Sweet Saturday

by Ed Meyer

posted on October 3, 2008 in Free Picks and Tips, Handicapping, Other Events | No Comments >>

We are less than three weeks away from the Breeders’ Cup as you read this. There was a group of solid races from last weekend, and this weekend holds the same. You will want to tune in the weekend to Keeneland, Belmont, and the Arc on Sunday, from France.

With the hour glass running out, you will want to start fine tuning your selections to zero in on this weekend. This will be your last chance to catch the quality runners before the big dance.

Starting at Keeneland. Races 5-9 are very nice wagering opportunities. The 5th is the G-3 Phoenix, and a runner to examine with WinningPonies.com is: #5 Talent Search, who is a speedy son of Catineus, and loves the Poly Track. Bejarano rides for Frankel, and they have teamed up to be 82% I.T.M over the last 60 days.

Race #6 is the Woodford, a 5 1/2 furlong race on the turf. Take a hard look at: #8 Smart Enough. This 5 year-old-gelding is 2/2 in the money at Keeneland, and 15/16 in the money lifetime over the weeds.

Race #7. You may want to use #11- Advice. This two-year-old looks to something good. The post is rotten, but making his second start off a layoff for a top notch barn is good enough for me. Take him, and get the added price.

Race #8. I love #1 Shakis. This 8-year-old is as tough as a nickle steak. If you saw him get down and dirty against Big Brown down the lane, you should be satisfied he is on schedule. Third off a layoff is strong, and a nice work since his last race. Take a hard look at the Shadwell Mile and keep your information close to find value.

Race #9. Is the Thoroughbred Club of America / G-3. This looks wide open to me, and has plenty of early foot. I like #9 Sweet Hope. With the early foot, it should set up nicely for a stalker exiting a victory.

Shift your tack to Belmont for some excellent racing as well. Start with race # 6 / the G-2 Jamaica Handicap. This is a very promising race going 1 1/8th over the greensward. It looks like a two horse race, and I give the big nod to #4 Gio Ponti. Alan Garcia in the irons for Clemente and this three-year-old is 5/6 in the money lifetime. Oh, by the way, they were all on the turf….. Bet early, and bet often..

Race #8 is the G-1 Frizette. Another tough race to handicap, and you will want to keep your data with you, as you are going to use this race as your value play of the card. You need to take a hard look at: #1 Sky Diva, #10 Gemswick Park, and #5 Persistently. This race is a wide open affair that spells value.

Race #9 for the weekend is the G-1 Champagne. This two-year-old race may turn up a player in three weeks. I like #7 Ventana. Bob Baffert has moved his runners East for the most part, and Victor Espinoza in town tells me that they are thinking about three weeks from now. He is 1/1, and a son of Toccet. Baffert only wins 23% of graded stakes, and that number speaks volumes today.

Well, with the time running out and some of the best racing to come, there is only a few things left. Get up, dial up WinningPonies.com and get to the windows. You will not want to be looking back without guidance; and on a day where value is abound, it is more important than ever.