Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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Saturday, February 19, 2011
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow


Turf selections/wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Aqueduct: Races 1/2, doubles, R1/Song of Broadway/We Needs VLTs... R2/Virging On Stardom/Allen's Affair.
Tampa: Race 8, WP Great Attack.
Tampa: Race 8, exacta box, Silver Timber/Great Attack/Bridgetown.
Fair Grounds: Race 3, WP, Saucy Stash/Rack Daddy.
Fair Grounds: Race 3, exacta box, Saucy Stash/Rack Daddy/Saracen.
Santa Anita: Race 6, exacta box, Revered/Jaredella/Home Sweet Aspen/Mildly Offensive.


Gulfstream: Sabin G3 $100K

Amen Hallelujah...Might have needed last when beaten a 6-5 fave. Tough with improvement in second start back.
Musical Romance...Will be rolling late.
Catch a Thief...Likes this track.
Amazing.
Awesome Maria.

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


Gulfstream: Mac Diarmida G2 $150K

Al Khali...Mott trainee is part of the tri more often than not.
Musketier...A marathon specialist.
Prince Will I Am...Distance racing on the grass might be his game.
Rahy's Attorney.

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


Laurel: JB Campbell Hcp $75K

Arson Squad...6YO millionaire might have lost a step - but still talented enough to take this on best effort.
Alma d'Oro...Finished just ahead of top pick last time.
Auctoritas...Likes the track.
Fonda Ronda Won.

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


Laurel: Barbara Fritchie Hcp G2 $150K

Aspenglow...Hometown gal is riding a 6-race win-streak.
Harissa...Showed a little ability as a 3YO and might be even better this year.
Kid Kate...Gutty win in a NY stake last time.
Meese Rocks.

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


Tampa: Turf Dash $75K

Great Attack...Could be set-up to run well of off the last one. Also interesting that he sheds the blinkers today.
Bridgetown...Pletcher trainee hits the exacta 67% of the time.
Silver Timber...Claimed for $25K in 2009 - and has won over $400K since. Talented.
Sneaking Uponyou.

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


Fair Grounds: Rachel Alexandra G3 $150K

Kathmanblu...Won her 3YO debut - on turf. But she's shown graded-stakes winning ability on dirt too.
Bouquet Booth...Gutsy wire-job in prep for this.
Tapit Dancer...Will be rolling late.
Inglorious.

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


Fair Grounds: Mineshaft Hcp G3 $125K

Mission Impazible...4YO debut should be one to build on. Won here last year.
Demarcation...Showed some oomph on occasion last year and has run well on this track.
Apart...Has shown the potential to fill the shoes left by Blame in the Stall barn.
Z Humor.

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


Fair Grounds: FG Hcp G3 $125K

Gran Estreno...Two nice wins here leading into this.
Loup Breton...Will contend if ready off the layoff.
Telling...I(f this were Saratoga and the G1 Sword Dancer he'd be a lock!
Workin for Hops.

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


Fair Grounds: Risen Star G2 $300K

Machen...Has lived up to some nice breeding in first two starts. Gets true test today but looks this good.
Mucho Macho Man...Might be better if able to sit a little further off of the pace than last time.
Justin Phillip...Dud last time. Exposed - or an aberration? We'll go with the latter...
Rogue Romance.

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


Oaklawn: Bayakoa $100K

Satans Quick Chick...Plenty of speed might set-up her closing kick.
Absinthe Minded...Hasn't missed an exacta on this track. Will be part of the early pace.
Taptam...Like Absinthe Minded, speedy and likes the track.
She's All In.

Wager: $5 WP on Satans Quick Chick.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Santa Anita: San Luis Obispo G2 $150K

Bourbon Bay...A real horse-for-course. Won this race last year.
Champ Pegasus...Just behind top pick last time.
Imponente Purse...Has some closing punch.
Riveira Cocktail.

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


Santa Anita: San Carlos Hcp G2 $150K

Smiling Tiger...Just missed this track and trip two back against the very talented Twirling Candy.
Supreme Summit...Has finished just behind top pick in last two.
Captain Cherokee...Ahead of top pick last time.
Ventana.

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


If we are interested in both halves of an entry -- in event of a scratch -- it is noted that way [in other words, both halves are named]. If only one-half of the entry is named, then we prefer that half and will move to our next pick listed [rather than the other half of the entry] in event of a scratch.

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

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