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07/12/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - This past Saturday had three stakes races that were the equal of any last-second result in the more popular sports in the world. The word 'wow' had to be shouted by anyone who watched the races as they happened.
The finishes of the Delaware Oaks, Man o'War and Hollywood Gold Cup should all have been shown on every sports news program in the nation. Each finish was decided by no more than half a length, with one somehow not resulting in a deadheat.
First on the afternoon was the $250,000 Delaware Oaks from beautiful Delaware Park. The 1 1/16-mile race featured leading three-year-old filly Blind Luck, the winner of the Kentucky Oaks in April.
Ridden by Joel Rosario, Blind Luck got away from the gate slowly on the sloppy track, leaving herself with a lot of ground to make up. Sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the seven-horse field, the filly gave the 'bridge jumpers' something to worry about.
At the top of the stretch there was no way the favorite was going to get up in time to win. She had made a four wide move around the final turn, but was still four lengths off the lead.
Havre de Grace had the lead inside the furlong pole, and looked like the winner. Somehow, Rosario got Blind Luck rolling ever closer to the lead and was able to catch Havre de Grace.
The naked eye couldn't separate the two fillies, so it appeared that either Havre de Grace held on for the win or there was going to be a deadheat. The photo revealed that Blind Luck got her nose to the wire first.
"It was close, but she got there," said winning rider Joel Rosario. "She broke slow and since the track was wet, so sometimes you have to take your time and let your horse settle. After I passed the 3/8th's pole, I asked her and she proved to be a nice filly and she beat a nice filly."
"You know the good ones just find a way to get there," said victorious trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. "I mean she has been beaten before, but she is a very good filly and she just finds a way to there. We are very grateful and very thankful. Joel is a very strong rider and he is one of the strongest finishers in the country. We are still looking at the Alabama (at Saratoga on August 21) for her next start."
A short time later at Belmont Park, another 2-5 favorite needed every inch of a race to get a win. Champion grass runner Gio Ponti came in still seeking his first win of 2010, and managed to record it in dramatic fashion.
The $600,000 Man o'War featured eight turf specialists and Gio Ponti was running last on the firm course. Jockey Ramon Dominguez had his mount four wide around the turn for home in the 1 3/-8-mile race. Gio Ponti, who is also the defending champion older handicap horse, put on a furious rally down the stretch to catch Mission Approved to post a neck victory.
"I was a little concerned about the way the race was going to unfold," said Dominguez. "I knew there wasn't a whole lot of speed, and that there were a lot of horses with similar running styles to mine. As the race unfolded, I was a little concerned about the slow pace, but I was very happy with the way he was traveling. Turning for home, I felt it was a matter of getting a little racing luck. When he split horses, at that point, I felt a little more confident, and that he would get there."
"The grass is green, and even greener now," winning trainer Christophe Clement exclaimed. "I'm delighted with Gio Ponti. Everyone made a big deal of him getting beaten (by stablemate Winchester in the Woodford Reserve Manhattan on June 5), but I never had a doubt that the horse was the leader of his division and I'm delighted with the way he ran.
"Now we can enjoy it a little bit, see how he comes out of it. His well-being is the main thing."
Gio Ponti is most likely to defend in the Arlington Million on August 21.
Completing the trifecta of fantastic finishes was the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup, where Rail Trip was going after a second straight win in the race. A victory would make him the top handicap horse in California.
Jockey Rafael Bejarano had the 2-5 favorite sitting third in the six-horse field behind pacesetter Compari. Rail Trip came wide around the final turn.
"I was traveling well and was in good position on the first turn," noted Bejarano. "After the first turn, (Cigar Man) just pushed me out. I was trying to follow the speed, but they were going so slow. I didn't want to rush him so I waited for the half-mile."
At the same time, 8-1 longshot Awesome Gem was racing fifth while saving ground on the rail. However, as the field entered the stretch the seven-year-old gelding did not look like a winner.
Rail Trip had the lead at the top of stretch, but jockey David Flores got Awesome Gem rolling on the rail.
Awesome Gem caught Rail Trip with less than 100 yards to run and registered a half-length victory.
"Everybody went at the half-mile," Flores said, "and I tried not to lose my position and wait for that pocket to come at the end. Mike Smith (Compari) was about ready to shut off the hole, but he looked like he ran out of horse so it was very nice of him to leave me that spot. When that hole opened up I couldn't look for any better spot than that. That was the most beautiful thing, when you have a horse that can accelerate like that at any time."
Winning trainer Craig Dollase somehow knew that his charge was capable of pulling the upset over Rail Trip.
"I was very confident because Awesome Gem is not a very good work horse," Dollase commented, "and his last two works he had really been on edge. The timing worked out great. We mapped this out. We stuck to the plan. His works over this track were too good to not take a shot."
Three great races, three excellent finishes to prove that the Sport of Kings can rarely be equaled for pure excitement.
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MySportsbook.com : Fortune Favors Favorites in March Madness betting?
