First and foremost the flat season has got into full speed and June sees not only the magnificent Royal Ascot but also the month kicks off with the Derby meeting at Epsom. There are three championship races on which to focus.
CORONATION CUP – FRIDAY The Coolmore battalions are out in force headed by good middle distance horses such as Japan, Love, Mogul and Broome and I notice that Love has come in for market support in the last few days. If he runs he will serve it up to AL AASY, the current even-money favourite. His prep at Newbury recently was amazing and I have no hesita- tion in scooping up the 9/4 on offer just after the race. Not only this but I have backed Al Aasy for the Arc in October in the hope he is as good as I belive him to be and Haggas will hopefully have an autumn campaign mapped out. I mention this as the 16/1 still available should be taken for moderate stakes. On the day of the Coronation Cup I think the even-money currently available is fair.
THE OAKS – FRIDAY Coolmore’s domination is once more to be challenged in the Oaks with Roger Varian’s TEONA, currently available at 8/1. this is a funny race as she was fancied heavily in the traditional Oaks Trial, the Musidora, but ran green and got fairly comprehensively beaten by the unfancied Coolmore representative Snowfall. Snowfall is currently 4/1 second favourite and I just have the feeling that Teona wil not only overturn that run but also serve it up to the Aiden O’Brien talking horse and hotpot Santa Barbara. Her reputation is taken on trust and I am not prepared to trust her with my money at a shade under 2/1.
THE DERBY – SATURDAY The same cannot be said about the Derby where I feel normal service will be resumed at Ballydoyle. Again the ercurial Aiden O’Brien has the top two horses in the betting with BOLSHOI BALLET 2/1 at time of print, and the previous ante-post winter Derby favourite, High Definition at 4/1. Which one will Ryan Moore ride will dictate the Ballydoyle pecking order but I am confident that the explosive nature of Bolshoi Ballet’s romp in the Ballysax will result in victory. Yes there is a case for Mac Swiney and Hurricane Lane but I feel that nothing will get to Bolshoi. With Royal Ascot beginning in mid-June look out for Aiden O’Brien’s LOVE at 9/4 in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
JUNE 2021
NFL
I know it seems strange to be talking about the forthcoming NFL season, that starts in September, in June but things are developing in the off- season. Notably the LA Rams have traded their so-so QB of Jared Goff to Detroit and swapped him for one of the
elite quaterbacks in Matthew Stamford. Now let’s put this in perspective, the Rams are a very, very good side with a superb defence and they do say that defence wins champion- ships. What they have suffered with is the ability of their offense to utilise their playmakers. They have solved this in one simple step in putting their faith in Stamford. Yes, they have traded multiple draft picks, yes they have paid huge monies in salaries but they have decided to go the way that Tampa Bay did last year and buy instance success with Tom Brady. This could be the new trend as it is unlikely that Aaron Rodgers, hitherto of the Green Bay Packers is unlikely to be seen in Wisconsin this year. The RAMS are 14/1 for the Superbowl, 6/1 for the Conference and 7/4 for the Division. Back them now while these prices are still available. Conversely in the AFC while the Kansas City Chiefs continue to be the leading team, Baltimore Ravens with their franchise quarterback are, in my opinion, not far behind. At this stage the difference in price is 9/2 compared to a Baltimore price of 12/1. I know where my money is on (go on, Lamar).
Until next month
Bernie the Book 93
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