Horse Racing: Sat. Belmont's card (post #1134), NBC coverage begins at 4:30 pm ET

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MiamiScreamingEagles

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An update to Tepin: She could run next in the one-mile Canadian Turf Handicap (Grade III) at Gulfstream Park March 4. Going to Dubai to race in March does not appear to be a consideration.

More updates for potential Kentucky Derby runners:
  • Lookin At Lee will make his 3-year-old debut Feb. 20 in the Southwest Stakes (Monday holiday in the U.S.) at Oaklawn.
  • Rowdy the Warrior (Donnie Von Hemel) could run in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn February 20.
  • Mo Town (trained by Anthony Dutrow) is expected to make his 2017 debut in the G2 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 25.
  • El Areeb (trained by Cathal Lynch) is likely to sit out of the Gotham in favor of the G2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct a month later.
  • Practical Joke (trained by Chad Brown) could be considered for either the Gotham or the G2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream.
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

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SAM F. DAVIS STAKES (Grade III)

PP​
| Horse (location bred) |
Age/Sex​
|
Jockey​
|
Weight​
|
Trainer​
|
Morning Line​
1|State of Honor (ON) | 3/colt| Julien R. Leparoux |116 |Mark E. Casse| 8-1
2|King and His Court (ON)| 3/gelding| Gary Boulanger|120 |Mark E. Casse| 8-1
3|Fact Finding (KY)|3/colt| John R. Velazquez |118 |Todd A. Pletcher| 9-2
4|Chance of Luck (KY) | 3/colt|Ronald Dale Allen, Jr.|116 |Gerald S. Bennett| 15-1
5|Six Gun Salute (KY) | 3/colt|Pablo Morales| 116| Eoin G. Harty| 30-1
6|Wild Shot (KY)| 3/colt| Robby Albarado| 116 |George R. Arnold, II| 5-1
7|Tapwrit (KY) | 3/colt|Jose L. Ortiz |116 |Todd A. Pletcher| 8-1
8|McCraken (KY)| 3/colt| Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.| 122| Ian R. Wilkes|2-1
9|No Dozing (KY) |3/colt| Daniel Centeno| 116 |Arnaud Delacour| 4-1

Notes:
  • Arnaud Delacour, a fine trainer, has never had a Derby runner. He has arguably the top rider at Tampa Bay with Daniel Centeno. though those stats are generally meaningless when high caliber riders/trainers/horses are entered.
  • The combo of Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. and Ian R. Wilkes won the 2012 Breeeders' Cup Classic with Fort Larned.
  • Fact Finding was scratched from the Holy Bull at Gulfstream last week and instead pointed here.
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

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no card today @ Aqueduct (weather)

Jockeys have complained about wind at the track and blowing snow is the worst of the worse. Also, from what I read, the track was closed to simulcast racing today which likely reduced the handle at the places around the U.S. operating today.

^I'm cheering for Wilkes...

Ian Wilkes was Carl Nafzger's assistant at one time. After a race in late December when Wilkes was vacationing, a horse he trained won and Nafzger substituted in the winner's circle.

Wilkes and Brian Hernandez, Jr's best moment came when they won with Fort Larned in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic.
 
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GKJ

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Royal Delta has died after foaling complications

 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

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^ What a beauty. Earned over $4m. Seventeen straight races in the U.S. in the money until that streak ended in her finale.

February 10, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):
  • In race 10, Jose Ortiz, at 7-to-1, burst through a hole as they came into the stretch and left the field in his dust. The winner looked like he was shot out of a cannon.
  • Luis Saez won three more times. He is an outstanding rider, still young, and on a roll.
  • One of the winners under Saez has won his last three races with new trainer Angel Rodriguez who took over for Hall-of-Famer Steve Asmussen. Dubai Bob is now 3-for-7 lifetime but 3-for-3 with the current trainer. The horse had more than a 3-year gap in races following the switch from June 2013 to November 2016.
  • A $.50 Pick 4 upon the completion of the card returned over $15,000. The Super High Five paid over $60,000.
  • A $1 Pick 3 paid over $2,800 with winners returning $24.00, $17.60 and $50.60.

Tampa Bay (Florida):
  • Thomas Proctor doesn't have the high volume of runners here as do other trainers but the man is over 54% at the meet after another victory. His lone runner today was sent off at 3-to-1 down from an 8-to-1 morning line. He is now 12-for-22 at the meet, been in the money over 70% and his ROI is over $4.00. Great numbers. The name of the 4-year-old gelding is Chicago Style who is now 2-for-2 lifetime which in itself is an exceptional start. The owners are Glen Hill Farm based in Ocala, Florida and whose director is Leonard Lavin, a Chicagoan active at age 97. Some of the horses tied to the Farm have hockey names, Old Time Hockey being one.
  • Another hot trainer at the meet is the ever-present Jamie Ness who finished 1st and 2nd in one race and is now over 30% at the meet with a high volume of runners.

