all of the graded stakes races around the country. 

Good luck!

Santa Anita 

Race 9 GI $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap

1. Will Take Charge (2-1)

2. Mucho Macho Man (9-5)

3. Game on Dude (5-2)

In the Big Cap I think there is a strong possibility of Mucho Macho Man going after Game on Dude early, setting the race up for Will Take Charge. Game on Dude has yet to prove he can beat horses with the talent and quality such as Will Take Charge or Mucho Macho Man, and he also may have lost a step with age. I still believe Will Take Charge was the best horse in the Classic, and I expect him to run down Mucho Macho Man, at a distance that suits him perfectly. This instant classic airs on Fox Sports 1 at 7PM EST time. 

Race 8 GI 350,00 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes

1. Suggestive Boy (6-1)

2. Za Approval (3-1)

3. Winning Prize (7-2) 

Suggestive Boy won this race in 2013 before being sidelined. He returned last month and ran an even fifth off of the eleven month layoff. I believe Suggestive Boy, is the most talented horse in the race and he should improve greatly in his second start off the layoff. Za Approval has shown he loves the course at Santa Anita running a massive race to finish behind horse of the year Wise Dan in the Breeders Cup Mile, but he has not run since that effort. While he could certainly win, since Suggestive Boy has the race underneath him, he will be a little sharper. Winning Prize was very impressive in winning the Grade II Arcadia last month defeating many of these but the going gets much tougher here. 

Race 7 GII $250,000 San Carlos Stakes 

1. Big Macher (6-1)

2. Shakin it Up (3-1)

3. Sahara Sky (4-1)

With a race that seems to have very little speed, I searched for a horse that has speed and Big Macher fit the bill. Big Macher is coming off a stakes win against California bred runners, but he should be able to compete with these.  The most talented horse in the race is Sahara Sky, but his last race off the layoff was nothing to get excited about. If Sahara Sky runs back to his form of last year he should win this race. 

Race 5 GII $300,000 San Felipe Stakes

1. Kristo (4-1)

2. California Chrome (3-1)

3.  Midnight Hawk (4-1)

With the scratch of the morning line favorite Bayern, It really opens the race up. I like Kristo because he continues to improve, I am not sure he wants to go far enough, but with the way the race shapes up and Rosario on board he has a serious chance. 

Tampa Bay Downs

Race 11 GII $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby

1. Hy Kodiak Warrior (10-1)

2. Conquest Titan (7-2)

3. Ring Weekend (15-1)

I am Top Billing believer, and Hy Kodiak Warrior comes out of an allowance race at Gulfstream Park won by Commissioner, and Top Billing was second. Top Billing and Commissioner both ran in the Fountain of Youth two weeks ago with Top Billing running a very good third. Hy Kodiak Warrior has yet to run a bad race, and I do not believe this rendition of the Tampa Bay Derby is particularly strong.  Conquest Titan is the most proven of the bunch, but he will need a good trip coming from the back and he is a short price. 

Race 10 GIII $200,000 Florida Oaks 

1. Kitten Kaboodle (8-1)

2. Testa Rossi (2-1)

3. Interrupted (15-1)

Race 9 GIII $150,000 Hillsborough Stakes

1. Riposte (2-1)

2. Cloud Scapes (9-2)

3. Waterway Run (7-2) 

Gulfstream Park 

GII $250,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap

1. Golden Ticket (5-1)

2. Palace Malice (5-2)

3. Brujo De Olleros (6-1) 

The Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships

Every year the best horses from around the world line up in the starting gate for the Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. This year is highlighted by three races in particular, the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic, the Breeders Cup Mile, and lastly the Breeders Cup Classic. All three races are filled with phenomenal talent. Below are selections for the fifteen Breeders Cup races starting with Friday, each race with have my three selections, followed by one longer priced horse who I believe will be a factor in each race. I have provided in-depth analysis on the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic, Turf, Mile, and Classic, along with picks. I hope you enjoy the Breeders Cup!!

