Your Pigskins and Ponies Picks for Jan. 31 - Feb. 1

With the end of the football season, we say thank you and goodbye for now … but we won’t be gone for long, so stay tuned!
Welcome to ABR’s Pigskins and Ponies column, where winners play!
Horse racing is my means to an end, and I love the sport like no other, but I admit it, like most of you on a Sunday afternoon in the fall and winter, it’s hard to pull me away from my couch … and NFL RedZone.
Let’s kick off the football, spring the horses from the gate and pad our bankrolls!
Pro Pigskins – by Joe Kristufek
Previous Edition (Jan. 17): 2-2
Season Total: 29-37-2 (.439)
Super Bowl, Sunday, Feb. 1 
New England Patriots v. Seattle Seahawks UNDER 47.5.
Here’s my dilemma. I like the Patriots to win the game, but have some concerns about a “Deflategate” hangover. Against Seattle’s defense, even the slightest distraction could prove very costly for New England QB Tom Brady. Seattle was LUCKY to beat Green Bay. Their offense was virtually invisible for three quarters, and the New England defense poses perhaps an even greater challenge. Both teams will try to run the football, running consistent time off the clock.
Prop Bets (bovada.com)
I’m confident that the Patriots are going to do whatever it takes to get the ball to their stud tight end Rob Gronkowski, so prop plays will be centered around him. I also believe Danny Amendola, a capable WR who has been utilized a lot more in recent weeks, will get some targets and that Russell Wilson will accumulate plenty of rushing yards.

Rob Gronkowski OVER 5 ½ catches
Rob Gronkowski OVER 74.5 yards
Danny Amendola OVER 2 catches
Danny Amendola OVER 20.5 yards
Russell Wilson OVER 42.5 yards

EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF BRADY TO GRONKOWSKI

WikiMedia Commons
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
Fair Grounds was not kind to us on Jan. 17. Albano finished an uninspiring third in the Louisiana Handicap. West Coast Belle was no match for I’m a Chatterbox in the Silverbulletday Stakes, although road trouble may have cost her second. Runhappy endured a rough trip from start to finish in the Lecomte Stakes and perhaps the race should be tossed out completely. Time will tell.
January 17: 3-0-0-1 ($2 WPS * $18 wagered * $2.10 returned)
Season Total: 58-19-8-4 ($2 WPS * $348 wagered * $407.40 returned = $7.02 ROI) 
Saturday, Jan. 31 
Tampa Bay Downs – Tampa, Fla.
Race 9 – Suncoast Stakes, 4:20 p.m. ET
#1 Irish Jasper (morning-line odds, 7-2)
A debut winner of a $25,000 maiden claiming race back in late October at Parx Racing, this 3-year-old filly by First Defence has proven to be worth quite a bit more. She’s won three of four starts, displaying professionalism and gameness. She gets her first two-turn test here, but the pedigree suggests she’ll handle it. The addition of Lasix can only help, and a recent bullet workout signals absolute readiness.
Race 10 – Endeavour Stakes (G3), 4:50 p.m. ET
#11 Hard Not to Like (morning-line odds, 7-2)
This classy mare has won six of 13 starts on grass, including her last two. She makes her first run for masterful turf trainer Christophe Clement off a 9 ½-month layoff, but some of her best work has been done fresh. When all is said and done, her name tells the story.
HARD NOT TO LIKE WINNING GRADE 1 JENNY WILEY AT KEENELAND

Coady Photography/Keeneland photo
Race 11 – Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3), 5:20 p.m. ET
#9 My Johnny Be Good (morning-line odds, 6-1)
This summer, I had the pleasure of watching this colt by Colonel John develop at Arlington Park. Don’t let the speed figure fool you. His maiden win at second asking was visually impressive. Next up in his route debut, he ran a good second behind the legitimate Eagle, and last out, back sprinting at Tampa Bay Downs, he romped by more than a dozen lengths. Already proven on the track, he fired a bullet workout in preparation for this. I’m excited about this colt.