Blue Grass Stakes
04-08-2010 -- The Turk
Every handicapper has his or her own personal style. I’m an information guy. I study the past performances and I glean information from race charts. I think it’s critical to approach every handicapping situation in a consistent manner. I’m going to walk you though how I handicap. It’s not sexy or exotic nor do I employ anything more then a red pen and a calculator.
Gate Crashers - Derby Trial
04-24-2010 -- Gene Kershner, EquiSpace
Talk about a tough act to follow…the TBA’s Joe Nevills of the Michigan-Bred Claimer nailed his handicap in this spot last week giving out $41.80 winner Exhi who romped home to win the Lexington Stakes. If you were paying attention to two weeks ago during The Turk’s handicap of the Blue Grass to allocate 10% of your bankroll to defensive win bets, protected his main $32 handicap to result in making a $2 win bet on long shot Stately Victor that paid over $80. Our schedule shows the big one is up next week and our fearless leader, Handride, will be at the ThoroFan Handicappers wheel to give us his best picks for the Derby.
Playing the Exotics on Derby Day
04-29-2010 --
Exotics make me think of drinks poured in coconuts on a sandy sunny beach somewhere near the equator. And, I guess there are some similarities. Like most exotics, betting exotics look great from far away, you can convince yourself that you’ll definitely bring one home, and the payoffs are huge. However, well… reality always has a way of sinking in.
Wood You Like To Construct a Trifecta?
04-03-2010 -- Gene Kershner
THE WOOD MEMORIAL
Let's build a modestly priced trifecta in a big Derby prep race.
Pletcher should Rule Florida Derby
03-19-2010 -- Gene Kershner
Betting a keyed trifecta when a definite favorite should win.
Real talk about fake dirt, or “I just need a little more money”
04-15-2010 -- Joe Nevills, The Michigan-Bred Claimer
Ah, the Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. A Kentucky Derby prep race long recognized as the last refuge for contenders desperate for those last few dollars to get into the big dance. One might consider the Lexington the Vegas loan shark of the Derby preps.
Gate Crashers - Derby Trial
04-24-2010 -- Gene Kershner, EquiSpace
Talk about a tough act to follow…the TBA’s Joe Nevills of the Michigan-Bred Claimer nailed his handicap in this spot last week giving out $41.80 winner Exhi who romped home to win the Lexington Stakes. If you were paying attention to two weeks ago during The Turk’s handicap of the Blue Grass to allocate 10% of your bankroll to defensive win bets, protected his main $32 handicap to result in making a $2 win bet on long shot Stately Victor that paid over $80. Our schedule shows the big one is up next week and our fearless leader, Handride, will be at the ThoroFan Handicappers wheel to give us his best picks for the Derby.
Pace Makes the Race in Lone Star Derby
05-06-2010 -- Brock Sheridan, The Brock Talk
When trainer Bob Baffert came into Lone Star Park in 1997 to win the Lone Star Derby with Anet, assistant racing secretary Jeannette Hughes enticed the silver-headed celebrity with tickets to ride the famous Texas Giant roller coaster at Six Flags Amusement Park in nearby Arlington. The wooden structure was famous for having the highest lift of any wooden roller coaster in the world at 143 feet.
Getting Your Preak On in Preakness 135
05-12-2010 -- Kevin Stafford, The Aspiring Horseplayer
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent a good deal of time this year tracking the more highly regarded 3-year-old thoroughbreds and pondering which of them would run off to glory on the first Saturday in May. That’s where I’m hoping the similarities between us end, because yours truly over here wound up earning the dubious distinction of giving out the next-to-last place finisher in the Kentucky Derby for the second year in a row.
Lazaro S. Barrera Stakes – Specialists or Speed?
05-21-2010 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
The race is named for Hall of Fame trainer Laz Barrera, the talented conditioner of the last Triple Crown winner: AFFIRMED. While AFFIRMED was Barrera’s defining horse, his first nationally prominent training masterpiece came with sprinter BOLD FORBES with whom he won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes of 1976. That feat, getting a short-fused runner to stay classic distances, earned Barrera the opportunity to train the Harbor View Farm runners owned by Louis and Patrice Wolfson. Perhaps a little of that Barrera magic will rub off on Jeff Bonde for this year’s Barrera Stakes renewal.
The Met Mile & Bridgejumping 101
05-29-2010 -- Brian Appleton & Gene Kershner
The TBA bloggers have a little bit of a change up in play this week. Brian will give us his handicap of the Met Mile and Gene will follow up with a lesson on bridgejumping and how you might be able to cash a big ticket on a small wager. So we’ll let Brian run with his analysis and tie this into Gene’s bridgejumping lesson….here goes….
Building Manhattan from the Ground Up
06-04-2010 -- The Turk
I’d like to thank the good folks at ThoroFan and the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance for inviting me to share my thoughts on today’s race in the Handicappers' Corner, The Grade I Manhattan Handicap. The race is the undercard to the final leg of the Triple Crown events, The Belmont Stakes, and it will be contested by three year olds and up, carrying assigned weights one and one quarter miles on the Belmont inner turf course.
