KENTUCKY DERBY AND OAKS FUTURE WAGERS THIS WEEKEND




The wagering pool that I'm interested in is the Ky Oaks but the horse that I want to wager on is not on the list; and therefore, she is defaulting to the "All other 3-year-old fillies" with the opening odd of 12-1.

That is not appealing at all at 12-1 and it probably will end up much much lower than 12-1 once the pool closes.

This means that I won't be playing the "future" bet this weekend.

If you're able to bet future elsewhere, say, in Las Vegas, by all mean take a stab at a 3yo filly named Formula Rossa, who I think will win the Santa Anita Oaks on April 5, 2025.

All told, there are six future-wager pools for Kentucky Derby 151 (and the Ky Oaks as well).

The sixth and final pool is scheduled for April 3-5 (2025).

The final pool on the weekend of April 3-5 (2025) is even worse in term of getting value on Formula Rossa -- and by that time, we will know the result of the Santa Anita Oaks and Formulas Rossa's future odd will be much lower than, say, today.



In the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, undefeated Good Cheer, winner of the Rachel Alexandra (G2), was made the 3-1 morning-line favorite among the 40 betting interests, which includes an option for all other 3-year-old fillies not listed, Formula Rossa, in particular.

Tenma, trained by Bob Baffert, is listed as the second choice at 7/2 -- and she, too, is scheduled to compete in the Santa Anita Oaks.

Pick for Saturday March 8, 2025

"HOT" "HOT" BEST BET OF THE DAY!





Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby
1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | G3 STAKES | Purse: $400,000

Track: Tampa Bay Downs

Race: 11


Horse: Patch Adams (ML 2-1)


Bet Patch Adams (ML 2-1) to win and place using double down betting strategy.

Put a lot of money on him to make it worthwhile and justified going to the racetrack because Patch Adams is going to win the Tampa Bay Derby.

Yes, the public will make Patch Adams as the post time favorite in contrast to his morning line odd.

Anyhow, Patch Adams will win the Tampa Bay Derby regardless of his post time odd.


BONUS:

This play is for fun only and I don't have confidence in this play at all.

Exacta:


Put Patch Adams (ML 2-1) on top of Owen Almighty and Naughty Rascal as an exacta partial wheel: (cost: $4 for a $2 exacta: Patch Adams / Owen Almighty and Naughty Rascal)



Last time we saw Patch Adams in action was on January 25, 2025, in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, in which, he finished fifth as a 4/5 heavy favorite.

I picked (and played him) to win that day but for some unexplained reason he was a dud -- a no show, perhaps he was just taking the day off.


According to his trainer, the post race examination came up negative and even his trainer doesn't know why Patch Adams ran the way he did.

So I'm going to ignore his last race and assume that there is nothing wrong with this horse.

He is too good of a horse to run the way he did last time out.



Here is an excerpt of the profile I made about Patch Adams:



Patch Adams is by Into Mischief and is the first foal to race out of the Distorted Humor mare Well Humored.

Well Humored had a very brief racing career with only four starts to her credit.

She broke her maiden on her debut race at the age of 3 going 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Delaware Park on September 6, 2017.

As you can see, her first race was late in the season (September) at the age of 3 and one would wonder, why was it so late?

Some physical issues, perhaps?

Anyhow, her next race was on November 23, 2017 in an overnight listed stakes race on turf going 1 1/16 miles at Aqueduct where she finished a non-threatening 6th.

On her 4yo debut race on January 20, 2018, she won an overnight listed stakes race going 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Tampa Bay Downs.

Her connections were very high on her after her 4yo debut race.

She stepped up in class considerably in her next race where she competed against some of the best horses in the country at Keeneland on April 20, 2018 going 1 1/16 miles on dirt, in which, she came out of her nineth-place finish lamed.

She was retired after that race.

See a more extended detail profile on Patcb Adams just a few post down on this thread.

HORSE WATCH STABLE




I am adding Just a Touch to my "Horse Watch" stable this week based on his performance on Saturday March 1, 2025, at Fair Grounds, race 6, 1/16 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up | ALLOWANCE | Purse: $53,000.

He set the pace leading by a length or two throughout the first three furlongs, he then increased the margin to a sizeable lead from thereon to win the 1 1/16 race comfortably by 10 1/2 lengths.

