Coast-to-coast

We did have four winners on top in fourteen races (Belmont, $10.60; Philly, $5.20; Santa Anita, $3.00; Bay Meadows, $2.10). Our best play of the day was the Indiana Derby where we hit the tri box -- but, even though it wasn't among our plays it's worth noting, our top four boxed for the $629.40/$2 super. On the disappointing side: We wouldn't have delved into the Goodwood with our usual betting template if we had known only four would run. We already had changed things up a little contemplating a six-horse field. But after scratches we would have played much more conservatively in the short field. So we took a little hit there that was unpleasant. Likewise in the Bay Meadows Speed Hcp, if we could have seen the "probable payoffs" we might have passed the race altogether. It's hard to predict with certainty what will happen in a race like that with an overwhelming favorite. If we could have eeked $4/$2 out of the exacta it would have been worth it -- but the $2.60/$2 that it actually did pay was not up to snuff. so, even though we grabbed a few dollars on the plus side in that race, it wasn't a particularly good play.

All-in-all, just one of those weeks. We managed a small profit in the Best Bets area below -- so we'll take that to the bank and wait until next week...

WAGERED: $564.00
COLLECTED: $240.70

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.

10/01/05

Another oh-fer week for the battling handicappers. Let me note that Coast-to-coast doesn't pick these races -- we just respond to the races picked by the Weekend Warrior. Our "Bests" are listed below. That said, neither handicapper is lighting up the board so far in this head-to-head match-up. But Coast-to-coast takes solace in leading the way with the win-bet total of $15.60 -- still within earshot of profitability.

Equidaily.com/Coast-to-Coast...Seth Merrow... 3-0-0-2 [Year-to-date -- from 9/10/05: 11-1-1-6, $15.60].
Belmont: Flower Bowl... Ran 7th at 8-5.
Santa Anita: Goodwood... Ran 3rd at 5-2.
Hoosier: Indiana Derby... Ran 3rd at 9-1.

DRF/Weekend Warrior... Mike Watchmaker... 3-0-0-0 [Year-to-date -- from 9/10/05: 11-1-1-2, $5.90].
Belmont: Flower Bowl... Ran 4th at 5-2.
Santa Anita: Goodwood... Ran 4th at 8-1.
Hoosier: Indiana Derby... Ran 5th at 4-1.

(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.)

Eeked out a small profit on the afternoon -- but just missed with Geronimo. That one was caught in the shadow of the wire and just barely nipped at 3-1. That would have made for a nice ROI on the day. But we'll take our 6% and move on...

Belmont, Race 3, Treated Wood... 8th at 8-1.
Belmont, Race 6, Silver Wagon... 4th - entrymate 2nd at 9-2 (xxx, 6.40, 3.40).
Belmont, Race 9, Borrego... WON (10.60, 5.00, 4.20).
Louisiana Downs, Race 8, Smokescreen... 5th at 7-2.
Santa Anita, Race 3, Geronimo... 2nd at 3-1 (xxx, 4.00, 3.00).

Taste of Paradise 26-1
Tiger Heart/entry 9-2
Lion Tamer 9-5

Silver Wagon...Looks like there should be enough speed to benefit his closing kick -- but will he have enough ground at 6F?
Woke Up Dreamin...Has really come into his own since springtime. The one to beat off of that recent campaign.
Uncle Camie....Faded in grass sprint after duelling through super-fast fractions early. Similar ploy might make him tough to catch here.
Lion Tamer/Pomeroy.

Wager: $5 WP on Silver Wagon.
Collected $16.00 on the WP (xxx, 6.40). Silver Wagon ran 4th, entrymate 2nd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2e-4e-9.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 2e-3eb-4e-8eb-9-10.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 2e-3eb-4e-8eb-9-10.

Ashado 8-5
Happy Ticket 10-1
Society Selection 5-1

Wager: $5 WP on Sweet Symphony.
Ran 4th at 2-1.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-4-6.
...$1 tri key Sweet Symphony over next three.
Ran 4/1-3-6.

