If you’re in a Friday gambling mood (and who isn’t?), there are a few spots that seem tailor made to give this Memorial Day holiday weekend a flying start and they all center around what’s happening at Pimlico. Two weekends ago, the Baltimore track was the center of the racing universe when it hosted the […]
Read more
First things first…Congratulations to Rombauer, winner of the 2021 Preakness Stakes, which fittingly returned to its intended calendar position on the third Saturday in May. Weekend weather cooperated magnificently to deliver a pair of spectacularly clear and cool spring Black-Eyed Susan/Preakness afternoons. Fast and firm course conditions, a rarity for the Baltimore-based non-Camden Yards double-header, […]
Read more
Nearly two weeks ago, official race results for the 147th Kentucky Derby were etched into history books. Not so fast, my four-hooved friend! To say that a lot has transpired since would be an open-lengths understatement. Derby winner Medina Spirit’s initial post-race drug tests revealed an apparent rules infraction based on the presence […]
Read more
The 147th Kentucky Derby is in the books. Hats off to winner Medina Spirit and to his connections, including trainer Bob Baffert, who became the winningest Kentucky Derby conditioner in history. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez won his fourth Derby and second consecutive Run for the Roses at the age of 49 and cemented […]
Read more
Last week, in this space, we outlined pros and cons for each probable Kentucky Derby starter. Some has changed since then. Horses have moved in and out of the lineup and we know post positions. We’ve also had additional time to further review races, workouts, gallops, past performances, speed figs and selections from fellow analysts. […]
Read more
It’s roughly 14 more sleeps (catnaps not included) until they run America’s most important race the Gr. 1 Kentucky Derby. The Gr. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic and a few other stateside events are worth more money, but the Run for the Roses remains the Holy Grail for the majority of racing folk, including breeders, owners, […]
Read more
Specifically designed for the rolling exotic player, Jeff Siegel’s “Daily Analysis and Wagering Strategies” isolates those horses that should be included in daily doubles, pick-3s, pick-4s, pick-5s, and the pick-6. The selections are posted at 6:00 a.m. and updated later in the morning to reflect late scratches and changes (approximately 10:30 a.m.). For additional commentary, […]
Read more
It’s challenging being the champ; walking (and running) around with a bullseye plastered on your hind end. Ever since being honored as the nation’s top 2-year-old in January, Essential Quality has worn the crown well. He appeared to be on-the-ropes Saturday in the Keeneland stretch, when Highly Motivated proved a surprisingly stubborn foe in the […]
Read more
The rubber meets the road Saturday when a trio of critical Kentucky Derby points races are decided from coast to coast. In New York, the historic Gr. 2 Wood Memorial ought to help sort a crowded group of contenders, including Withers winner Risk Taking and Gotham hero Weyburn. Unbeaten invader Prevalence adds intrigue. […]
Read more
Each week on the Kentucky Derby trail things get ‘interestinger’ and ‘interestinger.’ March 13, the Bob Baffert-trained Concert Tour dominated the Rebel Stakes and leapfrogged nearly everyone else toward the pinnacle of Kentucky Derby top ten lists. For most, the colt’s stock ranked just below that of defending 2-year-old champ Essential Quality and San […]
Read more
Congratulations to Karen Toyama, narrow winner in Xpressbet’s Beat the Host Championship. Toyama, at $122, proved $.50 better than runner-up Nancy Spense and $7 clear of third-place finisher Roy Brewer. In fourth place, $15.50 behind Toyama, was Christopher Reo. Cynthia Noblitt ($105), Lindy Harton ($103) and Charles Donnelly ($102) round out the top seven prize […]
Read more
Saturday, a trio of important sophomore races have attracted nationwide connections desirous of mandatory hotel reservations in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday of May. If you’re keeping score at home, this year Derby Day is May 1 and that’s as early as it possibly can be. That’s in stark contrast to last year when […]
Read more
Gulfstream Park veteran host and analyst Ron Nicoletti picked 10 winners on Saturday’s 12-race card. That’s a huge afternoon for any public handicapper and great news for his loyal followers. Unfortunately, Nicoletti’s big afternoon was bad news for those squaring off against him in Beat the Host Week 6 action. In concert with his […]
Read more
Saturday, veteran Gulfstream Park handicapper and simulcast host Ron Nicoletti will be the man wearing the bullseye in Week 6 Beat the Host action. Players will attempt to top Nicoletti’s earning’s total based on a ‘live’ $5 Win wagers in each of 10 competition races. That accomplishment earns a seat in the Beat the Host […]
Read more
Veteran handicapper and host Jeff Siegel turned a profit Saturday when he picked 4 winners out of 10 competition races in Week 4 Beat the Host action. His winning total was $56, based on $5 Win wagers on one horse in each race. Usually, Beat the Host competition races are a combination of heats […]
Read more