SELECTIONS- Wed., Dec. 31, 2008

Race 1: #4- Roaring River (7-2) looks the best of this sorry lot, repeat of his last should be good enough.

Race 2: #1- Real Conquest (9-2), #3- Crystal Dreams (5-2), and #9- Val's Gold (8-1) each have angles that could be succesful in this crapshoot (layoff trainer/turf-to-dirt dropdown turnback/speed jockey, works).

$3dbl- 4/1,3,9

Race 5: If #5- One Dixie (5-1) isn't for real, then #3- Orozco (5-2) wins right back for the hot Lonnie Arterburn barn.

$5win- 3

Race 6: Hoping that the #8- Juicy Point (7-5) gets overbet off the huge drop, long layoff; will try #6- Hungarian Gent (5-1) again, racing right back on the stretchout .

$4w/p- 6

Race 7: Wide open turf event; let's try #9- Greycliff Exchange (7-2) under Willie Martinez, has tactical speed and is usually right there at the end.

$1tri- 9/5,6,7/1,3,5,6,7

Race 9: #8- Bamboo will be ready for Joan Scott, is she fast enough?

$5win- 8

Results for Tues., Dec. 30th-

The favorites were much the best, drawing off easily as Phaleonopsis could not mount a rally, and This Is My Game trailed; turf course times have been very slow this season, despite firm conditions and no rain to speak of; wish I could figure it out.

Meet record: 10/50= 20% Bet: $423.00 Won: $252.30 Loss: -$170.70

SELECTIONS- Tues., Dec. 30, 2008

Race 5: #2- Glen Wilding (3-1) will probably be favored here off the recent fine form and Centeno up; there seems to be a lot of early speed signed up in this turf mile, so I'll try for the upset with #6- Phaleonopsis (8-1), who has been facing some good ones over at Calder; Fawkes sends them here with a purpose, Leyva is the hot rider lately.

$5win- 6 $4exa- 6/2,9,10

Race 9: #5- This Is My Game (7-2) was soundly beaten by likely fave #2- Allie's Event (2-1) last out at CD, but has shown improved early position with the blinkers on; working lights out here, maybe Proctor has finally figured out this half-brother to stakes-winner Trainee.

$5win- 5 $2exabox- 2,5,8

Results for Sat., Dec. 27th-

Caught six consecutive doubles, but they were all chalky as favorites/ 2nd choices dominated the day. Joan Scott had a winner for the second day in a row, winning the Sandpiper Stakes with Dr. Zic; have I mentioned before that she's a pretty good trainer? Top Seed won the Inaugural Stakes for Michael Trombetta; son of Grand Slam is now 3 for 3 and looks like he could stretch out nicely.

Racing resumes Tuesday 12/30.


Meet record: 10/46= 22% Bet: $389.00 Won: $252.30 Loss: -$136.70

SELECTIONS- Sat., Dec. 27, 2008

All eleven races today are for 2yos- Cotillion Festival Day.

todays picks- $2 rolling doubles each race (1-10)


R1- #5- Diamond Jack Black (5-2)//#3- Lincoln Imp (12-1)

R2- #5- Saintly Miss (6-1)// #9- Nomudondehere (6-1)

R3- #8- SCRATCHED// #9- Comitatus (3-1)

R4- #1- Abuela (8-1)// #9- Whisperer (7-2)

R5- #2- Smoken Dreams (3-1)// #8- R Brown Sugar (2-1)

R6- #1- Cary Away (5-2)// #5- Royale (3-1)

***Cary Away is a half-brother to Congaree; Royale is a half to Mystic Lady.

R7- #2- Dr. Zic (4-1)// #10- Sunday In Malibu (7-2)

R8- #7- Mothers Eyes (8-1)// #9- Megachurch (8-5)

R9- #6- Rock Candy (4-1)// #8- Wink At The Boys (8-1)

R10- #4- Miles And Miles (10-1)// #12- Top Seed (3-1)

R11- #3- Phoenix Hotel (4-1)// #8- Glory Charge (8-1)

Results for Fri., Dec. 26th-

"working well, in today..."

race 6: SMART PARTNER (8th at 13-1)

race 8: Queen Maddie (7th at 11-1), Untouched (3rd at 3-1)

race 9: Gallant Lover (7th at 61-1), Therecomesatiger (4th at 7-2)


Only Zip Trick got it done for me in the seventh, drawing off smartly for the win. Joan Scott trained Iron Id also won impressively on the grass. Juan Leyva was the riding star of the day, bringing three to the winner's circle. Keep an eye on this guy.

