4/13: Aqueduct (2nd-9th); Keeneland (6th-10th); Oaklawn (8th-11th)

[Kasept]

Even more than baseball, horse playing is the ultimate game of 'redeeming qualities' as Wednesday frustration gave way to Thursday exultation. Hitting both P4's at KEE and OP would have felt fine no matter the return, but those that delved got as lucky as possible when both of the largest possible will pay horses came through in the nightcaps.

Over Spiced was the 2nd longest price on the board in the Oaklawn finale at 11-1, but I made him the 'Best Value' second choice and she womanhandled the $20k OC field easily to close out the $448 bingo. While the $24.60 winner was the ideal ending to the sequence, surviving a narrow photo with the Donnie Von Hemel winner in the 9th was instrumental.

Earlier at Keeneland, Rusty Arnold continued his winning ways when Run a Risk, a rough trip loser at GP previously, upended the Kenneally and Mott top choices for a $331 quad hit. Thirty minutes beforehand, Buff Bradley sent he and his dad's homebred Groupie Doll out to a dominant victory in the G1 Madison. There are few connections in Kentucky who are easier to root for than the Bradleys and their daughter of blue collar Bowman's Band runs on any surface and seemingly at any trip.

Hope everyone did well. Lots more action on tap Friday ahead of an insane Saturday of racing that won't stop until the $1,000,000 Charles Town Classic at 10:30 PM!


AQUEDUCT


POST-SCRATCHES


2nd: Three Coins Up, 4+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Mahubo 8-5 WON ($3.10)
Next Best: #2 Kingofthebluegrass 4-1 5th
Extics Use: #3 Pocket Cowboys 3-1 4th


3rd: OC/S-ALW, 3yo, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

A Boy Named Em may appreciate return to one turning. Summer Sunset should get the lead with Lopez added. Da Vinci was a $600k Coolmore buy that was given away for $35k..

Most Likely: #2 Summer Sunset 7-2 WON ($7.90)
Best Value: #5 A Boy Named Em 5-1 6th
Next Best: #7 Da Vinci 2-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Money in Motion 3-1 3rd


4th: OC/S-ALW, F&M-4+, 1m-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Fun group with the locals that wintered in NY making initial seasonal turf runs as 4 & 5yo's trying to beat formful fave #8 Casa Tua (5-2) who is back from Florida for Tagg. Expect that any of #1, #2, #3, #6 and/or #9, as good or better than Casa Tua last fall, can be ready, while #5 Aquifolia -- first off Jamgotchian claim in FL -- seems on a par as well..

Most Likely: #1 Take Her Tothe Top 7-2 6th
Best Value: #5 Aquifolia 5-1 7th
Next Best: #8 Casa Tua 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #2 Late SCR (11:28a)


5th: CLM, 3yo-F, 6f (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #2 Slightly Stunned 6-1 6th
Next Best: #8 Hook It Up 3-1 WON ($18.20)
Exotics Use: #3 Peachy Baby 5-1 7th
Super Add: #4 Catholicschoolgirl 7-2 2nd


<$75 P4 Play:

2: 1-2-3
3: 1-2-5-7
4: 1-2/SCR-3-5-8-9
5: 2-8

3x4x6x2 = 144 x .50 = $72


6th: MSW, F&M-3+, 1m (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Albertrani & McGaughey faves certainly respectable but though 12-1 Levine filly On Hold (SCR'D) debuted for $50k, she came running late. Moves up and stretches out and could impact this with natural 2nd start improvement. By Macho Uno, Glencrest homebred is a half to serious MGSW sprinter Battle Won who was helmed to best efforts by Chuck Simon..

Most Likely: #3 Closing Move 9-5 3rd
Next Best: #7 Sea Island 5-2 WON ($11.60)
Best Value: #5 Adrina 6-1 4th


7th: NY-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Pure Amour 2-1 4th
Best Value: #7 Glory in Motion 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #3 Princess Mara 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #2 Nurse Dolce 6-1 7th


8th: OC/N2X, 3+, 6.5f (DD, Super)

Very tricky group. Note #4 Isn't He Perfect, now in R. Dutrow barn, cross-entered for Sunday's overnight stake..