Figuring out the Foster
06-11-2010 -- Brian Zipse, Zipse At The Track
Saturday’s closing added money event of five straight graded stakes at Churchill Downs promises to be the best race of the weekend. A field of 11 solid older males is set to slug it out in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster over nine furlongs. In recent years the Foster has become one of the most important handicap races of the year, and this year’s edition will be no exception. It appears to be one of those fun races, where almost any horse in the race is good enough to win. In these types of races I generally look for some horses that will not be favored to use, but not always. If you simply like the favorites best, you should stick with them, and in a race like this, the exotics, even using the favorites, should still be worthwhile.
The Mysteries of New York
06-18-2010 -- Joe Nevills, The Michigan-Bred Claimer
The 67th running of the New York Handicap presents a rather mysterious field. Three of the race’s seven entries built the bulk of their resumes in Europe. The most decorated horse in the field hasn’t had a start in eight months. Only one horse has more than a couple starts on Belmont’s turf courses. Just about everyone in this race has an argument for coming out on top and one just as good for finishing off the board.
Little Derby on the Prairie: The Iowa Derby
06-25-2010 -- Quinella Queen, Turf Luck
The Quinella Queen is a Des Moines librarian with a fondness for race track reading and odd-sounding wagers. A founding member of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance, she posts irregularly at Turf Luck.
God Save the Queen
07-01-2010 -- Keith McCalmont, Triple Dead Heat
The Queen’s Plate is not going to be an easy race to handicap this year as 13 horses all try ten furlongs for the first time. In the mix you have one maiden (Vicar Street), two fillies (Roan Inish, Moment of Majesty), three Sam-Son Farms colts (Dark Cloud Dancer, Giant’s Tomb, Hotep) and a distinct lack of pace for the closers to chase down.
Hollywood Gold Cup Preview
07-09-2010 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
I am honored and humbled to join ThoroFan’s Handicapper’s Corner for the second time this year. I hope you enjoyed my first offering on the G.3 Laz Barrera Memorial Stakes featuring SMILING TIGER. I hope you will find this Gold Cup discussion entertaining as well.
The Grade 2 Virigina Derby
07-14-2010 -- Valerie Grash, Foolish Pleasure
Turf handicapping angles differ in many ways from dirt handicapping. For example, many horses workout over dirt (or synthetic variations thereof) where strong bullet works are usually a positive angle for most trainers (a notable exception is Steve Asmussen who’s notorious for “slow” workout times). However, for turf horses, bullet works are not as common and slower times should not necessarily be considered a negative—it’s more important how the workout was approached, the horse’s action, energy and interest...
Sanford and a son of Limehouse
07-23-2010 -- Joe Nevills, The Michigan-Bred Claimer
No matter the level, two-year-olds can be a confusing lot for handicappers.
First of all, there is very little on-track information to draw from due to the inexperience of the young horses. Even then, that information can be deceiving. Was that nine-length first-out winner really that good or did it just face an immature field? Did that horse that finished up the track need more distance, a little polishing or a new career? Nobody in the field for this Sunday’s Sanford Stakes (G2) has any experience at Saratoga Race Course, save for a few workouts, so we do not have that angle to draw from, either.
Gym, Tanning, Laundry, Haskell
07-30-2010 -- Patrick Patten
The greatest Haskell ever run, and easily one of the most fun races to watch this year, is happening this Sunday a little before six and hopefully during a dry period between forecasted passing showers. As a Monmouth homer I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am that I’ll be there (for close to 11 hours when all is said and done), and I hope I can impasse a bit of hometown luck on to these picks.
Playing the Key in the Whitney
08-05-2010 -- Robert Marks, They're in the Gate
This 1 1/8th Race will be run on the dirt track for a $750,000 purse. It is also a “Win and You’re In” race with the winner getting an automatic entry into the Breeders Cup Classic Division. The morning line favorite in the 6 horse field is Quality Road at 2-5 odds. In an instance like this, when I feel strongly that the favorite will win, I like to key him on top of a Trifecta ticket. When you key a horse in a trifecta, the “key” horse must come in first followed by the other horses you pick in either second or third.
The Sword Dancer, 3 horse exacta box
08-13-2010 -- Robert Marks, They're in the Gate
Robert is the TBA's resident Saratogian and will cover several of the Spa races for ThoroFan. Take a look at his take on the biggest turf race of the meeting, The Sword Dancer....
The Turk Caps the Million
08-20-2010 -- The Turk
The Turk, a handicapper who hails from the fine city of Buffalo, NY, shares his handicapping prowess and base handicap building methodology caps one of the biggest turf races of the year, the Arlington Million.
Double Your Fun in the Travers
08-26-2010 -- Gene Kershner, EquiSpace
Geno hails from Buffalo, NY and blogs about just about anything horses, focusing mainly on the NY tracks, handicapping contests and the occasional wacky idea or two. Today he takes a shot at the Travers/Personal Ensign double and focuses his wager on an A/B bet construction methodology.
Coming Out Party Danced Over Out-going Main Track?
09-03-2010 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
The G.1 race features California’s best and brightest fillies; the synthetic mandate of 2006 is relaxed at Santa Anita, is the sun setting on Del Mar’s Polytrack in the final four days of summer racing ‘Where the Surf Meets the Turf’? – by Rob Fundter, aka AMATEURCAPPER, proud member of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance.
