Thursday 1-18-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Aqueduct

RACE #3 - AQUEDUCT - 1:18 PM EASTERN POST
The Bay Ridge Stakes
9.0 FURLONGS DIRT FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#2 FROST WISE
#3 FROSTIE ANNE
#4 RIOT WORTHY
#1 MIGHT BE

For you folks who are unfamiliar with N.Y.C. "geography," ... Bay Ridge is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It is bounded by Sunset Park on the north, Dyker Heights on the east, the Narrows and the Belt Parkway on the west, Fort Hamilton Army Base in the southeast corner, and the Verrazano Bridge on the south. Here in the 4th running of The Ridge," (which was "frozen out" last week) ... #2 FROST WISE has hit the board in four of her last five outings, winning twice, including a BLISTERING, 16-length, "POWER RUN WIN" in her last start.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Charles Town

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 3 - Maiden Claiming - 4.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $10000 Class Rating: 42

FOR ACCREDITED WEST VIRGINIA-BRED MAIDENS, FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000, IF FOR $4,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 FLY THE COOP 2/1

# 2 HAIRCUT BILL 4/1

# 7 HOW'S DENIS 4/1

I favor FLY THE COOP here. The drastic drop in competition can only aid this one this time out. HAIRCUT BILL - With Castro on top him, this gelding will probably be able to break out early in here. In this field, this one is at the top in earnings per start in dirt sprint races.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Delta Downs

Delta Downs - Race 1

DD ($1 min.) (Races 1-2) / Exacta / Trifecta (.50 min.) / Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3) Pick 4 (.50 min.) (Races 1-2-3-4) / Superfecta (.10 min.)


Maiden Claiming $10,000 • 1 1/16 Miles • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 46 • Purse: $15,000 • Post: 5:40P
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Class. CARENCRO SPECIAL is the Dominant Class of the race. * KEY ANGLES * CARENCRO SPECIAL: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rating at least five points lower than the Class Rating of its last race. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating.
6
CARENCRO SPECIAL
5/2

7/5




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
7
ONE K QUEEN
7

10/1
Alternator/Front-runner
45

43

50.2

34.4

26.4
6
CARENCRO SPECIAL
6

5/2
Stalker
69

65

55.2

52.3

50.3
2
SHESANODOUBTOPRADO
2

9/5
Alternator/Stalker
49

46

37.0

37.0

29.5
5
FLAMING DIVA
5

3/1
Alternator/Stalker
0

0

25.5

25.5

15.0
4
YABBAY
4

15/1
Alternator/Stalker
53

44

22.8

25.6

13.6
1
A P'S DIANA
1

8/1
Trailer
0

0

37.0

31.3

23.3
8
DIXIE THE CAT
8

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

31.2

18.3

8.3
3
APRIL'SBLACKMAGIC
3

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

10.4

10.4

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Valuline at Fair Grounds

Today's Most Likely Winner Is at:
Fair Grounds, Race 9 (Thursday January 18, 2018)

NINETY ONE ASSAULT
(For ten of today's most likely winners, see Exotic Key Plays.)

FG-9 1mile TURF Ten Horses
"A" ALW 12,500 4YUP $40,000
P# ex t s h5 ML WP TVL

8 NINETY ONE ASSAULT 9/5 38% 8/5 Strong Favorite icon
10 DAPPER JACK 8/1 18% 9/2
3 IN THE NAVY 3/1 14% 6/1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Gulfstream Park - Race #10 - Post: 5:08pm - Claiming - 7.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $21,000 Class Rating: 84

Rating: 4

#9 PROUD LEGACY (ML=6/1)


PROUD LEGACY - Combest has this filly entered in the perfect race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #10 NILE PRINCESS (ML=2/1), #2 ELITE HEIR (ML=9/2), #1 LITTLE BABY BELLA (ML=6/1),

NILE PRINCESS - Hasn't been close at all lately. Earned a pedestrian speed figure last time around the track in a $25,000 Claiming race on November 26th. Not likely to see an improved performance off of that figure. ELITE HEIR - The sixth place result in the last affair was not that great. LITTLE BABY BELLA - I can't play this frequent non-winner. Gets the job completed from time to time. This filly finished out of the money on December 13th and wasn't close to winning last out either.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#9 PROUD LEGACY to win at post-time odds of 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Skip

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPER HI 5 WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Oaklawn Park

Oaklawn Park - Race 3

Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta / 50 Cent Pick 3 (Races 3-4-5)


