NICE BOXING DAY FOR POPE JUDE FANS

Saturday’s Boxing Day report highlighted a plethora of winners. At Gulfstream Park, WHAT’S THE MOVE ($4.40) kicked it off with BROOKES ALL MINE ($8.00), PAYNTDEMBLUESAWAY ($8.40) and COLONEL LIAM ($4.40) also successful. On opening day at Santa Anita, Nyquist colt WIPE THE SLATE ($7.40) thrust himself into the Triple Crown scene, SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT ($3.60) took the Mathis Brothers Mile (G2), CHARLATAN ($5.20) blitzed the deep Runhappy Malibu (G1) field and NASTY ($15.80) grabbed the Lady of Shamrock Stakes in the last and PIXELATE ($5.40) was a prompt winner of the Woodchopper Stakes at Fair Grounds,

PROMISING JUVENILES DEBUT OVER THE WEEKEND

Supersire Into Mischief was represented by debut maiden winner PRATE at Fair Grounds on December 19. The handsome Juddmonte Farms colorbearer cruised to an easy victory under jockey Florent Geroux for trainer Brad Cox. He ran a faster Beyer speed figure than stakes horses on the same card, stopping the clock in 1:09.81 for six furlongs, thrusting himself into the 2021 Triple Crown discussion.

Trainer Todd Pletcher unveiled talented filly, ZAAJEL at Gulfstream Park on December 20. The Shadwell Farm homebred won by just over seven lengths upon debut, running seven furlongs in 1:23.81. A daughter of Street Sense from a Daaher mare showed the ability to rate and should improve as the distances increase. Luis Saez was aboard for the score.

TWO PLETCHER TRAINEES TO KNOW

A $900,000 Keeneland September yearling, two-year-old PRIME FACTOR (Quality Road – Haylie Brae by Bernardini) broke his maiden by nearly nine lengths upon debut, December 12 at Gulfstream Park. Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode the colt owned by China Horse Club and WinStar Farm, who hit many pundits Triple Crown lists before he had galloped back to the winners’ circle.

Late developing three-year-old ARHAM (Union Rags – Sanaaya by Smart Strike) crushed a maiden field by seven lengths at first-asking over the Gulfstream Park main track on December 17. The Shadwell Farm homebred had been training at J.J. Pletcher’s farm prior to being shipped to Hallandale Beach and had shown a distinct amount of professionalism, which carried over into his debut under jockey Luis Saez. He figures to be even better going longer.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 * ELLIS PARK - AUDOBON OAKS & ELLIS PARK DERBY ANALYSIS

(5:10) ELP 8th Race - #10 MUNDAYE CALL was a $950,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale purchase, so you know she’s athletic, good-looking and owns a sharp pedigree. The daughter of supersire Into Mischief has acquitted herself well on the racetrack, winning her last two starts by open lengths. We like the ratability she showed in her last start and jockey Florent Geroux should get along famously with the Brad Cox trainee in the Runhappy Audobon Oaks. #4 SCONSIN ran a solid second to Four Graces in the Beaumont (G3) in her latest trip to the gate. trained by Ellis Park stalwart Greg Foley, who is having a tremendous meeting, she’ll be making a late run under hot jockey Jimmy Graham. #2 HELLO BEAUTIFUL has won half of her starts - all in Maryland. She ships to the Pea Patch with excellent speed, a bullet blowout and a trainer who has won 25% of her starts this year. Jockey Julien Leparoux takes the call and the price will be square.

(6:10) ELP 10th Race - Toyota Blue Grass (G2) winner #4 ART COLLECTOR impressed a lot of people at Keeneland. Trained by the highly underrated Thomas Drury, Jr., the son of Bernardini rides a four-race winning streak into the Runhappy Ellis Park Derby and his biggest competitor, #12 SHARED SENSE, was six and a half lengths in his wake in an allowance event at Churchill Downs on June 13. Looks like he’ll be tough to beat once again. The latter, Just won the Indiana Derby (G3) and although some outlets are calling this a class drop for the Brad Cox trainee, we would argue this event is much tougher than that one. The son of Street Sense is fastly improving and another move forward would make him a heads-up foe with the favorite. Jockey Florent Geroux knows him well now. #5 NECKER ISLAND has promised a lot along the way but hasn’t delivered. Recently claimed for a hundred grand, the son of Hard Spun may be better on the turf if they ever run him there, but his last two works have been zippy and maybe new trainer Chris Hartman has figured him out a tad. He’ll be a big number on Sunday.

OAKLAWN & GULFSTREAM SELECTED RACES ON MAY 2 REPORT

Saturday, May 2 - what would be the traditional Kentucky Derby (G1) day, this year features two divisions of the Arkansas Derby (G1) from Oaklawn Park. Gulfstream Park has put together a nifty card with three stakes for racing fans to enjoy. This week’s report features selected races from both tracks. Stay healthy and safe from home and enjoy our sport!

SATURDAY'S FOUR BIG TRIPLE CROWN PREPS

#3 TIZAMAGICIAN has the distinction of running second to Honor A.P., the John Shirreffs-trained colt who we consider a top Kentucky Derby (G1) prospect. Trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, his  main competition in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) is probably Bob Baffert trainee #2 THOUSAND WORDS, an undefeated son of Pioneerof the Nile who won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in December. Baffert’s other entrant, #5 HIGH VELOCITY also has claims to the top prize and gets Joel Rosario to ride him this afternoon.

