Coast-to-coast

Four winners on top in the thirteen contests (Belmont, $5.20, $3.90; Turfway, $4.00; Fairplex, $3.60). THree more of our top picks finished second in races they looked plenty of ca[pable of winning within the final furlong -- but in each case it probably helped our gimmick prices, so it all balanced out. We had a couple of cold exactas at Belmont ($16.20/$2, $19.20). We also had two reverse exactas (Monmouth, $25.20; Arlington, $27.00). Plus all of those tri boxes mentioned earlier.

WAGERED: $524.00
COLLECTED $623.85

Our new Head-to-Head feature pits Coast-to-Coast's Seth Merrow against DRF's Weekend Warrior, Mike Watchmaker. Whenever the two columns make selections in the same race we'll tally the results for each.

9/17/05

Equidaily.com/Coast-to-Coast...Seth Merrow... 2-0-1-1 [Year-to-date -- from 9/10/05: 5-0-1-4].
Turfway: Ky Cup Juvie... Ran 3rd at 8-5.
Arlington: Pucker Up... Ran 2nd at 1-2.

DRF/Weekend Warrior... Mike Watchmaker... 2-0-0-1 [Year-to-date -- from 9/10/05: 5-1-1-1].
Turfway: Ky Cup Juvie... Ran 3rd at 8-5.
Arlington: Pucker Up... Ran 10th at 12-1.

(Head-to-Head results above are only for those races which were common to both columns. Weekend Warrior might have tabbed other races not reflected in the results above.)

Summer Sting took what looked like a commanding lead into the lane but couldn't sustain and was caught late. Uptunr was running on late but the winner there got first jump at the top of the stretch and ours couldn't catch up in time. And Singhalese was another that had a clear lead coming into the final furlong but lost it late.

Belmont, Race 8, Along the Sea... 3rd at 16-1 (xxx, xxx, 5.60).
Monmouth, Race 8, Summer Sting... 2nd at 4-5 (xxx, 2.40, 2.20).
Monmouth, Race 9, Upturn... 2nd @ 9-5 (xxx, 3.40, 3.00).
Laurel, Race 8, Funfair... Scratched.
Arlington, Race 8, Singhalese... 2nd @ 1-2 (xxx, 2.20, 2.10).

Smokey Glacken 8-5
Areek 3-1
Baldomera 28-1
Travelator scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Smokey Glacken.
Collected $21.75 on the WP (5.20, 3.50).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $16.20 on the ex box ($16.20/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $8.10 on the ex box.
...$1 tri key Smokey Glacken over next three.
Ran 1/2-4.

Smokey Glacken...Has been running against some of the best in her career. Last could indicate she's back in top form.
Areek...She's either a new horse as a 4YO -- or she really likes the Jersey shore. We'll know more today.
Lilah...Interesting, back with trainer who had prior success with her two starts after claim. Also gets jock who did well onboard her in the past.
Travelator.

Folklore 5-2
Miss Norman 53-1
Along the Sea 16-1

Wager: $5 WP on Along the Sea.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-7.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-5-7.
...$1 tri key Along the Sea over next three.
Ran 3/1-5-7.
...$1 tri key India over next three.
Ran 7/1-3-5.

Along the Sea...Went from solid debut at Calder to a good third in a G3 at Saratoga. Both starts were at today's trip. Wouldn't be a shock to see her progress nicely to be heard from here.
India...Privately purchased for big bucks after last. That was impressive -- need to see how she handles the extra distance today.
Folklore...She surprised us in both Spa tries. Can't fault the all-exacta record so far.
River's Prayer.

Private Vow 4-5
Changing Weather 5-1
Dixiewink 21-1

Wager: $5 WP on Private Vow.
Collected $16.25 on the WP (3.90, 2.60).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $19.20 on the ex box ($19.20/$2).
...$1 tri key Private Vow over next three.
Collected $48.25 on the tri key ($96.50/$2).

Private Vow...Has progressed nicely and won last at this trip which is a big plus.
Changing Weather...Super debut win. Would be no surprise if he stepped it up again today.
Master of Disaster ...Eye-popping debut effort at Delaware. Followed-up with a good second in a G2 behind Henny Hughes. Capable.
Dixiewink.

Joey P 6-5
War's Prospect 7-1
Second Collection 17-1

Wager: $5 WP on Gators N Bears.
Ran 5th at 6-5 after stumbled start.
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-5.
...$1 tri key Gators N Bears over next three.
Ran 5/1-2-6.

Gators N Bears...Graded stakes winner is hard to go beyond dropping into NJ-bred company.
Joey P...Probably over-matched last time in first try at 9F. Should like the company and the trip better today.
Trueamericanspirit...Usually in the hunt.
War's Prospect.

Picnic Theme 3-1
Final Assault 8-1
I'mtoogoodtobeture 9-5

Wager: $5 WP on I'mtoogoodtobetrue.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $33.20 on the ex box ($66.40/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $87.50 on the tri box ($175.00/$2).

