We’ve got a variety of tracks on schedule for today, March 1st. Two races apiece from the Big A, and Gulfstream Park. The John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park, and we finish off the day with a couple of Baffert entries battling it out on the Left Coast at Santa Anita. This segment of the Pick 6 Challenge will follow the first and second legs of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series. The first race weekend will feature the Risen Star and Fountain of Youth on Saturday February 22, 2014. It will conclude 8 weeks later with the Arkansas Derby and Bluegrass Stakes on Saturday April 12.
Race 1: The Top Flight Handicap.
With that, let’s get started. A chilly day at the Big A features our first race of the day, the Top Flight Handicap. This race definitely seems set up to suit Teen Pauline and Centring, with the former winning its last 2 races, and the latter having hit the board all 6 times at this distance. Flores Island is coming off 3 consecutive wins, but takes a step up in class, Summer Applause comes off a long layoff but Chad Brown has a good winning percentage at this track. Out of Harlan’s Holiday, could Summer Applause be there at the end?
Race 2: The Gotham.
Then we move on to the “feature” race of the day, the Gotham. Undefeated Samraat looks great on paper, and is a nice coupled entry with Noble Cornerstone, he’ll probably provide almost no value at the betting window, but Andy Sterling’s been poo-pooing him all week, will Samraat show up today? In Trouble is undefeated in 2 starts, but hasn’t raced in 5 months, and he’s got one fo those Dutrow’s training him. Uncle Sigh has done well at Aqueduct before, and Gary Contessa has made a change to Corey Nakatani for today’s race. Extrasexyhippzster has some sharp workouts, and some good speed, can he go the distance?
Race 3: The Swale Stakes.
The Swale only has 7 entries, but odds are that you’ll have a tough time narrowing this one down to three, or even two picks today. Havana finished 2nd in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and looks like a strong pick today, Javier Castellano is riding No Nay Never, who is undefeated and has a hot jockey, and hot trainer combination. He hasn’t raced in 6 months, but does have a few sharp workouts. Prudhoe Bay and Can’t Stop the Kid will try for upsets today, as both horses are coming off their highest speed ratings last race.
Race 4: The John Battaglia Memorial Stakes.
The John Battaglia Memorial Stakes has some terrific entries and features a closer who managed to draw the inside post in Poker Player. How will that work out? He last raced 4 months ago in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, could he return to old form today? Cazoni ran second last time out at Ocala, does Pletcher have him firing today? Emmett Park looks to put his dismal performance in the Risen Star behind him today, Laddie Boy was second to Derby contender Tapiture at the Jockey Club, Empower moves up in class and his jockey, Jeremy Rose has hit the board in 11 of his past 17 races (5 wins). Harry’s Holiday sees yet another Harlan Holiday racer today but has drawn the outside 11 post, has a struggling jockey, but had a huge win last race.
Race 5: The Palm Beach Stakes.
Back to Gulfstream for race 5 today, The Palm Beach Stakes. 13 horses entered in this one, I’d love to touch on all of them, but that is your job folks. Plueven extends out to a new distance today, will it suit him? Storming Inti also stretches out to 9 furlongs today going for his 5 win in a row, with Javier Castellanio on top and Chad Brown training, there’s a lot to like about him today. Mr. Speaker has won here before and gets first time Lasix today, he’s running form an outside post though… Shug McGauhey has Jose Lezcano on top today.
Race 6: The Santa Ysabel Stakes.
That brings us to our final race on the day, the Santa Ysabel stakes at Santa Anita, where a whole host of famous jockeys are sunning it up in southern California. I could easily see 6 horses taking home the prize today, so good luck choosing, I hope you saved some picks. Sweet Bliss, Swiss Lake Yodeler, and Awesome Baby seem like great picks. Artemis sees Blinkers today, and Anniversary Kitty has hotshot Joe Talamo aboard hitting the board in 10 of his last 13 starts (4 wins). Be Proud looks like the old-timer with 8 lifetime starts and Bob Baffert has him moving up in class, he’s coming off a win last race.
So there you have it. Good luck to all today. Wish Mark luck today in chilly Ozone Park New York. He’s headed down there with Cornelio Garcia, who is hoping to pick up a mount or two, while Mark was fed up with his online betting site HorseRacingOkYesWeTakeYouMoney.ru not letting him bet the Aqueduct races and decided to just head out there and give them his money directly.