Searching For Value in the Southwest Stakes

J. Scott

This Saturday’s Derby Prep at Oaklawn Park will be a two horse battle between Breeders Cup Juvenile Winner, Essential Quality and fourth place finisher, Jackie’s Warrior.

Essential Quality seems slightly better placed to take this one after a pristine record as a two-year-old and white-hot training by Brad Cox. Essential Quality’s form in the Southwest Stakes may well be a preview of a Kentucky Derby front runner.

Jackie’s Warrior will be close contender to Essential Quality after an aggressive two-year-old campaign and a career best 101 Beyer in the Champagne Stakes. 

Jackie’s Warrior may appear over matched until you do a deep-read of the race chart. The colt raced two-wide with Essential Quality and was neck and neck until the final furlong, then ran out of steam and dropped to fourth, completing the Superfecta. After three months of rest, may be fresh enough to surpass Essential Quality in their rematch today.

But me I look for value, and although these two will be battling it out for the top spot, there is another contender that provides not only value, but an interesting outsiders possibility of getting in the money for a sweet payoff. 

Woodhouse is currently sitting at 8/1 and is one of the two most recently raced in this group, coming in 3rd after being stuck in traffic in his last start. 

Breaking his Maiden in a four-wide drive to victory, Woodhouse seems like he has the innate ability to overcome adversity and the will to win. Woodhouse by Speightstown is entering his third race in the form cycle and the Southwest Stakes could be a big move forward for the young colt. 

If Woodhouse can get up in front of Jackie’s Warrior or even Essential Quality, it is going to be a good day for your wallet.

I will take the chance Woodhouse gets involved for at least a taste.

Good Luck!

Essential Quality

Jackies Warrior w/ Woodhouse

Jackies Warrior w/ Woodhouse

Both ways. 

The Southwest (G3)

The Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth

J. Scott

The Fasig-Tipton-Fountain of Youth is one of the most intriguing Kentucky Derby Prep fields so far this season. 

Today’s Grade 2 at Gulfstream Park has all the ingredients needed to cook up a tasty day of Horse Racing. There is speed, Breeders Cup Champions, future Hall of Fame Trainer Todd Pletcher and a couple of horses taking a real big shot.

Then there is an interesting prospect in Fire At Will, looking to transition from turf to dirt and lay the foundation for a run for the roses.

Fire At Will’s turf form has been stellar, winning the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf by three lengths with a 90 Beyer Speed figure. The dark brown-on-brown beauty makes his 3-year-old premiere today and shows the steady, sure style of Mike Maker’s training that could catapult this colt to victory.

A pedigree deeply favoring turf, but flashing champion level versatility, Fire At Will is ready for anything thrown his way. The colt has won on dirt, slop, and most notably turf, showing he can take what he gets and still get in front. He may add Fountain of Youth Winner to his pedigree on Saturday, but Shug McGaughey’s Greatest Honor, Todd Pletcher’s Prime Factor and Saffie Joesph Jr’s, Drain The Clock may have other ideas. All three horses have shown speed enough to spoil Fire At Will’s Saturday at Gulfstream.

The Fountain of Youth may shine some daylight on which horses in this field are legitimate Derby contenders now, and who needs more time to run.

I think where there’s a Will, there is a way-to the Winner’s Circle.

Good Luck!

Fire At Will

Greatest Honor

Prime Factor w/ Drain the Clock

The Fasig-Tipton-Fountain of Youth

UNITED WE STAND NOT KNEEL UNLESS YOUR IN THE NFL

BREEDERS CUP 2017!

TODAY'S THE DAY! SHAKE OFF THE DUST. GET READY FOR ACTION. GET WELL!

BREEDERS CUP 2017 GOOD LUCK!

I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER

Sometimes you have to go with your gut, before the odds drop! Check out the date on this.....

Do you think Marshawn is happy he's back?

BACK IN BLACK WITH BEASTMODE

BEASTMODE IS BACK...IN BLACK AND SILVER. 

Marshawn Lynch formally signed with his hometown Oakland Raiders today after months of speculation and somehow convincing the Seahawks to release him.

Lynch is one of the most respected and beloved players in the NFL, not just Seahawks fans, but people everywhere love Marshawn and what he does on and off the field, in the way only Marshawn can.

I know what you're thinking; "If Beastmode wanted to "unretire" why didn't he just go back to the Seahawks and go right back to straight winning?" Well, is possible he may be holding a bit of a grudge against Pete Carroll after the worst call in the history of football cost the Hawks a repeat victory in Superbowl XLIX? I sure as hell would be, and not just for the money it cost me on blown wagers...

Anyway, I love Marshawn Lynch, you know why? Cause he flat out doesn't give a shit. His genuine love of the game transcends all the hype and shoe deals, the norm of pro athletes concentrating more on "trying to get paid" than winning games.  Marshawn is seriously, "All 'bout that Action Boss!"

Do you know what Beastmode wants to do? He wants to stomp on the chest of his opponent as he pounds your team into submission. He wants to pulverize your team's will to win because his will is stronger than yours, and your team is going to find out the hard way. Marshawn wants to play in your face, semi truck football in his hometown, on his terms, and not the "we're resting our players today cause we have a big game in two weeks," kind of crap you see today in professional sports.
He ain't havin it.

All of Seattle will be very, very sad to see Beastmode go and we will miss every Skittles soaked moment of watching him play. But hopefully, we can all be happy for him for doing what he does, following his heart which has always beat strong for Oakland.
Fireworks baby Fireworks.

We'll see you in the Superbowl Marshawn, Seattle thanks you for keeping it really real.
Fo real tho.

That's all I got,
raychihasspoken

Prepping to Prep

Greetings Fearless Few,

Best laid plans and best intentions aside, I have been remiss to comment lately on Horseracing or Gambling in general because, well quite frankly, I haven't done any! I am on a VICE-free isle of good ole fashioned work, work and more work that leaves little free time for anything but. 

ALAS Prep Race Season is here and I should be my more in the mix as to not let my loyal readers go hungry for action; so stay tuned for more updates, play by plays, interesting anecdotes and devastating defeats at the wire....

That's all I got,
raychihasspoken