Saturday Stakes Open Thread
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 11:25 AM EST
in Stakes Day Open Thread
48 comments
Let's see...I could spend my Saturday waiting for NBC to show me some Olympics or I could be a degenerate gambler and watch horse racing? Easy choice.
Below are the current conditions at the key tracks I'll be following today, along with first race post times, updated weather conditions, and any announced changes to the Derby preps on the card. The full list of changes can be found on the links in the left sidebar:
Gulfstream - Fast/Firm
Temporary Rail: 72 feet for races 5 and 9
Forecast: Sunny, 73 degrees
First Post: 1:15 Eastern / 10:15 Pacific
Scratch #1 Radiohead (GB) from the G2-Hutcheson Stakes
Fair Grounds - Fast/Firm
Temporary Rail: 10 feet
Forecast: Sunny, 66 degrees
First Post: 1:10 Eastern / 10:10 Pacific
No Changes at this time
UPDATE: From the DRF: Strong wind with horses on the backstretch and against them in the stretch.
Oaklawn Park - Fast
Forecast: Cloudy, 55 degrees
First Post: 2:05 Eastern / 11:05 Pacific
No Changes at this time
Golden Gate Fields - Fast
Forecast: Partly Cloudy, 59 degrees
First Post: 3:45 Easter / 12:45 Pacific
Scratch #10 Jairzihno (GB) from the G3-El Camino Real Derby
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About to kick off at Fair Grounds and Gulfstream
The first at FG is a 6f sprint for 25k maidens. GP will run a 1 1/8 mile 10k claimer.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
21.53 opening quarter at FG...
lighting fast. 1:09 and 2 for the final time.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
2nd at GP is state-bred N1X company at 5.5 furlongs...
21.83 opening quarter…they are just smoking the early fractions at Fair Grounds today. And a 29/1 longshot goes gate to wire while putting up ludicrous fractions. Fair Grounds looks very quick and very speed friendly today, at least in sprints.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
oops...that should be the "2nd at FG" not GP
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
3rd at FG
21.64 opening quarter….three straight races at FG with the opening quarter under :22. Photo finish..if the inside horse got the nod it’s a second straight wire to wire winner.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
Strong wind at FG
From the DRF, wind with the horses on the backstretch and against them in the stretch…
More reason to play the early speed in sprints.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
With wind conditions in mind,
I like the 2 in this turf sprint in race #4.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
The 6th at FG absolutely fell apart in deep stretch
Lots of FTSs in that one and they all seemed to hit the wall at the same time.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
Early Pick 4 at FG pays $20,000 for $1
I’d say that would be a good day at the track.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
The 7th at FG
Like the looks of the Asmussen/Bridgemo combination on the 6 at 8/1.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
Ugh, ugly performance by the 6...didn't run a lick.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
10/1 on the winner at GP
Moderate to slow fractions with an off-the-pace runner taking it with a late move down the middle of the track.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
3rd race at GP...1 1/16 miels on the turf
It’s an inner turf race so no temporary rail. I like the looks of the Woodbine shipper, the 2, in this spot. 7/2 current odds.
Don’t like the favorite, the 3, at all. That last effort was on the outer course with a 96 foot rail…played perfectly for speed. It’ll be a tougher go today. Plus, she’s going to have company on the front end.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
Oaklawn 2nd
First of two route races prior to the Southwest at OP. This is an event for 20k maiden claimers going 1 1/16 miles.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
wire to wire in the 2nd at OP
22.95 opening quarter, slow 3rd quarter (approx 26 seconds). Pace setter was the favorite, so not a surprise that he took them all the way. The 4 closed like a freight train at 26/1.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
3rd at OP
10 is loose on the lead.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
10 just rolled that field...
they let him get away to a big, easy lead and the 10 scores at 8/1. That’s two wire2wire winners in two routes at OP.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
Hutcheson Stakes up next at Gulfstream
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
D'Funnybone takes all the early action
pounded to 4/5 with the early flash of the tote.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Looks like 7 and 8 will get all the action today.
