Kentucky Derby Hopefuls in Action Saturday at Gulfstream
| WHO: Thoroughbreds – Homeboykris, Piscitelli, Winslow Homer, Aikenite, Jackson Bend |
| WHAT: Horse Racing Betting Tips– The Holy Bull |
| WHERE:Gulfstream Park |
| WHEN: Saturday, January 23rd |
Saturday’s Holy Bull (Grade 3) at Gulfstream Park features a host of talented runners, with several likely to make noise on the Triple Crown trail. The trick on Saturday will be to figure out which horses are primed to fire their best shot, and which are being pointed toward bigger things down the road. Let’s take a look at the entire field:
#1-Thank U Philippe: Horse has a serious case of “seconditis”, with a record of 8-1-5-0. He’s been defeated soundly by Homeboykris and Jackson Bend, and it’s not likely he’ll turn the tables on both those runners in The Holy Bull. He’ll try blinkers for the first time, which could mean “send”. He’s the only horse in the field with a race over the track...may hang on for a minor award.
#2-Homeboykris: Trainer Rick Dutrow touted this guy as the best 2YO in his barn, and Homeboykris justified Dutrow’s enthusiasm when he won The Champagne (G1) going away. He’s the field’s sole Grade 1 winner. ‘Kris never fired in the subsequent Remsen, and Dutrow was unable to find a reason. A repeat of his Champagne effort (also a one-turn mile) could put this guy back in the winner’s circle. I’ll play him to win at odds of 4-1 or better.
#3-Litigation Risk: He looked good breaking his maiden at Belmont, but would have to improve by leaps and bounds to be competitive with this bunch.
#4-Piscitelli: Exits a pair of Grade 1’s in which he outran his huge odds both times. His Beyer Speed Figures have improved each time out…another move forward puts him squarely in the mix.
#5-William’s Kitten: Didn’t do much running in The BC Juvenile, but came back to get second in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs last out. Come-from-the-clouds type may not get the pace he needs to run at in here.
#6-Winslow Homer: This $310K yearling purchase owns the field’s best pedigree, and hasn’t done much wrong in his brief career (3-2-0-1). He’s been heavily favored in all three starts, but that’s not likely to be the case on Saturday. Trainer Tony Dutrow feels that this guy needs two turns, so he’ll be happy with a good effort to build upon. WH may be the best Kentucky Derby prospect in this group, so keep an eye on him down the road.
#7-Wild Lime: This appears to be an ambitious spot for a runner that struggled at Tampa Bay Downs last out.
#8-Aikenite: Pletcher trainee exits a trio of Grade 1’s in which he was quite competitive. Like William’s Kitten, this guy usually comes from out of it, so he’ll be at a disadvantage. Also, Pletcher describes him as a “thick” horse that probably won’t be ready off workouts alone. He’ll improve with racing.
#9-Jackson Bend: Nick Zito takes over the training chores from Stanley Gold. The field’s top earner ($477,820) also owns the top Beyer Speed Figure (100). The outside post should benefit this pressing/stalking type, who’s getting a new pilot in Jeremy Rose. All of Jackson Bend’s success has come across town at Calder, so the Gulfstream Park strip remains a question mark. He’ll be heavily bet, and probably won’t offer much value.
In addition to a win bet on #2-Homeboykris, I’ll use him on top in exactas over the 1, 4 and 9.
