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

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Grade III Gotham Stakes (Kentucky Derby prep)

When: Saturday, March 10, 2018, Race 10
Where: Aqueduct (New York)
Distance: 1 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $300,000
Age: 3-year-olds
Time: 5:42 pm Eastern Time
TV: Fox Sports 2
​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Dial Operator (NJ)	Trevor McCarthy	117	Jason Servis	10-1
2	Cove Blue (KY)	Chris Landeros	117	Dale L. Romans	30-1
3	Beautiful Shot (FL)	Angel S. Arroyo	117	J. Keith Desormeaux	8-1
4	Whereshetoldmetogo (MD)	Joseph Rocco, Jr.	119	Anthony Pecoraro	15-1
5	Firenze Fire (FL)	Manuel Franco	123	Jason Servis	5-2
6	Free Drop Billy (KY)	Dylan Davis	123	Dale L. Romans	9-5
7	Old Time Revival (FL)	Steve D. Hamilton	117	Kenneth Decker	15-1
8	Nine Route (NY)	Kendrick Carmouche	117	Jeremiah C. Englehart	30-1
9	Enticed (KY)	Junior Alvarado	121	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	7-2

[TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

[TBODY][TR][TH]

​

Grade II San Felipe Stakes (Kentucky Derby prep race)

When: Saturday, March 10, 2018, Race 6
Where: Santa Anita Park (California)
Distance: 1 1/16m
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $400,000
Age: 3-year-olds
Time: 2:30 PM Pacific Time
TV: TVG​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Bolt d'Oro (KY)	Javier Castellano	124	Mick Ruis	2-1
2	Lombo (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	122	Michael Pender	8-1
3	Ayacara (GB)	Kent J. Desormeaux	120	J. Keith Desormeaux	8-1
4	McKinzie (KY)	Mike E. Smith	124	Bob Baffert	8-5
5	Aquila (KY)	Martin A. Pedroza	120	Simon Callaghan	15-1
6	Calexman (KY)	Alonso Quinonez	120	Vladimir Cerin	30-1
7	Peace (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	120	Richard E. Mandella	15-1
8	Kanthaka (KY)	Flavien Prat	120	Jerry Hollendorfer	4-1

[TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

[TBODY][TR][TH]Grade II Tampa Bay Derby (Kentucky Derby prep race)[/TH][/TR][/TBODY]
[TBODY][TR][TH]

When: Saturday, March 10, 2018, Race 10
Where: Tampa Bay Downs (Florida)
Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $400,000
Age: 3-year-olds
Time: 5:20 pm Eastern Time
TV: TVG​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Arazi Like Move (KY)	Scott Spieth	118	Aldana Gonzalez	50-1
2	Tiz Mischief (KY)	Joel Rosario	118	Dale L. Romans	8-1
3	Vino Rosso (KY)	John R. Velazquez	118	Todd A. Pletcher	4-1
4	Grandpa Knows Best (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	118	Kenneth G. McPeek	30-1
5	Flameaway (ON)	Jose Lezcano	120	Mark E. Casse	3-1
6	***Enticed (KY)	Antonio A. Gallardo	122	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	6-1
7	***Free Drop Billy (KY)	UNKNOWN	124	Dale L. Romans	7-2
8	World of Trouble (FL)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	118	Jason Servis	5-1
9	Untamed Domain (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	122	H. Graham Motion	6-1
10	Quip (KY)	Florent Geroux	118	Rodolphe Brisset	20-1
11	Caloric (KY)	Alex Gonzalez	118	Michelle Winters	50-1

[TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

[TBODY][TR][TH]Todd Pletcher owns this race. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins for the fifth time in the last six years.
***Free Drop Billy and Enticed are cross-entered in Florida and New York, the latter is where they are likely to run barring any travel issues. UPDATE: The two horses have been scratched officially from the race in Tampa Bay.

