Handiapper's Corner: 2020 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2)

Looking for a one-two punch in the Stephen Foster

By: Robert Marks @theyreinthegate

Saturday at 5:47 pm Eastern time is the 500,000 Grade 2 Stephen Foster Stakes for 4-year-olds and upward on the dirt at 1 1/8-miles. 

If things were normal this would be a few weeks post Triple Crown series, but life is not normal and instead, it comes one week after the 1st leg of the Triple Crown Series, the Belmont Stakes. 


This is a good race to watch and see the better older horses going into the summer. You can watch it on NBC or TVG. 

Here is your field and who we like: 

#5-Tom’s D’Etat ML 1-1 —  This will be the horse to beat with 3 wins on this track including the Grade 1 Clark Handicap last November. He comes into the race on a 3 race win streak. Trainer Albert M Stall Jr has this horse rested off 2-month layoff. The class of the field.  
 
#2-Pirates Punch-15-1 —  Looking for some value, and we love this horse at juicy 15-1 morning line odds. If he gets a good break at the gate and is let loose on the lead could go wire to wire.  Comes off a 2nd place finish last time out but was very wide and had an awful trip. Gets ridge upgrade with Mike Smith aboard. Definitely taking a step up in class but if the track is speed favoring tomorrow, look out. 

#7-Silver Dust-ML 10-1 — Trained by Bret Calhoun we expect his other runner, Owendale to get more play at 4-1 odds, but don’t count out this consistent horse who lucks to run mid-pack and close late. We can easily see him clunking up late to fill out the trifecta. 


Overall, we expect a fast pace with Pirates Punch getting to the lead at first turn setting up the race for horses like Tom’s D’Etat or Owendale. But again, if Pirates Punch gets loose on the lead you could get some real value in your exacta box and trifecta combos. 


Wagering/Betting Handigambling Bankroll:  
Here is our $100 worth of betting for the race.

Exacta Key Box: $10 for $40 total 5/2,7 Trifecta ($10 Box for $60Total) 5/2,7/2,7 

As always, watch the Board and how the horses look in the Paddock and adjust your bets accordingly. 

Good Luck!

Handicapper's Corner: 2020 Belmont Stakes (G1)

Playing the Belmont Stakes 

The Grade 1 Belmont Stakes is usually a test of stamina and speed, arriving at the end of a grueling season of graded stakes races. This year, instead of drawing leg-weary runners from the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, plus later-maturing newcomers, we have a fresh field ready to travel 1 1/8-miles.

The ThoroFan Handicappers reviews the past performances and while runner-up selections differ, we’re all in Tiz the Law’s corner.

Good Luck to everyone!

HANDICAPPER	FIRST	SECOND	THIRD	LONGSHOT
Michael Amo	Tiz the Law	Pneumatic	Sole Volante	Modernist
John Caro	Tiz the Law	Max Player	Dr. Post	Tap it to Win
Nick Costa	Tiz the Law	Tap it to Win	Dr. Post	Modernist
Robert Marks	Tiz the Law	Pneumatic	Tap it to Win	Farmington Road
Michael Mills	Tiz the Law	Dr. Post	Pneumatic	Fore Left
Nicolle Neulist	Tiz the Law	Pneumatic	Sole Volante	Modernist
Laurie Ross	Tiz the Law	Sole Volante	Tap it to Win	Max Player

 

Handicapper's Corner: 2020 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1)

Tickled Pink about the Ogden Phipps Stakes

By: John Caro, S. FL ThoroFan Member

Back to racing at Belmont with a Grade I stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/16-miles.  Hope we can all cheer this from home for the fans in the stands will not be there. Grab a drink and some snacks and make a day of it. From what I’ve seen at Belmont it has been quick starts and hot paces leading me to think that this one will be no different.

The two ML favorites, #5 - Ollie’s Candy – Sadler/Rosario and #2 - Point of Honor – Weaver/Castellano come out of the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park.

Ollie’s Candy is the class of the field given the company she runs with.

Point of Honor, the only 4-year-old in the group, ran second behind Ollie’s Candy in the Apple Blossom after making up 14-15 lengths, finishing strong. Sounds like she’s a closer but that is not the case. Point of Honor spotted the field in that last race about 4 lengths starting out. Quite a performance.

#6 - Golden Award – Mott/Alvarado and #4 - Blamed – Mott/Velazquez are both high-speed front runners and will give the two above all they can handle on the pace.

#3 - She’s a Julie – Asmussen/ Santana is a pace attendant type who is on her second race since her lay-off. Expect more from her in this outing.

#1 - Pink Sands – McGaughey/Ortiz, J has recently come alive and has shown she can close well into a hot pace going shorter. She piques my interest as she’s never been out of the money at Belmont and her jockey is pretty crafty in the kind of set up. That said she will be my key for this race.

HandiGambling

$10 Exacta – All with #1 = $50

$.50 Trifecta X 5 – #2, #4, #6 with #1 with All = $30

$20 Win – #1

Could just play the last two wagers and be happy spending less…