N.Y. bred Showcase Day III ~ Belmont Park

Today is New York bred Showcase Day at Belmont Park, the third of these race cards solely for registered N.Y. bred horses. This event has been hosted for over twenty years and was the catalyst for many other exclusive state bred racing days throughout the country. Many of the horses entered today are well known at NYRA and may have raced in the two other showcase days that were held at Belmont in late May and Saratoga in August.

Nine two year old colts racing a flat mile on dirt are going in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes (2nd) to start the stakes action off. The two morning line favorites seem to stick out in this group; Get Jets (#4) and Sudden Surprise (#6) have running one/two in a seven furlong stakes race for statebreds here on September 27th. We'll key these two in the top spots and use underneath in triples and superfectas : Forever in Love (#1) - Celtic Chaos (#3) - Inside Straight (#5).

Older statebred sprinters goes six and a half furlongs in the Hudson Handicap (3rd). Once again, a full field is assembled with the morning line favorite; Palace (#9) possibly scratching for next week's Breeder's Cup Sprint at Keeneland. With that said, I'll past on him in today's play and not include him in my selections. The Mike Hushion trained uncoupled entry are my top two selections; Loki's Vengeance (#1) and Captain Serious (#2) , both have shown capability in these statebred sprint stakes and are a juicy 6-1 & 8-1 on the morning line. I'll boxed these two and use underneath in my exotics : Ostrolenka (#5) - Noble Cornerstone (#7) - John's Island (#8).

It's the filly and mares turn next up in the Iroquois Stakes (4th) going the same distance. Once again here, the morning line favorite; La Verdad (#9) is pre-entered in the Breeder's Cup Filly & Mare Sprint next week. She is the best in here at 3-5, but again I'll leave her out, on the assumption she races next weekend. Just like in the Hudson Handicap, the race is wide open without these major players. Willet (#5) and Tricky Zippy (#8) both drop from open company stakes and have run well in the past versus statebred stakes company, they are my top two picks. The triple and superfecta players will be : Women Win (#2) - Isabelle (#3) - Hot City Girl (#7).

The formerly featured race of the today, the Empire Classic (#5) is now midway through the card and ends the early pick 4 stakes play. This route race for older males has been the staple for showcasing the top NY bred runners of the year. We have a wide open field with questions who will get the mile and eighth distance over the Belmont racing surface of one turn. The lukewarm morning line favorite; Saratoga Snacks (#3) and out-of-town "new face"; Warrioroftheroses (#9) are my top two selections. Underneath these two, I'll be using : Beyond Empire (#3) - Good Luck Gus (#4) - Royal Posse (#5).

We head to the turf for the first of two grass races on today's stakes card, the Mohawk Stakes (7th) going a mile and a sixteenth on the weeds with the usual cast of characters in these type races. Kharafa (#3) was a solid winner of the Ashley T. Cole Handicap going a bit longer for these state breds and the favorite in that same race; Lubash (#6) who disappointed, are my top two picks today again. Underneath players are Runaway Posse (#1) - Iron Power (#2) - Notacatbutallama (#5).

The late pick three finishes off the stakes action today (races #9 thru #11) with the filly two year old counterpart to the Sleepy Hollow Stakes, the Maid of the Mist Stakes (#9) going the same distance with an overflow field of 12 runners. She's All Ready (#10) drops back to statebred company and has a solid class edge over this group. She's my top pick along with Trappe Play (#1) who broke her maiden first out at 13-1 and draws the rail. Underneath my top two picks : Frosty Margarita (#3) - Melodic (#5) - Super Surprise (#7) the beaten favorite in the Joseph Gimma prep race for this.

The Empire Distaff (10th) are the gals equivalent to the Empire Classic, going a sixteenth of a mile less though. Hot Stones (#8) tired versus grade I open company in last start, back versus statebreds which she had dominated in her two previous starts. She gets the top pick, along with Wonder Gal (#9) who returns versus NY breds for the first time since her last victory as a two year old in July of 2014. With these two, I'll be using : Tahoe Tigeress (#1) - Temper Mint Patty (#5) - Jc's Shooting Star (#7).

The day wraps up on the grass with the ladies in the Ticonderoga Stakes (#11). Discreet Marq (#5) failed as the favorite last time out at the Saratoga NY bred showcase day, makes amends today on class alone with the "in form" Neck of the Moon (#2) who's on a roll and faces stakes company for the first time. Wide open underneath as most all these races are today ; Selenite (#3) - Swear By It (#8) - The Tea Cups (#10) are the runners I'll use in triple and superfecta slots. Today, is a good day to pad your phone-a-bet account for next week's championship day in racing at Keeneland. Good luck!