Breeders Cup Saturday

Race 4 GI Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf $1,000,000
1. Fantastic Moon (12-1) *Longshot
2. Joha (6-1)
3. Artigiano (8-1)

Race 5 GI Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint $1,000,000
1. Groupie Doll (1-1) Best bet of the Breeders Cup
2. Switch (12-1) *Longshot
3. Turbulent Descent (5-1)

Race 6 GI Breeders Cup Dirt Mile $1,000,000
1. Jersey Town (4-1) *Love him!
2. Shackleford (2-1)
5. Fed Biz (6-1)
Longshot- Delegation (12-1)

Race 7 GI Breeders Cup Turf Sprint $1,000,000
1. Unbridled's Note (5-1)
2. Reneesgotzip (8-1)
3. California Flag (6-1)
Longshot- Tale of a Champion (30-1)

Race 8 GI Breeders Cup Juvenile $2,000,000
1. Shanghai Bobby (2-1)
2. Power Broker (5-2)
3. He's Had Enough (20-1) *Longshot

Race 9 GI Breeders Cup Turf $3,000,000
1. Point of Entry (3-1)
2. Trailblazer (6-1)
3. Shareta (7-2)
Longshot- Cogito (30-1)

Point of Entry is a beast. He loves the firm ground that Santa Anita will offer. Point of Entry is the best American chance to win a route on the grass on the Breeders Cup program. Point of Entry is tactical and will be right in behind the hot pace. He will get first jump on the deep closers and will hold off the classy Europeans, and the well prepared Japanese invader Trailblazer.

Race 10 G1 Breeders Cup Sprint $1,500,000
1. Poseidon's Warrior (15-1) *Longshot
2. The Lumber Guy (6-1)
3. Amazombie (4-1)

Race 11 GI Breeders Cup Mile $2,000,000
1. Wise Dan (9-5)
2. Excelebration (2-1)
3. Animal Kingdom (8-1)
Longshot- Suggestive Boy (15-1)

The Breeders Cup Mile is in my opinion the best race of the 2012 Breeders Cup. Wise Dan, who is the best horse in the United States, clashes with Excelebration the second best miler in Europe, only behind the mighty Frankel. The race also features the long awaited return of 2011 Kentucky Derby hero Animal Kingdom. I believe Wise Dan is in impeccable form right now, and will not lose. Excelebration is a star, but nobody is beating Wise Dan right now. I look for Animal Kingdom to run a huge race first off the layoff, but he just may need one more race before he is beating the likes of Wise Dan.

Race 12 GI Breeders Cup Classic $5,000,000
1. Game on Dude (9-5)
2. Fort Larned (5-1)
3. To Honor and Serve (8-1)
Longshot- Pool Play (30-1)

The Breeders Cup Classic begins and ends with Game on Dude. He is the obvious choice in the race, and I love him. He is five for five at Santa Anita, and has speed in a race that lacks speed. Game on Dude will be sitting right off of expected pace setter Fort Larned, and I believe will run him down on his way to a Breeders Cup Classic victory. Fort Larned is going to set the pace, and I believe he will get the 1 1/4 miles distance of the Classic in his second start off of a brief freshening. His victory in the Whitney Stakes was very impressive and I look for him to duplicate that, but Game on Dude is just too good. To Honor and Serve will likely not receive a lot of attention based on his lackluster performance in the Kelso Handicap, but contrary to popular belief, I think To Honor and Serve is a distance horse who lacked conditioning in last years Breeders Cup Classic. I believe he is a major threat here. The race has many horses who figure to be long prices, but one horse who will be a short price, Flat Out, is a major throwout for me. Flat Out has been nothing but a dud away from New York, I believe he will hate the Santa Anita surface and for this reason I hate him in the Classic. Alpha is not good enough to beat these horses. Pool Play is not getting very much respect, but in two career starts on conventional dirt, he is two for two with a GI win. I think Pool Play could hit the board if the pace is hotter than expected. Mucho Macho Man will get a lot of play, but I am not sure he will get the distance, and for that reason he is a throw out for me. Ron the Greek and Richard's Kid are both GI winners over the track, but on Saturday I believe they are just not good enough. I just do not see Brilliant Speed, Nonios, or Handsome Mike having an impact on the race. Game on Dude is too good, he has been too good this year, and at Santa Anita, and for that reason I LOVE the favorite to win this years Breeders Cup Classic.


