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WEEKEND BETTING: TVG PACIFIC CLASSIC, DEL MAR HANDICAP + MORE

By
K. Abrahams
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0
maximum-security-2020

Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course are where the horse racing action is at this weekend. Del Mar has a full day of races, leading up to the Del Mar Handicap and the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes. Saratoga Race Course hosts the Fourstardave Handicap.

Take a look at your choices and our thoughts on each race before you lock your bets at JAZZ Sports.

Weekend Racing Calendar

Saturday, August 15

TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (9:36 pm ET, TVG)

            Grade I

Post                            Horse                                                 Odds

1                                  Midcourt                                             +350

2                                  Higher Power                                     +300

3                                  Mirinaque                                           +1000

4                                  Dark Vader                                         +1200

5                                  Maximum Security                              +100

6                                  Sharp Samurai                                   +800

Maximum Security maintained his favorite status in his fifth workout at Del Mar since July 11, rolling through seven furlongs in just 1:25.40, after interim fractions of :48.60 and 1:00. That’s not full speed, of course, but enough to show the potential to roll to a win.

Higher Power had interim fractions of :36.20 and 1:00.20. Mirinaque comes in from Argentina for the race. He has raced in three Grade I stakes in Argentina, all between November 2019 and March 2020. He won the first race and finished as runner-up in the other two. All three of those races were at a distance of at least 1 ¼ miles.

Del Mar Handicap (8:06 pm ET, TVG, Del Mar)

            Grade II

Post                            Horse                                                 Odds

1                                  United                                                 +137

2                                  Another Mystery                                 +4000

3                                  Combatant                                          +2000

4                                  Big Buzz                                             +4000

5                                  Ward ‘n Jerry                                      +700

6                                  Proud Pedro                                       +1600

7                                  Red King                                            +600

8                                  New Year                                           +4000

9                                  Oscar Dominguez                              +600

10                                Originaire                                            +600

11                                North County Guy                              +1200

The winner of this race gets an automatic entry into the Longines Breeders’ Cup (Grade I) in November. United almost won that race last year, finishing within a head of Bricks and Mortar. In 2020, United has won all three of his starts, all on turf in Grade II competition in southern California.

Combatant offers a lot of value despite being the only horse in this field to have won a Grade I stakes, at the Santa Anita Handicap in March, on dirt. He has not won in any of his eight races on turf, but he did put in a four-furlong fraction of :49 here, and his trainer, John Sadler, has two wins in this race, in 2011 and 2013.

Red King won his last race by 4 ¼ lengths, dominating the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (Grade III) at Santa Anita Park. His jockey, Umberto Rispoli, leads the Del Mar jockey standings through August 17, and his trainer, Phil D’Amato, has had the winning horse here in five of the last six years.

Fourstardave Handicap (5:46pm ET, FS2, Saratoga Race Course)

            Grade I

Post                            Horse                                                 Odds

1                                  Raging Bull                                         +250

2                                  Casa Creed                                        +2000

3                                  Emmaus                                             +1500

4                                  Got Stormy                                         +800

5                                  Halladay                                             +400

6                                  Uni                                                      +300

7                                  Valid Point                                          +1200

8                                  Without Parole                                    +400

9                                  Chewing Gum                                    +2000

The winner of this race gets an automatic entry in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland in November. Got Stormy is looking to repeat as a winner for the first time since Wise Dan did it in 2012-13. In 2019, Got Stormy won this race by 2 ½ lengths, becoming the first filly to win this race – and while posting a 109 Beyer Speed Figure and setting a course record with a 1:32 flat. She finished second to Uni at the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Mile but then finished 2019 by winning at Del Mar in the Matriarch (Grade I). She comes in without a win in her last four races. She came in fourth, 3 ½ lengths back, at the Poker (Grade III) over a mile at Belmont Park.

Raging Bull won the Shoemaker Mile (Grade I) at Santa Anita two starts ago and then came in third at the Makers Mark Mile (Grade I) at Keeneland, but his jockey carried him wide going into the turn. He was the runner-up in the Fourstardave a year ago, and this would be his third win in a graded stakes if he can pull off the favorite status.

Give an edge to your horse-betting with JAZZ Horse Racing’s exclusive expert articles.

WHO’S STILL ALIVE ON THE KENTUCKY DERBY BUBBLE?

