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Additional Wrap up for KY Derby Preps. We sort out all the Kentucky Derby hopefuls. We have some stellar races from all over the country. We recap The Rebel Stakes, The Gotham, San Felipe Stakes, Tampa Bay Derby. What a great day of racing. We watched some big efforts. Story by MC_Excelsior "The Stick" *OUR KENTUCKY DERBY SPECIAL 2005 IS POSTED* TO VIEW : Press Here 3/21/05-DERBY PREP Wrap up of GOTHAM, REBEL, SAN FELIPE - Addition to earlier story. The Stick Horse Racing fast becoming America's #1 source for Horse Racing Selections and information. We really had an outstanding weekend of selections Stick Fans. As I was telling many of our regulars in response to their emails, "everything just fell into place". Lets get to the races and give you all a good sense of how the Kentucky Derby hopeful's are shaping up. *GOTHAM STAKES* Aqueduct - This race serves as a stepping stone to the Grade 1 Wood Memorial. It was all Survivallist and Richard Migliore pumping and driving home to a hard fought victory. In fact, after the race, there was a Stewards and Jockey Inquiry into the running of this race. We don't mean to say they got it wrong....but you have to ask yourself why Pavo was disqualified for being run into. Pavo was straight in the stretch to our view on the TV, and it sure looked he was the one who got hit, but the stewards have more angles to view the race replay from, and in their judgement they made what they thought was the right decision. Pavo, is a horse to watch and play next time out..FOR CERTAIN ! Survivalist, who received a perfect ride by 'The Mig', was also the subject of the inquiry, which was laughable, and thankfully, he was not taken down. In watching the determination of this horse, you have to say to yourself that he should run much better at a distance then at 1 Mile. Survivalist had to chase very fast fractions, and when he pushed himself to the lead, he faced immediate pressure from the closers in the race. If this one can relax a little more and give one power middle move at the top of the stretch in a longer distance race, he looks to be a factor in the KY Derby this year. Lets see how he does in the Wood Memorial and then comment more on him. The fractional times for the race were very fast up front with :22 2/5, :44 3/5 half mile time, blowing out the 8 furlongs of the mile in 1:35 3/5. This is a very respectable time, and for future reference, the track was fast and playing to fast times all day. Survivalist paid $8.90 at the track. Exacta with Galloping Grocer(Luzzi) $28.40. Triple with Naughty New Yorker(Samyn) in third, paid $68.00 *REBEL STAKES* Oaklawn - We spoke to Terry Wallace in email, and to his radio show manager 5 minutes after the show ended...we just missed them, but were asked to call in early in coming weeks. Its a shame we missed telling the fans about how we thought Rockport Harbor was more ready then Afleet Alex, and we even gave Greater Good on top. Terry is a really big fan of racing, in addition to being the track announcer for Oaklawn Park. As he already knows, we are really big Terry Wallace fans here at The Stick Horse Racing. Listen to his calls, and you are hearing one of the very best in the business. Terry will 'pick them up and lay them down' through the stretch at Oaklawn. This race serves as a stepping stone to the Big Oaklawn Arkansas Derby, or as the locals call it the Arky Derby. Greater Good, and well regarded, up n'coming jockey, John Mckee, served notice that they are going to have a say in this years run for the roses. With a very patient and firm ride, McKee sized up the two big favorites in the stretch and asked his colt to run. Greater Good was a solid winner who returned $11.20 to Win AND $11.20 to Show. Apparently there were some 'bridge jumpers' in the audience who hammered Afleet Alex to Show. Afleet Alex finished 6th and last in a puzzle of questions concerning his future status as a Derby horse. We hope this was just a fluke bad race for him, and look forward to his rebounding in his next start. Rememeber last year's hero jockey in the Kentucky Derby ? We're talking about Stewart Elliot. He had the mount on speedball, Rockport Harbor. Rockport ran a great race, he and Elliot simply got beat by a better horse on that day. There is no