Mar 9 2014

Racing Dudes Handicapping Challenge: Halterman vs. Mazur vs. West

Two weeks ago we held the first installment of the Racing Dudes Handicapping Challenge. Nine races were involved in the competition between our very own Racing Dude, Aaron Halterman and Super Farrier, Kelby Von Hemel. Mr. Halterman defeated Von Hemel $43.60 – $21.00.

Then, a week later, the Windy City Handicapper, Paul Mazur comes in to the Dudes’ arena to offer up a challenge. It didn’t end well for the Dudes as we were defeated by the first up challenger, $17.80 – $25.00. Advantage Mazur.

Each weekend we select 8 to 10 races from around the country and offer up a little handicapping challenge to anyone interested. We’ve received a massive amount of interest to take on the Dudes! So much so that we’ve had to resort to drawing randomly to see who gets to take on our defending champ (Mazur) and the Dudes. Everyone will get a shot! And now, we’ve decided to add even one more challenger each week!

The rules are simple. Fake $2 Win/Place wagers ($2 to Win and $2 to Place) will be made on the horse a player selects in each race. Only one horse may be selected per race. If a player’s horse wins, the player score is credited on both the Win and Place payouts. If the horse finishes second, the player score is credited only on the Place payout. And just so we’re clear, all wagers and payouts from races are NOT REAL and will be used for scoring purposes only. (Had to say it)

In the event of a late scratch, players may change picks provided given race has not started. If picks have already closed, the scratched horse will be replaced with the post-time favorite for that race. Alright, let’s meet the contestants:

Resident Champion: Paul Mazur

Paul Mazur has played the thoroughbred racing circuit of Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course since 2008 and blogged about it since 2011. His blogs focus on the Chicagoland tracks of Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course with occasional road trips to horse racing’s biggest days (Breeders’ Cup, Kentucky Derby, etc.).

His work has also appeared at other racing sites, such as WirePlayers,IronMaidens Thoroughbreds, Thorofan, Graded Stakes, Danonymous Racing and Racing Dudes.

He’s also appeared on the “Post Parade” podcast and the “JTL Sports Show” on Chicagoland Sports Radio.

He also votes in the “NTRA Top 10 Thoroughbred Poll” Media Division. (Poll results are released each Monday/Tuesday)

His posts were selected as Best Posts by Chicagonow for July 2012 andDecember 2012. He lives, writes, and wagers in Chicago.

Click here to contact “Picks and Ponderings”. You can also follow him on Twitter at @heylaserbeam.

New Shooter: Aaron West

Aaron West started handicapping when he went to college and has been handicapping for 9 years now, particularly taking his game to a new level the last 5 years. Like so many of us, he learned how to read a form from my dad.

While he’s a fan of the Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers, Aaron’s money maker is the Kentucky Derby Trifecta wager, hitting them in 3 of the last 4 years (2010: $2,337.40, 2012: $3,065.60, 2013: $6,925.60). He attends Oaklawn Park regularly and has been to the Breeders’ Cup twice and Kentucky Derby once.

You can follow him on Twitter at @amwest85.

Alright, let’s check out today’s challenge races:

1 Tampa Bay Downs Race 4 (12:55 CST)

2 Parx Racing Race 6 (1:40 CST)

3 Oaklawn Park Race 2 (1:57 CST)

4 Aqueduct Race 6 (2:45 CST)

5 Hawthorne Race 5 (3:43 CST)

6 Gulfstream Park Race 9 (4:10 CST)

7 Oaklawn Park Race 7 (4:14 CST)

8 Oaklawn Park Race 8 (4:42 CST)

9 Santa Anita Park Race 6 (5:00 CST)

10 Gulfstream Park Race 11 (5:11 CST)

The picks:

Race	Halterman	Mazur	West
TB R4	#7	#6	#9
PRX R6	#7	#8	#8
OP R2	#4	#9	#5
AQU R6	#6	#8	#4
HAW R5	#7	#4	#7
GP R9	#1	#4	#1
OP R7	#4	#11	#6
OP R8	#5	#9	#8
SA R6	#7	#12	#7
GP R11	#4	#7	#2
Score	$0	$0	$0

You think you can hang with the big boys (or girls)? Want to take the winner? Shoot us an email by visiting our contact page and let us know you’re interested! We’ll even plug your website, blog, Twitter feed, handicapping skills, etc. And who knows… defend your title long enough and we may even throw in a prize!

Mar 7 2014

Weekend SimplePlays™ Now Available

Instead of having four tracks at a time, we have massively expanded to covering currently 16 tracks, with FREE picks available every day of the week!

However, given the massive overhaul, we now only offer SimplePlays™ on weekends and holidays. We also are offering SimplePlays™ each and every race day at Oaklawn Park and Fonner Park.