By
K. Abrahams
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0
Pnuematic

Due to that virus I will no longer mention, the Kentucky Derby went from a late spring race to Labor Day weekend, turning the prep season schedule on its head. The last race that provided points for Kentucky Derby qualifiers was the Pegasus Stakes on Saturday, so now that the last points are in, let’s take a look at the standings, with a look at who is in – and who is still on the bubble. Remember – the top 20 horses in points qualify for slots at Churchill Downs, with any ties broken by earnings on non-restricted stakes. Some horses (such as Anneau d’Or and Shivaree), have the points but have ruled themselves out.

We have the top horses who have not yet been ruled out, with some bubble discussion as well. Don’t forget to check out all the betting pools and other odds available at JAZZ Sports, including exclusive prizes on the Triple Crown races.

Who’s in and Who’s out of the Kentucky Derby? Who’s Still on the Bubble?

Position                      Horse                                                                         Points

1                                  Tiz the Law                                                                372

2                                  Authentic                                                                    200

3                                  Art Collector                                                               150

4                                  Honor A.P.                                                                 140

5                                  Ny Traffic                                                                   110

6                                  King Guillermo                                                           90

7                                  Thousand Words                                                       83

8                                  Dr Post                                                                       80

9                                  Max Player                                                                 60

10                                Caracaro                                                                    60

11                                Pneumatic                                                                  45

12                                Enforceable                                                                43

13                                Swiss Skydiver                                                           40

14                                Rushie                                                                        40

15                                Major Fed                                                                   38

16                                Storm the Court                                                         36

17                                Attachment Rate                                                        35

18                                Sole Volante                                                              30

19                                Finnick the Fierce                                                      25

20                                Winning Impression                                                   20

21                                Jesus’ Team                                                              18

22                                Necker Island                                                             14

Pneumatic punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby after his victory at the Pegasus Stakes. He had also garnered points when he came in fourth at the Belmont Stakes. His connections have not committed to Churchill Downs, but he certainly has the points now.

Jesus’ Team remains right on the bubble. He came out of the maiden claiming races at an early stage in the three-year-old season, and at the Haskell Stakes, he came in fourth, grabbing 10 points. After finishing as the runner-up at the Pegasus Stakes, he is right on the edge of the bubble. However, someone in the top 20 would need to back out. Rushie is a possible dropout, as he has not yet paid the entry fee. However, Jesus’ Team is also not yet Triple Crown nominated.

Swiss Skydiver is the topic of the same sort of conversations that were circulating about Gamine a month or so ago – would this filly race in the Kentucky Derby instead of the Kentucky Oaks? She dominated the Alabama Stakes on Saturday and has posted competitive speed figures. Her trainer, Kenny McPeek, told NBC on Saturday that for now she would run in the Oaks. So, if she opts out, that would open up yet another slot as well.

Give an edge to your horse betting with JAZZ Horse Racing’s regular feed of expert betting advice.

WEEKEND BETTING: ALABAMA STAKES, KING EDWARD STAKES + MORE!

By
K. Abrahams
-
0
Swiss-Skydiver-2020

We’ve made it past the last major prep stakes tied to the qualification points for September’s Kentucky Derby, with Tiz the Law emerging as the heavy favorite, at least at this point. This weekend, though, horse racing continues, with Saturday’s major races coming from Woodbine and Saratoga Race Course. Take a look at the action, with odds provided by America’s Best Racing.

Weekend Racing Calendar

Saturday, August 15

Alabama Stakes (5:43pm ET, TVG, Saratoga Race Course)

                Grade I

Post                       Horse                                                    Odds

1                              Envoutante                                        8/1

2                              Spice Is Nice                                       3/1

3                              Crystal Ball                                          9/2

4                              Bonny South                                      8/1

5                              Swiss Skydiver                                   1/1

6                              Harvey’s Lil Goil                                10/1

7                              Fire Coral                                             30/1

This race is for three-year-old fillies, running the 1 ¼ mile distance at Saratoga Race Course to prepare at least some of them for the Longines Kentucky Oaks, three weeks from Saturday. This is the first opportunity for all of these horses to race at the full ten furlongs. The winner of the Alabama Stakes would also qualify automatically for the Longines Distaff, set for November at Keeneland.

Swiss Skydiver is the clear favorite after finishing as the runner-up at the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, in which she was the only filly. She finished behind Art Collector, who will likely turn up as the second choice in September’s Kentucky Derby. She has won three consecutive graded stakes with fillies before the Blue Grass. However, as with the other horses, the X factor is the longer distance.

Bonny South is an interesting dark horse. She’ll have Irad Ortiz Jr as her jockey, which will help her out, and she won the Fair Ground Oaks. She slipped to fourth place in the Ashland Stakes, but she is a finisher, so the longer distance could work to her advantage.

