Effinex returns in the “Win and You’re In” Stephen Foster Handicap. Songbird back in action in the Summertime Oaks

challenge

June 18th 2016

With the Triple Crown season now over, the 2nd half of 2016 should be more exciting than the first. The first “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic starts tonight with the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. Effinex the morning line 1/1 favorite. Post time is 8:39 PM CST and the race will be shown on TVG.

Songbird returns in a 5 horse field for the 1 1/16th mile Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita Park. She is the 1/5 morning line favorite and should win this race with ease. Post time is 7:07 PM CST for race #8. I like a Straight 4-2 Exacta (Songbird-Bellamentary) but it probably won’t pay out much.

Stephen Foster Handicap – 1 1/8th Mile – Race #8 at Churchill Downs – Post-Time: 8:39 PM CST

Post Position/Horse/Weight/Jockey/Trainer/Odds
1. International Star (116) – Geroux/Maker – 6-1
2. Bradester (116) – Bravo/Kenneally – 5-1
3. Effinex (122) – Stevens/Jerkens – 1-1
4. Majestic Harbor (118) – Lanerie/McGee – 5-1
5. El Kabeir (115) – Santanta/Terranova – 12-1
6. Are You Kidding Me (118) – Leparoux/Attfield – 10/1
7. Eagle (117) – Hernandez/Howard – 6-1

Handicapping Advice: I like a $20 Straight Exacta 3-7 (Effinex-Eagle). Effinex is the race favorite. He can be inconsistent and 1 1/8th mile is not his best distance. But I think Effinex ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens will have enough to cover this field.

Eagle finished 2nd to Majestic Harbor in his last start in the Alysheba Stakes (shown below). However, Majestic Harbor seems to excel more in 1 1/16th mile races. International Star seems to only run well at The Fairgrounds. El Kabeir has bombed his last two starts with 7th place finishes. Bradester is also inconsistent and has never won past 1 1/16th mile. A mile seems to be his best distance. The Roger Attfield-trained Are You Kidding Me has primarily run on turf and synthetic surfaces.

As far as Trifectas, how about a $5 bet keying Effinex to win–3 over 4,7 over 1, 4, 7? This bet would cost $20.

–Michael

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