Junior Alvarado on the outside can be formidable.[/TH][/TR][/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

KENTUCKY DERBY Pool #3:

No.		Horse		M/L
1		Audible		8-1
2		Avery Island		30-1
3		Bolt d’Oro		6-1
4		Bravazo		30-1
5		Catholic Boy		30-1
6		Combatant		50-1
7		Flameaway		30-1
8		Free Drop Billy		15-1
9		Gold Town		30-1
10		Good Magic		15-1
11		Instilled Regard		30-1
12		Justify		15-1
13		Kanthaka		20-1
14		Magnum Moon		30-1
15		McKinzie		8-1
16		Mendelssohn		30-1
17		My Boy Jack		30-1
18		Noble Indy		50-1
19		Promises Fulfilled		8-1
20		Solomini		15-1
21		Sporting Chance		30-1
22		Strike Power		15-1
23		Vino Rosso		50-1
24		All Others (field)		6-1

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A race this weekend that shouldn't be overshadowed by those limited to 3-year-old races is the Santa Anita Handicap. Much talent with older horses.

THE GRADE I, $600,000 SANTA ANITA HANDICAP

Race 10 of 11

Approximate post time 4:30 p.m. PT (7;30 p.m. Eastern Time)

1. Top of the Game—Kent Desormeaux—116
   
2. Prime Attraction—Tiago Pereira—119
   
3. Curlin Road—Tyler Baze–116
   
4. Giant Expectations—Corey Nakatani—121
   
5. Hoppertunity—Flavien Prat–121
   
6. Fear the Cowboy—Javier Castellano—118
   
7. Accelerate—Victor Espinoza–123
   
8. Mubtaahij—Mike Smith–122

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen, March 6, 2018

Source: Bloodhorse
I added my notes to Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen.​

Rank	Horse	Sire	Trainer	Note
1	Bolt d'Oro	Medaglia d'Oro	Mick Ruis	Rider switch from Corey Nakatani to Javier Castellano for this weekend
2	McKinzie	Street Sense	Bob Baffert	Expected to run at Santa Anita on Saturday with Mike Smith on board.
3	Good Magic	Curlin	Chad Brown	Ran this past weekend.
4	Catholic Boy	More Than Ready	Johnathan Thomas	Will likely be entered in the March 31 Florida Derby.
5	Free Drop Billy	Union Rags	Dale Romans	Expected to run this weekend in New York after being scratched on Saturday at Gulfstream
6	Audible	Into Mischief	Todd Pletcher	Will likely be entered in the March 31 Florida Derby. John Velazquez will replace Javier Castellano (Dubai).
7	Solomini	Curlin	Bob Baffert	Headed to Oaklawn (Arkansas) for the Rebel Stakes later this month.
8	Vino Rosso	Curlin	Todd Pletcher	Expected to run this weekend in the Tampa Bay Derby with John Velazquez riding.
9	Promises Fulfilled	Shackelford	Dale Romans	Won this past weekend.
10	Avery Island	Street Sense	Kiaran McLaughlin	Joe Bravo is expected to ride in the Louisiana Derby on March 24.
11	Flameaway	Scat Daddy	Mark Casse	Expected to run this weekend in the Tampa Bay Derby. Jose Lezcano has the mount as of the last race.
12	Instilled Regard	Arch	Jerry Hollendorfer	Nothing has been determined for a next race.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

I put Spectacular Bid in the top five horses I have seen. Bid was a Triple Crown winner with an asterisk as far as I am concerned. He was that good. Franklin got much heat after the Belmont Stakes. Rest in peace.

Ronnie Franklin, rode Spectacular Bid to wins in Kentucky Derby and Preakness, dies at 58 | Daily Racing Form

In the Derby, Franklin made a wide move with Spectacular Bid around General Assembly and Flying Paster on the far turn, and they went on to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Two weeks later, Spectacular Bid rolled home by 5 1/2 lengths in the Preakness after Franklin sent him to the lead three furlongs from the finish.

