HANDICAPPING HEROES -- RESULTS FROM THE LATE PICK 4 -- CHURCHILL DOWNS 11/24/18

 The Handicappers fired away at the Saturday "Stars Of Tomorrow" card at Churchill and had a few success. No one saw the 10th race major upset coming...where Forloveofcountry scored at huge odds, maybe you could pick this horse because of hot riding Tyler Gaffalione but he certainly wasn't in any of our top four picks. 

The results: 

ARCHIE picked 16 horses for the four race sequence and had two winners, two places and a show. 31% "in the money". He also had an exacta in the 12th race along with the other Handicappers. HE FINISHES WITH 13 POINTS. 

PAULIE also sent 16 choices to the dirt. He had two winners, three seconds and a third. A 38% "in the money" percentage. With the exacta, PAULIE SCORES 15 POINTS 

HOLLYWOOD selected 16 horses for the sloppy/muddy conditions. He ended with three winners, two seconds and a show. Good for a 38% "in the money" rate. HOLLYWOOD TAKES OUR FINAL 2018 HANDICAPPING CHALLENGE WITH 16 POINTS. 

FINAL CUMULATIVE STANDINGS

PAULIE             303
ARCHIE            285
HOLLYWOOD    256

(replay of Saturday's show below)

HANDICAPPING HEROES 11/24/18 

The Handicappers hope you've enjoyed our 2018 picks and made a bit of money, We will be back in 2019 around the start of March...to guide you through the ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY and Keeneland, Churchill and other great racing! 


Paulie, Archie and Nahshon "Hollywood" thank you for reading and listening. We miss you, Scotty, but are carrying on in your tradition and we'll see everyone in March! 



                                                            ###########

HANDICAPPING HEROES -- SELECTIONS FOR LATE PICK 4 -- CHURCHILL DOWNS -- 11/24/18

This is our final Handicapping Heroes post until the spring of 2019, when we'll resume giving you analysis and picks on the Derby trail, most likely starting off with the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream on March 2nd. 

We've had some peaks and valleys in 2018. What stands out the most is the loss of co-founder and "heart and soul" of the site and show -- Scotty Harris. It was Scott who started things off with me when we were doing podcasts on his phone for racing and putting them on Facebook and YouTube. 

We miss Scott every day. Hollywood came in to be our new "third" with me and Arch and has done admirably. We appreciate him joining us. 

To the picks: 


Race 9 -- GOLDENROD STAKES (G II) -- $200,000 -- 1-1/16TH MILES


PAULIE

5 - RESTLESS RIDER
8 - BREAK CURFEW
4 - CHAMPAGNE ANYONE
3 - REFLECT

ARCHIE

5 - RESTLESS RIDER
8 - BREAK CURFEW
7 - PRINCESS CAUSEWAY
3 - REFLECT

HOLLYWOOD

1 - GOLD CREDIT
6 - LIORA
8 - BREAK CURFEW
3 - REFLECT

Race 10 -- OPTIONAL CLAIMING -- $75,000 -- 1 MILE 


PAULIE

9 - KING FORD
12 - CLASSIC CZAR
4 - SYNTHESIS
1 - SO ALIVE

ARCHIE

1 - SO ALIVE
5 - BORRACHO
9 - KING FORD
2 - TIEGAN


HOLLYWOOD

1 - SO ALIVE
4 - SYNTHESIS
11 - THOUSAND PERCENT
12 - CLASSIC CZAR
Race 11 -- KENTUCKY JOCKEY CLUB STAKES -- $200,000 -- 1-1/16TH MILES


PAULIE

13 - KNICKS GO
1 - SIGNALMAN
4 - DUNPH
9 - CURRENT

ARCHIE 

13 - KNICKS GO
1 - SIGNALMAN
12 - KING FOR A DAY
4 - DUNPH


HOLLYWOOD

13 - KNICKS GO
7 - LIMONITE
1 - SIGNALMAN
14 - TOPPER T


Race 12 -- MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT -- $76,000 -- 1-1/16TH MILES


