Fast Eddie Sports
10* Plays
Oakland A's
Phillies
Hondo
July 7, 2007 -- The pain doesn't seem to be subsiding. The Ori oles opened up a fresh wound on Hondo last night, losing in extras to increase the deficit to a robust 295 pinsons.
Tonight, he'll stick with Bedard and the Birds for 10 units and do some profit-surfing with The Webb in Cincinnati for another 10.
Drew Gordon
Minnesota at CHI. WHITE SOX (-130)
After a wild Friday that saw the White Sox lose twice to the Twins in ugly fashion, I'm calling for Chicago to bounce back behind the surging Mark Buehrle in this one.
After yesterday's offensive explosion, its easy to immediately believe the Twins will do it again Saturday... Not so fast, as Buehrle has proven to be downright nasty against Minnesota throughout his career.
Buehrle turned in another impressive effort, despite getting the no-decision, against the Orioles in his last start, allowing 2 earned over 7 2/3 innings! Not only that, but he's beaten the Twins more than any other team in his career, going 18-10 with a 3.76 lifetime ERA!
The struggling Boof Bosner gets the start for the Twins, and that's music to the White Sox ears. Bosner is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA over his last 3 starts (all Twins losses). After getting pounded in consecutive games yesterday, look for the White Sox to bring out the bats in this one!
Bottom line, the White Sox use a strong pitching edge, and some leftover bitterness from Friday, to earn the win in this match up. Resurgent White Sox batting order can and will get to Bosner, plain and simple.
Take the Chicago White Sox behind Buehrle over Minnesota in this AL Central showdown.
2♦ CHI. WHITE SOX
Bobby Maxwell
Chicago (-140) at PITTSBURGH
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
For Saturday we're taking the the Cubs to get it done against the Pirates.
Last night the Bucs were my top play of the day, but tonight we're headed in the other direction.
And all of a sudden Ted Lilly is looking good for Chi-town. Lilly is 3-0 with a 3.54 ERA in his last four starts, and comes in off a win over the Nationals in which he gave up just one run on three hits over seven innings.
Lilly has made two starts against the Bucs this year, but because he didn’t have a decision in either, and because he is on a hot streak right now, I expect something big from him tonight. He gave up six earned runs on 16 hits over 12 1/3 innings in those games. The lefty ranks fifth in strikeouts-to-walks ratio.
And count on the run support, as Pittsburgh’s John Van Benschoten struggled mightily with his control for the second straight start, throwing 42 of his 100 pitches for balls against Milwaukee last week.
Pitch control has been a problem for Van Benschoten in all four of his starts this season, and with Chicago getting enough base runners, aggressive base running will play a role.
2♦ CUBS
Baltimore (-130) at TEXAS
Bedard (6-4, 3.67) would be a great No. 2 pitcher on any team contending for the playoffs and he has really come on strong of late, going 2-0 in his last three starts with a 3.86 ERA. On the road he is 4-1 this season and prior to his last outing he had allowed three runs or less in nine straight outings.
Last time out he gave up six runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings to the White Sox but the Orioles offense saved him and won the game 7-6. If he had any offensive support Bedard would be close to 10 wins on the season.
Last year against the Rangers he allowed just one unearned run on six hits over seven innings in an 8-1 victory.
Brandon McCarthy (4-5, 6.17 ERA) starts for the Rangers and he has a 7.59 ERA in his alst three starts. He's allowed three runs or more in six of his last 10 outings and hasn't gone past six innings in any of his starts. In two of his last three starts he's failed to get through four innings.
The Orioles have the much stronger pitcher going in this one. Play Baltimore to win an easy one.
2♦ BALTIMORE
Dave Cokin
Take "(967) CLE Indians"
Before the season started, Fausto Carmona was known only as the Cleveland righty who imploded beyond belief in a brief trail as the Indians closer in 2006. As for Toronto's Shaun Marcum, he was just an anonymous young righty likely to be working in middle relief. Here it is in July and both Carmona and Marcum are pitching terrific ball for their teams and are now firmly entrenched as quality starters. The key stat in this contest is Carmona's electrifying numbers in day games, where he's 6-0 with a sparkling 1.58 ERA. I'll put those digits to work here and will back the Indians to even up the weekend series.
Jim Feist
Take "(974) OAK Athletics"
Rich Harden looks to return to the starting rotation after battling some injury problems. Harden, who has started only three games this season, has made three consecutive bullpen appearances. And, if those bullpen jaunts are any indication, he looks ready to return to the starting rotation. Harden's last three appearances (all in relief) yielded no runs and no hits in four total innings. That brings his era for the season down to a very impressive 1.17. Harden has started once against the Mariners this year and shut them out, 9-0. Harden gave up just three hits in the win while striking out seven and walking just two. Felix Hernandez gets the start for Seattle. Hernandez is 4-4 on the season with a 4.11 era in 13 starts. Hernandez is 1-2 versus the A's the last two seasons. Getting the A's at home here with a Rich Harden who looks to be throwing very well seems like a bargain at -130. We'll take the A's here on Saturday
Spot Selections Horses Saturday
SPOT PLAYS
For Saturday
TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE
Arlington Park (1st) Bakers Field, 7-2
(2nd) Ms. Rosin, 3-1
Belmont Park (1st) Perfectly Natural, 3-1
(9th) Triple Bogey Blues, 7-2
Calder Race Course (1st) Irish Speed, 6-1
(4th) At First Glance, 7-2
Canterbury Park (5th) My Friend Deke, 7-2
(8th) Chasm (GB), 7-2
Charles Town (2nd) Friendly Lights, 7-2
(7th) Allured, 7-2
Churchill Downs (5th) Silent Street, 3-1
(6th) Steds Pirate, 9-2
Colonial Downs (4th) Lightening Limit, 6-1
(9th) Festive Moment, 4-1
Delaware Park (6th) Second Approval, 6-1
(7th) Valid Notebook, 6-1
Ellis Park (6th) Private Vendetta, 9-2
(7th) Lord Maybe, 5-1
Emerald Downs (8th) Bold Cleo, 3-1
(9th) Okalani, 9-2
Evangeline Downs (5th) Li'l Red Wings, 9-2
(6th) Big Al's Choice, 3-1
Finger Lakes (3rd) Lilredwagon, 5-1
(8th) Axel Rhodes, 3-1
Fort Erie (3rd) Intothewilderness, 3-1
(4th) Jeanne's Knight, 3-1
Great Lakes Downs (5th) Anna the Actress, 6-1
(8th) Red Fox Fire, 8-1
Hastings Park (2nd) Dancewithbigred, 4-1
(5th) Torquemada, 3-1
Hollywood Park (2nd) Tiz Afire, 5-1
(6th) Fortunate Victory, 5-1
Lone Star Park (1st) Slewpy's Star, 9-2
(6th) Chromedoll, 7-2
Louisiana Downs (4th) Blue Victory, 3-1
(9th) Gow's Top Gal, 5-1
Monmouth Park (4th) Yes It's Time, 4-1
(10th) Xela, 3-1
Mountaineer (5th) Spell Me, 10-1
(7th) Nani's Princess, 7-2
Northlands (2nd) Highland Fire, 8-1
(6th) Torch of Freedom, 8-1
Philadelphia Park (1st) Lucky Dreamer, 7-2
(9th) Sea Cat, 5-1
River Downs (6th) Johns Rockstar, 7-2
(8th) Eyesaderbyfantasy, 6-1
Suffolk Downs (2nd) Jule's Jewel, 5-1
(3rd) Bag Big Wolf, 6-1
Thistledown (3rd) Anita Xanax, 3-1
(9th) Jenn's Lilly Girl, 5-1
Woodbine (1st) House of Magic, 6-1
(8th) Malibu Monster, 4-1
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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
CASHCALL MILE S. (G2), 5TH-HOL, $1,000,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1MT, 8:57 P,M, PDT, 7-6
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 PRECIOUS KITTEN FRANKEL ROBERT J BEJARANO R 121
2 ARM CANDY (IRE) CECIL B D A BAZE M C 119
3 WAIT A WHILE PLETCHER TODD A GOMEZ G K 123
4 KOIUTA (JPN) OKUHIRA MASASHI UCHIDA H 119
5 DANCING EDIE DOLLASE CRAIG NAKATANI C S 123
6 PRICE TAG (GB) FRANKEL ROBERT J PRADO E S 123
7 LADY OF VENICE (FR) BIANCONE PATRICK L LEPAROUX JULIEN 119
8 ALEXANDRA ROSE (SAF) DRYSDALE NEIL FLORES D R 121
9 KISS TO HEAVEN (JPN) TODA HIROFUMI ESPINOZA V 123
10 DIA DE LA NOVIA (JPN) SUMII KATSUHIKO IWATA YASUNARI 121
Friday night's Cash Call Mile S. (G2) has attracted a deep, competitive and international field of 10 fillies and mares, befitting its newly boosted $1 million purse. The grassy mile affair is now the richest race contested at Hollywood Park, as well as the most lucrative prize for turf distaffers in North America, other than the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). With champion WAIT A WHILE (Maria's Mon) expected to be scratched after spiking a temperature, Juddmonte Farms' homebred PRICE TAG (GB) (Dansili [GB]) assumes the role of morning-line favorite at 2-1. The winner of the Matriarch S. (G1) over this course and distance last November, Price Tag deserves the utmost respect, but we'd prefer to find a bit more value in a race like this, which leads us to LADY OF VENICE (Fr) (Loup Solitaire) at 5-1.
