SPORTS N STUFF

Who: Thoroughbreds Victors Cry, Amazombie
What: Horse Racing Betting Tips The Shoemaker Mile, The Triple Bend Handicap
Where: Hollywood Park
When: Saturday, July 2nd

Theres stakes action galore this Fourth of July weekend, but the highlight is Hollywood Parks pair of Grade 1 events on Saturday. The Shoemaker Mile and The Triple Bend Handicap always attract the best in the west, and this year is no different. Lets try to ferret out a couple of winners from these evenly-matched fields.

The Shoemaker Mile has lured Belmont-based Courageous Cat, who, in his last West Coast appearance, ran second to the mighty Goldikova in the 2009 Breeders Cup Mile. He exits a nice win in the Grade 3 Poker at Belmont, but Hall-of-Fame trainer Bill Mott has expressed concern over the quick, three-week turnaround. Im taking a shot with defending champ and horse-for-the-course Victors Cry. Victors Cry ran a respectable 5th of 16 last out in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free, at a distance (1 1/8th miles) that may be a bit beyond his best. Hes been training well since that late-March effort, has run well fresh in the past, and can carry the sinkers. His win here in the Grade 2 Citation Handicap last November stamps him as a lover of the Hollywood lawn, with a local record of 5-3-0-1, earnings of $332,280, and a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 105. Liberian Freighter should ensure an honest pace, setting up Victors patented late run. Ill bet on Victors Cry to win and place at odds of 3-1 or better.

Jockey Mike Smith did the gentlemanly thing and kept his mouth shut after the stewards deprived his mount, Amazombie, of victory last out in The Los Angeles Handicap. Well, Ill say it for Mike….that decision stunk to high heaven! Jockey Chantal Sutherland, aboard M One Rifle, steered her tiring mount to the left to prevent Amazombie from bursting through a sizeable hole in mid-stretch….when simply maintaining a straight course clearly would have prevented this potentially dangerous incident. No worries Mike, youll get ‘em this time!

As for the Triple Bend, Im coming right back with Amazombie. The 7-furlong distance should suit him perfectly, and you know he loves this track, with a pair of 108 Beyers on display from his last two starts locally. Smiling Tiger is dangerous, but this is a saltier bunch than the Grade 1 foes he defeated last year in The Bing Crosby and The Ancient Title….looks like a cold 7-3 exacta! Ill bet on Amazombie to win at odd of 3-2 or better.

Those are my horse racing betting tips for the weekend. Best of luck and happy gambling!