Pricci's Free Daily Feature Race Analysis
Five days per week and every racing day during the Saratoga meet, John Pricci will provide horse racing selections of that day's feature race. When the racing schedule dictates otherwise, there will be analysis from other major thoroughbred
Tracks. Check back here 5 days a week for free horse racing selections.
In addition to his race analysis, John will provide commentary in a weekly
"On the Line" column and daily blogs under the
"Pricci's Morning Line" banner.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Kalamos Ready for Keeneland Breakthrough
Today's KEE feature is an N3X/N4L allowances for older turf runners going a mile and a sixteenth. Each solid contender, including the favorite, have their own issues and unwilling to take a short price on a horse whose connections make it likely to be over-bet..
However, when last seen in action at Gulfstream, Kalamos (7-2) was doing his best to rally up the inside for the score in a rapidly run 1-1/16 miles, same trip as today's, over very firm ground. And even if he made the lead, it would have been difficult to thwart the hard-hitting, albeit unlucky, Sky Blazer when he comes rolling late.
With the switch to an outer position, the promise of a realistic pace, a change of venue and proper spacing, it's amends time for the Mott trainee.
Taking Kalamos to win at 5-2 or greater and key-boxing first and second in exactas with classy returnee Villandry (2-1) and the well drawn pace presence Cup of Joy (30-1), reuniting with winning rider Jon Court.
Number of Selections since May, 2007: 1508
Number of Win-Place-Show Finishers: 462-287-231
Amount Wagered: $3,016 [to win only]
Total Dollar Return on Investment: $3,143.40
Profit to Date: $127.40
Written by John Pricci
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Spring Has Sprung
Today's Grade 2 Beaumont at Keeneland is absolutely inscrutable with all but one of the entrants lacking all-weather experience. Resultantly, we're not going to make this harder than it already is.
All synthetic-debut entrants have warts and many will be a short of value on the tote. We're taking the horse with AW experience
and a winning race over the surface.
Spring Again (15-1), uncoupled mate of early line favorite Richie's Party Girl, is being refitted with blinkers by the hot Wesley Ward after gaining conditioning going long in a tough-trip turf two-turn.
The filly broke her maiden on this surface with blinkers at 2 and never has finished off the board in four blinkered starts. The rail post is lamentable but her running style suits today's dynamics. Of those making their synthetic debuts, her 5-2 stable mate is most favorably bred for the assignment,
Taking Spring Again to win at 8-1 or greater and boxing her in the exacta with Richies Party Girl.
Number of Selections since May, 2007: 1508
Number of Win-Place-Show Finishers: 462-287-231
Amount Wagered: $3,016 [to win only]
Total Dollar Return on Investment: $3,143.40
Profit to Date: $127.40
Written by John Pricci
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Making Amends in the Blue Grass
Two Grade 1 Derby preps and we're going with the betting adage: The place you lose it is the place you get it back.
At the Spiral Stakes a month ago, I took a serious position on Coastline, the Mark Casse trainee that looked like a winner every step from the five-eighths pole to the wire but lost a three-way photo by a neck when he hung on the money.
But now he's back at KEE, where he broke his maiden and earned a lifetime best energy figure. There appears to be enough speed to set up his rally and an outside position should allow Stewart Elliott to react whatever develops in front of him.
Taking Coastline (8-1) to win at 5-1 or greater, and key-boxing him in multiples with the talented Bobby's Kitten (3-1) and price shots Pablo Del Monte (12-1), Coltimus Prime (20-1) and Big Bazinga (20-1).
Number of Selections since May, 2007: 1507
Number of Win-Place-Show Finishers: 462-287-231
Amount Wagered: $3,014 [to win only]
Total Dollar Return on Investment: $3,143.40
Profit to Date: $129.40
Written by John Pricci
