February 29, 2004. The Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds today is a handicapper's dream (or nightmare, depending on your angle), with some of the heavyweights of the older horse division going head to head at 9 furlongs. On the inside is our pick to win it, Seattle Fitz, who is poised to take his place among the elite with a big performance today. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has been on fire this year, top Florida jockey John Velasquez keeps the mount and there is no pesky Medaglia d'Oro to chase. Last year's big racing story, Funny Cide, is back to establish a role for himself in the Handicap division. It'll be a crowded start today, trouble for the Derby winner, who is vulnerable to tiring late. Well-bred 4 year old, Saint Liam (Saint Ballado - Quiet Dance, Quiet American), peaked last year with a 2nd in the Iowa Derby. Now trained by Richard Dutrow, he has been pointed adroitly to this race, with a couple of off-the-pace winning performances to start his 4 year old campaign. With Edgar Prado up, we see no reason he can't get a share at a decent price. Peace Rules is another 4 year old, like Funny Cide, that must re-establish his credibility as an older horse after brutal performances in the Breeders' Cup Mile and the Sunshine Millions Classic, despite Bobby Frankel's optimism. Jerry Bailey is on board again today and they will likely be involved in the heated early contest for position. It would have been nice to have seen Ten Most Wanted in a tuneup for this one. The long layoff is a negative in a race that sets up nicely for the winner of last year's Travers and Super Derby. Regular rider Pat Day starts from the outside post and will have them positioned in the second flight, ready to pounce on a deteriorating pace at the top of the stretch. Spanish Empire didn't win his maiden race until July of last year at Saratoga. Since Steven Asmussen, who has owned the current Fair Grounds meet, took over his training in the fall, his rise through the allowance ranks has been impressive, culminating 4 weeks ago with a strong second to Olmodavor in the Grade 3 Whirlaway. But, he hasn't faced a group as strong as this before. We're interested to see how he reacts. Comic Truth has not proven his mettle yet in graded stakes company, other than a relatively easy victory over a suspect field in the Oklahoma Derby in November. After a spectacular win in the Arkansas Derby last year, injuries shelved Sir Cherokee until late November. He won impressively in the slop at Churchill Downs in his comeback race, then was forced to duel in a stakes race for the win at Sam Houston at this distance. Today, he'll be charging late, his preferred style. A closer can win this one. And what a price you'll get. SELECTIONS 1-8-6-4 FINISH 5-4-2-1 Peace Rules (7-2) has officially redeemed himself by battling a tough field to win the New Orleans Handicap by a head, missing the track record by 3/5 of a second. Jerry Bailey hustled him to the lead, dueling early with a very game Saint Liam (5-1), setting fractions of 23.60 & 47.06. Edgar Prado unleashed Saint Liam in the stretch getting the lead briefly but Bobby Frankel's prize 4 year old battled back for the win. Funny Cide (5-1) ran a similar race to his performance in the Donn Handicap, staying in touch the whole way, but didn't have enough in the stretch to seriously threaten the top two. Seattle Fitz, the favourite at 5-2, managed to head Funny Cide at the top of the stretch, but that was all he had and finished a very disappointing 4th. The race was over for a few horses on the first turn as Sir Cherokee (11-1) veered suddenly to avoid running up on Saint Liam, and, in the process taking Ten Most Wanted (5-2) way wide, effectively shutting off his momentum. The exacta paid $77.80, the trifecta was worth $520.60 and the superfecta paid a generous $1,551.40. February 28, 2004. We'll continue following the 3 year olds as the fillies convene in New York for the 75k Busher stakes, a 1 1/16 mile contest on the Aqueduct inner dirt track. Today's heat includes three of the contestants in another race we featured a few weeks ago, the 60k Nijana. There should be a quicker pace in this one as Please Take Me Out, winner of the 84k Miss Grillo at 9 furlongs on the grass at Belmont in October, returns to action with Lasix after 3 months on the bench. A bullet workout last week likely puts this filly, with Edwin Perez up, on the lead early. She's talented, but having never raced as a 3 year old, we'll have to watch her once before playing her to win against fit horses. Jockey Javier Castellano leaves stakes winner, Exclusively Wild, to ride inside horse Showmesomelove today. The well-bred filly, trained by Dominic Galluscio, has won only a maiden allowance race and has never gone two turns. She passed a couple of horses, gaining ground late, in her first try against winners and has a top Beyer figure for the field, meaning she may take some money. Not from us, as we suspect Castellano may find it hard to rate off the pace. We must use Exclusively Wild, based on her 25-1 upset win in the Nijana, but will Mike Luzzi get her the perfect trip as she did 2 1/2 weeks ago? Frankly, she's well-placed to save ground again and gain the pocket on the rail. An underlay, she'll be a very vulnerable favourite. Classic Example hasn't yet shown the kind of speed necessary to compete with these, but trainer John Kimmel has had success with lengthening out runners. It's a tall order today as the filly moves from a dismal showing at the first level allowance level to this. Our top choice in the Nijana, Taittinger Rose, has the outside post position today and, again, we like her to prevail. Jockey Julian Pimentel left her with way too much to do against a slow pace in her last try, and, if not for a bump in the stretch, she might have picked up the place cheque. Trainer William Mott adds blinkers to the daughter of Menifee in the hopes she'll focus on her immediate task out of the gate. We like the angle. Well-bred, Fond (Old Trieste - Fontal*Arg, Southern Halo), likes the lead early and will find it too crowded at the front for her liking today. The stakes win two races back at 16-1 over Taittinger Rose draws some attention as does a jockey change to Aaron Gryder. The speed is just a little suspect for us. With a stakes try under her belt, we're ready to play Mistda, the bettors' choice in the Nijana, to win. Super-trainer Richard Dutrow sticks with jockey Pablo Fragoso and the added experience will make all the difference in the world as they should be closing late with gusto. SELECTIONS 7-5-4-2 FINISH 3-7-1-2 George Weaver went to veteran New York rider, Aaron Gryder, today with Fond (21-1) and Gryder got the filly out of the gate like a shot and into the lead on the inside, where she's most comfortable. She fought off a challenge at the half from Mistda (6-5), found another gear and had a 4 1/2 length lead at the top of the stretch, then cruised to another longshot stakes victory for Dogwood Stable. Taittinger Rose (4-1) ran last to the half mile, went 3-wide into the stretch and got up for place, less than 2 lengths back of the winner. Showmesomelove (5-1) ran evenly for 3rd and will be more of a factor now that she has a route under her belt. The exacta paid $173.50 and the trifecta was a monstrous $933.00 with the longest shot on the board getting the win. February 27, 2004. The 7th at Aqueduct is a 6 furlong sprint for New York-breds at the n2x allowance level. There is speed on the inside, belonging to Cargo Ship and My Man George, who will be dueling much of the way. My Man George was an unheralded maiden claiming winner out of Turfway last fall when he exploded onto the scene with a dominating 5 1/2 length victory in hand in the slop at Churchill Downs. Trainer Richard Dutrow (a winner of 3 yesterday) took control of his winter campaign in New York, guiding the gelding to a neat wire to wire victory at the entry level for state breds in early January and then a place prize on the rise to this division in his last over an off track. Julian Pimentel, a winner on his only mount yesterday and having a fine meet, gets the ride today. Going off as highweight and a low price are the drawbacks. Cargo Ship has already exceeded his auction sale price in half a dozen races as a 3 year old, with highlights being his debut victory at Saratoga in August and 5 straight "on the board" finishes to start his career. He had a troubled trip at this level in December, then stayed away from competition. A bullet work last Saturday indicates he's ready for a return to action. Trainer Scott Lake goes back to Mike Luzzi for the ride. After a light 3 year old season at Finger Lakes, Tony Curtis is placed here following a 7 1/2 month layoff. Trainer Gary Sciacca is 1/41 on the meet, while jockey Alfredo Clemente is 3/69. Despite being worked well for this at Philly and Belmont, we