Tue, 08/23/2011 - 13:39

Saratoga: Spa Babies for Aug. 24, Race 5

Welcome to Spa Babies! I'll break down the statistics for every juvenile contest at the meet and hope for a tidy profit.

In past years, I would list the stats for each horse before writing up my analysis, selections and wagering strategy. In order to streamline the content, this year's Spa Babies will showcase written analyses of each juvenile race. Each analysis will include relevant statistical information. Following the analysis, top three selections and wagering strategy will be provided.

Tue, 08/23/2011 - 13:08

Thistledown: Rapid Redux wins for the 13th time this year without a loss

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio – Rapid Redux, the winningest horse in North America this year, won again at Thistledown on Monday, giving him 13 victories without a loss in 2011. His wining streak began last December and now stands at 15 races.

Four horses are tied for second in wins this year at 8 apiece.

Rapid Redux’s half-length win Monday came in a $5,000 starter allowance at 1 1/16 miles. It was his first start since he won a similar race at Mountaineer Park on July 15.

Tue, 08/23/2011 - 12:55

Woodbine: I’m Not Afraid eyes third win at meet

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – I’m Not Afraid began the year on a high note with two consecutive victories, and she may be ready to notch her third win of the meet Thursday at Woodbine in a second-level allowance with a $60,000 claiming option.

I’m Not Afraid performed well without finding the mark at Arlington and in Kentucky last year. She changed trainers over the winter, going from Dan Peitz to Julia Carey, who sent her out to graduate off a five-month layoff in a six-furlong maiden special May 1.

Tue, 08/23/2011 - 12:45

Three from Canadian Derby may meet again in B.C. Derby

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Three of the first four finishers in the Grade 3, $300,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park last Saturday – Northern Indy, Line Change, and Inhisglory – are being pointed to the Grade 3, $200,000 British Columbia Derby at Hastings on Sept. 11.

Tue, 08/23/2011 - 12:40

Del Mar: Tres Borrachos the latest gambit for owner

Benoit & Associates
Tres Borrachos, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, wins the San Diego Handicap.

DEL MAR, Calif. – It didn’t seem like the most sensible proposition, even for a risk-taker.

When horse owner George Hicker learned last month that the 6-year-old gelding Tres Borrachos was available for private purchase, his interest was piqued. Granted, Tres Borrachos had not won a stakes in three years, had not won a race in two years, and had started only once this year. But the deal had intangibles that swayed Hicker – the time of year and the endorsement of his trainer, Marty Jones.

Tue, 08/23/2011 - 12:33

Woodbine: Moonlit Beauty caps perfect weekend for LeBlanc

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Two overnight stakes for fillies and mares were run here last weekend, and the winners hailed from decidedly different quarters.

Moonlit Beauty, who showed the way in Sunday’s seven-furlong Belle Geste, is the one-horse stable of Bill Gierkink, who also is the breeder of the 5-year-old and was enjoying his second career stakes victory. Trainer John LeBlanc was winning the fourth stakes of his career.

Tue, 08/23/2011 - 10:24

Saratoga: Coil to run in Travers after Baffert is pleased by fast Tuesday work

Barbara D. Livingston
Coil broke off five lengths behind his Tuesday workmate but was first to the wire by a neck.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Bob Baffert said he was looking for a way out of the Travers. But after watching Coil breeze a fast half-mile Tuesday morning over Saratoga’s main track, Baffert and his 3-year-old appear to be all in for Saturday’s $1 million Midsummer Derby.

With Baffert looking on from the empty Saratoga grandstand, Coil, winner of the Haskell Invitational, worked a fast four furlongs in 46.12 seconds in company with West Virginia Derby winner Prayer for Relief shortly after the 8:45 a.m. renovation break.

Tue, 08/23/2011 - 09:55

Feature has B.C. Derby implications

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Tlaquepaque, Stormy Canuck, Tarue Grit, and Fransor’s Finest are all outsiders looking in when it comes to the Grade 3, $200,000 British Columbia Derby, which will be run at Hastings on Sept. 11. Nonetheless, they are all nominated, and a breakout performance in an optional $50,000 claiming race Wednesday could convince their connections to take a shot at the richest race in B.C.

Mon, 08/22/2011 - 19:39

Saratoga handle remains strong

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Ontrack handle is up nearly 10 percent while all-sources handle is basically even through the first 28 days of the 2011 Saratoga meet when compared with the same five weeks of 2010, according to figures released Monday by the New York Racing Association.

Mon, 08/22/2011 - 18:50

Del Mar: Tanda eyes BC Filly and Mare Sprint

Benoit & Associates
Tanda, with Joe Talamo riding, wins the Rancho Bernardo.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Tanda's victory in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap on Sunday has her new trainer, Mike Mitchell, eyeing the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.

Tanda was making her first start at this track and for Mitchell, who took over from Dan Hendricks as Tanda's trainer at the end of July after she finished third to Irish Gypsy and Ultra Blend in the A Gleam Handicap at Hollywood Park. Mitchell gave the mount to Joe Talamo, who rode her for the first time.