March 30, 2004. The 7th at Aqueduct is 7 furlong sprint for older horses with a claiming price of 25k - 20k. Trainer Bruce Levine sends out 7 year old Classy E.T. off the claim 6 weeks ago. A return to his form of last summer at Saratoga would easily get this one and jockey Mike Luzzi home in gate to wire fashion. He's had trouble getting the lead but he loves the distance. He could still be around at the wire. Mukaabed put up some gaudy numbers last summer at Delaware Park, but after being claimed for 40k in September, his stock has fallen to the point Kiaran McGlaughlin let him go for 20k a few weeks ago. Apprentice Pedro Cotto Jr. gets the mount. An allowance racer last season, Charioteer hasn't looked the same since a layoff in the summer. He shortens up from 1 mile and 70 yards and his price drops again. Solid apprentice Fernando Jara is up today. Suave Devil, with Jose Santos in the saddle and the inside post, will likely get a good price on account of the rise in class. If you take away the routes, this 5 year old puts in a solid performance nearly every time out and is already an 8 race winner lifetime. This is our big value play of the day. Last month, Love Less looked brilliant, losing by a head to the extraodinary Papua in the Hollie Hughes Handicap. He never got going 16 days later against 50k claimers. With appropriate rest, this one isn't far from the form that can win today easily. After 13 months on the bench, Phone Ruler was claimed by Scott Lake for a bargain price of 16k. Even having lost a step from his days as a promising 3 year old, Lake now trains a talent which could eventually tower over these. Gelded 4 year old Pelican Pete beat non-winners of 2 on the inner dirt in January. Top jockey Pablo Fragoso jumps ship. So will we. Seventeen months ago Compelling World finished 2nd in the 250k Empire Classic, a half length behind Gander and a half lenght in front of LordoftheThunder. Sprinting is not his game and trainer John Destefano drops his tag from 50k off the bench. Either this 6 year old has some problems or he's being tuned up for a route later on in the spring. Either way. we have to stay away. Dead closer Wild Maple appears to be in well over his head here. SELECTIONS 1-6-scr-2 FINISH 1-4-8-2 Today's race backs up a betting strategy for claiming races stating that it's better to bet on a rising horse in good form than on horses dropping in price. With the rain, the track came up muddy and Phone Ruler was scratched. Love Less (2-1), sent off as favourite, stalked the brisk early pace set by Mukaabed (10-1) and both were through by the top of the stretch. Santos saved ground early with our top pick, Suave Devil (8-1), angled him out on the turn and the 5 year old showed great courage in the stretch, fighting off late charging longshot Pelican Pete (39-1) for the win by a neck in 1:25.30. Wild Maple (19-1) and Jorge Chavez closed well to pick up the show money. The exacta paid $402.00, the Pick 3 paid $165.00 with a gimme in the 6th and the second choice in the 5th. The trifecta paid a huge $4,869.00. Congratulations! March 28, 2004. The 7th at Fair Grounds is a 5 1/2 furlong sprint on the turf for 3 year olds who have not won one other than... or are entered with a 50k claiming price. Next Bandit missed as the favourite at this level here on the dirt track two weeks ago. A stakes winner, trainer Bret Calhoun tries him on the lawn for the first time. The 8 post hurts as he'll be gunning to the lead. Well-trained, he'll be the horse to catch in the stretch. New Jersey-bred Game Within a Game ships in from Florida after winning a 25k claiming race at Gulfstream. Elvis Perrodin takes the mount on this gelding who was stakes placed on the grass at Colonial Downs as a 2 year old. We feel he's a notch below these and doesn't have a habit of holding his form. Trainer Michael Pino has changed course with Honor Prayer, who was nominated to the Triple Crown. He shortens from a flat mile and tries the turf after failing to keep up with freaky fast Bwana Charlie in his last. Eddie Martin Jr. is replaced in the saddle by Shane Sellers, who will be hard pressed to keep him from being boxed into the hedge. One of two Tom Amoss trainees here, Elegant Fame comes out of a fine maiden allowance win but loses jockey Calvin Borel to the other Amoss horse. We'll be watching closely how this one fares against winners. Inside horse Hanna's Luck shortens from a mile after a dismal performance on the turf here 3 weeks ago against state-breds. Trainer Milton Scherrer is having a fine meet, but it's not enough to sway us on this one today. Top jockey Robby Albarado takes the mount on well-bred Silver Indy (Silver Charm - Miss Cort'n, A.P.Indy) after Shane Sellers couldn't find room in the stretch last month under the same conditions. With experience on grass and some excellent workouts under his belt, we expect this one to be competitive late. Amoss' prime horse is recently acquired Wrzeszcz, starting from the outside post. A winner at this distance on the grass over this strip, he is a good win bet. Trainer Keith Dickey has been guiding Ten Times Better through the Louisiana-bred stakes competition since last summer and now he tries open company and grass for the first time. There's little to suggest this one is really close to these. Gerry Melancon roared to victory aboard