Perhaps two of the southlands most promising Derby prospects, Tapizar and Comma to the Top had their Derby dreams crushed with poor showings this past weekend. The most notable was the first horse on our list, Tapizar who under Garret Gomez was rank and unmanageable as he faded after setting some ridiculous fractions in the Grade II $250,000 Robert B. Lewis on Saturday. The son of Tapit looked nothing like the pro back in January when he won the Grade III Sham in visually impressive fashion and took a major step backwards for the Steve Asmussen stable who now needs to try and figure out if they can get this guy to rate and relax on the lead. ... When he returns to the races. Earlier today it was announced he's off the Derby trail as it was discovered he has bone chips in a knee and will be sent to the farm to recover. Perhaps its just as well.
Up north, Comma to the top faded trying to rate in the Grade III El Camino Real Derby and judging by that effort, he should be crossed off every list that exists for Derby hopefuls. Sent off at 1/2 under Corey Nakatani, the Peter Miller trainee offered very little when the real racing began.
Perhaps a new addition albeit a longshot is the promising Albergatti who just broke his maiden on Saturday. The son of Unbrideled's Song needs to be brought along quickly if he intends to make the Derby list, and he most likely won't. However, we were encouraged to see his gutty win and this guy should be followed up the ladder when he returns to the races.
Just how impressive was Always a Princess in winning the Grade II $150,000 La Canada on Sunday? Pretty much controlling the pace, the daughter of Leroidesanimaux paid a nice $4.40 and won with plenty left in the tank for trainer Bob Baffert under Martin Garcia. Look for this filly to return shortly at the current meeting. Favored one dimensional Blind Luck found herself again at the mercy of a race with little pace and once again had to settle for second.
Heading to the races? Take us with you! http://www.horseracing-selections.com You'll be glad you did!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Daily Double at Santa Anita
First off lets vent. At Santa Anita on Sunday we saw perhaps the worst ride of young Joe Talamo's career and also perhaps the worst call the Stewards at Santa Anita have made in some time. While the Stews are often making bad calls, we are quite disappointed in Talamo's ride aboard Aggie Engineer.
Now let's understand one thing. We don't often rail on jockeys. Simply put, we personally don't have the guts to do what they do so we tend to cut them slack when it comes to the rides they turn in. For the most part, the jocks around these parts do an outstanding job so we don't have to bitch too much but when you restrain a free running front runner 3-4 wide the entire trip with fractions of :23 3/5, :48 3/5 and 1:13 2/5 you don't give your steed much of a chance to win the race. Perhaps that's why Aggie Engineer check in a well beaten third in Sunday's Grade III San Antonio.
As far as the Stews go, well that's another story. They continue to amaze people every day of the week with the calls they make and lack thereof. It seems that they have turned into "handicappers" and now base their calls on what they "think" the horse was going to do. Sunday's 7th race was such a race when #3 Holy Flapper came out in upper stretch and herded out #4 Magic Launch, taking him right out of the race. Hold on, though. The Stews said it didn't cost #4 Magic Launch and that the original order of finish wasn't effected. What? How do they know? Magic Launch lost the place by less than a length and was actually re-rallying after the incident took place. A foul is a foul and horses that commit one should be sat down. There should be none of this hocus-pocus that is now being used. Just another thing wrong with the current state of horse racing in California, the Stewards. Let's just call them what they deserve to be called ... Manny, Moe and Jack.
In Saturday's Grade I $250,000 Las Virgenes Turbulent Descent, the Mike Puype trained filly lost the first race of her career when defeated by Zazu from the John Sadler stable. Ridden to victor by Joel Rosario, the daughter of Tapit got a perfect ground saving ride and was notching up career win number two from six tries. She returned $10.
Twirling Candy took another big step forward to a date with the Santa Anita Big 'Cap with a solid, facile win in Saturday's Grade II $200,000 Strub Stakes. John Sadler takes another stakes this weekend and Joel Rosario was along for the ride at $3.
