Race 1      6-1-5

Race 2      3-2-4

Race 3      1-7-6

Race 4      6-3-1-8

Race 5      6-8-3

Race 6      1-4-6-2

Race 7      4-6-7

Race 8      5-3-1

Race 9      7-1-3

Race 1      7-2-5

Race 2      3-6-1

Race 3      7-5-1

Race 4      1-4-2

Race 5      6-1-5

Race 6      1-8-3

Race 7      2-1-4

Race 8      9-3-8

Race 9      2-4-5-10

Race 1      4-3-1

Race 2      5-7-1

Race 3      4-6-1

Race 4      1A-4-5

Race 5      2-5-7

Race 6      5-3-1A

Race 7      6-3-2

Race 8      2-1-6

Race 9      6-3-8

No comments today. Too much to do to get ready for the Derby.

Race 1      7-1-3

Race 2      2-3-5

Race 3      2-4-3

Race 4      4-5-1

Race 5      5-3-6

Race 6      8-9-7

Race 7      2-3-4

Race 8      3-8-1

Race 9      5-8-7

No analysis today. Too much time spent getting ready for the radio show. And I’m supposed to “work” today at the golf course.

Race 1      4-1-3

Race 2      1-9-4

Race 3      3-5-2

Race 4      3-5-2

Race 5      7-3-2

Race 6      3-6-7

Race 7      5-2-7

Race 8      6-10-5

Race 9      8-3-9

Race 10    7-2-9

Race 1      4-1-6

Two Seventeen has one good race on the main and a second place at the distance. He seems to be in good shape and has the best recent figures. Clifton Pleasure didn’t care for the Laurel mud and drops down quite a few steps looking for the win. Campion Lane has enjoyed running on the main and at the distance. Could snap back into form here.

Race 2      2-6-3

Whale Rock goes first time for McLaughlin. Sold for six times the stud fee, has some eye-catching workouts and should do well at the distance. True Bet is the most experienced horse in the field and has the best figures of the horses that have previously started. Dean Verdile goes first time for Levine. Lots of gate works recently, perhaps indicating an issue, but they are good works.

Race 3      4-1

Bossy Saratoga has plenty of speed and her last race was her best since fall. Given the other speed signed on she’ll have her work cut out but it doesn’t look like there is a good enough closer to make a difference. Court Dancer held her form afte jumping up to the ALW ranks and has the figures to win the race.

Race 4      1-4-5

David Rocks ran a good one last out and looks like all the speed. Fit to Keep was claimed last out by Sciacca who is 14% first time with a new charge. Has showed a little ability to pass horses and may be good enough in this group. Can’tcatchjack has the figures to pick up the pieces.

Race 5      1-7-4

Barrel of Love is trained by Chad Brown who is exceptional with turf and layoff horses. Horse has run well with state-bred stakes horses and has been consistently close since pairing up with Brown. Blacktype disappointed last year at AQU after running decently on a soft turf in the Hill Prince. Puts the blinkers on and the workout pattern says go. He could be the best horse in the race and we’ll see if he shows it today. Smooth Daddy has been Graded Stakes placed and has a second in his only start over the turf course. Looks legitimate here.

Race 6      2-7-3

Suspicious Mind goes first time for Asmussen and drops to the MCL ranks in search of a win. Scorpion’s Touch showed serious improvement last out, although it may have been the slow fractions that made the difference. Considering there isn’t a lot of classy speed here he might be able to find the top three. El Viejo Verde was gelded since his last start. Has plenty of speed and has three seconds in five starts at the distance.

Race 7      2-5-1

Day Six is one of the few in here with turf experience and has the best numbers by far. Artie Crasher has four decent starts and has been consistent in his figures. Another with turf experience. Social Affair has a win on the AQU turf and comes to this race newly gelded. Hasn’t shown well with winners but is another with plenty of turf experience.

