Coast-to-coastOnly one winner in five races (Aqueduct canceled early, Laurel checked out later -- both due to frigid temps). Megahertz scored for us ($3.20/W) at Santa Anita with a really impressive effort -- albeit in a short field. We also scored there -- better than doubling our wager -- by taking a stand with a straight quinella play in the scratch-reduced four-horse field.
In three of the remaining four races our picks filled two of the top three spots in each -- but we couldn't cash an exacta. However, it was the feature at Fair Grounds that provided the day's best score. Our 15-1 fourth pick battled through the lane with our 3-1 top choice -- and sometimes you just gotta root against your choice. The longshot on top provided us with some nice prices for the exacta ($196.20/$2) and triple ($516.80/$2).
Overall a good day with a limited number of races on the menu...
WAGERED: $214.00
COLLECTED: $414.50
Racing canceled Saturday due to cold weather.
Acrolect...Proven performer in these lower-level stakes. Likes the track -- winning a small stake here in latest.
Gill/Shuman entry...Last Intention is preferred on a horse-for-course angle, going 2-2 here including a $50K stake two back. Lusty Latin ran in the 2002 Ky Derby -- albeit finishing 15th.
Lyracist...Closed to miss in this race by less than two lengths last year. Comes in this year in better form.
Ole Faunty.
Wager: $5 WP on Acrolect.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
...$1 tri box top four, sub next if scratch.
Wild Speed 6-1
Crafty Tears 7-1
Atti Girl Fergie 5-2
Wager: $5 WP on Atti Girl Fergie.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-8.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
Ran 2-3-5-8.
...$1 tri box top four, sub next if scratch.
Ran 2-3-5-8.
Atti Girl Fergie...Ships cross-state for O'Connell. Just missed last time when trying NW1. Should find this bunch no tougher.
Pop Pop's Hope...Beat top pick last time but will miss that extra furlong.
Bangbangonthedoor...Nice winning debut in Chicago. Could add some value if able to improve in start #2.
Crafty Tears.
Wynn Dot Comma 8-5
Saratoga County 7-2
Ghost Mountain 9-2
Wager: $5 WP on Smokume.
Ran 4th at 4-1.
...$5 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-4.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 2-3-4-5.
Smokume...Jerkens gelding had three-race streak snapped last time -- but still ran a good second. Young jock is a concern but she won for the Giant Killer last year at this meet.
Wynn Dot Comma...Logical choice also had a win-streak brken last time. Should appreciate return to six furlongs.
Ghost Mountain...Zito 3YO will also prefer return to sprinting after running an OK third to promising Tapit in Laurel Futurity.
Excellent Band.
Shiloh Bound 15-1
Bachelor Blues 3-1
Bogangles 9-5
Wager: $5 WP on Bachelor Blues.
Collected $14.00 on the WP (xxx, 5.60).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-7.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
Collected $98.10 on the ex box ($196.20/$2).
...$1 tri box top four, sub next if scratch.
Collected $258.40 on the tri box.
Bachelor Blues...Put together three bang-up turf races at Woodbine this summer. Faded last time over the Keeneland grass but cutback in distance today should help.
Judge Perkins...Despite a wide trip looked good winning debut last time. Expect he'll compete with this bunch.
Bogangles...Has appreciated the move to turf.
Shiloh Bound.
Jimmy Cracked Corn.
Megahertz 3-5
Garden in the Rain 5-2
Firth of Lorne 11-1
Wager: $20 quinella top two, sub next if scratch.
Collected $44.00 on the quinella ($4.40/$2).
Megahertz...Just missed in this event last year. Comes in off a closing finish in the BC F/M Turf. Should be tough in short field.
Garden in the Rain...Put together three nice tries this fall then was seventh -- but close-up -- in Matriarch, a race that produced next out winnerIsland Fashion.
Mer de Corail.
During 4-1
Toccet 8-1
Touch the Wire 9-1
Wager: $5 WP on Watchem Smokey.
Ran 9th at 8-1.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-9.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
Ran 1-3-5-9.
...$1 tri box top four, sub next if scratch.
Ran 1-3-5-9.
Watchem Smokey...Another private purchase by Gann/Frankel. Hasn't moved forward like some of their others -- but let's see how he likes two-turns.
Touch the Wire...Could be a good one in the making. Still lightly raced but looks to be rounding into good form off layoff.
During...Baffert third-stringer has run well over the track and is training likes he's ready to go.
Spensive.
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