Meet record: 4/36= 11% Bet: $317.00 Won: $140.30 Loss: -$176.70

SELECTIONS- Fri., Dec. 26, 2008

"working well, in today..."

race 6: SMART PARTNER (12-1)

race 8: Queen Maddie (4-1), Untouched (5-2)

race 9: Gallant Lover (20-1), Therecomesatiger (3-1)


today's picks will be somewhat in real-time format, having the day off allows wagering from home via twinspires.com-

Race 1: $2DD- 7/2,6

Race 5: #1- He Struck It Rich (2-1) stretches out to two turns after running against much better turf sprinting maidens in NY; appears to be the lone speed for Kimmel/Velez, Jr.
#6- Caravel (7-2) makes his first start since Feb. when under the care of Bill Mott; nice worktab at Tam, has some speed, but would expect a stalking run today; note the close up finishes, as a 2yo, to Why Tonto and Sailor's Cap.
#8- Iron Id (5-2) ships in from Ky. for Joan Scott off a decent third; expect a good late run from him today.
#9- Irene's Irish Kid (4-1) tries the lawn for the first time under leading rider Daniel Centeno; gray son of Lemon Drop Kid had an excellent work at Palm Meadows and should make a good showing from an outside post.

$1tri- 1/6,7,8,9/6,7,8,9 $2exa- 6/1,8,9

Race 6: #2- Fort Knox (5-2) will be winging it out front; if he can hold his rail position he can take them a long way. Never out of the money here. #8- Unbridled Behavior (4-1) will see them all early, may run by them late. #1- Rahoo looks for his third straight, at this distance, will be stalking the leaders.

$5exabox- 2,8

Race 7: #2- Zip Trick (3-1) found her home on the turf, was stakes-placed three back; Leyva needs to keep her in touch with the leaders and save all the ground.

$5w- 2 $1tri- 2/3,4,5,6/3,4,5,6

Race 8: $1pick3- 2/3,5,6,10,12/5,9

Leading Jockeys through Dec. 23rd-

Name
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings

Daniel Centeno
25 8 3 4 $95,692

Luis Antonio Gonzalez
34 8 3 4 $68,083

Rosemary B. Homeister, Jr.
33 7 3 7 $74,952

Ronald Dale Allen, Jr.
35 6 5 4 $84,210

Pascacio Lopez
26 5 5 6 $67,621

Phil Teator
21 3 2 0 $27,685

Carlos Montalvo
23 3 1 4 $36,009

Juan C. Leyva
21 3 1 3 $29,115

Felix L. Ortiz
15 3 1 1 $29,166

Federico Mata
11 2 3 0 $22,391

Mike Allen
14 2 1 3 $18,870

James Lopez
20 2 1 0 $19,392

Carlos M. Cruz
10 2 0 1 $27,654

Filemon T. Rodriguez
12 2 0 1 $13,428

Huber Villa-Gomez
24 1 7 1 $27,682

Willie Martinez
14 1 5 1 $31,922

Andrew R. Ramgeet
20 1 4 1 $25,299

Dean P. Butler
14 1 2 1 $40,265

David D. Amiss
18 1 2 1 $13,484

Yamil Rosario
10 1 1 0 $15,832

Leading trainers through Dec. 23rd-

Name
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings

Lynne M. Scace
9 5 1 0 $45,488

Kirk Ziadie
7 4 1 1 $39,390

Thomas F. Proctor
11 3 1 1 $31,734

Barbara I. McBride
11 3 1 0 $32,104

Gregory A. Griffith
12 3 0 2 $27,296

Jamie Ness
8 2 2 1 $19,565

Gary R. Caple
4 2 1 0 $15,791

Forrest Kaelin
8 2 1 0 $15,587

Gerald S. Bennett
10 2 0 3 $20,003

Samuel F. Cronk
6 2 0 2 $12,450

Jane Cibelli
8 2 0 1 $25,610

Benny R. Feliciano
3 2 0 1 $21,370

Roy S. Lerman
6 2 0 1 $19,788

Lonnie Arterburn
4 2 0 0 $11,647

Results for Tues., Dec. 23rd-

"working well, in today..."

race 2: #6- Magic Carpet Glide (3rd at 7-2)

race 7: #8- Pinch The Clown (10th at 23-1)


0/2 on the day, as in race 5, Alabama Grace could offer only a mild rally while Meadow Saffron and RoHo stole the race wire to wire. In the 9th, Djeddah showed nothing, finishing a dull 8th.

