DARE TO BREEZE ($3.10), CARL SPACKLER ($3.50), ILLUMINARE ($4.10), REBEL RED ($6.20), STRICTLY TABOO ($7.70) and TOUGH CATCH ($15.00) carried us through the first seven races. TAKING CANDY ($13.60),WHITEBEAM ($11.60) and MO PLEX ($5.70) finished off the day, sending us home smiling!
Saturday Saratoga Kicks Off the Summer Place to Be
With inclement weather in the forecast for opening day, we decided to start the Spa coverage on Saturday when the track should be fast and the turf relatively firm. Saratoga is traditionally a successful venue for Pope Jude fans and that trend seems likely to continue this summer.
BELMONT @ SARATOGA - THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY - JUNE 6-8
The next popejude.com reports are scheduled for the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga, June 6,7 and 8. Top-class racing is assured with a magnificent stakes schedule. Hopefully Mother Nature will accommodate us with lovely weather to match the quality racecards.
PREAKNESS (G1) DAY a SMASHING SUCCESS
Friday’s Black-Eyed-Susan (G2) day kicked off with a winner in CASTLE ISLAND ($4.00). SUN BEE ($5.20), SHOTGUN HOTTIE ($3.60) and SHE FEELS PRETTY ($3.20) continued the chalk-fest. GUN SONG ($6.60) won the big race for trainer Mark Hennig who had her at a fever pitch.
Preakness (G1) day was much more lucrative. NASTY HABIT ($14.60) reported home on top in the third race, with Magic Express second for a $35.40 exacta and Mirahmadi completing a $23.85 50-cent trifecta. APPLE PICKER ($8.40) captured the Skipat Stakes and standout FLUFFY SOCKS ($3.20) ran up the score in the Gallorette (G3). SUPER CHOW ($10.40) won the Maryland Sprint (G3) with Prevalence second for a $46.60 exacta. FULMINEO ($6.60) was a prompt winner of the James W. Murphy Stakes with #7 Crystal Quest completing the $25.80 exacta. CORPORATE POWER ($5.20) was no surprise in the Sir Barton Stakes with Frankie Dettori and BALNIKHOV ($12.80) completing a nice afternoon at the wickets.
Pope Jude Fans Dodge Lousy Weather on Oaks & Derby Days.
Kentucky Oaks (G1) Day got off to a rousing start when SUNDANCE FEATURE ($8.18) took to the slop and won easily. She combined with Thoughtful for a $19.10 exacta. Juddmonte’s SIDAMARA ($6.22) looked sharp in the second with Sidamara the runner-up for a $34.64 exacta. Champion IDIOMATIC ($3.66) made her 2024 come back in the Fasig-Tipton La Troienne (G1) a winning one. A massive rainstorm adversely affected the remainder of the card although ALMOSTGONE ROCKET ($6.08) blitzed the twelfth race field.
As usual, the Churchill Downs track crew had the main in great shape for Kentucky Derby (G1) Day. PURE FORCE ($5.66) captured the opener and SCYLLA ($2.98) validated her favoritism in the second. MINDFRAME ($2.92) won the third with Cornishman second for a $9.32 exacta. VAHVA ($5.44) got big black type in the Derby City Distaff (G1) with nemesis Alva Starr the runner-up for a $13.20 exacta. CHILI FLAG ($10.06) followed in the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) with stablemate Coppice second for a $31.12 exacta. PROGRAM TRADING ($10.18) continued trainer Chad Brown’s excellent day in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1). We didn’t see Mystik Dan in the Derby but managed another winner with GUN PARTY ($7.36) in the finale and a $46.08 exacta with Banned For Life.
150th Kentucky Derby (G1) Season Ends on High Note
Stonestreet Lexington (G3) day started off well with bet down GLORIETTE ($4.78) coasting home easily, keying a $34.30 exacta with Let’ Go Brandi and a $20.50 50-cent trifecta with Missle. ST. BENEDICTS PREP ($6.74) won the second to complete a $17.88 double. RED STATE ($8.50) captured the fourth with first-time starter READY FOR SHIRL ($17.86) winning her debut in the fifth for double Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield. ROSES FOR DEBRA ($5.52) won her Giant’s Causeway (G3) comebacker and ENCINO ($8.62) took the Lexington (G3) while securing “first in the Derby” also eligible status. ROYAL MAJESTY ($8.42) posted the victory in the nightcap, completing a $18.89 double.