Granted the race was for a second-level allowance condition and his competition was really un-inspiring, to say the least, but the manner in the way he won the race, especially his fraction and final times, suggests he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the older division this year (2025).

It looks to be a high-quality division for older horses this year with Locked garners the top rank based on his last two (and perhaps 3) races, especially his win in the Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday March 1, 2025, in which, he won in a dominance fashion by winning the race by 8 1/4 lengths, earning a whopping Beyer Speed Figure of 111.

I do not have access to Just a Touch Beyer Speed Figure as of this writing, but based on his final time of the race, I would guess that it would be close to Locked Beyer Speed Figure's win in the Santa Anita Handicap.

I would guess a Beyer Speed Figure of 108 to 110 for Just a Touch for winning his second-level allowance race.

The track record for the 1 1/16 miles at Fair Grounds stands at 1:42.01 held by a four-year colt named Olympiad since Feb 19, 2022.

Just a Touch's final time for his second-level allowance win was 1:42.23.

That is just 1/5 of a second of tying Olympiad's track record time.

That is an outstanding performance by Just a Touch based on his margin of victory, ease of victory, and final time -- so my prediction of Beyer 108 to 110 is just about right.

We'll see if my prediction is correct once I get access to his Beyer Speed Figure.

According to their respective trainers these two horses will not meet each other any time soon; and according to Todd Fletcher (Locked's trainer), he is indicating that Locked will not race until this summer -- perhaps in the Whitney Stakes, the Woodward Stakes, the JC Gold Cup, and the Breeders' Cup Classic -- while Brad Cox is indicating that he is targeting Just a Touch toward the Oaklawn Handicap, the Alysheba (at Churchill Downs on Derby weekend), Stephen Foster, and a prep race or two leading up to the Breeders' Cup Classic.

So it appears that these two will not meet each other until the Breeders' Cup Classic.

For me, it could be a good thing as I don't want Just a Touch to face Locked any time soon as I intend to bet on Just a Touch wherever he runs the next couple of races.

So it is music to my ears!

Cox is indicating that he intends to run either First Mission or Just a Touch or both of them in the Oaklawn Handicap on April 19, 2025.

After that, the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 2, 2025 (Ky Derby Weekend), is the most logical race for Just a touch.

First thing first: The Oaklawn Handicap on April 19, 2025.



UPDATE: March 10, 2025

Just a Touch earned Beyer Speed Figure of 102 for his second-level allowance win on March 1, 2025.

Kind of low, I think!

Beyer Speed Figure of at least 106 to 108 would be acceptable in my opinion considering he was only 1/5 of a second of tying the track record time.

Just a Touch ran one hell of a race and he only got a Beyer Speed Figure of 102?

Unreal!




THESE TWO HORSES CAUGHT MY EYES



Mister Lincoln is a 4-year-oldd gelding by Constitution and is out of a Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick.

He's a half-brother to millionaire Pauline's Pearl, who captured the La Troienne Stakes (G1) last year 2024 (at Churchill Downs).

Mister Lincoln demolished a maiden claiming field at Penn National -- and the condition of the race:


6 Furlongs | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up | MAIDEN CLAIMING : $22,500 | Purse: $21,578.


Trained by Jamie Ness, Mister Lincoln bumped a rival at the break but quickly established a command from an inside position, drawing clear around the far turn before driving home to a comfortable three-length victory.

While he debuted in claiming company, his impressive final time and perhaps, Beyer Speed Figure as well -- in which, I don't have access to as of this writing -- suggest he could rise through the ranks quickly.

In other words, he won't race in low-level claiming races in the immediate future.

The wagering public clearly knew what they had, as he went off as the heavy favorite sending him off as a 2-1 favorite in a solid field of 7 maiden claimers ($22,500).

His final time of 1:09.31 for a six-furlong race at Penn National was spectacular, to say the least, for a maiden $22,500 claimer at Penn National.

Having said that, on the same card Mr Lincoln broke his maiden in 1:09.31, $10K claimers ran 6F in 1:09.65 in race 1, then in race 4 a $10K claimer also ran 6F in 1:09.17.

So it's clear that the track was lightening fast that day.

Still a sub-1:09 for that track is rare.

