Churchill Downs Free Selection

Our pick yesterday was scratched so we will forge ahead today by turning to the 9th at Churchill. We are going with Kiddari, number 8, who is listed at 6-1 on the morning line.


Churchill 9th Race: #8 Kiddari

Belmont Park Free Selection For June 11th

Over at Belmont in the 8th race, we have one going today. Our pick is number three, Dr. Smarty Jack. We like Christophe Clement's ability to place his maiden winners and there should be some value here. Also like Rajiv Maragh returning to ride this one. Should be live today.

Belmont 8th Race: Dr. Smarty Jack

2009 Belmont Stakes

We have almost reached the end of the Triple Crown series for 2009 with the Belmont Stakes to be run this Saturday. With all of the drama of whether Rachel Alexandra was going to run or not behind us now, we can concentrate on trying to find the winner of the race.

I will probably go with Chocolate Candy, the fifth place finisher in the Derby. He has a good turn of foot and will make his move on the turn for home, and with Garrett Gomez riding, I feel good about his chances. He is fresh since he has not run since the Derby, been working very good over the Belmont surface and I think his running style will fit like a glove in this race.

Mine That Bird will be far back early and unless he gets going sooner than he did in the Derby, I think his chances are compromised. Although Calvin Borel has been riding up a storm lately, he better time his move just right or the horse will come up short.

Charitable Man will be able to make the lead and if he gets away with slow fractions, he could wire the field. He should have company on the front end though and I am hoping for a decent pace for Chocolate Candy to run at.

Maybe an exacta key with Chocolate Candy over Mine That Bird and Charitable Man will do the trick..

Zenyatta, Rachel And Mine That Bird

Racing needs all the help it can get in the popularity department. Right now, we have three horses with intriguing stories in the making. I'm talking about Zenyatta, Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra.

Mine That Bird's victory in this years' Kentucky Derby is proof that three year olds can improve drastically at any time, especially this time of year. His path to the Derby was less than glamorous and out of the mainstream. He came into the Derby from Sunland Park after being in Canada where he was that country's two year old of the year. Maybe the condition of the Churchill Downs track that day helped him to make that explosive run, maybe it was Calvin Borel, the path that he took along the rail or maybe it was a combination of the three. He then validated his performance by finishing a closing second to Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness Stakes two weeks later.

Speaking of Rachel, she is now undefeated in five starts, beating the colts in the Preakness very handily. We are still waiting to see if she will be given the ultimate test, the mile and a half Belmont Stakes where she will face Mine That Bird again along with some new faces from the three year old division who were not there in Baltimore last week. She is a very special horse and racing is blessed for having her around right now.

Last, but not least is Zenyatta. She is my favorite runner to watch right now, Yesterday's Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park was her latest conquest, coming after seven months off. The way she puts her head down and spreads her ears out while mowing down the competition is poetry in motion. She has done that in every one of her races and I cannot see her ever getting beat. I think that she can finish her career undefeated as long as she's healthy. She just has a desire to win like I have never seen before. How about a showdown in the Ladies Classic this fall at Santa Anita between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta?

Racing could really use it.

Hollywood Park Free Selection

Today we are going with one in the sixth race. The horse is number 3, Wineshine. Aaron Gryder takes the call for Craig Lewis who recently claimed this horse. Lewis does well first after the claim and has a high win percentage when using Gryder.


Race 6- #3 Wineshine

Santa Anita Saturday April 11th-Free Selection

Today, our free selection comes in the 7th at Santa Anita, the La Puente stakes. Our horse here is #3 Leedstheway, with Joe Talamo up. This one is listed at 8-1 on the morning line and should get a ground saving trip, hopefully with something left turning for home. The favorite, Battle Of Hastings will break from the 11 post, seems to have to be near or on the lead and should have to race wide throughout the mile over the turf. Joe Talamo has really come into his own of late and also has shown that he can be patient with a horse and make that one big move at the right time.

That is the essence of turf racing and jockeys are a big factor when handicapping turf routes.


7th Race: #3 Leedstheway

Vegas Turf And Sports-Free Selection, Monday Feburary 16th

I have to apologize here for the lack of updated information on our website currently. The webmaster has had some issues updating the site and there is no end in site for this problem.

I am preparing for the Horseplayer World Series coming up in a few days here in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel. Here is a free selection going today at Santa Anita:

7th Race Number 5-Gallant Son

After this week, we should be posting some free selections here on the blog. Check back starting the week of Feburary 23rd. Our NBA totals have been strong lately going 19-8 in the last two weeks. Our members have been cleaning up..Feel free to visit the site and patronize our sponsors in the mean time.

Thanks for reading..

Joey D