August 16 Selections

KANTHAROS, Saratoga Race 3… Saratoga Special… Grade 2, $150,000 gets a stern test here,but we feel he will be more than up to it. Once again,we could see a future star display his dominance.

D’Argento is a bit of a long shot who could wake up.
Patient handling by Victor Santiago is the key.

Renewed Hope,one of our early winners,makes his 2nd start for Rudy Rodriquez and looks especially good with a race over the track.

Rain or any moisture in the track can only help. Renewed Hope beat Splendid Behavior ($34 Selection) in his lone victory.

Michael Todd

Michael Todd Selections, 8/12/10

DEALING LUCKY 8/12/2010 at Calder Race Course Race 4

EMMA SONG 8/12/2010 at Delaware Park Race 7

MARTINI JANE 8/12/2010 at Presque Isle Downs Race 6

A Very Competitive Day At The Spa

Large fields with several contenders should yield nice prices.

Motown Shuffle is a good long shot in the 3rd.

The Lake George Stakes on the Turf looks to be a wide open affair. John Velazquez who usually rides for Todd Pletcher is riding Canadian invader, Perfect Shirl. That usually speaks well of the horse. Pletcher’s Entry of Carminadora has JJ Castellano riding. Needless to say after JJ winning 5 races on the Sunday card we have listed all his mounts below.

We are leaning to Carminadora, Perfect Shirl and the speedy Strike It Rich with Garrett Gomez as an exacta box. Once again, a very wide open betting event, so look for a price value.

Horses who have previously won at Saratoga should be carefully watched for hidden value.

Garrett Gomez should start to get hot and Julien Leparoux should continue his winnings ways.

Race 9 is another wide open betting race. The contention runs very deep here.

Easy Ashley is 2 for 2 at Saratoga and 8 of 9 in the money at this distance on the Turf. Mott/Desermeaux have a good shot with Atrea. Rich Dutrow has Royal Fortune with Dominguez up. Breeding wise, a incredible lineup. Sires Storm Cat, Giant’s Causeway, Forest Wilcat, Ghostzapper have their kids running. Studs fees for the runners are over $500,000. Amazing!

We will lean toward Royal Fortune, a 4 year old daughter of Giant’s Causeway; and perhaps a box with Easy Ashley and Atrea.

Good luck with our Selections and remember to be Selective and always look for a value at Saratoga.

Michael Todd

Horse Race Handicapping Selections, July 28, 2010

Another wild ride at the Spa..

Our Selections

ROYAL FORTUNE finished 2nd paying $3.30
MISTER JAZZ won paying $8.60

In the Lake George Stakes, the Canadian invaders ran 1,2. We noted that when JohnnyV gets off a Pletcher horse that’s speaks well for the horse. It certainly did as Perfect Shirl won paying a very nice $20 mutuel.

Garrett Gomez came alive with 2 Winners. His ride in the 4th race was incredible. He literally came from “out of the cloulds” to catch a horse that was 4 lengths ahead at the 1/8 pole. That’s why he is considered one of the best jocks in the country. Julien Leparoux also had a winner on the card.

Michael Todd Selections

MISTER JAZZ, 7/28/2010 at Del Mar Race 5
ROYAL FORTUNE, 7/28/2010 at Saratoga Race 9

Trainers Michael Todd Is Watching Today:

Todd A. Pletcher, has entered CAMINADORA,
7/28/2010, Saratoga Race 8

Jockeys Michael Todd Is Watching Today:

Javier Castellano:
E STREET on 7/28/2010 at Saratoga Race 2
OVERLAP on 7/28/2010 at Saratoga Race 4
WON TOKEN on 7/28/2010 at Saratoga Race 5
CRIMSON TEMPEST on 7/28/2010 at Saratoga Race 6
CAMINADORA on 7/28/2010 at Saratoga Race 8
BEN’S BOOTS on 7/28/2010 at Saratoga Race 9

Horse Racing Handicapping Selections, July 24, 2010

Here are a few for Saturday.

