As the kick-off of the winter-spring Santa Anita Park meeting on Dec. 26 approaches, I was inspired to put together a list of some — just some — of my many favorite races that I’ve seen at Santa Anita through the years. They are listed below in chronological order: FEBRUARY 20, 1977 — SAN […]
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Time’s running out for you to hit the Late Pick 4 at Santa Anita and to earn a share of a $2,000 daily bonus from Xpressbet and 1/ST BET. Just three days remain in the meet before action shifts to Del Mar next Wednesday and the Breeders’ Cup there Friday and Saturday. Last week successful […]
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Xpressbet and 1ST BET continue to offer a daily sweetener to account holders who hit Santa Anita’s Late Pick 4 and are registered for a $2,000 bonus. For the most part, these added-money kisses aren’t life-changing scores, you’ll still need to find those in the main arena, but who doesn’t mind a little extra cash? […]
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The 38th annual Breeders’ Cup, a 14-race extravaganza topped by the $6 million Classic, will be held at Del Mar on Nov. 5-6. I, like many others, am looking forward to seeing what happens in the $2 million BC Juvenile, a 1 1/16-mile race on the main track for 2-year-olds. No doubt many […]
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The 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar on Nov. 5-6 is just around the corner. As Del Mar’s morning-line oddsmaker, I thought this would be a good time to come up with a list of early odds for the $6 million BC Classic. Of course, the actual field for the Grade I BC Classic […]
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In case you hadn’t noticed, we’ve been away for the last two Thursdays. Then again, if you hadn’t noticed, chances are you’re probably not reading this now. As the kids these days say, ‘Whatever.’ The next two weekends are huge on the racing landscape. Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In events, plus assorted other […]
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In light of his stellar performance in last Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, Hot Rod Charlie should be taken very seriously when he makes his next start in the Grade I, $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 6. Ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Doug O’Neill, Hot Rod Charlie […]
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There is something of a lull going on right now during this year’s Triple Crown series before it concludes with the Grade I Belmont Stakes on June 5. I will have my Belmont selections and analysis for Xpressbet.com next week. I thought this would be a good time to go over my list of […]
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Three biggies with Kentucky Derby ramifications will be run this weekend. They are the Grade I Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, Grade II Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and Grade II Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. The first four finishers in these three 1 1/8-mile races will collect Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 basis. […]
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Each week on the Kentucky Derby trail things get ‘interestinger’ and ‘interestinger.’ March 13, the Bob Baffert-trained Concert Tour dominated the Rebel Stakes and leapfrogged nearly everyone else toward the pinnacle of Kentucky Derby top ten lists. For most, the colt’s stock ranked just below that of defending 2-year-old champ Essential Quality and San […]
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I grew up in Spokane, Wash. Known as the Lilac City, Spokane once was the home of Playfair Race Course, where Thoroughbreds raced for decades until it closed for good in 2000. On Monday, Spokane’s Gonzaga University basketball team reached the Sweet 16 in March Madness when defeating Oklahoma by 16 points (87-71). It […]
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With my selections for Xpressbet.com last week, I tried to beat the favorite in both the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby and Grade III Gotham Stakes. I was vindicated in my approach when the favorite did not win either race. But, darn it, my top pick also did not win. Candy Man Rocket was […]
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Beginning in late January, I’ve been making selections for Xpressbet.com in terms of this country’s races offering points toward a starting berth in the Grade I, $3 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1. Of the nine such races, I have picked the winner in six of them, as noted below: […]
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The horses are entered and post positions have been drawn, which means the stage is set for Gulfstream Park’s Grade I Pegasus World Cup Invitational. The $3 million race will be contested at 1 1/8 miles Saturday. NBC will telecast the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and Pegasus World Cup Turf from 4:30-6 p.m. ET. […]
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Millie Ball, talented XBTV and Santa Anita simulcast personality, turned in a strong performance Saturday as the host-to-beat in Week 2 of Xpressbet’s Beat the Host competition. Ball impressively selected 5 winners in 10 races. While Ball is based in SoCal and delivers post parade observations from Santa Anita on the track’s simulcast feed, […]
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