Royal Ascot continues to deliver outstanding racing and outstanding results for the Horse Racing Today team. Thursday produced a $181 trifecta for Terry in Race 3, while Tom connected on a $51.90 exacta in the same event. Both handicappers also nailed the $67.10 trifecta in the Gold Cup featuring the memorable Trawlerman and Scandinavia showdown.
Rich’s Best Bet, Generic, delivered a $36.90 win payoff and improved his Royal Ascot record to six top-pick winners through the first 21 races of the meeting—an impressive strike rate at one of the toughest race meetings in the world to handicap.
With two days remaining, Terry, Tom and Rich look to keep the momentum rolling into Friday’s outstanding seven-race card.
ROYAL ASCOT – FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH – DAY FOUR
Team Best Bets & Longshots
Terry’s Best Bet: Race 3 – Warrant Holder (#4)
Terry’s Longshot: Race 7 – Westport (#14)
Tom’s Best Bet: Race 2 – Venetian Sun (#21)
Tom’s Longshot: Race 3 – Insanity (#14)
Rich’s Best Bet: Race 5 – Glyfada (#12)
Rich’s Longshot: Race 3 – Night Breeze (#21) (If he draws in)
Race 1 – Albany Stakes
Terry’s Picks
21 – Sun Goddess – Already shown he can win at 6 furlongs; Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by RL Moore.
24 – Valentina Bella – Won 2 races in a row, going for a hat trick; the last race a handicap affair.
20 – Silent Beauty – Won her debut race easily at today’s distance; Strong jockey stats.
15 – Light of Dawn – Won debut race with a high % winning jockey.
Alternates:
14 – Libertango
11 – Jolivette
Tom’s Tips
15 – Light Of Dawn – won against a small field as the favorite. Finished fast, must be on my ticket. Draw is positive.
21 – Sun Goddess – another Moore/O’Brien runner. Two races won her maiden by five lengths in the second race.
7 – Desert Sands – one race, ran towards the front and faded to sixth. Big odds.
16 – Love Is – won first start, ran second on second start. It is unknown whether she can overcome post position to have a chance. Maybe.
17 – King’s Prize – a win last time. Raced on the far side of that race, must come over to the stand side for a chance.
Alternatives:
19 – Roxelina
20 – Silent Beauty
10 – Hidden Gift
Rich’s Ranks
5 – Dark Issue – easy work in debut with the highest rated race.
20 – Silent Beauty – big run in her debut at 6/5.
21 – Sun Goddess – Moore and O’Brien on the likely favorite.
11 – Jolivette – sold debut run in one of the biggest payouts.
ALT:
24 – Valentina Bella
16 – Love Is
Race 2 – Commonwealth Cup
Terry’s Picks
21 – Venetian Sun – Won 5 races out of 7 career starts; Amassed over a half million dollars.
1 – Albert Einstein – Finished in the money in 4 out of 5 career starts, winning 2 races; Trained by Aidan O’Brien; Ridden by jockey R L Moore.
4 – Charles Darwin – Won 4 races out of 6 career starts, 2 at today’s distance; Second horse trained by Aidan O’Brien.
10 – Outfielder – Comes in from the USA after winning 4 out of 6 career starts.
Alternates:
6 – Division
17 – Havana Anna
Tom’s Tips
21 – Venetian Sun – won at Royal Ascot last year. Returns stronger than ever.
8 – My Calyx Cen – will have to overcome the draw and has won the last four races.
1 – Albert Einstein – needs to show more than his past race, but has the ability and will run in the money. Moore/O’Brien.
4 – Charles Darwin – toss last race, add blinkers, and this time better results.
Alternatives:
10 – Outfielder
17 – Havana Anna
Rich’s Ranks
21 – Venetian Sun – Group 1 winner last out versus many of these.
12 – Samangan – a couple of Group wins and not off by much in the last two starts.
5 – Coppull – a little racing luck from winning 4 of 6 races.
22 – Zanthos – really wanted to put her higher – but that 1 post is a red flag.
ALT:
1 – Albert Einstein
17 – Havana Anna
Race 3 – Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes
Terry’s Picks
4 – Warrant Holder – Finished in the money in all 6 career starts, winning 3; Strong trainer and jockey stats; Can go the distance.
11 – Opportunity – Won 3 of 4 career starts; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
14 – Insanity – Finished 2nd in the last start; Likes Ascot finishing in the money in 3 races out of 3 starts, winning 1 race.
10 – Hopewell Rock – Having a good career finishing in the money in 85% of the races.
Alternates:
14 – Insanity
21 – Night Breeze
Tom’s Tips
14 – Insanity – returned with second last time out. Can handle this bunch.
11 – Opportunity – terrific race last time, shows big improvement. Has run at Ascot but has better form now.
4 – Warrant Holder – won at York last time, adding a tongue-tie. Adds weight for a win, but Buick/Gosden should be one of the shorter-priced horses.
10 – Hopewell Rock – he just needs to get a good trip and move at the right time. Good chances.
Rich’s Ranks
21 – Night Breeze (Longshot) – reserve horse – if he gets in Ascot 3/2-1-0 distance 8/5-2-0.
4 – Warrant Holder – can run any style ITM 6/6 so far.
