Cigar Mile SCORES - RECAP! - Super Screener
Super Screener

Cigar Mile SCORES – RECAP!

Photo By: Dan Heary/Eclipse Sportswire

Cigar Mile (G1)

There was no defeating Maximum Security on this day. He just toyed with this field on the way to a dominating win after dueling with Spun to Run for 6 furlongs. It was the Super Screener Top Long Shot pick, True Timber, who got up for third at terrific odds of 32-1 to add a bit more value to the chalky Trifecta. 

This was a “pattern” horse that we highlighted on our Saturday morning video pointing out that connections had him in a similar pattern that led to a peak effort in this race last year at similarly generous odds.

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#11 True Timber is an intriguing option in this race as the top barn is trying to repeat a pattern that resulted in narrowly missing the win in this race last year while posting a huge lifetime top off just an okay G3 Bold Ruler prep race. He prepped in the G3 Bold Ruler again this year submitting a modest BRIS Speed Rating of 93 just has he did in that race last year. Will he pop another big top here in the Cigar Mile as he did a year ago or will he merely move modestly forward off two decent starts 6-months off the layoff? He continues to train well and his price should be quite generous given the risk. Best to look at this long shot as a pattern horse that possesses a great shot to hit the board at a very square price.

Suggested Exacta and Trifecta tickets hit thanks to the inclusion of True Timber as just one of three horses used in the 3 hole. In addition, one of the suggested Pick 4 tickets hit for $362.75.

Remsen (G2)

Aided by the projected dawdling pace and the forwardly placed bias of the Aqueduct surface, the Super Screener Top Long Shot “A” horse, Shotski, waltzed home for a good win after being bet down some in the closing minutes to odds of nearly 9-1.

#6 Shotski will secure a very favorable forward position in this race and another move forward is expected here with added ground a plus. Since he lays out energy in a balanced way, he’ll be able to track the modest pace and have all kinds of energy in reserve for that stretch run. Very viable win contender with a lot of advantages.

Our other Top Long Shot pick, Informative, who was a “B” horse that was 4th in our rankings, finished 4th at surprisingly monster odds of 41-1.  

“#5 Informative holds a strong pace advantage on a track surface that rewards forwardly placed types especially when the pace is projected to be below par. Is bred to handle this distance and for a pace type really lays out energy in a very balanced way which is a strong asset to have on the stretch out. Anything close to the Morning Line odds of 12-1 would represent a very favorable risk reward value proposition.”

We faded one of the favorites, Forza Di Oro, ranking him 2nd to last which is where he finished. While Alpha Sixty Six didn’t run a lick as the odds on favorite, our other “B” horse, Ajaaweed made up for that completing the Exacta as the lone closer to hit the Superfecta prevailing against the slow pace and race flow.

#4 – Ajaaweed – CLOSER – Does possess some turn of foot which he’ll need to leverage trying to close into the relatively soft pace. Was no match against Maxfield in the G1 Breeders’ Futurity, but he did close to pick up a check. Working well leading up this and finds easier company. Is another who will appreciate added ground and he does have that key 2-turn route experience advantage.

The Super Screener suggested Exacta and Trifecta wagers returned $713.

Demoiselle (G2)

With FiftyshaysOfgreen and I Dare U scratched from the race, the anticipated swift pace was blunted and Lake Avenue was moved up to a B horse. She proceeded to wire this field loping through slow fractions on the lone lead. Our top win pick and “A” horse, Maedean ran a really good race considering the pace set up that worked against her and she finished a game 2nd but was the only filly in the Superfecta to close. That outcome resulted in the “B” over “A” horses Trifecta to trigger which included Blame Debbie hitting the bottom of the Trifecta at 10-1.

Claiming Crown Iron Horse

The team of owner Ron Paolucci and trainer Peter Walder pulled off quite a coup in this year’s renewal of the Claiming Crown Iron Horse race. Sensational Ride set the anticipated hot pace and nearly held on to win before his stablemate, Yes I See came from the back of the field to pass that rival with a jump to go to grab the win as the 2nd longest shot on the board (66-1). Yes I See was new to the Peter Walder barn and blinkers were added. This performance was a dramatic turn around from the drubbing he took from easier foes in his last four races. I guess the lesson here is don’t overlook a Ron Paolucci claimer that gets moved to the Peter Walder barn.  Our vertical single play, Salsa’s Return, did manage to finish 3rd as we predicted and our Top Long Shot pick, To Dare, managed to come from last as they turned for home to get up for 4th.

Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) & Starlet (G1)

No real wagering interest in these races, but the top horses are all top shelf 2 year-olds we’ll be hearing more from in the weeks ahead. Thousand Words prevailed in the Futurity for Baffert, cutting fast fractions on the sealed surface. Anneau d’Or validated his top effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and stamped himself as a legitimate, though early, Kentucky Derby contender.

The Starlet was another “low return” race, but it was fun to watch as Bast and Donna Veloce demonstrated their dominance pulling away from the rest of the field by 12 lengths with both fillies looking strong. The Super Screener Top Long Shot pick, K P Dreamin finished 3rd, but there was no show betting. In fact, the Super Screener ranked this field in the exact order in which they finished!

The spotlight next weekend moves to the Fair Grounds as they card their Louisiana Champions Day which promises full, contentious fields to wager on. In addition, as the Gulfstream Park meet gets into full swing, they’ll have 4 graded stakes races to chose from so plenty of stakes action coming up.

Until next weekend… go fast and win!
Mike Shutty