Weekend Winners Club

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July 1, 2020. The Stakes schedule for North America, Japan, and Ascot has been updated with some exciting news. Saratoga, Del Mar, and Keeneland will all open later this month if they don’t get beaten down by their governors issuing panic decrees.

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July 2020 Stakes Schedule for North America, Japan, and Ascot.

Race	Track	Date	Purse	Age/Cond	Dist	Surf	Fee and date
Canada Day S	AsD	01-Jul	$25k g	3&up f/m	7.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 20.
Frances Genter S	Cby	01-Jul	$50k g	3yo f S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 22.
Minnesota Turf Distaff	Cby	01-Jul	$50k g	3&up f/m S	7.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 22.
Ralph Strangis Memorial S	Cby	01-Jul	$50k g	3&up S	7.5f	Turf	$0/Jun 22
Victor S. Myers S	Cby	01-Jul	$50k g	3yo S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 22.
Grants Pass Derby	GrP	01-Jul	$10k a	3yo	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Mioland Stakes	GrP	01-Jul	$8,500 a	3&up S	5.5f	Dirt	Not Available
Mount Vernon S	Bel	02-Jul	$100k g	4&up f/m S	8f	Turf	Closed on Jun 20.
License Fee S	Bel	03-Jul	$80k g	4&up f/m	6f	Turf	Closed on Jun 20.
Cincinnatian S	BTP	03-Jul	$75k g	3yo f S	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 23.
Hoover S	BTP	03-Jul	$75k g	2yo S	5.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 23.
Oceanport Centennial S	Mth	03-Jul	$75k g	3&up	5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 26.
Manhattan S (G1T)	Bel	04-Jul	$400k g	4&up	10f	Turf	Closed on Jun 20.
Poker (G3T)	Bel	04-Jul	$150k g	4&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Jun 20.
Runhappy Metropolitan (G1) BC	Bel	04-Jul	$500k g	3&up	8f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 20.
Suburban (G2)	Bel	04-Jul	$200k g	4&up	10f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 20.
Victory Ride S (G3)	Bel	04-Jul	$100k g	3yo f	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 20.
Cape Henlopen S	Del	04-Jul	$75k g	3&up	12f	Turf	Closed on Jun 20.
Christiana S	Del	04-Jul	$50k g	3yo f	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 20.
Delaware Oaks (G3)	Del	04-Jul	$300k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 20.
Kent S (G3T)	Del	04-Jul	$125k g	3yo	9f	Turf	Closed on Jun 20.
Louisiana Legends Cheval	EvD	04-Jul	$60k g	3yo S	8f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 19.
Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle	EvD	04-Jul	$60k g	3&up f/m S	5.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 19.
Louisiana Legends Soiree	EvD	04-Jul	$60k g	3yo f S	8f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 19.
Louisiana Legends Sprint	EvD	04-Jul	$60k g	3&up S	5.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 19.
Louisiana Legends Turf	EvD	04-Jul	$60k g	3&up S	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 19.
Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff	EvD	04-Jul	$60k g	3&up f/m S	8f	Turf	Closed on Jun 19.
Azalea S	GP	04-Jul	$75k g	3yo f	7f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint	GP	04-Jul	$75k g	3&up	5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 21.
Carry Back S	GP	04-Jul	$75k g	3yo	7f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
Great Lady M. S (G2)	LRC	04-Jul	$200k g	3&up f/m	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 27.
Los Alamitos Derby (G3)	LRC	04-Jul	$150k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 27.
Spruce Fir H	Mth	04-Jul	$75k g	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 26.
Oak Tree Sprint	Pln	04-Jul	$50k a	3&up	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 27.
Iowa Distaff	PrM	04-Jul	$50k g	3&up f/m	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
John Wayne S	PrM	04-Jul	$50k g	3&up c/g S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
Mamie Eisenhower S	PrM	04-Jul	$50k g	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
Saylorville S	PrM	04-Jul	$50k g	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
Eclipse S (G2)	WO	04-Jul	$175k g	4&up	8.5f	AW	Closed on Jun 17.
Queenston S	WO	04-Jul	$125k g	3yo R	7f	AW	Closed on Jun 17.
Inaugural H	Wyo	04-Jul	$10k a	3&up	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Kingston S	Bel	05-Jul	$100k g	4&up S	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 20.
Ellis Park Turf S	ElP	05-Jul	$50k g	3&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 20.
CBC Sho (G3T)	JRA	05-Jul	$785k a	3&up	6f	Turf	Closed on May 26.
Radio Nikkei Sho (G3T)	JRA	05-Jul	$759k a	3yo	9f	Turf	Closed on May 26.
Lane's End Danny Shifflett Scholarship S	LS	05-Jul	$75k g	3&up f/m S	7.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 25.
Texas Stallion S (Pan Zareta Div.)	LS	05-Jul	$75k g	2yo f R	5f	Dirt	Closed on Jan 1.
Texas Stallion S (Staunch Avenger Div.)	LS	05-Jul	$75k g	2yo c/g R	5f	Dirt	Closed on Jan 1.
Wayne Hanks Memorial S	LS	05-Jul	$75k g	3&up S	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 25.
John J. Reilly H	Mth	05-Jul	$75k g	3&up S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 26.
Iowa Derby	PrM	05-Jul	$100k g	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