11 – Opportunity – capable of anything winning big and not showing up at all.
14 – Insanity – track fits 3/1-1-1 – distance fits 5/2-1-1.
ALT:
10 – Hopewell Rock
11 – Mondo Man
Race 4 – Coronation Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1)
Terry’s Picks
4 – Precise – Has won the last 3 G1 races; The distance is to her liking; Trained by Aidan O’Brien; Ridden by jockey R L Moore.
9 – True Love – She is 1 for 1 at Ascot, winning 3 races out of the last 4 starts; Trained by Aidan O’Brien also.
1 – Balantina – She won her last race at Del Mar, winning 3 races; Strong jockey stats.
7 – Timeforshowcasing – Loves to win, finishing first in 5 of 8 career starts.
Alternates:
8 – Touleen
2 – Black Caviar Gold
Tom’s Tips
4 – Precise – one poor run at Newmarket and has won top races this season. She will again. Moore/O’Brien.
1 – Balantina – returns to the races after her win in the Breeders’ Cup. She is ready for a big effort.
9 – True Love – she’s good, but her stablemate is better, but…
Rich’s Ranks
4 – Precise – one bad race in seven – sounds odds – but only other time Ryan Moore rode.
3 – Moon Target – could be lone E and missed by less than a length vs Precise when they met.
9 – True Love – won the Group I Betfred 1000 Guineas two back – funky start in last.
1 – Balantina – has not run since the Breeders’ Cup – can run any style.
ALT:
7 – Timeforshowcasing
2 – Black Caviar Gold
Race 5 – Sandringham Stakes
Terry’s Picks
7 – Seet – Won 2 races in a row going for a hat trick; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
4 – Just Call Me Angel – Won 3 races out of the last 5 starts; 2 for 2 at today’s distance.
12 – Glyfada – Won 2 races in a row going for a hat trick; Strong jockey stats.
19 – Bintaziza – Won 2 races out of 3 career starts; Veteran jockey in the irons.
Alternates:
20 – Green Carrera
22 – Darn Hot Gallop
Tom’s Tips
7 – Seet – won last two races, favorable draw, Moore/Gosden.
18 – Harlequin Angel – won last time, getting weight off again. Tougher race but very positive results last time.
12 – Glyfada – a half a length from being undefeated after three races. A handicap is a good spot for good results.
22 – Darn Hot Gallop – toss last race, ugly run in group one, back where she belongs.
Alternatives:
24 – Lyrics Of Life
23 – Symbol Of Majesty
20 – Green Carrera
16 – Blingy’s Sister
Rich’s Ranks
12 – Glyfada (Best Bet) – on paper – it looks like this race really sets up for her.
7 – Seet – rerun last race – will be rolling at the end.
14 – Harlequin Breeze – took the lead, was headed, and then stormed home – heart.
28 – Crownright – has not won yet – but hasn’t been that far off either.
ALT:
20 – Green Carrera
23 – Symbol of Majesty
Race 6 – King Edward VII Stakes
Terry’s Picks
2 – Causeway – Won 4 races out of 5 career starts; Another horse trained by O’Brien Aidan; Ridden by jockey RL Moore.
6 – Water to Wine – Undefeated in 2 career starts; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
4 – Golden Story – Won 2 races out of 3 career starts.
1 – Ancient Egypt – Won 3 races, early foot.
Alternate:
3 – Echo of Stars
Tom’s Tips
2 – Causeway – one to beat, keeps improving with each race.
6 – Water To Wine – undefeated and bred for distance, perfect setup.
1 – Ancient Egypt – didn’t like the soft going but unproven in group races.
3 – Echo Of Stars – long shot to take a chance on.
Rich’s Ranks
2 – Causeway – not sure if Ryan Moore had a choice or not – he is here instead of…
6 – Water to Wine – two races, two easy wins and was the 8 cent favorite in last.
5 – Venetian Prince – Italian Group 2 win in last.
ALT:
1 – Ancient Egypt
4 – Golden Story
3 – Echo of Stars
Race 7 – Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap
Terry’s Picks
14 – Westport – Undefeated in 3 career starts, winning all easily; Has a high % winning jockey.
24 – Tricky Tel – Has won 4 races out of 8 career starts; Young jockey who has talent.
13 – Jazl – Finished in the money in 4 out of 4 career starts, winning 2 races; Likes short distances.
11 – Simplify – Finished in the money in the last 6 starts, winning 3 races; Can handle the distance.
Alternates:
1 – Dickensian
7 – Sandal’s Song
Tom’s Tips
25 – Cherry Baker – good runs at Chester to set up for good results here.
24 – Tricky Tel – two wins off last two races. This is the best distance for him.
20 – Calico Blue – keeps running well, don’t see that stopping in this race.
14 – Westport – undefeated, steps up in company, times have been good.
Alternative:
19 – Black Star Boy
Rich’s Ranks
6 – Bacio – 5f in 55.3 and that was with a turn – that’s fast.
1 – Dickensian – deep field and can win from anywhere on the track.
11 – Simplify – just missed versus Dickensian in last – more speed here than entries then.
18 – Gold Digger – tons of speed here and can rate or close.
ALT:
14 – Westport
13 – Jazl
