FREE DUBAI WORLD CUP SELECTIONS

The first two races and the last two races don't seem to offer any great wagering opportunities. We don't advocate taking too many short prices on World Cup Day, so look for value and possible ways to turn a short price into a longer one through exactas and tris. Remember, it's not the horses you don't bet that hurt you.

(8:50) MEY 3rd Race – International racing is always better when HH Aga Khan is winning. He will be represented by #3 VAZIRABAD. The grey gelding prepped nicely over the course on February 23 and should be set for a corker in the Dubai Gold Cup (G2).  His main competition could come from Godolphin’s #11 BEAUTIFUL ROMANCE, the talented mare who just beat him in his prep and the venerable #1 SHEIKHZAYEDROAD who has still got it at eight-years-old.

(9:25) MEY 4th Race – Godolphin entrant #13 THUNDER SNOW won the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) impressively and was subsequently nominated to the American Triple Crown. He’s the morning line favorite and deservedly so. The four-year-olds, #8 VETTORI KIN and #11 HE RUNS AWAY are both highly rated and should go off at huge prices in the UAE Derby (G2).

(10:00) MEY 5th Race – The two best entrants, by a long way, in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) are #11 LIMATO and #6 ERTIJAAL. The former has a bit of a class edge while the latter has the benefit of a recent race. It has been our experience that recency tops nearly everything in turf sprints. The two Godolphin runners, #5 JUNGLE CAT and #12 BACCARAT have both been running well at the Carnival and would not be shocking winners.

(10:35) MEY 6th Race – #14 MIND YOUR BISCUITS has been pointing to this race for quite a while. The American was given a race in the Gulfstream Park sprint (G3) to tune him up for this event and he has trained exceptionally well in the desert. Love his outside draw, and his 7-2 morning line is a gift we probably won’t get.

(11:30) MEY 7th Race – Jebel Hatta (G1) victor #4 DECORATED KNIGHT looks tough right back in the Dubai Turf (G1). The son of Galileo has won three straight, but will still have to improve a little to garner the top prize. The boys in blue have a major contender here with #1 RIBCHESTER. This is a tad longer than he usually runs, but his trainer says, “he’s in good nick,” and seems tremendously optimistic of a top performance.  #3 HESHEM has impressed on-lookers in his morning chores and his trainer as well. He has the benefit of a recent race and who doesn’t like 20-1 shots?

 

Seven Winners the Last Two Saturdays

Pope Jude fans enjoyed seven winners on the report each of the last two Saturdays with both days covering a dozen races. 

We'll attempt to keep the ball rolling next weekend when all  eyes will be on Gulfstream Park and the Florida Derby (G1). 

OAKLAWN & LAUREL ANCHOR MARCH 18 REPORT

After a nice Saturday last week, Pope Jude fans are hoping to #StayHot. 

The Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn is the race of the week as Derby fever is getting contagious. Laurel Park also has a nice card and we've posted a couple of Gulfstream races including the Inside Information (G2) and the Santa Margarita (G1) at Santa Anita. 

Best of luck!

Excellent Cards at Fair Grounds and Gulfstream

All eyes will be on Saturday's Risen Star (G2) at the Fair Grounds, as the Kentucky Derby looms closer every day. Gulfstream Park features three stakes, including the Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3).

This week's report features a dozen races that we think give you the best opportunities for wagering success. Let's make 'em pay!

#GetHot #StayHot Saturday's Order of the Day

Saturday's report featured winners FAVORABLE OUTCOME, RYMSKA, IRISH WAR CRY, EL AREEB, ROYAL MO, SIBERIAN IRIS AND HOPPERTUNITY, out of 11 races. Many purchasers hit some nice horizontal bets, but one had a tough beat when EXCILLY could do no better than second at Gulfstream. 

Hopefully, this weekend will continue the #GetHot #StayHot trend. With races like the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1), Hardacre Mile Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2), Suwannee River (G3), Lambholm South Endeavour (G3), Sam F. Davis (G3) and Tampa Bay (G3) in Florida and the Arcadia (G2) and Santa Maria (G2) in California, it should be an excellent Saturday of racing. 

Monday's Full Card Santa Anita Opening Day Report

Racing's fiscal year kicks off with the opening of Santa Anita. We have a full card report for the Boxing Day card and are looking forward to the four graded stakes offered on the opening day program at the Great Race Place. 

Best of luck at the windows and Happy New Year!

GP OFF TRACK - REPORT REFUNDED

Due to the off track at Gulfstream Park, Saturday's report has been refunded. 

Thanks for ordering. Best of luck!

 

Claiming Crown a Big Hit!

