BEL: $60K C/O (4th-9th)

[Kasept]

Unbelievable.. I just go to see how this card went for me today, (well..), and discover I'm scratched out of two of the four P4 horses in my live ducat..

How about Second of June running his eyeballs out YET AGAIN, only to be nosed by Suave...

[Scav]

Hopefully he can get healthy because it is HARD to pass him, has the heart of a lion, Scud's type of horse

[whorstman]

Good call on #7 Engineered Kasept, I couldn't decide who to put with YYY and I went w/ him. Plus I like Romans and a girl I work w/ kinda knows him so I always have liked him. I just had to box 2 so I could pump it up a little, so even though ex only paid 17 and change, I was able to 5x it. Also saved my buddy some money, he wanted to uncork on YYY, but I told him he had better not, cause the 7 will hunt him down in the stretch, I looked like a genius.

[whorstman]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Unbelievable.. I just go to see how this card went for me today, (well..), and discover I'm scratched out of two of the four P4 horses in my live ducat..

How about Second of June running his eyeballs out YET AGAIN, only to be nosed by Suave...

Yeah, thanks for that one too, I don't bet a lot of money, so I look for keys. Keyed suave over your other 2 for a tri and got 2 1/2x back, about 80 bucks

[Kasept]

A Saturday of Stakes around the country, highlighted by the Stephen Foster Day bonanza at Churchill, should produce a great afternoon of racing. Belmont, Delaware, Arlington, Lone Star and Hollywood all card important stakes in addition to the sextet at Louisville. Most of the game's divisions are featured in these early summer events that will help determine the pecking order come the Breeders' Cup in November.

The Gr. I Ogden Phipps (BEL) and Stephen Foster combine with the Gr. II Fleur de Lis and Californian (HOL) for the popular NTRA National Pick 4 as well, a wager that has produced some outrageous returns in recent years. As with the Magna 5, there is something tremendously alluring for horseplayers in multi-track, multi-race punts, and ESPN will take advantage of today's quartet with a two hour broadcast of the play's races (5-7pm EST).

We can't address Saturday's features without first looking back at a race Friday which hopefully set the tone for a great afternoon of equine competition. Churchill's 10th Friday was a $100,000 optional claiming event that featured Paul Magee's Suave and Second of June, Bill Cesare's highly popular, oft-sidelined charge that rarely fails to produce memorable performances.

In 2004, Second of June engaged in a Fountain of Youth duel with Read the Footnotes that continues to be discussed. That Florida day, the pair raced on even terms for nearly the entire heat, with Rick Violette's colt edging the Holy Bull winner at the finish. Friday, Second of June fought on the front end before being confronted by Suave on the turn to set the stage for another gut-wrenching stretch drive. Down the entire 1,234.5 feet of the Downs' lane, Suave and Second of June battled with the latter once once more finding himself on the losing end of a photo.

He may not win these thrilling head to head struggles, but Second of June wins fans every time he steps out on the track.


SATURDAY STAKES


DEL 8 (3:54): 11th Susan's Girl, (L), $175,000, 3yo fillies, 8.5f

1. #6 PEAK MARIA'S WAY 8-1: Gorham gal could prove tough if able to shake loose; 2-2 course

2. #2 WONDER LADY ANNE L 2-1: Dutrow bay unlucky victim of Acorn gate incident when apparently ready to fire big shot; must prove self at short number on quirky oval

A. #5 AMANDATUDE 4-1: Can't exclude Ritchey listed winner by Aptitude who is perfect 7-7 in DEL exactas (2-5-0)

B. #1 GASIA 6-1: Becoming big fan of Mr. Jones (Hello Liberty) who's clicking 30% this circuit; looks poised but doesn't get best pace target for late kick


BEL 9 (5:15): 38th Ogden Phipps H. (Gr. I), $300,000, F&M-3+, 8.5f, (NTRA P4-Leg A)

1. #1 BENDING STRINGS 6-1: Fact Dollase ships in with American Chance 5yo telling; was third here in '05 to Ashado/Society Selection and looks better now; has plus stalk and pounce style that suits affair; offers value

2. #3 SPUN SUGAR 9-5: Pletcher miss was beneficiary of pathetic Albarado ride on Happy Ticket in 'Blossom'; plenty of time off since big figure earned there but still eligible to regress; vulnerable at miniscule price

A. #2 IN THE GOLD 10-1: Appreciate tote on Zito red from friend Charlotte Weber's Live Oak that has found going tough since Gr. I Gazelle win 8 months ago; returns to BEL (4/2-0-1) and one turn route she prefers; gets set up for late heroics

