2/9: Magna 5; FG Stakes Card; SA
 

Amazing day at New Orleans, highlighted by Risen Star and Silverbulletday, was focus of 'At the Races' much of the week. Heard from Gary West, Marcus Hersch, Steve Haskin as well as trainers Tom Amoss and Eric Guillot in attempt to bring clarity to deep and exciting set of races. Carryover actually adds to All Stakes P6 intrigue as well...

Week 3 of the Magna 5 is made especially curious by tough downhill turf affair at Santa Anita (4th-Leg B). and 7f dash (5th-Leg D) on just-renovated 'new' version of CushionTrack. That 5th will be the first sprint run over the treated track and kicks of a long-delayed P6 carryover of more than $180,000...


MAGNA 5


A Laurel 10 - 4:39 pm
B Santa Anita - 4 5:03 pm
C Gulfstream 9 - 5:15 pm
D Santa Anita 5 - 5:34 pm
E Gulfstream 10 - 5:44 pm


Leg A - LRL 10th: ALW/N1X, 3yo, 6f (Super)

Best Value: #5 High Fives 12-1: Houghton yery good with comebackers.. 4th
Most Likely: #1 Mr. Prime Time 3-2: Wheels back a bit quick.. 7th
Next Best: #7 Hotrail 3-1 3rd
Exotics Add: #8 Coheed 10-1 2nd


Leg B - SA 4th: MSW, F&M-4+, 6.5f-DHT (P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #6 Unbridled Penny 15-1 7th
Most Likely: #1 Soothing Touch 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Dandy Mandy 4-1 8th
Exotics Add: #12 Pegasus Lady 5-1 12th ; #8 Sheza Maneater 15-1 6th


Leg C - GP 9th: Forward Gal (Gr. II), 3yo-F, 7f (DD, Super)

Best Value: #5 Melissa Jo 4-1: Chased runaway Game Face; Adds Lasix.. 3rd
Most Likely: #1 Keep the Peace 2-1: Perfect Kenneally filly came back running.. 2nd
Next Best: #7 Morakami 5-1: Rusty's FuPeg has kept top company.. 4th
Exotics Add: #4 Sensational Love 6-1: Jerkens deadly with these here in '07.. 6th


Leg D - SA 5th: ALW/N$Y, F&M-4+, 7f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #4 Tizzy's Tune 4-1 WON
Most Likely: #6 Renagade Ruby 7-2 3rd
Next Best: #7 Lochinvar's Gold 5-1 5th
Exotics Add: #2 Saracina 8-1 7th


Leg E - GP 10th: OFF THE TURF...

Best Value: #7 Hap E to Run 20-1: Calder miss threat with rails down; Live.. WON
Most Likely: #12 SCR
Next Best: #5 SCR
Exotics Add: #3 Nalanda 15-1: Back with J. Jerkens; Broke MDN here at trip.. 2nd

$1 Exacta (7-3) $228.40 (!)


<$150 Magna 5 Play:

A: 1-5
B: 1-5-6 (8-12)
C: <1>-5
D: 4-6
E: 5-7-12 (3-6)

Main: 2x3x2x2x3 = 72 x $2 = $144
Option with Single "<1>" Leg C: 2x5x1x2x5 = 100 x $2 = $200



FAIR GROUNDS


4th: Pan Zareta, F&M-4+, 6f (P6, P3, Super)

Best Value: #8 Atlanta Highway 8-1 6th
Most Likely: #5 Graeme Six 3-1 WON
Next Best: #4 Tres Dream 2-1 3rd
Exotics Add: #6 Chatham 20-1 4th


5th: Col. Power, 4+, 5f-T (.50 P5, P3, Super)

Brutally deep and tough turf sprint with variety of value candidates; Spread wide to survive in multi-race wagers..

Best Value: #5 Atticus Kristy 20-1 7th
Most Likely: #11 Euroears 4-1 WON
Next Best: #12 Fort Prado 6-1 5th
Exotics Add: #2 Mystery Classic 12-1 8th


6th: Mineshaft (Gr. II), 4+, 8.5f (P4, P3, Super)

Best Value: #1 Encaustic 12-1: Parra-Brown purchase; Wiseguy play.. 5th
Most Likely: #2 Grasshopper 5-2: Steady works for return.. WON
Next Best: #6 Magna Graduate 2-1: Rare Team Todd 6yo still going.. 3rd
Exotics Add: #5 Silver Lord 9-2: Cross-entered at Oaklawn.. 2nd


7th: Fair Grounds H. (Gr. III), 4+, 9f-T (P3, Super)

Superb, classy and tremendously difficult turf event enhanced by visits from Hendricks hot Daytona and ageless Better Talk Now.. Inclined to go against both as West Coaster visits deep and weedy lawn first time and noting that now 9 Motion stalwart may need one..