Silver Strip two weeks ago for his maiden victory in high style. Owned by David Dwyer and trained by Josie Carroll, this Florida-bred showed a lot of courage closing hard in his last and has to be rated a top threat today. SELECTIONS 3-scr-4-8 FINISH 2-6-4-7 Elegant Fame (10-1) looked great stalking the leader until she was caught just before the wire by Honor Prayer (5-1), winner by a neck in 1:04.07. Silver Strip (8-5) was bumped at the start then lacked room late, finishing a disappointing 5th. Silver Indy (4-1) circled the field but hung in the stretch, holding onto third. The exacta paid $103.40 and the trifecta paid $481.40. March 27, 2004. A large field of older sprinters, some having seen their best days, some returning from injury, some trying to move up from the claiming ranks and a few who are clearly prepping for longer races, meet today for a 7 furlong contest in the 11th at Gulfstream Park in the 100k Artax Handicap. Once a star 3 year old owned by the Melnyks, Speightstown will try to reclaim the glory of 2001, when he won 3 straight at Woodbine then lost by a length to hot shot City Zip in the Grade 3 Amsterdam at Saratoga. After ankle surgery, he returned last May, back under the guidance of Todd Pletcher, going way over the top off a 21 month layoff to beat Volponi in a thrilling speed duel. Seventeen days later, he was entered in the Jaipur stakes, losing another duel in the slop. After 11 months off, we like this 6 year old to take advantage of a soft field and a good post position and carry jockey Eibar Coa to the wire. Speightstown is a horse for the course at his best distance and Pletcher does extremely well preparing horses to score off the bench, his stakes record speaks for itself and he is having an outstanding Gulfstream meet. Deer Lake fits nicely with this bunch, finishing less than a length behind probable favourite Gygistar in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector to open this meet. Trainer Charles Simon has had him on the bench since, showing great workouts at Tampa. If jockey Rene Douglas can keep the 5 year old Meadowlake progeny out of a speed duel with Speightstown, we could see them late. The bottom of exotics tickests is a must. Still eligible for N2x condition races, Pretty Wild overcame a rough start in a tuneup last month and finished strongly on the rail. Trainer Stanley Hough hopes to move the 4 year old back into the company he kept as a juvenile finishing 2nd in the Hopeful and Futurity behind Sky Mesa and Whywhywhy, respectively. Gygistar drops out of graded stakes competition for the first time in 5 starts after failing to live up to the reputation garnered by wins as a 3 year old in the King's Bishop, Dwyer and Riva Ridge. New jockey Joe Bravo faces a struggle as he'll have to circle the field after starting from the inside post. A winner in half his career starts, the 5 year old gelding has been assigned the highweight of 117 lbs. Jockey Jose Santos had 4 year old longshot Wacky for Love forwardly placed in the Grade 2 Richter Scale earlier this month, finishing third at 58-1. Winner of that one, Lion Tamer, was toying with a suspect field that day, and the chance for a bounce is high for this fringe player. He will go off as an underlay. Despite winning the Salvatore Mile at Monmouth last year, Vinemeister is a notch below those running today. A typical Patrick Byrne tactic is to enter Pass Rush in a sprint off the bench with an eye to a route 3 weeks from now. The outside post is a concern as is the dismal performance the usually dependable 5 year old showed in Indiana in November. Barnacle Steve ships over from Tampa Downs to take on tougher than he has ever faced. Nine-time winner, Jersey Giant, makes his Gulfstream debut after hitting the sidelines out of a disastrous trip in the Grade 2 Meadowlands BC in October. We'll watch this one closely today. Fire and Glory generally takes advantage of crumbling pace scenarios to pick up his paycheques. Today's field won't likely fold quickly enough for this guy. Veteran 9 year old Florida stalwart Dancing Guy doesn't race his best at this distance. SELECTIONS 2-5-scr-6 FINISH 2-5-8-3 With Gygistar scratched, Speightstown (3-1) went off as the lukewarm favourite, dueled with Pretty Wild through quick fractions of 22.39 & 44.93, then pulled away in the stretch to win by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:22.03. It was his 6th victory in 11 career starts. Second choice Pretty Wild held on for place, a head in front of Wacky for Love (6-1), who hit the board for the 10th straight time. Our top two choices hit the exacta cold, paying $42.40 and keyed a trifecta worth $162.60. The superfecta, filled out by longshot Dancing Guy (60-1) paid a whopping $3,206.40. Congratulations! March 26, 2004. There are more than a few question marks surrounding the field of the 7th at Aqueduct today, a 6 furlong sprint for New York bred fillies and mares which have not one 1 other than... The only gate to wire threat, Scarlet Billows, trained by Michael Nevin (winless this season), starts from the outside post. The 4 year old filly flashed some speed in a 7 panel try off the bench 2 weeks ago and moves up from conditioned claiming ranks. Four months ago she would have handled this bunch easily. If she's sound, she takes the top prize. Philly shipper, Kissin