B. #7 BALLETTO 4-1: Castellano stays here, and this is another that showed improved form last when second best to today's #4 in the Shuvee; broke maiden and won Frizette this oval and owns anoth pair of placements in 4 Elmont visits


CD 6 (3:59): 29th Jefferson Cup, (Gr. II), $200,000, 3yo, 9f-T

1. #1 BRILLIANT 4-1: Howard-Farish hopeful has found calling on lawn, is 2-2 CD grass and figures to be alone turning for home

2. #4 MERCURIUS 9-2: 2nd Pletcher and "LDK" son has made this trip three straight starts and likely continues to progress

A. #6 YATE'S BLACK CAT 5-2: SCRATCHEDLate runner just missed two back when jump behind tragic 'Octave' in Forerunner; Romans' player may not get ideal flow

B. #7 OBI WAN KENOBI 6-1: Nice Han**** homebred from Brothers dueled top pick to the wire last time at a mile; loses Bridge to Storm Treasure but get Guid for the stretchout


CD 7 (4:33): 5th Northern Dancer, (Gr. III), $200,000, 3yo, 8.5f

1. #3 ADMIRAL'S ARCH 5-1: Forgiving poor Lone Star effort given that oval's love-hate surface; standing against Derby also-rans today nationwide as this one just as much at home at CD as Private Vow

2. #7 CIRCLE THE WORLD 4-1: SCRATCHED Using Mercurius rationale with this Pletcher runner too as nation's busiest trainer brings them forward in waves; FuPeg bay 2-2 with CD Alw score at 7f last

A. #4 SIMON PURE 10-1: Lukas-Lewis black type also ran zipped 5f <1:00 here Sunday and adds hot bug Leparoux

B. #1 PRIVATE VOW 9-5: Hard to swallow price on loser of three straight and off Derby dusting; no faster than the two to his right and rose run types a historical bad bet back


CD 8 (5:06): 37th Regret, (Gr. III), $200,000, 3yo fillies, 9f-T

1. #2 CANDY MA'AM 15-1: Take long look at long-winded Wilkes miss by LDK out of a Broad Brush mare; saves ground, will love the added distance and gets plus pace to chase; juicy mutuel under hustling Calvin

2. #1 LADY OF VENICE 5-2: Appalachian winner logical choice with hot J-T combo, but will be visited on front end and must gut out additional panel; figures prominent, but no lock

A. #9 FIERY DANCER 5-1: Took Atticus chestnut awhile to find form, but sharp Scherer picks spots well and Bejarano sticks; good enough for inclusion

B. #10 MAY NIGHT 12-1: Seitz trainee has kept company with many of these and yet to not earn check in 7 career efforts; broke maiden in PG Johnson and should be rallying late in tough heat


CD 9 (5:41): 32nd Fleur de Lis, (Gr. II), $300,000, F&M-3+, 9f, (NTRA P4-Leg B)

1. #2 HAPPY TICKET 6-5: Applaud Leggio for adding Leparoux after pair of top stake neck jobs compliments of dismal Albarado efforts on America's Makybe Diva; scratch BC DIS pallet flip, and Anet bay 15/11-4-0 which could be 15/13-2-0; refuses to be denied today and hope Robby is watching

2. #1 OONAGH MACCOOL 1-1: Undoubtedly premier Giant's Causeway daughter via Irish mare exits pair of Gr. II scores, but isn't as fast as one above; yielding listed loss lone failure on c.v. and sure to engage Ticket for epic duel under Raphy

3. #3 GALLANT SECRET 20-1: Taking price on recently hot Menifee bay as third cog in trifecta


CD 10 (6:13): 25th Stephen Foster H., (Gr. I), $750,000, 3+, 9f, (NTRA P4-Leg C)

1. #9 BRASS HAT 5-2: Openly rooting for Bradley and gallant gelding screwed royally by Dubai royalty; drilling well for return, owns right style and will be out for blood

2. #4 COSMONAUT 20-1: Biancone adds goggles to third LDK offspring noted today, and willing to look back to GG Gr. III win for inspiration at 20-1

A. #5 WIGGINS 15-1: Romans trainee gets to sit behind speed under Bejarano and though never a factor at this level could be "good now"

B. #8 WILD DESERT 15-1: SCRATCHED Clearly we're looking for value behind top pick, and Dutrow didn't come here for the bourbon (well, maybe); '05 Queens Plate victor was sharp in return from long layoff behind Tanaka star, and similar today earns share

