danshapiro's blog

A True Superstar

danshapiro — Fri, 04 May 2007 18:49:29 -0400

It’s almost not fair.

Handicapping the Pick 4

danshapiro — Fri, 04 May 2007 13:08:03 -0400

A nice all-stakes Pick 4 to tackle today with a $500,000 guaranteed pool.

Happy Oaks Day

danshapiro — Fri, 04 May 2007 10:24:30 -0400

Another morning. Another rainy day at The Downs.

Equine Therapy

danshapiro — Fri, 04 May 2007 09:33:48 -0400

As a horseplayer, I rarely think about the daily routine of elite Thoroughbreds and the care and conditioning they receive so they peak on big race days.

Handicapping the Oaks

danshapiro — Thu, 03 May 2007 09:49:14 -0400

To me, there’s no question that Rags to Riches is the most talented filly in the Oaks field and the most likely to win.

Rags to Riches Facing Wide Trip Again

danshapiro — Tue, 01 May 2007 13:15:39 -0400

Rags to Riches drew the 11 post this morning in a full field of 14 fillies for the Kentucky Oaks.

No Oaks for Boca Grande (or any other NY Filly)

danshapiro — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:26:46 -0400

The road to the Kentucky Oaks doesn't lead through New York very often these days. I'm sorry to say that this year will be no different.

Which Boca Grande Will Show Up?

danshapiro — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:29:23 -0400

In winning last year's Demoiselle at Aqueduct, Boca Grande stamped herself as a major contender for this year's Kentucky Oaks. I quickly placed her at number one in my Top 10 list.

Cicada Preview - Take 2

danshapiro — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:27:58 -0400

What a difference a week makes!

Cicada Preview

danshapiro — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:46:12 -0400

Saturday's Grade III Cicada at Aqueduct is probably the first New York race of 2007 that can be considered any sort of legitimate Oaks prep even though it isn't likely to have much of an impact on the Oaks picture.

Busher Recap

danshapiro — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 12:54:26 -0500

In a change of tactics, Olivine, sent off at nearly 11-1 went gate-to-wire to upset the field in the Busher Stakes at Aqueduct last Sunday.

Busher Preview

danshapiro — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 12:38:56 -0500

Sunday's Busher Stakes is the second two-turn stakes race of the year at Aqueduct for 3-year-old fillies who could be pointed toward the Kentucky Oaks. Last week, we saw Special Dream upset the Dearly Precious Stakes at six furlongs in a race that is unlikely to produce any Oaks contenders.

Dearly Precious Preview

danshapiro — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:21:41 -0500

There aren't many serious Oaks contenders in New York at this time of year, but Saturday's Dearly Precious at Aqueduct could produce a few fillies with Oaks aspirations.

Hello

danshapiro — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:12:31 -0500

Hi and welcome to the East Coast Kentucky Oaks blog. I’m Dan Shapiro and I’ll be posting here right through the 133^rd Kentucky Oaks.