Coast-to-coast

Five winners on top in thirteen races (Belmont, $6.80, $7.60; Finger Lakes, $3.60; Calder, $3.00; Santa Anita, $4.60). Hit just about the break-even point in the win-only category. But with four other top picks running second we were right around the corner from getting a decent return there.

Otherwise we had some nice gimmicks that helped put us just over the edge. The best score on the afternoon was in the Jockey Club Gold Cup where our top pick, 5-2 Funny Cide got the job done and our second and third selections flip-flopped underneath to complete the exacta ($97.00/$2) and tri ($356.00/$2). The value there was really boosted by our third pick Newfoundland who ran second at 20-1.

We also had a cold exacta in the Turf Classic ($17.20/$2) and reversed exactas in the Oak Leaf ($16.60/$2) and Salem County ($6.20/$2). And there was a mix of some other small gimmicks as well.

The disappointments on the day were a couple of plays we passed on. Small fields and good-looking faves had us fine-tuning our wagers Saturday and it caused us to miss a good one. Three of ours completed the $534.00/$2 tri in the Hawthorne Gold Cup but we by-passed our usual box strategy in favor of keying Perfect Drift on top. With 20-20 hindsight however we'd like that one back as five of the seven horse field went off at double-digit odds while Perfect Drift was 1-2. With his trainer shooting an oh-fer for 2004 this was a good spot to take a shot. Live and learn.

And we also could have played the NTRA National P4 -- in fact we considered including a play there but our plate was so full this week that we passed on that as well. Going two deep would have cost $16 (for a $1 wager) and would have returned $179.75 ($359.50/$2). The winning combo (Pico Central, Kitten's Joy, Light Jig, and Funny Cide) included three of our top picks and one second choice. Very have-able.

Oh well, there's always next week...

WAGERED: $450.00
COLLECTED: $467.95

Riskaverse 8-1
Commercante 3-1
Moscow Burning 6-1

Wager: $5 WP on Wonder Again.
Ran 6th at 4-5.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 4-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 3-4-5-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 3-4-5-6.

Wonder Again...Seems to be back on her game -- a little question though as to how she'll perform back on 'firm' turf.
Film Maker...Will be rolling late.
Moscow Burning...Always in the hunt and went well in only try over the course.
Aubonne.

Pico Central 2-1
Voodoo 23-1
Speightstown 4-5

Wager: $5 W on Speightstown.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$2 tri key Speightstown over next three.
Ran 3/1-4-5.

Speightstown...Done nothing wrong since returning to the races. Likes the track and the trip.
Pico Central...Went backwards a little last time. Might have needed that. We'll know more today.
Watchem Smokey...Looked good in comeback.
Cajun Beat.

Kitten's Joy 2-1
Magistretti 8-5
Tycoon 9-1

Wager: $5 WP on Kitten's Joy.
Collected $25.25 on the WP (6.80, 3.30).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $17.20 on the ex box ($17.20/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $8.60 on the ex box.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4-6.

Kitten's Joy...This class of 3YO turfers really seems superior. Kitten edged Artie Schiller two back and that set a course record at Belmont last weekend. Taken to pass first test against older.
Magistretti...Third in Arlington Million followed by win here in Man O War. The one to beat.
Kicken Kris...Edged Magistretti in Million. Tough cookie.
Request for Parole.

Funny Cide 5-2
Newfoundland 20-1
The Cliff's Edge 7-2

Wager: $5 WP on Funny Cide.
Collected $31.00 on the WP (7.60, 4.80).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $48.50 on the ex box ($97.00/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $178.00 on the tri box ($356.00/$2).

Funny Cide...Arguably his best race this year was two back on this track at this trip. We'll stay on the bandwagon.
The Cliff's Edge...Seems to like second-place. Will be closing.
Newfoundland...Like top pick his best race this year could have been this track and trip.
Evening Attire.

Roving Angel 4-5
Red Boa 12-1
A Rose for Chris 35-1

Wager: $5 WP on Roving Angel.
Collected $16.00 on the WP (3.60, 2.80).
...$10 exacta Roving Angel over My Philly.
Ran 1-6.
...$5 exacta Roving Angel over Carlow.
Ran 1-5.
...$4 tri Roving Angel over next two.
Ran 1/5-6.