Heading to the race track soon? Bring us with you for the type of expert race coverage you have come to expect. Oh, by the way. We also provide you with winners! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/
Now let's understand one thing. We don't often rail on jockeys. Simply put, we personally don't have the guts to do what they do so we tend to cut them slack when it comes to the rides they turn in. For the most part, the jocks around these parts do an outstanding job so we don't have to bitch too much but when you restrain a free running front runner 3-4 wide the entire trip with fractions of :23 3/5, :48 3/5 and 1:13 2/5 you don't give your steed much of a chance to win the race. Perhaps that's why Aggie Engineer check in a well beaten third in Sunday's Grade III San Antonio.
As far as the Stews go, well that's another story. They continue to amaze people every day of the week with the calls they make and lack thereof. It seems that they have turned into "handicappers" and now base their calls on what they "think" the horse was going to do. Sunday's 7th race was such a race when #3 Holy Flapper came out in upper stretch and herded out #4 Magic Launch, taking him right out of the race. Hold on, though. The Stews said it didn't cost #4 Magic Launch and that the original order of finish wasn't effected. What? How do they know? Magic Launch lost the place by less than a length and was actually re-rallying after the incident took place. A foul is a foul and horses that commit one should be sat down. There should be none of this hocus-pocus that is now being used. Just another thing wrong with the current state of horse racing in California, the Stewards. Let's just call them what they deserve to be called ... Manny, Moe and Jack.
In Saturday's Grade I $250,000 Las Virgenes Turbulent Descent, the Mike Puype trained filly lost the first race of her career when defeated by Zazu from the John Sadler stable. Ridden to victor by Joel Rosario, the daughter of Tapit got a perfect ground saving ride and was notching up career win number two from six tries. She returned $10.
Twirling Candy took another big step forward to a date with the Santa Anita Big 'Cap with a solid, facile win in Saturday's Grade II $200,000 Strub Stakes. John Sadler takes another stakes this weekend and Joel Rosario was along for the ride at $3.
Heading to the race track soon? Bring us with you for the type of expert race coverage you have come to expect. Oh, by the way. We also provide you with winners! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/
Monday, January 31, 2011
No passing at Santa Anita!
Perhaps we are making way too much of this but I can't remember ever seeing it before. That doesn't mean of course it hasn't ever happened but in Santa Anita's third race on Saturday, January 29 the first five finishers ran in order all the way around the track without passing a rival! Hard to do? We think so!
Reba Is Tops is off to the breeding shed after winning her final start on Sunday. The gutty 7-year-old mare came from last to run down her rivals in the $70,000-added Wishing Well under Joe Talamo for trainer Mark Glatt. She finishes her career with 14 wins from 29 lifetime starts and has earned in excess of $408k.
Nice to see Martin Pedroza having a solid Santa Anita meeting. At 40-something years old now, the annual leading rider at Fairplex Park is currently riding like a bug boy and it seems he is attracting more live mounts than he has in the past. Maybe horsemen are figuring out what we knew a long time ago. This guy can ride!
Has anyone else checked out the fractions set in the Sunshine Millions Sprint on Saturday? Yes, they were legit fractions set by Cost of Freedom and Excessive Passion who must have thought they were at Los Alamitos running against quarter horses. Big time effort by Cost of Freedom who was only beaten by two heads for all the cash.
The familiar Evening Jewel returned in the $300,000 Distaff as the James Cassidy filly returned to her top form and beat a decent field here under Victor Espinoza.
Switch didn't seem to miss Zenyatta one bit as she destroyed her rivals in the Grade I $250,000 Santa Monica under Joel Rosario for trainer John Sadler. The 4-year-old filly by Quiet American (Fappiano) out of Antoniette looks to have taken over as the top older filly or mare now that Zenyatta has gone to the breeding shed. She returned $2.60 to her backers.
