Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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

Ten races in a last big hurrah of American racing for 2007. There will be big races here and there over the next month -- but not such a solid grouping of nice races coast-to-coast.

In NY Midnight Lute could be shopping for an older male Eclipse to go along with his likely year-end honors in the sprint division.

More sprinters in the G1 DeFrancis at Laurel. Also a couple of nice 2YO stakes in Maryland -- as well as in Kentucky. And 2YOs on turf in Socal.


Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Aqueduct, Race 2, Ring Bernadette.
Laurel, Race 7, Lookalike.
Hollywood, Race 4, Final Fling.
Hollywood, Race 5, Sweeter Still.


Aqueduct: Discovery Hcp G3 $100K

Now a Victor...Lightly raced and just missed last time in stakes debut.
Buffalo Man...Has shown plenty of potential and should be primed in second start back from layoff.
Shopton Lane...Might be the one to catch.
Helsinki.

Wager: $5 WP on Now a Victor.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Now a Victor over next three.


Aqueduct: Demoiselle G2 $200K

Elusive Lady...Tires two turns for first time but has been improving with each start.
Expect the End...State-bred has done little wrong so far.
Mushka...$1.6mil yearling purchase probably needs to step it up -- but should have some upside potential.
Melissa Jo.

Wager: $5 WP on Elusive Lady.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Elusive Lady over next three.


Aqueduct: Remsen G2 $200K

Court Vision...Has been improving with each start and already has a graded stakes win on the resume.
Big Truck...Trainer was high on this one prior to just miss last time. A rebound to a better effort wouldn't be a shock.
Springs Road...Undefeated in two Maryland starts -- might be this good.
Atoned.

Wager: $5 WP on Court Vision.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Court Vision over next three.


Aqueduct: Cigar Mile G1 $300K

Midnight Lute...G1 BC Sprint winner needs only get part-way to a repeat of last two to take this.
Daaher...Seems to have turned the corner last couple.
Sir Greeley...Capable of competing here on best.
Naughty New Yorker.

Wager: $5 WP on Midnight Lute.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Midnight Lute over next three.


Laurel: Selima $125K

Lookalike...From the Barbaro team this maiden has gone well in first two. Should take to turf with Dynaformer on top.
The Cat's Affair...Big closing effort in debut when sprinting. Trainer going well last few months.
Grace and Power...Improving Beyers in all three starts -- including two good stakes efforts.
Wind in My Wings.

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


Laurel: Laurel Futurity $125K

Titan of Industry...Two good starts in NY and looks legit here.
Red Reef...Undefeated -- but both were dirt sprints. Will have to step it up Beyer-wise but have an inkling this guy will be heard from in here.
Cowboy Cal...Jumped up with the switch to turf. Must overcome outside post.
Adriano.
Lake Placid.

Wager: $5 WP on Titan of Industry.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Laurel: DeFrancis Memorial Dash G1 $250K

Benny the Bull...Probably better than last -- which was the G1 BC Sprint over a sloppy track. A rebound to the form shown prior to that puts him in the thick of this.
Saint Anndan...Might be interesting on the move from Frankel to A Dutrow.
Talent Search...He came through for us as offering some value in the BC Sprint gimmicks. Typically in the hunt.
High Finance.

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


Churchill: Golden Rod G2 $250K

Turn Away...Impressive in debut.
Pure Clan...Improving Beyers and won a G3 here in latest.
Sunday Holiday...A couple of decent stakes tries in last two.
CJs Leelee.

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


Churchill: Ky JC G2 $250K

Halo Najib...Won debut nicely and followed with a just-miss in a G3. Should benefit from that education.
Racecar Rhapsody...Stretching off a two decent sprints.
Cool Coal Man...Has appreciated going two turns.
Mythical Pegasus.

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


Hollywood: Miesque G3 $100K

Sweeter Still...Decent debut sprinting on turf in Ireland for top Euro trainer O'Brien. Might prove better than these.
Sea Chanter...Pletcher trainee seems on the improve.
Royale Action...Euro invader has been in the hunt in all starts.
Runforthemoneybaby.

Wager: $5 WP on Sweet Still.
...$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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