So I'm definitely keeping my eyes on this 4yo gelding for a while and hoping to cash some tickets on him for his next few races.


Next up is Mo Swift, a 3-year-old filly by an unknown sire named Drill.

Mo Swift was the most dominant maiden winner of the week last week (2/26/2025), as far as my eyes is concern, as Mo Swift annihilated her competition by 16 lengths in the mud at Mahoning Valley.

Notice that I said "most dominant maiden winner" -- maiden winners.

That includes Todd Fletcher's two highly regarded 3yos with the first one is the Triple Crown trail candidate named Disruptor -- a 9 1/4-length romp at Gulfstream Park 03/01/2025 -- who is scheduled to run in the Florida Derby (03/29/2025) and Fletcher's other maiden winner is Valentinian, a 3-year-old colt by Into Mischief and is out of Rachel's Valentina, herself a Grade 1 winner and daughter of the legendary Rachel Alexandra.

Valentinian showed his class with a professional 3 1/4-length victory in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs on March 1, 2025.

Back to our main topic: Mo Swift (Drill - Mo Smart by Uncle Mo).

Her final time of 1:12.92 for a six-furlong (maiden sp wt) race at Mahoning Valley does not impress anybody (including myself) -- but the manner in which she won the race impresses me greatly -- after taking into consideration of the level of competition, the racetrack and other factors.

She annihilated her competition by 16 lengths in the mud at Mahoning Valley on February 26, 2025.

Her final time of 1:12.92 is not bad considering she was running freely on her own free-will without being pressured or urged by her jockey.

Trained by Penny Rone and ridden by Luis Rivera, this speedster seized command early and widened her advantage at every call, demonstrating superior ability despite drifting through the stretch.

Her margin of victory and the ease of victory is particularly impressive considering the track and company, suggesting she could be successful when facing tougher opposition at larger venues.

While modest pedigree might limit her ceiling, her raw talent cannot be denied, and she'll be a formidable presence in the Ohio-bred stakes program if her connections choose to keep her in state-restricted company.

I'm keeping my eyes on this 3yo filly and hope to cash some tickets on her next few races.

FIRST LEG OF AUSTRALIAN TRIPLE CROWN IS THE GOLDEN SLIPPER



The Golden Slipper will be held on Saturday 22nd March 2025 at Rosehill Racecourse -- FOR US HERE IN THE US IT'S Friday night (1st post 9:00 PM Central Time) March 21, 2025.

THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY CAUGHT MY EYES WINNING 6-FURLONG IN 1:08.73



Formula Rossa, a 3yo filly by a hot young freshman sire Vekoma, won a maiden special weight race by four lengths in 1:08.73 for the 6-furlong contest on February 21, 2025, at Santa Anita, race 8.

Formula Rossa is trained by Mark Glatt.

Formula Rossa (Vekoma - Fay Na Na, by Majestic Warrior) was off evenly behind early fleeted foot rivals while showing tactical speed chasing the pace throughout the backstretch, continued to keep the leaders in plain sight rounding the far turn before making a bold move three-wide into the stretch and drawing away for an easy win.

Sent off as a 4-1 third choice behind the highly regarded Baffert duo of Brilliantly (4/5) and Cooey (7/2) in a solid field of 8 3yo fillies, Formula Rossa won the race like a 1/5 shot and made the Baffert duo looked like low claiming racehorses.

Keep in mind -- Brilliantly was a $450,000 yearling purchase by Mike Pegram, who is also her owner.

Cooey is a home bred and therefore no yearling sale value is determined.

In this race, Formula Rossa defeated the second-place Brilliantly by four lengths while Cooey finished a well-beaten 7th.

The fractions of the race was 21:87, 44:53, 56:74, with the final time of 1:08.73 for the six-furlong race.

I do not have access to the Beyer Speed Figure for Formula Rosa as of this writing, but I would guess it would be between 108 to 110 (I imagine).

To put that into perspective, the highest Beyer Speed Figure thus far (2025) for a 3yo is by Magnitude (Not This Time - Rockadelic by Bernardini) who just won the Risen Star on February 17, 2025, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 108.

Colloquial (Vekoma - Terminology by Bernardini) -- also a 3yo colt -- earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 106 while breaking his maiden on February 7, 2025.

