Equidaily Racing Journal

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Saturday, September 26, 2009
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow


Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Monmouth: Race 3, exacta box, Enumerate/Morethanatale.
Monmouth: Race 10, exacta box, Proud Zoe/That's How I Roll-All Due Respect.
Laurel: Race 5, WPS, Not My Problem.
Laurel: Race 10, Izzy Speaking.
Turfway: Race 12, Guam Typhoon.


Belmont: Gallant Bloom Hcp G2 $150K

Sara Louise...Barn has been red-hot since Saratoga and this one looked like an improved 3YO in her seasonal debut.
Indian Blessing...Champ is the one to beat -- if she can recapture her 2008 form. And that's a big "if". Owner says she has only two races left, quoted in DRF saying, "Of course we love to race more than anything but I think [retirement] is the way Bobby sees things. We're getting to the end of a great run." Perhaps not as sign of ultimate confidence. We'll see...
Any Limit...It's 'The Chief' -- and this one looks capable on her best.
Thunders Dove.

Wager: $5 WP on Sara Louise.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$2 tri key Sara Louise over next three.
...$1 tri key Indian Blessing over next three.


Monmouth: NATC Futurity $200K

Enumerate...We used this one on top in the G1 Sanford -- but he tossed in a complete dud that day. That race certainly has the look of an aberration and we expect a rebound.
Morethanatale...Very interesting. First runner to hit the track for the dam -- but there's some sprint pedigree close-up, including Housebuster. Worked a quick 9-4 prior to 2YO sale. Have to respect the confidence connections are showing with the debut coming in a 200-grander.
Chief Counsel...A couple of decent efforts at the Spa. Would be no surprise to see him run well here.
Three Day Dash.

Wager: $5 WP on Enumerate.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$2 tri key Enumerate over next three.
...$1 tri key Morethanatale over next three.


Monmouth: NATC Futurity/Fillies $200K

Proud Zoe...Faced some very good ones at Churchill and then whistled when free of that level of competition at Saratoga. Looks capable in here.
That's How I Roll/All Due Respect...Both halves can contend but That's How I Roll is slightly preferred.
Volare Cantare...Could be interesting making her debut for Jim Jerkens.
Encore Saritta.

Wager: $5 WP on Proud Zoe.
...$5 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Laurel: Md Million Oaks $100K

Blind Date... Likes this track and seems in good form now.
Love That Dance...Also in good form now.
Love's Blush...Lightly-raced and should offer some value. Dirt races weren't that good -- but might be an improved 3YO.
Bright Gem.

Wager: $5 WP on Blind Date.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$2 tri key Blind Date over next three.
...$1 tri key Love That Dance over next three.


Laurel: Md Million Ladies $125K

Miss Lombardi...Won this race last year -- but can she repeat as a 7YO? Have to wonder if they weren't pointing to this race in third back from layoff.
Beau's Trip...The on to catch?
Talkin About Love...Solid stakes performer -- but the turf is a question mark.
Amie's Legend.

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


Laurel: Md Million Nursery $100K

Not My Problem...Going to roll the dice a little bit here and look for this one to move forward off of an impressive debut at Penn Nat.
Toboggan Slide...Already a stakes winner and clearly the one to beat.
Morumsco...Won't be surprised to see an improved effort today.
Cactus Charlie.

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


Laurel: Md Million Lassie $100K

For Royalty...Should fit with these.
Ben's Boots...Figured it out in the second career start at 4-5.
Lil Kiara...Looked good beating NJ-breds at Monmouth.
E's On Main.

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


Laurel: Md Million Turf $125K

Izzy Speaking...Should be primed to run a good one.
Moon Ala Mode...Long time since the last win but has been competitive this season.
Pocket Patch...Typically been in the hunt throughout 2009.
Sir Togo.

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


Laurel: Md Million Classic $200K

Rhythm Master...Two good-looking efforts this summer.
Cuba...Won this race last year at 6-5. 8-1 on the ML today but won't be shocked to see a good try.
Sweet Goodbye...The one to catch.
Broadway Producer.

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


Turfway: Ky Cup distaff G3 $100K

Unforgotten...Only one win over synthetic surfaces -- but overall record says she might prefer these tracks.
Bear Now...Won this race decisively last year [with our top pick second] -- but that wasn't off of a three-month layoff.
Ms Margaret H...Another coming off of a layoff but looks capable if ready.
Indescribable.

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


Turfway: Ky Cup Sprint G3 $100K

Guam Typhoon...Trainer has a high-percentage going route-to-sprint.
Heart of a King...Could appreciate the return to sprint.
Hamazing Destiny...Andy Beyer declared this one a sure winner on the 'pre-game' TV show at Saratoga on 9/5 -- and he was a very tough second at 10-1. Wouldn't be shocked to see another good try here.
Brass Bay.

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


Fairplex: Las Madrinas Hcp $50K

Ashley's Kitty...Impressed despite some traffic in a sprint stake win here on 9/13. Could be interesting on the stretchout.
Christmas Ship...Comes in off of a couple of nice stakes efforts at smaller circuits. Gets meet's top jock.
Champagne Eyes...Tossed a clunker last time but otherwise has done well this year -- when she's avoided Zenyatta.
Mohaka.

Wager: $5 WP on Ashley's Kitty.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Fairplex: Pomona Derby $50K

Acclamation...If he can run to the numbers he's been firing on turf he's the one to beat. Has run well on synthetics and shows a nice work here on 9/16.
Quindici Man...Has shown much in last few but could wake-up with the class relief.
Del Conte...Interesting first off the claim for Machowsky.
All Saint.

Wager: $5 WP on Acclamation.
...$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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