3/22: Magna 5; GP P4; Lane's End Day-TP

[Kasept]

Continue to find winners but also continue to have trouble stringing them together in impactful ways.. Aqueduct carryover proved lucrative with $47k payout on card again dominated by Inner Track's support of runners making the pace or those right on it.. On that topic, make a note of Jerkens' HONOUR ABOVE SELF who continues to find new roadblocks on the journey to a diploma. Have to believe the move to Belmont and an elongated sprint will suit him, and price should continue to be square..

Turfway Park has its' big day Saturday, and the racing is just short of dreadful. The $500,000 Lane's End is an embarassment as a Gr. II event, with a collection of runners that have no business being eligible for $300,000, $100,000 and $50,000 in graded stakes earnings towards Derby starter status. The Magna 5 is winding down, and this week's edition is made tough by a good Private Terms at Laurel and 2 crazy maiden races at Santa Anita..

Saturday's relevent weather:

AQUEDUCT: A slight chance of rain/snow mix. High 43.
GULFSTREAM PARK: Thunderstorms possible. High nearing 80.
LAUREL PARK: Rain with a high in the mid-40s.
SANTA ANITA: Sunny with a high of 84.
TURFWAY PARK: Rain/snow mix. High in the upper 30s.


TURFWAY PARK


8th: 22nd Queen, F&M-4+, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #9 Just for Keeps 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #3 Initforthekandy 15-1 4th
Next Best: #4 Gem Sleuth 4-1 7th
Exotics Add: #7 Spanish Ghost 8-1 5th


9th: 14th Hansel, 3yo, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Stormin Yank 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #5 Mitigation 5-1 WON
Next Best: #3 U.S. Cavalry 2-1 2nd

$1 Exacta (5-3) $15.40
$1 Trifecta (5-3-7) $55.70


10th: 26th Bourbonette Oaks (Gr. III), 3yo-F, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 A to the Croft 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #4 Maren's Meadow 5-1 WON
Next Best: #5 Clearly Foxy 3-1 7th
Exotics Add: #3 Valentine Fever 6-1 2nd

$1 Double (5/4) $62.80
$1 Trifecta (4-3-7) $158.70
$1 Exacta (4-3) $41.80


11th: 23rd Rushaway, 3yo, 8.5f (DD, Super)

Call me crazy but what's the clamor over 5-2 (#4) Miner's Claim? I don't get it. He can win, but I'll go against in-race and protect in multis only..

Most Likely: #8 Ichabad Crane 7-2 3rd
Best Value: #5 Targe 4-1 5th
Next Best: #3 Holidaze 6-1 9th
Exotics Add: #7 Big Glen 4-1 WON


12th: 37th Lane's End (Gr. II), 3yo, 9f, All 121# (Super)



1. Duke of de Buqe (Leparoux/Pletcher) 12-1: Pletcher NY-bred gelding a beneficiary of AQU inner tube twice; May not like 9f either; Price is right and you get Leparoux; For T.A.P. fans..

2. Macho Again (Mena/Stewart) 10-1: May not want 2 turns either, but Macho Uno grey from Dallas and West Point has some upside at square number; At least bringing previously-demonstrated turn of foot to proceedings, and that's more than many here can boast; Doesn't need lead and has faced what amounts to good ones this year; Leaning toward embracing a type I usually hate..

3. Chitoz (Douglas/Pletcher) 8-1: Pletcher's other runner sure looks turfy, and totally ordinary at that, but did run Texas Fever to neck last fall here in juvy stake; Has failed to advance since though and recent failure as 3-2 choice at Hallandale in return yet another reason he doesn't inspire today; 2nd off break and has worked OK; Another that's soon to be running for $50k..

4. Rich Young Ruler (Pompell/Daughn) 30-1: Nice Victory Gallop colt debuted a fast winner and then ran pretty darn well in Smarty Jones (Liberty Bull) third and Risen Star 6th; Eased when run back too quick at OP, and now gets possible ruination with 3rd try in 6 weeks for that wacky prankster owner Greg Norman..

