I’m not sure we are going to get Saturday’s Big A card in, but there is some excellent stakes action at Gulfstream Park.

Here is a breakdown of the trio of stakes:

GP Race 9 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) 5:02 ET

#5 Take the Points   3/1

#3 Court Vision   8/5

#4 Never On Sunday   2/1

#1 Le Grand Cru   12/1

#5 Take the Points may have been ready for a regression last out where he stalked the pace and faded to finish seventh in the Hollywood Derby (G1). The winner of the race was The Usual Q.T., who returned to win the Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita in his next outing on Jan. 30. Our top pick went into his last race coming off back to back Grade 1 wins in hard fought efforts, winning each in a photo. He appears to have the tactical advantage here as the main speed in a small field. He figures to bounce back here for Pletcher. He won the Secretariat (G1) at Arlington Park over good ground and we may see some give in the ground today as well.

#3 Court Vision makes his first start since a close up fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), beaten 1 ½ lengths behind the winner Goldikova. The five year old was a good third in this race last year behind his stablemate Kip Deville. Two back the Dutrow runner won the Shadwell Mile (G1) at Keeneland over soft footing. He can handle the extra ground and has won at 1 ¼ miles, taking the Hollywood Derby (G1) IN ‘08. A logical threat at a light price.

GP Race 10 Donn Handicap (G1) 5:31 ET

#6 Past the Point   10/1

#4 Quality Road   7/5

#10 Delightful Kiss   8/1

#8 Mambo Meister   6/1

#6 Past the Point prepped for today’s race with a good second behind a tough sprinter in Custom for Carlos in the Mr. Prospector (G3). The six year old set the early fractions, was taken on by the eventual winner on the turn and they battled into the stretch, ¾ of a length separating the duo at the wire. The McLaughlin trainee has done some of his best running at nine furlongs, earning a career top in the ‘08 Woodward where he was able to set the early fractions before getting caught by two time Horse of the Year Curlin in the stretch. His best shot of beating the chalk here is if jockey Edgar Prado can shake loose early and set moderate early fractions. I’m willing to give that a shot if we catch most of his 10/1 morning line. He is getting nine pounds from the favorite.

#4 Quality Road has had a tough luck career. A foot problem knocked him out of last year’s Kentucky Derby just two weeks out, and he likely would have been the favorite. He looked like he had a shot in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, but acted up at the gate and eventually was scratched. The colt returned with a sharp win in the Hal’s Hope (G3) last month, his third win in four starts over the Gulfstream Park main track. He took the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) here last year. It is tough to knock a guy that has earned triple digit Beyers in seven of his eight career starts and has run so well over the surface, but the 7/5 morning line is likely going to look more like 3/5 by the time they load them in the gate.

#10 Delightful Kiss made a mild late rally to finish third last out against Alw-3 optional claimers, which should serve as a good tune-up for today. This gelding won the Hal’s Hope (G3) over the main track here last year after a good second behind multiple Grade 1 winner Einstein in the Clark Handicap (G2) at Churchill Downs. He figures to move forward in his second start off nearly a year on the bench.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 5/1 or better.

EX: 4,6 / 4,6,8,10

TRI: 4,6 / 4,6,8,10 / 3,4,6,8,10

GP Race 11 Suwannee River S. (G3) 6:00 ET

#7 Indigo North   12/1

#12 Lady Shakespeare   8/1

#4 Long Approach   7/2

#6 Astrologie   4/1

#7 Indigo North is an intriguing longshot in here. She made her turf debut last out in her first start since shipping in from Canada and ran a good third versus Alw-3 optional claimers. The top two finishers in that race came back to win. The winner Tight Precision came back to win the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf on Jan. 30. The runner up Cherokee Queen beat Alw-3 optional claimers on Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park. The filly came back with a bullet work over the turf at Palm Meadows and has a decent enough turf pedigree, by Grand Slam out of a Kris S. mare. She still looks like she has plenty of upside potential and we should catch a generous price.

#12 Lady Shakespeare came up just a head short in the Marshua River last out, finishing second in a dead heat.  The filly loved her time in Canada, winning four straight at Woodbine including the Colleen going a mile over ground labeled as good. The filly ahs won five of nine in her career and figures to move forward in her second start off a three-month break. She half bro is Grade 1 turf stakes winner Shakespeare. The outside post is tough, but her 8/1 morning line looks fair enough.

