Trainer Bob Baffert slam dunks another one

Bob Baffert has another one! The 3-year-old son of Unbridled's Song, Alcindor looked nothing short of awesome in his win on Sunday in the 8th race. Even though it was just a allowance affair, the way this colt scored, coming off a gutty nose maiden win, has people talking. Now two for two lifetime, Alcindor was ridden by Rafael Bejarano and should be followed up the ladder.

Zenyatta says farewell on Sunday, December 5th to her fans at Hollywood Park and then will head to her new home in Kentucky on Monday, December 6. All fans that are able to are encouraged to see her off as it will be the last time she'll be available to the public.

Hollywood Park will go back to a five day work week beginning on Wednesday, December 1 with a racing schedule Wednesday though Sunday as long as the race cards fill. This new schedule will last until closing day on Sunday, December 19th.

The 7-year-old gelding, Cost of Freedom continued with his winning ways on Thanksgiving Day by posting another win in the Grade III $100,000 Vernon O. Underwood at Hollywood Park for trainer John Sadler under Joe Talamo. Cost of Freedom is now 10 for 20 lifetime and the Calbred son of Cee's Tizzy (Relaunch) is showing no signs of slowing down. Look for him to be back at Santa Anita.

Team Valor International and Green Lantern's Gypsy's Warning put it all together on Friday at Hollywood Park when the daughter of Mogok (Storm Cat) took home the winners share of the Grade I $250,000 Matriarch. Now seven for 16 lifetime, the 5-year-old mare ran perhaps her best race in the U.S. so far while posting the win under Joel Rosario for trainer Graham Motion. Getting a nice, ground saving trip also helped and this mare may be seen back in California at Santa Anita.

The Grade II $250,000 Citation Handicap was taken by Victor's Cry at $24.40 for trainer Eoin Harty under Victor Espinoza as the 5-year-old ridgling rolled home late to post the upset over favored Court Vision who checked in 4th. Victor's Cry was winning for the first time since his upset win in the Shoemaker Mile over the same course back on May 10 of this year.

Haimish Hy upset the field at $25.80 when winning the Grade I $250,000 Hollywood Derby for trainer Art Sherman under Garret Gomez. The 3-year-old colt by Ecton Park (Forty Niner) was posting his first Graded win and has now won five races from 10 lifetime tries.

take us with you if you are planning to head to the track! Sign up for our winning selections and information now at http://www.horseracing-selections.com/

Tidbits left over from Breeders' Cup

We still are bummed by Zenyatta's loss in the classic. But we still are as proud as ever by the mare's accomplishments and what she has done for the sport. If there was an Eclipse Award for being the official ambassador to the sport she should receive it. What we can't understand however are the throngs of Zenyatta fans bitter towards Blame for beating her. LOL What is there to be bitter about? Both horses displayed greatness and courage and should be applauded. Lets show some class Zenyatta fans.

Speaking of Blame, he begins his new career at Claiborne with a stud fee of $35,000. Can you imagine if Blame and Zenyatta teamed up and had a baby? Wow! Both horses have great prospects as horse parents.

Zenyatta will be at Hollywood Park "winding down" from her campaign and no final plans have been made yet as to where she'll ship to as she begins her new career as a broodmare. Postings continue to pop up on blogs that she hasn't been retired as of yet but she has been. A formal announcement will be coming soon.

Another retirement comes in the way of Mind That Bird who lost his ninth straight race since winning the 2009 Kentucky Derby at 50-1. The time is right for this guy to begin his new career as he simply looks to have lost interest in racing. As of right now no formal arrangements have been made.

Lookin At Lucky has returned to Hollywood Park and no plans have yet been made with his future. Asked if Lookin At Lucky would have a 4-year-old racing campaign trainer Bob Baffert responded with "Right now, I'd say yes."

Unusual Suspect upset the field Saturday in the Grade I $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup to the tune of $22.40 under Cory Nakatani for trainer Barry Abrams. The son of Unusual Heat was winning for the ninth time in 55 lifetime starts and ended an 0 for 13 skid in 2010.

Double carryover for Hollywood Park for Thursday! $99,992.60 carries into the Pick 6 and a robust $41,816.53 into the Super High 5 pool! Join us for some great racing on Thursday and sign up now at http://www.horseracing-selections.com/

Zenyatta streak ends at 19 ... Goldikova wins third BC Mile

Bummer. Pretty much sums it all up. Zenyatta's streak came to a halt on Saturday in the Breeders' Cup Classic as her furious rally fell a head short to Blame. While taking nothing away from the winner, who fought her off gamely, Zenytatta was the best horse in defeat. Blame got the trip inside and Zenyatta, far back early, weaved her way in and out of traffic while swinging outside for the drive. Mike Smith did all he could and took the blame (no pun intended) after the race saying he should have put her into the race earlier. But that's racing and Blame took home the prize. Now, let all of the Horse of the Year debates begin. We can't wait to hear how ridiculous some of the thoughts and opinions will become.

