Winter Racing

I thought I would take a few minutes to write some thoughts I have about winter racing. We are in the middle of winter and at this time of the year, I’m thinking about three things. 1. Aqueduct Inner Track. 2 How Gulfstream Park is pretty tough to handicap 3. Kentucky Derby prospects.

1. Aqueduct – The winter inner track bias is go to the front and go to the rail. Well maybe sometimes it’s stay in the 2 or 3 path, but it’s almost always “Get to the front!”. Year after year we see the same names racking up wins and dominating the leader board. Rodriguez, Rice, Jacobson. I’m very happy about some of the other trainers that are doing well like Gargan, Baker, Parker, Cannizzo, Sciacca and more. I’m also pretty excited about the jockey colony we have with lots of young fresh talent. Of course we love the Ortiz brothers (Is it me or do they win more when they are on the same circuit together?)
I’m paying special attention to Arroyo, Franco, Carmouche, Gallardo. It also seems to me that we have a lot of short prices and once in a while some bomb prices. Not too many in the 7-1 to 15-1 range but lots of winners under 4-1 and the bombs winning at over 30-1. I could be wrong but it’s my observation. As far as New York goes I find myself passing a lot of races due to the small fields and short prices. I’m definitely looking forward to Belmont opening again.

To Be Continued… 2-14-17 8:42PM