BLUE GRASS (G1) BONANZA
ELEPHANTS EAR ($8.10) took down the opener and BILLAL ($9.28) captured the second race for a $57.84 Daily Double and a $44.50 exacta when Scatify reported home second. The streak continued with favored DISCREET MISCHIEF ($3.70) and Timeout combining for a $22.68 exacta. BUCHU ($15.04) validated her Keeneland form and then ALVA STAR ($6.32) outran Vahva for a $19.20 exacta in the Resolute Racing Madison (G1). Another “horse for course,” ARZAK, won the Shakertown (G2) with Mischief Magic checking in second for a $36.80 exacta setting up a $199.83 PICK FOUR when SIERRA LEONE ($5.32) motored home on top in the Toyota Blue Grass (G1). The exacta with Just a Touch returned $19.92. RUNNING BEE ($5.04) took the nightcap, securing a $75.21 PICK FOUR, sending Pope Jude fans home in a very good mood.
Huge Day in Hallandale
SET ($3.20) was a chalky start and Euro interloper KERTEZ ($6.00) kept the trend going at Gulfstream although the $2 exacta with Harry Hood for $57.40 and the 50-cent tri with Tawny Port retuned $29.10 on the report too. VIVE VEUVE ($35.60) is more of what we were looking for and combined with Ozara for a $91.40 exacta. OSCAR ECLIPSE ($7.80) won the Sir Shackleton Stakes, CAIRO CONSORT ($9.80) took the Sand Springs Stakes, SMOKIN’ T. ($11.20) captured the Appleton Stakes and FIERCENESS ($4.20) wore the colorful Florida Derby (G1) flowers.
At Oaklawn Park, PROVE WORTHY (19.80) won his comebacker and MUTH ($6.60) won the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Pope Jude Fans Enjoy Excellent Derby Prep Saturday
Pope Jude fans had lots of reasons to celebrate during Saturday’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) card and Louisiana Derby (G2) day. TRIKARI ($10.82) started the festivities off at Turfway with a game score in the Rushaway Stakes. DANA’S BEAUTY ($43.14) kept the roll going in the next race and magnificent Eric Foster claim, EVERLAND ($24.10), continued her success story. Favored ENDLESSLY ($4.88 ) took the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), giving Mill Ridge Farm sire Oscar Performance three winners on the day.
RAGTIME ($21.40) got us going at Fair Grounds and RED ROUTE ONE ($11.80) captured the New Orleans Classic (G2) and keyed a $70.80 exacta with TOUCHUPONASTAR. Muniz Memorial Classic (G2) winner, I’M VERY BUSY ($6.80) and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner TARIFA ($5.00) closed out the afternoon.
Tampa Bay Derby (G3) Weekend Good to Pope Jude Fans
Late afternoon tote issues aside, Tampa Bay Derby (G3) Day was a good one for Pope Jude fans. HERCULES ($11.40) kicked off the festivities in the second race and FULL NELSON ($9.80) kept it rolling in the Columbus Stakes. Chalky STERLING SILVER ($5.20) won the overnight handicap and key play WASKESIU ($7.80) emerged victorious in the Florida Oaks (G3). She combined with STYLE POINTS for a nifty $72.80 exacta. DOMESTIC PRODUCT and NO MORE TIME were the exacta in the feature but it was deemed a non-wagering race by track management.
Santa Anita was good too, with CANE CREEK ROAD ($7.20) taking the opener and KINZA ($3.00) winning the Santa Ysabel(G3). MUCHO DEL ORO ($7.80) won the San Simeon (G3) down the hill, combining with DANCING BUCK for a $44.80 exacta and LANE WAY for a $157.60 trifecta. Flavien Prat stole the B. Wayne .Hughes Beholder Mile (G1) with SWEET AZTECA ($8.80) and made a $23.00 exacta with favored ADARE MANOR. Everybody went home smiling when HEADED FOR OM ($14.60) took the nightcap with JANE KENDEIGH second for a $30.80 exacta.
