Getting Back in the Game

by Ed Meyer

posted on March 25, 2023 in Blogroll, Free Picks and Tips, General Discussion, Handicapping, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | Comments Off on Getting Back in the Game

A few blogs ago I spoke of taking a sabbatical. A little break from the bump and grind of betting on a bad streak or without the passion needed to score. I didn’t need as long as I thought initially and felt ready to ask the coach to put me back in. My plans are to take a little more time and start on the opening weekend of Keeneland in April, but in the meantime, here is a little starter for me to handicap the big weekend at Turfway Park. I’ve watched many of the runners all winter long and wanted to handicap the card with open eyes and renewed energy. – So, enjoy the big races at Turfway and be on the lookout for my Keeneland wagers. I think we’re going to have some fun!

 

Turfway Park

Race #7 – The $250,000 Animal Kingdom – 6f – 3:43 pm

#4 – Eye Witness = Kent Desormeaux comes back to Florence for Wesley Ward. The barn is winning 37% for the meet and his maiden win was under Desormeaux back in January and was impressive going a mile. Today he turns back to 6f and sports bullet works over the track to prepare. Ward wins 33% over the all-weather surface and Kent D in the irons gives me greater confidence. – Turning back in distance with a sharp work has him ready to come out swinging.

 

Race #8 – The $250,000 Rushaway – 1 1/16 – 4:13 pm

#4 – Santorini = is the son of Twirling Candy for Todd Pletcher with Irad Ortiz in the irons. Making the turf-to-dirt switch yields a 27% win clip for the barn and the rider and trainer win a robust 38% as a team. Look for an up-close tactical ride that plays to the course very well.

 

Race #9 – The $250,000 Latonia Stakes – 1 1/16 – 4:43 pm

#11 – Bellamore = drops down in class today for Simon Callaghan and Martin Garcia. Coming off a four-month break in the G3 Falls City at CD and the daughter of Empire Maker is 2/2 on the synthetic surface at GG. – Going dirt to all-weather yields a 27% win clip for the barn.

 

Race #10 – The $300,000 – Kentucky Cup Classic – 1 1/8 – 5:13 pm

#10 – King Cause = is a Mike Maker trainee coming off a 56-day break and is 2/2 ITM at TP. – He drops down in class today in the hands of Gerardo Corrales. Look for an up-close ride and track the pace to the winner’s circle.

 

Race #11 – The $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks – 1 1/16 – 5:43 pm

#5 – Botanical = is a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro for Brad Cox with Chris Landeros in the irons. She is a stalker and sports a 3/3 winning record at Turfway. She won the $50k Cincinnati Trophy last out and looks to step up her game and lay just off the pace and pounce.

 

Race #12 – The G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks – 1 1/8 – 6:25 pm

#11 – Wadsworth = hails from the Brad Cox barn with Chris Landeros in the saddle. He is 2/2 at TP and makes his 3rd off the layoff move where Cox wins 22%. – He’ll stalk off the pace and strike when ready.

 

This is just a toe in the water for this handicapper. I can’t wait until the opening of Keeneland and I can employ the power of the “place parlay” and pick-fours with big guaranteed pools. – To begin again as a handicapper is one of the best feelings in the world. After all, it was the love of our game that drew us in the first place. – Best of luck from your friends at Winning Ponies!