Tag Archives: Phil D’Amato

BetPTC.com Graded Stakes Preview – Sept. 7

Leave a reply

BetPTC.com / Weekend Stakes Preview

Ed Meyer

Kentucky Downs

Race #7 – The G-3 Runhappy Turf Sprint – 6f on turf – 4:53 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #3 – Imprimis / #5 – Undrafted / #10 – Totally Boss

#3 Imprimis is a son of Broken Vow for Joe Orseno and Paco Lopez in the saddle. He’s been off two months and finished mid pack at Royal Ascot last out. He’s a late runner and Lopez scores at a 24% clip with turf runners. His win in the G2 Shakertown two back was very impressive. #5 Undrafted comes in for Wesley Ward and Corey Lanerie in the irons. This is his 2nd off the layoff and three for five ITM over the course. He rallied strongly in last year’s edition and Ward wins 26% with his sprinters coming in fresh. #10 Totally Boss comes from the barn of Rusty Arnold and Florent Geroux has the call. 3rd off the shelf and was impressive in victory at Ellis Park last out. He should get a nice stalking trip and Geroux is off to a great start for the meet.

Race #8 – G-3 Three Chimneys Ladies Turf – 1 mile turf – 5:28 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #7 – Mitchell Road / #3 – Kallio / #2 – Simply Breathless

#7 Mitchell Road is a daughter of English Channel for Bill Mott and Joel Rosario in the saddle. She’s been off 56 days and exits the G1 Diana facing Sistercharlie. She cuts back in distance shipping in from Saratoga with some morning works to have her ready. Rosario will have her close to the pace as she runs extremely well coming off a layoff. #3 Kallio is a daughter of Scat Daddy with Tyler Gaffalione in the driver’s seat. She is 1 for 1 over the course and won in the shadow of the wire last out. Her dam Smokey Diplomacy has 7 starters, 6 winners, and 4 turf winners to her credit. #2 Simply Breathless comes in for Neil Drysdale and Florent Geroux. This daughter of Bated Breath (GB) has a solid late kick and exits Arlington off a beaten favorite effort. The barn wins 22% getting payback and Geroux loves the greensward winning 20%.

Remington Park september

Race #9 – The G-3 Ladies Sprint – 6 1/2f on turf – 6:01 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #9 – Tiny Tina / #3 – Oleksandra / #7 – Morticia

#9 Tiny Tina is a daughter of Paddy O’ Prado for Phil D’Amato with Jose Ortiz in the irons. She is shooting for her 4th in a row off a three month layoff. She ships in from SA and steps up in class for this event. Cutting back in distance and solid works make her a major danger. #3 Oleksandra is a daughter of Animal Kingdom for Neil Drysdale and Joel Rosario going to post. She won the Smart N Fancy last out and comes calling late in the lane for Rosario who wins 20% with closers. #7 Morticia is 3rd off the layoff for Rusty Arnold with Tyler Gaffalione in the driver’s seat. She was a beaten chalk last out facing Oleksandra and the barn comes back to score 33% looking to turn the tables.

Race #10 – The G-3 Kentucky Turf Cup – 1 1/2f on turf – 6:35 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #5 – Bigger Picture / #10 – Arklow / #9 – Zulu Alpha

#5 Bigger Picture comes to post for Mike Maker and Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle. He’s been off two months and ships in from the G1 United Nations. He finished a fast closing 2nd last year going the same route to Kentucky Downs. Tyler G is back aboard this closer who is 1 for 2 ITM in Franklin. #10 Arklow is a son of Arch for Brad Cox and Florent Geroux has the call. He’s 1 for 1 at KyD and makes a 2nd off effort coming in from the G2 Bowling Green. That was a strong move between runners and the rider and trainer have teamed up to be 5 for 8 ITM the past few weeks. #9 Zulu Alpha is a son of Street Cry (IRE) for Mike Maker and Jose Ortiz. He’s been knocking on the door owns a bullet work dropping in class. He is 4 for 5 ITM at the distance in the hands of an excellent reinsman.

