Today's Best Bets3-11. Cold exacta in the 3rd [$20.60/$2]. Reverse exacta in the 8th [$36.80]. A slew of other gimmicks if one had played around with the picks. And with one of our top three selections winning ten of the eleven races there were plenty of doubles and Pick plays that could have been cashed.
Attendance was a spinner-inflated [cooler bag] 64,617. It's sounding like a broken record -- but it was another perfect day weather-wise. Sunny and comfortable.
It all comes down to this: The jockeys' race is knotted at 43 apiece between Cornelio Velasquez and Kent Desormeaux. Desormeaux is listed to ride ten, Velasquez nine. It should be interesting. On the other hand, congratulation to Bill Mott who has the trainers' title all wrapped up with 26 wins -- thirteen more than his nearest rivals.
FIRST RACE
Royal Electrician...It looks like there are at least two or three that will be sent -- setting up a hot early pace. This F'Lakes invader might be able to sit a nice stalking trip and get first jump.
Joe On the Go...Of those with early foot this one looks the most interesting. Faded after showing good speed just ten days ago. That was first off a layoff. Adds blinkers today. Might be sharper.
Raw Cat...He has shown some stalking ability -- but looks more suited to head to the front, particularly from the rail.
Yes It's the Truth.
SECOND RACE
Winning Punch...Ran well in debut. Brought $145K at 2YO sale after working in 10.2. Should benefit from the first-start education.
Golden Vista...Has some precocious breeding and might come out running.
Jovanna...Nice string of works for a good first-out trainer.
Reversible Error.
THIRD RACE
Legal Tender...Beyers put him in the thick of this.
Our Wonder Cat...Back to turf which seems to be his preferred surface. Trainer has been red-hot in these grass sprints. Might rate higher except jock has been a little cool at the meet.
Aly's Tough...Decent debut despite some trouble.
Kid Doc.
FOURTH RACE
Greater Fool...Might benefit from a little more patient ride and might get that with the switch to Gomez.
Temecula Creek...Lightly raced and seems to be on the improve.
Zito entry...Shone preferred. Lots of trouble lines in the past -- but he's formidable if he runs his best.
Bb Livermore.
FIFTH RACE
Globalization...Has faced some nice ones in his first two. Contested the pace in both -- and now sheds the blinkers. To grass and stretching and the works seem to indicate they've been waiting for a post like this.
Doctor Cal...Have to believe he's better than the debut and won't be surprised to see him move forward here.
Wotan...Has the breeding to do well -- but trainer not known to have them cranked first-time out of the box.
Trust N Dustan.
SIXTH RACE
Dynaglider...Aired the last time seen at this level.
Grand...Should be rolling late. Drops down the claiming ladder. Dangerous.
Ground Hero...Could prove formidable in second start off the layoff.
Military Major.
SEVENTH RACE - Weekend Madness
Classic Neel...Has run well in graded stakes last two -- now drops into lesser company.
Tanguista...Euro-invaders -- even of the lesser variety -- often just have an edge over our turfers.
Ruban Bleu...Solid when switched to turf.
Tears I Cry.
EIGHTH RACE Glens Fall G3
Pictavia...A Group winner against the boys in Europe. Seems to have gotten her act together on this side of the Atlantic last time.
Makderah...Beaten fave in the G1 Diana is probably the one to beat again. Might rate higher but frankly Johnny V is not riding to his usual standards at the meet.
Mary Louhana...Been facing Group-level company in France. Might find this company more to her liking.
Safari Queen.
NINTH RACE - Hopeful G1
Maimonides...Faces a stern test today from Ready's Image but won like a monster in the debut and should be capable of facing this challenge.
Ready's Image...Battle-tested and already a graded-stakes winner over this track. Dangerous. Very dangerous.
Majestic Warrior.
TENTH RACE
Storm Treasure...High hopes for this one along the Derby Trail last year. Pretty steady stakes diet since. Should appreciate move back into alw company.
Warn...Two nice improving efforts since the move to grass.
Spirit Warrior...Could be the one to catch.
Biggerbadderbetter.
Pick Six.
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