ALTERNATE FOR SCRATCH: #3 WEST VIRGINIA 6-1


CD 11 (6:42): 30th Mint Julep, (Gr. III), $100,000, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T

1. #7 RICH IN SPIRIT 3-1: Streaking Proctor (30% meet) sends Guid on versatile Repriced filly that's 3/2-1-0 at CD, 6/3-2-0 at trip; Slightly less accomplished than Gr. II winner Typhoon, but likely to move forward 3rd off break

2. #5 MY TYPHOON 5-2: Hate playing it chalky in any turf event, but Mott Live Oak Miss Revere victress has few warts; Albarado was aboard for that Gr. II win this lawn, and Giant's Causeway red is 3 for 4 this distance

A. #4 SKY HIGH FLYER 6-1: Frankel largely absent from today's stakes preceedings, so look to this one and Lone Star player to run well; 2/1-1-0 so far in North America, and well suited for this group

B. #12 SPECIAL GRAYCE 12-1: We LOVE anything Helen Pitts saddles, and Smart Strike grey has kicked it up a notch as four year old; will be going best late

C. #8 LOUVE ROYALE 4-1: Hard to exclude this Biancone-Leparoux player who just missed in Bewitch graded debut two back


HOL 4 (5:40): 28th Affirmed H., (Gr. III), $100,000, 3yo, 8.5f

1. #6 RECORD 4-1: Reiterate stand against post-Derby runners by siding with Baffert Derby Trial winner

2. #3 ARSON SQUAD 5-1: Headley thinks highly of Brahams stretchout player that brings 4/2-0-2 mark to fray

3. #2 POINT DETERMINED 2-1: Likely favorite not more than solid fit with these on figures


HOL 6 (6:43): 28th Californian H., (Gr. II), $250,000, 3+, 9f, (NTRA P4-Leg D)

1. #5 MELANYHASTHEPAPERS 6-1: Marquez 5yo always runs at Inglewood and looks to break through black type ceiling here

2. #2 DIXIE MEISTER 6-1: Canani-Tanaka candidate another seeking initial graded score and TX-bred has been close before

A. #6 SPELLBINDER 5-2: One of two Gr. II winners here with Frolic, Mandella frontrunning type faces pressures in waves

B. #3 SUPER FROLIC 5-1: Dubai exiters have been performing well around the country, and it's hard to know what to expect from HAW Gold Cup winner; working well though and a fit on pace, figs


$1 NTRA P4 PLAY:

A: 1-2-3-7
B: 1-2
C: 4-9
D: 2-5-6

4x2x2x3 = $48


$1 CD $100k Guaranteed P4:

8: 1-2
9: 1-2
10: 1-4-5-9
11: 5-7-12

2x2x4x3 = $48


<$50 CD P6:

6: 1
7: 3
8: 1-2-9
9: 2
10: 4-9
11: 5-7-8-12

1x1x3x1x2x4 = 24 x $2 = $48


Giood luck.. Enjoy the great day of racing!

Steve

[Gander]

Great analysis Steve, any thoughts on the nice Belmont 7th?

I am with you on Arson Squad and I also think that Super Frolic will be tough to stop today. Point Determined is the best bet against anywhere today.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Gander

Great analysis Steve, any thoughts on the nice Belmont 7th?

I am with you on Arson Squad and I also think that Super Frolic will be tough to stop today. Point Determined is the best bet against anywhere today.

Tim,

Thx.. Great racing today!

I do have a BEL 7th opinion, and I guess it's rather predictable: Weigelia... Looked great working for his return at Laurel while I was there with SNS. Trombetta said at the time he was doing super and his return race was very solid two weeks ago. Fact that Mike ships up for this lucrative spot says a lot; JR takes the reins and he knows him; 5-1 awfully inviting too...

Look for the yellow and red picking 'em up down the lane...

[Gander]

Thanks, Weigelia is a nice horse with much back class. Would not be any kind of surprise.

[Kasept]

Turns out posts are limited to 10,000... (Of course another few months and there may be 10,000 characters REGISTERED here..

These didn't fit on the main stakes thread..


