Live with The Wizard

FINAL TRACK BIAS AND HORSE TO WATCH

2009-09-26T19:11:00.001-04:00

TRACK BIAS

Polytrack: Favored stalkers and closers at all distances.
Turf sprints: Fair
Turf routes: Favored closers.

HORSE TO WATCH

7th LUNAR MIST is a very promising filly for Chris Block. She was rank from the beginning, rated behind the leaders in 3rd, moved quickly to the lead despite veering in badly. Once straight she bounded clear. Her breeding and way of going indicate that she should love a route of ground.

TRIP NOTES RACE ELEVEN

2009-09-26T19:00:00.002-04:00

#11 MOJITO MAN tracked #9 BULLET FROM ABROAD early, looked that one in the eye at the quarter pole and took the lead. He held a clear lead to the wire. 'ABROAD was able to hold on for the place. #7 BROOKS STAR rated in 4th, came out and finished well for 3rd.

PADDOCK RACE ELEVEN

2009-09-26T18:54:00.001-04:00

These veterans all looked ok.

BETTING RACE ELEVEN

2009-09-26T18:52:00.002-04:00

#9 BULLET FROM ABROAD is an overwhelming favorite, 4-5 with 10 minutes to post.

TRIP NOTES RACE TEN

2009-09-26T18:47:00.002-04:00

The turf course had favored closers but not this time. Favored #1 TAZZ took the early lead but was soon headed by #4 AGNOSTIC. The latter opened a lead in the lane and held on tenaciously for the win. #1 TAZZ held on for 2nd but could not stay with the winner. #3 WEGGIE rated in 5th on the rail, gained steadily down the lane to get 3rd.

ANALYSIS RACE ELEVEN

2009-09-26T18:32:00.001-04:00

ANALYSES OF THESE HORSES ARE PLACED IN POST POSITION ORDER. THESE ARE NOT MY SELECTIONS.

RACE 11

2 WHO LET THE CAT IN
Honest 5yo has yet to finish out of the money in 2009 for trainer Richard Scherer while winning 5 of 9 starts. Is well managed allowing for top efforts each race and, although all have come on the dirt, he can score sprinting on the turf today with Razo up.

3 HAPMAN
Toss his last after a poor break but he posted a game second and a win in his previous two starts, both sprinting over this course. Positive rider change today and certainly can prove a factor.

9 BULLET FROM ABROAD
5yo is a perfect 3 for 3 sprinting on the turf here since moving to the barn of Mike Dini, all while facing quality company. Meets a lot of other speed today but still must be considered the main threat.

11 MOJITO MAN
Ran a big race when stepped up to face a 2nd tier allowance field at this distance. He set a fast pace and held well for the place. Strong contender with the move back into a starters allowance.

PADDOCK RACE TEN

2009-09-26T18:23:00.001-04:00

All looked good.

BETTING RACE TEN

2009-09-26T18:20:00.002-04:00

With 13 minutes to post #1 TAZZ has been hammered down to even money.

TRIP NOTES RACE NINE

2009-09-26T18:09:00.002-04:00

This race was set up fpr the closers when #3 JONI'S JUSTICE and #6 PISTOL PETE AFLEET dueled though a fast half mile. #2 EIGHTEENTHOFMARCH rated in 4th after a half mile, took the lead when the leaders began to tire then was able to hold off #5 RAVENSWORTH. The latter was far back early, came widest on the turn and was getting to the winner at the wire. #9 REY DEL SOL came from far back to get 3rd.

ANALYSIS RACE TEN

2009-09-26T17:57:00.001-04:00

ANALYSES OF THESE HORSES ARE PLACED IN POST POSITION ORDER. THESE ARE NOT MY SELECTIONS.

RACE 10
1 TAZZ
3yo has done little wrong for trainer Christine Janks, finishing worse then second only once while winning 2 of 5. Beaten a neck under these same conditions last out but can return to the winner's circle with blinkers off and Emigh riding.

4 AGNOSTIC
3yo was purchased privately since his last start and is now in the Catalano barn. The Cat Man does even better with private acquisitions than he does with new claims. Covered the final quarter in :22 4/5 over this course two starts back.

6 EAT N RUN
4yo ran well on the turf here last summer and returned from a year absence in late July to score back to back wins for Neil Pessin. Can take another step forward today in that crucial third start back.

8 FULL FLAME
3yo has continued to improve since stretching out on the turf here this summer and turned in a career best last out despite missing by 3/4 length. Back at the same conditions today and a major player with Alvarado.

PADDOCK RACE NINE

2009-09-26T17:45:00.002-04:00

#6 PISTOL PETE AFLEET adds the four wraps that came off for his last start. #10 TONY TERRIFIC looks terrific, others ok.

BETTING RACE NINE

2009-09-26T17:42:00.002-04:00

With 19 minutes to post #10 TONY TERRIFIC has been bet from 8-1 down to the 2-1 favorite. M/L choice #6 PISTOL PETE AFLEET is 11-1.

TRIP NOTES RACE EIGHT

2009-09-26T17:39:00.002-04:00

#1 DREAMINOFJOSEPHINE was hustled to the front immediately by Baird, maintained a clear lead throughout and won as if much the best. She was chased all the way by #4 COUNT THE CHANGE and #5 SPUNKY MONKEY with 'MONKEY winning the photo for place.

