Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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Saturday, October 10, 2009
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow


Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Belmont: Race 8, Devil May Care.
Keeneland: Race, Aikenite.


Belmont: Jamaica Hcp G1 $300K

Take The Points...Took a G1 on turf in his latest and should have some decent pace to stalk.
Courageous Cat...Has come alive since the return to turf.
Grassy...Lightly-raced but certainly hinting at enough talent for this assignment.
Straight Story.

Wager: $5 WP on Take The Points.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Belmont: Frizette G1 $400K

Devil May Care...Sib to the talented Regal Ransom, Probably needs to step it up a little here -- but that's not out of the question in just her second career start.
Awesome Maria...Impressed winning a G2 in only her third start.
Franny Freud...Convincing against NY-breds last time but is also the winner of a stake vs open-company.
Touching Beauty.

Wager: $5 WP on Devil May Care.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Belmont: Champagne G1 $400K

Dublin...Impressive at Saratoga. A repeat of the nice G1 Hopeful win would make him tough again.
Aspire...Second behind the top pick in that G1 Hopeful. Should benefit from that experience.
Discreetly Mine...Well-bred and has been showing some flashes of talent.
Super Saver.

Wager: $5 WP on Dublin.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$2 tri key Dublin over next three.
...$1 tri key Aspire over other three.


Keeneland: TCA G2 $250K

Informed Decision...Bounced back to win after being a well-beaten third in G1 Ballerina. Ready to get a new win-streak going.
Life Lesson...Could be interesting coming into this off of turf sprints. Has shown affinity for this track.
Bold Union...Plenty of early speed.
Carlsbad.

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


Keeneland: First Lady G1 $400K

Forever Together...Won this race last year off of a third in Canada. Comes into this in similar fashion this year -- although she was a just-miss in that Canadian race this time around.
Diamondrella...She should appreciate the return to turf.
Tizaqueena...Likely the one to catch.
My Princess Jess.

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


Keeneland: Breeders' Futurity G1 $500K

Aikenite...Won debut and then ran a good third in the G1 Hopeful. Those two sprints might have him set to run well in here.
Backtalk...Won't be shocked to see a rebound off of the fourth-place finish last time.
Stately Victor...Looked good breaking maiden in second career start -- that was on turf, but turfers often do well on synthetics.
Raging Wit.

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


Keeneland: Turf Mile G1 $600K

Sterwins...Nice closing third in a G1 at Woodbine last time. Should go well again.
Battle Of Hastings...Solid 3YO turfer -- but faces older for the first time.
Justenuffhumor...Undefeated on turf.
Court Vision.
Mr Sidney.

Wager: $5 WP on Sterwins.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
...$1 tri box top four, sub next if scratch.


Philly: Gallant Bob Hcp $250K

Carbonite...Could be interesting with a race over the track under his belt.
Everyday Heroes...Might be finding some class relief in here.
Happy Bull...Uncouple barnmate to top pick.
Pashiot The Che.

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


Hawthorne: Hawthorne Derby G3 $200K

Romacaca...Might be able to take them all the way - but that will depend on No Inflation. We expect the latter to stalk just off of the pace -- but there's a possibility of a duel, which won't help either one.
Out At Night...Might be able to pick up the pieces if the front-runners do duel.
No Inflation...If he does stalk he could be dangerous late.
Sir Al.

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


Meadowlands: Violet G3 $125K

All Is Vanity...Better than last. Close-up third in this race last year.
Way With Words...Has won three of last four -- on the main track. Has had some success on turf however.
Quiet Harbor...Stakes debut but looks to fit with these.
Dyna's Lassie.

Wager: $5 WP on All Is Vanity.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Santa Anita/Oak Tree: Yellow Ribbon G1 $300K

Magical Fantasy...Undefeated on turf this year -- including a win on this course in April.
Visit...Seems perhaps more talented than her record indicates. Might get a wake-up being re-united with Gomez.
Lemonette...Been in the exacta in half of her turf starts.
Black Mamba.

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


Santa Anita/Oak Tree: Oak Tree Mile G2 $150K

Whatsthescript...Could be primed to run well in just his fourth start of 2009.
Allicansayis Wow...Filly facing the boys -- but she ran a good second in this type of company at Del Mar.
Skyrush...South American invader looked good in US debut.
Cowboy Cal.

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


Santa Anita/Oak Tree: Goodwood G1 $350K

Richard's Kid...Really come to life in last couple -- which coincide with move to Baffert barn and synthetics.
Colonel John...Probably better than latest.
Mine That Bird...Ky Derby winner has missed some time due to throat surgery and might need one.
Tiago.

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


Santa Anita/Oak Tree: Lady's Secret G1 $300K

Zenyatta...The absolute squeaker of a win last time certain raises concerns -- but overcoming the slow early pace in that race was an achievement. 5YO looks to move to an undefeated 13-for-13 and get set up for another BC try.
Cocoa Beach...Moves from turf to synthetic -- but ran second behind the top pick on this track last year.
Lethal Heat...Typically picks up a piece.
Anabaa's Creation.

Wager: $5 WP on Zenyatta.
...$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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