Iowa Oaks (G3)	PrM	05-Jul	$100k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
Iowa Sprint	PrM	05-Jul	$50k g	3&up	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H (G3)	PrM	05-Jul	$100k g	3&up	9f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 21.
Fury S	WO	05-Jul	$125k g	3yo f R	7f	AW	Closed on Jun 17.
Get Happy Mister S	ArP	07-Jul	$30k e	3yo c/g S	6f	Dirt	Not Available
Vannacide S	ArP	07-Jul	$30k e	3yo f S	6f	Dirt	Not Available
Jack Hardy S	AsD	07-Jul	$25k g	3yo f	7.5f	Dirt	Not Available
It's the Climate H	GrP	07-Jul	$10k a	3&up f/m	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 30.
R.J. Speers S	AsD	08-Jul	$25k g	3&up	7.5f	Dirt	Not Available
Steelhead H	GrP	08-Jul	$10k a	3&up	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jul 1.
Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Fillies	Ind	08-Jul	$75k a	3yo f S	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Hoosier Breeders Sophomore S	Ind	08-Jul	$75k a	3yo S	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Indiana Derby (G3)	Ind	08-Jul	$300k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Indiana General Assembly Distaff	Ind	08-Jul	$75k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 24.
Indiana Oaks (G3)	Ind	08-Jul	$200k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial	Ind	08-Jul	$75k g	4&up	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 24.
Banrock S	Bel	09-Jul	$75k g	4&up S	6f	Turf	Closed on Jun 27.
Gold Fever S	Bel	10-Jul	$80k g	3yo	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 27.
Jim Morgan Memorial-Tah Dah S	BTP	10-Jul	$75k g	2yo f S	5.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 30.
Vivacious H	BTP	10-Jul	$75k g	3&up f/m S	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 30.
Runhappy Oceanside S	Dmr	10-Jul	$100k a	3yo R	8f	Turf	Closed on Jul 2.
Beaumont Presented by Keeneland Select (G3)	Kee	10-Jul	$100k g	3yo f	abt 7f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Maker's Mark Mile (G1T)	Kee	10-Jul	$300k g	4&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Jun 24.
Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile S (G2T)	ASC	11-Jul	$9,999 g	4&up	8f	Turf	$1,862/Not Available
Ruffian (G2)	Bel	11-Jul	$150k g	4&up f/m	8f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 27.
Dashing Beauty S	Del	11-Jul	$75k g	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 27.
Delaware H (G2)	Del	11-Jul	$400k g	3&up f/m	9f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 27.
Robert G. Dick Memorial S (G3T)	Del	11-Jul	$125k g	3&up f/m	11f	Turf	Closed on Jun 27.
Wickerr S	Dmr	11-Jul	$65k a	3&up R	8f	Turf	Closed on Jul 2.
Appalachian S Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2T)	Kee	11-Jul	$150k g	3yo f	8f	Turf	Closed on Jun 24.
Central Bank Ashland S (G1)	Kee	11-Jul	$400k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Coolmore Jenny Wiley S (G1T)	Kee	11-Jul	$350k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 24.
Madison S (G1)	Kee	11-Jul	$250k g	4&up f/m	7f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Shakertown S (G2T)	Kee	11-Jul	$150k g	3&up	5.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 24.
Toyota Blue Grass S (G2)	Kee	11-Jul	$600k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 24.
Blue Sparkler S	Mth	11-Jul	$75k g	3yo f	5.5f	Turf	$0/Jul 5
Connaught Cup S (G2T)	WO	11-Jul	$175k g	3&up	7f	Turf	Closed on Jun 24.
River Memories	Bel	12-Jul	$80k g	4&up f/m	12f	Turf	Closed on Jun 27.
Osunitas S	Dmr	12-Jul	$65k a	3&up f/m R	8f	Turf	Closed on Jul 2.
Procyon S (G3)	JRA	12-Jul	$717k a	3&up	7f	Dirt	Closed on May 26.
Tanabata Sho (G3T)	JRA	12-Jul	$815k a	3&up	10f	Turf	Closed on May 26.
Kentucky Utilities Transylvania S (G3T)	Kee	12-Jul	$100k g	3yo	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 24.
TVG Elkhorn S (G2T)	Kee	12-Jul	$175k g	4&up	12f	Turf	Closed on Jun 24.
My Frenchman S	Mth	12-Jul	$75k g	3yo	5.5f	Turf	$0/Jul 5
Front Range	ArP	13-Jul	$20k e	3&up	7f	Dirt	$50/Jul 6
Derby Trial	AsD	13-Jul	$25k g	3yo	8f	Dirt	Not Available
R.C. Anderson S	AsD	14-Jul	$25k e	3yo f S	8f	Dirt	Closed on May 26.
Honor the Hero S	Cby	15-Jul	$50k g	3&up	5f	Turf	$0/Jul 6
Lady Canterbury S	Cby	15-Jul	$75k g	3&up f/m	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 6
Mystic Lake Derby	Cby	15-Jul	$100k g	3yo	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 6
Mystic Lake Mile	Cby	15-Jul	$75k g	3&up	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 6
Northbound Pride Oaks	Cby	15-Jul	$50k g	3yo f	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 6
Peter Pan S (G3)	Sar	16-Jul	$100k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	$100/Jul 4
Schuylerville S (lasix free) (G3)	Sar	16-Jul	$100k g	2yo f	6f	Dirt	$100/Jul 4
Buckeye Native	BTP	17-Jul	$75k g	3&up S	8.5f	Turf	$50/Jul 7
Tomboy S	BTP	17-Jul	$75k g	3yo f S	8.5f	Turf	$50/Jul 7
RedTail Landing H	CTM	17-Jul	$40k g	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	$100/Jul 7
De La Rose S	Sar	17-Jul	$85k g	4&up f/m R	8f	Turf	$100/Jul 4
Shine Again S	Sar	17-Jul	$85k g	4&up f/m R	7f	Dirt	$100/Jul 4
Daisycutter	Dmr	18-Jul	$65k a	3&up f/m	5f	Turf	$0/Jul 9
San Diego H (G2)	Dmr	18-Jul	$150k g	3&up	8.5f	Dirt	$150/Jul 9
Hakodate Nisai S (G3T)	JRA	18-Jul	$618k a	2yo	6f	Turf	Closed on Jun 9.
Molly Pitcher S (G3)	Mth	18-Jul	$250k g	3&up f/m	8.5f	Dirt	$250/Jul 4
