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At the Gate - Wednesday
February 3, 2010
By Mike Dempsey
VegasInsider.com
S o much for my early Derby horse.
I really like Winslow Homer in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park in his stakes debut. The son of Unbridled’s Song did not disappoint, beating the heavy favorite Jackson Bend and returning $9.60 for the win as my top pick.
The victory moved the colt up the ladder on most Derby lists, and the Tony Dutrow trainee would have been one of the favorites for the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby.
Dutrow announced on Tuesday that the promising colt has a stress fracture in his cannon bone and is off the Triple Crown Trail.
The trainer first noticed a problem on Sunday, and an x-ray on Monday showed the stress fracture.
Surgery at Root and Riddle is in his future and he will be out of training for about three months. That still might give the colt time to show up in late summer, perhaps at Saratoga.
For me, it sends me back to the drawing board looking for my next Derby horse. We could see a few promising three year olds this Saturday.
The major stakes for three year olds coming up are the Robert. B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, and the Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct.
If you were worried about racing at Penn National on Wednesday night, there will not be a jockey boycott.
Owner Mike Gill was banned from entering horses at the track, and the four he had entered on Wednesday night will be scratched.
Jockeys refused to ride after a Gill owned runner broke down on Jan. 23.
According to the Daily Racing Form, six Gill horses had suffered catastrophic breakdowns since Oct. 1, while another nine were pulled up, badly eased, or went lame in races during that period.
The controversial Gill said he would be getting out of the game after this latest scrutiny.
To purchase my full card report for Aqueduct that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today, click here.
Here is today's opening race from Aqueduct to get our day off to a good start:
AQU Race 1 Hcp $16,000s (12:30 ET) #3 Morine's Victory 8/1 #5 Najarans Star 2/1 #7 Platinum Couple 7/2 #1 Unbridled Danger 3/1
Analysis: #3 Morine's Victory stretches out to a mile off a good runner up finish last out going six furlongs for a $7.5K tag. The nine year olds last win came in a restricted claimer last fall and while he is stepping into a tougher spot here he looks like he is coming in here in good form. The 20 time winner is 3 for 6 at today's distance and he has run pretty well on the inner in his career (10-2-3-2). Decent value if we catch most of the 8/1 ML.
#5 Najarans Star had to check in traffic at the half mile pole, came four wide around the far turn and drew off late to beat $16K claimers last out off a seven week break. She takes on the boys here but looks like she fits well, although the price may end up on the light side. A cleaner trip should put her in the mix earlier here in a race without much early speed signed up.
Wagering WIN: #3 to win at 9/2 or better. EX: 3,5 / 1,3,5,7 TRI: 3,5 / 1,3,5,7 / 1,2,3,5,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 7 OClm $25,000N1X (3:20 ET) #2 Rises the Phoenix 4/1 #6 Diamond District 9/5 #5 Next Day 12/1 #1 Smart Enuf 7/2
Analysis: #2 Rises the Phoenix was not a threat last out versus state bred Alw-2 optional claimers in his first go off a 10 month layoff. The nine year old drops a condition and should be tighter for his second go off the bench. He is 3 for 7 at nine furlongs and has run well on the inner (15-4-3-1) throughout his career. The capable barn and jock can both get off the skein here, as neither has won a race at the meet.
#6 Diamond District was a sharp winner last out at this level, beating three he faces again today. Since Contessa took over, the gelding has won both starts and has flirted with career tops in both victories. Looks well spotted brought back for a $25K tag.
Wagering WIN: #2 to win at 3/1 or better. EX: 2,6 / 1,2,5,6 TRI: 2,6 / 1,2,5,6 / 1,2,5,6,9
Live Longshots: These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Aqueduct R1: #3 Morine’s Victory 8/1 R2: #5 Quitters Never Win 10/1 R3: #6 Sweethearts Kiss 8/1 R4: #6 Kim Karakorum 12/1 R5: #7 Talk to Nick 12/1 R6: #1 Tiffany Rock 12/1 R7: #5 Next Day 12/1 R9: #9 Globemaster 10/1
Good luck today!
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