Bonjour! Kentucky Oaks and Mountaineer selections…

Kentucky Oaks: Churchill Downs Race 11 WIN #6 Rachel Alexandra (3/5ML). Derby weekend has finally arrived! Looking at the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, I think Rachel Alexandra is the horse to beat, bringing an impressive resume. Her odds are very low, so you might want tothink about playing an exacta or trifecta for more incentive. #5Justwhistledixie (5/2 ML) looks like another solid contender in thisrace and should be able to finish in the money. However, Rachel Alexandra is a multiple graded stakes winner and a remarkable horse.If she wins today, which she should be able to do easily, look out forher in major stakes races later this year!

Best Bet: Mountaineer Race 6 WIN #5 Jump to Start (8/5 ML). This 3YOKentucky-bred colt should be able to make it to the winner’s circle without too much hassle. He looks great on paper and I don’t see anychallengers with a considerable chance of beating him. M/L odds are low, so let’s hope the betting public puts their money elsewhere!

Next Best: Mountaineer Race 3 WIN #8 Koochooloo (8/5 ML). Koochooloois a 4YO Kentucky-bred filly who will be running a Mile in today’s third race and should cross the wire first. However, she could have some serious competition with #7 Poetic Mandate (5/2 ML) who will also be carrying 9 pounds less than her.

Value Bet: Mountaineer Race 5 PLACE #8 Makinsparksfly (6/1 ML). This race features a group of maidens 3YO+ running a Mile. I think Makinsparksfly is underrated on the M/L odds and could offer some nicevalue here. After all, he has top speed at this distance, posted a nice work last week and has a comparable class rating. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls off a win today. Enjoy the Oaks and look out fortomorrow’s Derby selection! Bonne Chance! Monsieur Chanceux Contois. May the horse be with You!

The Whisperer got a call from a friend the other day he had a lady in his upmarket dress shop getting kitted out for the Derby she was friends of the owner of a runner that was going to win, he asked me to come down and be introduced and give her directions to the track from Canada.
I oblieged but she was reluctant to give out the horses name but from the owners name I deducted it Was Square Eddie she was going to root for. She said her goddbyes paid the large bill and departed.
My friend asked if the horse had a chance, I said a snowball in hells chance it was declared a non runner this
morning, I just didnt have the heart to spoil her Derby adventure. Mr Reddam will have other runners he has one in the oaks Nan so she will get to the winners enclosure maybe. HW

Woo Hoo! The Oaks and the Derby are almost here! I won’t be at the big dance at Churchill this weekend – I’ll be in the Smokies chilling with my BFFs for our semi-annual chick weekend. But I’ll be there in spirit and you betcha we’ll be mixing up some mint juleps and watching the excitement unfold on the big screen at the chalet. Be sure to check back tomorrow for my Oaks rundown and Saturday for the Run for the Roses. Until then, here are some Thursday Churchill picks to wet your whistle.

Your BEST BET is 1 FIESTY EX in RACE 1 (9-5 ML). Trainer knows how to get his babies ready for their debut – 18% with first starters. Gets Bridgmohan who is off to a great start this meet and is dangerous when riding for Asmussen. Short price, but nice twofer with Katse.

Your NEXT BEST BET is 8 FINAL COPY in RACE 6 (7-2 ML). Gelding has been off for a while, but has been working regularly at Churchill and the drop should do him good. He’s proven at this track and at this distance. Trainer Foley is hot so far this meet.

Your VALUE BET is 5 KINSOLVING in RACE 9 (8-1 ML). Filly won her debut and Asmussen is 26% with 2nd starters. Teams with Bridgmohan once again. Tough competition, but I think she’ll come out on top.

Lady Luck

BEST BET–CHURCHILL RACE 10—# 11 LONE CYPRESS.
OK, its a Maiden Claimer, the last race on the card, there are a TON of big races coming up in the next 2 days and Garrett Gomez stays around to ride this horse for Al Stall. Something tells me that this guy is live today.
 
NEXT BEST–CHURCHILL RACE 8—# 5 LA MOUSSE(TURF ONLY).
This filly has had 2 very nice races over this surface and fits todays race very well. I am NOT very happy about Albarado riding her again(only 1 win out of 4 tries), but I think her talent is that good to overcome the problems that Albarado may find here. Very good numbers coming in to todays race and nice works over in Lexington.
 
VALUE BET—CHURCHILL RACE 9–# 9 GATOR PROWL.
A Grade III for 2 yr olds, a first shot at Black Type–and at Churchill, where these guys want to be a year from now. A few nice horses that scored over at Keeneland, but were not on “the wires and tires” today. GATOR PROWL ran a real bang up race ON DIRT over at Laurel winning by 11+ lengths, a very impressive score. He will be on the outside, off the dead rail and should make a lot of noise at 5/1 or more.

Back Stretch Al

BRONCOBUSTER PREVIEWS THE FRIDAY KENTUCKY OAKS FROM CHURCHILL DOWNS.
 
