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Northfield Track Announcer Ayers Ratliff’s free handicapping tips are provided for our IdaBet.com players.

Remember, due to their draw schedule, picks are made in advance and do not account for scratches or late driver changes.

From the “Ayers Above” WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 20

Race 1: 1- Crazy Eyes – Should be fresh off a layoff and could win upon her return. 2- Vicious Lies – Is another that has a big shot in here. 4- Hooray For Willie – Made the ticket last time out and could be right there again tonight. 8- I’ve Got Spirit – Could add value to the exotics.

Race 2: 8- Big Bro – Has two wins in a row and looks to garner a three-peat this time around. 2- Bobby One Mile – Made the ticket last time out and looks to be right there again tonight. 4- Everclear Hanover – Could add value to the ticket. 1- Andoverthethrill – Looks to be a solid contender from the rail.

Race 3: 4- Credit Creation – Gets the top-call to start tonight’s Pick 5; minding his manners is the key. 8- Ibanez – Could do well in here despite starting from the far outside. 1- Holyholyguacamolie – Could be tough from the rail.

Race 4: 2- Painted Truth – Was a beaten favorite last time out but could prevail for his backers this time around. 1- Mr Bankrupt – Was a winner last time out and could be tough again tonight. 4- Gorgeous Mexico – Should not be overlooked as a potential contender in here. 3- Irish Beach Kidd – Has as good of a shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 2- Obsessed Blue Chip – Was a winner two starts back and could strike again tonight. 9- Fly’n Ellie – Has been racing well and that trend looks to continue. 8- Latte Jo – Could make the ticket despite starting from the far outside. 1- Sixteen Misters – Looks to grab a piece of the action from the rail.

Race 6: 1- Intuitive Writer – Has two wins in a row and looks to keep the streak alive. 6- It’s Saul...

Ed Golden and IdaBet have teamed up to offer our players Ed’s Stable Notes.  We hope this insight will help as you consider your wagering opportunities.

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SANTA ANITA STABLE NOTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

COLLECTED IN SHARP WORK FOR SAN ANTONIO

Arrogate conqueror Collected and Triple Crown hopeful Dabster are but two of the stakes stalwarts from Bob Baffert’s star-studded stable set to compete at Santa Anita on its traditional Winter Meet opening day program next Tuesday, Dec. 26.

Collected, a four-year-old son of City Zip owned by Speedway Stable, LLC, led throughout the 1 ¼-mile Pacific Classic on Aug. 19, holding off Arrogate by a half-length.

With jockey Drayden Van Dyke aboard this morning, Collected, who will be ridden by Mike Smith on opening day, worked seven furlongs early Tuesday morning in 1:25.60.

“Very, very nice,” is how Van Dyke assessed the breeze. “He goes at such a high cruising speed, at the top of the lane it’s like he re-breaks again and he’s just starting to work. He’s doing very well.”

Added Baffert: “He worked great. We’re ready for opening day.”

Collected, second to likely Horse of the Year Gun Runner in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 4, is one of four Baffert horses nominated to the Grade II, $300,000 San Antonio, which will be run for the first time in its 80-year history on opening day, and as such will serve as a key prep for the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27.

Baffert also has Cat Burglar, Hoppertunity and Irish Freedom nominated to the San Antonio, a mile and 1 1/16 test for three-year-olds and up, which Baffert won in 2016 with Hoppertunity; twice with Game On Dude in 2012 and 2013; with Richard’s Kid in 2010; and Congaree in 2003.

Hoppertunity also is expected to run under Flavien Prat, who rode the venerable...

Sunland Park Selections
By Eric Alwan Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017

1st
SHEZASPANISHDANCER – Bred to be a nice one, Dominguez trains.
BRANDY NIGHT – Excellent recent form, one to fear.
K P’S SMOKIN – Coming from a winning barn.

2nd
REAL HEAT – Ran well at Albuquerque and Zia Park.
PAIN AND MISERY – Long overdue, stakes placed.
DEWEY – Won the Arapahoe Park Classic.

3rd
OFFICER GRIGGS – Sitting on a win for Judge Lanier Racing.
SLADENS DREAM – A major win candidate.
MINGO NATIVE – Nearly won at Hobbs last time.

4th
K P WEST – Son of Pulpit coming off a long break.
DYNAMIC RULER – Ran well here last season.
AL RHYTHM – Rodney Richards trained threat.