Don't forget to take us with you next time you head to the race track! http://www.horseracing-selections.com We have all that you need to make your day a winning one!
Reba Is Tops is off to the breeding shed after winning her final start on Sunday. The gutty 7-year-old mare came from last to run down her rivals in the $70,000-added Wishing Well under Joe Talamo for trainer Mark Glatt. She finishes her career with 14 wins from 29 lifetime starts and has earned in excess of $408k.
Nice to see Martin Pedroza having a solid Santa Anita meeting. At 40-something years old now, the annual leading rider at Fairplex Park is currently riding like a bug boy and it seems he is attracting more live mounts than he has in the past. Maybe horsemen are figuring out what we knew a long time ago. This guy can ride!
Has anyone else checked out the fractions set in the Sunshine Millions Sprint on Saturday? Yes, they were legit fractions set by Cost of Freedom and Excessive Passion who must have thought they were at Los Alamitos running against quarter horses. Big time effort by Cost of Freedom who was only beaten by two heads for all the cash.
Switch didn't seem to miss Zenyatta one bit as she destroyed her rivals in the Grade I $250,000 Santa Monica under Joel Rosario for trainer John Sadler. The 4-year-old filly by Quiet American (Fappiano) out of Antoniette looks to have taken over as the top older filly or mare now that Zenyatta has gone to the breeding shed. She returned $2.60 to her backers.
Don't forget to take us with you next time you head to the race track! http://www.horseracing-selections.com We have all that you need to make your day a winning one!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Santa Anita slowing down?
If the sand that was added to the main track at Santa Anita this past week was to slow down the track we haven't seen it yet. Track officials have said that the mixture was to be gradual as to not effect the horses and cause injury. A dramatic change in the track would do that. As of Sunday we are still seeing a speed favoring track, albeit times have been a bit slower. We know it will take time to get it right and it does seem to be heading in the right direction now.
We understand that with the Eclipse Awards now past us it's easy to dwell and focus on something else. But really, isn't it too early to start talking Kentucky Derby? Com'on folks, it's still January and already we are hearing people talking about who is going to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby. LOL Okay. Us, we insist on waiting for a few more preps, drills and such before making a decision on who is going to win a race that is run over a 1 and a quarter for 3-year-olds in four months.
Hard to believe but Santa Anita has had only two Pic 6 carryovers since opening day on December 26 with the second carryover occurring on Saturday, January 22 for over $104k.
We didn't really give him much of a chance to be honest with you but we sure did like the way Sqaure Eddie won on Friday, January 14. Having been away since December 2009, the Doug O'Neill trained 5-year-old won like he had raced three weeks ago under Joel Rosario and paid a nice $7 to his backers. He should be heard from again soon.
Tapizar, the talented 3-year-old colt from the Steve Asmussen barn took down the Grade III $100,000 Sham and is one such 3-year-old being talked about in regards to the 2011 Kentucky Derby. The son of Tapit did look good in his win and returned $4.20 to his supporters. Asmussen has said he'll remain in California to train for his next start and is being pointed towards the Santa Anita Derby.
California Nectar took down the Grade II $150,000 Santa Ynez for Doug O'Neill and was ridden nicely by Patrick Valenzuela at $8. The 3-year-old filly by Stormy Atlantic was winning for the third time in seven lifetimes starts.
A speed favoring course helped Indian Firewater hold off stablemate Tweebster in the Grade II $150,000 San Fernando and trainer Bob Baffert didn't care who's number came up as he trained both. The winner was ridden by Mike Smith and returned $13.
Heavily favored Eclipse Champion Blind Luck wasn't able to run down Always a Princess in the Grade II $150,000 El Encino and that had 'Luck's trainer Jerry Hollendorfer whining about taking her out of the state unless Santa Anita's track slows down. Boo hoo. What about Blind Lucks other loses, which took place back east? Is it possible she hasn't shown her 2010 form as of yet? 'Princess paid a nice $9.80 to her backers and is from the Bob Baffert barn. She was ridden perfectly by Rafael Bejarano.