The seven-furlong Swale (G3) brings out an interesting field at Gulfstream Park, where rain is in the forecast. #5 SHIVAREE is being trained to sprint and that could serve him well in this field full of Triple Crown aspirants who have bigger fish to fry. The word, “freak,” has been used in conjunction with #2 UNTITLED in backside conversations this week. Now in the care of Mark Casse, the son of Khozan broke his maiden by 11 against Florida-breds in his first start for trainer Ralph Nicks and seems to have a bright future. Regally-bred #1 MISCHIEVOUS ALEX is proven at the distance and should love an off track. Hot-riding Irad Ortiz, Jr. takes the call and that speaks volumes.

Aqueduct’s Withers (G3) is a mile and an eighth. A difference-making distance for a lot of horses, #5 SHOTSKI won the Remsen (G3) at today’s distance, putting that question mark to bed. There are several things to like about the son of Blame, including his sharp speed figures and solid stable. He’ll face off with American Pharoah’s son, #6 PRINCE OF PHAROAHS, from the powerful Linda Rice barn. It looks like he’s ready to take on the extra furlong this afternoon.

The Holy Bull (G3) has been a key race on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail for many years. #3 TIZ THE LAW was the best juvenile we saw in person last year. The Barclay Tagg trainee has been thoughtfully handled with the goal of the Kentucky Derby (G1) in mind all along and this race should be contested on a fast track. #1 TOLEDO hails from Juddmonte Farms, so we know the quality is present. His flashy pedigree, solid works and glittering trainer combine to make him a solid contender in this spot. Good things come to those who wait and trainer Chad Brown has plenty of patience. #4 ETE INDIAN had early success on the turf, but moved to the main track for his last start and responded with a big win! He must be respected in this field and he may be better than originally considered.

By Popular Demand!

Many players have asked for a “Friday after Thanksgiving report.” We have dubbed it, “Green Friday.” Selected races from Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds and Gulfstream Park’s opening day will be featured. The weather is supposed to be relatively decent at those tracks, so let’s get lucky!

2019 BREEDERS' CUP REPORTS IN THE WORKS

Full-card reports for Friday and Saturday of Breeders’Cup at Santa Anita have been the works since the early Brisnet past performances were posted on October 8. Pope Jude reports have been tremendously successful at Breeders’ Cup for the last several years. As usual, the regular link system is not in action for early orders. You will be emailed a link as soon as the reports become available from our editor.

THE HEAT WAVE REPORT

THE HEAT WAVE REPORT WILL HAVE THREE RACES FROM HASKELL (G1) SATURDAY AS WELL AS ONE FROM FROM WOODBINE AND SEVEN RACES FROM SARATOGA ON SUNDAY. 100% OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE SPECIALLY PRICED REPORT WILL GO TO OLD FRIENDS KENTUCKY ON BEHALF OF RETIRED RACEHORSES.

Saturday, March 23 Report Info

The report for Saturday, March 23, 2019 features seven races on the Louisiana Derby card and is specially priced at $5.00.

Rain, Off Turf & Chalk - No Report for Saturday February 2

Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita have taken their Saturday turf stakes and rescheduled them. The weather is dicey in the East and Midwest. The fields are short and chalky too, so there will be no report for February 2.

SATURDAY FLORIDA SPOT PLAYS

(3:08) TAM 6th Race - #6 AND WON is in good form, has the best turf figure in the race and jockey Anthony Gallardo got to know him in his latest start. It all adds up to a top performance.

(3:15) GP 8th Race - Trainer Mike Maker moved #4 AMANDREA to the turf for her second start and she responded with a 14 point boost in Brisnet speed figure. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione sticks with the daughter of Paynter and further improvement can be expected. #8 NONSENSICAL will appreciate running on the turf. Jockey Paco Lopez assures the daughter of Street Sense will get an aggressive ride and she may be overlooked in the wagering.

(5:19) GP 12th Race - #7 SWEET STING has won a race going a mile and an eighth, she owns the best turf figure in the field and will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano. There are lots of things to like about the Jimmy Jerkens trainee in the nightcap.

HAPPY NEW YEAR & WELCOME BACK!

We hope your holiday season was wonderful.

A lot of inclement weather, weak racing cards and the need for a little freshening after an arduous run up to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships precluded us from putting out any reports in December. With the Pegasus World Cup (G1) looming just three weeks away and Santa Anita kicking off their path to the Triple Crown trail with the Sham (G3), it’s time to get back into action.

We are grateful for your support and are hopeful that 2019 will be your best year of wagering ever.

Weather Causing Racing Havoc

Bad weather at racing emporiums across North America has caused a pause in Pope Jude reports during recent weeks. Hopefully, the outlook will be better 2019 as we head towards Santa Anita and the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. We’ll post on Twitter and here when the next reports can be expected.

Huge Super Saturday for Pope Jude Fans

As the Breeders’ Cup World Championships edge ever closer, Pope Jude fans got a hint of what is to come with Saturday’s plethora of BC preps. With nine winners on the report our bankrolls are building along with our racing knowledge.

Gulfstream was extremely good for us Saturday, with LOUDER THAN BOMBS running down TIMMY M for a nice $27.80 exacta to start the day in the Armed Forces. Standout A BIT SPECIAL ($6.00) ran as predicted in the Our Dear Peggy and longshot ARCHER ROAD capped it off with a $27.20 victory in the Mr. Steele - very popular with the Pope Jude faithful.

We went three-for three at Santa Anita, too and capped off the night with MIND YOUR BISCUITS Breeders’ Cup impressive prep in the Lukas Classic (G3) under the lights at Churchill Downs.

Keeneland opens this Friday and there are several more “win and your in” races on tap for Fall Stars Weekend. Stay tuned!

GORDON and FLORENCE may rain-out Saturday's biggest stakes.

Massive storms Gordon and Florence post major threats to Saturday's stakes action, especially at the all-turf Kentucky Downs venue, that was so good to us last weekend. We'll keep an eye on the storms and if we find any noteworthy plays, post them in this space.