Just like Day 1 of the “Sweet 16”, Friday’s games are chock full of some of the nation’s elite. Unlike Thursday’s games, there is a little bit more of a “Cinderella” feel as #7 seed UNLV and #6 seed Vanderbilt will attempt to move on to the Elite Eight. With powerhouses Florida, UNC and Georgetown looking to continue their momentum against lesser known teams, it isn’t surprising that once again the “betting public” is backing most of the favorites. As the early coin rolls in, 56% of Sportsbook.com bettors prefer Georgetown (-7.5) as they take on Vanderbilt; 84% of the early money is backing Oregon (-3) as they square off against UNLV; and a slight majority (52%) of the early cash is on Florida (-10.5) against Butler as the Gators continue their quest for another National Title. The only favorite the public don’t seem confident in is UNC, as 59% of the cash is backing the underdog Trojans (+8).
Midwest
#1 Florida vs. #5 Butler
The defending National Champs have been on a mission since last April. Joakim Noah and Al Horford turned down millions of dollars for one reason, to REPEAT. After a late season hiccup which saw them lose three out of four, the Gators have won six straight by an average of 20.3 points. More importantly, they covered in five of those six games. Behind their stymie defense that yields only 56.9 PPG, Butler has been a very pleasant surprise this season. As their 20-11 ATS record will indicate, “surprise teams” like Butler are often good bets for gamblers. Playing in an average conference, Butler wasn’t and underdog too often but when they were, they covered (6-0 ATS). Butler’s defense will have its hands full against a Gators offense which averages 80.1 PPG on an amazing 52.9% shooting from the field. With Florida’s tournament experience over the last few years, it isn’t surprising that they are 5-1 ATS this season, 20-4 ATS over the last three seasons and 38-20 since 1997 in tournament action.
#3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV
As a #7 seed, UNLV is the closest thing to a “Cinderella” we have this year. If you bet on UNLV this season with any regularity, you most likely cashed in. Behind their guard oriented attack, the Rebels are an impressive 20-11 ATS this season. As an underdog they covered in 8 out of their ten games which isn’t surprising since they are 52-30 ATS as a ‘dog since 1997. The Rebels have been a consistent cover during the month of March as well. This March they are 6-0 ATS, 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons and 24-11 since 1997. Their impressive ATS trends don’t end there; versus teams with a winning record they are 15-6 ATS this season and 41-21 over the last three seasons. Although Oregon hasn’t been as generous to gamblers as UNLV this season, they have been covering consistently as of late. There is no question that they are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 8 straight up (SU) by an average of 14.5 points. Not surprising they covered in 7 of those games. It is interesting to note how similar these teams are in regards to scoring and scoring defense. UNLV averages 75 PPG while giving up 66.5 PPG and Oregon scores 75.8 PPG while yielding 65.5 PPG.
East
#6 Vanderbilt vs. #2 Georgetown
“Hoya Paranoia” is officially back! After a decent start, Georgetown has rolled through the second half of the season. Over their last 18 games, they are 17-1 SU. They have definitely improved ATS as the season has progressed as well. After opening the season 1-4-1 ATS, the Hoyas have covered 78.3% of their games. With their great interior play of Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas as a team shoot 50.5% from the field. Like the Georgetown teams from years ago, they also excel on defense. Hoya opponents averaged only 56.8 PPG on 38.2% shooting from the field and an extremely low 30.4% from beyond the arc. The last stat could be of some concern to Vanderbilt considering they shoot 37.7% from long-range. Ranking second to last in the SEC in rebounding margin, Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for them against the Hoya trees. As far as covering is concerned, Vanderbilt has been almost a “sure thing” (7-1 ATS) versus good defensive teams that allow less than 64 PPG.
#1 UNC vs. # 5 USC
The Tar Heels are as talented and as deep as any team in the country. Going ten deep and chock full of HS All-Americans, UNC averages 86.1 PPG and scored 100+ seven times. Led by All-American forward, Tyler Hansbrough (18.6 PPG 7.9 RPG) UNC has a very balanced attack which can kill you on the inside as well as on the perimeter. UNC only real concern is their youth as eight of their rotation players are either sophomores or freshmen. UNC was a reliable cover this season going 20-13 ATS. An intriguing covering trend for the Tar Heels in recent years has been how they fared after non-conference games. This season they are 11-3 ATS after non-conference games and over the last three seasons they are 31-13 ATS. USC is also a pretty deep team which is loaded with swingman types. An match-up to keep an eye on will be freshman forward Taj Gibson (12.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) as he squares off against the AA Hansbrough. USC has been a covering machine this season achieving a 21-10 record ATS. They have thrived in the underdog role, having covered 10 out of 12. When playing a team with a winning record, the Trojans are an incredible 20-6 ATS. Keep in mind, USC dedicated their season to former star to Ryan Francis who passed away before the season so as they get closer to the ultimate goal, emotion could definitely be on their side.
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JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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