How about Andy Beyer of the Daily Racing Form not even picking Zenyatta in his top three? We really thought he was a sharper handicapper than that. Must be he is developing dementia now.

Goldikova looked good yet once again taking her third Breeders' Cup Mile. This 5-year-old mare by Anabaa could be mention in Horse of the Year talk but her distance limitations to a flat mile need to be addressed. Still, she is worthy of being considered.

Calvin Borel should be given the jackass of the year award with his behavior following the Breeders' Cup Marathon on Friday. Looking more like a crazed WWF fighter than a jockey, he totally made himself look more foolish than normal with his antics. While we totally understand the emotions involved this should have been taken into the jocks room and not live on ESPN for the world to see. Not the day for it.

Heading to the races soon? Don't forget to take us with you! Daily rate starts at only $4.95 and you really shouldn't be without us. http://www.horseracing-selections.com/

Breeders' Cup buzz

The action is now heating up to a boil. With pre-entries already going down last week, we will take our normal Breeders' Cup plunge when entries and post positions are drawn on Wednesday. Of course all eyes will be on the queen, Zenyatta, when she takes the track on Saturday in the Breeders' Cup Classic. She'll be out to keep her perfect record in tact at 20-20.

The Oak Tree meeting at Hollywood Park concluded their meeting on Sunday and the soon to be released numbers figure to be quite frightening. Perhaps that's why closing day was scheduled on holloween.

Trainer Bob Baffert unveiled a very promising 3-year-old colt, Alcindor, in Saturday's 3rd race under Martin Garcia. By Unbridled's Song (Unbridled) this colt should be watched as he goes through his connections and may have a bright future ahead of him.

Gone Rebel took down the Anoakia on Sunday for trainer Vladimir Cerin and was ridden to her win by Patrick Valenzuela for her owners Holly and David Wilson. This filly looked good winning and was coming off a dismal try in the Grade I Darley Debutante.

Heading to the races? Don't forget to bring us with you! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/ is here to help you with winners and make cashing tickets at the horse races easier.

Zenyetta, Blame drill for Breeders' Cup

Blame drilled a solid half-mile on Sunday over the Keeneland track in a snappy :47.60 in preparation for the November 6 Breeders' Cup Classic under his normal exercise rider Casey Chavez. His connections were happy with the drill and stated he was right on target for his next start.

Zenyatta was also seen at Hollywood Park earlier in the week and also drilled for her upcoming appearance in either the Breeders' Cup Classic or Ladies Classic. Her connections were happy with the way she looks and is preparing for her next start. Zenyatta will be looking to keep her perfect streak in tact which now stands at 19.

As reported last week, the new dirt track is progressing nicely at Santa Anita and projections have the new course being completed by December 6th which will allow several weeks of "settling" and allowing horses to train before any adjustments need to be made for opening day on December 26th.

The 2010 Grade II $150,000 Oak Tree Mile on Saturday went to the outsider, Fantastic Pick for jockey Corey Nakatani and trainer James Lloyd. Owned by Ford, Maycock and Smole the 3-year-old gelding was winning for the fifth time in 15 lifetime efforts and paid a hefty $46.20 to his backers while he edged out the promising local debut try of Blue Panis who was coming here from France. The invader did everything but win after cutting out the pace under Joe Talamo.

Sunday's feature the Grade III $100,000 Harold C. Ramser Handicap was taken by the upsetter Go Forth North under David Flores for trainer A.A. Avila and owners Lo-Bo Racing, Pyle and Summer of Fun Stable. The 3-year-old filly now has won a Graded race and is black type.

Don't forget if your heading to the races you really need to take us with you! Expert analysis along with winning information will make your day at the track much more enjoyable! Sign up right now at http://www.horseracing-selections.com/

Rachel out, Zenyatta continues the parade

Rachel Alexandra was retired from racing which is past, old news to some. But lets not forget that this wonderful and talented filly did much for racing and will certainly go down in the history books as one of the good ones. Despite the match racing not unfolding with Zenyatta, she was a monster in 2009 and her accomplishments were many. Congrats and thank you to her connections for having down a wonderful job with her.

Speaking of Zenyatta who remains perfect at 19 wins from 19 career starts. The now 6-year-old mare continues to do what she has to do and that is win her races. Saturday's triumph in the Grade I $250,000 Lady's Secret added to her bankroll which is now over a whopping 6,254,580. Ridden again by Mike Smith, the daughter of Street Cry returned $2.20 at 1/9 odds and covered the 1 1/6th miles in 1:42.97. Not much left to say as we are running out of things to say about her except she is always fun to watch her strut her stuff. Next stop will be the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Zenyatta has to be given credit for the huge attendance at Hollywood Park on Saturday which drew 25,837. Was it the Zenyatta hat or the mare herself that was responsible for the draw? We'll let you figure that one out for yourself.

