ICYMI: July 28 – 30, 2023

By: Matthew Lomon

Weekend action from around the world of horse racing – here are five storylines you may have missed.

Matchups Matter

In horse racing, just like any other sport, matchups matter. Think about it like this, if a Major League Baseball pitcher were to face AA competition, odds are he’ll be successful. The same logic applies here with Speedy Johny.

After two sub-par efforts, the dark bay emerged victorious when her trainer/owner/breeder Paul Buttigieg dropped her down in competition for Saturday’s first race. She paid $8.40 for a $2 win wager. Pro tip: Keep tabs on horses who drop down to face easier competition.

Ride with the Rider

In Saturday’s fourth race at Woodbine, jockey Sofia Vives had to choose between two mounts, Gayelette, and Aha Moment. The young rider, who has experience atop both horses, went with the latter, and it proved to be the right call.

What’s the betting lesson here? If a jockey has multiple options in a race, keep an eye on who they select.

Powerful Pairing

Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras. Some duos are just better than others, and that’s why you never bet against them.

This past weekend, trainer Burke and driver Gingras swept the 2023 Hambletonian eliminations. Oddsmakers are well aware of their talents, so don’t expect to sneak one by them… but don’t shy away for that reason either.

Wait ‘Til the Whistle Blows

Before you decide to jump for joy or rip that ticket up, please, hold on a minute. That piece of advice may have worked wonders for Forte bettors during Saturday’s Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. A stewards’ inquiry into the stretch run almost cost Forte a victory, but luckily for the those who backed the winner, and unluckily for the second-place finisher and his win bettors, Saudi Crown, nothing came of it. Bottom line: give it a minute before letting your emotions take over.

Let’s Go Streaking

Ah, win streaks. Depending on your betting philosophy, they’re either easy money or fool’s gold.

On Saturday’s running of the Bing Crosby Stakes, The Chosen Vron recorded his eighth straight victory, en route to clinching a spot in the Breeders’ Cup (the Super Bowl of Thoroughbred racing) this fall. Which side are you on for number nine?

Fun Fact from the weekend: Lake Superior Stakes winner Patches O’Houlihan is named after Rip Torn’s character from the movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.