Jersey Joe selections for 2/28.
 
2/28
The Meadowlands
 
Best Bet
Race 6
#4 Rockford
Will never be too far back and believe would respond favorably to a pocket trip today.
 
Next Best Bet
Race 4
#4 Bad Boy Brady
Back to driver he’s had success with and turnaround in form is a distinct possibility.
 
Value Bet
Race 7
#10 Up Front Danny Boy
Trainer’s been on fire for 6 weeks and this pacer is ready for a wakeup call. Chance at a hot pace early to set the table.
 
Regards,
Jersey Joe, Mile Pro

Man, I can’t believe they cancelled another Saturday card at Santa Anita due to rain. Especially a card that included a Derby prep! I’m leery of even handicapping that track if there’s a chance of sprinkles these days. Maybe it’s time to pull the plug (pardon the pun) on the drainage issues with the Pro-Ride and just switch back to good ol’ dirt. Just my $.02. Well, let’s leave the wet weather to the west and head to Arkansas for some sunny Sunday Oaklawn picks.

Your BEST BET is 2 TOBY THE COAL MAN in RACE 9 (6/1 ML). This guy has not been terribly impressive in his two starts for new connections, but he did run in the G1 Florida Derby last year.  He’s also no stranger to allowance company and should fit well at this level. The slight cut back in distance should help. I really like that crafty Borel took the call.

Your NEXT BEST BET is 9 LIEM’S LUCK in RACE 1 (8/1 ML). Mare drops in for a tag for the first time since she was claimed last fall. Seems to prefer the grass, but she’s proven on the dirt as well. Certainly capable on a good day and she seemed to wake up a little in her last – expecting improvement this outing. Nice that Ocampo wins 14% at Oaklawn for this barn.

Your VALUE BET is WIN/PLACE on 5 SOUTHERN VISION in RACE 5 (12/1 ML). Gelding takes a big drop for his Oaklawn debut after the layoff. Consistent check casher was in the money in 10 of 13 starts last year. Stalking style should serve him well today with the 2 speedy favorites leading the way.

BEST BET—SANTA ANITA–RACE 2–# 3 GILDED GEM.
Goes from a Grade I to and optional 62.k claimer. Obviously shes not in for the tag. Not disgraced going from Alw NWIX to Grade I stakes, she finished 5th of 11, the drop in class guarantees a win here folks,.Race most definitely comes off the turf, but either way , she a winner today.
 
NEXT BEST—SANTA ANITA–RACE 7–# 8 HAKA.
A turfer, HAKA comes back to the plastic where she has never been worse than 2nd in 3 tries, Gets a huge class drop, the last time she ran on plastic , she ran 2nd to STARDOM BOUND last Feb(09′) before Stardom Bound began her decline. Bejarano stays for the money today.
 
VALUE BET—GULFSTREAM PARK—RACE 5.
EXACTA BOX–#1 PIOUS ASHLEY/ # 3 SARATOGA TANGO.

Gulfstream
Sunday

Best Bet: Race 9 #4 PRESIOUS PASSION (5-2) is too good for these and should roll on firm turf in this marathon.

Next Best: Race 2 #8 RICHIEGIRLGONEWILD (6-1) fits nicely in this level and should be the one to catch in the stretch.

Value Play: Race 6 #6 ACTING HAPPY (6-1) broke her maiden at this distance on this track and should be more fit for her second one for rRchard Dutrow.

el Secreto

Bonjour! Sunday at Gulfstream…

Best Bet: Gulfstream Race 9 WIN #4 Presious Passion. The Mac Diarmida Stakes (G 2) will be run at a Mile and 3/8 on the Turf and I think this 7YO Florida-bred gelding will add an accomplishment to his resume today.

Next Best: Gulfstream Race 8 WIN #3 D’clever Cat. This claimer will be run at five furlongs on the Turf and a field of eleven entries is scheduled to head to post. D’clever Cat does have his work cut out in this one, but I expect to see him in the winner’s circle.

Value Bet: Gulfstream Race 6 EXACTA BOX #2 Jackie’s Express with #6 Acting Happy. These two horses look like legitimate entries in this Mile and 1/8th allowance race for 3YO fillies. I think Desormeaux and Leparoux can ride these two to the wire ahead of the rest. Enjoy the rest of the racing as this weekend comes to a close and check back soon for more winners from Team R2D!

Bonne Chance! Monsieur Chanceux

SUNDAY PICKS FROM TAMPA- BRONCOBUSTER
 
Another cancellation at Santa Anita yesterday due to rains..  Second Saturday in 3 weeks that they’ve had their Saturday card cancelled. So much for All weather track!!  Worst thing is another prep for the Derby is post-poned.. These cancellations really mess things up for these types of preps as trainers are on tight and strict schedules to have any potential horse ready for that first Saturday in May..  May be we now know why Conveyance was sent to Oaklawn for one of his prep’s last week! 
 
Not taking any chances for this last day of the month, so we’ll go to Tampa in an attempt to close out the month strong.. It has been a decent February for this tipster, 40% winners for the month and we’ll go for some value plays today in hopes of improving the ROI a bit…  Hopefully, you were on board for some those winners and managed to include them in some nice exotic payouts… stay with me folks!  March and April to come as I continue to cover the Derby preps…  None of those here today at Tampa, but hopefully some nice winners just the same!
 
