Coast-to-coast

A little light with winners as four of our top picks came through in the eleven races (Dubai, 3.60, 8.80; Aqueduct, 3.00; Gulfstream, 5.60). Caught a nice cold exacta ($39.20/$2) in the Dubai World Cup and just missed the cold tri by a nose in the show photo. Our top pick scored over our third choice for exactas in the Dubai Duty Free ($23.20/$2) and at Aqueduct ($5.00/$2). Our second pick completed that tri in NY ($22.00/$2). Our best score of the day came at Oaklawn when our second, third, and fourth picks combined for an exacta ($21.80/$2) and tri ($166.00/$2).

The roadblocks on the afternoon were runners such as State City in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Off at 62-1 he was playable only as a flyer as the field was full off more accomplished rivals. Similarly, with 20-20 hindsight you can see a couple of things to like about rank outsider 54-1 Aeneas at Gulfstream -- but it would have been tough to include him in the mix with much confidence. And we noted Saturday morning that the day's card was filled with question marks of runners trying new things and the winner at Fair Grounds was a perfect example. Off at 8-1 and trying two-turns and (very soggy) grass for the first time, she was both playable, and passable -- we passed.

It was just that kind of quirky day. Still we managed to tread water during the afternoon and overall ended the month of March with a decent positive ROI of 35%.

WAGERED: 397.00
COLLECTED: $280.60

Month of March:
Wagered: 1776.00
Collected: $2402.35

Sulamani
Ange Gabriel
Ekraar

Wager: $5 WP on Highest.
Ran 7th.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-7.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $9.30 on the ex box ($18.60/$2).

Highest...Goldolphin 4YO never worse than second in eight tries. Won a prep for this on 3/8 over the track and at the trip.
Ange Gabriel...Certainly capable at the trip -- coming off three wins going this distance, the last a rich stake in Dec.
Sulamani...Godolphin runner earned $1 mil+ last year as a 3YO. Tough if ready, but off since Oct.
Califet.

State City
Avanzado
Captain Squire

Wager: $5 WP on My Cousin Matt.
Ran 4th.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 2-4-5-9.

My Cousin Matt...Sprinting is our game so we'll go with the US sprinter that looks toughest. Had a little setback two back in the Malibu, but big win last time indicates he's still in form.
Avanzado...Gotta feeling he'll like the straightaway run.
Conflict...Could be the best of the hometown runners.
Belle Du Jour.

Ipi tombe
Paolini
Royal Tryst

Wager: $5 WP on Ipi Tombe.
Collected $16.50 on the WP ($3.60, 3.00).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-6.
...$1 exacta ox top four.
Collected $11.60 on the ex box ($23.60/$2).

Ipi Tombe...Wow, gaudy 12-10-2-0 lifetime record. Of course most of those were in S Africa so the competition might be suspect. But has put together two wins on this track since being purchased by Team Valor and pointed for this event.
Sights On Gold...Second to top pick in latest.
Paolini...Capable of being in the hunt with best try.
Imtiyaz.

Moon Ballad
Harlan's Holiday
Nayef

Wager: $5 WP on Moon Ballad.
Collected $32.50 on the WP (8.80, 4.20).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $39.20 on the ex box ($39.20/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $18.10 on the ex box.

Moon Ballad...Won a prep for this here on 2/13 and Goldolphin house-jock Dettori chooses this one over more accomplished Grandera.
Harlan's Holiday...Coming into this off two smashing '03 victories -- the last in the G1 Donn with a high Beyer. But those were on preferred Gulfstream strip and this one has yet to prove self at the trip so there are some question marks.
Grandera...Probably the classiest runner in the field but dirt isn't his specialty -- or is it? Won a dirt prep for this last time out.
Blue Burner.