Grade 1, Coaching Club Oaks – Saratoga Race 9

Clocker Geno feels strongly about SEEKING THE TITLE in the Coaching Club Oaks.

DEVIL MAY CARE could have his hands full this time. Dutrow, who is great at bringing up a horse off a layoff has Black Eyed Susan winner ACTING HAPPY entered.

It should be a terrific race.

BAHAMA BOUND 7/24/2010 at Saratoga Race 9
FORMAT V. 7/24/2010 at Del Mar Race 1
LILLY FA POOTZ 7/24/2010 at Del Mar Race 6
SINGLE SHOT 7/24/2010 at Del Mar Race 5
TREKKIE 7/24/2010 at Mountaineer Race 2

Michael Todd

SARATOGA

The day started with 2 long-shots both ridden by Julien Leparoux for a $449 early Double. Expect him to continue his winning ways. He is one of the best jockeys in the country.

The track was sloppy and Turf Racing was canceled after the second race. Trainers to watch include John Kimmel, who was once among the leading trainers at the meet.

Kent D/Bill Mott and Barclay Tagg are particularly effective on the Turf. Linda Rice is trying to win the training title once again. Todd Pletcher is dangerous with all his runners. He usually unveils his top 2 year olds at the Spa.

Repole Stable has a particularly strong group as Mike Repole has invested a sizable sum to upgrade his stock.

STOPSPENDINGMARIA, named for Mike’s wife, ran a game second in the Schuylerville Stakes. In that race, Show Me the Bling was swerving all over the place. Perhaps adding Blinkers and the racing experience will make him a winner next time.

Kantharos, currently the best 2 year old in the country will be racing during the meet. We have loved him since his overpowering debut in May at Churchill Downs.

We will continue to bring you highlights and updates from the Saratoga meet.

Michael Todd

Horse Racing Handicappers Results, 7/21/10

VALIENT EFFORT won at DelMar paying $9.00

PROFIT ran 2nd at Penn National paying $7.80
beaten by a 34-1 shot. Exacta paid $133..

Thanks to clocker Geno for his input.

Michael Todd

Michael Todd Selections, July 21, 2010

PROFIT has been entered to run 7/21/2010, Penn National Race 2

VALIANT EFFORT has been entered to run 7/21/2010, Del Mar Race 2

A Special Birthday Wish, Remembering and Our Selections

Before we go into our Selections, A Special Birthday Wish to Sister Patti who continues to inspire us over the many years.

On a sad note, Jeanette Karasick left us after 97 years of warmth,joy and leadership. We send our condolences to her family and all the others who she shared her love with.

Saturday Offers A Very Exciting Card

At Colonial Downs, the $600.000 Virginia Derby has drawn some exciting entries.
Paddy O’Prado looks tough to beat. We’ll pair him with Stately Victor. Each of these well bred colts raced in at least one of the Triple Crown races…
Ramon Dominguez, Kent Desormeaux and JJ Castellano head to Colonial Downs for Virginia’s Premier Day.
Purses of over $1,000,000 attract some of the nations
best Turf horses.
Z Appeal and Lipstick Traces both have a good chance in
the Chenery Stakes.
Pleasant Strike with Javier Castellano looks good
in the Kitten’s Joy.

At Belmont, the Jaipur Stakes Grade 3 Stakes.
It’s a close choice of Allen Jerkens vs. Dick Dutrow Jr.
We lean toward the Jerkens horse, Formidable over
Stradivinsky with a live longshot in Yield Bogey..
A 3 horse box is a suggested bet.

Michael Todd

Horse Racing Handicapping

We told our readers about Bisnath Parboo as a trainer to watch.

On Thurs July 15, as predicted Lady Lak was scratched. King Ghidorah ran a game race to finish 3rd in a tight 3 way photo,losing by less than a half length.

Friday July 16, Calder Race Course, Parboo does it again. Sure Success made it 3 in a row paying $9, a distinct underlay in the 6 horse field. Follow him.

Michael Todd