Meet record: 3/29= 10% Bet: $258.00 Won: $121.30 Loss: -$136.70

SELECTIONS- Tues., Dec. 23, 2008

"working well, in today..."

race 2: #6- Magic Carpet Glide (9-2)

race 7: #8- Pinch The Clown (15-1)


today's picks-

Race 5: #7- Alabama Grace (7-2) ships over for Michael Matz, and we can only dream about getting the m/l odds with Centeno aboard; still, she looks better than the m/l fave #8- Kaleigh Rose, who should have broken her maiden by now.

$4exa- 7/2,5,8

Race 7: I'd be very surprised if Danny Vella runs the #7- Sir Blitz here, dropping him four classes just to get a victory, or the #11- Crackenthorpe, the first AE; conditional play assuming they scratch. #1- Divine Wonder (5-1) has positional speed, drops in here off some even finishes against much better, saves all the ground under Ronnie Allen, Jr.

$1tri- 1/2,6,10/2,4,6,8,10

Race 9: #8- Djeddah (7-2) has a potent late run, and there is ample speed entered today; needs to hurry under Willie Martinez; note local drill on the 13th.

$5w/p- 8

Results for Sat., Dec. 20th-

"working well, in today..."

race 2: Tax And Spend (2nd at 5-2)

race 9: Pyrite Springs (won, paid $18.80)


Another 0/6 day, especially painful as Baron Von Tap wired the field in the 10th with the other speed scratched, topping two that I liked for a $550+ triple. Ooof.

Meet record: 3/27= 11% Bet: $236.00 Won: $121.30 Loss: -$114.70

SELECTIONS- Sat., Dec. 20, 2008

"working well, in today..."

race 3: #2- Tax And Spend (3-1)

race 9: #9- Pyrite Springs (8-1)


today's picks-

Race 1: #1- Storming Carson (6-1) comes off a brief freshening and has good speed; #2- Mauvais' Coyote (2-1) the one to beat.

Race 2: #2- La Soldadita (5-1) is in career form right now; #3- Pepperup Potion (6-1) drops off the long layoff for Ernest Oare, who popped one the other day; Gonzalez takes the call.

$3dbl- 1,2/2,3

Race 3: #8- Turtle Bay (5-2) makes third career start a winning one for Zweisler/Montalvo.

$5w- 8

Race 5: #6- Wap (3-1) comes off a short layoff for Offut/Evans and Centeno takes the mount; should be along in time.

$5exa- 6/5,7

Race 6: #1- Hungarian Gent (8-1) broke his maiden first asking at this track, distance; hope the price holds.

$5w- 1

Race 8: Been chasing #10- Ballymore Lady (5-2) all summer and fall, missing out on the alw win at KEE. Redemption time as Centeno saddles up on this closer in a race packed with early speed.

$1tri- 10/3,5,6,7/3,5,6,7

Race 10: #9- El Sultry Sun has done little wrong in his short career, on firm turf. Won the Sophomore Turf here in April with an impressive burst, taken to repeat with Velez up for John Kimmel.

$1 tri- 9/3,4,5,7/3,4,5,7

Results for Fri., Dec. 19th-

"working well, in today..."

race 3: #2- Juicy Loots (2nd at 7-1)

race 5: #6- Smart Clemmie (4th at 7-2), #9- Smart Rose (7th at 6-1)

race 6: #5- Beijing House (7th at 6-1)

race 7: #2- Between Us (10th at 3-1)

race 8: #1- Bernie Blue (2nd at 3-5), #7- Man In Grey (7th at 6-1), #8- Riversrunrylee (8th at 5-1)

Pitiful performance with the picks going 0-6, and the one horse to watch only, not bet, airs at 10-1. On The Vineyard looked great warming up, imposing physical specimen like his dad Lite The Fuse. He sat just off the speed duel, moved early on the turn and ran right by them, including the tough veteran sprinter Bernie Blue. If he is past whatever ailments put his career on hold, he will be fun to watch. Lynne Scace is a fine horsewoman, by the way.