To all the Pope Jude fans who wrote about their Claiming Crown scores...Thanks for the kind words. By its very nature, Claiming Crown is a tough event to handicap, but after being in attendance for the last several years, we have sort of gotten the hang of it. It is a combination of Keeneland (horses in from everywhere) and the Breeders' Cup (the best in their divisions), handicapping with the heat and humidity thrown in to make things more difficult.

Usually we don't put out a report for the rest of the year after Claiming Crown, but we had a couple of horses pop up off the watch list, found some interesting price plays and and a couple of solid singles, so we thought we'd give it a go for Saturday. 

After this weekend, the next report will probably be a full card for Santa Anita's opening day, December 26. Our California peeps always want one.

Happy Holidays!

POPE JUDE STAFF OFF FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND - FULL CARD GULFSTREAM PARK CLAIMING CROWN REPORT NEXT SATURDAY

The Pope Jude crew is taking the weekend off to be with friends and family. We will return next Saturday, December 3,  with a full card Gulfstream Park Claiming Crown report.

If you want to know who The Pontiff likes on Saturday, tune in to the XpressBet Weekend Stakes Preview Show on the Horse Racing Radio Network. The show, hosted by "The Big A," Anthony Stabile, airs from 6-7 PM ET Friday evening on Sirius 219/XM 206 and streamed live at horseracingradio.net. An archived recording is available on the website as well and can also be accessed via Horse Racing Radio on iTunes. 

GPW & AQU Provide Action & Cash

Pope Jude fans certainly enjoyed last Saturday's racing at Gulfstream Park West and Aqueduct. 

The report kicked off with back-to-back exactas ($10.80 & $32.40) and finished up the South Florida swing with winners Enterprising and Compelled.

Bigger Picture ($21.40) was a huge overlay atthe Big A, thanks to the public's overwhelming love for Wake Forest, who was sent off at odds-on. 

Let's #StayHot this weekend!

As the Breeders' Cup Dust Settles

When your best bet of the two days wins the first race easily and pays $15.20, you know it’s going to be a good Breeders’ Cup. OSCAR PERFORMANCE justified our enthusiasm and beat his competition in the Juvenile Turf (G1) like a drum. Love when that happens.

DORTMUND looked horrible warming up for the Dirt Mile (G1), like he was distressed, and TAMARKUZ took it to the field in the Dirt Mile (G1). The throat surgery he had last spring has really helped him, plus, he is finally accustomed to American racing. John Sadler was correct about ACCELERATE. He belonged in the field and is one to watch next year. RUNHAPPY has been ruined by a ridiculous schedule.

NEW MONEY HONEY had the best turf figure of the American horses and ran to it. Her $15.00 mutuel in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) was a gift. There is no doubt that LA CORONEL was compromised by her hideous post and should get back to the winners’ circle soon.

The undisputed Queen of Santa Anita, BEHOLDER, went out a winner in the Distaff (G1) and that was great to see. SONG BIRD raced valiantly in defeat and lost no luster in the process. She is now the best dirt filly in the United States, if there was any question before. STELLAR WIND was a little wound up and hindered herself with a bad break. She will be a major force in 2017 if she gets a little break now.

In the wide open Juvenile Fillies (G1), CHAMPAGNE ROOM was not a total surprise, but her 33-1 odds were. She obviously has talent. VALADORNA is a gorgeous filly who proved her maiden-breaker at Keeneland was no fluke. Keep an eye on her. AMERICAN GAL was bet down to favoritism off a sparkling blowout under Mike Smith. Making her two-turn debut in this race was a huge reach, but she acquitted herself well and she seems to have a bright future.

QUEEN’S TRUST got an awesome ride by Frankie Dettori and captured the Filly and Mare Turf (G1) in fine style. This was a stellar field and runner-up LADY ELI drew more admiration with her performance. The good news is, she’ll be campaigned next year. With awesome speed and the ability to carry it, you’ve got to think AVENGE is going to win a few more races in her career.

We’ve been saying all year that DREFONG is the best sprinter in the country, so it was gratifying to see him win the Sprint (G1). If there is someone better at pointing a horse to a particular race and winning it than Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, we don’t know who it is.

Eight-year-old OBVIOUSLY, a California fan favorite, got the job done down the hill in the Turf Sprint (G1). That was fun for the locals to watch as was the fast finish by OM. Evidently jockey Joel Rosario forgot that CELESTINE was a speed horse, so a better run can be expected next time, if somebody who reads the past performances and utilizes them rides her.

CLASSIC EMPIRE and NOT THIS TIME put on a great show in the Juvenile (G1), which could be a preview of next year’s Kentucky Derby (G1). Great call by Michael Wrona, saying the pair was, “a street in front of the rest of the field.” Both of these boys are stone runners.

The Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) was tremendously formful, with the three best horses finishing 1-2-3. Seamie Heffernan stole the race on HIGHLAND REEL. His ride was a thing of beauty. FLINTSHIRE was given a lot to do once again, but nobody was beating the Coolmore horse on the day.

Have to admit we were looking the other way when FINEST CITY won the Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). It was fantastic for her young trainer, Ian Kruljac, and for the sharps who backed her. She won like a good thing with a race she had never run before. C’est la vie.

TOURIST had been touting himself all week, looking the picture of health and vitality. Beaten by MISS TEMPLE CITY and IRONICUS in his last start, it was questionable if he could turn the tables on both in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Obviously, the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland was a very good race, with the top three in that one all earning a check here. TEPIN ran huge again. What a great mare she is. They are all slated to be back next year – what a division.

CALIFORNIA CHROME, older and world-class, versus ARROGATE, young and fast. What a race the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) was. ARROGATE got the money and showed what he is made of. Wait ‘til he fills out and grows up. What a beast the Juddmonte colorbearer will be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Thursday Private Party Report

Asked to provide a special Thursday report for a private party, it's posted here for two bucks.

Let's build our Breeders' Cup bankroll!

NEXT POPE JUDE REPORTS WILL BE PUBLISHED FOR BREEDERS' CUP FRIDAY & SATURDAY

We are getting ready for the Breeders' Cup, studying the European form and watching workouts and film, so we'll have a great handle on all Breeders' Cup participants. Travel plans are set, and we'll be on the scene at Santa Anita, Sunday, October 30. 

Listen to the Horse Racing Radio Network Xpressbet Weekend Stakes Preview Show at 6:00 PM ET Friday for information and selections the next two weekends. It is broadcast world-wide on Sirius 219/XM 206 and streamed live at horseracingradio.net. If you miss the show, there is also a podcast available on the HRRN website and at Horse Racing Radio on iTunes.

 

SIX TAKEAWAYS FROM BREEDERS' CUP PREVIEW SATURDAY

Here's six things we learned on Breeders' Cup Preview Saturday:

1) Javier Castellano has no idea how to ride Flintshire. It was just a matter of time before he got this superhorse beat. Despite his talent and success, Castellano continues to put the Juddmonte star in positions that require supreme efforts to be successful.

2) Oscar Performance is as good as we thought he was. We compared him to Big Brown and nothing in his Pilgrim (G3) performance suggests otherwise. 

3) Trainer Charlton Baker can point a stakes horse to a race with the best of them. Joking ran huge in the Vosburgh (G1). Many claiming-type trainers have problems with stakes horses but not Charlie Baker.

4) Gormley could be the real deal. Trainer John Shirreffs is not noted for his two-year-olds, yet this son of Malibu Moon is two-for-two after the FrontRunner (G1), beating the talented Klimt on the square. He'll have the home track advantage in the BC Juvenile (G1) too. 

5) Avenge can really run. She's in a tough division, but the Richard Mandella-trainee is among the major players.

6) Runhappy is a sprinter. There goes the Pegasus (G1). If his connections are smart, he'll be in the B.C. Sprint (G1) to defend his crown. 

 

Pope Jude Back for BC Preview Day

Due to the short fields and even shorter prices, Saturday's Pope Jude report has a special $5.00 sale price. There is some money to be made, but Flintshire and California Chrome are not the place to find it. (Although, TVG is offering 5-1 on Chrome through HRRN.)

 

HORSES TO WATCH LIST - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

(5:45) BEL 9th Race - #11 ANATEVKA was given a test-ride by Joel Rosario in her debut, but closed strongly to finish a solid fourth. Trainer Michael Dilger employs top turf rider Jose Ortiz on the daughter of Lonhro in this spot, so major improvement can be expected. She is 4-1 on the morning line.

FRIDAY XPRESSBET WEEKEND STAKES PREVIEW SHOW RACE LINEUP FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016

The following races will featured on Friday's Expressbet Weekend Stakes Preview Show on HRRN. Tune in Friday evening at 6:00 PM ET or SIRIUS 219 /XM 206 or horseracingradio.net. You can also access the show podcast via Horse Racing Radio Network on iTunes.

BEL - Noble Damsel (G3)
CD - Dogwood (G3)
LRC - Los Al Derby (G2)
LRL - Commonwealth Oaks (G3)
LRL - Commonwealth Derby (G2)
LRL - Commonwealth Turf Cup (G2)
PRX - PA Derby (G2)
PRX - Cotillion (G1)
PRX - Gallant Bob (G3)
PRX - PA Derby Championship