There are a lot of stats out there and thousands of horses to search through every day. Because humans are not machines, we cannot be expected to comb through all the sites and stats to hit every detailed nail on the head.
However, there are some unknowns that aren’t really so. Take, for example, two horses running on opposite coasts today: Quintus Sertorius in the 7th at Saratoga and Lagoon of Diamonds in the 8th at Del Mar.
These horses will probably be decent prices - and for a seemingly ridiculous reason: most horseplayers shy away from a pedigree they don’t see regularly. Give ‘em a Tapit, Tiznow, Elusive Quality, or Pulpit and they’re happy to send their bets in. But throw ‘em a Dubawi or Encosta de Lago and they’re like Mine That Bird in the Firecracker Handicap - “wtf?!?” - frozen with fear.
For the record, both stallions are rather incredible.
Dubawi is a Darley stallion by Dubai Millennium with a race record of 8-5-1-1, who beat Oratorio twice and was 3rd to Motivator in the Epsom Derby. He has just 2 crops of racing age between both hemispheres and, of the 311 foals born, 137 have run (44%), 65 have won (21%), and there are 9 black-type/stakes winners. For more on him, check out the Dubawi Summary page provided by Darley.
Encosta de Lago is a Coolmore stallion by Fairy King with a race record of 8-3-0-3. He is a perennial top Australian stallion who has only recently been introduced to the Northern Hemisphere, but is the sire of 16+ individual G1 winners. Unlike most stallions who seem to throw in one particular niche, his progeny seem to run no matter where they’re placed. He is also often atop the yearling sales standings at Magic Millions. For more on him, check out the Encosta de Lago Summary page provided by Coolmore.
While there are reasons to bet these horses irrespective of pedigree - price and connections are two that come to mind quick - I wouldn’t overlook them based on family lines, either. Sometimes there are things to fear when it comes to afternoon racing, but unknown pedigrees ain’t one ‘em. When it doubt, Google.
