Hi everyone. Sorry I haven’t been around lately. My work load has doubled and my time is limited. When there’s a will, there’s a way. Here are tomorrow’s picks at TAM.
RACE 1: Clm 5000N2Y, ONE MILE AND FORTY YARDS, DIRT, FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND UP
This race is a no brainer. At least IMO. I like #1. ALL HUNDREDS. Gelding has consistent Beyers, has won at TAM and at this distance. Trainer is Kathleen O’Connell is having a great meet as is the jockey Antonio Gallardo. Gallardo is her jockey of choice with a 2018 trainer-jockey winning percentage of 33%. Looks good.
RACE 2: Clm 8000N3L, FIVE AND A HALF FURLONGS, DIRT, THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UP.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and go with #2. SALSA LANE. Gelding is trying blinkers for the first time and it may work. Trainer Maria Bowersock bats 14% with blinkers on. There are better horses but I think there may be some value here. Plus jockey Pablo Morales is riding. Bowersock has also won with horses owned by Martin Goodell. Goodell owns this gelding. Go for it.
RACE 3: Md 16000, FIVE AND A HALF FURLONGS, DIRT, THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDENS
Tough one. This looks like a chalky race and I’m going with one of the favorite #4. DISCREET RANSOM. This colt has been competitive in his only two races but he’s faded in both as well. Big jockey switch with Gallardo. He’ll position the horse correctly and he’ll know the right time to loosen the reigns. Trainer Luis Carvajal is one of the top trainers in this race too. A lot of the other trainers are batting less than 10%. Safe bet.
RACE 4: Clm 16000N2L, FIVE FURLONGS, TURF, THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UP
First race on the sod today. I’m going with somebody different. I’ll go with #6. ANDREW THE BULL. Trainer Frances Gogas has won races for the owner John Guzik. Gogas has won before on turnbacks, which this gelding is doing. Beyers look strong as well compared to the other horses. On paper, it looks like this gelding could have a shot at winning.
RACE 5: Md Sp Wt 22k, SIX FURLONGS, DIRT, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UP
Seems like a no brainer. I really like #1. COOL MO. Almost won last time out and was the betting favorite. Filly is wearing blinkers for the first time and trainer Keith Nations bats 25% with blinkers on and first time blinkers. Filly also had two bullet workouts, so she’s ready. Samy Camacho is riding too. I like this filly.
RACE 6: Alw 16000s, A MILE AND A SIXTEENTH, TURF, FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND UP
#3. PAT’S SHOES looks like the one with the most talent. Two back-to-back 80+ Beyers, Trainer Jorge Navarro has been winning races at a 31% clip and (20% on turf and 28% on routes, according to Daily Racing Form), and jockey Daniel Centeno gets the ride. Centeno won with this horse two back.
RACE 7: Clm 8000, ONE MILE AND FORTY YARDS, DIRT, FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND UP
I can’t bet against #2. JOSIE’S RIDDLE. Reason being is that trainer John Rigattieri is the hot shot trainer and he’s running this gelding the first time since he claimed him. How well does Rigattieri do with first time claimers? According to DRF, (8 .62 AVG. ROI $8.70). That’s pretty nice.
RACE 8: Clm 25000N2L, ONE MILE, TURF, THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UP
I’m going with #6. MALIO’S. Colt is making a big class drop. He faced much tougher foes last year and has fared well. Trainer Rory Miller bats 19% with horses going from sprints to routes, which is what this colt is doing. On top of that, Camacho is riding and he’s due for another win. This will be the one.
I skip the last race, so good luck everybody!