$5 Million Beldame Challenge~The Race Of Our Lifetime

When we look back at 2009 it is going to be remembered as the year of the filly. Fillies and mares have dominated from coast to coast. So many of them have amazed us with dazzling performances that have dropped jaws and lit up speed figure charts. It would be absolutely extraordinary if a benevolent sponsor offered up an enhanced purse for the Beldame this year. Now is the time, the horses and the rivalry are here right now. NYRA/TVG have promised a million but there are million dollar races throughout the summer. This is a special occasion and it calls for a special race with a huge purse.


Imagine a race that corralled all of the filly all-stars. What about the $3 million Ladies Classic at Santa Anita? It is just not the same on that synthetic surfaces especially without division leader Rachel Alexandra. This distaff classic has to be at Belmont and it must be on dirt. The star studded field of recent big winners would be Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Icon Project, Seventh Street, Music Note and Careless Jewel. Let them fill out the field to twelve runners to generate maximum handle. There would not be enough words to describe the excitement that a race like this would generate.

Travers Hangover Play Of the Day

Saratoga Race 10 Personal Ensign Stakes

No Hangover at Power Cap as we picked our spots on the Travers card and have plenty of handicapping vigor left to take on Sundays card. We are looking for the weekend stakes double for Capt. Candy Man's trainer Ian Wilkes. His charge Miss Isella is the power filly in the Personal Ensign. Go back and watch this filly's replays. It is clear that she has the heart of a champion to go along with her talent. Twice at Churchill she determinedly bullied her through up a narrow opening and scored over a horse that had a much better trip. Willing to forgive the loss last time on the bog to the speedy Seventh Street. I figure it is going to take a huge performance from another contender or a disastrous trip to get Miss Isella beat today. She is the most likely winner of the day, hoping for 2-1 and some value in the exotics.

Win #4 Miss Isella

The Stats
40 15-7-3
strike rate 38%
cumulative return 112.90
$2 ROI $2.82

Travers Day Washout & The Play Of The Day

Unfortunately this years Travers card is going to be deluged with heavy rain. The Travers looks wide open to me. This is the kind of race where I am going to approach with caution. It is beneficial to absorb the rhythm of the day before committing to one horse the night before.

With conditions sure to be ultra-wet it is doubtful that even the graded stakes turf races will stay on the grass. The good news is I have a few mudders picked out that are sure to run well tomorrow at square prices.

Race 5 - Liscarroll

Race 6 - Mr. Unstoppable & Richland Creek

Race 7 - Selva

Race 10 - Music Note & Tar Heel Mom

Race 11 - Capt. Candyman Can (Play Of The Day)

Race 12- Warrior's Reward

Play Of The Day - Kings Bishop GI

Capt. Candyman Can is going to win the Kings Bishop. He loves the mud and it will take a horse to freak like Quality Road freaked in the Amsterdam to beat him.

Race 11 Win #3 Capt. Candyman Can

The Stats
39 14-7-3
strike rate 36%
cumulative return 103.10
$2 ROI $2.64

Justenuffhumor North America's Best Hope For The B.C. Mile

Justenuffhumor is entered in today's Baruch handicap. He has emerged as the leading miler in North America. His form has been sensational reeling off 5 consecutive wins since moving to the turf. He is part of one is most success immediate families in racing with Lewis Michael and Champion Dreaming Of Anna both half siblings. His strength is his turn of foot.

The interesting thing today is that he does not have a workout listed since his score in the fourstardave. This is not Mclaughlin's Modus Operadi. Justenuffhumor may be vulnerable today. If Justenuffhumor can run well today while he may not be at his best, he can solidify his claim as the only horse with a serious chance to beat Goldikova in the B.C. Mile.

Naughty New Yorker Becomes A Millionaire

Old war horse Naughty New Yorker pushed past $1 million in earning today with his placing in the Funny Cide stakes at Saratoga. After a year layoff and a few last place finishes it looked like the old war horse would never get to $1 million, he has loomed over $1 million with about $980K in earnings since February 2008. He finally made it past the $1 million plateau with a better run today.

Playback Play Of The Day

Saratoga Race 8

Southside Babe was stymied on the rail in her last race and unleashed a furious late rally. There are no comments in the form outlining her trouble. We have a competitive field and along with the hidden trouble we may see the square 8-1 morning line on Southside Babe. We will need some racing luck, however I have little doubt that Southside Babe is live at 8-1.

Win #4 Southside Babe

38 14-7-2
strike rate 37%
cumulative return 103.10
$2 ROI $2.71

613 on 817 Play Of The Day

Saratoga Race 8 Troy Stakes
Not much speed signed on for the Troy stakes today. Sixthirteen figures to make the lead by employing his natural speed. The pace scenario looks doable as he only has to outgame True To Tradition on the front end. Sixthirteen makes the top every time and he has a really good chance at taking them all the way here. The horse's trainer Hushion has a history with these turf speed horse sprinters and can get them ready for this type of task. The 6-1 morning line would be a gift.

Win #4 Sixthirteen

Full Disclosure Stats

37 14-6-2
strike rate 38%
cumulative return 103.10
$2 ROI $2.79

Ban-Lock Play Of The Day

Saratoga Race 10 West Pont Handicap
After a procession of longshots it looks like logic will hold sway here. Banlock Banrock is going to win the West Point. DRF's Crist has a live ticket in the pick 6 singling Banrock and I am certain he will make it to the finale with four shots at pick 6 glory. Banrock has a huge class edge here combined with a versitile run style.

Win #7 Banrock

36 13-6-2
strike rate 36%
cumulative return 99.30
$2 ROI $2.76