Meet record: 3/21= 14% Bet: $180.00 Won: $121.30 Loss: -$58.70

SELECTIONS- Fri., Dec.19, 2008

"working well, in today..."

race 3: #2- Juicy Loots (12-1)

race 5: #6- Smart Clemmie (6-1), #9- Smart Rose (7-2)

race 6: #5- Beijing House (6-1)

race 7: #2- Between Us (3-1)

race 8: #1- Bernie Blue (2-1), #7- Man In Grey (3-1), #8- Riversrunrylee (6-1)


Today's picks-

Race 2: #6- Diligent Won (9-2), #7- River Rock Mombo (8-1), and #8- Imarealguy (7-2) offer good form and lesser known connections; box 'em for a nice price.

$2exabox- 6,7,8

Race 3: #2- Juicy Loots (15-1) is a quick filly; if she can outsprint the others early she could be long gone; take the price but don't expect the m/l number.

$5w- 2

Race 5: Run to the windows to bet #6- Smart Clemmie (6-1) for Jane Cibelli/Luis Gonzalez. Has a strong late run and there should be a solid pace here.

$5w/p- 6

Race 6: Run back to the windows, take the rubber band off the bankroll, and bet #5- Beijing House (6-1); then, hold your breath and hope Luis Garcia can harness his speed.

$5w- 5

Race 7: #2- Between Us (3-1) has the "even" sprint run I like to see before a horse goes to a first-turf route; trainer is very good at this.

$5w- 2

Race 8: #6- On The Vineyard has good early speed, loved it here as a 2yo. But the most important thing about this horse is that he's a half-brother to this year's Hopeful (GI) winner Vineyard Haven, who was purchased from Lynne Scace by Bobby Frankel. Tough comeback spot so watch and learn.

no bet

Race 9: Let's see if #5- Our Cat (3-1) can get things rolling for jockey Jose Velez, Jr.

$1tri- 5/2,7,8,9/2,7,8,9


Race 1:
http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/darley_133934.pdf

Race 5:
http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/darley_133933.pdf

Race 6:
http://www.brisnet.com/Promo/Free_PPs/tamcomp1219.pdf

Results for Thurs., Dec. 18th-

"working well, in today..."

Race 7: #11- Spikeavellian (5th at 11-1)

Race 8: #3- Toy Too (8th at 68-1)

Race 9: #4- Chic Cat (3rd at 9-1)


Mill Point was steadied along the inside waiting for room, gained ground late to miss by a head and two necks. Spikeavellian ran an even 5th in a disappointing effort. Excellent Rate was all out under Centeno for the win; exacta returned $49 for $2. In the 9th, Celine was a popular winner for the talented turf trainer Leigh Delacour; could only catch first, second and fourth with the tri wager.

Congratulations to Rosemary Homeister on winning the 7th race with Rustyshouldrun for her 2000th career victory. Now she needs to stop beating me when I don't bet her, and giving me a good ride when I do. Thanks.


Meet record: 3/15= 20% Bet: $131.00 Won: $121.30 Loss: -$9.70

SELECTIONS- Thurs., Dec. 18, 2008

"working well, in today..."

Race 7: #11- Spikeavellian (10-1)

Race 8: #3- Toy Too (15-1)

Race 9: #4- Chic Cat (8-1)


Today's picks-

Race 5: #5- Mill Point (12-1) has the most upside of these, other than the Catienus FTS (Unbridled's Cat), has reasonable turf breeding and has been working here with a purpose since November.

$5 w/p- 5

Race 7: #4- Demagoguery (4-1) drops to the bottom and should take much of the wagering action; let's try #11- Spikeavellian (10-1), who has been working well and reunites with Dean Butler; distance hits him right between the eyes.

$5 w/p- 11

Race 8: #10- Excellent Rate (4-1) has good early speed, needs a smart ride from Centeno from the outside post.

$3exa- 10/4,6,8

Race 9: #1- Celine (5-2) has an admirable turf record, and shows the will to win; Leigh Offutt (Delacour) is an excellent grass conditioner; Centeno will suppress the odds but she appears to be the most likely winner.

$1tri- 1/2,6,7,8/2,6,7,8

Results for Wed., Dec.17th-

"working well, in today"

Race 6: The Lady Waffles (2nd at 5-1)

Stormy Deeds got 2nd after a wide trip throughout. Brave And Skillful closed strongly but ran out of ground; tab back at 7F or two turns. C B T Snakeye pressed the pace and faded badly in what looked more like a conditioning race than a win attempt.