Heading to the races? Don't forget to take us with you! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/ We have several packages all designed to save you money so take advantage and start cashing tickets now!
We understand that with the Eclipse Awards now past us it's easy to dwell and focus on something else. But really, isn't it too early to start talking Kentucky Derby? Com'on folks, it's still January and already we are hearing people talking about who is going to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby. LOL Okay. Us, we insist on waiting for a few more preps, drills and such before making a decision on who is going to win a race that is run over a 1 and a quarter for 3-year-olds in four months.
Hard to believe but Santa Anita has had only two Pic 6 carryovers since opening day on December 26 with the second carryover occurring on Saturday, January 22 for over $104k.
We didn't really give him much of a chance to be honest with you but we sure did like the way Sqaure Eddie won on Friday, January 14. Having been away since December 2009, the Doug O'Neill trained 5-year-old won like he had raced three weeks ago under Joel Rosario and paid a nice $7 to his backers. He should be heard from again soon.
Tapizar, the talented 3-year-old colt from the Steve Asmussen barn took down the Grade III $100,000 Sham and is one such 3-year-old being talked about in regards to the 2011 Kentucky Derby. The son of Tapit did look good in his win and returned $4.20 to his supporters. Asmussen has said he'll remain in California to train for his next start and is being pointed towards the Santa Anita Derby.
California Nectar took down the Grade II $150,000 Santa Ynez for Doug O'Neill and was ridden nicely by Patrick Valenzuela at $8. The 3-year-old filly by Stormy Atlantic was winning for the third time in seven lifetimes starts.
A speed favoring course helped Indian Firewater hold off stablemate Tweebster in the Grade II $150,000 San Fernando and trainer Bob Baffert didn't care who's number came up as he trained both. The winner was ridden by Mike Smith and returned $13.
Heavily favored Eclipse Champion Blind Luck wasn't able to run down Always a Princess in the Grade II $150,000 El Encino and that had 'Luck's trainer Jerry Hollendorfer whining about taking her out of the state unless Santa Anita's track slows down. Boo hoo. What about Blind Lucks other loses, which took place back east? Is it possible she hasn't shown her 2010 form as of yet? 'Princess paid a nice $9.80 to her backers and is from the Bob Baffert barn. She was ridden perfectly by Rafael Bejarano.
Heading to the races? Don't forget to take us with you! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/ We have several packages all designed to save you money so take advantage and start cashing tickets now!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Something stinks in Santa Anita's 6th race Sunday
Okay, okay, we know. It may all be innocent enough and we hope it is. But the wagering in Sunday's 6th race at Santa Anita on Sunday stinks to high heaven. It involves Bad Boy, the 7-year-old gelding that was on a five race win streak and going for new connections off the claim on Sunday. Bad Boy, opened at 1/9 and drifted up to 1/5 where he remained for most of the wagering. However, a few minutes before post, he drifted upward as high as 4/1. Then, when the gates opened he was hit down again to close at 9/5. It's been reported that around $40k is in question. It could be as innocent enough as "somebody" purchased a wrong ticket and had the money put back into the pool on the correct horse. We truly hope that will be proven to be the case as racing certainly doesn't need anything like this right now.
Is anybody else out there having problems with the 4-day racing schedule? While we understand what it is all about, we really miss Wednesday racing and hope that the horse population will rebound so that it does return. Wednesday's return to racing may be aways away though as entries at Santa Anita seem to be creeping lower again as the meet rolls on.
Handicappers flash! No need to handicap the races anymore at Santa Anita! Just bet on anything trained by Bob Baffert.
Quite the the racing oddity on Thursday at The Great Race Place when the sire, Unusual Heat sired the first four place finishers in the fifth race for the mile distance over the turf course for older maidens. Phi Beta Heat ($43.60), Bitt a Heat, Unknown Heat and Favoloso all were sired by Unusual Heat. Can't recall when this was ever done before. Trainer Barry Abrams saddled the winner and third place finisher.
