Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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Saturday, March 17, 2007
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow


Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Tampa, Race 12, Any Given Saturday.
Tampa, Race 12, exacta box, Any Given Saturday/Most Distinguished.
Tampa, Race 13, Tuckered.
Oaklawn, Race 10, WPS UD Ghetto.
Santa Anita, Race 9, Air Commander.


Aqueduct: Cicada G3 $100K

Five Star Daydream...Been working in Florida. Showed promise as a 2YO -- and sometimes they come back even better off the seasonal layoff. We'll know more today.
Hungarian Boatbaby...Used up early last time. Expect better today.
Control System...Tested today but could be any kind.
Golden Dreamer.

Wager: $5 WP on Five Star Daydream.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Laurel: HE Johnson Memorial Hcp $100K

Sweetnorthernsaint...Faded at Gulfstream after being pushed early to get position from outside post. Gets the rail today and moves back to Laurel where he's done well the past couple of starts over this track.
Easy Red...Think he's better than last and should be rolling late.
Future Fantasy...Looked good winning the Campbell at 13-1.
Trapped Again.

Wager: $5 W on Sweetnorthernsaint.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Sweetnorthernsaint over next three.
...$1 tri key Easy Red over other three.


Gulfstream: Shirley Jones BC Hcp G2 $200K

Stormy Kiss...Her summer-time form was very promising. Last two have been clunkers -- which is a concern -- but that last couple of works, including a bullet last time, might indicate she's rounding back into top form. We'll see.
Any Limit...Clearly the one to beat and Jerkens is having a career meet.
My Lucky Free...Just behind Any Limit last time in a very good try off of the bench.
Sweet Fervor.

Wager: $5 WP on Stormy Kiss.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Tampa: Florida Oaks $200K

Cotton Blossom...Tough spot for 3YO debut but if she added some maturity over the 'vacation' she might be able to handle it.
Autobahn Girl...Hasn't missed an exacta in seven starts.
Trainee...Improving numbers with each start. Second behind Autobahn Girl in prep for this.
Maria's Kitty.

Wager: $5 WP on Cotton Blossom.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Tampa: Hillsborough G3 $150K

Cassydora...Two solid wins after Euro-import spent almost a year on the sidelines.
Shared Dreams...Seldom runs poorly -- although has had Prado and Velazquez in the saddle and goes to Borel today.
My Typhoon...Mott runner might have a slight class edge on these -- but might need one in first start since November.
Masseuse.

Wager: $5 WP on Cassydora.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Tampa: Tampa Bay Derby G3 $300K

Any Given Saturday...Pletcher going great guns on the Derby Trail. This one had a solid prep for this over the track.
Most Distinguished...Zito trainee looks to be on the improve.
Street Sense...Hmmm, 2YO champ could be any kind -- but we're not convinced. That BC Juvie has always looked a little flukey to us.
Delightful Kiss.

Wager: $5 WP on Any Given Saturday.
...$4 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Any given Saturday over next three.
...$1 tri key Most Distinguished over other three.


Oaklawn: Rebel G3 $300K

UD Ghetto...We're going to pass on the two promising MSW winners in the field. They both look talented but are clearly being rushed because of Derby Fever. So we'll stand against them today and let them beat us if they're that good. Beyond that the race looks very contentious and this guy might prove interesting at a decent price. Showed some promise early in his 2YO season then tossed in a couple clunkers -- but note they were both at Churchill, a surface some don't take to. Has been working steadily on this track for return.
Xchanger...Ran fifth but tossed in a career best Beyer last time -- despite trouble. Could be a sign of good things to come.
Officer Rocket...Solid second in Southwest.
Going Ballistic.

Wager: $5 WP on UD Ghetto.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Santa Anita: Irish O'Brien $125K

Unusual Spring...Last was the first start off of a long layoff. If she improves in her second start back she'll be tough.
La Tormenta...Also second start back -- and return was a nice win. Dangerous.
Bacherlorette One...Has taken a liking to the grass.
Gn Group Meeting.

Wager: $5 WP on Unusual Spring.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Unusual Spring over next three.
...$1 tri key La Tormenta over other three.


Santa Anita: San Felipe G2 $250K

Air Commander...Baffert runner has been progressing nicely and looks ready for stakes assignment.
Grapelli...Decent, closing third behind Notional in G2 San Rafael.
Cobalt Blue...Solid work last week for this. Stretching out for first time today.
Level Red.

Wager: $5 WP on Air Commander.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Air Commander over next three.
...$1 tri key Grapelli over other three.


Coast-to-coast Archives...Picks, plays and results from previous weeks

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