find it hard to imagine him challenging the two speedsters. Another returnee from a long break is Smoke and Fame, out since January of last year. Chuck Lopez picks up the mount for trainer Frank Shannon, who's been working the 5 year old at Bowie. We'll watch this one. Smart Tap was going great guns at last year's Aqueduct winter meet under the tutelage of Gregory Martin before missing the entire summer because of injury. On his return, he couldn't beat cheap claimers at the Meadowlands and Philadelphia Park. There has been some improvement during this meet but new trainer Joe Orseno sees fit to go with low percentage jockey Luis Chavez to replace Norberto Arroyo today. At one time, we'd recommend this 5 year old. Not today. On the outside is Pert Reply with Ariel Smith up. Just before Christmas, this 4 year old gelding delivered a freakish, fast, front-running victory at 43-1, going 1 mile & 70 yards. A duplication of that performance is unlikely. Jennifer Pederson is on a roll currently, training for Paraneck Stable, and sends out Uncalculated, who delivered an uncharacteristically bland, inside trip on the rise in his last race. Tim Thornton takes over from fellow apprentice, Alan Garcia, and we expect this closer to be back to his normal form, with a good shot at the leaders late. Another closer, Connecting, gets back to sprinting today after a disastrous route attempt on New Year's Day in which he clipped the heels of a rival and still managed to finish 4th at 9-1 odds. Trainer Bob Dunham tries blinkers on the lightly raced 6 year old gelding, who has developed into a bit of a bridesmaid. Strong apprentice rider Edwin Perez gets the ride today. At a price, this is a good play to fill in the exacta and trifecta tickets. Beau's Fantasy has been beaten by many of these many times over the past year. Second off the bench and with blinkers coming off, there's no reason for us to believe even a big price is worth the play. Top jockey Pablo Fragoso will try, once again, to bring John's Jet from last to first for victory as they did 3 weeks ago. There is more speed and better closers today. This 4 year old doesn't seem fast enough. SELECTIONS 2-1-7-scr FINISH 2-1-7-3 A couple of scratches took out a major player, Connecting, and another closer, Smart Tap. Consequently, our top choice and ultimate winner, My Man George (4-5), took even more support at the windows than we had feared. Second choice, Cargo Ship (2-1), had the lead through the first call before giving way to the winner, then continuing on to hold place. Uncalculated (15-1) got up late for show, a half length behind Cargo Ship. The disappointing exacta paid $6.70 while the trifecta paid $30.60. We hope you played it straight. February 26, 2004. The 5th at Aqueduct is an entry level allowance at 1 1/16 miles for New York-bred 3 year old fillies. Dearest Heart won her maiden race last summer at Belmont Park by 19 lengths, got stuck inside in the Joseph A Gimma 108k stakes, had a troubled trip in the Maid of the Mist 100k stakes, then hit the bench for 3 months. Trainer Allen Jerkens brought her back in a sprint last month, then more seriously, a route two weeks ago in which she got stuck outside on the second turn. The place horse in the sprint, Ginger N Sugar, won easily yesterday at this level. Apprentice Edwin Perez keeps the mount and will have her forwardly placed early on. Also challenging for the rail spot will be Lightning Lyla, who won at Saratoga last summer going 5 1/2 furlongs. She tired badly after setting slow fractions in both her routes over this surface, then couldn't get cleanly out of the gate in her last. Chuck Lopez jumps ship and apprentice Tim Thornton picks up the ride. Trainer Roberto Ribaudo is having an excellent meet and sends out Show Ready again at this distance after she set an excruciatingly slow pace, then faded 2 weeks ago against 4 of these. Top rider Pablo Fragoso is back again, but we think sprinting is her ticket to victory. Critical Cat won her 2nd career start on the grass at Saratoga at this distance, going wire to wire. Owner/trainer Scott Schwartz removes the blinkers after she failed to respond in her 1st off the bench last time out. She fired off a pretty good workout last weekend and will be an overlay worth looking at for top spot. Trainer Bruce Levine and jockey Mike Luzzi team up with Explosive Megan, who is coming off her maiden win 3 weeks ago at 6 furlongs. Her first two turn race and her first against winners will be challenging, but she hasn't minded the outside post and she could be around late to pick up the pieces. Deedle E Dee will be an underlay today after winning as 6-5 favourite at the end of January and then beaten some of these in her last, while losing ground to the winner. Javier Castellano stays with her but we'll be using her underneath on most tickets. Forever Flawless, an also-ran at Finger Lakes last summer has suddenly emerged as a serious late runner here at Aqueduct. She came back from 17 lengths out to win in her last and just missed after being 14 lengths back in her first route attempt. She'll have to circle the field and there may not be enough speed to produce much of a meltdown on the front end today. SELECTIONS 4-3-5-7 FINISH 3-5-2-4 Our eyes were as big as saucers as we watched the New York bettors let Critical Cat go off at a juicy 12-1. After all, this filly had the highest career Beyer in the field. Explosive Meagan (7-2) set the pace and dueled for 6 furlongs but was clearly overmatched today and the distance was a problem for her. Lightning Lyla (7-1) stalked the leaders and was a clear second in the stretch, only to weaken and get nipped at the wire by Deedle E Dee (9-5), an undeserving favourite, who went 4-wide to gain the place prize, beaten over 9 lengths by Critical Cat, who stayed well back from the quick early speed, then flew past the leaders 3-wide on the second turn to win in convincing fashion. After trailing by 18 lengths at the first call, Dearest Heart (5-2) could get no closer than 4th. Our big value play topped an exacta worth $105.00 and the trifecta paid $541.00. February 22, 2004. Today's feature at the Fair Grounds is the Taylor Special 75k stakes at 6 furlongs for older horses. The outside horse, Cat Genius, was highly touted last season as a 3 year old, going off at 4-1 in the Arkansas Derby. The only win he's enjoyed since then was here in December with Calvin Borel aboard in an optional 80k claimer, going wire to wire in 1:09.6. Trainer Tom Amoss sent him to Delta Downs for the 40k Cheval, in which he had a troubled trip and finished 7th as the 3-5 favourite. He'll want the lead, which will be a challenge with a fair bit of speed between him and the rail. The other early speed horse, also on the outside is Spinning Tales, who dueled with Cat Genius off the bench and lost here in December, then was beaten by Ole Rebel in an improved performance on the pace last month. That was a career-best Beyer for this 5 year old, who keeps Frank Lovato Jr. on the mount today. This guy is a lot less appealing at odds below 47-1. A winner of over half his races lifetime, Aloha Bold is the consummate professional racehorse. Trainer Wes Hawley has a hot hand in New Orleans this season and this 6 year old has hit the board every time in 7 tries over the course. From the 3 hole, jockey Eddie Martin Jr. will be able to ride a comfortable stalking trip and will be a big force in the stretch. Top jockey Robby Albarado bumps Shane Sellers off the Dallas Stewart-trained 4 year old, Captain Thunder. Impeccably bred (Storm Cat - Especially, Mr. Prospector) and lightly raced, he comes out of a 2 3/4 length defeat at the hands of Badge of Silver. Pointed to this race since arriving in New Orleans, he is our pick to win. We might get a price, too. Gerry Melancon rides 2003 Arlington Sprint winner, Out of My Way, who loses the hood and appears to be way off form since rattling off 3 successive 100+ Beyers last summer in Chicago. Once in a while, Premier Performer puts up a huge performance and has won a couple on this oval but trainer Walter Bindner hasn't seen fit to enter him in a stakes race since he was a 3 year old. This seems like a tough spot. Six year old gelding, Mountain General has a ton of back class, with career earnings of over half a million dollars, is trained by Steven Asmussen and gets rider Shane Sellers. He starts from the inside post and will take a lot of action at the wickets. Last year, he won this race after finishing a close 2nd in the Colonel Power stakes. This year he arrives after a 6 month layoff. It's not unreasonable to think he'll hit the board. A win seems unlikely. Another horse who loves the track is 5 year old, Ole Rebel, who is in peak career form and will be the late horse down the stretch. Trainer Andrew Leggio is going good right now and we'll get a price. Aloha Bold beat him by a length in the Colonel Power and