Time to evaluate some overall stats for the first 6 months of the year.  As you know, I’ve mostly been handicapping on weekends, plus a few Fridays and holidays. I’ve been concentrating on 6 tracks: Aqueduct, Belmont, Monmouth, Gulfstream, Keeneland and Churchill Downs.  I think the overall win bet numbers look ok, except for Belmont which has been awful given my so called “home field advantage.” However,  my “best bets” have exceeded my expectations and I’ve posted a 19% profit with those selections, hitting at 27%. Here is the breakdown:

Overall:

• Aqueduct: 64/275 (1.75 ROI)
• Gulfstream: 65/300 (1.92 ROI)
• Keeneland: 17/59 (2.06 ROI)
• Churchill Downs: 14/57 (1.75 ROI)
• Belmont Park: 41/236 (1.52 ROI)
• Monmouth Park: 44/177 (1.67 ROI)
• Overall Totals: 245/1104 (1.78 ROI — 22.2%)

Best Bets:

• Aqueduct: 18/62 (2.19 ROI)
• Gulfstream: 13/60 (2.57 ROI)
• Keeneland: 4/12 (2.03 ROI)
• Churchill Downs: 3/8 (3.35 ROI)
• Belmont Park: 9/58 (1.54 ROI)
• Monmouth Park: 14/34 (2.61 ROI)
• Overall Totals: 61/227 (2.38 ROI — 26.9%)

I will complete the analysis with a look at the returns on $5 exacta boxes in races where I list 3 horses and $2 rolling doubles and pick 3′s.  Please keep visiting the site and I appreciate all your encouragement and support!

Fast and firm at Belmont with a decent 10 race card to handicap.  I am trying to get hot at Belmont before they head upstate to the Spa, but my picks have been pretty poor the last several weeks — let’s see how I do today.

In race 9, Upper Gulch (#3) could be the main speed in a paceless 1 1/4 mile race on the turf — has run two good races since the layoff and will be a really good price.  I’m keying in the late double and pick 3 and playing an exacta box with Sonic Sound (#1) and Dance Pass (#5).

In race 3, Oskar Hval (#3) goes third off the layoff for good connections  and should appreciate the extra 16th — I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Touch of Silver (#5) and Chairman Now (#7).  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 3 and 4

Race 2: 4 and 8

Race 3: 3 (Best Bet) with 5 and 7

Race 4: 4 and 8

Race 5: 8 and 4

Race 6: 3 and 6

Race 7: 7 and 3

Race 8: 8 with 6 and 1

Race 9: 3 (Best Bet) with 1 and 5

Race 10: 4 and 3

Fast and firm at Monmouth with another card that’s difficult to handicap.  Had a pretty good Saturday with 7 winners listed, 4 on top, a $251 triple box in race 1 and 5 winners listed in a row (races 5-9) with some decent doubles and pick 3′s. My best bet also won in race 8 on top of a cold exacta. Hope to keep the momentum going today and all picks assume races stay on the turf in case of a late storm.

In race 10, Datt Echo (#8) cuts back to a turf sprint loaded with speed, gets blinkers and can run down the leaders late at a decent price.  I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Greeley’s Rocket (#2).

In race 9, The Blue Sparkler, Way With Words (#2) is in fabulous form, loves this track and should repeat even though going back to open company — I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Earle’s First Girl (#6) and Sunday Geisha (#1A).

In race 3, Comical (#3) goes turf to dirt for great connections — should get a good pace to run at get up in time. I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Raphael Alexandra (#5).  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 4 and 6

Race 2: 7 and 2

Race 3: 3 (Best Bet) and 5

Race 4: 10 with 3 and 7

Race 5: 4 and 5

Race 6: 3 with 9 and 2

Race 7: 8 with 3 and 2

Race 8: 2 with 4 and 5

Race 9: 2 (Best Bet) 6 and 1A

Race 10: 8 (Best Bet) and 2

Race 11: 7 and 2

Race 12: 9 and 2

Fast and firm at Belmont with a competitive 10 race card on tap.  In race 8, Officer Flirt (#4) looks best on paper at 6 furlongs on the turf — I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Hear Her Roar (#5) and Lucky Flight (#8).

In race 4, Yankee Empire (#4) goes second off the layoff and has the prior races to win this — I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Spanish Art (#6)  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 2 with 5 and 4

Race 2: 6 and 1

Race 3: 4 and 3

Race 4: 4 (Best Bet) and 6

Race 5: 4 with 9 and 1

Race 6: 4 and 1

Race 7: 4 with 6 and 1

Race 8: 4 (Best Bet) with 5 and 8

Race 9: 2 and 3

Race 10: 2 with 5 and 11