Race 8      3-7-1A

Your Move is the longshot play of the day. She is 33% win, has plenty of early speed  and off her best is the fastest. My Donna Jean dropped to $16K last out and won comfortably. In condition she fits well at the class. Liberty Fuze was snagged by Steve Klesaris last out off a dominating win. The jump up will bring him back to earth but his best numbers make him competitive.

Race 9      2-7-3

The last is a very difficult affair. No horse sticks out and one could make a case for half the field. Assuming none of the AE’s get in, the choice is Crescent Street. He’s shown an ability to hit the front early, and with the drop out of the MSW may hold his speed all the way. Yourthekingjimmy takes the blinkers off and moves to the turf. He’s bred well enough for the distance, although not inspiringly for the turf. Still, he has one very nice six furlong race and the drop back to the sprint should help. Alexa’s spirit may or may not take to the turf, but he is another dropping out of the straight maiden ranks. He has had three consecutive bad starts, and with a clean break we’ll get to see what he can really do. He has some turf breeding in his background. Hushusmushmush is a 13 start maiden with 10 turf starts and is hard to use confidently here. Just saying.

Race 1      2-4

Literata is the interesting horse. She has three starts on the main with two wins and a place, but her move to the inner dirt didn’t work out very well. Instead of flashing her normal pressing ability, in two of the three starts she fell well back and showed no close. Yes, she was a bit cheaper in the fall, but in her favor there isn’t a lot of speed here and she may be able to duplicate previous good performances. At 8-1 ML in a five horse field she’s worth a look.

Race 2      6-3-1

Samus lost all chance at the start last out but prior to that she showed good speed. She’s looked a little short in the stretch in the short sprints, but I often like these type of horses in a slightly longer sprint where they can relax. She’ll be favorite and 8-5 is a bit low, but I like her chances. Greg’s Beauty is another coming out of short sprints. Gary Sciacca is better than average with his new runners. Mama’s Red Hot finally put together her best effort last out and this is a fairly soft field. Gives her a real chance.

Race 3      5-2-3

Fiona’s Hero jumps up a bit in price but the move to state-breds offsets it. He’s the clear speed and gets a switch to Jose Ortiz. Five Freedoms didn’t take to the mud last out but last year he had 4 wins, 3 places in 10 starts. He rarely runs a bad one. Tequila Hero looks good on the drop and has the figures to compete here.

Race 4      1-3-4

Raiza Sultana tries older for the first time but has the numbers to bound by this group. Should be the one to catch. Bossy Boots looks for a win in her eighth start. She’s been knocking on the door and has possibilities. Summon the Spirit goes for the hot Jimmy Jerkens barn and fits with this group.

Race 5      2-4-6

Becker’s Galaxy was fair on the inner. Has the best figures lately and should get first jump on the leader. Tug of War is the best speed and has a win and a place in four starts on the main. Sacred Ground drops to his lowest level in a while and is close to 20% lifetime win percentage.

Race 6      6-10-1

Bet U Can’t Find Me is the bomb play today. In 2014 the horse was 16-5-7-1. In four starts on the inner this year she showed little until her last out when she finished a distant third to a 13 length winner. Off her best she has the best numbers in the field. Worth a shot at the odds. Inaflash is the ML second choice and is looking for three in a row. Gary Gullo is not strong first off the claim but the horse may have enough condition to help that percentage. My Tee Time also goes first off the claim, this one for Bruce Levine. Has the best figures and has looked good previously on the main.

Race 7      5-2-6

Violinist won first time on the dirt and was taken by Jason Servis who is 35% first off the claim. Prize Taker has the best figures but has had trouble getting that second win. Iffy for me at even money. Is She Hot won on the inner in January by 21 lengths and was claimed by Debra Breed placed her ambitiously last out but she is at a better level today. Should be the one in front and will have to be caught.

