YOUR MARCH 11, 2005 NEWSLETTER

 

SEVEN NEW RACES, ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE $100,000 HANDICAPPING OPEN FINALS

The $100,000 Handicapping Open sponsored by AmericaTab offers seven new races this weekend. Members can qualify up to two times for the Championship event. In addition, the top 20 earn cash awards in the contest. Play every Saturday.

Congratulations to Michael L. of Columbia Station, OH who took home $1,732.50 for his first-place finish. The top 5 will each earn a coveted spot in the guaranteed $100,000 Championship on August 6. The current championship pool is past the half-way point at over $53,000 and growing every week!

The AmericaTab Handicapping Open is available each week with seven mandatory contest races posted from which players make mythical $2 win/place wagers on each race. It is a real-time betting contest.

The Handicapping Open, worth thousands at Thoroughbets.com


LEADER EMERGES IN ROAD TO
DERBY CONTEST, WORTH $5,000

Alydar edges out the competition in the second week of the Road to the Derby Contest. His $137 also leads overall for a combined score after the second week of the contest and five big races on Saturday. The contest continues with plenty of chances to win. The action picks up again

Saturday with the Louisiana Derby from the Fair Grounds. In the 2005 edition there is a $25 one-time registration for the contest and players will use real $10 wagers for each race. The sign-up fee of $25 will be deducted from your account.

Play the Road to the Derby at Thoroughbets.com


10% ON TAMPA BAY, DAY OF TAMPA BAY DERBY

Looking forward to March 19, Saturday is a 10% bonus paid on all wagers from Tampa Bay Downs which includes the Tampa Bay Derby. Restrictions apply, details will be available that week.

Get 10% on the Tampa Bay Derby at Thoroughbets.com


POOL 2 OF DERBY, OAKS FUTURE
WAGERS ARE OPEN THIS WEEKEND

The second of three pools for the 2005 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks future wagers is open this weekend.

Unbeaten juvenile champion Declan’s Moon and the mutuel field are the 5-1 co-favorites in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, a $2 minimum win bet on the results of the May 7 Kentucky Derby. Betting continues through Sunday at 6 p.m. (EST).

The field, which includes all 3-year-olds other than the 23 individual betting interests, was a 2-1 favorite in Pool 1, which was open Feb. 10-13.

Declan’s Moon, a Maryland-bred gelding by Malibu Moon, won the Santa Catalina at Santa Anita last week in his 2005 debut. It was his first start since his win in the Grade 1 Hollywood Futurity, which cemented his Eclipse Award as the champion juvenile of 2004.

Afleet Alex, who won the Mountain Valley at Oaklawn Park in his 3-year-old debut last week, and Fountain of Youth champion High Fly are the co-third choices at 10-1 in the morning line, set by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.

Undefeated Rockport Harbor, who is scheduled to make his first start of the year in the Grade 3 Rebel at Oaklawn March 19, is 12-1.

Sweet Catomine, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, is the 4-1 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, which is similar to the Derby wager, but based on the results of the May 6 Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

Trained by Julio Canani, Sweet Catomine was the 9-2 favorite in February’s Pool 1, with slightly more money bet on her than the mutuel field.

The co-second choices at 6-1 are the field and Sis City, a 16-length winner in the Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park in her last start.

Betting on the Oaks wager will close a half-hour later than the Derby wager, at 6:30 p.m.

Bet the Derby and the Oaks this weekend at Thoroughbets.com


MYSTERY HORSE IS FAVORED IN
FAIR GROUNDS’ LOUISIANA DERBY

All but one of the nine entrants in Saturday’s $600,000, Grade 2 Louisiana Derby have started in 2005, and all but two have started in stakes.

The only horse in the field who has neither raced in 2005 nor in a stakes is the 5-2 morning line favorite.

High Limit, the mystery horse in the 1 1/16-mile Louisiana Derby, has been installed as the choice because of the stunning manner in which he won his only two starts to date, both at Delaware Park last October.

The Maria’s Mon colt was never seriously challenged in either his six-furlong maiden debut or a one-mile allowance test. He won those starts by a combined 18 ½ lengths under jockey Ramon Dominguez, who has the return call. High Limit will also have the benefit of his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel.

Scipion will receive considerable backing off his strong rally to win the Grade 3 Risen Star, the local Louisiana Derby prep. The son of A.P. Indy circled the field to beat Real Dandy by 1 ¼ lengths to take the Risen Star for trainer Patrick Biancone. Gary Stevens has the mount.

Bob Baffert will send out Sort It Out, who breaks from the rail under Robby Albarado. The New York-bred son of Out of Place brings a three-race win streak into Saturday’s event. His most recent win was a neck victory in the Whirlaway at Aqueduct Feb. 12.

