Selections for HUGE weekend of March 31 and April 1

This weekend features great racing from all over the world from Dubai, to Santa Anita, Gulfstream and the Fair Grounds the racing could not be better here are my selections for the 20 big weekend races.
Meydan

Dubai World Cup
1. Royal Delta
2. So You Think
3. Capponi

Shemma Classic
1. Cirrus Des Aigles
2. Cavalryman
3. St Nicholas Abbey

Duty Free
1. City Style
2. Await the Dawn
3. Musir

Golden Shaheen
1. Krypton Factor
2. Giant Ryan
3. Sepoy

Al Quoz
1. Margot Did
2. August Rush
3. Regally Ready

UAE Derby
1. Lucky Chappy
2. Maritimer
3. Daddy Long Legs

Dubai Gold Cup
1. Fox Hunt
2. Opinion Poll
3. Joshua Tree

Godolphin Mile

1. Western Aristorat
2. Red Jazz
3. Derbaas

Gulfstream Park

The Rampart

1. Awesome Maria
2. Go Unbridled
3. Beloveda

The Skip Away
1. Where's Sterling
2. Self Control
3. Dixie Emperor

The Appleton
1. Monument Hill
2. Brilliant Speed
3. Street Game

Gulfsteam Oaks
1. Zo Impressive
2. Grace Hall
3. And Why Not

Florida Derby
1. Union Rags
2. Neck N' Neck
3. El Padrino

The Orchid
1. Keertana
2. Hit It Rich
3. Clarinet

Santa Anita Oaks
1. Eden's Moon
2. Conjure the Spirit
3. Reneesgotzip

The Fair Grounds

New Orleans Handicap

1. Toby's Corner
2. Nehro
3. Mission Impazible

Mervin Muniz
1. Smart Bid
2. Willyconker
3. Suntracer

Lousiana Derby
1. Mark Valeski
2. Windsurfer
3. Afford

Fair Grounds Oaks
1. Small Kitchen
2. Colonial Empress
3. Disposablepleasure

Derby Top 20 3/14/12

1. Union Rags-Still number 1
2. Creative Cause- San Felipe was really good, top two are distancing themselves from the rest
3. Hansen- Gotham was good 10 furlongs is my question
4. Alpha- In the Florida Derby, he will run into El Padrino and Unions Rags, good test
5. El Padrino- Will run in the Florida Derby next, will be a good test
6.Bodemeister- Will just get better and better
7. I'll Have Another- Robert Lewis form is questionable
8. Gemologist- Makes first start this week
9. Mark Valeski- not getting very much respect for his risen star effort
10. Howe Great- Still not getting deerved respect has done nothing wrong.
11. Dullahan- His return was really good, should love the 10 furlongs
12. Secret Circle- Southwest was good, did not seem to being getting tired late
13. Sabercat- I am excited to see his rebel
14. Liason- San Felipe was not bad will love the Derby Distance
15. News Pending- Fountain of Youth was good
16. My Adonis- Runs solid every time
17- Went the Day Well- Improved in last start needs to improve again, Illinois Derby next?
18. - Prospective- Tampa Bay Derby was good, will get much needed class test next
19. Scatman- We will see how far he wants to go
20. Castaway- Will learn a  lot in the rebel

Selections for 3/10/12

This weekend is headlined by the San Felipe Stakes, the Tampa Bay Derby, The Hillsborough, Swale Stakes and Gulfstream Park Handicap.

Selections

San Felipe Stakes-
1. Creative Cause
2. Blingo
3. Empire Way
Price- American Act

Tampa Bay Derby
1. Take Charge Indy
2. Battle Hardened
3. Cozetti
Price- Chief Energy

The Hillsborough

1. Zagora
2. Unbridled Humor
3. Snow Top Mountain
Price- Federation

The Gulfstream Park Handicap
1. Jackson Bend
2. Mucho Macho Man
3. Cajun Breeze
Upset- Clean Shot

The Swale
1. Good Morning Diva
2. Hello Prince
3. Trinniberg
Upset- Seve

Pick of the weekend-  Good Morning Diva

Derby Top 20 3/6/12

1. Union Rags -Head and Shoulders above the rest right now
2. Creative Cause -Distance will help him
3. Hansen -I was wrong
4. Fed Biz -Will get his first major test in San Felipe
5. Alpha- Flordia Derby will be good test
6. Battle Hardened- Not getting any respect, watch out
7. El Padrino- I am not sold
8. I'll Have Another- Waiting on Santa Anita Derby
9. Gemologist- Has been off a long time, might need a race
10. Mark Valeski- No one is talking about his effort in the Risen Star
11. Secret Circle- Ran exceptionally in Southwest, but how far does he want to go
12. Howe Great- No respect, watch out
13. Empire Way- Needs to step up to be recognized as legit contender
14.Take Charge Indy- Very well bred, another one that should step up
15. Sabercat- Will make debut in Rebel, we will see
16. Castaway- Won slower Rebel
17. Dullahan- Turf then synthetic, wont learn much
18. Liason- I need to see more
19. Scatman- Under the radar
20. State of Play- Battaglia was good