Keep in mind also is that Formula Rossa is a filly -- and fillies are generally being viewed as below colts in term of level of competition.

With that said, my prediction of her Beyer of 108 to 110 tells you how good Formula Rossa is.

I think she is a star in the making and I'm very excited about her future.


IS FORMULA ROSSA A KY OAK WINNER IN THE MAKING?

I think so!

So head to the futures betting windows and take a crack at Formula Rossa while she is not known yet.

When she wins the Santa Anita Oak on April 5, 2025, her futures odd will be much much lower than today.


As far as her potential to stretch out is concern -- her female side of the family is loaded with long distance bloodline as her dam Fay Na Na is sired by Majestic Warrior, a son of A.P. Indy (Seatle Slew - Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat).

A.P. Indy won the Hollywood Futurity as a 2yo in 1991 at 1 1/16 miles; he went on to win the Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles the following year in 1992.

He then went on to win the Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 miles) in 1992.

He capped off the year by winning the Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4 miles) as a 3yo in 1992.

He was retired after the Breeders' Cup win.

He was voted Horse of the Year at the year-end of 1992.


As for Fay Na Na -- she is an unraced mare who never got to the starting gate at the racetracks, perhaps experienced physical issues which prevented her from making to the races.

Formula Rossa is her second foal to race with her other foal to race is named Stirred who broke her maiden in a five-furlong race at first asking as a 2yo at Santa Anita in 2018.

After her maiden win, Stirred never won another race in her four subsequent races at distances of 6 furlongs to seven furlongs -- all on dirt -- two races at Santa Anita, one at Del Mar and one at Oaklawn Park.

She was retired in 2020, perhaps due to injuries too severe to continue racing.

"HOT" "HOT" SENTIMENTAL PLAY OF THE WEEK!


All summer long I have been looking forward to seeing my watch horse Cornucopian, a half-brother to Grade 1-winning millionaire Guarana, makes his debut.

I waited, waited, waited, and finally he makes his debut this Sunday February 23, 2025.

Make no mistake about it -- I am very excited to see Cornucopian run, but when I found out that another one of my favorite horse is also scheduled to run on the same afternoon as Cornucopian does -- I pivoted all of my attention toward this sentimental favorite horse of mine instead.


IS IT GREAT TO BE A HORSE RACING JUNKIE or what?

I got to see two of my favorite horses run on the same afternoon.

HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

My other favorite horse is Theravada, a regally-bred daughter of Tapit out of the multiple Grade 2 winner Cambodia.

Yes, that is right: CAMBODIA.

OH, WHAT A SMALL WORLD!

Cambodia (lifetime: $858,913) won the $200,000 Gr II Yellow Ribbon Handicap on August 4, 2018 at Del Mar beating world-class racehorses that came from Europe and Canada, including top grass horses from the United States (Chad Brown's).

In addition to her stake wins twice in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2) in 2017 and 2018 (back to back), both at a distance of 1 1/4 miles, she also won the 2017 John C. Mabee Stakes (G2) and the 2017 Gallorette (G3).


She retired to a broodmare in 2020 with a stellar resume.

She was mated to Medaglia D’oro for the 2020 breeding season.

I don't know the status of her first foal from mating with Medaglia D’oro.

Theravada is Cambodia's second foal.

Theravada is set to make her career debut on grass for trainer Rusty Arnold at Gulfstream Park, race 2, in a 7 1/2-furlongs race for 3-year-old fillies, starting from post 10 in an overflow field of 15 fillies, but only 12 is allowed to run, with the remaining 3 are listed as "Also Eligible" horses.

The morning line odds haven't been posted yet, so I do not know what Theravada's morning line odd is.

Nonetheless, I will bet her based on my sentimental reason and not based on her morning line odd or my handicapping prowess.

I will bet her to win -- YES, THAT IS RIGHT: WIN -- NOT PLACE OR SHOW!

IF SHE WINS I MAY NOT CASH THAT TICKET -- I PROBABLY WILL KEEP IT FOR SOUVENIR PURPOSES.


HAPPY SPECIAL SUNDAY, EVERYONE!
HAPPY SPECIAL SUNDAY, EVERYONE!
HAPPY SPECIAL SUNDAY, EVERYONE!