Monmouth Cup S (G3)	Mth	18-Jul	$300k g	3&up	9f	Dirt	$300/Jul 4
TVG.com Haskell S (G1) BC	Mth	18-Jul	$1,000k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Jun 26.
United Nations S (G1T)	Mth	18-Jul	$300k g	3&up	11f	Turf	$300/Jul 4
WinStar Matchmaker S (G3T)	Mth	18-Jul	$150k g	3&up f/m	9f	Turf	$150/Jul 4
Wolf Hill S	Mth	18-Jul	$75k g	3&up	5.5f	Turf	$0/Jul 4
California Governor's H	Pln	18-Jul	$50k a	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	$0/Jul 11
Coaching Club American Oaks (G1)	Sar	18-Jul	$350k g	3yo f	9f	Dirt	$350/Jul 4
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2T)	Sar	18-Jul	$150k g	3yo	9f	Turf	$150/Jul 4
Royal North S (G2T)	WO	18-Jul	$175k g	3&up f/m	6f	Turf	Closed on Jul 1.
Trillium S (G3)	WO	18-Jul	$125k g	3&up f/m	8.5f	AW	Closed on Jul 1.
Journal H	CTM	19-Jul	$40k g	3&up	6f	Dirt	$100/Jul 9
Eddie Read S (G2T)	Dmr	19-Jul	$200k g	3&up	9f	Turf	$200/Jul 9
Smiling Tiger S	Dmr	19-Jul	$65k a	3yo R	6f	Dirt	$0/Jul 9
Chukyo Kinen (G3T)	JRA	19-Jul	$785k a	3&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Jun 9.
Hakodate Kinen (G3T)	JRA	19-Jul	$815k a	3&up	10f	Turf	Closed on Jun 9.
Jersey Girl H	Mth	19-Jul	$75k g	3&up f/m S	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 11
Lake Placid (G2T)	Sar	19-Jul	$150k g	3yo f	9f	Turf	$150/Jul 4
Shepperton S	WO	19-Jul	$100k g	3&up S	6.5f	AW	Closed on Jul 1.
Chris Loseth	HsT	20-Jul	$40k g	3yo	6.5f	Dirt	$100/Jul 12
Silver Cup Futurity	ArP	21-Jul	$30k e	2yo c/g S	5.5f	Dirt	Not Available
Silver Cup Futurity	ArP	21-Jul	$30k e	2yo f S	5.5f	Dirt	Not Available
Supernaturel	HsT	21-Jul	$40k g	3yo f	6.5f	Dirt	$100/Jul 12
Escape Clause S	AsD	22-Jul	$25k g	3&up f/m	8f	Dirt	$0/Jul 10
Lubash	Sar	22-Jul	$85k g	4&up S	8.5f	Turf	$100/Jul 11
A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase H (G1T)	Sar	23-Jul	$100k g	4&up	16.5f	Turf	$100/Jul 11
New York Stallion S (Statue of Liberty Div.)	Sar	23-Jul	$100k g	3yo f R	8.5f	Turf	$100/Jul 11
Markerstudy British EBF Valiant S (G3T)	ASC	24-Jul	$9,999 g	3&up f/m	8f	Turf	$399/Not Available
Chariot Chaser H	CTM	24-Jul	$40k g	3yo f	6f	Dirt	$100/Jul 14
Fleet Treat S	Dmr	24-Jul	$100k g	3yo f S	7f	Dirt	$100/Jul 16
Quick Call S (G3T)	Sar	24-Jul	$100k g	3yo	5.5f	Turf	$100/Jul 11
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S (sponsored by QIPCO) (G1T) BC	ASC	25-Jul	$9,999 g	3&up	12f	Turf	$7,249/Not Available
Princess Margaret Keeneland S (G3T)	ASC	25-Jul	$9,999 g	2yo f	6f	Turf	$665/Not Available
Wooldridge Group Pat Eddery S	ASC	25-Jul	$9,999 g	2yo	7f	Turf	$200/Not Available
San Clemente S (G2T)	Dmr	25-Jul	$150k g	3yo f	8f	Turf	$150/Jul 16
Irish War Cry H	Mth	25-Jul	$75k g	3&up S	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 19
Everett Nevin S	Pln	25-Jul	$50k a	2yo S	5.5f	Dirt	$0/Jul 18
Sierra Starlet H	Rui	25-Jul	$50k g	3yo f S	5.5f	Dirt	$0/Jul 15
Alfred G. Vanderbilt H (G1)	Sar	25-Jul	$250k g	3&up	6f	Dirt	$250/Jul 11
Ballston Spa (G2T)	Sar	25-Jul	$200k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	$200/Jul 11
Marine S (G3)	WO	25-Jul	$125k g	3yo	8.5f	AW	$125/Jul 8
Selene S (G3)	WO	25-Jul	$125k g	3yo f	8.5f	AW	$125/Jul 8
Western Canada H	CTM	26-Jul	$40k g	3yo	6f	Dirt	$100/Jul 16
California Dreamin' S	Dmr	26-Jul	$125k g	3&up S	8.5f	Turf	$125/Jul 16
Good Lord S	ElP	26-Jul	$50k g	3&up	6.5f	Dirt	$0/Jul 11
Ibis Summer Dash (G3T)	JRA	26-Jul	$785k a	3&up	5f	Turf	Closed on Jun 9.
Highlander Training Center Assault S	LS	26-Jul	$75k g	3&up S	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 16
Texas Futurity	LS	26-Jul	$100k e	2yo c/g	5.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jan 1.
Texas Futurity	LS	26-Jul	$100k e	2yo f	5.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jan 1.
Valor Farm S	LS	26-Jul	$75k g	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	$0/Jul 16
Jersey Derby S	Mth	26-Jul	$100k g	3yo	8f	Turf	$100/Jul 19
Land of Enchantment	Rui	26-Jul	$50k g	3&up S	7.5f	Dirt	$0/Jul 16
Lincoln H	Rui	26-Jul	$50k g	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	$0/Jul 16
Road Runner H	Rui	26-Jul	$50k g	3yo S	5.5f	Dirt	$0/Jul 16
Sierra Blanca H	Rui	26-Jul	$50k g	3&up S	5.5f	Dirt	$0/Jul 16
Bernard Baruch H (G2T)	Sar	26-Jul	$150k g	3&up	8.5f	Turf	$150/Jul 11
Seagram Cup S (G3)	WO	26-Jul	$125k g	3&up	8.5f	AW	$125/Jul 8
Colorado Derby	ArP	27-Jul	$20k g	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	$50/Jul 20
Van Clief H	CNL	27-Jul	$40k g	3&up S	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 13
Manitoba Oaks	AsD	28-Jul	$25k g	3yo f	8f	Dirt	Not Available
Hansel S	CNL	28-Jul	$40k g	2yo S	5.5f	Turf	$0/Jul 13
White Oak Farm S	CNL	28-Jul	$40k g	2yo f S	5.5f	Turf	$0/Jul 13
Manitoba Mile S	AsD	29-Jul	$25k g	3&up	8f	Dirt	Not Available
MTA Stallion Auction S	Cby	29-Jul	$60k g	3yo R	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Jul 1.
Camptown S	CNL	29-Jul	$60k g	3&up f/m S	5.5f	Turf	$0/Jul 13
Edward P. Evans S	CNL	29-Jul	$60k g	3&up S	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 13
Nellie Mae Cox S	CNL	29-Jul	$60k g	3&up f/m S	8f	Turf	$0/Jul 13
Dayatthespa	Sar	29-Jul	$85k g	4&up f/m S	8.5f	Turf	$100/Jul 18
John Morrissey H	Sar	30-Jul	$85k g	3&up S	7f	Dirt	$100/Jul 18
Real Good Deal S	Dmr	31-Jul	$100k g	3yo S	7f	Dirt	$100/Jul 23
Coronation Cup S	Sar	31-Jul	$100k g	3yo f	5.5f	Turf	$100/Jul 18

