Fri, 03/23/2018 - 11:20

BreezeFigs Quick-Pix for Saturday, March 24, 2018, by Bob Fierro & Jay Kilgore

It’s not often that we give you two Pix, and it’s nice when one of them wins. So perhaps we can be forgiven for our little happy dance last Saturday after Happiness buried her field at Tampa ($16.80) following Miss Jak’s out-of-the-clouds move as the $7.00 favorite at Gulfstream (out of which she was claimed). These two were among the 15 BreezeFigs maidens that won last week.

Fri, 03/23/2018 - 07:33

Hammersly: Santa Anita pick five play for Saturday, March 24, 2018

A thoroughly top-class filly may prove key to Saturday’s early pick five at Santa Anita.

Race 1

Thu, 03/22/2018 - 14:37

TimeformUS Aqueduct Horses in Focus for Friday, March 23, 2018

Race 7:
Beautiful Buzz (#5)

Gets a positive rider switch to Dylan Davis.
May have been hindered by racing three wide against a golden rail last time out.
Has shown the ability to stalk the pace, so she could work out a more favorable trip than the Pace Projector indicates.
9-2 on ML

Thu, 03/22/2018 - 11:30

Jerardi: McKinzie, Bolt d'Oro show right Beyer stuff

Barbara D. Livingston
McKinzie (inside) is expected to stay home for the Santa Anita Derby, setting up a rematch with Bolt d'Oro.

The second-to-last round of Kentucky Derby preps had dazzling performances, a controversial disqualification and a confusing situation that we at Beyer Central sometimes encounter.

By impression, I would rank the San Felipe (101), Rebel (97), Gotham (95), and Tampa Bay Derby (94) in the exact order of the Beyer Speed Figures earned. And I would put Justify’s 101 in an optional claimer in a separate, somewhat mysterious category.

Thu, 03/22/2018 - 11:10

Weekend Warrior for Saturday, March 24: Picks for Muniz Memorial Handicap, Louisiana Derby, Santa Monica Stakes

It’s Louisiana Derby Day on Saturday at Fair Grounds. That Grade 2, $1 million event is a Kentucky Derby prep worth 170 Derby points and heads a card that includes three other Grade 2 stakes: the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks, the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap, and the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Handicap.

There are also two Grade 2, $200,000 races at Santa Anita: the San Luis Rey and the Santa Monica.

Muniz Memorial Handicap

Wed, 03/21/2018 - 16:49

Rampellini: Oaklawn horses to watch for week of March 21

TITLE READY   
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Last Race: March 17, 10th
Finish: 4th by five lengths
Beyer: 90

He made an impression in his stakes debut in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel. He broke from the rail in a field of 10, set the pace to the top of the stretch, and kept on through the lane while facing some quality rivals. Title Ready is a son of More Than Ready and his dam, Title Seeker, is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners My Flag, Miner's Mark and Traditionally.  

Wed, 03/21/2018 - 08:31

TimeformUS Speed Figure Report for week ending March 18, 2018

Santa Anita

G1 Santa Margarita S

1/2       149

3/4       140

Fin       119

Top 3: Fault 121, Mended 120, Mopotism 112

Note: Hot pace - all fractions red in TimeformUS products; winner returned to dirt for first time in 12 starts and first time since being claimed for $50k and is now a graded stakes winner on dirt and turf; runner-up has been an incredible claim for $12.5k.

G2 Santa Ana S

1/2       129

3/4       130

Fin       121

Wed, 03/21/2018 - 07:41

Beer: Aqueduct horses to watch for week of March 19, 2018

Very Very Stella
Trainer:  David Jacobson
Last race:  March 16, 4th
Finish:  2nd by nose
Beyer:  89
In form allowance-type was forced to make a wide run into a moderate pace but still managed to finish gamely to just miss closing down a front-running winner.