The chestnut filly looked like a superstar in her first two U.S. starts for Patrick Biancone last year, displaying a sparkling turn of foot to capture the Appalachian S. and the Regret S. (G3) versus fellow sophomores. She next tackled older distaffers in the Diana S. (G1), but she didn't enjoy the yielding ground and checked in fifth, beaten only a length for it all. Lady of Venice was then pitched into the Lake Placid S. (G2) on three weeks' rest, a shorter turnaround than usual for her, and was no match for Wait a While while finishing a respectable runner-up. Those two races must have taken a lot out of her, for she was shelved until Keeneland's spring meet. She opened her four-year-old campaign with a workmanlike score in an April allowance, registering a 119 BRIS Late Pace rating, and was much more impressive when inhaling the entire field to win the Ouija Board Distaff H. (G3) going away at Lone Star Park. The CashCall Mile has been Lady of Venice's prime target, and she should come flying late beneath Julien Leparoux.
Price Tag was a high-class performer in France before joining Bobby Frankel. She passed the post first in the 2006 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1), only to be demoted to third for causing interference in the one-mile classic. Making her American bow in the Matriarch, the bay stormed home from far back to land the spoils by a half-length. After a laughably easy allowance victory in her 2007 debut, she suffered her first U.S. loss when vainly chasing Citronnade (Lemon Drop Kid) in the Gamely Breeders' Cup S. (G1) on Memorial Day. That was arguably Price Tag's finest effort, considering that she is the only filly to have come close to Citronnade all year, and she also posted a field-topping 105 BRIS Speed rating. It will take a very special effort to defeat Price Tag on her home court, where she will reunite with Edgar Prado for the first time since the Matriarch.
Of the three-strong Japanese contingent, DIA DE LA NOVIA (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) is appealing at 15-1 on the morning line. Competing honorably against her nation's best, including males, for the past two years, the five-year-old mare has acquitted herself well while chasing the likes of Cesario (Jpn), Daiwa Major (Sunday Silence) and last year's CashCall winner, Dance in the Mood (Jpn). Dia de la Novia is exiting a pair of unplaced efforts in Grade 1 events in Japan, beaten by KOIUTA (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseki) and KISS TO HEAVEN (Jpn) (Admire Vega), but she is in the hands of a master trainer. Katsuhiko Sumii sent out Cesario to overwhelm the field in the 2005 American Oaks Invitational (G1), and he pulled off an even more amazing feat by saddling the top two finishers in the 2006 Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1). In other words, Dia de la Novia is not just here for the scenery, and a return to her best form would make her a live contender at a price.
ALEXANDRA ROSE (SAf) (Caesour) is in a similar situation in her U.S. debut. Her South African form warrants considerable respect, as a Group 2 winner with a pair of excellent placings against Group 1 company at a mile. She'll have to improve, however, upon her uninspiring fifth in Dubai's Balanchine S. last time out in February. Reverting to a mile here, the Team Valor colorbearer is eligible to rebound for new trainer Neil Drysdale. David Flores picks up the mount on the dark bay, who used to race close to the pace in South Africa. At 30-1 with first-time Lasix, Alexandra Rose could be worth a flyer, or at least included in the exotics.
The Frankel-trained PRECIOUS KITTEN (Catienus) is as honest and genuine as they come, having won or placed in each of her last six outings. The half-sister to 2004 champion turf horse, Kitten's Joy, is coming off a victory in the Gallorette H. (G3), but she is a step behind the best in the division. Precious Kitten finished a game second to both Wait a While and My Typhoon (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) this year, and she'll be facing several top-class rivals here. Still, given her tactical speed and her good character, she could will her way into a minor award.
Kiss to Heaven has not visited the winner's circle since taking last year's Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas) (Jpn-G1), but she has run creditably in defeat on several occasions. Fourth to Koiuta in the Victoria Mile S. (Jpn-G1), she was most recently a decent eighth versus elite males in the Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1), 3 1/2 lengths adrift of the winning Daiwa Major. Kiss to Heaven must show more to win this, but it's a positive sign that she's lured Victor Espinoza into the saddle. Koiuta improved markedly to upset the Victoria Mile at 59-1 in her latest venture, turning in a career-best performance. Unlike Kiss to Heaven and Dia de la Novia, Koiuta did not line up in -- and was not even nominated for -- the Yasuda Kinen, so she has not been tested by the best males. It remains to be seen whether Koiuta's success was a fluke, or if she has suddenly developed into a world-beater. We suspect the former is more likely and will take a stand against her here.
DANCING EDIE (Moscow Ballet) is brave on the front end, and it was her sheer determination that earned her a photo-finish victory in the John C. Mabee H. (G1) last July at Del Mar. She will be making just her second start off a seven-month layoff, with a gritty runner-up effort in the Redondo Beach S. being her lone prep. The overachiever was a troubled fourth in the CashCall last year, but she faces a deeper group this time around and looks up against it. ARM CANDY (Ire) (Nashwan), who was third in the Redondo Beach, has a mountain to climb in this spot.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-LADY OF VENICE (Fr)
2nd-PRICE TAG (GB)
3rd-DIA DE LA NOVIA (Jpn)
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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
DEBUTANTE S. (G3), 7TH-CD, $100,000, 2YO, F, 6F, 4:27 P.M. EDT, 7-7
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 WONDERFUL LUCK ASMUSSEN STEVEN M LANERIE C J 122
2 LOVE BUZZ ROMANS DALE GUIDRY M 118
3 AMERICAN COUNTY ROMANS DALE THERIOT H J II 118
4 FLIGHT RULER JACKSON LAURA BOREL C H 118
5 RATED FIESTY ASMUSSEN STEVEN M BRIDGMOHAN S X 122
6 MISS MISSILE SMITH CHARLES E SHEPHERD J 120
7 KADIRA VANCE DAVID R MELANCON L 118
8 DREABONS LEGACY FLINT STEVE MENA M 118
The ultra impressive RATED FIESTY (Exchange Rate) easily rates our top choice in the 107th running of the $100,000 Debutante S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The Steve Asmussen-trained filly was one of the most impressive first-out, two-year-old maiden winners at Keeneland. The gray lass was sent to the early lead, dueled AMERICAN COUNTY (Gibson County) into submission midway around the turn while running an opening quarter-mile in :22, then drew off through the stretch, reeling off a half-mile in :44 1/5 and finishing her final sixteenth in an incredible :05 4/5 to complete the 4 1/2-furlong distance in :50. In her next start, she took on the boys in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup S. (G3). Rated Fiesty broke quickly to the lead, was headed from the outside turning for home, then galloped away to a 4 1/2-length score while running five furlongs over a sealed, sloppy surface in a swift :57 2/5, good for a 113 BRIS Speed rating. The third-place finisher, Ready's Image (More Than Ready), a two-year-old colt trained by Todd Pletcher, rolled to a 7 3/4-length win in Sunday's Tremont S. at Belmont Park. Rated Fiesty, who will be seeking her second consecutive graded stakes victory, is impossible to pick against.
Two fascinating first-out maiden winners, DREABONS LEGACY (Proud Citizen) and KADIRA (Kafwain), are tactically drawn on the outside. Dreabons Legacy, out of the precocious stakes-winning, stakes producing mare Kelly Amber (Highland Park), was forced out at the break, then dueled three wide before gamely proving best while running 4 1/2 furlongs in a sharp :50 4/5 over this surface on May 27. Kadira dueled from the outside, then edged away to a 3 3/4-length victory in her debut here on June 3. The David Vance-trained filly completed the five-furlong distance in a solid :57 3/5. Note that she was the second most expensive yearling ($250,000) by Kafwain, a freshman sire who is off to a good start and stands for $10,000. Either of these two could add value to the vertical exotics.
WONDERFUL LUCK (Trust N Luck), also trained by Asmussen, was a good-looking winner in her bow at Keeneland, then finished a troubled fourth to her stablemate, Rated Fiesty, in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup. In her most recent outing, she closed from far back to capture the Cinderella S. on May 27 at Hollywood Park. Wonderful Luck is two-for-two on Polytrack, which may be enhancing her off-the-pace running style, but may not have beat much in California. Regardless, she must be considered for an in-the-money placing.