Breeders Cup Friday

Race 4 Breeders Cup Juvenile Sprint $500,000
1. Merit Man (8-5)
2. Sweet Shirley Mae (4-1)
3. Super Ninety Nine (5-2)
Longshot- Ceiling Kitty (12-1)

Race 5 GII Breeders Cup Marathon $500,000
1.  Eldaafer (8-1)
2. Worth Repeating (5-1)
3. Atigun (9-2)
Longshot- Grassy (30-1)

Race 6 GI Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf $1,000,000
1. Sky Lantern (3-1)
2. Flashy Ways (10-1)
3. Watsdachances (4-1)
Longshot- Kitten's Point (12-1)

Race 7 GI Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies $2,000,000
1.Kauai Katie (3-1)
2. Executiveprivilege
3.  Beholder
Longshot- Spring in the Air

Race 8 GI Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf $2,000,000
1. Ridasiyana (4-1)
2. The Fugue (7-2)
3. Marketing Mix (9-2)
Longshot- In Lingerie (12-1)

Race 9 GI Breeders Cup Ladies Classic $2,000,000
1. Awesome Feather (3-1)
2. Royal Delta (9-5)
3. Questing (4-1)
The Ladies Classic is loaded with speed horses, the speed includes My Miss Aurelia, Questing, Awesome Feather, and Love and Pride. I expect Awesome Feather to let Questing, My Miss Aurelia, and Love and Pride to duel it out. Awesome Feather will sit right off of the hot pace and get separation on the superstar mare Royal Delta turning for home. Awesome Feather will go to 11-11 and Royal Delta will run a valiant second in this years Breeders Cup Ladies Classic.

Weekend Stakes Races 9/29-30/12

This weekend in horse racing has major implications for this years Breeders Cup. Belmont Park hosts "Super Saturday". Belmont's card could not be higher quality. The purses are high, the fields are big, and the feature The GI Jockey Club Gold Cup features six Grade I winners. On the other coast Santa Anita hosts its huge pre- Breeders Cup day. Between Santa Anita and Belmont Park there will be a total of 14 graded stakes races. My selections for Belmont, Santa Anita, and Remington Park which hosts the Oklahoma Derby are below.

Belmont Park
Saturday

Race 5 GI Beldame Invitational $400,000
1. It's Tricky
2. Royal Delta
3. Cash for Clunkers

Race 6 GII Kelso Handicap $400,000
1. Tapizar
2. To Honor and Serve
3. Shackleford

Race 7 GI  Vosburgh Invitational $400,000
1. Sean Avery
2. Rothko
3. Fort Loudon

Race 8 GI Flower Bowl Invitational $600,000
1. Nahrain
2. Hessonite
3. Zagora

Race 9 GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational $600,000
1. Point of Entry
2. Finnegans Wake
3. Little Mike

Race 10 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational Stakes $1,000,000
1. Hymm Book
2. Ron the Greek
3. Fort Larned

Sunday
Race 7 GII Matron Stakes $200,000
1. Kauai Kate
2. Unabashed
3. Seasoned Warrior

Race 9 GII Futurity Stakes $200,000
1. Carried Interest
2. Overanalyze
3. Handsome Jack

Santa Anita
Saturday

Race 6 GI Chandelier Stakes $250,000
1. Executiveprivilege
2. Beholder
3. Scarlet Strike

Race 7 GI FrontRunner Stakes $250,000
1. Know More
2. Power Broker
3. Capo Bastone

Race 8 GI Zenyatta Stakes $250,000
1. Include Me Out
2. Via Villagio
3. Amani

Race 9 GI Rodeo Drive Stakes $250,000
1. Marketing Mix
2. Nereid
3. City to City

Race 10 GI Awesome Again Stakes $250,000
1. Game on Dude
2. Suggestive Boy
3. Richard's Kid

Sunday
Race 9 GII John Henry Turf Championship $150,000
1. Slim Shadey
2. Turbo Compressor
3. Bourbon Bay

Remington Park
Saturday

Race 9 Oklahoma Derby $400,000
1. Daddy Nose Best
2. Called to Serve
3. Speightscity

Weekend Stakes Selections 8-25-12 and 8-26-12

This weekend belongs to Saratoga and Del Mar. On Saturday Saratoga hosts The Travers Stakes. The Mid-Summer Derby is the marquee race of the Saratoga meet every year.  The Travers which is for three year olds going  a 1 1/4 miles features Alpha, who won the prep race for the Travers, The Jim Dandy Stakes. The other major contenders are Nonios, Neck N' Neck, Street Life, and Liason. Leading up to the Travers which runs as race 12 are three other major stakes races.
On Sunday at Del Mar they run the biggest race of their season in the Pacific Classic. The million dollar race for three year olds and upward features the top older male in training right now Game On Dude, as well as Richard's Kid, Dullahan, Rail Trip, and the filly Amani. The Pacific Classic also has a great undercard. My selections for the Travers Stakes, the Pacific Classic, and much more are below.

