Remember this week-end!

Rank Handicapper Wins/Races Profit or (Loss) Analysis danahejk 5/8 $16.80

Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup 1. Dynareign 2. Icy Atlantic 3. Fort Prado

Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup 1. Einstein 2. Gun Salute 3. Honor in War

Southwest S. 1. Lawyer Ron 2. Red Raymond 3. Music School

Pro Or Con H. 1. Moscow Burning 2. Overnightsensation 3. Cyber Slew

My picks for last week-end in Feb., too bad I had no real $$$ but hope this is just the start of things to come!

Fun contest at Public Handicapper

Bluegrass Cat gets off to a good start on the road to the Derby

WinStar Farm's homebred Bluegrass Cat kicked off his 3-year-old campaign with a dogged victory over 63-1 shot Deputy Glitters in the $121,000 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs Saturday. Bluegrass Cat won his fourth straight race since losing his debut start in June. The son of Storm Cat-She's a Winner (A.P. Indy) and trained by Todd Pletcher. He was ridden by Ridden by John Velazquez in this 1-1/16 mile test. "He was a fresh horse and ran exactly the way we wanted him to," Pletcher said. "Our intention is to return for the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III)."


Photo: Tampa Bay Downs

How do you handicap?

Let me count the ways! There are so many methods and angles, it is hard for a relative newcomer to keep up with the myriad ways to pick a pony! I have picked-up the "Authoritative Guide to Betting Thoroughbreds" from the BloodHorse just so I know enough to be dangerous with a Daily Racing Form. I also tried the DRF Formulator which I think helped save time and actually I had Dawn of War at about 46-1 at Keeneland this past Fall and finished in the top 40 in their online handicapping contest. Not really solid credentials but I'm learning. Anyway, I have started listening to Derek Simon's podcast and it has some really great strategies and picks to consider. I really enjoy sifting through workouts, past performances, distance and Beyers to look for a value play but realistically as a guy with 2 kids, 2 jobs and 2 horses, well...I must admit I am looking for shortcuts! If anyone stumbles on this blog and has any wisdom they would like to impart, please drop me a note! In the meantime I am planning on posting some picks for some upcoming races in preparation for my "serious gambling" during the Keeneland Spring meet...I still like seeing the ponies in person and making my wager at the track!

A day at the races

My 9 yr old daughter and I have a tradition that started last spring and we plan on continuing with every meet at Keeneland. We target a Friday, keeping our fingers crossed for good weather, sunny, spring or fall day, t-shirt or light jacket weather when we plot our getaway. I take off at lunchtime and head straight for her school where she gets out for a "dentist" appointment. We drive straight for our day at the races. We prefer to go mobile and hang by the rail and alternate to the paddock and then squish through the crowd and head to the winners circle. We both love the beauty of the day. Keeneland is a gorgeously landscaped, tradition-laden track where echoes of the past can be heard on every race day. We love to take it all in. We pull a wooden green bench down to the rail and stand from each post parade to the heart-thumping finish. We pick winners sometimes and that adds to the excitement. We watch the business in the paddock and marvel at the power and beauty of the horses. My daugther rides so she likes to watch the jockeys mount and balance their way on the backs of these powerful animals. The pounding hoofs, the roar of the crowd and the sheer fun of our day at the track have made me look forward to these days each season. I especially look forward to these days on a cold wintry week-end in February. Come on Spring!

Stevie Wonderboy OFF the Derby Trail!

Arggghhhh! Not only did I like this fella, especially for his connections, he will miss the Derby and there goes one of my RoadtotheRoses stable favorites.....
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Stevie Wonderboy has a small fracture in his right front leg that will keep the Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion and Eclipse winner out of the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Doug O'Neill said the colt came out of a workout Monday with the injury.

"Stevie Wonderboy worked great today, then came out of it with a little filling in his ankle," O'Neill said. "We X-rayed it and he's got a hairline fracture of his right front ankle. They're supposed to do surgery in a couple of days.

"He will be out at Merv Griffin's farm in La Quinta (Calif.) for 90 days before coming back into training."

Owned by hotel and television magnate Griffin, Stevie Wonderboy finished second behind Brother Derek in his 3-year-old debut in the Jan. 14 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita.

Stevie Wonderboy was considered one of the early favorites for the Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs. No 2-year-old champion has gone on to win the race for 3-year-olds since Spectacular Bid in 1979.

"We're all disappointed, and Merv was upset, but the important thing is that he'll be back," O'Neill told the Bloodhorse.com website

Lael Stable's Barbaro became one of the most accomplished sophomores in training with a three-quarter length triumph in the grade III Holy Bull. Under jockey Edgar Prado, the son of Dynaformer was making his main track debut following three previous wins on the turf. He completed the mile and an eighth in 1:49.30. Looks like a contender!

KY "YUM" Derby....oh no

What's next, the Sport of Kings, sponsored by "the King".....I guess it's too much to hope that the greatest 2 minutes in sports could resist the easy $$ of corporate sponsors...too bad they couldn't take a page out of the PGA handbook and go the way of The Masters....