Saturday Night At The Races

[cliff]

Selections for Saturday December 13.

Race 1

#6 Skyway Classic- crushed a similar group last week
#5 Dayton Hanover - beaten favorite
#3 Real Sexy - on the class drop
#2 Sporty Moran - better than he's looked

Race 2

#3 Willis Coder - had him last week; easier group tonight
#1 Saucy Brown - has some talent, Deaton with the rail
#2 Liftoff Bayama - always have to consider a claimer against conditioners
#7 Joey Pants - no threat tonight, just for future reference

Race 3

#2 Chippendale Dancer - looks to be in top form
#5 Yankee Sherwood - makes his living in this class
#6 Master Wheels - tough trip from out here
#3 Upfront Navigator - seems to have his act together, could be dangerous

Race 4

#3 Summertime Sam - old timer still has some juice left
#7 Gramma's Guy - has been dy-no-mite for new barn, post could be the issue tonight
#4 Mike's Heir - beaten favorite with another chance
#9 Make Me Proudchico - sharp, still something to prove in this class

Race 5

#6 Must Be The Bunny - just coming into his own
#7 Osborne's Bullet - may crush these, but some doubt lingers
#9 Go Bogart - picked up a show from this post a while back
#1 Expensive Western - the rail and Tony will keep him in the game

Race 6

#5 Diamond Hunter - tough to go against this talented 3yo
#1 Chust Chudy- love this mare, just think the colt is better
#6 Hooray For Mom - super effort last two
#9 Rose Run Heather - should get a nice covered trip


Race 7

#3 Category Six - starting to come around
#5 Bobsujak - looks like a late bloomer and then some
#2 Camwes - nice early speed, does better with an aggressive drive
#1 Delivered Rules - makes a living in this class

Race 8

#2 Expresso Forte - the best with an inside post, cross your fingers
#6 Oaks Enforcer - back class to burn, Tony will give him the trip
#3 Bestnotgetinmyway - woke up big time last week, has the speed to compete here
#1 Depravedhedonist - sharp with the rail

Race 9

#6 Dunkster - dominates this track when he is right, looks right to me
#4 Lucca's Revenge- still has the early foot, will be in good position
#7 Armbro Approach - no luck in the draw tonight
#3 Hello Carlo - this one is holding his own, I'm partial to 4 year olds anyhow

Race 10

#2 Metekas - looks like the class of the 8's at the present
#4 Utica Hanover - won four starts back, excuses since then
#5 Bacon Hill Bandit - back on the gate, always competitive
#1 Fox Valley Shaman - another class act with the rail and a driver who will use it

Race 11

#1 Sadie's Soloist - 2nd to a monster after a tough trip last week
#4 Caviarandsoftmusic - big move at 24-1 last time
#2 The Fonz - nothing wrong with this one, just like the top two better
#3 Black Oliver - sharp, but unproven at this level

Race 12

#1 Spellbinder - won three back, like his chances here
#3 Vickies Dreamboat - Elliott will leave tonight
#9 Laughing Is An Art - as good as the first two, but the post gives me pause
#7 Rella's Trick - no post, but gets a real driver tonight

Race 13

#6 Motorcyclemike - tough claimer can overcome the post with Stahl in the bike
#1 Soul Patrol - certainly overdue
#2 Slade Gram - closed nicely last week
#9 Spires Trick - heavily bet last week, could rebound

Race 14

#2 Art's Baker - probably the lock of the night
#3 Knockout Sahbra - class and post relief
#1 Chisum - halfway sharp and has the rail
#9 Stand N Shout - hangs around with the covered rail trip

Good Luck

[trackrat]

Cliff, The Giss commented on it and I experienced it while walking the dog last night, a brutal southerly wind. I'm sure it was a factor in some of the results Saturday night. Having said that, you still managed 5 winners in 14 races, for a 35% win percentage, which is about par for the professional cappers. Good to see you back with us, for however long.

[cliff]

Just a couple of comments on Saturday. Saturdays have always been the most competitive at Northfield. Even though the overall quality of the stock has gone done, it seems the Saturday competitiveness remains. I wasn't able to watch any of the races last night, but I reviewed the charts today. Seems like quite a few victories by a length or less with a couple photos with three or four contenders right there at the wire together.

Because it's so hard to pick winners on Saturday, I've always done better wagering by identifying the contenders in a particular race and boxing the exoctics. I also like to play the pick-3's and 4's if I can find at least on key horse (winner) in one of the legs. (Last night's final Pick-3 with Art's Baker keyed in the 14th looks very hittable and a nice piece of change.) This is a departure from my usual habit of betting to win and/or keying a horse in a wheel on other nights.

Btw, I just took a look at Monday's program. Handicapping that bunch of races is mission impossible. Don't look for any picks here until later in the week.