The Lady Waffles set a reasonable pace, then just failed to last in a strong effort.

Meet record: 2/11= 18% Bet: $90.00 Won: $47.80 Loss: $42.20

SELECTIONS- Wed., Dec. 17, 2008

"working well, in today..."

Race 6: #4-The Lady Waffles


Today's picks-

Race 3: #9-Stormy Deeds (8-1) is a consistent closer in a field chock full of early lick; gets Paco Lopez back in the irons.

$5 w/p- 9

Race 5: #9-Brave And Skillful (6-1) drops back to a sprint and has the fake "class rise" move (running for 10k, dropped last time to 5k, now up to 8k); draws Dean Butler to ride and has a decent local drill for his first TAM start.

$5 w/p- 9

Race 6: #9- C B T Snakeye (5-2) ships in from the Kentucky circuit where he was facing superior competition; should be forwardly placed, can lead or stalk.

$1 tri- 9/2,3,4,10/2,3,4,10

Results for Sat., Dec. 13th-

From the "working well" list, in today:

Race 3: #5- Edopapas Ekepapas (won, $4.80)

Race 4: #8- Little Lovely (5th at 8-1)
#10- State Treasure (3rd at 5-2)

Race 5: #5- Heartaches (3rd at 7-2)

Race 7: #14- Noble Austin (AE) (scratched)

Race 8: #5- Magic Carpet Glide (7th at 26-1)

Race 9: #4- Lil's Lassie (8th at 5-1)

Race 10: #3- Message Of A Myth (7th at 41-1)
#4- Game N Laughin' (won, $61.40)

Enjoyable opening day with full fields, almost no scratches, firm turf, and an assortment of winning mutuels ($3.20 to $72.20). Dream Rush may have lost a step but showed her class in handling a decent field of sprinters; she could point to the First Lady(GIII) at Gulfstream on Jan. 14th from here, but it would be nice to see her back here for the Minaret Stakes in three weeks if she's not up to graded company.

Game N Laughin' was all hickory in the feature, dueling veteran Charlie Papa every step of the way, then holding off the furious late rush of Team Valor's GII winner Jazzy for a neck victory.

Roy Lerman snuck one past me in the finale as his homebred Sticky Wicket was along in time for a one length score under Phil Teator. The winner's sire is Safe In The U.S.A., a Lambholm South stallion with an awesome pedigree (Gone West x Safely Kept): http://www.lambholmsouth.com/images/lambholmsouth.com/default1.aspx?contentname=horse&horseid=216&thumbsize=_small

Lambholm has a sponsoring agreement with TBD this season (their name is on the starting gate) so look for them to make some noise this year. Read more about them here:http://www.lambholmsouth.com/images/lambholmsouth.com/default1.aspx?contentName=News&news=1&newsId=171

Racing resumes Wednesday at 12:25pm...see you then.

Meet record: 1/8= 13% Bet: $58.00 Won: $36.80 Loss: -$21.20

SELECTIONS- Opening day, Sat., Dec. 13, 2008

Race 1: #2- King Glacken has been closing consistently at Calder going two turns, should be along in time here on the turnback.

$4exa- 2/4,8

Race 3: #5- Edopapas Ekepaps has been outworking every horse on the grounds, needs to gun for the front and bottom out the field.

$4exa- 5/6,8

Race 4: #8- Little Lovely ran evenly after hitting the gate on the break, seemed to wake up on the lawn; Montalvo sticks.

$5w/p- 8

Race 6: **BEST BET** #2- Palace Cat faced much better in NY this summer, drops back to sprint for trainer who excels in this situation, and has a special liking for this sire; blowout on the 9th says yes.

$5w- 2 $2exa- 2,6

Race 7: #5- Onotheregostokyo always steps up here, meets a less than stellar group today.

$2exa- 5/1,7 & 1,7/5

Race 9: Local prep for the Minaret Stakes features GI winner Dream Rush, local stars Lil's Lassie and Taylor Madison; I'll take a flyer here with Sam Cronk's #5- D Day, strong finisher turning back to six panels. Needs a heady ride from my nemesis RoHo.

$1tri- 5/1,4,6,7/1,4,6,7

Race 10: Rule 1A- Linda Rice/turf sprint.

$5win- 9

Good luck with all your plays today!


TW