http://lotterydirectory.mobi , http://lottostates.mobi , http://trugreen.mobi & http://top10lotterysites.mobi are now available to access state lottery’s from your cell phone. It is still a work in progress, but is accessable for many states currently developed. Check back soon if you dont see your states lottery numbers available and I will make sure to get them listed.

 It should be noted that each one of these directories has different state sites (links)available making them individual for links to the same information. 

 Any further information needed about mobile access lottery numbers sites can probably be found at http://www.pitchman101.wordpress.com witch is a section of this blog.

There is currently a twitter site posted along with e-mail adresses for every states lottery numbers access. I will be developing the twitter site as well as attatching an e-mail address to these four directories  asap.

Big Brown, Big Brown, Big Brown.  That’s probably all folks are expecting to hear when discussing how to play Saturday’s Monmouth card.  The super-colt is entered in what appears to me to be a tailor-made turf prep race for his ultimate goal of the Breeder’s Cup Classic later this fall.  His own stable, IEAH, is sponsoring the race for goodness sakes.  Is it humanly (equinely) possible he could lose?  I think so.  As a self-described chalk-eater, this may surprise some, but I think you’ve got to take a stand against him if he comes up an overwhelming favorite.

First, a couple of thoughts.  Big Brown looked great debuting on the turf as a 2-year-old before being shelved with the first of what would become reoccuring hoof problems.  Today, however, he’ll be facing older horses for the first time, dealing with a surface switch,  and also dealing with potential weather problems.  Showers are in the forecast for Saturday and have to be included in the handicapping recipe.  As I write this from beautiful south-central Pennsylvania, the sun has broken through a light cloud cover and has begun suggesting perhaps the day won’t be as wet as originally thought.  The official forecast is calling for “a few showers early with cloud cover lingering.”  In other words, it won’t be anything quite like Hurricane Ike’s invasion of the gulf coast (which has to be considered the biggest and most powerful amphibious invasion launched by an “Ike” since the Normandy Beach landings of June 6, 1944).  The turf could be rated “good” by the time all is said and done though.

Look, Big Brown is obviously the star of the day – and it’s not like I’m going to advise playing against him on multi-race wagers.  Don’t get knocked out by a horse that has won EVERY race he’s finished.  That would be foolish.  But, if you’re looking to catch a score in a trifecta or exacta play – perhaps at least consider  using one of the challengers? 

Speaking of the challengers, the top two you can choose from are Shakis (#3, 4/1) and Proudinsky (#6, 9/2).  I tend to prefer Proudinsky here for several reasons.  Most notably, I’m just not a Shakis guy and haven’t forgiven him yet for his defeat in the Dixie back on May 17.  Plus, he’s 8-years-old and despite coming off a very solid victory in the Bernard Baruch last out, I wonder how successfully he can string together multiple victories these days?  Playing into Shakis hands (hooves) is that the race does appear to have a decent amount of speed and he is a closing type that prefers having that in front of him.

Proudinsky may be a bit overlooked at the windows today.  His last two races don’t appear to be the kind you support with a win wager going up against company like Big Brown and Shakis.  What I like about him is that he was steadied early on last out in the Bernard Baruch, and still fought on to earn a 101 Beyer figure (Shakis earned a 105 in the victory, for comparisons sake).  I also like his European breeding if the turf comes up anything short of firm. His last two efforts on less-than-firm turf have resulted in victory.  If for some reason Big Brown were to go down in defeat today, I think this is your guy.

Looking over the rest of the field for horses to fill out a trifecta wager with, I like Kiss the Kid (#5, 8/1), Silver Tree (#11, 5/1), and Drum Major (#7, 6/1) enough to consider using them based on post parade impressions.  As for now, I like them in the order just mentioned.   My trifecta play will look like this:

6/3,4/3,4,5,7,11 ($8)

Of course, it goes without saying that my main play of the day will be a Pick 4.  Here’s where I think folks can do the logical thing and single Big Brown.  I didn’t, but it makes sense to do so.  I felt honor bound to include Proudinsky just in case he pulls it off, but by tossing him I could theoretically cut the cost of this monster in half.   I really like Cuba in the NJ Breeder’s Handicap.   I hedged that bet a bit with Meadow Blue to go along with Cuba.  I reached for some depth in the bookend races of the wager, not wanting to be knocked out right off the bat, and wanting to have a decent shot if I survive the first three legs. 

