US Racing / Nick Shiambouros / 16 November 2007 / 2

Nick Shiambouros previews a host of top racing in the US and Canada this coming weekend

If someone had suggested to me five years ago that I would be writing about Michael Dickinson retiring from training horses to concentrate on his Tapeta Footings company I would have told them to go home and sober up.

But just after he cut the ribbon at Golden Gate Fields that is exactly what this legendary trainer did. Dickinson gives a lot of the credit to Joan Wakfield, his wife and assistant for improving the surface and making it such a success. As the revolution in synthetic surfaces continues to grow, so does his bank balance as he holds the patent on the wax process used by other synthetic surfaces like Cushion Track and Polytrack.

I hope regular readers boosted their bank balances as well after another good weekends punting Stateside last week. Over at Aqueduct our long shot choice Musketier finished like a rocket to take third in The Red Smith Handicap at huge odds. He was available at around [5.0] in the place and [25] for the win. This stoutly-bred individual could prove to be a money spinner over some of the distance races run in America on the turf in the coming months in California and Florida.

The race was won by another outsider, Dave, who gamely ground out the victory.
Over at Churchill Downs in the Grade 2 event, The Mrs Revere, Bit of Whimsy held on well in a thrilling finish to this very hot race for three-year-old fillies holding on from Ciao who ran way to well to lose. The ex-John Gosden trained Costume once again ran well to be a never nearer fourth.

There's more great Stakes action to get our teeth in to this week kicking off with The Stuyvesant Handicap at Aqueduct run over nine furlongs on the main track. This one is a wide open event but I think Utopia and Naughty New Yorker are my two against the field. Godolphin acquisition Utopia needed the race after a long layoff last time out but has some very smart form in the book and if he can recapture his Godolphin Mile form of last year then this son of Forty Niner is certain to go close. He should be a solid price as he could easily "bounce" off his last effort. I shall be looking to back him at around [5.0] for the win. My other fancy Naughty New Yorker is definitely more reliable if not as talented as Utopia and is well worth a saver at around [8.0] for the win.

The Cardinal Handicap at Churchill looks a dandy with Argentina heading the weights. Connections are desperate to get a Graded Stakes win out of her and it looks like Bobby Frankel her trainer has hinted that win, lose or draw this could be her last race before she is retired to the paddocks. Argentina finished ninth in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf but I think she has two legitimate contenders in Criminologist and Jade Queen. Of the two I really like the chances of Criminologist and I will be looking for around [4.0] for the win.

I always have one eye on what is going on up in Canada and this weekend at Woodbine the Sovereign Award for champion of Canada could be at stake depending on the outcome of The Autumn Stakes Grade 3 on Saturday. Eccentric should go close in this one and I will be backing him for small money at around [3.5] give or take. Leonnatus Anteas should be the main danger to the choice.

Finally Churchill Downs is giving away a jockey poster with the first 5000 paid admissions on Saturday's card and all the jockeys will be on hand to sign them for fans throughout the day. This sort of thing takes place almost every weekend across America and I have some really wonderful free gifts that I have received from all over America due to the generosity of racetracks.

You can imagine what the reaction would be from your friends if you called them up and said that you received a free gift from Ascot after paying your £63 admission to the racecourse for the Royal Meeting. I am sure they would tell you to go home and sober up wouldn't they?!

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1. andy | 16 November 2007

   As a player who bets frequently at 2 quid,would it be possible to bet on the 80/20 with £2 as the stake, rather than having to put £10 on as a bet?

2. Shambleoros | 16 November 2007

   I've consulted my greek bookie and has he has suggested double up your 80p to one pound ninety take ten off for youself and send the other 20p to me.

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