Weekend Review

Weekend Overview: It seemed like favorites we either winning or running very poorly and once again there was almost no beating Todd Pletcher. For the 3yo's this was a class testing weekend and I think some interesting things were revealed and it wasn't as I'd predicted.

Performance of the Week: Rags To Riches is perhaps the most impressive 3yo of either gender. She flat out blew the Santa Anita Oaks wide open on the turn as she left her rivals floundering in what seemed like an instant. Connections are even talking Derby despite the fact that they've already got 3 top quality colts for the race. She will likely try colts next out in one of the last major 6 preps. If she does well there it may be too much to resist the Derby.

Race of the Week: I loved the way Balance kept on grinding and wore down Ermine late in the Santa Margarita. This week didn't feature too many exciting races but this was one was the best in my opinion. Balance remains a huge threat any time she is at Santa Anita. The jury is still though as to whether or not she can travel. Ermine could be a monster when she goes back east.

Flop of the Weekend: Liquidity is fortunate that Round Pond out did him because he was the front runner for the Flop award but Round Pond's performance takes the cake. Her connections are still planning to go to the Apple Blossom. I suppose they figure coming back at 9f is a tough assignment and even champion Ashado did poorly in her first start as a 4yo. Last years Breeders Cup winners are just 2 for 5 in their comeback races as that continues to be a good play against.

TCR Mover’s and Shakers: Balance is the big mover, her G-1 win in the Santa Margarita propels her to second overall. You'll notice that fillies right now seem to be dominating the top 10. That's because the graded stakes schedule is a little bit imbalanced. Most of the G-1 races being run are for the ladies. Smokey Stover also propelled himself into the top 10 and to the top of the sprinters rankings. That may be an ominous sign for his competition, he could be in for a long stay at the summit.

Tip O’the Cap: I have to give this to Todd Pletcher again, he is absolutely on fire. He won the Razorback, Azeri, Gotham, Santa Anita Oaks, New Orleans and the Louisiana Derby. That's as much as many trainers would hope to win in a year. Now I know Pletcher has a stacked stable but he's done a great job with horses like Master Command, Magna Graduate and Cowtown Cat. He went 18-7-1-1 on the weekend and showed a flat bet profit of $2.10. Not bad for a whole lot of chalk.

KC Handicapping: Well after the success of last week we sort of stopped the momentum in its tracks. India did exactly as she should have and if she improves next out she really could be a top quality mare. Sweet Return never got the front and King's Drama was pulled up. Cloudy's Knight ran a good race to salvage some thing from the race but it wasn't pretty. I never would have picked Mistical Plan in a million years. She absolutely did not look like a stayer to me. Liquidity totally bombed and the horse I was playing against won in his stead. I did get the minor placing right but this game is about winners. At least I did get the winner in the Gulfstream race. She was the highest odds of all my 3 picks so its a good thing she won. I had the tri box in that race which happens pretty infrequently for me.

Cumulative record of selected horses: 13(5)-2-4-2 (-$10.00 -38.46% ROI)
Overall record: 119(47)-24-19-17 (+$30.80 +12.94% ROI)