4/8/17

The Sports Cat makes his picks!

Updated after the races: Well gang I started off on fire and should have done fairly well but remember there are 2 parts to horse racing, picking them and then figuring out the best way to bet them.

For instance I had the exacta in my top 3 selections 3 times but I only hit 1 of them. I picked 4 winners in my top 2 picks yet cashed no win tickets. Missed all my doubles, pic 3’s and pic 5. For the day I made $130 in bets and collected $62 for an overall loss of $68.

I will be working on sharpening my skills and the next time I head to the track I will be ready to make up this early season deficit.

(Katlama, WA) Hey gang this is one of my favorite times of the year, local horse racing is back and we’re a month away from the Run for the Roses. I will be at the track tonight and spent all Friday pouring over the racing form to come up with my selections for opening day…so here we go!

1st Race

1     Regazze Cat  Finished 2nd

Do you believe in signs? I’m a Cat and I have to go with the obvious choice! Leonel Camacho-Flores should get the opening win in 2017.

6     Bob is Back   Winner

Last 5 races Bob has been as consistent as can be hitting the board all 5 times. A must use in the Trifecta and Superfecta.

2    Timber Titan  Did not place

Veteran Trainer Neil Knapp has them ready to fire early in the season my upset selection.

Bets:

I am going to play a $10 Daily Double Regazze Cat to Cat’s Gulch (1-4), a 50-cent pick 4 of 1-4,5-1-All for an $8 wager, a key 50-cent Tri of 1 with 2-6 will all for a $4 bet and a $5 show parlay bet on #1. Total Bet: $27

2nd Race

4     Cat’s Gulch  2nd Place

Storm Cat and Thunder Gulch pulse through the veins of this monster, plus the name! I’ve got no choice. Camacho-Flores opens with a double!

5     Endangered  Winner!

Got to admit I love the name of this horse and think it’s the only one who can top Cat’s Gulch. The owner/trainer combo is as strong as you get should be ready to make some noise.

6     Get Goin Matty  4th Place

Big drop in class makes this one a contender.

Bets: 

$2 Exacta Box 4-5-6 for $12, show parlay to #4 (show parlay bet is based on whether the bet won in race 1, if so bet all to show on Cat’s Gulch.) Total Bet: $12

3rd Race

Before we get to my picks there is a 3-5 morning line favorite that I am taking a stand against. The odds on choice, Lofty Cause, takes a huge tumble in class after 9 starts and only 2 3rd place finishes. Appears owners are giving up so will I.

1      My Endless Love  3rd Place

ROCCO! Rocco Bowen will steal this one from the overwhelming favorite, you should get a decent price.

3     Lofty Cause  Winner

Even though I’m taking a stand against I can’t see her missing the board.

6     Prado’s Wealth  Missed the Board

In a tough race to figure outside the favorite this one has run just once and simply said her 2nd start has to be better.

Bets:

$10 win on #1, 50-cent Pick 5 (1-2,4-3,5-4-1,4,10) $6 bet, $1 Pick 3 (1-2,4-3,5) $4 bet Total bet: $20

4th Race

10     Cruiser Blue (Late Scratch)

4     Thorn Legacy  Finished 4th

GG shipper has been knocking on the door might take all the money if our upset special stops again.

2     Silver Chrome  Finished 2nd

Most experienced with 19 starts but also most experienced at losing. However, 2 2nds and 3 3rds in last 5 makes Chrome a must use in Tri’s and Superfecta’s.

Bets:

Show Parlay on Silver Chrome if parlay is still alive, 10-cent Super (4-2,6-All-All) $6 Total bet: $6

5th Race

3     Gracie Gold   Missed the Board

ROCCO! Bowen gets a double on opening night. Gracie comes in RED HOT from Portland off a dominate Stakes win.

5     Simply Naked  Missed the Board

Would not surprise the SportsCat if simply naked gets her picture taken as she also comes in hot as a pistol from PM. Veteran conditioner Howard Belvoir knows how to have them ready early and his regular rider Javier Matias make a formidable team.

4 Two Pt Conversion  3rd Place

Golden Gate shipper is sent out by former training Champ Frank Lucarelli and should be ready to fire. But pass on the place bet from 13 starts 2-point has 3 wins and 3 shows.

Bets:

50-cent Trifecta 3,5 with 3,4,5 with All $12, 50-cent Pick 3 (3,4,5-4-All) $9 Total bet: $21

6th Race

4     Oh Marvelous Me  Winner

Just missed twice at Santa Anita for one of the hottest trainers on the West Coast, should take a big effort to top this one. Jockey Jose Zunino will be tough to beat in the feature.

6     Wando Cat  Missed the Board

You know I have to believe in the top pick if Wando “CAT” is my 2nd pick. But Wando Cat can upset in this one as he is a horse for the course with 12 of his 14 career starts in Auburn coming off a productive year in 2016 art EmD think he will be ready to roll off the lay-off.

1     Lord Walton  2nd Place

Lightly raced debuts tonight in 2017 in a spot he can make an impact.

Bets:

$5 Exacta Box 4-6 $10, $5 Daily Double 6 with 1-4-10 $15 Total bet: $25

7th Race

4     Secret Harbor  Missed the Board

Should be the one all others will have to run down and ROCCO may get his hat trick. Bill Tollett can get a runner ready to go with the best of them.

1     Meatball Paul  2nd Place

Meat loves Emerald with all 16 career starts at the local oval. Only concern is he may need one to be fully cranked.

11     El Tango Ray (Late Scratch)

Bets:

Final Parlay bet if still alive on #4, $10 win on #4, $3 Exacta 4 with 1-10-11 $9 Total bet: $19

Total Budget for the 7 race card $130

Now I encourage you to pick the bets you most like this was a look at how to bet several of the wagers with different angles and not meant for you to take all the bets at face value. These are my picks and frankly the hope is to hit about 33%. With that I hope there is a longshot or 2 that pays off handsomely.

Good Luck! Check back after the races to see how I did.