Three races Saturday at Santa Anita include legitimate contenders at attractive odds – a comebacking sprint claimer in race 2, two overlays in a turf allowance that is race 6, and an allowance sprinter in race 7. Those three races are the focus of this handicapper’s wagering plan, beginning with a longshot early on the card. It could be a fun Saturday.
Trainer Scott E. Young saddles Kips Hog Wild (#3, ML 7-2) in Friday's third race at Remington Park, the seven-furlong Oklahoma Classics Starter Allowance Stakes. Since Jan., 1, 2014, Young is winning at a 40 percent clip when saddling a horse switching from turf to dirt, for a return on investment of $4.30. Check out the Positive ROI report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
Acapella (#7, ML 5-2) returns in Friday's first race at Belmont Park, a seven-furlong maiden special weight race. It will be her first start since finishing third by 4 3/4 lengths in a maiden special weight race Sept. 2 at Saratoga. The first- and second-place finishers from that race came back to win their next starts. Get the Key Race report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
King: Keeneland pick four play for Saturday, Oct. 17
BreezeFigs Quick-Pix for Saturday, October 17th by Bob Fierro and Jay Kilgore.
Forgiveness is not a virtue many horseplayers possess, and I count myself among those in that cold-hearted lot. We are more “blaming” types, attributing losing bets to poor rides, bad horses, and track biases. But on Thursday, as I handicapped stakes from across the country for this column, I found myself with a new attitude, giving horses “free passes” for negative races or blemishes in their past performances. Now, I can only hope it pays off – in cash, more than in spirit.
I’m taking a shot with Ahh Chocolate in Saturday’s Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland.
Trainer Nick Esler saddles Esther the Queen (#2, ML 12-1) in Thursday's second race at Belmont Park, a seven-furlong starter allowance on turf. Since Jan., 1, 2014, Esler is winning at a 38 percent clip when saddling a horse coming off a win, for a return on investment of $3.37. Check out the Positive ROI report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
Holiday Star (#8, 4-1) returns in Thursday's eighth race at Keeneland, the 1 1/2-mile Sycamore Stakes on turf. It will be his first start since finishing second by two lengths in the John's Call Stakes Aug. 26 at Saratoga. The first- and third-place finishers from that race came back to win their next starts. Get the Key Race report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
Download DRF Plus handicapping reports for Thursday's races, including DRF Bets GamePlan, the Positive ROI Report, and Key Race Report.
