TobyTurrell

Designs on The Ultimate List are On The Horizon

Just wanted to update everyone on my schedule for the coming weeks.

With the Churchill meet in the history books, I do get a little time to breathe, but rest assured, I will not slow it down when it comes to providing exclusive and invaluable information -- profitable, entertaining and flat out fun!

Case in point. How cool will it be to be alerted to the future stars of the game ahead of "everybody" else?

You like that, huh?

Well, good news. That's my newest quest!

It all goes back to mapping out some of the original ideas and plans that I discussed with my partner Jeremy Plonk before we even launched Horseplayer PRO. By the way, I have a track record already in the books from my involvement with The Daily racing Form as the author of "Baby Talk". The results of the columns, which were based on young 2yo horses usually working their 1st 1/2 miles, bared incredible results. The babies we scouted not only won, but many went on to become stakes winners and even stallions. 

Go ahead. Google "Toby Turrell" and look for the headline "Left At the Gate - Baffert determined to make a point". The beauty of this article is that I had nothing to do with writing it!!!!!!

The time has come to take my game to the next level, and Horseplayer PRO readers stand to benefit. We'll begin by inspecting and uncovering the top prospects of this year's Fasig Select sale which takes place on July 14-15. For those of you not familiar with the sale, you must realize that we are going to try to find the future stars of the sport at the yearling level. REAL babies indeed.

To add even further insight, I've once again partnered with Larry Zap. We have a track record here that you can count on. I hate tooting our horn, but together I think we have perhaps the most impressive resume in the market when it comes to isolating talent at the yearling level. 

Our initial attempts at this sort of scouting yielded Secret Of Mecca, Walts Wharf, Apache Wings and True Passion, all of whom developed into credentialled runners. Secret Of Mecca, ridden by Julie Krone, nearly defeated two of the best mares in recent times - Sightseek and Affluent, in Grade I events. 

The numbers further prove my point. We spent a total of $330,000 dollars on 13 yearlings, and they returned roughly $1.3 million the racetrack, competing on the toughest circuit in the nation-Southern California.

Stay tuned. If all goes well in the near future, you can cash in on some of this excitement at the ultimate levels. For now, you can read about it right here at Horseplayerpro.com. If you like what you're hearing, the opportunity to jump into PRO horse ownership, with talented babies who have a chance to compete at the highest of levels, may present itself to YOU in the VERY near future. 

Toby Turrell

Flying Under the Radar 

The recent introduction of synthetic tracks to the racing landscape makes "horses to folllow" lists more multidimensional, and potentially more pofitable in the long run. Many horses simply prefer one surface over another.

For example, Pyro is the poster child of a horse who is a star on conventional dirt but can't stand up on synthetics. There are many just like him of lower profile that we hope to identify as "watch" horses moving from one track to the next. 

I cover Keeneland, Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs for Horseplayer PRO on a year round basis, and many horses follow the same circuit, which is dirt, Poly, dirt and back to Poly.

As a full time clocker, I will also provide insight into young horses flashing their talents in the mornings. This is the category where I can provide the invaluable, "under the radar" type info. Horses who show they are ready to improve their form by tipping their hands in their morning works. These horses offer value. The public can't see this kind of improvement in the horse's form, or through their speed figures.

Our Winners Card value at the Churchill meet has been found in discounting  or over bet maidens in favor of hidden types. Take the first race on 6/26 for example. We nailed a $245 Exacta, a $510 Trifecta and $1,945 Superfecta with our top four picks, nearly cold.

This type of score wont be found in this format anywhere else in the marketplace!!!!!! 

The old school trouble horses, and extra sharp and ready to move up the ladder types will also be included in my personal PRO ALERTS, but the multidimensional tools we will apply are what separate this service from anything that's out there.

I look forward to delivering live horses to your mailbox on a regular basis.

Best of Luck!

Toby Turrell

The Keys Here Are Beyond The Clock

As a full time clocker and analyst of morning training, I have had many adjustments to my thinking along the way. The first thing that one must understand is that the time of a published workout will not often tell the story as to what the meaning of a morning prep holds behind it. 

Lets use Curlin's Monday work at CD as the primary example, his baby workmate Pyro as the follow up to the story.  No, the two did not work together as they did at the FG this winter,  but the bottom line to my opinion on the respective works falls in line with what I thought when they actually were working side by side.  The works were just what the doctor ordered at this stage of their careers. 

First, Curlin looked magnificent on the track and leaving the track. He is more then ready for his next test.  Lets put it this way, his double gallop out time of 130 and change is the real story.  This really shows how strong this animal truly is at this stage of the game. 

Pyro stopped the clock in 53 for a 1/2, which would send up flares to those concerned with times, but actually he sent signals in this drill that he is indeed thriving off his most recent win in the Northern Dancer under the Twin Spires on Super Saturday. 

For me it is like deja vu, simply giving thanks that both of these stars are shining at this point in time.

Toby Turrell

"There He Is"

This is the quote I forwarded on to a friend of mine as I watched in amazement in the cover of darkness on Wednesday, as The Big Red Machine came powering on by, looking like he never ran, let alone cruised home with 128 pounds on his back to an easy win in Saturday's Stephen Foster.  Just four days removed from what should have been a hard race, I couldn't believe what I saw in Curlin's body language. He pranced on by me with his neck arched, poised for the next battle.  Equally as pleasing was the site of Pyro, who danced past me about a half hour later. All is well and good with the two stars of the Asmussen stable. Simply put, they look terrific. 

Toby Turrell

Curlin Update, and a little egg in Dutrow's eye

The Big Red Machine completed his final prep for Saturday's Foster over the Churchill strip Monday morning. With Steve Asmussen standing directly below yours truly, surrounded by an entourage of beauties, Curlin worked a 1/2 mile. I had a tough time paying attention to my horse, and watch, but managed to get him in 48.3, a time that was confirmed by a veteran colleague and guest clocker who came in just to see the work. We nailed the time, but Steve didnt bother to look over his shoulder to ask what our watches read. He knew that the superb 24 flat last 1/4 was what he really wanted to see.  He went faster with every eighth.

Back to the Curlin "fan club". Amazing. Leave it to the best horse in the world to get 'em out of bed way before their alarm clocks would normally ring. Half of them were nicer to look at than the Mighty Curlin himself...OK, back to business!!!

I hope that the connections involved with Big Brown learned a lesson with this year's Belmont. I dont mind the color of Dutrow added along the Triple Crown voyage, but one must consider the reality of never circling a horse until after the official sign goes on the board, especially a horse who was entering the race in the fragile state that he was. 

I must admit, I have fallen for the trainer'ss stick a bit. I laughed hard at his quote to reporters following him down the tunnel..."Dont even think about it".

Richard - face this like a man, but don't lose your sense of smack. I do believe there is a place for it in this game, just use the utmost of care when addressing a world that might not understand the horse, or horse racing. Because of your spew, they assumed that the horse couldn't lose.

Hey, you were right the first two times, but I think you knew, deep down, that this one was a little different. Look at the simple fact that you overrruled your panel of experts for the first time during the horses career. I dont care about people with knowlege about horses in the foot area, I only care about the new fans, those paying real attention to our sport for the first time, and don't have a clue what went amiss. We can't afford to lose any new fan, or regular fan for that matter, because those of us with the expertise don't watch what we say at all times for the sake of our great sport.

Toby Turrell