Wagering

WIN: #7 to win at 6/1 or better.

EX: 7,12 / 4,6,7,12

TRI: 7,12 / 4,6,7,12 / 4,5,6,7,12

(Monday, February 1) ESPN horse racing analyst Hank Goldberg, mistakenly arriving two weeks late for the Eclipse Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, accepted a lifetime achievement award at The National Optometric Awards Dinner that was supposed to go to Boise, Idaho optometrist  Terry “Tank” Goldstein.

National Optometric Conference spokesperson Nancy Myopia said, “Mr. Goldberg was not invited to the event, but a fat guy wearing an outdated pair of glasses did not send up any alarm bells, and quite frankly, he looks like he would make one hellava good optometrist.”

National Optometric Conference president Samuel Retinaburg narrated a ten minute slide show featuring honoree “Tank” Goldstein, a 93 year old optometrist known for helping underprivileged young children with vision problems.

While Goldstein could not make the conference due to health reasons, ESPN’s Goldberg had wandered into the ballroom without an invitation.

Goldberg watched the presentation from the bar, thinking the pictures depicted him poking the eyes out of jockeys Calvin Borel and Rafael Bejarano after he had given out another string of losing picks.

Goldberg then proudly took the dais, accepting the Opty Award, mistaking it for an Eclipse Award, much to the surprise of a stunned group of optometrists and their mothers.

Among those Goldberg thanked for the award during his acceptance speech were Kenny Mayne, Jerry Bailey, and Mariusz Pudzianowski, of ESPN’s Strongest Man Competition.

Goldberg also thanked the Little League World Series for, “always having games that run late and preempt our horse racing coverage, giving me extra time to hit the buffet and for a few last minute cocktails.”

“It actually was a touching speech, there was not a dry or lazy eye in the house,” said Myopia.

Later in the evening Goldberg attempted to accept the award for “Advances in Retinitis Pigmentosa” but was restrained by security personnel.

A confused Goldberg was seen wandering the adjoining banquet rooms of the Beverly Wilshire for hours.

Goldberg was mistaken for a mohel, and performed a bris ceremony for the Cohen family of Arcadia, Ca. then found himself on a panel at an Amway convention, convincing the attendees to start selling Lasix and Bute door to door.

ESPN would not confirm the report, but did say in a press release that Goldberg was found outside of a Stuckey’s at 2am holding a bucket of chicken and his Opty Award.

Goldberg’s agent, reached by phone, stated, “While we are disappointed that Hank did not win an Eclipse Award, the Opty Award will certainly enhance Hank’s already impressive resume, and it is the most exciting thing to happen to Hank since he picked his last winner on air for $3.80 back in 2003.”

Here is a look at the six races making up today’s Sunshine Millions races at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita:

GP Race 8 Sunshine Millions Sprint (4:33 ET)

#6 This One’s for Phil   9/5

#3 Accredit   6/1

#4 Pashito the Che   8/5

#2 Sneaking Uponyou   8/1

#6 This One’s for Phil returns off a two-month break and is making just his second start since last June. The gelding earned a career top winning the Dash over the main track here last January, popping a 115 Beyer. The gelding was put up in the Swale after getting bumped around and had a tough trip in the Withers where he checked in second, then had more trouble in the Woody Stephens. He came back off the bench last out with a  sharp win and look like he is sitting on a big one here as he returns to his favorite surface. Dutrow put a couple of bullet works into this guy, both over the main track here.

#3 Accredit was beaten just a neck and a nose last out at Turfway Park on the poly and will appreciate the returns to conventional dirt here. Two back he was a good second in the Bet On Sunshine at Churchill Downs, a race that produced three next out stakes winners. The winner Custom for Carlos returned to win the Mr. Prospector (G3) with a 103 Beyer.

#4 Pashito the Che was beaten just a nose last out in the Gravesand Handicap at Aqueduct behind Digger, who came back to win the Fire Plug Stakes in his next outing on Jan. 16 at Laurel Park. The Scott Lake trainee has landed in the exacta in 10 of his 12 career starts, but has now been involved in three straight photos and now starts over the sixth different racing surface over his last six outings. The colt likely goes off as the favorite here and if this guy regresses, he might be in deep waters late against a solid group here.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 7/5 or better.

