Bonjour! Thursday at Gulfstream…

Best Bet: Gulfstream Race 1 WIN #1 Rapid Redux (3/1 ML). As the second choice on the morning line, I expect Rapid Redux to win today’s opener, a 1 mile claimer that features seven horses scheduled to head to post. All entries are slated to carry 122 pounds and have a claiming tag of $20k.

Next Best: Gulfstream Race 2 WIN #1A Honor in Peace (6/5 ML). Moving right along on the Gulfstream card I’ backing a coupled entry in this one. This 3YO Florida-bred colt is trained by Wesley Ward and should have what it takes to get the job done in this six furlong claimer. He’ll face off against some comparable competition but looks like a winner.

Value Bet: Gulfstream Race 6 WIN #1 Lyrical Note (8/1 ML). This maiden special weight will be held on the Turf and features a field of 3YO and 4YO fillies running a mile. This race looks very open and I think Lyrical note, a Kentucky-bred Pletcher trainee, could upset today. Carrying several pounds less than a handful of other entries and starting on the rail should help her cause. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more from Team R2D. Let’s get some winners!

Bonne Chance! Monsieur Chanceux

Philly Park
Tuesday

Best Bet: Race 3 #2 NOT FOR WINSTON (5-2) needs only to duplicate his last to top these.

Next Best: Race 5 #3 FLYING LASS (9-2) makes the all-important drop to claimers for Iwinski.

Value Play: Race 7 #12 THE WIZENED APPLE (10-1) is gaining his best form back after a long break and could surprise these.

el Secreto

TUESDAY END OF THE MONTH PICKS FROM WESTERN FAIR- BRONCOBUSTER
 
Another month has come and gone!  We close the month out today with some selections from Western Fair.  Coming up this weekend a set of major prep’s for the Kentucky Derby, as we close in on this years big race.  This Saturday puts us just one month away from the run for the roses. Do you have your hot selection yet?  Check back this weekend for some more derby previews by all the tipsters at R2D…
 
For now, it’s off to Western Fair, to close out the month!
 
WESTERN FAIR-
 
Best Bet-  Race 4 #8 Little Man, M/L 5-1.   The last out at Western Fair was a good test drive for Trevor Henry who drove the woodbine shipper for the first time.  The horse also got familar with the course and was only beaten 3 lengths.  Very credible effort for someone going over this track for the first time.  Expect him to move forward off that experience and he holds the speed badge of this field with a 1:55 effort at Woodbine.  He’s very capable to upending these now that he’s had a start under his belt.  For those playing the pick-4 he could be an option as a single, watch the tote board for the clues in this first leg.
 
Next Best- Race 12 #2 Fu Malan, M/L 9-2.  Draws well for this and is a nice closer, in a race mired with early speed.  This one should trip out and use her closing ability to topple these when it counts the most..  Another horse who is getting second time Henry and his last race is a nice springboard that allows him to know what he’s got for this start.
 
Value Bet-  Race 6 #3 Manvers Maple, M/L 6-1.  WIN PLACE SHOW.  Bottom dweller on the trot and this one ships in from Flamboro off a very decent mile in 2:01.  In a race where most are stuggling to hit 2:03, this one appears well placed and the draw is decent enough to suggest that he’d be a part of the ticket.  The morning line seems generous based on what i see on paper.  Watch the tote board for the clues and include him in all your gimmick plays, including the pick-4 ticket. 
 
BONUS PLAY -  PICK-4
 
RACE 4-  8
RACE 5-  1-7
RACE 6-  1-3-5-7
RACE 7-  2-3-7-8
 
TOTAL $32 FOR A $ 1 TICKET.
 
go gettum- broncobuster

East and West coast Derby prep races this weekend  The Wood Memorial from New York and The Santa Anita Derby LA.
 
HAWTHORN.
 
BEST BET ….. RACE 3 ….. # 1 SHARP CURRENT.
 
NEXT BEST … RACE 1 ….. # 1 AKA LILY’S LAD.
 
VALUE BET … RACE 5 …. # 7 BETATRON.
 
 
H.W.

Tanner Riggs rode a five timer yesterday at Hawthorn.
A really tough accomplishment over a tough track.
He looks now towards the Illinois Derby this weekend a prep race of some note for the Kentucky Derby.
 
PHILADELPHIA PARK.
 
BEST BET ….. RACE 7 ….. #4 JAZZ HER UP.
 
NEXT BEST … RACE 6 ….. # 2 AFLEET JANE.
 
VALUE BET .. RACE 3 ….. # 6 PARADISE DANCER
                                        # 5 A FLEET PROSPECTOR.
                                        # 10 IRON MAN SURPRISE.
                       BOXED EXACTA.
 
 
H.W

MONDAY PICKS FROM WESTERN FAIR- BRONCOBUSTER
 
WESTERN FAIR-
 
Best Bet- Race 10 #1 P J Lucky, M/L 5-2.  WIN WAGER. Hits his 3rd start in the form cycle; gets a rail draw and a significant driver change to Richardson, who I expect will give him an agressive steer.  Should get brave from this spot and could wire these.
 
