Here are more fantastic photo’s from Mike Sekulic as Joyful Victory wins the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita. Enjoy!
Likely Winners:
#2 Contested (KY) – Racing Dudes Class Rating: 7.80
There is no doubt that the last two races we’ve seen from Contested have given us the “wow factor.” She cruised to victory in the Grade 3 Eight Belles at seven furlongs, and cruised again in the Grade 1 Acorn at one mile. In this one she’ll have to stretch out to a mile and one-sixteenth, but considering the pace scenario I don’t think she’ll have much problem. With Broadway’s Alibi injured Contested becomes the controlling speed in this race, as well as the fastest three-year old filly in training. Look for her to take the lead early, and never look back. She won’t be the favorite, however I wouldn’t be expecting a great price on her.
#1 Believe You Can (KY) – Racing Dudes Class Rating: 6.11
It’s probably a huge mistake to bet against a horse that has run this good in her last two starts, but I just believe that Contested might be something special. If the race were a little longer I would think Believe You Can would win, but with it only being a mile and one-sixteenth I’m inclined to pick the mild upset here. You also must factor in that Contested has a decent shot to be loose on the lead in this race. If that were to happen it will be hard for anyone to take her down. I love Believe You Can, but I think the odds are stacked against her in this one. Continue reading
After three very busy weeks of Kentucky Derby prep races, our Racing Dudes Beginners Series returns this week. We’ll be covering the most important aspect in racing this week; the trainer. A trainer does it all. They work extremely long hours, and seven days a week. Taking care of a horse is like taking care of a child; they require constant attention. Just like parents, some trainers are great and some are not. In this article we’ll analyze the trainers that we follow and know the most about. We’ll discuss their strategies, training methods and actions. We’ll also give you some tips on how and when to bet them.
Todd A. Pletcher – When it comes to winning money, nobody has done it better than Pletcher over the last few years. He operates a very large stable on the east cost. His “home” tracks are Gulfstream, Belmont, and Saratoga; as well as a few starters at Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and Aqueduct. Any time you see his name you have to respect the horse. Pletcher’s strength is first time starters. His two-year olds usually dominate in maiden races at Saratoga, and his first time out three-year olds dominate at Gulfstream. Pletcher has done a great job of luring in deep pocket clients, and has a keen eye for picking out two-year olds in the sale rings around the country. With all the positive that he does, there are a couple negatives. He has gotten a reputation for getting young three-year olds injured, and sometimes his first time starters that run huge can’t reproduce that effort when they run again. Still, this is a guy you have to bet on if you want to win. Continue reading
Likely Winners:
#1 Mr. Bowling (KY) and #1A Mark Valeski (KY) – To me there is no reason to stress over this race. The field has drawn 14 horses, but if Mark Valeski runs back to his last race none of them should be able to beat him. He went toe to toe with El Padrino in the Risen Star losing by a nose, and there doesn’t look to be a threat like him in this field. You also get Mr. Bowling, who will serve as a decent back up plan if Mark Valeski doesn’t run well. Mr. Bowling won the LeComte Stakes, but bounced badly finishing last in the Risen Star. He’s not as bad as that last race so look for him to come back with a better effort. Continue reading
I’ve decided to change-up my race previews and divide the horses into four categories: Likely Winners, Exotic Plays, Party Crashers, and Throw-outs. Likely winners are self explanatory, Exotic plays are horses I don’t think can win but I think can hit the board, party crashers are horses that can pull off the huge upset and ruin your day, and throw-outs are horses that I don’t think have any chance to win.
Likely Winners:
#7 El Padrino (KY) – He’s the number one rated horse on my Derby Top 20 so obviously this is my pick to win the race. El Padrino’s allowance win at Gulfstream was breath-taking, and I believe he’s on the fast track to the Kentucky Derby. It’s a huge race for him however, considering the fact that he needs graded earnings in a big way. Look for him to sit mid-pack and make his big move when turning for home. Continue reading
Often time horse racing has a lot to do with streaks, whether they are winning or losing. It’s very common to see trainers or jockeys get on a roll and be very tough to beat, and it’s also common to see guys be down on their luck for long peroids of time. Here are some jockey’s and trainers that are hot; and one’s that are not.
Who’s Hot:
– J. Larry Jones – Even though Larry Jones started off somewhat slow to begin the Fair Grounds meet, there is no one hotter than him at the moment. He recently won the Silverbulletday Stakes and the LeComte Stakes with Believe You Can and Mr. Bowling, and he also won an allowance race with 3-year-old Mark Valeski, who will run in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn in his next start. Jones is no stranger to the Fair Grounds, but it was still a bold move to go there instead of Oaklawn, where he had been successful over the last few years. It just shows you that he knows what he’s doing, and you should never doubt a good trainer. Continue reading
The Picks:
Best Bet – #2 and #2B Dan and Sheila and Z Dager
Best Longshot – #3 Ted’s Folly
Top 4 – 2,3,5,4
About the Race: The Grade 3, $175,000 Lecomte Stakes kicks off the road to the Kentucky Derby, with 13 three-year olds taking a shot at getting some ever important graded earnings. The race has drawn a wide open field, with many question marks. This will be used as a stepping stone towards next months $300,000 Risen Star Stakes, and the $1 million Louisiana Derby on April 1. The Fair Grounds always produces one or two legit Kentucky Derby threats, so this one is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Thoroughbred Racing Dudes 