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Monday, June 29, 2020.  The Churchill Downs Precap was given for Saturday, June 27 for the big race day including two Breeders Cup Challenge races.  This isn’t Monday morning quarterbacking, our picks, and the Grid upon which they were based, were given for free in the Precap and thus well documented.

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This Report Card shows how our picks did, resulting in a grade at the end.  Payouts are shown for $2WPS, $1 Exacta, 50 cent trifecta, and dime super, for bets that won based on our picks.

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R1 1:00ET 6f D MSW 3 UP FM 79000:  6 3 5 2 7

Result:  6 1 3 2

Recap:  Winner top pick but 3-1 is not betting odds.  1 was a surprise.  No prior speed but top LP so it figured in even at 6f.  The 2-1 favorites finished 3^rd and off the board, so there were good payouts but ended up a wasted betting race.  

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R2 1:34ET 8.5f D OClm 20000 4 UP:  2 3 8 5 1       LSS 5 1

Result:  2 6 7 4

Recap:  2 was heavy favorite and good single for the early pick 4.  Not really a betting race.  

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R3 2:06ET 8f T Clm 50000 4 UP:  1 3 2 4 5 7           LSS 3 2

Result:  3 4 1 5   

Recap:  First of several big hits on the day.  You gotta love the top LSS and 2^nd pick winning at 14-1.  4 ended up at 10-1 and would have been LSS also if that overlay had been previously known.  Thus WPS wagers were made on 3 and 4.  1 was the favorite so no surprise there, he actually finished in dead heat with 4 for second. Good payouts on the top 2.

3 WPS:  30 + 7 + 4.2

3 PS:  3.80 + 3.80

Exacta:  22 + 62

Trifecta:  59.50

Dime 52

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R4 2:38ET 6f D MSW 2 YO  79000:  2 7 9 11 5 1   LSS 1

Result:  7 11 2 5

Recap:  almost a sobering favorite-fest, but still a win. 2 was 8-1 so ended up the top LSS and a WPS bet.  Payouts not great but thanks to 2 the trifecta was OK.

2 Sh:  $4

Exacta:  14

Tri: 37.50

Dime:  20

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R5 3:10ET 9.5f D MSW 3 UP  7900: 3 2 1 6 7 8      LSS 8

Result:  7 3 9 2

Recap:  Having the 7 to win at 6-1 was a good saving grace for this which was otherwise thrown a big wrench in it by 9 who had nothing to like about.  So the greatest part was winning the Pick 4 in which successfully singled the first leg.  We boxed all of the top 5 in exacta for a $3.80 profit.

Exacta:  23.80

Pick 4:  575!!

R6 3:41ET 8.5f D Alw 81000n1x 3 UP FM:  6 3 9 4 5 1         LSS 9 4

Result:  6 5 9 4

Recap:  No surprises here at all with the odds-on favorite winning over our backup selections.  So payouts sucked and we only got the LSS in for 3^rd. 

9 show 3.40

Exacta 9.10

Tri 17.20

Dime 11

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R7 4:12ET 5.5f T Alw 88000nc 3 UP:  5 1 6 7 2 9 3                LSS 3

Result:  6 5 7 8

Recap:  The biggest surprise here was the heavily favored 1 and 1a both finishing off the board.  That gave us good payouts all around. 5 and 6 both ended up at 6-1 so those were the automatic two WPS bets as two of the top three selections. 

6 WPS 15 + 6.60 + 4.80

5 PS 7.20 + 4.20

Exacta 38

Tri 85.50

Dime super:  8 busted it up at 43-1. 

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R8 4:43ET 6f D BshfdMnr-G3 2 YO: 6 7 3 4 1         LSS 7 1

Result:  6 7 5 2

Recap:  Top 2 exactly as called with fav on top of LSS that ended up 16-1.  The reason we picked him that highly was he had top EP and Speed, which he flaunted again setting a wicked pace. 

7 Place Show 6.80 and 4.80

Exacta 10.80

Pick 4:  81. 

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R9 5:15ET 9f D FlrDLisH-G2 4 UP FM: 5 4 1 7 2    LSS 7 2

Result:  5 7 2 4

Recap:  Not surprisingly, the 1-2 fav won.  What was surprising to others not me, was 7 getting 2^nd at 34-1.  7 was 2^nd in EP and top LSS listed.  Great payouts.  2^nd LSS 2 also got in the tri at 25-1.  That’s kinda awesome.  You should have just boxed them here obviously. 4 held on to 4^th after leading most the way.

7 Place Show 10.20 + 5.20

Exacta:  19.50

Trifecta 67

Dime Super 38

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R10 5:47ET 9f D SFoster-G2 4 UP:  5 6 2 7 3 8      LSS 2 7 3

Result:  5 6 7 4

Recap:  The favorites finished 1-2 just like that.  You had to like getting the LSS 7 in at 3^rd for 27-1, making for some otherwise dismal payouts.

7 show:  6.40

Exacta:  6 lol

Tri:  30.40

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R11 6:20ET 9f T Regret-G3 3 YO F:  5 6 9 10 12 13 1 3        LSS 6 9 13 3

Result:  10 5 4 12

Recap:  Again no surprise here, and 10 luckily turned into the top  LSS at 11-1 which meant a WPS bet.  Even the 4 was not a surprise, with 2^nd EP on a turf track favoring speed all day. 9 was top EP and led most of the way but faded.  It was wide open with lots of possibilities, but at least we got the exacta, and… yes that’s right, another Pick 4 and the lowest paying one of the day.

10 WPS:  24.20 + 7.60 + 5.40

Exacta:  39.50

Pick 4:  45

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The final analysis, statistically speaking: 

8 of 10 exactas won.  (Race 2 was not a recommended betting race)

6 of 10 50 cent trifectas won.

4 or 10 dime superfecatas won.

3 of 3 Pick 4’s won for $700.

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The WPS wagers which we made were for $4-10 each so the actual payouts were greater but varied according to the race, and we only bet them on odds of 5-1 or greater, but we did get a couple wins and several place/show payouts for the long shot specials which paid well enough to make money back. 

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As you can see, the real money was made on the vertical wagers, specifically the opening Pick 4 sequence where we correctly singled the first leg in order to open it up in the last one. I would have liked to see more long shot specials actually win, like the one that lost by a nose in the early Pick 4 which would have made the payout 4 digits easily.  So the overall grade is given:  A

As always, you can get the Grid for all major tracks and race days here.

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Saturday, June 27. Churchill Downs has their big summer racing day, fondly known as the Stephen Foster day, since it is the headline race on this historical occasion.  The 2 Grade 2 races Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis both offer Breeders’ Cup race berths to the winners. 

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Two Grade 3 races are also on the card, including the Regret stakes and the Bashford Manor wherein some 2yo’s will begin making a name for themselves. There are 11 races on the card with 100 horses initially entered.

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The Stephen Foster Stakes features multiple stakes winners including the favorite Tom’s D’etat, who was 3^rd in this race last year and has won 3 races in a row including the Clark G1 here at Churchill.  Last year’s Louisiana Derby winner By My Standards will also get much attention having won 2 stakes in a row.

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First get the free Grid for Churchill Saturday right here so you can start making your picks and then get to the analysis below.

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Today’s outlook:  So far the tracks are fast and firm, but there is a 20-50% chance of rain throughout the afternoon, so anything can happen. It’s Louisville, and there are rain clouds in the area as we speak.

