Official Horse Racing Thread

I'm not a fan of the current price, but I like Captain Don (2) in this spot. I don't think it will be a slow pace, but I don't think it will be all that fast, either, and I expect him to be on or near the lead. The horses coming out of his last race (Captain Don, Bebop Shoes (3), and Tempt Fate (4)) seem to be taking most of the money, and I just like Captain Don the most of the group (though I would use Tempt Fate in exotics as well). The two price horses that intrigue me are My Golden Diablo (12) and Call Me Derby (10). I prefer My Golden Diablo of the two, but both are usable. My plan will be to play exactas/trifectas centering around Captain Don and My Golden Diablo, along with horses like the 4 and the 10.

 

I like Major Attraction (7) in race 4. Don't think the price difference between him and Bank (11) should be this large, even if Bank did finish ahead of Major Attraction last time out. I am interested in seeing how J Z My Man (8) runs, but I would put him behind the other two. Will just go with a win bet on Major Attraction.

 

Pretty deep allowance field that is the quality of a stakes field. There are several ways to go - horses like Bankit (9), Endorsed (11), and Pirate's Punch (12) all look logical - but I will go with Two Thirty Five (8). He cut back to 1 1/16 miles last time out from his poor performance in the Santa Anita Handicap, and I think that is his best distance. I do expect there to be a more contested pace here, which should benefit him a bit, but he also at least has enough tactical speed to have the chance to get the jump on horses like Bankit or Endorsed, who should come from further back.

 

He'd be second for me.

 

I thought he was fine (though not great) in his Hollywood Park days, but definitely a downturn in quality since arriving at Oaklawn.

 

For Race 6, I don't have a strong opinion in this field. If Friar's Road (4) runs back to his last start, he'll be tough, but he's not the type of horse I want to play at close to even odds. He is the most likely winner, but I'm not betting him at that price. Second Line David (2) is a little interesting to me, even though he is jumping up in class and going blinkers on is not necessarily a strong move for Joe Sharp. I just have trouble finding anyone else I love in this field. Tonaltarian (12) is somewhat interesting, and the distance should be favorable for him, but he has zero early speed. He's more of a exotics play than a win candidate.

 

Not going to try and beat Gamine (8) here. She looks strong.

 

Both Gamine and Speech ran huge races there.

 

I'll go with Benintendi (1) in Race 8. Don't love that he has finished 2nd three straight times as the favorite, but I do like the way he has been working leading into the race, and the price will be much more appetizing than a horse like Moretti (10), who I don't see as materially better than Benintendi.

 

Will probably pass this race. Fearless (3) is your most likely winner, but don't really want to take him at even money, and there isn't any other horse that looks like strong value to me.

 

Another race I don't have a strong opinion on, but one price horse I want to use a bit is the 4 horse, Villainous. May take a small shot with him, though won't be too invested in this race.

 

NBC is about to air the simulation of the Triple Crown winners. I'll go with Citation over Secretariat.

 

That was too easy.

 

Of all the races my top pick hits, it is the one where I end up spreading 6 horses deep. I'll take it.

 

Nice hit.

As awful as the first 10 races of the card went for me, I would have ended up in the positive on the day if I could have gotten that 14 horse home instead of finishing 2nd. Needed him to complete the Pick 4.

 

Disappointed that from all the highlights they showed on NBCSN, they never showed Runhappy's maiden race. Top 5 all time entertaining maiden breaking performance.