The Louisiana Derby has also attracted Real Dandy and Storm Surge, second and third in the Risen Star; Kansas City Boy, second in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream last time out; Vicarage, third to Proud Accolade in the Hutcheson; graded stakes-placed Wallstreet Scandal; and the Nick Zito-trained maiden winner Indy Storm.

Reduce the mystery, download free PPs at Thoroughbets.com


NINE VIE IN NEW ORLEANS HANDICAP;
RUNWAY MODEL LEADS FG OAKS

Seven graded stakes winners are among the nine older horses who will compete in the $500,000, Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap, one of the supporting features on the Louisiana Derby Day card at Fair Grounds.

Pollard’s Vision is the highweight at 120 pounds for the 1 1/8-mile New Orleans Handicap. Todd Pletcher’s charge ran second to Wanderin Boy in the Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds Feb. 12. The one-eyed son of Carson City was a half-length winner in the Lone Star Derby in October to close out his 2004 season. John Velazquez rides the 4-year-old millionaire.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Badge of Silver comes into the race with a top effort to his credit already this season. The front-running son of Silver Deputy set a Gulfstream Park track record of 1:48.57 for 1 1/8 miles while beating Dynever by a neck in the Hal’s Hope Handicap in January. The 5-year-old won the 2003 Risen Star at Fair Grounds, and gets the services of Jerry Bailey Saturday for conditioner Bobby Frankel.

Arthur Hancock’s Wanderin Boy will seek his second straight stakes win. The speedy son of Seeking the Gold should challenge Badge of Silver for the early advantage. Larry Melancon has the mount for trainer Nick Zito.

Graded stakes winner Runway Model makes her first start of the year in the $300,000, Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks at 1 1/16 miles.

Bernie Flint’s charge hasn’t raced since her victory in the Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs last November. The Petionville filly won the Alcibiades at Keeneland and ran third to Sweet Catomine in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Rafael Bejarano is in the irons.

Runway Model will face a stern challenge from the strong local filly Summerly. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Summerly has been impressive in two local efforts, including a 9 ¾-length romp in an allowance race and a 3 ¼-length victory in the Silverbulletday. Jerry Bailey has the mount.

Catch all the Louisiana Derby Day action at Thoroughbets.com


FRANKEL HOPES FOR A ‘SWEET’ VICTORY
IN SANTA MARGARITA HANDICAP

Bobby Frankel, who has won countless major stakes races in a 40-year-career, will try to add the $300,000, Grade 1 Santa Margarita Handicap to the list when he sends out Personal Legend and Sweet Lips in the 1 1/8-mile contest.

Champions such as Azeri and Lady’s Secret have won the Santa Margarita, considered Santa Anita’s premier event for older distaffers on dirt.

Sweet Lips comes to the event in strong form off a second-place finish in the La Canada Stakes and a win in the Sunshine Millions Distaff before that. Rene Douglas rides the 4-year-old daughter of Kris S. Meanwhile, Personal Legend should benefit from the added distance, as she was a fast-closing fourth in the 1 1/16-mile Santa Maria Handicap last time out. Garrett Gomez has been named to ride the 5-year-old Awesome Again mare.

Miss Loren is the 118-pound highweight off her win in the Feb. 13 Santa Maria. The 7-year-old Argentine-bred mare will make her first start for her new trainer, Richard Mandella. Jose Valdivia, Jr., has the call.

Head west to Santa Anita with Thoroughbets.com


NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ADDS TO
DERBY PICTURE WITH EL CAMINO REAL

Northern California could add contenders to the Kentucky Derby picture with Saturday’s $200,000, Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Bay Meadows. While the 1 1/16-mile contest is not usually considered a top-rank Derby prep, past winners include Preakness and Belmont winner Tabasco Cat and Kentucky Derby runners-up Cavonnier and Casual Lies.

Two sophomores stand out in this season’s renewal. Uncle Denny could get the nod after his close fourth despite trouble in the 1 1/8-mile Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Feb. 5. The In Excess colt won the California Breeders’ Championship in December and gains the services of Northern California riding legend Russell Baze for trainer Rafael Becerra.

Uncle Denny’s main rival is Stellar Magic, who beat Texcess by 1 ½ lengths in the San Mateo Mile in his last outing. The gelded son of Western Fame ran seventh in the California Breeders’ Championship, but has won his other three starts. Dennis Carr, who was aboard Stellar Magic for all his wins, rides Saturday for trainer Brian Pitnick.

