Ellis Starr’s Blog
Key Races & Bets for Saturday February 10th, 2024
Minaret Stakes – Race 7 at Tampa Bay Downs -Post Time 3:43 PM Eastern Top Contenders: Bazinga C, Dreaming of Snow Although a case can be made for most of these to win or to be part of the exacta, there are TWO strong contenders, both at decent odds, to hone in on. Bazinga C has never ONLY gone to post at higher than 5 to 1 one time in 16 career races (and she
Key Races & Bets for Saturday February 3rd, 2024
Withers Stakes – Race 8 at Aqueduct -Post Time 3:55 PM Eastern Win Contenders: Speed Runner, Uncle Heavy, Lightline Speed Runner is the ONLY horse in the field to have won at this mile and one-eighth distance, having done so on December 8 in only the second start of his career, and off a two month layoff. After stalking the leader in second for the first three-quarters of a mile, Speed Runner engaged that horse
Key Races & Bets for Saturday January 27th, 2024
Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational – Race 10 at Gulfstream – Post Time 3:45 PM Eastern Win Contenders: Star Fortress, Ruby Nell Exacta & Trifecta Contenders: (2nd and 3rd) Fluffy Socks, Queen Goddess, Didia, Mission of Joy Star Fortress brought a one for seven record into her U.S. debut two months ago (on 11/23/23) in the Grade 3 Cardinal Stakes at Churchill Downs, at this distance, and emerged with her second career
Key Races & Bets for Saturday January 20th, 2024
Interborough Stakes – Race 8 at Aqueduct – Post Time 3:47 PM Eastern Contenders: Rosebug, Self Isolation, Dr B, Hot Fudge Rosebug is the one we must look at first as she opens at 8 to 1. In the hands of Bill Mott, she shipped from Aqueduct to Ohio last November and was beaten a length and one-half in the Mahoning Distaff Stakes. She’s been off since then and ran her best race of 2023
Key Races & Bets for Saturday January 13th, 2024
California Cup Oaks – Race 5 at Santa Anita – Post Time 5:30 PM Eastern Top win contender: Grand Slam SmileOther contenders: Asada Fries, Sushi Sticks Grand Slam Smile stretches out to two-turns on turf off a solid foundation of two sprints following a layoff. She won her comeback on 11/3 here at Santa Anita, at seven furlongs and easily by seven lengths. That was a stakes for California breds like this one. She then