PAULIE

6 - LOCALLY OWNED
10 - WAR OF WILL
9 - CURLIN GREY
5 - A.K. SAFARI

ARCHIE

6 - LOCALLY OWNED
10 - WAR OF WILL
2 - DERBY DATE
5 - A.K. SAFARI

HOLLYWOOD

10- WAR OF WILL
15 - PROUD NATION (AN ALSO ELIGIBLE)
6 - LOCALLY OWNED
5 - A.K.SAFARI
4 - GENTLE WARRIOR (4TH PICK IF PROUD NATION DOESN'T GO) 


It's been a fun time with all of you. For now, we round the final turn and head for the wire. We'll have our final recaps here tomorrow. Be sure to listen today at noon for the HANDICAPPING HEROES RADIO SHOW on WCHQ 100.9 FM locally, on the WCHQ app or listen live at the station website (link below) 

www.wchqfm.com




Paulie
xxxxx




                                                     #################

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

From Archie, Hollywood, Spanky and I...A very Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

We'll be back Saturday for the final edition of HANDICAPPING HEROES until the spring of 2019.

We appreciate you listening and reading!

Catch us on Handicapping Heroes this Saturday, November 24th for our Churchill Downs late Pick 4 selections.




Paulie
xxxxx

HANDICAPPING HEROES -- RESULTS FROM LATE PICK 4 CHURCHILL DOWNS -- 11/17/18

The Handicappers tried their skills against the Late Pick 4 (Races 8-11) at Churchill Downs yesterday and had some successes. Although they did not take down the Pick 4, they did give you some winners and exactas and a trifecta. Here 's how they did: 


HOLLYWOOD had 14 of his 16 picks start. Out of those, he had two winners, a place and two shows. That's a 36% "in the money" percentage. He also gave you an exacta. HOLLYWOOD FINISHED THE FOUR RACE SEQUENCE WITH 12 POINTS. 

ARCHIE saw 15 of his 16 runners break from the gate. From those, he scored two winners and three seconds. That's a 33% "in the money" percentage. He also provided you an exacta in the 10th. race...like Hollywood did. ARCHIE ENDS UP WITH 14 POINTS. 

PAULIE ended up with 15 of his 16 picks running. He had three winners, three seconds and two shows. That's a 54% "in the money" number. He added two exactas and a trifectas to those numbers. PAULIE EASILY TAKES THE DAY WITH 24 POINTS. 

Sometimes, one race can wreck a sequence. That happened to the Handicappers in race 9, where they couldn't come up with the winner, a 6-1 morning line horse named AUSPICIOUS BABE, who hadn't won since June, but got a nice ride from up-and-coming star Edgar Morales and barely nosed out GO GOOGLE YOURSELF at the wire (who all the Handicappers had.)

Give Archie credit, he did mention AUSPICIOUS BABE as his fifth pick on the radio show. 

Horse racing can be -- like any other sport -- a game of inches at times.  

To hear yesterday's show, go to the link below: 

HANDICAPPING HEROES 11/17/18


CUMULATIVE TOTALS: 

PAULIE           303
ARCHIE           272
HOLLYWOOD  240


paulie
xxxxx



                                              ######################

HANDICAPPING HEROES -- CHURCHILL DOWNS --SELECTIONS FOR LATE PICK 4 -- 11/17/18

Our Picture of the Week...Archie, Tina, Jen, Dr.Tom and Hollywood (left to right) enjoy a day at Churchill! 




The Handicappers are back at Churchill this Saturday to continue their attack on Twin Spires horse racing. A good selection of racing awaits them today as we continue the Fall Meet.  Let's see who they came up with !!