BetPTC.com Graded Stakes Preview – 6/23/18

Leave a reply

BetPTC.com Graded Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer

Thistledown

BetPTC.com Selections / #7 – Diamond King / #3 – Lone Sailor / #2 – Flame Away

Race #9 – The G3 Ohio Derby – 1 1/8 – 5:10 pm EDT

#7 Diamond King comes in for the John Servis barn winning 24%. Frankie Pennington is back aboard and they are rolling back 3rd off a layoff exiting a bumpy trip in the Preakness. Pennington seems to fit nicely, and this colt has a bullet work in the morning to prepare. He’s a solid runner who has run into trouble for the big races and needs a clean trip today. With a little bit of racing luck, he will play the role of a stalker looking to shine down the lane. #3 Lone Sailor has the services of Irad Ortiz in the saddle for trainer Thom Amoss. He exits the Preakness with a wide trip and a solid 5th place effort against Justify. He’s cutting back in distance and Ortiz gets the return engagement. This runner will come calling at the 1/4 pole under a full head of steam. #2 Flame Away brings Jose Lezcano in the driver’s seat for trainer Mark Casse. This son of Scat Daddy has controlled speed and his only poor outing was in the Kentucky Derby. Lezcano is going to send this colt and try and control the pace. If he’s allowed to dictate the pace to his liking he’ll be tough to reel in.

Belmont

Race #4 – The $100,000 Wild Applause – 1 mile on the turf – 3:09 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #7 – Got Stormy / #3 – Punked / #2 – Brattata

#7 Got Stormy exits a win in the Penn Oaks. Today she gets a rider switch to John Velasquez for the Mark Casse barn. She is 4/4 ITM going this distance and comes right back off a brief rest. 2018 has been a good year for this gal as she seems to be figuring out the game with every effort. Look for a repeat in the hands of Johnny V. #3 Punked is making her 3rd start off a layoff for the hot Chad Brown barn. She came over from Ireland and got into a little trouble at Keeneland two races back. But after getting 2nd time Lasix she scored with a clean trip at Belmont going 1 1/16 on the turf. Javier Castellano in the irons and he gets the call right back off her last win. Chad Brown scores 27% off the last race win coming back. #2 Brattata has Jose Ortiz as the reinsman going from dirt to turf, and dropping in class may be just what the doctor ordered. Ortiz was at Royal Ascot this week and now he’s back in New York where he holds court. She’s a closer and Ortiz is a tactical rider who knows when to make his move.

Santa Anita

BetPTC.com Selections / #4 American Anthem / #7 Stone Hands / #6 Touching Rainbows

Race  #11 – The G2 San Carlos – 7f – 8:00 pm EDT

#4 American Anthem has the services of Mike Smith for Bob Baffert. They are winning at a 42% clip as a team and make their second start of the 2018 season. This son of Bodemeister is 4/4 ITM going 7 panels and exits off a win at Churchill Downs. 15 days after the winning prep he came right back and scorched a bullet work in 59 flat going 5f. He has the look of a perfect stalker and should be effective coming back to California. #7 Stone Hands comes in for Doug O’Neill and has the barn rider, Mario Gutierrez. He is 8/9 ITM over the track looking for three in a row. They have been going to the winner’s circle at a 25% clip. He should be up close and stalk the leaders. #6 Touching Rainbows has Flavien Prat aboard for Phil D’Amato looking for 5 straight. This is 3rd off the layoff and they win 20% on this move. He is on the stretch out from 6f to 7f and should be closer to the front. Prat is an excellent judge of pace and should send right to the lead.

Graded Stakes Preview – August, 5, 2017

Leave a reply

BetPTC.com / Graded Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer

Saratoga Race #8 – G1 Test Stakes – 7f – 5:10 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections – #10 – American Gal / #8 – Faypien / #4 – Tequilta

#10 – American Gal = 2nd start of the year from trainer Simon Callaghan (21%) with Jose Ortiz in the irons. She is 5/5 ITM and has a sharp work at Del Mar on 7/29. Add in an impressive win in the G3 Victory Starlet after stumbling at the start. #8 – Faypien = Bejarano / Baffert team up (33%) the past two months and she’s been away from the races 49 days. She has plenty of workouts to prepare and cuts back from 1 1/16 – 7f where she is a perfect 2/2. #4 – Tequilita = Luis Saez for Michael Matz and this daughter of Union Rags has been off since the Kentucky Oaks. She’s been working regular and is 1/1 ITM at the Spa.