Above All Else, Speed Kills
09-10-2010 -- Tony Bada Bing, A Leg Up
Any and all Thoroughbred races are the results of wisely bred, trained and ridden horses running fast. In fact, the fastest horse always wins, right? Tony Bada Bing handicaps the Endine Stakes at Delaware Park and says sometimes speed kills.
Northern Dancer Breeders' Stakes
09-17-2010 -- The Turf Queen
The Northern Dancer Breeder’s Cup Stakes is on Sunday at Woodbine and it honors the Canadian Legend - the great, little horse who had such an extreme impact on breeding around the world. As the Handicapper chosen to handicap this race for the Handicapper’s Corner at ThoroFan, I will tell you what I think about each contender.
The 2010 Kent Stakes: A Grand Edition
09-24-2010 -- Brian Appleton, Railrunner
Delaware Park’s 1 1/8 mile Kent Stakes (gr.IIIT) on Saturday has produced a solid field of nine competitive sophomore turf runners. The 2010 renewal promises to create an exciting running of the race while featuring a show-down of the one-two finishers in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (gr. IIT).
The Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (G1)
10-01-2010 -- Robert Marks, They're in the Gate
This Saturday at Beautiful Belmont Park features The Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational, a Grade 1 race at 1 1/4 miles for 3 year-olds and up. This race had been run since 1919 and you only have to look at recent winners to show the quality of the horses who run this race - Summer Bird in 2009, and Curlin in both 2007 and 2008.
Monmouth Cup field has Meadowlands Cup Feel
10-08-2010 -- Brock Sheridan, The Brock Talk
Brock Sheridan is a life-long horse racing fan having helped his father train race horses while growing up in Arizona and Colorado. Sheridan graduated from the University of Arizona Race Track Industry program in 1982 and began a career of public relations, marketing and television production in horse racing that has spanned 25 years. He blogs at the Brock Talk and handicaps the Monmouth Cup for ThoroFan this week.
The Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International
10-15-2010 -- Valerie Grash, Foolish Pleasure
This weekend’s edition of the Pattison Canadian International doesn’t feature any Secretariats, but should be entertaining nonetheless. First run in 1938, this 1 1/2 mile turf race has been run at various distances and surfaces (not to mention under different names) over the years, with last year’s edition being won (in his final career race) by Juddmonte Farms’ Champs Elysees.
Which Girl Will Drive Away With The Lexus Raven Run?
10-22-2010 -- Chris Hernandez, Giving My Ten Cents
The Grade 2 Lexus Raven Run Stakes this Saturday at Keeneland brings together an evenly matched field of 14 three year-old fillies. They will be sprinting 7 furlongs over the Polytrack for the 12th running of the race. There is a strong chance that someone in the field will become a first time graded stakes winner, as only one career graded stakes winner, Negligee, is in the race.
BC Juvenile Fillies: A Single Theory
11-03-2010 -- Valerie Grash, Foolish Pleasure
Unlike this year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile which features no less than six G1 winners, the Juvenile Fillies is somewhat lacking in panache. All three G1 winners entered—A Z Warrior, R Heat Lightning and Tell a Kelly—face distance and/or surface questions, and none of the other entrants are without challenges to be conquered. So, how does one approach handicapping a race with so many unknowns?
BC F&M Sprint: A Wide Open Affair
11-04-2010 -- Rob Fundter, aka. Amateurcapper
This is a wide, wide, wide open event. The high Beyer Speed Figure (BSF) in the field this year is 101 because pre-entered Unrivaled Belle was sent to her connections’ first preference for the Ladies’ Classic. A cursory glance at the PP’s reveals five entrants within two points of the high figure, and eight of the 14 female sprinters are within five points of the top. In order to find a winner, you will need to do important homework to separate the cream from the crop.
BC F&M Turf: Don’t Fret the Favorite in the F&M Turf
11-03-2010 -- Brock Sheridan, The BrockTalk
At first glance it appears that the Americans in the Breeders’ Cup Emirates Airline Filly and Mare Turf have a big challenge. At second glance, it appears everybody except defending Filly and Mare Turf champion Midday have their work cut out for them – including Japanese invader Red Desire.
BC Ladies' Classic: Which Lady is Ready for Prime Time?
11-03-2010 -- Chris Hernandez, Giving My Ten Cents
Judgment Day has come for the female division as the Breeders' Cup time is upon us. Who will shine brightest under the lights and take the crown? Who will be thrust themselves into the national spotlight with a win, and claim the crown as the clear #2 behind the Queen?
BC Sprint: Looking for Value
11-03-2010 -- Robert Marks, They're in the Gate
The Breeders Cup Sprint Division (Grade 1 - 6 Furlongs, Dirt) may not have all the star power it could with some sprinters defecting into the Dirt Mile such as Vineyard Haven, Here Comes Ben and Crown of Thorns but nevertheless there is a ton of talent in this race.
BC Dirt Mile: Tough Nut to Crack
11-04-2010 -- Brian Zipse, Zipse at the Track
When informed that I was assigned the Dirt Mile as my Breeders’ Cup race to handicap, I wondered how I was left with arguably the toughest nut to crack of all the fourteen races. Displaying just how wide open the race is, the announcement of the morning line surprised many as Morning Line was made the program favorite. I do not see him as the likely favorite, my best guess would be Crown of Thorns, but in this field, who knows?
