Hello Richie, I had planned on keeping quiet for awhile, but since you asked....and I owe you one for previously speaking after the fact. So I am offering my two cents on today’s 8th race at BEL. I am primarily a turf bettor and knowing the rains were coming I havent looked at card very much. I’ve only looked at one race so far, the 8th, a very ugly race. As slop is imminent, I haven’t sprung for the TG sheets yet, I study the DRF first, then look to TG for deeper insight and further confirmation or otherwise. The story of the 8th as I am reading it so far ...
I realize everyone will be jumping on the 2, and I agree with trying to beat it with the 4. But allow me to put forth a few arguments in favor of the 9 to win. This is a young horse and looking at his development so far, his workout tab, and his connections, this is a horse poised to run his best race to date. Will it be enough to win this race? He is poised for that 3yo leap forward. He hasn’t raced since the winter so he has had the last 5 months to grow up and mature. His last work was relatively sharp. He is going to come back a biggger, stronger horse than we last saw him. I think he is well spotted, and he has serious connections. What I know of the owner is that he is a excellent horseman himself. He is not a businessman claiming horses for a hobby. Mike Hushion makes a good living stealing candy from babies in races like these. Very serious connections. These guys don’t waste a race. Plus he is getting 4lbs less than in each of previous two starts, and 6lbs less than his older rivals here. And Rosario sure doesn’t hurt. This horse is poised for a new top even in the slop. Will it be enough?
If the 2 and 4 have the TG edge, I think Maragh is a big upgrade for the 4. I have liked Maragh a great deal for several years. For me, he adds value to a horse. The 4 ran poorly twice as a 2yo, then came back 10 months later and broke his maiden at LRL on first asking as a 3yo. Then he was entered at 1 1/8 at AQU and ran poorly. I will throw this race out. Next out he goes up in class, gets Maragh and goes on the grass. Nothing stellar, but a better effort. Now he is cutting back in distance and going back to Plan A, running on the dirt. I think he is running for redemption. And Maragh is sticking with him. I like this guy far far better than the 2. I just can’t bring myself to bet a horse like the 2 at 6/5 to win no matter what. Plus the 2 is carrying 4 and 9lbs respetively more in this race than in his previous two starts. The 2 might beat me, but that is a loss I can live with....
It seems slop is imminent. I don’t see many if any of these guys scratching. And I don’t think the connections on the 9 are too worried about the slop.
So, my pre race thoughts on the 8th. Forget the 2, not worth it. 4,9 to finish first and second, (or second and first) . Not seeing the TG figs, I can’t quite choose between the two yet, but if you hold my feet to the fire, I ‘m going with the 9 on the outside, in the slop, looking for a big new top under Jo-el Rosario.
As a exotic bettor, I would be using the 3, 5, and 7 also. I like 3yos in this situation. Good jocks on 5 and 7, and a weight break for the 5. But it’s the 9 to win for me. I think he is the only horse unequivocably looking forward and many positives angles to him. And It’s killing me this track is sloppy today. Arrrggghhhh!
Here’s to a profitable day at the races for you, Richie! Good Luck!!!