Things are beginning to pick here in the Tropics. Decent Day of Racing at GP with a Christmas Feast of Gambling opportunities next weekend at GP and FG and the College football Playoffs

There are two "inquiring minds want to know" maiden races tomorrow and Mr Todd Pletcher is in both of them. Dude can train a horse. All anyone needed to have done was watch his work last Saturday on Cigar Mile Day where TWO comebackers ran GIANT in Stakes. Tizzy and Locked.

In the 7th Mr Pletcher teams with Irad on a firster who breezed twice from the gate at PBD on Nov 29th and Dec 6th. And then again with Irad in the 9th on another firster who also breezed twice from the gate on Nov 29th and Dec 6th. Wait a minute two gate works on the same day at the same distance. You thinkin what I'm thinkin? Both drew outside. Figure to get that Classic Pletcher at GP lay 2nd and stalk galloping trip and are by win early Sires.

One twist is Brad "Bugsy" Cox is launching a Turf War with the 1 in the 9th. His Win Percentage this year is 27%. I can only image the last 90 days. Risk Factor with Casse is NOT going off at 15-1. Also coming in off TWO Gate Works and by a win early sire. Several others in here with good Trainers and every reason to POP.

In the Tropical Park Derby its a last chance for 3YO's and Shug teams with Irad for West Point on Cugino which means he will be hammered at the windows. Except that string of 8's means he isnt any faster than like half the field. And two of them are much faster (Weaver off of sprints) and Echo Lane should he draw is a little faster. He is also in the 13 hole and the 5 wins were on Lasix. He isnt getting Lasix tomorrow. Cugino has two siblings who were solid on grass. Battle of Normandy who went from an 8 as 3YO to a 3 as a 4YO. Veronica Greene not to be confused with Mo Greene....lets not ruffle Bugsy, was also pretty good. It feels like now or never time for Cugino particularly with the last breeze. But at odds on? Lynch to his inside will be twice the price, is drilling bullets, has proven he can go with Cugino and maybe that freshening help him grow up. Sire Index who I think Lynch trained, is slooooow! But most are babies. Watch the Tote......