Aqueduct (New York):
  • New York resumed racing with an 8-race card. Yesterday was a canceled event due to snow and wind.
  • Rajiv Maragh won four times: races 1, 2, 6 and 7. He was injured much of the last two-plus years prior to his recent return. What makes this feat noteworthy is that he won both ends of a daily double... twice. I don't recall the last time I saw that especially in a New York track.
  • In one of Maragh's wins, he had a 3-to-5 morning line favorite who was 2-for-16 lifetime. Though he opened at 5-to-1, the horse was placed in a winnable race and did just that.

Laurel (Maryland):
  • When David Jacobsen ships to Laurel, it is important to note. He was sent off 9-to-2. Probably too high of a price for him at the circuit. Though he finished second, to an odds-on favorite, he is now 4-1-2 in 9 races at the meet. His jockey lodged an objection against the winner but it was negated.
  • In race 3, jockey Wesley Ho, 0-for-11 at the meet, won for trainer Faith Leatherman who appears to have won for the first time (19 lifetime starts). She operates a farm in Maryland. The winner was sent off at 5-to-1.
  • As mentioned in a prior post, Lane Luzzi is no longer at Gulfstream and did indeed return to Maryland. He picked up a mount today, his lone ride, and finished third on a 9-to-1 to two chalk runners. Hopefully, he can rebound at Laurel now that he is away from the star talent currently at Gulfstream.

Turfway (Kentucky):
  • The opening race had a$113.50 winner and a $3,833.40 trifecta.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):
  • Ricardo Santana, Jr. won the last four races, duplicating the rare performance of Flavien Prat at Santa Anita just a few days ago. In this instance, the Pick 4, by playing all Santana's horses, returned $233.15 for $.50. He is a leading rider at the meet around 23% and as such the payoff for the Pick 4 wasn't exceptional but the performance is remarkable.
  • Race 2: $40.20 winner. The $2 superfecta returned $135,000+. The $2 trifecta paid $4,802.
  • Race 3: $44.40 winner. No rolling double, however.

Santa Anita (California):
  • Not something seen every day. A DQ to a 1-to-5 favorite caused tremors when he was placed fifth from third. A lofty show pool in his favor and the elevation of Ur All Playn Catch who paid a whopping $36.60 for finishing third.
 
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CHRDANHUTCH

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Vanity Mile renamed (Santa Anita)

THE Grade I Vanity Mile which had been run at the now closed Hollywood Park, and transferred to Santa Anita, since 2014, has been renamed the Beholder Mile to be run June 3, 2017
 

MiamiScreamingEagles

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February 11, 2017

Tampa Bay (Florida):
  • McCracken played the part exceptionally today and improved to a perfect 4 4-0-0 with some immaculate fractions in the Sam Davis, a Kentucky Derby prep race. A captivating animal Ian Wilkes possesses. Brian Hernandez, Jr is a steady rider. Do not overlook the second place finisher Tapwrit, sent off at 10-1 with the New York/Florida powers of Jose Ortiz/Todd Pletcher. That colt had an exceptional race after early trouble and his finish should be considered for the future despite the wonderful effort of the winner. No Dozing defined disappointment this day. McCracken will next run in the Tampa Bay Derby or so it appears. EDIT: His performance was set in track-record time. He received a 95 Beyer Figure.
  • Johnny Velazquez won three times including two of the three graded stakes races.
  • Todd Pletcher finished 2-2-0 in five starts. However, the day did not start promising as a Johnny V./Pletcher runner finished second at 3-to-5. Fail!
  • The Pick 5 returned over $49,000.
  • Excellent day of racing this card. Track handle exceeded $9,400,000 which included on-track betting of about half a million dollars. The track record handle is $12,000,000+, I would imagine that mark could fall if McCracken returns for the Tampa Bay Derby.


From Jay Privman:



Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Luis Saez continued his hot riding with three more wins. Once again, this is a talented kid. He is going places. One win was on a 20-to-1 M/L which was sent off at 6-to-1 and won going away.
  • In one of the most exciting finishes of the day, the 8th race ended 3-6-10 but in a photo finish in which all three horses were called the victor by viewers upon first glance. It was that tight. An oddity in that Luis Saez was listed as the rider on the 6 in the DRF program but it was actually Edgard Zayas. Saez was in fact riding the 8. The track never noted the change on the feed.
  • While Todd Pletcher won at three different tracks, he was winless in eight starts (0-2-2) at his winter home.
  • Track handle was $15,900,000+.

