US Racing Betting Tips: Our trader on Santa Anita, Gulfstream and more
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The showcontinues to go on across the pond with no fewer than seven meetings takingplace behind closed doors across the United States on Friday.
Tampa Bay,Gulfstream, Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita are among those you’ll be ableto watch live on Sky Sports Racing. And our trader in the know has had a lookat the action from each of the four main tracks.
Gulfstreamhosts an 11-race card in preparation for Saturday’s Florida Derby, and thereare a couple of excellent contests which could provide strong form in the future.
There’s onlyone trainer you need to know here and that’s Todd Pletcher. A winner ofthe Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer seven times, he’s won a record fiveFlorida Derbies, including four of the last six.
He’ll besending our Gouverneur Morris and Candy Tycoon to try and claimanother on Saturday night but he’ll no doubt be looking to mop up some of theprize money on offer on this card too.
In the firstrace at 5:00, he’ll team up with his main raider and dual championjockey John Velazquez with Gimme Some Mo, who looks like he mightpose a real challenge to likely favourite, Counterstrike.
The 9:12is one of the better renewals on the card, and Peltcher has live chances with MoneyMoves and Silver Ratio. In an interesting twist, Velazquez goesagainst his boss and will partner Sprawl for rival trainer William Mott.It’s a fascinating race in prospect.
Top jockeysSamy Camacho and Antonio Gallardo are both in action and considering they bothaverage a strike-rate of 20% or better at Tampa Bay they’re certainly worthfollowing.
In the lastrace of the evening at 8:26, Parish Poet has his firstrun in the US for Christophe Clement. Despite not achieving a great deal in theUK when trained by Paul Cole, this promising four-year-old is a potentialimprover. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on under top rider Camacho.
SamyCamacho booked rides:Sonoma Storm (5.15), Natoma (5.48), G Friday (6.19), R Sweet Exchange (6.50),Malio’s (7.55), Parish Poet (8.26)
AntonioGallardo booked rides: Billysbirthdaygirl (4.45), Imaginary Friend (5.48), I Ain’t Telling(6.19), J P’s Gia (6.50), Sudden Light (7.21), Dox Folly (7.55)
There’s onejockey head and shoulders above the rest at Golden Gate and that’s JuanJ. Hernandez. The Mexican-born maestro has a strike-rate of over 30% thisseason and has a solid book of rides for the evening.
He will behoping his mount in the last – Cakewalk – lives up to its name andfinishes off his night in style.
Juan J. Hernandezbooked rides: RunLike Rhett (8.15), Uber Star (9.22), Zinzan (9.53), La Guapa Velos (10.24),Willing To Burn (10.54) Friend Of Autism (11.24), Cakewalk (11.54)
Arguably oneof the best races of the whole evening might be a little late for some of us inthe UK at 11:09, however, it could be worth waiting up for as it features somefamiliar silks.
The orangeand blue Ballydoyle colours of Tabor, Magnier and Smith will be carriedby As Time Goes By – a newcomer trained by US racing legend BobBaffert and a daughter of triple crown-winning American Pharoah.
She shouldbe tuned up and ready for her first outing on a racecourse and could be somethingspecial. The biggest danger comes from her stablemate and Baffert’s otherrunner in the race, Merneith.
Anotherfilly sired by the Pharoah, she has had two goes already and only missed out bya nose last time. With her course experience, Merneith will no doubt befavourite in what promises to be an intriguing match-up.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
