NOW AVAILABLE: The Wizard's 9 Grade 1 Stakes Package for Super Saturday.

Selections, Analysis and Wagering Strategies for 5 Grade 1's from Belmont:

(Flower Bowl, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, Vosburgh, Beldame and Jockey Club Gold Cup) 4

4 from Santa Anita- (Norfolk, Lady's Secret, Goodwood and Yellow Ribbon)

Jockey Club Gold Cup: Race 10 at Belmont

Saturday, October 1

PACE SCENARIO

Birdrun will be aggressively ridden out of the gate to get the lead, insuring a quick pace to set up the closing run of his entry-mate Flat Out. Both are owned by Preston Stables. Rodman will be in close pursuit stretching out from his inside post.

PICK: #1 FLAT OUT

(1) FLAT OUT- Despite having won only 1 race in 5 starts this year, in defeat he has run huge. Case in point were his second place finishes Aug 6 and Sept 3. Trainer Charles "Scooter" Dickey shipped Flat Out to Belmont Park on July 2 for the Grade 2 Suburban at Belmont. He felt that the long striding closer would appreciate the wide sweeping turns. In less than 2 minutes Dickey was right on. Flat Out blew away 5 rivals by 6 1/2 widening lengths under a hand ride in the final 1/8th of a mile which resulted in a career best performance. 35 days later, Flat Out ran a "better than it looks" second to the classy Tizway in his first start at Saratoga. He was victimized by a slow pace over a track surface that was very deep and tiring. Many horses running that day had trouble handling this "quicksand" like surface.

Dickey set his eyes squarely on the Jockey Club Gold Cup using the Grade 1 Woodward as a springboard. There was no doubt that Flat Out's connections knew they could win, but also felt that the filly Havre de Grace would be one tough customer to defeat and possibly Saratoga was not the best fit for his running style. Despite a second place finish, Flat Out ran extremely well. The filly always had a tactical advantage as well as being positioned in perfect stalking position throughout. Today he returns to the scene of his monstrous victory. Unlike in his last 2 defeats, Flat Out gets a much more favorable pace set up. Owner Preston Stables have also entered Birdrun. Obviously they would be elated if the 5 year old wires the field, but their game plan is to ensure a quick pace to set up Flat Out's powerful late run. The Wizard feels their strategy will work to perfection.

WAGERING STRATEGIES

SELECTIONS: (1) FLAT OUT (4) STAY THIRSTY (6) A. U. MINER

NOTE: THIS IS MY SUGGESTED TRIFECTA WAGERS. I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED PLAYING SUPERFECTAS, BUT THERE ARE NONE DUE TO THE SMALL FIELD AND AN ENTRY.

$3.00 TRIFECTA: 1 / 4-6 / ALL = $24.00
$1.00 TRIFECTA: 1 / ALL / 4-6 = $8.00
TOTAL = $32.00