Yeah, Rachel and Zen are running today, but since both figure to go off at 1/9, we’ll focus on the three year olds with three Key Kentucky Derby preps.

Oaklawn Park Race 10 Rebel Stakes (G2) Post time 5:47 CT

#4 Uh Oh Bango

#7 Dublin

#2 Lookin At Lucky

#6 Noble’s Promise

#4 Uh Oh Bango might really get overlooked in here, and the colt did not run a bad one in five starts as a two year old, capped off with a game second, beaten a neck behind Rule in the Delta Jackpot (G3). Rule came back to win the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs and looks like a serious Derby contender. Our top pick was a good second two back in the Iroquois, beaten just a length, finishing ahead of #7 Dublin in that outing. The colt is a half to stakes winner Ez Dreamer, who was mainly a sprinter but did win going long a couple of times.

#7 Dublin was a good second last out behind the gate to wire winner Conveyance in the Southwest (G3) in his three-year-old debut. The colt has the pedigree to be a nice runner. The $525K purchase is by Afleet Alex out of the multiple stakes winner Classy Mirage ($717K) who also produced stakes winner Mike’s Classic ($328K). The Hopeful (G1) winner popped a couple of bullet works since his last start and has an advantage over “Lucky” and “Promise” by having a race over the surface.

Wagering

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

EX: 4,7 / 2,4,6,7

TRI: 4,7 / 2,4,6,7 / 2,4,5,6,7

Tampa Bay Downs Race 11 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) Post time 5:30 ET

#3 Gleam of Hope   15/1

#7 Odysseus   7/2

#5 Schoolyard Dreams   3/1

#6 Super Saver   2/1

#3 Gleam of Hope came with a five wide rally and finished up well for second in a handicap at Tampa on the turf in his three-year-old debut, not getting much pace to run at. He looks like his real future is on dirt, and he won the Cradle Stakes over a wet track at River Downs last fall. If we ignore the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) non effort this colt looks pretty good. The colt is in a sharp barn and is a half to stakes winner Forest Princess ($303K) who did her best work going long on dirt. The colt popped another bullet drill on March 10 and should be a big price in here.

#7 Odysseus looks better with each outing, rolling over a field of Alw-1 optional claimers last out and earning a career top speed fig in the effort,. His first go around two turns. While the effort looks very good, he really did not beat a very tough group. I am stilt inking this guy still has some upside potential and has posted a couple of good works over at Palm Meadows since his last outing. He looks primed for another good effort in his third start of his current form cycle,

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 8/1 or better.

EX: 3,7 / 3,5,6,7

TRI: 3,7 / 3,5,6,7 / 1,3,5,6,7

Santa Anita Race 9 San Felipe Stakes (G2) Post time 4:36 PT

#4 American Lion

#7 Caracortdo

#5 Sidney’s Candy

#2 Interactif

#4 American Lion gets the call to turn the tables today in a tough race with little separating the top four. Last out the colt battled for the early lead and ran out of gas late in a third place finish. The blinkers go on today and he is making his second start off a three month break. #5 Sidney’s Candy looks quick, which should put Leparoux in a good spot tracking the early pace. The colt should move forward second off the layoff and figures to be a decent enough price.

#7 Caracortado is undefeated and I underestimated how good this guy is when he won the Robert B. Lewis last out at 9/2. His earlier efforts are starting to look better. His win two back was flattered when the runner up Alphie’s Bet came back to win the Sham Stakes on March 6. Things set up for him pretty good last out in the Lewis, and I am not sure he is going to offer much value for the top spot unless the Pletcher colt is drilled at the windows.

Wagering

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

EX: 4,7 / 2,4,5,7

TRI: 4,7 / 2,4,5,7 / 2,4,5,6,7

Seeing the tarp rolled onto the field during a rain delay is a common site at baseball games, and for the first time ever, we might see it Saturday at Santa Anita.

Poor drainage of the Pro Ride surface has forced the cancelation of two of the last three Saturday cards at the Arcadia, Ca. track.

Mother Nature is making another appearance this Saturday, a day in which there are five stakes on the eleven race card.

Track superintendent Richard Tedesco said they would cover the surface after the races on Friday to prepare for Saturday’s rains.

Magna chairman Frank Stronach announced this week that the Pro Ride surface would not be replaced when the meet ends.

Some had speculated that Santa Anita would be the first Southern California track to return to conventional dirt.

The Sham Stakes (G3), which was postponed from last week, was added to Saturday’s card that also includes the Pasadena Stakes, Santa Anita Oaks (G1), Frank Kilroe Handicap (G1), and the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Snow has wiped out the Big A card again on Saturday, so we will head to sunny Halladale, Fl. for our wagering action today:

Gulfstream Park Race 7 Sabin Stakes (G3) Post time 4:12 ET

#7 Jessica Is Back   3/1

#1 Justwhistledixie   5/2

#2 Matchless Orinda   4/1

#8 Slides Choice   8/1

#7 Jessica Is Back acted up at the gate, and then was sent out to duel for the early lead, unable to go with the talented Sweet Repent late, settling for the runner up spot. Sweet Repent was winning her fifth race in a row. Our top pick cuts back to a mile, which should suit, and she has earned triple digit Beyers in four of her last six starts. She owns a solid pace profile throughout and will be tough to beat in this spot for the Wolfson barn.