AP 8 (5:29): 18th Chicago BCH, (Gr. III), $175,000, F&M-3+, 7f

1. #5 GETCOSYWITHKAYLEE 10-1: Hard to pass this tote with Dutrow
2. #1a-poe MODJADJI 10-1: Only half of Janks entry; Torres named both
A. #7 ANNIKA LASS 2-1: No faster than several here
B. #2 DIMPLE PINCH 8-1: Clever Robertson sends solid Glacken grey


LS 8 (5:51): 10th Dallas Turf Cup H., (Gr. III), $200,000, 3+, 9f-T

1. #4 NEW EXPORT 4-5: Frankel-TNT bay good 3rd in Gr. III NA debut
2. #5 BREGO 10-1: Jackson 4yo broke maiden this sod; 2nd regularly
3. #2 WUAPACA 2-1: Von Hemel-Hamilton won last pair with him

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Gander

Thanks, Weigelia is a nice horse with much back class. Would not be any kind of surprise.

Tim,

At closer look, I'd have to include Second in Command there as well..

[Alydar]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Tim,

Thx.. Great racing today!

I do have a BEL 7th opinion, and I guess it's rather predictable: Weigelia... Looked great working for his return at Laurel while I was there with SNS. Trombetta said at the time he was doing super and his return race was very solid two weeks ago. Fact that Mike ships up for this lucrative spot says a lot; JR takes the reins and he knows him; 5-1 awfully inviting too...

Look for the yellow and red picking 'em up down the lane...

Great call in the 7th. Helped ma make some money today. I watched the replay from Laurel after reading this post and was sold. Absolutely spectacular!!

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Alydar

Great call in the 7th. Helped ma make some money today. I watched the replay from Laurel after reading this post and was sold. Absolutely spectacular!!

Glad you caught him.. New course record 1:07.0..

Congrats to Mike and his great crew.. and owners Joe Balsalmo & Ted Theos..

[Gander]

Great job Steve. Seems like every time they run a turf sprint in NY there is a new record! I liked Summer Service but wasnt taking the hook at 2/1 however surely could have used him to finish 2nd for the exacta. Played him in a box with Weigelia.

Cant catch a cold today.

[Scav]

I singled this horse in every POSSIBLE 1st place spot exotic available, and I still can't hit the ticket...didn't use the 4 in 2nd in either exacta or tri, and I forgot to play the pick four....

[Kasept]

Stunning upset by Seek Gold.. Stunning. The clue was indeed his best career effort and figure which came in the Clark. Unbelievable.

Carryovers at BEL and CD tomorrow...

[infield_line]

Obviously some nice country folks and a young trainer that gave him the love he was needing............... sigh...... racing is a cruel mistress...

Chris

[infield_line]

duh........... the losses stunned me momentarily

[Kasept]

A bizarre day with huge swings of success/despair...

Pluses: Susan's Girl tri box, standing with Ticket in the Regret, Californian exacta box, Mint Julep Exotics Sweep (Superfecta-Tri-Ex boxes)..

Minuses: S. Foster, N. Dancer and O. Phipps complete whiffs...

[Kasept]

Wild day of racing yesterday with the clincher of course the $185 win price on Seek Gold in the Foster... Only clue there was his 108 Beyer/Thoro-Graph "0" in last year's Clark. But the race utterly collapsed, and as our man Joey Bets pointed out, Happy Ticket made the 9f in a tick faster then the men.

The day was rescued by the nice Susan's Girl tri at Delaware and all the exotics in the Mint Julep. The most satisfying result of the day though was Happy Ticket's performance in the Fleur de Lis where the emblazened beauty outgamed Oonagh Macool to the wire.


WEIGELIA STREAKS TO BEL COURSE RECORD

In the 7th race at Belmont, Joe Balsalmo and Ted Theos' Weigelia, trained by Mike Trombetta and stevedored by Juan Ramirez set a new course record with a 1:07.0 pyrotechnic in a $56,000 OC on the Inner Turf. Ridden by John Velasquez, Weigelia exploded out of the gate and zipped through quarters of :22.0 and :21.4 (:43.4), before finishing in :23.1.

I spoke to Trombetta Saturday night, and he now feel obligated to consider shipping the 5 year old to Calder for the Summit of Speed to face Lost in the Fog in the Smile. Weigelia loves the Dade County speedway, and could be a great price play in the $500,000 event.


BELMONT CARRYOVER CARD TRICKY BUT APPROACHABLE

$57,000 carryover in New York, and a playable card despite three straight maiden races in a row to start the sextet...


