Before my picks, just want to repeat how great this forum is. Love to read everyone's opinions. Larry and Eric; great job with your selections. I'm lucky to have all of these expert opinions to help me with my handicapping.
Sprint:
Zaftig- always been very high on her. Can't forgot how she blew past Indian Blessing like she was standing still in the Acorn. Know she was hurt and comes in off a layoff but she has been training great and Jerkens is 22% with these type of layoffs.
Indian Blessing- what can you say. A true superstar, but at the short price, I'll try to beat her.
Ventura- a 3 horse race and she's the third pick. Very dangerous, but she'll take a lot of money and 3/1 is no bargain trying to beat the top two.
Juvenile Filly Turf:
Consequence- one of my best bets of the weekend. Regally bred (El Prado-Educated Risk), Shug has her ready to roll. Had trouble last time at 6/5 on a yielding turf, but smoked in her last workout. Morning line of 8/1 is a joke. Hoping to get 4/1.
Renda- played her back in June in the Debutante off her maiden Calder romp. Didn't show much back then, but she's come into her own. Her work over the Calder turf was excellent and she's going to be tough.
Sugar Mom- filly getting good now. Good connections and good turf breeding. Tough if she's in.
Heart Shaped & Oui Say Oui- both Euro fillies have a shot in here and have to be used in exotics.
Juvenile Fillies:
CC Silk- was giving this one a long look, and with the endorsement of Lance,
Reggie and Mike I'll put her on top.
Stardown Bound- she looks awfully tough off her last two, but like Indian Blessing I'll try to beat her at a price.
Be Smart- Lukas has this gal primed for a big effort. Will also find a way to use her in the mix at a big price.
Pursuit of Glory- this Euro gal fits with these.
Turf:
Mauralakana- have been on this filly since she ran in the Breeders Cup 2 years ago. Throw out her last as she disliked the soft turf. Actually it's a good thing as it will keep her price up. Ready to roll.
Halfway to Heaven- top notch Euro will be tough to beat.
Wait A While- loves the course.
Forever Together- don't know if this is her best distance but she will be flying late.
Distaff:
Carriage Trail- another one who I've been following for years. Has really blossomed for Shug and although Zenyatta is a super filly, she might be able to get the jump on her.
Zenyatta- along with Indian Blessing and Stardom Bound, we're looking a three super fillies and mares who will all be short prices. Although they'll all be used in exotic wagers, you're not going to get rich betting them.
Good Luck to all and I'll try to post on tomorrows card later on.
Steve
Indian Blessing is going to have to show me she can handle both the surface and the internal mechanics of a race with more than five horses in it. Tossing in favor of forum sweetheart Ventura and Zaftig with some minor action going through Intangeroo and Miraculous Miss.
JF Turf:
I like Consequence as my key in here. Needs only a cleaner trip to beat the Miss Grillo fillies. I like the way Renda and Suacy Evening are coming in and I'll also fit in the two Euros, April Pride and Beyond Our Reach.
JF:
Stardom Bound looks like Zenyatta Jr. blowing by horses despite soft paces and gets some heat up front today. Not sexy but she has to be on multi-race tickets. Euro Pursuit of Glory impressed on synthetic and proved Group 1 ability on turf as well. Using these two in equal strength. Sky Diva and CS Silk on the secondary tickets.
FM Turf:
Probably the most contentious race over the two days with seven legit possibilities. It will come down to ticket construction but if I can Ill use the 2 through 8 but in paring down I'm less sold on Halfway to Heaven than Visit and may drop Vacare.
Ladies:
Zenyatta should romp. Music Note and Carriage Trail might get a tickle on a thin backup ticket.
Anybody have an insight into the Las Palmas which is unbelievably part of both pick fours?
I love Roshani at 10/1 ml in that spot. 2nd off the layoff, has a win over the course, 2 for 3 at the distance, and should sit a perfect trip with the 3 primary speeds to her direct inside. Has a bit of class to her as well.
I'm against Black Mamba who seems to be using this as a fallback option after originally considering the Filly and Mare Turf. Can't blame them for not supplementing her. She can win, but not with my money.
Day 1 of the Breeders' Cup and I'm ending the pick 4 with the Las freakin Palmas. Given the circumstances of this year's Cup, it kinda makes sense.
I'm down to about six, Mike. Yuur filly, the obvious Black Mamba, a total stab on Trick's Pic, Passified and Kris' Sis. The intriguing horse for me is Valbenny. Second-time Frankel turns back to a more comfortable distance which should help her good late kick.
Don't leave out the Lemon Drop kid horse (forgot her name). I'm not just saying that because she's by LDK. She has a good shot in here at a price.
Steve
Nice call on Roshani, Mike and to Ozzy (?) for the exacta there. Had the pick four for a deuce for my only cash and a small profit. Juvenile Filly Turf kept me from cashing every bet. Onward. Go Penn State.