Angie, tries a mammoth class jump from 13k maiden claimers to this. It took her 25 tries to hit the board. She's out of her league. Slumping trainer Michael Micelli sends out Katies Danza with top jockey Pablo Fragoso. The 4 year old has struggled at this level since breaking her maiden in the fog in December. Her best races have been run on the grass and dropping to a claiming race in her last outing was ineffectual. Aging mare Jettalyn gets a pretty soft spot here, but she consistently stays well out of the action, often getting beaten by at least 10 lengths. Well-bred Out of Sort's is our top pick today, trained by Gary Contessa with Jorge Chavez aboard. She came off the bench 3 weeks ago to get involved with much better rivals than she'll meet today. The only negative is the potential for a pretty short price. We'll take her at 2-1. Dead closer, Lady Nelson, likes the lawn and more yardage than this, but class dictates that she'll be left standing at the end of this one. Trainer Jason Servis is having a pretty good year, and she's performed well off the bench before. Chuck Lopez takes the mount. Sangue too Loud has difficulty out of the gate, but we wouldn't criticize anyone for including the Paraneck filly on gimmick plays. The barn has been solid and jockey Norberto Arroyo can be sneaky good. SELECTIONS 4-7-scr-1 FINISH 4-6-3-1 Fernando Jara couldn't get Scarlet Billows (6-1) to the lead and tried the winner on the turn, but faded in the stretch to finish fourth. We wouldn't be afraid to use her again if Nevin sends her out soon. Out of Sort's (2-5) proved she means business with a dominating win under Jorge Chavez. Paraneck Stable's Sangue too Loud (5-1) was kept close to the action by Arroyo Jr and finished well to grab the place prize. With closer Lady Nelson scratched, veteran Jettalyn (39-1) was able to hold third free of trouble. Payouts were low with the favourite on top. The exacta paid $8.30 and the trifecta paid $67.00. March 25, 2004. The opener at Aqueduct features a field of familiar faces, older horses who have been competing in the New York claiming ranks all winter. Today, each horse lengthens from 6 to 7 furlongs with a price tag of 10k. The only home-bred is the inside horse, 5 year old gelding Star Goldminer, dropped by new trainer Gregory Martin from the state-bred allowance conditions he'd been racing under last season. With no other early speed and promising apprentice, Fernando Jara, on board, this guy has a big shot at a gate-to-wire win. Yesterday, the rail was fast and he was bumped in the mud in his last outing. We like a return to form in his 3rd off the bench for a hot barn. Scott Lake claimed veteran Limestone from the Gill/Shuman barn in December for 25k and has gradually dropped him to this level. The 8 year old gelding fits with this bunch and it's never wise to discount a 15-time winner with earnings of over a quarter million dollars. He hits the board just a touch under 50% of the time, but loses top jockey Pablo Fragoso in favour of fellow bug Luis Medina. Infiltrator, beaten twice in a row by Limestone gets a 5lb break with Pedro Cotto Jr. up, and is usually running hard late. Claimed for 20k by Joe Aquilino, the 7 year old has failed to reproduce the performances which earned him over 80k last season. Bought in Dixie has enjoyed success at 7 panels, but at 8 years old, has lost more than a step and is now no more than a fringe player, even at this level. Fragoso takes the reins on Volcanic Hill, who beat Star Goldminer by 2 lengths in their last outing. The 6 year old gelding will take some money despite rarely threatening for the top prize. We see him as the underlay in this one. Trainer Robert Barbara, having a dismal season after a brilliant 2003, sends out disappointing Deputy Connor, whom he claimed for 22.5k at Saratoga. If there was a lower claiming level here you'd likely see him at it. Chilean-bred Novelado goes up in price and might be arriving late, but he doesn't generally like to get too close to the action. SELECTIONS 1-2-4-6 FINISH 4-3-6-1 Star Goldminer (6-1) set a comfortable pace of 23.36 & 46.43 through the half but was pestered the entire time by Volcanic Hill (7-1), who was uncharacteristically and unsuccessfully thrust into the role of pace presser. The two exchanged bumps in the stretch, with Star Goldminer fading to 4th and Volcanic Hill grabbing the show prize for the 9th time in his career. Cotto Jr. patiently kept Infiltrator (5-2) out of the speed duel and grabbed the rail in the stretch when the leader tired, getting the win in an honest time of 1:25.25. Crashing the party was Norberto Arroyo, who got all he could out of Deputy Connor (13-1) for place, after looming the whole way. The exacta paid a generous $106.00 while the trifecta came in at $567.00. Congratulations! March 24, 2004. Three year olds go 1 mile and 1/16th in the 7th at Gulfstream Park, with claiming tags of 25k down to 20k. Half the field likes the lead and will likely chase Don Manuel, dropping in price again after being soundly beaten in 6 straight sprints after winning convincingly with a 50k tag at Calder in November. Since stamina has been a problem in his career, don't expect him to be hanging around late. One of 3 Florida-breds in the field today, Smart N Plasant broke his maiden at Calder in December in a pretty slow 6 1/2 