#1 Justwhisledixie raced evenly last out in the El Encino over the Pro Ride at Santa Anita, checking in fourth. The Mott filly will appreciate the return to conventional dirt and she ahs done her best running over the main track here. Last year she won the Bonnie Miss (G2) and Davona Dale (G2), producing her two best career speed figs. She should get a good tracking trip from just off the pace and note Leparoux is off our top pick to reunite with this filly. The jock was aboard her for her Bonnie Miss victory last March.

Wagering

WIN: #7 to win at 5/2 or better.

EX: 1,7 / 1,2,7,8

TRI: 1,7 / 1,2,7,8 / 1,2,3,7,8

Gulfstream Park Race 8 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) Post time 4:43 ET

#5 Comic Marvel   6/1

#4 Bickersons   5/2

#2 Female Drama   12/1

#1 Amen Hallelujah   3/1

#5 Comic Marvel gets the call in a very competitive race where it is tough to separate the top six fillies in here. We should catch a decent price on our top pick, who beat Alw-1 company last out in her second career start to stay undefeated. The speed fig is coming up on the light side (73), but she did beat #7 mambo Fever, who was coming off a 87 Beyer earned in her runner up finish in the tempted (G3) in her previous start. She makes her second start off a three month break and has a nice pedigree. She is by Distorted Humor out of a mare that has dropped several nice runners including Burning Sun ($251K), Nebraska Tornado ($655K), Mirabilis ($277K) and Vespucci ($128K).

#4 Bickersons won the Forward Gal (G2) last out in her first go over the surface here by seven lengths. The filly earned the top last out speed fig in the effort and the switch back to conventional dirt seems to have suited this gal. She is 0 for 3 in routes, but all three of those losses came on the fake stuff around two turns. She looks like she can handle a one turn mile on the real stuff.

Wagering

WIN: #5 to win at 7/2 or better.

EX: 4,5 / 1,2,4,5

TRI: 4,5 / 1,2,4,5 / 1,2,4,5,6,8

Gulfstream Park Race 9 The Very One Stakes (G3) Post time 5:14 ET

#4 Long Approach   5/1

#9 Closeout   8/1

#2 Belle Allure   6/1

#14 Lady Shakespeare   7/2

#4 Long Approach is making just her third start since last April and looks primed for a good effort here. Last out she was pinned down along the inside and came up short once she was angled to the outside, checking in fifth while beaten 1 ½ lengths for the top spot. The extra ground should suit. Three back she was a good second in the 1 ½ mile La Prevoyante Handicap (G2). That was a tough race, three exiting the race to win next out and she finished ahead of Icon Project, who won the New York (G3) and Personal Ensign (G1). I like the switch back to Leparoux and we should catch a fair price.

#9 Closeout had to steady in the early going and finished evenly last out in a fourth place finish in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf. She makes her third start of her current form cycle, and while she has not been beyond nine furlongs, she has enough pedigree to handle the extra ground. She is by Reprized out of a Relaunch mare.

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 7/2 or better.

EX: 4,9 / 2,4,9,14

TRI: 4,9 / 2,4,9,14 / 2,3,4,9,11,14

Speed has not exactly been king at the Big A this month.

 There has not been one day where the racing surface was playing to speed, and on three days so far this month the edge actually went to horses coming from off the pace.

January was a different story, with a strong inside speed bias showing up Jan. 18 and continuing for four days.

A total of 19 runners went gate to wire over that four day span from Jan. 18 to Jan. 21.

Here is a breakdown for this month through Wednesday:

2/3/10: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

2/4/10: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

2/5/10: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

2/6/10: edge to stalkers/closers, 4-5 paths, 1 gate to wire

2/7/10: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-4 paths, 2 gate to wire

2/12/10: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

2/13/10: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-4 paths, 2 gate to wire

2/14/10: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

2/15/10: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

2/17/10 track played fair, 3 gate to wire

The first of three Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools opens on Friday, with 23 betting interests and the 24^th betting option being “all others”.

Six of the 23 betting interests will be action before the pool closes on Sunday.

The Bob Baffert trained Concord Point is entered in Friday’s sixth race at Santa Anita, a first level optional claiming race.

The $220,000 Keeneland purchase earned a 95 Beyer in his debut and is the 8/5 morning line favorite.

His main foe in the race is stablemate Bulldogger, another promising Baffert runner.

Concord Point is listed at 30/1 on the morning line for the Derby Future Wager.

On Saturday, Rule and Uptowncharlybrown face off in the $225,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Rule (12/1) won the Delta Jackpot (G3) in December, assuring a spot in the starting gate for the Derby with his $450,000 in graded earnings.

Uptowncharlybrown is 50/1 on the Derby Future morning line. The promising son of Limehouse makes his stakes debut and two turn debut in the Davis.

American Lion, Dave in Dixie, and Tiz Chrome are each 20/1 o the morning line in the Derby Future Wager and face off in Saturday’s $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita.

Kentucky Derby Future Wager

Pool 1

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