Coast-to-coast

Of course our topper was the call on 30-1 Castledale to win the Santa Anita Derby. We had to sweat out an inquiry which involved the top three finishers -- but the stewards eventually switched the positions of second- and third-place finishers Rock Hard Ten and Imperialism. That cost us a nice exacta -- but we were still plenty happy with our juicy win and place prices on Castledale (62.00, 17.00).

Otherwise, four winners on top in ten events (Aqueduct, $4.60; Hawthorne, $5.40; Santa Anita, $62.00, $3.20) -- obviously there was a nice profit in that category this week. We also had a nice mix of gimmicks underneath -- and a slew of close calls as ours finished 1-2-4 an amazing six times Saturday to leave us just-this-close to that many more tri's... It could have been big. But it was still a very good day...

WAGERED: $412.00
COLLECTED: $705.50

Funny Cide 6-5
Evening Attire 7-5
Host 9-2

Wager: $5 WP on Funny Cide.
Collected $18.00 on the WP ($4.60, 2.60).
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-4.
...$2 tri box top three.
Ran 1-2-4.

Funny Cide...Came out of Florida and Louisiana last year to run a good second in the Wood behind Empire Maker. Maybe this is his time of year.
Ground Storm...Mott 8YO has always had a lot of unfulfilled promise -- but last two seem to indicate particularly good form.
Evening Attire...Won the Clark last fall and has been going well since, including a decent third in the Campbell last time despite big trouble.

Madcap Escapade 3-5
Ashado 8-5
Last Song 8-1

Wager: $5 W on Ashado.
Ran 2nd.
...$4 exacta box top two.
Collected $10.80 on the ex box ($5.40/$2).
...$2 tri box top three.
Ran 1-2-4.

Ashado...Perhaps her two-turn stakes experience will make the difference.
Madcap Escapade...Has looked like a monster in three starts so far. Might go to the front and never look back.
La Reina.

Jackpot 17-1
Newfoundland 9-5
The Lady's Groom 16-1

Wager: $5 WP on Newfoundland.
Collected $9.50 on the WP (xxx, 3.80).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $52.70 on the ex box ($105.40/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $289.90 on the tri box ($579.80/$2).

Newfoundland...Pletcher might have a budding player in the handicap division.
Seattle Fitz...Been facing better.
Jackpot...Might close for a piece.
The Lady's Groom.

Kaufy Mate 9-2
Humorously 7-2
Baronage 12-1

Wager: $5 WP on Zakocity.
Ran 4th at 5-2.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 4-7.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $31.10 on the ex box ($62.20/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4-7.

Zakocity...Perhaps his stakes experience will make the difference.
Forest Grove...Pletcher 3YO has looked promising last two -- but note that both were in the slop.
Humorously...Throw out the grass try and this one is improving nicely.
Kaufy Mate.

Pollard's Vision 8-5
Song of the Sword 3-1
Suave 9-2

Wager: $5 WP on Pollard's Vision.
Collected $22.50 on the WP (5.40, 3.60).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $20.20 on the ex box ($20.20/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $10.10 on the ex box.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4-11.

Pollards' Vision...We'll start to get a barometer on how good that La Derby field was.
Song of the Sword...Undefeated in three starts -- all over the Aqueduct inner, but note he beat Sinister G last time.
OK Mikie...Always seems to get a share.
White Mountain Boy.

Azeri 2-1
Wild Spirit 3-2
Star Parade 10-1

Wager: $5 WP on Island Fashion.
Ran 4th at 9-5.
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-4.
...$1 tri key Island Fashion over next three.
Ran 4/1-2-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4-6.

Island Fashion...Two solid G1 wins against the girls and then a nice second in the Big 'Cap last time stamp this a the F/M division leader.
Wild Spirit...Frankel can have them ready off the layoff -- and she'll need 100% to beat the top pick.
Azeri...Former Horse of the Year has to overcome a layoff and a trainer on an ice-cold streak.
Golden Sonata.

Peace Rules 4-5
Ole Faunty 8-1
Saint Liam 9-5

Wager: $5 WP on Saint Liam.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $13.60 on the ex box ($27.20/$2).
...$1 tri key Saint Liam over next three.
Ran 3/1-2-6.

Saint Liam...Just missed in N Orleans H'cp despite trouble early. Might get the job done today with a clean trip.
Peace Rules...If he gets it his own way on the front end he'll be tough.
Ole Faunty...Brings in a three-race streak.
Private Emblem.

Diplomatic Bag 4-1
Statement 6-1
Seinne 7-1

Wager: $5 W on Soud.
Ran 5th @ 8-5.
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-5.
...$2 tri box top three.
Ran 2-3-5.

Soud...Third start off a layoff -- so he's one the few with some recent race experience.
Statement...Also has some recent races. Extra furlong should help.
Seinne...Won this race in 2002 -- but off since last March.

Castledale 30-1
Imperialism 9-2
DQ - Rock Hard Ten 3-1
Rock Hard Ten was DQ'd from 2nd to 3rd.

Wager: $5 WP on Castledale.
Collected $197.50 on the WP (62.00, 17.00).
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-5-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-5-6.

Castledale...Upset special. We used him on top when he ran sixth in the San Rafael at 11-1. Should get a better price today. Had a solid 2YO campaign in Europe, then won US debut in grassy Generous. Works say he likes the dirt. We'll forgive last and look for improvement. Wish we had a different jock though.
St Averil...Showed he was special by just missing in San Felipe despite trouble early with loose horse.
Wimbledon...Will become Ky Derby fave with a win -- but still not completely convinced about this one. We'll see today.
Rock Hard Ten.

Dynever 3-5
Total Impact 14-1
Even the Score 14-1

Wager: $5 WP on Dynever.
Collected $15.00 on the WP (3.20, 2.80).
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-6.
...$1 ex box top four.
Collected $14.60 on the ex box ($29.20/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4-6.

Dynever...Third behind Pleasantly Perfect and M d'Oro in BC Classic. Off since but this look like a kind of weak G3 field.
Star Cross...Look for a rebound to the nice form demonstrated before the Big 'Cap.
Ender's Shadow...Stakes win last time should have him in good form.
Total Impact.

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