Race #9 – G1 Whitney – 1 1/8 – 5:46 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections – #6 – Gun Runner / #5 – Keen Ice / #4 -Tu Brutus

#6 – Gun Runner = Impressive son of Candy Ride for the Asmussen barn. He ran a solid 2nd in the Dubai World Cup and came back 3 months later to score in the G1 Stephen Foster. He ran 3rd in the Travers last year and owns some bullet works over the Oklahoma training track. He is maturing into a machine and has some big plans for later down the road. #5 – Keen Ice = Jose Ortiz for Todd Pletcher (23%) the past 2 months. They bring a son of Curlin to post and made the same travels as Gun Runner and came back to win the G2 Suburban at Belmont. He’s 1/1 at the Spa and has the hot hand of Ortiz. #4 – Tu Brutus = Speedy son of Scat Daddy who will try to go flag to finish. He was a beaten favorite last out and this Chilean-bred can set some blistering fraction if left alone with Irad Ortiz.

 

Mountaineer

Race #8 – G3 West Virginia Derby – 1 1/8 – 5:21 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections – #3 – Patch / #5 – Impressive Edge / #7 – Colonelsdarktemper

#3 – Patch = 3-yr-old son of Union Rags exits the Belmont and been off for 56 days. Cuts back from a distance which may be more to his liking. They score (22%) off long layoffs and if you go back to Fair Grounds he was a close 2nd to Girvin who won the Haskell last weekend. Tyler Gafflione in the saddle and will have an honest pace to take a closing run. Rider and trainer have been winning (38%) the past two months and today they wear the Calumet silks. #5 – Impressive Edge = Robby Albarado for Dale Romans and they are 2nd off the layoff. They bring a son of Harlan’s Holiday to post and have faced some tough guys in his past. Albarado rides well for Romans (19%) and could be very dangerous today. #7 – Colonelsdarktemper = Son of Colonel John and has been knocking on the door. He owns some sparkling works including a bullet after the G2 Indiana Derby. Ever since the Pat Day Mile, he has looked better with every start.

 

Del Mar Race #6 – G2 Sorrento – 6 1/2 f – Two-yr-old fillies – 7:30 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections – #6 – Diamondsandpearls / #1 – Surrender Now / #2 – Spectator

#6 – Diamondsandpearls = Mike Smith aboard for Bob Baffert (67%) the past 60 days and this daughter of Congrats had an impressive maiden win. Her works are hot and a stalking trip off the pace may be the order of the day. Smith comes alive for the big races and it is never too early to start finding yourself a 2-yr-old filly for down the road. #1 – Surrender Now = Flavien Pratt and Peter Miller come to post with a daughter of Morning Line. Her sire wins (19%) with her first-time starters and did not disappoint that day. #2 – Spectator = Daughter of Jimmy Creed wins (31%) with his firster’s and did not disappoint winning by 5 3/4 for the Phil D’Amato barn. Jamie Theriot aboard and has every possibility for a big move forward.

Race #8 – G2 Yellow Ribbon – 1 1/16 on the turf – 8:30 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections – #6 – Pretty Gal / #7 – Cambodia / #4 – Juno

 #6 – Pretty Gal = Mike Smith in the irons for Paulo Lobo. Smith wins (20%) with his turf runners and this daughter of Harlan’s Holiday is cutting back from 1 1/8 – 1 1/16. She drops in class from the G1 Gamely and could track from the back of the pack looking to make a sustained late rally. She is 6/10 ITM on the sod and is in the right hands today. #7 – Cambodia = Draden Van Dyke for Thom Proctor and they bring a daughter of War Front to post making her second off the layoff. She ships in from Parx and Proctor wins (21%) with a new face in the barn. She is 8/8 ITM on the green and can play the role of an up-close stalker. #4 – Juno = Gary Stevens is the pilot for Neil Drysdale and he wins (23%) on the weeds. She can dictate the pace and lose the field if left alone. She is 7/10 ITM on the greensward, and since getting Lasix three back she’s been knocking on the door.

 

Graded Stakes Preview – Saturday, July 22, 2017

Leave a reply

BetPTC.com / Graded Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer

 

Saratoga

Race #9 – G3 Sanford – 6f on the main – 5:40 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections = #5 – Admiral Jimmy (4-1) / #7 – Direct Dial (5-2) / #1 – Psychoanalyze (7-2)

#5 – Admiral Jimmy = 2-yr-old colt by Jimmy Creed and he wins (33%) with first-time starters, and lived up to his numbers as this colt romped his first time out at Gulfstream. He’s been in New York since 6/23 and has three works over the course. Javier Castellano in the irons for Todd Pletcher and he wins (27%) with his babies. I’m looking for a repeat getting better for his backers.  #7 – Direct Dial = Speedy son of Too Much Bling and his last race was an impressive run in the $150k Tremont. He has the services of one of the best speed riders in the country with Jose Ortiz who wins (24%) with early speed runners. This Texas-bred for the Steve Asmussen barn will be right there setting the fractions and his morning works have been sparkling. #1 – Psychoanalyze = He won at first asking for Brian Lynch and his sire Overanalyze wins (28%) with his first timers. He’ll battle it out with “Dial” and has every chance to improve with Luis Saez drawing the rail post.

