Equidaily Racing Journal

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Saturday, October 4, 2008
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow

Nine nice stakes on our card this afternoon -- and certainly some will have Breeders' Cup implications.

Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Belmont, Race 6, exacta box, Gio Ponti/Court Vision.
Belmont, Race 9, Munnings.
Finger Lakes, Race 8, exacta, Dagnabit over Five Star Chowdair.
Keeneland, Race 8, Lord Admiral.


Belmont: Jamaica Hcp G2 $250K

Gio Ponti...Besides the BC race last fall over the boggy course, this guy is super.
Court Vision...Just missed behind the top pick two back.
Ready's Echo...Had some trouble in turf debut. Better than that.
Thou Swell.

Wager: $5 W on Gio Ponti.
...$5 exacta box top two.
...$2 tri box top three.


Belmont: Frizette G1 $400K

Persistently...Maiden-breaker two back was super-impressive. OK second in stakes debut. Should be rolling late.
Gemswick Park...Eye-popping win -- and a nice Beyer -- in the maiden victory -- BUT it was an off-turf race. We'll know more today.
Sky Diva...Like Gemswick this gal has some questions to answer -- but she romped like a champ in the career debut, albeit it over a sloppy track. Trainer typically has them even better in their second start.
Royal Ballade.

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


Belmont: Champagne G1 $400K

Munnings...We liked him in the G1 Hopeful and he ran an OK third despite trouble. Another chance today.
Brave Victory...All three races have been good and Beyers are improving.
Hello Broadway...Half-bro to the talented Nobiz Like Shobiz ran to the breeding in the career debut.
Ventana.
Vineyard Haven.

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


Finger Lakes: NY Breeders' Futurity $318K

Dagnabit...Dutrow shipped here and won for fun in a similar race last time.
Five Star Chowdair...Filly takes on the boys but she seemed to Get the hang of it in her second start.
Legal Consent...Should benefit from the first start education.
Momsboy.

Wager: $5 WP on Dagnabit.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$4 exacta Dagnabit over Five Star Chowdair/Legal Consent.


Keeneland: Phoenix G3 $250K

Noonmark...Tepid vote in what looks like a wide-open race. He tosses in a big effort occasionally -- but it's no secret that Asmussen just doesn't have the same winning percentage over all-weather surfaces...
Greeley's Conquest...Last three seem to indicate he might have reached a new level.
Disfunction...Summer campaign over the all-weather in Canada was promising.
Talent Search.

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


Keeneland: Wooford $150K

Bold Start...Probably over-matched last time. Should appreciate this company and the return to turf.
Fort Prado...Won this race last year.
Magic Texan...Been racing in California -- now comes east and moves into Lake barn. Two turf starts were good.
Smart Enough.

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


Keeneland: Breeders' Futurity G1 $500K

Majestic Blue...Expensive 2YO purchase lived up to his price in career debut.
Advice...Two good starts over the all-weather at Arlington -- including a near-miss in a G3 [although subsequently DQ'd].
Terrain...Moved up to the win in that Arlington stake after having all kinds of trouble. Undefeated because of it.
Notonthesamepage.

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


Keeneland: Turf Mile G1 $600K

Lord Admiral...OK fifth behind the very talented New Approach last time.
Thorn Song...Likely the one to catch. Third in a similar race on this track last April.
Shakis...Third in this race last year. Coming into this in good form. Dangerous.
War Monger.

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


Keeneland: TCA G3 $300K

Wild Gams...Came out of the Presque Isle Masters to win this race last year. Similar set-up this afternoon.
Indyanne...Upset at Saratoga for lone blemish on record. Dangerous.
Any Limit...It's The Chief. Capable on best effort.
Sweet Hope.

Wager: $5 WP on Wild Gams.
...$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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