The Breeder's Cup & NYRA

We mention last week that this year's Breeder's Cup World Championships would be at a new, different venue. For the first time since Monmouth Park in 2007, the two day event was being held somewhere else other than Santa Anita Park or Churchill Downs. It's the first time for Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington Kentucky and in 2017, the event will be held at Del Mar Racecourse in California. But, conspicuously by it's absence for over a decade is the event being held in New York.

The original rotation from 1984 to 1995, the Breeder's Cup was held at California, New York and Florida based tracks only. In 1996, it was held at the first new venue other than the three original states. Also, it was the first and only time held outside the Untied States at Woodbine Racetrack in Canada. During that next ten year span, courses like Arlington Park, Lone Star Park and Monmouth Park were added. But, it has been ten years since the two day festival of championship races has appeared at a NYRA based track.

There were five year internals where the Breeder's Cup was conducted in New York. The first was in year two of the event, at Aqueduct in 1985. Then five years later, the first time at Belmont Park in 1990. That was twenty five years ago this month and it was the first Breeder's Cup I attended. One word could sum up that day, COLD! It would be every five years after that (1995, 2001, 2005) with the exception of 2001 that the race would be on this rotation of sites. But since 2005 the last time it was here, the Breeder's Cup World Championships organization has ignored the NYRA racing venue.

There are two factors that stick out why the event is no longer conducted here in New York. The first is a lame excuse that has out lived it's usefulness, in my opinion. The upheaval within the racing organization the last several years This has been a excuse used by Breeder's Cup Ltd. in the past why they overlook having the event here in New York. It's gotten to the point in the last few years that NYRA hasn't even applied to be considered hosting the two day event. Whatever transpired a decade ago with NYRA is done and over with and the Breeder's Cup should give a shot having the event here in New York. But, the main and biggest reason that it's not here anymore is because of the weather.

It was a damp dreary day in 1985 with the temperature at 54 degrees when the event was held at Aqueduct on November 2nd in it's second running. Five years later in 1990, it was sunny with a brisk wind and a cold 43 degrees on October 27, a week early than 1985. In 1995, the post times were earlier because of a conflict with the NBC broadcast and Notre Dame football. It was 66 degrees that day, but it had rained the night before and there was moisture in the track. The 2001 edition was surreal because it was held only a few weeks removed from the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. It was a cool crisp 50 degrees that day and I spent most of it inside the Belmont Park grandstand with my father. The last time the event was held there in 2005, the weather conditions were the same as four years before; 46 degrees and windy. With Belmont Park being an open-air facility, weather conditions play a big factor the last weekend of October. This is the main reason the Breeder's Cup isn't held in New York anymore.

With all this said, the purpose of having this event was to showcase championship caliber thoroughbreds across the many racetracks in this country. I guess the Breeder's Cup World Championship seems fit that New York does not fall under that criteria anymore. To me, this has taken away the flavor and usefulness of their mantra, "World Championships".

Breeder's Cup latest venue ...... KEENELAND

The 2015 edition of the Breeder's Cup World Championships deviates from the norm this year. After three straight years at Santa Anita Park and five of the last seven, the two day event is at Keeneland Racecourse for the first time. It will be a whole new ball game for wagering, not seen since the last time it was held at a new site. That was in 2007, the year it expanded to two days and at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Those two days were a turning point in where the event was held because of what transpired. After last weekend's weather, the result could be much like it was in 2007 unfortunately, if mother nature doesn't cooperate.

The weather was a major factor the first time it was held at this new east coast site eight year's ago. Late Fall weather in the northeast can be tricky and that year it was at Monmouth Park. There was pretty much non-stop rain from Friday afternoon until well into the Saturday card. Not the way Monmouth Park wanted it to be for the first time they were holding the Breeder's Cup. Top that off with it being the inaugural expansion of more races and having two days instead of one. It was a washout and one of the reasons that the move to Santa Anita was put in place. We've seen it too, that weather in Kentucky can be brutal this time of the year also.

When the races were held in Kentucky in the past, there were times that they too had off track conditions. This past weekend at Keeneland and New York, weather wasn't favorable and conditions not the best. With the possibly of inclement weather, the size of the Keeneland Racecourse facility for the attending fans, it could be very interesting. Keeneland isn't as large as most host tracks for this event. Much like what NYRA did for the Belmont Stakes and Travers this year, Breeder's Cup is limiting the amount of on-track patrons to the event with a cap on attendance. This is a factor only if you plan on going, but the weather will play a big role on the success of this year's Breeder's Cup Championship day, away from sunny Southern California.

