Father-Son Day

My son is home for winter break from the University of Miami, and I have somehow managed to con him into spending time with me at Calder today. He's not a racing fan. I think the pace of the game is too slow for today's generation. I think simulcasting helps liven the pace up with more races to play so long as you don't go over board. However, the problem is the occassional race goer who is not really into racing is probably not participating in the simulcast pools except for, perhaps, the big races like the Ky. Derby and such.

Anyhow, I think there are some playable races at CRC and Fairgrounds today and they will be the focus of my attention. I'll give my son $20.00 and all the advice he asks for and see if I can't school him for a greater appreciation of the sport.

Public handicapper.com is having there weekly contest today at Santa Anita's opener rather than the usual Saturday. The following are my picks for today's contest races.

6th Race the California Breeder's Championship for 2yo's bred in California


#6 Lordgivemealift
3-1
9-2
#2 Feisty Suances
7-2
5-1
#4 Unbridled Roman
9-2
7-1


#6 2yo races go to the swiftest and this need to lead type will either wire the field or collapse in a steaming heap of horse manure #2 has won all 3 efforts and gets better everytime #4 won debut race at near par speed and figures to be faster if can handle the stepped up competition #11 was favored to beat 3 other entrants in this race and gets a chance for redemption here.

The G3 Sir Beaufort Stakes


#12 Gio Ponti
2-1
3-1
#2 Sky Cape
9-2
7-1
#1 Liberian Freighter
5-1
8-1
#9 El Gato Malo
6-1
9-1



#12 Most accomplished on Turf of field, but the outside post could hurt #2 has won before coming off a layoff including out running the speedy #1 who has speed early but will probably be pressured by others #9 Tough spot for first on grass, but too good to ignore; however, remember Macho Again from last week. I don't know what that horse was doing on the turf, but he certainly didn't run the race of a well intended horse and the same may be true of El Gato Malo.

The Grade 1 Malibu Stakes


#7 Georgie Boy
3-1
9-2
#1 Into Mischief
7-2
5-1
#2 Colonel John
4-1
6-1
#3 Bob Black Jack
6-1
9-1
#7 A proven G1 winner at the distance and on this track with the highest fig for the distance #1 Another proven G1 winner at the distance who has never finished worst than 2nd #2 ML 2nd choice with loads of ability but has only raced once at this distance in breaking his maiden. #3 Another sprint specialist, but probably a notch below the other 3

MC25000 for 3yo and up


#5 Squire Trelawny
#13 Six Pack Man
#8 Mystification

I don't know why they chose this race for the contest. I don't play these races and didn't want to waste time handicapping it so I hijacked the picks from the leading editor's picks for contest purposes. I will personally pass this race.

Oh and FYI, Marty Wolfson has entered Golden Spikes in the Malibu. I personally don't think that Golden Spikes is a G1 calibur horse, but Marty has a horse entered at Calder today, so I will be looking to see if he makes an appearance in the paddock. If Marty isn't here I am going to guess that he is in Santa Anita. Remember, he is afraid of flying and only travels when extremely confident. If he is not here I'll be watching TVG closely for a shot of him at Santa Anita. A small wager on a long horse never hurt anyone.

Public Handicapper Picks

Not much time as I have holiday duties to attend to.

Just enough to say that yours truly was humbled yesterday. Not even my good ol' standby, The Fairgrounds could save me yesterday. That being said, use these selections at your own risk. Remember the first column are what I consider to be fair odds and the second is suggested wager odds.

First the Fairgrounds Races the Woodchopper Stakes and the Sugarbowl Stakes.


#6 My Boy Charlie
3-1
9-2
#8 Macho Again
7-2
5-1
#2 Jimmy Simms
4-1
6-1
#1 Evade
6-1
9-1


#6 Euro invader is a group 1 winner in France and is one for one on the FG turf and appears to be peaking at the right time here. #8 is the North American class of this race, but has never run in anger over the sod; however workout line shows some efforts at Saratoga in Aug so can't be ignored. #2 is an improving 3yo who just missed in a G3 effort last out. The slightly shorter distance may make the difference. #1 any time Leparoux is on the grass his mount deserves respect and the horse does seem to be getting better, but this will be his first outing against some really strong competitors take only at long odds.


#4 Beer Pong
3-1
9-2
#8 Screen Your Friend
7-2
5-1
#7 Big Push
9-2
7-1
#9 Ask Joe
5-1
8-1


#4 Has preferred PP with Hi% Rider and Trainer and gets slight nod in a highly contentious race. #8 G3 winner back in July should move forward of last effort. #7 Held lead all the way to the end in Restricted Fl Bred race at Calder shortens up a furlong here #9 Has not run a bad race in 3 outings and may be as good as any here.

The Gold Rush Stakes at Golden Gate Fields


#3 Cut The Check
3-1
9-2
#4 Adriatic Moon
7-2
5-1
#5 Merus Miami
9-2
7-1
#7 Run It
5-1
8-1


#3 Speedster strectching out is classic play gets the first choice in another contentious race. #4 Gets leading rider R Baze, so you can probably count on this one being severely underlaid, but just in case. #5 I like the way this one came from off the pace in debut, unusual for a 2 yo, and the ability to be rated may be useful again. Also eligible to improve speed in 2nd effort. #7 2 time winner of Alw starter races could be a tough customer.

And finally the Cash Call Futurity from Hollywood


#11 Mr. Rod
3-1
9-2
#5 Pioneerof the Nile
7-2
5-1
#10 Bittel Road
9-2
7-1
#4 Axel Foley
6-1
9-1


#11 has the speed on a speed favoring track and is going turf to fake dirt to boot. #5 comes off a decent effort at the Breeder's cup and should be charging late. #10 Just missed to the top choice last out and would not be a shocker. #4 probably would be a minor shocker, but the British shipper does get first lasix and will likely be over looked by the crowd. Worth a flyer at a big price.

That's it for today. Now out to fight the holiday mob. Hopefully I'll make it back in time to check out my luck on TVG.

Results,

Posted after ninth race at FG: So far bad day for PH standings but good day for bankroll.

No play in the 8th race where the 3rd pick Jimmy Simms managed to avoid the chaos coming down the stretch and prevail.

I knew the 9th was wide open, my favorite, Beer Pong, was a scratch, so the chosen winner, by default was Screen Your Friend. The 7 horse, Big Push was overbet but both Screen Your Friend and my now 3rd choice Ask Joe went off at double figure odds. I split the bet between them. Something you can profitably do according to Steve Fierro with high odds contenders. Screen Your Friend was no where to be found. Ask Joe overcame a very game Big Push and Valid Stripes to prevail by a nose paying $24.80. I hope you had it.

The Cash Call futurity was won by Pioneerof the Nile who became my default choice when Mr. Rob was scratched. Pioneerof the Nile showed a lot of heart in holding off I Want Revenge down the stretch to give me a winner in the PH contest. However, my huckleberry for the dough in this race was Bittel Road. Bittel Road looked like he might make a move around the 3/4 pole but then flattened out and was never a real factor.

The Gold Rush Futurity at Golden Gate was another terrific race. The PH choice Cut the Check tracked the pace for most of the race but lacked energy to close the deal in the stretch. My money wound up on Adriatic Moon who was looking good for a while in the stretch, but Merus Miami took over convincingly at the end to win by a length. And you thought I just had him as a contender as a hunch bet because of the name.

So in the end, one chalky win out of 4 picks for the PH contest and one 11-1 win bet out of 3 for real money. I'll take the 11-1 win bet over the former any day.