RACE 8 -- CLAIMING $50,000 -- 1 MILE (DIRT)

PAULIE

3 - BOURBON COUNTY
4 - GO NAVY GO
6- MR DARCY
7 - CABIN JOHN 


ARCHIE 

6 - MR DARCY
7 - CABIN JOHN
5 - FASCILITATOR
3 - BOURBON COUNTY


HOLLYWOOD

1 - EBBEN
3 - BOURBON COUNTY
5 - FASCILITATOR
7 - CABIN JOHN


RACE 9 -- OPTIONAL CLAIMING  $100,000 -- 1-1/16TH MILE (DIRT)

PAULIE

4 - TAP GUN
6 - GO GOOGLE YOURSELF
3 - DESSERT HONEYS
1 - TRUE DREAM


ARCHIE 

8 - MY LADY CURLIN
3 - DESSERT HONEYS
4 - TAP GUN
6 - GO GOOGLE YOURSELF


HOLLYWOOD

8 - MY LADY CURLIN
3 - DESSERT HONEYS
1 - TRUE DREAM
4 - TAP GUN

RACE 10 -- RIVER CITY HANDICAP -- $100,000 -- 1-1/8TH MILE (TURF)

PAULIE 

5 - BIG CHANGES
3 - MR. MISUNDERSTOOD
2 - POSTULATION
6 - TEAM COLORS

ARCHIE

3 - MR. MISUNDERSTOOD
5 - BIG CHANGES
2 - POSTULATION
4 - OSCAR NOMINATED

HOLLYWOOD 

5 - BIG CHANGES
3 - MR. MISUNDERSTOOD
2 - POSTULATION
4 - OSCAR NOMINATED


RACE 11 -- MAIDEN $76,000 -- 7 FURLONGS --

PAULIE 

5 - FROLIC MORE
10 - ALL IN STEW OUI
1 - EQUIVICAL
9 - LAUGHING FOX 

ARCHIE 

11 - RUN THIS TOWN
5 - FROLIC MORE
4 - WRATH
1  EQUIVOCAL 

HOLLYWOOD

11 - RUN THIS TOWN
5 - FROLIC MORE
4 - WRATH
1 - EQUIVOCAL 


BE SURE TO CATCH HANDICAPPING HEROES RADIO SHOW TODAY AT NOON ON WCHQ 100.9 FM. OR DOWNLOAD THE WCHQ APP. LISTEN LIVE AT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE HANDICAPPERS SELECTIONS! 


paulie
xxxxx




                                                              ##################

HANDICAPPING HEROES -- RESULTS FROM CHURCHILL DOWNS LATE PICK 4 -- 11/10/18

The Handicappers went after the late Pick 4 and Archie Karel took it down! Great efforts, as well, by both Paulie and Hollywood as well in the Race 8-11 sequence under the Twin Spires on their Saturday picks.

Here's how the handicappers did:

HOLLYWOOD saw 15 of his 16 picks break from the gate, suffering one scratch. He gave out three winners, two seconds and a third. Chalk him up for an exacta as well. That's a 40% "in the money" percentage. HOLLYWOOD SCORES 16 POINTS ON THE DAY. 

PAULIE picked 16 horses in the four race sequence and all competed. He had three of the four winners, two places and two shows. Credit him with an exacta, trifecta, superfecta and the late Pick 3. He ended up with a 50% "in the money" percentage. PAULIE PUTS UP AN IMPRESSIVE 29 POINTS ON THE DAY'S PICKS...good for second place.

ARCHIE'S 16 radio and website selections all went to the post. He handed out four winners, two seconds and a third.. He also cashed in on two exactas, both Pick 3's and the late Pick 4 ! A VERY GOOD DAY FOR ARCHIE, WHO TAKES THE CONTEST WITH 31 POINTS. 

We've said it so many times here and once again, it comes to fruition. We give you winners here at Handicapping Heroes! Pick 4's that return almost $400.00 on 50 cent wagers. 10 cent superfectas that bring back almost $100. Nice exactas and trifectas. And winners!  

HEAR THE REBROADCAST HERE:  HANDICAPPING HEROES 11/10/18 BROADCAST

CUMULATIVE STANDINGS


PAULIE                 279
ARCHIE                258
HOLLYWOOD      228



paulie
xxxxx




                                                                #################

HANDICAPPING HEROES -- SELECTIONS FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS LATE PICK 4 -- 11/10/18

The Handicappers test their skills on a variety of races at a chilly Churchill Downs on this Saturday Late Pick 4 sequence in the Fall Meet. Favorites have been far from a sure thing at the Twin Spires track as of late and today's card presents a few difficult challenges. Still, we go on. We had a great two days of Breeders Cup picks and hope to stay "on that roll" today!


