Thu, 02/09/2017 - 12:36

Weekend Warrior for Saturday, Feb. 11: Picks for Gulfstream Handicap, Tampa Bay Stakes, Martha Washington

By Mike Watchmaker
Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Sharp Azteca's speed makes him dangerous in the Gulfstream Park Handicap.

Florida has the spotlight Saturday with three graded stakes each at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Gulfstream’s card is topped by the Grade 1, $350,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. There are four stakes in Tampa, led by the Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis, which marks the first start of the year for top Kentucky Derby aspirant McCraken. And Santa Anita offers two Grade 2, $200,000 races – the Arcadia and Santa Maria.

Gulfstream Park Handicap

Thu, 02/09/2017 - 09:36

Rampellini: Oaklawn Park horses to watch for week of Feb. 9

By Mary Rampellini

Rockport Kat
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Last race: Feb. 4, 8th
Finish: 5th by 6 3/4
Beyer: 88
He’s been most effective using stalk-and-pounce tactics and did not get the right kind of setup in the King Cotton Stakes, which was won wire-to-wire. Last year, Rockport Kat accounted for the Zia Park Sprint over the eventual winner of the King Cotton, Storm Advisory.

Wed, 02/08/2017 - 15:56

Not your father's Big Cap prep

By Brad Free
Shigeki Kikkawa
Bistraya will try to use an allowance race Friday as a prep for the Santa Anita Handicap.

ARCADIA, Calif. – A second-level allowance Friday at Santa Anita is an unlikely prep for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap for class handicappers who adhere to tradition.

“Except by accident, Grade 1 races are won by Grade 1 horses.”

Handicapping pioneer and author James Quinn wrote it in “The Handicapper’s Condition Book,” defining a Grade 1 horse as one who “has won two or more Grade 1 races; or has won one such event, plus Grade 2 events . . .”

Wed, 02/08/2017 - 14:23

Peck: Tampa Bay Downs horses to watch for week of Feb. 8

By Kenny Peck

RED CURLS
Trainer: Roy Lerman
Date: Jan. 21, 6th
Finish: 6th by 2 1/4
Beyer: 63
Had a very eventful trip in her debut, steadying early and then lacking room on the turn; she wasn't pushed hard once obviously beaten, but she galloped out nicely past the wire, which bodes well for her return.

Wed, 02/08/2017 - 07:35

Beer: Aqueduct horses to watch for week of Feb. 6

By Mike Beer

North End
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last race: Feb. 4, 9th
Finish: 2nd by 4
Beyer: 65
First-time starter got bet, but was carried out at the break to wind up back off the pace before coming with a good run through the stretch for second, and then galloping out well.

Mon, 02/06/2017 - 16:41

TimeformUS Speed Figure Report for week ending Feb. 5, 2017

By Craig Milkowski

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.

Mon, 02/06/2017 - 16:05

Hersh: Fair Grounds horses to watch Feb. 2-4

By Marcus Hersh

GIRVIN
TRAINER: Joe Sharp
LAST RACE: Feb. 4, race 5
FINISH: 2nd by 3/4 length
BEYER: 87
Jumped squarely into the Risen Star picture with this performance. Did not travel like he really cared for turf at all and probably is better on dirt, yet came home a fast final quarter and galloped out strongly. Was flattered by Excitations’s good win 2/2/17 at FG as well.
 

Mon, 02/06/2017 - 11:03

Trip Notes for February 4-5: Holy Bull, Robert B. Lewis, Withers, and more

By Michael Hammersly

Feb. 4

Mon, 02/06/2017 - 10:09

Free: Santa Anita horses to watch from Feb. 2-5

By Brad Free

ESTRECHADA
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: Feb. 2, race 8
Finish: Second by one and one-quarter lengths
Beyer: 92
First in three months and first for Puype, this South American mare ran super behind an in-form stakes winner, finishing clear of third. Any surface will do; prefers marathon.

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