4/17: Aqueduct, Keeneland, Charles Town (P4's)
 

Annual sojourn to Louisville commences later this morning, and as always, the anticipation fuels excitement at the prospect of another Derby adventure. What makes the experience special, as was broached a couple of times on the air this week, is that each individual Derby, and run-up to it, has simultaneous unique and familiar aspects that guarantee a memorable visit. ATR coverage begins Monday from The Downs, and I look forward to trying to bring you the best of Derby 136 which marks the 10th year in a row that I've attended 'first Saturday'.

Friday at Aqueduct provided a brush with a sextet carryover hit, however modest ($1,100), as the $64 play went 5/6 for a $21 conso. Sixth race 'Next Best' third choice Zio Tony was the difference in the sequence, as he sat a sweet trip while favored Avenging Spirit was dueling up front in 22.4 and 45.4. The Hushion trainee, making his second career start, cruised by Avenging Spirit, now 3 for 3 as a runner up, and stopped the clock in 1:23.1 for an 89 Beyer. Leaving Zio Tony off the P4 play cost the $242.25 quad which ended with Leatherhead scoring at $21. Hope you did OK! Aqueduct, Keeneland and Charles Town P4's the focus today as the action takes you from 3pm through until 10:30p tonight!


AQUEDUCT


PRE-SCRATCHES


7th: NYB-CLM/N2L, 3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 SCR
Best Value: #9 Blow Up 8-1 6th
Next Best: #6 Odessa's Hope 5-1 WON
Super Add: #2 Flo's Honor 12-1 3rd


8th: NYB-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 SPANISH LUCK 3-1 5th
Best Value: #1e Odintz entry 6-1 SCR/7th
Next Best: #2 Risky Rachel 5-2 4th
Super Add: #7 Positive Pitch 9-2 WON


9th: 56th Distaff H. (G2), F&M-3+, 7f (DD)

Note that #1 Strut the Canary and #4 Hour Glass are both cross-entered in the Sugar Maple at CT tonight..

Best Value: #5 Matchless Orinda 3-1 3rd
Next Best: #4 Hour Glass 5-2 2nd
Multis Use: #3 Tar Heel Mom 2-1 WON


10th: CLM, 3+, 1m-T (Super)

Most Likely: #10 Sydney Road 7-2 3rd
Best Value: #2 Quip 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #9 Ballast 5-2 WON
Super Add: #7 Check It Twice 5-1 5th

OFF THE TURF: 7-6-2-5


<$75 P4 Play:

7: 4-6-9
8: 4
9: 2-3-4-5-6
10: 2-7-9-10 (Off Turf 2-5-6-7)

3x1x5x4 = $60



KEENELAND


PRE-SCRATCHES


7th: OC/N3X, 4+, 8.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Forest Attack 5-2 WON
Next Best: #1 Deal Breaker 2-1 2nd
Best Value: #7 Premium Gold 6-1 5th


8th: 14th Giant's Causeway, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 West Ocean 5-2 WON
Best Value: #3 Libor Lady 9-2 2nd
Next Best: #8 Canadian Ballet 3-1 4th
Super Add: #6 Silver Time 12-1 3rd


9th: 29th Lexington (G2), 3yo, 8.5f (DD, Super)

Would of course be thrilled for the Fantasy Lane group as they face the burden of running Uptowncharleybrown in the shadow of the passing of trainer Alan Seewald, just 62, Monday. However, transition from organic main track to synthetic has proved difficult for most, and while Uptown looks appealing on form, feel obliged to look towards those proven on artificial strips.. Very difficult group, and I want no part of anything under $10..

Best Value: #12 Chief Council (15-1): Reunites with Kent D; Broke MDN here.. 4th
Next Best: #3 Distorted Dave (10-1): Hard to go against Sadler right now.. 7th
Exotics Use: #4 Bushwacked (12-1): Put it together last and still has upside.. 2nd
Super Add: #1 Krypton (6-1): Tactical looking type showed speed last; Must use.. 9th


10th: CLM, 4+, 8.5f (Super, Super High 5)

Nice of the 'Horseplayer's Favorite Track' to end an ALW/STK multi-race sequence with an utterly random Dime Claimer..

Most Likely: #8 Another Dancer 5-2 2nd
Next Best: #6 Westmoreland 4-1 5th
Best Value: #7 Curly 15-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #3 Condition Red 4-1 4th
High 5 Play: #9 Runaway Banjo 5-1 6th


<$75 P4 Play:

7: 1-2
8: 1-3-6-7-8
9: 1-2-3-4-12
10: 6-7-8

2x5x5x3 = 150 x .50 = $75



CHARLES TOWN


PRE-SCRATCHES


7th: Webb Snyder, 3+, 4.5f (P4, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Joey P. 5-2 7th
Next Best: #3 SCR
Best Value: #8 Truth or Bust 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #5 Ju Jitsu Jax 7-2 WON


8th: Blue and Gold, 3yo, 7f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Comedaro 9-2 WON
Best Value: #6 SCR
Next Best: #5 Plantation 2-1 3rd
Super Add: #1 Confidence Crisis 8-1 9th


9th: Sugar Maple, F&M-4+, 7f (DD, Super)

Note that #8 Strut the Canary and #2 Hour Glass are both cross-entered in the Distaff H. at AQU today..

Most Likely: #2 SCR
Best Value: #1 SCR
Next Best: #4 Sweet Goodbye 2-1 2nd
Super Add: #7 Pinkarella 5-1 WON


10th: Charles Town Classic, 4+, 9f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Gone Astray 3-1 7th
Best Value: #6 Understatement 5-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Researcher 9-2 WON
Super Add: #3 Encaustic 8-1 8th


<$75 P4 Play:

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

1x2x1x4 = $8


Good luck!
Steve

Charlestown pick four

1. joey p..........taken
2. comedero.........plantation
3. sweet goodbye
4. researcher

Keenland pick four

1. deal breaker.........final count
2. libor lady.....Kiddari.....silver time
3. prince will i am.....chief counsel
4. another dancer

Hope everyone is having a great afternoon. I'm actually south of Chambersburg, PA having decided to swing down to Charles Town for tonight's big stakes card! Will updaye from CT later.

.


Probably a good idea, if memory serves you toasted this track last year during this event. You might as well take all the money to KY for the rest of the month......GL

Charlestown Pick 4

7th - #2 Joey P
#5 Ju Jitsui Jax

8th - #4 Toboggna Slide
#2 Comedero

9th - #10 Unforgotten
# 7 Pinkarella

10th - #4 Awesome Gem
#6 Understatement

Good Luck......

Chilly night but very pleasant experience at CT Saturday! A nice facility, a big crowd, some stirring performances by the 4 stakes winners... Glad I made the effort to attend. Nice area too with tons of attractions within easy reach for all types of families.

One sad note, Love's Strong Hart was taken very ill with colic Friday night, and was transported to New Bolton. Was reportedly in very bad shape...