BC Juvenile: Turk's Take on the Juvies
11-04-2010 -- The Turk
Two year old horses are difficult to handicap using my traditional methodology. The reason is that their past performances are fairly scant, with this field of ten averaging 3.2 starts in their careers so far. Instead of worrying about what we don't have, let's take stock in what we do have and figure out how to use it best: We have past performances with 16 Graded Stakes starts combined to glean from, we have basic pedigree information, we have trainer/jockey statistics, quite a bit of video on nearly every entrant, and most of all, we have our experience and feel to guide us. What we don't want is our heads filled with the hype laden articles that are floating around proclaiming the next Arazi or Secretariat; Remember, when looking at the winners of this race you won't find unforgettable careers, mostly mixed racing success and a few very good stallions. Let's get after it!
BC Mile: Goldikova’s Three-Peat: Are You a Skeptic or True Believer?
11-04-2010 -- Tony Bada Bing
Betting on Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Mile is more about beliefs and desires than speed figures and pace scenarios. Sure you can go at the Mile handicapping as you usually do - separating pretenders from contenders; looking for trainer tendencies or even the not-so-secret success in the bloodlines. For most bettors of the Mile this will be a waste of time, a waste of time if you believe Goldikova is something beyond horseflesh, a creation of the racing gods.
BC Turf: A Short Story - European Trifecta
11-03-2010 -- Patrick Patten, Handride
The longer story: I love the Breeders’ Cup Turf. I was there in Santa Anita for the Johar/High Chapparal and it’s always an exciting race. My handicapping for the BC Turf focuses more on form than if this was a regular race on any given Saturday. I would also hold off betting this race until you can see the horses on TV. I remember seeing Sulamani, and deciding not to bet one red cent on him. The travel can do its worst to these animals that may or may not show up 10 minutes before the gates are open.
BC Classic: One Race To Decide Them All
11-02-2010 -- Joe Nevills, The Michigan-bred Claimer
This is the big one. In the short-term, no less than four equine-related Eclipse Awards potentially hang in the balance in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. In the long-term, a lot of places in history and in the breeding shed are up for grabs.
Hollywood Turf Festival - Who Will Rock the Turf and Be the Hollywood Star?
11-26-2010 -- Chris Hernandez, Giving My Ten Cents
My first try in the Handicappers' Corner, the pick scratched. The second time, the pick ran dead last. Now I try the only thing I can to get a winner: Pick four races instead of one! All on the turf, and all on my home circuit on the left coast. Will this be the day that the blind squirrel finds a nut on the lawn?
Take a Clubhouse Ride on the Sham
01-14-2011 -- Laurie Ross, Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds
Laurie Ross, one of our newest TBA members, handicaps the Sham Stakes from Santa Anita Park and gives us some insight on how the track has been playing and what to look for.
Mr. Prospector: Focus On What You Know
01-13-2011 -- Robert Marks, They're In The Gate
Robert is a Saratoga-based blogger and handicapper who spends his summers at the Spa. He takes a look at the Grade III Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream Park on Saturday and comes up with an exacta play in this week's intitial 2011 Handicappers' Corner post.
Small Field, Even Smaller Derby Hopes?
01-20-2011 -- Scott Jagow, Horsepuckey
Scott is one of our newest TBA bloggers, but a long-time horseplayer who takes a crack at the Lecomte at the Fair Grounds. He currenlty is enrolled at the University of Louisville in their Equine Program and writes a very cool blog at Horsepuckey. He serves as the weekend scribe at the Paulick Report and is a welcomed addition to the Handicappers' Corner.
The Holy Bull Stakes: Love is in the Air
01-29-2011 -- Joe Nevills, The Michigan-Bred Claimer
Joe was our most sucessful handicapper nailing 19-1 shot Exhi in the Lexington Stakes and calling the Breeders' Cup Classic Exacta Cold for ThoroFans in 2009. He is a contributor to the Thoroughbred Times and his blog features Michigan based racing.
The Donn Handicap: 2011's First Premiere Older Horse Throwdown
02-04-2011 -- The Turk
The Turk hails from Western New York and is an old-school handicapper whose methods are true and consistent. He knows a winner when he sees it and can peel apart a racing form as well as any professional handicapper in the business. Today he tears down the Donn Handicap for ThoroFans, be sure to check it out!
The Sam F. Davis Stakes: Beam me up Sam
02-11-2011 -- Laurie Ross, Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds
Laurie is one of our newest members of the TBA, and she looking for an upset in the Sam F. Davis, read along to find out who she's picking to advance along the 2011 Kentucky Derby Trail.
San Vicente Stakes - Who Will Be A Factor on The Kentucky Derby Trail
02-18-2011 -- Chris Hernandez, Giving My Ten Cents
Will The Factor avoid being nothing more than a pace factor? Can Sway Away fire off his time away? Will Premier Pegasus elicit the classic Demanism “They would need to sprout wings” or run like he was fueled by unleaded instead? Can City Cool keep his cool with all the speed signed up? All these questions and more will be attempted to be answered right now!
