Month: May 2021

Churchill Downs: Key Horses for Saturday, May 29

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Horses racing at Churchill Downs with spectators in the grandstands during an event.

2/2 with 13/1 and 4/1 winners yesterday at Belmont. We are not worthy passengers. The Ductor is too good for us. I just bought 100 t-shirts at full price to thank him for his services, its the least I can do.Mother nature is the only thing that can slow down the Ductor at Belmont, so he’ll turn his attention to Churchill Downs today. Stakes racing all day. Skip

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Churchill Downs Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. F.Shawnee Stakes

#2 La Renoleta (8/1) – #7 Envoutante (4/5) is the clear one to beat, but if there is anyone that could surprise in this field is the #2. Undefeated in Argentina, she romped in her US debut then something went wrong and she didn’t do much running in her comeback effort. She’s working fast entering today and the Conductor thinks we see her real self in this one.

Race 8: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) F.Regret G3 Regret Stakes

#7 Gam’s Mission (5/1) – Her only loss was in her debut to Aunt Pearl and the Ductor really liked her last win. She had to wait behind horses then exploded down the stretch and galloped out nicely. She is steadily progressing and could be a nice one.

Race 9: 1 1/16 Mile. Matt Winn-G3

#2 Helium (5/2) – He let the Ductor down in the Derby, but he didn’t run poorly there. He should get the job done today.

Churchill Downs Race 10: 6 Furlongs. AristidesL150K

*Gullet Shot of the Day #8 Mojo Man (10/1) – The most intriguing stakes on the card from a betting perspective, the Conductor sees the pace heating up in this one and this gelding will be finishing late. He’s exiting a tougher race and ran well last time despite breaking poorly. With a cleaner trip today, the Conductor thinks he has every chance.

Churchill Downs

Belmont Park: Key Horses for Saturday, May 22

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Horses racing at Belmont Park with jockeys in colorful silks on a dirt track.

Decent Friday #Gullet shot coming home at 21/1 at Belmont Park. Is that any good? Skip, skip, whack, whack, skip. The Ductor’s got a few more up his sleeve today. Let’s Ride

Race 6: 7 Furlongs. (Turf) S.MC 40000

#7 Rogue Leader (6/1) – He ran very well last time even though he was keen and fighting the rider most of the way. Taking the blinkers off and being clipped since, he should be more relaxed today.

#3 Jack’s Dream (10/1) – This gelding was well bet in his debut and did some running after breaking slowly. 1st time Lasix and adding the blinkers today, the Conductor sees him taking a giant leap forward.

Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. Clm 20000

*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 Even Thunder (20/1) – The bomb the Conductor likes today, his races in the mid-Atlantic circuit fit with this group and you can ignore his last race where he was rank in the slop. Dropping in class and returning to his best surface and distance today, he can light up the tote.

Belmont Park

Race 8: 6½ Furlongs. F.S.Alw 80000n1x

#6 Trinni Luck (6/1) – She won nicely in her debut at Belmont Park in the slop last year and for a trainer that is only 3%. Now in the Rudy Rod barn, she’s working nicely off the bench and could surprise at a price. She’s the wild card in here.

Belmont Park: Key Horses for Friday, May 21

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Dynamic image of thoroughbred horses racing on a grassy track, showcasing multiple jockeys in colorful silks during a competitive event.

Sweet Larissa getting the job done at 4/1 made it a solid Thursday at Belmont for the Ductor. Similar strategy today, the Conductor doesn’t love the card. Narrow the Scope and fire. Skip.

Race 2: 7 Furlongs. (Turf) F.Clm 40000n2L

#11 Pie Killer (7/2) – Dropping in class and shortening in distance, Johnny V will send her from the outside post. She’ll be very tough to pass without much other speed in here.

Race 4: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) Alw 50000s

*Gullet Shot of the Day #5 Scocciatore (10/1) – The Conductor liked his effort last time, where he was very game down the lane. He steps up in class 2nd off the layoff, but all of the Contenders in here have question marks. He should sit a favorable trip behind dueling leaders.