Preakness (G1) and Belmont (G1) Days Good to Pope Jude Fans
Triple Crown season is popular with horseplayers around the globe. Pope Jude reports have proven not only popular but useful to a myriad of fans seeking handicapping help or just another set of eyes on the past performances.
Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan (G2) Day report featured nine winners on the 14-race card to get the party started at Old Hilltop. The Preakness (G1) Day report provided 10 winners on another 14-race card, including the late Pick 5 ($1,112.70) on a small ticket.
An excellent Friday card at Belmont Park provided seven winners in the eleven races. Belmont (G1) Day followed suit with nine winners on the 13-race card including five exactas.
Keeneland Opening Weekend
With 16 winners out of 30 covered races on the report over the two-day span of Keeneland racing, Pope Jude fans had a nice share of success. The three major Kentucky Derby preps around the country were exciting although relatively true to form, LORD MILES not withstanding. The Lexington Stakes (G3) this Saturday rounds out the “road to the Triple Crown,” and then it’s off to Churchill Downs.
Pope Jude Fans Enjoy Breeders' Cup at Keeneland
It was fun to hear from Pope Jude fans about their experiences at Breeders’ Cup.
Adam, from Wisconsin sent an email; “Had a great coupleof days. Black Forest ($17.30) on Friday got me started and I never looked back!” Duane in Arizona said he always has trouble with turf races: “Not my forte. Thankfully Mischief Magic ($15.84) and Meditate ($6.08) helped me a bunch.”
Saturday was excellent too. Jessica from Florida made some dough: “I hope you had a great BC. I got some nice priced winners thanks to you.” Lily in Illinois inquired: “How did you know about Blue Stripe? She ran an unbelievable race and won me my biggest exacta bet of the day with Malathaat.” Robert from Iowa was ecstatic about Rebel’s Romance: “I am a War Like Goddess fan but didn’t want to single her. I used Rebel’s Romance ($13.92) and another horse off your report and hit a $4800 Turf Pick 4. Thank you, my wife was thrilled!”
SHORT FIELDS, HURRICANE IAN ADVERSELY EFFECTS BC PREVIEW DAYS
Short fields and some inclement weather brought by Hurricane Ian has adversely effected the cards at Churchill Downs, Belmont at Aqueduct and Santa Anita. Unfortunately there will be no Pope Jude report for Saturday. Best of luck if you play this weekend. Hopefully, “FallStars Weekend” at Keeneland will be fast, firm and full.
TRAVERS (G1) DAY SUCCESS!
Pope Jude fans enjoyed an excellent Travers (G1) day at the Spa with $18+ winners MAJORITY PARTNER, CODY’S WISH and WICKED GROOVE on the report. Add GUFO ($10.80) in the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer (G1) and Travers (G1) winner EPICENTER. Some chalky winners, several exactas and the $172.50 for a buck trifecta in the nightcap made Pope Jude nation leave Saratoga’s signature day smiling. Happy fan, Bob, wrote, “ The Pope had a pretty darn nice day at the Spa Saturday!” Yes, Bob. It was lovely.
JIM DANDY (G2) OF A DAY!
Another excellent Saturday for Pope Jude players as CAPTURE THE FLAG ($7.60) kicked off Jim Dandy (G2) day. AMUNDSON ($14.40), MARVELOUS MAUDE ($4.80) and MR. CHAIRMAN ($6.90) added to the Saratoga bankrolls. MOBOU ($9.60) started the Del Mar festivities with COMANCHE COUNTRY ($5.80), ELENIAK ($8.40), NEWGATE ($3.00) and LADY CLEMENTINE ($13.00) sending everybody home way ahead on the day!
Reports Getting Winners at Resort Tracks
The Pope JUde reports have been helping players win at Saratoga, Del Mar and Monmouth Park. CHLOE ROSE ($6.40), WHATLOVELOOKSLIKE ($12.80), SHUTTERS ($14.20 and the $47.60 exacta with Front Line Dancer) and CREDIT EVENT ($11.20) kicked off opening Saturday at the Spa. Last weekend, JANE MAST ($9.00), the awesome NEST and CATCH THAT PARTY won at Saratoga with HIGHLY MOTIVATED and ADHAMO winning at Monmouth Park. Longshot STAYINCOTAI ($39.40) was a day-maker at Del Mar and the exacta with Handy Dandy ($129.60) was a big boost to the ROI. AVENUE OF FRANCE ($14.00) won the Osunitas Stakes and BELLABEL ($8.00) took the nightcap with longshot Sixteen Arches second for a $192 exacta and Island of Love third completing a $448.60 trifecta to end the evening.
