It was just a week or two ago that I had a very nice payday with the tipsheet wages I made, netting some $3,000+ in winnings, thanks largely to a boxed trifecta. Now that the heating bill has been paid, time to see if I can make some dough to pay for the holiday gifts that, instead of filling stockings, have filled my credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each race will have a $2 win bet on my top pick, with my top three picks boxed in a $2 exacta (total $12\/race) and a similar $2 trifecta box (also $12\/race). Here are my plays:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NINES ARE WILD (sponsored), G1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4-Sea Kink Kamilla 7\/1-Won last two starts in G2 affairs, the last with a 120 speed and 114 preceeded that. In top shape and mid-field runner set to take another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8-Cracked the Case 7\/1-Has 110+ speeds in three of last four and scored win in listed group in last with 118 speed. Makes jump to G1 level and looks to be in very good shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11-Brinley Joke 12\/1-Showed something in G2 Usain Bolt rallying to win with 117 career best speed. Will need similar effort to take this and can’t rule out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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DEEP SOUTH SPRINT, G2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10-American Move 7\/1-Breeders’ Bowl Sprint winner has taken top honors in five of last six starts. He’s in fine shape and may proof to be the class of this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14-Awesirmed 10\/1-Drops from 7 furlongs to 6.5 furlongs. Front runner fadded back in last two at 7f and the short cut in distance may go a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12-Practically Gold 11\/1-Earned listed stake win in last with 113 speed. Won prior pair in allowance level. Looks to be in peek form and should make a nice showing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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REFLECTION FUTURITY G3<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7-Lorne Romsey 12\/1-Young 2yo has strong late kick and drew away by a stride and a half in last start in listed stakes, after trailing by over nine lengths. Ready to strike again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5-Spring Melt 9\/1-Won four stake races, which includes a pair of grade races, in a row. Advances to mile distance and should be able to handle this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12-Rightthroughyou 9\/1-Made massive move in last, finished second after trailing by over 10 lengths. Can’t look away from that late speed ability, should get a seat in top three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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MERRY CHRISTMAS (sponsored) G1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9-For My Lil Bro 5\/1-Loves the grass and has won four of five turf outings. Won Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile Turf in last with 100 speed. One to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10-Winstonyev 13\/1-Speeds have boosted from 70-range to 90’s after moving to mile distance. Won listed stake in last, rallying from a dozen back to win by just shy of a stride. Tons of late speed and probably overlooked by bettors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11-Arkhan 6\/1-Another late runner who can gobble up the track late. Chased top pick in Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile finishing second and will take the chase on again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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THE WINTER CUP G1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12-Sometimes Evil 6\/1-Bigtime late rally from 20 strides back at the half to win Breeders’ Bowl Turf by a neck and 117 speed. Five races this season at 111 or higher in speeds with two below that. Ready to score again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8-Blackrose Prion 9\/1-Has won last five all at 11 furlongs and goes longer 13 furlongs in this start. No reason to expect that he can’t handle this distance and ran 117 speed in last, top spot is within reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6-Channeling Longer 10\/1-Long distance runner who has a five race win streak on the line. Loves to lead and will be challenged to have top spot, but he is relentless. Offers nice odds and extension to streak is not out of question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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NORTHERN BEER CAP G3<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1-Pressure Cooked 4\/1-Has had a terrific 2022 season with six wins over 10 starts. Won last start in listed stakes with 117 speed after trailing by over 13 strides. Gets rail and could again sail!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6-Eyeshathnotseen 6\/1-Looks to be main foe to top pick. Won last pair of starts with 115 and 113 speeds. Distance is not an issue and looks to be a contender.Li<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8-Kiama Calott 16\/1-Likes to stalk the pace setter. Ran awful in Milwood Cup G1 in last, but popped as winner in G3 Dutch St. Leger prior to that. Drops in distance from 12f-16f range he’s raced to 10.5 furlongs which could only help his close-up racing style. May turn out to be enhance booster with exotic wagers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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THE RANGE ROVER HANDICAP G3<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9-Flat Out Bad 9\/2-Gave up dirt for turf running in mid-2022 and has not looked back. Won all four grass outings with 110+ speeds, including G3 Ackland Lovers Stakes in last, all by decent margins. Gets the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3-Mazing Blue 15\/1-Second place finisher in last four outings, all 5f listed stakes, missing by under a stride in each. Going 6.5 furlongs here and the extra distance might make her the spoiler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13-Big Swamp B 8\/1-Was second behind top pick by 2 1\/2 in Ackland Lovers Stakes in most recent appearance. Hasn’t won in over a year but has good record in hitting the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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THE LA ZEBRA G2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3-Genuine Bluegrass 11\/1-Late closer could be the real thing. Won listed in October by a head and was second in listed stake last time out at 21\/1, just missing top seat in photo. Looks good off career best 110 in that last run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6-Just Regal 6\/1-Finished first or second in last four grade level events and charted 112 speeds in last two. No reason to expect that she won’t be competitive in this race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9-More Than Shape 5\/1-ITM six times in seven starts this year with one win. He keeps knocking at the door and is competive with his 3yo peers. Not sure he will get through the door and win this one, but can’t disregard his ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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THE HAPPYTIME STAKES G3<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10-Frustratedbyapathy 6\/1-Untested on the dirt but willing to give this runner a chance in first soil start. This two year old has five starts in stake\/grade level races winning twice in these classes. I think he will go well with surface change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8-Ghostziano 8\/1-Speedster had won first five career starts before being halted in G1 Happy Halloween in last. Could shrug that off and return to winning ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1-Rocks Mines 14\/1-Only has two starts, winning maiden back in August and was second in G2 Future Stakes in September. On long rest and taking a shot that this runner is better than the odds reflect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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MORE SLOP (sponsored) G3<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4 Static Support 6\/1-Loves the slop and finds it in this race. Has 110+ speeds in three wet track races with a pair of wins and a second. May have the competitive edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12 Better Be A Joke 6\/1-Has a pair of off-track wins to his credit, both listed stakes. Winner of 8 races in 11 starts, will be a toughie in this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11 Infinity Jef 5\/1-On on off-track as a two year old. Last three outings were all wins with speeds of 114-115. Top spot is within reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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XMAS IN TEXAS (sponsored) G2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4-Flip of Fate 7\/1-Five wins this year in eight starts with 111+ speeds in each of those except one. Look to see this one rally late and fate could turn out to be a winning one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14-Sheer Dumb Luck 8\/1-Front runner who is rarely out of the money. Seems reasonable to include in exotic betting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7-American War Front 10\/1-Finished last in the September running of Windy City Gold Cup, his most recent outing. Comes back after three month hiatus and is much better than that outcome. Looking for a bounce back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
XMAS IN TEXAS (sponsored) G2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It was just a week or two ago that I had a very nice payday with the tipsheet wages I<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":363,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60534","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/363"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=60534"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60537,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60534\/revisions\/60537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=60534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=60534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=60534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}