he's had a winning tuneup since then. We like. SELECTIONS 2-3-7-1 FINISH 4-8-3-2 The winner today did come out of the Colonel Power stakes, but surprisingly, it was 7th place finisher, Out of My Way (28-1), who duplicated his success last summer at Arlington Park with a picture perfect stalking trip finishing the 6 furlongs in a neat 1:09.57. As expected, Cat Genius (6-1) set the pace in a brisk 21.79 & 44.78 seconds and, unexpectedly, hung around to hold place on the inside, nosed at the wire. Our top choice, Captain Thunder (7-2), was well positioned and gained the lead in the stretch, but weakened and finished fourth. Aloha Bold (3-1) was rated off the pace and couldn't gain in the stretch, ending up with the show money. The exacta was huge, paying $368.20, while the trifecta play was sublime with a reward of $5,180.60. There were only a few lucky superfecta winners state-wide who walked with $19,638.40 on a $2 ticket. February 21, 2004. The 3 year olds go 6 furlongs on the Aqueduct inner dirt in the 9th today for the 20th running of the 75k Best Turn stakes race. One of 3 geldings in the field, regally-bred Smokume (Smoke Glacken - Presume, Nijinsky II) drops down from a respectable 4th place finish in the Grade 3 Spectacular Bid, his first visit to Gulfstream Park. The winner of that race, Wynn Dot Comma, went on to finish 4th in the Grade 2 Hutcheson at 7 furlongs last weekend. Trainer Allen Jerkens sticks with apprentice jockey, Shannon Uske, as he has in all Smokume's starts, even though the weight allowance is waived in stakes races. Jerkens has also started the gelding on Lasix and has worked him very seriously since the loss in Florida in early January. The very fast times in the A.M. lead us to believe that a front-running strategy could be in order today. Any price over 2-1 has to be considered good value for our top choice to win today. Another returnee from the Spectacular Bid is Excellent Band, who has won at this level here at Aqueduct in November and at Laurel Park in December. He never got going in Florida but did beat Smokume by a length in the Huntington stakes within a similar pace scenario. Harry Vega will have him forwardly placed, but the Gulfstream Park race raises some doubts for us. Scary Bob won over this track in the Maria's Mon 60k stakes on Boxing Day, then faded badly in a very slow heat last month. Trainer Thomas Bush is having a good Aqueduct winter meet but his charge will have to step it up a notch to seriously compete with this field. The outside post will work against speedy Matsui, who is trying to jump to stakes competition from a 1st level allowance win 3 weeks ago. Jockey Arnaldo Unsihuay makes the trip from Philadelphia to keep the mount. Maryland-based trainer Tim Tullock Jr. has uncovered Abbondanza, a son of Alphabet Soup who debuted with a stunning wire to wire maiden victory in 1:09.8 over a muddy course here 17 days ago. The inside post today will be a challenge for new jockey Shaun Bridgmohan (Richard Migliore jumps ship to Redskin Warrior) as will the classier competition. He won't get the lead in 23 seconds flat today. We'll use him only on the deepest exotics tickets. Triple Crown-nominated colt, Redskin Warrior, was vanned off after his allowance win in late October on the main track. Trainer Jennifer Pederson, who's still on a hot streak, was working him out in Florida before shipping north mid-January. The morning works look good and the 4 month layoff might keep him out of top spot, but he's got plenty of speed to chase and if there's a breakdown by the front-runners, he's the obvious choice to take advantage and win it all. Kiowa Prince, owned by Michael Gill, won the Dancing Count 43k stakes at Laurel Park on New Year's Day and is the kind of closer useful on the bottom of trifecta tickets. As long as jockey Mike Luzzi keeps him off the pace, he has a good shot at getting a small share. SELECTIONS 2-6-1-3 FINISH 6-5-7-2 Jockey Richard Migliore didn't wait for the pace to break down. He and Redskin Warrior (2-1) simply gunned after troubled pacesetter, Abbondanza (2-1), waited for the rookie to falter at the half mile and sailed to a clear victory in an impressive 1:09.82. Scary Bob (13-1) got the perfect trip on the inside and proved best of the rest, beaten 5 lengths, but still standing with the place prize. Matsui (30-1) went 3-wide but could not get past Scary Bob and settled for third. Shannon Uske had to steady Smokume (2-1) on the turn, then waited to long to move outside, finishing a disappointing 4th. The exacta paid $60.00 and the trifecta paid $442.00. February 20, 2004. An oddball collection of older fillies and mares assembles today in the 8th at Gulfstream Park for a 6 furlong sprint in the 1st level allowance division. Talented 4 year old filly, Kuanyan (Carson City - Plate Queen, Pilgrim), is marooned in the outside post for her first race since the Saratoga summer meet. This one likes the lead and will expend too much energy early trying to get it. Give her a good look today because she'll win soon. Top Florida rider, John Velasquez, returns to the saddle of Princess Love, who left the Gulfstream meet winless last spring to finally break her maiden at Delaware Park for a 25k claiming price in June. Trainer Allen Iwinski is in charge again and re-enlists JR, but a lack of speed against this calibre of runner plus the long layoff leaves the Princess on the outside today. Clever rider Edgar Prado has been picked by trainer Scott Lake to try to finesse a perfect trip for inside horse, Gimme Fever. Originally trained by William Mott, this highly regarded 4 year old was dropped all the way down to a 32k claiming price before winning and being claimed out of Dale Romans' stable by Lake. Today, marks her first try against winners. She's never started from the inside before, but we wouldn't be surprised to see her still competing in the stretch. Elusive Princess won a huge maiden allowance over Crafty Move in September at Belmont Park. In her last two tries over a mile and a mile and a sixteenth, she has had the lead but couldn't hold on. The return to six panels today should get her to the winner's circle with Jose Santos staying aboard for the 7th straight race. She'll be positioned nicely on the rail, just off the pace. Avimora caught a tiring leader in a slow maiden win at Delaware Park in October, then showed very little in a route before hitting the sidelines for 3 1/2 months. With no works over the course, we'll have to pass. As a 2 year old, Indy Groove had a great future, hitting the board in both the Grade 2 Sorrento and the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante stakes races. A year and a half has gone by, Jerry Bailey is up but the price will have to be awfully good for us to bite. We've got to give her one, particularly with the absence of any eye-popping workouts. Florida-based Expect an Angel finished 2nd in a 1st level allowance race for 3 year olds last spring over this oval. After a layoff, she had no trouble handling claiming company in December at Calder. Trainer Robert Hale is having a good meet, does well with this type of runner and there is plenty of suspect speed to run at. We like her to challenge the favourite for top spot. Scott Lake's 2nd horse, Kim the Brat, has had a better time at two turns or with slow fractions. This doesn't seem to be the best spot, considering she hasn't been able to beat n2l claimers. Five year old mare, Is That You, came out of nowhere to pick up the big cheque 2 weeks ago at the 25k claiming level. While the lady knows how to win, she isn't in the habit of stringing 2 strong races together. SELECTIONS 5-2-1-8 FINISH 2-8-9-7 There was excellent value as our top threat to the favourite, Expect an Angel, went off at a generous 9-1. With Elusive Princess (4-5) spitting the bit on the turn, Kuanyan (7-1) was left on the lead from the quarter call through the midstretch, but, as expected, ran out of gas at the very end and was left with show money. He'll win next out. Indy Groove (5-2) appeared fit and will be heavily bet in his next race after closing very strongly today, beaten by a sharper horse. Expect an Angel (9-1) showed she belongs in the allowance ranks with another outstanding closing performance, keying an exacta worth $89.80 and a trifecta paying $412.00. Congratulations! February, 19, 2004. The 7th at Aqueduct is a 2nd level allowance, 6 furlong sprint for New York-bred fillies and mares with the potential for large exotics payouts as many of these are equally competitive and have been facing one another often over the past year. On the inside is 5 year old, Clever Blonde, trained by Kelly Breen and being ridden by Julian Pimentel. With no serious front-running speed in the field, she'll likely inherit a soft lead and, although she's hit the board 3 times at this level, the 2 month layoff has us opting to leave her off and just take a look