Belmont Park

Race 7: 1 Mile. F.S.Mdn 75k

*Scratched, Brutal #1 U Guys Are No Fun (8/1) – She ran sneaky well at Belmont in her debut traveling wide and closing behind a slow pace. She galloped out in front of that group and looks like one that will improve stretching out to a mile. She gets a major jockey upgrade today and Englehart is 26% this year with runners going from a sprint to a route.

 

Canterbury Park: Key Horses for Wednesday, May 19

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Announcement for Pick 5 Carryover at Canterbury Park on May 19 with a prize of $91,332.

Some bad opinions, some decent ones opening night at Canterbury Park. Nobody hit the pick 5, so we get a 110k carryover on a Wednesday. The Conductor likes this track already. Let’s Ride.

Canterbury Park Race 5: 6 Furlongs. S.10000LakeB50K

#5 Drop of Golden Sun (8/1) – He caught a muddy track of the bench in his 1st start of the year last time. 2nd off the layoff today, he should step forward and has multiple races last year that give him every chance.

Race 6: 6 Furlongs. Mdn 30k

#4 Fallen Empire (10/1) – He was well bet in his debut vs much tougher and ran ok with a wide trip. He adds blinkers today and has major upside.

Canterbury Park Race 7: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Clm 7500b

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 North of Eden (6/1) – This mare is ultra consistent and will be facing weaker today than she has in a long time. She draws well to the inside too.

Canterbury Park

Race 8: 5½ Furlongs. F.S.Alw 36000n1x

#10 Sailing Along (4/1) – She was very impressive in her debut win last time and there is nothing to be scared of in this group.

Race 9: 1 Mile. OC 12500n1x

#4 Market Analysis (8/1) – He showed talent last year and is another one that caught a sloppy track in his comeback effort. 2nd off the layoff today he should take a big step forward.

Canterbury Park: Key Horses for Tuesday, May 18

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Horses racing on a dirt track with a large crowd in the background at a racetrack.

The attempted clean up continues as the NYRA suspends Baffert and bans Linda Rice for three years. Maybe the sport will get its act together after all. A bright spot in racing is what Canterbury Park has decided to do this meet. Racing on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, full fields, 10% pick 5 and 6 takeout. The Ductor will be adding the circuit to his repertoire. Only Mondays off for now on, man he works so hard. Thank you for your service Mr. Ductor. Skip.

Canterbury Park Race 5: 1 Mile. (Turf) Clm 7500b

*Gullet Shot of the Day #12 Riverboat Gambler (10/1) – Stretching out to a mile and switching to turf 1st off the claim, this gelding is very intriguing. His dirt numbers give him every chance against this group and he placed in one of his two turf starts, both were sprinting.

Canterbury Park

Race 6: 5½ Furlongs. F.S.Mdn 35k

#6 Sundance Star (2/1) – 2nd off the layoff after a good 2nd vs tougher last time at Tampa, she’s the most likely winner in the sequence.

Race 7: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) OClm 10000

#8 Just Blaze (4/1) – His last two starts have been rained off the turf and he finally gets back to what he does best today. He’s the most proven turf sprinter in the field.

Race 8: 5½ Furlongs. S.Alw 36000n1x

#7 Thealligatorhunter (6/1) – He’s coming in off a layoff, but the Conductor likes his work tab and his race two back vs stakes company beats this group.

Canterbury Park Race 9: 1 Mile. Clm 5000b

#2 Praise Loudly (12/1) – Stretching out after decent effort sprinting, hes the lone speed in here and the Conductor has question marks about everyone in this field. He may be able to steal it up front at a big number.

Belmont Park: Key Horses for Sunday, May 16

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Dynamic image of thoroughbred horses racing on a grassy track, showcasing multiple jockeys in colorful silks during a competitive event.