SELECTIONS -- Belmont Park, 6/18/06 (R4-9, P6, P4, Grand Slam)


R4: MSW-NYB, F&M-3+, 6.5f

1. #1 Lovely Dream 2-1
2. #3 Light Classic 5-2
A. #5 Karakorum Knockout 15-1
B. #8 Charming Jill 12-1
C. #9 Rodeo Driving 8-1


R5: MSW, F&M-3+, 6f-T

1. #7 My Own Story 4-1
2. #2 Elle Belle 6-1
A. #1 Cat Minstrel 6-1
B. #9 Hollywood Tale 9-2
C. #5 Sweet September 6-1


R6: Mdn Clm, 3+, 6f

1. #2 Discreet Thievery 3-1 (From Derby Trailer Lansdon Robbins!)
2. #10 Commodity Trader 4-1
A. #6 Tuwawi 12-1
B. #5 Stay Inside 5-1


R7: Alw/N1X, NYB, F&M-3+, 1m

1. #6 Symphony of Psalms
2. #8 Karakorum Starlet 9-5
A. #5 Willi's Sweet Girl 6-1
B. #3 Go Jersey Ginny 10-1
C. #9 Holy Kryptonite 10-1


R8: 28th Mount Vernon H., NYB, F&M-3+, 9f-T

1. #2 On The Bus 5-1
2. #5 Sabellina 4-1
A. #11 Elisa's Energy 5-1
B. #9 Half Heaven 10-1


R9: Alw/N1X, NYB, 3+, 1m-T

1. #3 Buxton Hill 2-1
2. #5 Meet My Buddy 5-1
A. #7 King Glacken 8-1
B. #9 Trick Meeting 6-1
C. #11 Helene's Dream 12-1


<$100 P6 Play:

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

3x2x1x2x2x2 = 48 x $2 = $96


$3 Grand Slam:

5: 7
6: 2
7: 6
8: 2-5-6-7-8-9-11

1x1x1x7 = 7 x $3 = $21


<$25 P4 Play:

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

3x4x1x2 = $24


Good luck.. And Happy Father's Day to the Dads out there...
Steve

[Kasept]

We're back to DelPark for "First State Tuesday" and hopefully a reprise of last week's good showing there. The weekend was a mixed bag as Saturday's stakes feast opened and closed well with mediocre results in the middle.

In the Susan's Girl at DEL, we were able to land the $200 tri with the box, and then waited nearly three hours before another score of consequence, all the Mint Julep exotics including the Super.

Despite the small return, the most satisfying result of the weekend was undoubtedly Happy Ticket's Fleur de Lis Triumph. Julian Leparoux WAS the difference on the Cajun Cutie. We again laud Andy Leggio's decision to replace her former jock that had basically been responsible for getting the Bayou Princess beat by noses in her prior two stakes starts. Now 16/12-3-0, Happy Ticket is simply the best story in racing and continues to go under-reported and under-appreciated.

Hope you enjoyed the weekend and did well, though it seems that Ron Moquet and Seek Gold managed to ruin a lot of people's wagering strategies with their Foster shocker...


SELECTIONS -- DEL R5-9, Pick 4, P3's, etc..

R5: Clm/N3L, 3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

1. #2 Muhlenberg 3-1 SCRATCHED
2. #5 Our Bold Ensign 2-1
3. #3 D. King 6-1


R6: Clm, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

1. #7 Ruba Dub Dub 6-1
2. #9 Copewiththegeneral 5-2
A. #8 Short Hair 7-2
B. #5 City Blues 8-1


R7: Alw/N2X, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

1. #5 FLEET VALID 5-2: SCRATCHED
2. #4 Mike'sgoodandtough 8-1
A. #2 I.L.C.U. Later 8-1
B. #1 Woodbridge 4-1


R8: The Candy Eclair, $50,000, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD, .10 Super)

1. #1 That's Our Song 4-1
2. #8 S W Aly'svalentine 8-1 SCRATCHED
A. #7 Contrast 5-2
B. #3 Miss Elsie 6-1


R9: MSW, F&M-3/4yo, 8.5f-T (DD, .10 Super)

A murderously tough affair that luckily doesn't end the P4.. Looks like there is no less than 7 in with a shot, and the inside horses are strong. Spread and pray...

1. #4 Street Kid 4-1
2. #5 Tiffany Twisted 3-1
A. #3 Strong Vows 6-1
B. #2 Adelantado 12-1

LONGSHOTS FOR .10 SUPER: #9 Make Me Shine (10-1) and #10 Dell Reef (15-1)


$1 P4 Play: (REVISED POST SCRATCHES)

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

1x3x2x3 = $24


$1 REVISED Late P3:

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

2x3x5 = $30

Good luck..
Steve