Pick 4 (total cost = $48):

• Race 7: 3,4,7
• Race 8: 1,5
• Race 9: 4,6
• Race 10:  6,9,10,11

As always, be sure to check for late changes and/or scratches.  Best of luck to everyone.

It’s been a while since I posted some handicapping picks, as I”ve been so caught up in keeping up with the Triple Crown races.  Today is Mother’s Day, and what better way to show mom how much you care than by winning some sweet cash at Hollywood Park?  I’m kidding of course, but it is a gorgeous day to play, and the card looks very competitive.  We’ve got 9 races in total. I’m only covering the early and late pick 4 sequences (no offense, race 5), and will have my theoretical tickets for each as they look now posted within the selections.  If you are playing, don’t forget to take into account late scratches and post parade impressions – which can totally alter the direction you are leaning as a bettor. 

Race 1: 

• #8 Applaud Dubai (5/2*)
• #3 Song of Illinois (8/1)
• #1 Almacita (3/1)

The first race is a $16k claimer for 3 year-old fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs over the main track.  I like the favorite #8 Applaud Dubai to kick off the early pick 4 in good form.  I know she’s got the outside post to contend with, but I love playing last-out-winners at these lower claiming levels.  Add a slight class drop and a slow break in her last trip we should be able to cash in early on a single in the early Pick 4.  Underneath I like #6 Song of Illinois at 8/1.  If you toss that last turf race she could be right there.  She’s also dropping in class and into more favorable conditions.  Nakatani sweetens the deal further as the jockey.  #1 Almacita drops slightly after being closer last out.  She could be moving best of the pack late, and trainer Mike Mitchell is due for a score.

Race 2:

• #8 Artistryandrythm (6/1)
• #6 Princess Arjumand (3/1)
• #9 Hint of Lavender (12/1)
• #7 Dice Affair (15/1)

The 2nd race is a $40k Maiden Claimer for fillies 3 years-old and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs over the main track.  This one looks wide open to me and I went a bit deep here covering 4 horses, none of which is the favorite.  I know….shocking coming from a chalk eater such as myself.  #8 Artistryandrhythm looks best to me.  You get the best Beyer’s of the field, and offspring of Officer do very well early on.  She’s also dropping slightly in class and can improve from a slow-start last time out.  I see plenty of reasons to anticipate improvement, and there aren’t any monsters here.  #6 Princess Arjumand should enjoy both the cut back to 6 1/2 furlongs and the drop in class from the Maiden Special Weight rankings.  #9 Hint of Lavender could end up being the speed of the speed in an otherwise speedless sprint. #7 Dice Affair is a contender for me because I can’t ignore the combo of Vladimir Cerin and Joe Talamo – who are 38% so far for the meet together. 

Race 3:

• #4 Miss Singhsix (3/1)
• #3 Ginger Pop (6/1)
• #1 Fire n’ Brimstone (2/1*)

The third race is an $80k Optional Claimer (N1X) for fillies going 1 mile over the turf course.  #4 Miss Singhsix gets the nod due to her impressive pedigree.  Her sire won the Grade 1 Japan Cup and Canadian International, and placed in the Breeder’s Cup Turf, and Grand Prix de Paris.  It’s also worth noting that Alex Solis could have chosen to ride #3 Ginger Pop, but instead stays aboard Singhsix.  Ginger Pop comes off a close maiden score at the special weight level, but does look to me to be a very good filly.  I’d prefer another sprint prep heading into this route try, but if she’s as good as I think she is she’ll still be a contender.  #1 Fire n’ Brimstone looks like a vulnerable favorite to me.  I was close between this one and #2 Harmony Creator.  In the end I went with ‘Brimstone as the 3rd choice because she seems to enjoy the distance of today’s race better. 

Race 4:

• #4 Tizmet (6/1)
• #1 Full In (6/1)
• #7 Scrummage (4/1)
• #9 The Supply Program (3/1*)

The fourth race, a $16k Claimer for four year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles over the main track, is the final leg of the early Pick 4 sequence.   Yet again, I’m not sold on the favorite.  #4 Tizmet looks quite useful here to me.  Doug O’Niell is taking the blinkers off, which typically isn’t as strong a betting angle as putting the blinkers on, but with O’Niell (20% in such situations), you have to take notice.  I like that Tizmet is switching back to the main track after a less than impressive turf route, and is dropping in class from the Allowance ranks.  He should get the pace setup in front of him that he needs to score.  #1 Full In is one I’m luke warm about.  I like his running style here against the probable pace, but I don’t like that red-flag class drop from $50k to $16k.  #7 Scrummage is hard to ignore with those gaudy Beyer figures, but could get torched if the pace is too hot.  Still, note that he did “fight back” in the stretch 2 races back.  Perhaps he can hang on here?  The favorite is #9 The Supply Program, who could be playable if he makes a good post parade impression. 

