Pacific Classic, August 22nd

Cross Traffic

Well, Cornelio is still trying to recover from failing to bet on The Pizza Man last week in the Arlington Millions, went off at close to 5-1.  There will be more days to bet and more days to race, we’ll see if we can make some money some other day.  This week we have races from Saratoga, Arlington, Monmouth, and Del Mar, where the Pacific Classic is being contested.  Cornelio is going to try and be a little more succinct this week, and give you three horses he think will win each race and why.  So here goes…

Race 1: Arlington-Washington Futurity.

  1. Shogood – coming off a win, and second by one length, moving up in class (but most are), showed great speed last race, 25% trainer.  I like his speed and experience.
  2. Cocked and Loaded – High percentage trainer and jockey combo, consistent average speed, he’s got experience, having raced three times and won two.  Some sharp workouts, but mainly the experience.
  3. Discreetness – High winning jockey, good first race, I like to see what he can do against this field.
  4. Just Missed – Richie the Bull

Race 2: Monmouth Oaks:

  1. Love Came to Town – winner of her last 3, nice speed last 3 races, 2-0-1 in three races at Monmouth, high percentage trainer.
  2. Eskenformoney – Experience, hoping she can return to the 92,96,104 speeds from a few races ago, can’t ignore Joe Bravo at Monmouth, Pletcher trained.
  3. Light the City – Won last race at Monmouth, Kiaran McLaughlin winning 44%, 1-1-0 in 3 starts at distance, hoping the Acorn and oaks were anomalies and she returns to first and seconds.

Race 3: Alabama Stakes:

  1. Curalina – great lifetime record of 3 wins 2 seconds, fast pace, Pletcher trained with Johnny V on top, what’s not to like?
  2. I’m a Chatterbox – second due to DQ in the Oaks, great speed figures, winner of 3 of her last 5, I like Larry Jones, and some good workouts.
  3. Lovely Maria – put up that crazy 101 two races ago, on the board 4 of her last 5, nice speed, but that 5th place last race at 1 1/16 has me a little worried.
  4. Just Missed – Embellish the Lace; great workouts, on a roll until the Mother Goose.

Race 4: Pat O’Brien Stakes:

  1. Wild Dude – good speed, won last time out, 2-1-0 in 3 races at Del Mar, I like him in this race, has gone the distance 6 times
  2. Appealing Tale – Hit the board in last 4 races, Talamo should know this horse, hope this is his breakout.
  3. Turnover – Nice workouts, hoping he returns to the 106 form from two races ago, worried he doesn’t like Del Mar, hasn’t gone the distance yet.

Race 5: Del Mar Handicap:

  1. Ashleluvssugar – looks to be the favorite in this field, fast, talentaed gary Stevens, toss out those 6th places finishes and he’s 4 of 6 in his last 6 starts.
  2. Finnegans Wake – hoping for a return to earlier form when he reeled off 4 firsts and a second over 5 races earlier this year.
  3. Power Ped – consistant speed figures, just can’t seem to get the “W” though.

Race 6: The Pacific Classic:

  1. Beholder – love this guy, winning like crazy, good speed, likes Del Mar, Gary Stevens riding, winner of last 4 and 8 of last 9.
  2. Catch a Flight – Won the San Diego at Del Mar, has gone the distance 3 times, hits the board, has the speed.
  3. Red Vine – Speed Speed Speed, fast workouts, I love Rosario, he’s been on a roll the last few years, 3 wins and a second over the last 4.
  4. Just Missed – Hoppertunity; not sure he has the speed, like that he’s gone the disatance, Baffert knows this track, I don’t like Bayern

There you go folks, for those playing the Pick 6 Challenge, best of luck, it’s a tight field.  For those not playing, Why Not?