Best Value: #1 French Beret 10-1: Bradley winner thriving; Looks overlaid.. 5th
Most Likely: #4 Sterwins 6-1: Pierce gets Husbands back for 3rd off break.. 3rd
Next Best: #10 Inca King 9-2 8th
Exotics Add: #6 Baby First 15-1 9th


8th: Silverbulletday (Gr. III), 3yo-F, 8.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #1 Jolie the Cat 5-1: Drew off late in 2 turn debut.. 4th
Most Likely: #7 Indian Blessing 4-5: Perfect juvy champ short in return.. WON
Next Best: #5 Proud Spell 7-2: Jones' 'now' filly bested only by fave.. 2nd
Exotics Add: #2 Highest Class 10-1: Drilled thrice since prep showing.. 3rd


9th: Risen Star (Gr. III), 3yo, 8.5f (P3, Super)

1 Check It Twice SCR

2 Blackberry Road (Borel/Carroll) 116 (5-1): Half to Vindication and Scipion still awaiting breakthrough performance versus top company; Gets added sixteenth for late charge, but pace scenario not a certainty; Borel passes on OP opps to be here today, but Carroll's Gone West colt reminds us more and more of Zanjero; Can't see against some faster foes at likely short tab..

3 Visionaire (Lezcano/Matz) 118 (6-1): Classy connected Grand Slam red showed great improvement stretching to one turn mile last pair, though may have been set up for facile win last time at Hallandale; Bred for this first 2 turn try, and Lezcano comes with package; Looks like he can stay in connact with field and gets long stretch to work with; Threat for all the money if bona fide..

4 Bonanza (Husbands/Casse) 122 (15-1): Canadian star trainer rarely misplces stock, but Jump Start colt co-owned by Farish and breeder Seltzer looks in tough for stakes debut with this group; Respect connections but 1/77 bullet on 1/28 is lone clue that tote bonanza awaits believers..

5 Unbridled Vicar (Lanerie/Geier) 116 (15-1): Tafel homebred gave well-regarded Denis of Cork a tussle last out in slop, and has in fact faced nothing but good ones amassing 6/1-3-2 mark; Improvement off career top race two back makes him competitive for lowest rung of exotics but tough to picture getting picture taken..

6 Rich Young Ruler (Arguello/Daughn) 116 (30-1): Pricey Victory Gallop from kooky owner Norman chased the "Bulls" in Smarty Jones three weeks ago and could be a useful horse.. if spotted properly..

7 The Darp (Albarado/Werner) 116 (15-1): Bay from first crop of sire and '02 Derby runner-up Proud Citizen, no match for Fortune and Blackberry in LeComte, and had no visible excuse; Drilled twice since including blowout bullet 8 days ago (:59.2) and curious what approach capable Werner suggests Albarado take here; Tough to figure direction this one is going or what he's most interested in doing..

8 Pyro (Bridgmohan/Asmussen) 116 (3-1): Asmussen Pulpit bred and owned by Donut doler Winchell would have been juvy champ except for the three straight beats at the hjands of War Pass; Has worked beautifully for start of Derby-intended campaign, and though lack of early pace may dull his late kick, remains the one to beat..

9 Signature Move (Baze, M/Guillot) 120 (6-1): Cajun conditioner returns to home state with $625k Vindication colt that is another who perked up with introduction to routing; May look a cut beneath at a glance, but note he's lone entrant with 2 tries and wins at trip and is making first start on the surface for which he was bred; Has tactical speed that will come in handy here and am inclined to trust a good effort is in the offing..

10 Peteadoris (Graham/Amoss) 118 (20-1): Amoss getting a read on LA-breds' ability level; Appears 30 lengths behind on paper..

11 Z Fortune (Gomez/Asmussen) 122 (7-2): NY bred from increasingly amazing House of Zayat, raised game and profile with professional LeComte win 3 weeks ago; Successfully stalked a moderate pace there, and similar scenario could develop here with Asmussen tabbing Gomez for trip workout duties (Bridgmohan on Blackberry); While Derby prospects may be suspect, son of Siphon gives no indication that he cannot make his presence felt again here..