Early Pick 4:  8 with 6,7,8,9 with 1,3,4 with 1,4,7,9  ($48 Total)

(note: skipping Race #5 since it is not part of the pick 4 sequences)

Race 6:

• #5 Power Shift (5/2*)
• #2 Grits (8/1)
• #7 Forest Danz (4/1)

The late Pick 4 kicks off with race #6, a $25k Claimer for four year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs over the main track. #5 Power Shift looks awfully tough to beat here.  Jockey Rafael Bejarano and trainer Jeff Mullins team up on this 5 year-old gelding.  Mullins in particular is absolutely lethal fresh off the claim.  The May 5th workout of 5 furlongs in 59 and change shows me he’s fit and ready to run.  He hasn’t run his best over 6 furlongs, but I like the confident move forward.  #2 Grits is one that will have to live up to his name in the stretch.  Doug O’Neill is simply due and this guy ran well at the $50k level last summer. He should be ready to move forward with one start under his belt following a long layoff.  It’s encouraging to see O’Neill is moving him up in class.  I like the signs I”m seeing.  #7 Forest Danz is in sharp recent form for trainer John Sadler, who is also due to heat up a bit. 

Race 7:

• #5 Medzendeekron (2/1*)
• #2 Towzee (9/2)
• #7 World Asunder (10/1)

The 7th race is a $62k Optional Claimer (N2X) for three year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs over the turf.  #5 Medzendeekron looms as the favorite, but will have to switch back to turf today. It’s anyone’s guess if his recent form will hold.  I wouldn’t bet against it, but you could make a case to play against him.  Trainer Barry Abrams hasn’t made many wrong moves thus far this meet though (57% winner).  #2 Towzee looks like the top competitor to me.  He’s got strong recent turf form and Beyer figures.  He should be charging late and moving the best of the field in the stretch.  It’s nice to see Alex Solis hop aboard again.  #7 World Asunder could be the speed of the speed, but this is turf racing and such a novelty usually doesn’t transfer to the winner’s circle as well as it does on dirt and/or synthetics. There’s also other speed here in this race (Luis’s Especial and Faulkwood Shores, specifically) which would seem to hinder his chances.

Race 8:

• #5 Lethal Heat (9/5*)
• #2 Magical Victory (12/1)
• #1 Sweet Hope (8/1)

The 8th race is the 46th running of the Grade 3 Railbird Stakes, a 7 furlong event for three year-old fillies on the main track.  #5 Lethal Heat is a perfect 3 for 3, including a G3 Stakes win in the Santa Paula at Santa Anita on 3/30/08.  Bejarano climbs aboard and he’s got some impressive morning moves to consider as well. Trainer Barry Abrams is a ridiculous 4 for 7 so far this meet.  Looks like a worthy favorite to me.  #2 Magical Victory is a real steal at 12/1.  I was considering him and #7 Homemade Brew, but sided with Magical Victory as the former has struggled beyond 6 furlongs.  Magical Victory is out of Grade 1 winner Miss Houdini, and looks like she’ll enjoy the extra furlong today.  Note her workout on 5/8/08 – 4 furlongs in 45 and change.  Sure appears she’s ready to run today, doesn’t it? #1 Sweet Hope is hard to leave out of the mix considering that 97 Beyer figure. She’s also shown that she can handle the tricky 7 furlong distance.  Still, this will be a move up from the claiming company she last faced at Bay Meadows. 