Great Saturday for the Ductor, hope you passengers cashed a few tickets. The late half of todays Belmont card looks enticing. Skip is learning a very valuable lesson today. You never rest on your laurels, when you’re seeing the ball this well, you pounce and you pounce hard. When we’re up, we press. Skip!

 

Race 4: 6½ Furlongs. Clm 30000n2L

#1 Colormepazzi (4/1) – He ran very well last time at Belmont setting a hot pace while taking pressure. Turning back to a sprint today, 4/1 would be a treat.

Race 6: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) F.Alw 50000s

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Rising Bella (12/1) – She ran better than it looks last time after a slow start and 5 furlongs is too short for her. With a troubled trip two back as well, her form is muddied and the price will be right today. She’s been heavily bet in each start and the Klesaris barn we’ll see what she is really made of today.

Belmont Park

Race 8: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) S.OC 45000n2x

#4 Steam Engine (10/1) – Very interesting Broberg moves this gelding to the turf 1st off the claim. His figures on dirt translate to a win here and he’ll be the lone speed. The turf is a question, but if he’s close to the morning line the Ductor will take a swing.

 

Pimlico: Preakness Day Key Horses

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A horse with a rider approaching the Preakness Stakes venue, with construction equipment in the background.

A Gullet Shot a Day, keeps the landlord away. Speed and the rail were golden yesterday at Pimlico, something to keep an eye on today. We have have them right where we want them heading into Preakness Day. Time to pounce! Skip!

 

Race 9: 6 Furlongs. F.Runhappy Skipat Stakes

#8 French Empire (3/1) – This mare is steadily progressing, running very fast numbers and is now in the Cox barn. She’s working bullets entering today and looks to get a perfect stalking trip with a nice outside draw.

Race 10: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) Turf Sprint100K

#11 Firecrow (10/1) – #4 The Critical Way (5/2) is the most likely winner, but the Ductor thinks this gelding is very dangerous at a price. He has wicked early speed and has been facing graded stakes winners on dirt. Switching to turf here, he’s lightly raced on the lawn, but has proven he can run well on it and the shorter distance today will help his cause as well.

Race 11: 6 Furlongs. G3 Maryland Sprint

#7 Breezy Dust (6/1) – Stepping up in class and shipping in from Parx, this gelding fits on numbers and he has the speed to get the lead early. He’s very dangerous, especially shortening to 6 furlongs today.

#2 Yodel E. A. Who (8/1) – If the closers have a chance today, the Conductor likes this gelding. The pace in this race could heat up and he has a strong late kick. He’ll likely be an overlay without big name connections too.

Race 12: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) G2 Dinner Party Stakes

#1 Somelikeithotbrown (4/1) – When this horse is on the lead, he’s tough to pass in the stretch. He looks to get a favorable trip here, without much early pressure. The Chad Brown runners, #3 Kuramata (6/1) and #5 Sacred Life (7/5) will be tough to beat, but over bet. #2 English Bee (8/1) is the only other Contender in the Ductor’s opinion.

Race 13: 1 3/16 Mile. Preaknes-G1 Preakness Stakes

*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 Crowded Trade (10/1) – The Conductor has lost so much sleep trying to figure out how this Preakness plays out with Concert Tour (5/2) and #3 Medina Spirit (9/5) entered. He’s come to the conclusion that they are going to send #5 Midnight Bourbon (5/1) regardless after his heinous ride in the Derby, and that should compromise all 3. Crowded Trade has shown talent his young career and he should sit the perfect trip right behind the speed. Chad has pulled this move before, and the Conductor sees a monster effort upcoming. The Conductor will be using #6 Rombaur (12/1) as a backup, who should sit a similar trip as well.

preakness

Pimlico: Black-Eyed Susan Day Key Horses

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Two jockeys racing on gray horses during a horse race, showcasing intense competition and athleticism in equestrian sports.

