Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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Saturday, February 2, 2008
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow

Plenty of stakes action coast-to-coast. Nine stakes on our dance card -- including a few for 3YOs looking to make a mark and perhaps jump onto the Derby Trail, as well as a couple G1's.

Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Aqueduct, Race 8, Barrier Reef.
Gulfstream, Race 4, exacta box, Victoria Bay/Must Be Gold.
Tampa, Race 9, exacta box, Gibber's Gold/Fire Lookout.
Santa Anita, Race 6, Ariege.


Aqueduct: Whirlaway $100K

Barrier Reef...Might benefit from his stakes debut last time.
Cave Valley...Likely to be sent early.
Spanky Fischbein...Also will be among the leaders.
Roman Emperor.

Wager: $5 WP on Barrier Reef.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Barrier Reef over next three.
...$1 tri key Cave Valley over other three.


Gulfstream: Swale G2 $150K

Silver Edition...Second in G2 Hutcheson -- well clear of third-place finisher.
St Joe...Should appreciate the return to sprinting.
Wincat...Good-looking debut at Philly. We'll find out more about him today.
Coal Play.

Wager: $5 WP on Silver Edition.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Silver Edition over next three.
...$1 tri key St Joe over other three.


Gulfstream: Donn Hcp G1 $500K

AP Arrow...Comes into this same as last year -- off a 103 Beyer in last year's G2 Clark Hcp. If he follows with the same 107 Beyer in this race it could be enough.
Daaher... Clearly the one to beat -- but perhaps still some question marks around two turns.
Spring At Last...Second off a layoff and will be tough if able to re-capture top form.
Fairbanks.

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


Laurel: Dancing Count $70K

Hefty Returns...Solid in two starts in Boston. Nice work in prep for this.
Vanderkaay...Up from Florida -- maybe shopping for a winning spot.
Springs Road...Perhaps overmatched last time. Dangerous returning to this track.
Regal Solo.

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


Oaklawn: King Cotton $50K

Semaphore Man...Returning champ in this event looks good this year too.
Junior College...Will be prominent from the get-go.
Going Wild...Tough customer when he gives his best.
Probation Ready.

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


Santa Anita: RB Lewis G2 $200K

Reflect Times...Could be a good one for Shireffs. Stretches off of two sprint wins.
Indian Sun...Proven stakes performer.

Wager: $5 exacta Reflect Times over Indian Sun.
...$2 exacta box top two.


Santa Anita: La Habra G3 $100K

Ariege...Euro-invader had some trouble in US debut. Expect improvement.
Porto Marmay...Beat the boys in last -- but that was last summer. Tough if ready.
Yasinisi...Just behind Ariege last time.
Passion.

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


Santa Anita: Santa Monica Hcp G1 $250K

Hystericalady...Just missed behind champ Ginger Punch in G1 BC Distaff.
Silky Smooth...Could be interesting moving from turf.
Society Hostess.

Wager: $5 exacta Hystericalady over Silky Smooth.
...$2 tri key Hystericalady over next two.


Santa Anita: Strub G2 $300K

Tiago...Last should have him set for a good try today.
Giant Gizmo...Makes stakes debut but looks like this lightly-raced 4YO is rounding into peak form for Frankel.
Air Commander...Should go well again -- just not at 52-1.
Great Hunter.

Wager: $5 WP on Tiago.
...$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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