American County, one of two trained by Dale Romans, will be making her fifth career start in the Debutante. The bay filly figures to be sent for the early lead from the inside and may hold on for a minor award. MISS MISSILE (Golden Missile) ships in from Lone Star Park after finishing fourth, with trouble, as the even-money favorite in the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity. She has some potential to light the board. Michigan-based FLIGHT RULER (Minardi) broke her maiden at first asking on Polytrack at Arlington Park and adds Lasix for her stakes debut. She gets the hot-riding Calvin Borel astride. LOVE BUZZ (Silver Charm), the other Romans trainee, has finished far adrift in her last two starts and is hard to recommend.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-RATED FIESTY
2nd-DREABONS LEGACY
3rd-KADIRA
$25 Bankroll
$15 exacta: Rated Fiesty over Dreabons Legacy
$7 exacta: Rated Fiesty over Kadira
$3 exacta: Rated Fiesty over Wonderful Luck
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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
CARRY BACK S. (G2), 10TH-CRC, $300,000, 3YO, 6F, 5:10 P.M. EDT, 7-7
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 INDIAN ASHTON WARD WESLEY A ALVARADO F T 115
2 FATE TAKES A HAND BROTHERS FRANK L VELASQUEZ CORNE 115
3 JERONIMOS STORM CHAVEZ JESUS TORIBIO A R 115
4 BLACK SEVENTEEN KORINER BRIAN POTTS C L 117
5 POP GOES THE TIGER POTTER DOUGLAS MADRID S O 115
6 FINALLYMADEIT NEGRETE JAVIER NUNEZ E O 115
7 RATHER CLEVER ZIADIE KIRK LEZCANO JOSE 115
8 TEUFLESBERG SANDERS JAMIE ALBARADO R J 122
9 YESBYJIMMINY PLESA EDWARD JR CRUZ M R 119
TEUFLESBERG (Johannesburg) will enter Saturday's $300,000 Carry Back S. (G2) off an excellent two-length score in the Woody Stephens Breeders' Cup S. (G2) at Belmont Park, but we'll try to beat the likely favorite with BLACK SEVENTEEN (Is It True). A confirmed six-furlong specialist (three-for-three at the distance), the Brian Koriner charge has shipped to Calder off a pair of impressive scores at Hollywood.
Black Seventeen earned a 101 BRIS Speed rating for his 6 1/2-length decision against an allowance field two starts back and a 102 for his 4 1/4-length romp over allowance/optional claiming rivals. Those starts came over the Cushion Track, but the chestnut colt showed dirt prowess at Del Mar last summer when breaking his maiden by 8 1/4 lengths. He didn't race again until March, and Black Seventeen will enter this event on the upswing. We'll look for the speedster to lead wire-to-wire.
FINALLYMADEIT (Concerto) has displayed a strong turn of foot in his last two starts at Calder, winning the Valid Video S. by three lengths most recently, and the chestnut colt looms as a threat from just off the pace here. Trained by Javier Negrete, the chestnut colt will keep regular rider Eddie Nunez in the saddle, and he can add some value to the exotics.
Teuflesberg is a formidable sprinter (earned a 106 Speed rating last out), but he's had a difficult campaign this season and stumbled badly at the start of the Woody Stephens last time. That race came at seven furlongs, and we'll try to beat the Jamie Sanders trainee at three-quarters of a mile on Saturday.
POP GOES THE TIGER (Tiger Ridge) has hit the board 10 times at Calder (14-4-5-1), but the gray gelding will be tested for class in this spot. He does own a decent late kick, and six furlongs is a perfect fit for the Douglas Potter runner. Consider for part.
YESBYJIMMINY (Yes It's True) is another horse for the course (8-4-1-2) and likes six furlongs (3-2-1-0). We're not sure he's good enough to challenge here, but we can't discount his chances for the top three. FATE TAKES A HAND (Tale of the Cat) exits a sharp allowance score at Churchill Downs for Frankie Brothers, but we'll give the chestnut colt a race at this level.
INDIAN ASHTON (Tribal Rule), a $50,000 claiming winner two starts back, was no factor in the Valid Video last time and probably needs an easier spot to be effective. RATHER CLEVER (Montbrook) appears to be taking an ambitious class hike, and we can't recommend his chances. JERONIMOS STORM (Tiger Ridge) earned only an 82 Speed rating when breaking his maiden last out and looks overmatched here.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-BLACK SEVENTEEN
2nd-FINALLYMADEIT
3rd-TEUFLESBERG
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PRINCESS ROONEY H. (G1), 11TH-CRC, $500,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6F, 5:40 P.M. EDT, 7-7
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 SONGOFTHESOUTH POTTER DOUGLAS NUNEZ E O 112
2 NOSSA CANCAO (BRZ) AVILA A C BERRIO O A 115
3 INDIAN FLARE FRANKEL ROBERT J GRYDER A T 118
4 SELVATICA CANANI JULIO C CHAVEZ J F 119
5 MARYFIELD O'NEILL DOUG TRUJILLO E 118
6 SHAGGY MANE CHATLOS DONALD JR VELASQUEZ CORNE 118
7 G CITY GAL PLETCHER TODD A DECARLO C P 114
8 RIVER'S PRAYER CAPESTRO PAULA S POTTS C L 118
9 TRUE AND TRUE WARD WESLEY A ALVARADO F T 113
10 MYKINDASAINT CASCIO C W BUBBA MELANCON G 113
11 STOLEN PRAYER PLESA EDWARD JR CRUZ M R 115
12 DIXIE DREAMER WOLFSON MARTIN D BRIDGMOHAN JERM 112
13 MIRACULOUS MISS KLESARIS STEVE LEZCANO JOSE 117
Saturday's $500,000 Princess Rooney H. (G1) is Calder's lone Grade 1 event, and the Summit of Speed heat has attracted a large field of 13. None of the distaffers bring overwhelming credentials into the six-furlong test, but we like the way INDIAN FLARE (Cherokee Run) is going presently for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel.
A half-length winner of the Vagrancy H. (G2) at Belmont last out, Indian Flare earned a superb 103 BRIS Speed rating while notching her first graded score. The five-year-old made her graded debut last summer, recording a fourth in the Ballerina Breeders' Cup S. (G1), and she also placed in the Chilukki S. (G2) in the fall. The improving lass has really come to hand in her last three outings this season for Frankel, winning the grassy Flower Girl H. before posting a close second in the Las Cienegas H. (G3) over the turf two starts back, and she displayed a fine turn of foot in the Vagrancy, racking up a 114 BRIS E2 Pace rating. Indian Flare is eligible to keep improving, and the bay's tactical speed should serve her well in the Princess Rooney. She'll likely be close to the pace under Aaron Gryder before offering her best.
SHAGGY MANE (Bertrando) rolled to a 7 3/4-length, wire-to-wire score in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint S. two starts back and set a clear pace in the Humana Distaff S. (G1) most recently before weakening to fourth. She figures to relish the cutback from seven furlongs here, and her recent Speed ratings (107 and 98) are strong. The Donald Chatlos trainee is the speed of the speed, and we won't be surprised to see Shaggy Mane shake loose early. A wire-to-wire win is possible.
MIRACULOUS MISS (Mr. Greeley) owns an outstanding late kick, capturing the Forward Gal S. (G2), Comely S. (G2) and Endine H. (G3) in dramatic fashion last year, but she hasn't been seen under silks since late November. Trainer Steve Klesaris does well off an extended layoff, and the classy Miraculous Miss looms as a threat to run past all of her rivals in the stretch. She will be returning at only six furlongs, though, and we're concerned that she'll have too much to do in the stretch..
STOLEN PRAYER (Songandaprayer) has posted back-to-back stakes wins at Calder in her last two outings, taking both the Ema Bovary S. and Kimscountrydiamond S. in convincing fashion, but the stalker didn't register the best Speed ratings (94 and 93, respectively) for those efforts. However, we can't dismiss the Ed Plesa Jr. pupil based on her current form, and we'd recommend considering her for a minor award.
TRUE AND TRUE (Yes It's True) caught an off track last time while making her Calder debut, and we wouldn't be surprised to see an improved effort if the track is fast on Saturday. A Grade 3 runner-up at Del Mar last year, the Wesley Ward charge needed her last start off a lengthy layoff, and the promising lass is another one to consider for the exotics.
G CITY GAL (Elusive Quality) will invade for Todd Pletcher off an allowance score in her seasonal bow at Monmouth Park, and the four-year-old miss flashed some talent during her sophomore season, placing in four graded stakes. She's a confirmed six-furlong performer, and the speedy G City Gal owns good Speed ratings. We'll try to beat the front runner, but she's eligible to keep improving off a sharp score last time. MARYFIELD (Elusive Quality) merits respect from the Doug O'Neill stable, but the Grade 2 queen hasn't looked sharp enough this year (unplaced in four of five attempts) for us to recommend her chances.
SELVATICA (Forestry) is the 119-pound highweight and figures to be mixing it up on the front end after the start, but the Julio Canani-trained mare will face a class check in this spot. We'll try to beat the California shipper. RIVER'S PRAYER (Devon Lane) figures to be winging it early, but there's speed to her inside and she could face too much pressure to be effective. NOSSA CANCAO (Brz) (Fast Gold) owns a decent late kick, but six furlongs doesn't look like her best distance and we can't get excited about her recent efforts.