Maiden Claiming $16,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 56 • Purse: $22,000 • Post: 2:25P
FOR ARKANSAS BRED (WHICH QUALIFY UNDER RULES GOVERNING ARKANSAS-BREDS) MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $16,000 (FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD PREFERRED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Stalker. MISS D IRISH is the Dominant Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * SASSY OLIVIA ANN: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distanc e/surface. MISS D IRISH: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. ENDLESS BLOOM: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
9
SASSY OLIVIA ANN
5/1

7/2
4
MISS D IRISH
7/2

7/2
6
ENDLESS BLOOM
10/1

7/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
11
SWEET SWEET KIM
11

6/1
Alternator/Front-runner
54

50

52.3

43.9

35.9
6
ENDLESS BLOOM
6

10/1
Stalker
56

52

35.4

44.4

37.9
4
MISS D IRISH
4

7/2
Alternator/Stalker
0

0

76.8

46.5

42.0
9
SASSY OLIVIA ANN
9

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
81

73

55.2

45.5

42.0
10
RAISE A GHOST
10

20/1
Alternator/Stalker
0

0

36.5

38.4

26.9
7
SATIN SUPRISE
7

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

40.6

24.6

9.1
1
ORDAINED HARBOR
1

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

36.0

26.5

13.5
3
BUTTON MUSHROOM
3

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0








Unknown Running Style: SKYLAR'S KISS (5/1) [Jockey: Morales Edgar - Trainer: Cates Al], CINDERELLA'S GOLD (9/2) [Jockey: Mcmahon Cj - Trainer: Caldwell J R], FEATHERSTONE (15/1) [Jockey: Court Jon Kenton - Trainer: Jackson Richard D].

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Penn National

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 4 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $11800 Class Rating: 76

FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE JULY 18 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 18, 2017 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 18, 2017 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 7 ZIPLINE 15/1

# 5 MIDDAY PRAYER 3/1

# 6 BESS' GIRL 6/1

ZIPLINE is the strongest bet in this contest and could score at a price in here. Is a strong contender based on figs recorded as of late under today's conditions. This mare looks like a play at a price. Look for a much improved outing with the drop. MIDDAY PRAYER - Is difficult not to look at given the company run in lately. With a strong 69 average speed figure at the distance, seems well suited for today's race. BESS' GIRL - Could beat this field given the 76 speed rating recorded in her last outing.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Turfway Park - Race #6 - Post: 8:45pm - Allowance - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $18,500 Class Rating: 88

Rating: 4

#6 JEMROSE (ML=9/2)


JEMROSE - After the event aboard this horse on December 20th, the jockey is going to 'know' the filly much better. If the front runners get weary, this filly will kick into high gear. This filly is probably the best stretch runner in the field. Finished off the board last out at Turfway Park, but was within five lengths of the winner. Opening at 9/2 makes me think she's got a chance.

Vulnerable Contenders: #5 TRIVIAL (ML=2/1), #3 NEVER GROW OLD (ML=5/2), #2 CHASING CARS (ML=4/1),

TRIVIAL - December 20th is the last time we've seen this filly around. Have to be a little bit leery. NEVER GROW OLD - Hasn't been close to winning at all of late. Improbable that the speed rating she notched on December 20th will be good enough in this event. CHASING CARS - Hasn't been close to winning at all recently. The speed figure in the last race doesn't fit very well in this race when I look at the class rating of today's race. Mark this thoroughbred as a questionable contender.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #6 JEMROSE on top if we're getting at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
None

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Winning Angle---THURSDAY

NCAA BASKETBALL

Play Virginia -8 over Georgia Tech

Virginia has won 57 of the last 70 games when playing as a favorite and they have won 32 of the last 47 games vs. conference opponents. Virginia has won 35 of the last 47 games when playing their 2nd game in a week and they are only allowing an average of 52 points a game this season.

Play Gonzaga -7.5 over Saint Mary’s

Gonzaga has won 72 of the last 80 games when playing as a favorite and they have won 44 of the last 48 games vs. conference opponents. Gonzaga has won 47 of the last 56 games when playing their 2nd game in a week and they have won 67 of the last 80 games coming off a win in their last game.


NBA BASKETBALL

Play Orlando +10.5 over Cleveland

NHL HOCKEY

Play Las Vegas +170 over Tampa Bay
Play Pittsburgh +120 over Los Angeles Kings

[Can'tPickAWinner]

76ers vs. Celtics Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Philadelphia 76ers will try to stay hot against the only team they have lost to over the last three weeks when they visit the Boston Celtics on Thursday. The rivals met in London a week ago and the Celtics rallied for a 114-103 win, but both teams returned home and had very different results once they resumed action.