Pick for Sunday February 23, 2025

"HOT" "HOT" BEST BET OF THE DAY!



[Note: DRF reported that this race was originally scheduled to be run on Saturday but moved to Sunday instead due to pending snowstorm.]


6 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds | MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT | Purse: $110,000

Track: Oaklawn Park

Race: 5


Horse: Cornucopian (ML 2-1)


Bet Cornucopian (ML 2-1) to win.

Don't bother to waste your money by betting him to place or show -- just put all of your [budgeted] money to win on him.

Put a lot of money on him to win to make it worthwhile and justified going to the racetrack because Cornucopian is going to win the 5th race at Oaklawn Park on Sunday February 23, 2025.


I think Cornucopian's true post time odd will be like 6/5. But anything higher than 6/5 is a gift. Take it!!!


Cornucopian is one of my exciting "Watch Horses" that I am very excited to see him finally show up in a race.

IT'S ABOUT TIME !!!


He reminds me of San Saba -- as far as the anticipation of their debut race is concern -- however, San Saba ran into a Baffert's highly regarded seasoned horse named Madaket Road, who might well win the Rebel Stakes later on the same card as Cornucopian's.

I don't see a Madaket Road-caliber horse(s) in this field that he faces this Sunday.

So it looks like he is towering over the field.


San Saba later won his next start and is currently looking for race to run, perhaps in stakes races. We'll see!

As for Cornucopian, he is a well-bred, very expensive horse by Into Mischief - Magical World, by Distorted Humor.

This colt costs $1,100,000 as a yearling.

Cornucopian is trained by Bob Baffert and Baffert still have another exciting unraced, unnamed 3yo who cost $3.4 million at the Saratoga Sales in August 2024.

We don't know the status of that $3.4 million colt whether he is ready to make a debut soon or not -- no sign of him being gossip at all.

That $3.4 million colt will not make to the Triple Crown races and there maybe some sort of injury setback, perhaps?

It's a bummer considering that I wanted to see him show up in a race for a long long time -- and perhaps, he can be Derby material[ed].

He's not Derby material now!


Anyhow, Cornucopian looks like a Derby material to me judging by the workouts he's put in for a long long long long time.

From what I saw from his workouts Cornucopian is ready to put on a "show" on Sunday February 23, 2025.


Cornucopian workouts at Santa Anita:


Cornucopian worked 5f, Feb 16th, in 1:01.20 (hg) finishing 14/75
Cornucopian worked 4f, Feb 10th, in 47.40 (h) finishing 3/101
Cornucopian worked 5f, Feb 4th, in 59.40 (hg) finishing 2/15
Cornucopian worked 5f, Jan 30th, in 1:00.00 (hg) finishing 7/26
Cornucopian worked 4f, Jan 23rd, in 47.00 (h) finishing 1/13
Cornucopian worked 4f, Jan 17th, in 49.80 (h) finishing 32/57
Cornucopian worked 4f, Dec 20th, in 46.60 (h) finishing 1/8


Cornucopian workouts at Los Alamitos:

Cornucopian worked 4f, Dec 13th, in 49.60 (h) finishing 3/5
Cornucopian worked 4f, Dec 1st, in 49.20 (h) finishing 8/24
Cornucorpian worked 3f, Nov 24th, in 35.80 (h) finishing 5/12


Cornucopian workouts at Del Mar:

Cornucopian worked 5f, Aug 3rd, in 59.60 (hg) finishing 7/58
Cornucopian worked 4f, July 28th, in 48.80 (h) finishing 47/117


Cornucopian workouts at Los Alamitos:

3f, July 20th, in 34.20 (hg) finishing 1/11
4f, July 12th, in 50.00 (h) finishing 10/14
4f, July 5th, in 48.60 (h) finishing 3/8
4f, June 28th, in 47.40 (h) finishing 3/13
3f, June 21st, in 37.00 (h) finishing 1/2
3f, June 14th, in 37.00 (h) finishing 3/8
3f, May 1st, in 35.60 (h) finishing 1/6
3f, Apr 24th, in 36.20 (h) finishing 1/7
2f, Apr 17th, in 25.00 (h) finishing 3/6



All of his workouts were spectacular, indicating that Baffert wanted to have this horse seasoned by just working him without having to race him.

