Today's Best Bets2-9. Two winners on top (5th, $4.00; 7th, $2.80). Our second pick won four more and our third pick to a couple of races. A real nice tri started off the day for players that were a little creative with the picks -- it was our third, over second over fourth selections in the 1st for a $438.50/$2 tri. With a 7-1, 2-1 and 9-2 that was a nice return. More value with our top two reversed in the 3rd for $29.40/$2. Our fourth pick completed the $65.50/$2 tri in that race. There were plenty more gimmicks that were available playing the picks as well as some of the P3s and doubles.
19765 attended, a nice sized crowd for a Wednesday. They enjoyed a very pleasant day -- comfortable temps and some sun.
Kiaran McLaughlin unveiled a nice 2YO in the 2nd when Closing Argument won off by three under the hot-riding Cornelio Velasquez. In the 3rd Shadow Cast rebounded from a string off dull tries after a winter of promise. Her Fair Grounds campaign seemed to indicate she could contend for honors in the 3YO filly division but then the wheels kind of came off -- however it looks likes she's back in form for the Neil Howard/Will Farish team as she caught favored Cloakof Vagueness and won by almost a length.
Bill Mott's Paiota Falls ran her record to 4-3-1-0 with a win in the 5th. This one could be interesting to watch. The 3YO filly ran second in her 5/31 debut on dirt. She followed that with a maiden-breaker on turf and now has two more wins on dirt here at the Spa.
And in the 7th Frankel's Midas Eyes made a successful comeback from a February layoff winning off convincingly by six lengths at 2-5 -- only a couple of ticks off the track record for 6.5F.
The feature was won by Todd Pletcher's West Virginia.
Last week it was hot dogs -- Wednesday it was ice cream. Another food contest as players competed for a year's supply of Stewart's ice cream by seeing who could down a pint the fastest. The contest was held about mid-program outside the jock's silks area.
FIRST RACE
Raise A Storm...Sister Act as sibs Katherine Neilson and Sanna Hendricks sit at the top of our picks. We'll give the nod to Raise A Storm with the jock who's having a pretty good jump meet here.
Quilo...Getting closer with every start this season.
Sheppard entry...Alkali Ike preferred and can improve with a start over the track under his belt. Foretold will need to recapture best form.
Carson Beach.
SECOND RACE
Lady Carmen...Showed nice speed before fading last time. Might hold on longer with the experience over the track. Gets Bailey today.
Brazilian...Pletcher/Velasquez firster.
Burmese Cat...Could be ready to roll first time out of the box.
Hedging.
THIRD RACE
Wild Storm...One of those Frankel/Gann private purchases (think You, Peace Rules and Medaglia d'Oro). OK try at Del Mar after a year off. Shipped to the Spa and could be ready to roll today.
Elegant Mercedes...Expect a good try with drop in for a tag.
Kuanyan...Capable on best.
Se Me Acabo.
FOURTH RACE
Turkey Trick...Trainer solid with firsters -- usually 2YOs, but can get the job done with this sophomore.
Datttsdawayilikeit...Improved nicely last time.
Boot Strap...Shows good speed and work on 8/22 indicates she'll continue to do so.
Streaking Princess.
FIFTH RACE
Misty Appeal...Has some good-looking names in the PPs like Value Plus and Sir Shackleton. This group isn't that tough.
Must Win Soon...Will appreciate return to dirt and drop back in for a tag.
Isitdustybackthere...New England invader is in good form.
The Herc.
SIXTH RACE
Soft Hit...Will be stuck with a bad post if able to get in off of AE list but improved nicely last time and looks best of a sad field.
Diana Rose...Two turf races were his best -- albeit not that good.
Lilly A...Another AE lister showed good improvement in first two starts of 2004.
Disanto entry...Tap the Magic another that ran best on grass and has been working on the surface. SS Winnifred is a firster with some decent turf works. Wouldn't have to be much to beat this bunch. Gets the hot Cornelio V in the saddle.
Brassy Kitten.
Expensive Lesson.
SEVENTH RACE
Russian Sweetpie...Horse for a course angle. 5-2-2-0 lifetime at the Spa including a just-miss effort last time.
Everybottiwins...Just behind top pick last time and now makes second start for Dutrow.
Julia Singing Bear...Bested the top two last time -- just not sure this is her best trip.
Minni Sangue.
EIGHTH RACE -- Union Avenue $65K
Sugar Punch...Undefeated in 2004 and will be tough if able to repeat nice win here on 8/5.
Cologny...Always in the hunt. Fourth against open company last time despite poor start.
Beautiful America...Likes the track and the trip.
A Smart Punch.
NINTH RACE
Elusive Smile...Shows plenty of speed.
Crazyluck...Better on turf. AE lister.
My Nina Rose...Another AE lister. Also will appreciate return to the lawn.
Land of Dreams...Best races on turf.
Emptor.
Dr Boo Boo Better.
Hidden Curves.
Best Bets Homepage Today's picks The Challenge Calendar Track Info Weather 
| Note: Pages on this site are labelled with the equidaily.com logo. Some links are for information only and lead to pages at other sites. equidaily.com is responsible only for the pages on this site. equidaily.com assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Always check with official sources to verify info. |
