Equidaily Racing Journal

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Saturday, March 24, 2007
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow

An even dozen stakes to look at this afternoon. The G2 Lane's End from Turfway should have some Derby implications.

Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Gulfstream, Race 7, Brainy Benny.
Fair Grounds, Race 4, Bright Hall.
Fair Grounds, Race 6, exacta box, Corrupt/Mayor Bozarth.
Fair Grounds, Race 8, Equestrian Girls.
] Turfway, Race 10, Twilight Meteor.
Oaklawn, Race 9, exacta box, Humble Chris/Jolly Ol' Nick.


Aqueduct: Cicada G3 $100K

Five Star Daydream...Showed promise as a 2YO -- could be formidable if she added some maturity during the layoff.
Control System...Could be any kind.
Hungarian Boatbaby...Faded after early duel last time. Back to Dominquez today.
Golden Dreamer.

Wager: $5 WP on Five Star Daydream.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Five Star Daydream over next three.
...$1 tri key Control System over other three.


Aqueduct: Distaff BC Hcp G2 $150K

Victorina...Speedy NoCal invader from Lost in the Fog's connections. Has done well in graded company previously.
May Day Vow...Lightly raced 4YO tossed in a dud at Gulfstream last time. Expect a rebound.
Oprah Winney...Speedy NY-bred won a G3 in her latest.
Maryfield.

Wager: $5 WP on Victorina.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Victorina over next three.
...$1 tri key May Day Vow over other three.


Gulfstream: Palm Beach G3 $150K

Brainy Benny...Probably was best in that Fair Grounds race last time. He'll need to step it up today and we're not sure yet if he's stakes-caliber -- but it looks like there might be a tiny bit of upside still left. We'll know more today.
Soldier's Dancer...Found a home on the turf. Will be rolling late.
Storm in May...Overmatched last time in G2 dirt sprint -- but seems more suited to turf.
Brooklyn's Smart.

Wager: $5 WP on Brainy Benny.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Brainy Benny over next three.
...$1 tri key Soldier's Dancer over other three.


Laurel: Private Terms $100K

Not for Money...Dutrow trainee stretches off of a couple of good looking sprints. Second last-out to Wafi City who might have a future.
Etude...Hasn't missed an exacta in five starts -- all on this track. The mile work seems to indicate he's well-meant today.
Cherokee Country...Been impressive since the claim.
Brass Run.

Wager: $5 WP on Not for Money.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Fair Grounds: Crescent City Oaks $100K

Mi Isabella...Has shown solid improvement last two.
Huckie...Might be the one to catch -- although, arguably, she's better when stalking.
Princess Deelite...Take out the clunker at Delta Downs and she has yet to miss an exacta.
Elegant Star.

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


Fair Grounds: Grindstone $100K

Corrupt...Lightly raced but already has a couple of stakes wins under his belt. Seems to be improving.
Mayor Bozarth...Should improve on last for Frankel.
Jazz Quest...Looks ready for this assignment.
Western Prize.

Wager: $5 WP on Corrupt.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Corrupt over next three.


Fair Grounds: Lagniappe Classic $100K

Grand Minit...Likes this track.
Mean Butterbean...Pretty consistent against state-breds.
Perfect Harmony...Typically in the hunt.
Diggy Fresh.

Wager: $5 WP on Grand Minit.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Grand Minit over next three.
...$1 tri key Mean Butterbean over other three.


Fair Grounds: Red Camelia Hcp $100K

Equestrian Girls...Like the angle of stretching out after two sprints. Should be interesting.
Raspberry Wine...Been running well in La-bred stakes -- but turf is a question mark.
Carson City Babe...Also stretching off of two sprints, like top pick -- and also a question mark on turf, like second selection.
Intractable.

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


Fair Grounds: DF Kenner $150K

Gaff...Last two might signal he's returning to his pre-Dubai form.
Venomous...Back to dirt -- and he's been solid on the main track here this season.
Smalltown Slew...Usually around to pick up a share. Working well.
Smoke Mountain.

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


Turfway: Lane's End G2 $500K

Twilight Meteor...Two-time stakes winner from Pletcher seems turf-meant -- but has won on the Poly at Keeneland.
Hard Spun...They left Arkansas saying he didn't like Oaklawn. We'll know more today -- but he probably is better the latest.
Forefathers...Another getting a chance for vindication after a dud last time out. Races leading up to G2 Hutcheson flop seems to suggest that race was an aberration.
Joe Got Even.

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


Oaklawn: Hot Springs $50K

Semaphore Man...Solid wiring a similar stake here in February.
Mt Splendor...4YO looks to be improving this season.
Level Playingfield...Has done well in graded stakes company in the past -- might have lost a step, but wouldn't be a surprise to see better.
Reigning Court.

Wager: $5 WP on Semaphore Man.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Semaphore Man over next three.


Santa Anita: San Luis Rey Hcp G2 $200K

Prospect Park...Euro-invader might have needed last off the long layoff.
One Off...Beyers on the upswing since November.
Runaway Dancer...Will be coming in the lane.
Forty Niners Son.

Wager: $5 WP on Prospect Park.
...$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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