Tag: Horseplayers

Saturday's Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby features the second meeting between Call Me Midnight, the winner of Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes in January, and Epicenter, who was second in the Lecomte before easily winning the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes last month.

Risen Star fourth-place finisher Pioneer of Medina will try to improve, as will Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes fourth-place finisher Galt, who did not finish in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes three weeks ago when he stumbled and lost his rider on the far turn. Rattle N Roll, who won the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity last fall, attempts to improve off a sixth-place Fountain of Youth effort. Silent Power recently finished fourth in the non-graded Big Drama Stakes, with his only win in eight career starts coming in his career debut last June. Recent 10-length winner Zozos, who is undefeated in two starts, steps into stakes company for the first time for the powerful barn of Brad Cox, while recent maiden winner Curly Tail makes his third start off a layoff and could also have a say in the outcome. Kupuna is running in a stakes race for the first time and enters the race following a second-place finish behind up-and-coming star Cyberknife, on the same day as the Risen Star. 

Analysis and main win contenders:

Although Epicenter possesses excellent early speed and may be the one to catch just as he was in the Risen Star Stakes five weeks ago, he could not hold off Call Me Midnight four weeks earlier in the Lecomte Stakes over the track, and that is the scenario I foresee again in the Louisiana Derby. In the Lecomte, Epicenter established an easy lead on fairly brisk fractions but Call Me Midnight rallied from eighth of nine early and 12 lengths back, to get up by a head on the wire, earning a career-best 98 Equibase Speed Figure in the process.

When Epicenter returned four weeks later to win the Risen Star Stakes, he once again led from start to finish, but just equaled the 97 figure earned in the Lecomte. In the Gun Runner Stakes on New Year's Day, Epicenter also earned a 97 figure, so now has run just as fast but no faster in three straight races. That is not the optimal pattern for a 3-year-old in the spring. On the other hand, Call Me Midnight, who was flattered when Lecomte runner-up Epicenter won the Risen Star, has been rested since near the end of January but shows every sign of being as fit as when last seen, having put in a half-mile workout at Fair Grounds seven days ago which was the second best of 110 on the day. As such, Call Me Midnight gets preference over Epicenter as the top contender to win this year's Louisiana Derby.

Then there's Kupuna, who shares something in common with Call Me Midnight although they have never faced each other. Out of the Lecomte, not only did Epicenter return to win the Risen Star, but sixth-place finisher Cyberknife returned to win impressively earlier on the same day as the Risen Star. Cyberknife earned a 100 figure winning that day, which was faster than Epicenter (97) later in the program. Kupuna was second to Cyberknife in that race, earning a 95 figure which I think he can improve upon. Trainer Bred Calhoun won the 2019 Louisiana Derby with By My Standards at 22-1 odds and since this colt put in two brilliant five-furlong drills over the track since that last race another potential upset is not out of the question.

Honorable mention goes to Curly Tail. Although the colt just broke his maiden in his sixth career start, he leapfrogged to a 92 figure. That race on Feb. 26 was his second following two months off and so an even better performance is possible. Trainer Dallas Stewart is another known for saddling horses for odds-beating efforts, most notably Out for a Spin in the 2019 Ashland Stakes at 50-1 odds, so I would not count Curly Tail out when considering wagers involving this race. 

The rest of the field, with their best representative Equibase Speed Figures, is Galt (93), Pioneer of Medina (96), Rattle N Roll (100), Silent Power (88) and Zozos (90).  

Win Contenders:
Call Me Midnight
Epicenter
Kupuna

Also consider Curly Tail for any exotic wagers like the exacta or trifecta made in this race. 

Louisiana Derby – Grade 2
Race 12 at Fair Grounds
Saturday, March 26 – Post Time 6:44 p.m. ET
1 3/16 Miles
3-Year-Olds
Purse: $1 Million

Ellis Starr is National Racing Analyst for Equibase

The post Equibase Analysis: Call Me Midnight, Epicenter Get Rematch In Louisiana Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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With the Kentucky Derby less than 50 days away, NBC Sports presents exclusive live coverage of the $1 million Louisiana Derby this Saturday, March 26 at 6 p.m. ET on CNBC from Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, La.

The Louisiana Derby continues NBC Sports' “Road to the Kentucky Derby” coverage on three consecutive Saturday afternoons.

NBC Sports will present the 148th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7.

Exactly six weeks ahead of the May 1 running of the Kentucky Derby, the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby awards Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale for the top four finishers. The nine-horse field includes Epicenter, who currently sits second on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard, and Todd Pletcher's Pioneer of Medina. Four of the top-five from last year's Kentucky Derby ran in the Louisiana Derby.

Ahmed Fareed hosts Saturday's coverage, alongside analysts Jerry Bailey, the Hall of Fame jockey who has twice won the Louisiana Derby, and Randy Moss.

NBC Sports will also present the Fair Grounds Oaks on Saturday, one of the major prep races on the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks.”

Coverage will be streamed live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

Following is NBC Sports' upcoming “Road to the Kentucky Derby” prep race schedule:

• Louisiana Derby Sat., March 26 6 p.m. CNBC
• Florida Derby Sat., April 2 6 p.m. CNBC
• Wood Memorial, Bluegrass Stakes, Santa Anita Derby Sat., April 9 4:30 p.m. NBC

NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown.

