1/30: Gulfstream (6th-10th); Santa Anita ($62k C/O)
 

TODD WINS, I LOSE: 'Todd Pletcher Day' at Gulfstream as powerhouse barn bested the Hallandale oval in 3 of 4 races between the 5th-8th, including 'catch me if you can' gambit by Drover ($10.80) in the 7th. Short priced I'll Take Two ($4.00) and Uwannapieceofthis ($7.00) swiped the 5th and 8th for Johnny V. and "TAP", and as anyone who follows my selections probably realizes by now, when Pletcher wins, it is often without my money. Now that his barn has heated back up after a lengthy drought, his horses will again be invariably overbet. I don't mind including the chalky ones that demand inclusion, but I'm happy to bet against the outfit if possible. It was notable yesterday that Frank Alexander and Javy Castellano took a clue from Pletcher-Velasquez win with Drover, as Lakeside Chapel ($17.40) was sent winging in the nightcap too and held on to nab his diploma. Hope you did OK Friday.

BIG WEEKEND AND NO FOOTBALL DISTRACTIONS... UNLESS YOU COUNT THE PRO BOWL AS FOOTBALL: Great weekend of action as Sunshine Millions and Magna 5 return to the landscape Saturday, while Santa Anita ended the day with a $62k carryover to boot! And Sunday is going to be particularly good with a fabulous card in South Florida featuring the chock full 'o fillies Forward Gal (G2) and the G1 Santa Monica highlighting the Arcadia slate.

ALBANY MOVES AND THE HEAVENS WEEP: It appears we finally have a vendor to build and operate the Aqueduct VLT parlor as Governor Paterson tabbed 'Aqueduct Entertainment Group' as the franchise operator for the '9 years in the making' racino makeover. Hallelujah! 30 days to hammer out the agreement apparently and perhaps 6 months to get the initial 3,000 (of 4,500) one-armed bandits installed. There is certainly going to be some grumbling from losing bidders, and bitter Penn Gaming already said earlier this week they are surprised the deal was heading to New York-based entities. Really? They were surprised that the State of New York was more interested in giving this lucrative contract for construction and revenue to New York-based business interests? What planet are these Penn Gaming people from exactly? Why shouldn't this contract go to interests from within the state instead of carpet-baggers?


GULFSTREAM


PRE-SCRATCHES


6th: MSW, 3yo, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Gothics Peak 5-2 6th
Next Best: #6 First Dude 3-1 WON
Best Value: #5 The Director 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #3 Marching Tune 8-1 4th


7th: ALW/N1X, F&M-4+, 8.5f-Inner Turf (P4, P3, DD, Super)

#14 (AE) Cruisin'nthebridle (4-1) a use should she get in..

Most Likely: #5 Flying Spur 3-1 5th
Next Best: #11 Speak Easy Gal 4-1 WON
Best Value: #2 Miss M V P 15-1 6th
Super Add: #1 (POE) Rosie's Princess 15-1 Eased


8th: 8th Sunshine Millions Sprint, CA/FL 4+, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Pashito the Che 8-5 2nd
Next Best: #6 This Ones for Phil 9-5 WON
Best Value: #1 Machismo 5-1 6th
Super Add: #3 Accredit 6-1 4th


(MAGNA 5 LEG B) 9th: 8th Sunshine Millions Distaff, CA/FL F&M-4+, 9f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Sweet Repent 2-1 WON
Best Value: #6 Even Road 20-1 3rd
Next Best: #7 Jessica is Back 9-5 2nd
Super Add: #8 Scolara 12-1 6th


(MAGNA 5 LEG D) 10th: 8th Sunshine Millions Turf, CA/FL 4+, 9f-Outer Turf (Super)

SCR #9 Wicked Style & likely #3 Duke of Mischief..

Most Likely: #8 Soldier's Dancer 8-5 4th
Best Value: #4 Bad Action 10-1 6th
Next Best: #11 Jet Propulsion 4-1 WON
Super Add: #7 Fearless Eagle 12-1 8th


<$75 P4 Play:

7: 1-2-5-11
8: 1-4-6
9: 4-6-7
10: 4-8

4x3x3x2 = $72 (Or $36 for .50)



SANTA ANITA


PRE-SCRATCHES


(MAGNA 5 LEG C) 6th: 8th Sunshine Millions F&M Sprint, CA/FL 4+, 6f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

As discussed on ATR, a brutally deep and potentially chaotic race..

