Some surprising results yesterday, but one horse to keep a eye out for was in the first race Maiden at Santa Anita a horse called Wild about Deb won it and ran quicker than in the Santa Anita Derby. He is by a horse I loved called Smarty Deb who was the best filly to ever run at Emerald Downs. One to watch after the Kentucky derby trial is over.

Busy busy day yesterday. Those beasts in the Ashland ran quite fast early setting it up the winner. Rachel's Valentina ran quite well considering. Exaggerator had it all his way but still his race was impressive. Still think he is suspect at the Derby distance. This years Derby preps seem to lack appeal.

The standings after week 6...

Ghostzapper - 113
mjtags - 79
SiriusChill - 69
PeterS94 - 58
Simpleminds - 10

Mj it seems you messed up the Fantasy Stakes picks and put in the Madison picks. Peter appears to be using your picks as a guide. Bad for you - good for me as I moved up some with a couple winners. I would imagine you most likely had Terra Promessa or Taxable.

I remember Smarty Deb. She ran in the Breeders Cup I think. Did you see that first time starter win at Santa Anita today named Enola Grey? The announcer called her 18 lengths in front at the wire. It was an electrifying performance.

Yes she got injured in that race and never ran again.

Just watched that race with Enola Gray and wow, a Cal bred filly. That was freakish , she almost broke the track record and I looked up her works and they were just average. Will be putting her in my tracker.

Past performances for tomorrow's Appalachian Stakes can be found here (Look for horse Spinamiss) -http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/ToddPletcher/PLETCHER+TODD+A/9999/summary.html

Past performances for the Saturday's Lexington Stakes can be found here (Look for horse Collected) - http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/Baffert/BAFFERT+BOB/9999/summary.htm

Past performances for the Saturday's Arkansas Derby can be found here - http://www1.drf.com/formulator-web/FreeRace.do?trackId=OP&country=USA&raceDate=20160416&dayEvening=D&raceNumber=11#past-performance-race/11

The Appalachian Stakes - Catch a Glimpse looks very hard to beat off that very easy return race. The value is in the exacta. I can make an excuse for just about everyone to lose. A good longshot for second is Auntie Joy.

Catch a Glimpse
Auntie Joy - alternate

Appalachian:
-Top Pick: Catch a Glimpse
-Alternate: Ava's Kitten

Arkansas Derby:
-Top Pick: Cupid
-Alternate: Whitmore

Lexington:
-Top Pick: Swipe
-Alternate: Collected

Beaumont:
-Top Pick:
-Alternate:

The Arkansas Derby - Cupid was very impressive last out. Leading all the way on a fast pace with some in the tank at the end. This was after rallying into a very slow pace in his previous race. His first two career starts he faded in sprint races. A rapidly improving horse. American Pioneer is lightly raced but has shown a lot of promise.

The Lexington - I see a lot of pace in this race. Swipe will be the big favorite but I have doubts he is sound enough or fit enough to be a factor. He is coming back from surgery for a bone chip in his ankle which explains why this Derby contender is making his 3yo campaign debut so late. Synchrony appears to be nicely prepped for this. His last looks to me as a either a "didn't handle the good" or a deliberate hold job for this race. Big Squeeze is another rapidly improving type who I hope will be farther off an expected fast pace.

Cupid
American Pioneer - alternate

Synchrony
Big Squeeze - alternate

Arkansas Derby - Oaklawn Park Cupid
Lexington - Keeneland Collected

Lexington Stakes - Riker Alt Collected
Arkansas Derby Stakes (Grade 1) - Whitmore Alt Cupid



Gray

Alert! A Sunday feature race today. The Beaumont for 3yo fillies.

Beaumont Past Performances can be found here (Look for horse Kinsley Kisses) - http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/ToddPletcher/PLETCHER+TODD+A/9999/summary.html

The Beaumont attracted a very small field which is a bit odd. I will take Nickname who is shortening up after running in two very fast paced races at Oaklawn. Kinsley Kisses is undefeated in two starts and will be tough on the front.

Nickname
Kinsley Kisses - alternate

Beaumont:
Top Pick: Nickname
Alternate: American Doll

Beaumont: Lightstream

Beaumont:
Top Pick: Nickname

Two average Kentucky Derby preps. Cupid has an excuse I guess. The Lexington was bleh. Now we roll on to find the Kentucky Derby winner.

The standings after week 7...

Ghostzapper - 133
mjtags - 94
SiriusChill - 87
PeterS94 - 63
Simpleminds - 13