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

 

SPECIAL PLAYS Best Bet: Race 6/Top of Mind

Longshot: Race 8/Big Guy Ian

 

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

Race 1

  1. #1 – Hero’s Notion (9-2): Will need a good break and stalk this speed-heavy field
  2. #5 – Pass the Lake (5-1): Been on the shelf 6 mo. since Cartagena claim; speed of the speed
  3. #2 – Rojo Perfecto (9-5): Gets a good group to close on, but might run out of real estate

Race 2

  1. #2 – Complimenting (9-5): Runner-up at same level last outing in mud; Brisnet#s climbing
  2. #6 – Secret Garden (9-2): Shortening up to 5½ helps gate-2-wire possibility
  3. #7 – Synergist (3-1): Excuses in only 2 dirt races; 1 for 34 lifetime but can score v. these

Race 3

  1. #6 – Back Scatter (3-1): Wide trip compromised last effort; time to graduate
  2. #8 – Golden Joe (12-1): 1st after claim; steps up in class, add blinks and Russell
  3. #1 – Ziquizi (12-1): Closed a ton of ground v. cheap in debut sprinting; stretch out a plus

Race 4

  1. #7 – Awesome Selena (3-1): House Horse took time off after so-so debut
  2. #2 – Corinnaise (9-5): Blinkers go on… and maybe so does “the light” today
  3. #1 – Smart Typical (10-1): Trainer who won 26% in 2014; only entry w/ Pennington up

Race 5

  1. #8 – Tracy’s Turn (7-2): Toss last; Pimentel/Trombetta team clicking at 24% at meet
  2. #1 – Sideways Vision (7-5): Found class level in N2L last outing; looks like attractive claim
  3. #5 – Three Giant Leaps (6-1): 0 of 9 on natural dirt but not much else in here to beat

Race 6

  1. #7 – Top of Mind (2-1): *Best Bet* Triple Crown nominated FTS shows nice work tab for Jenkins
  2. #6 – Easy Comparison (5-2): Motion trainee gets first Lasix coming off the bench
  3. #5 – Tricky Lion (10-1): If frozen track holds speed he’s got a chance

Race 7

  1. #8 – Herman’s Wildcat (3-1): Wheels right back for same level after gate-2-wire win
  2. #4 – Betty Brown Nose (5-2): One of two Aqu shippers on today’s card for Linda Rice
  3. #3 – Captain Munnings (7-2): Kobiskie claim was 2 behind top pick in most recent effort

Race 8 

  1. #3 – Big Guy Ian (5-1): $Longshot Play$ NY shipper as back class; faced Constitution & Tonalist, East Hall in ‘14
  2. #6 – Sir Sidney (6-1): Nice win in last effort as runner-up came back to win
  3. #7 – Rolling Yona (8-1): Ness takes over for suspended barn; looks to carry speed 7f

Race 9

  1. #1 – Sconset Express (5-2): 5 y.o. mare progressing thru conditions nicely for Gonzalez
  2. #4 – Onegreatstep (7-2): Over her head in recent efforts; back to level where she belongs
  3. #6 – Kilmore Bound (15-1): if speed holds up well today, she has a shot

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

  • On Sunday, Feb. 8th at Laurel had 4 winners from 9 races (2 Top Selections; payoffs in BOLD) having $2 WIN pay-off of $5.40 (2nd race), $11.40 (5th), $6.80 (7th), and $10.40 (8th).
  • The BEST BET of the Day (15: 2-5-1) Saratoga Valley (5th race: 4-1 M/L; 9-2 PT) well back down the backstretch, was put to the whip entering the stretch, swung to the six path in upper stretch, closed steadily and was up in time to win returning $11.40 to WIN, $6.20 to PLACE and $4.00 to SHOW.
  • The LONGSHOT PLAY OF THE DAY (13: 0-0-5) Paris Is Art (1st race: 15-1 M/L; 8-1 PT) lacked speed, eased out to the three path leaving the far turn, swung outside horses near the eighth pole and closed gamely to finish third just a head and half length behind winner to return $6.00 to SHOW.
Long-time racing fan and analyst Gary Quill brings his ‘capping insights to The Racing Biz. Follow him on Twitter @HorseRacingNut.