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Mike Luzzi :nod: Just because and oh 27-1, the longest price on the board in an 8-horse field and the next highest was only 7-to-1. Three rides today and a first and a second with prices. His win produced $57.50 for a deuce and topped a super which returned over $20k for $2. Luzzi doesn't win many but he is at his top when on a lead in the stretch.
  • The first race today was as exciting a stretch duel as one can imagine. A fantastic and furious performance with veteran Cornelio Velasquez, who seemingly does his best work for Linda Rice, nosing out Manny Franco in a photo finish for the ages with what may have been a match race... it was that much of a separation. Just a splendid effort by both riders. Cornelio got the edge. Franco? All he did was win the next four races. If he won the opener, he would have been the victor in the first five races of the card. And what added to the intrigue was the #7 was declared a non-starter for an early break through the starting gate which then changed the odds of all runners after the race concluded. That's the way to open a card. Photo finish is here: https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/photo-finishes
  • As a side note, Franco had won seven out of 10 mounts in one stretch this week.
  • In race 3, a $100,000 purse, a Franco/Pletcher runner was sent off at 1-to-9 and barely won in a photo finish. But a win is a win. A minimum of $400,000 was bet on the winner in the show pool. The 5-year-old gelding has won six of his last seven, all under Franco.
  • Todd Pletcher won both of his starts.
  • The Pick 6 returned over $72,000.

Parx (Philadelphia, PA):
  • In the opener, a 99-1 morning line, how rare is that?, was scratched. Only in Philly.
  • In race 2, the winner had a rider change and ultimately romped.
  • In the finale, a 9-year-old son to Sarava named Star of Sarava won at 35-to-1 and paid $75.40. The winner ran for the 48th time. The sire won the 2002 Belmont Stakes at 70-to-1 and deprived War Emblem of a Triple Crown in one of the most bizarre results in T.C. annals.
  • Todd Pletcher was 1-1-0 in 2 races. At four tracks (Tampa Bay, Parx, Aqueduct and Gulfstream), the trainer was 5-5-2 in 17 starts.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):
  • In the $125,000 feature race, an Iowa-bred was victorious and was the only non-Kentucky-bred in the field. The winner paid $28.20.

Sam Houston (Texas):
  • Race 3: $51.60 winner, $1.499.20 tri.
  • Race 4: $27.60 winner, Paick 3 paid $3,913.20, $2 double paid $1,205.80.
  • Race 5: Pick 5 returned $21,654.80.

Turf Paradise (Arizona):
  • A $1 superfecta returned over $108,000. The two highest prices in a 12-horse field finished third and fourth at 61-1 and 51-1. The tri returned over $7,500.

Santa Anita (California):
  • Mike Smith won consecutive races both Grade II stakes. The first with Vale Dori, who was sent off at 1-to-5, was expected. The next race was a $14.60 winner for the previously winless (at the meet) Carla Gaines. He is a Hall-of-Famer for a reason. EDIT: Mike Smith was named Jockey of the Week for his back-to-back stakes wins at Santa Anita. One was a layup, the other not so much. Still, I thought Manny Franco would get it for his hot riding in New York even with the purses less significant.
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

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February 12, 2017

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Dylan Davis who missed his final two mounts Friday and all of Saturday, perhaps due to an injury, won the opener on a 4-to-5.
  • Cornelio Velasquez and Kendrick Carmouche each won twice, the former two times for trainer David Jacobsen who won three races including the first two of the day.
  • Manny Franco recorded another win, this time for rookie trainer Brandon Charlerie who sent out a horse for the very first time. Not a bad debut.
  • Almost another Mike Luzzi sleeper when a 28-1 came in second and for a moment appeared to be closing on the winner. But at $14 in the middle, a fair return. There was an objection lodged and the winner did drift but not enough according to the decision makers. Andy Serling, track analyst, was vehement in support of a DQ.

Laurel (Maryland):
  • Dylan Davis' sister Katie won twice including one mere moments after her sibling won in New York.

Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Rainbow Six hit: It was bombs away in the finale, won by Conquest Hardcandy, a filly formerly trained by Mark Casse. She hadn't been out since May and it was her second career race. Last year, the connection with Casse and Conquest horses was discontinued when the owner cited personal reasons for selling his stock. The $1.00 Pick 3 paid $1,580.20, $.50 Pick 4 paid $3,547.00, $.50 Pick 5 paid $15,095.95 and the most important of all... the $.20 Pick 6 Jackpot was hit for $210,518.16 when someone singled the $71.80 winner in the last race.
  • Track handle neared $12,000,000.
  • Also in the finale, a rider named Annie Lindahl made her U.S. debut for Todd Pletcher for whom she exercises. She has won races in Sweden.
  • Tyler Gaffalione won three times. He was 3-3-0 in 8 starts.
  • Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher won with Malagacy who got a great deal of pre-race attention and looks to be something strong. The colt is 2-for-2 lifetime and is a son of Shackleford.


Santa Anita (California):
  • One Pick 6 ticket had a winning payout of $148,205.
  • In the Grade 2 feature race of 3-year-olds which was billed by some as Battle of Midway (Mike Smith/Jerry Hollendorfer) vs. Iliad (Rafael Bejarano/Doug O'Neill), it was the latter who starred while the former finished third in a 5-horse field. Iliad was previously trained by Bob Baffert but the owner and Baffert went separate ways with multiple horses. Iliad could be another colt to make noise as the year progresses.
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

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Without any prior knowledge, I saw the name in the DRF and was surprised to see an unknown rider at the track especially for Pletcher. Now we know the background info.