The post NBC Sports’ ‘Road To The Kentucky Derby’ Coverage Continues Saturday With Louisiana Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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A white goose and pink flamingo sitting on the first turn of the Gulfstream Park turf course scrambled to get out of the way of a field of eight 3-year-old fillies charging toward them in Wednesday's third race at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track, but one of the birds was struck and apparently killed. Several runners in the field had to alter course to avoid the waterfowl.

The bizarre mishap occurred just after the opening furlong of the one-mile turf race as Z First and Javiar Castellano led the field around the  bend. A large, white goose, startled by the horses, attempted to take flight but was grazed by Proton Pack, ridden by Emisael Jaramillo. Two other horses, Charmed Way (ridden by Junior Alvarado) and Mia Camila (Jose Ortiz), altered course to avoid the bird, but there was more trouble just ahead.

The flamingo then tried to get out of the horses' path but was struck by Proton Pack just as it was trying to get airborne. Charmed Way also may have struck the flamingo.

According to the Equibase chart footnotes of the race, “Proton Pack leapt while grazing a goose heading into the first turn, then trampled an ill-fated pink flamingo, and retired after a half mile.” Proton Pack finished last.

Z First avoided both birds and led all the way, drawing off to win by 4 3/4 lengths ahead of favored Hardspun Woman, who did not appear to be affected by the birds. Charmed Way, who was last early, rallied late to get third, with Mia Camila fourth.

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The New York Racing Association Inc. will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring action from Aqueduct Racetrack, Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

The sequence begins in Race 10 [4:51 p.m. Eastern] from Tampa Bay Downs, a starter handicap featuring an overflow field of 4-year-olds and up going 11 furlongs over the turf. Kristen Somerville's El Pillo will stretch out and look to continue success at the starter handicap level after a last-out victory by a half-length going nine-furlongs on February 26 over the Tampa lawn. Isaias Dream has gone 2-for-3 since entering the barn of trainer Eduardo Azpurua, Jr., most recently dominating in a February 4 allowance at Tampa where he tracked in fourth before taking command at the top of the lane and powering home to a 5 1/2-length win.

The action moves north to Aqueduct for the second leg, featuring the $75,000 Stud Muffin [Race 8, 5:01 p.m.] for older horses going 11 furlongs over the main track as part of the New York Claiming Championship card. The field of 12 is led by eight-time winner Blewitt, who arrives off a one-length claiming victory on March 6 at the Big A. Blewitt will face the Gary Sciacca-trained Bar Fourteen to his outside, who romped to an eight-length win last time out for a $40,000 tag. Other foes include veteran nine-time winner Original Intent and stakes-placed Roman Empire.

The middle leg of the sequence features Race 7 from Oaklawn Park [5:04 p.m.], a nine-furlong starter allowance for 4-year-olds and upward. Trainer Karl Broberg will send out the improving Hunka Burning Love off a narrow victory in a $30,000 claimer at Oaklawn on March 6. The son of Into Mischief will face six rivals, including Fort Peck, who he beat by a nose after rallying from off the pace under returning rider David Cabrera in his last-out victory. Fort Peck will be making his first start for trainer Jason Barkley and owner Charles W. Jennings.

The action moves back to Ozone Park for the penultimate leg of the sequence in Race 10 [6:03 p.m.] from Aqueduct with a field of 14 in the $45,000 Dads Caps for older horses sprinting seven furlongs. Winning Drive will make his first start for trainer Rob Atras after being claimed by owner Robert Derr for $8,000 out of a one-length victory March 11 at the Big A. The Michael Miceli-trained No Salt has kept good company in his last two outings, earning a third against stakes winner Tiergan and a second to Water's Edge, who won the Haynesfield at Aqueduct on Sunday.

The sequence concludes with stakes action from Oaklawn Park in Race 9 [6:10 p.m.], the Purple Martin for 3-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs. A compact but competitive group of six sophomores is highlighted by Grade 2 Adirondack winner Wicked Halo. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the daughter of Gun Runner's only off-the-board finish from four starts came in her last outing at Oaklawn when she finished fourth to Happy Soul in the Dixie Belle on February 19. Familiar foes returning from the Dixie Belle are runner-up Verylittlecents for trainer Randy Morse and the third-place finisher Hypersport for trainer Ingrid Mason. Pretty Birdie, winner of the Grade 3 Schuylerville in July at Saratoga Race Course, will look to get back to winning ways for trainer Norm Casse.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, which features a low 15 percent takeout, will continue each Saturday throughout the year.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, March 26:
Leg A: Tampa – Race 10, starter handicap (4:51 p.m.)
Leg B: Aqueduct – Race 8, $75K Stud Muffin (5:01 p.m.)
Leg C: Oaklawn – Race 7, starter allowance (5:04 p.m.)
Leg D: Aqueduct – Race 10, $45K Dads Caps (6:03 p.m.)
Leg E: Oaklawn – Race 9, $125K Purple Martin (6:10 p.m.)

The post NYRA’s Cross Country Pick 5 Features Aqueduct, Tampa Bay Downs, Oaklawn Races appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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