We are pleased to welcome into the fold Gary Quill, whose GQ Approach handicapping selections will be a regular feature on The Racing Biz.  Gary, whose work also appears over at Horse Racing Nation, e-ponies.com, and wnst.net, has been playing the ponies since the 1960s, and his passion for the game is evident.  Gary has also been a guest handicapper in the Preakness infield’s corporate village.  Gary especially focuses on horizontal wagers — that is, multi-race bets — and that focus is the GQ Handicapping Approach  Follow him on Twitter @HorseRacingNut.

[su_heading size=”21″ align=”left”]Multi-race wagers[/su_heading]

  • Race 1: $2 Double — 1, 3, 7 w/ 1, 2, 3 ($18)
  • Race 3: $0.50 Pick 3 — 3, 4, 6 w/ 1, 6, 7 w/ 2, 4, 6 ($13.50)
  • Race 5: $0.20 Jackpot Pick 5 — 4, 6, 8 w/ 4 w/ 5, 8, 12 w/ 1, 5, 10 w/ 1, 3, 6 ($16.20)
  • Race 7: $0.50 Pick 3 — 5, 8, 12 w/ 1, 5, 10 w/ 1, 3, 6 ($13.50)
SPECIAL PLAYS Best Bet: Race 6/Warrioroftheroses Longshot: Race 4/Sweet Soliloquy

[su_heading size=”21″ align=”left”]Analysis[/su_heading]

Race 1

  1. #7 – Ursula’smartypants (10-1): Nearly stole $8k MCL debut, big step up; gets L
  2. #3 – The Great Provider (12-1): FTS for old owner/trainer who places them right
  3. #1 – Lay It On (3-1): Pen shipper via So. CA gets positive rider switch

Race 2

  1. #3 – Warleigh (2-1): Has the speed to take this group gate to wire
  2. #1 – Scamalot (6-1): 3rd place finisher from his maiden won on Friday R1 easily
  3. #2 – Willie B Mine (15-1): Has speed to hang with top 2; toss turf & off track tries

Race 3

  1. #6 – Pennie My Love (6-1): Hits rock bottom Desperately Seeking… second win
  2. #3 – Distinctlybella (15-1): Didn’t break alertly in 1st start for Magee; expect better
  3. #4 – Tuberose (8-5): Blow the dust of her (away since Dec. ’13); 1st Lasix; Suspect drop

Race 4

  1. #6 – Rolling Yona (5-2): Speed of the speed has thrown 90’s Brisnet#’s in last 3
  2. #7 – Roman Roulette (10-1): Nice try after 18 month layoff; should improve
  3. #1 – Piano Man Ted (2-1): Doesn’t care for rail which takes away from enthusiasm here

Race 5

  1. #4 – Sweet Soliloquy (6-1): $Longshot Play$ Impressive win in hand ride last outing; getting better
  2. #6 – Iknewuweretrouble (6-5): if she gets loose on the lead, she’ll be hard to catch
  3. #2 – Just Funnin’ Ya (8-1): No I’m not! If this track holds the early speed she can win

Race 6

  1. #4 – Warrioroftheorses (4-1): *Best Bet* Looks like lone speed; does best work at Lrl w/ ‘Dunk’

  2. #2 – Castaway (5-2): Back at correct level; Street Sense son finally gets 2-turns again
  3. #8 – Souper Lucky (2-1): Has taken to Lrl like a duck to water (5:3-0-1); might press #4

Race 7

  1. #5 – Salem Loop (4-1): FTS for A. Dutrow displays nice work tab at Fair Hill
  2. #8 – Top of Mind (5-2): Curlin colt been firing bullets in the A.M. prepping for debut
  3. #12 – Super Fund (12-1): Debut a disaster at Del last June; nice works w/ hood? Adds Lasix

Race 8

  1. #10 – Dave the Usher (6-1): Carrasco had multiple options and lands here
  2. #1 – Scam (2-1): Servis has been successful with limited shippers (3 of 5)
  3. #5 – Regal Soldier (8-1): With a ground saving trip can get the job done

Race 9

  1. #6 – Count My Blessings (4-1): Gives honest effort every time at this level; distance suits
  2. #1/1A – Callmebelladonna/Madonna’s Conquest (3-1): One will scratch, hopefully the weaker one
  3. #3 – Spider Girl (10-1): Drops off debut at Tim; in new barn, blinkers off, a wing & a prayer?

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

  • Friday, Jan. 9th at Laurel had 6 winners from 9 races (2 Top Selections; payoff in BOLD) having $2 WIN pay-offs of $4.20 (1st race), $9.00 (2nd), $5.60 (3rd), $11.20 (4th), $4.00 (8th) and $2.80 via Dead Heat (9th). Of the suggested Multi-Race Wagers cashed the DOUBLE for $26.80 (cost $8 after scratches).
  • The BEST BET of the Day (5: 0-2-1) English Manor (6th race: 3-1 M/L; 2-1 PT) the frozen track was not kind to his closing running style as the early speed held onto the top two positions (winner was 0 for 16 on dirt) leaving the SHOW money ($2.60) for him.
  • The LONGSHOT PLAY OF THE DAY (4: 0-0-3) Stop the Nonsense (3rd race: 8-1 M/L; 7-1 PT) raced five deep leaving the backstretch, advanced four wide entering the stretch, chased the pace and could not get to the top two to finish 3rd and return $3.20 to SHOW.
Long-time racing fan and analyst Gary Quill brings his ‘capping insights to The Racing Biz. Follow him on Twitter @HorseRacingNut.