Annie Lindahl, a 20-year-old who rode 34 winners in her native Sweden, made her U.S. riding debut in Sunday's 12th race at Gulfstream Park. Piloting the maiden My Life for trainer Todd Pletcher, Lindahl finished eighth in the 7 1/2-furlong turf race.

Lindahl, a five-pound apprentice, rode her first career winner on June 10, 2015. She came to Florida for a month in January of 2016 to gallop horses for Pletcher and liked it so much she desired to return after she completed her studies.

“My friend in Sweden helped me last year to come here for just a month because I was still in school, but I really wanted to come back this year,” the soft-spoken Lindahl said in the jockeys' room several hours before making her U.S. debut. “I've been galloping the horse I will ride, so we know each other pretty well. I was happy when I heard I was going to ride her. It's fantastic to get the opportunity to do this. It's going to be amazing.”

On Sunday afternoon, before Lindhal got a leg up on My Life, Pletcher remarked that the jockey earned the chance to ride the 3-year-old filly, who was making her second career start after a runner-up finish in November. Pletcher's invitation to Lindahl is reminiscent of the late Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens who frequently provided mounts to unknown and unproven riders.

“When she was here last winter I saw she was a very good rider,” Pletcher said. “She's been working a lot of horses. She asked me about three or four weeks ago if there ever was an opportunity for her to have a ride in a race she would love to do it. I told her it would have to be the right scenario, so we found one she has been riding in the mornings. She's a hard worker and we're happy to give her the opportunity.”

Link: http://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/swedish-lindahl-makes-riding-debut-u-s-pletcher/

Source: Paulick Report
 

MiamiScreamingEagles

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According to the proper sources, the two horses I mentioned above to remember for later this calendar year each received large Beyer figures for their racing this past weekend: Iliad gets a 95 Beyer for his San Vicente win. Malagacy gets a 96 Beyer for his Gulfstream performance. Both were quite impressive in relatively short fields. Let's see how they progress.

As far as Jose Ortiz, one of the most successful riders in the land, he has moved his tack from New York to Gulfstream for the month of March since Aqueduct conducts a shortened week this time of the year. However, he will serve a suspension for a riding infraction implemented by the NYRA. Even though he was suspended in New York for five days, he will be ineligible to ride in Florida for the balance of the week beginning Thursday. On February 20 (a Monday holiday in the USA), he will be at Oaklawn (Arkansas) since that track has a strong card. He will begin riding in Florida on February 22 where he will remain for the most part until April 1. He then will split time between Keeneland (Kentucky) and Aqueduct (New York).
 
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CHRDANHUTCH

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Monmouth Park in jeopardy:

Without some assistance, could Monmouth Park go the way of Hollywood Park?

only a 50 date card for 2017 is planned
 

MiamiScreamingEagles

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Without some assistance, could Monmouth Park go the way of Hollywood Park?

only a 50 date card for 2017 is planned

A complicated situation. Monmouth faces competition from neighboring tracks some of which are buoyed by casino and other gaming enterprises. The short fields at Monmouth in recent years make it unappealing to many handicappers. Another situation is the breeding industry. Horses from states such as Kentucky and Florida travel well but in some other entities, state breds against open company takes on added meaning and added importance. Finger Lakes in New York state could be hurting, too, and that situation is related to a casino. The tracks in Illinois are not as lofty as once in the past, case in point Churchill Downs today moved two stakes for later this year from its Arlington (Illinois) track to the home track in Kentucky. Virginia lost its track. Massachusetts is likely to follow. That said, Calgary added thoroughbred racing, Georgia is looking into adding it, a high roller plans to reopen a defunct track in Kansas pending legislation. The sport itself is healthy but each entity is different. Ultimately, the powerhouses of Kentucky, Florida, California and New York, to name four, are the strengths of the sport. But while Monmouth is struggling it is still a summer destination. However, Hollywood shut, the Baltimore Colts relocated, almost anything can happen.
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

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Passed away at 16 (roughly 50 in human years).

Lucky Pulpit, the sire of two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome , died Feb. 13 of an apparent heart attack while covering the first mare of the breeding season, according to Harris Farms, where he's stood his entire career.