The Sixers won for the fifth time in six games with an intense 117-111 victory over Toronto on Monday while the Celtics' first action since London resulted in an overtime loss to New Orleans at home Tuesday night, snapping a seven-game winning streak. "For some reason tonight, the whole game we were a little careless. It just carried over there at the end," Boston forward Al Horford told reporters. "We thought we had it. It just got away from us." Joel Embiid was held to 15 points in the loss to the Celtics before recording 34 points and 11 rebounds in the win over the Raptors, which saw Philadelphia lose most of a big lead before hanging on in an emotional affair. "We've been in this type of position a lot this year," Embiid told reporters, "so we just had to stay calm and execute."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT, NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE 76ERS (20-20): JJ Redick has been a big part of Philadelphia's surge with five 20-point games since Christmas, but the sharpshooter is expected to miss two weeks or more with a leg injury. Veteran Jerryd Bayless picked up a pair of starts in Redick's place when the latter was hurt last month and second-year pro Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot - who had 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the last visit to Boston - could see an increase in playing time. Point guard T.J. McConnell is averaging 15 points on 58.3 percent from the field and 6.5 assists over the last two games.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (34-11): Boston has made a living on late rallies this season after many slow starts, but it couldn't pull off the trick after another double-digit deficit Tuesday. "We can't come back every game," guard Kyrie Irving told reporters after shooting 8-for-24 and missing on some opportunities late in regulation and in OT. "It's as simple as that." The Celtics attempted a season-high 50 3-pointers, with Irving's 12 attempts leading the way and Horford's 4-for-5 effort the best of the bunch.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Embiid is averaging 13 points on 30.3 percent shooting in two meetings with the Celtics.

2. After seven consecutive games with at least 13 points, Celtics G Terry Rozier has a total of 17 over his last three contests while shooting 7-for-25.

3. Boston has won seven straight over Philadelphia at home.

PREDICTION: Celtics 108, 76ers 106

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Magic vs. Cavaliers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Cleveland Cavaliers are losers of four straight and eight of their last 10 games, and trade rumors are already beginning. The Cavaliers will try to put their internal squabbles behind and snap the slide when they host the Orlando Magic on Thursday.

Anonymous leaks to the media have several players on the team doubting that the roster as currently constructed can solve some of the issues that plague Cleveland, especially on the defensive end. The Cavaliers are 28th in the NBA in defensive rating entering play on Wednesday and allowed at least 118 points in four of their last five games while trying to work 5-9 point guard Isaiah Thomas into the scheme. Cleveland's last win came at Orlando on Jan. 6, 131-127, and was part of a seven-game slide for the Magic that ended with a 108-102 win over Minnesota on Tuesday. "We have been playing a lot of good basketball the last two weeks, but we've been losing games," Magic center Bismack Biyombo told the team's website. "Are we better than the record says? We all know that, but the truth of the matter is we've got to face the reality. The result is what it is, but we've got to find a way to keep pulling out these kinds of wins and who knows what could happen."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (13-31): Orlando was able to snap its losing streak on Tuesday thanks to a career-high 32 points from Evan Fournier and a strong effort in the middle. Biyombo and Khem Birch, who was playing in his eighth career NBA game, combined for 22 points and 26 rebounds. "We have good players and when you look at the roster, you don't (think), 'Oh, they should only have 13 wins," Fournier told reporters. "The reality (of the record) is different, but when we play like this -- we play hard, with enthusiasm and with a purpose, it makes a huge difference. We have to keep playing like this. We have about 40 games left, and we have to try and fight. Just try and compete."

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (26-17): Thomas is struggling at both ends of the floor through his first five games with his new team and is shooting 36.1 percent from the field, including 23.3 percent from 3-point range. Thomas played a season-high 32 minutes in Monday's 118-108 loss to the Golden State Warriors but needed 21 shots to reach 19 points. "I just want him to take the shots that are given to him," Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue told reporters of Thomas. "Not forcing shots, but if someone, whoever is on the team that can shoot the basketball, if they're open 21 times, then take your shots. It's not about the amount of shots, it's the amount of good shots. If they're your shots, then you've got to be ready to take them."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Cavaliers SF LeBron James is 3-of-15 from 3-point range over the last four games.

2. Magic SG Arron Afflalo was involved in a fight on Tuesday and could be facing a league suspension.

3. Orlando snapped a 17-game losing streak in the series with a 114-93 win at Cleveland on Oct. 21.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 115, Magic 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Timberwolves vs. Rockets Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats09:30 PM
Both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets saw their respective winning streaks come to an end in heated affairs on the road. The two Western Conference contenders will try to keep their emotions in check and get back into the win column when they meet Thursday in Houston in the first of four encounters over the next two months.

