Neil
4th January 2003, 08:02.46 PM
Haven't contributed lately - been on usual end of year racing hiatus. Attended opening Fri & Sat at Gulfstream Park this weekend, and hope these notes will do someone some good.
Fri, 8th @ GP, #6 November. This horse was one of the reasons I made the 200 mile trek. He's a full to my favorite sprinter, Bourbon Belle. That one was not her best past 6.5f, and this one might be best at shorter sprints, too. He was favorite, made a bid and gained brief lead, but faded in the drive (on a track which did not favor speed). Watch for turn-back. This race may turn out to be "key" - some nice runners in this allowance.
Fri, 10th @ GP, #11 Diamonds and Notes. This one made a favorable initial on-track appearance, then developed a lot of foam between the legs and when they loaded, he was completely washed out. My guess is, adverse Lasix reaction. Staggered home after showing good early speed. [1/23 won, paid $10.40]
Sat, 3rd @ GP, #4 Indy Dancer made the most visually stunning move at Gulfstream since Behrens' 3-yo debut (imho). Very attractive 3-yo with huge up-side. I suggest following.
Sat, 6th @ GP, #1 Gulch Approval. Nicely built Zito-trained 3yo maiden made a favorable on-track appearance, was full of run entering turn and had nowhere to run. Zito was guest speaker before racing today, and commented that many of his horses like to race on the outside but jockey can't get them there. With racing luck, this one looks like next-out winner to me. (I asked him if he'd care to name his 3-yos to look out for - he said no, he'd let them reveal themselves on track. He also said something interesting - that for you to get any value from workouts, you need to see the way the horses work. That time and DRF description just don't adequately convey how well a horse is taking to the track.) In this same race, #7 Zebra ran off with Velazquez as they paraded on the clubhouse turn, and then was difficult to load. I personally couldn't support this horse if he came back w/o a work.
[1/25, Gulch Approval heavy favorite, second, with no excuse]
[3/8, Gulch Approval finally broke maiden. Sheesh!]
Man, I made a huge wagering error today. In the 3rd and 5th, I thought the Pletcher horses were standouts and legitimate singles. There were three horses I liked in the 4th, but didn't make my $6 Pick 3 because "what kind of return could there be with two even-money favorites"? $156.20, that's what kind!
Neil
Fri, 8th @ GP, #6 November. This horse was one of the reasons I made the 200 mile trek. He's a full to my favorite sprinter, Bourbon Belle. That one was not her best past 6.5f, and this one might be best at shorter sprints, too. He was favorite, made a bid and gained brief lead, but faded in the drive (on a track which did not favor speed). Watch for turn-back. This race may turn out to be "key" - some nice runners in this allowance.
Fri, 10th @ GP, #11 Diamonds and Notes. This one made a favorable initial on-track appearance, then developed a lot of foam between the legs and when they loaded, he was completely washed out. My guess is, adverse Lasix reaction. Staggered home after showing good early speed. [1/23 won, paid $10.40]
Sat, 3rd @ GP, #4 Indy Dancer made the most visually stunning move at Gulfstream since Behrens' 3-yo debut (imho). Very attractive 3-yo with huge up-side. I suggest following.
Sat, 6th @ GP, #1 Gulch Approval. Nicely built Zito-trained 3yo maiden made a favorable on-track appearance, was full of run entering turn and had nowhere to run. Zito was guest speaker before racing today, and commented that many of his horses like to race on the outside but jockey can't get them there. With racing luck, this one looks like next-out winner to me. (I asked him if he'd care to name his 3-yos to look out for - he said no, he'd let them reveal themselves on track. He also said something interesting - that for you to get any value from workouts, you need to see the way the horses work. That time and DRF description just don't adequately convey how well a horse is taking to the track.) In this same race, #7 Zebra ran off with Velazquez as they paraded on the clubhouse turn, and then was difficult to load. I personally couldn't support this horse if he came back w/o a work.
[1/25, Gulch Approval heavy favorite, second, with no excuse]
[3/8, Gulch Approval finally broke maiden. Sheesh!]
Man, I made a huge wagering error today. In the 3rd and 5th, I thought the Pletcher horses were standouts and legitimate singles. There were three horses I liked in the 4th, but didn't make my $6 Pick 3 because "what kind of return could there be with two even-money favorites"? $156.20, that's what kind!
Neil