I'mtoogoodtobetrue...Eight times in the exacta in eight lifetime starts. Won a similar stake here last time.
Picnic Theme...First two starts of season were good. Last looks like a toss.
Avery Hall...Looks capable of being heard from on very best effort.
Final Assault.

Totally Precious 4-1
Summer Sting 4-5
Eastern Gale 4-1

Wager: $5 WP on Summer Sting.
Collected $6.00 on the WP (xxx, $2.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $25.20 on the ex box ($25.20/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $12.60 on the ex box.
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $40.50 on the tri box ($81.00/$2).

Summer Sting...Been solid all summer long and might be improving with experience.
Totally Precious...Won this stake last year. A little dull in NJ-bred stake three back -- but might have needed that one and looks to have rounded back into top form.
Dressed For Succes...Probably needs to step it up a little -- but might do just that with addition of blinkers.
Eastern Gale.

Carrots Only 12-1
Upturn 9-5
Cuba 9-5
Hurricane Shockey ran 4th to complete the $22.60/$2 super

Wager: $5 WP on Upturn.
Collected $8.50 on the WP (xxx, 3.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $40.80 on the ex box ($81.60/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $51.00 on the tri box ($102.00/$2).

Upturn...Had some traffic trouble last time. Bravo back aboard and looks ready to rebound to prior good form.
Cuba...Looks like the one to beat off of the graded placings earlier this summer -- but we get hinky seeing a dud like the last time. Bumped in that one and that might be a legit excuse. We'll see.
Hurricane Shockey...Has shown some nice improvement through the last few months.
Carrots Only.

Battle Chant 7-5
Dr Kashnikow 22-1
Proud Man 12-1
Funfair scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Funfair.
Scratched.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Scratched.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
Collected $33.40 on the ex box ($66.80/$2).
...$1 tri key Funfair over next three, sub next if scratch.
Scratched.
...$1 tri key Mr O'Brien over other three, sub next if scratch.
Ran 6/1-2-5.

Funfair...Undefeated since arriving stateside and looks well-placed here.
Mr O'Brien...Could be primed for a big try in third start off layoff.
Battle Chant...Another Euro-invader, coupled with top pick. Clearly looks capable of being heard from with these.
Dr Kashnikow.
Tam's Terms.

Beau Dare 8-1
Delicate Dynamite 9-1
Joint Effort 5-2

Wager: $5 WP on Fast Deal.
Ran 4th at 6-5.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 4-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 2-3-4-5.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 2-3-4-5.

Fast Deal...Looks like she got the hang of it over the last couple. Might sneak away early from rail post.
Claremont...Tough post, but have a feeling this gal might improve on the stretchout.
Joint Effort...That was a tough alw she went in last time. Also might appreciate the two turns.
Delicate Dynamite.

Stream Cat 5-2
Rungius 29-1
Cab 8-5

Wager: $5 WP on Cab.
Ran 3rd.
...$3 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-4-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-4-6.

Cab...Just miss debut followed by a daylight win. Should be set-up to get the trip today.
Stream Cat...We liked him when he broke his maiden in that Spa stake. Will need to bump up Beyers a little but should have that upside potential in his arsenal.
Catcominatcha...Numbers have improved in each start and got some good stakes experience last time.
Deputy G.

Shaniko 1-1
Ball Four 45-1
Silver Axe 13-1

Wager: $5 WP on Shaniko.
Collected $17.50 on the WP (4.00, 3.00).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-7-8.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-7-8.

Shaniko...Bombed in stakes tries last year. However, looks to be an improved 4YO and last was best yet.
Silver Axe...8YO has put together a solid season.
Grand Reward...THey might have this one to catch.
MB Sea.

Royal Copenhagen 6-1
Singhalese 1-2
Isla Cozzene 8-1

Wager: $5 WP on Singhalese.
Collected $5.50 on the WP (xxx, 2.20).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $27.00 on the ex box ($27.00/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $13.50 on the ex box.
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $50.30 on the ex box ($100.60/$2).

Singhalese...SoCal invaders look tough here and this gal is the best of that bunch exiting a G1 win at Del Mar.
Royal Copenhagen...Also has been mixing it up with some success in SoCal stakes. Will be rolling late.
Isla Cozzene...Second to top pick in her last start.
Quiero Ganar.

Catch My Fancy 4-5
Acceleration 5-2
Itty Bitty Pretty 11-1

Wager: $5 WP on Catch My Fancy.
Collected $15.50 on the WP (3.60, 2.60).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $4.10 on the ex box ($8.20/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $22.00 on the tri box ($44.00/$2).

Catch My Fancy...Won debut at Del Mar convincingly and has enough speed to be up front early here.
Sugar Deputy...Experience counts with these youngsters and this one has four starts under her belt -- last two were daylight wins. Early foot a plus on this track.
Acceleration...The nice second in a G2 last time would make her our top pick -- except that closing style isn't suited by this tight oval.
Itty Bitty Pretty.

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