DECEMBER 27 >> ISSUE 139  


SELECTIONS FOR SATURDAY'S CHRISTMAS STAKES AT MOUNTAINEER PARK
 By Frank R. Scatoni, editor of The HorsePlayer Magazine and HorsePlayerdaily.com

Saturday, December 27, 2008
$75,000 Christmas Stakes
Mountaineer Park
Race 8 (post time 9:55 p.m. Eastern; 6:55 p.m. Pacific)

THE SKINNY:
ETERNAL STAR is the even-money morning-line favorite, and rightfully so. He's a stakes winner making the third start of his form cycle, and his last two Beyers are 109 and 102. Plus, he's got a tractable running style, which is so valuable in sprints. Can anyone beat him?

EDIT THIS is 2 for 2 at Mountaineer, but he's got some class issues.

RAVALO owns some big Beyers, loves Mountaineer, and is a deserving second choice. He's a need-the-lead type, and he might have to fight for it coming out of two one-mile races.

TONY LANTANA has owned the low-level claiming ranks, but today's field is the toughest he's ever seen.

SMOKE'N REVIEW is another with class issues; plus, he's 0 for 2 at Mountaineer.

PFORPERFECTPISTOL is coupled with PERFECTLY PLAYED and both of them have some decent form to make them competitive for a placing today.

BAWDENS has good Mountaineer form but has yet to win at 6 furlongs.

ROYAL NEMESIS is an honest horse that fires practically every time, with an 18: 9-3-3 record. He's been handled nicely, but he's an Ohio bred facing some tough cookies.

KY BREW looks to be hopelessly outclassed.

NIGHT STAND is a very sharp, fast horse that will look to wire the field—and he's got the early foot to do it.

MAGNUS ONE will be gunning for the lead, but lately, he's been folding up his tent after running on the front end.
   

THE PICKS:
  1. #6 ETERNAL STAR – It's hard to bet against this crack sprinter.
  2. #10 NIGHT STAND – He's quick and talented. If he gets the lead, he's got a big shot at the upset.
  3. #3 RAVALO – His Beyers make him a must-use in the exotics.
LONG SHOT VALUE PLAY: #1 PFORPERFECTPISTOL – He's won off the bench before, will be forwardly placed, and has his stablemate, PERFECTLY PLAYED, to give you a two-for-one deal.

THE WAGERING STRATEGIES:
$20 wagering strategy
$20 exacta 6,10 ($20)

$50 wagering strategy
$5 trifecta 6 with ALL with 10 ($45)
$5 trifecta 6,10,1 ($5)

 
 
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