RACE 8 -- OPTIONAL CLAIMING $62,500 -- 6 FURLONGS


ARCHIE

1 -CURATE
4 - THIRD DAY
7 - SPIKES SHIRL
5 - TOTALLY BOSS

PAULIE

1 - CURATE
3 - LASTING LEGACY
4 - THIRD DAY
5 - TOTALLY BOSS

HOLLYWOOD

1 - CURATE
5 - TOTALLY BOSS
3 - LASTING LEGACY
7 - SPIKES SHIRL 


RACE 9 -- OPTIONAL CLAIMING $75,000 -- 7 FURLONGS

ARCHIE 

2 - CLASSY JOHN
8 - NITROUS
5 - HOG CREEK HUSTLE
4 - P H FACTOR


PAULIE

8 - NITROUS
5 - HOG CREEK HUSTLE
7 - CHASE GREATNESS
2 - CLASSY JOHN

HOLLYWOOD

2 - CLASSY JOHN
7 - CHASE GREATNESS
8 - NITROUS
4 - P H FACTOR


RACE 10 -- COMMONWEALTH TURF STAKES (GIII) $100,000 --1-1/16TH MILE (TURF)

ARCHIE

4 - MARCH TO THE ARCH
7 - HOT SPRINGS
1 - RERIDE
3 - SNIPER KITTEN

PAULIE 

7 - HOT SPRINGS
1 - RERIDE
4 - MARCH TO THE ARCH
3 - SNIPER KITTEN

HOLLYWOOD

4 - MARCH TO THE ARCH
7 - HOT SPRINGS
2 - MARZO
1 - RERIDE


RACE 11 --  CLAIMING $30,000 -- 7 FURLONGS

ARCHIE

9 - HONOR WITH PRIDE
8 - DIAL ME
3 - TAYLOR'S PRINCESS
5 - ORBELINA

PAULIE 

8 - DIAL ME
9 - HONOR WITH PRIDE
4 - HER KITTY
10 - NORTH PRINCESS

HOLLYWOOD

9 - HONOR WITH PRIDE
12 - TRIVAL
3 - TAYLOR'S PRINCESS
8 - DIAL ME


Be sure to listen to HANDICAPPING HEROES today at noon on WCHQ 100.9 FM for a more detailed explanations on the guys' picks. Or, you can download the app from the station site www.wchqfm.com or listen live at the site! 

GOOD LUCK TODAY and remember our motto: WE WANT TO SEE THE HORSES WE PICKED FINISH IN FRONT OF THOSE WE DIDN'T PICK !!


paulie
xxxxx



                                                                     ########

HANDICAPPING HEROES -- RESULTS FROM SATURDAY'S BREEDERS CUP -- CHURCHILL DOWNS -- 11/3/18

The Handicappers applied their skills toward the Saturday late Pick 4 at Churchill for Saturday's Breeders Cup action and walked away from it hitting it. It was a bit "chalky" from races 8 through 11 but...a winner is a winner and these horses have no idea what their odds are. Hollywood tells us he handicaps without looking at the odds and that worked for him yesterday. 

Let's look at how Archie, Paulie and Hollywood did: 

ARCHIE provided us with 16 horses over the four race sequence and, out of those, he had three winners, a second and two thirds. He also hit the late Pick 3. His "in the money" percentage was 37.5%. ARCHIE finishes the day with 16 points. 

PAULIE put out 16 runners who he thought would fare well at Churchill. He scored three winners, two places and two shows. He also hit an exacta and the late Pick 3. His "in the money" percentage" was 43%. PAULIE hits the clubhouse turn with 20 points. 

HOLLYWOOD fared the best of the three yesterday. He had all four winners in the four race sequence, and a second. He also picked up an exacta. His "in the money" percentage was 32%. Add the fact that he had both Pick 3's and the Pick 4 in the sequence and HOLLYWOOD ends up with a day-winning 26 points. 

