Welcome Friends to The Turk and the Little Turk Blog, sharing handicapping and bet construction advice since 2008.
I moved to Saratoga, Jumel Place, in April of 1986 and lived there until late November. I did all the requisite things that a Navy Petty Officer should do, including dating a Skiddy Kiddy, hanging out at The Metro and becoming a fixture at the race track. What I did not get the pleasure of doing was see Fourstardave (pictured above with photo credit: Adam Coglianese) run in person, as he burst onto the scene a year later in 1987. The Sultan of Saratoga is gone but not forgotten, but it's horses like this that catch the eyes and hearts of race fans that are needed if this sport is ever going to grow again. I'm not talking about handle, which is nice and needed, I'm talking about culturally relevancy.
I grew up when sports like Boxing and Horse Racing were still relevant. The generation that fought World War 2 was approaching retirement, enjoying the sports that they and their fathers grew up with, but funny things happen along the cultural road. Gambling on Football now dwarfs everything. Twitter and Social Media platforms offer quick takes which has replaced reading and deeper analysis. I'm not trying to be the old guy shouting from the window for a return to the past, but sometimes the old ways are best.
If you are reading this blog for the first time, try reading a book like Dick Mitchell's Common Sense Betting or Brad Free's Handicapping 101: A Horse Racing Primer. Join The Thorofan and find community. Immersing yourself in something that takes time and effort can be a rewarding experience. If anyone reading this ever wants help learning how to handicap, place a bet, or just feel comfortable at a race track, contact me. I'll do my best to help you and I promise I'm not a creeper!
It's such a lost year on many levels. I was so engaged at the beginning of the year with handicapping and this blog but the quarantine and life in general just took its toll. My only real objective now is to stay fresh, watch September and early October racing carefully, and prepare for Breeders' Cup Weekend. I'm all about turf racing and I prefer the cagey 5-7 year old's the best, and while I prefer a bit more of a route of grass, the inner turf, 1 mile, Grade 1 Fourstardave gives me the opportunity at a nine horse field and a lot of natural class. Lets get after this.
- Raging Bull (Fr) was out kicked in a late bid. Capable of a 1:32 Mile.
- Casa Creed ran a 1:33.72 in Hall of Fame G2 on this course as a three year old last year. Onbly 2 starts since for Mott's runner. Mostly slow efforts.
- Emmaus (Ire) trainer Murphy 0-10 Graded Stakes past calendar year. Never fast but seems in decline.
- Of the two Mares, Got Stormy's form has been off in 2020. Won this last year at 5-1.
- Halladay is a beautiful Grey/Roan who didn't have another gear when challenged last out. Hard to believe Pletcher Graded Stakes 9% in 187 attempts over past year.
- One of four (three too many) Chad Brown's, Uni (GB) is classy and the best horse in this field as a Mare. Brown is 29% off 31-60 day layoffs and a staggering 25% Graded Stake Winner in 271 attempts.
- Valid Point is a Scat Daddy Grade 1 winner in 6th start. Has had bad trips. Arlington's turf is not apples and apples with Saratoga, but 1:35.5 as 3 YO in Grade 1 Secretariat.
- Without Parole (GB) is still winless in North America under Brown and winless since Ascot in 2018. Classy. Need more.
- Chewing Gum is Mott's second in the gate, off a quick turnaround 2 weeks ago, stretching out from 5 1/2 furlongs. Crap Shoot.
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