Maiden America Friday: Hoop Tea's red hot Hooptie Handicapper picks 2yos at Gulfstream and Ellis Park
Sing along with Ric Ocasek, RT & The Cars
Summer, it turns me upside down
Summer, summer, summer
It's like a merry go round
Get Yourself Hoop Tea here.
Another good day yesterday as we went 2-0. Sophie Doyle rode Tough To Tame brilliantly as she let the pace develop in front of her and closed late getting a ½ length win and a $6.40/$3.40 payday. Joyrunner at Indiana Grand did not race as expected, yet who cares? He won from off the pace as well, in the slop. That was a terrific job by Joseph Ramos, and paid $10.80/5.40.
We have three races to cover today. They are all 2yos. Two races are from Gulfstream, and one is from Ellis Park. Since I am low on time, here we go….
Gulfstream Park Race 4 - $25K Maiden Claimers
2yo fillies going five furlongs
This race is simple to handicap and it boils down to this – you either take the horse who is dropping out of msw class or take the horses that are claimers and will be claimers. To me, I would rather go with initial trainer intent with 5.5/1 odds on debut and take #1 Greatest Glory (4/1).
Gulfstream Race 6 - $70K Maiden Special
2yo fillies going 5.5 furlongs
I am going with #5 Volata (4/1) who scored a 73 Equibase number last out after hitting the gate and spotting the field two lengths before moving into contention and getting up for second. It was a gallant effort yet there were only four horses in that race. Since then, she has returned to put in two works at :48.7 and :48.8. There is going to be a lot of speed in this race, so that one race experience and coming from behind is going to be extremely helpful.
Ellis Park Race 4 - $51K Maiden Special
2yo’s going 5.5 furlongs on turf
I am taking an exacta box with #7 Big Boss Ben (5/2) and Mr. Mariah (15/1). Mr Mariah has been putting in excellent works at Ellis Park and the remainder of the first timers have been working out at Keeneland. We know how horses that have worked out at Keeneland have fared here - check out #2 Fierce Debate (6/1) he works out like a madman at Keeneland, doing gate works at :47.6, :47.8 and goes to Ellis and does a :49. Big Boss Ben has a race at Churchill where he set the pace and tired, earning a 67 Equibase score in a $100K mcl. Today he steps up in class and has the wherewithal to make it happen.
