Posted on 5/9/2008 6:53:30 PM

Horse Racing Action - Grade III Lone Star & Grade II Peter Pan Stakes

By D.S Williamson

Two big Belmont prep races highlight this Saturday’s horse racing online betting action. That’s right, Belmont prep races. Since the Preakness Stakes is next week, the Lone Star Derby and the Peter Pan Stakes serve as races for those owners, trainers and jockeys trying to get their charge into the final leg of the Triple Crown - - the Belmont Stakes.

That doesn’t mean of course that the winner of either the Lone Star Derby or the Peter Pan Stakes will automatically race in the Belmont Stakes. What it means is that the horses that run well in either race will be considered for the Belmont. That makes both races interesting to online racebook bettors. More importantly, both races are playable. Why not make a profit while planning your Preakness day next week?

Grade III Lone Star Derby

Lone Star Park - - Grand Prairie, TX

1 1/16th miles on dirt

Okay, so this is like the Kentucky Derby B-League, right? I mean, there isn’t a single horse in this thing who could challenge Big Brown, right? Well, there wasn’t a horse on Derby day so why not look for a horse in this race? That horse, from my perspective, is King’s Silver Son. Yes, it’s true, I admit it, I’ve given this horse more chances then a nine-lived cat, but I can’t help it. I just can’t believe that a horse out of Mizzen Mast and trained by Steven Asmussen doesn’t have ability. Sure, he hasn’t shown a lick of speed in - - well, any of his races - - but look at him! This horse was bred to be a winner. Three-year olds can become very good very quickly. The Lone Star Derby could be his race. For second, I’m not going to beat around the bush and just tab El Gato Malo. El Gato Malo has no chance of winning the Belmont, if he’s entered, but he’s got guts and his best race on the Santa Anita cushion track is more then good enough to make him a contender in here. Plus, he’s from the West Coast and us West Cost guys gotta go with our horses once in a while, right? The third place finisher is Texas Wildcatter. Like King’s Silver Son, I’ve been waiting all winter and spring for Wildcatter to show his real stuff. He ran great in the Gotham at Aqueduct and then just looked terrible in the Wood Memorial. His trainer is named Todd Pletcher. So, he automatically has a chance.

1. King’s Silver Son
2. El Gato Malo
3. Texas Wildcatter

Grade II Peter Pan Stakes

Belmont Park - - Elmont, NY

1 1/8th miles on dirt

What the heck are the Japanese doing? They send two horses to the Peter Pan Stakes…hmm…I wonder because, well, both horses look exceptionally ready to not only take down the Peter Pan Stakes but to stay at Belmont Park for the next four weeks and take down the Belmont Stakes. Yes, I just wrote that. I’m not kidding my fellow online racebook betting fans. Japanese trainer Kazuo Fujisawa sends out two in this race and both are equally interesting. Casino Drive is my top pick in this race. Sure, he only has a maiden win to his credit and hasn’t run since February, but why worry? There’s a reason that the Japanese are sending him to the U.S., go through quarantine, and everything else involved with shipping a horse across the Pacific. Casino Drive is out of Mineshaft and a Deputy Minister mare. Obviously, this guy has the breeding. By the way he won his maiden race by 11 ½ lengths. We’re looking for somebody to beat Big Brown, right? For second, I like Casino Drives’ stable-mate, Spark Candle, but we can’t box them in the exacta as the first two finishers, that means that I have to go with Tomcito. Tomcito has disappointed me in two straight races. He’ll probably make it three, but you never know with these South American imports. For third, I’m going with Golden Spikes. I can’t think of a better bred horse in the world which goes to show you - - since I’m picking him third - - that they still have to prove themselves on the track.

1. Casino Drive/Spark Candle
2. Tomcito
3. Golden Spikes

Keep checking the Locker Room all through the Triple Crown season, as we will cover the trainers, horses and jockeys in each race. You can get your early Kentucky Derby Odds at Churchill Downs bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook in the Future / props section, under Horse Futures: 2008 Kentucky Derby Betting.