Saratoga
Saturday

Race 9 Grade II Ballston Spa Stakes $250,000
1. Hungry Island
2. Zagora
3. Summer Soiree

Race 10 Grade I Test Stakes $500,000
1. Book Review
2. Contested
3. Amie's Dini

Race 11 Grade I Foxwoods King's Bishop Stakes $500,000
1. Ever So Lucky
2. Trinniberg
3. Currency Swap

Race 12  Grade I Travers Stakes $1,000,000
1. Alpha
2. Stealcase
3. Nonios

I tried to beat Alpha in the Travers, but no matter where I looked Alpha looked too good. Alpha is the class of the field. Alpha's Jim Dandy victory was very impressive. In a race with little speed Alpha took advantage and never looked back. His main challenger in the race was Neck n' Neck, who is a very good horse but in the last 70 yards Alpha was pulling away from Neck n' Neck suggesting that Alpha will enjoy the added distance, and Neck n' Neck may not. Alpha is just too good for this field and I look for him to win this years Travers Stakes from right off the pace. While I picked the favorite to win, I believe a horse that may not get that much attention is a major player to hit the board, Stealcase. Stealcase is improving with each and every start. He seems to be enjoying the added distance, and he may get a decent set up in the race. While there are a few deep closers in the race I look for Stealcase to be a little closer and get the jump on horses like Street Life. I am taking a shot by putting Stealcase in my top 3 but I believe he is really improving and should love the 1 1/4 miles distance so he is worth a shot at 15-1. Nonios ran very well in the Haskell Invitational last time out, and while I believe that was a strong race to finish second, he will get a real class test today, I look for him to hit the board, but I do not think he will beat Alpha. Alpha will be the favorite and in this years edition of the Travers Stakes, Alpha will be the winner.

Saratoga
Sunday

Race 10 Grade I Personal Ensign Handicap $600,000
1. Royal Delta
2. Brushed by a Star
3. It's Tricky

Del Mar
Sunday

Race 5 Grade I Pat O' Brien Stakes $250,000
1. Camp Victory
2. Capital Account
3. Coil

Race 7 Grade II Del Mar Mile $200,000
1. Mr. Commons
2. Jeranimo
3. Calimonco

Race 9 Grade I TVG Pacific Classic Stakes $1,000,000
1. Suggestive Boy
2. Dullahan
3. Richard's Kid

Game On Dude is  undoubtedly the horse to beat in this years Pacific Classic. He is undefeated in the United States this year, his only loss coming in the Dubai World Cup. Last time out he won the Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup defeating Richard's Kid, but that was on the cushion track, and his win at Santa Anita earlier in the year was on dirt, Del Mar has a different type of synthetic surface, Polytrack. Game on Dude finished fourth in the 2011 edition of the Pacific Classic, and he really had no excuse. Game on Dude is better than every horse in this field but I believe he does not care for the Del Mar surface and I will take a stand against him. I believe he will finish fourth again. My pick is Suggestive Boy. Suggestive Boy will be making his third start in this country since being imported from Argentina. His last start in the Wickerr on the turf was very impressive. He will be making his first start on the Polytrack, but I do not believe that will be an issue. I believe he will love the distance and will get the first jump on the other major closers. I look for Suggestive Boy to pass Game on Dude in the last eighth of a mile and then hold off the other late closers like Dullahan, Richard's Kid, and Amani. Dullahan loves polytrack, he is 2 for 2 over the surface with two Grade I wins. I believe he is talented enough to compete with this field, and he loves the distance and the surface. Dullahan is not a dirt horse, he is a synthetic/turf horse and this race fits him perfectly. Dullahan does not have to be that far off the pace and I look for him to be mid-pack. He will get first run on Richard's Kid and thats why I like Dullahan to finish second. He also gets the services of Joel Rosario one of the best riders in the country. Richard's Kid loves Del Mar, he has won two Pacific Classic's. He won the race in 2009 and 2010 and did not compete last year. He loves the distance and the surface and should be flying late but with really good closers getting the jump on him I look for Richard's Kid to come up short this year. The Pacific Classic will be a very exciting race, and Game on Dude may get it done this year, but if they are going to beat him Sunday may just be the day.