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Gary Shelton wonders why there will be so many no-shows at this year’s Pro Bowl and reminds us that no Bucs were invited in this video clip from “The Lineup,” 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.

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Times sports columnist John Romano contrasts new Lightning owner Jeff Vinik with previous owner OK Hockey in this video report from “The Lineup,” 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.

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The Super Bowl champion Saints went from 3-13 in 2005 to 10-6 in 2006, Times sports columnist Gary Shelton points out in this video report from “The Lineup,” 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.

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Fair Grounds Recap – Feb 1st

Fast main track and good turf course. Early-pressing types best in dirt sprints. Patient types held the edge in routes, and turf seemed to play fair.

Hat trick for Robby Albarado, and ‘Cisco Torres booted home a pair on the sod.

Hotep (3rd race) looked good in optional claiming route tally from off the pace. Canadian bred is now on the road to the Louisiana Derby and may ultimately end up in the Queen’s Plate.

On the analysis front, I got home tops Stacey Lee (.20), Dear Jesse (best bet #2, .20), Brentwood Bullet (.60), and Biglie Smallworld (best bet #3, .60). I also tabbed the early double (.80), early pick three (), 3rd race exacta (best bet #1, .20), Pick 3 (race 5-7, 5.80), and Pick 3 (race 6-8, .20).



Fair Grounds Preview – Feb 5th

A 9-race program will be run on Friday at the Fair Grounds. Pick six carryover of ,910. AM clouds are expected to give way to PM sun with a high temperature of 57.

The feature race is a state bred optional claiming event, and this is my Horse Racing Nation free selection of the day.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up). I also have a Digest free pick page, and my Friday free selection is the 3rd race from Fair Grounds.

Daily results and video can be found on the Horse Racing Nation Fair Grounds Race Course page.

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Fair Grounds Recap – Feb 5th

Fast main track and off the turf. Track played fair with Salty Wave (3rd race) the only wire job winner on the afternoon.

Hat trick for James Graham, and Robby Albarado booted home a pair. Tom Amoss, Steve Asmussen, and Bret Calhoun each saddled two winners on the card.

In the Friday optional claiming feature, Cush stalked, pounced, and held off overbet fav Mr. Porter.

On the analysis front, I got home tops Just Another Girl (.80) and Seeking Ms Shelley (best bet #2, .60). I also tabbed the early double (.60), the 3rd race exacta (best bet #1, .60), Pick 3 (race 1-3, .60), the 5th race exacta (.60), Pick 3 (race 5-7, 1.40), and the Super High 5 (7.10).



Fair Grounds Preview – Feb 6th

A 12-race program will be run on Saturday at the Fair Grounds. Pick six carryover of ,638.

The feature race is the Black Gold Stakes for 3yo’s traveling five and one-half furlongs on the turf. Grand Slam Andre is the solid 7-5 favorite exiting a nice off the pace tally in a minor stakes tally in New Mexico. He has never tried turf but is bred to handle the sod, and it remains to be seen if this race stays on the green.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up). I also have a Digest free pick page, and my Saturday free selection is the 6th race from Fair Grounds.

Daily results and video can be found on the Horse Racing Nation Fair Grounds Race Course page.

Image: Newscom

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Fair Grounds Recap – Feb 6th

Fast main track and off the turf. Four wire jobs on the 12-race program. Stalkers and closers nabbed the other eight races, so the track was fair.

Miguel Mena booted home a pair.

The Black Gold Stakes was moved to the main track at five and one-half furlongs. Comedero scratched, and that left Royal Express as the lone speed, and he went all the way over Vito Filletto. Overbet stretch running fav Grand Slam Andre had no chance with the lack of pace and was headed out of 3rd.

Sharp debut tally by Jedidiah in the 4th as he stormed home from off the pace to win by more than four.

Visavis is probably headed back to the 3yo filly stakes ranks after a handy stalk and pounce tally over Starlite Starbrite in the 5th.

Fast Alex graduated 2nd time out while trying two turns for the first time in the 10th race. The 3yo son of Smart Alex is worth following.

On the analysis front, I got home best bet top Jennifer’s Venture (.80). I also tabbed the Pick 3 (race 4-6, ), Pick 3 (5-7, ), the 10th race trifecta (1), and Pick 3 (9-11, 0.60).