King Moonracer couldn’t get to the favorite at 12/1 yesterday, but the exacta and trifecta still paid nice. Down to Maryland we go and there is a hell of a card today with the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. The Conductor is going for the #Gullet in the feature. Love to see it. Let’s Ride.

Race 11: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.HilltopB100K

#5 Bubbles On Ice (7/2) – She showed the Conductor a lot last time, winning in her 1st start in the US off the bench and her first time routing to boot. She will be tough in here.

Race 12: 1 3/16 Mile. G3 Pimlico Special

#6 Prioritize (10/1) – Making his first start of the year, he’s working well for Bond and the Ductor thinks he’s very live with this aggressive placing. He has multiple efforts that make him competitive against this group and the distance will be no problem.

Race 13: 1 1/8 Mile. F.S.-G2 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Army Wife (8/1) – The Conductor’s day will come down to this girl. She’s coming out of the strongest race behind Search Results and got completely stopped in the stretch. She somehow still re-rallied to pass #8 The Grass is Blue (6/1) for 3rd, and it is comical to thing she’ll be a higher price today. There will be pace to run at in here and this filly looks to get a nice ground saving trip.

black-eyed susan

Belmont Park: Key Horses for Thursday, May 13

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Horses and jockeys racing out of the starting gate at Belmont Park, showcasing a competitive horse racing event.

What a week in horse racing. Finally, Belmont is back then its down to Maryland for Friday and Saturday. Let’s Ride.

Race 1: 1 1/16 Mile. Clm 16000n2L

#5 Scotty (6/1) – He broke his maiden two back with a figure that makes him competitive with this group. Last time, he was well bet vs much tougher and didn’t run a step off the layoff in the slop. He gets a rider upgrade to Saez today and gets back to a fast track.

Race 5: 6 Furlongs. Clm 50000

#1 Happy Farm (7/2) – Dropping in class 1st off the claim for Atras, he’s the fastest horse in the field, loves Belmont, and is very tough whenever drops to the claiming ranks. Irad hops aboard as well.

Race 7: 6 Furlongs. Alw 92000n1x

#3 Binkster (5/1) – He ran very well off the layoff last time setting a hot pace while dueling. He’s the lone speed in this race and is very dangerous wire to wire candidate.

Race 9: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) S.Mdn 75k

*Gullet Shot of the Day #2 King Moonracer (10/1) – To say this boy was rank last time is an understatement. He fought Bravo past the 2nd call and still made a strong move to the lead before tiring. He’s stepping up in class, but the Conductor loves the cutback in distance and is hoping they let him roll today. There is some natural ability here.

Belmont

Baffert Can’t Wriggle Out of the One: Goes Palms Up Again

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A jockey in blue and white attire holds a trophy while standing next to a trainer in a black suit, surrounded by roses.

Pretty calm Sunday morning with the Kentucky Derby winner getting popped for a drug violation. Baffert has finally faced some media criticism this year with other positives, and it culminates with a positive test in the Derby.

Another black eye for the game, that is hopefully a good thing in the long run. Baffert is the king of the cheaters and has been doing it for decades. Even if he slithers his way out of this one, his reputation is tarnished and the other cheaters will be treading lightly for a while.

Its truly impressive that he gives the “It wasn’t me” excuse every time, not an ounce of accountability at any point. Probably will blame a groom, the feed, or the lab at some point soon. Baffert is just as bad for the game as Servis and Navarro, but he’s the face of US racing, so he’s Teflon Don. Its not like Bob is the only one, he’s just the best at it. He wins every major dirt race and looks, walks and talks the part. He’s been defended for years by 90% of the horse racing media shills, who can Justify every question mark.

The bottom line is big name trainers getting national media coverage for cheating should speed up cleaning up the game. That’s best for everyone involved in the industry and most importantly the horses. There are plenty more on the list, but Baffert is at the top. Get him out of the game.

Bob Baffert: Hall of Fame trainer suspended from Preakness Stakes | CNN