Sweet Symphony...Undefeated in four starts and looking better each time. Impressive in stakes debut winning G1 Alabama last time. Faces older today but beat elders in earlier races.
Ashado...Expect a rebound with return to Belmont and nine furlongs.
Society Selection...Six times in the exacta in seven Belmont starts. Always capable of being heard from in this division.
Dream of Summer.

Shakespeare 4-5
English Channel 5-1
Ace 2-1

Wager: $5 WP on Ace.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-7.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-4-7.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-4-7.

Ace...Euro-invader has been facing the best across the pond. These types are usually very tough.
Islero Noir...Another Euro-shipper -- though hasn't been meeting the same quality of competitor as the top pick. But even the second-stringers from across the pond often prove better than ours on grass.
Shakespeare...Makes this race an interesting US vs Euro affair. Undefeated and getting better each start for red-hot Mott/Bailey combo.
Meteor Storm.

Borrego 4-1
Suave 12-1
Sun King 7-1

Wager: $5 WP on Borrego.
Collected $39.00 on the WP ($10.60, 5.00).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-4-7.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-4-7.

Borrego...Won the G1 Pac Classic last time and that could have signaled that he's turned the corner. Looks like there should be enough speed for him to shoot at.
Flower Alley...Pletcher 3YO faces older for first time. Seems to have benefitted from short late spring break.
Lava Man...Claimed for $50K at Del Mar in 2004, won G1 Hollywood Gold Cup two back and put in a good try last time in G1 Pac Classic.
Sun King.

Riskaverse 35-1
Wonder Again 6-1
Film Maker 13-1

Wager: $5 WP on Melhor Ainda.
Ran 7th at 8-5.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 7-9.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 4-6-7-9.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 4-6-7-9.

Melhor Ainda...Just missed in Bev D and might have been best. Should like the firmer ground today.
Angara...Won the Bev D then mid-pack last time in the G1 Man O War. Should appreciate return to facing own sex.
Sand Springs...Watch out if she sneaks away early.
Lune d'Or.

Joey Carson 8-5
Pavo 5-1
Euro Code 7-2
Yes Yes Yes scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Joey Carson.
Collected $20.50 on the WP ($5.20, 3.00).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-4.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-4.

Joey Carson...Comes in from Delaware for trainer Tim Ritchey. Undefeated and improving in three starts. Looks like a good spot for stakes debut.
Santana Strings...Won the G2 Amsterdam at Saratoga two back and that graded win is more than most of these can claim. Class edge.
Yes Yes Yes...Should get plenty of support of sprint win at Saratoga last time. But that was an off-the-turf event which makes the competition perhaps a little suspect.
Euro Code.

Nothing But Fun 4-1
Yolanda B Too 6-1
Shebelongstoyou 6-1

Wager: $5 WP on Indian Vale.
Ran 5th at 2-5.
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $24.60 on the ex box ($49.20/$2).
...$1 tri key Indian Vale over next three.
Ran 5/1-2-4.

Indian Vale...Pletcher filly appears to be the real deal. Ran through first two conditions with no problem -- all against older and last at Saratoga was very impressive. The rider: Angel Cordero, which makes this race one of the most interesting of the afternoon. But, while we'll be rooting for him, Cordero is a long ways away from his last competitive race ride. Sure, he works horses in the morning but that's different than riding in a race. He's going to be rusty -- and that's a negative here, but filly looks talented enough to overcome that.
Yolanda B Too...Came into G1 Gazelle in good, improving form. Had some trouble at start in that race. Expect better today.
Nothing But Fun...Undefeated in three starts, including a small stake at Saratoga last time against a pretty good field.
Amazing Buy.

The Daddy 5-1
AP Arrow 5-1
Nolan's Cat 7-1

Wager: $5 WP on Smokescreen.
Ran 5th at 7-2.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 5-8.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-5-8-9.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-5-8-9.

Smokescreen...Came back from a short break to run a decent closing third in G2 Pa Derby with a lifetime Beyer best. Might signal he's in top form now.
Real Dandy...Fifth in Pa Derby but repeat of prior start -- win in W Va Derby -- puts him in the thick of this.
The Daddy...Might be tough to catch if able to give them the slip early.
Desert Breeze.