Best Value: #3 Sam Sparkle 6-1 5th
Next Best: #4 Isn't He Perfect 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #7 Hewitts 8-1 3rd
Super Add: #6 Those Wer the Days 3-1 WON ($10.00)


9th: NY-MSW, 3+, 8.5f-T (Super)

Most Likely: #11 More Zen Tea 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #1 Adirondack Dancer 8-1 WON ($18.80)
Best Value: #8 Frisky Cat 20-1 5th
Exotics Use: #3 Mad Bomber 10-1 9th


<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x2x6x3 = 144 x .50 = $72



KEENELAND


POST-SCRATCHES


6th: MSW, 3yo-F, 6f (P5, P3, DD, Super)

Tough start to the P5. Stall 2nd timer Crossing the Tape is half to Gabby's Golden Gal who was slick on synthetics..

Best Value: #10 Crossing the Tape 8-1 6th
Next Best: #4 Brilliant Katie 5-2 WON ($5.60)
Exotics Use: #8 Make Music 4-1 7th
Super Add: #2 Summer Tremor 15-1 11th

.10 SUPER: Key 10 1st/2nd with 2-3-4-8-11 (1x5x4x3 + 5x1x4x3 = 120 x .10 = $12.00)


7th: ALW/N1X, 3yo, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Yikes! Few tosses from this..

Most Likely: #7 Coalport 5-2 WON ($5.20)
Best Value: #8 Film Shot 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #9 Southern Parkway 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Tigerdude 20-1 10th
Super Add: #5 Old Time Hockey 5-1 7th


8th: MSW, 3yo-F, 8.5f (P3, DD, Super)

A day's 'Best Bet' can be a horse that has a big shot at a great price and that's my read on Suave sister Urbanini in this spot..

Best Value: #9 URBANINI 10-1 10th
Next Best: #7 Manda Bay 7-2 8th
Exotics Use: #1 Hurdle Rate 12-1 2nd
Super Add: #8 Lemons Forever 20-1 9th


9th: Maker's 46 Mile (G1), 4+, 1m-T (DD, Super)

Hard to see who's going to challenge defending winner Get Stormy up front. Turallure one of my favorites and Doubles Partner continues to improve..

Most Likely: #5 Get Stormy 9-5 4th
Best Value: #1 Doubles Partner 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Turallure 7-5 2nd


10th: CLM, 4+, 7f (Super, Super Hi-5)

Nothing like a dime claimer to end a nice sequence..

Best Value: #1 Eddie Set Go 15-1 4th
Next Best: #10 Major Marvel 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Sky Victor 12-1 3rd
Super Add: #4 Silverdaddyofmine 30-1 -
Hi-5 Play: #3 Causin' Havoc 3-1 5th


<$50 P5 Play:

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

2x5x2x1x5 = 100 x .50 = $48


<$50 P4 Play:

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

5x4x1x5 =100 x .50 = $50



OAKLAWN PARK


POST-SCRATCHES


8th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 6f (P4)

Best Value: #7 Too Chic 20-1 8th
Next Best: #4 Mahogany Storm 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #8 City Slewtons 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #1 Cooking Mama 9-2 WON ($10.00)


9th: Instant Racing, 3yo-F, 1m (P3, Super)

Kitty Kat Karly ran in the Fantasy and is likely a SCR. Livi Makenzie is cross-entered in the embarrassingly bad 'G2' Beaumont Sunday at KEE and could wire that field if she goes. Not sure what is supposed to stop Morrow Cove from drowning this field..

Most Likely: #9 Morrow Cove 5-2 7th
Best Value: #6 Yvette Sangalo 10-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Glinda the Good 9-5 WON ($5.20)


10th: Apple Blossom (G1), F&M-4+, 8.5f (DD)

Plum Pretty will get company from Absinthe Minded who loves the strip. Could open door for Tiz Miz Sue to pounce late..

Most Likely: #1 Tiz Miz Sue 2-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Plum Pretty 4-5 WON ($3.00)
Exotics Use: #3 Absinthe Minded 5-1 2nd


11th: MSW, 3,4,5yo's, 6f (Super)

2nd timer Cabo Time will be tough, but note Tim Ritchey debuts Cat Myth, a full sister to Johannesburg..

Most Likely: #4 Cabo Time 7-2 2nd
Best Value: #5 Cat Myth 5-1 5th
Next Best: #1 Lobshot 3-1 WON ($8.60)
Exotics Use: #9 Best Credentials 6-1 3rd


<$50 P4 Play:

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

4x1x3x2 = $24
Backup: 4x2x3x2 = 48 x .50 = $24


Good luck!
Steve