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

 

SPECIAL PLAYS Best Bet: Race 8/#4 – Savvy Street

Longshot: Race 4/#8 – Peppermint Prince

 

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

Race 1

  1. #4 – Whisky Rock (6-5): Robb claim in Apr.; away since then; takes advantage of waiver
  2. #5 – Fuhr Gerry (8-1): Drops in for a tag for first time for sixth career start     
  3. #2 – Lay It On (5-2): So. CA invader has since been two-time runner-up as favorite at Pen

Race 2

  1. #4 – Start Swinging (9-5): Cuts back in distance after troubled trip has favorite       
  2. #1 – Joann’s Girly (5-2): Speed of the speed in here; will need track to be speed favoring          
  3.  #7 – Stardust Lill (5-1): Wilted from 3-way speed duel in mud; not today on fast track    

Race 3

  1. #4 – Under the Bridge (3-1): 2nd in debut & claimed by Leatherbury; expect quicker start
  2. #1 – Cotton Letters (5-2): Has speed to go gate-2-wire; drops to back to level claimed      
  3. #6 – Mellow Mei Mei (2-1): Drops off Ness claim on Dec. 31st; no works since?!     

Race 4

  1. #8 – Peppermint Prince (10-1): $Longshot Play$*Looking for first win since 2013! Can get it w/ clean break     
  2. #5 – Captainofindustry (3-1): Rarely runs a bad race (15:3-5-4 on dirt), but often disappoints           
  3. #4 – Seventy West (6-5): Best on paper but the race isn’t run on paper

Race 5

  1. #5 – Tripmeister (5-1): Interesting claim by nationally known owner Moss; will he improve?       
  2. #4 – Whiskey Sour (5-2): Appears to want added distance; 3rd start after Ness claim
  3. #6 – I’m Mr. Blue (3-1): Only one in here who has beaten winners; going for natural Hat Trick          

Race 6

  1. #6 – Gin Makes Ya Sin (6-1): Rough start in last yet still prevailed against better than these
  2. #1 – The Pulse (7-5): Debut was very impressive; earned 98 Brisnet speed figure                          
  3. #3 – Jigsaw (15-1): At first glance taking a big step up, but has back class to compete

Race 7 – $100,000 Wide Country Stakes

  1. #3 – Diannestillworks (5-1): Aqu shipper for Rudy Rod adds blinkers after troubled 3rd
  2. #5 – Lake Sebago (6-5): Gets to run at best distance (7f) in here, but track may favor speed
  3.  #4 – Kazuri (6-1): PA invader is quick and game; a threat to go gate-2-wire

Race 8 – $100,000 Miracle Wood Stakes

  1. #3 – Savvy Street (5-1): Best Bet A Forest Boyce sighting; jock up from FG for this one?         
  2. #4 – Golden Years (2-1): Out to prove he’s the best MD based 3 year old male
  3. #6 – Bodhisattva (10-1): Grinding it out type has a win at this 1 mile distance

Race 9 – $250,000 G3 General George Hcp.

  1. #2 – Misconnect (10-1): Owner Repole can smell an opportunity across the country; best @ 7f 
  2. #8 – Cutty Shark (6-1): Part of exacta in 5 of 6 at this distance
  3. #1 – Bourbon Courage (5-2): Though OTB in only 7f effort, has the class & work tab to score

Race 10

  1. #5 – Maybrys Challenge (7-5): Does best work on off track, but has top Prime Power#  
  2. #7 – Ore Pass (10-1): Potts still trying to find what makes this CA castoff tick                           
  3. #6 – Rocky’s Affair (5-1): Has the back class for McMahon to right the ship 1st after claim                       

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

  • On Saturday, Feb. 14th at Laurel had 6 winners from 9 races (3 Top Selections; payoffs in BOLD) having $2 WIN pay-off of $7.00 (1st race), $2.60 (2nd), $9.80 (3rd), $12.40 (6th), $8.20 (7th) and $7.20 (8th). Of the suggested Multi-Race Wagers cashed the DOUBLE (R1-R2) for $12.00. 
  • The BEST BET of the Day (17: 3-6-1) Bret’s At Caddies (5th race: 9-2 M/L; 7-2 PT) was lightly bumped by GALLIVANTING when that one was forced out soon after the break, sprinted clear leaving the backstretch, saved ground on the turn and gave way grudgingly to finish second and return $5.00 to PLACE and $3.20 to SHOW.
  • The LONGSHOT PLAY OF THE DAY (14: 0-0-5) Went the Day Well (7th race: 20-1 M/L) was a veterinarian SCRATCH.
Long-time racing fan and analyst Gary Quill brings his ‘capping insights to The Racing Biz. Follow him on Twitter @HorseRacingNut.