question that Rockport Harbor will be a 'strong muscle horse' that everyone will have to deal with down the road. If he can just relax a little more earlier without sacrificing his speed, Rockport Harbor can and should be able to stretch out to longer distances. Lets see where his next start is, but there is no reason he should not run well in the Arky Derby. Longshot, Batson Harbor(Borel) filled out the triple for a generous $421 in a 6 horse field. With Afleet Alex out of the money, the Triple was very profitable. You could have boxed the entire field of 6 horses for $120 for a $1 triple box. You would have made a profit and you had no chance of losing....oh, unless Afleet Alex had run in the money. Then you would have had a winning ticket, but not made a profit. Another interesting note, if you played everyone to Show for $2, it would have cost you $12 total, and you would have received back $51.60. Again this is with Afleet Alex out of the money that made those prices so big. Final time for the Rebel was 1:44 4/5 for 1 1/16 miles. This was a respectable time on a tight surface. Also, this was one of the faster runnings of the Rebel, so it is a good prep to review when we look back for our Kentucky Derby selections in the coming month to 6 weeks. *SAN FELIPE STAKES* Santa Anita - It looked like the Breeders Cup Juv field getting together for another go at each other. Well, this race helped clear up a lot of questions for us, Stick Horse Racing fans. This race helps serve as a stepping stone into the Santa Anita Derby, and while it is not a determinative race alone, it does help to show you who is top dog on the west coast. In previous years, D.Wayne Lukas always had a group of horses he was preparing for the Kentucky Derby. In recent years, the numbers of runners he prepares for the Triple Crown have gone down, but in case you have not been following his career like we have...., his horses keep WINNING ! This year it looks like Consolidator will be the Lukas/B & B Lewis Derby hopeful, and he looks good. The tip off for us had to be Raphael Bejarano flying out for this mount. Bejarano looks to be one of the heir apparent's to the next generation of racing's great jockey's. His ride was one of power and strength on Cosolidator. This horse was given a good 5 length's extra push by Bejarano. Angel Cordero, jr. used to ride like Bejarano did in this race. Shake loose, settle down, bottom out the field, power home ! The final time of 1:40 1/5 for 1 1/16 miles is INCREDIBLE ! If this one can stretch out, he is the next Swale, or War Emblem. This race has to stamp Consolidator as pre Derby favorite. Granted, we need to see more races and big wins from this one, but he has all the right things going for him. Stable, Trainer, Breeding, Jockey are all on his side. Giacomo(Mike Smith-we miss you @ Belmont, Mike !)finished 2nd, and Don't get Mad(Tyler Baze) was third. The Exacta was worth $71.40 and the Triple returned $389.60. The Baffert trained son of Fusaichi Pegasus, Roman Ruler, finished last in the field of 8 also with a lot of questions about his Derby future. B.Cup Juv winner, Willko finished 4th. *Of Note, TAMPA BAY DERBY* Tampa Bay Downs - This race featured a Nick Zito import who really strutted his stuff and flashed the fans through the stretch. Sun King, who was the prohibitive 1/9 favorite under jockey Edgar Prado, ran a huge race over the Tampa oval. This race has to looked at in context of a smaller track running its big race. However, in previous year's running's of this race, many top horses have emerged. The final time for this race, and the depth of this field show everyone in the racing world, that Tampa Bay Downs is earning a lot of respect and in our minds, that respect is very well deserved. From the Gulf Coast, Tampa Bay Downs helps connect all the racing fans between Gulfstream and Fair Grounds. We know there a lot of you out there, because we have heard from so many of you in email. Keep up the good work guys, you have a wonderful climate, and a healthy attitude towards racing. Forever Wild(Derrick Bell) was 2nd and Global Tracker(Nunez) finished 3rd. The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was a solid 1:43 4/5. The track was fast and tight. This race serves notice that Sun King is in a elite class of racehorse, and looks to