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Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 1:

The Dubai International Carnival returns today and it will provide us with some superb action over the next three months. Horses that have raced here at the recent domestic fixtures will now mingle with the Godolphin battalions and foreign raiders. It makes for a heady mix of top class International action.

A six race card gets us underway with the Singspiel Stakes on the Turf and the Dubawi Stakes on dirt being the features.

I have four selections for you today. Whilst I am keen on them all it will pay to tread a little carefully with this being the first Carnival fixture.

9:30am (ET) Meydan: Ispolini

Charlie Appleby had a superb Carnival in 2018 and he can kick off this year with a winner here. Ispolini has had a break and been gelded, clearly with a campaign here in mind. He showed a decent level of form in the UK finishing second in the Sandown Classic Trial and fourth in the Chester Vase. Back in a handicap now off a mark of 105 he looks to be worth backing. He could have a tactical advantage here as he as a good draw in stall 2 and likes to stalk the pace and he should get a good tow through before attacking in the straight. I think he will have too much speed for some of his rivals here.

10:40am (ET) Meydan: Hit the Bid

This Irish raider fired a big Beyer style figure when winning on this track last year and if his recent Dundalk win is to be believed he is already showing that he is as good as last year. That win at Dundalk came in a very fast time and as long as he doesn’t recoil from that he will be very tough to beat here. He races off a mark of 110 which should be no bar to success as his win here last year was off 108....

Here are the Monticello picks for our IdaBet.com players:

1ST RACE: 1-3-4-6

2ND RACE: 7-2-1-8

3RD RACE: 5-2-4-6

4TH RACE: 1-5-4-7

5TH RACE: 5-2-8-1

6TH RACE: 4-1-3-5

7TH RACE: 1-8-5-6

8TH RACE: 3-7-4-8

9TH RACE: 1-3-7-6

10TH RACE: 3-4-5-1

Thank you for your continued support of Monticello and IdaBet.com!

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, JANUARY 2

Race 1: 6- Papiamento – Was a winner last time out and looks to strike again tonight. 1- Bold Decision – Looks to be tough from
the rail. 2- Heisenberg – Draws well and looks to be in the thick of the action. 9- Three New Dawns – Could add value to the
exotics.

Race 2: 3- Nashville Holiday – Gets the top-call to start the Pick 5. 1- Hooray For Willie – Looks to be tough from the rail.
8- Trotting RT – Could make the ticket despite starting from the far outside.

Race 3: 3- Hes Well Connected – Drops in class and could be victorious at this level of competition. 1- Haydenssmoothmove –
Could be tough from the rail. 2- Think Bigger – Draws well and looks to be in the thick of the action. 4- RM Imp – Could add value
to the exotics.

Race 4: 1- Carrie’s Desire – Won two of her last three races and could strike again tonight. 8- Ilikethenitelife – Finished second
in all three of her most recent races and could be the runner-up again tonight. 6- Mi Amada Juanita – Has two wins in a row and
looks to be tough again despite facing tougher this time around. 7- Passionate Desire – Has as good of a shot as any in here to
complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 2- Luck N Roll K – Drops in class and looks to strike in here. 1- Librado Hanover – Looks to be tough from the rail.
7- Keystone Steam – Could make the ticket despite the poor post draw. 3- Unix Hanover – Could add value to the exotics.

Race 6: 9- American General – Could strike from the second tier. 4- Shooby Said – Made the ticket in five of his last six races and
could be right there again...

Here are the Monticello picks for our IdaBet.com players:

1ST RACE: 6-3-5-4

2ND RACE: 3-2-4-6

3RD RACE: 1-3-4-7

4TH RACE: 6-2-4-9

5TH RACE: 3-4-1-6

6TH RACE: 4-6-5-1

7TH RACE: 6-1-4-8

8TH RACE: 5-6-2-4

9TH RACE: 6-5-4-1

10TH RACE: 2-5-3-4

11TH RACE: 7-3-8-4

Thank you for your continued support of Monticello and IdaBet.com!

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 SUNDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 30
Race 1: 3- Southern Kid – Made the ticket in three of his last four starts; could step-up and lead the ticket this time around.
1- Senator’s Reason – Has two wins in a row and looks to be tough again tonight. 5- Lucrative Strike – Could add value to the
ticket. 4- Kanawha – Looks to be in the thick of the action.

Race 2: 3- Broadway Ginnie – Gets the top-call to start the Pick 5. 1- Frank The Fish – Finished second last time out and
looks to be right there again tonight. 5- MJ’s Heartbreaker – Could add value to the ticket.

Race 3: 4- Pine Knot Tuff – Finished second last time out from post-8; could score with this improved post.
7- Woodyintheshade – Could do well in here despite the poor post draw. 2- ER Volcano – Draws well and looks to be in the
thick of the action. 5- Dontwasteourtime – Should not be overlooked as a solid contender in here.

Race 4: 2- Jigtime Jones – Draws well and could score with the right trip. 3- Bound To Score – Another that looks to have a
big shot in here. 1- Pace Seelster – Could make the ticket from the rail. 5- Southwind Whiski – Has as good of a shot as any
in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 1- Benns Clearout – Draws the inside advantage could use that advantage to be successful in here. 8- I’ve Got SpiritLooks to be tough despite starting from the far outside. 3- Charleston Hall – Looks to be tough if he minds his manners.
7- Jailhouse Hooch – Could add value to the exotics.

Race 6: 4- Jet Airliner – Was a beaten favorite last time out but could prevail for his backers this time around. 3- Keystone
Charles...

Sunday’s “Lock” is at Pompano Park on race 3 with the #7-Carolina Beach-Won last in 1:51-Will repeat for driver Wally Hennessey.

Last “Lock” won again! Howard’s record now stands at: 328 of 531 wins with 98 seconds and 29 thirds.

Thank you for your continued support of IdaBet and Howard’s Locks.  Happy wagering!