Watchmaker: American Pharoah's connections great ambassadors for sport
Before I get to some impressions of Saturday’s stakes action, a word about American Pharoah and, specifically, his connections.
Mike WatchmakerJun 14, 2015
Before I get to some impressions of Saturday’s stakes action, a word about American Pharoah and, specifically, his connections.
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The very betable 11-race Woodbine Oaks card contains a trio of stakes: the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, the $150,000 Plate Trial and the $100,000 Alywow. The Oaks and Trial make up half of the late pick four, a sequence that I’ll dive into.
The early pick four at Woodbine has a guaranteed pool of $100,000 and it starts with the $100,000 Alywow, a 6 1/2-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies.
The late pick four at Santa Anita is among the more intriguing gimmick wagers there Sunday, and with a 50-cent minimum, it can be played for a modest amount.
To play, or not to play, that is the question Sunday at Santa Anita. As always, the decision hinges on price.
Cat Burglar (#7, ML 8-1) is the fatter price of two Baffert horses in a big stake -- Saturday's Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs – and such types often outrun their odds.
Il Campione (#6, ML 5-2) makes his North American debut in Saturday’s Poker Stakes at Belmont Park, and his first start for trainer Chad Brown. Brown is winning at a 28 percent clip when saddling a horse making its first start with him, for a return on investment of $1.80.
Taking a look at the middle of the Belmont card on Sunday, with a play on the pick three encompassing races 5 through 7
DRF handicapper Dan Illman provides his strategy for a pick three on Saturday's program at Belmont Park.