Mountaineer early DD Tuesday
 

The early double is not easy at all and i'm basing these picks that the races will be on the turf.In the opener i'm using the 5 and 9 but leaning more to the 9.The 5 was out of her conditions last time and also drew the rain in a 4 1/2 furlong race on the turf where it's a short run to the first turn.This horse is where she belongs tonight and by Victory Gallop should like the added distance.I think the 9 is going to be the speed in this race in a race where i don't see that much speed.If loose she could be tough to catch.The 2nd race is very hard and i'm forced to use four horses.I'm using the 2,6,7 and 9.So the early double is 5,9/2,6,7,9.If the races are taken off the grass no play for me.

Good luck Mark. You boys will have to scale Da Mountain without me tonight.

early DD at the Mtn
 

I like your thinking. I prefer #9 Sweet Timber (8-1) in the opener stretching out trying turf first time vs a pretty lackluster field. Prime Timber is an underappreciated if not underrated turf sire. Trainer Ron Behrens' numbers don't inspire alot of confidence but this gal makes 3d start of current form cycle and if she takes to the lawn like I think she will she could pop at a price on the pace. I also like #6 Not That Innocent (8-1) in the back half. Like Sweet Timber, she's stretching trying sod first time. Her Tomlinson turf fig (220) is weak but there is some grass breeding going back both top and bottom. Plus, new trainer Eric Reed is more than capable (23% wins). I will reluctantly use the #2 Dabeela (4-5) to cover but loathe the apparent case of seconditis.

Good luck.

Go get 'em Mark - I'm on a self imposed 'Toga hiatus :D :D

The 1 most important angle to playing the turf at the Mountain is trainer stats and 2nd is pedigree. For instance last night in the 3rd race. I liked Cryptolight (9) with trainer W. Martin 1st turf at 25% for a ROI of $4.20, dirt to turf 30% for $3.54. It appeared victory was in hand until he was beaten down the stretch by a son of Pleasant Colony - Pleasant Company at 33-1. Trainer Bret Smith showed a dirt/turf of 25% for $7.25. The exacta paid over $800. So pay close attention to the trainer stats. So looking at the first, the #6 - Siddhartha looks like a good play with a 1st turf of 25% and ROI of $9.60. If I were playing an exacta, the #5 looks playable with Cryptoclearance in her pedigree. My third choice is the #2.

Race 9

Coiled In The Heart