Editor's Note: For all of your horse wagering needs, be sure to visit allhorseracing.com!
If you like handicapping talk, be sure to tune into “Down the Stretch” on Sirius Radio (channel 127) this Saturday morning. I’ll be joining Daily Racing Form columnist Dave Grening and Caton Brader to analyze the Mother Goose and Suburban from Belmont Park, the Boiling Springs from Monmouth Park, the American Handicap, A Gleam and Hollywood Gold Cup from Hollywood Park and the Chicago Handicap and King Edward Handicap from Arlington Park and Woodbine respectively.
This week’s free plays
All selections (unless otherwise noted) are made in light of the conditions existing at the time of entry. Races taken off the turf, or modified in any way, should be passed.
MONMOUTH PARK * Race 9 (71%) * $150,000 Purse * 8.5 Furlongs * Turf
8-Much Obliged (4/1)
Fair Odds: 3-1
3-My Princess Jess (3/1)
Fair Odds: 7-2
9-Namaste’s Wish (5/2)
Fair Odds: 7-2
COMMENTS: Been a fan of MUCH OBLIGED ever since her phenomenal maiden breaker at Fair Grounds on Feb. 9. And, outside of the Appalachian at Keeneland in April, the daughter of Kingmambo has continued to impress. Although she earned just an 83 Beyer in her most recent score, her LSR was and outstanding +8 that day; the one to beat. Barclay Tagg takes over the training of MY PRINCESS JESS, whose latest makes her a strong contender. NAMASTE’S WISH just missed while six-wide against the second choice last time.
BET(S): WIN on 8.
WOODBINE * Race 6 (40%) * $300,000 Purse * 9.0 Furlongs * Turf
1-Society's Chairman (9/5)
Fair Odds: 5-2
3-Can’t Beat It (10/1)
Fair Odds: 6-1
7-Seaside Retreat (6/1)
Fair Odds: 8-1
COMMENTS: SOCIETY’S CHAIRMAN, a five-year-old horse that made his racing debut in March, is clearly the one to beat in this spot, as he has been improving rapidly and gets weight from all the major contenders. (For example, he just beat French Beret by 1 ¾ lengths while spotting him a pound and now receives six from that opponent). The interesting aspect of this race is the pace, which figures to be slower than Society’s Chairman is used to and could prove troublesome if jockey Jono Jones elects to shield the son of Not Impossible from the early fractions. CAN’T BEAT IT is winless in six starts over the past two years, yet is one of just two graded stakes winners in the field (the other being French Beret).
In addition, his last two turf tries are deceptively good, as he earned a 90 Beyer and +7 LSR in his latest and an 83 Beyer and +1 LSR in his previous try. Given the likely pace scenario, he rates a major chance. SEASIDE RETREAT began his turf career in grand style as a three-year-old, posting a scintillating 4 ½-length win in the Charlie Barley Stakes in June of 2006 and then placing in the Grade II Virginia Derby 20 days later. Since that time, however, Seaside Retreat’s career has stagnated a bit, although a two-length score in an optional claiming affair at Churchill Downs on May 10 that earned a 98 Beyer and +1 LSR may indicate a return to form.
BET(S): WIN on 3 (at odds of 6-1 or greater). SHOW on 3 & 7 (if #1 commands 75% or more of the show pool).