Multiple stakes queen MYKINDASAINT (Saint Ballado) faces a difficult challenge at this level. SONGOFTHESOUTH (Concerto) will make her graded debut off a sharp allowance score, but this class hike looks too ambitious. DIXIE DREAMER (Mutakddim) exits a dull showing over the turf at Mountaineer Park and appears overmatched here.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-INDIAN FLARE
2nd-SHAGGY MANE
3rd-MIRACULOUS MISS
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A GLEAM INVITATIONAL H. (G2), 7TH-HOL, $150,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 7F, 9:53 P.M. PDT, 7-6
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 GETBACK TIME BECERRA RAFAEL NAKATANI C S 118
2 PUSSYCAT DOLL BAFFERT BOB GOMEZ G K 124
3 STRONG FAITH MULLINS JEFF GARCIA MARTIN 114
4 RIVER SAVAGE (BRZ) AVILA A C BERRIO O A 116
5 DONA AMELIA (CHI) INDA EDUARDO MIGLIORE R 115
6 CANDY JO MULLINS JEFF POTTS C L 116
7 CLINET (IRE) GALLAGHER PATRICK SOLIS A 115
8 POLITICAL WEB CANANI JULIO C PEDROZA M A 114
9 THEVERYTHOUGHTOF U ELLIS RONALD W TALAMO JOSEPH 112
10 SOMETHINABOUTLAURA HOLLENDORFER JERRY ESPINOZA V 122
Friday night's $150,000 A Gleam Invitational H. (G2) serves as second fiddle to the $1 million CashCall Mile S. (G2) earlier on the card, and PUSSYCAT DOLL (Real Quiet) looks difficult to beat in the seven-furlong contest. A three-time Grade 1 winner, Pussycat Doll wound up in the A Gleam instead of Saturday's $500,000 Princess Rooney H. (G1), and she probably would've gone favored in that event as well.
The five-year-old mare has never competed over a synthetic surface, but Pussycat Doll has worked well twice recently over the Cushion Track for Bob Baffert. She was a bit sluggish early in the Humana Distaff S. (G1) last time before rallying well for second, losing to a nice rival in Hystericalady (Distorted Humor), and we expect her to be tighter on Friday. Pussycat Doll should be up close to the pace before asserting herself under regular rider Garrett Gomez.
RIVER SAVAGE (Brz) (First American) cuts back to seven panels off a sharp two-length score in the 1 1/16-mile Hawthorne H. (G3), and one has to respect the way the A.C. Avila runner handled her Cushion Track debut last time. Stakes-placed in Brazil in 2005, River Savage took a while to come to hand in North America, but the five-year-old mare appears to be hitting her best stride presently and we expect another fine showing.
CANDY JO (Maria's Mon) is two for two at Hollywood, earning solid BRIS Speed ratings for wins over allowance rivals, and she could add some value to the exotics here. Trained by Jeff Mullins, the gray filly has captured three of her last four starts, with the lone setback coming on grass, and the speedy miss doesn't figure to face much pressure up front.
SOMETHINABOUTLAURA (Dance Floor) won last year's A Gleam on dirt and exits a pair of turf stakes wins over California-bred rivals. The five-year-old mare is one-for-one over Cushion Track, winning the B. Thoughtful S. via disqualification, and she's a logical contender in this spot.
GETBACK TIME (Gilded Time) deserves serious consideration for the top three off a pair of encouraging efforts at Hollywood. Disqualified from first in the B. Thoughtful S. two back, the Rafael Becerra charge exits a runner-up finish in the Valkyr S. She relishes the seven-furlong distance, but Getback Time will be stepping up to face open company.
CLINET (Ire) (Docksider), a stakes winner in Dubai last year, will make her Cushion Track debut following three turf starts in America. We've seen plenty of turf horses make a seamless transition to the synthetic surfaces, and Clinet handles sprint distances well. The late runner could leave herself too much to do in this spot, but we won't completely dismiss her exotics chances. THEVERYTHOUGHTOF U (Unbridled's Song) enters this event on the upswing for conditioner Ron Ellis, winning a maiden special weight and an allowance, but we'll give her a race versus stakes rivals.
DONA AMELIA (Chi) (Big Blue) appears more comfortable around two turns and doesn't appear very sharp right now. POLITICAL WEB (Petionville) kept good company earlier this year, but she exits a dull allowance showing in her Cushion Track bow. STRONG FAITH (Pioneering) will need to improve significantly off her recent outings to challenge.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-PUSSYCAT DOLL
2nd-RIVER SAVAGE (Brz)
3rd-CANDY JO
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TRACKMASTER RACE OF THE DAY
Today's Free Race: Calder for Saturday July 07, 2007
Bar 4
Calder - Race #10 - Post: 5:10pm
Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar
Choice Plays:
#4 BLACK SEVENTEEN (ML=3/1)
#6 FINALLYMADEIT (ML=6/1)
BLACK SEVENTEEN - I like to see consistency in a racehorse. Look at this colt's PPs. Almost always in the money. Last two speed figures (113, 121) were dominant. Anything close to that in today's race and this one may win easily. This colt's last speed fig is good enough to triumph here, I'll invest in him right back today. The improved speed figs over the last three races is solid. Koriner drops him in this race conditioned to win. FINALLYMADEIT - Negrete must have known this colt would run well at this track. Won his last race here on Jun 17th and now goes for two in a row. Have to give this colt a good chance. Ran a strong race last out within the last month. Lower impost of -5. In my opinion, a movement of 5 is important, so this colt falls into this category.
Vulnerable Contenders: #8 TEUFLESBERG (ML=2/1), #2 FATE TAKES A HAND (ML=5/1), #9 YESBYJIMMINY (ML=6/1)
TEUFLESBERG - I don't have a 'use' feeling about this entrant in this affair. FATE TAKES A HAND - Doesn't appear to have enough good qualities to support the price. YESBYJIMMINY - Looked good on Jun 17th, finishing second, but no workouts since is a bit troublesome. Pedestrian fig in the last race at Calder at 6 furlongs. Don't feel this mount will improve too much in today's event.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #4 BLACK SEVENTEEN on top if we're getting at least 7/5 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,6]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
4 with 6 with [5,7,9] Total Cost: $3
__________________
Jeff Bonds | MLB RunLine
dime bet978 DET -1.5 (+135) vs 977 BOS
Analysis:
***All of Saturday's picks will be in by 9 AM PST on Saturday***
The Detroit Tigers are absolutely rolling and will face a pitcher that has yet to tally a win in seven appearances (four starts) on the road in his career.
Boston's Kason Gabbard will have a long day of it with 27 career walks in just 39 2/3 innings against a team that hits .311 on the year against left-handed pitching.
Detroit starter Jeremy Bonderman is about as good as it gets in picking up victories and has just once loss in his last 20 starts on the mound. The Tigers are 7-0 when he faces a team with a winning record.
The Tigers are also conveniently 4-0 in Bonderman's last four starts againts the Red Sox
Today's MLB Picks
Minnesota at Chicago White Sox
To say the Twins were happy to get out of New York is an understatement. After losing three-of-four to the Yankees and being outscored 22-13 in the process, Minnesota exploded in a double-header sweep of the Chisox yesterday by scoring 32 runs, the most in MLB since 1939. Justin Morneau capped off the big day/night rally with three home runs in a 12-0 win in the finale. Swinging the bats like that, the Twins look like a good road underdog (+145) today according to Dunkel, which has Minnesota favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+145). Here are all of today's games. (Note: I will not be publishing any picks from July 8 through July 12. Please check back on July 13 for our next update. Thanks for your support - Bob Dunkel)
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width=521 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>SATURDAY, JULY 7
Time Posted: 8:30 a.m. EST
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 951-952: Atlanta at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Reyes) 13.734; San Diego (Wells) 16.052
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 2 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-140); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 953-954: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Lilly) 15.095; Pittsburgh (Van Benschoten) 13.343
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-150); Under
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 955-956: Milwaukee at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Suppan) 14.644; Washington (Simontacchi) 12.042
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 2 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-155); Under
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 957-958: NY Mets at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Glavine) 14.678; Houston (Williams) 13.225
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-125); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 959-960: Arizona at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Webb) 14.883; Cincinnati (Bailey) 12.642
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2; 10
Vegas Line: Arizona (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-145); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 961-962: San Francisco at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Lincecum) 14.448; St. Louis (Looper) 13.781
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-110); Under
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 963-964: Philadelphia at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Moyer) 14.403; Colorado (Lopez) 15.302
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 12
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-110); 11
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+110); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 965-966: Florida at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Mitre) 13.930; LA Dodgers (Lowe) 15.509
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-160); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 967-968: Cleveland and Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Carmona) 13.911; Toronto (Marcum) 15.897
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-120); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 969-970: LA Angels at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Lackey) 14.383; NY Yankees (Clemens) 14.748
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-125); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 971-972: Minnesota at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Bonser) 15.487; White Sox (Buehrle) 14.584
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+145); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 973-974: Seattle at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 16.091; Oakland (Harden) 15.072
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+130); Under
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 975-976: Tampa Bay at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 11.883; Kansas City (Meche) 15.403
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 3 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-155); 10
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-155); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 977-978: Boston at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Gabbard) 14.463; Detroit (Bonderman) 16.013
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Detroit (-155); 10
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-155); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 979-980: Baltimore at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Bedard) 14.785; Texas (McCarthy) 14.499
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-135); Under
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
10* Plays
Oakland A's
Phillies
Hondo
July 7, 2007 -- The pain doesn't seem to be subsiding. The Ori oles opened up a fresh wound on Hondo last night, losing in extras to increase the deficit to a robust 295 pinsons.
