Anyone Follow Horse Racing?

[klinkman]

Smooth Air

Top Performances: 1st in the Ohio Derby[G2], 2nd in the Florida Derby[G1], 1st in the Hutcheson Stakes[G2], 3rd in the Sam F. Davis Stakes[not graded]

Notable Misfires: 11th in the Kentucky Derby

Smooth Air has been quite an impressive performer, being the only one in the same zip code as Big Brown in the Florida Derby, and beating a decent field that included Z Fortune in the Ohio Derby. Everything that could go wrong did for Smooth Air in the derby, getting a fever the week before, then getting bumped at every possible point in the race an not getting any room to run. I'm not sure if he's Breeder's Cup material, but his owners have to be happy with all the money he's made in his stakes races. He runs this weekend in the Pennsylvania Derby, where he will likely be a huge favorite, and if he dominates there he just might be ready for the big time.

[klinkman]

Ready's Echo

Top Finishes: 3rd in the Belmont Stakes[G1], 3rd in the Peter Pan Stakes[G2]

Notable Misfires: None

Ready's Echo seems to come from way to far off the pace to actually be able to win most races, but it sure is fun to watch. I'd like to see him continue to run in some of the bigger stakes races as he makes the finishes really exciting. And the last 15 seconds of this video is hillarous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z85lS0T6654

[nodepositneeded]

That was crazy!

[Lilred36]

Yep he loves racing.

[klinkman]

Free Equibase Past Performances here: http://www.equibase.com/rotw/fullpp.pdf

1. Stones River (7 starts, 4 wins, 0 2nds, 0 3rds)
He's won 4 straight but is taking a big step up in class here. If the track gets wet I really like him, otherwise he might be outclassed here.

2. Ready Set (11 starts, 4 wins, 2 2nds, 2 3rds)
His first stakes win came in the West Virginia Derby, where the field wasn't very strong and things set up for him. I can see him making an impact here but I can't see picking him over several of the other horses here.

3. Numanny (7 starts, 2 wins, 0 2nds, 1 3rd)
He's well bred for sure, but not very talented. An easy throw out for me to make.

4. Tiz Now Tiz Then (10 starts, 3 wins, 2 2nds 1 3rd)
It took him 7 maiden races to finally figure things out, but 3 straight wins then an impressive 3rd place in the Jim Dandy have proven that he does have the class to run with these horses. A strong 2nd choice for me

5. Only for Now (6 starts, 3 wins, 2 2nds, 1 3rd)
He has won 3 straight, but going from Allowance Optional Claiming to a Grade 2 million dollar race is a big step. I can't imagine him running well enough to hit the board here, but I've been wrong before.

6. Smooth Air (9 starts, 4 wins, 2 2nds, 2 3rds)
The morning line favorite and the best horse in the field. Outside of his Kentucky Derby failure, he's run impressively in all of his starts. My pick to win.

7. Two Step Salsa (6 starts, 4 wins, 2 2nds)
This will be the biggest race he's run in, but his 2nd in the Swaps Stakes was impressive, re-rallying to beat Colonel John. However, I think Smooth Air and Tiz Now Tiz Then might be faster, but he should be on your tickets.

8. Anak Nakal (9 starts, 2 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
The dead heat for 3rd in the Belmont notwithstanding, Anak Nakal has refused to run in all of his starts this year. I can't imagine him outrunning the crowd here, so it's an easy leave off of my recommendations.

9. Atoned (13 starts, 2 wins, 7 2nds)
He has failed to fire in several of his starts, and his best race so far wouldn't even be enough for him to hit the board against this field. Another easy toss for me.

10. Power Game (2 starts, 2 wins)
His speed figures haven't been terribly high, but he is undefeated. This might end up biting me in the butt, but I have to recommend not betting on this horse.

11. You and I Forever(6 starts, 2 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
He ran within a neck to Mambo in Seattle in the Henry Walton, but his other starts have been lackluster. I just can't see him competing against this field, but I could be mistaken again.

12- Field, Wishful Tomcat(7 starts, 2 wins, 3 2nds, 1 3rd) Alaazo(5 starts, 2 wins) Acai(7 starts, 2 wins, 1 2nd, 2 3rds)

The weakest horses are grouped together since the boards can only handle 12 betting interests. None of them have a chance, so ignore them

1st Pick-Smooth Air
2nd Pick- Tiz Now Tiz Then

Recommended bet- Exacta Box, 6 over 4, 7, 2, 1

[klinkman]

Gio Ponti

Top Performances: 1st in the West Virginia Derby[G2], 1st in the Hill Prince Stakes[Not Rated]

Notable Misfires: 8th in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf [not graded]

He's won all of his races except the Breeder's Cup race last year, and his nose win over Court Vision in the West Virgina Derby was impressive. He's strictly a turf horse, but as several of the major races coming up are on turf, he can be expected to be a major player. He might fold to a tougher test than Court Vision, but I think he might be up for it.

He's running this evening in the Del Mar Derby, where he is the morning line favorite. This race might show if he has what it takes to run in the Breeder's Cup Mile.