Churchill Downs: DRF Plus handicapping report for November 23, 2013
Race 1 |
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Race 2 |
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Race 3 |
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Race 4 |
Spot PlayDISCUSSION CLOSED (#4, 3-1) is dropped in class for high-percentage connections and is better than what he showed in his first race this meet; blinkers on; astute owner in Maggi Moss claimed this one for twice this 10K tag in September. – Byron King
Spot PlayGALLANT PLEASURE (#5, 3-1) Hard-trying gelding has achieved some consistency of late and figures strong when entered right back for the $10k for which he’s had back-to-back 2nds. Cox calls on leading jock Lanerie to finish this deal; steady run into the pace can finally land an overdue score. – Marty McGee
Vulnerable FavoriteSILENT PIPE (#3, 2-1) though the Ramseys are known for being aggressive with the placement of their claimers, this one’s drop to 10K must be viewed as a negative; he’s a Louisiana-bred, and with the Fair Grounds meet now underway and plenty of opportunities there, it seems his connections want him to be claimed. – Byron King
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Race 5 |
Spot PlayZIMBABWE LADY (#7, 4-1) finally got it into gear, albeit too late, when showing very commendable progress in her second career attempt and merits strong consideration on this token raise in class. Trained by a former Barclay Tagg assistant, this filly just needs a little more early giddy-up to render her late kick effective. – Marty McGee
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Race 6 |
TRIO OF MISCHIEF (#5, 4-1) ran well in defeat against males last time despite some trouble, middle-moving before flattening out late; dangerous here with another step forward. -Kenny Peck
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Race 7 |
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Race 8 |
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Race 9 |
Obviously there are a multitude of angles from which to attack the River City, which with its incredibly well-matched field of 14 shapes up as a sensational betting race. Where to begin … Clearly there are a number of proven entities in here, such as the defending champion, Keep Up (#4), and the 118-pound highweight, Daddy Nose Best (#9), but there are at least a half-dozen sleeper types whose best efforts would put them right there, such as Villandry (#1), Exothermic (#6), and Seruni (#8). Of those, maybe Villandry has the most upside; he was disappointing on the Kee Poly the Fayette, but he gets Leparoux and the rail when moving back to the grass and stands to rebound with a huge one. Even with all that, what about Coalport (#7)? Throw out his off-the-turf effort in the Shadwell Mile on that weird Saturday at Keeneland, and he certainly fits with these. Even with the Ramseys and Catalano on his side, he’ll be a big price, and if he runs back to his Arlington and Kentucky Downs efforts, he stands to make his presence felt. Wagering-wise, this just has to be a spread race, but for a key in the verticals, let’s lean most heavily on Coalport. The bet: Key #6 up, back, sideways and any-other-ways with the other contenders mentioned here, i.e., 1, 4, 6, 8, 9. For back-up tickets, it might not hurt to also use #1 mixed-and-matched with the others, too. - Marty McGee
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Race 10 |
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