HALLANDALE BEACH, May 8, 2026 – Whether they finish first or not, out ‘A’ horses in today’s Grade Peter Pan resemble Belmont type entrants, long shot suited by two-sided pedigree, the other, Growth Equity, in the hands of marathon ace, Chad Brown.
That’s all we can glean from this tricky six-horse field. You’ve been warned. Our A-B-C grades for today’s Late Pick 4 from Belmont Park below …
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Some interesting reactions from today’s NTRA Preakness conference call. First, Brittney Russell, is entering her first Preakness with the speedy Taj Mahal. If successful, she would complete a Ladies Triple Crown with Jena Antonuuci’s Belmont winning Arcangelo and Chere DeVaux’s Derby victor, Golden Tempo.
“It’s a fairy tale, it would be pretty cool, said Russell, admitting she has a huge advantage with her undefeated colt who is 3-for-3 at Laurel Park. (Huband) Sheldon knows his horse better than other riders know theirs having been on him every morning on this racetrack.” Point taken.
Ocelli is the lone horse to run back from the Derby this year. Trainer Whit Beckman is not. He was on edge the next morning concerned about the two-week turnaround: This horse had tremendous energy this week out of the race,” said Beckman. He actually was on edge the next morning.”
And neither is he overly concerned with the speedy dynamics of sharper turns and shorter stretch. “No, we won’t change his style, and I think my horse really prefers a target.” The pace rates to be honest–at the least.”
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TAKE OUT THE TRASH STAKES Race 8
A: 6-Cadenza (2-1) First start on turf since maiden breaker here, very productive female family, experienced, outside with Franco a plus.
B: 7-Just Pilloried (8-1))
C: 4-Emblaze (4-1), 1-One More Guitar (8-1)
G3 PETER PAN STAKES Race 9
A: 3-Growth Equity (6-5) comes up to added distance perfectly, im-repressive winner at one mile last out, five works since then, Chad. Prat.6-Guffy (8-1) both wins this surface, much improved finish off recent claim, bred to run all day.
B: 1-Trendsetter (10-)
C: 5-Talk to Me Henry (8-5)
NX1 ALLOWANCES Race 10
A: 7-Golden Channel (7-2) wowed improvement since turning 3, good third after wide rally in state-bred stakes two back, moved forward last out when placing with Rosario, re-riding here.
B: 6- My Mitole (10-1), 4-Blown Cover (8-1)
C: 5-Ramblin’ Wreck (5-2)
MAIDEN ALLOWANCES NY-BRED Race 11
A: 9-Ice House (3-1) excellent figure on Thoro-Graph scale despite tough trip in debut, turf ace Weaver switches to grass. 7-Gitole (12-1), hails from capable debut outfit, Mitole capable turf sire, and offspring are solid 14% first time out. 2-Music In Motion (4-1) returns to turf after layup for turf-sprint ace Linda Rice, profitable 29% with Prat.
B: 8-Deacon Blues
C: 5-Super Dave (6-1)
6 Responses
Just read most ‘ everything that I wanted to know, ‘ about CAW of he TO Presley race,how important CAW betting $$ is to many tracks ,how much $$% CAW is saving and on and on
Thanks to thr Past Wire site
.. Also that I’m only a Retail bettor ..
.and that CAW members never pay retail charges. Some $ 300 K was bet on that horse in its late minute. Those bettors just ” did their work better than most others or there just were so Many Elvis fans.Yeah right,we shall see the next time he moves his hips….A big HIT indeed!
..
Off the top roughly a $2M hit,, gods beyond algorithms, someone knew something …
I am fascinated by the “true” betting coups that take place in this game. Obviously, like you stated they knew something on this horse.
I remember a few years ago I had the privilege of speaking to Sunny who worked with NYRA for years.
Sunny talked about the old days and the betting coups he recalled. One in particular showed a large bettor waiting months after a failed betting coup to orchestrate a second coup that was indeed successful.
John I’m sure you have heard of a number of successful coups that you recall in your career.
Ha ha (Maybe a nice chapter if you decide to write that book)
Jack, I only know of the most successful betting coup ever …
NFL legends Art Rooney and Tim Mara were friends; and colleagues, both were founding members of teams in the newly formed league. Both came from the old school world of bookmaking. (I trusted my source on this story).
Rooney was a prolific gambler who lived to make scores and founded his own stable, Shamrock Farms. to do so, under the direction of jockey/trainer team of Schwitzer and Duncan. Al Schwitzer is best remembered as exercise rider/assistant trainer to latter-day Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel.
Rooney engineered a coup by having Schwizer/Duncan “easy race” one of his horses for nearly a year until he dropped to a class level in which he towered over his competition– by a lot.
There was no OTB or simulcasting, so he placed a large number of bets with bookmakers around the country.
He won in a walk, the story goes, winning enough money to buy a n NFL franchise in the newly formed league. Hence, the birth of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now that’s a score!
Of course, there was the Lebon-Cinzano ringer caper of 1977 ay Belmond Park, but that author, prominent veterinarian Dr Mark Gerard, went away for that one.
Great story John. I heard bits and pieces of the tale throughout the years but your s is the first in detail.
In Andy Beyers $50,000 year at the races he spoke of a small time trainer that was one of the most skilled, audacious perpetrator of betting coups in America.
The Fat Man was quoted as having ice water in his veins and actually wagered thousands of dollars out west with bookmakers in a horse he had been setting up for months. But at the track the horse was 2-1 and that wasn’t good enough for him and he told the jockey to stiff the horse and ate his losses.
These are amazing stories especially the Rooney one.
Thanks for sharing John
You got it, Jack!