The Risen Star - Prelude to Denouement in The Big Easy
02-18-2011 -- Kevin Stafford, The Aspiring Horseplayer
Saturday’s running of the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds (LA) features a field of 10 Kentucky Derby hopefuls competing for $300,000. The Risen Star may not be the most prestigious of the annual Derby prep races (last year’s winner, Discreetly Mine, ran a disappointing 13th in the 2010 Kentucky Derby), but this year’s edition turned up intriguing enough with several well regarded competitors to warrant taking a closer look at the race setup.
Fountain of Youth: Flashing Forward to Derby 2011
02-25-2011 -- Tony Bada Bing
Tony Bada Bing hails from New England and is one of the TBA's ace handicappers. He takes a look at this weekend's Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes for the ThoroFan's concentrating how to identify and handicap using the key race angle.
The Grade 3 Canadian Turf
02-25-2011 -- The Turfqueen
The Turfqueen looks at her handicapping specialty, a turf race at Gulfstream Park, that has a lot of speed...take a look see to who she thinks will be victorious on Sunday and learn a little French while you're doing it!
Santa Anita Handicap – The Skinny on Twirling Candy
03-04-2011 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
Rob hails from SoCal and goes by the handle, Amateurcapper. He knows the SoCal horse colony better than most and tackles the Big Cap in this week's ThoroFan Handicappers' Corner.
San Felipe Stakes - A Premier Punctuation for Someone's Derby Hopes
03-11-2011 -- Chris Hernandez, Giving My Ten Cents
This California blogger doesn't hide the fact that Premier Pegasus, or PrePeg as he likes to call him, is his Derby horse. Check out his handicap of the San Felipe and see if he thinks PrePeg can topple the other nine sophs in this key Derby prep from Santa Anita.
“Won’t You Be My Honeybee?”
03-11-2011 -- Valerie Grash, Foolish Pleasure
Valerie Grash hails from Johnstown, Pennsylvania and just celebrated the 4th anniversary of her excellent blog, Foolish Pleasure. She is the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance resident pedigree expert. She takes a look at the Honeybee as a prep for the Kentucky Oaks, which she will be covering for ThoroFan in May.
Distance May Be The Factor in Rebel Stakes
03-17-2011 -- Brock Sheridan, The Brock Talk
Our Southwest based TBA handicapper Brock Sheridan takes a poke at the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs. Does Brock think The Factor can get the distance? Check out his handicap and see for yourself...
Dubai World Cup - The World's Richest Race
03-25-2011 -- Patrick Patten, Handride
The TBA's fearless leader, Patrick Patten takes a look at the $10 million Dubai World Cup for ThoroFans this week. The Dubai Carnival is some of the best gambling all year long. There are a lot of class horses that rarely race against each other, and we have the ability of comparing the European pool with the American pool. That can sometimes lead to the best angle.
Gulfstream Oaks: Dime Super - Let's Get Tricky
04-02-2011 -- Gene Kershner, EquiSpace
Gene, the TBA liasion for the ThoroFan Handicappers' Corner is subbing in this week, due to a late scratch in the handicapping lineup! He's going to look at playing a dime superfecta on today's big filly race at Gulfstream Park.
Florida Derby: Playing To My Strength
04-01-2011 -- Tony Bada Bing
Tony Bada Bing hails from New England and writes the A Leg Up blog. An astute handicapper, he takes a look at this year's edition of the Florida Derby for ThoroFans.
SANTA ANITA DERBY – Is the field talented or depleted?
04-08-2011 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
Rob Fundter, this week's TBA handicapper, takes his west coast 'capping skills to the $1M Santa Anita Derby. The Thursday declaration of morning line favorite PREMIER PEGASUS, along with the February injury to TAPIZAR, makes this year’s Santa Anita Derby the most wide open affair since TIAGO’s 29-1 upset in 2007.
Uncle Mo: Up Against History in the Wood
04-07-2011 -- Robert Marks, They're in the Gate
Robert, himself a ThoroFan and a longtime member of the TBA, takes a shot at the Wood Mo-morial at Aqueduct...let's see what he's got...
Toyota Blue Grass: Synthetic and Mysterious
04-15-2011 -- Scott Jagow, Horsepuckey
Scott Jagow, currently enrolled in the University of Louisville pursuing his Certificate in Equine Administration, takes a look at this week's handicapping puzzle, the Blue Grass Stakes. Scott also is the weekend anchor over at The Paulick Report.
The Grade 2 Coolmore Lexington Stakes: Last Gasp at Derby Earnings
04-22-2011 -- Brian Appleton, Rail Runner
Brian Appleton takes a stab at the G2 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, a last gasp effort by Silver Medallion to make the Derby starting gate, check out what our New England based TBA blogger thinks about Saturday's big race.
Derby Trial: A Very Nice Field of Dreams
04-29-2011 -- Lisa Johnson, Ladies in Racing
Lisa Johnson who hails from Oklahoma and is the author of the Ladies in Racing blog, steps up to share her thoughts on Saturday night's Derby Trial Stakes.
“Run for the Lilies: The 137th Kentucky Oaks”
05-04-2011 -- Valerie Grash, Foolish Pleasure
Val hails from Central Pennsylvania and is one of the best pedigree handicappers in the country. She not only blogs at the original Foolish Pleasure blog, but at Fillies First as well. Fillies First takes a look at Thoroughbred Racing's greatest fillies and mares. Val gives us a thorough analysis of the Oaks and thinks a couple of surprise horses will hit the board!