Race 9:

• #5 Dawn Star Rising (7/2)
• #6 Distant Victory (9/2)
• #7 Bee’s Cee (5/2*)

The final race on the card is a $48k Maiden Special Weight for state bred fillies and mares 3 years-old and upward going 6 furlongs over the main track.  #5 Dawn Star Rising gets top nod due primarily to the track record of her sire, Decarchy, who is 27% with debuters.  Trainer Vladimir Cerin and jockey Joe Talamo are a mind blowing 38% when together, and it looks like Cerin has given him the call on a live one again today ($140k purchase in October of 2006).  #5 Distant Victory also comes from a good win early sire (Distant View), and has those Mr. Prospector/Deputy Minister bloodlines that we’ve seen on display before.  Add in Victory Espinoza, who is winning at a 26% clip, and a strong workout on 4/16 (6 furlongs in 1:11.80), and I’m thinking this miss might show up running in her debut.  #7 Bee’s Cee is the favorite at 5/2.  The reason the horse is favored are the same reasons you can’t afford to leave her off your tickets.  While her sire, Cee’s Tizzy isn’t the best win early sire, due note the incredible morning drills, most notably 6 furlongs in 1:09.80 on May 3rd.  That ought to be fast enough to crush the competition if it translates to the track today.

Late Pick 4:   2,5,7 with 2,5 with 2,5 with 5,6,7 ($36 Total)

Best of luck to all, and Happy Mother’s Day.

We’re back with more selections for today’s card at Hollywood Park.  There are 10 races today. We’ll focus our handicapping efforts on the early and late pick 4 sequences.  Today’s card features the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet, for promising 2 year old fillies.  Up-and-comer Country Star looks to take on contenders such as Grace Anatomy and Set Play.   We last saw Grace Anatomy in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile where she obviously didn’t take to the sloppy surface.  Perhaps today will spell redemption? 

We’ll start with the early pick 4 ticket.

 Total Cost : $27

• Race 1:   2, 3, 6
• Race 2:   1, 2, 4
• Race 3:   7
• Race 4:   1, 4, 6

Race 1:

• #6 Ingrid the Gambler (9/5*)
• #2 Toll Road (2/1)
• #3 Ghostly Girl (8/1)

The first race today is a $45k Allowance race for fillies and mares 3 years old and upward going 6 furlongs over the turf track.   Right away when handicapping this race it becomes apparent that their is no shortage of front running early speed types.  The problem is that the few horses which don’t fit that bill don’t appear talented enough to prevail.  I settled on #6 Ingrid the Gambler at 9/5 since she looks like the “speed of the speed.”  #2 Toll Road would have to be considered the top rival for said “speed of the speed” title.  #3 Ghostly Girl was a late addition to the ticket after I had handicapped other races.  I just didn’t feel comfortable playing this race without someone that wasn’t going to rocket for the front.  Ghostly Girl split foes down the stretch late in her last outing, and today’s pace setup has to boost her chances. 

 Race 2:

• #2 In Daddy’s Honor (8/5*)
• #4 Hawaiian Afleet (5/1)
• #1 Naturally Perfect (6/1)

The second race of the day is a 32000 Maiden claimer for 2 year old fillies going 6 furlongs over the main track.  The race features a fairly strong favorite in #2 In Daddy’s Honor.  She sports the lethal Baze/Mitchell combination (36% when combined 2006 through 2007) and moves in from the 14th position last out.  #4 Hawaiian Afleet does have improvement written all over here though and I didn’t think you could toss her with Talamo taking the mount.  Lastly, #1 Naturally Perfect shows signs of being a live first timer.  This isn’t exactly a field to be intimidated by, and note that Potts is hitting at 36% for the Jeff Mullins barn.  I’ll take that at 6/1 all day long. 

Race 3:

• #7 Si Chimi (2/1*)

Today’s third race is a 12500 open claimer for 3 year olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles over the main track.  Like the Spartans at Thermopylae, it is here that we have decided to make our stand!!!  In looking over the field, I decided I would be thoroughly surprised if #7 Si Chimi  didn’t prevail today.  He’s taking the biggest drop of the field (from Alw 50400 level) and picking up M.C. Baze.  He’s also the most accomplished runner at this distance and at Hollywood in this field.   That should be too much for the others to overcome and I can’t see any of them with a strong chance to prevail.   This seemed the logical place to take a stand and defend the ticket.  If we get past this we pretty much sail home.  Can you feel the drama building already?   Enough of that…..let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. 