EX: 3,6 / 2,3,4,6

TRI: 3,6 / 2,3,4,6 / 1,2,3,4,6

GP Race 9 Sunshine Millions Distaff (5:08 ET)

#8 Scolara   12/1

#9 Unforgotten   6/1

#7 Jessica Is Back   9/5

#4 Sweet Repent   2/1

#8 Scolara has only been on the main track once in her career, a nose loss at the Alw-1 level at today’s nine furlong distance. She is a two time stakes winner on turf and is coming off a sixth place finish last out in the Marshua River. She had to wait for room while at the back of the pack  and made up some ground in the stretch when angled toward the inside. She looks like she will enjoy the extra ground and the 12/1 ML looks generous on this Mott runner.

#9 Unforgotten is coming off a good runner up finish at Fair Grounds behind War Echo in the Daily Racing Form Distaff going nine furlongs. The mare has a habit of landing for minor shares, but she appears to be sitting on a good one here in her third start of her current form cycle. She only won one of 11 starts last year with six runner up finishes, but ran into some tough runners along the way. She fits here with her best and may get overlooked on the tote.

Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 5/1 or better.

EX: 8,9 / 4,7,8,9

TRI: 8,9 / 4,7,8,9 / 4,5,7,8,9

GP Race 10 Sunshine Millions Turf (5:43 ET)

#4 Bad Action   10/1

#3 Duke of Mischief   8/1

#8 Soldier’s Dancer   8/5

#11 Jet Propulsion   4/1

#4 Bad Action is coming off a pair of solid efforts on the main track, winning the Pegasus (G3) and a runner up finish in the Discovery (G3). The gelding has won 3 of 6 on turf, but two of those came in claiming company and his last turf win was against Alw-1 company. The gelding returns off a two month break with a barn switch to the red hot Pletcher, who is 24% winners with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff. The gelding has been working quickly at Palm Meadows and his 10/1 ML looks more than fair.

#3 Duke of Mischief came with a  good late rally to get up in the final jumps to win the off the turf Ft. Lauderdale. The colt has done his best running on the main track but does have a second in a Florida bred stake at Tampa on the grass last April. The colt is a half to ten time turf winner Lord Robyn ($466K). The Fawkes barn is 20% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners form dirt to turf.

Wagering

WIN: 4 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 3,4 / 3,4,8,11

TRI: 3,4 / 3,4,8,11 / 1,3,4,8,11

SA Race 6 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint (2:18 PT)

#1 U R All That I Am   8/1

#7 Libor Lady   6/1

#11 High Resolve   5/1

#10 Dubai Majesty   4/1

#1 U R All That I Am came with a four wide bid and finished up well in a runner up finish in the Kalookan Queen, her first go off a seven week break. The Hollendorfer filly seldom runs a bad one, landing in the exacta in 8 of her 10 starts. The runner up finish snapped a four race win streak for this filly, her made her debut for just a $12.5K tag. Rosario lands with the Wolfson shipper and Smith takes over. It’s a wide open race and this filly should go off at a decent price.

#7 Libor Lady ships in for the Pino barn. The mare has done her best running on turf but does have a pair of wins on the fake stuff, one at Presque Isle on Tapeta and the other coming on poly at Keeneland. She returns off a 2 ½ month freshening for a barn that hits at a 34% clip (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff. Picks up Gomez.

Wagering

WIN: #1 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 1,7 / 1,7,10,11

TRI: 1,7 / 1,7,10,11 / 1,3,7,10,11

SA Race 7 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf (2:52 PT)

#1 Closeout   4/1

#6 Saucey Evening   5/1

#2 Tight Precision   7/2

#3 Pretty Unusual   6/1

#1 Closeout is one of two in here shipping in from Florida for the Proctor barn. The mare came up short last out in an allowance race over good ground in her first go off a two month break, but that effort should set her up for a better outing here. The runner that beat her last out was Lemonette, who is graded placed. She is just one of two in here that has a win at nine furlongs on the lawn.

#6 Saucey Evening made a good late rally to get up late and win the restricted Starine last out at Hollywood Park going a mile. I’m not sure whether she is better on turf or the fake stuff, but she does have enough pedigree to handle the extra furlong.

Wagering

WIN: #1 to win at 5/2 or better.

