Weekend Stakes Action – Grade III Stuyvesant Handicap and Grade III Cardinal Handicap
Two Grade III’s are on tap this Saturday. One occurs at Aqueduct Racecourse and the other at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Sports betting fans should note that the biggest races of the year have already occurred. That can be either a good thing or a bad thing for online horse betting fans. The bad thing is that we won’t see Curlin and Raven’s Pass run again. The good thing is that we might find some nice overlaid bets in some of these fields.
Let’s get to it!
Race-day: 11/15/2008
Aqueduct Racecourse – – Race 9
Grade III Stuyvesant Handicap
$100,000
For Three Year Olds
1 1/8th miles on dirt
Can anybody beat Solar Flare in this race? Maybe not, but Dry Martini has some serious back class to go along with his gaudy 12 out of 19 in the money record. He’s fallen on hard times recently but running against Strike a Deal and Merchant Marine should set him up well for this. He’s the pick in a tougher race than what it looks like. Solar Flare should go off the chalk and, if things go his way on the front end, should wire this field. He was terrific in Argentina and has been decent in the States losing to the likes of Grasshopper, Commentator and Frost Giant. This is a much easier spot. Temporary Saint has a good chance at a top three placing. He will be pressing Solar Flare and if he makes his move at the right time, he could win this.
1. Dry Martini
2. Solar Flare
3. Temporary Saint
Churchill Downs – – Race 9
Grade III Cardinal Handicap
$100,000
For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Up
1 1/8th miles on the turf
Lady Digby could go off the chalk in this which means she’s a bad play but on paper she’s easily the best horse in this. When she’s right the Graham Motion trained, Ramon Dominguez ridden, daughter of Grand Slam can run about as well as any filly at Churchill Downs. She gets the nod. Callwood Dancer is going to be very tough. Trained by Canadian Roger Attfield, she rarely finishes off the board. This includes a second place finish in the Grade I E.P. Taylor Stakes in her last race. Meribel has name recognition and usually runs better than not, but she might not have the class to stick with some of these. A top three placing isn’t out of the cards, however.
1. Lady Digby
2. Callwood Dancer
3. Meribel
Good Luck!