 Race 4:

• #1 Vital Force (7/1)
• #6 Dancing Wildfire (5/2)
• #4 Dr. Zaentz  (2/1*)

We wind up the early pick 4 sequence with a Maiden Special Weight event for $42k going 6 furlongs over the turf.   Hopefully we’ve made it past our single in race 3 and can take advantage of the opportunity to go a little deep here and cover the logical win selections to round out the ticket.  #1 Vital Force was the beaten favorite last time out from the Bob Baffert barn.  it looks like he encountered some difficulty as the comment line denotes he was steadied at the first turn.   If he gets a better trip today it appears he has a good chance to break the maiden here.  #6 Dancing Wildfire is a debut horse for the Neil Drysdale barn that has attracted the attention of jockey Garrett Gomez.   Drysdale is always liable to fire with his first time starters and the workouts appear at least decent for this one.  #4 Dr. Zaentz is one we’ve played before and has the makings of a vulnerable favorite to me.  Still, in maiden events it doesn’t take much to convince me to back horses that have at least been in-the-money after previous efforts, and Dr. Zaentz has finished 2nd in 3 of his last 5 attempts, including the most recent 2.   I’ll play him one more time here, although I don’t like the odds. 

Late Pick 4 Selections

 Total Cost:  $36

• Race 7:    3, 7, 8
• Race 8:    2, 6
• Race 9:    2, 3, 13
• Race 10:  12, 13

Race 7:

• #8 Fast Thought (9/5*)
• #7 Victorian Prince (4/1)
• #3 Chancellor (3/1)

The seventh race is a very competitive $48k N1X Allowance race going 1 mile over the turf for 3 year olds and upward.   #8 Fast Thought is the horse that stands out the most with 2 very impressive tries for his career.  He seems to have the talent to be a stakes winner if he can continue to progress.  #7 Victorian Prince is another that simply looks to be in super form.  That last race is deceptively unflattering as it was his debut in the U.S.  I love playing European horses in turf races and this one looks to have enough form to win here.  He sure took some action at the window last time out.   #3 Chancellor is an interesting play dropping in from the $80k optional claiming level.  As the DRF strongly advises, do note that this one is a half brother to Toccet, who won multiple G1 stakes races. 

Race 8:

• #2 Grace Anatomy (5/1)
• #6 Country Star (3/1*)

The feature race on today’s card is the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet for 2 year old fillies going 1 1/16 miles over the main cushion track.   #6 Country Star is the one everyone is talking about and rightly so.  She comes in off of two solid races in her career including a triumph in the G1 Alcibiades at Keeneland in her last effort.  The problem is that today’s event doesn’t figure to give quite as much pace as there was in the Alcibiades, which will make it harder for Country Star to deliver that late kick that allowed her to triumph in the past.   #2 Grace Anatomy ran third behind Country Star in the Alcibiades and then came back to disappoint in the slop on Breeder’s Cup day at Monmouth.  I’m willing to forgive both efforts.  The hot pace in the Alcibiades and the slop at Monmouth are enough for me to suspect that today’s conditions will be more to Grace’s liking.  She should be parked right behind Foxy Danseur and get first run at that one as they approach the wire.  Note that if anyone else on the ticket scratches, Foxy would be my top alternate.   She’s probably the biggest threat to our ticket in the entire sequence.

 Race 9:

• #3 Excessive B and B (5/1)
• #13 Adarlyn Cat (5/1)
• #2 Phoebe’s Song (4/1)

A rather large field presents itself in today’s 9th race, a $25k N2L open claimer for fillies and mares 3 years old and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main cushion track.  #3 Excessive B and B looks like a threat to wire the field here.  The return to the cushion track could be enough to improve this one even further.  #13 Adarlyn Cat turned in a pretty good performance last out in my opinion.  We covered that race with a winning pick 4 selection and I remember seeing this one make a late run at Kula Girl.  She sure seemed to enjoy the cushion at Hollywood and a repeat of that effort would most likely prevail today.  #2 Phoebe’s Song has been running well against horses I think highly of, such as Asian Eyes, Carly Effect, Sportie’s Squeeze,and Placid Lake.  It looks like he last race was a bit of a learning experience and I’m willing to bet that she’s better from it.  Typically a front running type, she now knows she can compete from the rear if she blows the start.   Perhaps somewhere inbetween  the front and the rear is her true best position?  

Race 10:

• #13 Renees Beauty (8/1)
• #7 Rockinanrollin (8/1)

We end the day with a maiden claimer for fillies going 6 furlongs over the main track for $32k.   Surprisingly, I wound up backing two 8/1 long-shots in this one.  Call me crazy, but the rest of the field just didn’t really do anything for me.  #13 Renees Beauty was backed as the favorite in her debut and then blew the start.  Scratch that race off and expect improvement.  Melody Conlon doesn’t run many at this meet, but those that do run are hitting at ridiculous 40% clip (2 for 5).   Talamo decided to take a chance with this one and so will I.   Likewise,#7 Rockinanrollin seemed to find her grove late in her debut, moving from 11th to 6th before all was said and done.  With that experience under her belt she should improve, and trainer Mike Puype is hitting at almost 20% with 2nd time starters. 