Tonight, he'll stick with Bedard and the Birds for 10 units and do some profit-surfing with The Webb in Cincinnati for another 10.
Drew Gordon
Minnesota at CHI. WHITE SOX (-130)
After a wild Friday that saw the White Sox lose twice to the Twins in ugly fashion, I'm calling for Chicago to bounce back behind the surging Mark Buehrle in this one.
After yesterday's offensive explosion, its easy to immediately believe the Twins will do it again Saturday... Not so fast, as Buehrle has proven to be downright nasty against Minnesota throughout his career.
Buehrle turned in another impressive effort, despite getting the no-decision, against the Orioles in his last start, allowing 2 earned over 7 2/3 innings! Not only that, but he's beaten the Twins more than any other team in his career, going 18-10 with a 3.76 lifetime ERA!
The struggling Boof Bosner gets the start for the Twins, and that's music to the White Sox ears. Bosner is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA over his last 3 starts (all Twins losses). After getting pounded in consecutive games yesterday, look for the White Sox to bring out the bats in this one!
Bottom line, the White Sox use a strong pitching edge, and some leftover bitterness from Friday, to earn the win in this match up. Resurgent White Sox batting order can and will get to Bosner, plain and simple.
Take the Chicago White Sox behind Buehrle over Minnesota in this AL Central showdown.
2♦ CHI. WHITE SOX
Bobby Maxwell
Chicago (-140) at PITTSBURGH
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
For Saturday we're taking the the Cubs to get it done against the Pirates.
Last night the Bucs were my top play of the day, but tonight we're headed in the other direction.
And all of a sudden Ted Lilly is looking good for Chi-town. Lilly is 3-0 with a 3.54 ERA in his last four starts, and comes in off a win over the Nationals in which he gave up just one run on three hits over seven innings.
Lilly has made two starts against the Bucs this year, but because he didn’t have a decision in either, and because he is on a hot streak right now, I expect something big from him tonight. He gave up six earned runs on 16 hits over 12 1/3 innings in those games. The lefty ranks fifth in strikeouts-to-walks ratio.
And count on the run support, as Pittsburgh’s John Van Benschoten struggled mightily with his control for the second straight start, throwing 42 of his 100 pitches for balls against Milwaukee last week.
Pitch control has been a problem for Van Benschoten in all four of his starts this season, and with Chicago getting enough base runners, aggressive base running will play a role.
2♦ CUBS
Baltimore (-130) at TEXAS
Bedard (6-4, 3.67) would be a great No. 2 pitcher on any team contending for the playoffs and he has really come on strong of late, going 2-0 in his last three starts with a 3.86 ERA. On the road he is 4-1 this season and prior to his last outing he had allowed three runs or less in nine straight outings.
Last time out he gave up six runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings to the White Sox but the Orioles offense saved him and won the game 7-6. If he had any offensive support Bedard would be close to 10 wins on the season.
Last year against the Rangers he allowed just one unearned run on six hits over seven innings in an 8-1 victory.
Brandon McCarthy (4-5, 6.17 ERA) starts for the Rangers and he has a 7.59 ERA in his alst three starts. He's allowed three runs or more in six of his last 10 outings and hasn't gone past six innings in any of his starts. In two of his last three starts he's failed to get through four innings.
The Orioles have the much stronger pitcher going in this one. Play Baltimore to win an easy one.
2♦ BALTIMORE
Dave Cokin
Take "(967) CLE Indians"
Before the season started, Fausto Carmona was known only as the Cleveland righty who imploded beyond belief in a brief trail as the Indians closer in 2006. As for Toronto's Shaun Marcum, he was just an anonymous young righty likely to be working in middle relief. Here it is in July and both Carmona and Marcum are pitching terrific ball for their teams and are now firmly entrenched as quality starters. The key stat in this contest is Carmona's electrifying numbers in day games, where he's 6-0 with a sparkling 1.58 ERA. I'll put those digits to work here and will back the Indians to even up the weekend series.
Jim Feist
Take "(974) OAK Athletics"
Rich Harden looks to return to the starting rotation after battling some injury problems. Harden, who has started only three games this season, has made three consecutive bullpen appearances. And, if those bullpen jaunts are any indication, he looks ready to return to the starting rotation. Harden's last three appearances (all in relief) yielded no runs and no hits in four total innings. That brings his era for the season down to a very impressive 1.17. Harden has started once against the Mariners this year and shut them out, 9-0. Harden gave up just three hits in the win while striking out seven and walking just two. Felix Hernandez gets the start for Seattle. Hernandez is 4-4 on the season with a 4.11 era in 13 starts. Hernandez is 1-2 versus the A's the last two seasons. Getting the A's at home here with a Rich Harden who looks to be throwing very well seems like a bargain at -130. We'll take the A's here on Saturday
Spot Selections Horses Saturday
SPOT PLAYS
For Saturday
TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE
Arlington Park (1st) Bakers Field, 7-2
(2nd) Ms. Rosin, 3-1
Belmont Park (1st) Perfectly Natural, 3-1
(9th) Triple Bogey Blues, 7-2
Calder Race Course (1st) Irish Speed, 6-1
(4th) At First Glance, 7-2
Canterbury Park (5th) My Friend Deke, 7-2
(8th) Chasm (GB), 7-2
Charles Town (2nd) Friendly Lights, 7-2
(7th) Allured, 7-2
Churchill Downs (5th) Silent Street, 3-1
(6th) Steds Pirate, 9-2
Colonial Downs (4th) Lightening Limit, 6-1
(9th) Festive Moment, 4-1
Delaware Park (6th) Second Approval, 6-1
(7th) Valid Notebook, 6-1
Ellis Park (6th) Private Vendetta, 9-2
(7th) Lord Maybe, 5-1
Emerald Downs (8th) Bold Cleo, 3-1
(9th) Okalani, 9-2
Evangeline Downs (5th) Li'l Red Wings, 9-2
(6th) Big Al's Choice, 3-1
Finger Lakes (3rd) Lilredwagon, 5-1
(8th) Axel Rhodes, 3-1
Fort Erie (3rd) Intothewilderness, 3-1
(4th) Jeanne's Knight, 3-1
Great Lakes Downs (5th) Anna the Actress, 6-1
(8th) Red Fox Fire, 8-1
Hastings Park (2nd) Dancewithbigred, 4-1
(5th) Torquemada, 3-1
Hollywood Park (2nd) Tiz Afire, 5-1
(6th) Fortunate Victory, 5-1
Lone Star Park (1st) Slewpy's Star, 9-2
(6th) Chromedoll, 7-2
Louisiana Downs (4th) Blue Victory, 3-1
(9th) Gow's Top Gal, 5-1
Monmouth Park (4th) Yes It's Time, 4-1
(10th) Xela, 3-1
Mountaineer (5th) Spell Me, 10-1
(7th) Nani's Princess, 7-2
Northlands (2nd) Highland Fire, 8-1
(6th) Torch of Freedom, 8-1
Philadelphia Park (1st) Lucky Dreamer, 7-2
(9th) Sea Cat, 5-1
River Downs (6th) Johns Rockstar, 7-2
(8th) Eyesaderbyfantasy, 6-1
Suffolk Downs (2nd) Jule's Jewel, 5-1
(3rd) Bag Big Wolf, 6-1
Thistledown (3rd) Anita Xanax, 3-1
(9th) Jenn's Lilly Girl, 5-1
Woodbine (1st) House of Magic, 6-1
(8th) Malibu Monster, 4-1
__________________
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
CASHCALL MILE S. (G2), 5TH-HOL, $1,000,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1MT, 8:57 P,M, PDT, 7-6
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 PRECIOUS KITTEN FRANKEL ROBERT J BEJARANO R 121
2 ARM CANDY (IRE) CECIL B D A BAZE M C 119
3 WAIT A WHILE PLETCHER TODD A GOMEZ G K 123
4 KOIUTA (JPN) OKUHIRA MASASHI UCHIDA H 119
5 DANCING EDIE DOLLASE CRAIG NAKATANI C S 123
6 PRICE TAG (GB) FRANKEL ROBERT J PRADO E S 123
7 LADY OF VENICE (FR) BIANCONE PATRICK L LEPAROUX JULIEN 119
8 ALEXANDRA ROSE (SAF) DRYSDALE NEIL FLORES D R 121
9 KISS TO HEAVEN (JPN) TODA HIROFUMI ESPINOZA V 123
10 DIA DE LA NOVIA (JPN) SUMII KATSUHIKO IWATA YASUNARI 121
Friday night's Cash Call Mile S. (G2) has attracted a deep, competitive and international field of 10 fillies and mares, befitting its newly boosted $1 million purse. The grassy mile affair is now the richest race contested at Hollywood Park, as well as the most lucrative prize for turf distaffers in North America, other than the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). With champion WAIT A WHILE (Maria's Mon) expected to be scratched after spiking a temperature, Juddmonte Farms' homebred PRICE TAG (GB) (Dansili [GB]) assumes the role of morning-line favorite at 2-1. The winner of the Matriarch S. (G1) over this course and distance last November, Price Tag deserves the utmost respect, but we'd prefer to find a bit more value in a race like this, which leads us to LADY OF VENICE (Fr) (Loup Solitaire) at 5-1.