The Most Confusing Two Minutes in Sports
05-05-2011 -- Joe Nevills, The Michigan-Bred Claimer
Joe Nevills tests our novel reading capabilities with an epic handicapping piece on this year's Kentucky Derby. The Michigan-Bred Claimer has been our most successful ThoroFan handicapper nailing the $41 Exhi in last year's Lexington Stakes as well as callling the BC Classic exacta cold. Buckle your seat belts, Joe's on a roll.
Pace Makes the Peter Pan
05-13-2011 -- Brock Sheridan, The Brock Talk
Brock Sheridan takes a look at this week's Peter Pan Stakes for ThoroFans. Is it a primer for the Belmont or a chance to put a Grade 2 notch on your saddle?
87th Running of the Black-Eyed Susan
05-19-2011 -- Lisa Johnson, Ladies in Racing
It's apropos for the Ladies in Racing blogger to take aim at the Black-Eyed Susan, Friday's feature race at Pimlico Race Course on Preakness weekend. Take a look at what this Oklahoma-based blogger is thinking...
Preakness Stakes 136 - A Handicapping Puzzle
05-20-2011 -- Stephen Alicknovic, ThoroughbredZone
Stephen Alicknovic tries his maiden voyage on the Handicappers' Corner and takes a shot at the second jewel of racing, the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
The Met Mile Superfecta
05-28-2011 -- The Turk and Little Turk
The Turk is a Buffalo-based horseplayer, handicapper and all around good guy and he really loves the Met Mile. He shows ThoroFans how to make a base handicap and use it to construct a superfecta wager on the big race in New York this weekend.
Dogwood Stakes: Might another three-year-old filly step forward?
06-03-2011 -- Scott Jagow, Paulick Report/Horsepuckey Blog
Scott just completed his studies at the University of Louisville's Equine Program and landed a full-time gig with the Paulick Report, one of thoroughbred racing's daily must stops on the interwebs. He also maintains his personal blog, Horsepuckey as a member of the TBA.
Looking for Value when Handicapping the Belmont Stakes
06-10-2011 -- Brian Zipse, Horse Racing Nation/Zipse at the Track
Brian, the managing editor of Horse Racing Nation, takes a crack at the Belmont Stakes. Hailing from Chicagoland, his TBA blog Zipse at the Track is widely read.
Capping the Stephen Foster, Handicap Races Here We Come!
06-17-2011 -- Kevin Stafford, The Aspiring Horseplayer
Kevin comes out of semi-retirement to take a rip at the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs. You can spot Kevin at the races by his famous Alabama ball cap. He blogs at The Aspiring Horseplayer and hails from the mid-Atlantic region where his love for the ponies is quite evident.
Queen's Plate - Canada's Race
06-25-2011 -- Keith McCalmont, TripleDeadHeat
Keith is an award-winning turf writer hailing from Toronto who blogs at Triple Dead Heat. He is currently working for Woodbine Entertainment's Media Department and free lances for several Canadian thoroughbred and harness magazines. He gives us a hometown look at Canada's most famous race.
It’s Iowa, not Ohio: The Iowa Derby
06-24-2011 -- By Quinella Queen, Turf Luck
The Quinella Queen is a former Des Moines librarian with a fondness for race track reading and odd-sounding wagers. A founding member of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance, she posts irregularly at Turf Luck.
Taking a Look at the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth / Could History Be Made?
07-01-2011 -- Turf Queen, A Saturday Afternoon Horse
The Turf Queen hails from Rhode Island, but is big when it comes to turf handicapping. She takes a look at the United Nations, the biggest turf race in the country, to be run at Monmouth Park this weekend.
HOLLYWOOD GOLD CUP – Twirling Candy bids for Horse of the Year
07-08-2011 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
Rob hails from SoCal and is our resident Hollywood Park capping expert. He takes a peek at the Hollywood Gold Cup for ThoroFans this week, the first of six Breeders' Cup Challenge races for the Classic Division.
Getting Bizzy with the American Oaks
07-15-2011 -- Chris Hernandez, Giving My Ten Cents
Chris (aka Tencentcielo) takes a wack at the American Oaks at one of his home tracks in SoCal for ThoroFan. An avid horseplayer who tweets @tencentcielo gets Bizzy in his Oaks analysis.
“The $600,000 Grade 2 Virginia Derby, Colonial Downs”
07-15-2011 -- Valerie Grash, Foolish Pleasure
Val takes a look again this year at the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. Val, an Art History professor by day and a handicapping phenom by night, excels in handicapping turf races. Her knowledge of pedigree makes her one of the sharpest handicappers in the TBA.
The Sanford Stakes
07-23-2011 -- The Turk
The Turk hails from Western New York and comes from a long line of avid handicappers. He spent some of his formidable years in Saratoga Springs, so he has a special love for the Spa. He takes his best shot at the Sanford for ThoroFans using his base handicap methodology.
Jim Dandy to the Rescue
07-28-2011 -- Robert Marks, They're in the Gate
Robert is a local handicapper and avid fan from the Capitol District who spends his summers at the Spa, so he's primed to rock the Dandy on Saturday. Check out his thoughts on the big prep race for the midsummer Derby.