5th
BLAZE TO GLORY – Proven winner of 5 races
MILLY’S WAY – Applies pressure early, well prepared.
RATIONAL DECISION – Another major threat with speed.

6th
INFINITE GAL – Takes a major class plunge, great trainer.
ROLLER – Ken Tohill rides for Joel Marr, one to watch.
GABBY WHO – Been coming close.

7th
GOLD SLIPPER – Showing positive signs.
FAST T B – Pace enforcer merits respect.
GEE WHIZ VERA – Broke maiden at Albuquerque.

8th
BEAUTYS RAP – Sharp mare with Eikleberry in the saddle.
BROADWAY RUNAWAY – Menacing presence on the outside.
DIABOLICAL QUEEN – Fits fine here.

9th
WESTMONT – May have a nice price, Hebert rides.
MOOSEWOOD – Has tackled tougher ones.
COWBOY MOVIE – Deserves a look, closes well.

Dec 19, 2017

Yonkers Raceway concluded its 2017 season Sunday   (Dec. 17^th), with Melady’s Monet (Jason Bartlett, $16.60) winning a certifiably-strange $40,000 Open Handicap Trot.

 The happy half-dozen went as the late-morning opener, which may have proven a bit too early for the two favorites. It was Gural Hanover (George Brennan), as the 4-5 choice, breaking in the first turn, Meanwhile, 9-5 second choice Smalltownthrowdown (Yannick Gingras), after assuming a quick open-length lead, jumped it off down the backside.

 That left B Yoyo (Joe Bongiorno) as the default leader, with Tight Lines (Jeff Gregory) pocketed and slow-starting polester Muscles on Fire (Brent Holland) third. After early intervals of :29.1 of :59.2, Melady’s Monet took out of fifth.

 That one, who had disappointed as the people’s preference the past two starts, advanced toward the leader at the 1:28.1 three-quarters.

 Melady’s Monet took over early in the lane, getting just enough of a ‘running start’ before Tight Lines found the passing lane. The latter beat the former by a neck in 1:56.4. Gural Hanover, recovering to race second-over,  wound up third, with B Yoyo and Muscles on Fire settling for the minors.

 For third choice Melady’s Monet, an 8-year-old Revenue S gelding owned by Melady Enterprises and trained by Kevin McDermott, it was his seventh win in 17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $109, with the triple returning $388.50.

 Sunday’s ‘New York, New York Double’ saw a combination of 5-Storm Prophet (Aqueduct’s 3^rd race) and 4-Cash Me Out (Yonkers’ 6^th race), the pair of favorites returning $8.30 for every correct dollar ticket. Total pool was $5,709.

 The mandatory Pick 5...

Dec 19, 2017

The western New York “wonder from down under” Chumlee A, proved once again that he is the best pacer currently on the grounds as he led a fast :57 back half under heavy duress on a cold night to win the final $10,000 Open Handicap pacing feature of the meet at Batavia Downs on closing night (Dec. 16).

It took Chumlee A (Larry Stalbaum) over a quarter of a mile to get the lead as Don’tcallmefrancis (Billy Davis Jr.) played hardball on the front-end. But eventually the Aussie got there after a quick :28 second split before he put on the brakes to the half to get a short breather. Not content with the slowing pace, Focus Power (Drew Monti) pulled at the half and started one heck of a fight.

Drawing alongside Chumlee A, Focus Power pushed the issue as the two matched strides in a :28.1 third panel. Also pacing together around the far turn, Chumlee A’s lead was getting shorter but he continued to look strong on the point. Halfway down the lane the overland route had gotten to Focus Power but Don’tcallmefrancis, who had gotten the perfect two-hole trip the entire mile, popped into the passing lane and made a late bid. However Chumlee A had enough in the tank and hung on by a head in 1:54.2.

It was the second straight Open victory and fourth straight win at Batavia Downs and in northern hemisphere for Chumlee A ($3.60) who has been racing in the U.S. for just over a month. The 6-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere is owned by Mark Jakubik and Kim Asher, who also does the training.

It was a big night for trainer Kim Asher and driver Larry Stalbaum. Besides winning the...

For our IdaBet players, here are the Thursday Picks for Monticello. Happy Wagering!

1ST RACE: 1-5-3-4

2ND RACE: 3-7-1-5

3RD RACE: 3-5-6-4

4TH RACE: 1-4-5-8

5TH RACE: 2-6-5-1

6TH RACE: 2-7-3-4

7TH RACE: 2-1-3-4

8TH RACE: 4-2-3-6