12 Prince Cortez (Leparoux/Amoss) 120 (12-1): "Other" Amoss signed on is by ice-hot sire Repent and is least known undefeated runner in Class of '08; Has romped while sprinting at "B" ovals MNR, TAM & DeD, but out of a Relaunch mare may transition swimmingly to second turn affairs; Likely not his day, but expect an honest effort and is one to watch moving forward..

SELECTIONS:

1. #8 Pyro WON
2. #9 Signature Move 10th
3. #3 Visionaire 3rd
4. #11 Z Fortune 2nd


<$50 All Stakes P4 Play:

6: 2-6
7: 1-4
8: 1-5-7
9: 3-8-9-11

2x2x3x4 = $48


10th: ALW/N2X, F&M-4+, 1m-T (DD, Super)

Best Value: #10 Pleasantly Blessed 12-1 WON
Most Likely: #8 PECTORALIS MAJOR 10-1 4th
Next Best: #11 Luna Dorado 6-1 6th
Exotics Add: #9 Emma Carly 6-1 8th


11th: MSW, 3yo, 6f (Super)

Best Value: #5 Penfold 5-1 10th
Most Likely: #3 Jazz in the Park 7-2 4th
Next Best: #4 Bronze Medal 9-2 WON
Exotics Add: #12 Access Code 15-1 11th


<$50 P4 Play:

9: 5-7
10: 8
11: 8-9-10-11
12: 1-3-4-5-6-12

2x1x4x6 = $48

P4 (7/8/10/4) $720.90



SANTA ANITA


NOTE: There is no way to know exactly how newly renovated SA surface will play.. May need to watch several to get a handle, and there are no sprints running before P6 kickoff with 7f 5th..


3rd: 68th Santa Maria (Gr. I), F&M-4+, 8.5f (P3, DD)

Best Value: #3 SCR
Most Likely: #2 Double Trouble 7-2 WON
Next Best: #4 Tough Tiz's Sis 7-5 2nd


4th: MSW, F&M-4+, 6.5f-DHT (P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #6 Unbridled Penny 15-1 7th
Most Likely: #1 Soothing Touch 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Dandy Mandy 4-1 8th
Exotics Add: #12 Pegasus Lady 5-1 12th ; #8 Sheza Maneater 15-1 6th


5th: ALW/N$Y, F&M-4+, 7f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #4 Tizzy's Tune 4-1 WON
Most Likely: #6 Renagade Ruby 7-2 3rd
Next Best: #7 Lochinvar's Gold 5-1 5th
Exotics Add: #2 Saracina 8-1 7th


6th: MSW, 3yo-F, 6.5f-DHT (P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #4 RATE OF EXCHANGE 9-2 2nd
Most Likely: #12 Decorator 7-2 WON
Next Best: #8 Interior Design 5-1 11th
Exotics Add: #7 Quite Beautiful 12-1 9th


7th: 26th Las Virgenes (Gr. I), 3yo-F, 1m (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #6 Tasha's Miracle 7-2 3rd
Most Likely: #4 Golden Doc A 5-2 WON
Next Best: #7 Grace Anatomy 7-2 5th


8th: 70th San Antonio (Gr. II), 4+, 9f (P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #5 Heatseeker 8-1 2nd
Most Likely: #4 Awesome Gem 9-2 3rd
Next Best: #6 Sweetnorthernsaint 5-1 9th
Exotics Add: #1 Big Booster 8-1 4th


9th: OC/N2X, 4+, 6.5f-DHT (DD, Super)

Best Value: #1 Towzee 5-1 2nd
Most Likely: #8 Incriminate 9-2 7th
Next Best: #3 Asperity 7-2 6th
Exotics Add: #6 Mast Track 5-1 WON


10th: MDN CLM, 3yo, 6f (Super High 5)

Best Value: #11 Nymegan Pita 20-1 6th
Most Likely: #1 Big Bad Al 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #9 Quityerbellyaching 9-2 WON
Exotics Add: #6 Parisian Art 10-1 11th
High 5 Add: #2 Magnificentmandate 20-1 13th


<$250 P6 Play:

5: 2-4-6
6: 4
7: 3-4-6
8: 4-5-6
9: 1-3-6-8
10: 1

3x1x3x3x4x1 = 108 x $2 = $216


Good luck!
Steve

I really like the SA pk4 today...here are my small plays

7) 4 Golden Doc / 6 Tashas Miracle
8) 4 Awesome Gem / 7 Rathor (expecting a big perf) / 5 Heatseeker
9) 3 Asperity / 6 Mast Track/ 8 Incriminate / 9 Kruger Park
10) 2 Magnificentmandate / 5 Beek of Cairo / 9 Quityerbellyaching / 11 Nymegen Pita (Bombs away here!!)

