Fast and firm for the Saturday card at Belmont — I have memories of having difficulties handicapping in the first week or so last year when they moved from Aqueduct to Belmont because the races weren’t easy to get a feel for and horses were shipping in from many different tracks.  I kind of get the same feeling today, but let’s see how I do.

In race 7, Distortionist (#7) had troubled debut on Gulfstream turf but still ran well — goes for great connections and seems ready to move forward against these.  Key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 3 and 10.

In race 1, Guyana Princess (#7) will be a decent price and gets a contested pace to set up late run — key in the double and pick 3 and play an exacta box with #’s 11 and 6.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 7 (Best Bet) with 11 and 6

Race 2: 2 and 4

Race 3: 8, 5 and 4

Race 4: 6 and 3

Race 5: 1, 11 and 12

Race 6: 6, 8 and 1

Race 7: 7 (Best Bet) with 3 and 10

Race 8: 5, 7 and 9

Race 9: 2 and 6

Race 10: 2, 8 and 6

The Spring meet at Keeneland is always one of the most challenging experiences a handicapper can have.  So, what’s the key to winning there — finding horses who like the local surface and placing bets on the connections that win there (e.g. Assmussen, Leparaux, etc.).  Using that strategy, here are my stats for the 7 cards I handicapped on weekends since opening day:

• 21/70 (+$55.30: $2.79 ROI)
• Best Bets: 5/12 (+10.80: $2.90 ROI)

In addition, I listed 9 pick 3′s (two over $600) and 3 pick 4′s worth $1,000, $3,000 and $5500 respectively.  I hope this bodes well for Churchill Downs and the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby.  Here’s to a successful Triple Crown handicapping season and thanks to all my friends and followers for a great year so far!

Fast and firm for the Sunday card — had a great day yesterday with 7 winners listed, 5 on top, and had a streak of 6 in a row which produced some nice doubles and pick 3′s, plus some nice exactas as well if you weren’t playing multiple race wagers.  I hope to continue the momentum and roll some good numbers today!

In race 7, Gathering Cloud (#7) had nice tightener in comeback at Gulfstream and is as consistent as they come on turf — working well and can get the money today!  Key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 2 and 1.

In race 5, Sachem Spirit (#7) has done little wrong in 2 starts on turf from terrible posts and gets much better position today and will be second choice — key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #4.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 3, 4 and 5

Race 2: 4 and 3

Race 3: 6 and 9

Race 4: 5, 3 and 2

Race 5: 7 (Best Bet) and 4

Race 6: 5, 8 and 10

Race 7: 7 (Best Bet) with 2 and 1

Race 8: 3 and 6

Race 9: 6, 9 and 3

Raining and off the turf for the Sunday card — only listed 4 winners (2 on top) during the Saturday card, so I will try and do better today with an off-track impacting the races.

In race 8, Mine Over Matter (#3) had good comeback tightener and gets a wet track and Hushion in his corner — can upset statebred stakes at a price.  Key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 1 and 2.

In race 5, Al’s Lark (#7) loves a wet track and gets a good pace set up to score here — key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 11 and 3.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 4 and 3

Race 2: 3 and 5

Race 3: 5 and 6

Race 4: 10, 8 and 2

Race 5: 7 (Best Bet) with 11 and 3

Race 6: 2, 4 and 5

Race 7: 11, 10 and 15

Race 8: 3 (Best Bet) with 1 and 2

Race 9: 10 and 9