Most Likely: #10 Dubai Majesty 4-1 2nd
Next Best: #3 Miss McCall 9-2 4th
Best Value: #4 Dotsy Jean 12-1 3rd
Super Add: #7 Libor Lady 6-1 11th


(MAGNA 5 LEG E) 7th: 8th Sunshine Millions F&M Turf, CA/FL F&M-4+, 9f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Tight Precision 7-2 WON
Next Best: #1 Closeout 4-1 4th
Best Value: #3 Pretty Unusual 6-1 3rd
Super Add: #4 You Lift Me Up 8-1 5th


8th: 8th Sunshine Millions Classic, CA/FL 4+, 9f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 The Usual Q. T. 5-2 9th
Best Value: #4 Palladio 30-1 2nd
Next Best: #11 Acclamation 10-1 5th
Super Add: #9 Bold Chieftan 6-1 WON


9th: ALW/N1X, 4+, 6.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Red Sun 8-5 WON
Best Value: #10 Hidden Blessing 8-1 5th
Next Best: #8 Atticus Jack 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #1 Wolgan Valley 12-1 4th


10th: S/ALW, 4+, 6f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Bullfighter 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #8 Scofield Barracks 8-1 WON
Next Best: #1 Proud Hillbilly 7-2 6th
Super Add: #6 Exile 8-1 5th


11th: MDN CLM, 4+, 5.5f (Super, Super High 5)

Most Likely: #4 High Tide Rising 5-2 WON
Best Value: #5 Don't Answer 8-1 4th
Next Best: #6 Chailepis 3-1 6th
Super Add: #8 Stake a Claim 5-1 11th
High 5 Play: #3 Ol'dogtown 6-1 3rd


<$200 P6 Play:

6: 3-10
7: 1-2
8: 4-7-9-10-11
9: 2
10: 1-2-5-6-8
11: 4

2x2x5x1x5x1 = 100 x $2 = $200

$2 Pick 6 Conso (12/2/9/2/8/4) Paid $175.00 x 2 = $350.00


<$75 P4 Play:

8: 4-7-9-10-11
9: 2-8-10
10: 1-2-5-6-8
11: 4

5x3x5x1 = $75

$2 Pick 4 (9/2/8/4) Paid $472.30


Good luck!
Steve

Steve:

Take solace in your handicapping distress - the Toddymeister is tough to beat !!!

I'm heading to the Pro-Bowl on Sunday and I'm kicking myself because the Forward Gal turned up so good. I'll have to leave prior to post time unless I can arrange a Broward County police escort to the Stadium.

Good Luck this weekend......

Entertaining intro to your selections this morning. :)

Only in insignificant races. ;)

G/L this weekend and Gulfstream definitely is the place to be Sunday. Terrific card...

Steve, I see you have Scolara as a super add play. But do you think she has any chance to win this thing? It looks like the race really has a chance of melting down and I though she was really the only dead closer in the race. But I really haven't followed the Gulfstream meet so I'm not sure if speed has been holding. Plus I'm guessing on big days like today that they will have the track souped up for the speed. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Steve what happens to the MAGNA if the snow in Maryland causes a cancellation at Laurel? I just saw a couple of pictures of the snow fall in Maryland and it is significant.

While the track generally has been fair this meet overall, there have been days where the rail was absolute death (first part of the month) or periods like this week when the track got icy fast... Check up on Welsch's Track Notes in DRF Weekend for that stuff weekly. Here's this week's:

MIKE WELSCH'S TRACK TRENDS: Once again, plenty to report in this area. The main track suddenly turned lightning-fast following a dark day Jan. 19, with lower-level claimers running six furlongs in 1:09 and change on several occasions and the 5 1/2-furlong course record falling to 3-year-old Paizano in a mid-level starter allowance dash last Saturday. Not surprisingly, speed became a treasured commodity for most of the week, with closers having little chance to make up sufficient ground to find the winner s circle, especially in main-track sprints. Despite this trend, however, the rail still appeared to be the deeper part of the strip again throughout the week.

My hang up with Scolara is that she is 'all grass, all the time' and if there was any particular talent or aptitude for the main, we'd have already seen her contest something of importance on it. That said, her lone try on dirt came here two years ago when she nearly wired 4 ALW opponents before African Violet caught her. Doesn't it also reflect negatively that Desormeaux (aboard for 10 of her 17 career starts) takes Unforgotten over her? I think she's hard to back as a serious win candidate.