He's been working out since April of 2024 -- yes, April 2024.

It looks like he's a "push-button" horse, too. Music to my ears!

What an exciting looking colt.

I will say this:

This is the easiest money you'll ever going to get on Sunday February 23's Oaklawn Park card, and that includes all races across the country as well.


EASY MONEY!
EASY MONEY!
EASY MONEY!



Here is a story by Oaklawn Park Press Release on March 7, 2025, 10:54am


Oaklawn: Connections of Zero Sugar, Cornucopian look ahead


Anticipating Zero Sugar's career debut, owner Staton Flurry said he was excited to see the Twirling Candy colt entered in a maiden special weight sprint for 3-year-olds last month at Oaklawn.

Then, Flurry checked the competition.

"I looked at the overnight for Zero Sugar's race and saw Cornucopian and I started cussing," Flurry said.

Roughly a month earlier, Flurry said he received a call with a tip on a horse, information that was percolating in Southern California about an unstarted Into Mischief colt for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

"If you can find a Derby future on him, he's the next Justify," Flurry said he was told during the conversation."

They said his name is Cornucopian. The guy out there I know said this thing worked like a freak and Baffert really thinks highly of him."

Zero Sugar ran well Feb. 23 for Flurry and co-owners Jeremy Stone of Hot Springs and Californian Corey Smith. Cornucopian? Well, he ran like a freak.

Heavily favored Cornucopian ($3.40) rolled to a front-running 5 3/4-length victory over Zero Sugar on the Rebel Stakes (G2) undercard. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Cornucopian's final clocking of 1:09.02 was the fastest in Oaklawn history for a six-furlong maiden special weight event for 3-year-olds.

Edgeway ran 1:09.05 in her Feb. 29, 2020, career debut. She finished second the following year in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

Cornucopian received a Beyer Speed Figure of 101 from Daily Racing Form, which, through Wednesday, was the fifth highest in the country this year for 3-year-olds.

"We've always thought highly of him," Baffert said Feb. 27. "I'm very fortunate to have a nice group of 3-year-olds this year. I wish the (Kentucky) Derby was in June, a little catch-up time. The nice ones, you have to keep healthy and run them in the right spot.

So, I've got a lot of planning. We've been here. We know what it takes to get there with a nice horse. I like running in those big races like that. I'm glad to be able to win a race at Oaklawn again."

Justify, also trained by Baffert, made all six career starts at 3, the first coming Feb. 18, 2018, at Santa Anita. Justify, in his two-turn debut, won an allowance race in March and the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in April before sweeping the Triple Crown.

Baffert said Cornucopian was close to a race last summer at Del Mar before a "little setback."

"I had to stop on him," said Baffert, who has several Kentucky Derby hopefuls this year, including champion Citizen Bull and Barnes.

"That's why it took so long. He had a pretty good foundation on him, so that race was nothing for him. Like I said, we've got a handful of them like that here, so we're very fortunate. We don't have that many, but we have some good ones."

Cornucopian returned to the work tab Wednesday at Santa Anita, covering a half-mile in 49.8 seconds. Baffert said late last month that he had "an idea" about Cornucopian's next start, but nothing was set in stone.

"I like to wait a couple of weeks after they run to see how they really came out of it," Baffert said.

Purchased for $1.1 million at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale, Cornucopian races for a high-profile ownership group that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables and Stonestreet Stables.

Cornucopian gave Baffert his 41st career Oaklawn victory. Later on the card Madaket Road, also trained by Baffert, finished second in the Rebel Stakes. The Rebel was Oaklawn's final major prep for the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) March 29.

Baffert said he plans to be represented in the Arkansas Derby, a race he's won a record-tying five times, including last year with Muth. Baffert has a record-tying six Kentucky Derby victories.

As for Zero Sugar, Flurry said he was ecstatic with the how the colt ran at odds of 14-1.

"If he didn't hook Baffert's horse, that might have been the most impressive maiden special weight this year for straight 3-year-olds," Flurry said. "He ran an 89 Beyer on debut. Ninety-nine out of 100 percent of the time, that wins the race."


Flurry, Oaklawn's leading owner last season, purchased Zero Sugar for $180,000 at Fasig-Tipton's 2024 Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale. Zero Sugar is trained by Cipriano Contreras.