The chestnut filly looked like a superstar in her first two U.S. starts for Patrick Biancone last year, displaying a sparkling turn of foot to capture the Appalachian S. and the Regret S. (G3) versus fellow sophomores. She next tackled older distaffers in the Diana S. (G1), but she didn't enjoy the yielding ground and checked in fifth, beaten only a length for it all. Lady of Venice was then pitched into the Lake Placid S. (G2) on three weeks' rest, a shorter turnaround than usual for her, and was no match for Wait a While while finishing a respectable runner-up. Those two races must have taken a lot out of her, for she was shelved until Keeneland's spring meet. She opened her four-year-old campaign with a workmanlike score in an April allowance, registering a 119 BRIS Late Pace rating, and was much more impressive when inhaling the entire field to win the Ouija Board Distaff H. (G3) going away at Lone Star Park. The CashCall Mile has been Lady of Venice's prime target, and she should come flying late beneath Julien Leparoux.
Price Tag was a high-class performer in France before joining Bobby Frankel. She passed the post first in the 2006 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1), only to be demoted to third for causing interference in the one-mile classic. Making her American bow in the Matriarch, the bay stormed home from far back to land the spoils by a half-length. After a laughably easy allowance victory in her 2007 debut, she suffered her first U.S. loss when vainly chasing Citronnade (Lemon Drop Kid) in the Gamely Breeders' Cup S. (G1) on Memorial Day. That was arguably Price Tag's finest effort, considering that she is the only filly to have come close to Citronnade all year, and she also posted a field-topping 105 BRIS Speed rating. It will take a very special effort to defeat Price Tag on her home court, where she will reunite with Edgar Prado for the first time since the Matriarch.
Of the three-strong Japanese contingent, DIA DE LA NOVIA (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) is appealing at 15-1 on the morning line. Competing honorably against her nation's best, including males, for the past two years, the five-year-old mare has acquitted herself well while chasing the likes of Cesario (Jpn), Daiwa Major (Sunday Silence) and last year's CashCall winner, Dance in the Mood (Jpn). Dia de la Novia is exiting a pair of unplaced efforts in Grade 1 events in Japan, beaten by KOIUTA (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseki) and KISS TO HEAVEN (Jpn) (Admire Vega), but she is in the hands of a master trainer. Katsuhiko Sumii sent out Cesario to overwhelm the field in the 2005 American Oaks Invitational (G1), and he pulled off an even more amazing feat by saddling the top two finishers in the 2006 Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1). In other words, Dia de la Novia is not just here for the scenery, and a return to her best form would make her a live contender at a price.
ALEXANDRA ROSE (SAf) (Caesour) is in a similar situation in her U.S. debut. Her South African form warrants considerable respect, as a Group 2 winner with a pair of excellent placings against Group 1 company at a mile. She'll have to improve, however, upon her uninspiring fifth in Dubai's Balanchine S. last time out in February. Reverting to a mile here, the Team Valor colorbearer is eligible to rebound for new trainer Neil Drysdale. David Flores picks up the mount on the dark bay, who used to race close to the pace in South Africa. At 30-1 with first-time Lasix, Alexandra Rose could be worth a flyer, or at least included in the exotics.
The Frankel-trained PRECIOUS KITTEN (Catienus) is as honest and genuine as they come, having won or placed in each of her last six outings. The half-sister to 2004 champion turf horse, Kitten's Joy, is coming off a victory in the Gallorette H. (G3), but she is a step behind the best in the division. Precious Kitten finished a game second to both Wait a While and My Typhoon (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) this year, and she'll be facing several top-class rivals here. Still, given her tactical speed and her good character, she could will her way into a minor award.
Kiss to Heaven has not visited the winner's circle since taking last year's Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas) (Jpn-G1), but she has run creditably in defeat on several occasions. Fourth to Koiuta in the Victoria Mile S. (Jpn-G1), she was most recently a decent eighth versus elite males in the Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1), 3 1/2 lengths adrift of the winning Daiwa Major. Kiss to Heaven must show more to win this, but it's a positive sign that she's lured Victor Espinoza into the saddle. Koiuta improved markedly to upset the Victoria Mile at 59-1 in her latest venture, turning in a career-best performance. Unlike Kiss to Heaven and Dia de la Novia, Koiuta did not line up in -- and was not even nominated for -- the Yasuda Kinen, so she has not been tested by the best males. It remains to be seen whether Koiuta's success was a fluke, or if she has suddenly developed into a world-beater. We suspect the former is more likely and will take a stand against her here.
DANCING EDIE (Moscow Ballet) is brave on the front end, and it was her sheer determination that earned her a photo-finish victory in the John C. Mabee H. (G1) last July at Del Mar. She will be making just her second start off a seven-month layoff, with a gritty runner-up effort in the Redondo Beach S. being her lone prep. The overachiever was a troubled fourth in the CashCall last year, but she faces a deeper group this time around and looks up against it. ARM CANDY (Ire) (Nashwan), who was third in the Redondo Beach, has a mountain to climb in this spot.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-LADY OF VENICE (Fr)
2nd-PRICE TAG (GB)
3rd-DIA DE LA NOVIA (Jpn)
__________________
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
DEBUTANTE S. (G3), 7TH-CD, $100,000, 2YO, F, 6F, 4:27 P.M. EDT, 7-7
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 WONDERFUL LUCK ASMUSSEN STEVEN M LANERIE C J 122
2 LOVE BUZZ ROMANS DALE GUIDRY M 118
3 AMERICAN COUNTY ROMANS DALE THERIOT H J II 118
4 FLIGHT RULER JACKSON LAURA BOREL C H 118
5 RATED FIESTY ASMUSSEN STEVEN M BRIDGMOHAN S X 122
6 MISS MISSILE SMITH CHARLES E SHEPHERD J 120
7 KADIRA VANCE DAVID R MELANCON L 118
8 DREABONS LEGACY FLINT STEVE MENA M 118
The ultra impressive RATED FIESTY (Exchange Rate) easily rates our top choice in the 107th running of the $100,000 Debutante S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The Steve Asmussen-trained filly was one of the most impressive first-out, two-year-old maiden winners at Keeneland. The gray lass was sent to the early lead, dueled AMERICAN COUNTY (Gibson County) into submission midway around the turn while running an opening quarter-mile in :22, then drew off through the stretch, reeling off a half-mile in :44 1/5 and finishing her final sixteenth in an incredible :05 4/5 to complete the 4 1/2-furlong distance in :50. In her next start, she took on the boys in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup S. (G3). Rated Fiesty broke quickly to the lead, was headed from the outside turning for home, then galloped away to a 4 1/2-length score while running five furlongs over a sealed, sloppy surface in a swift :57 2/5, good for a 113 BRIS Speed rating. The third-place finisher, Ready's Image (More Than Ready), a two-year-old colt trained by Todd Pletcher, rolled to a 7 3/4-length win in Sunday's Tremont S. at Belmont Park. Rated Fiesty, who will be seeking her second consecutive graded stakes victory, is impossible to pick against.
Two fascinating first-out maiden winners, DREABONS LEGACY (Proud Citizen) and KADIRA (Kafwain), are tactically drawn on the outside. Dreabons Legacy, out of the precocious stakes-winning, stakes producing mare Kelly Amber (Highland Park), was forced out at the break, then dueled three wide before gamely proving best while running 4 1/2 furlongs in a sharp :50 4/5 over this surface on May 27. Kadira dueled from the outside, then edged away to a 3 3/4-length victory in her debut here on June 3. The David Vance-trained filly completed the five-furlong distance in a solid :57 3/5. Note that she was the second most expensive yearling ($250,000) by Kafwain, a freshman sire who is off to a good start and stands for $10,000. Either of these two could add value to the vertical exotics.
WONDERFUL LUCK (Trust N Luck), also trained by Asmussen, was a good-looking winner in her bow at Keeneland, then finished a troubled fourth to her stablemate, Rated Fiesty, in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup. In her most recent outing, she closed from far back to capture the Cinderella S. on May 27 at Hollywood Park. Wonderful Luck is two-for-two on Polytrack, which may be enhancing her off-the-pace running style, but may not have beat much in California. Regardless, she must be considered for an in-the-money placing.