Jesus jump down... Snow in Maryland. If I recall, the bet got called off two years ago when Santa Anita had to cancel over the Cushion Track issue...

But here are the rules from the Magna 5 website:

5. If one race included as part of a given Magna 5 contest is canceled or declared "no contest", the net pool for such contest only shall be distributed, on a pari-mutuel basis, among the bets which contain the most correct selections for the races which are run in that contest. Such distribution shall include the portion ordinarily carried over from wagering on that specific Magna 5 contest but shall not include the carryover from pools from previous Magna 5 contests.

Even Road is a horse I really like today and I think she's going to be a rather hearty price.

NT

She has a shot...

Sorry we were late reaching out for you yesterday... Was a MADHOUSE show, but tried to get you in for the last segment for a look at the "I'm responsible for JFK's death" Stakes at Sam Houston today...

:) No problem, I know where I stand with you :)

Excellent rendition of the Connally tonight, arguably the best in terms of depth in years. I really like GRAN ESTRENO, who goes 2nd off a layoff for Stidham and was swallowed up after firing far too soon in the FG comebacker. He was foolishly made 6-1 on the morning line, which anyone getting involved in SHRP tonight should know is a joke and must always be ignored.

Good luck to everyone today!

NT

Laurel and the Magna 5 have been cancelled.

Jumping Down for Jesus.......:D

GulfStream Park Scratches:


Race 1 #6 Lesseroftwoevils
Race 3 #13 Baroness Jill, #14 Alicia Fay, #15 Keilana, #16 Fappiano League
Race 4 #11 Diva in Training, #12 Seahag, #13 Battery Operated
Race 5 #13 Joey the Scholar, #14 Ashtonofun, #15 Probation Ready, #16 Stradivinsky
Race 7 #13 Candle Maker, #14 Cruisin'nthebridle, #15 Election Day
Race 10 #3 Duke of Mischief, #9 Wicked Style

Gulfstream Park picks
 

Race 6

I agree with Steve but I want to add a couple long shots. I just can't help it.

#8 Illuminated Sky - Wilkes/ Leparoux and 15-1 M/L

Race 7 (in numerical order)

#2 Miss MVP
#5 Flying Spur
#6 Loxy Lady

Race 8 not betting this chalk disgrace but

#4 Pashito The Che
#6 This Ones For Phil
#7 Rockerfeller

Race 9

looks like chalk city again

maybe #2 Granted Tiger just needs more ground so it can quit at the 8th pole instead of the turn?

pass

Race 10

#1 Picou
#8 Soldier's Dancer
#10 Pickapocket
#11 Jet Propulsion
and Super include
#2 Tie Rod

gp R7 P4 64.00

2,5,6,11/4/4,5,7,9/4,5,8,11

gp R7 P4 40.50

4,5,11
1,4,6
4,6,7
4,8,11

Gulfstream late pk4 stab:

7- 2,5,7,11
8- 4
9- 4,6,7
10- 1,4,8

Good Luck!

late pk 4

2,4,7,11 with 6 with 4 with 10,11

GP Late pk 4

7) 2,4,5,11
8) 4,6
9) 4,6,7,9
10) 8

$32 for $1

Good luck!

Don't know if the prices hold as they are, but 2-1 is an overlay on Pachito the Che.

hmmm.. I'll put $2 on this one just to see if I can't do a RH10 impression

How great was that??? Think it's Pachito... Wow. Goes the other way.

Awesome courageous effort by both... I certainly hope you are right.

That was a horse race!

Dang, I was hoping it went to Pashito - what a battle!

Doesn't get better than that.

Of course I singled Pashito... LOL... Yet another P4 bites the dust.

he couldn't carry me across the wire

Instant classic!

Distaff
Christmas Ship $25 wp

Minutes later 2 fillies pulled off a similar duel at Fair Grounds too...

Phat number on her Coach... G/L!

SA 6
$15 wp 6

John R.'s leg okay? ;)

Brad Free handed her Quisisana out last night on ATR. In fact, he handed out the winner and Dubai Majesty. I needed the place horse...

I liked the horse but Bejaranose scared me off. I shoulda bet for your sake. :D

I left her off in favor of Libor Lady... :wf

Ran 2-3-4.

SM Turf

TRI 10/4,8,11

Speed held in the other turf races and Wolfson is hot!

Good Luck

GP 10

$1 tri 11/7,8,10/7,8,10
$4 ex 11/7,10
$30 win 11

SA 7

20 Ex 2/4,7