Best of luck to all the Aspiring Horseplayers out there.  We’ll be back tomorrow with Sunday Selections from Hollywood Park . 

The Aspiring Horseplayer managed to bring home the late Pick 4 at Hollywood Park (no easy task) for $393 on a $36 ticket ($357 profit).   Let’s recap:

Race 5:  My top selection, Karlee’s Kitten, won a close one at the wire to bring in the first leg of the pick 4 paying $7.20 to win.

Race 6:  #7 Tiger on the Loose held off Igraine at the wire to win in the second leg of the pick 4 paying $9.20 to win. Another Friday night thriller at Hollywood Park!!!!

Race 7:   #1 Ocean Grand was victorious in the third leg of the pick 4.  I had knocked him in my picks but still covered him on the recommended ticket. 

Race 8:  Check-mark selection #2 Randy Monarch ran huge to get in the money on the superfecta in 4th, but not enough to win.  TVG analyst Nick Hines said he is “one to watch and will probably be 9/5 next time out” on their live broadcast.   Not bad considering they gave him no discussion in the pre-race buildup and he went off at 9-1.  Thankfully, I advised going 2 deep in the final leg and the 2nd choice, #3 Exactly, brought the ticket home.

 I’ll be back with more selections tomorrow. 

First things first……our pick 4 today at Hollywood Park (Wed 11/14/07) got blown out of the water in the 1st race.  In all truth it didn’t fair much better the rest of the way either.  What a start!   Luckily it was dwindled down to a $27 ticket due to scratches, but still – it’s time to take a little hair off the dog that bit me!   Some lucky player took home over $100k in the Pick 6 today at Hollywood.  Perhaps we can catch a bit of that luck this time around, eh?  The Aspiring Horseplayer has been working tediously to deliver a better crop of selections this time out.

Looking at the late Pick4 sequence for tomorrow, I thought that we could play a relatively cheap ticket and still get a decent shot at cashing in.   The ticket ended up as follows:

Late Pick 4 ($36)

• R5: 1, 3
• R6: 4, 7, 8
• R7: 1, 4
• R8: 1, 5, 9

 Starting in race 5, I felt that #3 Swiss Diva was the one to beat.  In fact, I thought of using a single on her as well, but in the end I was less brave than I had originally planned.  Panning over Diva’s past performance line some impressive names pop up in her competition.  Names like Rags to Riches, Coco Belle,  and Sindy With an S.   She’s dropping in from a G2 Stakes which was arguably the worst effort of her career.  Still, she’s 1 for 1 at this distance with that win coming at Hollywood.   Other than her only #1 Pat the Cool Cat caught my eye.  She’s certainly stepped forward in her last 2 including a victory over Placid Lake last out (who came back to win).

In race 6 we’ll go a little deeper as I thought it was a tad more competitive.  I landed on #8 Whatwerewethinking (hopefully the name is not a portent of things to come) as my top choice.  She’s dropping slightly to the 2500 level after running 3rd as the chalk last time out.  The drop might be enough to get her across the wire 1st.  Her trainer, Rafael Becerra, is also hitting at a 33% clip after claiming horses, which he did to Whatwerethinking after her last race.  #7 Sneaky Jack is my second choice as I think she’ll get a shot to wire the field here.  Hollywood seems to be favoring front placed speed types in the 6F sprints lately so we’ll roll the dice with her.  Rounding out the selections will be #4 Early Anna.  It’s hard to not include her when you look at those ROI’s in her trainer line.  I thought about using #6 Your Quote but ultimately decided against it.

Moving to race 7, I like D Pirates Marker best, but she’ll need a pace to run at.  Getting a Gomez/Hollendorfer tandem simply can’t be ignored, even though they haven’t teamed up often.  #1 Gothic Beauty  is a threat to get the lead on this one and be tough to take down.  If you’re looking for a long-shot, take a good long look at #3 Rivoltella in the post parade.