furlong heat, carrying a bug, and has not shown much recently against n2l competitors. Hot apprentice Renzo Diaz begs off. An easier spot awaits. Trainer Graham Motion re-introduces well-bred Needarunner (Carson City - Trumpet's Blare, Vice Regent), with Edgar Prado on board, breaking from the inside post. The Delaware shipper lost a stretch duel in mid-January and hasn't started since. The layoff is troubling but the connections are hot and it's not unrealistic to suppose this gelding will still be battling at the wire. Respected Woodbine trainer David Dwyer has acquired Michigan-bred Diamond a Day, a maiden allowance winner at this distance on the turf at Tampa Downs in January at 15-1, followed by a second in an off the turf 1st level allowance event in the slop last month at 17-1. Dwyer ships into South Florida in preparation for the Woodbine opening and has a gelding which fits nicely into this dodgy crowd. If the price is right, we'll bite. Pegasus Racing Stable re-acquired Liberty Force, one of their home-breds, for 16k and are racing him with a 20k tag for the third straight time, despite the impression that he's out of his class. Groovy Fortune won a very slow mile as part of an Angel Salinas - trained entry at Calder in December with a 10k tag. Now conditioned by Jose Garoffalo and facing tougher fields at Gulfstream, this colt looks to be outmatched. He could catch on the bottom of exotics tickets with a return to his 2 year old form. Trainer Edwin Broome adds blinkers and retains jockey Joe Bravo on closer Winneratthewindow, who left himself too much to do in his last at this level. A consistent sort who likes the oval, he should pick up a share at the very least. Players using a show bet system might like Tactical Power, who will get a good price without much hope of finishing higher than third on the rise from n2l conditions. SELECTIONS 7-1-4-2 FINISH 4-2-3-6 All the early speed faded and the closers prevailed as Winneratthewindow (3-1) won at the window, coming from 7 lengths back at the first call to finish in 1:48.06. We smacked our lips at the price Groovy Fortune (22-1) went off at, and were rewarded as he pulled in $15.40 and $5.80 for second after he took another step forward as a sophomore. The exacta, using our value picks, paid a tidy $97.40. Tactical Power (9-1) came in for the show bettors ($5.00) fulfilling a very nice $513.80 trifecta. March 10, 2004. Opening day at the Aqueduct spring meet could be a bit cold, rainy and even snowy but our spirits aren't dampened after a successful winter meet on the inner dirt track. The 8th race is an allowance for state breds who have not won 2 races other than... at a flat mile. Jockey Richard Migliore returns to the saddle of Geometry, trained by Anthony Dutrow, who endured a rough trip in his last, at this level, with apprentice Tim Thornton aboard. In that race, he couldn't get the lead from the outside on the tight inner track and finished an even fourth. With no other speed in this field, we could see a repeat of his back to back gate to wire wins in November and December. So far this year, trainer James Jerkens has been in a funk, with 4 year old Lord Langfuhr picking up one of his three wins. The Langfuhr colt will be heavily backed at the windows based on his 4 outstanding performances on the inner track (2 wins, 2 seconds), but the lack of early speed today could put him closer to the lead than he's comfortable with and make him the target for the closers. Beware, as this guy looks like an underlay. Top winter meet jockey, Pablo Fragoso sticks with Stars Aligned, who is trying this condition for the 8th time. A real bridesmaid, hitting the place and show spots in 57% of his lifetime starts, lengthening to a mile will be a help to this Patrick Kelly trainee. Cape Pogue got into the lead too early in his last out, and is beginning to look like he may be more competitive in the claiming ranks. Lifetime 2 for 45, 7 year old Anties Boy has had trouble recently in bottom level claiming races. He doesn't belong with these. Out of the hot Paraneck Stable, trained by Jennifer Pedersen, Uncalculated should also enjoy the extra running room after maturing quickly as a 4 year old in sprints over the winter. With Aaron Gryder up, this is a good value win bet. Trainer Patricia Farro claimed Summer Dust for 6k at Hawthorne at Christmas for Gumpster Stable and was delighted when the 5 year old gelding won at the n1x level for state breds at 27-1. We prefer to just watch him today on the rise in class. Beau's Fantasy gets blinkers added today and a 7lb bug as trainer John Destefano lengthens the 6 year old gelding from 6 furlongs. Third off the bench last summer at Belmont resulted in a win at 7-1. Some horses just don't like the inner track. SELECTIONS 6-3-1-7 FINISH 8-2-1-7 A race that was supposed to be void of speed, save for the favourite, unfolded very differently as 3 apprentice jockeys vied for the early lead. Luis Medina pushed Beau's Fantasy (27-1) to the front in 23.95 seconds, and held him 3-wide for fourth. Pedro Cotto Jr. and Summer Dust (7-1) controlled the rail and had the lead at the half in 47.74 and finished second, while hot jockey, Fernando Jara, took Anties Boy (27-1) outside and brought home the longshot in 1:39.06, the first time he'd hit the board in years. Geometry (1-1) couldn't gain