The promising Fast Master made his long awaited debut on Friday in the 4th race and didn't disappoint under Garret Gomez at $4.60. Another racing oddity was seeing trainer Bob Baffert at the starting gate "overseeing" the load of the 4-year-old gelded son of Tiznow (Cee's Tizzy).
The Grade II $150,000 San Pasqual on Saturday went to Aggie Engineer who has certainly come into his own now for trainer Patrick Gallagher under Joe Talamo. returning $5.40 to his backers, the 6-year-old gelded son of E Dubai (Mr. Prospector) once again ran his rivals off their feet for the win.
We have now officially seen enough of Dakota Phone, the inconsistent Jerry Hollendorfer trainee that ran up the track in Saturday's San Pasqual.
May Day Rose took Sunday's Grade III $100,000 Santa Ysabel which was a three horse field when Zazu and Plum Pretty scratched on Sunday morning. Bob Baffert saddled the winner at $2.10 under Rafael Bejarano and this was basically a walk over for the 3-year-old daughter of Rockport Harbor.
Heading to the races? Bring us with you! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/
Is anybody else out there having problems with the 4-day racing schedule? While we understand what it is all about, we really miss Wednesday racing and hope that the horse population will rebound so that it does return. Wednesday's return to racing may be aways away though as entries at Santa Anita seem to be creeping lower again as the meet rolls on.
Handicappers flash! No need to handicap the races anymore at Santa Anita! Just bet on anything trained by Bob Baffert.
Quite the the racing oddity on Thursday at The Great Race Place when the sire, Unusual Heat sired the first four place finishers in the fifth race for the mile distance over the turf course for older maidens. Phi Beta Heat ($43.60), Bitt a Heat, Unknown Heat and Favoloso all were sired by Unusual Heat. Can't recall when this was ever done before. Trainer Barry Abrams saddled the winner and third place finisher.
The promising Fast Master made his long awaited debut on Friday in the 4th race and didn't disappoint under Garret Gomez at $4.60. Another racing oddity was seeing trainer Bob Baffert at the starting gate "overseeing" the load of the 4-year-old gelded son of Tiznow (Cee's Tizzy).
The Grade II $150,000 San Pasqual on Saturday went to Aggie Engineer who has certainly come into his own now for trainer Patrick Gallagher under Joe Talamo. returning $5.40 to his backers, the 6-year-old gelded son of E Dubai (Mr. Prospector) once again ran his rivals off their feet for the win.
We have now officially seen enough of Dakota Phone, the inconsistent Jerry Hollendorfer trainee that ran up the track in Saturday's San Pasqual.
May Day Rose took Sunday's Grade III $100,000 Santa Ysabel which was a three horse field when Zazu and Plum Pretty scratched on Sunday morning. Bob Baffert saddled the winner at $2.10 under Rafael Bejarano and this was basically a walk over for the 3-year-old daughter of Rockport Harbor.
Heading to the races? Bring us with you! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Get well wishes and a Pick 4 hit at 'Anita
Speedy get well wishes sent out to jockey Corey Nakatani who is nursing a bruised ankle suffered in a starting gate mishap and to jockey Omar Berrio who is resting at home after suffering a stroke on Thursday following the races. Hope to see both riders back at Santa Anita shortly!
Okay, just how game is Unzip Me, the 5-year-old mare by City Zip (Carson City)? Winning for the 10th time from 17 lifetime starts, the Marty Jones trained mare is now 4 for 5 at Santa Anita and posted yet another win Sunday in the 2nd race at Santa Anita. Look for her again soon!
Red Defense remains undefeated as the 4-year-old gelding scored in the 4th race at Santa Anita and this gelding from the Carla Gaines stable roared home the final 16th mile to post the gutty win under Joel Rosario. Perhaps it was the ground he covered to win late that made Rosario make the animated face as he was greeted by the connections in the winners circle. As we have said before he probably isn't graded material but he'll win races and pay his way.
