March-ing into some great racing

March is so fun-filled for me. My wedding anniversary, my daughter's birthday, St. Patrick's Day (same day as my birthday), Spring begins, Spring break (remember those college days anyone), March Madness for us college hoops fans and the real start on the road to the Triple Crown all happen in this in like a lion, out like a lamb whirlwind month. This week-end promises some exciting action on both coasts:
Gulfstream Park's Fountain of Youth Stakes Division: Classic Grade: II Purse: $350,000 Distance: 9 Furlongs Age: 3-Year-Olds Saturday, March 3, 2007 @ 4:00 PM EST
Derby Favorites: Nobiz like Shobiz; Stormello
Horse to watch: Adore the Gold
Questions: Can Nobiz handle two turns? Is Stormello capable of going the distance?
My picks: Adore the Gold in a closing drive to outrun Nobiz and punch his ticket to the Derby. I love this guys story and that of his connections. Not very scientific analysis but enough for my small stakes wagering!

Santa Anita Handicap Division: Classic Grade: I Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 10 Furlongs Age: 4-Year-Olds & Up Track: Santa Anita Saturday, March 3, 2007 @ 7:30 PM EST
I love watching the older horses that are still out there running so I love this race this year.
Anyway, how the heck could I root for any other horse but Lava Man in this one. Sure he'll big the big favorite so this won't be a great betting race but this is a horse that is fun to watch run.

Blinkers Off Road to the Roses Stable....ho hum predictable

Okay, no big surprises here and probably a guaranteed finish somewhere outta the top 10 but at least a list of some of the ponies that will be on my Derby Watch but unless you have some Nostradamus-like talent, mid-February selection of a Derby field is really anybody's guess at this point.! My Horses

Adore The Gold

Birdbirdistheword

Great Hunter

Nobiz Like Shobiz

Noble Court

Notional

Ravel

Scat Daddy

Stormello

Street Sense

My Jockeys

Corey Nakatani

Fernando Jara

My Trainers

Nick Zito

Todd Pletcher

Louisville Courier Journal Derby Data Track

Here is another fun tool to help you "crunch some data" and put some research into your derby futures and fantasy selections. The CJ Derby Data Track site for 2007 is up and can be found at the Louisville Courier Journal 2007 Derby Track site.

2007 Road to the Roses....It's On

The chase for the 2007 Triple Crown is going to be heating up as February turns to March and as sure a sign of spring as the Buzzards returning to Hinckley Ohio,
today marks the official start of The Road To The Roses Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge
I must admit I always play but I have never really managed to do all that well with my "virtual stable". However I enjoy "owning" my killer stable of 3yr olds. The site actually has a pretty nice listing of the early season races leading up to the Derby complete with the TV coverage so that is very handy as well. So, the question that comes to mind is "who do ya like?"

Great ride by Fernando Jara...great run by Invasor

If you missed the Donn, it was a really nice ride and an unbelievable rally from an impossible spot for Invasor. Looks like he is off to a nice older horse campaign. Hope he keeps running like that!
Great video replay over at the NTRA site.

Invasor and the Colts kick off the month

On this extremely wintry week-end in Kentucky I am left with hunkering down in the warm house and catching Invasor winning the Donn and the Colts winning the Super Bowl....
2007....the unofficial year of the horse....?

Everyone get your wagers down and have fun and stay warm!