Race 8      1/1A-2-6

The entry of Diannestillworks and Checkupfromzneckup looks best and even if one scratches the other should go favorite. Irish Sweepstakes has been a reliable runner and will likely doing her best running in the lane. Mine for Life impressively won her maiden on the inner last out and should flourish at the one turn mile.

Race 9      2-4-11

Feverish Loot takes a big price drop off a distant second. The third place finisher in his last has already come back to win. Has the dominant figure. Unauthorized moves to open $16 from state-bred $25K, and goes with older for the first time. Should be more effective in the one turn mile. Interesting. Larry Boy is another trying older for the first time. Jacobson looks to break him into the winners circle after claiming two back. Should have plenty of room to get into the race from the outside spot.

This will be the last weekend I’ll be covering NYRA for a while. Unlike the summer where enthusiasm for SAR is high, there seems to be little overall interest in the AQUL winter meet. In any case, I have mentioned previously that I am working on some major projects that are consuming a lot of time in addition to refereeing HS basketball, which is also taking a lot of time. Here are today’s picks.

Race 1      7-6-1

Race 2      1-6-5

Race 3      3-5-6

Race 4      1-7-6

Race 5      6-3-5

Race 6      8-2-4

Race 7      1-2-6

Race 8      6-1-19

Race 9      8-10-7

It’s cold in the Northeast. Let’s hope we’re hot at the windows.

Race 1       4-1

She’s All Even was scratched which solidifies Good Shot and moves Kool Charli up a bit.

Good Shot ran three seconds in her first three races but then disappointed in her first try on the inner. Drops from MSW to this claiming event. She’s All Even failed as the favorite in a 6 furlong sprint on the inner, moves to a route where her breeding suggests no problem. Twin Lights is another one dropping from MSW and takes the blinkers off. Could pick up pieces late.

Race 2      1-2-4

Classic Salsa and M J Plus are the typically strong Jacobson entry. The latter is probably the better part of the entry, but both have competitive figures. Jeter gets a nod based on his figures, but not based on his proclivity to win. Struggled to find the winners circle in 2014. Apex is one of the speed horses signed up in here and will have to battle for the front. He’s been with better quality horses in the recent past.

Race 3      4-5-6

Brandini invades from FL for James Bond. She’s had some trouble duplicating her maiden victory but has been competitive in next level allowances. Has a second in her lone inner try, and has been working well for her return off a short layoff. Moves Your Soul never got into the last race but prior to that was competitive at FL. Should appreciate the drop. Academyperformance should be the pacesetter and nearly wired a similar field last out.

Race 4      5-4-8

Update: With top choice Wild Freud scratched I’ll move Nine Bears into the top three. He completely missed the start last out, but even so showed a little bit of interest. Puts the blinkers on today and perhaps that will refocus him. Winner of that race repeated. 

Wild Freud is the best of the prior starters and puts the blinkers on today. Suckitupbuster goes first time for Morley. Like the speedy early workouts and the regular maintenance works after that. El Viejo Verde has shown a lot of speed and late fate. I like that Alvarado stays because I think he is effective at keeping speed horses together.

Race 5      1-2

The Abby Adsit coupling of Ridingwiththedevil and Star Magnolia look to have the advantage here. Ridingwiththedevil faltered last out on the inner but before that had won two in a row. Drops today to a more favorable level. Star Magnolia has been competitive at this level and should be up with the front runners. Brad’s Ruby had a never got into the last race while breaking from the far outside but had won at the allowance level as recently as October.

Race 6      9-10-6

Ziwiye completely surrendered in the slop last out but prior to that ran a decent race at this level. That figure tops the field and although the stretch out may be of concern he is the best speed in the field and his breeding suggests he can get the distance. H Man was also stymied in the slop last out but has been successful negotiating the distance. He is one of the Cannizzo runners that has switched over to Falcone while Cannizzo is serving his suspension, and so far Falcone has not been successful getting any runner to the winner’s circle. Touch of Paradise puts the blinkers on and drops from MSW to this claiming event. Hasn’t finished in the money but his racings are better than looked.