The Rockets had won three in a row before a testy loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that resulted in several Houston players attempting to get into the Clippers' locker room and police coming to the scene to calm the situation. "They were talking crazy throughout the game," Rockets guard Eric Gordon told the Houston Chronicle. "Yeah, they were playing well. We just didn't like how it ended. The refs let them talk crazy until something had to happen, let guys on our own go out there. We're not going to stand by with somebody out there like that. Blake Griffin, he's talking crazy. All those guys were talking big. Things happen. We're going to remember it, though." The Timberwolves will certainly remember a 108-102 loss at lowly Orlando on Tuesday that featured a second-quarter fight and eventually ended their five-game winning streak. Jimmy Butler scored 28 points for Minnesota, which has given up at least 103 points in three straight outings after holding seven consecutive opponents under 100.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (29-17): With this visit to Houston, a home game against Toronto and then a three-game road trip that includes games against the streaking Clippers and the defending champs in Golden State, Tuesday's loss may have been a blessing. "I'm glad we (expletive) lost, coming in here on our high horse thinking we are a really good team and we haven't done anything yet," Butler told reporters. "Good for us, man. They played better than us." While Butler was 4-for-4 from the line, eight of his teammates combined to go just 5-for-6.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (30-12): Houston is 4-3 since losing the NBA's leading scorer, James Harden, to a hamstring injury but he has been upgraded to questionable for this one, as have three reserves, including veteran big man Nene (knee). Gerald Green, one of several Rockets who reportedly went to the Clippers' locker room and could face discipline from the league, has helped to replace some of Harden's scoring but is 11-for-39 from the field - including 5-for-24 from beyond the arc - over the last three games. Center Clint Capela scored in double figures in a season-high seven straight games and he shot 23-for-26 in three games against the Timberwolves last season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Houston has won nine straight meetings at home.

2. Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns' streak of 10 straight double-doubles is a season high.

3. Rockets PG Chris Paul is averaging 20.7 points and 9.4 assists at home.

PREDICTION: Rockets 111, Timberwolves 107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pacers vs. Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
The Indiana Pacers are at the midpoint of a five-game road trip and have a chance to clinch a winning excursion when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. The Pacers began the trip by drubbing Phoenix and Utah by a combined 38 points and are winners of three straight and five of the last six contests.

Indiana held the opposition under 100 points in each of its last five victories and managed to keep up the pressure while playing on back-to-back nights to begin the road trip. "We talked about continuing to play like we did the last couple games," Pacers head coach Nate McMillan told reporters after Monday's 109-94 win over the Jazz. "Defensively, our pressure has been better. Offensively, we've been moving the ball, (our) execution has been better." The Trail Blazers dropped three straight on the road before returning home and picking up a 118-111 victory over the Suns on Tuesday, hanging on to win the game after nearly squandering a 27-point lead. "It's a shame that the five or six minutes in the fourth quarter kind of put a damper on what was a really good game for us," Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "We did a lot of good things. Offensively, we shared the ball, set good screens. Defensively, in the second and third quarter, we were very good. Disappointed I had to put basically the starters back in the game, but they held on to it."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE PACERS (24-20): Indiana's recent run coincides with the return of shooting guard Victor Oladipo, who sat out four losses with a right knee injury before returning on Jan. 6. Oladipo needed only 16 shots to score 28 points on Monday and handed out six of the team's 26 assists. "We're a better team when everybody's scoring and everybody's contributing," Oladipo told reporters. "We're hard to guard when we're moving the ball like that and playing together."

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (23-21): Portland is experimenting with a three-guard lineup that includes reserve point guard Shabazz Napier, who continues to force his way into a bigger role. Napier delivered 11 points and six assists in 20 minutes off the bench and is sharing the court at times with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. "It's been really good for us," Stotts told reporters of the three-guard look. "In some ways, it's difficult to get to it but when they made their run in the first quarter, we went to it in the first quarter and it was good. We had a lead in the third quarter, so I was trying to kind of preserve (Napier's) minutes, otherwise I probably would have gone to it in the third quarter as well."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers C Domantas Sabonis is averaging 12.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in four games while starting in place of C Myles Turner (elbow).

2. Lillard is averaging 26 points on 50.7 percent shooting over the last four contests.

3. Portland earned a 114-96 win at Indiana on Oct. 20 behind 28 points from McCollum.

PREDICTION: Pacers 109, Trail Blazers 99

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Wynn

Free Play: Free Pick IUPUI -1 Over Cleveland St