First Post: Sunday, April 7, 2013

Spring by You Yet?

One in our continuing series on The Flora of Studio City. The rose trees and bushes are showing their bounty.

Free ones: Rundown…

Aqueduct 2, 4, 7, 9
Golden Gate 2, 4, 5
Santa Anita 9

Pay-side: Today…

Keeneland 1, 6, 7, 8
Tampa 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Pimlico 3, 4
Hawthorne 8
Oaklawn 3, 4, 5, 6
Turf Paradise 3, 5, 8

Today’s Stakes Pageantry: Bonkers-type scenario excludes the favorite in OP 8, the Ark. Breeders’. Going with #4 Devil and a Half and #9 The Mallard Man.

The chalk cannot be ignored, however, in SA 3, the American Beauty: #2 In the Stars.

Yesterday’s Activity: Wrong about Verrazano, though his win was narrow — narrow. Not a good bridge to the big Derby.

Dilemma in GG 6, in which the listed Live Longshot, #11 Triple Action, was up against a vaunted Triple Threat horsey, Farmer Giles. Triple the trouble! Triple Action ran to that 99-99-83 on LifeLiner, and Farmer Giles closed to his LifeLiner 83-85-99, just missing a rally for the win. Triple Action was 12-1 in the wagering and on the morning line, returning $26-even for the victory; Farmer Giles was your 6-5 fave; $2 exacta was $80.

Nearly there with Iotapa, 16-1, in SA 5, which was won by the 3-10 Beholder. Duds there the rest of the free day, but OK in the Derby with Goldencents, fourth-choice winner at $15-even.

Bonkersmate Ghost Hunter ran with distinction as the runner-up in Kee 5, bettered only by the 6-5 fave. Yes, that fave was a LifeLiner qualifier, and the backup exacta was $67, thanks to a full 12-horse field. Couldn’t find the show-horse, though. Pity.

Holiday Boy ($10.80) got the heavy betting action in the 11th, nowhere near his 12-1 morning line.

Oaklawn again toward the end of the meet: Long to Win ran to that billing at a $30.80 mutuel. zOMG! He was a Triple Threat horsey! Nonetheless, the race was contentious, and fellow LifeLiner Speed Column qualifier Right Now, 7-1, completed a $286 exacta; unfortunately for the touted, Right Now did not merit mention due to a lowish 5-1 on the morning line — kindly remember we do not make any recommendations below 8-1 on the morning line. We figure you know how to tease out those lower-priced runners on your own!

Also at Oaklawn, Que Posse ($12.80), was knocked far below his 12-1 morning line in winning the eighth. ’Posse was a LifeLiner qualifier in a contentious race.

Finally, somebody out there took “Nocturnal Submission”to heart last night at PennNat. How does that exacta pay only $92? Too much activity on the touted Horseshoe Lake, that’s how. Thanks a lot!

WMF Report:

Early
Hawthorne 6f
Tampa 1m40y
Turf Paradise 6f

Nocturnal Submission: Could be good for #8 Ms. Red Hawk in the Mountain opener (7 p.m. EDT / 4 p.m. PDT). …

Thank you. Best wishes. Perhaps a “Monday Boxing” for yourself tomorrow — the numbers aren’t in now. If not, certainly the other weekly minor hit “Tuesday Sniping” two days from now. Until either such time, it’s goodbye. Bye-bye.