Saturday jan 9, 2010

No US group I races till jan 31 and no stks race at Aqueduct today, so will have a go at Race 7, the Grade III Mr Prospector Stks 6f/1200m at Gulfstream in Florida. i was going to have $10 win on Munnings the early favorite ($3). Trained at Belmont NY by Todd Pletcher for John Magnier and first up since October which I am happy with, although apparently best over 7f. but Munnings was scratched so i am now going for the 2, Custom For Carlos, a Gp 3 winner last summer, also first up after a 6-7 week let up and to be ridden by the very good jockey Julien Leparoux who has won on him before, trainer eddie kenneally from Louisville KY. When i got to the OTB i was shocked to see how sloppy the track was, and hadn't checked C4C's wet track form (0 for 1). C4C started an easing even-money chalk, was first out of gates, sat off lead then sprinted at top of straight for an easy win. paid $3.80 on NY tote.Out $10. In $19. US Bal $509; P:9 TO:10
Lesson: check for scratchings and the track conditions before going to OTB!





(courtesy of www.betus.com): Speed will be king at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, with five stakes races worth a total of $475,000 on the card in the inaugural running of the Gulfstream Sprint Showcase. Four of the races are on the main track, with the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes the lone stake carded for the turf course, which will be contested at five furlongs.All four of the dirt races are at six furlongs, and one thing all five races have in common is that they are outstanding betting races, and will be over in a hurry

Mr Prospector was not only a great sire but a speed machine in the early 70's who held the 6f record at Gulfstream park for more than 25 years.