Tough week for those picking Belmont weekend, looked like the high score was 3 correct. Lots of upsets, but not in the Belmont stakes where we saw our first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed. Remember that for trivia folks. On to this week’s races, where Churchill has some night stakes for us, and we see the return of the win and you are in Breeders Cup races.
Race 1: The Poker Stakes.
Race one takes us to Belmont for the Poker Stakes. All Included is winner of his last 3 and gets talented Johnny V on top. Long on Value failed as the favorite last time out, losing to Ironicus. Il Campione is your mysterious foreigner to chose from. I don’t know what to think of Vyjack anymore, I just don’t think he’s the horse we hoped he was, he may have a few surprises in store in the rest of his career.
Race 2: The Shoemaker Mile.
Race 2 takes us to Santa Anita, where we have a small field for the Shoemaker Mile (Breeders Cup win and you’re in). Bal a Bali is winner of 12 of 13 starts, I’m a fan of Talco, maybe he can pull an upset in this race, he finished second to Bal a Bali last time out. Seek Again has some talent, but I think might be outclassed by the others. Midnight Storm is running well lately, winner of his last 3, also beat Talco, and is moving up in class.
Race 3: The Regret Stakes.
Races 3-6 take us to Churchill Downs. The Regret Stakes is first up, Don’t Leave Me has some graded stakes experience, and a win on the turf. Return to Grace looks a little green to me, Lady Zuzu has a lot of experience, could be a favorite of Cornelio Saturday. Prado’s Sweet Ride has the most wins of this group, and thankfully Prado is riding her today.
Race 4: The Fleur de Lis.
Sheer Drama has the speed lately, and on paper looks like your favorite for this race. My Sweet Addiction comes of two wins, and has the talented Mike Smith on top. Gold Medal Dancer has graded stakes experience, and a jockey who’s been riding her consistently, will probably be in the top 3, a win? Who knows. Tiz Windy out of Tiznow, and I like the Tiznow horses, increasing speed over the last 3 races this year, still a longshot.
Race 5: The Stephen Foster Handicap.
Commissioner is winner of his last 2, and great speed numbers. Lea is consistently fast, winner of 3 of his last 4, and gets last years hot jockey Rosario. Noble Bird is a long shot, and has 2 wins by a nose, and a second by a head. Hoppertunity has been a little slow lately, but could be around the top 3 in this race.
Race 6: The Matt Winn Stakes.
Island Town was Triple Crown eligible, and ran a huge race last time out, of course he hasn’t done a graded stakes yet. Fame and Power has even more speed, and finished 3rd in the Lexington. He’ll be your favorite Saturday night. Bold Conquest has done decent in a lot of graded stakes races, and could be a good bet to be 1st or 2nd in this race. There’s a lot of Triple Crown eligible horses in this race, should be interesting if you stay up for it.
Good luck everyone, for those playing the Pick 6 Challenge, I’ve tried to include both the trainer links to the Brisnets, and the entry past performances for each race.