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Check for late plays before the post time of race.

R1 1:00ET 6f D MSW 3 UP FM 79000:  6 3 5 2 7

R2 1:34ET 8.5f D OClm 20000 4 UP:  2 3 8 5 1       LSS 5 1

R3 2:06ET 8f T Clm 50000 4 UP:  1 3 2 4 5 7           LSS 3 2

R4 2:38ET 6f D MSW 2 YO  79000:  2 7 9 11 5 1   LSS 1

R5 3:10ET 9.5f D MSW 3 UP  7900: 3 2 1 6 7 8      LSS 8

R6 3:41ET 8.5f D Alw 81000n1x 3 UP FM:  6 3 9 4 5 1         LSS

R7 4:12ET 5.5f T Alw 88000nc 3 UP:  5 1 6 7 2 9 3                LSS 3

R8 4:43ET 6f D BshfdMnr-G3 2 YO: 6 7 3 4 1         LSS 7 1

R9 5:15ET 9f D FlrDLisH-G2 4 UP FM: 5 4 1 7 2    LSS 7 2

R10 5:47ET 9f D SFoster-G2 4 UP:  5 6 2 7 3 8      LSS 2 7 3

R11 6:20ET 9f T Regret-G3 3 YO F:  5 6 9 10 12 13 1 3        LSS 6 9 13 3

As always, you can get the Grid for all major tracks and race days here.

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Friday, June 26, 2020.  It’s been over two months since the last Derby Double Dozen and One, otherwise known as the Top 25, but Kentucky Derby Futures Pool 5 opens today and runs all weekend, so this is the time to do it!  That’s right, the Derby Top 25 and Grid PP for the Futures Pool all in one!

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You will note that several of the Top 25, 8 to be exact, don’t appear as an individual entry in the Futures Pool, which has 22 named entries, and the opposite is true as well.  That’s because the rankings here are independent based on my analysis and not that of anyone else. 

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These rankings can give you an advantage in betting the pool, as you can see some of the highly ranked horses have nice odds in the pool.  And 5 of them aren’t in the pool, so you would have to get the field which you might get decent odds on now that Tiz The Law won the Belmont Stakes.

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This time, there was major upheaval in the top 5 for the first time ever, because 3 of the top 5 from last time were declared out of the Derby. Charlatan, Nadal, and Maxfield were all top 5 and won’t be running for the roses.

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First, get the Grid PP for the pool right here, opening/downloading the link below, so you can follow along. To make it easier, we put the Top 25 rank inside the Grid for you so it’s like a complete guide.

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Next, here is the Derby Double Dozen Top 25.  Shockingly, Tiz The Law is now #1, as he should be on any list that is taken seriously, having now won 3 Grade 1 races, which two more than any other in the field, and only losing once in his career, on a sloppy track, perhaps the only chink in his armor.

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Kentucky Derby Double Dozen June 26, 2020

Rank	Horse	Sire	Trainer	Line	Fin	In Last Race	Date
1	Tiz the Law	Constitution	Barclay Tagg	API	1st	Belmont Stakes G1	06-20
2	Honor A.P.	Honor Code	John Shirreffs	API	1st	Santa Anita Derby G1	06-06
3	Dr Post	Quality Road	Todd Pletcher	RAN	2nd	Belmont Stakes G1	06-20
5	Café Pharoah	American Pharoah	Hori Noriyuki	RAN	1st	Santa Anita Derby G1	06-21
4	Authentic	Into Mischief	Bob Baffert	SCT	2nd	Unicorn G3 (JPN)	06-06
6	Max Player	Honor Code	Linda Rice	API	3rd	Belmont Stakes G1	06-20
7	Finnick the Fierce	Dialed In	Hernandez Rey	API	3rd	2Arkansas Derby G1	05-02
8	Excession	Union Rags	Steve Asmussen	ND	2nd	Rebel G2	03-14
9	Gouverneur Morris	Constitution	Todd Pletcher	API	3rd	1Arkansas Derby G1	05-02
10	Basin	Liam's Map	Steve Asmussen	RAN	2nd	1Arkansas Derby G1	05-02
11	Art Collector	Bernardini	Thomas Drury	API	1st	OCM100K CD	06-13
12	Sole Volante	Court Vision	Peter Eurton	RAN	6th	Belmont Stakes G1	06-20
13	NY Traffic	Cross Traffic	Saffie Joseph	RAN	2nd	Matt Winn G3	05-23
14	Winning Impression	Paynter	Dallas Stewart	ND	4th	1Arkansas Derby G1	05-02
15	Pneumatic	Uncle Mo	Steve Asmussen	IE	4th	Belmont Stakes G1	06-20
16	Ajaaweed	Curlin	Kiaran McLaughlin	RAN	3rd	Sam F Davis G3	02-08
17	King Guillermo	Uncle Mo	Juan Carlos Avila	IE	2nd	2Arkansas Derby G1	05-02
18	Independence Hall	Constitution	Michael Trombetta	API	5th	Florida Derby G1	03-28
19	Enforceable	Tapit	Mark Casse	API	5th	Louisiana Derby G2	03-21
20	Cezanne	Curlin	Bob Baffert	RAN	1st	MSW50k SA	06-06
21	Mr. Big News	Giant's Causeway	Bill Calhoun	SCT	1st	Oaklawn Stakes 100k	04-11
22	Money Moves	Candy Ride	Todd Pletcher	RAN	1st	OCM75k GP	03-27
23	Anneau d'Or	Medaglia d'Oro	Blaine Wright	ND	5th	1Arkansas Derby G1	05-02
24	Uncle Chuck	Uncle Mo	Bob Baffert	IE	1st	MSW50k SA	06-12
25	Ete Indien	Summer Front	Patrick Biancone	ND	4th	OCM100k GP	06-10

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Good luck with the Futures Pool this weekend, and make sure you get the Grid of the Week with analysis, which will be for Churchill Downs big race day June 27 with two Breeders‘ Cup berths up for grabs.

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And as always, you can get the Grid for all the major tracks and races right here.

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Thursday, June 18, 2020.  Belmont Park has a great weekday card today with 10 races including a nice little stakes race for fillies and mares.  Two days before the Big Day with Grade 1 races the Belmont Stakes, Acorn, Jaipur, and Woody Stephens, it’s a good time to take a preview at how the track is playing out.

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R2:  5 3 1 9 4        LSS 5 3

R3:  5 6 7 4 8        LSS 7 8

R4:  1 3 8 6 4        LSS 4

R5:  9 8 4 3 1        LSS 8 1

R6:  11 10 4 1 2 3                LSS 11 10 4 1

R7:  1 6 5 4

R8:  12 4 6 1 9 5                  LSS 6 5

R9:  5 2 4 3           LSS 4

R10:  11 6 4 1 7 3 10          LSS 4 1 3 10

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You can get the Grid for all the races at Belmont Friday and Saturday here.