"He was the picture of health all day," said Dave McGlothlin, farm manager at Harris Farms. "He had a perfectly normal day. He and the teaser were talking smack to one another like they always did. We're all stunned." Both McGlothlin and stallion manager Raul Rosa were in the breeding shed with Lucky Pulpit when he collapsed coming off the mare.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...-pulpit-sire-of-chrome-dies-of-a-heart-attack
 

MiamiScreamingEagles

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February 15, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):
  • The duo of Johnny Velazquez/Todd Pletcher won twice with what was relatively chalk.
  • Switzerland, the recipient of much pre-race buzz, (Javier Castellano/Chad Brown) was sent off at 1-to-2 as a first-time starter but was defeated by the Velazquez/Pletcher pair.
  • Riders Emisael Jaramillo and Corey Lanerie also won twice.
  • Jose Ortiz rode here but will begin a suspension Thursday which will last through Sunday for a riding infraction in New York.
  • Ortiz won on a 15-1 morning line bet down to 4-to-1.
  • With New York off, Manny Franco rode in one race.
  • Track handle was $7,700,000+. For a Wednesday! In the first race, the Super High Five was reported to be $734,711.

Penn National (Pennsylvania):
  • John Servis had a horse previously trained by Bob Baffert go off the even-money favorite in the opener under the lights. Winner. The 5-year-old horse hadn't been out since March 2015, a win at Santa Anita, where his entire 4-race career was performed.
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

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February 16, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):
  • With Gulfstream the center of the horse racing world, the results were simply frenetic today. The day ended with a $94.80 winner which was part of a $1,149.40 exacta, a $5,707.20 trifecta (all based on $2 bets) and a $1 super which returned $9,954,40. The $2 Pick 5 was a massive $389,378.00, the $2 Pick 4 was spectacular at $45,867.20, the $2 Pick 3 was in iteslf fantastic at $15,330 and the $2 daily double was a stunning $2,495.80. The prior race paid $65.80 for the winner as part of an incredible trifecta which returned $11,426.
  • Trainer Amy Tarrant had her first win of the meet, the ride by bug Carlos Hernandez who found the rail and was the first part of the immense double which concluded the day.
  • My man Luca Panici delivered in the opening race on a rare favorite. With high odds following, the $2 Super High Five returned over $10,000.
  • In the fifth race, Panici finished third on a 30-1 and nearly ended second. That would have been a very profitable and preferred result but he was used properly nonetheless. Panici doesn't quit which is all you can truly ask of a rider with exotics at high prices.
  • Florida Fabulous could be added to any watch lists. The 3-year-old filly won by more than 10 lengths in a remarkable debut performance. Paco Lopez/David Fawkes connections. She was sent off at 1-to-2 and was well-regarded afterwards.
  • The pair of Lopez/Fawkes won twice today.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):
  • The second race had a $700+ exacta ($2), a $6,000 tri ($2) and a $1 super that gave the winners(s) over $20,000.
  • A 113-1 shot won the finale and paid a staggering $228.00 to win. I rarely play favorites on top in finales but that is simply a dream-come-true for the connections and bettors. 113-to-1!
  • In that same finale, other payouts included $10,629.80 for 4 out of 5 in the Pick 5, $68,461 in the Pick 4 and $10,711.40 in the Pick 3. The daily double paid $1,675.60.

Aqueduct (New York):
  • With Manny Franco coming off a sizzling week and Todd Pletcher... being Todd Pletcher, a fantastic opportunity to cash presented itself when they were sent off at 6-to-1. In a wildly entertaining climax, Franco was passed as they came around the pole and appeared to give ground until a terrific recovery gave him the win by an inch or so. Horses don't generally fight back like that. In the same race, Philadelphia-based Joe Orseno finished third again, the 10th time in 21 races at this meet.
  • Franco and Rajiv Maragh each won twice today on the 8-race card.

Santa Anita has canceled racing for Friday due to inclement weather.
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

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February 17, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Luca Panici took a terrible fall coming out of the gate and appeared to lack movement while on the ground. There was cause for concern. As mentioned above, and a few times, Luca is my go-to rider and seems to have a wonderful personality and disposition with a heady riding ability. Thankfully, the worst didn't materialize and reports indicate he is healthy though he was off his only remaining mount later in the day which was a victory at 15-1 for replacement rider Joel Rosario. In that race, Paco Lopez at 11-1 was the runner-up. Trainer Fernando Abreu finished with the top two horses. The trifecta returned $5,253, the $1 superfecta paid over $14,000, the $ Pick 3 over $9,500, the $2 pick 5 a whopping $44,944.80. This meet is something special.
  • Paco Lopez won five races in seven rides finishing second and third in his two non-victories. He also won five consecutive rides. That is one of the most impressive days I have seen in a very long time. Paco's reputation as one of the most aggressive riders is well-documented but today was simply a joy to watch...if you played him.
  • Johnny Velazquez had just one ride and that was in the ninth. It seems that he is picking and choosing when he rides more than ever which is understandable.
  • The first two races were won by 15-1 and 13-1 shots, respectively. Continuing the theme from yesterday's concluding two races, that is four straight races with bombs.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):
  • Race 5 concluded with a $2 Pick 4 that paid $35,247.20. The Pick 3 returned $2,386.40.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):
  • Race 5: $1 superfecta paid an astounding $54,890.80. The Pick 4 paid $14,362.40. The Pick 3 returned $2,632.20. Not bad for $2 bets.