Although the glitz, glamour and exorbitant pricing has gone from Churchill now that Breeders Cup has ended their two-day show, racing continues on at the Twin Spires with the rest of the Fall meet. We'll ride it out with them here at Handicapping Heroes!  

CUMULATIVE POINTS TOTAL

PAULIE             250
ARCHIE            227
HOLLYWOOD    212


YOU CAN HEAR YESTERDAY'S REBROADCAST AT THE LINK BELOW: 

HANDICAPPING HEROES SATURDAY BREEDERS CUP SELECTIONS



paulie
xxxxx



                                                        #######

    

SATURDAY BREEDERS CUP -- FRIDAY RESULTS -- SATURDAY PICKS -- 11/3/18

####################################################################

FRIDAY RESULTS

####################################################################


The Handicappers took on races 5-9 yesterday at Churchill Downs and the Breeders Cup The Friday Card was a tough one. They took down the late Pick 4, though, and a couple of Pick 3's. We'll look at how they did before we get to their Saturday Late Pick 4 selections. 


ARCHIE had 18 of his 20 selections start. Out of those, he had three winners, two seconds and a third. That's a 33% "in the money" percentage. Credit him for one exacta also. ARCHIE scores 16 points yesterday

HOLLYWOOD also had 18 of his 20 picks run in the five races. He successfully picked four winners and a second in the five races. That is a 27% "in the money" percentage. He also hit an exacta. He nailed two Pick 3's and the late pick 4 also. A good showing for Hollywood with 26 points. 
 
PAULIE, too, had 18 horses try the distances, with one scratch. Out of those, he had four winners., a second and two third place finishes. He picked one exacta, both Pick 3's and the late Pick 4. PAULIE takes the day's competition with 28 points. 

CUMULATIVE TOTALS

PAULIE  230
ARCHIE  211
HOLLYWOOD  186


#####################################################################


SATURDAY SELECTIONS


##################################################################### 


RACE 8 -- MILE -- 1 MILE (TURF) 

PAULIE

5 - OSCAR PERFORMANCE
8 - I CAN FLY
10 - CATAPULT
12 - ANALYZE IT

ARCHIE

2 - NEXT SHARES
10 - CATAPULT
12 - ANALYZE IT
5 - OSCAR PERFORMANCE

HOLLYWOOD

5 - OSCAR PERFORMANCE
1 ONE MASTER
2 - NEXT SHARES
7 - EXPERT EYE



RACE 9 -- DISTAFF -- 1-1/8TH MILE (DIRT) 

PAULIE 

11 - MONOMOY GIRL
2 - ABEL TASMAN
10 - BLUE PRIZE
9 - WOWCAT

ARCHIE

11 - MONOMOY GIRL
2 - ABEL TASMAN
7 - MIDNIGHT BISOU
10 - BLUE PRIZE

HOLLYWOOD

11 - MONOMOY GIRL
10 - BLUE PRIZE
1 - CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS
2 - ABEL TASMAN


RACE 10 -- TURF -- 1-1/2 MILE (TURF) 

PAULIE

2 - ENABLE
3 - CHANNEL MAKER
10 - HI HAPPY
11 - SADLER'S JOY

ARCHIE 

2 - ENABLE
7 - GLORIOUS EMPIRE
12 - WALDGEIST
3 - CHANNEL MAKER

HOLLYWOOD

2 - ENABLE
12 - WALDGEIST
6 - ARKLOW
5 - MAGICAL


RACE 11 - CLASSIC -- 1-1/4TH MILE (DIRT) 

PAULIE

3 - CATHOLIC BOY
14 - ACCELERATE
7 - WEST COAST
11 - MIND YOUR BISCUITS

ARCHIE

7 - WEST COAST
11 - MIND YOUR BISCUITS
14 - ACCELERATE
8 - PAVEL

HOLLYWOOD

11 - MIND YOUR BISCUITS
14 - ACCELERATE
3 - CATHOLIC BOY
6 - MCKINZIE



Be sure to catch today's HANDICAPPING HEROES broadcast on WCHQ 100.9 FM at noon today. You can listen also on the website www.wchqfm.com or download the app on the WCHQ homepage and take the station with you wherever you go! 

