by Anthony Kelzenberg, The Flat Bet Prophet
Friday, June 28, 2013
It’s time for the Iowa Festival of Racing! And that means a few good horses running in shorts fields for great money.
Race 6) Saylorville Stakes (Race restricted to Fillies and Mares) – Purse $100k, 6 furlongs
This is a contentious field, with every horse having a chance. Most of the mares know only one way to go – to the lead! As such, I will go with classy midpack-running animal #5 BEAT THE BLUES as my top pick, as she can close off fast fractions. She likes to win too – 10 wins in 24 starts while racing in top company. #4 LIVI MAKENZIE and #3 LULU WONG would both appreciate it if the other horse wasn’t in the race – they are both one-dimensional speed balls. But both are capable of winning. #1 SECOND STREET CITY intrigues me because she’ll be a relatively high price and she’s in great form. I will throw her in my pick 4.
Race 7) Iowa Distaff Stakes (Race restricted to Fillies and Mares) – Purse $100k, 1 1/16 miles
I am lukewarm on #2 FLASHY AMERICAN. Her last race was dynamite, but it took her 18 starts to get through her “two other than” allowance condition. I am going to use her but I would not be surprised to see her defeated. #4 CRUZETTE is the speed of the race and will have to be caught. Her speed figures are good enough to contend and the trainer and jock hit at a 30% rate together. #7 QUEEN LILY KAY’s speed and pace figures also put her in the mix if Flashy American falters.
Race 8) [Feature] Iowa Sprint Handicap – Purse $125k, 6 furlongs
In possibly one the the most significant owner/trainer switches since Seabiscuit (okay, may not that many years), #3 DELAUNAY has turned into a win machine, winning seven stakes in his last eight starts, running huge figures. #2 GENTLEMAN’S BET is nearly as good, showing four wins and a third in five starts. Should be a great race for all the fans who come watch Friday night.
Race 9) Claiming $12,500, 6 furlongs
#1(1a is OK but I much prefer the #1) 8-5 morning line
PICK 4 Ticket: 1,3,4,5 with 2,4,7 with 2,3 with 1,5,8 ($36 cost for a 50 cent base wager)
Always remember to wager within your comfort level.
— Kelzenberg has a B.S. Degree in Engineering from U of Minnesota, M.S. Degree in Engineering from Northwestern University. He has run a Math/Science tutoring business since Sept. 2003
About Editor
Beat The Blues did not make the trip to IA due to minor injury. Revised ML is: Revised ML is 1 – 9/2, 2- 3/1, 3 – 5/2, 4 – 2/1, 5- SCR, 6 – 6/1.