Envoutante came in third at the Ashland Stakes, her first Grade I stakes. She has never won a graded stakes, but this distance should work to her advantage. If Swiss Skydiver gets off to an overly aggressive pace, Envoutante could end up benefiting at the finish line.

King Edward Stakes (5:22 pm ET, TVG, Woodbine)

                Grade II

Post                       Horse                                                    Odds

1                              Dream Maker                                    20/1

2                              March to the Arch                            4/1

3                              Mr Ritz                                                  6/1

4                              Argentello                                           15/1

5                              Silent Poet                                          9/5

6                              Eskiminzin                                           15/1

7                              Admiralty Pier                                   8/1

8                              Delaware                                             5/2

March to the Arch came in sixth at the Wise Dan Stakes (Grade II) back on June 20 at Churchill Downs, finishing 2 ¼ lengths back, but based on what the horses who finished ahead of him have done, that finish looks more impressive. He won the race and also won in his next stakes, as did fourth-place finisher Aquaphobia, who won the Grade I United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park. Parlor finished third and then finished a nose back of the winner in a Grade I stakes in his next race.

Dream Maker is the long shot here; he got off to a disappointing start in the chase for the Triple Crown. This will be his first start on grass; his last race, on July 12, was a fourth-place finish in an allowance optional claimer on July 12. He is related to four winners on grass, including Dream Dancing, who won the 2017 Del Mar Oaks (Grade I).

Silent Poet is the favorite here, who has won both of his starts, although both were at shorter distances than what he will see Saturday. He won the Vice Regent Stakes at a mile in September 2018; his four wins since then have run between 6 ½ and 7 ½ furlongs.

Delaware is the second choice; he won two stakes races in France in 2019, both at a mile distance, including the Shadwell Prix Daphnis (Grade III). He came in second over seven furlongs in an allowance optional claimer at Belmont Park on June 7.

Bold Venture Stakes (4:14 pm ET, TVG, Woodbine)

                Grade III

Post                       Horse                                                    Odds

1                              Roaring Forties                                  20/1

2                              Malibu Secret                                    10/1

3                              Olympic Runner                                5/1

4                              Pink Lloyd                                            4/5

5                              Dun Drum                                           20/1

6                              Magical Man                                      20/1

7                              Smart Remark                                   20/1

8                              White Flag                                           3/1

Dance Smartly Stakes (2:03 pm ET, TVG, Woodbine)

                Grade II

Post                       Horse                                                    Odds

1                              Etoile                                                     7/5

2                              Theodora B.                                        6/1

3                              Romantic Pursuit                              4/1

4                              Elizabeth Way                                    2/1

5                              Art of Almost                                     10/1

6                              Bold Script                                           12/1

Give an EDGE to you betting with JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert racing content, and don’t forget to check out all the betting pools and other action specials available at JAZZ Sports.

CAN ANYONE STOP TIZ THE LAW? A LOOK INSIDE THE KENTUCKY DERBY TOP 10

By
K. Abrahams
-
0
TIZ_THE_LAW_KD_2020

We’re about four weeks away from the 2020 edition of the Kentucky Derby. All of the major prep races ahead of Churchill Downs have now been completed, which means that we know who the main favorites will be, and we can start narrowing down the field. Tiz the Law and Art Collector won the Travers Stakes and the Ellis Park Derby, respectively, bringing the Derby prep season to a close.

Let’s take a look at the most recent ranking of the top ten, as ranked by the Lexington Courier-Journal with their odds to win, courtesy of JAZZ Sports.

Can Anyone Stop Tiz the Law? A Look at the Kentucky Derby Top 10

KD 2020 Betting Odds, according to JAZZ Sports

Horse                                                             Odds

Tiz the Law                                                     -200

Art Collector                                                   +450

Honor A.P.                                                     +800

Ny Traffic                                                       +2500

King Guillermo                                               +2200

Dr Post                                                           +2500

Thousand Words                                            +2000

Authentic                                                        +1000

Caracaro                                                        +2900*

Max Player                                                     +3000

*currently available as part of the wager pool as reported by the Lexington Courier-Journal; available via wager on the Field on JAZZ Sports

Tiz the Law is the dominant favorite for a reason. He has won all four of his races in 2020, including the Holy Bull Stakes (Grade III), the Florida Derby (Grade I), the Belmont Stakes (Grade I) and the Travers Stakes (Garde I) this past fashion. He has not been challenged down the stretch in any of those four races, and he had reached a Beyer Speed Figure of 109 in the Travers Stakes, the best by any horse in the Kentucky Derby field.