Race #10 – G1 Diana Stakes – 1 1/8 on the turf – 6:18 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections = #3 – Lady Eli (4-5) / #6 – Dickinson (9-2) / #4 – Quidana (8-1)

#3 -Lady Eli = Irad Ortiz for Chad Brown ITM at the “Spa” and comes off a 56 day break off a win in the G1 Gamely at Santa Anita. Her work two back was very sharp and she’ll look to go a perfect 3/3 at Saratoga. – There will be many racing fans watching her every move as she has overcome much in her short time. If you see anywhere near (4-5) that may be solid value. #6 – Dickinson = Paco Lopez in the saddle for Kiaran McLaughlin and she is 6/7 ITM on the turf. That was a solid run 1st off and Lopez fits her like a glove. It was a perfect stepping stone to build a summer campaign. #4 – Quidana = Graham Motion has a nice filly by Dubawi. She is 5/6 ITM on the sod and makes her 2nd start off a two-month layoff. She’s locked horns with these fillies in the past and looks to bring her “A” game off a smart morning work.

 

Del Mar

Race #4 – G2 Eddie Read – 1 1/8 on the turf – 6:40 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections = #6 – Ashleyluvssugar (7-5) / #5 – Up With the Birds (15-1) / #2 – Hunt (3-1)

#6 – Ashelyluvssugar = Gary Stevens aboard for Peter Eurton. Stevens (22%) with turf runners and is 4/4 ITM at Del Mar. Exits off a win in the G2 Whittingham and been on the shelf for 55 days. Eurton wins (18%) with his layoff runners and cuts back 1 1/4 to 1 1/8. He is 12/16 ITM on the sod and looks to be a perfect stalking type. #5 – Up With the Birds = Jamie Theriot in the irons for Phil D’Amato who was last year’s winning trainer at the meet. He’s been off for 55 days and is a deep closing type. He ran a game 3rd against “Ashley” last out and makes the same trip back to the races. #2 – Hunt = Flavien Pratt for Phil D’Amato and he was 2nd in the standings for leading rider last year. This son of Dark Angel gets first-time blinkers (21%) and 2nd off the layoff (21%) for a very solid conditioner.

 

Race #9 – G2 San Diego Handicap – 1 1/16 on the main – 9:10 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections = #3 – Arrogate (1-5) / #2 – El Huerfano (12-1) / #1 – Accelerate (8-1)

#3 – Arrogate = Super colt coming off a 7 win streak and been off for 3 months after a sparkling win in the Dubai World Cup. Baffert know’s he has a special runner and he is skilled with layoff runners winning (27%) when they return to the races. The world’s highest rated horse will be exciting to watch on his return. #2 – El Huerfano = Speedster with the red-hot Evin Roman in the driver’s seat. He’ll jump out quickly and may have his hands full even with his best effort. #1 – Accelerate = Son of Looking At Lucky is 2/2 at Del Mar making his 2nd trip off of the layoff. His works are hot and the rider is off to a great start.

 

 

Graded Stakes Preview – Saturday, July 1, 2017

Leave a reply

BetPTC.com / Graded Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer

Monmouth Park

Race #11 – G1 United Nations – 1 mile and 3/8th’s on the turf

BetPTC.com Selections = 1. – Itsinthepost (7-2)    2. – Beach Patrol (5-2)   3. – Oscar (5-1) Nominated   4. – Lucky Lindy (15-1)

Itsinthepost ships in from California for Jeff Mullins. Tyler Baze fits this gelding taking down two straight G2 events at Keeneland and Santa Anita. The field shows plenty of early foot, and this stalker should be right off the leaders ready to pounce. Beach Patrol makes his 3rd start off a layoff and should be a major pace presence. This son of Lemon Drop Kid has a case of “seconditis” rolling off four straight place finishes. Florent Geroux aboard for Chad Brown makes him very dangerous. Oscar Nominated is a son of Kitten’s Joy and sports a very nice late turn of foot. Kendrick Carmouche gets the nod and he’ll be in the mix at the top of the lane. Lucky Lindy gets the acid test making a huge jump in class; but not to fret. He’s honest and exits off a win going 5/5 ITM on the turf.

