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.

Wwwjackpotpalace 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

FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

NFL Betting Lines

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.