Phoenix is scheduled to close in a couple of weeks, so I wanted to get in a handicapping session before the end times. Tonight is the perfect opportunity, as it is the opening round of the 2009 Juvenile Stakes series. Let's have a look at tonight's 13-race card in Arizona...

The first Stake race of the evening is the 4th contest, on the 5/16ths of a mile course. This race looks like a contest between #1, Margie O'Malley and #8, Teri Aki. To me, Teri Aki seems like a much stronger choice, even though the #1 post position is very strong. Teri Aki has the best variant-adjusted time average on tonight's Stat Attack sheet, along with the best grade average. Teri Aki shows good late speed, and has won 5 times in 17 starts from the outside boxes.

I'm hoping to get a good value play in the 6th race, a grade A event. On the rail, I'll go with #1, Ucme Gimmesmore. This runner is in the strongest box. And Ucme Gimmesmore has a nice break advantage over the #2 greyhound. Ucme Gimmesmore has won over 25% of starts from the inside boxes, and should be a good early player in this race.

The next Stake race tonight comes in the 8th. Take a look at #5, Howdoyoulikethat. This runner has a very good post record from these tough midtrack boxes, winning 3 times in 7 starts from the 4/5/6 area. Howdoyoulikethat has the best adjusted times by a good bit. And this runner shows very good late speed, winning races by good margins in the last couple of months.

You'll find another interesting Stake race in the 10th tonight. I think that many in the crowd will play the #1 runner, BC Nicky. But this greyhound is going to be played so hard you're likely to get very low odds. I want a dog at longer odds who has a chance at an upset tonight. And that looks like #4, Bella Vogue. This greyhound has excellent late speed and a surprisingly good post record from the midtrack boxes. Bella Vogue has run 14 times from the 3/4/5 area, scoring 7 wins, a second and 2 thirds. Bella Vogue also shows a break advantage over the #3 runner tonight.

The last Stake contest comes in the 12th race tonight. On the outside, I'll go with #8, Rds Sue Floss. This runner has a nice post record, winning 5 of 13 wide starts. Rds Sue Floss has a nice break advantage over the #6 and #7 dogs. I'm going to combine this #8 dog with the #3, KMA Mr. Big, for a few exotics tonight. I'm not betting the farm on those two, but I'll definitely give this pair the chance to earn some money for me tonight!

That's a look at the Phoenix card for Tuesday night. I invite all of our Premium Members to download their free Stat Attack, Stat Force, and Tip Sheet, and enjoy handicapping these nice Stake races in Arizona tonight. Enjoy the show!

Gordon Waite