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Home > Handicapping > Jon White's Analysis
Jon White's Stakes Analysis
About Jon White
(from HRTV.com)
Jon White knows a lot about racing. He's passionate about the game. Don't believe it? Go ahead, ask him a question. It's 3-5 he'll not only know the answer but why you asked the question.
Jon White brings to HRTV extensive experience as a television commentator at Santa Anita Park complimented by a familiarity with racing at tracks throughout North America, stemming from a 25-year career as a reporter, columnist, handicapper and chart caller with Daily Racing Form. He also has worked as a racing official at the highest level, serving in the capacity of steward at tracks in Washington state and Idaho. His background is further enriched by having spent one year as media relations manager at Lone Star Park in Texas, and by participating in the sport for three years as a licensed Thoroughbred owner.
Jon received the 2004 Mark Kaufman Media Award from the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders' Association "for his excellence in reporting on the Washington Thoroughbred industry and Emerald Downs." On Dec. 28, 2003, he won a Santa Anita Pick Six that paid $45,981.20 with a $120 ticket that had been displayed on HRTV. Charlie Sigrast, an HRTV viewer in Chicago, also won $45,981.20 because he saw Jon's ticket on HRTV and decided to bet it.
When Jon White talks racing, people listen. So should you.
Laurel Winter Meeting 2010
The Marshua (Saturday, Februay 6)
(Race was cancelled due to weather event)
1. GATOR PROWL goes for her third straight victory. So the daughter of Roar of the Tiger certainly is on her game. Not only that, she is three for three on Laurel's main track.
2. JIM'S PROSPECT seeks revenge after finishing a close second to Gator Prowl at Laurel on Jan. 29. Only a head separated them on that occasion. In that Jan. 29 race, Gator Prowl was the 11-10 favorite, while Jim's Prospect was 7-2 and stumbled at the start.
3. ARGENT AFFAIR outran her odds to finish second in Aqueduct's Ruthless Stakes on Jan. 10 when 10-1. Following that performance, the daughter of Breeders' Cup Classic winner Black Tie Affair should be taken very seriously in the Marshua.
The Dancing Count (Saturday, January 30)
(Race was cancelled due to weather conditions)
1. TURBO SPEED invaded New York from Pennsylvania to run in Aqueduct's Count Fleet Stakes on Jan. 2 with a three-for-three record. Two facile wins at Penn National were followed by a 1 1/2-length victory in the Pennsylvania Nursery at Philadelphia Park on Nov. 28. You might recall a past winner of the Pennsylvania Nursery. A colt by the name of Smarty Jones won that race in 2004. But Turbo Speed certainly is no Smarty Jones. Smarty Jones won his Pennsylvania Nursery by 15 lengths in 1:21 4/5 while earning a 105 Beyer Speed Figure. Turbo Speed's winning time was 1:26, while his Beyer was 75. Nevertheless, in the Count Fleet at one mile and 70 yards, Turbo Speed finished a respectable third. Now he looms the one to beat in the Dancing Count while cutting back to six furlongs. Turbo Speed certainly will be on my Magna 5 ticket.
2. COLE T ran second or third in four starts in New York, then earned his maiden diploma by nearly two lengths on a muddy track at Laurel on Jan. 1 while recording an 81 Beyer. He has a race over the track at Laurel, while Turbo Speed doesn't. So if you're not inclined to single Turbo Speed in the Magna 5, Cole T looks worthy of being included on the ticket.
3. OUR COMMANDER is three for three on Laurel's main track. That's the good news. The bad news is he finished more than 40 lengths behind Turbo Speed in the Count Fleet Stakes. For that performance at the Big A, Our Commander's grade would have to be a Big F. The last time Our Commander raced at Laurel, he took the Maryland Juvenile Championship for Maryland-breds on Dec. 12. Can Our Commander rebound from his Count Fleet debacle and regain his winning ways with a return to Laurel's main track? That's certainly not out of the question.
