Thu, 06/14/2018 - 11:06

Weekend Warrior for Saturday, June 16: Picks for Stephen Foster Handicap, Obeah Stakes, Regret Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Santa Anita’s Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on turf and Grade 1 Gold Cup on dirt are both under consideration for Pavel.

A memorable Triple Crown season may be over, but important racing continues Saturday with the Stephen Foster evening card at Churchill Downs. The Grade 1, $500,000 Foster tops a program that includes four other graded stakes, the most notable being two Grade 2, $200,000 races – the Fleur de Lis and the Wise Dan.

Santa Anita has the remaining graded event on Saturday’s stakes schedule – the Grade 2, $200,000 Summertime Oaks.

Stephen Foster Handicap

Thu, 06/14/2018 - 10:10

Jerardi: Slight edge to American Pharoah over Justify on speed figures

Barbara D. Livingston
Justify, under Mike Smith, wins the Belmont Stakes to become the 13th Triple Crown winner and remain unbeaten after six starts.

Justify’s Beyer Speed Figures from the Triple Crown were a 103 in the Kentucky Derby, a 97 in the Preakness, and a 101 in the Belmont Stakes. Before we get into historical comparisons, including the 2015 Triple Crown run by American Pharoah, let’s discuss how figures are made in general and how Justify’s figures were made specifically.

Wed, 06/13/2018 - 15:06

TimeformUS Belmont Horses in Focus for Thursday, June 14, 2018

Race 3:
La Contessa (#7)

Didn’t run that badly in her turf debut and then was hampered by a bumping incident on the turn in her second grass try.

Showed that she can handle the distance when breaking her maiden on dirt last time.

Her tactical speed should ensure that she works out a decent trip.

9-2 on ML

Wed, 06/13/2018 - 11:28

TimeformUS speed figure report for week ending June 10, 2018

Belmont

G1 Belmont S

1/2       150

1m       133

Fin       125

Top 3: Justify 125, Gronkowski 123, Hofburg 123

Note: Justify completed the Triple Crown, thirteenth in history of the sport; Gronkowski ran huge in first US start and first start on dirt after lagging well behind the field in the opening half-mile

G1 Metropolitan H

1/2       126

3/4       126

Fin       133

Top 3: Bee Jersey 130, Mind Your Biscuits 130, Limousine Liberal 123

Wed, 06/13/2018 - 08:56

Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of June 11, 2018

REFLECT
Trainer:
Keith Desormeaux
Last race: June 7, 4th
Finish: 1st by 5 3/4
Beyer: 63
A debut 2-year-old by Trappe Shot, this filly won big. Raced in midfield, angled four wide passing the quarter pole, challenged for the lead into the lane, opened up in final eighth, and won geared down. Next stop, stakes.

Tue, 06/12/2018 - 13:53

TimeformUS Belmont Horses in Focus for Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Race 3

Double Cast (#6)

Ran an improved race in her four-year-old debut despite traveling a distance that is short of her best.

Took a long time to break out of maiden ranks, but that was largely due to some badly timed rides and poor luck.

The low-percentage barn will ensure that she is a square price.

3-1 on ML

Race 5

Odin’s Steed (#6)

Was completely eliminated at the start last time, yet ran on well to be third.

Tue, 06/12/2018 - 07:30

Gierkink: Woodbine horses to watch for week of June 11, 2018

BLAKEY
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last race: June 9, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 4
Beyer: 66
The son of Pioneerof the Nile prevailed in a hotly contested speed duel before giving way to a much-improved closer in a two-turn maiden special on the Tapeta.

Mon, 06/11/2018 - 10:52

Trip Notes for June 10-11: Belmont Stakes, Met Mile, and more

June 9

Belmont
Ogden Phipps (race 3)