Next Best- Race 6 #1 Kerrs Light, M/L 2-1. WIN WAGER.  Draws the rail against a field of horses who do not like winning.  He can use that to his advantage in a spot like this and I predict a front end mission and victory today.  For those playing the Pick-4 today, he looks like a single, which allows you to look for some value in some of the other legs. 
 
Value Bet-  Race 12 #4 Kettle Point, M/L 5-1.  WIN PLACE SHOW. Fairly wide open condition race which see’s this one dropping out of the restricted lifetime ranks nw60000L and into a nw4500L3.  Despite the move this one has shown flashes of ability against tougher fields than he faces today and with any kind of trip, should be heard from when it counts the most.  Anywhere near his M/L makes for a good across the board wager.
 
BONUS PLAY-  PICK 4 WAGER
SINGLE #1 KERRS LIGHT IN RACE 6.
 
RACE 4-  3-4-5-8
RACE 5-  3-6-7
RACE 6-  1
RACE 7-  2-3-4
 
TOTAL: $ 36 FOR A $ 1 TICKET.

BEST BET—GULFSTREAM PARK—RACE 9—# 6 STAR PLUS.
This Angel Penna runner goes from the Gr. III Canadian Turf to todays’ 80k optional claimer. Ran an even race in that Grade III, his 2nd race back off a 14 month layoff. A graded stakes runner, Penna is looking for a confidence booster for this horse and this spot is perfect today. Maragh stays for the 3rd start off that layoff, this veteran has 3 nice Palm Meadow works since that last race.
 
NEXT BEST—FAIR GROUNDS—RACE 7—# 2 BLUE ANGEL.
Bret Calhoun had a great meet in the bayou and brings this mare back looking for her 3rd win in a row at this distance at this meet. Handled the raise from 17k to 40k last out and is staying at that level today. Look for Calhoun to close out today’s Fair Grounds meet with a score in this spot.
 
VALUE BET—SANTA ANITA—RACE 7–# 5 SISTER DAWN/ # 6 CHURCH CAMP–$2 EXACTA BOX.
# 6 CHURCH CAMP is undefeated in 2 lifetime starts, one on dirt and one on plastic here at SA. Training very well since her last win here on Feb 11th. SISTER DAWN broke her maiden sprinting at SA then went 2 turns, and although  respectable 4th, I feel she is a better sprinter and will appreciate todays cut back in distance.Sadler puts the hood on today as well, a 31% move for that trainer.

Back Stretch Al

Jersey Joe selections for Saturday, March 28th.
 
3/28
Dover Downs
 
Best Bet
Race 12
#2 Blissful Island
 
Next Best Bet
Race 6
#4 Duplin Dandy
 
Value Bet
Race 7
#2 Giddy Up N Giggle
 
Regards,
Jersey Joe, Mile Pro

Ouch, yesterday didn’t go quite as planned, but it is a real test when you’re dealing with 3YOs of that caliber. So I’m going to dust myself off and try again with another Derby prep. Lots of expensive stakes racing in sunny New Mexico today, culminating with the $800k Sunland Derby. So here are a few choice picks for your consideration.

Your BEST BET is 2 NACHO FRIEND in RACE 12, The Sunland Derby (9/2 ML). This colt looked pretty sharp in the Gotham – first route and first race from a long layoff – and still finished third. I’m expecting a step forward for him today and love that regular rider Bravo stays on board.

Your NEXT BEST BET is 1 FAVORITE FLAG in RACE 8 , The New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks (10/1 ML). Filly is coming off a nice local win for hot trainer Dominguez. She’s taking a step up and stretching out to a route today, but she has the pedigree and running style to handle it. I think she’ll appreciate the inside draw.

Your VALUE BET is WIN/PLACE on 3 HAYLEY’S HALO in RACE 11, The Sunland Park Oaks (8/1 ML). Filly is coming off a confidence-boosting win here and a nice string of works.  Seemed to like the Sunland dirt after ho hum performances at Santa Anita and shouldn’t mind the switch to a route. Gets a big trainer upgrade to Dominguez plus Albarado in the irons today.

Lady Luck

Pretty exciting Saturday was experienced all over the Globe. Remarkable photo of Kevin Sheay the South African Jock celebrating what he thought was the win in the worlds richest race, only to find he was beaten by an inch.
 The Derby picture got clearer or more murky depending on who you talk too. No one horse has shot to the top of peoples lists which bodes well for an open Derby  especially on the tote board.
 
HAWTHORN.
 
BEST BET ….. RACE 2 …..# 6 LOVELY TRIP.
 
NEXT BEST … RACE 4 …. # 4 HART OF A COWBOY.
 
VALUE BET .. RACE 8 …. # 1 OATMAN
 
 
H.W.