Here are your weekend SimplePlays™ featuring Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park and Aqueduct:

Saturday Cards

SimplePlays™ Single Day Cards for March 8, 2014 at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park.

Sunday Cards

SimplePlays™ Single Day Cards for March 9, 2014 at Aqueduct and Gulfstream Park.

Weekend Cards (Combined) 20% off!

SimplePlays™ Single Day Cards for March 8, 2014 at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park.

SimplePlays™ Single Day Cards for March 9, 2014 at Aqueduct and Gulfstream Park.

About SimplePlays™

Using the information created by our custom, systematic approach, we give you a product that shows exactly how and what the Dudes bet at the track. With SimplePlays™ you not only receive your traditional Win, Place, and Exacta wagers, but also suggested multi-race (Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6), Trifecta and Superfecta wagers for every race on the card!

Mar 7 2014

Blinkers Off 063: Massive Weekend Stakes Action and Mailbag Podcast Released

Blinkers Off has released a new episode!

Blinkers Off provides weekly insights into the world of horse racing including race selections and previews, handicapping methods and exclusive stories.

You can view all episodes of Blinkers Off by visiting our podcast page.

Blinkers Off 063: Massive Weekend Stakes Action and Mailbag – March 7, 2014

The Thoroughbred Racing Dudes preview a huge weekend of racing including the Grade II San Felipe Stakes and Grade I Santa Anita Handicap at Santa Anita Park, the Grade II Gulfstream Park Handicap at Gulfstream Park and the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs; and reopen the mailbag to answer some listener questions.

Mar 6 2014

Top 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects #4

New to the Top 20: In Trouble

Dropped Out: Mexicoma

1. Top Billing - A loss over a speed favoring Gulfstream track doesn’t have me wavering on him much at all. He got another race under his belt, and the mile and one-eighth Florida Derby should be in his favor. Maybe he’s not a super horse, but as of now the Kentucky Derby sets up best for him.

2. Cairo Prince – He’s without question the best horse in the crop at this current time. Can he get the mile and one-quarter distance of the Derby…I’m still not sure, but the horses he’s beaten have went on to run extremely well. Top Billing vs. Cairo Prince in the Florida Derby would be rather interesting!

3. Tapiture - Strong workout last weekend as he prepares for the Rebel Stakes next week. Questions loom about him wanting the mile and one-quarter distance, but he’s obviously very talented.

4. Strong Mandate - Also came in with a big workout in preparing for the Rebel Stakes. Needs a better trip than what he got in the Southwest as the Rebel looks to be coming up tough. Still think if/when he puts it all together he could be scary good.

5. Candy Boy – Skipping the San Felipe and waiting for the Santa Anita Derby. Risky move perhaps, but who in California can beat him right now?

6. Samraat – I really expected this one to kind fizzle out, but I don’t have that opinion anymore. His Gotham win was very impressive, and he looks to have Uncle Sigh measured. Can he do it outside of Aqueduct? Can he get ten furlongs? Questions that still need to be answered…but it’s clear that this is a talented horse.

7. Shared Belief – The world is still waiting for something….anything…a sign…anybody have a clue what’s going on?

8. Honor Code – He’s like Shared Belief in the injury department, but unlike Shared Belief in other ways as we at least know he’s making steady progress for a return in the Rebel Stakes. That race will likely have a tremendous impact on things.

9. Intense Holiday – It was a brilliant move to by Todd Pletcher to send Intense Holiday to Fair Grounds, as he benefited from the long stretch run to win the Risen Star. The win throws his name into the mix, and Churchill Downs should be kind to Intense Holiday as it has a long stretch as well. All along this has been a sneaky good horse for Pletcher…the mile and one-quarter could make him even more dangerous.

10. Constitution – He was the winner of the “super allowance” race on Fountain of Youth day, and earned a 98 beyer in the process. The lightly race colt is now 2 for 2 so lets see if he can pick up some derby points next time out. His chances will be limited.

11. Bayern – Takes his first swing at a Stakes this Saturday in the San Felipe at Santa Anita, and judging by the looks of the field he should be the post time favorite. Really good spot for his first try against tougher.

12. Uncle Sigh – This guy is a fighter! Twice he’s ran winning races only to finish second to the talented Samraat. Of course ten furlongs still is in question, but there is no doubt this horse will give it his best effort.

13. Bobby’s Kitten - Loads of talent…but can he run on the dirt? The plan is to try the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland, and then move on to Churchill if he runs well in that race. He’s as classy as they come, and if they can get him qualified he might have a say in things. In the past turf horses have actually ran well over the Churchill Downs dirt track.

14. Wildcat Red – The track helped Wildcat Red win the Fountain of Youth, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an impressive victory. The horse has shown a tremendous amount of heart, and his early speed will always make him dangerous. I don’t think the mile and one-quarter is up his alley, but he’s earned the right to take a chance at it.