Off her last 3 starts, Rachel Alexandra’s form appears to be head and shoulders above the rest. The daughter of Medaglia d’ Oro only seems to be getting better with every start and actually has crushed her competition by more than 8 lenghts in 2 of her last 3 starts.  Add in the fact that she has worked like a monster since arriving to Churchill Downs and has already won here twice, she doesn’t appear to be coming into this race with a lot of un-answered questions. If there is any concern, it might be the fact that she is one paced and doesn’t appear to like being taken back, so Borel may be forced to drive on with her, no matter what hand is dealt him.  With the way she is won the past 2 of 3, it may not matter what tactics the other play to try and deny her. Beyers rate high enough that i believe under the right circumstances, she may have been a consideration to give the boys a try in the Derby, ala Eight Belles.  I believe the right decision has been made to go here instead, given the fact that she has yet to go 9 furlongs, nevermind the 10 furlongs that the Derby commands. Other contenders include Justwhistledixie, who has won 5 in a row herself and has actually gone and won at todays distance.  The question marks on her include the fact that even with those 5 wins, only 2 of them were graded stakes and the beyers don’t appear to match up. She has never raced in Kentucky and the morning works sure aren’t hopping off the page.  That doesn’t mean she won’t have it on race day, but if she is to knock off Rachel, she’ll have to hope for a blazing speed dual to set it up for her and most certainly bump up her beyer to a new all time high.  Bill Mott also adds a final piece to the puzzle in Flying Spur, who just coincendently finished 2nd to Rachel Alexandra last out in the slop.  The off going is what this horse needs and wants, so if Churchill Downs comes up sloppy, this gal has the license to pull the upset with Garret Gomez in the irons, but only if Rachel falters and on an off track.  The more likely scenario will be Calvin Borel putting his charge on the front and he should command the respect she deserves.  If no one dares to make a fatal run at her early, she may never look back.  Chalky play all the way, as this one expects to be close to her morning line of 3-5.   I would back Rachel as my best bet play of the day, but,  like most everyone else, everyone is looking for more than coffee money, especially by the 11th race!  I look forward to watching it though and witnessing a possible champion in the making!
 
Best Bet- Race 3 #7 Ivory Empress, M/L 4-1.  Lots to like about this gal today after showing a promising 3rd in her debut, going short at Gulfstream.  Pedigree is crying out for longer which she gets today and still shows the highest beyer off her last which was at a distance that was no doubt used as a tune-up!  She adds lasix for her second start and works have been very impressive.  With that debut out of the way, this race at 8.5 furlongs will set up nicely for her.  Appears to have lots of upside to her and will move forward in a big way today! 
 
Next Best- Race 9 #1 Macho Again, M/L 3-1. Appears to be rounding back into form after winning a grade 2 event at the Fairgounds in March and i might add he was a juicy 10-1 that day.  Has the class to handle a grade 3 event and his form seems to be the best this time of year.   One remembers that about this time last year he was finishing 2nd to Big Brown in the Preakness.  Gets a productive post in which to work with today and has never been off the board at Churchill Downs.  Not the most consistent sort of guy, but should handle these, if he brings his A game!
 
Value Bet- Race 12 #10 Tantamount, M/L 15-1.  Last race of the day and many call the get out race. This daughter of Lemon Drop Kid is bred top and bottom for the weeds and will look to move forward off a useful debut at Gulfstream in which she was running on end.  Came from 10th to finish 3rd that day and i am sure learned a lot from that experience.  At lease she showed some run in her and if the right pace develops, this one could gobble them up at a nice value price. 
 
go gettum- broncobuster

It’s The Father Foley Final tonight at The Meadowlands and those in attendance with Jersey Joe will be treated to see the mighty Lucky Jim trot. The price certainly won’t merit a win bet but we will look to single Jim in the multis head to the rail to cheer him on. The rest of the card looks just as promising. Join me as we look to sweep the board with our three selections tonight!
 
Jersey Joe does the work for you!
 
4/30
The Meadowlands
 
Race 3
#1 Lucky Jim
His legend grows tonight. Can’t wait to see the times this guy puts up later in the year when challenged a bit. The Millers have a monster in Jim.
 
Next Best Bet
Race 7
#7 Intheblinkofaneye
Let’s stay with the Millers for the next best bet tonight as Blinky needs to stay flat tonight to walk over these. Teases again with ultra impressive qualifier but my money says he paces all the way here.  
 
Value Bet
Race 6
#1 Feel The Pulse
Disappointed last out and not the smoothest trip around the oval. I like the rail here for this gal and trainer sees fit to pony up for her once again. Square price for underrated connections.
 