today. Trainer Jeff Odintz, still looking for his first win of the meet, has an excellent opportunity here with well-bred 4 year old, Fly With Karakorum. Odintz goes for a weight advantage with top jockey Pablo Fragoso, who will have to hustle this girl to the front out of the gate. Her race-by-race improvement at this level has her poised for victory; however, she did come close 4 times at the N1x level before graduating. Jockey Chuck Lopez is in a tough spot on the outside with Hussy, who will likely take a lot of action based on her 2nd place finish two back against some of these. The post position is problematic and, frankly, this girl needs a better effort than she's ever shown to get out of the stall she's found herself in at this level. Reaching Up (Unbridled's Song - Going Up, Exuberant) makes just her 5th lifetime start, coming out of a demonstrative 4 length victory here in mid-January. She would have won the race before, but had to break from the 11 hole and then engaged in a speed duel from the outside and lost by a head. The class shouldn't be a problem and Javier Castellano only has to have her in stalking position come the stretch for her to go home with the top prize. Although we don't like The Rodeo Express to win today, it's hard to leave her off any tickets based on her ability to set the pace and get clear. She'll likely get caught in the stretch, but this is a filly on the rise in the division. Puma's Pride gets apprentice Tim Thornton for the ride after her dismal showing last month. It took her 12 races to break her maiden and, in that time, turned herself into a bridesmaid. Today, she'll be coming late with company. Autistic Girl will likely need a race before she can duplicate her Belmont Park heroics of last summer. A 7-time loser at this distance, trainer Frank Labocetta would be wise to find flat mile races for Tap Machine before she loses her edge. John Parisella dropped Queen of Saratoga down for a win in the claiming ranks in December, but she returned to the allowance level still staying on the fringe of the action. She'll get squeezed early today and we question whether she'll mount much of drive late. Jockey Ariel Smith is faced with the challenge of bringing in Lapis from last to first, her preferred running style. Not likely, today against these. SELECTIONS 4-8-6-5 FINISH 4-3-8-5 Reaching Up (4-5) asserted herself as a top player among older state-bred fillies and mares with another decisive victory, this time going wire to wire in 1:11.81, fighting off challenges along the way from The Rodeo Express (7-1), who was done at the half, Fly With Karakorum (5-1), who went 3-wide in the stretch only to find the gas tank empty, and Queen of Saratoga (16-1), who needed more ground. Puma's Pride (15-1) finished 4th, best of the rest. The trifecta, with our top two choices 1st and 3rd, paid a pretty decent $127.00, while the exacta was a disappointing $33.40. February 18, 2004. The 4th at Gulfstream, for 3 year olds who have not won twice, will be run at 6 1/2 furlongs with the price tags at 16k. Jockey Rene Douglas retains the mount on Hoho Tow, who won last out on January 2nd at 7 furlongs at Calder, overcoming the 11 post to take control by the half mile. His price goes up and the workouts haven't been exciting, but early control of the inside may be enough to beat this bunch of underachievers. Trainer Daniel Hurtak sends A Rizzi Rueben from the outside post in his first start since mid-September. After winning in August at 16k, this colt was entered in a 53k stakes race won by Wynn Dot Comma, where he hit the gate at the start. He's shown some speed in the morning but the outside today will be trouble. Jorge Chavez was able to draw clear with Starr's Future in his maiden win in early January. He then quit after the first call against 10k claimers. Manny Cruz gets the ride today and will be involved early. Jockey Eduardo Nunez is still looking for his first win of the meet aboard He's the Last, a winner at 16k on Boxing Day at Calder. Another with early speed, it's tough to play him on top. His trainer was 2 for 100 last year. Roundtripper tries this level again after drawing the inside post 3 weeks ago at 1 1/16 miles. Gary Boulanger will likely rate him at the front of the second flight, as he was successful using that strategy at this distance at Tampa. Expect a better performance today. In that same route 3 weeks ago, Buc Fan had the lead and weakened late. Stuck on the inside again today, Jose Rivera would be wise to save ground till the stretch. Trainer David Braddy calls, once again, upon apprentice Leroy Nelson to bring closer Fortunate Caller in late. A soft pace has seemed to work in his advantage and that's what he'll get here. Bob Klesaris and Edgar Prado team up with Terry Dancer, claimed for 10k out of his first race against winners a month ago. On Lasix for the first time, he fits on the bottom of our trifecta tickets because of his strong late move in a race where there could be badly fatigued horses up front. Pass the Puck, a winner at 32k (a big price for this crew), has shown very little interest early or late since the maiden victory in July at Monmouth Park. Trainer Jerrell Roadcap tries blinkers and sticks with slumping jockey, Eddie Castro, on Isitdustybackthere, who has not improved on a nice closing drive at a very slow pace for his maiden win at Laurel Park in November. SELECTIONS 2-6-7-1 FINISH 9-1-5-2 Yikes! Our top choice, Hoho Tow (6-1), bobbled and checked out of the gate, ran into traffic, checked again, got to within 4 lengths of the leader at the turn, but never really threatened, finishing 4th. Consequently, Jose Rivera ended up with Buc Fan (9-2) on the lead at the quarter in 23.14. He gave way to favourite Terry Dancer (5-2), who was allowed to stroll over from the outside, take control of the pace at the half in 46.51 and get clear for a victory in 1:19.07. Pass the Puck (8-1) ran evenly to pick up the show share without menacing the leaders. The exacta paid $34.60 and the trifecta paid $258.80. February 15, 2004. Today at Aqueduct, we turn our attention to older New York-breds, competing at 6 furlongs, still on the inner track, for a purse of 75k in the Hollie Hughes Handicap, the 8th race on the card. Most of the speed is on the outside, a pace scenario which can create a jumble of horses on the tight turn at this distance. The likeliest to clear the field and control the rail is A One Rocket, a 5yr old gelding trained by Gregory Martin, who claimed him off the scrap heap for 7.5k in mid-December from Lisa Lewis. Martin pushed his price up to 12.5k for his next start, which he won by 10 lengths followed by a 2nd level allowance victory in open company at 6-1. Shaun Bridgmohan picks up the mount today and with a clean break they have a good shot at a front-running victory. Coming off his win in the G3 Fall Highweight over Papua in late November, hotshot 4 year old Bossanova will get a lot of attention at the betting windows. Javier Castellano replaces regular jockey Edgar Prado, who is south at Gulfstream Park for the winter. They start from the outside post, which has been a problem for this colt all through his career. With so much speed to his left, we are opting to leave him off the tops of our exotic tickets. Unswept, who raced against Funny Cide as a juvenile, returns after 6 weeks on the bench to a placement that exceeds his current ability. Norberto Arroyo takes the reins on this Gary Contessa trainee, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his career, but is too undependable for us to back him today. Slumping trainer William Turner Jr. turns to top jockey, apprentice Pablo Fragoso, to help return Introspect to his form of last spring. This 4yr old has been unable to beat 1st level allowance horses since returning to action in December. Trainer Jason Servis has 4yr old gelding, Sunnyridge Sam, in top form and improving and gets the inside post, where Chuck Lopez will again try to run a straight-forward, ground-saving trip to victory, as they did here last month. We feel he will at least be there in the stretch. Love Less loses Fragoso to Introspect and picks up jockey Tim Thornton. A well-travelled 6 year old gelding, this one tries to move from the claiming ranks with a strong closing move. He will have company late. Classy Impeachthepro finished 2nd to Papua in last year's edition of this race, but the 7 year old gelding has struggled this winter to hit the board in allowance races at Tampa Downs. A winner of over half a million dollars lifetime, he looks to be off form at the present time. After losing to Bossanova in the Fall Highweight, Papua finished fifth in the G3 Gravesend before taking two months off. Today, he loses regular rider, Richard Migliore, to Wonderful Prospect and picks up Mike Luzzi. After a layoff in the summer, this 5yr old returned to Belmont to post a 100 Beyer. We won't count him out