Today's Best BetsDark day. No racing.
No racing, but there was plenty of gambling go on just up the street on both Monday and Tuesday nights at the Fasig-Tipton sale pavilion as the bug bucks were being spent on untested yearlings.
Tuesday night Bob Baffert was spotted in the backyard watching intently as Lookin At Lucky's half-bro sold for three-quarters of a million. A few minutes later Baffert stood in the rain participating in the spirited bidding of another expensive yearling.
It was a who's who of the racing game at the 2010 auction. Spotted were: Celeb chef Bobby Flay, Mrs Bobby Flay aka actress Stephanie March aka DA Alexandra Cabot from NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, also David Cassidy, Todd Pletcher, Elliot Walden, West Point Thoroughbred's Terry Finley, Rich Migliore, Indian Charlie, Chad Brown, Calvin Borel, TVG's Christina Olivares, John Kimmel, Beverly Lewis, NYRA's TV handicappers Andy Serling and Jason Blewitt, Shug McGaughey, Team Valor's Barry Irwin, Tom Proctor, DRF's Steve Crist, Kiaran McLaughlin, Frank Alexander, Tony Dutrow, Steve Asmussen, Rick Violette, Leroy Jolley, Tom Albertrani - and the list goes on.
Monday night featured perfect summer-evening auction-watching weather and drew a large crowd to the pavilion and backyard. Tuesday's action was dampened a little bit by intermittent rain showers which would send backyarders scurrying for cover. Otherwise, the unveiling of the new pavilion this year, along with the updated backyard area last year seemed to be a hit with the crowd of on-lookers.
FIRST RACE
Tom Kitten...doesn't win a lot - but neither do the rest of these. Consistent over the last few and has a nice closing kick.
Abilio...Lightly-raced, so has lost less than most in here. Lifetime best Beyer in lone turf try.
Joey's Chance...Kind of inconsistent but have to rate him as capable on best effort.
Barrel of Love.
SECOND RACE
Fiscal Stimulus...Good second in the turf debut despite trouble.
Coach Billy G...Has a little bit of breeding on his side. Trouble in both starts so far. Has some things to like. On the other hand, didn't debut until age 3 - and off since last Sept.
Ender's Universe...First two were on synthetic - might appreciate move to turf.
Promovedor Glory.
On dirt: Same, add Holiday Ballad underneath.
THIRD RACE
Hit It Rich...Return to dirt and one turn.
Kid Kate...Likely fave and dangerous if able to run back to that last Beyer. We're just not quite convinced and the winner of the last was well beaten in weekend's G1 Ruffian.
North Rodeo...Looks a notch below the top two but hits the board more than half of the time.
Dattt Echo.
FOURTH RACE
Seek to Destroy...This doesn't look like a field of world-beaters and this F'Lakes shipper seems to have been working well.
Bug Juice...Debut was neither impressive nor disappointing - and again, this doesn't appear to be much of a field.
Mr Ames...Breeding has a little bit of precocious promise. Don't discount.
For Wes.
FIFTH RACE
Witchy Meeting...Should be getting some serious class-relief in here.
Go Go Pink...Hmmm, has some early speed -- but typically going longer. However, ran well in a grass sprint two back.
Silvercup Baby...Drops. Gets back to grass. Some things to like.
Higher Incentive.
On dirt: Witchy Meeting, Silvercup Baby, Daily Star, Sorority Sister, Dana's Bell.
SIXTH RACE
Custers Last Stand...Seasonal debut was nice. Trouble last time. Should fit well here.
Renewed Hope...Trainer shows a gaudy stat first-off the claim.
Redwood forever...Trainer wheels right back off of the claim - after this one was dropped in cheap and ran sixth. Hmmm.
Delta Thunder.
SEVENTH RACE
Convocation...This one romped the last time he ran outside of graded stakes company. Looks tough today.
Midnight Mischief...Another coming out of graded stakes - but has been off since Sept and dirt form is still unproven.
Endymion/Masala...Dutrow entry could prove dangerous. Masala preferred.
Odds On.
EIGHTH RACE - DeLa Rose $70K
Miss Keller...Could be coming into this on the improve.
Daveron...Euro-import won US debut than faded after setting the pace last time. Might go better today with a different pace scenario.
Keertana...Almost always picks up at least a piece.
Miss Catalyst.
On dirt: Be Fair, Mc Victory, Solo Piano, Gemswick Park, Silver Reunion.
NINTH RACE
System Ready...Filly takes on the boys today. Had some trouble in the debut. Breeding - and that last work - indicates she might like the turf.
Nolangrant'skitten...Some win-early breeding and some turf breeding.
Love That Dude...Win-early trainer and that bullet work last time sticks out.
Johnny Two by Four.
On dirt: Same, add Tingaleo and Gospel Lesson underneath.
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