WIZARD's Simulcast Best Bets
THE WIZARD'S NATIONAL SIMULCAST BEST BETS - JUNE 18, 1999
* INDEX TO APPROXIMATE POST TIMES (CONVERTED TO EASTERN TIME)
1:51 CALDER 4
2:47 CALDER 6
3:00 CHURCHILL 1
5:00 CHURCHILL 5
5:10 BELMONT 5
5:41 BELMONT 6
6:00 CHURCHILL 7; HOLLYWOOD 5
6:30 HOLLYWOOD 6
6:55 CHURCHILL 9
7:15 BELMONT 9
7:30 HOLLYWOOD 8
* REMEMBER! POST TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CONFIRM.
>READER'S NOTE: All horses wagered to win are at odds of 8-5
or higher unless specified otherwise.
BELMONT: POST TIMES 5:10, 5:41, 7:15 ET
RACE FIVE
(1) BEBOP BLUES-overcame severe early trouble to be a good 2nd
May 28. Inside post and tactical speed.
(10) DINA'S SONG-returns. Showed a world of ability in her three
grass starts versus NYB company. Steady works.
(11) SILVER CORD-must draw in. Improved May 28 although beaten
lengths don't show it. Bomb threat. In light.
(7) NUMBERED TERMS-Half to turf winner Surumu's Account from a
turf winning dam. Has class as well.
(5)SCREAMIN THE BLUES-moves up in the event of late scratches.
Has grass pedigree top and bottom.
WAGERING: #1 to win. Exacta and trifecta key 1/5-7-10-11.
(3) HAZING TONY (Race Six) The addition of blinkers could make
all the difference in the world for this grandson of Blushing
Groom. When he made his May 21 debut he was very impressive
going to the lead, putting away a next out winner, then drawing
away nicely. I picked him second for the June 4 Flash Stakes,
but in that event he threw a fit in the gate before the start,
then dueled with the heavy favorite. When headed he became very
green and drifted out while losing his action. Shakes loose
today.
(4) BEVO-debuted April 29 and produced a professional win
despite being green. Reeled in the speed decisively. Trainer
Bill Badgett expressed concern about the layoff June 4, and the
colt did indeed break sluggishly.
(1) BEARCAT RUCKUS-returns. Took a ton of the money into the
teeth of a Ben Perkins firster in his April 27 debut. Broke
tardily and then rushed to the lead, then won as he pleased.
Gets top value rider John Velazquez.
WAGERING: Exacta 3-4, small reverse. Smaller 3-1, no reverse.
(9) MINNIE'S BRAT (Race Nine) Although I generally try and avoid
horses shipping to New York in the Crystal Ball, this mare looks
too well spotted to pass. She comes off a layoff for a top New
Jersey based trainer, who hits one-third of the time on the
layoff. Minnie's Brat projects to sit the golden stalking trip
outside of a ton of suspect speed to her inside. She has also
posted a strong wet track record should there be moisture in the
track. Her April 10 event came at a level equivalent to NW3x.
Velazquez back on.
(1) DRIVINGMISSBERTIE (E)-switches back to Migliore off a
sharply improved effot June 3 where she closed up the wood then
galloped out well. ASAP made a strong but wide move on the drop,
and missed in a photo.
(3) PRIVATE TREATY-drops into the claiming ranks for the first
time since breaking her maiden. Drops from a swift NW2x event
where she sparred with stakes-bound filly Gather The Day. Likely
to control the pace from inside.
(6) ROCKY TURN-freshened up from a decent effort May 6 versus a
stronger field. Vied for the lead through strong fractions that
day and help well till deep stretch. Sports a fine 4f work and
gets Robbie Davis.
WAGERING: #9 to win. Exacta and trifecta key 9/1-3-6.
CHURCHILL DOWNS: POST TIMES 3:00, 5:00, 6:00 ET
(5) LA CRUSADE (Race One) returned from a brief break in April
and despite poor form was claimed by astute trainer Hal Wiggins.
