Ocean Atlantique, Ky Downs

[Fairmount1]

Before I attempt to squeeze in a review of the last few days I was at Saratoga\'s backyard, I\'m looking ahead to Kentucky Downs.  An old favorite move of Rick Dutrow\'s popped up and just wanted to share.  

Yesterday, Ocean Atlantique ran 4th at Ky Downs as the 2.17-1 favorite.  The PP comment says \"Chkd brk, in tight late.\"  Watch the replay and head on for yourself.  I saw a difficult break, and then bumped around.  Then after nearing contention late, it looks like Frankie Dettori pulls the horse out of the \"tight spot\" from the pan view but the head on I don\'t see quite as much and it does not look quite as tight as the pan shot??  Curious others\' thoughts.  

Horse is entered on Thursday again at Ky Downs but on the AE list as the 14.  4-1 ML, Frankie Dettori listed, at 1.5 miles with an 80k tag like yesterday.  

Horse is also entered on Saturday at Ky Downs.  No ML up yet.  Frankie Dettori listed, at 1 5/16 miles with an 80k tag like yesterday.  

Dutrow and Dettori must REALLY want to get this one back in.  On 1-7 days rest since returning to the training world, Dutrow is 6-1-2-1-1.  Those five of the six to the hit the superfecta ran really well relative to their own abilities.  Not sure if the TG\'s would agree but my guess is they would.

I have not even handicapped the rest of the horses in those 2 races he is entered in but saw this one and gave it a closer look individually.  Worth a look as you look at Thurs and/or Saturday\'s cards to form an opinion.   And probably worth a review of the tape, both pan and head on, if that may affect your opinion.

Good Luck!

[Gary Irish]

Not having the PPs for this beast in front of me, I had to look to be sure.

Yes, Three Diamonds owned. Once a $1M sales horse to Tabor, Magnier, et al. They sold him for $180k, or so the pedigree page states.

It wasn\'t so long ago we were talking about him. He has some numbers. But in the end he got labeled a \"rat\". Like Joe Pesci speaking about Spider\'s family. \"Rats, all of\'em.\". - If you look at his sibs, you will find a lot of money burned.

Just sayin\'.

[Fairmount1]

As I start to delve a tiny bit into the Saturday card after work, I came across another interesting stat worth sharing.  I\'ve anecdotally noticed Eoin Harty seems to be a much better trainer lately.  He has the 1 horse in the 9th race at Ky Downs.  

So I looked up a stat or two and came up with this one pretty quickly.

In the past two months, Harty is 19-8-3-3 (42% Win%, 74% ITM) with a $4.31 ROI with Godolphin owned horses.  

For other owners the last 2 months, Harty is 10-0-1-2.  

A trainer to watch out for with Godolphin.  (As a comparison, the prior 10 months to this somewhat random most recent 2 month set I looked up, Harty had 5 winners from 65 starters for Godolphin, 7.6% winners).  

I guess he started to get some good horses.

[Fairmount1]

On a related note, some of you may have noticed that Brad Cox went on a bit of a slow streak during the Saratoga meet.  But the last weekend he won two graded stakes to break out of it a bit.  Immersive and Highland Falls at 12-1 and 7-1 respectively.  Take a guess what they have in common.

Walsh barn has 6 wins from 15 starts for Godolphin the last two months when I ran it the other night.  

Godolphin has always been a high percent operation as owners but the last two months have been really good. You might be able to cash in still on just using these barns in your multi\'s as the Appleby\'s are way overbet.  But some of these are going off at fair prices.  

On the plane in the morning early to make Ky Downs for Saturday.  Should be plenty of opportunities.  Hope to see some handicapping on the board between now and then on the stakes there.  

Good to see a few folks enjoyed the other string.  I was hesitant to post after typing it out and editing it a few times but went for it anyway.

[jbelfior]

Looking at the 1 1/2 race on Saturday. Integration is obviously better than these, however it is KYD and Shugs is clean.  

The key here for value IMO would be tossing the O\'Brien horse from the 11 post and with weaker numbers. Get Smokin figures to have early company this time assuming Balladeer goes.

Will try exacta boxes keying Integration with Highway Robber, Cathkin Peak, Sugoi, and Anglophile.


Good Luck,
Joe B.

[HP]

I think Integration is vulnerable here.  A mile and a half is a new game?  May be firm tomorrow and likes it soft?  I can see him winning but at 8/5 looking elsewhere. Good luck!  

HP