Art Collector won wire to wire at the Ellis Park Derby – and if it were not for the COVID-19 pandemic, he would not be running at the Kentucky Derby. He made his debut for the year two weeks after the scheduled date, winning a seven-furlong race at Churchill Downs. He won the Blue Grass Stakes, beating Swiss Skydiver and posting a Beyer Speed Figure of 103.

Honor A.P. has five career starts and has never finished worse than first or second. He finished first at the Santa Anita Derby in June and then came in second to Thousand Words at the Shared Belief Stakes. Honor A.P. had a Beyer Speed Figure of 102 in both of those events. The Kentucky Derby is a quarter-mile longer than the Shared Belief Stakes, and that extra distance could play to Honor A.P.’s advantage.

Ny Traffic has five starts in 2020 – and just one victory, but no finish worse than third, and each field has contained Kentucky Derby contenders. His last race was the Haskell Stakes (Grade I) in July, where he came in second to Authentic while posting a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.

King Guillermo made his last prep race on May 2, at the Arkansas Derby. That is an immense layoff ahead of September 5. Since 1929 (when records started being kept) no Derby champion has ever had more of a break between races than six weeks. However, he has had some spectacular races, winning the Tampa Bay Derby at 49/1 odds and posting a second-place finish at the Arkansas Derby, over three lengths back of Nadal, who was then one of the Kentucky Derby favorites but now is out due to injury. It’s a crazy year in terms of all sports scheduling, so this could be the year when another trend is bucked.

Give an edge to your horseracing with JAZZ Horse Racing’s exclusive content, and make sure to check out all the available betting pools and daily racing odds available at JAZZ Sports.

WEEKEND SUMMARY: ENABLE MAKES HISTORY @ GEORGE IV & QUEEN ELIZABETH QIPCO STAKES

By
K. Abrahams
-
0
Enable_King_George_VI_and_Queen_Elizabeth_Qipco_Stakes

There were two major Grade I stakes events on the horse racing calendar this past weekend. At England’s Ascot Park, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes featured four starters. In the United States, Saratoga Race Course offered the Alfred G. Vanderbilt.

Take a look at a quick recap of both of these signature events, and don’t forget to check out all the betting pools and different action options for racing enthusiasts available at JAZZSports’ Racebook.

Weekend Racing Recap

Saturday, July 25

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes

Enable made history on Saturday by winning a third King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. That made 14 victories in 17 starts for the six-year-old mare, including her 11th win in a Grade I stakes. When the race finally started, what had been a four-horse field became just three, with Japan and Sovereign entering the gates along with Enable.

As the race got underway, Sovereign surged out to an early lead. As the horses went up the hill toward the last turn, Sovereign had a six-length lead, as Enable and Japan ran together. However, at the final turn, Enable made her move. She drew level with the leader with a furlong and a half left, while Japan remained behind. Enable ended up pulling away to win by four lengths. The time she posted for 12 furlongs was 2:28.99. That was Enable’s first win since the Yorkshire Oaks (Grade I), back in August. She will also advance to the Breeders’ Cup Turf, on November 7 at Keeneland, for the first time since 2018.

Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap

Volatile made it four wins in a row and has yet to lose in 2020 after winning at Saratoga on Saturday by 1 ¼ lengths. There were only three opponents in the field after Whitmore, who had come in as the second choice at 4/1, ran through the gate early and then was pulled up. Lexitonian, the long shot of the race, was then scratched at the gate before the horses were all backed out and reloaded. Volatile did not show any signs of distraction, running the quarter in 23.46 seconds and the half in 46.67 on the speedy main track.

Volatile set the pace from the beginning and then turned up the speed in the homestretch. Whitmore made a push around the top of the stretch but could not make up the difference. Volatile ended up finishing the six furlongs in 1:09.61. That gives Volatile a 5-1-0 record in six career starts, all over six furlongs. Volatile was the heavy favorite (2/5) and paid $2.80 on a $2 wager to win. Volatile now has $341,040 in career earnings. Next up for the winner is a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade I) on November 7 at Keeneland, which offers a $2 million purse.

Whitmore ended up finishing second, a half-length ahead of Mind Control, who edged Firenze Fire to finish third.

Keep one head’s distance from the competition with JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert betting advice.