5. Adriano (Prado/Motion) 6-1: WON 2008 Derby Season's most ridiculously over-hyped horse with embarassingly unimpressive stakes resume: 4th, 5th and 9th by combined 27 lengths; Should be focusing on run-up to turf stakes season; As possible as any in this collection of chazarai..

6. Racecar Rhapsody (Albarado/McPeek) 6-1: 4th This year's Birdbirdistheword away since Delta Jackpot 4th meaning he is one of few from that event that has yet to come back to disgrace himself; Working very nicely for return and need only improve a tad from '07 to dust this bunch..

7. Halo's King (Castanon/Hofmans G) 50-1: SCRATCHED Only beaten 10 lengths by the filly in the Battaglia; Offers the positive of Kodak moment with father-son Hoffmans each getting to saddle starters in cold, wet Florence paddock..

8. Halo Najib (Desormeaux/Romans) 7-2: 2nd Race gets more idiotic with every blurb as Romans runs OBS winner in spot where he originally intended before being forced by Egypt's Augie Busch to go in Fountain of Youth; Has a good chance here in possible prep for next week's Florida Derby should Zayat so desire..

9. Cannonball (Solis/Ward) 9-2: Oh look! Here's another entrant meant for grass with a silly owner people snicker at; (Think Ken will have a snappy brown suit on today?); Makes synthetic debut 2nd off layoff; Rarely runs a bad one..

10. El Aleman (Mojica/Seglin) 99-1: Averaging 30-1 on the tote board and 7L in arrears of $20k MSW company thrice; Maiden is a fine addition to one of the saddest graded stakes ever assembled..

11. Turf War (Husbands/Casse) 5-1: Southwest try a mess, but figures to be tighter here; Wide draw shouldn't bother him and like that Husbands gets back in irons; Should be part of the action late..

12. Medjool (Baze M/Hofmans D) 8-1: 3rd Took a while for Monarchos chestnut to break maiden having faced Colonel John, Limestone Edge and Coast Guard in the process, but he's OK; Continuing to develop and eligible for solid try, but tough to love based on the way West Coasters have been traveling..


SELECTIONS:

1. Racecar Rhapsody 4th
2. Turf War 7th
3. Cannonball 6th
4. Macho Again 8th


<$75 Stakes P4 (9th-12th) Play:

9: 5-7
10: 4-5-7
11: 4-5-8
12: 2-6-8-11

2x3x3x4 = $72



MAGNA 5CANCELLED


LRL 10th: The Private Terms, 3yo, 1m (Super)

One more head-scratching Laurel jumble to start this 'finski' off, and wetness a strong possibility to add to the confusion..

Most Likely: #6 Apple Special 7-2 10th
Best Value: #7 Wonder Mon 6-1 7th
Next Best: #10 Double or Nothing 4-1 WON
Exotics Add: #1e Capuano entry 8-1 5th/6th


SA 4th: MDN CLM, 3yo-F, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #9 Colony Trick 5-2 4th
Best Value: #1 Heinous 6-1 6th
Next Best: #4 Song of Illinois 3-1 WON
Exotics Add: #3 Vicki's Mandate 6-1 3rd


SA 5th: MSW, 3yo, 1m-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Street Royale 9-2
Best Value: #2 Itsnotjustagame 8-1
Next Best: #11 Cavanal 5-1
Exotics Add: #6 Home for Harlan 15-1


Good luck!
Steve

[turf fan]

Ken may not wear a brown suit, but he will be there to lead his homebred into the winner's circle if Racecar Rhapsody doesn't fire off the shelf.
You may call him "silly," but this man puts an enormous amount of money and time into a business that is a passion for him. Believe me, he may not appear as the sharpest guy around, but he makes few mistakes in this business.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by turf fan

Ken may not wear a brown suit, but he will be there to lead his homebred into the winner's circle if Racecar Rhapsody doesn't fire off the shelf.
You may call him "silly," but this man puts an enormous amount of money and time into a business that is a passion for him. Believe me, he may not appear as the sharpest guy around, but he makes few mistakes in this business.