Our handicapping segment this week looks at two turf races that may be affected weather again this week. In New York, the Knickerbocker Handicap (9th) a mile and eighth on the weeds and at Keeneland, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (9th) for three year old filly turf runners. While the New York is while open, in Kentucky a very sharp three year old filly sticks out over her rivals.

A field of 11 with one (MTO) is scheduled for the route event at Belmont Park which includes the winner from the previous year. I'm leaning toward the two inside horses as my top selections; Middleburg (#1) and Messi (#2) with the later coming off a bad effort going longer at Saratoga in his last start. I'll box these two in my exacta and use underneath; War Dancer (#7) - All Included (#10) - Mr. Speaker (#9). I'm leaving out last year's winner of this race; Legendary (#8).

At Keeneland, a soft turf may be at hand also in their featured event going the same distance as the Knickerbocker in New York. Here the outside filly is head and shoulders best over her competition. Sentiero Italia (#9) is two for two in stakes competition at this level and has been great in winning both those starts. She goes from the outside today and should set a good stalking trip. She's my top pick and underneath I'll use; Olorda (#6) - Blond Me (#7) - Miss Temple City (#3) and longshot - Return to Grace (#5).

SUPER SATURDAY II @ Belmont Park ~ superfectas / pick 4 / pick 6 plays

Today is round #2 of Belmont Park's Super Saturday Stakes action with prep races for the Breeder's Cup at Keeneland on October 30th and 31st. There are six stakes races today that encompass races five through ten. The Saturday pick six at Belmont, starts in the sixth and guaranteed pick four in the 7th race. With the success in two of my five superfecta box plays from Super Saturday I (Turf Classic Day) and three out of four in my stakes pick four play, we'll use the same format on the five stakes today with another pick four play and pick six play.

The Kelso Handicap (5th) starts things off for older males going a mile on dirt. The 3/5 favorite is my old friend; Honor Code (#2) who has become the top older male handicap older with his big effort in the Whitney Handicap. While he is turning back in distance, today in this race is a better spot that in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at a longer distance later on in the card. Hopefully, there will be enough speed leading the way for his late closing kick. My superfecta box play is : 2 with 4/5/6.

It's a battle of stateside versus European runners in the Flower Bowl Handicap (6th) for older filly & mares going a route distance on the turf. The North American runners have taken turns beating each other, so I'll go with the European class runner; Curvy (#8) who has four victories in nine career starts. This three year old faces older America foes for the first time and is a new face among distaff turf runners. She is my top pick and I'll use with her; 8 with 1/5/7.

The first of two races for two year olds is the Frizette Stakes (7th) with an evenly matched field of seven fillies. I'm taking a page from the last race and going with a European runner from a trainer who has done well in the past with first time stateside runners. Nemoralia (#3) is trained by Jeremy Noseda, whose claim to fame was with Wilko, who won at 28-1 over Afleet Alex in the 2004 edition of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile. This horse makes in dirt debut after wins on turf and polytrack across the pond. My superfecta box play is : 3 with 1/2/7.

The boys are up next in the Champagne Stakes (8th) with another evenly matched field. Going with a price here and my man Shug McGaughey who saddles, Sail Ahoy (#4) at 12-1 morning line odds. This regally bred Phipps runner has a victory at this mile distance over the Belmont strip (only one of two with a victory longer than a sprint). With this black & pink runner, I'll be using : 4 and 1/2/5.

Much like last weekend's three year old filly race on the weeds, the Hill Prince Stakes (9th) for the boys is wide open! The Japanese bred from the connections who campaigned Main Sequence to top turf eclipse honors is my top selection; Tale of Life (#11). In his stateside debut, he was victorious at Saratoga and steps up to stakes action today. With him, I'll use : 11 and 4/6/10.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup (10th) is a short, select field that is minus the two best older males on the east coast (Liam's Map & Honor Code) with that said, it's Tonalist (#6) race to lose. I can't go pass him and the superfecta play in this short field is: 6 with 1/3/4.

The all-stakes pick four wager today starts in the (7th) race and is : 1/2/3 (7th) with 4/5 (8th) with 11 (9th) and 6 (10th) = $3.00 for a fifty cent play. The pick six play starting in the (6th) is : 8 with 1/2/3 with 4 with 11 with 6 and ends in the (11th) with Life Imitates Life (#7) = $6.00 pick six wager.