15. General A Rod – He beat Wildcat Red the first time they met, but lost when it counted most in the Fountain of Youth. However, it was by a narrow margin, and he the two will probably be pointing towards the same race again next time out.

16. Commissioner – Not ready to close the door on Commissioner yet as the track was playing too fast, and the mile and one sixteenth distance of the Fountain of Youth was too sharp for him under those conditions. He’ll make his next start away from Gulfstream Park which will be good, and I expect him to run much better.

17. Midnight Hawk – He’ll be looking for a bit of redemption this weekend in the San Felipe after finishing third last time out. He matches up favorably against a field that has come up short; it could come down to him and his stable mate Bayern.

18. Albano – Larry Jones is back in derby contention once again. If the Risen Star were run at any other race track in the country Albano would have probably won the race, but he just couldn’t hold off the late run from Intense Holiday on that long Fair Grounds stretch. Still, this horse showed a lot of progression, and could be the real sleeper of the bunch.

19. In Trouble - He’s our only new addition to the list this week as he finished a solid third in the Gotham Stakes off a layoff. If he improves off that effort he could really shoot up the standings, but would it be asking too much of him to get involved this late in the game?

20. Tamarando – I’ll keep him on the list just because of his consistency. Other horses may be better at times, but this one just shows up and runs his race every time they ask him to do so.

Free Brisnet past performances from Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager available here.

More information on the KDFW is available at www.KentuckyDerby.com.

Mar 5 2014

Wednesday 3/5/14 Late Pick Four Selections

Tampa Bay Ticket

Race 6: 2

Race 7: 4

Race 8: ALL

Race 9: 1,7,3,4

Ticket Cost: $20 (.50 cent)

Gulfstream Ticket

Race 7: 3,9,5

Race 8: 5,2

Race 9: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Race 10: 1,6,5

Ticket Cost: $63 (.50 cent)

Laurel Ticket

Race 6: 2,3,4,7

Race 7: 3,7,1

Race 8: 3,2,4

Race 9: 2,3,9,7

Ticket Cost: $72 (.50 cent)

Delta Downs Tickets

Race 7: 6,7,3,5,2

Race 8: 1,2,7,8,9

Race 9: 4,5,2

Race 10: 7,10

Ticket Cost: $75 (.50 cent)

Fair Grounds Ticket

Race 5: 3,4,5,2

Race 6: 2,1,4,10

Race 7: 2,3,8,1

Race 8: 4,9,6

Ticket Cost: $96 (.50 cent)

Hawthorne Ticket

Race 5: 5,2,6

Race 6: 2,1,4,6,5

Race 7: 6,7,1

Race 8: 5,4

Ticket Cost: $45 (.50 cent)

Mar 4 2014

Cali Swag: Mucho Macho Man Preps for the Big Cap

Everyone knows we are huge Will Take Charge fans, but this Saturday it was Mucho Macho Man that was on public display at Santa Anita as he prepped for the Santa Anita Handicap. Mike Sekulic was on hand to capture the public workout, and here are his awesome photo’s!

Mar 3 2014

Oaklawn Report #8

Three Stars of the Week

- 1st Star: Valid Commander (AR) - The Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes was the only stakes race carded this weekend at Oaklawn, and it was Valid Commander who made the most of his opportunity to shine. He was able to take advantage of a fast speed duel out front between Humble Smarty and Mallet, and got the perfect stalking trip to win by a length at odds of 8-1. Even though this was an Arkansas Bred Stakes race, the time was fairly fast so perhaps Valid Commander could be finding his groove. The win was his second in a row, and first stakes win of his career.

- 2nd Star: Back Forty (KY) - Thursday’s feature allowance race could have been the toughest race of the week, but Back Forty was able to handle the field nicely to win by three-quarters of a length over Frederico. Back Forty has now won three of six races at Oaklawn, which easily looks to be his favorite track. Look for him in another Oaklawn allowance next time out, or perhaps a small stakes at Delaware where he also excels.

- 3rd Star: Adrianne G (KY) - After finishing fourth in a Stakes last time out at the Fair Grounds, Adrianne G returned to allowance company at Oaklawn Saturday was victorious for the third time in four starts. She held a perfect stalking position early on, and was able drive clear with ease in the stretch to win by a little over one and half lengths. The win could propel her into Stakes company again next time out.

Flop of the Week

- Bull Dozer (FL) - The local fan favorite couldn’t put on a show for all his fans on Thursday, as he was the well beaten heavy favorite in the feature allowance race. The track was playing strangely on Thursday which could have caused some problems. You can bet he’ll regroup and will probably be backed pretty well next time out.

