Well, first off, Cornelio is sorry he wasn’t able to get up a pre-race article last week, he promised to try harder this week. On Pick 6 Challenge news, a big shout out to Charles River Stables, who won a whopping $85.40 on Neveradoubt, way more than all the other winners combined, and took home the weekly Mr. Moneybags award for highest money in a week.
Just a reminder… What’s up with the Past Performances links? Well, it seems like Brisnet is blocking some external links to the past performances. I’ve seen a few other blogs that have stopped linking directly to the past performances as well. This leaves me with two options: Provide a link to a trainer page that does have access to the Brisnet link, or provide a link to the Equibase “entries” page that has all the horses entered – and more. My preference is usually to link to the trainer page. But that’s what is up with the past performance links.
On to week 5 of the 2015 Triple Crown Challenge. There are a lot of neat races this week, and its always exciting to see the night races at Penn National. This week brings us races from 4 tracks, and some evening races as well, so enjoy your Saturday afternoon, and pick for the evening.
Race 1: The Aristides Stakes.
Race 1 is from Churchill Downs, the Aristides Stakes. Work All Week has a tremendous 15 12 – 2 – 0 lifetime record, and is easily the favorite for this race. Alsvid has put up some good numbers, seems to like to go to the front, will the 1 post help or hurt him? Interesting fact, Good Lord, an 8 yro gelding has raced 68 times, the most experienced in the field!
Race 2: The Pennine Ridge Stakes.
Race 2 takes us to Belmont for the Pennine Ridge Stakes. Its hard not to like Takeover Target, part of the coupled entry. Divisidero was a winner last time out in the American Turf, a race you picked in the Derby Challenge. Its hard to like anything made in Detroit, am I right? But he is working Bullets. Cornelio likes the Kittens.
Race 3: Santa Anita Oaks.
Race 3 takes us to Santa Anita for the Oaks. Strict Compliance is a scratch already. Spanish Queen seems to like the track, going with 2 wins and a second in three starts. Feathered can’t seem to recapture those times from 2014. Sharla Rae ran second to Spanish Queen last time out. Mrs McDougal won at Aqueduct, and now ships to Santa Anita, and moves up in class. Cornelio is saving a pick for Consumer Credit, also moving up in class but has gone 4win 2place in her last 6.
Race 4: The Mountainview Handicap.
Race 4 is our first at Penn National, the Mountainview Handicap. There’s a lot of great horses racing Saturday Night. You’ve got to respect the big guns, Kid Cruz, Golden Lad, and Albano. Street babe was the winner of the Manhattan, and could be a great money play. I’m a fan of Cousin Stephen as well, that horse is really on a roll lately. Great speed, 8-1 is a great price too, I suspect it will drop by post time, but I’d definitely bet him across the board.
Race 5: The California Stakes.
Races 5 and 6 are also from Santa Anita and Penn National. We have the California Stakes up first. You Know I Know is already scratched. Hard Aces hasn’t been the same since the Louisiana Handicap. Moreno should do well, has experience at the distance, and will go to the lead. He will be stalked by Catch a Flight, your Argentine entry, with the cagey veteran Gary Stevens on top. Doug O’Neil has Sammy Mandeville entered, and he does seem to do better in Santa Anita. Should be a great race.
Race 6: The Penn Mile.
Finally we have the Penn Mile. 11 entries in this one. Granny’s Kitten out of Kittens Joy is undefeated in 2 starts, but might just be outclassed in this one. I mean Woodwin W is next door in post 2 and is 4/4 including 2/2 at distance. Papacoolpapacool is coming off 3 wins, and is 3-1-1 at distance. Ocho Ocho Ocho was a triple crown contender didn’t quite get it done, and now is trying grass, I’ll probably stay away. Force the pass was great last time out, finishing second to Woodwin W, and he gets Rosario on top. Night Prowler has gone 1-0-1 at Distance, and is experienced on the turf going 3-0-2 in 6 starts. Might be hard to leave him out, especially with Javier on top. Looks like a tough race to handicap. Good luck!
Good luck to all, have a great weekend.
A reminder: For past performances, follow the links to the trainer pages, and then click “Ultimate PP” for the race you are looking for. Thanks everyone, and good luck. Watch out for the skunk!