2009 Ky Derby and Preakness show finisher Musket Man made a successful return to the races in the Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb 6th

Fair Grounds Preview – Feb 7th

A 9-race program will be run on Sunday at the Fair Grounds. Pick six carryover of ,031. Sunny skies are expected with a high temperature of 54.

Note the special first post of 11:30AM (central time) on Super Bowl Sunday. Three turf races are on the docket, and with a few dry days in a row, let’s hope they are back on the weeds.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up). I also have a Digest free pick page, and my Sunday free selection is the 6th race from Fair Grounds.

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 8th race from Fair Grounds.

My Horse Racing Nation free selection of the day is the Grade 2 San Antonio from Santa Anita Park.

Check out Horse Racing Nation’s new Kentucky Derby Future Wager page.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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Fair Grounds Recap – Feb 7th

Fast main track and good turf course. Edge to horses with positional speed on the main. A wire job (5.5 furlongs) and two off the pace types made up the three turf winners.

Patrick Valenzuela booted home a pair on the turf. Shaun Bridgmohan and Steve Asmussen teamed up for two wins on the day.

3yo filly La Gran Bailadora graduated in a dirt route on Sunday. I mention this because she is a daughter of Afleet Alex, and offspring from the promising sire seem to improve with distance and experience. Sire also threw a 3yo maiden route winner (Fast Alex) on Saturday.

On the analysis front, I got home best bet tops Successful Mission (.80) and Blue Smoke Bess (.60).



Fair Grounds Preview – Feb 8th

A 10-race program will be run on Monday at the Fair Grounds. Pick six carryover of ,687. Partly cloudy skies are expected with a high temperature of 62.

The featured 8th race is an optional claiming turf route for fillies and mares. More of the Best, Cigar Starter, Pretty Squall, Dancin Perfect, Elision, and Oculuna all faced stakes company in their last starts. This is my Horse Racing Nation free selection of the day.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up). I also have a Digest free pick page, and my Monday free selection is the 9th race from Fair Grounds.

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 5th race from Fair Grounds.

For those interested in the Ky Derby Future Wager, check out Horse Racing Nation’s new Future Wager page.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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Winslow Homer joined my top ten list on January 25th,  but his Derby trail run is over after a stress fracture in his cannon bone was discovered late last month. His defection leaves an open space on my list, and I have decided to fill it with Drosselmeyer.

The exciting son of Distorted Humor hit the board in his first three outings on turf and synthetic, and he ended his juvenile season with a sharp flat mile maiden win at Churchill. He kicked off his 3yo campaign with a professional off the pace optional claiming tally at the Gulf on Jan 31st, and he earned a triple digit Bris speed rating for his efforts.

The Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct was supposed to be the coming out party for the fleet Eightyfiveinafifty, but instead of a wire job victory he is lucky to be alive after bolting and crashing through the rail. 14 stitches later and his next start is up in the air.

Interactif barely clings to life on the top ten list after missing by a nose in his 3yo bow. Wire job winner Bim Bam was game in victory, and the runner-up seems best when able to sit back and make a run.



Seven horses remain from my original list on Nov 15th, but many changes could be around the bend. On Feb 13th, Santa Anita Park runs the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (rescheduled from Feb 6th). Top ten player American Lion and honorable mention Dave In Dixie square off. The Grade 3 Sam Davis from Tampa Bay will also be contested on the 13th.

Oaklawn Park runs the Southwest Stakes on Feb 15th, and honorable mention Dublin gets a shot to rebound from a disappointing end to his juvenile season for D Wayne Lukas.

Two graded races are scheduled for Feb 20th, beginning with the Gulfstream’s Fountain of Youth. Jackson Bend, Eskendereya, and Buddy’s Saint are the marquee names.

On the same day, Fair Grounds Race Course plays host to the Risen Star Stakes. I am looking for Maximus Ruler to turn the tables on Ron The Greek.

1. Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) – Bad weather in SoCal and a minor illness caused a small setback for the 2yo champ. Working in blinkers and might go next in the San Felipe on March 13th.

2. Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) – Was clearly 2nd best in the Holy Bull, and that was a decent start to his 3yo campaign. Should learn more about him in the Fountain of Youth on Feb. 20th.

3. Eskendereya (Giant’s Causeway) – Rebounded from a troubled BC Juvenile journey with a sharp prominent throughout win in an allowance affair at Gulfstream Park. Gets tested for class in the Fountain of Youth.