Trainer Standings

Rank	Trainer Name	Sts	1st	2nd	3rd	Total $	Win%	Top3	Top3%
1	Chris Richard	49	17	4	4	$422,970	35%	25	51%
2	Steven M. Asmussen	65	16	13	5	$728,199	25%	34	52%
2	Federico Villafranco	50	16	11	7	$319,766	32%	34	68%
4	Cody Autrey	67	15	12	9	$400,691	22%	36	54%
5	Chris A. Hartman	47	11	8	5	$299,522	23%	24	51%
6	Brad H. Cox	35	8	5	6	$257,569	23%	19	54%
7	Ron Moquett	62	7	8	5	$322,827	11%	20	32%
8	D. Wayne Lukas	56	6	6	10	$336,541	11%	22	39%
8	David R. Vance	22	6	3	1	$137,602	27%	10	45%
8	J. R. Caldwell	21	6	3	6	$91,084	29%	15	71%

Jockey Standings

Rank	Jockey Name	Sts	1st	2nd	3rd	Total $	Win%	Top3	Top3%
1	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	146	27	24	12	$1,202,368	18%	63	43%
2	Norberto Arroyo, Jr.	137	25	20	17	$774,538	18%	62	45%
3	David Mello	106	20	13	12	$465,051	19%	45	42%
4	Terry J. Thompson	109	14	10	13	$471,354	13%	37	34%
5	Ramon A. Vazquez	82	13	12	14	$376,374	16%	39	48%
6	Channing Hill	79	11	8	9	$515,234	14%	28	35%
6	Luis S. Quinonez	96	11	11	13	$416,695	11%	35	36%
6	Alex Birzer	127	11	15	12	$400,931	9%	38	30%
9	Alex Canchari	85	10	12	12	$353,575	12%	34	40%
9	Ken S. Tohill	71	10	12	9	$323,045	14%	31	44%
9	Jareth Loveberry	74	10	9	9	$210,610	14%	28	38%

Owner Standings

Rank	Owner Name	Sts	1st	2nd	3rd	Total $	Win%	Top3	Top3%
1	Danny R. Caldwell	48	15	11	7	$308,906	31%	33	69%
2	Maggi Moss	27	10	3	3	$195,567	37%	16	59%
3	Steve Landers	42	9	7	7	$151,779	21%	23	55%
4	Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.	36	7	6	3	$171,012	19%	16	44%
5	William Stiritz	31	5	2	0	$171,071	16%	7	23%
5	Zayat Stables, LLC	15	5	1	2	$161,773	33%	8	53%
5	Ulwelling, Al and Bill	19	5	2	1	$115,852	26%	8	42%
8	John C. Oxley	23	4	2	4	$214,309	17%	10	43%
8	Driver, James L. and Ywachetta H.	13	4	5	1	$198,137	31%	10	77%
8	Dream Walkin Farms, Inc.	23	4	3	2	$97,666	17%	9	39%

Preview to Next Week

- Saturday: The Honeybee Stakes (Grade 3) – 3 Year Old Fillies – 1 1/16th Miles – Purse: $150,000

- Saturday: The Hot Springs Stakes - 4 Year Olds and Upward – Six Furlongs – Purse: $100,000

Mar 2 2014

Racing Dudes Handicapping Challenge: Halterman vs. Mazur

In case you missed it, last week we held the first installment of the Racing Dudes Handicapping Challenge! Nine races were involved in the competition between our very own Racing Dude, Aaron Halterman and Super Farrier, Kelby Von Hemel. It started close but ended in a route with a final score of $43.60 – $21.00.

Each weekend we will select 8 to 10 races from around the country and offer up a little handicapping challenge to anyone interested. However, to our surprise, we received a massive amount of interest last weekend to take on the Dudes! So much in fact that we are just simply drawing randomly this week to see who gets to take on our defending champ. Everyone will get a shot! Alright, let’s meet this week’s challenger to face the champ:

The Windy City Handicapper, Paul Mazur

His work has also appeared at other racing sites, such as WirePlayers,IronMaidens Thoroughbreds, Thorofan, Graded Stakes and Danonymous Racing.

He’s also appeared on the “Post Parade” podcast and the “JTL Sports Show” on Chicagoland Sports Radio.

He also votes in the “NTRA Top 10 Thoroughbred Poll” Media Division. (Poll results are released each Monday/Tuesday)

His posts were selected as Best Posts by Chicagonow for July 2012 andDecember 2012. He lives, writes, and wagers in Chicago.

Click here to contact “Picks and Ponderings”. You can also follow him on Twitter at @heylaserbeam.

Alright, let’s check out today’s challenge races:

1 Gulfstream Park Race 3 (1:05 CST)

2 Gulfstream Park Race 4 (1:35 CST)

3 Tampa Bay Downs Race 6 (1:55 CST)

4 Oaklawn Park Race 2 (1:57 CST)

5 Aqueduct Race 8 (2:48 CST)

6 Gulfstream Park Race 7 (3:08 CST)

7 Oaklawn Park Race 5 (3:19 CST)