EX: 1,6 / 1,2,3,6

TRI: 1,6 / 1,2,3,6 / 1,2,3,5,6

SA Race 8 Sunshine Millions Classic (3:38 PT)

#9 Bold Chiefain   6/1

#7 The Usual Q.T.   5/2

#8 Compari   3/1

#4 Palladio   30/1

#9 Bold Chieftain had a three race win streak snapped last out when fourth in the San Pasquel (G2), beaten two lengths for the top spot. The seven year old has lost a step or two from his younger days, but he did look good winning the Cal Cup Classic three back over the Pro Ride and he is making his third start of his current form cycle here. He certainly will offer better value than our second choice in here.

#7 The Usual Q.T. has won six in a row, all on turf, and Cassidy decided to keep the gelding home and try Pro Ride for $500,000 rather than ship top Gulfstream park for the Turf, which has a $300,000 purse. The gelding is 0 for 4 with three seconds on synthetics, all in the maiden ranks. There is no doubt this guy has come a long way since taking six tries to earn his diploma. The gelding is the logical one to beat in here but may get too much attention at the windows.

Wagering

WIN: #9 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 7,9 / 4,7,8,9

TRI: 7,9 / 4,7,8,9 / 4,7,8,9,11

The inner track at Aqueduct has been playing relatively fair for most of the meeting, but speed kicked in nicely last week.

Between Jan. 18 and Jan. 23, horses on or near the pace had the advantage, with 22 runners going gate to wire during those five racing days.

Here is an update for the month of January through Sunday:

1/1/10: slight edge to speed, good edge to 3 path in, 2 gate to wire
1/2/10: edge to speed, 3 path in, 5 gate to wire

1/6/10: slight edge to speed, good edge to 3 path in, 3 gate to wire
1/7/09: track played fair, 3 gate to wire
1/8/09: slight edge to speed, 3 path in, 4 gate to wire
1/9/10: track played fair, 2 gate to wire
1/10/10: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

1/13/10: track played fair, 1 gate to wire
1/14/10: track played fair, 2 gate to wire
1/15/10: slight edge to speed, 3 path in, 4 gate to wire
1/16/10: track played fair, 3 gate to wire
1/17/10: track played fair, 2 gate to wire
1/18/10: strong edge to speed, 3 path in, 6 gate to wire

1/20/10: strong edge to speed, 3 path in, 5 gate to wire
1/21/10: slight edge to speed, 3 path in, 4 gate to wire
1/22/10: slight edge to speed, 3 path in, 4 gate to wire
1/23/10: slight edge to runners on or near lead, good edge to three path in, 3 gate to wire
1/24/10: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

There are six stakes races on the card at Fair Grounds today, which is dubbed “Road to the Derby Kickoff Day.”

There are 13 races on the card including a $100,000 all stakes guaranteed Pick 4 that starts with the seventh race.

FG Race 7 Louisiana Handicap

#7 Good and Lucky loves the Fair Grounds main track, winning 6 of 10 starts over the surface including winning this race last year. The seven year old gelding was much the best last out winning the tenacious Stakes and is making his third start of his current form cycle here. The gelding is the short 9/5 morning line favorite, but with General Quarters and Friesan Fire in here, maybe the price will drift up a notch or two.

Selections: 7-1-3-2

FG Race 8 Tiffany Lass Stakes

#2 Visavis came up a nose short last out in the Letellier Memorial in her first start against winners, which also came off a five month layoff. The filly is breds to handle the extra ground, by Indian Charlie out of a Honor Grades mare that has dropped a couple of nice runners in Pickapocket ($214K) and Northern Belle ($217K). The Margolis barn is one of the hottest outfits on the grounds, hitting at a 31% clip at the meet.

Selections: 2-9-10-8-5-6

FG Race 9 Leggio Memorial Stakes

#7 Trusty Temper makes her first start since last June where she won the Jostle Stakes at Philly. Three of the fillies she beat that day returned to win their next starts. Her lone turf try was a sharp maiden score at Ellis park last summer. She has the pedigree to love the grass and the Werner barn is 29% winners (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff the past three years.

Selections: 7-12-5-4-10

FG Race 10 Lecomte Stakes (G2)

#5 Citrus Kid returns off a two month freshening to make his three year old debut here and he looks well prepared off sharp looking works at Palm Meadows for the Terranova barn that is 19% winners with horses coming back off a 31-60 day break. Last out in the Remsen (G2), the colt set the early fractions and could not hold off the top pair in a third place finish. The colt sat off the pace two back when wining the Dover Stakes at Delaware Park, and won that race despite catching some traffic when boxed in while pinned down along the rail on the far turn. The colt has nine sibs that are winners, top earner Brightest Ice ($213K). Decent value if this guy goes off near his 8/1 morning line.