In first effort for new connections turned in huge effort
despite running 2nd. Had position early but was shuffled back
only to come on again late in gritty performance. Wigging hits
high % with his 2nd off the claim runners and now switches to
hot riding Pat Day. 4 yo Lord At War filly has good early speed
and catches field lacking much zip. Day can send this one to the
lead and set soft fractions or lay just off leisurely pace.
(3) OUR BAILEY- last out enjoyed perfect trip when topping La
Crusade for trainer David Vance. Vance is enjoying banner
Churchill meet hitting nearly 30%. Stable does well with their
repeaters and is obvious main threat to top choice. Hebert up
(6) AUNT EDNA- 4 yo filly shows only 2 wins from 20 starts but
both of those have come at today's distance and she's been
running in good form last couple of times out. Had to weave
through traffic last out before just missing against top pair.
WAGERING: Exactas 5/3-6, no reverse. Daily doubles 5/1-5
in order.
RACE FIVE
(9) CERTAIN PHONE- Phone Trick 3 yo filly was well backed in
debut at Gulfstream and turned in solid effort against key race
field. Went off form quickly and needed several months on the
sidelines. Returned in May receiving lasix and adding blinkers.
Since that time has improved dramatically for top trainer
Stanley Hough. Ran 2nd last out despite racing wide
WAGERING: #9 to win.
(1) TRIPLE GREAT (Race Seven) 5 yo gelding has been in good form
since Feb. hitting board 3 of 4 with 2 wins. Returned from 2 1\2
month vacation in May and was haltered by trainer Joe Petalino.
Moved to the grass in first effort for new stable but was caught
in speed duel before fading slightly through the lane. Now moves
back to the dirt which is favorite Petalino winning pattern.
Adds Pat Day to the mix which only enhances horse's appeal.
Enjoys plenty of early speed and draws the rail which promises
trouble free trip. Petalino hits high % 2nd off the claim
(4) QUIET MINSTREL- last out made strong middle move while
racing extremely wide but flattened out through the lane against
better. Drops to lowest level of career while stretching back
out to distance where has hit board 4 of 5 with 2 wins
(3) PLANET EARTH- returned last out from 4 month vacation for
trainer Joe Schlich and turned in solid effort despite poor ride
by Pat Johnson. Comes off the turf which is winning move by this
stable and figures to improve in 2nd start after break
WAGERING: #1 to win. Exactas 1/3-4, no reverse.
RACE NINE
(2) HIDDEN CITY- returned last out from 10 month hiatus for
trainer D Wayne Lukas. Showed excellent speed while cahsing
blistering first 1/4 of 21 flat!! Probably needed that effort
and catches field lacking his kind of zip while breaking from
rail
(6) SENSE OF DUTY- 3 yo colt hasn't turned in a bad effort in 4
career starts. Last out received questionable ride by Torres
which is reason Joe Johnson gets mount today. Goes for solid
conditioner Stanley Hough while cutting back to best distance
(5) ROBAHUSH- returned from lengthy vacation in April and
obviously needed that race. Improved enough to win last out
WAGERING: Exactas 2/5-6, no reverse.
CALDER: POST TIMES 1:51, 2:47 ET
(3) RUN FOR CONGRESS (Race Four) was claimed before last out by
trainer Rodolfo Garcia. Stable excels with their claims and this
one turned in solid effort first out for new connections running
2nd at today's level and distance. Garcia hits high % with his
2nd off the claim runners as well. Combined with barn's claiming
prowness also gets hot riding Eibar Coa in the irons. Loves
distance hitting board 6 of 8
(6) POST MARKED- was claimed from last out by trainer Bill March
who does capable job with his haltered horses frequently
springing surprises. Horse has been running in good form and
attracts top rider Castellano to ride. Good work June 11
(5) COSMIC ROAD- filly moved into barn of trainer Eduardo Mondol
two races back and is coming on strong now
WAGERING: #3 to win. Exactas 3/6-5, small reverse.
