Editors’ Note: We have added a handicapping section. Rather than try and pick every race on the card, we will select a feature race of the day and give you our thoughts and selections. Heather is more of an exotic player while Ted is more of a straight win/place, exacta kind of bettor so you’ll get some perspective from both angles. We hope you enjoy and, perhaps, profit a little as well!
Today’s Race:
Heather’s View:
Silver Lining John (1): Finished 2014 with 2 straight wins in higher level claiming and optional levels at Arlington. Off since September but steady works.
El Seventyseven (2): Speedy 7-year old will look to take them wire to wire. Great seasonal debut in Fairgrounds turf sprint. Robertson always dangerous in Canterbury stakes.
Castletown (6): Runner up in this one last year, came back and captured the HBPA Sprint later in the season and started off 2015 with a win in the Swift Stakes before faltering in the Phoenix Gold Cup.
Rockin Home (7): In his one try over the turf, he finished 4th in this race last year.
Superfecta box 1,2,6,7
Ted’s View:
Lots of speed in here as there should be in a short turf dash. Chairman Crooks (5) who looked to push the pace hard scratched as did Scorcher (4), who had the ability to perhaps stalk the early pace. You can eliminate Deal Master (3), whose only win is a Fonner maiden, and the two on the outside coming in off of $3,000 claims and have no business in a stakes race which leaves us with a relatively close bunch of four.
Castletown (6) is coming in off of a layoff after a disappointing finish in the Phoenix Gold Cup and then a couple of non-descript works. Rockin Home (7) is consistent against state bred company (AZ) but has faltered in open company. Now we’re down to the inside pair.
El Seventyseven (2) has shown a change of style in his last two, clearing to an early lead and galloping off late. Who says you can’t teach a 7-year old new tricks? Silver Lining John (1) should be close as well but may have the ability to track the early pace and catch El Seventy Seven late.
WP 1; Exacta box 1/2
