Coast-to-coast

Two winners on top in seven races (Belmont, $2.80; Fairplex, $7.80). Our top three boxed for triples in three races -- but that was frustrating since we didn't collect on any of those! In the Gazelle at Belmont we took a stand in the short field and when our top two fli-flopped we missed the tri, but the value was small enough ($30.00/$2) that we weren't upset. Shortly thereafter our top three boxed for the tri in the Garden City at Belmont -- but with only four running there was no tri offered. But the kick in the head came in the Endine at Delaware. Whenever the field size dips below eight we have to start to get a little choosy about our typical wagering template, and in this case it hurt. With our third pick winning at 10-1 followed by our 2-1 second choice and then our top pick at 6-5, both the exacta ($104.80) and the tri ($211.20) we very generous considering the short field. Unfortunately we'd taken a stand with our top pick so we missed the gimmicks. If we had even boldly played a boxed exacta in the event of the upset we would have moved this week's bankroll into positive territory. Live and learn...

WAGERED: $159.00
COLLECTED: $113.95

We like a little competition... This new feature wil pit the results of Equidaily.com's Coast-to-Coast and Seth Merrow against those of DRF's Weekend Warrior and Mike Watchmaker. On those weeks when the Weekend Warrior and Coast-to-Coast make selections for the same races, we will tally up the results. Weekend Warrior is not published every Saturday -- furthermore, some weeks there are no races in common between the two columns. But when both handicappers look at the same races we'll report on which one had the better weekend.

9/10/05

Week One and Watchmaker gets the nod with one winner on top in the three common races.

Equidaily.com/Coast-to-coast...Seth Merrow... 3-0-0-3
Delaware: Endine... Ran 3rd at 6-5.
Belmont: Garden City... Ran 3rd at 4-5.
Belmont: Man o War... Ran 3rd at 3-1.

DRF/Weekend Warrior... Mike Watchmaker... 3-1-1-0
Delaware: Endine... Ran 2nd at 2-1.
Belmont: Garden City... Won (5.90, 3.60, xxx).
Belmont: Man o War... Ran 6th at 15-1.

Separato might have been best but, as opposed to the Relaxed Gesture race, the jock here might have waited too long. The eventuall winner got first jump at the top of the lane while ours was far back early and closed well late but had too much to do.

And let's be frank, we'd like the plays on Stephanootz and So Sweet a Cat back. 20-20 hindsight labels them bad picks.

Belmont, Race 9, Relaxed Gesture... 3rd at 3-1 (xxx, xxx, 2.50).
Belmont, Race 10, Stephanootz... 3rd at 4-5 (xxx, xxx, 2.30).
Finger Lakes, Race 7, So Sweet a Cat... 4th at 4-5.
Delaware, Race 7, Separato... 2nd at 3-2 (xxx, 3.00, 2.10).

In the Gold 9-5
Leave Me Alone 4-5
Yolanda B Too 5-1

Wager: $5 WP on Leave Me Alone.
Collected $6.00 on the WP (xxx, 2.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $12.20 on the ex box ($12.20/$2).
...$1 tri key Leave Me Alone over next three.
Ran 2/1-3-4.

Leave Me Alone...Took a late spring break and has returned a monster with a win in G3 at Calder followed by win in G1 at Saratoga However, she's based in SoCal and at some point the cross-country trips might catch up to her. Today? We'll see...
In the Gold...Battle-tested in graded stakes and ran well over the track two back. Could improve with a clean trip.
Yolanda B Too...Up-and-comer blasted two big wins at the Spa and now stretches out after those two sprints. Dangerous.
Seeking the Ante.

Luas Line 9-5
Asi Siempre 3-1
My Typhoon 4-5

Wager: $5 WP on My Typhoon.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 tri key My Typhoon over next three.
No tri offered after scratches.
...$1 tri key Luas Line over next three.
No tri offered.