American County, one of two trained by Dale Romans, will be making her fifth career start in the Debutante. The bay filly figures to be sent for the early lead from the inside and may hold on for a minor award. MISS MISSILE (Golden Missile) ships in from Lone Star Park after finishing fourth, with trouble, as the even-money favorite in the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity. She has some potential to light the board. Michigan-based FLIGHT RULER (Minardi) broke her maiden at first asking on Polytrack at Arlington Park and adds Lasix for her stakes debut. She gets the hot-riding Calvin Borel astride. LOVE BUZZ (Silver Charm), the other Romans trainee, has finished far adrift in her last two starts and is hard to recommend.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-RATED FIESTY
2nd-DREABONS LEGACY
3rd-KADIRA
$25 Bankroll
$15 exacta: Rated Fiesty over Dreabons Legacy
$7 exacta: Rated Fiesty over Kadira
$3 exacta: Rated Fiesty over Wonderful Luck
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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
CARRY BACK S. (G2), 10TH-CRC, $300,000, 3YO, 6F, 5:10 P.M. EDT, 7-7
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 INDIAN ASHTON WARD WESLEY A ALVARADO F T 115
2 FATE TAKES A HAND BROTHERS FRANK L VELASQUEZ CORNE 115
3 JERONIMOS STORM CHAVEZ JESUS TORIBIO A R 115
4 BLACK SEVENTEEN KORINER BRIAN POTTS C L 117
5 POP GOES THE TIGER POTTER DOUGLAS MADRID S O 115
6 FINALLYMADEIT NEGRETE JAVIER NUNEZ E O 115
7 RATHER CLEVER ZIADIE KIRK LEZCANO JOSE 115
8 TEUFLESBERG SANDERS JAMIE ALBARADO R J 122
9 YESBYJIMMINY PLESA EDWARD JR CRUZ M R 119
TEUFLESBERG (Johannesburg) will enter Saturday's $300,000 Carry Back S. (G2) off an excellent two-length score in the Woody Stephens Breeders' Cup S. (G2) at Belmont Park, but we'll try to beat the likely favorite with BLACK SEVENTEEN (Is It True). A confirmed six-furlong specialist (three-for-three at the distance), the Brian Koriner charge has shipped to Calder off a pair of impressive scores at Hollywood.
Black Seventeen earned a 101 BRIS Speed rating for his 6 1/2-length decision against an allowance field two starts back and a 102 for his 4 1/4-length romp over allowance/optional claiming rivals. Those starts came over the Cushion Track, but the chestnut colt showed dirt prowess at Del Mar last summer when breaking his maiden by 8 1/4 lengths. He didn't race again until March, and Black Seventeen will enter this event on the upswing. We'll look for the speedster to lead wire-to-wire.
FINALLYMADEIT (Concerto) has displayed a strong turn of foot in his last two starts at Calder, winning the Valid Video S. by three lengths most recently, and the chestnut colt looms as a threat from just off the pace here. Trained by Javier Negrete, the chestnut colt will keep regular rider Eddie Nunez in the saddle, and he can add some value to the exotics.
Teuflesberg is a formidable sprinter (earned a 106 Speed rating last out), but he's had a difficult campaign this season and stumbled badly at the start of the Woody Stephens last time. That race came at seven furlongs, and we'll try to beat the Jamie Sanders trainee at three-quarters of a mile on Saturday.
POP GOES THE TIGER (Tiger Ridge) has hit the board 10 times at Calder (14-4-5-1), but the gray gelding will be tested for class in this spot. He does own a decent late kick, and six furlongs is a perfect fit for the Douglas Potter runner. Consider for part.
YESBYJIMMINY (Yes It's True) is another horse for the course (8-4-1-2) and likes six furlongs (3-2-1-0). We're not sure he's good enough to challenge here, but we can't discount his chances for the top three. FATE TAKES A HAND (Tale of the Cat) exits a sharp allowance score at Churchill Downs for Frankie Brothers, but we'll give the chestnut colt a race at this level.
INDIAN ASHTON (Tribal Rule), a $50,000 claiming winner two starts back, was no factor in the Valid Video last time and probably needs an easier spot to be effective. RATHER CLEVER (Montbrook) appears to be taking an ambitious class hike, and we can't recommend his chances. JERONIMOS STORM (Tiger Ridge) earned only an 82 Speed rating when breaking his maiden last out and looks overmatched here.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-BLACK SEVENTEEN
2nd-FINALLYMADEIT
3rd-TEUFLESBERG
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PRINCESS ROONEY H. (G1), 11TH-CRC, $500,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6F, 5:40 P.M. EDT, 7-7
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 SONGOFTHESOUTH POTTER DOUGLAS NUNEZ E O 112
2 NOSSA CANCAO (BRZ) AVILA A C BERRIO O A 115
3 INDIAN FLARE FRANKEL ROBERT J GRYDER A T 118
4 SELVATICA CANANI JULIO C CHAVEZ J F 119
5 MARYFIELD O'NEILL DOUG TRUJILLO E 118
6 SHAGGY MANE CHATLOS DONALD JR VELASQUEZ CORNE 118
7 G CITY GAL PLETCHER TODD A DECARLO C P 114
8 RIVER'S PRAYER CAPESTRO PAULA S POTTS C L 118
9 TRUE AND TRUE WARD WESLEY A ALVARADO F T 113
10 MYKINDASAINT CASCIO C W BUBBA MELANCON G 113
11 STOLEN PRAYER PLESA EDWARD JR CRUZ M R 115
12 DIXIE DREAMER WOLFSON MARTIN D BRIDGMOHAN JERM 112
13 MIRACULOUS MISS KLESARIS STEVE LEZCANO JOSE 117
Saturday's $500,000 Princess Rooney H. (G1) is Calder's lone Grade 1 event, and the Summit of Speed heat has attracted a large field of 13. None of the distaffers bring overwhelming credentials into the six-furlong test, but we like the way INDIAN FLARE (Cherokee Run) is going presently for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel.
A half-length winner of the Vagrancy H. (G2) at Belmont last out, Indian Flare earned a superb 103 BRIS Speed rating while notching her first graded score. The five-year-old made her graded debut last summer, recording a fourth in the Ballerina Breeders' Cup S. (G1), and she also placed in the Chilukki S. (G2) in the fall. The improving lass has really come to hand in her last three outings this season for Frankel, winning the grassy Flower Girl H. before posting a close second in the Las Cienegas H. (G3) over the turf two starts back, and she displayed a fine turn of foot in the Vagrancy, racking up a 114 BRIS E2 Pace rating. Indian Flare is eligible to keep improving, and the bay's tactical speed should serve her well in the Princess Rooney. She'll likely be close to the pace under Aaron Gryder before offering her best.
SHAGGY MANE (Bertrando) rolled to a 7 3/4-length, wire-to-wire score in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint S. two starts back and set a clear pace in the Humana Distaff S. (G1) most recently before weakening to fourth. She figures to relish the cutback from seven furlongs here, and her recent Speed ratings (107 and 98) are strong. The Donald Chatlos trainee is the speed of the speed, and we won't be surprised to see Shaggy Mane shake loose early. A wire-to-wire win is possible.
MIRACULOUS MISS (Mr. Greeley) owns an outstanding late kick, capturing the Forward Gal S. (G2), Comely S. (G2) and Endine H. (G3) in dramatic fashion last year, but she hasn't been seen under silks since late November. Trainer Steve Klesaris does well off an extended layoff, and the classy Miraculous Miss looms as a threat to run past all of her rivals in the stretch. She will be returning at only six furlongs, though, and we're concerned that she'll have too much to do in the stretch..
STOLEN PRAYER (Songandaprayer) has posted back-to-back stakes wins at Calder in her last two outings, taking both the Ema Bovary S. and Kimscountrydiamond S. in convincing fashion, but the stalker didn't register the best Speed ratings (94 and 93, respectively) for those efforts. However, we can't dismiss the Ed Plesa Jr. pupil based on her current form, and we'd recommend considering her for a minor award.
TRUE AND TRUE (Yes It's True) caught an off track last time while making her Calder debut, and we wouldn't be surprised to see an improved effort if the track is fast on Saturday. A Grade 3 runner-up at Del Mar last year, the Wesley Ward charge needed her last start off a lengthy layoff, and the promising lass is another one to consider for the exotics.
G CITY GAL (Elusive Quality) will invade for Todd Pletcher off an allowance score in her seasonal bow at Monmouth Park, and the four-year-old miss flashed some talent during her sophomore season, placing in four graded stakes. She's a confirmed six-furlong performer, and the speedy G City Gal owns good Speed ratings. We'll try to beat the front runner, but she's eligible to keep improving off a sharp score last time. MARYFIELD (Elusive Quality) merits respect from the Doug O'Neill stable, but the Grade 2 queen hasn't looked sharp enough this year (unplaced in four of five attempts) for us to recommend her chances.
SELVATICA (Forestry) is the 119-pound highweight and figures to be mixing it up on the front end after the start, but the Julio Canani-trained mare will face a class check in this spot. We'll try to beat the California shipper. RIVER'S PRAYER (Devon Lane) figures to be winging it early, but there's speed to her inside and she could face too much pressure to be effective. NOSSA CANCAO (Brz) (Fast Gold) owns a decent late kick, but six furlongs doesn't look like her best distance and we can't get excited about her recent efforts.