If you’re looking for some value, City Trooper at 8/1 isn’t bad. For me, it’s tough to get past the top two.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
Heading to post...
7 at even, 8 at 2/1.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
About as formful as you can get in the Hutcheson
D’Funnybone and A Little Warm go 1-2 and you could tell on the turn that these two were the clear class of the field.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
Exacta pays $5.00
Don’t spend that all in one place.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
First route at FG of the day
G3-Siverbulletday Stakes
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
Those fillies ran out of gas in deep stretch...
6f went in 1:11.75 and the mile was 1:38.54…almost 27 seconds for that fourth quarter; last 1/16 in 7+ seconds. Slow late.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
Not too much
And not much close, either. Gulfstream has been spitting out prices all day long but none with my name on them.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
Back-to-back turf stakes coming up...
Grade 3 Fair Grounds Hcp. at FG at 1 1/8 miles and the G3-Canadian Turf at a mile at GP.
I don’t have a good feel for either race…the FG race I kind of like 3-Silverfoot (10/1), which tells you how little of a clue I have in that race. Over at GP I like the 4-Jet Propulsion (9/2).
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
4 went way to fast on the front end...1:08 for 6f.
Lucky to hold on for 3rd.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
I suppose the pace could have been slower at FG
but I doubt it. Blue Streak takes the FG Hcp. at 9/5.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
Fountain of Youth up in approx 20 minutes...
easily the most competitive Derby prep we’ve seen so far this year. Lots of big names.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
Buddy's Saint at 6/5...current favorite
Jackson Bend at 7/2…the rest are at 5/1 or higher
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
Jackson Bend certainly offers more value than Buddy's Saint
Eskendereya at 5/1 is also a decent price.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:34 PM EST up reply actions
Post Time
Buddy’s Saint 8/5 and Jackson Bend at 2/1.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
Well, Eskendereya will move up the charts big time after that race.
Buddy’s Saint ran into all kinds of trouble out of the gate but Eskendereya stalks and rolls the field.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:43 PM EST up reply actions
Drosselmeyer at 8/5
Discreetly Mine second choice at 5/2
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
8 minutes to the Risen Star
Drosselmeyer at 8/5.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
If the race falls apart I'd like Stay Put at 8/1
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
Ron the Greek currently 7/2 to make it two in a row.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:51 PM EST up reply actions
That was a Merry-Go-Round at the front...
Soft fractions and Discreetly Mine takes them all the way around in the Risen Star. Tempted to Tapit runs well at 8/1 to finish 2nd. Drosselmeyer in a photo with Northern Giant for 3rd.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 5:59 PM EST up reply actions
About 30 minutes to the Southwest Stakes
I’d like to have some great insight into this race, but at this point today I’ll just watch and take notes. Dryfly’s speed should give be a plus.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
Conveyance now the favorite at 2/1
3/1 on Dublin, Dryfly at 5/2…big prices on all the rest.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
Conveyance, Dublin go 1-2
Another wire-to-wire winner at a mile at OP.
Dublin closed pretty nicely into that short stretch. Might have been the best of the bunch considering how the track played.
If I had to chose a horse that has been most impressive in these four preps it is definitely Eskendereya.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
Another Friesen Fire - General Quarters match race at Fair Grounds.
You can have 3/5 or 5/2.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
Stonehouse with a big upset, pays $35.60
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
by MattGSeattle on Feb 20, 2010 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
Last Derby prep of the day, the El Camino Real Derby
I like a price in Fog Alert (10/1) if Connemara falters (even).
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
Connemara closes for the win.
Ranger Heartly has no excuses as he got an clear and easy lead.
Pletcher hits three on the day…wow. Good thing I got Todd in my Road to the Roses cause I didn’t have many of the winning horses.
Good night and good luck.
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day at the office."
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