My Typhoon...Lightly raced and figures are steadily improving. Concern is that arguably her two worst races were at Belmont -- however both were behind the very talented Melhor Ainda. Quick work for this on 9/4. Slight nod in a contentious race.
Luas Line...Euros are always dangerous and this gal was a close-up third in G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and beat the boys in her last two. Would rate her higher expect for the fourth-place finish in her last US sojourn which makes us think that perhaps she likes some give in the ground.
Asi Siempre...Another Euro-import. Worked well on 9/7. Can't ignore.
Insan Mala.

Better Talk Now 3-1
King's Drama 4-1
Relaxed Gesture 3-1

Wager: $5 WP on Relaxed Gesture.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $19.00 on the ex box ($38.00/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $40.25 on the tri box ($80.50/$2).

Relaxed Gesture...Shipped in from Ireland and went through first two conditions easily this spring. Then went well to be up-close seconds in three nice stakes. There will be some pace to shoot at so let's hope jock is patient and trip is more like those two springtime wins.
King's Drama...He'll have to deal with 'rabbit' Shake the Bank but that one was so far ahead in last hare-role that perhaps this guy will settle into a good rhythm in the next spot. If so he can still be there at the end. Ran third in this race in 2004.
Better Talk Now...Gets that 'rabbit' that helped set thing up for the G1 win two back -- but he might like the ground with a little more give in it than he'll get today.
Angara.

Saint Liam 2/5
Sir Shackleton/A-entry 7-5
Commentator/A-entry 7-5
Show Boot/B-entry 13-1

Wager: $5 W on Saint Liam.
Collected $7.00 on the W ($2.80).
...$5 exacta box top two.
No exacta offered -- only three betting interests (five horses) ran.

Saint Liam...Just missed last time and the trainer sends out a 'rabbit' to engage Commentator early. If that one does soften up this guy should benefit.
Commentator...The question is -- will this guy collapse in the face of a 'rabbit'. Went out and ran fast fractions last time and still won. Passed that test and might do the same today.
Sir Shackelton...Third behind top two last time -- but has the talent to be heard from on best.
Show Boot/Crafty Player.

Freeroll 26-1
Palaestra 14-1
Ballroom Deputy 9-1
My Lordship scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on My Lordship.
Scratched.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Scratched.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 3-5-7.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 3-5-7.

My Lordship...Comes out of four turf stakes this season -- and toss poor try on soft ground. Has run well on dirt before.
Plata...Solid 2005 debut then might have regressed a little last time. Expect a rebound today.
Emerald Earrings...Impressive last year not missing the exacta in nine tries. Not as consistent this season but expect her to run better than latest.
Ballroom Deputy.

Umpateedle 10-1
Sensibly Chic 2-1
Ebony Breeze 6-5
Clay's Rocket scratched.

Wager: $5WP on Ebony Breeze.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-3.
...$1 tri key Ebony Breeze over next three.
Ran 3/1-2-6.

Ebony Breeze...Hard-knocker is typically in the hunt and is 7-16 at the trip. No catching the winner in last. This gal won this race last year.
Sensibly Chic...Faced a couple tigers last time. Her best can take this -- but, while she's always right there, her Beyers aren't a mark of consistency. Might need one off the short break to run her best.
Shuman entry...Umpateedle was caught up in hot pace last time. Expect better today. Clay's Rocket has early speed.
Storm Minstrel.

Melanyhasthepapers 5-2
Intelligent Male 15-1
R Baggio 12-1
Easy Million scratched.

Wager: $5WP on Melanyhasthepapers.
Collected $29.50 on the WP (7.80, 4.00).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-4-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-4-6.

Melanyhasthepapers...Speed should play well on this strip and he showed some good early foot last time at Del Mar. A sharp start again should put him in the thick of this.
Sigfreto...Have to respect the experience shown over this strip.
Kristine's King...Another with some early foot. But burdened by the outside post and coming off a long layoff.
Easy Million.

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