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 — 2, 3, 7 w/ 1, 2, 5 ($18)
    • Race 3: $0.50 Pick 3 — 2, 3, 4 w/ 1, 3, 7 w/ 1, 7, 8 ($13.50)
    • Race 5: $0.20 Jackpot Pick 5 — 1, 7, 8 w/ 2, 7 w/ 3, 6, 10 w/ 4, 6 w/ 2, 6 ($14.40)
    • Race 7: $0.50 Pick 3 — 3, 6, 10 w/ 4, 6, 7 w/ 2, 6, 8 ($13.50)

 

SPECIAL PLAYS Best Bet: Race 8/Sunrise Street

Longshot: Race 7/Gursky

 

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

Race 1

  1. #2 – Gonna Be Alright (1-1): ”House Horse” catches an extremely weak bunch of maidens
  2. #7 – Nate’s Dynamite (5-2): Blinkers on & bullet work after pulled up and vanned off last race
  3. #3 – Best Things Inlife (5-1): Trailed in return to races after 18 months; steep drop helps

Race 2

  1. #1 – Miners Quest (7-2): Could go gate-to-wire as rest of the field lacks early speed
  2. #5 – Il Toro d’Oro (2-1): Won $25k N2L two races back; showed nothing in $35k Starter; drops
  3. #2 – Flashy Humor (10-1): Lost all chance at the break last time, same level when well backed

Race 3

  1. #3 – Hitec Dave (4-1): Appears to be Lone Speed; J.D. will make sure he gets clear lead
  2. #4 – No Brakes (9-2): Hard knocking 10 y.o. gelding continues to be competitive
  3. #2 – Silver Tie Affair (5-1): Been picking up checks while increasing Brisnet# in past 4 efforts

Race 4

  1. #7 – Exclusive Biz (5-1): Becomes an immediate threat w/ Ness first start after claim
  2. #3 – Archemist (20-1): Got an education in MSW debut; gets softer today
  3. #1 – Chainsmoknsuprmodl (4-5): Motion handed this maiden over after just 4 races. Add Lasix

Race 5

  1. #8 – Speedboat Sally (3-1): Honest running 8 y.o. mare has been ITM past 8 starts
  2. #7 – Galadriel Lady (8-1): Takes a step up after Bernardini claim but has back class
  3. #1 – Chance Encounter (7-2): Beaten favorite last outing at same distance and class

Race 6

  1. #2 – Funny Film (3-1): Pen shipper via Golden Gate will have plenty of rivals to run down late
  2. #7 – My Sweet Ellierose (3-1): Awesome second in open $25k Claimer after maiden score
  3. #10 – Awesome Quick (9-2): Might be speed of the speed; usually quits but Lasix may correct it

Race 7

  1. #10 – Gursky (12-1): $Longshot Play$ Nice late interest sprinting in debut; stretch out suits sire (Lemon Drop Kid)
  2. #3 – Time Out (3-1): Brisnet# (79) in debut when well bet as shows promise; nice work tab
  3. #6 – M J’s Warrior (12-1): FTS cost $200k in Sept. 2013; shows some impressive work outs

Race 8 

  1. #4 – Sunrise Street (3-1): *Best Bet*Still a bit green but blinkers should take care of that
  2. #6 – Affable Say Eye (2-1): Not the cleanest of trips in last race; Russell staying on is good sign
  3. #7 – Unrivaled (7-5): Monster maiden win in 5th try could result in “bounce” today

Race 9

  1. #6 – E Lizzy (8-5): Best of a poor lot! Only redeeming value is drops from $25k MCL to $8k
  2. #2 – Scienziato (20-1): 0 for 20 but sheds hood could easily surprise these maidens
  3. #8 – Showing (3-1): Nearly graduated in last race when adding blinkers; could improve

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

  • On Friday, Feb. 6th at Laurel had 6 winners from 9 races (5 Top Selections; payoffs in BOLD) having $2 WIN pay-off of $3.40 (1st race), $4.00 (3rd), $6.80 (4th), $6.40 (5th), $6.60 (8th) and $7.20 (9th). Of the suggested Multi-Race Wagers cashed the R3-R5 PICK-3 for $22.70.
  • The BEST BET of the Day (13: 1-5-1) Blue Hen Madness (5th race: 4-1 M/L; 2-1 PT) stalked the pace, circled the turn three deep, closed determinedly outside the eventual runner-up and was up late to win by the slimmest of margins to return $6.40 to WIN $3.40 to PLACE and $3.00 to SHOW.
  • The LONGSHOT PLAY OF THE DAY (11: 0-0-4) Greek Warrior (2nd race: 8-1 M/L; 5-1 PT) took early action opening as the 7-5, then floated up to 5-1 at Post Time. Unfortunately, the early money was not smart money as the “Warrior” was 5 –wide into the far turn and continued as such into the stretch where he surrendered to finish 7th.
Long-time racing fan and analyst Gary Quill brings his ‘capping insights to The Racing Biz. Follow him on Twitter @HorseRacingNut.