Your Pigskins and Ponies Picks for Jan. 17-18
Image:
Description:
With the end of the college football season, we say thank you and goodbye, for now, to our expert Derek Cooley … but he won’t be gone for long, so stay tuned!
I’ll be back in two weeks with a Super Bowl prediction plus additional horsin’ around!
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.
I have a wanted sign in Vegas and am feared by fantasy football mavens nationwide, but when it comes to the college game, I chose to punt.
That’s where Derek Cooley comes in. The dude is a loaded gun of university knowledge.
Let’s kick off the football, spring the horses from the gate and pad our bankrolls!
Pro Pigskins – by Joe Kristufek
Last week was a bit of a mixed bag. I picked all four winners, including the Colts upset over the Broncos, but only two of them covered the number.
This week, a trip to the Super Bowl is on the line.
Pro Football Superfecta
Last week: 3-5
Season Total: 27-35-2 (.435)
Sunday, Jan. 18
Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) vs. Green Bay Packers and OVER 46.5, 3:05 p.m. ET
Just how bad is Aaron Rodgers calf? Only he really knows. Just how good is Seattle’s defense? Very, very good. The Packers are a quality team with a balanced offense, but their defense is 23rd against the run, and that’s the Seahawks strength. With an amazing secondary, Seattle will make it a point to rush an immobile passer, particularly if they’re playing with a lead late in the game.
GREEN BAY WILL HAVE ITS HANDS FULL WITH THE SEATTLE RUNNING GAME
WikiMedia Commons
Indianapolis Colts (+6) at New England Patriots and UNDER 53.5, 6:40 p.m. ET
Using press coverage, Indianapolis shut down Peyton Manning and the Broncos vaunted passing game. Tom Brady is a tougher animal, and Gronk (tight end Rob Gronkowski) is a different kind of cover. That being said, the Colts defense is peaking at the right time, the running game is improved and Andrew Luck is taking his game to a new level. Led by T. Y. Hilton, the Colts can deploy multiple weapons, and I think they’ll keep the chains moving.
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
Neither Valid nor Strike Chamer managed to light the toteboard for us last week, but Mshawish, a rising turf star for Todd Pletcher, helped regain some of our lost dollars. We continue to show a solid profit.
Last week: 3-1-0-0 ($2 WPS * $18 wagered * $15.20 returned)
Season Total: 55-19-8-3 ($2 WPS * $330 wagered * $405.30 returned = $7.36 ROI)
Saturday, Jan. 17
Fair Grounds – New Orleans, La.
Race 7 – Louisiana Handicap, 4:25 p.m. ET
#5 Albano (morning-line odds, 9-5)
As a 3-year-old with Triple Crown aspirations, this son of Istan plied his trade at Fair Grounds. Second in both the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes and Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes, he checked in a disappointing fifth in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and was subsequently given the rest of the spring off. He finished his sophomore season on a high note and is training like a bear in advance of his seasonal debut.
ALBANO (inside) LED INTO DEEP STRETCH IN THE 2014 RISEN STAR
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Race 9 – Silverbulletday Stakes, 5:24 p.m. ET
#2 West Coast Belle (morning-line odds, 2-1)
This race marks the return of the highly regarded Top Decile, who was last seen finishing second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, which should allow this gal to go off as an attractive second choice. In winning all three starts, she’s been increasingly impressive, and trainer Wayne Catalano has a knack with fillies.
Race 11 – Lecomte Stakes (G3), 6:24 p.m. ET
#7 Runhappy (morning-line odds, 8-1)
In a deep edition of this early Triple Crown prep, this son of Super Saver is a wild card. At first asking, he broke his maiden in a Polytrack sprint at Turfway Park in highly unprofessional fashion, but did so by open lengths. By a Kentucky Derby winner in Super Saver, he’s certainly bred to stay route distances, but can he handle the class hike and mind his manners? The risk should be worth the reward, but give him a strong look in the paddock and post parade before stepping up to the betting windows.