Belmont Park

Race #9 – The G2 Mother Goose – 1 1/16 on the main track

BetPTC.com selections = 1. Unchained Melody (7-2)   2. – Lockdown (2-1)   3. – Vexatious (5-2)  4. – Moana (8-1)

Unchained Melody is a daughter of Smart Strike for the Brian Lynch barn. She is 2/3 ITM and her last trip over the Belmont surface may be a sign of things to come. She sports the best last race Beyer figure and could be maturing at the right time. Lockdown exits the Kentucky Oaks for Bill Mott and earned a 3rd place finish on a sloppy / sealed track. She loves New York and her effort in the G2 Gazelle is better than it looks. Solid works have her ready for a strong summer campaign. Vexatious is a daughter of Giant’s Causeway who exits the Kentucky Oaks. She made a solid move and hung down the lane. She always gets a piece of the pie and faced the boys earlier in the year at Fair Grounds. Moana is a daughter of Uncle Mo. She has the look of a late bloomer and may not have taken to the sloppy track in the G2 Black Eyed Susan. She should relish the fast going expected in the weather report for Belmont.

Santa Anita

Race #4 – G2 San Carlos – 7f on the main track

BetPTC.com selections = 1. – Danzing Candy (4-5)  2. – Ransom the Moon (5-2)  3. – Kobe’s Back (9-2)

Danzing Candy exits two straight wins and his latest in the G3 Lone Star Hcp going 1 1/16. Cuts back in distance where he broke his maiden for Bob Baffert at Santa Anita. – 5/6 ITM and draws the rail with the services of Mike Smith. He should be ultra tough. Ransom the Moon is a son of Malibu Moon and ships in from Woodbine. He rolled off two impressive wins at SA and attracts the services of Flavien Prat for Phil D’Amato yielding a (27%) win clip as a team. Kobe’s Back has Gary Stevens in the saddle for Peter Eurton (28%). 6/9 ITM over the course and has been facing better in the G1 ranks.

Gulfstream Park

Race #12 – G2 Princess Rooney – 7f on the main track

BetPTC.com selections = 1. – Curlin’s Approval (9-2) 2. – Lightstream (7-2)  3. – Kinsley Kisses (6-1) – 4. – Dearest (4-1)

Curlin’s Approval 2nd start off the layoff and reunites with Luis Saez. Daughter of Curlin loves GP and is 6/8 ITM over the course. She has rolled off three very nice works over the Hallandale oval. Lightstream is making a 3rd off the layoff move and retains Javier Castellano in the irons. Daughter of Harlan’s Holiday broke her maiden going 7f at GP. She’s been facing some tough fillies and will come calling late in the lane. Kinsley Kisses is a daughter of Congrats who is 2/2 at GP and exits the 100k Sugar Maple at Charlestown in the slop. She enjoys the distance and has Tyler Gafflione in the driver’s seat for Todd Pletcher winning at a (37%) clip. Dearest is a solid filly who is 6/6 ITM at GP. She is the picture of consistency and exits off three bullet works.

Woodbine (Sunday, July 2)

Race #10 – The $1 million / 158th Running of The Queen’s Plate – 1 1/4 on tapeta

BetPTC.com selections – 1. King and His Court (5-1)  2. – Holy Helena (3-1)  3. – Inflexibility (10-1)  4. – Channel Maker (4-1)

King and His Court is the son of Court Vision and is 8/9 ITM at Woodbine. He closed stoutly last out in the Plate Trial and was the Canadian two-year-old champ. Today he looks to set the record straight and take down the Queen’s Plate. Holy Helena is a daugher of Ghostzapper who loves the Tapeta surface. She sports a bullet work off that win and seeks to become the 3rd filly in seven runnings to win the race. Inflexibility makes her 3rd off the shelf effort and was a beaten favorite in the Woodbine Oaks facing Holy Helena. Castellano and Chad Brown team up as she looks to roll from off the pace. Channel Maker shipped in from Keeneland two back and put in a strong rally last out under Rafael Hernandez. This son of English Channel has been running on the turf and gets his second chance over the tapeta surface.

Check out BetPTC.mobi

–