Saturday, January 21, 2012

Bring on the Beignets!

Having the first major snow event of the season here in the northeast and the Big A has cancelled, but the racing at the ’Stream and Fair Grounds will be more than enough to keep all handicappers in pursuit of moneymaking opportunities.

The card in New Orleans is the most interesting to me, with the LeComte for newly turned three year olds and thus a prep for the Louisiana Derby.
So grab a beignet or a doughboy or a doughdaddy donut, and let’s take a look at the Grade 3 Lacomte.

First, the Dorochenko entry is not at all interesting to me. I would be shocked if either one hits the board.

Let’s move on.

The 2 & 2a is the Zayat entry, with Pletcher training the second time starter Dan and Sheila and Asmussen training, the other half, Z Dager. Both horses are stepping up from their maiden scores. Castellano stays in Florida, Johnny V picks up the mount on Dan and Sheila who has had 3 nice works, including a bullet since his score from the 10 hole in December. Z Dager loses Lanerie (to the undefeated Capetown Devil) and picks up Sellers, who is having a good meet. Both horses are conditioned by trainers who know where to spot their horses.

Ted’s Folly…read his story, written by Eclipse Award winning Jennie Rees in the Louisville Courier...
Looking for his 7th win in a row, this little horse knows how to find the winner’s circle. He has broken from inside, outside, but always has a great turn of foot from the top of the stretch to the wire. The long FG stretch will be good for him, and though he is stepping up….in a sense, so are all the others in here. He’s taking his jock with him, and how can you not bank on the fact that this horse will come running in the end?

Mr. Bowling, the Gov’s homebred, is coming off a layoff. He showed promise last year and is working very well for his return. He has definite grow up potential.

After some “slight stall injury” this week, Exfactor is scheduled to run. Not sure if he kicked the wall, got cast, but I guess he’s good to go. Definitely a talented horse, he has current form as he is coming off a win in December.

Seven Lively Sins is trained by the newly elected Fair Grounds Hall of Famer, Al Stall. His only win came on synthetic. A speedy sort, he has Rosie Napravnik in the saddle.

Can’t say much about Alexander Thegreat. Another one that would shock me if he wins.

Hammers Terror is an interesting sort. He is a nose shy of 3 for 3, and is a dual surface winner. Drew off smartly in his allowance win at Fair grounds, and has worked 4 times since then, including a bullet. Has been “rushed” has been “wide” and has “stalked”. I like a horse that has still managed to run big, no matter what is thrown at him. And at 6-1, I like him a lot.

The Coach has a horse in here, who finally got his diploma 7 days ago at Oaklawn Park after an overly ambitious 2 year old campaign. Nicely bred horse, but can’t back in here, on such a short turn around.

Very similar form to Hammer’s Terror, is Capetown Devil. Undefeated, 3 for 3, dual surface winner and a recent win over the track. I’m not worried that he broke his maiden for 30. He is a homebred and I think they just took a chance at an easy score. Had trouble in his last, which caused him to be farther back than usual, and he still managed to get up for the win. And the jock stays. Another to like a lot.

No doubt that Shared Property should be the favorite, just judging by the company he kept last year. He and Exfactor are the only graded stakes winners in the race. Lots of grow up potential if he’s ready off the layoff.

Lots to like in here and any selections should be made after a look at the paddock and post parade. There is a 30% chance of rain, so watch the weather as well.

Good luck if you are wagering today.

Work of the Week…..Shackleford…yesterday…58:63 /1:11.22 / galloped out 7/8ths in 1:25
Can’t wait for his return!

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