Wadi Suki, Ezzy get 2010 off to a bang!

Two monster movers, at the big A, got the new year off to a profitable start. In the last race on January 1, Wadi Suki lead wire-to-wire for a return of $34 , 12.8 and 6.9. Jockey Souza's first win of the meet. Time to watch trainer Gary Contessa.

Ezzy, trained by Bernardo Callejas and ridden by jockey Hill, wired the field to complete a $401 first double, yesterday and paid mutuels of $47.8, 13.4 and 8.20.

Hello 2010. I'm ahead for the whole year (sic).

Riding the jocks to success

For the first two weeks of a meet, I spend more time watching than wagering. My goal is to identify who among the new jocks have more riding skill than the public immediately recognizes. There is always at least one. And, he or she is often the key to excellent profits.

The most celebrated of this season's new crop at NYRA, is David Cohen. He has been immediately embraced by the more prolific training operations and is listed near the top of leading riders..

But don't sleep Angel Serpa and Anna Naprovnik. I give a second look to any horse they ride. It has already been key to major winning wagers. Simply the fact, that either of this talented duo is aboard, is enough.

Conversely, no matter how hot Tony Dutrow is out of town, when he legs up NYRA's worst rider on a horse (you know who you are), I immediately throw the nag out. And, rightly so.