Equidaily Racing Journal

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Saturday, December 13, 2008
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow

Solid stakes action at Calder -- and a fun stakes card full of state-breds at Fair Grounds, plus a G1 from SoCal and a small but interesting field in NY.

Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Calder, Race 10, Always First.
Calder, Race 10, Always First/Summer Patriot.
Tampa, Race 4, Iguana Jo.
Hollywood, Races 1/2, daily double, R1/Hiatus - R2/Kenya Skye.
Hollywood, Race 7, Tripped the Light.
Hollywood, Race 7, exacta box, Tripped the Light/Le Cirque.


Aqueduct: Queens County Hcp G3 $100K

Temporary Saint...Short field, early speed.
Sir Whimsey...Second start back from a layoff. Has run well on this track.
Dry Martini...Could pick up the piece if -- and that's a big if -- someone engages the top pick early.

Wager: $5 exacta key Temporary Saint over next two.


Calder: Noe Hcp G3 $100K

It's a Bird...Cross-entered so he might not go here -- but just looks perhaps a tad better than these.
Yesbyjimminy...Very successful sprinter brings in a five-race streak -- all over this track. Just not convinced this is his distance.
Flatter Me Blue...In the exacta more often than not.
Hypocrite.
How's Your Halo.

Wager: $5 WP on It's a Bird.
...$2 exacta box top two -- next two if scratch.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
...$1 tri box top four, sub next if scratch.


Calder: La Prevoyante G2 $150K

J'ray...This gal ran well for us a couple of seasons back but we've zigged when she has zagged this year. However, she's in good form and likes this track.
Lamentation...The US debut at Saratoga wasn't bad -- and she could be interesting in her first start for Clement.
Communique...Will be rolling late.
Palmilla.

Wager: $5 WP on J'ray.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Calder: Hooper Hcp G3 $100K

Dream Maestro...Must overcome an outside post but seems to be coming into this in good form and should be heard from late.
Actin Good...Also hung-up outside and it might be more of a problem for this one wanting to be close to the lead. But if he can get some position early he might be tough.
Gottcha Gold...He has one gear -- fast. If he gives them the slip early he'll contend -- but it looks like he should have some company.
Finallymadeit.

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


Calder: McKnight Hcp G2 $150K

Always First...Yet another that must overcome the post position but came from way out of it two back to win for jockey Douglas.
Summer Patriot...Lightly-raced 4YO has shown some flashes and might still have some upside.
Hard Top...Think he's better than his two US starts have shown so far.
Windward Islands.

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


Tampa: Lightning City $65K

Taletobetold...Bonafide turf sprinter.
Ahvee's Destiny...Has won over half of her starts this year.
Jazzy...Should appreciate the return to grass.
Charlie Papa.

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


Fair Grounds: La Champs Day Starter Hcp $50K

Mr Porter...Bridesmaid in three most recent starts but looks primed to run well and should fit with these.
Silver Nat...Clunked last time but claimed by strong first-off-claim trainer. Moves in against state-breds.
Autobeacat...Better than last.
Taylortown.

Wager: $5 WP on Mr Porter.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$2 exacta key Mr Porter over next three.
...$1 tri key Mr Porter over next three.


Fair Grounds: La Champs Day Ladies Sprint $100K

Coach Mike...Typically runs well vs La-breds.
Tortuga Flats...Cross-entered and is better on turf but might contend here.
Carson City Babe...Flopped in this race last year but seems improved since then.
Sax Appeal.

Wager: $5 WP on Coach Mike.
...$2 exacta box top two, sub next if scratch.
...$2 exacta key Coach Mike, sub next if scratch.
...$1 tri key Coach Mike, sub next if scratch.


Fair Grounds: La Champs Day Juvie $100K

Foreign Production...Perfect since the second start and beat open company in a stake last time.
Leestown Gift...Better than the latest.
Not Grounded...Hung out wide but has some early speed and Beyers are improving.
Gaston.

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


Fair Grounds: La Champs Day Ladies $100K

Superior Storm...Has run well here before and should be set to do so again today.
Sammie Sam...Last was probably aided by the off track -- this one likes it wet. So upgrade if that's the situation.
Go Atm...Should be rolling late.
Hisse.

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


Fair Grounds: La Champs Day Lassie $100K

Seven Seventythree...Improving Beyers and should appreciate move in against La-breds.
Warrior Maid...In for trainer Larry Jones off of MSW win in debut at Delaware.
Trysting...Another coming in off of a maiden-breaker in debut.
Wild Etbauer.

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


Fair Grounds: La Champs Day Turf $100K

Desert Wheat...Won off-the-turf prep for this for Mott. Better on grass.
Tortuga Flats...Seldom misses the board -- winning more often than not!
Willist...Won this race last year.
Brendyn Jo.
Lee's Spirit.

Wager: $5 WP on Desert Wheat.
...$2 exacta box top two, sub next if scratch.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
...$1 tri box top four, sub next if scratch.


Fair Grounds: La Champs Day Classic $150K

Southern Invasion...Bombed in this race last year but this is a lightly-raced 5YO that might have some interesting upside.
Star Production...Back in vs state-breds.
Autobeacat.

Wager: $5 exacta key Southern Invasion over next two.


Hollywood: Hollywood Starlet G1 $429.5K

Alpha Kitten...Has the look of an up-and-comer. Could prove interesting on the stretch-out.
Laragh...High early speed. Moves from grass.
Dave's Revenge...OK fourth in G1 BC Juvie Fillies in only her second career start.
Pamona Ball.

Wager: $5 WP on Alpha Kitten.
...$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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