WEEKEND BETTING: KING GEORGE VI & QUEEN ELIZABETH QIPCO STAKES

By
K. Abrahams
-
0
KING_GEORGE_VI_and_QUEEN_ELIZABETH_QIPCO_STAKES

While there are no signature races this weekend in the United States, Great Britain hosts the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Take a look at the schedule and our thoughts on a couple of the races on the slate. Odds are courtesy of JAZZ Sports!

Weekend Racing Calendar

Saturday, July 25

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, 10:35 am ET

            Grade I

Post                            Horse                                                 Odds

1                                  Anthony Van Dyk                                +1000 ml

2                                  Japan                                                 +275 ml

3                                  Sovereign                                           +1100 ml

4                                  Enable                                                -200 ml

Enable is the heavy favorite in her attempt to become the first three-time winner of this race. She beat Crystal Ocean by a neck in 2019, and she also won in 2017, when she defeated Ulysses in more convincing fashion, finishing 4 ½ lengths ahead. Japan also has beaten Crystal Ocean, back in 2019, but has also lost to Enable in two other races. In the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, Ghaiyyath ended up winning, leading from start to finish. Enable came in second, with Crystal Ocean a head behind. Anthony Van Dyk had a big win last year but has a seven-race streak without any victories. Sovereign won the Irish Derby, paying huge 33-1 odds. However, he came in third at the International Vintage Crop Stakes at the Curragh in June.

Marine Stakes (2:03 pm ET, TVG, Woodbine)

            Grade III, All Weather Track, $125,000 Purse, 1 1/16 miles

Post                            Horse                                                 Odds

1                                  Lucky Curlin                                      +300 ml

2                                  Glorious Tribute                                 +1200 ml

3                                  Lookinatamiracle                               +600 ml

4                                  Dotted Line                                       +800 ml

5                                  Perfect Revenge                                +2000 ml

6                                  Untitled                                             +450 ml

7                                  Shirls Speight                                    +120 ml

This race is an important prep for the Queen’s Plate Stakes on September 12. Lucky Curlin won on June 14 over seven furlongs and now looks to make it two wins in a row. In that first win, he was in fifth at the stretch call and ended up winning by a length. Untitled is 2-3-0 over seven starts and came in second on June 13 to Newstome in the Woodstock Stakes.

Selene Stakes (4:53 pm ET, TVG, Woodbine)

            Grade III, All Weather Track, $125,000 Purse, 1 1/16 Miles

Post                            Horse                                                 Odds

1                                  Owlette                                            +180 ml

2                                  Saratoga Vision                                 +3000 ml

3                                  Livin in the Six                                  +1500 ml

4                                  Diamond Sparkles                             +600 ml

5                                  American Tap                                    +350 ml

6                                  Two Sixty                                          +1200 ml

7                                  Merveilleux                                        +160 ml

The Selene Stakes is important for three-year-olds before the Woodbine Oaks on August 15. Owlette has looked terrific in sprints but lost in her only try at a route. She won the Shady Well Stakes and Victorian Queen Stakes in 2019, and then won the Star Shoot Stakes on June 13. Merveilleux will make her seventh start. She lost to Cool Shadows by a neck in the 2019 Princess Elizabeth Stakes and then lost by a head to Curlin’s Voyage in the Ontario Lassie Stakes. Diamond Sparkles made her debut in North American in the 2019 Natalma Stakes (Grade I), coming in fourth as Abscond got the win. Her last race came on June 13 at Woodbine over seven furlongs, and she came in second.

Alfred G. Vanderbilt (6:16 pm ET, FS1, Saratoga Race Course

            Grade I, Dirt Surface, $250,000 Purse, 6 Furlongs

Post                            Horse                                                 Odds

1                                  Lexitonian                                         +2000 ml

2                                  Whitmore                                          +200 ml

3                                  Firenze Fire                                       +400 ml

4                                  Volatile                                             -125 ml

5                                  Mind Control                                      +600 ml

Whitmore has won six graded stakes heading into Saturday’s Alfred G. Vanderbilt. He also has two straight wins in 2020. Overall, he is 14-10-3, earning over $3.1 million in 34 races. He came in 19th in the 2016 Kentucky Derby and has continued to mount a storied career. Firenze Fire has four wins in his last five races, going back to November 2019. He won the True North (Grade II) on June 27. Volatile comes in as the big favorite after winning the Aristides at the Vanderbilt, beating five other horses by eight lengths and posting a 112 Beyer Speed Figure. This will be his debut at Saratoga as well as in graded stakes.

Keep One Head’s Distance in your Betting, with JAZZHorseRacing’ expert betting advice. *Odds are subject to change.

