Every day brings you a little closer to the weekend. That is when the best of the races will take place, and the Derby trail continues. So, let’s start up a bankroll on Tuesday and get it going a little early.

Beulah Park

Race #4 – #1 Laird’s Prize (3-1).

Dean Sarvis and Doug Cowans team up again. They are winning at an incredible 57%, and 76% ITM. Let me know if anyone in the country is at this level. Makes a big jump in class from condition 5,000 to O.C. 16,000.  Now that is a big leap…. Sarvis is winning 27%, and Cowans is rolling at 38%. That gives me the confidence to move forward. If it were anyone else, I would skip the runner. It is hard for me to see 3-1, as it should be 7-1 or better. A bit of a horse-for-the-course going 11/12 at Beulah. Beaten favorite last out, and Cowans wins 32% on this move. I like her on Tuesday, and I think you’ll get 3-1 or better.

Hawthorne

Race #3 – #5  Special Victory (3-1).

Jerry LaSalla in the irons for Wayne Catalano. They move the mark 20% together. Catalano is rolling at 27%, and I like the second off of a layoff. Drops down in class, and goes from 16,000 2L to 10,000 2 lifetime…. 2/3 at Chicago, and is back where he needs to be. LaSalla can get the job done, and “The King of Chicago” brings them ready. I like the way she looks, and you can bet that the connections will do their best.

Race #6 – #4 – Rusty Spinner (4/1).

Inez Karlsson in the saddle for Catalano. She is off to a great 2010, winning 30%. Makes the third start at Chicago, and is 2/2 ITM over the oval. Take a look at the bullet work, and you will be looking where to put her with the other tier levels. That is what I would do, and I suggest you take a hard look before pulling the trigger. The summer at Arlington tightened her up, and 4/5 ITM lifetime shows that we have a nice Illinois runner. She should give a good account of herself in this state-bred stake, and on this day, she will offer value as Shakaleena will get hammered at the window.

There it is… Food for thought, and I would always check the track conditions as well as the other tier levels. The weekend is coming, and you have only a few m0re days before racing in Dubai, and the $500,000 Lane’s End at Turfway Park. So, suck it up and make hay until the weekend.