Another local star, Lookin at Lucky made good when he scored in Saturday's Grade II $500,000 Indiana Derby. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Martin Garcia, the son of Smart Strike took a positive step forward for his next appearance in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Jaycito perhaps should be looking for some flights to the Breeders' Cup as well with his sharp looking win in Saturday's Grade I $250,000 Norfolk Stakes. Overpowering the race favorite late, J P's Gusto, Jaycito is a son of Victory Gallop and was ridden by Mike Smith for trainer Mike Mitchell. Jaycito paid $8.40 for the win.

The Grade I $250,000 Yellow Ribbon was taken by the invading Hibaayeb for trainer Saeed bin Suroor under Rafael Bejarano. Paying $8.60 for the win, the 3-year-old filly snapped back to life after appearing to be tailing off some in Great Britain. She has now won 3 races from 11 lifetime efforts.

Bob Baffert's Richard Candy is the Rodney Dangerfield of racing. He gets no respect. Winning the Grade I $250,000 Goodwood under Alonso Quinonez, the son of Lemon Drop Kid was allowed to postward at odds of 8/1 to return $18.60 for the win.

Thinking of going to the races anytime soon? Don't forget to take us with you! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/

Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta

Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. One thing we have found is that no matter what name you bring up, there is plenty of passion on both sides. From east coast to west coast, just like jazz vs. rap, the Dodgers vs. the Giants there is going to be plenty of debate on who is the best. Rachel fans love Rachel and Zenyatta fans love Zenyatta. That is the way it is suppose to be. But lets not forget that both of these ladies are quite special and have done a great service to the industry, something that track management has failed to do. Instead of bashing each other, lets recognize that and applaud the other camp too. We can all say that one is better than the other but when sides start bashing the connections then the name calling begins and how petty is that really? If we race fans and horsemen want to start bashing, how about we bash track management?

You don't have to be a Dodger fan to like the way Gibson Home Run scored in his debut on August 5th at Del Mar in the 8th race for trainer Peter Miller. Scoring at the maiden claiming level of $32k, it's no doubt that maybe Gibson Home Run has once or twice came back to the barn the way Kurt rounded the bases on that fateful evening but he got the job done under P. Val at $7.60.

American Story looked solid taking down the 2nd race at Del Mar on August 6th as another Bob Baffert trainee scored under Martin Garcia at $6.60. The filly by Ghostzapper looked solid and may be heard from again soon before Fairplex opens.

Zenyatta ran her streak up to 18 in a row, while remaining perfect when the daughter of Street Cry took down the winners share of the Grade I $300,000 Clement Hirsch on Saturday August 7. With slow fractions to chase and a zealous ride by David Flores aboard Dance to My Tune pushing Zenyatta wide into the stretch, the mare did what she has always done and that was to win. What a special mare she has turned out to be for connections of trainer John Shirreffs and owners Mr. and Mrs. Jerry S. Moss. How anyone can say anything negative about this mare is beyond us.

She was only winning her first race in the United States but Late Cuddle sure did look impressive for Jerry Hollendorfer and owner Mrs. S K Johnston, Jr. Ridden under Rafael Bejarano the 5-year-old mare by Postponed paid an overlayed price of $15.60 to her backers. She may like it here and turn out to be a useful sort. keep your eyes on her in future starts.

Too early for Derby talk? Not really. J P's Gusto looked nice winning the Grade II Best Pal on Sunday at Del Mar under Patrick Valenzuela for trainer David Hofmans and owners Gem Inc. The son of Successful Appeal has nice breeding and talent. He's worth following.

Heading to the track? Don't forget to take us with you! Sign up for winners now at http://www.horseracing-selections.com/

All set for Zenyatta on Saturday

The super mare, Zenyatta is set to stretch her unbeaten streak to 18 in the Grade I $300,000 Clement Hirsch Saturday at Del Mar when the daughter of Street Cry faces five badly overmatched rivals. Zenyatta was schooled in the paddock on Thursday and she looked like her super self as she took in the sights without raising a hair. She'll be handled as usual by Mike Smith.

Was anyone else growing tired of the endless pictures that Del Mar management was posting of the "Cougar Women" on the internet? All over Facebook and the Del Mar web page, the promotion was run in accordance with the Cougar Handicap on Friday evening and showed older women like the TV show trying to lure younger guys. We bet that the late trainer Charlie Whittingham and Cougar himself were rolling over in their graves. Perhaps we can make the suggestion that next season Del Mar can make any empty on track suites into massage suites and charge a flat rate for a day at the races and a free hookup. Don't get us wrong. We are all for bring young blood to the track and attracting new fans but this promotion is so not the way to do it. By the way, the race was won by Temple City in wire-to-wire fashion under Joe Talamo for trainer Carla Gaines.

