Sunland Saturday Stakes
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First, a few promotional things.
When you have some time on the weekends, make sure to tune in to “The Fast Track”, a nationally syndicated horse racing show hosted by your humble New Mexico blogger here, and featuring some of the fine members of the HRN team, Jarrod Horak of www.Pick6blog.com & Joe DePaolo from Big A Confidential.
“The Fast Track” is not your ordinary horse racing show. It’s not going to bog you down with trainer or jockey interviews where you learn nothing about the art of handicapping and the process of making money.
That’s what we’re all here for, so we take you in-depth with some of the top races around the country with opinions and analysis and best bets from coast to coast.
“The Fast Track” is presented by my hometown track, SunRay Park and Casino, and can be heard on the internet, streaming live at www.foxsports1340.com.
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There is one exceptionally good betting opportunity on this Saturday card, the first of which is in the quarter horse featured event, Race 6 on the card, the Grade 1 Jess Burner Memorial Handicap at a distance of 400 yards.
A full field of 10 will go in today's 6th race, and with the morning line favorite #2 DOWN WITH YOU sitting at 3-to-1 on the morning line, there could be some very good plays in exotic wagers.
Down With You comes into the Burner Handicap off an exceptional win in October 30's New Mexico Classic Cup Championship. Trained by Paul Jones and with Ricky Ramirez set to ride, Down With You is already a winner over the course and figures to be a major player in this spot, despite a relative inside post.
I'm expecting a very big showing from #10 HERE KITTYKITTYKITTY, from the barn of trainer Wes Giles.
Unraced since finishing off the board in the Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap over this course last March, the state-bred son of Genuine Strawfly has been workng forwardly for this comeback spot. Prior to that off-the-board performance last spring, Here Kittykittykitty had finished in the money in six consecutive races, including a win in the 2010 New Mexico Breeders' Stakes at SunRay Park and Casino.
Here Kittykittykitty is listed at a fat 10-to-1 on the morning line, and while I don't think we'll get that price on the win end, he will make for a very lucrative exotics partner.
Also one to consider will be the railsitter #1 QUATRO MENUDOS.
Sal Martinez will be on board the multiple stakes-winner for trainer Hermengildo Aldavaz.
A winner in six of seven career starts, Quatro Menudos (4-to-1 on the Morning Line) is looking for his third straight win since taking down the New Mexico Classic Derby last October at Zia Park.
An earner of over $276,000 in his brief career, the son of Furyofthewind has never broken from the rail, but if he gets away cleanly, could be a major threat on this course over which he is already a perfect 2-for-2.
#5 DUELING JUAN is also a contender you should not leave out of your exotics.
Dueling Juan has won 15 times from 56 starts, adores this Sunland strip and should be set for another big effort under jockey Freddie Martinez.
The Play:
Let's hit the trifecta button here a few times:
1,2,10 with 1,2,10 with 1,2,5,8,10 = $34 investment in Race 6 at Sunland.
In the 50 Cent Late Pick 5 this afternoon (Races 7 thru 11), I've written up the following ticket for a very tricky sequence:
(In order of selection)
Race 7 -- 10,4,7
Race 8 -- 7,1
Race 9 -- 6,12,1
Race 10 -- 3,5
Race 11 -- 5,9,12
$54 Investment
I am very much looking forward to being a part of this new venture at Horse Racing Nation. Please send along any and all feedback about New Mexico racing and I'll be here quite often to blog about the most entertaining and maddening sport I know.
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