Rated Fiesty’s DQ - The DQ process …

Quite a stink is being made about this. I watched the race live, my only interest being how she ran and if she could stay undefeated. After watching her cross the wire first, I flipped the channel back to Santa Anita for the Sunshine Millions Classic. It wasn’t until Monday that I found out she was DQ’d.  I read yesterday that Asmussen was appealing the decision. I just read tonight that L. Quinonez got days (DRF), which lead  me over to the NJ Account Wagering platform to watch the replay.

Face the Cat & Ramona, Michelle and buddies.

Ahh I crack myself up …

 The Ramona, Michelle and buddies is in reference to the NY jockey colony calling it quits after three races. I guess they forgot it is cold in New York during the month of December and that Jamaica Bay doesn’t block the wind. Alright it was windy but I have a relative that lives right outside of Baltimore, almost directly between Baltimore and Laurel and I spoke with him today and he said the wind was “crazy” there also.  Laurel didn’t cancel, Aqueduct is probably more exposed than Laurel but over the last two years these guys are always crying the blues and cancelling. I wasn’t even playing Aqueduct today, but my condolences to those who started the pick 4 off with the longest shot on the board at 27-1, followed by the most likely single of the sequence at 3-5 only to have the card scrapped and get consos.

I did bet two races at Gulfstream today and was very impressed with one of my selections. Not impressed with my handicapping but with the way to horse ran. Face the Cat in today’s 8th at Gulfstream won a N1x for 3Yo’s going a one turn mile and looked well doing it. This horse debuted on the turf at Ellis Park and ran an even 6th. He showed back up at Gulfstream on Jan. 4 and won a MSW by 1 length in good time earning a Beyer of 81. Today, he set the pace two wide and drew off to win by about 3 or 4 in decent time, 1.35.xx, I believe. The field included the well thought of Zito duo Stevil and Web Gem, as well as Mythical Pegasus, who has hit the board in graded races, and Nistle’s Crunch, who was coming off a 3rd in a turf stakes. By Tale of the Cat out of a Forty Niner Mare, the distance shouldn’t be a problem. Trained by Helen Pitts and ridden in his last two by Prado, he is atleast on my radar.

If I had a harness play of the day, #2 Done Done It in tonights first race at the Big M would be my selection. Was 3rd over behind gapping, somewhat dull cover in his last and once free he had some good trot at 99-1. Now moves inside to a better post and should get a better trip, a bit closer. Few droppers out of the Super Bowl series should take enough money to keep the price fair.  

Saturday happenings …

Lots of interesting races Saturday, both with  thoroughbreds and harness racing. Most of it concentrated at the Gulfstream and Santa Anita.

 First off at Gulfstream Park, in race 6 the Robert LaPenta owned, Farish bred, Nick Zito trained Cool Coal Man stamped himself as a legit Kentucky Derby contender after winning a N2x for 3Yo going 1m 1/8th. He didn’t do it in very fast fashion, and the Beyer will probably only be 78-84 range at a quick glance. I like the fact that he settled off a very solid pace after being headstrong in a graded stakes debut. He also finished well enough going that distance after being off since November. Zito has to be happy with this  effort as it forms a perfect foundation to build upon this spring. Maryland connections Gary Capuano and Travis Dunkelberger were represented in this race with what was shaping up to be Maryland’s only Triple Crown hope and unfortunately he didn’t fare too well.

Commentator …

Just watched this guy blitz the Gulfstream Park oval in a track record time of 133.71. Was his first effort after a dull 7th in the BC Sprint. He is absolutely brilliant when he is right. He must have some nagging problems because for every dazzler he runs he equals it with a dud. He only seems to be able to string two good ones together at most.

Hopefully they can keep this guy together this year and point him to these 1 turn miles that he seems to favor over most other trips.