Regards,
Jersey Joe, Mile Pro

Churchill
Friday

Kentucky Oaks:

All of the hype surrounding the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on Friday is centered on the brilliant RACHEL ALEXANDRA, who has toyed with four field in succession. The exquisite three-year-old filly sizzled a half-mile in :46 4/5 in reparation of the Oaks and the colts are surely lucky she’s not facing them on Saturday — or she may have been favored there too. GABBY’S GOLDEN GAL, who drilled her foes in the Sunland Park Oaks for Bob Baffert, was a horse on the El Secreto radar for some time and she will be our exacta completer. All signs indicate that the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro loves Churchill and relishes two turns, so we’ll give her a fighting chance at big odds. We’ll buy the third leg in our trifecta!

Oaks Day:

Best Bet: Race 3 #7 IVORY EMPRESS (4-1) showed a lot of ability at first asking for a trainer who always gives them one, and big improvement is expected under Julien Leparoux.

Second Best Bet: Race 5 #1 MUNNINGS (6-1) has not started in 2009 but has marked this date on his calendar to show how talented he can be for Todd Pletcher. The exciting sophomore gets go-to rider John Velazquez aboard and has only one or two in here than can beat him if he’s right.

Value Play: Race 8 #4 ABBOT HALL (6-1) is a fine turf performer who had a nice prep for this at Keeneland, and the return to an oval where she has experience on should be the key for Hal Wiggins.

El Secreto

Racing Preview for Tuesday April 28th.

The feature on the third day of the Spring meet at Churchill Downs (Race 9) is a one mile allowance scheduled to be run on the turf. Veiled Prophet is the morning line favorite, making his second start off a layoff and returning to the course where he was a close fifth in the Commonwealth Turf (G3) last fall. His strongest opposition looks to be Broad River who was unplaced in his last start at Gulfstream but prior to that had finished second in a tough allowance. With rain forecast this race may be forced onto the main track which could give the edge to the two main track only entrants Maltese Dog and Izanagi.

Churchill’s eight race is a competitive one mile claimer on the main track. Credit Only returns off a brief freshening for Steve Margolis after winning his latest race at Fair Grounds in the beginning of March. Bill Mott’s Constabulary takes a drop in class and must be given a big chance as has Badger Barry who is trained by the in-form Greg Foley.

BRONCOBUSTER’S TUESDAY PICKS FROM TURF PARADISE
 
Best Bet- Race 6 #6 Watch This Gal, M/L 7-2.  Was claimed 3  back and been hinting that a win for the new connections is imminent. Despite progressive beyers in last 3, she is jammed right back in for the same tag that she was claimed for.  Spot seems logical for her. Displayed early speed last out only giving it up late and will stretch out an extra 1/2 furlong in hopes of nursing her speed a little. Likes the course being 5/6 in the money and 1/1 at todays distance.
 
Next Best- Race 7 #3 Ferndale Sal, M/L 5-1. Will try to reverse the tables on Buzz the tower after getting the short end of the stick last out. That was a wake up call after shipping in from Santa Anita and he seemed to like the new scenery and the new surface.  That slight drop in class seemed to motivate him and this appears to be a good spot to jam right back into.  Now that he has a start over the course, he figures to move forward in a big way today.
 
Value Bet- Race 1 #3 Herownagenda, M/L 8-1. For the most part this gal has been forwardly placed but has gotten weak late which explains finishing 3rd in close to 1/3 of her starts.  To help compensate for that trend today, the connections give her some relief as she drops 5 lbs by naming an apprentice to call the shots. Last time this gal raced with a break in weight, she was a bangup 2nd!  Could be a nice across the board wager to start the day!
 
go gettum broncobuster

Bonjour! Tuesday plays for Mountaineer…

Best Bet: Mountaineer Race 5 WIN #7 Trippi Rhythm (2/1 ML). The fifth race at Mountaineer will be run at a Mile for 3YO+. Trippi Rhythm is anice 4YO Florida-bred gelding who should be able to get the job done.Keep an eye out for #9 Chasin the Tornado (5/1 ML) and #6 Sr. Marvin(6/1 ML).

Next Best: Mountaineer Race 6 WIN #6 Sky Sister (3/1 ML). Sky Sister stands out in this field as the one to beat. This filly ran a nice workout last week at 4 furlongs and should do well at the 5 ½ furlongdistance today. She placed well in her last start and has a decent trainer. However, #9 Yes Imatiger (6/1 ML) and a longshot #2 Clique(10/1 ML) have also caught my attention. I expect Sky Sister to windup in the winner’s circle.

Value Bet: Mountaineer Race 2 SHOW #2 Patent Pending (6/1 ML). This 3YO Michigan-bred filly could be able to pull off a win today withsome value at 6/1 on the M/L. Her sire, Patton, performed well atshorter distances so she should have pedigree on her side. Today’srace will be run at 5 furlongs and Patent Pending will only carry 112 pounds which, with the exception of one horse, will be 9 pounds less than her contenders. I expect this filly to finish in the money, let’shope the odds go up! Bonne Chance! Monsieur Chanceux Contois