Racing by the bay is yours with Bay Meadows and Thoroughbets.com


LION TAMER SEEKS REPEAT IN
RICHTER SCALE AT GULFSTREAM

Lion Tamer defends his crown in Saturday’s $200,000, Grade 2 Richter Scale Breeders’ Cup Sprint Championship Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

The son of Will’s Way won the 2004 edition of the seven-furlong Richter Scale, the Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup Stakes, and the Cigar Mile during last season, but has not raced since beating top sprinter Pico Central in the Cigar Mile in November. Jose Santos rides the 119-pound highweight for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Clock Stopper should benefit from the added furlong, as he has been closing late in six-furlong events recently. While he is looking for his first win since last summer, he has been competing in top company and ran sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Edgar Prado has the mount.

Sir Shackleton, who won the West Virginia Derby and the Derby Trial in 2004, comes to the Richter Scale off a win in a Feb. 3 allowance/optional claiming contest at Gulfstream for conditioner Nick Zito. Javier Castellano is in the irons.

Bet the best at Gulfstream Park with Thoroughbets.com


ELVIS VS. MAKYBE DIVA REMATCH TONIGHT

There is some great racing tonight from Flemington (track A) including the $1.25 million Australian Cup (G1). The Cup, race 7 on tonight's A card, is a rematch between dual Melbourne Cup (G1) winner Makybe Diva and Elvestroem (known as "Elvis"), winner of the G2 St. George Stakes over Makybe Diva two weeks ago and winner of the Victoria Derby last November over this course. Elvis finished third in this event last year and will use this race as a prep for the Dubai Duty Free (G1) at Nad Al Sheba on March 26, the final day of the Dubai International Racing Carnival.

A field of ten has been assembled for the $1 million Newmarket Handicap (G1) which will be race 6 on the Flemington card. Fastnet Rock, winner of his last five in a row, will be going for the third leg of Melbourne's sprint triple crown. Race 8 is the Cadbury Guineas (G1) which drew a field of 11. Cox Plate winner Savabeel disappointed in the G1 Futurity last out but certainly merits respect. Barely A Moment finished sixth but only three lengths behind the winner in the G3 Schweppes Cup at Caulfield. Niconero will be going for his sixth win in a row with only one loss in his career as he moves up in class against this group. Al Maher finished second in last week's Phar Lap Stakes.

From Rosehill, Australia B tonight, it's the $500,000 Rosehill Guineas (G1). A field of ten has been drawn for the 1 1/4 mile event. Jymcarew comes off two wins in a row. Eremein has been second in his last three outings. Dignity Prince looks to get back on a winning track after finishing third last out. He has won 3 of 6 starts.

Racing down under at Thoroughbets.com


SANTA ANITA OAKS ON TAP FOR SUNDAY

Sweetcatomine, last year's 2-year-old filly champion, is among those expected for Sunday's 64th running of the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1). The daughter of Storm Cat comes off a score in the Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) and will be looking for her fifth graded stakes win in a row. Gulfstream Park will host the $100,000 Honey Fox Handicap (G3) for older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles over the lawn. The $125,000 Razorback Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3) will have older horses going 1 1/16 miles over the Oaklawn Park surface.

Quality racing on Sunday at Thoroughbets.com


WOODBINE, MEADOWLANDS HIGHLIGHT WEEKEND HARNESS RACING

On Saturday night, Woodbine has two $35,000 heats for the second leg of the Cam Fella Series with the $124,500 Final coming up next Saturday. Great Expense is the 4-5 morning line favorite in race 2, which is the first heat. Great Expense edged Ponder in the first leg of the Cam Fella Series last Saturday night. Crombes Last Laugh is the 7-5 favorite in race 4 coming off a score in his heat of the first leg of the Cam Fella.

On Sunday, Meadowlands will host the $85,000 Horse and Groom Series Final for older trotters.

Wager on any of 15 harness tracks Saturday at Thoroughbets.com


AQUEDUCT MOVES BACK TO MAIN TRACK

On Wednesday, March 16, Aqueduct is scheduled to move its races back to the main track from the winterized inner track. Check the status of the move before handicapping Wednesday's races as weather could cause a delay. The Aqueduct meet runs through May 1.

Pick up Aqueduct on the main track at Thoroughbets.com


$500,000 GUARANTEED MAGNA PICK FIVE

Saturday we will offer wagering on the Magna Pick 5 which carries a $500,000 guaranteed pool. There will be five pre-selected races from various racetracks owned by Magna Entertainment. The minimum wager is $2. The Magna Pick 5 will begin with Race 9 at Laurel Park approximately 4:59 p.m. (ET). The following are the Magna 5 races for this Saturday:

All times are Eastern Time Zone

The Magna Pick 5 will continue to be offered each Saturday through mid-April with 75% of the pool carried over to the next Magna Pick 5 with no winning combinations.

Pick up on the Pick Five at Thoroughbets.com

Good Luck and Have a great Racing Weekend!

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