July/August, 2007                                 VOL. 21, NO. 6

>>Hot Summer Racing is Upon Us!
>>NHC Qualifier Returns Aug. 25
>>Opportunities Abound at Ellis Park!
>>July Racing Calendar

Two years after installing a new turf course, Del Mar racetrack will again undergo another significant change in surface. The start of the 2007 meet will mark the beginning of the Polytrack era at Del Mar. The switch to an all-weather-surface was mandated by the CTBA under the near universal belief that it is a kinder, more forgiving racing surface. Del Mar joins Hollywood Park, which uses Cushion Track, as the only other Southern California track to make the switch to an all- weather-surface so far.

If the Hollywood Park numbers are indicative of things to come, Del Mar horseplayers can expect an increase in the number of starters per race and larger betting pools. Of course the real star of the Del Mar meet is the racing itself. With over 40 stakes races on tap, Del Mar draws the highest profile stables from across the country. It is a virtual who's who of racing stars, featuring top class handicap horses and budding juvenile superstars.

Track Bias

Traditionally, Del Mar's main track has favored horses that possess early speed. This is held true for both sprint and route races. However, there is compelling data to be found that suggests this trend is likely to change. Like Del Mar, Hollywood Park's main track historically showed a preference for early speed. This early speed track bias at Hollywood Park abruptly came to end in the fall of 2006 after the installation of the Cushion Track surface. Suddenly, mid-pack runners and closers became the preferred running styles in sprints and routes. Overall, the number of wire to wire winners in sprint races and route races at Hollywood has fallen since the Cushion Track was installed.

As for the Del Mar turf course, the results have been more of a mixed bag. Turf sprints have favored early speed with 36% of winners going wire to wire. Inside post positions (1-3) in the sprints have proved to be the most effective. The middle (4-7) to outside (8 and beyond) posts have been the place to be for turf routes with early to mid-pack runners holding an edge over closers.

Trainers

Trainers Brian Koriner, Craig Dollase and Juan Garcia all excelled last year. These three hit at over a 22% clip and enjoyed a positive ROI. Of the higher profile barns Bob Baffert, Bobby Frankel and Jeff Mullins all won with over 20% of their starters.

Here are some more track-specific trainer angle nuggets to keep an eye out for this meets. Included below are the trainers' win percentages for Del Mar over the past three years.

THE SPA

Saratoga racecourse, a picture-perfect vacation spot nestled in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, offers some of the best racing in America. Tackling this track successfully is no easy task but with the help of superior Brisnet.com information, it can prove to be a profitable and fun meet.

SHIPPERS

Saratoga always gets its fair share of shippers and knowing how runners are performing from different locations can be an edge for bettors.

                                  Last Track Success Rate - 2006

CHALK FEST

Graveyard of favorites? Hardly. The public choice wins at a healthy clip most years at the Spa. In three recent years favorites have won at a success rate close to 40 percent. Think twice before excluding the favorite from your exotic wagers.

                                              Favorite Average

Looking to hit a nice score? Look no further than the trifecta, which has averaged over $200 per payout each of the past five years.

HORSES FOR COURSES

Whether it's the spring water or the mountain air, there's just something about Saratoga that brings out the best in many horses. Here is a prime list of active runners that relish the Spa: A.P. Arrow, Commentator, Discreet Cat, Friendly Island, Her Royal Nibs, Jules For A.J., Megatrend, Naughty New Yorker, Prideland, Silver Wagon, Swap Fliparoo, Yolanda B. Too.

TOP TRAINERS & JOCKEYS

Whether we're talking human or equine, the cream of the crop dominates this meeting. Note the similar names in the final jockey standings over the past three seasons.

Although the wins will not be as frequent, value can often be found with jockeys Eibar Coa, Ramon Dominguez and Julien Leparoux. As expected, each of them come into this meet riding exceptionally well this year.

Two year old racing is a highlight of the meet, and a majority of the juvenile events are won by certain trainers. Steve Asmussen (34%), Patrick Biancone (42%), Claude McGaughey (9%), Todd Pletcher (28%), Richard Violette, Jr. (16%) and Nick Zito (19%) are the trainers you need to know when it comes to Saratoga two-year-old races. All have won a healthy percentage of their two-year-old starts over the past three seasons according to the popular handicapping guide Track Stats 2007 (available through the Brisnet.com Bookstore).

HANDICAPPER'S EDGE

Brisnet.com's free daily newsletter, the Handicapper's Edge, provides some of the best Del Mar and Saratoga information available anywhere. The daily Notebooks recap the previous day's races with horses to watch and offers two best plays of the day for the current day's card.

Log on to Brisnet.com for the free Del Mar and Saratoga Notebooks in the Handicapper's Edge and get your Past Performances for these premier summer meets up to three nights out.

The 9th annual Brisnet.com Online Handicapping Challenge returns beginning this August. It's three separate contests with three opportunities to get into the Brisnet.com Finals on October 20. In the Finals only 300 members will get to compete for 3 spots to the 2008 National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas.

Here's how it works. There will be three satellites for the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship: August 25, September 22, and October 13. In each of these three free online tournaments, the top 100 players will move on to the finals held on October 20.

The top three finishers will each secure a spot to clash for the coveted title of Handicapper of the Year next January at Bally's in Las Vegas. Brisnet.com is picking up the tab for airfare, NTRA fees and hotel accommodations, a $3,500 value each!

As always, it's FREE to play from the comfort of your home! The top three bankrolls based on hypothetical $2 win and place wagers will win their way to Las Vegas. Sign-up closes Saturday, August 25 by 1:59 PM ET, but don't delay. You only need to register once to participate in all three satellite events of the Challenge.

Sign up FREE now! Visit www.brisnet.com/challenge for contest details, rules, and free registration. Customized contest cards, featuring all mandatory races in one download, will be available Thursday evening before each satellite event. A special contest analysis from the Wizard will also be offered online.

* A Brisnet free membership and computer with Internet access required to participate. One free entry per member. To participate all contestants must register to play in these events regardless of participation in year's past or other online events.

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Although many players focus on the high profile tracks, Ellis Park is an attractive wagering meet that is shown live on HRTV and available at TwinSpires.com.

• $.10 Superfecta wagers
• $.50 Pick-4 wagers with low 4% takeout!
• Turf Racing - maiden, claimers, stakes
• Rolling Pick-3 wagers
• Claiming Crown Day - Saturday, Aug. 4
• Gardenia H. Day - four stakes on Sat., Aug. 18

Wager online or by phone on Ellis Park all summer long at TwinSpires.com. Get FREE Past Performances for all tracks every day you wager.

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