for the top prize. With Migliore aboard and having beaten a few of these in a starter allowance 2 weeks ago, Wonderful Prospect, running under the guidance of Jennifer Pedersen (who has been hot recently) will be the latecomer. Looking at his current form, it's hard to leave him off the gimmicks tickets. SELECTIONS 6-2-4-1 FINISH 2-6-7-5 Mike Luzzi completed a big 4-win day aboard favourite Papua (7-5) in a stunning performance in which they had to jump the fallen Bossanova (7-5) and continue through the stretch to catch front-running A One Rocket (10-1) to win by a neck in 1:10.59. It was trainer Michael Hushion's 2nd victory on the card. A One Rocket set fractions of 23.32 & 46.09 along the inside and was being challenged by Bossanova at the top of the stretch, when the challenger broke down, throwing jockey Javier Castellano. Papua leapt the fallen horse and rider without breaking stride in a display of grace and athleticism worthy of any top-rank athlete. It was the 2nd straight victory by the 5 year old in this specific race. The exacta paid $43.60 and, with room to close due to a few late scratches and the downed rival Love Less (10-1) got up for 3rd, producing a trifecta of $210.50. Sunnyridge Sam was scratched and Wonderful Prospect (7-1) was bumped after the start and raced the whole way in last. February 14, 2004. The road to the Triple Crown starts getting serious on the East Coast today with the G2 Hutcheson, a 7 furlong sprint for 3 year olds and the G2 Fountain of Youth at 1 mile and 1/16th. In the Hutcheson, Todd Pletcher sends two front runners out. Limehouse, with leading jockey John Velasquez taking the mount, might be a reluctant leader but his class can carry him the whole way. Back in July at Churchill, he defeated Cuvee and he was beaten in his last by only Eurosilver and Tiger Hunt. There could be value here. Forestry progeny, Deputy Storm, gets Jerry Bailey for today's ride, loses the blinkers and is coming off some strong workouts at Palm Meadows. The six month layoff is a concern, not to mention the stretch out after losing ground in the stretch in the slop at Monmouth in the G3 Sapling in August. Ghost Mountain, a Nick Zito trainee was beaten at the top of the stretch in the G3 Laurel Futurity in November, lost in the same manner here in the G3 Spectacular Bid and Edgar Prado will be hard pressed to get him to the lead from the 9 post today. Bourbon N Blues arrives from Tampa Downs where he lost a 60k stakes race. He is overmatched here. Well-bred Harbour Gate (Boston Harbor - Belle's Appeal, Valid Appeal) got the lead in his maiden win here 3 weeks ago, wiring the field from the 11 post. Obviously, the cast is tougher in this show but don't be surprised to see him still standing up to pressure late. Trainer Manuel Azpuria sends out Weigelia after he failed to hold on at n2x. Saratoga County loses JR to Limehouse and picks up stone-cold Eibar Coa for this one. Trainer George Weaver doesn't win a lot of stakes races and the pace scenario doesn't play out well today. We're interested, but maybe not today. Jockey Manny Cruz will try to circle the field with 1st level allowance winner Silver Rapt. Dale Romans, having a brilliant Gulfstream meet, appears to have Blushing Indian poised for a huge score. After faltering on the front end in the G3 Iroquois at a mile in early November, he went back to n1x competition and rallied from 13 lengths back at the half to finish 3 1/2 back at 6 furlongs and then won convincingly using a big late run last month at this distance over this oval. Wynn Dot Comma will take a lot of money, based on his win in the G3 Spectacular Bid last month. The field today is much tougher, making this 5-time winner an underlay and we're inclined to leave him off most of our tickets. SELECTIONS 2-6-8-5 FINISH 2-6-4-7 It was all about Todd Pletcher and there was plenty of value to play as Deputy Storm (8-1) set scorching fractions on the inside of 21.68 & 43.73, while JR Velasquez kept Limehouse (4-1) under wraps before easing him out at the top of the stretch and getting clear to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:22.23. The Pletcher exacta paid $79.00. Harbour Gate (9-1) gave a good account of himself, stalking the pace into the stretch. Wynn Dot Comma (2-1) went off as the favourite and, again, couldn't seriously compete for the lead early and proceeded to race evenly, finishing fourth. Blushing Indian (5-2) also got a lot of support at the windows but rewarded no one, racing 5-wide with no late gain. Our "tab for later" horse, Saratoga County (13-1), proved the best of the 3 out of the Spectacular Bid, as he survived a troubled trip after hitting the gate to close well for show, completing the triactor, which paid a splendid $574.80. Congratulations! February 13, 2004. Our Friday the Thirteenth focus is on the 9th at Gulfstream Park, a 7 furlong sprint for 3 year old fillies who have not won 1 race other than... or which have never won 2 races. Angel Salinas, training for owner Michael Sherman, finally broke out of a slump yesterday when a 3yr old 16k claimer of theirs broke his maiden at 7-1. Today, Salinas sends out front-running filly, Shimmy Shake, who will need a golden rail to wire it against this field. Jorge Chavez is the perfect jockey for this type of runner and was aboard for her maiden win, but in two starts over the Gulfstream surface she has lost considerable ground in the stretch. We like her on the bottom of the trifecta tickets. English-bred Schedule arrives from a 4 month hiatus after failing to fire at this level at Delaware Park. She broke her maiden at 5 furlongs at Belmont in May and picks up Edgar Prado for the ride. We want to give her a start down here before investing. Also vying for the early lead will be well-bred Desnuda (Unbridled's Song - Proper Form, Deputy Minister), who got a very slow start in her Florida debut last month, gained ground and then steadied, finishing a disappointing sixth. Jose Santos keeps the mount and will likely have her on a more aggressive ride, noting a bullet work 2 weeks ago over this track. Hard-luck jockey, Eddie Castro, rides American Miss in her third race off the bench. Since closing well at this level at Calder in October and then sitting for 7 weeks, she has not returned in peak form. A tiring, pace-pressuring trip could be the scenario today. Starting from the outside post will be lightly-raced hotshot, Grand Prayer, with Jerry Bailey up and trainer Mark Hennig having a fine meet. Coming off her maiden win in early January and a series of excellent workouts, this filly will be heavily bet despite the tough post position. We're not afraid to use her on top, but there won't be any value there. Making her third Gulfstream start, Dance Fee will have first shot at passing tired front-runners. Joe Bravo will take the reins again for this stakes placed filly who has hit the board in 7 of 9 lifetime races. Elliot Walden and Pat Day team up with Menifee progeny, Sudith, who broke badly then came charging hard late for third in the slop at Churchill Downs in late November. With a clean trip, she can win it all. Woodbine shipper, Megan's Appeal, is a stakes winner who has been training in Florida since the end of the racing season in Canada. She hasn't raced since August, so we'd like to watch her once. Trainer Stanley Hough has been red-hot at this meet, so extra attention might be lavished on Western Doll, who has been training extremely well and frequently at Palm Meadows. She recovered with poise to win her debut at Aqueduct in late October and didn't fire in the stretch at a flat mile next out. She returns from the bench with blinkers on and will likely have much of the field in front of her at the turn. Eibar Coa has the mount. Apprentice Renzo Diaz will be aboard Ohio-bred Salvester, making her 17th start. She's a pretty decent claiming horse who will be outmatched against these. SELECTIONS 7-10-1-6 FINISH 2-1-6-10 True to form, Jorge Chavez gunned Shimmy Shake (9-1) to the rail and dueled with Western Doll (5-1) and Schedule (22-1) through early fractions of 22.47 & 45.15. She was kept to the task and won in 1:23.84. Grand Prayer (4-1) stumbled at the start and couldn't clear the field. She struggled three and four wide much of the way, finishing fourth. Pat Day kept favourite Sudith (2-1) within 3 lengths of the lead along the inside but didn't have much horse left in the stretch, getting the place prize but never threatening the winner. Jose Santos found the hole on the turn but Desnuda (7-2) didn't respond in the stretch. Make it 8 of 10 on the board for Dance Fee (8-1) as she closed from dead last to get up for show by a neck. The exacta paid $74.20, the trifecta earned you $345.60 and the superfecta was a splash at $1,378.00. February 12, 2004. Three year old fillies compete today in the 8th at Fair Grounds, going 6 furlongs with claiming prices of 30k -25k. All the