Play of the Day: 6th Race at Gulfstream Park 03/22/2012

Yesterday turned out to be a no play day with our scratch at Aqueduct. In fact, three of the seven decided to be no go's in that stakes race. I hope the horses are fine, and Strike the Moon got hammered at the windows and the result showed it, placing third.

Today, we head down I-95 to Gulfstream Park and look at the 6th Race. It's a Maiden Special Weights for 3YO going a mile and sixteenth on grass for a purse of $60,000.  This is a good field and a lot of contention, there are no real glaring angles here, so we have to dig deeper. I like two of them, and the action at the tote will decide the direction. First one I like is ...

#5 Grouse ML 5/1

Hard not to like a Chad Brown entry at 5/1.  This will be his third start and is stretching out a bit more. His last effort showed nice improvement, not only in his Beyer, but in his call slots, notice he ran closer up than his first effort.  This will be his first spin on the weeds, but breeding says it should be fine. Also, there are some key races in his past, he has run against some good company.  Leparoux is back on him, a good sign, Labaroux is hitting 16% on grass and 33% with Brown. One more point, is Chad Brown numbers with Turf, MSW and horses coming off short layoffs are excellent. The only issues is do we get 5/1? Probably not, but if he does or drifts higher then I play $2 to win $4 to place.

For value, I'll take the first time starter #7 Act of War(IRE) ML 10/1

The breeding suggest he is a good one, Lasix added and Garoffalo puts Velazquez on for the debut. I know Garoffalo doesn't have the greatest 1st time starter record, but his other stats are good. He is not a lock by any means, but it's an interesting situation for this first time starter. If we get our odds on Grouse, then I would put $6 to show on the #7 at 10/1 or higher, and I stress the higher. Lower no play.

There are other interesting entries, the #5 is a possible too. With this much contention and no overt angle play, things do get muddy. In the end, Grouse if we get the action, otherwise the #7 for a show play.

Pick of the Day: 8th @Aqueduct 03/21/12

We had a nice score yesterday at Parx, with Schist winning, paying $20.00! and we got our 9/1 so a stack bet would have been played. A $12.00 investment would have returned, $43.60, giving us a profit of $31.60. So far this week, we have a place and a win, not too bad of a start.  Today, we go to Aqueduct and look at the Lynclar Stakes ($75K) for 4YO+ fillies and mares, going 6 Furlongs.  There are several good horses in this field, and I like the #5 Strike the Moon ML 5/1, if  we could get better than 5/1 I might be inclined to play her. I'm sure the tote will not give us any value on her, so I looked outside for anyone to upset the top contenders.

The one that fits the bill is #6 Isn't She Grand ML 10/1

She is one tough 5YO with two wins in her last three on the inner track at Aqueduct.  Her speed is comparable to these, even though she does get wonky at times.  She has some decent efforts at this level, and has won two in a row at the starter level. I like horses that are sharp and moving back up a notch. Rudy Rodriguez  has a solid record with horses winning their last outings, and I do like that Velasquez is still in the irons.  She will hustle to the front, and has a way of winning. If the tote floats over 10/1 it would be an interesting proposition, any thing less no play.