Best Bet- Race 8 #6 A Wee Gift, M/L 3-1. WIN WAGER.  Lots of angles to like about this gal.. She debuts for a 25% trainer after transferring from a barn hitting at only 8%.  She takes a significant drop in class plunging from 40 claimers down to 16K.  Suggests that the new connections know how to agressively place their stock and by looking at her P/P’s, it is probably where she belonged all along. 
 
Next Best- Race 4 #10 Cat Sonata, M/L 5-1. WIN WAGER.  Gets a siginficant cut back in distance after finding 2 turns wasn’t the answer. With that race out of the way she appears to fit well going around 1 turn and actually drops a notch from the group she tried last time when she went six furlongs.  If she repeats the beyer she recorded two back, she’ll tough to beat against these.
 
Value Bet- Race 5 #8 Later Gater, M/L 12-1.  WIN PLACE SHOW.  Contentious open claimer on the turf with tons of possibilites and in this type of spot, i like to look for a square if not value price.  I also like to look for the old saying, “horses for courses” and that is an angle i am all over with this guy.  He LOVES the Tampa green!  4 wins from just 6 starts on the Tampa Turf.  Loves the surface and if anywhere near the morning line, well worth a nice WPS to keep the old boy honest. 
 
go gettum – broncobuster

There are few things I enjoy more than a Saturday night card at The Meadowlands, and tonight’s lineup lives up to the billing. I have three for you tonight and a big chance to make some serious cash. Stick with the Mile Pro this weekend…
 
2/27
The Meadowlands
 
Best Bet
Race 8
#4 All American Major
Brave last week and finished well. New barn once again and expecting another forward movement.
 
Next Best Bet
Race 9
#4 Distinct Color
7 y.o. paced a winning mile last week only to come up a nose short. Peak form for underrated connections. Huge shot at good price.
 
Value Bet
Race 5
#8 Mr Hallowell
Look for D Miller to try and improve position into 1st turn. This field looks stacked, but this guy has big heart. The bet at 8-1 ML
 
Regards,
Jersey Joe, Mile Pro

BEST BET—SANTA ANITA—RACE 4–# 1 ONE MANS DELIGHT.
Speed has been gold at Santa Anita on the turf. You can’t pass a horse down the lane if you life depends on it. Been cashing tickets all week playing speed there, this guy is the speed in here. Play him and win.
 
NEXT BEST—GULFSTREAM PARK—RACE 6—# 1 DYNAMOOR.
Scratched yesterday for this race today. Gets the rail and  a perfect set up.
 
VALUE BET—GULFSTREAM PARK—RACE 6—EXACTA BOX.
# 1 DYNAMOOR.
#10 HARIOLUS.
#12 WAR HOOT.

Bonjour Racing Fans! Fair Grounds on Saturday…

Best Bet: Fair Grounds Race 1 WIN #2 Ms Happy Trail (8/1 ML). Eight horses are entered in this 1 mile and 40 yard maiden claimer for 3YO fillies and this race looks open. I think that jockey Shane Sellers and trainer Mark Guidry have the right game plan today and I expect this filly to graduate. 

Next Best: Fair Grounds Race 6 WIN #8 Personal Velocity (8/1 ML). This allowance race will be run at a mile on the Turf and 12 geldings are eligible to start. All entries are lined up to carry 119 pounds and this Asmussen trainee has a decent shot at making his way to the winner’s circle.

Value Bet: Fair Grounds Race 8 EXACTA BOX #2 Love to Tell (4/1 ML) with #5 Dancin Perfect (5/1 ML). The $60k Allen LaCombe Memorial Handicap will be run at a Mile and 1/6th on the Turf and I’m looking for these ladies to run 1-2. Enjoy the rest of today’s racing and check back tomorrow for more from the team!

Bonne Chance! Monsieur Chanceux

This lady needs to live up to her name and get her mojo working again. No black cats, broken mirrors or spilled salt in this house. Everything’s coming up 4-leaf clovers. Some nice races today – we have the Sham, the Borderland Derby and the return of my old friend House of Usher at Hawthorne. It was hard to choose, so we’ll pick all 3!

Your BEST BET is 1 THE PROGRAM in SANTA ANITA RACE 8 (7/2 ML). This is a wide open race and the graded stakes debut for most of these, but I’m going with this Baffert trained boy. Coming off a hard-fought win here in his last in spite of a bad break, plus he finished 4th to amazing stablemate Lookin at Lucky in a G1 in December. Seems to keep improving with each start plus Garcia/Baffert are scoring at a 30% clip here together.

Your NEXT BEST BET is 5 HOUSE OF USHER in HAWTHORNE RACE 5 (5/1 ML). My favorite Hawthorne horse is back and up against some old rivals. I’m giving him the edge, though. He loves this course and has fired from a layoff in the past. Proven at this level and distance. Won with Razo on board here in Oct. Front runner might be hard to catch.

Your VALUE BET is WIN/PLACE on 7 GUILTBYASSOCIATION in SUNLAND RACE 10 (10/1 ML). Birdstone baby just broke his maiden here against easier in a nice late run. That was his first time on the dirt and his first time for new trainer Fincher – expect some improvement in his second here, even with the big step up. Showed some stamina in his turf routes and should be able to handle the distance. Barn is hot, hot, hot right now and stablemate Chuchuluco will get a lot more action at the windows, but if some of the big players chase the #9 rabbit, this guy could steal this at a very juicy price.