Coast-to-coast

Plenty of fun Saturday -- four winners on top in twelve races. They produced a happy 87% ROI (Aqueduct, $11.60; Pimlico, $9.00, 6.40; Santa Anita, $17.80).

Clearly the San Simeon at Santa Anita was the score the day with P Val giving our top pick, 7-1 Pure as Gold, a gorgeous ground-saving trip over the downhill sprint turf course. We barely missed the cold exacta but actually preferred the order of finish as our boxed exacta and tri were better off with our fourth pick getting the place spot. In NY Magnolia Jackson actually was a pleasant surprise at 9-2. We didn't expect her to be favored over Smuggler (a disappointing last in the field of five) but the $11.60 win payout seemed very generous. We'll take it...

We said we were "rolling the dice a little" in the Lexington. 8-1 More Than Regal needed to step it up a little bit -- but it wasn't to be as favored Showing Up lived up to his promise.

Celestial Legend and For Kisses both seemed to be on the verge of big things -- and both disappointed. 7-2 Pagan Moon got the job done in the Md Stallion Station at Pimlico -- but we were a just-miss 1-2-4 there with our boxed tri. Top pick Colita faltered at Hawthorne but our boxed exacta was looking very promising late in the stretch with second selection 5-1 Three Hour Nap over fourth pick 18-1 Courthouse. But Courthouse just couldn't hold the place spot in the last sixteenth and we wound up running 1-3. Our top four completed the $135.20/$2 super at Hawthorne in the Sixty Sails -- but with the fave winning (our top pick 6-1 Silver Highlight gave it a good try but was no match for the winner in the lane and finished a clear second) there wasn't much value in our plays there.

So we were solid with the winners on top. Did well -- but could have done better -- with the overall plays. And our Best Bets section provided some nice results. All-in-all a good afternoon...

WAGERED: $468.00
COLLECTED: $572.30

We went 2-for-5 but the two were solid and returned a hefty 168% ROI.

Keeneland, Race 9, More Than Regal... 5th at 8-1.
Pimlico, Race 8, Pagan Moon... WON (9.00, 4.80, 3.40).
Hawthorne, Race 8, Silver Highlight... 2nd at 5-1 (xxx, 5.40, 3.80).
Santa Anita, Race 7, Pure as Gold... WON (17.80, 8.80, 3.60).
Santa Anita, Race 11, Tolerance... 7th at 8-5.

Our 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.

Foreverness 12-1
Pa Pa Da 9-1
Sabre d'Argent 6-5

Wager: $5 WP on Sabre d'Argent.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-6.
...$1 tri box top three.
Ran 3-5-6.

Sabre d'Argent...Darley import won off-turfer in US debut then faltered a little last time in grassy G3 at Gulfstream. Expect rebound against this field.
Big Booster...Comes in with string of three improving Beyers. Should bee set for a good one.
Ecclesiastic...Capable on best.

Magnolia Jackson 9-2
Grecian Lover 9-1
Annika Lass 5-1

Wager: $5 WP on Magnolia Jackson.
Collected $40.70 on the WP ($11.60, 4.70).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-4-5.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-4-5.

Magnolia Jackson...Rounded into to form over the inner track this weekend -- put in a good try over the main last fall.
Smuggler...3YO filly Eclipse winner last year makes 2006 debut. Might need one.
Trickle of Gold...Tailed off a little bit last couple but was running gang-busters through summer and early fall. Recapturing that form makes her tough.
Annika Lass.

Showing Up 3-2
Like Now 4-1
Bear Character 39-1

Wager: $5 WP on More Than Regal.
Ran 5th at 8-1.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $12.50 on the ex box ($25.00/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4-5.

More Than Regal...Rolling the dice a little here. Plenty of speed in here and after watching Sinister Minister last week we have to believe they'll send. This guy looks capable of stalking and getting first jump. Will need to step it up a bit -- but Asmussen 3YOs been going well lately.
Like Now...One of the speeds in here -- if he can sneak a little bit of a lead he might be tough.
Showing Up...Promising an talented -- but so was Strong Contender.
Greeley's Legacy.

Hello Liberty 5-2
Amandatude/entry 9-2
Lady of Summer/entry 9-2
Casablanca Babe 9-1
Somethinaboutbetty scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Celestial Legend.
Ran 5th at 1-2.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-4-5.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-4-5.

