Today's Best Bets3-9. Three winners on top (1st, $3.10; 4th, $6.70; 9th, $8.50). And Best Bets readers were also eligible for some very nice gimmicks. A cold exacta in the 1st ($9.80/$2). In the featured NY Turf Writers jump stake we used favored Praise the Prince in our second spot noting that he had trouble with the trip and the highweight in this race in 2002. Well, believing Prince was vulnerable and using our other three proved to be lucrative. In that 3rd our third pick won, top pick ran second, and our fourth completed the super generous tri ($143.50 exacta; $967.00 tri).
In the fourth top pick best third and fourth choices for exacta ($28.80) and tri ($91.50). And in the nightcap we nearly hit a cold superfecta homerun -- but instead our second and third choices flip-flopped in the place and show spots, bookended by our top and fourth picks in their proper spots. That resulted in a $84.00 exacta, $281.00 tri, $1619.00 super.
A pretty good day as we float into the final weekend.
Attendance continues to take a hit as the meet goes deep into September. 11,503 showed up and again enjoyed probably one of the nicest days of the meet. Plenty of elbow room, sunshine and comfortable temps. Downtown in the evening there were still quite a few 'strollers' and diners eating on the outdoor patios -- all taking advantage of a very nice summer night.
Spotted on-track was radio personality Mike Francesca -- the Mad Dog was nowhere to be seen.
Looks like a super-contentious card throughout this afternoon. Could be a big day... or big trouble. Interesting.
FIRST RACE
Pogolotii Hill...Jumped up nicely in his third start, right here last season. Coming off a little bit off a layoff but trainer OK there and showed nice improvement from start on to start two this year.
Nooligan...Coming out of three straight stakes tries at Monmouth. Won when last seen facing state-breds.
Atticus Star...Bond can have them ready off the bench and this one might be tough if he picked up some 3-to-4YO maturity.
Gryffindor.
SECOND RACE
Ready to Flee...Should get some value here off of the first start and the no-name trainer -- but remember, Steve Asmussen is on a 15-day suspension and this guy is his assistant. Asmussen is 34% moving MSW to mdn clm.
December Fire...Ran best yet when dropped to this level last time. Adds blinks.
Stand Ready...Just behind December Fire last time. That was his debut and they're always eligible for better second time out.
Pip.
THIRD RACE
Lott...Making only fifth start of 2004. Going well so far and fits at this level.
Mighty David...Moves up off a win here last time but looks like a possible horse-for-course.
Storm Craft...Would be no surprise to bounce back to top form with jock switch.
Northwest Hill/Mr Amano.
FOURTH RACE
Lemon Lady...Looks like last was a useful debut despite some trouble. Expect improvement second time out for Pletcher.
Theschemeofthings...Another that should improve with one under the belt.
Burant Orange...Mott not known for firsters -- but unleashed some here last season.
Stock Tip.
FIFTH RACE
Takeiteasydye...Ran eighth last time but was only three back. Now drops and won when last spotted at this level.
Big Tease...Has faced NY-bred stakes types in two of last three. Another that won when last at this $35K level.
Spiritual Drift...This one also has done well for this tag. Picks up Dominquez.
Convincing.
SIXTH RACE
Skip Court...Gill/Shuman/Dominquez runner is making third start of 2004 off of two improving efforts. A nice set-up and fits here.
Golden Diamond...4-5 at the trip and won similar at Belmont on 7/21.
Call Me Moe...Trainer on an oh-fer -- might be shopping for the "W" with this one taking a drop.
Random Gold.
SEVENTH RACE
Alchemist...In front of Ocean Silk last time. Behind Wonder Again and Stay Forever two back. Those are legit stakes-quality runners. Should find this field a little easier.
Sobinka...First US try wasn't bad. Improvement expected.
Pattiano...Showing nice improvement in four 2004 starts.
Exchange Bay.
EIGHTH RACE -- Troy $65K
Golden Commander...In super form right now. 3-3 over the course including a NY-bred stake last time. Nice work for this on 8/27.
Surging River...Showing some good improvement in 2004 starts including a win in a Woodbine stake last time.
Del Mar Show...Mott trainee could runaway with this if able to recapture best form. That's not out of the question but will need to improve off of Monmouth form.
Battle won.
NINTH RACE
Old Fashion Girl...Always like the angle of stretching out to two-turns after two sprints. Trainer is 22% first-time on turf. Picks up Dominguez to ride.
Cabo de Noche...Should be closing late.
Soft Hit...Like the improvement shown in first two starts.
Unchecked Melody.
Keeping Watch.
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