Laurel (Maryland):
  • I don't know what the official stats say but the 4 and 7 seem to win and factor at Laurel at a high rate, at least in recent years. Today, the #4 was where you'd want to be: 5-1-0 in 7 races (one non-place and one scratch), that is five wins in seven races entered.

Penn National (Pennsylvania):
  • Tough beats for those who played Jeremy Rose tonight. In the opener, there was a photo finish in which his 1-to-2 was caught by a charging 15-1, the second highest price on the board. In the seventh race, he was second again this time to a (50-to-1) $102.20 winner and the $.10 superfecta paid over $4,500 (or $45,000+ for $1). "Head to the window, you got Ben Franklin coming your way," track announcer.

Aqueduct (New York):
  • The most amusing part of the day: Mike Luzzi had a 3-to-5 shot. While I generally avoid favorites in single plays, this was an exception especially when he was 7-to-5 going in the gate. Seems that someone buried the horse at post time. Luzzi delivered but not before what I thought was an unnecessary objection/injury which was nullified. Luzzi's exhibition in the winner's circle never gets old. Luzzi on a 3-to-5. :laugh:
And as an example how we all have differing views on such matters -- horse racing takes the cake with what the eyes and heart tell -- but here are two veteran analysts commenting on the same scene:



 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

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EL CAMINO REAL DERBY (Grade III)

PP​
| Horse (location bred) |
Age/Sex​
|
Jockey​
|
Weight​
|
Trainer​
|
Morning Line​
1| Zakaroff (KY) |3/gelding | Kyle Frey | 122 | Steven Specht |20/1
2|More Power to Him (CA)|3/colt | Alejandro Gomez |122| Faith Taylor |6/1
3|Ann Arbor Eddie (CA)|3/gelding |Mario Gutierrez |122 |Doug F. O'Neill| 2/1
4|Tribal Storm (CA)|3/ridgling | Abel Cedillo |122| Ed Moger, Jr. |8/1
5|Sheer Flattery (KY)|3/gelding |Frank T. Alvarado|122 |Jerry Hollendorfer|7/5
6|Colonel Samsen (KY)|3/colt | Ricardo Gonzalez|122 |Eoin G. Harty| 10/1
7|Kona Dreams (KY)|3/gelding |Israel Ocampo |122| George Papaprodromou| 8/1

The 2 and 5 will get a great deal of attention but the #6 may offer value at that price.
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

Global Moderator
Jan 17, 2004
71,029
47,993
February 18, 2017

Golden Gate Fields (northern California):
  • A shocker in the El Camino Real Derby (race #7), a Kentucky Derby prep race. Zakaroff was sent off as the longest shot on the board and won at 45-to-1. Since this track has an uncommon surface, the traditional methods of handicapping posed problems. Limiting the choices to those who ran and won on synthetics,and preferably at this track, the final four picks were reduced to the 1, 2 and 6 and also the #3 which was sent off at even money. The original result was 1-3-2-4 however there was a DQ which changed the order to 1-2-4-3. The right philosophy in picking a horse that won previously at the track but wrong decision since the #6 was the primary pick and didn't rate. The winner returned $99.60, the $1 exacta returned $191.80, the daily double paid $1,122.60 and the Pick 3 paid $3,547.00. Winning rider Kyle Frey. Winning trainer Steve Specht who had just two wins at the meet at last check and one was with this colt who has run all six of his races at this track. Familiarity with the surface probably helped. Ann Arbor Eddie, the pre-race favorite, was DQ'd from second to fourth..
  • In the prior race, #6 on the card, a $32.60 winner was overshadowed by a $12,023.60 trifecta and a $1 superfecta which paid $67,184.80.
  • In race 8, the $1 Pick 3 paid $4,744.60.
  • In race 9, the finale, the $1 Pick 4 returned $66,036.50.



Santa Anita (California):
  • Bob Baffert had three horses in a 9-horse field and now accomplished another rarity: top three finishers. The Bob Baffert Trifecta returned $291.60. The winner was Bronze Age who is another runner that could make news as the year progresses. he could be a late bloomer to the Kentucky Derby trail though Baffert will have to figure out which races best suit this colt.

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Trainer Linda Rice was 2-2-0 in 6 races in addition to 2-0-1 in 3 races at Laurel. Altogether, she was 4-2-1 in 9 races at two tracks. A very nice day.
  • Rice won the $100,000 feature race with Hot City Girl ridden by Manny Franco.
  • Rice also won with a horse claimed off Bill Mott who was originally purchased for $280,000, a son to Unbridled's Song. Rice does well coming off long layoffs which this horse was off since July.
  • Irad Ortiz, Jr., Kendrick Carmouche and Rajiv Maragh were all at Laurel today with that track having more blacktype races than New York.
  • Mike Luzzi won with an 8-to-5 favorite. Consecutive days with wins.
  • In the fourth race, newcomers Luzinski (69-1) and Cournoyer (49-1) faced off but neither did anything noteworthy. But interesting names, nonetheless.
  • Antonio Gallardo had three wins.

