Some insights into tonight’s racing program for our IdaBet players:
4TH RACE – (2) CAVIART CHERIE gets by far her best venue in fourth try off layoff. Offered eight-hole foot before retreating two starts ago, guessing leaves.
5TH RACE – (1) NIALL HANOVER could not have been uglier after gazed in latest. Gets one more crack winning draw before banished to ‘pay no mind’ list.
7TH RACE – (4) SAPPHIRE BREEZE is (presumably) enthralled with this venue after ‘full house’ (three 8’s, two 7’s) in last quintet. Enough to try her here.
8TH RACE – (5) IN THE DARK won first two local tries, then threw in pair of ‘eh’ efforts. Possibly bit short in ’18 bow, but we’re suckers for perceived price.
10TH RACE – (5) NEWSWATCH did get outer-venue support a week ago, never coming closing to reaching. Mid-pack getaway makes him more aggressive.
11TH RACE – (3) BETTOR’S WESTERN has had more than his share of bad draws/trips. Gazed with Philly flyer in last and another with finale post relief.
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$2 +/- (thru Tue., Jan. 9) – 6 wins ($56.50)
from 18 ($36) selex (+$20.50, don’t try to rationalize it)
highest-priced winner – CONSOLIDATOR ($15.60)
lowest-priced winner – OZONE BLUE CHIP ($4.60)
BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
Thank you for your support of IdaBet.com!
We are less than one week from the start of live thoroughbred racing at Sam Houston Race Park. The 32-day Thoroughbred meet begins next Friday, January 19 and continues through March 17 with live racing every Friday, Saturday, Wednesday, and Tuesday (starting Feb. 13).
Please note Sam Houston has made a few minor adjustments to their first race post times that are listed below.
| Friday | 7:00pm (previously listed as 7:10pm) |
| Saturday | 6:00pm (previously listed as 6:15pm) |
| Wednesday | 11:55am (previously listed as 12:00pm) |
| Tuesday (starts Feb. 13) | 12:00pm (no change) |
The Houston Racing...
Some insights into this morning’s racing program for our IdaBet players:
1ST RACE – (5) PATTON gets third consecutive four-eyeball endorsement. Wide into second week ago, no threat to runaway fave, but nodded in AM opener.
2ND RACE – (3) MONEY MAVEN won battle, lost war in last week’s adult trot. Solid, two-move effort and generous getaway gets him gazed this time around.
3RD RACE – (3) PANAMANIAN HANOVER was an eight-hole endorsee in latest, never coming close to reaching. We sort of have to try him again from here.
6TH RACE – (5) JACKS TO OPEN returns to level of last win. Has not been awful trying tougher, but this is much more realistic venue and works versus these.
7TH RACE – (5) TIME TO QUIT comes downstate after bill-paying season. Don’t know if he can play at this bottom level, but nothing here ought to scare him.
10TH RACE – (6) PINGALING eschewed first-over when ‘peeked’ this past Sunday, only to get shuffled. Angled out and widest, finished with noticed interest.
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$2 +/- (thru Tue., Jan. 9) – 6 wins ($56.50)
from 18 ($36) selex (+$20.50, put away those pitchforks for now)
highest-priced winner – CONSOLIDATOR ($15.60)
lowest-priced winner – OZONE BLUE CHIP ($4.60)
BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
Thank you for your continued support of IdaBet.com!
Jan 13, 2018
SELCOURT & PRINCESS KAREN HEAD SUNDAY’S $75,000 KALOOKAN QUEEN STAKES AS FIELD OF NINE OLDER FILLIES & MARES GO 6 ½ FURLONGS
John Sadler’s comebacking Selcourt and Jeff Bonde’s classy Princess Karen head competitive field of nine older fillies and mares going 6 ½ furlongs in Sunday’s $75,000 Kalookan Queen Stakes at Santa Anita.
Idle since running a close third as the 6-5 favorite in the seven furlong Angel’s Flight Stakes here on May 14, Selcourt has been favored in all three of her starts, and looks like the horse to beat on Sunday.
With nine starts to her credit, Princess Karen pressed the pace and ended up sixth in the Grade I, seven furlong La Brea Stakes Dec. 26 and has been facing graded competition in her last three starts.
SELCOURT
Owner: Keith Abrahams, Medallion Racing and Sandra Lazaruk Trainer: John Sadler
A newly turned 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Tiz Wonderful, she was beaten 1 ¾ lengths by Faypien, who took the Grade II Summertime Oaks in her next start. Speaking of company kept, Selcourt hooked a buzz saw two starts back when running second, beaten 1 ½ lengths by Grade I winning Union Strike. Bred by co-owner Keith Abrahams, she’s been favored in all three of her starts and will likely be favored Sunday with regular rider Tyler Baze back aboard.
PRINCESS KAREN
Owner: Jeff Bonde, Edward J. Brown and Karen Norton Trainer: Jeff Bonde
A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Stay Thirsty, she was second three starts back in the Grade III, 6 ½ furlong LA Woman Stakes here Oct. 8 and although she was dismissed at 87-1, gave a very good account of herself when fifth, beaten 3 ¾ lengths in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint going seven furlongs on Nov. 4. Off at 14-1 in the seven furlong, Grade I La Brea on opening day, she takes a considerable drop in class on Sunday and could be...
Data provided by Equibase
