In Belmont’s 8th race, The Poker Stakes, I’m not making the safe bet!  Kip Deville (#6) is a deserving favorite.  Dick Dutrow’s multiple grade 1 winner has won 9 times at the mile distance, has won at Belmont and can run on soft turf.  But he is returning from a bad race at Dubai in March, and horses have been known to run far from the best their first race back in the states.  I will look to beat him with Tim Lam (#3), who could control the pace and likes soft going.  I will use him and a longshot, Sailor’s Cap (#1) who has run against some great horses (e.g. Gio Ponti), runs well fresh and loves a soft course.  Here’s the whole card and good luck!

Race 1: 3 and 1

Race 2: 1 and 5

Race 3: 2 and 3

Race 4: 8 (Best Bet)

Race 5: 5 with 10 and 1

Race 6: 4 and 1

Race 7: 3C and 1

Race 8: 3 (Best Bet)and 1

Race 9: 6 and 2

Race 10: 7 and 12

Not a very exciting card at Churchill, but it’s fast and firm with some competitive races.  In the 6th race, key McGlamery Road (#6) in exactas, doubles and pick 3’s.  In the first race, Crazy Coyote (#6) gets the same pace set-up as in last victory — taken to repeat.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 6 (Best Bet) and 3

Race 2: 5 and 7

Race 3: 8

Race 4: 6 and 1

Race 5: 10 and 8

Race 6: 6 (Best Bet) and 9

Race 7: 4 and 1

Race 8: 5 and 7

Race 9: 8 and 2

Race 10: 5

In yesterday’s Stephen Foster at Churchill, I used my handicapping muscles and kicked my brain to the curb.  Einstein figured to win at a short price, but Macho Again rallied 4-wide from last to get the job done at 7-1.  Had 5 winners listed, 3 on top, and a flat bet profit of $4.  Hope I can continue that today at Churchill!