Carson Hollow 1-2
Raging Fever 2-1
Bonefide Reason 25-1

Wager: $5 W on Carson Hollow.
Collected $7.50 on the W ($3.00/$2).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $2.50 on the ex box ($5.00/$2).
...$2 tri key Carson Hollow over next three.
Collected $22.00 on the tri key ($22.00/$2).

Carson Hollow...8-5-2-0 lifetime with only poor effort last year's inexplicable BC Sprint dud. But showed last time she's over that by finishing second to the remarkable Xtra Heat. This crowd is easier than she's faced in awhile.
Bonefide Reason...This one might jump up with move to main track and give some value to the exacta.
Raging Fever...Won this event last year but doesn't seem quite as sharp in '03.
AP Andie.

Hero's Tribute 9-5
Aeneas 54-1
Puzzlement 4-1
The Judge Sez Who scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Hero's Tribute.
Collected $22.50 on the WP (5.60, 3.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Scratched.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-4.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-4.

Hero's Tribute...The distance is a question mark but running style should suit on this track. Should be close to pace and able to make first run into the lane.
The Judge Sez Who...Another which hasn't been the trip but is usually rolling in the stretch so we expect the same today.
Strive...Mott/Bailey runner seems improved as a 4YO and capable of hitting the board this season in graded events.
Puzzlement.

Letithappencaptain 8-1
Destiny Calls 3-1
Scottish Heritage 3-1

Wager: $5 WP on Go Ante Go.
Ran 4th at 9-2.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 2-3-4-5.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 2-3-4-5.

Go Ante Go...Beaten fave last time but should improve a bit meeting winners for second time.
Destiny Calls...Undefeated in two tries including a win over the top choice last time. Outside post will not help today though.
Calleybluebayou...Has been very solid sprinting against state-breds and will continue to do so if takes to turf.
Scottish Heritage.

Strodes Commander 3-5
Pistol Avenue 15-1
Quote Me Later 8-1

Wager: $5 WP on Fine Answer.
Ran 5th at 7-2.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $10.90 on the ex box ($21.80/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $88.00 on the tri box ($166.00/$2).

Fine Answer...Got caught late last time in third start of year and first against winners. Look for some improvement today.
Strodes Commander...Finished ahead of top pick last time with big late move. Will be tough again today although might have to work some early out of the one-post.
Pistol Avenue...Looks to be improving.
Quote Me Later.

Southern Tour 2-1
Cinnful Bride 5-1
Brown Eyed Beauty 2-1
Princess Jen scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Brown Eyed Beauty.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-5.
...$2 tri box top three.
Ran 1-3-5.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-5.

Brown Eyed Beauty...Won a similar stake here three weeks back at 5.5F. That effort should set here up nicely for today.
Emily Ring...Throw out last because of the trouble line -- prior start was a good stake win here at this trip.
Southern Tour...Always in the hunt over this strip.
Princess Jen.

Bluesthestandard 2-1
Joey Franco 24-1
Kona Gold 3-2

Wager: $5 WP on FJ's Pace.
Ran 6th at 7-1.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 3-4-5-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 3-4-5-6.

FJ's Pace...Might get the jump on these and be tough to run down.
Kona Gold...But if any of these are capable of reeling the top pick in this 9YO $2 mil earner is the one.
D'wildcat...Expect some improvement with return to SoCal.
Debonair Joe.

Island Fashion 5-1
Ela Ela 5-1
Isit Still Legal 43-1

Wager: $5 WP on Souris.
Ran 5th at 1-1.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-4-5-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-4-5-6.

Souris...Two-turns is still a question mark but otherwise looks like the most accomplished runner in the field.
Island Fashion...Bumped up Beyer nicely last time and that could signal things to come.
Himalayan...Graded-placed in SoCal and that's more than most of these can claim.
Valid Pulpit.

Note: Pages on this site are labelled with the equidaily.com logo. Some links are for information only and lead to pages at other sites. equidaily.com is responsible only for the pages on this site. equidaily.com assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Always check with official sources to verify info.