Congratulations to our clients and handicappers when they cashed in on the Pick 4 for $686 on a $16 play! Want winners like this? You know where to go! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/ that's where!
Okay, just how game is Unzip Me, the 5-year-old mare by City Zip (Carson City)? Winning for the 10th time from 17 lifetime starts, the Marty Jones trained mare is now 4 for 5 at Santa Anita and posted yet another win Sunday in the 2nd race at Santa Anita. Look for her again soon!
Red Defense remains undefeated as the 4-year-old gelding scored in the 4th race at Santa Anita and this gelding from the Carla Gaines stable roared home the final 16th mile to post the gutty win under Joel Rosario. Perhaps it was the ground he covered to win late that made Rosario make the animated face as he was greeted by the connections in the winners circle. As we have said before he probably isn't graded material but he'll win races and pay his way.
Congratulations to our clients and handicappers when they cashed in on the Pick 4 for $686 on a $16 play! Want winners like this? You know where to go! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/ that's where!
California speed has returned at Santa Anita
Being old school handicappers such as we are, we have to admit that we love seeing the old fashion speed returning to the dirt track at Santa Anita. Back are the good old days when horses used to travel the oval with splits of :21 and change and :44 and change and keep going. But folks, the track is also playing fair as horses are coming from off the pace, too. Really, isn't that all any horse player wants? A fair course? The best horse doesn't always win the race but at least lets keep the track fair. So far so good.
Belated birthday wishes to all of our equine stars who turned a year older on Saturday!
Tales in Excess looked good winning the $75,000-added Blue Norther on Friday under Joel Rosario for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The 2-year-old daughter of Tale of the Cat was winning for the second time in four career outings and this 2-year-old filly has yet to be off the board.
We aren't often excited about horses breaking their maiden but we did take a deep breath when Rumor won at first asking for trainer Richard Mandella on Friday in the 6th race. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, who by the way is winning on everything he takes a seat on, scored in impressive style and the daughter of Indian Charlie (In Excess) may have a bright future ahead of her. Mandella is noted for taking his time with his stock so when he unveils something like this you better take notice. Follow this filly for sure.
Friday's $75,000-added Eddie Logan went to Silver Medallion for trainer Steven Asmussen under Garret Gomez and paid $12.60 to his backers.
How fitting was it that in the inaugural running of the Grade II $150,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes on Saturday that a former assistant of Frankel won the race? Spring Style gamely held off the late run of Harmonious for trainer Ben Cecil to return an overlayed $15.80. The winner was ridden by Garret Gomez.
Racing will be back to a 4 day week at Santa Anita starting this week until March and we can't think of a better way for you to attend the races then bringing us along with you! Sign up for winning information right now at http://www.horseracing-selections.com
Belated birthday wishes to all of our equine stars who turned a year older on Saturday!
Tales in Excess looked good winning the $75,000-added Blue Norther on Friday under Joel Rosario for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The 2-year-old daughter of Tale of the Cat was winning for the second time in four career outings and this 2-year-old filly has yet to be off the board.
We aren't often excited about horses breaking their maiden but we did take a deep breath when Rumor won at first asking for trainer Richard Mandella on Friday in the 6th race. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, who by the way is winning on everything he takes a seat on, scored in impressive style and the daughter of Indian Charlie (In Excess) may have a bright future ahead of her. Mandella is noted for taking his time with his stock so when he unveils something like this you better take notice. Follow this filly for sure.
Friday's $75,000-added Eddie Logan went to Silver Medallion for trainer Steven Asmussen under Garret Gomez and paid $12.60 to his backers.
Racing will be back to a 4 day week at Santa Anita starting this week until March and we can't think of a better way for you to attend the races then bringing us along with you! Sign up for winning information right now at http://www.horseracing-selections.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