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Wednesday, June 17 2020.  The Belmont Stakes post draw was held today and the field increased back to 10 with the surprise entry of Fore Left by Doug O’neill for Reddam Racing.  Tiz the Law is favored as deserved and expected, with Sole Volante, Dr Post and Tap It To Win competing for 2^nd choice honors. Here’s how the post draw shaped up: 

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Meet the field and connections for this year’s Belmont Stakes before any race day scratches:

Post	Horse	Odds	Style	Sire	Trainer	Jockey
1	Tap It To Win	6	EP6	Tapit	Casse Mark	John Velazquez
2	Sole Volante	4.5	S0	Karakontie	Biancone Patrick	Luca Panici
3	Max Player	15	P3	Honor Code	Rice Linda	Joel Rosario
4	Modernist	15	EP5	Uncle Mo	Mott Bill	Junior Alvarado
5	Farmington Road	15	S0	Quality Road	Pletcher Todd	Javier Castellano
6	Fore Left	30	E7	Twirling Candy	Doug O’neill	Jose Ortiz
7	Jungle Runner	50	P0	Candy Ride	Asmussen Steve	Reylu Gutierrez
8	Tiz The Law	1.2	EP5	Constitution	Tagg Barclay	Manny Franco
9	Dr Post	5	P5	Quality Road	Pletcher Todd	Irad Ortiz Jr
10	Pneumatic	8	EP5	Uncle Mo	Asmussen Steve	Ricardo Santana Jr

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The addition of Fore Left is interesting because it changes the dynamic of the race by adding a front runner to the early speed scenario. Whereas before, Tap It To Win was about to have it his own way up front, now it looks like he’ll have at least one that’s not just chasing him around waiting for him to tire.  Doug O is probably thinking Fore Left can set a sleeper lead.  Get the Grid here to follow along:

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Tiz the Law’s chances of winning aren’t impacted much and he will likely be 2 lengths behind the leader as usual, in perfect striking position.  His post draw of 8 is likely more of a problem since 2-3 midpack runners could stack up inside and push him wide, but he should be in good shape and deliver his usual strong closing kick.  The Sackatoga / Barclay Tagg trainee is top in Power and 2^nd in LP, and leads in Kentucky Derby Points.

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Whenever you add a front runner to the mix, it can only help the plodders and other late runners. In this case, Patrick Biancone and Reeves Racing had to be happy to see the addition, since Sole Volante is the big closer in the field, with top LP and Stamina ratings as well as 2^nd in Power in the Grid.  With a legit pace up front he’s very dangerous, and they had to be even happier with the 2 post to save ground.

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Farmington Road is another one that should benefit and Pletcher was no doubt also happy to see some speed added to the field.  He made good on early runners in the Oaklawn Stakes for a strong 2^nd, but flattened last out in the Arkansas Derby, likely because he was up too close too early to a heated pace set by Nadal.  I would expect Javier to correct that issue this time and just let him plod early as usual.

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The versatile Max Player has found himself in mid pack not far behind the lead the past couple races, both wins, but neither contest had anywhere near a fast pace.  He’ll probably be content to sit in 7^th early, ahead of the 3 late runners and not too far from midpack.  Linda Rice won’t be having Rosario send him towards the lead before half a mile in. 

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The most negatively affected by the added speedster is Tap It To Win, whose 3 races at a mile or more have resulted in two last place finishes, and the win last out where he was able to get the early lead.  Pneumatic and Modernist could also be adversely affected since they run close to the lead, and with the outside post for Pneumatic he may be sent up close early.

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So the predictions for final finishing order have changed from last time we posted them. 

Tiz the Law 6-5

Sole Volante 9-2

Max Player 15-1

Dr Post 5-1

Tap It To Win 6-1

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The weather outlook for this week is for a slight chance of rain but no major precipitation is on schedule, so weather should not be much of a factor and the track should be very fast and play well to late runners. Remember this year the Stakes is only 9f so it’s like a typical Kentucky Derby prep.

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You can get the Grid for all the races at Belmont Park Friday and Saturday for a great price this year.

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June 15, 2020.  The Belmont Stakes field has been reduced to 9 at this time, as connections brave enough to take on Tiz The Law are diminishing.  The favorite has now become a heavy favorite and it will be the powerful G1 Florida Derby champion’s race to win or lose.

LATEST UPDATED BELMONT PRECAP HERE.

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June 15, 2020.  The Belmont Stakes field has been reduced to 9 at this time, as connections brave enough to take on Tiz The Law are diminishing.  The favorite has now become a heavy favorite and it will be the powerful G1 Florida Derby champion’s race to win or lose.

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Meet the field:

Horse	Odds	Style	Sire	Trainer
Dr Post	10	P5	Quality Road	Pletcher Todd A
Farmington Road	20	S0	Quality Road	Pletcher Todd A
Jungle Runner	30	P0	Candy Ride	Asmussen Steven M
Max Player	15	P3	Honor Code	Rice Linda
Modernist	15	EP5	Uncle Mo	Mott William I
Pneumatic	8	EP5	Uncle Mo	Asmussen Steven M
Sole Volante	4.5	S0	Karakontie	Biancone Patrick L
Tap It To Win	8	EP6	Tapit	Casse Mark
Tiz The Law	1	EP5	Constitution	Tagg Barclay

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The amount of early speed in the field has been greatly reduced with the defections of Charlatan and Shivaree.. Now there are only 2 that have ever led a race at 1^st call:  Tap It To Win and Modernist.  Pneumatic almost led at 1C last out in the Matt Winn but didn’t get it until half a mile in on a slow pace. Get the Grid here to follow along.

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Tap It To Win led all the way last out, announcing his presence with authority in an allowance here at Belmont early this month.  The ridgling is now 2 for 2 this year after an awful 2yo campaign ending with last place finishes in both his stakes races.  He will want the lead and will be tough to catch for any.

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Pneumatic, Modernist, Dr. Post, and Tiz The Law will all be close behind him pressing the pace, but I doubt any one of them will want the early lead if Tap It To Win runs in his usual front running style.  Thus the predicted pacesetter should put up another strong effort and hold on for a piece.

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Tiz The Law has a great habit of finding himself 2 lengths behind the lead at 1C every time regardless of rider, track or location, so he should be in great position again.  He’s now 4 of 5 with 3 graded stakes wins including the Champagne G1 here at Belmont.  His only loss was by 2 lengths on a sloppy Churchill Downs surface.  

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Of the others that will be pressing, Dr Post looks the most promising, not as much because he won his first stakes race last out at Gulfstream, but putting up a serious performance in breaking his maiden before that.  Pneumatic and Modernist may finish ITM just by virtue of being well placed behind a slow pace.