Dakota Phone ended his winless streak at 15 when the gelded son of Zavata took down the Grade II $200,000 San Diego Handicap. Joel Rosario was aboard the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee and he was winning for the first time in three years after going 0 for seven in 2010. He paid $11.40 to his backers.

Smiling Tiger won the Grade I Bing Crosby and took home the winners share of the $250,000 under Victor Espinoza for trainer Jeff Bonde but things got a bit easier when the favorite Cost of Freedom broke badly and never saw the lead. Smiling Tiger paid $17.80.

Heading to the races this week? Don't forget to take us with you! Sign up now for winners at http://www.horseracing-selections.com and start cashing tickets at the track today!

Zenyatta remains perfect

Wow is pretty much all we can say. Having to watch her win in front of a T.V. at a 80th birthday party for a family friend with about 50 or so guests, many of which knew nothing about the sport, we have to admit we thought she had met her demise at the 1/8th pole in the Vanity. "Too much to do with this amount of weight," we thought. But somehow, she did what she had to do under Mike Smith and that was to pull out the win in the $250,000 Grade I race. Giving the game runner-up St Trinians nine pounds, Zenyatta was in front at the wire by a half-length. The daughter of Street Cry covered the 1 1/8th mile distance in 1:49.01 and returned $3 to her backers. What's next for this great mare is uncertain but we can't wait to find out!

Good luck to the ladies this weekend!

Good luck to both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta who will be making starts this weekend. First will come Rachel, who will attempt her first win in 2010 when she takes on her rivals in the Grade 2, $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap. Zenyatta comes next when she makes her start Sunday in the Grade 1 Vanity Handicap, in search of her 17th consecutive win.

All eyes will also be on Rail Trip Saturday in the Grade II $250,000 Californian as he tries to make amends for last years loss to Informed.

Sorry to hear about the death of Kip Deville, winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile and $3 million earner, who lost his long battle with laminitis Friday. The 7-year-old horse was euthanized at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., according to a Blood-Horse report. Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stables told the Blood-Horse that the syndicate "just wanted him to live a happy life. He deserved that."

If your heading to the track make sure you take us with you! get your winners right now at http://www.horseracing-selections.com/

Slow pace victimizes Blind Luck in Oaks

A pedestrian like slow pace victimized Blind Luck in Sunday's Hollywood Oaks. In the Oaks, Blind Luck was last of five through a slow pace of 25.30 and 50.11 seconds set by the eventual third-place finisher, Camille C. Blind Luck trailed by 7 1/2 lengths with three-eighths remaining and passed three rivals. After the race, Hollendorfer said that Blind Luck "should have laid a little closer." You think? This is the second time that jock Rafael Bejarano has messed up on Blind Luck, the last time was in the Santa Anita Oaks when the same thing happened. Perhaps a change in riders is in store for next time, just to shake things up a bit?

Zenyatta fans will be holding their breath on Sunday, June 13th when the super filly makes a start in the Grade I Vanity, toting high weight of 129lbs. That is quite an impost when you consider the climate of racing these days. She'll be carrying nine pounds more than St Trinians. Zenyatta is seeking her 17th win and an unprecedented third consecutive win in the Vanity. She carried 124 pounds in the 2008 Vanity, her sixth career win, and 129 pounds in the 2009 Vanity, her 11th win.

Rachel Alexandra worked Monday morning at Churchill Downs in :49.20 in splits of 12.60 and 25 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.80, according to Churchill clocker John Nichols. It was the fifth straight Monday workout for the 4-year-old filly since she finished second in the April 30 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill.

Cost of Freedom continued his winning ways by running the opposition off their hooves in the $100,000 Grade III Los Angeles Handicap for his second straight win at $4. The John Sadler trained 7-year-old gelding by Cee's Tizzy was winning his eighth race from 15 lifetime starts and was ridden to victor by Tyler Baze for owners Gary or Cecil Barber.

It's hard to imagine stealing the purse in the Grade I $250,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap but that is what Acclamation did ... again ... under Christian Santiago Reyes. His previous win in the Grade II Jim Murray Handicap was accomplished the same way and the opposition allowed it to happen again when nobody went out with the son of Unusual Heat. The 4-year-old colt is trained by Don Warren and owned by EW and Judy Johnston. The winner paid a nice $8.20.

Heading out to the races this week? Don't forget to bring us with you! Sign up now and download your winning selections at http://www.horseracing-selections.com