Haskell Invitational
07-30-2011 -- Stephen Alicknovic, ThoroughbredZone
Stephen hails from Jersey and pens the ThoroughbredZone, so he'll be capping a hometown track in Monmouth Park and the 2011 edition of the Haskell Invitational.
The Whitney Stakes
08-05-2011 -- Tony Bada Bing, A Leg Up
Tony Bada Bing, hailing from New England, loves the Spa. He takes a shot at one of the historic race course's most prestigious races, the Whitney. A wide open affair with 11 entrants should provide great value for ThoroFans, check out Tony's take.
West Virginia Derby: Take Me Home Country Roads
08-05-2011 -- Quinella Queen
The Quinella Queen has moved her tack from Prairie Meadows in Iowa to Mountaineer in West Virginia. The TBA's resident librarian/handicapper provides ThoroFans with some local flavor to this year's edition of the West Virginia Derby and some insights into different angles to consider for this year's race.
A Look at the Sword Dancer Invitational
08-12-2011 -- The Turf Queen
The Turf Queen, who blogs at A Saturday Horse, loves to handicap turf races. She takes a look at the Sword Dancer Invitational, the feature race at the Spa this weekend for ThoroFans.
Arlington Million
08-12-2011 -- The Turk
The Turk is a fellow Western New Yorker, who along with his soccer-star son, Little Turk, provides ThoroFans a glimpse at his handicapping style with his take on this weekend's big race, the Arlington Million.
A Tricky Proposition in the Alabama Stakes
08-19-2011 -- Laurie Ross, Iron Maiden Thoroughbreds
Laurie Ross is the founder and owner of Iron Maiden Thoroughbreds consultation service, website, and blog. She has been around horses for most of her life, working in racing stables as a hot walker and exercise rider in her teenage years, and later as a volunteer with rescued and retired racehorses. Laurie became interested in pedigree research when the sons and daughters of her favorite horses started their racing careers. This week she is the TBA blogger who looks at the Alabama for ThoroFans.
The Trifecta and Daily Double Bet - Travers Stakes
08-25-2011 -- Robert Marks, They're in the Gate
Robert, a ThoroFan himself, is from the Capitol Region, and will miss his first Travers in seven years on Saturday. That won't keep him from making a trifecta and daily double wager on the Spa's big day! Check out his thoughts for ThoroFans on his tri play and the King's Bishop/Travers Double.
DEL MAR DEBUTANTE – Experienced Connections for Talented Fillies
09-02-2011 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
Rob looks at the Del Mar Debutante for 2-year-old fillies based on the west coast. The race at Del Mar, where the "Surf Meets the Turf" is one that usually has a slew of last out winners hopeful for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, sometimes it’s best to go with the experienced trainers.
“The $400,000 Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes”
09-09-2011 -- Valerie Grash, Foolish Pleasure
Val hails from Johnstown, Pennsylvania and a professor by day, she becomes a top notch pedigree handicapper by night. Her blog, Foolish Pleasure, has been a mainstay in the blogosphere since 2007 and a must read. She launched a second blog, Fillies First, in 2010. This week she looks at the big race fairly close to home in Erie, The G2 Presque Isle Masters for ThoroFans.
Sunday's Northern Dancer at Woodbine
09-17-2011 -- The Turf Queen
Susan, the Turf Queen, is pinch hitting for Keith McCalmont this week, who just took a media position at Woodbine and couldn't get to the plate this week. The Turf Queen excels at just that, turf racing. Here's her look at The Northern Dancer, one of two big races at Woodbine on Sunday afternoon.
Grade 2 WinStar Kentucky Cup Classic
09-23-2011 -- Lisa Johnson, Ladies in Racing
Lisa hails from Oklahoma City, OK and has a job in the racing industry. She blogs at Ladies in Racing and takes a shot at giving us a look at the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park this weekend.
Jockey Club Gold Cup - Will it quench our Thirst?
09-29-2011 -- Robert Marks, They're in the Gate
Robert, a veteran TBA blogger, from the Capitol Region, gives us his take and trifecta play in this weekend's huge Jockey Club Gold Cup race. Stay Thirsty takes on older horses for the first time....does Robert think he can handle it? ThoroFans, find out in his handicap of the big race...
Norfolk Stakes - Drilling it Down
09-29-2011 -- Laurie Ross, Iron Maiden Thoroughbreds
Laurie rocks the 2-year olds and she attacks the Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita with vigor. Check out her handicap for ThoroFans and her take on how the talented Drill will fair.
Can Someone Get the Jump on Mr. Commons in the Oak Tree Mile?
10-07-2011 -- Chris Hernandez, Giving My Ten Cents
Chris blogs from SoCal and provides ThoroFans with his take on the Oak Tree Mile. Likely favorite Mr. Commons tries to beat older for the first time in the Grade 2 Oak Tree Mile. Can Calimonco get sweet revenge for on him for the Del Mar Mile? Or will someone else get the "jump" on both them and pull the upset?
Pattison International looks to be a Turf Classic
10-14-2011 -- Keith McCalmont, Triple Dead Heat
This week, the Handicappers' Corner is in for a treat, as Woodbine media member Keith McCalmont shares the advance he wrote for the Pattison International. It's as thorough as you can get and he even shares his selections in the wide open 16-horse turf race.