Super Saturday I ~ Turf Classic Day @ Belmont Park

The first of two "Super Saturdays" are being run today at Belmont Park. The road to this year's Breeder's Cup at Keeneland continues this week with Turf Classic Day that includes five stakes races. Of those five, only two are on turf with two other for the sprinters and one for the distaff fillies. All these fields are wide open with no clear cut favorites and many classy graded stakes winners. It will be Super-Box superfectas for my plays in each race, because of the evenly matched fields. The stakes wagering begins in the 5th (3:06) with the Beldame Stakes and then, four straight graded stakes that make up the $500,000 guaranteed all stakes late pick 4.

Six are entered in the mile & sixteenth - Beldame Stakes for older filly & mares. My top selection, is the ultra-consistent 6/5 morning line favorite; Wedding Toast (#2) who has only been out of the money once in 11 career starts. The superfecta box here is : 2 with 1/3/6.

The 7th race (4:16) begins the consecutive stakes action with the Gallant Bloom Handicap for older filly and mares sprinting six & half furlongs. Dame Dorothy (#1) was a huge disappointment as the favorite in the Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga in her last start going a bit longer. She makes amends today and may not be the favorite. The superfecta box here is : 1 with 2/3/5.

The most competitive race of the day is in the 8th (4:51) the Pilgrim Stakes for two year old males going a mile & sixteenth on the weeds. Wide open as they come, any of the ten entered have a shot with the short form they have as baby runners. I go from the rail with my selection; Ray's The Bar (#1) who only career start in England was a winning one sprinting at 20-1. Today this foreign bred goes first time for Chad Brown and gets lasix. Along with this 6-1 morning line, my superfecta box goes : 1 with 2/7/9.

Back to the dirt and sprinting for the 9th (5:26) the Vosburgh Stakes going six furlongs. My top choice is on the far outside, Rock Fall (#7) who has won six in row, ever since his second career start. This Todd Pletcher trainee has been rock solid and carefully placed in his starts. The superfecta box here is : 7 with 1/5/6.

The featured race on Turf Classic day is the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at a mile & a half on the Belmont Widener turf course. It's the usual suspects with no European flavor, which points out for runners who have done well at this marathon distance and course. Big Blue Kitten (#3) fits the mold here with five first or second placing in six starts over the Belmont turf course. His neck second place finish in the Arlington Million last start helps too! The superfecta box play in the feature race is : 3 with 1/4/5.

As an added bonus, here's my late pick 4 play also; 1/2 (7th) with 1/7 (8th) with 7 (9th) with 3 (10th). Next week, Belmont will have another Super Saturday Stakes day with six graded races. Two on turf, two for the young two year old runners and the Jockey Club Gold Cup, which is the final N.Y. prep for the Breeder's Cup Classic.

All eyes are on PARX today ....... the last BIG three year old derby of the season

The road to this year's Breeder's Cup World Championships at Keeneland Racecourse starts this weekend at PARX Racecourse in Bensalem, Pennsylvania with their biggest day of racing today. Five stakes races are on tap and we'll be looking at four of them, including three featuring the sophomore class of 2015. The two feature races of the day may have an impact on three year old Eclipse award winners.

First in the all stakes pick four play, its for older males going a route distance - the Bayern Stakes (7th). This listed stakes race at a mile & a sixteenth is wide open. My top selection is the rail horse; Street Babe (#1) who woke up at the Spa dropping to optional claimer allowance race with a much needed class relief victory. I'll use three horses underneath Street Babe; Ground Transport (#4) making second start off long layoff, last wasn't pretty but has bullet work at Arlington Park for this race, Encryption (#7) another who last few weren't good, but was consistent before that and Classic Giacnroll (#8) 10 for 15 in the top two spots at PARX, horse for the course.

Three year old sprinters highlight the Gallant Bob Stakes (8th) going six furlongs. The outside horse; Bayerd (#8) is my top selection just missing in a 100k allowance race here, makes second start off layoff & had a good winter campagin at Oaklawn Park. For 2nd; Hebbronville (#6) who is a perfect three for three over the PARX strip, also wintered at Oaklawn. Underneath these two runners, I'll be using; Limousine Liberal (#3) - Catalina Red (#5) - Grand Bili (#7).

The three year old fillies are featured in the mile and a sixteenth - Cotillion Stakes (#9) where the top two finishers of this year's Alabama Stakes are featured. This race will play a big part in who may be top sophomore filly of 2015 since it will be one of the last restricted races for these fillies. I think, I'm a Chatterbox (#8) turns the tables on Embellish the Lace (#3) today and these are my top two selections. Underneath these two probable favorites, I'll use; Take Charge Brandi (#5) second start off layoff - Peace and War (#7) with two runner up finishes after a trainer change, Eskenformoney (#10) who was 2nd best as the lukewarm in the Monmouth Oaks.