Derby Top 20 2/29/12

1. Union Rags- Fountain of Youth could not have been better, clearly number 1
2. Creative Cause- Should Improve with distance
3. Fed Biz- Will get major class test
4. Out Of Bounds- Will only get better
5. Alpha- Florida Derby or Wodd Memorial next?
6. Battle Hardened- Will only improve, and is not getting a lot of respect
7. I'll Have Another- Runs well fresh, waiting for Santa Anita Derby
8. El Padrino- Risen Star was good, but not great
9. Hansen- Gotham will be a big test
10. Gemologist- Major drop, needs a start soon
11. Secret Circle- Rebel was good, very good
12. Mark Valeski- Improved in Risen Star, clearly wants two turns
13. Howe Great- still under the radar, very versatile
14. Empire Way- Time for him to run a big race
15.  Take Charge Indy- Still a factor
16. Sabercat- He has gotten to work, first race back will be important
17. Castaway- Won slower rebel
18. Dullahan- Palm Beach will be his return
19. Liason- Needs to show more next time
20. Scatman- Ran really well in Rebel

On the bubble- Bodemeister, Rousing Sermon, Ever So Lucky
The Gotham will provide a lot of information especially regarding Hansen as well as some new comers.

Major Weekend Races and Selections 2/25/12

Major Weekend Races


This weekend is headlined by the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, featuring the matchup between Union Rags, Algorithms, and Discreet Dancer. Gulfstream hosts a big weekend including the Sabin in which Royal Delta makes her anticipated return. Fair Grounds plays host to a huge weekend including the Risen Star featuring El Padrino and the Rachel Alexandra featuring Believe You Can. Santa Anita hosts the San Carlos a phenomenal sprint race featuring The Factor and Amazombie.

The weekend starts with the Fountain of Youth a major Florida and Kentucky Derby prep. The race starts with Union Rags. Union Rags is making his first start of the year, since his runner up effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Union Rags is my early selection for the Kentucky Derby, and for him to stay atop that list I do not think he needs to win, in fact I do not think he will win, but I think he will get a lot out of this race. I want to see a good effort from Union Rags but the imposing young colt may need a race and if he does it is ok. The race also features the Todd Pletcher duo of Algorithms and Discreet Dancer. Algorithms was victorious in the Holy Bull last time out defeating Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Hansen. Algorithms will be near the lead, or right off it, but he is on a faster track today and I think he may have trouble duplicating that effort. Discreet Dancer is two for two and I loved his last race, it was extremely impressive and I think he will win the Fountain of Youth. He has done nothing wrong so far and looked like he will have no problem stretching out on Sunday. Casual Trick is getting attention because he has a chance to get back on a fast track, but I think he is a cut below these horses. Selections

1. Discreet Dancer

2. Union Rags

3. Neck N’ Neck

The Sabin is a short field but it features Royal Delta the impressive winner of the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic last time out, and Awesome Maria who is making her first start since May. I do not like either horse, Royal Delta never runs fresh, and Awesome Maria can take more than one start to get going. I love Groupie Doll in this spot, her last race was phenomenal. Boys at Tusconova is a serious racehorse, and she ran really well. The other two horses in the race are likely non-factors.

1. Groupie Doll

2. Royal Delta

3. Awesome Maria



With the weekend full of other stakes races here are my selections

The San Carlos

1. The Factor

2. Amazombie

3. Sway Away

Risen Star

1. Shared Property

2. Z Dager

3. Optimizer

The Mineshaft

1. Thiskyhasnolimit

2. Tres Borrachos

3. Mister Marti Gras

The Rachel Alexandra

1. Table Three Ten

2. Summer Applause

3. Believe You Can

Fair Grounds Handicap

1. Smart Bid

2. Ioya Bigtime

3. Mr. Vegas

Tampa Bay Stakes

1. Hoofit

2. Moryba

3. Guys Reward

The Very One

1. Keertana

2. Casablana Smile

3. Hasay

Davona Dale

1. Grace Hall

2. Nuffsaid Nuffsaid

3. Disposablepleasure

Those are my weekend selections!

Derby Top 20

1. Union Rags (Will learn a lot this weekend, he does not need to win but he needs to run really well)
2. Algorithms (Moves up with Creative Cause loss and strong work)
3. Fed Biz (Great allowance win)
4. Creative Cause (Was slightly discouraged by third place finish)
5. Battle Hardened (Sam Davis was weak but he will improve)
6. Gemologist (Loves Churchill needs to run soon though)
7. Out of Bounds (Will be part of loaded San Felipe)
8. Discreet Dancer (Work was good might be over his head this weekend)
9. Alpha (Waiting for Wood is a good move, he is on a roll)
10. I'll Have Another (Good Lewis win waiting till Santa Anita Derby, runs well fresh)
11. El Padrino (Heads Risen Star we will see how good he is)
12. Hansen (Gotham is a very important race for 2yo champion)
13. Howe Great (Under the Radar)
14.  Take Charge Indy (Will be factor in Fountain of Youth)
15. Empire Way (Improving  in every start)
16. Secret Circle (Southwest was very good, showed grit)
17. Ever So Lucky (I need to see something big from him next time out)
18. Castaway (Won slower version of Southwest but blew field away)
19. Dullahan (Will return soon, I have questions)
20. Shared Property (Ran the best race in Lecomte)