Three-Year-Olds Regain Spotlight on Saturday

Horseracing Betting Lines

03/05/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With last week's cancellation of the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita, there will be two graded three-year-old prep races this Saturday as that event joins the Gotham Stakes over in New York.

Eight of the 10 earlier Sham combatants will fight it out as Straightomidnight and Viva Macho have been replaced by Marcello and Boulder Creek. Unfortunately, the weather might not cooperate once again, as more rain is in the forecast. In the event Saturday's card gets washed away, the race will be run on Sunday.

Coinciding with the two stakes races, the second batch of 23 three-year-olds were announced earlier in the week for Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Ten horses that were not on the original list now have found themselves as single-betting interests, including a pair entered in Saturday's Sham Stakes - Nextdoorneighbor and Setsuko.

Nextdoorneighbor scored by four lengths in his third career start - his first around two turns - giving trainer Michael Machowsky, who also has Caracortado in his barn, a possible second Kentucky Derby contender.

The son of Lido Palace, who has Beyered in the 80's in all three starts, is coming into the race in top form with four splendid workouts since his maiden victory. On the negative side, his jockey in all three races, Rafael Bejarano, will ride Setsuko so Mike Smith has the mount.

Setsuko also has just one win on his resume (in six lifetime starts) and that was at Hollywood Park, so he is winless in two career attempts on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface. In addition, Setsuko's maiden victory came as the heavy 1-2 favorite. It's obvious the field he beat that day leaves a lot to be desired, especially since Broken Tango, the second-place finisher, ran seventh in Nextdoorneighbor's lone triumph.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if both colts failed to hit the board as there are three other top contenders that should finish in front of the two Pool 2 contestants.

Leading the way is Kettle River, winner of two straight, including a game victory over Hawaiian Springs and The Program on January 6 at 1 1/16-miles.

Trainer Eoin Harty, who has been high on this colt for a long time, might have lucked out with last week's postponement as Kettle River was behind in his training due to illness. With an extra week of preparation, look for the son of Congaree to be in top form in his first stakes appearance.

The Program bounced back after losing to Kettle River to win his next start, an entry level allowance event over 1 1/16-miles at Santa Anita. It was a struggle getting past Indian Firewater but he was able to wear him down by a nose at the wire.

His pedigree suggests he'll like the added distance as his second dam, Far Flying, is a half-sister to both the 1987 champion filly Sacahuista and John's Treasure, who finished right behind Danzig Connection in the 1986 Belmont Stakes. More importantly, he looks to be the lone speed after Straightomidnight's connections opted to run that colt on the turf in the Pasadena Stakes, also on Saturday.

Alphie's Bet, like Setsuko, raced on the turf in his last start, breaking his maiden by almost two lengths. It was an extraordinary performance as the Alexis Barba-trained colt was about 10 wide into the stretch while ripping home a final quarter mile in 22 3/5 seconds - the last eighth in an unbelievable 10 4/5. All that under a hand ride!

His lone stakes appearance was also impressive as he finished second to Caracortado in the California Breeders' Challenge in late December. On the negative side, the removal of Straightomidnight could hinder his ability to close as the early pace will most likely be on the slow side.

Selections: 1) Kettle River; 2) The Program; 3) Alphie's Bet.

HEADING EAST TO THE BIG APPLE

The Gotham Stakes could have been a tremendous race if all the horses that were pointed for the $150,000 event actually ventured into New York. Regrettably, both Tiz Chrome and Sidney's Candy decided to pass.

The 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 race still drew a field of 10 with Peppi Knows and Afleet Again, the top two finishers in the Whirlaway Stakes, surprisingly listed at 10-1 and 20-1 on the morning line.

Peppi Knows has four wins in six starts, including that one-length victory over Afleet Again last month. His two losses were also strong efforts, finishing second to Buddy's Saint and third to Noble's Promise.

Purchased for just $6,500, the gelding has been underrated his entire career and should hit the board for the sixth time in nine starts.

Afleet Again also must be respected with two wins, a second and a third in his last five, including a victory over Count Fleet winner Laus Deo and Sam F. Davis runner-up Schoolyard Dreams back on Halloween.