KENTUCKY DERBY UPDATE: SIX HORSES TO WATCH

By
K. Abrahams
-
0
Honor_A_P

As we inch our way through this bizarre summer toward the 2020 Kentucky Derby, conditions in the state of Kentucky continue to fluctuate. Cases of the COVID-19 virus continue to increase in number, prompting the governor to implement an order for residents to wear masks starting July 5. If cases do not stop surging, then the 146th Run for the Roses might take place without fans present.

Either way, though, the race will take place. We have three horses on the rise – and three horses who are starting to crater a bit – as you consider your wagering strategy.

Kentucky Derby Update: Six Horses to Watch

Three Horses on the Rise

Art Collector has won three straight races at open length since May 17 – winning by 2 ¾ lengths in a sprint at Churchill Downs on that day, winning a 1 1/16-mile race by 6 ½ lengths on June 13 at Churchill, and then cruising to a 3 ½-length victory at the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (Grade II) on July 11. His Equibase Speed Figures in those last two races (102 and 103 respectively) look competitive. He started his racing career on the dirt but has looked terrific in his last four starts, all on turf. He has won in races where he started out in the lead, races where he ran just off the leader, and races when he had to catch the leader from far behind. He’s versatile and is only getting better as of now.

Honor A.P. made Authentic look slow down the stretch at the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on June 6, pulling away to win by 2 ¾ lengths. Authentic did have a bad start, but Honor A.P. was able to establish distance on the stretch. Authentic won last week’s TVG.com Haskell Stakes, making Honor A.P.’s win at Santa Anita look even more impressive. In that race, he was able to find another level at the final turn and was well clear of the pack at the end, showing the stamina that he would need for 1 ¼ miles. His Equibase Speed Figure for that race was a career best 105.

Uncle Chuck won the Los Alamitos Derby and might be the top horse remaining in Bob Baffert’s stable who can race at Churchill Downs. He won by seven lengths in his career debut, a mile race at Santa Anita Park on June 12. He won the Los Alamitos Derby just 22 days later, rolling away by four lengths over 1 1/8 miles. His Equibase Speed Figures for those races were 96 and 98, respectively. However, he has not yet raced 1 ¼ miles, so even though he smoked his last furlong at Los Alamitos in 11.85 seconds, he still has some questions to answer.

Three Horses Cooling Down

Modernist won one of the divisions of the Risen Star Stakes and came in third at the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, but since then things have become less promising. He came in seventh at the Belmont Stakes, more than 20 lengths back of the lead, and then he came in fifth at the Peter Pan Stakes on July 16, twelve lengths off the lead. He has 70 points, so he’s likely to finish in the top 20, but he may not be much more than a footnote at this point.

Ete Indien also has plenty of points to qualify for Churchill Downs, with 74. However, his racing form started to deteriorate in March. He faded down the stretch in the Curlin Florida Derby (Grade I) in March, and then he started a one-mile allowance race on June 10 as the 7-10 favorite…only to finish in fourth place, 5 ¾ lengths off the lead. He has no published workouts to this point in July, so he may be swirling around the drain.

Sole Volante had an impressive win on June 10 in an allowance victory that saw him finish ahead of Ete Indien, Shivaree and Jesus’ Team. However, he laid an egg at the Belmont Stakes, looking listless in a sixth-place finish that saw him 15 ¾ lengths behind the lead. He does have 30 points toward Kentucky Derby qualification, but he has no published workouts since Belmont at this writing.

Keep a head’s distance from the competition with JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert betting advice. Take care and until next time!

WEEKEND RECAP: AUTHENTIC GETS PHOTO FINISH @ TVG’S HASKELL STAKES

By
K. Abrahams
-
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Authentic_Haskell_Stakes

The signature races this past weekend included the TVG.com Haskell Stakes, from Monmouth Park, and the Coaching Club American Oaks. The Haskell Stakes is normally the first major graded stakes for three-year-olds after the Triple Crown, but this year it has even more importance than normal, as it offers qualification points for this year’s delayed Kentucky Derby. Take a look at our recap of the Haskell Stakes and the Coaching Club American Oaks.

Weekend Racing Recap

Saturday, July 18

TVG.com Haskell Stakes

Authentic came in as the prohibitive favorite, paying at -120 when the race finally got underway. However, Ny Traffic made it a lot more interesting down the stretch than it looked like it was going to be after the fourth turn. Authentic had a huge lead, but then Ny Traffic pushed hard at the end making for a photo finish.

Authentic’s win gives trainer Bob Baffert his ninth overall victory at the Haskell Stakes. Authentic earned 100 more points in qualification for the Kentucky Derby and also has an automatic entry into November’s Breeders’ Cup Classic.