from the outside and was through after 6 furlongs while Uncalculated (7-1) trailed the whole way. Stars Aligned (5-2) hit the board for the twelfth consecutive race. The exacta paid a monstrous $414.00 while the trifecta, with the favourite out, offered $2,008.00. March 7, 2004. Three year olds continue their march to Kentucky with the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby today at Fair Grounds. At 1 1/16 miles, many trainers have shipped in their top sophomores for what should be a tough contest today under fair skies. Bob Baffert has brought along Wimbledon slowly since his debut at Del Mar in August. The Wild Rush progeny has burned money, losing as favourite every time out until his maiden win a month ago at Santa Anita. Unheralded jockey Javier Santiago makes the trip east and will have the rail to himself early as the field lacks early speed. The way this colt is developing, they could find themselves still in front in the stretch. The A player in Todd Pletcher's uncoupled entry, Pollard's Vision, won easily trying two turns for the first time at Gulfstream Park last month. Pletcher has pointed him to this race since his winter break and top Florida rider John Velasquez keeps the mount. He'll be forwardly placed and, with a clean trip, will be closing hard. Leading Aqueduct trainer, Richard Dutrow, ships in with Indian War Dance, whom he claimed from Nick Zito's barn off his 50k maiden claiming win in late December. Edgar Prado will try to get him to the lead, but he may be a little outclassed today. Borrego, beaten by Master David in the Sham stakes in February, arrives from Santa Anita with jockey Victor Espinoza and starts today from the inside post. Circling this strong field might be too much to ask. Stolen Time, winner of the Foolish Pleasure stakes at Calder in September over Second of June, gets blinkers under from new trainer William Mott. Out since a sprint loss to Sir Oscar and Wynn Dot Comma in November, we'd like to see a race out of this promising 3 year old before we commit. Nightlifeatbigblue, on his home ground, was beaten by Gradepoint in the Risen Star 3 weeks ago and today draws the outside post. He'll take some money in Louisiana but the pace scenario doesn't set up very well for him. Pletcher's other entry, Shaniko is very well-bred (A.P.Indy - Sapphire n' Silk, Pleasant Tap), has only a maiden win under his belt and looks like a more slow-developing type. Today might not be his day, although, with Jerry Bailey aboard it's fair to give him credit, but we'll be watching closely for the future. Shadowland didn't show any kick in the drive in the Grade 3 Lecomte in January. He lengthens out here and picks up slumping Pat Day. His breeding suggests sprints are his best option. The winner of that race, Fire Slam, also goes today from an unenviable 9 post. Trainer David Carroll holds a hot hand at this meet and uses ace jockey Shane Sellers again. This son of Grand Slam has only lost once in his 4 starts, after a bad start in a million dollar stakes race at Delta Downs. At a decent price we wouldn't criticize anyone for picking him as the upset winner today. Another hot Fair Grounds trainer is Neil Howard, who holds the key to the race, entrymates Breakaway and Gradepoint. Both will be charging late. Calvin Borel, a sneaky-good jockey, who knows this track well gets the call on Breakaway, who destroyed 1st level allowance runners in the same manner as yesterday's buzzed about winner, Bwana Charlie. This guy made up 11 lengths from the quarter pole to win by almost 10. Howard's go-to guy, top Fair Grounds winner Robbie Albarado, keeps his mount aboard Gradepoint who, with a win today, would establish himself among the top 3 year olds in the country. He's been no closer than 10 lengths back at the first call in any of his wins. Today, he may be tested as the pace could be controlled with no tiring pacesetters to take advantage of in the stretch. He's a vulnerable favourite in a formidable entry. SELECTIONS 7-1-1A-3 FINISH 3-2-7-1 A strong performance by sentimental pick (and our top choice), one-eyed Pollard's Vision (6-1), was spoiled in the stretch drive as his lead was taken by California shipper, Baffert-trained, Wimbledon (7-1), who won in 1:42.71, a time worthy of a trip to Gulfstream Park for the Florida Derby or to New York for the Wood Memorial. Fellow Californian, Borrego (5-1), went off at surprisingly low odds and lived up to the bettors' suspicions, circling the field, going 8-wide for the drive and picking up 2nd prize by a head. Calvin Borel kept Breakaway (2-1) well back, as he did in a maiden try at Churchill, and they got up for fourth. He'll need to be more forwardly placed against this class of competition. Risen Star winner, Gradepoint (2-1), didn't respond for the drive. A very playable exacta paid $110.00, while the trifecta came in at $680.80. The superfecta, with three of our choices, paid $1,919.80. Congratulations! In the Grade 2 San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita we like Marino Marini to turn the tables on Bluesthestandard today. Both Eye of the Tiger and Publication are late threats. SELECTIONS 5-1-10-12 FINISH 6-12-9-8 March 6, 2004. Before turning our attention to the stakes races today, there is a 1 mile contest, the 7th at Fair Grounds, which begs for some action. It is a n2l