Saturday Starting Gate with Brian Monzo: Saturday, January 29 | NYRA Bets

Pick Your Horses with Monzo

Saturday, January 29

Welcome to the Saturday Starting Gate, right here on NYRABets.com and the NYRA Bets App. What a weekend we have coming up. With snow potentially in the forecast in New York, we are going to do what the birds do and head south for the nicer weather!

Make sure to head to NYRABets.com or the NYRA Bets App and enter promo code MONZO200 for a first deposit match up to $200. And check out the NYRA Bets promotional calendar every day for amazing offers each weekend.

Derby preps and MEGA races are coming!

We will go through the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn, with Derby points available. And we'll go through four of the great stakes races at Gulfstream on Pegasus weekend. The races we don't touch on yet, we will make picks on Twitter on Saturday at @BMonzoRadio.

So sit back, relax, stay warm, and let's pick some winners...

The Grade III Southwest Stakes (10-4-2-1 in Derby points) - Oaklawn - Race 9 - 4:22 PM CT

The key to this race is finding a way to beat Newgrange. His connections (Baffert) typically dominate the Oaklawn circuit when it comes to these types of races. He's the type that seems to like the lead, shockingly, but doesn't need it. History shows that when Baffert has Johnny V. on one of his speedsters, the horse is going to go. Newgrange draws the outside, so, getting to the lead shouldn't be tough with a clean break, but he's going to have to push him to get there. He's going to be running a longer distance here than he's run before. And I think he's going to be short in the end. Hey, this is just a prep for another Derby prep, so maybe they don't go all the way here. I am going to use Barber Road in this spot, who should be one of the runners clinging behind Newgrange and pushing him along the way. I love rider Ricardo Santana with these types of horses and at 5/1, with experience at this track, and good foundation underneath, I love him in this spot. Vivar draws the far outside and should be sitting back waiting to make a move. And with the addition of blinkers, he will have an easier time navigating his way down the stretch against this field.

Barber Road 5/1

Newgrange 2/1

Vivar 12/1

The Grade III La Prevoyante Stakes - Gulfstream Park - Race 5 - 1:27 PM ET

There's no obvious speed horse in this turf marathon. So while Beautiful Lover may be the most obvious choice to head to the lead, I am going to try Sister Otoole. If there is one thing we know about Luis Saez, he does his best work on the front end. This runner has shown the ability to sit close and in fact did that at this track in 2020. I think if Saez can get her up on the lead, she can put up some easy fractions and take this one. Always Shopping always runs well, but could get caught behind some horses early. Beautiful Lover should run a good one and could be the horse sitting just off the speed. Hoping to get lucky and beat Always Shopping.

Sister Otoole 10/1

Always Shopping 7/5

Beautiful Lover 7/2

The Grade III WL McKnight Stakes - Gulfstream Park - Race 7 - 2:31 PM ET

Another race, another speed scenario. There are some very good runners here, but one thing I know is that Abaan is going to the lead at all costs, despite the outside draw. He's bred for this type of distance and has done it at Gulfstream on a consistent basis. Temple could be sitting close up, but is not as fast as Abaan out of the gate and will be compromised with the inside post. Bama Breeze is coming off a nice break. They should be sitting a good stalking trip as well, and if the path is clear, should get the run to hit the board at a decent price. Abaan is my BEST bet of the day.

Abaan 2/1

Temple 4/1

Bama Breeze 12/1

The Grade I Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes - Gulfstream Park - Race 11 - 4:49 PM ET

Unlike the previous races, there is some speed here in this one, with Flavius, Channel Cat and Doswell all showing speed in previous races. Field Pass and Atone are fast as well. I will be looking for someone coming from off the pace, and the runner that stands out is Sacred Life. He's coming off a layoff, but is a winning machine, going 7 for 22 in his career, and has consistently run well while battling slow pace scenarios. With the potential of a good setup, he's your likeliest winner. Hit the Road is a solid runner and stretches out a bit here, but should be sitting midpack and always keeps coming down the stretch. I don't think he will be too far back and could find himself in the mix late at a decent price. I don't know what to make of Colonel Liam. The truth is, I don't love the horse, but I am afraid to get burned, so I am throwing him on all tickets. His best wins. His not best, finishes last.

Sacred Life 6/1

Hit the Road 8/1

Colonel Liam 3/1

The Grade I Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes - Gulfstream Park - Race 12 - 5:34 PM ET

We have some battle coming up with Life is Good and Knicks Go. Sometimes, when it's that obvious, you try to look elsewhere. Not here. I think Life is Good and Knicks Go will find themselves 10 lengths ahead of everyone when they hit the finish line -- and likely together. I love Life is Good here. I love the horse and think he would have made some impression in the Triple Crown races should he have been healthy. I see these two pulling away with Knicks Go in the lead most of the race. Life is Good has another gear-- and honestly, I don't think we've seen it yet. We see it today. There is chance for a nice longshot to fill out the triple, and I like Title Ready. He always runs well down the stretch and I see no reason why he isn't a logical pick to hit the board at a price. Cold Exacta: Life is Good-Knicks Go-Title Ready.

Life is Good 7/5

Knicks Go 6/5

Title Ready 20/1

Follow me on Twitter at @BMonzoRadio and make sure to use promo code MONZO200 for your first deposit match up to $200. We will dive into the rest of the great races on Twitter with picks and thoughts and WINNERS. Make sure to check out the rest of the great features and promos on NYRABets.com and good luck!

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