Derby Final

 Great ride by Brian Hernandez on Mystik Dan. Horse showed courage going forward on the rail into a very small space. Young horses generally don't do that. Stole the race on the inside.

Our horse, Sierra Leone, had an eventful trip, questionable ride, and missed by inches after doing the Bump with Forever Young down the stretch. I think either would have won without the bumping. 

Dornach on the rail didn't go to the lead out of the gate as everyone assumed, leaving Sierra Leone in no man's land and farther back than Gafflione wanted. Then Gaff had to swing all the way from the inside to the outside losing valuable ground at the top of the stretch.  Forever Young, the Japanese horse (whom I did not like because he was the winner of the Saudi Derby and there were no figures to assess his performance), actually ran very well and could have won.

In the end, we had many things right but didn't cash. Both Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone were green horses meaning they could get the distance, and Forever Young was yellow because we just didn't know how he stacked up. Catching Freedom (another green) ran a respectable fourth although he was no threat to win. Fierceness, the favorite, got in trouble at the start and ran out of gas as we surmised.

On to the Preakness!

Kentucky Derby Doghouse Confidential Posted

Always a tough race with many ways to go. I like both 2 Sierra Leone and 4 Catching Freedom. Have to favor the Sierra Leone because of more tactical speed. See the analysis at Meet Mr. X, and press the red Doghouse Confidential button. Below is my Pick 5 for $120 which I will split with a friend, Races 8-12, the last race being the Derby:

Good luck!

Mr. X

Kentucky Derby 2024 Contenders Characterized

 Yes, I am still alive and well and betting on horses. Additionally, I have subscribed to EquinEdge which is a racing platform that uses Artificial Intelligence. Very interesting and still learning.

I have posted the Contenders separated by median energy distribution and the last three furlongs in less than 38 seconds as I do every year. I have been using this system since around 2000 to separate contenders who appear to be able to go the 10f of the Derby versus others that don't seem to want to go that far.

You can see the characterization at Meet Mr. X tab, then hit enter on the red Doghouse Confidential button. I will post later in the week or the weekend for the Derby. Looks like rain may 'muddy up' the works. 

Good luck!

Mr. X

Breeder's Cup Late Pick 5

 Here is what I will bet with a partner. Total cost of the $0.50 bet is $240 with the picks in the order of preference. Classic is very difficult. Way to much speed in the race and really wide open. Maybe the closer in Zandon can pick up the pieces:

Travers Day Pick 5

 Hit the Pick 5 today  ($791) for only the third time at Saratoga, although had countless 4 of 5's (which don't pay).

Tomorrow's card is fantastic to watch excellent horses in five stake races ending with the Travers. Unfortunately, while great to watch championship horses, betting big favorites doesn't make you money. 

In the Travers, I like Arcangelo to beat Forte. Working since the Belmont and beat Forte, but either one could win. Should be a great race.

Here is my pick 5 for tomorrow starting with the 8th race. But don't forget the 7th with Elite Power going up against Gunite again. Should be a great race. Good luck!

Whitney Day Pick 5, Races 8-12

 Here is my Pick 5 for today, singling Cody's Wish:

Good luck!

Whitney Stakes Doghouse Posted

 The condition of the turf course will really impact the selections. I have assumed yielding and leaned on the European horses. I have handicapped races 6-10 which are all the stakes races on the card.

Let's hope Cody's Wish wins the Whitney. Just too good a story. I will be playing the Pick 4 which is races 7-10. 

Have been losing highlighted by the last July 26 Doghouse where my horse in the last race at 20-1 was interfered with yet no disqualification on the winner. Pick 5 would have paid $985!

As always, go to Meet Mr. X and click on the red Doghouse Confidential button.

Good luck!