PC

[kev]

MY top pick in here is MOMENTUM (6-1). WAR EMBLEM (2-1) looks ok, but i think there will be alot of other\'s up front with him, to cause some problems. MILWAUKEE BREW (3-1) will pick up some of the show money, a wide trip might hurt his changes big time. CAME HOME (8-1) which i don\'t think he\'ll go off at, more like 9-2....longshot horse to wacth in here is PLEASANTLY PERFECT (20-1).

[Michael D.]

PC: I bet Momentum last race, and I thought he should have won the race. I am a bit concerned, however, about his non-Hollywood races. I will try to beat him, mainly because of the distance and track change, but after losing on him last time, I will be punching the walls if he hangs on.

Sky Jack: non-Hollywood races frighten me enough to toss him. (the Cal Cup was decent two years ago, if he runs back to that, I guess you could make a case, I will not though)

Bosque: another speedball. no thanks

Bonus Pack: very difficult read. the Churchill race was great, and when he stretched out he won at today\'s distance at nearly 4-1. I will use him on a hunch.

WE: if he wires them I will not be stunned. I will try and beat him though, mainly because of the other speed and the distance.

Pleasantly Perfect: no idea to be honest, but it\'s Mandella, and he doesn\'t enter these races to get the good table at the finish line. I will use him.

Came Home: this horse always runs better than I think he will. can he win? yes he can. I will try and beat him though mainly because of the extra eighth.

Milwaukee: Frankel and Desormeaux, I must use this combo.

Nates Colony: tough post, but these Pleasant Colony horses always seem to get better when they hit five. I will use this horse at huge odds.

Grey Memo: ran better than Nate last time, but I think he will be a bit over bet. nice close last race, the final three sixteenths were dreadfully slow however, and there is no guarantee he will have any punch at a mile and a quarter. I like this horse, but will not use him today.

The bet: I think there is enough speed here to set the race up for a closer. I think MB is the most likely winner, but he will also be one of the top two favorites. I will use him, along with Bonus Pack, Pleasantly Perfect, and Nates Colony (the three Pleasant Colony closers) in all of the exotics. Four horses is a lot to use in one race, but in a fourteen horse field, you can still make money in the exotics going deep.

Other races..... third: I think Eddy D will measure Go Go well today. no guarantee she is back to her 2001 form, but gets a big weight change from the last time she met KQ at Del Mar..... fourth: great allowance turf race (the kind I was expecting yesterday at Saratoga) I will go with Valenzuela and Desormeaux, Frankel and Hess, as both horses seem nicely suited for a mile and an eighth on turf...... sixth: I love Nakatani in six furlong sprints, use him over the next two choices (in claimers, I often go with the late money)...... seventh: Mike Smith can rides a one mile turf race as well as anybody. Perfect breeding for the distance, I must go with this one..... Good Luck everybody!!!!!

[kev]

Wow i cant belive the price on CAME HOME.....my top pick did very well and a very nice EX. for myself to go with.

[Michael D.]

Came Home.......11-1? with the big weight advantage, and I didn\'t use him at all. Nice handicapping. Given the collapse of the speedballs, I was surprised that MB didn\'t run better. Think Momentum has a shot at the Breeder\'s Cup? Two pretty good mile and a quarter races in a row.

[HP]

I guess these picks add to your credibility, eh Michael? I give you credit for putting them up though, as opposed to Aly, who is content to deliver dissertation without demonstration.

Next time I get a chance to go to the track I\'ll put up a few picks to add to my well deserved reputation for foolishness. I wouldn\'t want you to feel lonely. Hey, maybe you should PRETEND there\'s a contest, since that seems to spur your better performances.

I promise not add to this string, since you seem concerned about the \'last word\' thing. I\'m taking a break. I think we\'ve both said enough. HP

[Catalin]

DRF 8/25

Trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza said War Emblem was not prepared at the start. War Emblem was taken out of the gate with a few horses yet to be loaded and was loaded last.

\"The back door to the gate wasn\'t even closed when they opened the front one,\" Espinoza said. \"He wasn\'t ready to break and we came away a little too slow.\"

Give it up Baffert you crybaby.  Why don\'t you just admit WE is a run of the mill G2 type when he\'s not loose in a 48 second 1/2 mile.  I say he NEVER wins another noteworthy race.  In fact, I wouldn\'t be surprised if he\'s retired before the BC.  Anyone want to take the other side of that trade?

[kev]

Your right WE is a ok horse....and Bob B. is always coming up with something about why his horse didnt run well.....Cant win them all Bob.

[Michael D.]

Catalin,
I made that same prediction before the Belmont Stakes. My picks were off the mark in the PC today, but I still tossed WE (as did every person I know). Where did all of that money come from???  I think WE can steal one more graded race this year, but there is no doubt that Came Home and Md\'O now become the leaders of the division, and are much more likely to make a dent in the BC classic (although that would surprise me as well). And if you get a taker on your bet, give me the guys name.

[Alydar in California]

[HP]