4. American Lion (Tiznow) – Solid score in the Hollywood Prevue (G3) on Nov 21st. Connections (Eoin Harty, WinStar Farms) opted to pass on the CashCall Futurity, and the talented colt goes next in the Grade 2 Robert Lewis at Santa Anita on Feb 13th.

5. Super Saver (Maria’s Mon) – Strong wire job victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill. The Todd Pletcher (WinStar Farm) trainee should only improve with distance and experience.

6. Buddy’s Saint (Saint Liam) – Followed up his romping Nashua (G2) tally with another easy score in the Remsen (G2). The Bruce Levine trainee is working well for the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.

7. Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor) – New to the top ten list. The Bill Mott trainee rallied for a smart nine furlong optional claiming score at Gulfstream Park on Jan 31st.

8. Noble’s Promise (Cuvee) – Landed the place behind Lookin At Lucky in the CashCall Futurity on Dec. 19th. He is back in Florida and is off to a slow start in regards to gearing up for his 3yo campaign.

9. Vale of York (Invincible Spirit) – Surprise BC Juvenile winner brought good turf form to Santa Anita, and he proved he could handle synthetic ground. Godolphin runner is not bred for dirt, but the new track in Dubai (synthetic) should suit him.

10. Interactif (Broken Vow) – Was nosed in grassy Hallandale Beach return at Gulfstream on Feb 7th. The versatile Pletcher trainee has the Santa Anita Derby as an early spring goal.

Honorable Mention: Dave In Dixie (John Sadler), Dublin (Wayne Lukas), Maximus Ruler (Clark Hanna), Rule (Todd Pletcher), William’s Kitten (Michael Maker)

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An 8-race card is on tap at Santa Anita on Feb 11th. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high temperature of 66. There is a pick six carryover of more than k.

The 1st race is a maiden turf route for fillies and mares. Alice is bred to route and could return in the pink for Zenyatta’s connections.

The 2nd race is a maiden claiming sprint for 4yo’s and up. Recently hot conditioner Marty Jones has the uncoupled pair of Best Plan and Tale The Truth. The former figures to offer more value, so I’ll tab him on top.

Munnings returns to action in Saturday's Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship

The 3rd race kicks off the pick six, and this downhill sprint is my Horse Racing Nation free selection of the day. I also have all of the Pick 6 action covered on the pick six blog website.

The 4th race is a special weight sprint for 3yo’s, and second timer Screaming Destiny should move up under Bejarano.

The 5th race is my Myspace free pick of the day.

The 6th race is also a special weight sprint for 3yo’s, and Imperial Pride is a highly regarded son of Limehouse exiting a close-up place finish in local bow.

The 7th race is an optional claiming route for 3yo fillies, and Pink Blossom looms the target.

Finale is claiming route for fillies and mares. Consistent stalking type Recess makes her first start off the claim for Caesar Dominguez.

Image: Newscom

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Fair Grounds Recap – Feb 8th

Fast main track and good turf course. Stalkers and closers best in dirt sprints. Lone dirt route was taken in wire job fashion. Stalkers and closers best on the weeds.

Trey Agilar and Frank Leggio teamed up for two wins on the afternoon. Michael Stidham saddled a pair of winners.

Dancin Perfect (8th race) sat the perfect ground saving tracking trip and held off Elision by a nose in the stakes quality optional claiming grass feature.

Red Dagger (9th race) was the only wire job winner, and he did it nicely by almost four lengths under James Graham.

On the analysis front, I got home tops Robin My Girl (.60), Watz His Name (best bet #1, .80) and Dancin Perfect (best bet #3 .60). I also tabbed the cold opening race exacta (.20).



Fair Grounds Preview – Feb 12th

A 9-race program will be run on Friday at the Fair Grounds. Pick six carryover of ,200. There is a 60% chance of AM rain/snow showers with a high temperature of 42.

Three turf races are scheduled at the New Orleans oval on the 12th, but recent rains will probably move those events to the main. That could bode well for main track only entrant Cya Later Bert in the 8th race.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up). I also have a Digest free pick page, and my Friday free selection is the 3rd race from Fair Grounds.

Daily results and video can be found on the Horse Racing Nation Fair Grounds Race Course page.

For those interested in the Ky Derby Future Wager, check out Horse Racing Nation’s new Future Wager page.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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