Race 7      2-10-8

With the scratch of Alpha J the chances of Untapped Secret went up. I’ll move Discreet Force into the top three. Last out she took the lead and never looked back, gearing down at the end but still winning by 10. She jumps up a bit in price, but still looks  good enough to make an impact here.

Untapped Secret has scored a win in almost 50% of her races. She’s placed at the right level today and should be the one to catch turning for home. Bridgetta is another one with good early foot and competitive figures. 7 of 9 in the money in 2014. Alpha J has a second in two starts on the inner and is 4 of 6 in the money at the distance

Race 8      5-10-2

Tizquick and Bullhead Boy hook up again Bullhead Boy narrowly got the better of Tizquick in the Runyon. I think Tizquick had the worse of the two trips and I look for him to reverse the tables today. All is Number just broke his maiden on the inner in a time that should make him a competitor today.

Race 9      2-3

With the scratch of Frosty Pop Larry I’ll move Nine Pin into the top three. He had some trouble at the start last out but Jara gave him a patient ride and managed to close well to get the place. Trainer Feron is not having much success, but I’m willing to give the horse a chance in this field.

Zabaione jumped up on the slop on the inner. Cuts back to a mile today and should be up close to the lead. Frosty Pop Larry is a first timer for new trainer Raymond Handal. He’s been working lights out at Fair Hill and that certainly makes him a consideration in this group. Greg’s Fourwheeler drops from a MSW to the claiming ranks. He’s making his 7th start and to date only has one in the money finish but he does have the top last race figure.

It’s been an amazing year for me.

I had a great job working for a group of state governors, but I decided I wanted to devote myself full times to two things I enjoy more than anything – writing and horseracing – so I left my job, took a deep breath and decided I’d put my new found free time to good use.

I wrote a fictional novel (that had nothing to do with horseracing) and  about six months ago started my blog, halveyonhorseracing.com. It’s a crowded field, but I decided in every field there is always room for someone that provides a good product. On my site I publish handicapping and betting articles, selections for NYRA, and opinions on a variety of horseracing topics.

Around September I published some pieces about Doug O’Neill. As a result of that I got to meet, Glenn Sorgenstein, owner of Goldencents, and then talk directly with O’Neill, a  personable guy and a caring horseman. It was a great break for me. I became friends with both Glenn and his partner Josh Hanson, two of the nicest, most generous and sincere people I’ve ever known. It led to me spending one of the most incredible days in my racing life sharing the experience of winning a Breeders Cup race. I’ve promised to write about that, and I will keep that promise.

I’ve written a lot about how racing commissions have handled medication violations and I will continue to zero in on that in 2015. I’m actually working on an important story involving a mid-Atlantic trainer and the fairness of racing commission actions.

I focused on selections for NYRA and I believe I’ve developed a good reputation for selecting winners. It’s a lot of work every day, but given the feedback I’ve gotten, it is worth the time and energy.

I managed to talk myself into a job as the paddock reporter/handicapper at Arapahoe Park, and did well enough to be invited back next year. Funny anecdote: I was talking to my brother the other day and mentioned the Arapahoe Park gig. He said, yeah I was going to bet some races and I looked up at the screen and said, that looks like my brother, which made him happy until I picked the horse he was interested in.

Most of all, I think it has been amazing finding so many great handicappers and great people on Twitter. Colorado is not the center of the horseracing universe, and it has been incredible to be able to interact with so many first-rate horseplayers. It’s an honor to be able to call these people my colleagues. I hope I eventually get to meet them all.

A year that started out with me wondering how the next chapter of my life would unfold ended with me feeling great optimism for the future. There is still plenty of work to do and stories to write. I want to be around long enough to write them all.

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Chanuka, Happy Holidays to everyone who reads the blog. I wish you all a prosperous and healthy 2015.