The Nomination Is In: January 9, 2010; The Spectacular Bid 100K at Gulfstream Park for 3 YO

The fine looking two year old with Prado up is ye' Ol Turk's chalk in today's Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Discreetly Mine. The photo was taken on Alabama Day at Saratoga this past summer, a fun filled day for Grandpa Turk, Little Turk and I as we played the ponies from expensive clubhouse seats and listened to the classy ladies in front of us discuss sex acts and use filthy language all day long as they got drunker and drunker. You can put a fancy hat on some people but you can't take the trash out of them no matter which part of the Hamptons they live in. I seriously digressed. Thanks to Boo Boo Kitty's Flickr stream for the picture. Watch the weather and the track conditions. It will be wet and none to warm.

Race 5 Gulfstream Park Post Time 3:07 ET; The Spectacular Bid 100K; 6 furlongs on dirt for 3 YOs.



Reader's of the Turk know I don't play two year olds and practically ignore the young ones until the reach three. I'm a fan of shifting the Triple Crown to four year olds personally but every time I mention that I get blasted by anonymous comments about what an arse I am. That said, the game is about three year olds until the Triple Crown season comes and goes, so I dip my Turk toes into the warm south Florida waters and get after it.

Trainer Pletcher enters Discreetly Mine today, a son of Mineshaft and racing for Breeder/Owner Robsham Stables. 4 of 5 in the money on dirt, 3 place finishes on fast dirt and an off track win. First start after shutting down in early October. Pletcher has good stats but the one ugly one is first time starts with a new trainer, of 34 starts winning only 9%. Velazquez up, and Velazquez and Pletcher win 23% of the time together. Working well under handrides.

Westover Wildcat is one of two horses running for Trainer A. Dutrow, the other a nice looking Edward Evans VA bred, A Little Warm, who breaks from the far outside. Westover Wildcat, with R. Dominguez up, comes in training well and a sharp 90 BSF in his last race. Trainer Duttrow's stats are pretty impressive, but I'm impressed with the Trainer/Jock combo clipping away at 42% on nearly 100 races together.

Grand Times is a Wesley Ward trained and owned Greatness colt. 2 for 2 on fast dirt and 3 of 3 in the money lifetime.

Wildcat Frankie will go to post as the bettor's 1st or 2nd favorite off a 95 BSF in mid December at Calder. I've read nice things about him but I like a bit more before I go any higher. I will account for him on some 10 cent super boxes.

Mr. Green and A Little Warm are as far into the field as I'll look. Mr. Green is a gelding who has raced 8 times already, 7 of 7 in the money on dirt, and 8 of 8 lifetime in the money. Trainer Wolfson is no slouch and his combo with Saez clips away at 48% on 25 races. 2nd off long layoff, maybe more ready to show good form then some of the others.

Call Shot from Tale of the Cat seems to be more of a synthetic horse and we'll watch him for future play at KEE.

There are a few interesting 4 YO races today as well. I'll be back to take a crack at Race 7 at GP, The Grade III Mr. Prospector and at Santa Anita, the Grade II San Pasquel Handicap. Enjoy, Turk Out!