*Please note the below are NOT picks but are highlights on some of the top contenders and were drafted prior to the post draw * Friday November 2nd, 2018 Juvenile Turf Sprint Strike Silver – Really took to the turf in his first attempt in the Indian Summer stakes. He could see a similar set up…
Race 6 Grade II Woodford Done Deal (1): Gets the cut back in distance to 5 1/2 furlongs where he might be able to run them off their feet wire to wire at a healthy number. Extravagant Kid (4): Should be able to sit in a good stalking position behind our top pick. He should…
Race 9 Grade III Saranac Hot Springs (6): Comes out of the very live Kent Stakes which produced the Secretariat winner, Carrick. Therapist (7): Dominated a small field of NY Breed horses in the stallion series but steps back up in a class he ran with over the winter at Gulfstream. Raging Bull (3): Had…
Travers Day is the most popular day of the summer racing season at Saratoga. “Saratoga’s Midsummer Derby” is a Grade 1, 1.25-million dollar race for 3-year-olds, While The Kentucky Derby falls on the First Saturday in May, Travers Day is always held on the last Saturday in August. Matthew Pappis checks in with his picks…
Approximate Post Time: 5:02pm EST Race 8 Grade I Fourstar Dave Yoshida (7): Much the class and the one to beat here off his Ascot form. As we’ve pointed out before, this odds maker is consistently wrong and will be wrong again here with his morning line. Voodo Song (6): The lover of the Spa,…
(Post Time Approximately 4:25pm EST) Race 7 Grade III Amsterdam Strike Power (5): Last race wasn’t him. I’m convicnecd he’s much better than that race shows and we will get a square price on him. Engage (3): Should get another dream set up as he did in the Woody Stevens. The cut back should help…
Race 8 Beautiful Street (5): Woke up when getting on the turf for the first time, should get an ideal set up stalking the speed. First appeal (2): Comes in fresh for Rice and Jose Ortiz who went on a tear here last year. Really Proud (3): Clement was red hot to end the Belmont…
Justify needs to win The Belmont on Saturday to become just the 2nd Triple Crown winner in the last 39-years. Matthew Pappis takes a look at the entire card for Saturday in Elmont, New York. Race 1: 7-1-3-6 Race 2 Easy Goer Stakes High North (8): Looked loaded turning for home in the Peter Pan and…
Race 1: 2-5-6-8 Race 2: 6 -12- 7- 5 Race 3 Grade III Bed O’ Roses Divine Miss Grey (5): The only one who wants to go with her early this race will be Chalon. She has speed rider Carmouche aboard and should try to take it to them early at a big price. She’ll be over…
Preakness Day 1: 4-1-7 2: 3-4-9-1 3: 7-8-1 4: 9-7-3-5 5: 6-9-3 6: 7-1-10 Race 7 Grade II Dixie Divisidero (8): We go back to the old cagey veteran who hasn’t been seen since October and now joins a new barn if he has anything left he will be competitive here and overlooked. World Approval…
Round Two of The Triple Crown Series is upon us and before we get to The Preakness on Saturday, Pimlico will host Black Eyed Susan Day on Friday May 18th. Against The Number contributor and horse racing expert, Matthew Pappis weighs in with his thoughts. Race 7 Grade III Miss Preakness Almond Rocco (8): Toss…
Race 1: 3-2-6-5 Race 2: 6-7-5 Race 3: 6-5-2 Race 4: 5-9-12-2-3-4 Race 5: 6-9-4-1 Race 6 Grade I Humana Distaff Skye Diamonds (4): She is the best when she has some speed to run at and she did not get that last time but she will here. Third off the layoff she is primed for a big effort. Lewis…
Race 1: 6-1 -4 Race 2: 8-7-4-12 Race 3: 10-8-5 Race 4: 6-1-11 -4 Race 5 Grade II Eight Belles Stakes Mia Mischief (3): Looks like the one to beat second off the layoff with a good inside post to get position and play catch me if you can. Gas Station Sushi (5): Returned off a nine…
With overnight snow Friday and temperatures in the 30’s expected on Saturday, things could get interesting at Keeneland for The Bluegrass Stakes. The opening of the gates has been pushed back to 12:00pm from 11:00am to give the crew more time to clear what looks to be one to three inches of overnight snow in…
Race 1: 6-1-2-4 Race 2: 7-11-8-9 Race 3: 3-1-5-6 Race 4 The Cutler Bay Therapist (1): Should sit a dream trip on the rail behind Speed Franco and Salmanazar and get out at the top of the stretch to run them down. Hoping the 3/1 morning line holds second off the layoff for Clement. Speed…
Race 9 Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes Money Multiplier(5): Gets a few months off after an odd trip in the Red Smith handicap and should be super tough in this spot. There’s some speed to the inside of him which should set up an ideal trip for the return. Channel Maker (8): Put together…
Saturday January 13th – Gulfstream Pick 5 Race 8 Famous Fact (4): Steps up after winning easily in the Clm 16, 000N2L to the N3L condition and gets a softer field for the condition. With a repeat effort he will be in the mix at a very fair price of 8-1 ml. Sound Values (7): Just…
Race 1: 11-8-6-1-7 Race 2: 1-3-6-5 Race 3: 11-2-1-5 Race 4 14 Hands Winery Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Princess Warrior (3): Ran a big number for a first time start and was wheeled back quickly for the win and your in race at Keeneland – which may have caused her to bounce but she still ran…
Race 1: 7-3-1 Race 2: 4-11-3-2-9 Race 3: 10-12-2-3-5 Race 4: 6-1-7 Race 5: 3-7-4 Race 6 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Happily (2): She is coming to America with wins in 4 of her last 5 starts and has not had a poor effort since her debut. She will be able to use her tactical speed…
ATN Horse Racing specialist, Matthew Pappis, takes an early look at some of the contenders for The Breeder’s Cup, taking place on the first weekend in November. It will be the first time ever that The Breeder’s Cup has been staged at storied Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Racetrack in gorgeous, Del Mar, California. Juvenile Turf…
KEENELAND PICK 5 Race 5 Grade II Woodford Commend (2): Should sit a perfect trip in here right off the speed from the inside post position. He is currently in good form and I love the cut back from 6 1/2 to 5 furlongs. Latent Revenge (5): Has the ability to pop some big numbers…
Race 6 Always On My Mind (7): First time in the Brad Cox barn and while you don’t improve horses from Todd Pletcher, his horses always come into the fall meet ready. The outside posts at Keeneland are a big advantage at this distance. It should allow for a good stalking trip. Ready to Confess…
Belmont Race 7 Grade I Vosburgh Invitational Takaful (4): Has proven that one turn is his game. He will be coming in third off the layoff and getting back to his preferred distance of 6 furlongs cutting back from the Allen Jerkens. I am looking for him to wire this field at a square price…
Matthew Pappis offers his take on the full card for Travers Day at Saratoga. Race 1: 8-6-2-5 Race 2: 1-3-8 Race 3: 9-10-8-5 Race 4: 8-4-3 Race 5: 10-7-8 Race 6 Grade I Personal Ensign Songbird (2): Her numbers don’t stack up to what she ran last year but she is the champ and they’ll have…
Race 8 Faypien (8): What else can we say about Bob Baffert shipping in to the east coast lately? He has been unstoppable. She is the class of the race on the turn back and will be tough to beat. Cursor (6): Will get a ton of pace to run at in this spot and…