Oaks & Derby Weekend Fabulous for Pope Jude Fans
The second race on Oaks (G1) day got us started with OLGA ISABEL ($22.80) reporting home on top. INVENTING completed the exacta ($49.40) with MISREAD finishing the $64.40 dollar tri. JU JU’S MAP ($3.00) came back sharp in the fourth race and the chalky Chad Brown-trained BLEEKER STREET ($4.00) and FLUFFY SOCKS took the fifth event exacta returning $11.00. OLYMPIAD ($3.80) and HAPPY SAVER picked up a $12.00 exacta in the seventh and MATEREYA ($4.00) proved best in the ninth.
We crushed the tenth race when ARREST ME RED ($7.40) won in a gutsy effort and longshot BRAN ran on for second at 40-1. The exacta returned $322 and when GREGORIAN CHANT closed for third, we hit a nifty $573.30 for 50-cents trifecta!
SECRET OATH ($10.80) and NEST combined for the $39.40 exacta in the Oaks (G1). Our last win of the day came in race twelve with SOCIETY ($9.80).
CONGRESSMAN ($11.00) won the opener on Derby (G1) day, then SURFER DUDE ($6.20) cashed in the second for a $23.90 Double and a $19.60 exacta when OSBOURNE ran second. SPEAK OF THE DEVIL ($4.20) reignited the flame in the fifth event of the afternoon with stablemate IN ITALIAN making the $12.80 exacta and WAKANAKA rounding out the $18.30 for a dollar tri.
Chad Brown again in the seventh with comebacker JACK CRISTOPHER ($3.40) and fast-closing Bill Mott trainee OBLIGATORY ($9.80) underlining her love for Churchill Downs in the eighth. JACKIE’S WARRIOR ($4.00) ran away with his field in the tenth and SANTIN ($16.20) added a lot of value to the horizontal payoffs in the eleventh.
The longest shot on the board in the Kentucky Derby (G1), RICH STRIKE was tough to find but super exciting to watch. It was a sensational Derby!
CANDY TYCOON ($14.60) closed out our day in the thirteenth and left us with a fatter wallet and a thankful smile on our face for the fabulous weekend.
A SOLID SATURDAY AS DERBY APPROACHES
PREVALENCE, SPENDARELLA and ZANDON all got the candy on Saturday at Keeneland. MO DONEGAL, SPEAKER’S CORNER and WIT made the New York Pope Jude fans happy and at Santa Anita TAIBA and GOING GLOBAL carried the banner. It was a chalky day across the country, but we cashed lots of tickets and enjoyed the Kentucky Derby (G1) steppingstones.
DERBY PREP SATURDAY - FLORIDA, ARKANSAS & KENTUCKY
The trifecta of MAIN EVENT, RED DANGER and SMOKIN’ T kicked off the Florida Derby (G1) day festivities for Pope Jude fans followed by a runaway victory by Ghostzapper’s son FEARLESS in the Ghostzapper (G3). CRYSTAL CLIFFS and STOLEN HOLIDAY then combined for the exacta in the Sand Spring Stakes. The best two fillies, KATHLEEN O. and GODDESS OF FIRE ran 1-2 in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) with PHANTOM CURRENCY reporting home first in the Appleton (G3) and WHITE ABARRIO taking the Florida Derby (G1) combining with CHARGE IT for the exacta and SIMPLIFICATION for the tri.
LIFE IS HARD started the action at Oaklawn Park and then WESTERN RIVER and PLAUSIBLE DENILE coupled up for a nice exacta. FULSOME upset CEZANNE for the exacta in the Oaklawn Mile (G3). MACRON closed for an allowance score and jockey Florent Geroux made a wise choice riding CYBERKNIFE in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Trainer Mike Maker had himself a day at Turfway Park and ENID got it started. Jockey Gerardo Corrales chose to ride NOBALS in the Animal Kingdom which proved to be the right decision. TIZ THE BOMB was best as predicted in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) wrapping up a fun afternoon in Florence, Kentucky.