AUSTRALIAN HORSE RACING IS IN FULL SWING




AUSTRALIAN TRIPLE CROWN TRAILS ARE IN FULL SWING!



Here in the United States, we're in the mid of the Derby trails with the Rebel Stakes scheduled to take place on Sunday February 23, 2025 -- while in Australia, they have their own Triple Crown trails as well, with the BLUE DIAMOND STAKES scheduled to take place Saturday February 22, 2025.

Actually, Saturday in Australia is Friday for us in the US -- Friday night to be exact -- with first post at 9 p.m. Central Time.

The favorite is the undefeated 2yo colt named FIELD OF PLAY (post 5), who is 2 for 2 so far.

As always in Australia, the field size is large -- 16 (would have been 24 if the starting field not been limited to just 16).

Because of the maximum field size, FIELD OF PLAY's post time odd will likely be around 5/2 as the favorite.

Right now, bookmakers are offering bettors $5 for a $1 bet -- meaning, you bet $1 you get $5 back if FIELD OF PLAY wins.

But I like DEVIL NIGHT (post 2) in a mild upset, perhaps at 8-1.

Here is the field:

BLUE DIAMOND STAKES

No. – Horse – Trainer – Jockey – Barrier – Weight

1 – FIELD OF PLAY – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young – Blake Shinn – 5 – 57kg

2 – TYCOON STAR – Ben, Will & JD Hayes – Mark Zahra – 15 – 57kg

3 – EXTRACTOR – Michael Freedman – Ben Melham – 8 – 57kg

4 – TENTYRIS – Anthony & Sam Freedman – Damian Lane – 4 – 57kg

5 – DEVIL NIGHT – Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes – Michael Dee – 2 – 57kg

6 – AUTUMN MYSTERY – Rory Hunter – Patrick Moloney – 16 – 57kg

7 – OLATUNDE – Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman – Billy Egan – 9 – 57kg

8 – THE PLAYWRIGHT – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott – Regan Bayliss – 3 – 55kg

9 – PALM ANGEL – Jason Warren – Ethan Brown – 1 – 55kg

10 – ICARIAN DREAM – Ciaron Maher – Thomas Stockdale – 7 – 55kg

11 – MY GLADIOLA – John McArdle – Jamie Mott – 11 – 55kg

12 – MISS CELINE – Ben, Will & JD Hayes – Jye McNeil – 10 – 55kg

13 – WILTSHIRE SQUARE – Ciaron Maher – Harry Coffey – 13 – 55kg

14 – CHERISH ME – Ciaron Maher – Jamie Melham – 6 – 55kg

15 – TEMPTED – James Cummings – Craig Williams – 12 – 55kg

16 – EDEN ROSE – Jason Warren – Daniel Stackhouse – 14 – 55kg

Pick for Sunday February 16, 2025

BEST BET OF THE DAY!


Sunland Park Derby
1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | G STAKES | Purse: $400,000

Track: Sunland Park

Race: 9


Horse: Getaway Car (ML 9-5)


Bet Getaway Car (ML 9-5) to win.

Put a lot of money on him to win to make it worthwhile and justified going to the racetrack because Getaway Car is going to win the Sunland Park Derby race [in a romp] as somewhat of a descend odd of 4/5 considering he is towering over the field.

I think Getaway Car's true post time odd will be like 2/5. But I'll take 4/5 as a gift.

Anyhow, Getaway Car will win this race regardless of his post time odd.


BONUS:

This is a rare "SUNDAY BRUNCH PARLAY SPECIAL":

1st leg:

1 1/16 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up | ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING : $25,000 | Purse: $96,000

Track: Gulfstream Park
Race: 9

Bet Born Noble (ML 9-5) to win and place using double down betting strategy.

2nd leg:

Sunland Park Oaks
1 Mile | Fillies | 3 Year Olds | G STAKES | Purse: $250,000

Track: Sunland Park
Race: 7

Bet Mysam (ML 9-5) to win.

Maysam debuted with a sharp victory in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita last month, pressing the pace before taking over to win by six lengths.

The daughter of champion juvenile Game Winner has the pedigree to stretch in distance, and she's facing only half a dozen rivals, so her path to the Sunland Park winner's circle looks clear.