ANALYSIS RACE NINE

2009-09-26T17:28:00.001-04:00

ANALYSES OF THESE HORSES ARE PLACED IN POST POSITION ORDER. THESE ARE NOT MY SELECTIONS.

RACE 9

2 EIGHTEENTHOFMARCH
5yo was claimed by Catalano following a game win at a level lower. The Cat Man wins at a rather amazing 55% clip when raising his new acquisitions in class. Recorded his career best over this turf course as a 3yo.

3 JONI’S JUSTICE
6yo posted a career best around two turns on the turf this spring while in the barn of Hugh Robertson then continued to run well all summer, winning stake in July at Canterbury. He can prove a factor here at a good price.

6 PISTOL PETE AFLEET
4yo colt has been a consistent performer the past two years on the synthetic surfaces in California but also showed ability on the turf last fall. He makes his first start today for Daniel Smithwick, who excels with new acquisitions and is the choice for the win back on the grass.

8 KING OF SPEED
10yo is still going strong for trainer Bret Calhoun and, although has made only two starts on the turf since end of last year, he has won both including over this course last out for this same tag. Razo stays and must respect.

PADDOCK RACE EIGHT

2009-09-26T17:23:00.001-04:00

The 2yo fillies all looked good.

BETTING RACE EIGHT

2009-09-26T17:21:00.001-04:00

Nothing unusual about the betting with 12 minutes to post. #1 DREAMINOFJOSEPHINE is favored at 6-5 as expected.

TRIP NOTES RACE SEVEN

2009-09-26T17:14:00.002-04:00

#5 LUNAR MIST is a very promising filly for Chris Block. She was rank from the beginning, rated behind the leaders in 3rd, moved quickly to the lead despite lugging in badly. Once straight she bounded clear. Should love a route of ground. #2 IDEALHOUSE and #7 MISS JENNIFER closed from behind for the minor placings. #4 FIGHTING JO JO set a strong pace, opened up while still in hand but tired after being headed by the winner.

ANALYSIS RACE EIGHT

2009-09-26T17:00:00.001-04:00

ANALYSES OF THESE HORSES ARE PLACED IN POST POSITION ORDER. THESE ARE NOT MY SELECTIONS.

RACE 8

1 DREAMINOFJOSEPHINE
Although the race came off the grass here last out this filly still turned in her best effort, finishing a game second in her first start since moving to the Canani barn. Sharp work since and a major player today with Baird back.

5 SPUNKY MONKEY
Forest Danger filly debuts sprinting on the turf for trainer Michael Stidham who hits over 20% with first time starters. Has shown plenty of ability in the morning and merits respect with Castanon riding.

7 BESITOS
2yo Greatness filly makes her career debut today for trainer Raja Malek and was also bred by her owners Edward, Krista and Amy Seltzer. Filly makes her first trip to the post sprinting on the turf and, although the barn has had a limited amount of first time starters this year, they are at their best with horses running on the grass. This filly has the breeding to excel at the 5F distance on the grass and the barn has prepared her well with a steady work tab in which she has also shown ability. Graham aboard is only a positive sign that she is well meant.

PADDOCK RACE SEVEN

2009-09-26T16:53:00.002-04:00

First timers #4 FIGHTING JO JO and #5 LUNAR MIST both look sharp, others ok.

BETTING RACE SEVEN

2009-09-26T16:49:00.002-04:00

With 13 minutes to post #5 FIGHTING JO JO, 2nd choice on the line, is the strong 3-2 favorite. M/L favorite #2 IDEALHOUSE is 8-1.

TRIP NOTES RACE SIX

2009-09-26T16:33:00.002-04:00

#5 ALL TANKED UP raced behind the leaders in 5th, came wide for the stretch run and got the win in the final jump. #2 OFFICER FRANK in a very game effort, set a pressured pace, held a narrow lead down the lane but was nailed on the wire. #6 EXECUTIVE COACH also closed well between horses and was beaten just a neck for all the money. #4 WAKEUPBRANDON found room on the rail to rally from far back. He finished 4th in a blanket finish.

ANALYSIS RACE SEVEN

2009-09-26T16:31:00.000-04:00

ANALYSES OF THESE HORSES ARE PLACED IN POST POSITION ORDER. THESE ARE NOT MY SELECTIONS.

RACE 7

2 IDEAL HOUSE
2yo LImehouse filly has turned in solid efforts in both of her career starts here at Arlington for trainer Steve Asmussen. Lands in a good spot for her third outing today and a major player. Castanon up.

4 FIGHTING JO JO
Distorted Humor filly was bred by owner Frank Calabrese and makes her career debut today for trainer Nick Canani. Filly has worked well and has the breeding and connections to fire at first asking with Baird.

5 LUNAR MIST
Malibu Moon filly debuts for Chris Block who always has his 2yo's ready to fire at first asking. Has been well prepared with a steady work tab over this strip and must be considered a contender today.

MID-DAY TRACK BIAS REPORT

2009-09-26T16:30:00.001-04:00

The polytrack has favored stalkers and closers. The yielding turf course favors closers.

PADDOCK RACE SIX

2009-09-26T16:24:00.001-04:00

#2 OFFICER FRANK looks best of these. #3 SHARP TRICK was a bit dull, others ok.

BETTING RACE SIX

2009-09-26T16:21:00.002-04:00

With 13 minutes to post the betting is orderly with #6 EXECUTIVE the 5-2 favorite as expected.