allowance or 50k optional claiming race for 3 year olds. Trainer Michael Pino, having a great meet with a small barn, sends out Honor Prayer for his 3rd career start after a few months on the bench. He broke his maiden here at 6 furlongs as an overlay at 50k, winning by 5 lengths in his debut in 1:10.60. Lengthening out, he dueled for the lead to the stretch, but weakened in a race won by top 3 year old Gradepoint. Eddie Martin Jr. keeps the mount and will likely be at the front or in the first flight and driving to the wire. Busy jockey Gerry Melancon will have his work cut out for him trying to keep Fire Strike off the lead. Moving from a good sprint on the grass, he must resist his habit of firing early, particularly with speed horses to his left. This is a talented, well-bred sophomore who looks a lot like a sprint specialist right now. America's current leading trainer, Steven Asmusssen, has brought along Bwana Charlie patiently for owners, Heiligbrodt Racing Stable, since his impressive debut last summer at Churchill Downs. Numerous times in his career, he has been stuck on the outside post of large fields, but today he starts from the 2 hole, with Shane Sellers up, making his 2nd start of the meet after looking like a million bucks in his return against maiden allowance runners. He tried 2 turns at Churchill in the fall and raced a mile once at Belmont, hitting the board both times. In the mud here last week, he breezed 6 furlongs in 1:12.2, indicating to us he's ready for the next challenge in his young career. Another coming out of his maiden victory is Blackmailer, trained by Troy Young, lengthening from a 6 furlong win five weeks ago. Top jockey Robbie Albarado won't be afraid to give him another aggressive ride, and they will be charging late. The only horse with a price tag today is Xtra Jack, a two-time winner in Mexico, who has improved steadily since arriving in New Orleans in December. Claimed from the strong Calhoun stable, new trainer Keith Desormeaux tried him in a turf sprint with some surprising success. The distance is a question as he failed at 7 furlongs last summer in Mexico City. Notonetoquit shipped out to Arkansas to try the allowance ranks in routes and is back to New Orleans without a win. The inside post is a serious detriment to this closer, who appears to be slightly out of his class today. Apple Krisp suddenly developed as a juvenile in November, winning a tough race in the slop at Churchill Downs with an 80k price tag. He sat out most of December and January, then ended up on the front in a couple of routes here, finishing a fading 2nd and 3rd. Jockey Corey Lanerie must rate him to utilize the fine closing move he displayed late last year. The post position, with speed inside will help. Sellers jumps from Tuff Man Dan who posted a gate to wire maiden win over this track at the distance against 50k maiden claimers in January. Trainer Forrest Kaelin tried him on the lawn against winners, a tough spot, and he couldn't get the lead. This is a compromising placement for a front-runner without speed. We'll watch today, to see what kind of horse this is. Assault Commander was claimed by Isaac Bailey from the Desormeaux camp for 15k last November. Since, he broke his maiden with a 50k tag at 14-1 at this distance in a freakish effort, didn't get involved on the turf, was last the whole way in a sprint, and finished last in the Grade 3 Risen Star stakes 3 weeks ago. We think some time off would be in order. SELECTIONS 2-3-7-6 FINISH 2-7-6-3 Steven Asmussen has to be thinking about stakes races for Bwana Charlie (4-5) after he demolished this field of 3 year olds, winning by a margin of nearly 12 lengths and coming within one second of the course record. Jockey Shane Sellers had hold of him till the 2nd turn, then let him loose. Apple Krisp (13-1) was allowed to set a leisurely pace, dueled the whole way with Blackmailer (5-1) and finished a well beaten 2nd, with the latter picking up the place prize. Eddie Martin Jr. couldn't get Honor Prayer anywhere near the lead and finished fourth. The exacta, with the favourite on top, paid a generous $40.60, while the trifecta was a mere $148.60. The superfecta, using all 4 of our choices, paid $336.20. Congratulations! Our selections for some of today's stakes races: 8th Gulfstream - Grade 2 Bonnie Miss 4-5-1 FINISH 5-4-3 Last Song (3-1) prevails in the rematch with Society Selection (1-2) 11th Gulfstream - Grade 2 The Richter Scale BC Sprint 1-7-6-3 FINISH 7-2-4-6 Lion Tamer (8-5) overcomes outside post 9th Fair Grounds - Grade 2 The Fair Grounds Oaks 1-5-2-3 FINISH 1-5-2-6 In Breeders' Cup rematch, Ashado (1-1) off the bench again puts away Victory U.S.A (3-1) 8th Aqueduct - The Stymie Handicap 75k 7-3-1-6 FINISH 7-3-6-4 8 year old Ground Storm (8-5) wins over sloppy track in the rain 7th Santa Anita - Grade 2 The San Rafael 3-7-2-1 FINISH 3-7-8-10 Florida shipper Imperialism (7-1) proves San Vicente was no fluke and hands Lion Heart (1-1) his first defeat 10th Santa Anita - Grade 1 The Santa Anita Handicap 1-4-7-8 FINISH 2-4-1-8 Southern Image (1-1) wins 2nd Grade 1 stakes, awaits showdown with Pleasantly Perfect March 5, 2004. The 8th at Gulfstream Park is an entry level allowance for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. The field is made up mostly of 4 and 5 year olds with one 6 year