Handicapping

Play of the Day Race Date April 11, 2021 Track Keeneland Race 9 Overview A solid MSW with a slew of lightly raced, well-bred runners with plenty of upside and potential. Pace It should be honest, especially with so many lightly raced runners still figuring the game out, and a several firsters entered as well. Trends It’s tough to see any visible trends on the turf, as they usually just card a few a day (during the week), but for the most part the course can be demanding, and therefore I tend to side with stalker/closers. Best Bet DANCEFORTHEEMPIRE Number 4 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #4…

Play of the Day Race Date April 10, 2021 Track Keeneland Race 10 Overview A compact and weak renewal of the G1 Jenny Wiley, though it’s very evenly-matched. Pace It’s non-existent, with the exception of #3 JULIET FOXTROT (7-2), who is loose as can be over a group of stalker/closers. Trends There’s only been three days of racing, but both surfaces played very fair over the weekend. Best Bet JULIET FOXTROT Number 3 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #3 JULIET FOXTROT (7-2): Classy mare has never been this kind, but this isn’t a true G1 renewal, so she hit hard here, and has a huge race flow…

Play of the Day Race Date April 09, 2021 Track Keeneland Race 4 Overview A full field of 30k MCL’ers, though with very little that inspire, and an MSW dropper who looks spotted to score. Pace There should be plenty, as several have flashed speed early, and Ward firster #4 Ollie’s Gold (3-1) also figures to be motoring. Trends There’s only been three days of racing, but both surfaces played very fair over the weekend. Best Bet BERNADETTE THE JET Number 1 Morning Line (3-1) Best Bet Overview #1 BERNADETTE THE JET (3-1): Motion returnee (18% off this elongated layoff) also brings in Peterson, so you can surmise…

Play of the Day Race Date April 08, 2021 Track Keeneland Race 8 Overview A strong N2X, though one where the favorites drew some disadvantageous outside posts. Pace It looks on the slow side, which says tactical speed will be a good thing, in what could be a bunched field entering the far turn. Trends There’s only been two days of racing, but both surfaces played very fair over the weekend. Best Bet STREET READY Number 2 Morning Line (8-1) Best Bet Overview #2 STREET READY (8-1) (turf only): Tactical sort drew perfectly, has a strong 2nd in his only start over the course, and got the perfect…

Play of the Day Race Date April 07, 2021 Track Keeneland Race 4 Overview A weak 50k N2L with a potential class standout in #2 MAKEJOYFULNOISE (5-2). Pace It looks honest enough, as there are a few from the outside who want to go early. Trends There’s only been two days of racing, but both surfaces played very fair over the weekend. Best Bet MAKEJOYFULNOISE Number 2 Morning Line (5-2) Best Bet Overview #2 MAKEJOYFULNOISE (5-2) FG invader was in sharp form all winter for a very underrated Combs barn, and both gals she faced in her last two are future stakes winners, with Euphoric potentially being G1…

Play of the Day Race Date April 03, 2021 Track Keeneland Race 8 Overview An absolutely sterling renewal of the G2 Shakertown, which has the look of a race that will be among the best in the turf sprint division all year, with several of the top in the division landing here. Pace It looks supersonic, as there are countless runners entered who want to be on or just off the early pace, which means this could fall apart in the lane. Trends N/A Best Bet IMPRIMIS Number 2 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #2 IMPRIMIS (7-2): Grizzled veteran is best when he’s on his game and…

Play of the Day Race Date April 02, 2021 Track Keeneland Race 8 Overview A solid and speedy renewal of the G3 Beaumont that looks competitive and ripe for a minor surprise, especially with ML favorite #2 Slumber Party taking on winner. Pace It looks to be very quick and contested, as several want to be involved early and often, which could set it up for a stalker who can lay close. Trends N/A Best Bet AMALFI PRINCESS Number 4 Morning Line (9-2) Best Bet Overview #4 AMALFI PRINCESS (9-2): Value abounds here, as she figures to get overlooked a bit off a turf race, but she fits…

Play of the Day Race Date March 28, 2021 Track Gulfstream Park Race 11 Overview A deep and competitive 35k claimer, though the upside lies with #1 PIONEER MAN (7-2), who looks poised to improve off the claim. Pace It looks a little on the slow side, which should put tactical speed at even more of a premium than normal. Trends Tactical speed is always at a premium on the turf, though when going this far it doesn’t play nearly as important as it does going shorter. Best Bet PIONEER MAN Number 1 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #1 PIONEER MAN (7-2): Maker claim (17%) just missed…

Play of the Day Race Date March 27, 2021 Track Gulfstream Park Race 10 Overview A solid renewal of the Pan American (G2), though one with proven commodities, several of which have no more upside left. Pace It looks modest, but these marathons typically go slow early and turn into a 2F sprint late, so pace is not as imperative. Trends Tactical speed is always at a premium on the turf, though when going this far it doesn’t play nearly as important as it does going shorter. Best Bet MOON OVER MIAMI Number 7 Morning Line (5-1) Best Bet Overview #7 MOON OVER MIAMI (5-1): Mott runner was…

Play of the Day Race Date March 26, 2021 Track Gulfstream Park Race 8 Overview A weak 20k claimer sprinting on the turf with #1 MISSING LINK (3-1) looking like he holds a strong pace edge. Pace There’s no one here who can run with #1 MISSING LINK (3-1) early, and a repeat of her wire job last time will win this too. Trends Speed sprinting on the turf is a huge asset, especially going this short, over what is a hard and firm turf course. Best Bet MISSING LINK Number 1 Morning Line (3-1) Best Bet Overview #1 MISSING LINK (3-1): Speedster looks like the controlling pace…