Weekend Winners Club

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February 13, 2025.  Yes Kentucky Derby 2025 Futures Pool 4 is already upon us.  It’s hard to believe, but we are less than 3 months away from this year’s edition of the Kentucky Derby.

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Citizen Bull racked up his 3rd straight graded stakes win in the RB Lewis Feb.1

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Hey it’s Dalton.  The first thing you want to do is go to download THE GRID.   There is no requirement, it’s completely free and doesn’t even need your email address or any other information.  It’s a free resource for everyone.  You can subscribe to The Grid but that’s up to you.

But anyway you can download the FREE grid and listen to the podcast FREE right now.  Below that is the text of the podcast.

KDF02142025GM

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or

LISTEN ON IHEARTRADIO FREE ALSO

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I have highlighted about 12 horses on the Grid, in multiple colors, and I have done that for a good reason.  The horses in darkest green are my top 3 picks.  These are the horses that I will absolutely bet to win, and box them in an exacta to win on the first Saturday in May.

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Your first question is  “ Dalton, why are there three?”  And heretofore is your explanation.

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Citizen Bull (6-1 ML) is my top pick.  Look at the stats and The Grid.  He won the BC Juvenile, making him the only contender with a triple digit Grid PF, and followed it up with an easy win in the Bob/Bev Lewis Stakes.  Until he gets beaten, I’m waiting to see if anyone can beat him. With Bob Baffert as his coach, that can be difficult.

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Captain Cook (20-1)  Yes Dicky Drugs Dutrow is back in the Kentucky Derby after recovering from years of suspension.  Is he giving his horses illegal anti-inflammatory drugs again?  Probably, but like Baffert, it is likely in amounts that are untraceable, below the threshold (hopefully).

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Anyway, Captain Cook had a bad trip in his maiden voyage, then responded by winning his first at the Aqueduct on a sloppy track, then won the 9 furlong (formerly Grade 2) Withers Stakes with a great outside stalking move.  His ability on wet or dry track is thus proven and very formidable.

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John Hancock (25-1).  Do I like his name as the most prominent signature on the United States of America Declaration of Independence? Yes.   But the stats will confirm my opinion.  He has won both of his races, the last of which was the Sam Davis Stakes, and Brad Cox training him, yeah he’s in good shape.

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So those are the 3 for my February 16 exacta box, which is all the Futures offer besides win bets. If you want to box more I will give you that shortly.

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But first let’s mention the 3 horses highlighted in orange, who are actually racing in the Risen Star G3 on Saturday.  And that’s all we’re going to is mention them, because this is one of the weakest Risen Star fields I’ve ever seen.   Built, Jonathan’s Way, and Vasimo will never win a Triple Crown Race.

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Next we will talk to some more real contenders who may actually win a Triple Crown Race this year, and I’m just going alphabetically here for the honorable mentions.

Barnes (8-1):  Baffert is Into Mischief again with a San Vicente G2 winner.  Dangerous speedster.

Gate to Wire (30-1):  won the 7f Swale going away, can he manage 10f?  Pletcher says it’s possible.

Getaway Car (80-1!!!):  in the money for 5 graded stakes already for Baffert, should show up again.

Hypnus  (80-1)  it’s difficult for me to exclude from my Exacta Box.  1 race wonder? I doubt it.  Kenny McPeek and son of Into Mischief?  Alright he’s in my box, just talked myself into it.

Innovator (50-1):  Wayne Lukas was certainly an innovator of the horse racing industry.  He’s already in the Hall of Fame but has a few years left in him.  I’ve met Wayne and I love him, but that’s not why I’m ranking Innovator.  It’s just that Lukas magic that can give him a chance to finish in the top 4.

Journalism (20-1): He’s done nothing wrong yet, winning the LosAl Futurity last out.  Mike McCarthy is no stranger to high caliber horses, so he’s in good hands and should excel again.

River Thames (25-1):  Won both races going away, with probably more in the tank for Pletcher.

Rapture (50-1):  just a hunch mostly.  Uncle Mo, Brad Cox, won 2^nd MSW going away.  There’s a reason he’s in the KDF4 pool, and that reason is that the oddsmakers believe he can do something.

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I would like to give you my exact bets but the above should give you a clue as to what they will be.  Just don’t take my Getaway Car please.

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You want THE GRID for all your favorite tracks and races? Here. 

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