(6) PRIVATE LEON (Race Six) returned from 6 month layoff last
out while receiving first lasix. Won right off the shelf for
trainer Gerald Procino despite having rough trip. Was making
huge move when forced to steady near 3\8th pole but had enough
grit to regain momentum and get victory. Switches back to Coa
who has won with this gelding before. Stable has been enjoying
solid Calder meet hitting board with 5 of 9 starts
(1) COMPENSATION- trainer Rodolfo Garcia has done a great job
with this gelding since claiming him back in Feb. Has hit the
board 6 of 8 with several winning efforts. Turned in another
strong performance last out despite having difficult journey
(5) HEAVENLY GAZE- has been improving steadily since returning
from 4 month layoff in April. Goes for solid connections
WAGERING: #6 to win. Exacta box 1-5-6.
HOLLYWOOD: POST TIMES 6:00, 6:30, 7:30 ET
RACE FIVE
(1) SEIGNEURIAL/BOLERO BOY- Either half of this entry could take
this race. The former gets a switch to Desormeaux for his
second start off a long layoff while also dropping a level in
class. He loves this turf course and distance. Bolero Boy also
makes his 2nd start back off an almost identical ten month
layoff, and last time put in an impressive late bid for third.
He, too, loves this course and distance, hitting the board in 6
of 7 here.
(5) DESTINY'S VENTURE- Gave his all last time in a gut-wrenching
loss, getting nipped at the wire after leading the entire way
and repulsing all challenges up to that point. Nice work since,
and he's a HOL 'horse for course'.
(2) DEL MAR DANCER- Ran on well to get up for a clear second
when moved back to the turf last time. Tough to suggest on top,
with only one win in 19 starts, but he has run second eight
times, and keeps leading rider Solis.
(6) PARAMOUR- Spawr having excellent meet, and any time you can
get McCarron on turf at about 10-1, take it.
WAGERING: #1(e) to win. Trifecta key 1/2-5-6/all.
(6) MAITRISE (Race Six): She has improved rapidly in her three
starts this year as a four year old, and last time out set a
strong pace and held a clear second in a fast race for the level
behind A Lady From Dixie, who ran in a G2 following that race.
There's not a lot of other speed in this race, and if she
improves again, or even repeats her last race, she will be
tough. Her June 7 work is unusually fast for a Drysdale
trainee, as his runners almost never work bullets, suggesting
she remains very sharp for today.
(3) MIS UPSTART-Runs in this spot instead of a tougher graded
stake this weekend for which she was also entered. Her last race
at this distance was a dominant win, and her G2 Railbird effort
was actually a very good4th.
(9) QUISTAMIRA- Hollendorfer is always dangerous when shipping
to this circuit, but even moreso when McCarron rides for him.
This filly won her last two dirt races, has good tactical speed,
and will offer a price.
(4) PUDDY CAT- A real 'horse for course', her four wins here are
more than the rest of the field combined, and she has been on a
nice, steady cycle of improvement since January. Bullet work
June 6, and leading rider up.
WAGERING: #6 to win. Exactas 6/3-9, small reverse. Smaller
6-4, no reverse.
(4) PLAY IT SAFE (Race Eight): Favored for his return from the
long layoff April 29, he was close to the pace all the way, but
was no match for a runaway winner in a fast race for the level,
finishing 2nd but well clear of the rest of the field. He
seemingly lost all chance when stumbling at the start of his
last and finding himself far off the pace, but rallied boldly to
just miss despite being fanned extremely wide on the turn. He
adds blinkers for his third start back, and there's very little
other speed in this field.
(3) KALAHARI SON- Will be compromised by the lack of speed in
here, as he's a closer who relys on a fast pace to set things up
for him. In the money 6 of 7 at this distance, but hard to
suggest on top with 0 for 19 record.
(5) SHAYBRENS CHAMPION- Could wake up in second start back at a
big price, as he's the only one besides the top choice to have
shown early speed in the past. May and June works have been
good, but trainer still winless.
(2) TROPICAL FLYER- Returns only six days after a huge
improvement off the long layoff, but he seems ripe for a
'bounce' off that effort with such short rest. Trainer has not
won in his last 36 starts, but horse could get a piece.
WAGERING: #4 to win. Trifecta key 4/2-3-5/all.