GOOD LUCK TODAY AND MAY YOUR PICKS FINISH IN FRONT OF THE ONES YOU DIDN'T PICK! 


PAULIE
XXXXX



                                                                ########## 

FRIDAY BREEDERS CUP SELECTIONS --11/2/18 -- CHURCHILL DOWNS

Breeders Cup Friday!

We're rarin and ready to go as we tackle ALL five of the Breeders Cup races at the Twin Spires
on what looks to be a wet track at Churchill.  .

HERE'S THE AUDIO:

ARCHIE KAREL'S SELECTIONS

HOLLYWOOD'S SELECTIONS

PAULIE'S SELECTIONS




RACE 5 -- JUVENILE TURF SPRINT -- 5 1/2 FURLONGS (TURF)

ARCHIE

2 - SOLDIER'S CALL
3 - WELL DONE FOX
7 - SHANG SHANG SHANG
8 - SERGEI PROKOFIEW 

HOLLYWOOD

7 - SHANG SHANG SHANG
16 - LEGENDS OF WAR
1 - STRIKE SILVER
11 - QUEEN OF BERMUDA

PAULIE
8 - SERGEI PROKOFIEW
2 - SOLDIER'S CALL
10 - SO PERFECT
7 - SHANG SHANG SHANG


RACE 6 -- JUVENILE FILLIES TURF -- 1 MILE (TURF)

ARCHIE 

6 - NEWSPAPEROFRECORD
1 - CONCRETE ROSE
10 - PAKHET
3 - LILY'S CANDLE

HOLLYWOOD

6 - NEWSPAPEROFRECORD
1 - CONCRETE ROSE
12 - SUMMERING
4 - JUST WONDERFUL

PAULIE

6 - NEWSPAPEROFRECORD
3 - LILY'S CANDLE
1 - CONCRETE ROSE
10 - PAKHET


RACE 7 - JUVENILE FILLIES -- 1-1/16TH MILE (DIRT) 

ARCHIE

10 - BELLAFINA
2 - SERENGETI EMPRESS
4 - RESTLESS RIDER
7 - JAYWALK

HOLLYWOOD

10 - BELLAFINA
4 - RESTLESS RIDER
7 - JAYWALK
2- SERENGETI EMPRESS

PAULIE

10 - BELLAFINA
4 - RESTLESS RIDER
7 - JAYWALK
2 - SERENGETI EMPRESS

RACE 8 - JUVENILE TURF -- 1 MILE (TURF) 

ARCHIE

12 - CURRENT
14 - ANTHONY VAN DYCK
6 - HENLEY'S JOY
2 - UNCLE BENNY

HOLLYWOOD

6 - HENLEY'S JOY
5 - LINE OF DUTY
12 - CURRENT
1 - ARTHUR KITT

PAULIE

7 - SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN
14 - ANTHONY VAN DYCK
4 - FORTY UNDER
5 - LINE OF DUTY


RACE 9 - JUVENILE -- 1-16TH MILE (DIRT) 

ARCHIE

6 - COMPLEXITY
9 - GAME WINNER
12 - GUNMETAL GREY
11 - CODE OF HONOR

HOLLYWOOD

7 - MIND CONTROL
5 - WELL DEFINED
9 - GAME WINNER
1 - DUELING

PAULIE

9 - GAME WINNER
6 - COMPLEXITY
8 - STANDARD DEVIATION
11 - CODE OF HONOR

Best of luck today!


Paulie
xxxxx

HANDICAPPING HEROES -- THURSDAY -- The owners, trainers and jockeys

Horse racing is a four part collaboration. Obviously, you have to have the horse...but the owner, trainer and jockey of the horse are as equally important. Breeders Cup brings in to Churchill the best of all four in the world for the two day event.