3rd and final leg -- the leg that pays the bills:

Sunland Park Derby
1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | G STAKES | Purse: $400,000

Track: Sunland Park
Race: 9

Bet Getaway Car (ML 9-5) to win.

THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT OF 2025 CAUGHT MY EYES WINNING A MAIDEN RACE BY 7 LENGTHS GEARED DOWN!




The three-year-old Colloquial broke his maiden in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race at Aqueduct last Friday (Feb 7, 2025, race 7), shrugging off a nearly eight-month layoff while being rated in fifth place behind an opening quarter-mile in 22.89 seconds, advanced to second through half a mile in 46.61 seconds and then clocked his final five-sixteenths of a mile in 30.26 seconds per the GPS chart to win easing up by seven lengths.

Colloquial's winning time of 1:16.89 yielded a massive 106 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form.

Colloquial is the son of Vekoma -- a "HOT" freshman sire -- and trained by George Weaver.

Colloquial is best known to avid die-hard hardcore horse racing fans for almost upsetting Mentee in their debut race last June 2024.

In that race Colloquial showed promise when making his debut in a five-furlong maiden special weight race at Aqueduct on June 15, 2024, running against a highly regarded 2yo colt named Mentee.

After settling in third place behind quick fractions, he accelerated his final furlong in a blazing 11.47 seconds per the Equibase GPS result chart to gain five lengths and finish second by a nose against Mentee, and almost nipped Mentee at the wire.

One jump past the wire Colloquial was in front of Mentee.

After that race I profiled Mentee as the 'Star In The Making' two-year-old.


[Also noted that Mentee went on to win the Futurity (G3) in October 2024.]



MEAHWHILE, COLLOQUIAL WILL CUT BACK IN DISTANCE AND PASS UP THE TRIPLE CROWN

WATCH OUT FOR COLLOQUIAL REGARDLESS OF WHAT DISTANCES HE RACES!

HE IS MY "NEW" STAR IN THE MAKING HORSE !


Trainer George Weaver told DRF that Colloquial will return to his base at Palm Beach Downs and that he plans to keep the colt in one-turn races for at least the first half of the year.

"I don't think any of us are in a hurry to make him into a two-turn, Triple Crown horse," Weaver said.

The Grade 1 Woody Stephens at Saratoga in June (2025) is a target, Weaver said, with possible starts in the Lafayette or Bay Shore in April. He ruled out the Gotham (G3) on March 1 because it is too soon.

"Anytime a horse runs that fast those numbers make him a serious contender in any race," Weaver told DRF. "Now he's got to do it in a big race."



Here is an excerpt of that profile:

MENTEE, the 2YO son of City of Light, and full brother to FIERCENESS broke his maiden while in doing so also broke the previous track record of 57 seconds set all the way back in 1963.

His reward was an 88 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form, solid for a juvenile this time of year, so Mentee may have a bright future against stakes competition.

The 2-year-old Todd Pletcher trainee opened up a daylight lead through swift fractions of 22.37 and 44.80 seconds, then held on to beat stretch-running Colloquial by a nose in the track-record time of 56.97 seconds.

Yes, that is right: 5 furlongs in 56.97 seconds.


Are you kidding me a 2yo running 5 furlongs in 56.97 seconds, breaking a track record set by an older horse who held it since 1963?


Mentee - a 2YO full brother to FIERCENESS is expected to put on a show for us this Saturday July 13, 2024, at Saratoga Race Course, race 11.

He is entered in the Grade III $175,000 Sanford Stakes for 6 furlongs against 7 other 2yos.

Last time we saw Mentee in action was when he won a five-furlong maiden special weight race on Saturday June 15, 2024, at Belmont at the Big A, in which, he broke a 61-year track record held by an older horse and in the process earning an 88 Beyer Speed Figure for his effort.

Needless to say, Mentee will be a very short-price favorite, perhaps 1/5 in the betting.

But what I'm looking forward to is his ability to rate and not going anywhere as fast as he did last time.

If he can relax and rate and not gunning for the lead, he'll be a route horse and his future will be something to look forward to -- as far as the Derby 2025 is concerned.

Meanwhile, I can't wait for Saturday's race to see how he uses his talent.

He has talent - no doubt about - but can he relax and rate?