Small Pk6 play
5) 4,8
6) 4,8,12
7) 4
8) 7
9) 6,8,9
10) 2,5,9


Good Luck All......catch the results in Cancun poolside baby....

Fairgrounds

(4th) 2-5-4-6 super bx.
(5th) 7-11-12-6
(6th) 5-2-6-all super bx.
(7th) 8-4-7-10 triple bx.
(8th) 5-7-1-2 super bx.
(9th) 3-8-11-2 triple bx.

Magna "5"

1/10 - 1/3 - 1/5/7 - 4/6 - 12

FG all stakes 6

1-2-8
4-11
2-5-6
4-6-7-10
2-5-7
3-8

add for the final pick 4


Race 10 3-10
Race 11 3-4-12

SA picks on the contest thread

I wouldn't leave out Natural Speed (edit: this who I meant) in the 5th at FG. Mena stays up, which is definitely not a positive but he was blocked a good deal of the stretch last out. His race at MED (from off the pace) is excellent. A thoughtful ride, just BEHIND the pacesetters, gets him home.

All-Stakes FG

4,6,7/1,4,8/1,5,6,7/3,8,9 = 108
1,2,4/4,8/1,7/8,9 = 24
4,7/4,8/7/8,9 x 2 = 16
2,4/4/7/9 x 5 = 10
===
158.00

But then again there are worse than Mena... will take this under consideration before spending real $$$ later today... thanks... Swede

Byk, you forget about the 14 in the last leg? fastest horse in the race off the layoff for Jones, who is lethal with that kind

FG Pick 4

Race 6
A - 2 Grasshopper
A - 5 Silver Lord
A - 6 Magna Graduate
B - 1 Encaustic
B - 7 Better Than Bonds

Race 7
A - 4 Sterwins
A - 10 Inca King
B - 7 Jazz Quest

Race 8
A - 5 Proud Spell
A - 7 Indian Blessing

Race 9
A - 8 Pyro
B - 2 Blackberry Road
B - 3 Visonaire
B - 5 Unbridled Vicar
B - 8 Signature Move
B - 11 Z Fortune

Playing AAAA for $3 and all 3A - 1B and 2A - 2B for $1. Total investment $184

Call me crazy, but that track at Santa Anita didn't look torpid to me in the 1st...

Why can't you use normal words like SLOW or SLUGGISH so people with just college educations do not have to go to dictionary.com?

Back to topic, it was what it should normally be, but the 3rd will tell people everything they need to know about the surface today.

Edit: I'm an idiot,the 1 is scratched so the 3rd is garbage also.

Sham on SA for not putting the 5th or 7th in the 2nd spot today to give us a better indication of what the heck is going on.

What was Hammerle supposed to do? He wrote races for Friday because they were supposed to run Friday. This wasn't scheduled to be the unvieling of the hybrid surface... Yesterday was.

Fg Pick-4 Play
2-5-6-7
1-5-8-10
5-7
3-8-9-11

I don't know, but there are plenty of races today and they could have just went three dirt/three turf and given people one turf early and three dirt, carryover or no carryover, given all the adjustments and uncertainity.

Could have flip flopped the 4th/5th and 6th/7th

That was a very professional effort by Grasshopper on the comeback... Nice to see.

I was counting my Silver Lord money at the 1/4 pole. Nice ride by Albarado. Damn it!

Almost a second slower. Let's hope it plays fair. Front runner won the first but the 2 stalking him faded to nothing.

Magna 5
 

Leg A) 1,5,7
Leg B) 1,3,5,6,8,12
Leg C) 1,5
Leg D) 4,6
Leg E) 13

$144...

Good luck!

1:50 gate to wire. Are the other horses that bad or is it jockey error?

I never understand it.. When :48+ went up I said to myself, "He's going to steal this.."