Summer 2013

April 9

Beyers For Saturday's Winners

The Week Ahead

Today in the Daily Racing Form was the day that the weekend's stakes winners had their photos published with the Beyer Speed figures they earned. Some casual fans who do not understand how speed figures are made would look at the numbers and conclude that the winner of the local Calder Derby was about three lengths faster than Kentucky Derby favorite and Wood Memorial winner, the undefeated Verrazano (98 - 95 Beyers). But that's half of using the Beyers, taking them with an understanding of how they are made and understanding that they cannot be used simply as raw numbers.

A look ahead for the week - this week is the "Festival of Racing" at Oaklawn Park. Wednesday is the Grade 3 Fantasy, one of the last preps for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. I will look to play that race. Friday is the Grade 1 Apple Blossom which features one of my favorite fillies, Grace Hall. I will also look to play that race. At Keeneland on Friday is the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile on the turf. This race will be the 2013 debut of Horse of the Year, Wise Dan. I will be ALL OVER Wise Dan! Then this Saturday there are several races that I will look forward to playing...... I will be at Calder where their feature will be the Calder Oaks. It is a huge day at Keeneland, it's Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes Day. And while I will probably have a selection there are several other stakes that I will look forward to even more, in particular the Grade 1 Madison which may mark the return of Groupie Doll to the races; and the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley on the turf is shaping up as something special. At Oaklawn it is Grade 1 Arkansas Derby Day. And they have three stakes on the undercard.

Here are my winners from last weekend..........