old mare with an overall lack of early speed. On the inside is Tea Lady returning from an 8 week rest, following her maiden win at 6 furlongs at Calder. Some of this field have won maiden allowance races at Gulfstream, Aqueduct, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Delaware and Saratoga. That class difference, along with the layoff, the lengthening and the inside post conspires to suggest to us that watching this filly for a race might be in order. Shug McGaughey has shipped Alluring from New York after she began to struggle on the inner dirt. After winning her maiden race as a 3 year old, this daughter of A.P. Indy developed into a bridesmaid with a habit of rumbling along late for the place prize, without threatening the leaders. Finishing 2nd in half her career starts is enough to entice us to use her in the middle of our exotics plays. Pat Day is the new rider and she has been flying in training since arriving in Florida a few weeks ago, suggesting that a shift in tactics may be in order. If she's forwardly placed early, she could win it all. Bounding Charm was a fast developing 3 year old last year who showed some guts on the turf and impressed in her maiden victory with some big late speed. A rough allowance race at Saratoga is all she's done since. Trainer William Mott is strong with horses off the bench and his go-to rider, Jerry Bailey, gets the mount. If she's close at the top of the stretch, look out. Six year old Dania Bay spent all of last year trying to graduate from this division at Arlington Park, trying turf and dirt, coming close a few times before taking 3 months off. Since arriving in Florida, she's been outmatched against claimers. Trainer Michael Petro claimed Wekiva's Awesome out of her winning performance in her last race for 18k, hoping she can make the move up to allowance ranks. This strategy was tried last summer at Monmouth to poor results. Another horse who seems to specialize at finishing 2nd, we suggest you use her at your own risk. The value play of the day is Gold Player, who went up against the top 3 year olds last year in graded stakes races over this course and acquitted herself quite well. Trainer Mark Hennig tried her at 9 furlongs a couple of times before ending her sophomore season. He brought her back at 7 furlongs in a race that really looks like a tuneup. Rene Douglas should have her in the second flight, ready to move at the top of the stretch. Greenback Gal hasn't hit the board since her maiden win as a 2 year old on the grass at Churchill Downs. Her dirt efforts have been particularly gruesome. Beauty On Duty will be heavily bet based on her connections (Bond/Prado) and a big Beyer in the slop at Saratoga last summer. That performance came out of nowhere and she subsequently faltered at Aqueduct in mid-November. We have to bet against her coming off a 3 1/2 month layoff and stuck in the outside post. Delaware shipper, Spring Season, who began her career in France, attracts top jockey John Velasquez today. She won her maiden race as the 1-2 favourite over a short field. Her most impressive performances have been on the lawn. She's one to keep an eye on pre-race. SELECTIONS 3-4-5-9 FINISH 5-9-7-3 After watching forwardly placed pace pressers win the first four races on the card, the value of Bounding Charm (2-1) went up at post time. The track wasn't being kind to closers, putting our top choice, Gold Player (3-1), at a disadvantage and made her an underlay in betting. Robby Alvarado put Dania Bay (11-1) to the lead, setting modest fractions of 24.24 & 48.47, while Bounding Charm and Beauty On Duty (4-1) stalked closely. Jerry Bailey brought Bounding Charm through on the rail for the win and Edgar Prado closed hard with Beauty On Duty for place in a photo finish, with Gold Player a nose back in fourth after failing to split horses in the stretch. The exacta paid $37.80, the trifecta $311.00 and the superfecta came in at $849.40. Congratulations! March 4, 2004. A few old friends reappear as 4 and 5 year old fillies compete at 7 furlongs with price tags from 14k - 12k in the 7th at Gulfstream Park today. Red Dice tries this class for the third time since being claimed by Daniel Hurtak for Olympia Stables in her Gulfstream debut mid-January. She has been trained to stay off the pace since arriving in Florida, but a gate to wire win at Churchill Downs last June at the distance convinces us that, with no speed to her left and suspect speed on the outside, she can steal a front-running victory along the rail. Cornelio Velasquez, who won twice yesterday, is up again and Hurtak has been a bridesmaid 30% of the time at this meet. Steal the Claim will be well supported at the windows based on a couple of flashy Beyers at Churchill in the fall, but this front-runner has beaten only 30k maiden claimers and 30k non-winners of two. Out since mid-January, Rene Douglas picks up the mount. We think this is the underlay to play against. Trainer David Braddy calls on Mark Guidry, who won with Answer the Storm last spring against 3 year olds over this track. After a 5 month layoff, she has been dropping in class and now Braddy takes over to stop the descent. The pace scenario sets up perfectly for a forward stalking trip and the price might be right. Edgar Prado just missed with Marley Hart 5 weeks ago at this price, and after Allen