Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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Saturday, October 31, 2009
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow


Turf wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Aqueduct: Race 7, Odysseus.
Finger Lakes: Race 8, Zipatron.
Keeneland: Race 1, Hibiscus Drive.
Keeneland: Race 1, exacta box, Hibiscus Drive/Queen of Empire.
Keeneland: Race 5, Zip Around.


Aqueduct: Bold Ruler Hcp G3 $150K

Lucky Island...Won this race last year -- at Belmont -- at 6f, so it's the same race in name only. Plus that win was during a nice streak and this horse seems to have gone south since. But, last was first off of a layoff and might -- might -- be ready to return to prior form with that one under the belt.
Cherokee Country...Comes into this for a high percentage out-of-town trainer. This one won nicely last two at Philly.
Sing Baby Sing...Like the top pick this one has some nice numbers showing in the past. Maybe a little bit of a bounce last time in second start back -- or, didn't like the surface. Expect better today.
Gold Trippi.

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


Aqueduct: Turnback the Alarm G3 $100K

Unbridled Belle...Won off easily the last time she dropped into a G3.
Weathered...Could appreciate the return to Aqueduct.
Way With Words...Turf-to-dirt. Been in the exacta 12-of-19.
Manitoba Miss.

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


Finger Lakes: F'Lakes Juvenile $50K

Zipatron...Started career on the A-circuit in Kentucky. Undefeated in two since the move to Ferraro barn. Might take them all the way.
El Rocco...Likely fave is graded stakes-placed but trainer Levine is clearly picking his spots -- indicating this one isn't necessarily a top performer in his mind -- but, that said, this is certainly the type of spot where he'll do well.
Peppi Knows...comes into this off of a decent stakes try at Presque Isle.
Vital Argument.

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


Keeneland: Fayette G2 $150K

Parading...Comes out of an OK try in G1 Goodwood. Romped in only try over this surface.
Giant Oak...3YO faces older but has shown some flashes.
Medjool...Might appreciate the return to the main track.
Blame.

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


Hawthorne: Buck's Boy Hcp $100K

Fort Prado...Might have a class edge on this bunch.
Last Demand...Seems to have figured it out off of the layoff.
Stonehouse...Could find this bunch easier than some of the recent competition.
Racing Bran.

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


Santa Anita/Oak Tree: Goodman $58K

Macais...Baffert/Gomez runner looked good breaking maiden in second career start. Should be capable of competing here.
Privilaged...Should benefit from the education against winners last time.
Our Minesweeper...Undefeated stakes winner comes in from NoCal.
Marcello.

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


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

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