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Sole Volante is the best late runner in the field and as such has put up great performances every time. His worst career race was the Tampa Derby where he was well behind a dawdling pace early and finished 4 back but good enough for 2^nd.  Unfortunately, he may get another dawdling pace this time, but will find himself in the money anyway. 

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Max Player hasn’t raced since winning the Withers G3 at Aqueduct in February.  Extrapolating his 3 race improvement, he should be a big factor in this Belmont and is currently the super sleeper of the field.

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Latest predicted order of finish: 

Tiz The Law 1-1

Tap It To Win 8-1

Dr Post 6-1

Sole Volante 4-1

Max Player 12-1

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The odds are estimates from other sites but official odds will be posted on Wednesday after the post draw at noon, so stay tuned right here.

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The amount of early speed in the field has been greatly reduced with the defections of Charlatan and Shivaree.. Now there are only 2 that have ever led a race at 1^st call:  Tap It To Win and Modernist.  Pneumatic almost led at 1C last out in the Matt Winn but didn’t get it until half a mile in on a slow pace. See the Grid here to follow along.

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Tap It To Win led all the way last out, announcing his presence with authority in an allowance here at Belmont early this month.  The ridgling is now 2 for 2 this year after an awful 2yo campaign ending with last place finishes in both his stakes races.  He will want the lead and will be tough to catch for any.

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Pneumatic, Modernist, Dr. Post, and Tiz The Law will all be close behind him pressing the pace, but I doubt any one of them will want the early lead if Tap It To Win runs in his usual front running style.  Thus the predicted pacesetter should put up another strong effort and hold on for a piece.

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Tiz The Law has a great habit of finding himself 2 lengths behind the lead at 1C every time regardless of rider, track or location, so he should be in great position again.  He’s now 4 of 5 with 3 graded stakes wins including the Champagne G1 here at Belmont.  His only loss was by 2 lengths on a sloppy Churchill Downs surface.  

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Of the others that will be pressing, Dr Post looks the most promising, not as much because he won his first stakes race last out at Gulfstream, but putting up a serious performance in breaking his maiden before that.  Pneumatic and Modernist may finish ITM just by virtue of being well placed behind a slow pace.

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Sole Volante is the best late runner in the field and as such has put up great performances every time. His worst career race was the Tampa Derby where he was well behind a dawdling pace early and finished 4 back but good enough for 2^nd.  Unfortunately, he may get another dawdling pace this time, but will find himself in the money anyway. 

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Max Player hasn’t raced since winning the Withers G3 at Aqueduct in February.  Extrapolating his 3 race improvement, he should be a big factor in this Belmont and is currently the super sleeper of the field.

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Latest predicted order of finish: 

Tiz The Law 1-1

Tap It To Win 8-1

Dr Post 6-1

Sole Volante 4-1

Max Player 12-1

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The odds are estimates from other sites but official odds will be posted on Wednesday after the post draw at noon, so stay tuned right here.

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You can get the Grid for all the stakes racing at Belmont Park Friday and Saturday June 19-20 right here.

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Saturday, June 13, Belmont Park hosts a Breeders Cup Challenge Race today:  the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps for a ticket to the Breeders Cup Distaff G1 at Keeneland the first weekend in November.  Aside from that, 100 horses are running in 10 races after morning scratches, with competitive fields and purses.

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The G1 Phipps is the 2^nd shortest field of the day with only 6 fillies and mares competing at 8.5f on the dirt, but is not short on talent.  All of the runners except She’s a Julie look ready to take on the two favorites Point of Honor and Ollie’s Candy.  But high LP belongs to Golden Award so watch out.

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The rest of the picks below are for recreational purposes, unless you desire to use them to make some Big Bucks at Belmont today.  In that case, they’re for your health and welfare.  Keep an eye out for the long shot specials (LSS) and the picks are listed in order of predicted finish.  

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The conditions at Belmont today are fast and firm, with the weather outlook sunny and lukewarm with almost no chance of rain, so it will be a great day for racing on dirt and grass.  First grab the free Grid provided today to follow along.

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R1 1:15ET 6f t Md 40000 3 UP:  8 10 13 4 5 12 11 LSS 13 3 4 12 11                  Good maiden race for betting

R2 1:50ET 8.5f T Clm 25000 3 UP:  7 11 4 1 6 2 5  LSS 6 2 5

R3 2:23ET 6.5f D MSW 3 UP FM 64000:  1 2         Field of 5 too short for betting

R4 2:55ET 6f t Md 40000 3 UP:  4 2 5 1 12 7 0        LSS 2 5 9

R5 3:27ET 8.5f D OClm 40000n2x 3 UP:  9 8 6 7 2 5 4         LSS 9 6 2 5

R6 3:59ET 6f t Clm 32000 3 UP:  4 8 3 2 9 6 13       LSS 3 2  13

R7 4:32ET 8f T MSW 3 UP FM 6400:  :  10 2 6 7 4 3 11 1A LSS 6 7 4 11 1

R8 5:04ET 6f D Alw 56000n1x 3 UP FM:  9 7 2 5 6 1 12       LSS 2 5 6 1 12

R9 5:36ET 8.5f D OPhipps-G1 4 UP FM:  5 6 2 1

R10 6:08ET 8f T Alw 50000s 3 UP FM :  2 3 9 7 6 8 10         LSS 9 7 8 10

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I counted a lot of LSS’s so that means a lot of these races are very competitive and should be good for wagering.  Of course after the scratches a lot of those morning line odds will come down and only half of the LSS’s will be still be long shots, but that’s how it is before races start.

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You can get The Grid for all the major US tracks and stakes races right here and get great long shot specials yourself at every track every race day.

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Thursday, June 11.  Belmont Park has another big weekday continuing their summer meet, with 10 races including the Flat Out Stakes.  The 11 furlong bout for a $80k purse will be contested by Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston, the favorite, and some great long shot specials listed below.

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R1 1:15ET 6f D Md 40000 3 UP : 8 4 1 2 LSS 8

R2 1:50ET 6.5f D Clm 50000n3l 3 UP:  3 4 6 7 5 8 LSS  5 8 1 2

R3 2:23ET 6.5f D Clm 25000n2l 3 UP:  4 1 8 6 2 7 LSS 8

R4 2:55ET 8.5f D MSW 3 UP  64000:  2 7 8 6 4 1  LSS 4 1

R5 3:27ET 8.5f D Alw 66000n1x 3 YO F: short field

R6 3:59ET 7f T Clm 35000n3l 3 UP FM :  (1 3) 12 11 8 9 2 5 (7)       LSS 12 11 9 2       MTO’s in ()

R7 4:32ET 8.5f D Alw 56000n1x 3 UP:  5 8 4 3 7    LSS 8 7

R8 5:04ET 10f t Alw 66000n1x 3 UP:  7 10 3 2 4 11               LSS 3 11 1

R9 5:36ET 11f D FlatOut80k 4 UP:  7 6 3 4 9 2       LSS 7 6 3

R10 6:08ET 8f T Md 40000 3 UP FM:  11 9 3 (15 16) 7 3 12               LSS 11 9 12

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In the Flat Out Stakes race 9, it would be easy to pick Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston and the 2^nd choice Adventist, who’s coming off a win in the Bernardini Stakes just half a furlong shorter in Feb.  But the horse who was 2^nd in that is also the only speed in a race devoid of speed.  Bluegrascat’s Smile is a great value at 15-1 and may have the lead to himself most of the way. 