An interesting development came late in the Haskell Stakes. Dr Post also joined Ny Traffic down the stretch to challenge Authentic. While Dr Post let up with a couple of lengths left in the race, Authentic also appeared to let up in the waning seconds of the race after appearing distracted. Jockey Mike Smith, in an interview with NBC, said that Authentic is “an extremely talented horse. But he’s still got some growing up to do…he’s got a lot of room to improve.” Baffert was also concerned, noticing that Authentic appeared to lack focus down the stretch. So while he is comfortably in for the Kentucky Derby, now second overall in qualification points, there are still some questions to answer.

Coaching Club American Oaks

Paris Stakes won her stakes debut by pushing past Crystal Ball in the last seconds. Crystal Ball and Paris Lights raced through splits of :24.34 and :47.82 at the first half-mile. Tonalist’s Shape, who had entered in the favorite, had put on blinkers for the race and needed to come steady after a tough first turn, and was stuck in the middle of the pack.

Crystal Ball hit six furlongs at 1:11.54, but that was when Paris Lights started to draw closer. She drew level at the quarter pole and ended up winning by a head. Paris Lights’ time was 1:50.80 on a fast track. Crystall, Antoinette and Tonalist’s Shape ended up rounding out the top four, which means that all of them earned points toward the Kentucky Oaks.

That gives Paris Lights three consecutive wins, and the 100 points she earned today put her in fourth place on the points leaderboard for the Kentucky Oaks, but she has not yet been nominated for the race. Her next action will likely come at the Alabama Stakes (Grade I) on August 15. Stay tuned for the progress of this prodigious filly.

Keep one head’s distance from the competition with JAZZHorseRacing’s expert betting advice!

WEEKEND BETTING: COACHING CLUB AMERICAN OAKS & TVG.COM HASKELL STAKES

By
K. Abrahams
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Tonalists-Shape

Monmouth Park is the hub of American horse racing this weekend, with the TVG.com Haskell Stakes serving as the headliner of a number of other races, broadcast on NBC. The Coaching Club American Oaks is also set for Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. We have the odds and the details about the weekend’s events, as well as thoughts on some of the key races.

Weekend Racing Calendar

Saturday, July 18

Coaching Club American Oaks (6:16 pm ET, FS1, Saratoga Race Course)

                Grade I, Dirt surface, $350,000 purse, 1 1/8 Miles

Post                       Horse                                    Jockey                                  Odds*

1                              Tonalist’s Shape                  Irad Ortiz Jr                        +180

2                              Antoinette                          John R. Velazquez            +600

3                              Altaf                                   Joel Rosario                        +500

4                              Velvet Crush                      Jose L. Ortiz                        +1200

5                              Crystal Ball                         Javier Castellano               +400

6                              Paris Lights                         Tyler Gaffalione                +200

Bob Baffert was considering bringing Gamine east for this race, but then he decided ont to, so this is a graded stakes with a slight dip in talent. Tonalist’s Shape is the only horse in the field with a graded stakes win, and she gets to open on the rail, which should give her the edge if she just keeps moving straight ahead after establishing an early lead. Antoinette has not finished worse than third place in five straight races and finished third at the Twinspires.com Fair Ground Oaks (Grade II) in her debut as a three-year-old. This is a longer race than what she has raced in the past. Altaf won her debut on dirt at Churchill Downs by over five lengths, but this will be the toughest competition she has faced. Velvet Crush is the longshot, probably overshadowed in terms of talent on the basis of her prior speed figures. Crystal Ball is Baffert’s substitute for Gamine after she won her maiden by 6 ¾ lengths. Paris Lights won her maiden and an allowance race by big margins. Can she replicate those results away from Churchill Downs?

TVG.com Haskell Stakes (5:46 pm ET, NBC, Monmouth Park)

                Grade I, Dirt surface, $1 million purse, 1 1/8 Miles

Post                       Horse                                    Jockey                                  Odds

1                              Dr Post                               Joe Bravo                            +250

2                              Authentic                            Mike E. Smith                     -125

3                              Jesus’ Team                        Nik Juarez                           +1500

4                              Ancient Warrior                Trevor McCarthy              +2000

5                              Fame to Famous               Jose C. Ferrer                     +3000

6                              Lebda                                 Alex Cintron                       +2000

7                              Ny Traffic                            Paco Lopez                         +350

In most years, the Haskell Stakes is the first major stakes race for three-year-old horses after the Triple Crown. However, this year it takes place between the Belmont Stakes and the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Derby made the Haskell Stakes one of the qualifying races providing points for horses to qualify for Churchill Downs. The points go to the top four finishers, using a 100-40-20-1 scale. The winner also gets an automatic entry into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.