Siren Lure 7-2
Geronimo 3-1
Crystal Castle 10-1

Wager: $5 WP on Geronimo.
Collected $10.00 on the WP (xxx, 4.00).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $17.40 on the ex box ($34.80/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4-6.

Geronimo...Had the good closing punch which often works well on this downhill sprint course.
Celtic Sword...Two good turf sprint wins so far this season.
Siren Lure...Has won this track and trip already.
Golden Arrow.

Diamond Omi 8-1
Wild Fit 1-2
Golden Silk 17-1

Wager: $5 WP on Wild Fit.
Collected $5.50 on the WP (xxx, 2.20).
...$5 exacta Wild Fit over Madre May/Indy Miss.
Ran 2/5e-7e.
...$5 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-5e-7e.
...$1 tri key Wild Fit over next three.
Ran 2/1-5e-7e-8.

Wild Fit...Two big races at Del Mar: Maiden-breaking debut, followed by G1 stakes win. Only question is distance, but looks best of this bunch if able to go two turns.
Madre May/Indy Miss...Both halves of entry look to have plenty of upside potential. Indy Miss is preferred coming out of nice debut win on turf and showing solid works leading into this.
Acceleration...Like top pick she is trained by Mullins. Comes out of two stakes placings.
Diamond Omi.

Rock Hard Ten 3-5
Roman Ruler 3-1
Choctaw Nation 5-2

Wager: $5 WP on Choctaw Nation.
Ran 3rd.
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 tri key Choctaw Nation over next three.
Ran 3/1-2-4.

Choctaw Nation...Seems to be rounding back into top form since running third in Dubai.
Rock Hard Ten...Moved to the head of the class with win in Big Cap. But has been on the sidelines since and goal is BC Classic, so it's iffy whether he'll be fully cranked today although works say ready.
Roman Ruler...Expect 3YO to appreciate the cutback from Travers distance.
Total Impact.

Megahertz 1-2
Flip Flop 9-1
Halo Ola 17-1

Wager: $5 WP on Megahertz.
Collected $13.00 on the WP (3.00, 2.20).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-4-5-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-4-5-6.

Megahertz...Sure to like the firmer footing today as opposed to good try in Bev D. Eight of her thirteen lifetime wins have come on this course.
Cold Cold Woman...Took her awhile to get acclimated to stateside racing but last two indicate she's turned that corner.
Amorama...Experienced graded stakes performer. A little leery looking at her pattern last year: Came into this race off a nice try at Del Mar and ran fifth. But she's more mature this year. We'll see.
Winendynme.

Lost in the Fog 1-9
Halo Cat/entry 6-1
Jefferies Bay/entry 6-1
Seattles Best Joe 20-1
Stormin Lyon scratched.

Wager: $15 exacta Lost in the Fog over Jefferies Bay/Halo Cat.
Collected $19.50 on the ex box ($2.60/$2).
...$4 exacta Lost in the Fog over Stormin Lyon.
Scratched.

Lost in the Fog...Lays over this field. Trainer was concerned about the fast work last week -- but he just seems too good for these.
Jefferies Bay/Halo Cat...Hollendorfer entry both cycling back into groove off layoffs.
Stormin Lyon...Been racing in SoCal. Last trip north was a convincing win.

Don't Get Mad 5-2
Scrappy T 8-5
Thor's Echo 9-1
Purim completed $629.40/$2 super.

Wager: $5 WP on Thor's Echo.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $11.20 on the ex box ($22.40/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $64.00 on the tri box ($128.00/$2).

Thor's Echo...Could prove tough on the front end.
Purim...Faltered over yielding turf at 10F last time. Cuts back in distance and move to dirt should go OK -- won on the surface to break maiden.
Don't Get Mad...Churchill lover was our pick in the Travers and race seemed to set up for him -- but front runners weren't coming back on that stretch surface. Should be rolling late but might not have enough time in here.
Scrappy T.

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