Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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Saturday, December 29, 2007
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow

An active afternoon with a dozen stakes coast-to-coast on this 2007 wrap-up weekend. A G1 on the west coast and another Grand Slam day at Calder highlight the action.

Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Aqueduct, Race 9, exacta box, Used to Be a King/Burn One Turn One.
Tampa, Race 2, It's a Rap.
Tampa, Race 8, Inner Light.
Tampa, Race 10, Gibber's Gold.
Laurel, Race 9, Wonder Mon.
Fair Grounds, Race 3, Echo Location.
Fair Grounds, Race 9, Platinee.


Aqueduct: Gallant Fox Hcp $75K

Successful Affair...Won this race last year coming out of the Coyote Lakes. Similar scenario this season.
Nite Light...Nipped top pick last time and dangerous again on the front end.
Evil Storm...Last couple at Laurel were pretty good.
Angelic Aura.

Wager: $5 W on Successful Affair.
...$5 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Successful Affair over next three.


Aqueduct: Gravesend Hcp G3 $100K

City Attraction...Our nemesis from Saratoga a few seasons back (long story...) drops fifteen pounds off of near-miss in Fall Highweight Hcp.
Debussy...Flopped in the Fall Highweight and might be overmatched but a repeat of effort two back makes him competitive here. We'll see...
Joey P...Typically been in the hunt since summer.
P Kerney.

Wager: $5 W on City Attraction.
...$5 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key City Attraction over next three.


Calder: Chaposa Springs Hcp $100K

Cher Ami...Cuts back from 1M on turf and should be the one to catch.
Forever Together...Showed some early promise, now makes second start off layoff and should be set to run well.
Potra Clasica...Clunker in last might be attributable to the off-going that day. Prior form good enough to fit here.
Running Lass.

Wager: $5 W on Cher Ami.
...$5 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Cher Ami over next three.


Calder: Pete Axthelm $100K

Sleeping Indian...Has seemed to improve with each start. Nice work leading into this. Must overcome outside post.
Pleasant Strike...Pletcher's doing well in Florida. This one should be rolling late.
Mysterious Peintre...Probably better than her US form indicates.
Fearless Eagle.

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


Calder: Stage Door Betty Hcp G3 $100K

Bayou's Lassie...Should be sent from the rail and could take them all the way.
Annabill...Likely to stalk and pounce coming into the lane.
Potra Clasica...We'll toss the last and the prior starts look good.
Amazing Speed.
Quiet Royal.

Wager: $5 WP on Bayou's Lassie.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
...$1 tri box top four, sub next if scratch.


Calder: FA Genter G3 $100K

Rutherienne...Tossed a dud in last in only poor start. Off since but will be tough if ready.
Pitamakan...Could be tough if able to make the lead early from the post.
Sweet Ransom...Typically gets a piece.
Maddy's Heart.

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


Laurel: Md Juv Championship $50K

Wonder Mon...The debut win was impressive. Off since that August start -- but we'll believe they have reason for the confidence bringing him back in this spot.
Regal Solo...Perhaps overmatched last time -- or just didn't like the turf. Back where he belongs.
Malibu Kid...On the improve.
Blood Moon.

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


Tampa: Sandpiper $65K

Freedom Afleet...Has shown plenty of speed on east coast -- ships over off of a big effort last time. Looks like she's figured it out.
Awesome Chic...Huge debut win -- at Suffolk. How good? We'll know more today.
Silk Ridge...She's battle tested and could prove dangerous with stakes wins already on her resume.
Unfolding Wish.

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


Tampa: Inaugural $65K

Inner Light...Came back off of a brief layoff to run her best yet. She's gotten the hang of it. Attracts jock from east coast.
Sinners Repent...Her two dirt sprints put her in the thick of this.
Beijing House...Two starts, tow big wins. We'll find out more today.
Surrealideal.

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


Fair Grounds: Furl Sail Hcp $60K

Platinee...Only three starts this year and the last two in Kentucky seem to indicate she's reached a new peak.
Prop Me Up...Been running on dirt but has performed well on turf in the past. Will need to get position early from the post.
Swingit...This one would rate higher -- but coming off a long layoff.
Sant Elena.

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


Santa Anita: Cal Breeders' Champion $125K

Spring Awakening...Been competing nicely in open stakes -- now faces Cal-breds.
Treadmill...Started career with three good races then tossed in a dud and was vanned off at Del Mar. Recent works seem to indicate she's ready for return.
Onebadkitty...Interesting making her third start.
Cantina's Rose.

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


Santa Anita: La Brea G1 $250K

Glorified...Spring-summer starts showed plenty of potential. Off since July and that's the question mark -- but often these youngsters come back even better.
Ashley's Kitty...Seven times in the exacta in nine career starts.
Silky Smooth...Cuts back and moves off the turf -- could prove interesting.
Look Deep.

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


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

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