Authentic is trained by Bob Baffert and has three wins in four career starts, along with a runner-up finish. His wins in the one-mile Sham Stakes and the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe Stakes earlier this year were emphatic. He was the runner-up in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on June 6, behind Honor A.P., but his start was poor. Baffert-trained horses have won eight Haskell Stakes titles, and Authentic is Baffert’s top horse after Nadal was retired and Charlatan went down with injury. Authentic already has 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, but observers will be watching his performance to gauge his favorite status for Churchill Downs.

Dr Post was the runner-up at the Belmont Stakes, behind Tiz the Law, and with a first- or second-place finish, he would clinch his own slot at Churchill Downs. He has a come-from-behind style, which means he could surprise a leading group that will contain Authentic, Ny Traffic and several others. Trainer Todd Pletcher has had three horses win the Haskell Stakes. Dr Post will not have his usual jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr, who stayed in Saratoga due to COVID-19 travel restrictions on jockeys.

Keep a head’s distance from all the competition, with all the top content that only JAZZ Horse Racing can give you. Take care and See You Soon!

*Betting Odds are subject to change.

KENTUCKY DERBY UPDATE: WHO’S IN AND WHO’S OUT?

By
K. Abrahams
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tiz_the_law_kd

The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes was the latest race that bestowed points on horses seeking to qualify for the 2020 Kentucky Derby, which of course is being held in September this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve updated the Kentucky Derby leaderboard for you and made some observations on the most recent action. *Remember you can take all your action cravings to JAZZ Sports’ Racebook; they’ve got daily racing odds and betting pools on all Triple Crown races!

Kentucky Derby Update: Who’s In and Who’s Out?

Leaderboard (TOP 15 – After Toyota Blue Grass Stakes) – horses with 10+ points as of July 14

Position               Horse                                                                                    Points

1                              Tiz the Law                                                                          272

2                              Honor A.P.                                                                          120

3                              Authentic                                                                            100

4                              Art Collector                                                                       100

5                              King Guillermo                                                                  90

6                              Ete Indien                                                                           74

7                              Modernist                                                                           70

8                              Ny Traffic                                                                             70

9                              Dr Post                                                                                 60

10                           Basin                                                                                     50

11                           Mischievious Alex                                                            50

12                           Enforceable                                                                        43

13                           Shivaree                                                                              40

14                           Max Player                                                                          40

15                           Swiss Skydiver                                                                   40

Art Collector picked up 100 points by winning the Blue Grass Stakes and is now one of 11 horses with at least 50 points toward Kentucky Derby qualification. The top 20 horses are eligible. There have been four Prep Races in the last two weeks, but except for Art Collector’s huge jump up the standings, there have not been many seismic alterations.

Enforceable took fourth place at the Blue Grass Stakes and now has 43 points. In five of the six Prep Races that he has started, he has five top-four finishes and won the Lecomte (Grade III) in January. So currently Enforceable appears to be right on the bubble and would likely benefit from one more Prep Race to stack up some more points.

Swiss Skydiver is an interesting case, as the filly grabbed 40 points by finishing second in the Blue Grass Stakes. She is leading in points for qualifying for the Kentucky Oaks, and it looks like that is where trainer Ken McPeek wants to put her. If she had won the Blue Grass Stakes, things might be different, but when she got passed down the stretch after giving it all, it looks like the Oaks will be her destination.

Uncle Chuck is still a horse to look at, as he won the Los Alamitos Derby (Grade III) last week. He did get 20 points from that win (there were only four entrants), so he will need more points to get off the bubble. He’s one of Bob Baffert’s horses, as is Thousand Words, who got eight points for finishing as the runner-up at Los Alamitos. He still has work to do, but it would not be surprising to see both of these Baffert horses at Churchill Downs.

Major Fed came in second at the Indiana Derby and now has 38 points. Expect to see him line up for another Prep Race, if not two, in order to get into that field as well.

Keep a head’s distance to other bettors with JAZZ Horse Racing’s top betting advice. See you next time!

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Jazz Horse Racing publishes regular content on horse racing, including race previews, track news and occasional betting advice by professional pundits. JazzHorseRacing is NOT a betting site; all views and opinions expressed on this site by our contributors are solely their own and they do not represent JazzHorseRacing’s views or policies.

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