Sunday Morning Notes - Dec 28

- Sunday Elegance took the big drop for Pletcher, winning for 15K in Saturday's first at the Big A in his first race for a tag; The Toddster is 16 for 33 (48%) with that sort over the last two years. Wasn't claimed either, but Weekwee, third at 14-1, was, from trainer Pat Kelly. Weekwee (American Chance) is a half-sister to two stakes winners, including Homerette. So she might be worth that 15K just from her value as a broodmare.

In the second, Tee With The Tiger ($14.20) was the fifth winner from the last nine starters for trainer Del Carroll II. The other winners paid $29.80, $29.60, $21.60, and $6.50. This four-year old gelded son of Defrere was graduating in his 30th career start, and his 17th this year, in which he's now ground out nearly $40,000 in earnings.

An end of year fire sale for IEAH in the 5th; Lincoln Road was dropped in, and claimed for a mere 10K by trainer Robert Barbara. Unfortunately, he managed to burn those who bet him at 3-5. Confirmondi ($10.40, and claimed by Dominic Galluscio) was the second winner in two racing days for trainer Bruce Brown, who did not have similar luck in the finale, more on that in a bit.

January Gent won like a nice horse in his first start since April, for owner Wesley Ward, who has left him here in the care of Richard Dutrow. He's a three-year old gelded son of Wiseman's Ferry, who will be standing in Pennsylvania for $3000 in 2009.

In the 9th, Joaquin Memphis ran dead last for Kasey K, eased up under the wire some 40 lengths behind the second to last runner. Horse seemed fine afterwards, and Bruce Brown feels that he's become a head case who thinks he has the game figured out, and who won't compete unless he's involved early. Of course, that's not possible if he also refuses to break. The trainer wants to drop him in class and run him back as soon as possible.

- Classy win for Indian Blessing in the La Brea at Santa Anita. Indyanne took a bad step on the Pro-Ride track and fractured the inside sesamoid in her left front leg.

- The Jets are three point favorites at home against the Dolphins today, and consider this: Miami has won eight of nine. The Jets have played four awful games in a row since being anointed as playoff locks, managing to win one of them when the defense came up with a big play. They haven't been able to defend the pass even when they were winning, especially against a dinky short passing game such as what they'll see from Chad Pennington. They have no sustained pass rush at all, and can no longer stop the run either. The offensive line doesn't protect Favre, who has been hinting this week of a bad shoulder that could explain his dismal performance over the last four games. The one thing that the Jets continue to do well is to run the ball; but offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer continues to inexplicably shun the smashmouth game at key moments, and barely uses team MVP Leon Washington from scrimmage at all. I'm not going to tell you who to bet, but, once again, there have to better propositions out there than laying points with this team! And as far as their playoff chances go? Good night, and good luck!