Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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Saturday, December 16, 2006
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow

A relatively quiet afternoon. Eight races on our card. The Grand Slam II stakes at Calder look interesting -- let's hope the wet weather they've been having doesn't knock the two turf stakes onto the main. And the G1 Hollywood Futurity offers a glimpse into the future.

Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Aqueduct, Race 3, Teakwood.
Aqueduct, Race 8, Pleasant Chimes.
Laurel, Race 6, Curse Reversed.
Laurel, Race 7, Etude.
Calder, Race 2, American Revolution.
Calder, Race 3, Tuxedo's Paradise.
Calder, Race 6, Mercantile.
Fair Grounds, Race 4, Falcon's Peak.
Fair Grounds, Race 7, Twisting Road.
Hollywood, Race 2, Bangled Song.
Hollywood, Race 4, Gary'slittlething.


Aqueduct: Gold Beauty $65K

Pleasant Chimes...Has a three-race win-streak broken in G3 company last time. Should be able to stay close enough to the early pace to be heard from in the stretch.
Kimchi...First start for Contessa after putting together a solid summer campaign in Canada. Off since July.
Samsincharge...Looks like the one to catch -- and on this track that's dangerous.
Dina.

Wager: $5 WP on Pleasant Chimes.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Calder: La Prevoyante Hcp G2 $200K

Safari Queen...Looks to be the speed in an otherwise pace-less race.
Paradise Dancer...Royal Highness...Just nipped by the top pick last time -- but pace scenario might be even tougher in a shorter field today.
Barancella...Always close but seldom wins over the last two seasons. Has some good form on soft turf however.

Wager: $5 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri box top three.


Calder: Kenny Noe Jr Hcp G3 $100K

Nightmare Affair...Finally stringing a few together and comes of two decent thirds in tough G1s. Likes this track and won two this summer when last seen here.
Paradise Dancer...Trainer on a tear at the meet. Ran away this track and trip two back.
Mister Fotis...Won this race last year -- but will need a wake-up call off of current form.
Weigelia.

Wager: $5 WP on Nightmare Affair.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Calder: Fred Hooper Hcp G3 $100K

Dazzling Dr Cevin...We chased this guy last year to no avail. Spent the summer in Puerto Rico and seemed to get a major wake-up last time in third start back from the trip. Gets a big jock switch today.
Rehoboth...Just nipped the top pick last time and is in top form right now.
Big Lover...Seldom misses a piece of the action on this track.
Dry Martini.

Wager: $5 WP on Dazzling Dr Cevin.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Calder: WL McKnight Hcp G2 $200K

Revved Up...8YO just missed in this race last year. Might be half-a-step slower this season but still looks good enough.
Spider Power...Looked good winning a prep for this late last month.
Interpatation...Been in the hunt for a piece pretty consistently this season.
Always First.

Wager: $5 WP on Revved Up.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Fair Grounds: Diliberot Mem Hcp $75K

Purim...Was showing some real turf promise early in 3YO season. Went well in return to the surface this summer. Tough if ready off of the break.
Mystery Giver...8YO millionaire was going well in Chicago -- but is lightly raced this season. Question mark.
Cloudy's Knight...Like the top two this one has some fitness questions based on his schedule -- but he's capable if ready.
Rathor.

Wager: $5 WP on Purim.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Hollywood: Val Royal $55K

Terroplane...Has shown flashes of graded stakes ability. Now making second start back from a layoff and should prove dangerous.
Terrific Storm...Pletcher trainee should fit well here.
Whilly...Clearly capable on best -- but it's been awhile since we've seen that.
Buckland Manor.

Wager: $5 WP on Terroplane.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Hollywood: Hollywood Futurity G1 $250K

Stormello...Showed speed and faded in BC Juvie but won a G2 stake going two turns prior.
Principle Secret...Another BC Juvie flop. Just behind the top pick in start before that.
Belgravia...Undefeated after holding off Dilemma determinedly last time -- but makes first start at a route.
Notional.

Wager: $5 WP on Stormello.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Coast-to-coast Archives...Picks, plays and results from previous weeks

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