Download DRF Plus handicapping reports for Thursday's races, including DRF Bets GamePlan, the Positive ROI Report, and Key Race Report.
DRF Bets GamePlan
Closer looks for Belmont Park, Keeneland, and Santa Anita, and spot plays and live longshots for Indiana Grand, Lone Star Park, Remington Park, and Santa Anita. Picks are chronologically listed, so you can build and plan your wagering day.
DIRT IN YOUR FACE
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Last race: Oct. 8, 5th
Finish: 8th by 15 3/4
Beyer: 42
A class jump and wide trip from an outside post cost him all chance in a maiden-$40K route. He can return to maiden-$20K and be competitive off his runner-up finish two starts back.
Trainer Paul Holthus saddles Locust Bayou (#9, ML 6-1) in Wednesday's eighth race at Indiana Grand, a 7 1/2-furlong allowance on turf. Since Jan. 1, 2014, Holthus is winning at a 37 percent clip when saddling a horse switching from route to sprint, for a return on investment of $2.93.
RAGAZZA DI PAPA
Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart
Last race: Oct. 12, 5th
Finish: 4th by 2 1/2
Beyer: NA
Raced wide early, dropped back several positions through the second quarter-mile, and kicked on belatedly in a debut that hinted at some potential.
JAVA’S BOURBON
Trainer: Roger Attfield
Last race: Oct. 10, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 87
As usual, this Not Bourbon colt was rambunctious in the paddock before he went out and ran lights-out in an Ontario-sired allowance in which he set a fast pace before giving way grudgingly. He could be any kind if he’s ever gelded.
COMMENT: Messi came from Europe and looked ready to be a bigshot in the U.S. after two impressive wins here and at Saratoga this summer, but that idea took a hit when he was a no-factor seventh in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer. Today he took a slight class drop, and the German-bred got back on track with a smart victory.
Download DRF Plus handicapping reports for Monday's races, including DRF Bets GamePlan, the Positive ROI Report, and Key Race Report.
DRF Bets GamePlan
Closer looks for Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park West, Hastings, Santa Anita, and Woodbine, and spot plays and live longshots for Belmont Park and Santa Anita. Picks are chronologically listed, so you can build and plan your wagering day.
Download DRF Plus handicapping reports for Sunday's races, including DRF Bets GamePlan, the Positive ROI Report, and Key Race Report.
DRF Bets GamePlan
Closer looks for Belmont Park, Fresno, Gulfstream Park West, Keeneland, Santa Anita, and Woodbine, and spot plays and live longshots for Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park West, Keeneland, Santa Anita, and Woodbine. Picks are chronologically listed, so you can build and plan your wagering day.
In a weekend largely devoid of major stakes activity, the sad news of the tragic fatal breakdown of Grade 1 winner Rock Fall in a training accident Saturday morning at Keeneland and the announcement later in the day of the passing of Grade 1 winner Talco following an arthroscopic procedure, the likes of which we have all come to accept as routine, were first on the minds of everyone in the game.