Whirlaway odds to help clear Triple Crown picture
Whirlaway odds: #3 Peace Town ready to roll
WHO: Peace Town, Indygo Mountain, Stardom Bound, Shafted
WHAT: The Whirlaway, The Risen Star, The Las Virgenes, The Robert B. Lewis
WHERE: Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Santa Anita Park
WHEN: Saturday, February 7
Whether you’re a racebook or horse betting fan, the Triple Crown picture is blurry at the moment, but Saturday’s action, headed by Whirlaway odds, should help bring things into focus. The 3YO’s are squaring off in stakes at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds and Santa Anita, so we’ll take a look at those races and try to find some value.
In Whirlaway odds at Aqueduct, #1-Haynesfield figures to go off the favorite, but he’s certainly no cinch. He’s carrying 122 pounds for the first time and was all out to win his latest. I like #3-Peace Town for several reasons.
He’s getting two pounds from the favorite, and has already won a stakes carrying 122. He’s a January foal, and may own a maturity edge over Haynesfield, who was foaled in May. Jockey Julian Pimentel is a perfect 3-for-3 aboard Peace Town, and their last win together was more impressive than you might think at first glance…nearly twelve lengths separated the second and third place finishers in that race. I’ll bet Peace Town at odds of 3-2 or better.
The Risen Star (G3) at Fair Grounds is a fantastic betting race, with 13 entrants and several highly regarded prospects. Trainer Larry Jones is extremely high on #6-Friesan Fire (Morning Line odds of 7-2), winner of the LeComte Stakes here on Jan. 10.
#7-Giant Oak (ML odds of 3-1) is indeed a giant of a horse, and has been training exceptionally well since his arrival here in December. However, I’m siding with #2-Indygo Mountain, who went off as the second choice at 2.70-1 in the LeComte, but had a nightmare trip. His maiden-breaker last November at Churchill Downs was eye-catching…with a clean trip he should be a major factor in the stretch. He’s 10-1 on the Morning Line, but I’ll bet Indygo Mountain at odds of 6-1 or better.
2YO Champion filly Stardom Bound makes her 3YO debut for new trainer Bobby Frankel in the Las Virgenes (G1) at Santa Anita, and will be heavily favored. I’m not betting the race, but will be watching carefully, because her connections are considering her for the Kentucky Derby, rather than the Oaks.
When you bet on horse racing, whether it’s Whirlaway odds or a Triple Crown race, the name of the game is VALUE. I believe there will be great value on #8-Shafted in the Robert B. Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita. With top contenders #2-Pioneerof the Nile and #4-I Want Revenge in the mix, Shafted may be overlooked. This son of Mineshaft unleashed a powerful closing kick to win a first-level allowance event here on Jan. 2, and his final breeze for the Lewis indicated his readiness. I’ll take a shot with him at odds of 5-1 or better.
For more Whirlaway odds and other horse racing tips, check out Pete Mitchell’s columns twice weekly.