Hey, I'm all for putting "enormous amounts of money into the business".. but I also have a tendency to believe it's customary to PAY trainers and service companies.. Your man doesn't. He may 'make few mistakes in this business', but one of them is having screwed everyone that's ever worked with him.. He'll get his at some point.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Kasept

He'll get his at some point.

They always do Steve. It is karma, and I believe it is the most powerful thing that is non tangible.

I refuse to be mean to anyone more for this very fact.

Originally Posted by Scav

They always do Steve. It is karma, and I believe it is the most powerful thing that is non tangible.

I refuse to be mean to anyone more for this very fact.

Karma is bulls.hit.

Good people get hosed on a daily basis and have been since the dawn of man. Scumbags have always ruled the roost.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Karma is bulls.hit.

Good people get hosed on a daily basis and have been since the dawn of man. Scumbags have always ruled the roost.

No No No Pillow. I have seen it work man. That rule is a short one, and it usually has a huge thud on the end of it.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Scav

They always do Steve. It is karma, and I believe it is the most powerful thing that is non tangible.

I refuse to be mean to anyone more for this very fact.

But you're still mean to me....

[wac]

OMG Hank just had the winner and the exacta!!!! you have got to be kidding me now i KNOW that this spring is totally out of control!!!

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by turf fan

Ken may not wear a brown suit, but he will be there to lead his homebred into the winner's circle if Racecar Rhapsody doesn't fire off the shelf.
You may call him "silly," but this man puts an enormous amount of money and time into a business that is a passion for him. Believe me, he may not appear as the sharpest guy around, but he makes few mistakes in this business.

Yawn..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Bigsmc]

Steve is on fire with the Lane's End comments.

Halo Najib using this as a prep for the FL Derby was priceless.

[pweizer]

And just think that Targe was almost a DT runner...

Paul

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Steve, the Lane's End today is a far cry from your avatar logo when it was a top level race and had horses like HANSEL winning it!
Didn't a furniture store chain also sponsor this race at one time?

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Steve is on fire with the Lane's End comments.

Halo Najib using this as a prep for the FL Derby was priceless.

i agree, his Lanes End material was sharp. he sliced and diced the whole field.
"Egypts Augie Busch"... too funny.

[tiggerv]

OFF the turf at Gulfstream

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by turf fan

Ken may not wear a brown suit, but he will be there to lead his homebred into the winner's circle if Racecar Rhapsody doesn't fire off the shelf.
You may call him "silly," but this man puts an enormous amount of money and time into a business that is a passion for him. Believe me, he may not appear as the sharpest guy around, but he makes few mistakes in this business.

You should have "Ken" call in to Byk's radio show. I'd think he'd be a welcomed guest.

[3kings]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

You should have "Ken" call in to Byk's radio show. I'd think he'd be a welcomed guest.

Good idea. Steve when it happens expect it to be a collect call.

[asudevil]

Rare Form!!

Chazerai.......Egypt's Auggie Busch.....Classic stuff Stevie boy!!

[Benny Leger]

I'll be the first one to admit it's not a stellar field this year, but in your opinion Steve, why is that. Is there a shortage of quality three yr. olds? IMO it's a decent facility close to the Interstate with easy acess, nice hotels, plenty of shopping and dinning, 5 mins. from the Airport not to mention 300,000.00 in graded stakes money. The calendar palcement dosen't seem to be that horrible in regards to the Bluegrass Stakes. I guess it could be the All Weather Surface, although with all the rain we've had this week and no sunshine to dry it out it would surely be less than a fast track today. I guess the drop in purse $ from 750,000.00 (Jim Beam/Gallery Furniture) to the current 300,000.00 (Lanes End) makes a dirrerence. Too bad Dee Tee Stables doesn't have an eligible runner to take a crack at 300 grand just there for the taking. BTW...You're right about KR...IDIOT !!!!

[SentToStud]

fwiw, it's going to pour. maybe not early but by mid-afternoon.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

fwiw, it's going to pour. maybe not early but by mid-afternoon.

Thx Bruce... As FYI, remember that GP nightcap (especially for Magna 5 players) is a turf event...