Selections: 5-3-1-2

Pick 4 play starting in Race 7:

Here is my Pick 4 play, a $71 investment (for a $1) using DRF’s Ticketmaker

You can make this play on a 50 cent ticket for $35.50

All A Entries

1 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 2 with 7 with 5 $1.00

A’s with One B

2 $1.00 pick 4: 1,2,3 with 2 with 7 with 5 $3.00

3 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 8,9,10 with 7 with 5 $3.00

4 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 2 with 4,5,12 with 5 $3.00

5 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 2 with 7 with 1,2,3 $3.00

A’s with Two B’s

6 $1.00 pick 4: 1,2,3 with 8,9,10 with 7 with 5 $9.00

7 $1.00 pick 4: 1,2,3 with 2 with 4,5,12 with 5 $9.00

8 $1.00 pick 4: 1,2,3 with 2 with 7 with 1,2,3 $9.00

9 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 8,9,10 with 4,5,12 with 5 $9.00

10 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 8,9,10 with 7 with 1,2,3 $9.00

11 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 2 with 4,5,12 with 1,2,3 $9.00

A’s with One C

12 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 6 with 7 with 5 $1.00

13 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 2 with 10 with 5 $1.00

14 $1.00 pick 4: 7 with 2 with 7 with 9,11 $2.00

Total: $71.00

The three presenting organizations of the Eclipse Awards-the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form (DRF) and the National Turf Writers Association (NTWA)-announced today that voting in the 2009 Older Female category will be officially revised to correct an error made by one of the voters.

The error caused Zenyatta to win the Older Female category by a count of 231-1, rather than by a unanimous, 232-0 margin.The voter in question, Duke Dosik of Daily Racing Form, assured Eclipse Awards officials that he fully intended to vote for Zenyatta in the Older Female category, but he inadvertently voted for Icon Project in the category while Zenyatta was not listed among his top three finalists.

Elsewhere on his ballot, Dosik had listed Zenyatta as his selection for Horse of the Year.

“There is no way I meant to do anything but put Zenyatta on top,” said Dosik.

The revised voting tabulation means that both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra (Champion Three-Year-Old Filly) won 2009 Eclipse Awards by unanimous, 232-0 vote counts.

These are the first place votes for the 2009 Eclipse Awards, voted on by the National Turf Writers Association, The Daily Racing Form, and the NTRA.

Horse of the Year:

Rachel Alexandra, 130

Zenyatta, 99

Voter Abstentions, 2

No Vote, 1

Outstanding Owner:

Godolphin Racing, 61

Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss, 56

Juddmonte Farms, 40

WinStar Farm, 38

Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick, 15

Augustin Stables, 7

Michael Gill, 6

Darley Stable, 3

Zayat Stables, 2

Heiligbrodt Racing Stables, 1

Midwest Thoroughbreds, 1

Voter Abstentions, 2

Outstanding Breeder:

Juddmonte Farms, 157

Adena Springs, 44

Dolphus Morrison, 16

Maverick Productions, Ltd., 3

WinStar Farm, 3

Eugene Melnyk, 2

Darley Stable, 1

Voter Abstentions, 6

Outstanding Trainer:

Steve Asmussen, 130

John Shirreffs, 57

Jonathan Sheppard, 19

Bob Baffert,10

Saeed bin Suroor, 5

Bobby Frankel, 4

Jerry Hollendorfer, 2

Hal Wiggins, 2

Todd Pletcher, 2

Voter Abstentions, 1

Outstanding Jockey:

Julien Leparoux, 122

 Garrett Gomez,46

Ramon Dominguez, 45

Calvin Borel, 13

Mike Smith, 3

Kent Desormeaux, 2

Russell Baze, 1

Apprentice Jockey:

Christian Santiago Reyes, 93

Luis Saez, 48

Luis Batista, 47

Inez Karlsson, 8

Michael Straight, 4

Omar Moreno, 3

Jose Vega, 3

Tony Maragh, 2

Casey Papineau, 1

Angel Serpa, 1

Voter Abstentions, 21

No Vote, 1

2-Year-Old Male:

Lookin At Lucky, 209

Vale of York, 17

Buddy’s Saint,  2

Noble’s Promise,  2

D’Funnybone,  1

Jackson Bend,  1

2-Year-Old Filly:

She Be Wild, 171

Blind Luck, 41

Hot Dixie Chick, 17

Awesome Maria, 1

Biofuel, 1

Tapitsfly, 1

3-Year-Old Male:

Summer Bird, 225

Mine That Bird, 4

Blame, 1

I Want Revenge, 1

No Vote, 1

3-Year-Old Filly:

Rachel Alexandra, 232

Older Male:

Gio Ponti, 184

Einstein (BRZ), 18

Kodiak Kowboy, 16

Macho Again, 5

Furthest Land, 2

Rail Trip, 2

Well Armed, 1

Voter Abstentions, 4

Older Female:

Zenyatta, 231

Icon Project, 1

Female Sprinter:

Informed Decision, 222

Ventura, 6;

Game Face, 1

Indian Blessing, 1

Music Note, 1

Diamondrella, 1

Male Sprinter:

Kodiak Kowboy, 118

Zensational, 54

Dancing in Silks, 43

Fabulous Strike, 9

California Flag, 6

Vineyard Haven, 1

Voter Abstentions, 1

Male Turf Horse:

Gio Ponti, 206

Conduit, 22

Presious Passion, 3

Court Vision, 1

Female Turf Horse:

Goldikova (IRE), 172

Ventura, 41

Magical Fantasy, 7

Midday (GB), 7

Pure Clan, 3

Forever Together, 1

Voter Abstentions, 1

Steeplechase Horse:

Mixed Up, 209

Red Letter Day, 3

Voter Abstentions, 20

 We started the Oaklawn Park meeting yesterday by knocking down the $2 exacta ($25.20) in the Dixie Belle Stakes.

 

AQU Race 3 Evening Attire S. (1:26 ET)

#4 Storm Play   7/2

#1 Understatement / #1a Well Positioned   3/5

#2 Ah Day   4/1

#3 More Than a Reason   8/1

#4 Storm Play ran huge in his first three starts, then was outclassed in the Cigar Mile (G1). He returned off a 10 month layoff landing with Pletcher, checking in fourth sprinting, then last out a fourth place finish in the Queens County (G3). He chased the early pace and weakened to finish 11 1/2 lengths behind the winner Rodman, who went gate to wire over a speed friendly racing strip that day. The five year old looks like he has the best shot of beating the short priced favorite, half of which is also trained by Pletcher, who is on fire at the meet, hitting at a 45% clip. Rosie has a win and a second in two mounts for the barn and has hit at a 29% clip overall for the barn in ‘09-’10.

#1 Understatement was beaten just a neck last out at Laurel Park against optional claimers in his first go off a four month layoff.  He is perfect in two trips on the inner. Entrymate #1a Well Positioned earned the top last out speed fig and a career top rolling over Alw-1 foes by seven lengths last out in his first trip on the inner. Does he regress off the big fig? Tough call, but we’ll lean that way at 3/5.

           

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX:  1,4 / 1,2,4

TRI: no play

OP Race 8 American Beauty Stakes (4:33 CT)

#1 Valid Code   5/2

#3 Syriana’s Song   8/1

#5 One Smokin’ Lady   2/1

#6 Auspicious   9/2

#1 Valid Code is coming off a smart win last out at Sam Houston in the Texas bred Yellow Rose Stakes. The filly has won four of her five starts, her lone loss a runner up finish in a stake at Retama in her first start against winners. The runner up in her last start was Stealth Cat, who came back to win the Bold Ego Stakes at Sunland Park on Dec. 27. The filly owns a solid pace profile throughout with the edge in late pace numbers. She looks like the strongest of the pair last year’s nationwide leader in the trainer standings is sending out here.

#3 Syriana’s Song is returning off a 2 ½ month break for the Tom Amoss barn. The mare came up short in the Dream Supreme Stakes in her last start at Churchill Downs, checking in sixth while beaten 3 ¾ lengths for the top spot. The winner of the race was She’s Our Annie, who returned to win the Esplande Stakes at Fair Grounds on Dec. 19. She has moved forward since shifting to the Amoss barn including popping a 103 Beyer three back winning a non winners of four allowance race at Mountaineer Park. She fits here with her best and has a strong barn in her corner.

Wagering

WIN: #1 to win at 2/1 or better.

EX: 1,3 / 1,3,5,6

TRI: 1,3 / 1,3,5,6 / 1,2,3,5,6

Oaklawn Park kicks off its 54 day meeting on Friday, with the $1 million Arkansas Derby the marquee event of the meeting coming on April 10, complete with its Grade 1 status for the first time in 21 years.