The marquee race of the day is for the three year old males, the rich Pennsylvania Derby (#10). There's no American Pharoah to worry about today, but a few Travers Stakes runners decided to take their chance for the million dollar purse. I'm looking for consistent form here and a price, not the usual suspects. While Bob Baffert isn't represented by his Triple Crown winner, he has Gimme Da Lute (#6) who's won three in a row on the west coast, will be a square price here facing tougher competition and stretching out. He'll be my top pick with Island Town (#2) who is my second choice having a sharp victory over the track in the Smarty Jones Stakes, which was a prep race for today. At 5-1 & 10-1 these are the two "price" horses I like on top! Underneath them, I'll include; Frosted (#3) the horse that pushed American Pharoah to the limit in the Travers - Madefromlucky (#5) the West Virginia Derby winner who wanted no part of American Pharoah last time out & Upstart (#9) who originally was pointing to this race, but decided to chase American Pharoah at Saratoga instead. The pick 4 play in these four stakes races is : 1 with 6/8 with 3/8 with 2/6 ($4.00 for a 50 cent play).

The "Cheers & Jeers" of Saratoga 2015 ...... in my opinion!

We wrap up the 2015 edition of the Saratoga Race Course meet with my version of "Cheers & Jeers". I'll give my opinion of three things that were very good at this year's meet and three that weren't so good in my opinion. You probably know where I going with the negatives, that's easy to find lately since New York State controls NYRA. The positives speak for themselves, they'll be on the racetrack. Because after all, that's what our sport is all about, what happens on the track!

"Cheer #1" : owner Amad Zayat and trainer; Bob Baffert - everyone who loves thoroughbred racing and especially at Saratoga, owes these two men a debt of gratitude! If it wasn't the sporting attitude of Mr. Zayat in wanting to race his Triple Crown Champion; American Pharoah to race at the greatest racetrack in the world and convincing his trainer to do it, we would have not seen one of the most exciting horses to come along in recent years. Even though he was gallant in defeat, the thrill of all those in attendance for this year's Travers was an exciting memory we will soon not forget!

"Jeer #1" : the commercialization of Saratoga Race Course - I've been beating this drum all summer long. It's great to advertise this wonderful and historic racing facility. But, there is a "price" involved in more ways than one. The betting dollar was stretched this year with many increased prices on track. Although wagering was up and attendance good, the affordability of spending at least one day at Saratoga 2015 was highly increased. Things may have worked out for this year, but this might not be the case in the future. Someday, the "Golden Goose" of Saratoga may get cooked. NYRA and the state depend on it too much.

"Cheer #2" : the fantastic weather during the 40 day meet - I can't remember a single racing season at the Spa in the last 30 years where the weather was almost perfect! With the expectation of maybe three days, the weather was rain free with very little races taken off the turf course. Tempertures were steady in the eighties with relative low humidity. Overall, perfect weather to spend the day at the track.

"Jeer #2" : the number of after race inquiries and jockey objections causing disqualifications. It seems that every little bump and every little movement as horses came down the stretch, whether is was on the main track or dirt was put under a microscope for the first part of the meet. I was on the end of some of these calls, so it may be "sour grapes" on my part. But, the disqualification of Juba and then, I'm a Chatterbox in the Coaching Club American Oaks were both border line calls in my opinion.

"Cheer #3" : the great performances we saw on track, both equine and human - First, the effort we saw from Honor Code in the Whitney Stakes, coming from the clouds to get a nose on the wire for victory. Both the off spring of the great Rachel Alexandra (Rachel Valentina & Jess's Dream) winning their debut races here at the Spa. The best older horse in the country; Liam's Map, who was gallant in defeat just getting beat in the Whitney, but came back and won the Woodward Stakes in record time on the front end. Jockey Javier Castellano, who won all the major graded races at Saratoga this year. No other jockey has EVER won the Whitney, Alabama, Travers, Woodward and Hopeful Stakes in one racing season. Truly, my highlight of this meet.

"Jeer #3" : my wagers on the losing end of photos and the constant problem of not structuring my exotic plays the right way. On opening day, in back to back race my exotic plays couldn't hold 2nd place in one race and couldn't reach the wire 1st in the next race. This cost me dearly and would have clearly put me in the "black" for the remainder of the meet if things turn out different. On closing week, it was not making my exotic plays the right, winning way. This is an on going beef with myself, using the right horses and not scoring on a ticket because they weren't structured the right way. Oh well, I've got 365 day to get it right before next year!