Multiple stakes queen MYKINDASAINT (Saint Ballado) faces a difficult challenge at this level. SONGOFTHESOUTH (Concerto) will make her graded debut off a sharp allowance score, but this class hike looks too ambitious. DIXIE DREAMER (Mutakddim) exits a dull showing over the turf at Mountaineer Park and appears overmatched here.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-INDIAN FLARE
2nd-SHAGGY MANE
3rd-MIRACULOUS MISS
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A GLEAM INVITATIONAL H. (G2), 7TH-HOL, $150,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 7F, 9:53 P.M. PDT, 7-6
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 GETBACK TIME BECERRA RAFAEL NAKATANI C S 118
2 PUSSYCAT DOLL BAFFERT BOB GOMEZ G K 124
3 STRONG FAITH MULLINS JEFF GARCIA MARTIN 114
4 RIVER SAVAGE (BRZ) AVILA A C BERRIO O A 116
5 DONA AMELIA (CHI) INDA EDUARDO MIGLIORE R 115
6 CANDY JO MULLINS JEFF POTTS C L 116
7 CLINET (IRE) GALLAGHER PATRICK SOLIS A 115
8 POLITICAL WEB CANANI JULIO C PEDROZA M A 114
9 THEVERYTHOUGHTOF U ELLIS RONALD W TALAMO JOSEPH 112
10 SOMETHINABOUTLAURA HOLLENDORFER JERRY ESPINOZA V 122
Friday night's $150,000 A Gleam Invitational H. (G2) serves as second fiddle to the $1 million CashCall Mile S. (G2) earlier on the card, and PUSSYCAT DOLL (Real Quiet) looks difficult to beat in the seven-furlong contest. A three-time Grade 1 winner, Pussycat Doll wound up in the A Gleam instead of Saturday's $500,000 Princess Rooney H. (G1), and she probably would've gone favored in that event as well.
The five-year-old mare has never competed over a synthetic surface, but Pussycat Doll has worked well twice recently over the Cushion Track for Bob Baffert. She was a bit sluggish early in the Humana Distaff S. (G1) last time before rallying well for second, losing to a nice rival in Hystericalady (Distorted Humor), and we expect her to be tighter on Friday. Pussycat Doll should be up close to the pace before asserting herself under regular rider Garrett Gomez.
RIVER SAVAGE (Brz) (First American) cuts back to seven panels off a sharp two-length score in the 1 1/16-mile Hawthorne H. (G3), and one has to respect the way the A.C. Avila runner handled her Cushion Track debut last time. Stakes-placed in Brazil in 2005, River Savage took a while to come to hand in North America, but the five-year-old mare appears to be hitting her best stride presently and we expect another fine showing.
CANDY JO (Maria's Mon) is two for two at Hollywood, earning solid BRIS Speed ratings for wins over allowance rivals, and she could add some value to the exotics here. Trained by Jeff Mullins, the gray filly has captured three of her last four starts, with the lone setback coming on grass, and the speedy miss doesn't figure to face much pressure up front.
SOMETHINABOUTLAURA (Dance Floor) won last year's A Gleam on dirt and exits a pair of turf stakes wins over California-bred rivals. The five-year-old mare is one-for-one over Cushion Track, winning the B. Thoughtful S. via disqualification, and she's a logical contender in this spot.
GETBACK TIME (Gilded Time) deserves serious consideration for the top three off a pair of encouraging efforts at Hollywood. Disqualified from first in the B. Thoughtful S. two back, the Rafael Becerra charge exits a runner-up finish in the Valkyr S. She relishes the seven-furlong distance, but Getback Time will be stepping up to face open company.
CLINET (Ire) (Docksider), a stakes winner in Dubai last year, will make her Cushion Track debut following three turf starts in America. We've seen plenty of turf horses make a seamless transition to the synthetic surfaces, and Clinet handles sprint distances well. The late runner could leave herself too much to do in this spot, but we won't completely dismiss her exotics chances. THEVERYTHOUGHTOF U (Unbridled's Song) enters this event on the upswing for conditioner Ron Ellis, winning a maiden special weight and an allowance, but we'll give her a race versus stakes rivals.
DONA AMELIA (Chi) (Big Blue) appears more comfortable around two turns and doesn't appear very sharp right now. POLITICAL WEB (Petionville) kept good company earlier this year, but she exits a dull allowance showing in her Cushion Track bow. STRONG FAITH (Pioneering) will need to improve significantly off her recent outings to challenge.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-PUSSYCAT DOLL
2nd-RIVER SAVAGE (Brz)
3rd-CANDY JO
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TRACKMASTER RACE OF THE DAY
Today's Free Race: Calder for Saturday July 07, 2007
Bar 4
Calder - Race #10 - Post: 5:10pm
Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar
Choice Plays:
#4 BLACK SEVENTEEN (ML=3/1)
#6 FINALLYMADEIT (ML=6/1)
BLACK SEVENTEEN - I like to see consistency in a racehorse. Look at this colt's PPs. Almost always in the money. Last two speed figures (113, 121) were dominant. Anything close to that in today's race and this one may win easily. This colt's last speed fig is good enough to triumph here, I'll invest in him right back today. The improved speed figs over the last three races is solid. Koriner drops him in this race conditioned to win. FINALLYMADEIT - Negrete must have known this colt would run well at this track. Won his last race here on Jun 17th and now goes for two in a row. Have to give this colt a good chance. Ran a strong race last out within the last month. Lower impost of -5. In my opinion, a movement of 5 is important, so this colt falls into this category.
Vulnerable Contenders: #8 TEUFLESBERG (ML=2/1), #2 FATE TAKES A HAND (ML=5/1), #9 YESBYJIMMINY (ML=6/1)
TEUFLESBERG - I don't have a 'use' feeling about this entrant in this affair. FATE TAKES A HAND - Doesn't appear to have enough good qualities to support the price. YESBYJIMMINY - Looked good on Jun 17th, finishing second, but no workouts since is a bit troublesome. Pedestrian fig in the last race at Calder at 6 furlongs. Don't feel this mount will improve too much in today's event.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #4 BLACK SEVENTEEN on top if we're getting at least 7/5 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,6]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:
4 with 6 with [5,7,9] Total Cost: $3
__________________
Jeff Bonds | MLB RunLine
dime bet978 DET -1.5 (+135) vs 977 BOS
Analysis:
***All of Saturday's picks will be in by 9 AM PST on Saturday***
The Detroit Tigers are absolutely rolling and will face a pitcher that has yet to tally a win in seven appearances (four starts) on the road in his career.
Boston's Kason Gabbard will have a long day of it with 27 career walks in just 39 2/3 innings against a team that hits .311 on the year against left-handed pitching.
Detroit starter Jeremy Bonderman is about as good as it gets in picking up victories and has just once loss in his last 20 starts on the mound. The Tigers are 7-0 when he faces a team with a winning record.
The Tigers are also conveniently 4-0 in Bonderman's last four starts againts the Red Sox
Today's MLB Picks
Minnesota at Chicago White Sox
To say the Twins were happy to get out of New York is an understatement. After losing three-of-four to the Yankees and being outscored 22-13 in the process, Minnesota exploded in a double-header sweep of the Chisox yesterday by scoring 32 runs, the most in MLB since 1939. Justin Morneau capped off the big day/night rally with three home runs in a 12-0 win in the finale. Swinging the bats like that, the Twins look like a good road underdog (+145) today according to Dunkel, which has Minnesota favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+145). Here are all of today's games. (Note: I will not be publishing any picks from July 8 through July 12. Please check back on July 13 for our next update. Thanks for your support - Bob Dunkel)
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width=521 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>SATURDAY, JULY 7
Time Posted: 8:30 a.m. EST
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 951-952: Atlanta at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Reyes) 13.734; San Diego (Wells) 16.052
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 2 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-140); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 953-954: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Lilly) 15.095; Pittsburgh (Van Benschoten) 13.343
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-150); Under
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 955-956: Milwaukee at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Suppan) 14.644; Washington (Simontacchi) 12.042
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 2 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-155); Under
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 957-958: NY Mets at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Glavine) 14.678; Houston (Williams) 13.225
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-125); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 959-960: Arizona at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Webb) 14.883; Cincinnati (Bailey) 12.642
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2; 10
Vegas Line: Arizona (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-145); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 961-962: San Francisco at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Lincecum) 14.448; St. Louis (Looper) 13.781
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-110); Under
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 963-964: Philadelphia at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Moyer) 14.403; Colorado (Lopez) 15.302
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 12
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-110); 11
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+110); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 965-966: Florida at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Mitre) 13.930; LA Dodgers (Lowe) 15.509
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-160); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 967-968: Cleveland and Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Carmona) 13.911; Toronto (Marcum) 15.897
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-120); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 969-970: LA Angels at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Lackey) 14.383; NY Yankees (Clemens) 14.748
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-125); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 971-972: Minnesota at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Bonser) 15.487; White Sox (Buehrle) 14.584
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+145); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 973-974: Seattle at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 16.091; Oakland (Harden) 15.072
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+130); Under
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 975-976: Tampa Bay at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 11.883; Kansas City (Meche) 15.403
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 3 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-155); 10
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-155); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 977-978: Boston at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Gabbard) 14.463; Detroit (Bonderman) 16.013
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Detroit (-155); 10
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-155); Over
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center height=17>Game 979-980: Baltimore at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Bedard) 14.785; Texas (McCarthy) 14.499
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-135); Under
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