Laurel (Maryland):
  • Bridge jumpers: beware! If the Derby prep race at Golden Gate had the most jolting result, this payout was perhaps the most astonishing. With a New York shipper sent off at 1-5 (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Rudy Rodriguez), finishing fifth, the show pool had massive payouts that seemingly delayed the payouts. The second place finisher returned $46.40 at the end. The third place finisher returned $80.20. It has been a while since I saw a third place finisher pay $80.
  • One of Linda Rice's winners today was in the Grade II Barbara Fritchie, $300,000 purse. Horacio Karamanos, a Laurel rider, won in the inside hole. Rice was 2-0-1 in 3 races at the track,
  • In the following race, the Grade II General George, purse $250,000, was won by Imperial Hint who is on a three-race win streak and 6-for-10 lifetime. The trainer, with whom I am unfamiliar, is 2-for-2 at the meet. Luis Carvajal, Jr. won a graded stakes race for the first time.
    In race 8, Page McKenney suffered defeat after being sent off at 3-to-5. The PA-bred is now 17-14-4 in 46 lifetime starts after finishing second today to Bodhisattva who paid $47.80 for the victory. But 31 times in 46 starts finishing 1st or 2nd is mighty impressive.
  • In the fourth race, I was sitting on a 12-1 morning line trained by Lacey Gaudet. Her only starter of the day. Then both track handicappers, including Lacey's sister Gabby Gaudet who returned to Maryland from south Florida (Gulfstream) for perhaps this weekend, chose the 4 on top and the odds went down...and down... to 7-2 or so. And then, a late scratch while entering the gate. Perhaps all for the best.
  • The #7 won the first two races while the #4 won twice, all in the first six races on the card. Again, this is more of a superficial experience but those two digits seem to win and factor high at the track.
  • The track set a record-handle for this card with over $4,900,000 wagered. The place seemed alive and hopping.

Mahoning Valley (Ohio):
  • In race 5, the $2 trifecta exceeded $10,000 and the $2 superfecta returned more than $82,000.
  • In race 6, the $2 trifecta exceeded $3,300 and the $2 superfecta returned more than $16,000.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):
  • Race 1: $1 super paid $14k, the $2 tri paid $4,088 and the second place finisher paid $40.60.

Gulfstream (Florida):
  • A track handle of $16,000,000+.
  • Johnny Velazquez won two of the final four races one of which was for Todd Pletcher who also won twice. Earlier he was on a 30-1 which finished dead last.
  • Luis Saez won three more times. He could very well end at the meet's leading rider.
  • Luca Panici almost miraculously returned to riding today after yesterday's nasty spill.
 
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GKJ

Global Moderator
Feb 27, 2002
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Charismatic has passed away. Legendary horse and story.
 

MiamiScreamingEagles

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Jan 17, 2004
71,029
47,993
This will likely remain the most precious and poignant caricatures I have witnessed. Chris Antley's act of bravery was something spellbinding. Seeing it live has not been erased by the measures of time. If anything, it has been enhanced knowing both have passed. Antley saved a life that day. Now they are in the Winner's Circle forever.

ANTLEY-Tribute2_PEB-12-00.jpg




==================

Charismatic, 1999 Horse of the Year, dies unexpectedly at 21

On April 15, Charismatic won the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, leading to a start in the Kentucky Derby.

Sent off as a 31-1 outsider in a field of 19, Charismatic rallied five wide to take the lead in the final furlong and win by a neck over Menifee. Those two finished first and second in the Preakness Stakes two weeks later, with Charismatic prevailing by 1 1/2 lengths at 8-1.

Three weeks later, Charismatic was 8-5 to complete the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes. Charismatic led with a quarter-mile remaining, but could not keep the advantage and finished third to Lemon Drop Kid, losing by 1 1/2 lengths.

Shortly after the finish, jockey Chris Antley dismounted Charismatic, who had pulled up with a career-ending fracture to his left front ankle. The fast-thinking Antley coaxed the colt into lifting his stricken leg and the rider cradled the colt’s leg until ambulance personnel arrived on the scene moments later.