Roving Angel...2-2 at Woodbine. Looks best here.
My Philly...Good looking debut at Suffolk. Will be tough if able to improve off of that effort.
Carlow...NY-bred, based at Suffolk, gone well in three starts so far including a decent try at this track.

Dansetta Light 7-2
Frosty Royalty 7-5
Leona's Knight 2-1
Miss Croft scratched.

Wager: $5 exacta box top two.
Scratched.

Frosty Royalty...Experience counts and this one has already won around two turns and just missed in a stake last time.
Miss Croft...Brings in three-race win streak.

Cin Cin 1-2
D'court's Speed 6-1
Hal's Image 19-1

Wager: $5 WP on Cin Cin.
Collected $13.00 on the WP (3.00, 2.20).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $4.70 on the ex box ($9.40/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4-7.

Cin Cin...Looked good last two at 7F. Will be tough if able to negotiate the two-turns.
Dance to Remember...Showed marked improvement in second start. Looks capable of competing here.
Lucky Frolic...Maiden breaker looked very good. Faltered last and distance is a question mark but we'll give him another try.
D'court's Speed.

Freefourinternet 27-1
Perfect Drift 1-2
Sonic West 14-1

Wager: $5 WP on Perfect Drift.
Collected $5.50 on the WP (xxx, 2.20).
...$5 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-7.
...$2 tri key Perfect Drift over next three.
Ran 2/1-3-7.

Perfect Drift...Trainer is on a high-profile oh-fer this season but has been bolstered by close-up finishes by this one. Should find this group easier than the bunch faced in last few. Won this race last year.
Powerful Touch...Frankel trainee seems to have found a very nice spot for first stakes start in quite awhile.
Sonic West...Capable of throwing in a good one now and again.
Freefourinternet.

Light Jig 6-5
Tangle 9-1
Katdogawn 5-1

Wager: $5 WP on Light Jig.
Collected $19.50 on the WP (4.60, 3.20).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-5-7.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-5-7.

Light Jig...Frankel trainee might have bounced a little at Del Mar, or just didn't care for the course. Nod with return to Santa Anita.
Katdogawn...Seldom wins this season -- but usually in the hunt.
Noches De Rosa...Should appreciate return to SoCal.
Amorama.

Lundy's Liability 2-1
Total Impact 1-1
Supah Blitz 2-1
During scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Total Impact.
Collected $5.50 on the WP (xxx, 2.20).
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-3.
...$2 tri key Total Impact over next three.
Ran 2/1-3.

Total Impact...Scored minor upset in Hollywood Gold Cup for only win this year -- but has found a relatively soft field here.
Supah Blitz...Ran best race yet when moved to SoCal.
Lundy's Liability...Off since racing in Middle East in March but Frankel can have them ready to go.
During.

Sweet Catomine 2-1
Splendid Blended 7-5
Memorette 10-1

Wager: $5 WP on Splendid Blended.
Collected $7.00 on the WP (xxx, 2.80).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $16.60 on the ex box ($16.60/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $8.30 on the ex box.
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $38.70 on the tri box ($77.40/$2).

Splendid Blended...Drysdale filly looked special breaking maiden.
Sweet Catomine...Showed good improvement start one to start two which was a G1 stakes win at Del Mar.
Memorette...Cal-bred has moved forward Beyer-wise in each start so far.
No Bull Baby.

Slews Final Answer 2-1
Lavender Lass 15-1
Umpateedle 3-1
Forty Moves, Chirimoya scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Electrical Carlita.
Ran 6th at 2-1.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 3-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Scratched.

Electrical Carlita...Good early speed should be a plus on this track. And reunited with Dominguez.
Umpateedle...Typically is in the mix.
Forty Moves...Fits here.
Chirimoya.

Paddy's Daisy/entry 4-5
KD's Shady Lady 6-5
Elke/entry 4-5
Shoot the Bugler 8-1
Speedy Deedy scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on KD's Shady Lady.
Collected $6.50 on the WP (xxx, 2.60).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $6.20 on the ex box ($6.20/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $3.10 on the ex box.
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $8.80 on the tri box ($17.60/$2).

KD's Shady Lady...Dutrow trainee was a solid second in maiden effort. Looks best if able to repeat or improve.
Pletcher entry...Paddy's Daisy preferred off of improving form and nice stakes try last time. Elke makes turf debut but has been competitive on dirt.
Speedy Deedy...Has looked good on dirt in three starts so far. Trainer should have her ready for grass.
Shoot the Bugler.

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