Who are some of the owners, trainers and jockeys to keep an eye on? Let's take a look:

OWNERS

In Friday's card alone, look at this list of well-noted and successful owners. John C.Oxley, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Winstar Farm and China Hourse Club LLC, Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Qatar Racing Limited, Ashbrook Farms and BBN Racing, Michael Tabor, Godolphin, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Kaleem Shah, Three Chimneys Farm, Team Valor and Gary Barber, Michael Stidham, Winchell Thoroughbreds, Gary and Mary West, W.S. Farish, West Point Thoroughbreds, The Churchill Downs Racing Club, Michael Dubb... And that just scratches the surface.

Godolphin and Team Valor/Gary Barber look to have several very good runners going on Friday. The owner game is complex and multi-layered. Picking a good sire and dam. Knowing where to invest, where to run and under what conditions. Making sure that the horses you own are in great surrounding during their formative years and selecting the right trainer. The owners are the ones who get the ball rolling, of course, since they produce the two-year old that needs to be trained and eventually ridden. An investment of money, time and strategy. All in the hopes of having a successful horse that produces a nice return on investment. That can eventually go to the breeding shed and command top dollar for services.

Being an owner of anything is difficult, filled with responsibility, but...hopefully profitable and rewarding. What established names will hit the winner's circle with their horses? How many "new kids on the block" will be there as well?

TRAINERS

A very important role and process in horse racing involves the trainer. You know these names: Bob Baffert, Mark Casse, Norm Casse, Tom Amoss, Dale Romans, Bill Mott, Brad Cox, Wesley Ward, Todd Pletcher, Aidan O'Brien, Graham Motion, Roger Attifield, Tom Proctor, Ken McPeek, Keith Desormeaux, Doug O'Neil, Gary Contessa, John Servis, Jason Servis, Simon Callaghan, Mike Maker, Steve Asmussen, D. Wayne Lukas, Chad Brown, Ben Colebrook and Shug McGaughey.  A few of the many who have descended upon Churchill.

I look for Baffert, Maker, O'Brien, Amoss, Brown and Ward to have big Fridays.

A trainer is the middleman between owner and jockey/horse...plus so much more. He's the spokesman, the hero or goat. He takes this trust the owner has in him, takes the horses and does his best to get the horse ready to compete successfully. He finds that "right guy" to ride and he puts in long hours every day ensuring his "barn" of runners are healthy, fed, rested and maintained.

How many of the "known and established" will be standing there with their horse in the winners circle. How many "who is that guy?" counterparts will be doing the same.

It is not an easy job by far. But, it is a task of love and devotion to the racing game. As a trainer told me recently..."I wake in the morning and I see the moon on my drive in to the track, while most of you are sleeping. That moon greets me on the way home, also...after most of you have gone to bed."


JOCKEYS

A good jockey can be the difference between first or second. And Churchill has the best of the best in town to try and get to that winners' circle. The Ortiz brothers Jose and Irad, Mike Smith, Corey Lanerie, Brian Hernandez, Jr, John Velasquez, Julian Leparoux, Javier Castellano, Tyler Gaffalione, Joel Rosario, Flavien Prat, Manny Franco, Florent Geroux and a wide range of English and European jockeys that we're not quite as familiar with.

I think Rosario, the Ortiz brothers, Velasquez, and Leparoux are set up for potential "Good Fridays"
but don't count out the jocks coming in from across the ocean,

Jockeys receive instructions based on how a horse likes to run but sometimes those instructions get altered or changed on the track during the race because of conditions and happenings. Speed horses don't always get to the lead. Closers can run into traffic problems. Many other factors that can present themselves in that minute to two minutes of actual running and very little or no time to dally or hesitate on making the decision. .

A semi-famous jockey told me years ago: " I get the trainer's orders, I break from the gate and try to  fulfill them. It's a partnership between me and the horse.  I've never personally physically carried one across the wire, but I've sure driven and encouraged quite a few to try and get there first. "

We'll be back tomorrow morning with our five-race Friday picks.


paulie
xxxxx




                                                                             #######