Finishing on race 8, another end of the day maiden special, I went 3 deep.  Starting with #1 Pride of Pegasus, the 3 year old daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus.   I think she’ll like the cut back to 6 furlongs here and could carry her speed around the track.   You’ve also got to use #9 Minimite as she has managed 2 second places in her last 3 attempts.  I think most folks will be using #2 Stop the Humor, but I have trouble accepting a maiden that hasn’t won in 15 tries.   Instead, I’ll look for a horse that has an excuse to improve like #5 Perfect Quality.   Tyler Baze is simply on fire and I don’t think we saw all that this filly has to offer in her debut. 

Updated on 11/14/07 to reflect scratches and show odds:  

Pick 4 Ticket:

• Race 5: 5,9,12,
• Race 6: 5,6,8
• Race 7: 2
• Race 8: 3,4,8

Total Cost ($27)

 This is my first post detailing upcoming race selections, and will focus on the late Pick-4 (races 5-8) on the Hollywood Park card for tomorrow, 11/14/07.   Note that odds were not yet available when these selections were made.  Hopefully we’re not entirely chalk heavy here. 

Race 5

Looking at this race, there are 14 horses entered and I could make a compelling case for roughly half of them to win.  Not exactly the best way to start a handicapping blog, is it?    So, with that in mind let’s try and figure this thing out, shall we?   Right away you’ll notice there is an abundance of early speed/front running types in this race.  While I doubt all of them will go for broke right out of the gate, this does make me look to the horses with more tactical or closing speed for my top selection.   I settled on #5 Manhattan Express (7/2) for several reasons.   I like his late closing kick and think the race could set up nicely for him.  Getting leading jockey Garrett Gomez aboard only solidifies the deal.  I like #12 Zayed (6/1) enough to include him as well as I think he may rate a bit off the pace in this one.   He’s also got some bullet works in the bag that make me think he is live if he gets a good trip.  Of course, if you use him, you’ve also got to include #9 Smokin Forest (9/2), as he’s defeated Zayed twice in his last 3 races.  

Selections:  #5 Manhattan Express (7/2), #12 Zayed (6/1), #9 Smokin Forest (9/2)

Race 6:

Thankfully race 6 isn’t quite as deep as race 5.  I found three horses in here that I think you toss at your own risk.  #8 Dealer Choice (5/2) seems to be the logical one to beat and it might be a tall order to do so.  He was rank and steadied his last out as a chalk favorite.  He’s freshened off a layoff and coming in for the always dangerous Frankel barn. #6 Seeking Answers (3/1) seems to be a player as well with a nice stretch running kick.   He is moving up into the 62500 claiming level, which might be a challenge, but I’ll take that as a vote of confidence in his abilities.  Rounding out my selections is #5 Midwesterner (7/2), who picks up the aforementioned Gomez and returns to the scene of his best race at Hollywood.

Selections: #8 Dealer Choice (5/2), #6 Seeking Answers (3/1),  #5 Midwesterner (7/2)

Race 7:

One of the joys of playing the Pick-4 is determining where to use your single if other races appear deeper.  I chose race #7 to use my single play, primarily because races 5 and 8 were so deep.  I settled on #2 Mr. Katz (5/2) as my check-mark selection.  He ran great his last time over the cushion at Hollywood, and trainer Richard Matlow has some gaudy statistics in our favor here as well (20% Synthetic surface winner,  67% going from turf to synthetics, 35% off the layoff, etc.).   If you’re looking to beat me, I’d say that #3 Fly Dorcego (9/5 favorite) and #4 Sohgol (12/1) have the best shots.  The horse I can’t quite put my finger on is #1 Masterpiece (7/2). 

Selections:  #2 Mr. Katz (5/2)

Race 8:

A typical end of the day maiden race with relatively equal horses.  I usually look for standout first time starters or horses that have come close in previous races, although those tend to be rather “captain obvious” plays.  I think you have to go 3 deep here to cover yourself, beginning with #8 Cheryl’s Surprise (4/1).  If she could just carry that speed a bit farther she’d have broken her maiden in her 2nd try.  #3 Amybelle (3/1) intrigues me as well.  Do note that she competed with La Mina in her last out and finished a respectable 4th.   Finally, I’ll toss in #4 Fire n’ Brimstone (7/2).  He’s been close in the past, and admittedly I’m hedging my bet here on his Pulpit/A.P.Indy pedigree.  Hopefully one of these 4 can bring our ticket home. 

Selections: #8 Cheryl’s Surprise (4/1), #3 Amybelle (3/1), #4 Fire n’ Brimstone (7/2)