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Expert 10-1 has not been an EP runner recently but he does have the 2^nd highest EP figure in the Grid, so that makes him dangerous, despite coming off a poor outing at a mile last out.  Moretti is the only other semblance of an early runner at 8-1 and has top EP in the field so he’s a good long shot also.  Obviously not all of these will fill out the super and at least one won’t fire, that’s how it goes.

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After that I look for Sir Winston, Adventist, and Rocketry, 3 great late runners to compete for pieces of the superfecta.  One thing is for sure, if they dawdle around up front, they won’t be lollygagging 10 lengths back and one of these may in fact press the pace.  So it’s a good idea to box or mix and match these 6 that I mentioned for some good payouts.

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You can get The Grid for every race day at Belmont Park and all other major North American tracks at this link.

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June 6, 2020.  Santa Anita is finally holding their Derby and Oaks two months late this year, as well as the Hollywood Gold Cup and a few other stakes races included turf runs for 3yo’s.  Yes, the short fields are back in business at SA, with the average stakes field size 6 and the smallest field: 4 fillies in the Oaks. Jackpot Pick 6 carryover is $613k.

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So why are we getting so excited? Because it’s the SA Derby for crying out loud.  It may be only a field of 7, but they’re 7 of the best 3yo steeds you can find, including the maiden and the other 2 who haven’t run in a stakes race yet.  Get the Grid on the free link here to follow along. Scratches done.

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Who’s supposed to win? That’s a silly question.  It’s Santa Anita so Baffert is supposed to win.  Authentic is the favorite and Bob will try to prove he’s the real deal by going gate to wire in a 3^rd straight graded stakes race.  He’ll probably add a little juice to ensure a comfortable ride, you know, people.

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The next most likely contender is the 2^nd favorite Honor AP with top LP, who last out ran around the track trying to catch Authentic and got 2^nd in the San Felipe.  But they will both have to contend with a new sheriff in town, or at least one who’s gunning for the job, Shooters Shoot trained by Eurton.

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Shooters Shoot took 5 times to break his maiden but kept improving, and the 4^th try out lost only to Charlatan.  Since then he’s won both, including setting some serious fractions at Oaklawn to hold off the talented Blackberry Wine.  This E8 who has top EP is especially troublesome for Authentic, who has had it easily his own way up front in all 3 career races.

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Mostly all the others will hope for this scenario so they can hang behind the pace and wait for it to collapse.  Anneau D’or will again try to regain last year’s form, when he finished 2^nd in the BC Juvenile G1 here at Santa Anita, and again narrowly missed in the Los Al Futurity G2.  It appears California might be the best spot for him.

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Rushie is a early pace presser who is usually in good striking position, but the newcomer I like the best is Friar’s Road, the maiden who finished 2^nd to Shooters Shoot when he broke thru.  Friar’s Road continued to rapidly improve last out, losing by 1 while delivering a great late run at 9f for Mike McCarthy.

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Santa Anita Predicted order of finish with morning lines:

Authentic 4-5

Honor AP 9-5

Friar’s Road 20-1               *LSS alert.

Shooters Shoot 8-1

Anneau D’or 15-1

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In the SA Oaks, the short field will also have to contend with Baffert, who in this one has the longest priced filly and looks like doesn’t have a good chance to win.  The top filly is Swiss Skydiver at 6-5 who has rattled off 2 straight graded wins. Speech has also put up some good numbers including a 2^nd G3 finish. 

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In the Hollywood Gold Cup G1, the field of 6 there are 3 virtual co favorites, including yes Baffert’s Improbable, 5^th in last year’s Kentucky Derby and 5^th in the BC Dirt Mile.  Last out he was a strong 2^nd in the ungraded Oaklawn Mile.

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Sadler’s Higher Power was 5^th in this one last year before putting it all together for a win in the Pacific Classic G1 and then 3^rd in the BC Classic.  This year he opened with a dismal outing in the Pegasus World Cup G1 finishing last in January. 

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The third co favorite is speedster Midcourt, who is running a strong campaign this year, winning the San Pasqual G2 and 3^rd in the Big Cap G1 in March.  He will have company on the front end by Brown Storm, but passed him last out. He has been training in Socal since then for John Shirreffs. . 

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Tenfold has some class and finished 6^th in the Pegasus this year, following that up with 4^th in the New Orleans G2.  Steve Asmussen is again hoping for heated pace to run for this late runner, but looks like once again he won’t get it.

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The wild card in this contest is Parsimony, who trained well here last year breaking maiden at 6f before shipping to Meydan where he finished 4^th and 1^st in two 10f stakes races.  Doug O’neill will see how he stacks up against Grade 1 company in the US. 

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Predicted finish: 

Midcourt 2-1

Higher Power 9-5

Improbable 2-1

Tenfold 6-1.

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R1 3:30ET 8f T FrnsValtnB100k 3 UP FM :  6 5 1 3 2           LSS 3

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R2 4:01ET 5f D MSW 2 YO  50000:  4 6 2 3

R3 4:31ET 6.5f D OClm 40000n1x 3 UP:  4 1 5 2

R4 5:01ET 5.5f T DesertCdeB75k 3 YO:  6 2 3 4

R5 5:32ET 8.5f D SAOaks-G2 3 YO F: 1 3 2

R6 6:03ET 6.5f D MSW 3 UP  5000:  1 2 4 5           LSS 3

R7 6:34ET 8f T CrystlWtrB100k 3 UP:  6 7 5 3 8     LSS 8

R8 7:09ET 9f D SADerby-G1 3 YO:   7 6 1 4 3        LSS 1 4 3

R9 7:42ET 9f T CinemaB150k 3 YO:  7 1 3 6 lss 4

R10 8:12ET 10f D GoldCup-G1 3 UP :  2 3 5 6

R11 8:42ET 6.5f D OClm 20000n1x 3 UP FM:  6 3 7 4 9      LSS 2

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As usual, to get the Grid for all the major tracks and races including Belmont, Churchill, Gulfstream, Golden Gate, Tampa, etc, click here.