in Triple Crown Betting Trends

Turfway Park

With A City won the Lane’s End Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday and gave his connections trainer Mike Maker and owners Equlracecom LLC a case of “Derby fever”.

With A City came from behind and then held off a horse I liked very much, Seaside Retreat, who finished a strong second.

Seaside Retreat was the horse we gave out to our clients and we touted an across the board wager on him. A $30 bet of $10 win, place and show would have netted a $65.00 profit, a return of $95.00.

With A City had only one race in ’06 coming in, it was a stakes race and he closed well but he took a giant step up with this win on Saturday.

Another factor was the rider, as changing to Brice Blanc was a significant change that paid off. It was the first time Brice had ridden the three-year-old colt. Blanc has had new life in his career since he left the California circuit and moved to the Ohio-Kentucky tracks. So, add With A City to the Derby pack for now.

I still feel Seaside Retreat could be trouble on Derby day if he gets in, as he may not have enough graded earnings to make it if there is a full field of 20.

In Dubai at the UAE Derby, Descreet Cat easily won the two-million dollar race for 3-year-olds with the best jockey on the planet Frankie Dettori in the irons.

Descreet Cat is now 3-3 lifetime, but and I mean a BIG but, will he be able to get off his home turf over there and beat the best of North America? History says no. The Godolphin Racing Stables claim that they will produce a horse to win the Kentucky Derby. Keep in mind Descreet Cat was not bred in Dubai.

Godolphin purchased him last year after he won at Saratoga.

I admit the win was impressive, but you must show me more over American racetracks to impress me.

In the six-million dollar Dubai Cup run on the same card as the Derby,  a 21-million dollar day of purses was put up at Nad Al Sheba race course in Dubai, Electrocutionist was the winner.Again the winner was ridden by Frankie Dettori. Finishing second was the USA’a Brass Hat in the 1 ½ mile event.

The reason Dettori is the best is easy, he wins on every continent, at any distance. He wins with speed horsesm, he comes from behind and he wins at the highest level of competition in his sport. In the two above-mentioned races, Dettori bagged 60% of 8-million dollars for his owners.

OUT OF THE DERBY:

Achilles of Troy (Gotham Stakes) and Corinthian (DQ’ed Fountain of Youth Stakes) are done for the spring both suffered recent injuries.

WORKOUTS:

Recent works for the entries in the Florida Derby….High Blues 4 furlongs 47.4, Sharp Humor 5 Furlongs 101.4

NYRA: It looks like the New York Racing Assn. may be replaced by the for profit Empire Racing Associates when the contract expires on December 31st 2007. Empire may offer ‘comps’ for bettors and other offers to attract new players to the three New York venues, Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga.

This Saturday, April 1st, the all important Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, this will be the last tune-up for the Run for the Roses for some of the best 3-year-olds In America. Entries will be available on Thursday.

The Illinois Derby at Hawthorne, the Santa Anita Derby and the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct will be run April 8th.

Pete Cataldo can be heard every Wednesday at 3pm EST on www.BetUSradio.com. To reach Pete for more on the ponies, email jrclemente@hotmail.com.