Ferris III tried her at the 18k claiming level, she returns to a more realistic class. She picked up 6 1/2 lengths late after breaking slowly in her last. She can beat these with her best effort and a clean trip. Suffolk shipper Alpine Walk is marooned with Clyde Martin in the outside post. After two dismal efforts, we'll just watch her today. Astorbilt, with some turf success at Calder last fall, doesn't seem to be able to get the lead on the dirt. She looked better in her last outing, but isn't a good match for this particular race. We liked Maria's Image in her last, when apprentice Renzo Diaz lost the whip in the stretch. Her price jumps from 10k but she has beaten this type of field before. Diaz is having a solid meet and should have this filly charging hard late after saving ground. Delaware shipper Manila Vanilli has been out since August and is severely outclassed today. Another Delaware racer, All Seymoura, loves this track, with both her career victories coming here last spring. A 4 month layoff coming in and stone cold jockey Eddie Castro are the negatives. Five year old Suave Darling needs even more distance than 7 furlongs. A class drop, an experienced jockey and a better post position would help. SELECTIONS 3-4-8-1 FINISH 7-1-6-8 Apparently, Astorbilt (23-1) was matched perfectly to this race as Julio Garcia ran a solid stalking trip, then angled out at the top of the stretch to make up the 3 lengths she'd given away, winning in 1:24.59 for new trainer Pablo Andrade. Edgar Prado had Marley Hart (7-2) in the lead at the first call, shuffled her back on the turn, but didn't have enough in the stretch. Having the early lead took too much out of her. Favourite, Steal the Claim (5-2), was strong in defeat, dueling hard for the lead the whole way, being outfinished at the wire to settle for third. The value play in this field was Maria's Image (8-1), a filly on the rise who won the speed duel, only to be headed by the outside closer. The exacta paid a huge $302.60 and the trifecta came to $1,102.00. The superfecta paid a sweet $4,818.00. March 3, 2004. The 8th at Aqueduct is a 6 furlong sprint for 3 year old fillies who have never won 2 other than... or which have never won three. There is a lot of suspect speed in this field, starting with underachiever, Standswithafist, who finished first in a 60k stakes race last summer at Monmouth. She was disqualified in that one and placed 2nd, then regressed over a wet course in the G3 Sorority and showed nothing in the G3 Valley Storm at Aqueduct in November. She's been on the bench since and comes back here to face "in form" horses on the upswing. Mike Luzzi takes the mount for new trainer Pat Reynolds, who is having a dismal winter meet, and she gets blinkers for this one. We still think she needs one off the vacation. To the Alamo ships in from Philadelphia where she rattled off two impressive gate to wire wins at pretty good odds. This is more than a little step up in class and she likely won't find herself 3 lengths clear at the top of the stretch today. Trainer Richard Dutrow is winning at a 40% clip this meet, so it is becoming impossible to discard any horse he sends out. Today, Pacific Island is wheeled back on 5 days rest after winning her 3rd race in 4 starts since September. Dutrow goes again to apprentice jockey Catalino Martinez, whose only career win came aboard this filly. She has displayed versatility and must be used on all tickets, even at a short price. Cherry's Hunter toyed with an entry level allowance field at odds of 14-1 last month. Apprentice Edwin Perez stays with her as she gets the inside post, leaving her free to gun for the lead or try to race in the pocket. We'll use her on most tickets. A 450k purchase last year at auction by the Melnyks, Highgate Park draws the outside post as she returns from a 2 month layoff. She'll be chasing today and hasn't yet shown the kind of speed that she needs to clear the field from out there. Her breeding alone puts her at the top of the class, but today we'll use her on the bottom of the exotics. Our top choice today is Mike Micelli-trained, Gold Like U, who beat Mistda (6-5 favourite in Saturday's Busher stakes) in December and leaves the state-bred ranks on the rise today after a gutsy outside finish in January. Top jockey Pablo Fragoso keeps the mount and she carries a low 112 lbs for what sets up as a race to be won by a closer. My Ish Kee stalked a very soft pace for her win over this track a month ago. Trainer Derek Ryan has had success at this meet, but this filly needs a big positive jump in speed to seriously compete. SELECTIONS 3-1-5-7 FINISH 7-5-3-1 We hope you also played "beat the favourite" with a closer as jockey Javier Castellano had a lot of horse with Highgate Park (3-1), who went 4-wide on the turn to get the lead, then held by a head for the win off the bench. Cherry's Hunter (5-2) was forwardly placed on the inside and was fading by the half mile. Rookie jockey, Catalino Martinez, had to steady favourite Pacific Island (9-5) on the turn and it cost them as they closed hard but just missed, settling for place money. Gold Like U (4-1) also had trouble in the upper stretch, losing momentum on her move to the outside and finished third. The favourite in the middle and a short field resulted in an exacta of $37.40 and a trifecta of $84.50.