The Nomination Is In: December 26, 2009: The La Brea Stakes Grade I; 7 Furlongs on Fake Dirt for 3 YO Fillies at Santa Anita

The 2008 winner of the Grade I La Brea, Indian Blessing, added a 5th win in this race for Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert. Trainer Baffert has the Turk's chalk running here today, Gabby's Golden Gal on a fantastic day at the Great Race Place that will see mighty Zenyatta paraded for the last time before she's off to become a mother of future champions as well as what I'm sure is an emotional day for trainer McAnally as the statue of John Henry is unveiled. Great Stuff and the Turk wishes he was there.

Race 8 Santa Anita, post time 6:30 ET; The La Brea Stakes Grade I; 7 furlongs on fake dirt for 3 YO fillies.



Gabby's Golden Gal has been off since July 4th and that is always a red flag for me, but has been working sharply for Trainer Baffert and with Smith up for the breeder/owner and Bloodhorse Magazine featured Arnold Zetcher . After a forgettable 2 YO campaign, 3 wins in 6 starts as 3 YO, 3 for 3 in the money on Poly and a Grade I dirt winner as well as the 3 YO earnings leader. Beatable chalk in a fairly wide open race.

Evita Argentina was a better 2 YO then a 3 YO, or possibly I should say, an unimproved 3 YO from a being a good 2 YO. A win here might change that impression. The daughter of Candy Ride (Arg) is trained by Sadler and the Sadler/Rosario combo clicks away at 21% at SA,

I'm looking for some value with Pinkarella . Coming in off an impressive N1X win and a good show finish in a Grade III at SA last March. 2 wins in 4 starts on poly for the daughter of Malibu Moon. 2nd off >180 day layoff.

Kays and Jays is a Turk favorite, as Little Turk is Jae and Turk foundation wiemaraner is Kay. That said, this pick isn't about the name but a career best 105 BSF and a 99 BSF, both on dirt. 3 wins in 4 starts on synth/turf for the Macho uno daughter, trained by Mitchell with Bejarano up, a combo that is a race best SA best 25% win rate with over 100 races in 2009.

Amazed by Grace with Gomez up, is training very well and enters off a 75K stakes win and two sharp dirt starts. 1st poly try. Dani Reese won a six furlongs at SA last time out in an N1X in October and has been training well since. K. Desormeaux takes the mount from M. Smith. 3 wins in 4 starts in 2009.

So what are doing? Well the 1st race is going off as I type this so its early to make final decisions but after analyzing I think we will have a wide open affair and i think as many as five horses have a chance to win and I think 7 horses have a good shot at the top four. 10 cent supers are in fashion so I'll work a few boxed bets in, no more then $12 bucks or 5 different combos. I'll take 8 dollars and work a few straight exactas and perhaps even a few win bets depending on the tote. Toss everyone below C+, three Irish Breds. Gosh that doesn't right!

Have Fun, Turk Out!

Post Race Analysis for Race Day June 6, 2009: Belmont Stakes Day

Race 6 BEL: The True North Handicap Grade II; 6f on NYS Dirt for 3 YO and Up.



It's always good to start your betting day off strong. Prerace, I wasn't thrilled with the six horse field, and I didn't see anyway that Benny the Bull and Fabulous Strike would not finish one-two. I picked Benny the Bull because I wanted a better payoff, but I thought that was an easy Exacta bet, and it was , returning $12.40 on a boxed bet.

Where I think this old Turk did well and what got me excited was I was much higher on Silver Edition then the betting public was. I had him third in my pre race analysis while the bettors had him last. Silver Edition did indeed take third and i was rewarded with $177.00 in Trifecta, for a race take of $189 bucks on $12 investment.




Race 9 BEL: The Acorn Grade I: 1 Mile on NYS Dirt for 3YO Fillies.



As a handicapper, you really can't beat yourself up after you just miss one. I like to make the analogy of a cornerback who just gave up a deep ball and has to go back out there the next play. One needs a short memory as there will be time for analysis later.

I wouldn't have picked Gabby's Golden Girl if I had 10 more chances. I just didn't see it coming. I accurately had the chalk, Justwhistledixie in the Place spot but not much else went right.



Race 10 BEL: The Manhattan Handicap Grade I: 1 1/4 miles on Turf for 3 YO and Up.



Another race, same results. I tied my handicap to Cowboy Cal who took the lead at the top of the stretch and then faded. So we moved along to the main event.



Race 11 BEL: The Belmont Stakes Grade I; 1 1/2 miles on NYS Dirt for 3 YO.



The Turk tried to make a good bet for the Appleton Turk, two $10 win bets on Dunkirk and Charitable Man. I should have added her money to the Superfecta bet that I made and we would have made some serious hay!

All in all it was a good day of handicapping for the Turk. I hope my fellow bloggers who were there had a great time.



Turk Out!