challenge the other top horses when his connections choose to. We may not see this one until a final prep or the actual KY Derby itself. Just a final note for all the people critical of a horse winning big at a smaller track....Smarty Jones won very big at Philadelphia Park, and eventually went on to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Edgar Prado will ship to many tracks for big races, but he went to Tampa Bay Downs to secure the mount on this horse through the Triple Crown. If Edgar Prado wants to be on a horse, and sets out to making that his Derby mount...we are watching and listening and looking forward with anticipation to his next start aboard Sun King. *Remember, Stick Horse Racing Fans, we still have the Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass, Florida Derby, Santa Anita Derby, Spiral Stakes, and Wood Memorial to be run in preparation for the Triple Crown, and its first leg, The Kentucky Derby. While we are pointing out the strong 'Now' horses to you, a lot can happen in 6-7 weeks before the Derby is run. We have a fun road ahead of us, Stick Fans, the best time of the year for Horse Racing enthusiast's is coming up. the weather is warming up, and so is everyone's excitement. Will we finally see a Triple Crown ? I was 12 years old when Affirmed defeated Alydar in the Belmont Stakes for the last Triple Crown. If you have to know, I stood up on the table and the entire building shook. I could not hear anything except a dull roar which shook my ears. However, I watched as the great Affirmed held off Alydar in their epic battle and at 12 years old, it left a lasting impression that the Belmont Stakes is my home away from home, and there is no greater rush of excitement and pleasure then seeing a horse win the Triple Crown. I hope we see it this year. In light of all the near misses over the last 26 years, you as fans should really appreciate how very hard it is to be an immortal in the sport of kings. 3/18/05 The Stick Horse Racing fast becoming America's #1 source for Horse Racing Selections and information. You may Order Instant View Selections after 10:00 pm tonight for most tracks. We will offer a Expert Level Card for Aqueduct for the Gotham Stakes and Fairgrounds for the $500K Mervin Muniz memorial. This will feature 5 Horses per race instead of the normal 3 per race. Price will be $7.50 All other Instant View Selections will be $3.50, the normal price. You may order Any Racing Track as email delivery. We cover the entire country, and we have higher levels of service available in email. Please let us know tonight if you would like email delivery for any of your favorite tracks. Featured Races this weekend 3/19/05
*Aqueduct - Gotham Stakes (Expert Level Card) Galloping Grocer takes on Naughty New Yorker and Survivalist...do we like any of them on top ? ORDER AQUEDUCT SPECIAL EXPERT LEVEL 3/19 :> *PRESS HERE* *Fair Grounds (Expert Level Card) - 3 Stakes highlighted by the Mervin Muniz $500,000 What a wide open race this is ! Wow. Big prices expected for this one. ORDER FAIR GROUNDS SPECIAL EXPERT LEVEL 3/19 :> *PRESS HERE* *Gulfstream - a wide open turf stake with 11 entries, Here comes the Bride ! Ok, this one will take some serious number crunching, but we have a good feeling about the way it will shape up. ORDER GULFSTREAM NORMAL STARTER LEVEL 3/19 :> *PRESS HERE* *Oaklawn - The Rebel Stakes, the main prep for the Ark Derby and KY Derby. Afleet Alex, Rockport Harbor, and Greater Good look for a reputation, but guess what ? 2 other horses in this race are coming up with big figures...we may be able to offer a nice triple box play for a good return. ORDER OAKLAWN PARK NORMAL STARTER LEVEL 3/19 :> *PRESS HERE* *Santa Anita - The San Felipe ...WOW ! Top 3 yr olds. You thought Oaklawn had all the big guns ? Guess again. We have Wilko in here, Roman Ruler, and Giacomo. Which one is the best bet for the entire day of racing ? We will have it posted for you by 10 tonight guys. ORDER SANTA ANITA NORMAL STARTER LEVEL 3/19 :> *PRESS HERE* We also want all of you to know, we value your business and welcome you to email us anytime. Sunday's cards also looking competitive and high value, some races 1-2 point difference between top 2 and 3. Best Regards and Racing, MC_Excelsior
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