speed is on the outside, with the likely front-runner, Sun Sapphire, in the 7 spot. After winning her maiden race impressively at Churchill Downs from the 12 hole in November, this daughter of Jules shipped down to Delta Downs to win a 1st level allowance race as the heavy favourite at 7 furlongs. She was overmatched in her last, a 40k stakes for 3 year olds at 5 furlongs. Frank Lovato Jr. takes the mount for trainer Michael Trivigno and could take this one home on the front end. To her right will be Michael Gill's Garret's Girl, who picks up apprentice James Graham, thereby losing 5 lbs. In her 1st outing for the current connections, after a 4 month layoff, she raced evenly finishing fourth, 3/4 of a length behind today's likely favourite. A strong competitor at Calder as a 2 year old, this one may have needed one off the bench to prime her for a win today. Despite the presence of jockey Corey Lanerie, Tolittletotalk will have trouble overcoming the tough outside post with speed directly to her left. She has not beaten n2l opponents in two tries last month. New York-bred Money Trust, trained by William Badgett makes her second Fair Grounds start, after winning her Louisiana debut in January, going wire to wire against 15k-10k maiden claimers. She posted an excellent breeze ten days later and will be involved early today. Well-bred Go Grace Go (Sefapiano - Mademoiselle D, Proud Truth) shortens and drops down from 1st level allowance ranks as trainer Patrick Daly goes for his 1st win of the meet. This one was a winner at River Downs in June, then was ill-advisedly entered in the G3 Debutante at Churchill Downs. After a dismal 8th place finish, she has never looked interested. Casa Nekia, a winner at Churchill before being claimed by Tom Amoss, won her Fair Grounds debut at this level, then was a beaten favourite in her last. A consistent performer, jockey Calvin Borel will have her charging late. Another closer with some class is Special Deed, who gets the hood removed for this one after leaving herself with too much to do late in her last at this level. Robby Albarado was aboard for her maiden win at Churchill and takes the reins again today. Former Amoss trainee, Seoul Wild, never threatened 3 of this field in her last and loses jockey Lovato to our top choice. Montsmoke (Smoke Glacken - Montezuma, Pancho Villa) has shown her best stride at a flat mile. SELECTIONS 7-8-2-4 FINISH 4-8-1-2 Garrett's Girl (5-1) broke sharply, prompted the early pace and took over the lead by the half mile in 45.97 seconds. Shane Laviolette kept Go Grace Go (21-1) close on the inside and Casa Nekia (6-5), an atrocious underlay, never got closer than 2 lengths to the lead. Our top choice, Sun Sapphire (3-1) showed very little, finishing fifth. Robbie Albarado timed Special Deed's (5-1) drive perfectly, circling the field to win by a half length over Garrett's Girl. Our exacta savers paid off nicely at $66.60, while the trifecta (with Go Grace Go staying on for show) turned over $801.60. Congratulations! No one caught more than 4 in the pick 6, creating a carryover pool of $14,160.00 for tomorrow. Special Deed completed a lucrative pick 3 payout of $1,206.60. February 11, 2004. Today's feature at Aqueduct is a curious 60k stakes race, the Nijana, for 3 year old fillies who have not won an open sweepstakes, run at 1 1/16 miles. New York's top big race jockey, Richard Migliore, takes the mount on Georgetown Gal. A Jennifer Pedersen trainee, this Florida-bred showed great improvement over this track a month ago, going wire to wire under constant pressure. With the best early foot, this one could clear the field and play catch me if you can. On the inside is Lure of Gold (Formal Gold - Concolour, Our Native), who won her maiden race last out after a 7 week layoff. The fractions in that one were excruciatingly slow and she had a weight advantage. She'll likely get squeezed out early today. Tempting Note, trained by ice cold Ben Perkins Jr., will take a lot of the betting action based on her second in the Busanda 84k stakes last month, in which she beat two of these. Jockey Mike Luzzi rode her perfectly in that one and she squandered a 2 1/2 length lead in the stretch. We think they might send her to the front early today. Either way, she will be an underlay. Trainer Randy Allen shipped Via Sacra from Philadelphia to Aqueduct for the Busanda, in which she had the lead at the half only to finish 11 1/4 lengths back. She tries again here but seems better suited to the allowance ranks right now. Jockey Javier Castellano jumps from Georgetown Gal to Exclusively Wild, trained by Dominic Schettino, who won a 75k maiden claiming race in early November, then regressed badly in the mud in December. Some sharp works over her most recent 2 month layoff are encouraging, but her trainer's record in stakes races is not. Starting from the outside post will be Out of Place progeny Shout, who seems very out of place here today. A sprinter with no success at the n1x allowance level and a winless jockey and trainer doesn't fit today in any post position. Taittinger Rose, trained by William Mott, has placed 2nd in two stakes races, the 100k Selima at Laurel in November and the 60k Open Mind here in December. The 2-1 favourite in the Busanda, she got off very slowly, rushed to contention by the half and found herself 5-wide on the second turn. Jockey Julian Pimentel is back and will be careful to keep her trip cleaner this time. With more action in front of her today, we think this is our best win play. Well-bred Special Tactics (Tactical Cat - Especially, Mr. Prospector), from the stable of D. Wayne Lucas, tried two turns twice as a juvenile in Kentucky, then came North to win at six furlongs. She likes the track, has experience over the distance and is trained by a guy who wins these types of races. We like her arriving late. Trainer John Hertler has spotted Miss Park Place here today out of her maiden win at 6 furlongs with a claiming price of 50k. A tough spot. Leading trainer Richard Dutrow enters Mistda, who broke her maiden in December against state-breds at 9 furlongs, then responded against winners with a big outside move for a second consecutive victory. With top jockey Pablo Fragoso back on the mount and a bullet workout posted on the weekend, this seems to us to be an obvious keeper. SELECTIONS 8-9-3-6 FINISH 4-6-8-5 We hope you joined us in playing "beat the favourite" as Mistda (6-5) was ridiculously overbet, considering how badly the pace scenario shaped up for her. A slow starter forced to circle the field in her first action against open company in a stakes race. That's a lot to ask a filly in her fifth lifetime start. She passed a few horses for 5th. After stumbling out of the gate, Georgetown Gal (14-1) pressured the slow pace, stopped and was eased through the stretch. Javier Castellano rode the perfect trip for Exclusively Wild (25-1), finding room on the inside to explode through at the top of the stretch and win easily in an unremarkable 1:47.28. Tempting Note (5-2) was in striking position by the half and held on for the place prize. Our top choice, Taittinger Rose (9-2) didn't get a clean break, was well back, rallied wide late to catch third. The exacta paid a whopping $273.50, while the trifecta, with the favourite out, was worth $1,153.00. Congratulations! February 8, 2004. Today's feature at Gulfstream Park is the Grade 3 Shirley Jones, for fillies and mares 3 years older and upward at 7 furlongs. Winner of over half a million dollars last year alone is 6 year old Harmony Lodge, who starts from the outside post. This is a competitor who has beaten both House Party and Gold Mover twice in the past year. She has won from the outside at Saratoga and here at Gulfstream. Regular rider Richard Migliore travels south from New York to guide her to the front and try to defend her title in this race, which she won last year at 9-2. Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out a big winner yesterday with Alke prevailing in the Mr. Prospector and there's no reason to argue that this is the horse to beat today. Kitty Knight was a local hero a month ago, winning here at 9-1. The Allen Jerkens-trained filly will take some money at the windows but she prefers to be outside the speed and today the speed will be pressuring her. The filly is talented but the pace scenario doesn't set up well for her. Kiaran McLaughlin picks his spots so well and wins a lot of big races. Today he ships in with Randaroo, who tries to break the $500k plateau in lifetime earnings as a newly-turned 4 year old. Island Fashion put her away in the stretch in late December at Santa Anita in the Grade 1 La Brea and she's never tried this surface, but she is a two-time Grade 2 winner as a 3 year old against older. She's put together 6 strong performances in a row and has withstood pressure and prevailed under difficult circumstances. She obviously ships well and is our pick to upset the favourite. Honeymooner, winner of a minor stakes at Calder in September, passed some tired horses at 21-1 in her last but couldn't catch Kitty Knight. She won't find the pickings so easy today. Trainer Christophe Clement shifts Dedication(Fr) from the Hollywood turf in a quest to see her repeat the form which won her a Grade 1 at Longchamp as a 3 year old. Edgar Prado, who guided her to her only North American victory, picks up the mount and will have her under wraps early. We think she can circle this field to hit the board today. Mayo On the Side was only 2 1/4 lengths back of Harmony Lodge in her last and this is a 5 year old who looks to be coming into the meat of her career. Last season, she only missed the board twice. We expect to see her flying late. Well-bred Nannycam (Pulpit - Naughty Nanny*(Ire), Royal Academy) tries to make the jump from second level allowance and 10 weeks away from the races. This is a tough spot for her. Dale Romans campaigned Halory Leigh all over the place as a 3 year old and now ships her in from a career-best performance at Turfway Park in a 50k stakes race. This is a different story. We think she'll have way too much to do late. SELECTIONS 5-8-1-2 FINISH 5-8-6-2 JR got Randaroo (9-5) to the lead sharply, forcing Harmony Lodge (6-5) to chase the whole way, setting fractions of 22.43 & 44.90 en route to a dominating wire to wire victory in 1:21.42. Halory Leigh (13-1) was kept well back by Craig Perret and closed late for show, nearly catching Harmony Lodge and bumping the trifecta to a measly $53.20. Mayo On the Side once again passed some tired horses, but never threatened while fulfilling the superfecta of $148.00 February 7, 2004. With the season getting into full swing, our expanded coverage will begin and we will cover some of the stakes races on weekends. Today, on the Donn Handicap undercard are the Grade 2 Davona Dale, for 3 year old fillies at 1 1/16 miles, and the Grade 3 Deputy Minister, a 6 1/2 furlong sprint for 3 year olds and upward. Jose Santos will try to get Calder ungraded stakes bridesmaid, Marina de Chavon, to the rail. With no other early speed, it would be wise to keep this one on the bottom of the exotics, at least. She fired a bullet over the track a week ago and there is only one positive strategy for her today. You might get rewarded. Trainer Mark Hennig tuned up Eye Dazzler here a month ago in a first level allowance race at which even a poor start couldn't prevent her from dominating an overmatched field. Jerry Bailey jumps ship but Hennig has enlisted top Gulfstream rider John Velasquez for the trip. Expect an aggressive stalking trip, similar to her ride in the Tempted at Belmont in November. Remember, too, that she was beaten that day only by La Reina, who is currently the 2nd ranked 3 year old filly in North America. Bailey moves over to regally-bred Society Selection, trained by Allen Jerkens. She went off at 4-1 on Breeders' Cup day but never got involved. There are plenty of excuses for her trip that day and it's hard to dismiss the champion quality she displayed in the Frizette, coming wide late under Ray Ganpath for the Grade 1 victory. The likely favourite won't offer value, but with Bailey near the rail, it's hard to throw her off the top of our major tickets. Last Song woke up at Churchill Downs in November for her maiden win, then crushed a 1st level allowance field here 2 1/2 weeks ago in her Florida debut. Edgar Prado keeps the mount for trainer Carl Nafzger, who does well with long-odds entries in stakes races. If things get hairy up front, we expect this one to take advantage late. The fly in the ointment today is the inside horse, Miss Coronado (Coronado's Quest - Miss Caerleona*Fr, Caerleon), who is shipped over from California by super-trainer Bobby Frankel, after breaking her maiden at nine furlongs on the turf. She hasn't worked over the surface, Cornelio Velasquez gets the ride and our advice is to keep one eye on her in the post parade and another on the tote board. At 7-2 odds or better, she provides a playable opportunity. Pat Day picks up the mount on From Away, who ships from Delaware and starts from the six post today off a 3 month layoff. Is this the best spot for a return and a graded stakes debut? Pick of the Pack might get an aggressive ride from Jorge Chavez (if he rides today), adding her to the pace mix. A turf try at Calder in late November was a disaster, but trainer Edward Plesa knows how to get horses ready. SELECTIONS 1-2-5-7 FINISH 1-5-2-7 Some day soon, handicappers will be wondering how they let Miss Coronado go off at 8-1 in the Davona Dale. Bobby Frankel picked up his first stakes victory of the day as Cornelio Velasquez controlled a slow pace, then fended off the challenges of her rivals for a win in 1:44.62. Jerry Bailey had Society Selection (4-5) too close to a slow pace early and had nothing to run at in the stretch, settling for third. An outside post and some early speed next out should get this one back in the winner's circle. Last Song (5-2) had a run at the winner through the turn but just isn't good enough yet to win at this level. It won't be long, though. John Velasquez gave Eye Dazzler (9-2) a perfect ride and just missed, but expect this one to be considered one of the top sophomore fillies of 2004, should she stay healthy. Our top choice keyed an exacta worth $112.40 and a trifecta of $267.80. We picked up a sweet superfecta, as well, cashing $498.40. Congratulations! Cajun Beat is the obvious horse to beat in the Deputy Minister and regular rider Cornelio Velasquez will have him at the front early. His comeback race in the Mr. Prospector, after winning the Breeders' Cup sprint, was only a tuneup and still, he handled the group easily. Alke moves up in class and will hook up with the champion early. A winner in 3 straight, Todd Pletcher has pointed the 4 year old to this race after missing most of his sophomore season, then being transferred from the Holthus barn. The pace sets up nicely for this one to still be around in the stretch, keeping the favourite honest. Nick Zito sends out veteran 5 year old, American Style, from the outside. He is decidedly not a sprinter and we feel he's not a graded stakes quality horse, either. Lightly-raced Buju, from the Allen Jerkens barn, with Jose Santos up, will get first shot at any tiring front-runners. He's trained hard since winning his return to action a month ago and will offer some value at the windows. True Direction has won off the bench before, but the group today is tougher than he generally faces in the North East. A 7 month break is tough for us to overlook. If Bailey rides a ground saving trip along the rail, it could be Gygistar left standing at the end. We like the way he came back at Cajun Beat in their matchup here last month. That race came off a long rest for this lightly raced 5 year old. We've always liked him when he's at the top of his game and how often do you get fair odds with him? Coach Jimi Lee is a stakes winner out of the mid-west circuit who will be playing on the outside with this bunch today. SELECTIONS 1-4-2-5 FINISH 5-4-3-1 Cornelio Velasquez tried to make it 2 for 2 with front-runners winning stakes races today as he put Cajun Beat (4-5) through fractions of 23.04 & 46.05 before being caught at the 1/8th pole by Alke (4-1) who more than kept the favourite honest, winning in spectacular fashion for trainer Todd Pletcher in 1:15.80, coming within 4/5ths of a second of breaking the 47 year old track record. Coach Jimi Lee (12-1) turned in an impressive performance, stalking the leaders, then gaining on Cajun Beat through the stretch. Both inside horses, Gygistar and Buju, had to be steadied on the backstretch to avoid running up on the pacesetters and both subsequently lost momentum. The longshot in the trifecta set up a payout of $188.80 and a superfecta of $613.20. February 6, 2004. Older Louisiana-breds go 6 furlongs with a claiming tag of 5k in the 4th today at Fair Grounds. Trainer Norman Cole goes to slumping jockey Calvin Borel for the mount on Hotter Than Hot who wired a victory a month ago at this level and who has beaten many of the field in the past. The place horse in that race, Rapide, has since come back to win at this level, shaving over a second off the winning time. The 5yr old gelding may not get the rail but has shown an ability to stalk the pace when faced with an outside post. Gerry Melancon will be heading to the lead early with Native Ice, a 6yr old gelding who's seen better days. Picking up a hot jockey and dropping in price from open claiming company to state-breds puts this veteran, who knows how to win, in a strong controlling position today. The winner of his last outing, Cherokee Prospect, went up in price from 7.5k to 10k and won again yesterday, handily, in 1:11.66. Benjamin Bag, another 6yr old gelding, has struggled to gain the