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, 6 w/ 3, 7, 8 ($18)
    • Race 3: $0.50 Pick 3 — 4, 6, 9 w/ 3, 6, 7 w/ 2, 5, 6 ($13.50)
    • Race 5: $0.20 Jackpot Pick 5 — 2, 5, 6 w/ 2, 4 w/ 3, 5, 8 w/ 1, 8, 7 w/ 8, 10 ($21.60)
    • Race 7: $0.50 Pick 3 — 3, 5, 8 w/ 1, 7, 8 w/ 4, 8, 10 ($13.50)

 

SPECIAL PLAYS Best Bet: Race 4/Conzig

Longshot: Race 2/Raven Alexa

 

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

Race 1

  1. #3 – Flash Glory (2-1): Excuse in last as PT favorite, just 1 behind #1 and #6 in here
  2. #6 – Sawdust (9-2): Two solid efforts for Robinson at Lrl since escaping from the WO poly-crap surface
  3. #1 – Compulsive (5-2): Will be a threat in deep stretch as early pace should be quick

Race 2

  1. #7 – Raven Alexa (8-1): $Longshot Play$ Faced better than N2L in last effort and was wide; competes v. these
  2. #3 – So Help Me Hannah (9-2): Fresh from breaking maiden in start #13 in MCL $8k; one to catch
  3. #8 – Lil’ Zilla (6-5): Wolfendale takes this one off the hands of future son-in-law; drops drop 2 class levels

Race 3

  1. #9 – Catcha Rising Star (3-1): Love the nice consistent work tab from this Motion FTS
  2. #6 – Discreet Rose (20-1): “House Horse” ran to odds (36-1) in forgettable Nov. debut; Adds Lasix
  3. #4 – Black Coronas (5-2): Claimed from MCL $50k @ Big A by Rudy Rod for high profile owner; steps up

Race 4

  1. #3 – Conzig (9-5): *Best Bet* NY shipper exits key race, albeit 3 months ago; trio of works are encouraging
  2. #7 – Italian Delight (6-1): Nice 5 y.o. mare who never gets respect at the windows; stalking trip in order
  3. #6 – Winning Saga (7-2): Will be on top at 1st call; not much early speed to press him; could hold on at wire

Race 5

  1. #2 – Clem Gem (6-1): Couldn’t show her speed when thrown to the wolves (in $125k stakes); Adds blinkers
  2. #6 – Cynisca (6-1): Freshman sire Munnings has 27 winners from 53 runners; FTS has nice work tab but no Lasix
  3. #5 – Preseli’s Pulpit (6-5): Assuming she runs back to debut (85 Brisnet#), the M/L is understandable; Adds Lasix

Race 6

  1. #2 – Regina Christina (3-1): Speedy Pen shipper is only one in here to have beaten winners
  2. #4 – Betty Brown Nose (2-1): Rice only comes south w/ winning in mind, not to unload
  3. #1/1A – Heavenly Perfect/Chesapeake Springs (9-2): #1 been facing better; hope #1A scratches

Race 7

  1. #5 – Going to Market (4-1): Had no business being in $100k stakes 1st after Gonzalez reclaim; fits with these
  2. #3 – River Rush (9-2): Same deal as top pick in last race in mud; winner of 2 previous on fast track
  3. #8 – Scuba (5-1): Initial dirt try after 4 on the grass was a smashing success v. N1X

Race 8

  1. #1 – Cho Time (6-5): Taking advantage of condition for as long as he can; 3 of 4 at this distance
  2. #8 – Snow Leopard (3-1): Strange coincidence that he wins right after firing bullet drill? Guess what recent work was?
  3. #7 – The Camden Comet (6-1): ITM in all 4 efforts at distance; only true closer in this speed heavy field

Race 9

  1. #10 – Table (9-2): Rough start in first race off the bench on steep drop in class; can make amends here
  2. #8 – Pickles N Gin (10-1): How weak is this field? A WV-bred yet to hit the board in restricted company in 5 starts
  3. #4 – Biricchino (15-1): Takes big drop after being away nearly 3 months but Caiazzo wins w/ 32% off bench

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

  • On Saturday, Jan. 17th at Laurel had just 1 winner from 9 races having $2 WIN pay-off of $6.60 (5th race). How talented does one have to be to turn in such a pathetic day?
  • The BEST BET of the Day (8: 0-2-1) Our R J (3rd race: 3-1 M/L; 3-1 PT) was a bit rank entering the first turn, chased the pace two wide between horses on the far turn then gave way in upper stretch to finished 5th.
  • The LONGSHOT PLAY OF THE DAY (7: 0-0-3) Special Congrats (5th race: 12-1 M/L; 5-2 PT) showed speed along the (dead) rail and stopped, finishing 11th.

 

Long-time racing fan and analyst Gary Quill brings his ‘capping insights to The Racing Biz. Follow him on Twitter @HorseRacingNut.