Holy Bull Stakes preview for ThoroFan

Once again, I have been called into duty by the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance to pontificate my handicapping wisdom on the ThoroFan website for this Sunday’s Holy Bull Stakes (G3).

My analysis is often long-winded (this one is 2,514 words long), but I went three for four picking winners in ThoroFan’s Handicapper’s Corner last year, including a dead-on call of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) stretch drive and the giving out of 20-1 shot Exhi in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2). Eventually, it seems I get to some good stuff.

So as not to give away any spoilers, I will not reveal here who I picked to win Gulfstream Park’s first graded Kentucky Derby prep of 2011, but I will say that if it all goes as planned, it should cash a nice ticket or two.

To read my picks and analysis for the Holy Bull Stakes, click here.

The Haiku Handicapper: Fountain of Youth Recap

Candyman couldn’t
Minor state roots, big league win
Derby quality?

The Haiku Handicapper: Fountain of Youth Stakes

One day, two big preps
Flipped a coin, this race was tails
Best do what it says

– – – – – – – – – –

#1 – Bee Cee Cee
Hits board, but way back
A tier below Florida’s best
Look for a step back

#2 – Theregoesjojo
Rough trip in Bashford
Long layoffs will need shortened
Needs to prove his class

#3 – Notonthesamepage
Looks like a quick read
Distance tries not his best work
In shape to improve

#4 – Take the Points
Left Florida behind
For Sham wow in southern Cal
Scratch from your programs

#5 – Jack Spratt
Jack jumping in class
Handles distance, but on turf
This isn’t his race

#6 – Rocketing Returns
Outrun in last start
Poor returns on bigger stage
Not a big time horse

#7 – Beethoven
Closer runs best long
Can he bounce back from last start?
A threat with clean trip

#8 – Break Water Edison
Last start not so great
Hit or miss in graded stakes
Derby hopes at risk?

#9 – Capt. Candyman Can
Distance, class no sweat
Lone graded winner at three
Should run third at worst

#10 – Taqarub
Garcia’s choice mount
Quick starter, won’t be alone
Wins big or burns out

#11 – Quality Road
A Virginia-bred
Raw, but love his sire, works
Could crack exotics

#12 – This Ones for Phil
Came alive last out
Can Dutrow bump keep going?
Not a believer

– – – – – – – – – –

Who’s on my ticket?
The Fountain’s spiked with Captain
Seven, eleven

The Haiku Handicapper: Donn Handicap recap, etc.

Maximized results
A gutsy run by the one
Cup win was legit

——————–

Nicanor’s letdown
Big bro’s shadow gets bigger
Derby hopes look dim

——————–

This one doesn’t have anything to do with today’s races. Just something I came up with…

Bred in Lexington
To win big in Louisville
Derby contender

The Haiku Handicapper: Donn Handicap

Nicanor’s sideshow
Lil’ bro should hope he gets here
Let’s look at the field… 

———-

#1 – Finallymadeit
A quick turnaround
Pacesetter chokes at Gulfstream
What’s left in the tank?

#2 – Albertus Maximus
Breeders’ Cup winner
Dirt Mile wasn’t real dirt
Course, distance too much

#3 – Anak Nakal
Unfulfilled promise
Great at two, then not so much
Has a lot to prove

#4 – Bullsbay
Seems to like the dirt
Late runner should like distance
Could have some value

#5 – A.P. Arrow
Last year’s runner up
Not the same after Dubai
Time to bounce the “bounce”

#6 – On Board Again
Slow build to big reach
No big foes since long layoff
Needs race of his life

#7 – Arson Squad
Burns it up on dirt
Wins at distance, with Prado
I smell money here

#8 – Sir Whimsey
Money at Gulfstream
Hard to toss from exotics
Win looks doubtful though

#9 – Great Hunter
Still hunting for form
Another Dubai bouncer
Could use one more race

#10 – Einstein
Comes off a big win
Horse of the Year bid starts here
Long post a concern

———-

Who takes down the Donn?
Einstein makes it relative
Five, seven, watch four