I will not be proving full card reports for the track, but I will be handicapping most of the stakes action throughout the meeting, including all of the key three year old prep races.

Oaklawn Park has produced  some key Triple Crown contenders in recent years, including Curlin, Afleet Alex, and Smarty Jones.

Here is a look at the three year old stakes during the meeting, followed by a look at today’s opening day feature:

The Smarty Jones Monday, January 18, 2010

• $100,000
• 3-Year-Olds
• 1 Mile

The Southwest Monday, February 15, 2010

• $250,000
• 3-Year-Olds
• 1 Mile

The Mountain Valley Saturday, February 27, 2010

• $60,000
• 3-Year-Olds
• 6 Furlongs

The Rebel Saturday, March 13, 2010

• $300,000
• 3-Year-Olds
• 1 1/16 Miles

The Rainbow Sunday, March 28, 2010

• $50,000
• 3-Year-Olds, Colts & Geldings (Ark-Bred)
• 6 Furlongs

The Northern Spur Saturday, April 10, 2010

• $75,000
• 3-Year-Olds
• 1 Mile

The Arkansas Derby Saturday, April 10, 2010

• $1,000,000
• 3-Year-Olds
• 1-1/8 Miles

Friday’s opening day feature:

Oaklawn Park Race 8 Dixie Belle Stakes (Post time 4:33 CT)

#5 Vertical Vision

#6 Shotgun Gulch

#4 Decelerator  

#2 Rapid Racer

#5 Vertical Vision is a well travelled filly making a start over her sixth different track here. The Asmussen filly was the beaten chalk last out at Remington Park in a state bred stake. She pressed the early pace from the outside, took over the lead and went clear but was run down late by #6 Shotgun Glitch. She had a tough trip two back in the Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs, having to race in traffic on the far turn and steadied in upper stretch. The winner Sassy Image came back to win the Golden Rod (G2) in her next start. She owns a solid pace prolife throughout and is a two time stakes winner. The filly just needs a good trip sitting just off the pace to score here.

#6 Shotgun Glitch got a solid early pace to run at last out at Remington and ran them down in the stretch for her second stakes win. There is plenty of early speed in here to set things up for her again. Her lone loss came two back when trying turf and catching a soft turf course at Retama. She made a good middle move in that effort and weakened in the stretch to finish fourth. She owns the edge in late pace numbers with the main knock on this gal being the barn switch to Kim Ewing, who won just three races last year.

Wagering

WIN: #5 to win at 9/5 or better.

EX: 5,6 / 2,4,5,6

TRI: 5,6 / 2,4,5,6 / 1,2,4,5,6

There are five stakes on Saturday’s card at Gulfstream Park with purses that total $475,000. We could see some rain today, a 70% chance of light rain is in the forecast.

If the track comes up wet, trainer Todd Pletcher might scratch Munnings out of the Mr. Prospector.

Race 5 $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes

#5 Westover Wildcat: Sharp winner of the Bold Lad can win right back for the Tony D. barn

#7 Grand Times: A half to stakes winner Accredit, Ward has her ready for her stakes debut second off the bench.

#2 Discreetly Mine: A half to stakes winners Discreet Cat and Pretty Wild makes his first start since a runner up finish in the Champagne (G1)

Race 6 $100,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes

#1 Bold Union: A winner of 6 of 13, she draws the rail and may prove tough to catch.

#8 Thunders Dove: She had a five race win streak snapped last out, running into Indian Blessing.

#9 Pretty Prolific: She figures a decent price and might get a good pace set up.

Race 7 $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes

See front page of turfnsport.com for analysis

Race 8 $75,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes

#8 Hockeythehayman: The Ward trainee is perfect in four career starts and can handle ground with some give to it.

#6 T.D. Vance: The old timer still has something left in the tank at the age of eight.

#5 Little Nick: His last win came at five furlongs on turf in the Turf Sprint ‘Cap at Calder..

Race 9 $100,000 Old Hat Stakes

#2 Female Drama: Pletcher trained and a stakes winner in her first go against winners, the 8/1 ML looks generous.

#5 Cuff Me: She has not really been tested in her three wins.

#6 Dances With Ashley: She trounced Alw-1 foes last out in her second career start and still appears to have plenty of upside potential.