lead since arriving at Fair Grounds in December, despite getting apprentice weight allowances. The outside post today doesn't help the cause. Over'nout, winner of 20 races out of 100 starts for earnings of over $200k, makes his 26th appearance at this track. The 11yr old gelding looks to us like he may not be in winning form and he picks up a jockey who comes into the race 0 for 29 at the meet. An excellent value play will be Pillar to Post, with Robbie Albarado up, a 5yr old gelding who hit the board in 2/3 of his starts in 2003 and who stopped in the slop at Delta Downs 3 weeks ago. He has been consistently competitive against state-breds and fired a bullet in training 10 days ago. Look for this one to be gaining ground in the stretch. Go for Bust will take a lot of action on the tote board as he comes in with the highest last-race Beyer. The only 4yr old gets the inside post and has shown improvement at this level over the course of the meet, but this is a tough group and jockey Corey Lanerie will have to use great tactical skill to move the gelding into a strong position to win. Jit has been outclassed in open claiming company since returning from a layoff in early December. The 5yr old gelding will likely be ignored at the betting windows but can close effectively against a speedy group such as this. Trainer Ronnie Ward brings back Venerable from a 48 day layoff to racing action without a posted workout. The 5yr old closer likes the course but there are fitness questions for us. Tighten Up has not been competitive at this level and has shown little since a 7 furlong win in the slop at Louisiana Downs in early October. Doc's In, if he starts from the outside post, will be badly overmatched today. SELECTIONS 7-9-2-10 FINISH 1-4-2-6 Go for Bust (9-5) got the lead from the inside post in 22.39 and wired the field, finishing in 1:12.33. Our top choice, Hotter Than Hot (5-2), pressed the pace and was finished by the top of the stretch. Eddie Martin Jr. kept Tighten Up (9-1) close the whole way and was rewarded with the place prize, while Native Ice (5-2) was once again unable to start quickly and rumbled up late for the show. Longshot Venerable (36-1) completed the superfecta, which paid $838.80. February 5, 2004. Three year old maiden fillies will be competing in the 3rd at Aqueduct over 6 furlongs in our featured race today. Todd Pletcher, off to another quick start this season, debuts Kingmambo progeny Silencieuse and draws the inside post. Richard Migliore, who picked up two wins yesterday aboard 1st time starters, takes the mount on this $200k purchase at the Keeneland July 2002 sale. Pletcher starts her off on the Lasix program and we think this Kentucky-bred could be in the thick of it in the stretch. Competing for the lead, directly to her right, will be Mythical Time, a beaten favourite in her last with Javier Castellano up again. A better post position today and a faster surface should make this well-bred, Galluscio-trained filly the one to beat. Paraneck Stable trainer Jennifer Pederson finally got a maiden winner yesterday to break a string of 24 straight losses, but she will be hard pressed to coax a winning performance out of Lightning Trick, who had been training smartly at Palm Meadows in Florida before being shipped north where she has not yet adapted to the change of scenery. Trainer Carlos Martin goes to apprentice Edwin Perez and the addition of Lasix to get a trip worthy of the breeding behind Forgotten Promise. Out of Old Trieste and with Broad Brush as the bottom-sire this filly oozes class. A :47 second bullet on the Belmont training track a few weeks ago hints to us that a step up can be expected from her uninspiring races thus far. Martin has had success with 1st time Lasix. Magic of Spring was ignored at the windows in her debut 2 1/2 weeks ago. Going off at 29-1, the Mark Hennig-trained filly was closing gamely on a very slow pace. The fractions should be quicker today, giving this one a great shot at graduation. Don't expect much value. Trainer David Donk, having a dismal meet so far, sends out Valbon, who raced greenly in her debut a month ago. With Danzig on top and Mr. Prospector on the bottom of her bloodlines, and a couple of decent works since her disastrous introduction, don't be afraid to keep her in some of your deeper exotics tickets. Although Annabelle's Song seemed to regress in her second start after showing some interest in her debut at Delaware Park, never count trainer Steve Klesaris out at this racetrack. Excellent breeding and Shaun Bridgmohan back again for the ride make this girl playable and the price will certainly be right. SELECTIONS 6-2-3-1 FINISH 2-4-6-7 Sadly, Silencieuse (8-1) took a bad step out of the gate, was pulled up and had to be vanned off. Annabelle's Song (17-1) gained the lead by default and set the early fraction of 23.45 along the inside. Magic of Spring took over at the half, running a pedestrian 47.06. All the while, Javier Castellano and Mythical Time (4-5) had been staying close, waiting to take control on the turn, then turning it on to win by almost 5 lengths. Our top choice, Forgotten Promise (5-1), stayed on for show and Jennifer Pedersen sent out another impressive 1st time starter in Lightning Trick (11-1) who angled out in the stretch to gain the place money and help pump up the trifecta payout to $119.00. February 4, 2004. We hope that racing will resume today at Gulfstream Park and turn our attention to the 4th, a 6 furlong sprint for older horses who have started for a claiming price of 12.5k or less since July 1, 2003. There is speed sprinkled all over this field with no true closers. Going first to the wire will be Threewitt, a 4yr old gelding who won 3 weeks ago at 5 furlongs under the same conditions. Julio Garcia retains the mount for trainer Harry Benson who claimed this one on New Year's Eve at Calder for 10k. Fitness isn't an issue but price is. He won't be going off at 5-1 today. With a half dozen second place finishes to his credit in 2003, he may be most prudently used on exacta tickets. Regardless, he should be one to hit the board with a strong chance at picking up another win. Well-bred Highest Value (Fortunate Prospect - Horseshoe Peak, Olympio) could get a rating trip from Manny Aguilar rather than go for the lead. The 4yr old was trying 25k optional claimers in his last after a couple of impressive wins at Calder in December. Last summer this one bounced back nicely from a sub-par performance and a bullet work 2 weeks ago suggests he'll be able to hit the board today. Off the track since October 20, Express Caper will pressure the pace but has never hit the board at this distance. His 2 wins in 2003 came at 5 furlongs. The older half of the Barry Rose entry, Trim Image has had no success over this oval in his career. In his last win in early December, the 5yr old gelding got away with slow fractions on the lead and just held on. Today, he draws low-percentage jockey Leroy Nelson for the trip. Veteran 6yr old, Dixie's Band, is a calendar year removed from form that would easily tear up this bunch. His allowance eligibility is due to his claiming price of 10k a week and a half ago, from which race he was claimed by Julian Canet. Eibar Coa returns to the mount (he was the jockey for the n2x win in 2003) and very little improvement over his narrow loss in a long duel at 1:11 on January 25 is necessary for him to grab the top prize today. He is our value pick of the day. Trainer John Zimmerman ships 6yr old gelding, Longonot, down from Penn National after claiming him for a bargain 8k at Delaware in early November. Robbie Alvarado will have this guy off the pace waiting for a breakdown up front and a hole to open up. A 25% lifetime winner, this one usually finds speed in the stretch. If you don't like him to win, don't discount his ability to hit the board (50% lifetime). David Braddy is having a good meet so far, but Cheddar is a stretch to stay close to the action for too long today. He stopped in his last at Tampa Bay Downs. Hotshot apprentice, Renzo Diaz, takes the reins with Birdland, a 4yr old gelding who hasn't shown the speed necessary to compete with these. Barry Rose loses the services of Manny Aguilar on his more interesting horse today, My Authority. The outside post will pose a big problem for this 4yr old gelding, who shortens from 7 furlongs. SELECTIONS 5-2-6-7 FINISH 2-7-3-1A We used the first two choices on top of our trifecta tickets and the third and fourth choices in the middle with the rest on the bottom. With the favourite out of the money, the payout was a sweet $328.40. Julio Garcia hustled Threewit (3-1) to the lead in 22.32 & 45.89, was challenged through the turn by Longonot (3-1), then finished with another gutsy effort in 1:12.09 for the win. Apprentice Renzo Diaz continues to impress as he guided Birdland (19-1) to the show money. Congratulations to the trifecta winners!