Just as Well pointed to Arlington Million XXVIII

Horseracing Betting Lines

05/19/2010 - Arlington Heights, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Coming off a second-place finish in last Saturday's Dixie Stakes at Pimlico, Just as Well is on the road to this year's Arlington Million at Arlington Park.

The 1 1/4-mile race, a furlong more than the Dixie, is being targeted by the seven-year-olds' owner and trainer Jonathan Sheppard. Just as Well finished second in last year's Arlington Million, on a yielding turf course, as a 19-1 longshot behind 3-2 favorite Gio Ponti.

Gio Ponti would go on be win Eclipse Awards as champion turf male and older male thoroughbred.

Ridden by E.T. Baird in the Million, Just as Well had an awkward start and was last in the eight horse field. His rally came up 1 1/4-lengths shy of catching the winner.

"He was tracking the winner (Gio Ponti) around the last turn," Sheppard noted following the 2009 Million, "but then Einstein weakened and dropped in front of him, which broke his stride slightly. I'm not saying he would have won, but he would have made it closer."

The 1 1/8-mile Dixie proved to be a little short too in distance for Just as Well.

"I thought he ran great," Sheppard noted after Saturday's race. "Julien (jockey Leparoux) gave him a good ride and we just got beat by a better horse on the day. Probably a little more distance wouldn't hurt him, but he ran well. He's back where he was, that's the main thing. We're happy."

Just as Well was second in last year's Dixie before winning the 1 1/4-mile Arlington Handicap. Strike A Deal, 14-1 at post-time, won the 2010 Dixie by less than a length over Just as Well.

Sheppard's horse has won five of 23 career starts with five second-place finishes for $1.1 million.

After the 2009 Million, Just as Well was sent up to Woodbine for a pair of starts. He was second to Marsh Side in the Northern Dancer, but was a disappointing fifth in the Canadian International to Champs Elysees. He concluded the year in the Japan Cup in Tokyo, finishing seventh.

His first start in 2010 was in the Ben Ali at Keeneland. The 1 1/8-mile race on Keeneland's artificial main track was used as a tightener. Just as Well was fourth to Dubious Miss, beaten by 6 1/2-lengths.

Sporthorsebetting Horseracing Betting News


<< World Cup 2010 Preview: Can Ronaldo regain form for Portugal?
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Portugal's maiden voyage into the World Cup in 1966 ended with a third-place finish based largely on the scoring exploits of Eusebio, and to date, it remains the country's best performance. But a

<< Galaxy head to Dallas without Donovan, Buddle
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Galaxy face their toughest test of the season to date when they travel to take on FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park in Major League Soccer action on Thursday night. The Galaxy will be playing their

<< Devils sign pair of blueliners
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Devils signed defensemen Eric Gelinas and Dan Kelly, the club announced Wednesday. No terms of the deals were released. Gelinas was the Devils' second round choice, and 54th overall, in the

<< Blue Jays grant Ruiz release
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - First baseman Randy Ruiz was granted his release from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. Ruiz, who had batted .150 with a home run and one RBI over 13 games this season, has signed a contract with

<< New York faces Columbus for early East supremacy
Harrison, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York stated the 2010 Major League Soccer season 5-1-0 after finishing dead last in the league in '09. But since the team's last win - a 2-0 decision at D.C. on May 1 - Red Bull has gone 0-2

Marshall has routine surgery >>
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Recently acquired Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall underwent surgery on Wednesday that will keep him off the field for an uncertain amount of time. Head coach Tony Sparano stated that Marshall

Braves OF Diaz undergoes thumb surgery >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Atlanta Braves outfielder Matt Diaz underwent a procedure on his infected right thumb on Wednesday and there is no timetable for his return, the club announced. The surgery was done by Dr. Gary Lourie in Atla

World Cup 2010 Preview: Uruguay will rely on potent strike duo >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Uruguay is one of only five nations that can claim multiple World Cup titles, but unlike the other four - Brazil, Italy, Germany and Argentina - the men in sky blue have had little to brag about o

Cubs place P Caridad on DL >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the second time this season, Chicago Cubs pitcher Esmailin Caridad has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. He spent his first stint on the DL from April 12 through May 8 with a right forearm

Wilson Chandler charged with marijuana possession >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Knicks forward Wilson Chandler was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana after the drug was found in the car he was driving Tuesday night. A spokeswoman for Queens District

2007 NFL Football Betting Preview


“You play to win the game!”

Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy.

The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line.

The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2.

Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway?

Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year.

New York Giants betting lines

Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years.

Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant.

Dallas Cowboys betting lines

Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success.

The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones.

Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings.

Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record.

Oakland Raiders betting lines

This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots.

First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!”

The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason. 

Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football wagering needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.