Charismatic retired with a record of 5 wins in 17 starts and earnings of $2,038,064. In addition to the title of Horse of the Year, Charismatic was honored as the outstanding 3-year-old male of 1999.

http://www.drf.com/news/charismatic-1999-horse-year-dies-unexpectedly-21
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

Global Moderator
Jan 17, 2004
71,029
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February 19, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Gulfstream has put together a fantastic meet. The handle today was $11,400,000+.
  • In race 8, the winner paid $103.80, the $2 exacta over $1,600, the $2 trifecta over $14,000 and the most astonishing payout of the day, a $1 super paid $282,000+. If your numbers are 8-11-5-9, have a good weekend. Trainer Larry Bates won for the fourth time this meet, I had him with two of those wins but sadly not today. That would be 50-1, 17-1, 4-1 and 35-1 which comprised the superfecta.
  • In race 9, the winner paid $65.30, the $1 tri over $2,800, the $1 Pick 3 over $2,100 and the $2 daily double a stunning $2,380.20.
  • In race 10, the $1 tri paid over $1,700. What hurt was the two bombs which finished second and third were used. Ouch! Elvis Trujillo won for a rare time on a rare ride, at 5-1, and had the inside post. Jose Lezcano, always should be considered on turf paid $25 in the middle and Joel Rosario, who has been fairly consistent the last few days, paid $12.60 at the end. The second and third place finishers were both trained by Bill Mott but keep an eye on Naples Parade who looked sharped in her debut at 25-1. Wonderful payouts and nothing to show for it. The $1 Pick 3 paid $8,569.10.
  • Jose Lezcano finished in the money four times and though no wins, three races were on turf. He has that ability on grass including 27-1 and 12-1 second place finishes. No system is foolproof but it is wise to consider him in multi-pick gimmicks on turf.
  • In race 11, Joe Bravo won for just the sixth time this meet.
  • In race 12, the finale, three across the wire with Luis Saez winning for the third time today. Someone must have been cursing the gods because the runnerup was singled in the Rainbow 6 and otherwise that individual would have won the pool which was reported at over $134,000. Saez finished in the money five times,
  • It was announced that one of the leading contenders for the 2017 Kentucky Derby will not run in the March 4 Fountain of Youth due to the existing foot abscess. That has to be a big blow to Mark Casse who had eight runners today at three tracks and won at both Florida facilities.
  • Reigning and multiple-time Jockey of the Year Javier Castellano finished in the money six times the last two days but without any wins. That is the level of the depth at this meet.
  • Riders not accustomed to many wins this meet found glory today with Carlos Olivero, Roberto Alvarado, Jr., Jilver Chamafi, Jorge Ruiz, Elvis Trujillo and Joe Bravo all winning on the 12-race card.

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Some exotic players were likely dismissed after the first race which was won by a 21-1 shot.
  • And right on cue, Crazy Things Happen in New York Finales. Today's edition, was a 20-1 winner in the $100,000 feature race. What added to the intrigue was the combo of Manny Franco/Todd Pletcher had a morning line 6-1 which was bet down but neither track handicapper had it in their top four in a 10-horse field. The filly didn't factor despite coming off wins in three of her last four. She was also 2-for-2 at the distance with a win at the track.
  • From Andy Serling, we learn that trainer Joe Parker is 9-for-31 on the inner track this meet.

Laurel (Maryland):
  • The opening race paid out $62.40 with a $13,600 superfecta.

Santa Anita (California):
  • It appears one lucky handicapper nailed the Pick 6 for $128,792.
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles

Global Moderator
Jan 17, 2004
71,029
47,993
----------------------------------------------
SOUTHWEST STAKES (Grade III)

PP​
| Horse (location bred) |
Age/Sex​
|
Jockey​
|
Weight​
|
Trainer​
|
Morning Line​
1| Cool Arrow (KY)| 3/colt | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.| 119| Joe Sharp|12-1
2| Silver Dust (KY) | 3 colt| Corey J. Lanerie| 115| Randy L. Morse| 10-1
3|Uncontested (KY)| 3/colt| Channing Hill| 122| Wayne M. Catalano| 5-2
4| Lookin At Lee (KY)| 3/colt| Ricardo Santana, Jr.| 117| Steven M. Asmussen|8-1
5| Rowdy the Warrior (OK)| 3/colt |Luis S. Quinonez| 115| Donnie K. Von Hemel| 20-1
6| Cu Rahy (MD)| 3/colt | Glenn W. Corbett| 115| Danele Durham|50-1
7| Warrior's Club (KY)| 3/colt | Chris Landeros| 117| D. Wayne Lukas| 12-1
8| Petrov (KY)| 3/colt | Jose L. Ortiz| 115| Ron Moquett| 5-1
9|Dilettante (FL)| 3/colt | Florent Geroux| 115| D. Wayne Lukas|15-1
10|Hence (KY)| 3/colt | Ramon A. Vazquez| 115| Steven M. Asmussen|20-1
11| One Liner (KY)| 3/colt | John R. Velazquez| 115| Todd A. Pletcher|7-2
12| P C Cowboy (KY)| 3/colt | Carlos H. Marquez, Jr.| 115| John Alexander Ortiz| 30-1
13| Chief Know It All (KY)| 3/colt | Joseph Rocco, Jr.| 117| Brad H. Cox|12-1

  • Todd Pletcher doesn't ship to Oaklawn often but his stable is excessively talented and as such needs to find spots. This is also Johnny V.'s only mount of the day.
  • Uncontested should get much attention but this race seems prime for exotic players.

-----------------------------------------------

Here is an early look at next week's Derby prep in Louisiana:

 
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