RACE 5: LEMON DROP ROAD (#7)

ARCADIA, Calif. – The main function of the odds board (tote board), is payoff information. But the board provides more than betting-market prices. In fact, the board can be used by bettors the same way spellcheck is used by writers – as an editing tool.

Most spelling mistakes are corrected before deadline, but many handicapping miscues are not clear until a race is run. If a “bet-check” tool could alert horseplayers to a potential mistake, would anyone use it? Many already do.

The weather has done everyone and everything a nasty turn in the past 10 days including our Pix last week at Fair Grounds, both of whom were scratched. Cards across the country were affected during the weekend and week resulting in only eight BreezeFigs maidens winning at: Aqueduct, Fair Grounds (a BreezeFigs exacta), Gulfstream (four, including a BreezeFigs trifecta), Tampa Bay and Turf Paradise.

Aqueduct | Race 2 | Post Time 1:51 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

12:25 LRL 1st GOODLUCKCHUCK (#4, 6-1) has won three of his last four on dirt and looked good stretching out around multiple turns for the first time when wiring them at Charles Town. Forged to the front along the inside, took pressure from 9 to 1 shot Itgot Grandma, put that one away on the third bend, then rebuffed the stretch challenge from odds-on favorite V.I.P. Ticket. Doesn't need the lead to win and is proven over the course. Note he was listed as a vet scratch here on February 7. Marquez lands here instead of Team Effort.

RACE 2: WICKED TITLE (#3)

On racing social media, from the tenor of personal communications, I get the sense there’s not huge interest in the second $20 million Saudi Cup. I get it – I guess. Without even touching on geopolitics and moral compasses, there also was the subsequent downfall of the first Saudi Cup-winning trainer and the cloud hanging over the horse he trained, Maximum Security. I think the whole situation left a fog, if not a cloud, hanging over the race.

Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.

Run Classic

Feb. 13, 4th race Fair Grounds, MdSpWt60k
Beyer: 86
1 1/16 miles 1:44.39, 1st by 3 1/4 lengths
b. c. 3, Runhappy – Pledge Pin, by Chatain
Auctions: OBS March 2020 – $475,000
Owner: Tom Durant
Trainer: Brett Calhoun
Breeder: Millennium Farms

DISKO FEVER

Trainer: Richard Baltas

Last race: Feb. 12, race 3

Finish: 1^st by 1 3/4

Beyer: 71

Off slowly in starter allowance at six and one-half furlongs on turf, this filly sped to the lead, blazed 44.04 half, and was gone. Entry-level allowance is next for course specialist.

Aqueduct | Race 4 | Post Time 2:55 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up