The Nellie Morse (Saturday, January 23)
1. WEATHERED rolled to a 3 1/4 length victory in Aqueduct's Darlin Momma Stakes on Jan. 14. She is a very nice mare, as her lifetime record attests (11 wins form 24 starts). Not only that, Weathered has faced quite a number of tough rivals (Sara Louise, Justwhistledixie, Unbridled Belle, Haynesfield, Icon Project, Swift Temper, Seventh Street, etc.). (Second)
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2. NORTHERN STATION should be taken very seriously. After winning an allowance/optional claiming contest at Penn National on Dec. 21, the daughter of Street Cry (sire of multiple Eclipse Award winner Zenyatta) powered home to prevail by four lengths in an allowance/optional claiming race at Laurel on Jan. 8. (Wond $6.40)
3. EMILY ALLSTAR hasn't started since finishing third in an allowance/optional claiming race at the Meadowlands on Nov. 19. It looks like she's been training well since that race based on her works at Belmont Park. Emily Allstar had a fine 2009 in which she finished third or better in all seven starts. (Third)
The Fire Plug (Saturday, January 16)
1. RAVALO gave 4-5 Vineyard Haven a run for his money in the Grade I Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel on a sloppy track Oct 24. Ravalo finished second, a half-length behind Vineyard Haven, who subsequently ran third in the Grade I Cigar Mile. In his only start since the De Francis Dash, Ravalo ran second in the Christmas Stakes on a muddy strip Dec. 26 at Mountaineer. Ravalo, who has won 13 of 29 career starts, worked three furlongs in a sharp :35 1/5 at Laurel on Jan. 12. (Fourth)
2. DIGGER certainly warrants respect. He's coming off a game victory in the Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct on Dec. 26 (the same day Ravalo was upset at Mountaineer). He worked four furlongs in a brisk :48 1/5 on Belmont Park's training track Jan. 11. (WON $5.60)
3. ROARING LION, seventh in the De Francis Dash, had a troubled trip and finished fourth in the Valley Forge Stakes at Philadelphia Park on Dec. 8. He was moved up to third through disqualification. Roaring Lion, who won three of five starts in 2009, should be taken very seriously. (Scratched)
The What a Summer (Saturday, January 9)
1. CUVEE UNCORKED won Aqueduct's Poker Night Stakes on Nov. 1, then finished a respectable third behind Sara Louise and Justwhistledixie in the Grade II Top Flight Handicap at the Big A on Nov. 27. Sara Louise won the 2008 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs over a filly by the name of Rachel Alexandra. Nobody has beaten Rachel Alexandra since the 2008 Pocahontas. (Third)
2. SWEET GOODBYE often says "hello" to the winner's circle after a race. She's won seven of 11 starts. Most recently, Sweet Goodbye finished second against Maryland-breds in the All Brandy Stakes at Laurel on Nov. 14. (WON $14.40)
3. ROYAL MICHELE certainly belongs on the list of contenders. The daughter of Elusive Quality (sire of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Smarty Jones) has finished at least third in nine of 13 lifetime starts. (Second)
The Native Dancer (Saturday, January 2)
1. RESEARCHER is the choice here to take an interesting and seemingly competitive renewal of the Native Dancer. He's won 11 of 23 lifetime starts and comes off a second to a razor-sharp Rodman. (Sixth)
2. ENCAUSTIC ran seventh in the Alysheba Stabkes at the Meadowlands on Nov. 27, but he's quite capable of rebounding with a good performance in this race. He had finished at least third in 7 straight starts prior to the Alysheba. (Second)
3. AH DAY deserves respect, as usual. After finishing fifth in three consecutive starts, he won an allowance/optional claiming contest at Laurel at 2-1 (I was shocked he was not a lower price than that). He's a nine-time winner on Laurel's main track. (Third)
The Maryland Filly Championship (Friday, January 1)
1. THAT'S HOW I ROLL finished fourth in an allowance contest at the Meadowlands on Oct. 19. She was good enough to finish second in the Junior Champion Stakes on a sloppy track at Monmouth Park in August. (WON $8.80)
2. MOLLY MOLLY MOLLY is a contender even though she's still a maiden after three starts. She was steadied in deep stretch and finished fourth on the turf Nov. 25 at Aqueduct. In her only start on the dirt, Molly Molly Molly ran well, finishing second in a mile race at Delaware Park. Jeremy Rose riding adds to the appeal. (Ninth)
3. JIM'S PROSPECT has yet to run a bad race (3 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 1 third). In her most recent appearance under silks, she finished second and lost by only a head in an allowance/optional claiming race Nov. 27 on a muddy track at Laurel. Earlier this year, Jim's Prospect finished a respectable third while making her career debut in the Maryland Million Lassie. (Tenth)
Upcoming Stakes Races
Marshua - Saturday, February 5
Barbara Fritchie Hcp (GII) - Saturday, February 13
John B. Campbell Hcp - Saturday, February 13
General George Hcp (GII) - Monday, February 15
Maryland Racing Media - Saturday, February 20
Miracle Wood - Saturday, February 27
Archives of the Past Stakes Analysis
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