Celestial Legend...Mid-Atlantic speedball could be destined to follow footsteps of Xtra Heat.
Hello Liberty...Could be set up for a good one in third start back.
Casablanca Babe...In from Gulfstream off of a couple of improving performances.
Somethinaboutbetty.

Somethinaboutbetty 3-2
Crown You 9-1
Keep On Talking 9-1

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

For Kisses...Looks like she could be turning into something special.
Somethinaboutbetty...Pletcher filly faded last time at Gulfstream, but that might have been due to the sealed track.
Keep On Talking...Usually in the hunt.
Salsa Music.

Pagan Moon 7-2
Rainbow Inthestorm 3-1
Valid Brush 6-1

Wager: $5 WP on Pagan Moon.
Collected $34.50 on the WP (9.00, 4.80).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $20.30 on the ex box ($40.60/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4-6.

Pagan Moon...Took a couple of tries at the NW1 level -- but seems like he's gotten the hang of it.
Travelin Leroy...Should find this group easier than Lawyer Ron and friends.
Great Seneca...Third behind Ah Day last time to break an undefeated streak.
Rainbow Inthestorm.

Ah Day 2-1
Vegas Play 10-1
Putonyerdancinshuz 8-1
Victory Lake scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Ah Day.
Collected $26.50 on the WP (6.40, 4.20).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Scratched.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-5-7.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-5-7.

Ah Day...Seems to be rounding into very nice form.
Victory Lake...Ships in from Gulfstream off of a couple of good tries.
Scanlon's Song...Overmatched in G1 Wood but ran a decent fourth.
Our Peak.

Plata 9-2
Sticky 1-1
Silmaril 2-1

Wager: $5 WP on Take a Check/Sticky.
Collected $6.00 on the WP (xxx, 2.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $11.10 on the ex box ($22.20/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $26.20 on the tri box ($52.40/$2).

Take a Check/Sticky...Both look capable of getting it done in here.
Grant's Moon...Third start of 2006 and Beyers improved start #1 to start #2.
Plata...Another making third start of season off of two improving numbers.
Silmaril.

Three Hour Nap 5-1
Summer Book 26-1
Courthouse 18-1

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

Colita...Talented, but hasn't yet been able to add a stakes win to the resume -- but might have found the right spot here.
Three Hour Nap...Like the solid, improving form in three races leading into this.
Evening Attire...$2.5 mil winner has lost a step but -- as mentioned above -- this could be a cozy spot for a some G3 money.
Courthouse.

Fleet Indian 3-5
Silver Highlight 6-1
Platinum Ballet 7-2
Eyes On Eddy ran 4th to complete the $135.20/$2 super.

Wager: $5 WP on Silver Highlight.
Collected $13.50 on the WP (xxx, 5.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $18.00 on the ex box ($18.00/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $9.00 on the ex box.
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $21.50 on the tri box ($43.00/$2).

Silver Highlight...She's probably going to have to step it up a bit but seemed to show a real liking for the dirt last time.
Fleet Indian...Ran her best race last time -- question is,, has she turned a corner, or did she simply love the inner track?
Platinum Ballet...Behind some very nice ones at Oaklawn recently. This field should be easier. Would be no surprise.
Eyes On Eddy.

Sharp Lisa 4-1
Eternal Melody 6-1
Cissy 25-1
Hallowed Dream scratched.

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

Argentina... Frankel Euro-import just missed in US debut. Expect better today.
Eternal Melody...Uncoupled barnmate of top pick has put in three good starts off of a long layoff.
Hallowed Dream/Aubonne...Both halves of entry look capable of being heard from in here.
Sharp Lisa.

Pure as Gold 7-1
Saint Buddy 7-1
Siren Lure 1-1

Wager: $5 WP on Pure as Gold.
Collected $66.50 on the WP ($17.80, 8.80).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $63.80 on the ex box ($127.60/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $202.20 on the tri box ($404.40/$2).

Pure as Gold...Steps up from clm/opt clm ranks but like the 3-2-1-0 record this track and trip -- plus P Val in the saddle.
Siren Lure...Art Sherman's NoCal invader is another that has shown an affinity for this track and trip.
We All Love Aleyna...Believe he's better than he's shown so far this season.
Saint Buddy.

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