The Bold Ruler
10-28-2011 -- Stephen Alicknovic
Stephen from The Thoroughbred Zone takes a look at this weekend's big stakes race as a prelude to the Breeders' Cup next weekend. Check out his thoughts on the very talented field of nine for ThoroFans.
BC Filly & Mare Sprint: How did they get here?
11-03-2011 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
West Coast blogger Rob Fundter takes a look at the Breeders' Cup F&M Sprint for ThoroFans.
BC Juvenile Fillies: With Style and Grace
11-03-2011 -- Laurie Ross, Iron Maiden Thoroughbreds
Laurie Ross loves the 2-year olds, so she's served up her thoughts on Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies race for ThoroFans.
BC F&M Turf: Filly and Mare Turf Has Distinct French Flavor
11-01-2011 -- Brock Sheridan, The Brock Talk
Brock Sheridan tackles the F&M Turf for ThoroFans and he tips his hand on who he is leaning towards in the 1 3/16 mile turf race.
BC Ladies Classic: The Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic
11-02-2011 -- Valerie Grash, Foolish Pleasure
Val from the Foolish Pleasure and Fillies First blogs tackles the Ladies Classic for ThoroFans and she's Pretty sure about who is going to take the cake.
BC Dirt Mile: Look for the Late Runners in the Dirt Mile
11-02-2011 -- Brock Sheridan, The Brock Talk
Brock takes a look at the wide open Dirt Mile for ThoroFans. Check out his analysis and thoughts about this competitive bunch.
BC Juvenile: Tomorrow's Champion
11-03-2011 -- Robert Marks, They're in The Gate
Robert Marks from Saratoga Springs gives ThoroFans his thoughts on the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Could we see next year's Derby champ on Saturday?
BC Sprint: Winning Breeders' Cup Connections are Key
11-04-2011 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
Rob Fundter, one of our west coast cappers, accepted one of the weekend's biggest challenges, the BC Sprint. This one is a tough one to figure out, but Rob breaks it down for ThoroFans in a succinct and logical manner.
BC Turf: The $3M Turf
10-31-2011 -- The Turf Queen
The Turf Queen will be attending her 21st Breeders' Cup this weekend and she's going to share her thoughts on the BC Turf with ThoroFans. A turf handicapping specialist from New England, check out her thoughts on the big $3M race.
BC Mile: Goldikova - One sequel too many?
11-02-2011 -- Toiny Bada Bing
Tony Bada Bing returns to review the BC Mile, a race that the heralded Goldikova has captured three straight years. Can she make it a 4-peat? Check out what our resident principal handicapper has to say...
BC Classic: The Super Hi Five
11-03-2011 -- The Turk and Little Turk
The Turk, who hails from Western New York, has been preparing for weeks to take down the Super Hi-Five on the Classic. Pay attention, the Turk knows exactly what he's doing!
The Clark Handicap
11-25-2011 -- The Turk
The Turk, a old school handicapper from Western New York, takes a look at Churchill's feature race of it's Fall meeting, the Clark Handicap for ThoroFans. Check out how he builds a base handicap before employing any betting strategies.
San Pasqual Stakes
01-06-2012 -- The Turk
The Turk helps us kick off the TBA Handicappers' Corner for the New Year at his favorite track, now that the faux dirt is gone, Santa Anita. The race he attacks with his base handicap is the San Pasqual Stakes for older horses.
Sham Stakes - A sextet auditions for the Kentucky Derby trail on Santa Anita Park dirt
01-06-2012 -- Rob Fundter, Amateurcapper
Rob hails from SoCal and helps kick off the 2012 Handicappers' Corner edition with his take on the Sham Stakes for 3yo's at Santa Anita on Saturday.
San Fernando Stakes: Is There A Reason To Strike Tapizar From The Winner's Circle?
01-13-2012 -- Christ Hernandez, Giving My Ten Cents
Tapizar returns to the site of his biggest win, looking to add another stakes notch to his belt. He figures to be the favorite and looks to have a pace advantage over the rest of the field. Or does he? Will someone "Strike" out with him on the front end and provide a "Reason" to play against him at short odds? Chris (aka Tencentcielo) takes a look at the San Fernando for ThoroFan.
Lecomte Stakes: Who Needs a Favorite?
01-21-2012 -- Tony Bada Bing, Derby Wars - Tales From the Battlefield
Tony Bada Bing from the A Leg Up blog and the Derby Wars - Tales from the Battlefield blog over at Horse Racing Nation is our guest handicapper this week. He plays let's beat the favorite this week's big prep race at the Fair Grounds for the Louisiana Derby.
The All-Florida Sunshine Millions Turf
01-27-2012 -- The Turf Queen
The Turf Queen, our resident Rhode Island capper, and keeper of the A Saturday Horse blog, turns to her specialty on Saturday, turf racing. She attacks the Gulfstream Park Sunshine Millions Turf, a race that's part of the Sunshine Millions "LUCK" Pick Six.
Hansen Choice In Holy Bull but Fort Loudon May Provide Price
01-27-2012 -- Brock Sheridan, The Brock Talk
Brock Sheridan, of The Brock Talk blog looks at Sunday's Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes for ThoroFan. He is searching for value and thinks Fort Loudon may do the trick.
