Posted on 1/11/2008 3:31:53 PM

Bet on Horse Racing - Grade III Lecomte Stakes & Grade II San Rafael Stakes

By D.S. Williamson

Two three-year old prep races this weekend. One at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans and the other at Santa Anita here in Southern California.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

Grade III Lecomte Stake at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans, L.A.

1 Mile on the Dirt

Tough race, but I settled on Star Guitar. Star Guitar’s daddy, Quiet American, has all ready produced one Kentucky Derby winner in Real Quiet. Now, I’m not saying that this guy will win the Kentucky Derby, but I am saying that he’s got everything going his way in this race. He can stay close to the pace, is undefeated, loves the Fairgrounds and comes out of the Albert Stall barn. Because of the other heavy hitters in here, Star Guitar should hold his odds. I like Macho Again to finish second. Out of 2-year old Breeders’ Cup Champion, Macho Uno, Macho Again has improved in his last two races and is bred to run all day. Horse Racing odds could be low on this one as Fairgrounds trainer, Dallas Stewart, brings him into this race off of some very solid works. The third spot goes to potential favorite Blackberry Road. Road finished second in the Grade II Kentucky Cup Juvenile in his last, losing by only a length. There is a question as to whether that was a sign of things to come or just a freakish race by Road. I’m not willing to take low odds to find out.

1. Star Guitar

2. Macho Again

3. Blackberry Road

Grade II San Rafael at Santa Anita in Arcadia, C.A.

1 Mile Cushion Track (Dirt?)

Santa Anita race officials aren’t sure if they are going to switch back to dirt or not for the year because of the damage the cushion has suffered due to rain. I’m going to not care when handicapping this race. Cushion track or dirt my choice depends on what I think the price is going to be depending on the actual chances of the horses. With that being said, Talk of a Cat is the winner of this race. Talk of a Cat will probably go off the favorite but I can’t look past the fact that Todd Pletcher trains this guy. I also love the idea of Garret Gomez staying aboard and the fact that this guy is coming off of a super solid maiden win where he laid right off the pace. That pace will be determined by my second choice, El Gato Malo. Jockey David Flores on Malo will try to get position as early as possible. That means gunning to the front. This guy does have enough speed to outrun Massive Drama, the Bob Baffert trained potential second choice in this race, and I expect Flores to use that speed. That’s Malo’s best chance to win. For third choice, let’s go with Indian Sun to pick up the pieces. Sun is one of those horses that is improving every race but this feels like a prep to me. I expect this guy to go longer soon.

1. Talk of a Cat

2. El Gato Malo

3. Indian Sun

Horse racing with BetUS Racebook Online Racebook. We've got up to date lines and odds on 85+ racetracks. Join BetUS today to get in on the action.