I've Got the Fever, who finished behind Aikenite, Super Saver, Rule and Brake Lights in his first four races, finally found a field he could beat winning by 2 3/4-lengths just two weeks ago - wearing blinkers for the first time. He also received a 90 Beyer figure for his effort, a 20-point rise from his previous race. Nevertheless, it's doubtful he'll be able to duplicate that performance, especially on just 14 days rest.

Wow Wow Wow comes into the Gotham off a win at Oaklawn Park, his second in seven career starts. Prior to that victory, he finished eighth in the Smarty Jones Stakes, a race he was wide throughout. In his previous start (an allowance race at the Fair Grounds), he made a winning move around the turn only to falter through the stretch finishing fifth behind Stay Put.

He's royally bred as his second dam, Bird Cage, is a half-sister to Belmont Stakes and Travers winner, Birdstone. Unfortunately, he drew the far outside post position - number 10 - and will most likely have to race wide once again.

Shrimp Dancer is bred for the turf on both sides but has run on the dirt in three straight races after three over the weeds. The son of Kitten's Joy picked up place money in his last two, failing both times to win as the heavy favorite. This New York State-bred seems up against it in this race.

Two wild cards in the Gotham are Yawanna Twist and Awesome Act.

Trained by Richard Dutrow, Yawanna Twist is undefeated in two starts but stretches out off a pair of six furlong sprints to 1 1/16-miles. His damsire is Oliver's Twist, who ran second in the 1995 Preakness, so there is a chance he could win around two turns.

Awesome Act comes into the Gotham off a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf but that was four months ago. He's also only raced one time on the dirt (Polytrack) finishing third (beaten four lengths) in a five-horse field. The fabulously bred son of Awesome Again (his dam is full sister to Machiavellian and Coupe de Genie) is actually favored on the morning line but with the recent inactivity, it's best to look elsewhere.

The second choice is Three Day Rush, the colt that took the worst of it when Eightyfiveinafifty bolted in the Whirlaway. Still, he failed to run down Peppi Knows and was passed by Afleet Again inside the final eighth of a mile. He'll have to show some speed breaking from the rail so don't expect much through the stretch.

Nacho Friend, who hasn't raced since last July, could have a hard time getting the distance after a pair of sprints last summer, while the final horse, Turf Melody, needs to step it up after a sixth-place finish in the LeComte.

Selections: 1) Wow Wow Wow; 2) Peppi Knows; 3) Afleet Again.

THIS WEEKEND'S SPOT PLAYS

Saturday's best bet is Tom Kitten in the second race at Aqueduct. The three- year-old gelding finished a game third in his last effort over the track on February 20 despite a terrible trip.

Tom Kitten broke slowly from the gate and jockey Fernando Jara didn't help matters any by taking him wide down the backstretch. He also forced the New York State-bred into the seven path at the top of the stretch but the gelding was good enough to battle Midnight Billy for the lead only to wind up third. He's 6-1 on the morning line so go in with both fists.

Also on Saturday, 10 colts and geldings square off in the Pasadena Stakes at Santa Anita. The choice here is the eight-horse Lucky Rave. His two career victories came over Polytrack but he's bred top and bottom for the turf. His lone grass race in North America was a solid third in the Generous Stakes and an even better performance is in the cards in this one as a quick early pace should suit his come-from-behind abilities.

The sixth race on Sunday at Santa Anita also bears watching. It's a maiden special weight event for three-year-old fillies at six furlongs. Eoin Harty trains two of the 11 entered and both could have extraordinary futures. The first, Kayce Ace, is a full brother to Colonel John, while the second, Empress Way, is a half-sister to the late Eight Belles. They may not win this race but their futures could be outstanding if they're anything like their siblings.

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Matt Kenseth And Kevin Harvick Favorites To Take NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship

(September 15)—The NASCAR season has hit the homestretch with the opening event on this year’s Chase for the Cup taking place this weekend at the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. With 10 races remaining to determine the Cup Series champion, leading online sportsbook MySportsbook.com today announced odds on all 10 Chase qualifying drivers capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

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MySportsbook.com will offer comprehensive Nascar betting lines on every race remaining on the Nextel Cup series including driver match-ups, props and odds to win each race. For a complete list of NASCAR odds, please visit www.MySportsbook.com.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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