As is often the case, 2-year-olds who should settle are often fried when sent to the lead too early, which was the case in our “key” Pick last week, Confidential, who flew early and struggled late to miss out on placing but completed a cheap $4.99 super in a five horse field at Gulfstream. However, the day was saved when our 3-year-old Pick, Red Flash, got up late on a muddy oval at Lone Star to pay eight bucks.
ARCADIA, Calif. - On a day with three winning favorites and one longshot at Santa Anita, the pick six paid $16,715 on Thursday, leaving a carryover of $271,260 for the single ticket jackpot pool on Friday.
The single ticket pool has not been hit since May 4.
The only surprise winner occurred in the last race when Pacific Coast Hwy ($52.80) won a maiden claimer on turf.
Race 7:
Going Strong (#4)
Should get enough pace to close into with multiple speeds signed on.
Ran better than it seems last time after getting shuffled back and losing momentum on the turn.
:: Get TimeformUS PPs for these races at Belmont Park
Linda Rice gets a 100 Trainer Rating in starter allowance races in New York.
5-2 on ML
Race 8:
Whether you are the regular Weekend Warrior or the stand-in as in my specific case, inevitably there are weeks when confidence is high in your stakes selections, and other times less so. After all, there are only so many stakes run across North America each Saturday, and some races can be unbettable due to short fields.
Luckily, this week’s plays fall into the confident camp.
Arlington Classic
Belmont | Race 8 | Post Time 5:13 p.m. (ET) | Go to the FREE TimeformUS PPs
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Race 3:
River Deep (#2)
Was part of a particularly tough field last time, led by the talented Army Mule.
Earned a competitive 93 TimeformUS Speed Figure in his first start back off the layoff.
:: Get TimeformUS PPs for these races at Aqueduct
Barclay Tagg gets a 100 TimeformUS Trainer Rating with runners dropping from maiden special weight to maiden claiming company.
Each week, TimeformUS Chief Figure Maker Craig Milkowski takes a look back at the weekend’s graded stakes and releases the TimeformUS Speed Figures for these races.
Pimlico
Grade 1 Preakness
1/2 146
3/4 141
Fin 118
Top 3: Cloud Computing 122, Classic Empire 124, Senior Investment 112
“It only takes one."
That is what one of the many players named George would tell me when I used to go to Belmont every day. For a grinder like me, sometimes I don’t have the patience to wait for just one race to bet. I like to stay active and hope I can get alive to "the one" and then when that race comes along, explore my options to maximize the opportunities.
SILENT SONET
Trainer: Nick Gonzalez
Last race: May 20, ninth
Finish: First by 6 3/4 lengths
Beyer: 85
She was bet down to 5-2 when debuting against Ontario-sired maidens, and then cruised to an easy score in a rapid five-furlong clocking. The 3-year-old daughter of Silent Name obviously has stakes potential.
EMPRESS OF LOV
Trainer: Gary Sherlock
Last race: May 18, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 47
Debut 2-year-old filly hopped and was slowly, and finished with run in a promising debut at 4 1/2 furlongs. Cal-bred can be followed at a longer distance.
