Free Horse Betting Picks - June 20th 2008

[Shame About Ray]

National horse racing handicapper Michael Dempsey will attempt to pad his bankroll and yours with his daily column. He will feature at least one Pick 3 or Pick 4 play from a major track along with coverage of major stakes races, longshots, and he will keep you up to date on what is happening on the circuits he covers.



Colonial Downs is not exactly on the radar screen of many horseplayers, but the New Kent, Va. track takes center stage today with the $600,000 Colonial Turf Cup Stakes (G3).

The race is the opening leg of a four race series with $5 million up for grabs. The Colonial Turf Cup is the first leg of the Jacobs Investments Grand Slam of Grass.

The second leg is the $750,000 Virginia Derby (G1) on July 19, followed by the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes (G2) at Arlington Park August 9. The final leg is the $3 million Emirates Airline Breeder’s Cup Turf (G1).

If a horse can sweep the four race series, they are awarded $5 million.

Several Kentucky Derby also rans will attempt to get back on track with the switch to turf including Court Vision and Adriano, both trained by Bill Mott.

The race is one of four stakes on the Colonial Downs card on Saturday. The stakes action kicks off with the $35,000 Old Nelson Stakes, which drew a field of 12.

Also on the card are the $60,000 Buckland Stakes and the $200,000 All Along Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G3).

The All Along drew a strong field of nine fillies and mares, led by multiple graded stakes winner Ruthierenne, trained by Christophe Clement.

If you like turf races and full fields, Colonial Downs is the place to be on Saturday afternoon.

Here is a look at the Colonial Turf Cup:

Colonial Downs Race 9 Colonial Turf Cup Stakes (G3) Post time 5:40 ET

#2 Court Vision 9/2

#10 Adriano 3/1

#1 El Sultry Sun 12/1

#7 Kentucky Bear 8/1

#2 Court Vision is making his first start since finishing a distant 13th place finish in the Kentucky Derby and will be trying turf for the first time. He did not have a very good trip in the Derby, getting carried out in the early going and bumping with Big Truck. The colt is a two-time stakes winner on dirt and should take to grass. The Bill Mott trainee is by Gulch (9% first turf) out of a Storm Bird mare that has dropped three turf winners. Mott is 15% winners with horses trying the turf for the first time.

#10 Adriano also exits the Derby where the colt was not a factor, checking in next to last in the 20 horse field. The race has produced four next out stakes winners. The colt is a two-time winner on turf, breaking his maiden and beating Alw-1 foes on the weeds. Two back proved he could run on poly, taking the G2 Lanes End at Turfway in a sharp effort. Mott takes over for Motion and Edgar is in to stick with this colt. He figures to bounce back with a better effort here.

#1 El Sultry Sun was a game winner of the Lamplighter last out at Monmouth after a third place finish two back in the G3 Calder Derby behind #4 Sporting Art. The colt appears to be on the improve and has plenty of pedigree to handle the extra furlong here.

Wagering

WIN: #2 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 2,10 / 1,2,7,10

TRI: 2,10 / 1,2,7,10 / 1,2,4,7,10

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