Spectacular Bid was bet down to 3-10 in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont. Spectacular Bid took the lead from longshot Gallant Best midway down the backstretch through quick splits and then tired to finish third behind Coastal and Golden Act.

Many blamed Franklin’s early move for the defeat, including Delp, who added that Spectacular Bid had stepped on a safety pin in his stall that morning and punctured his foot, which may have been a factor.

Franklin rode Spectacular Bid in 15 of his first 17 races, but following the Belmont he was replaced by Bill Shoemaker, who rode the Hall of Famer in his final 13 starts.​

​

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 8, 2018

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Trainer Carlo Vaccarezza finished 1st and 2nd in two races today. The latter was with a horse named for his son Nick. The winner of that race was Unbridled Holiday with Jose Ortiz riding. The exacta paid over $200.

​

• The $.20 Rainbow 6 passed $3,000,000 at one point after $441,000+ was added. Multiple winners received over $14,000. The carryover for Friday will be $2.68 million. I expect the peak tomorrow to surpass $3.3 million. In the finale today, three bombs were singled. That is the way to try to win the ultimate prize: hope that your bomb singled completes the fantasy.
• Cam Gambolati won the finale with Domenic who was an 0-for-19 maiden. He is best known for winning the 1985 Kentucky Derby with Spend A Buck, a horse whose New Jersey-based owners opted to take the horse back home to race (the now defunct Garden State Park) rather than the usual next step in Maryland. It was Gambolati's third win since 2015.

​

• Race 3: Bug rider Heriberto Figueroa won for the first time in the U.S.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• McLean Robertson won with both his starters and each was 6-to-1. He is a very good trainer from Minnesota mentioned often in this thread. While I thought he would have a successful meet, he struggled finding the wins early but hit the board often. He is now at 19% for wins and 56% in the money. Very good numbers. By comparison, the winningest trainer at the meet (in victories) is Steve Asmussen, with a much larger stable, at 18%/50%.

Santa Anita (California):

• Someone just nailed the $2.00 Pick 6 for $187,559.80.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Gronkowski is set to make his U.S. debut...

Gronkowski Bound For U.S. Prep After Derby Points Victory At Kempton - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report

After Kentucky Derby contender Gronkowski earned 20 points and his third consecutive win Wednesday in Great Britain, trainer Jeremy Noseda indicated the colt would likely next be seen in either the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland or the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

Gronkowski was the odds-on favorite in Wednesday's $67,000 Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes at Kempton Park, and he rolled to a 3/4-length victory over the racetrack's all-weather surface at a mile. The 20 points he earned place him in a tie with Saxon Warrior on the new European Road to the Kentucky Derby. Saxon Warrior isn't expected to travel overseas this spring but Noseda said on his Twitter feed that Gronkowski came of the race well and will point for a Derby prep start next month in the U.S.

Like the Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby, the European series guarantees a spot in the starting gates to the horse who earns the most points. Last year, no Japanese horse took advantage of the opportunity but Noseda and Gronkowski's owners, Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited, have shown interest and are now looking to earn more points in the U.S.

The next stop on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby is Friday's Patton Stakes at Dundalk in Ireland, featuring Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Mendelssohn.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The Street Sense - Curlin rivalry that was hot in the 2007 racing season is heating up as the duo has at least five strong contenders for the Kentucky Derby 2018.

With the Tampa Bay Derby this weekend, a look at Calvin Borel's fantastic ride on board Street Sense in that race back in 2007.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 9, 2018

Dundalk (Ireland):

• Mendelssohn won the Patton Stakes, a Kentucky Derby prep race. The connections are pointing him to the UAE Derby in Dubai on March 31. That race has a 100-40-20-10 point system for entry into the Kentucky Derby. (Full list in post #1).

Aqueduct (New York):

• Leading riders Manny Franco (3), Junior Alvarado (2) and Dylan Davis (2) combined to win 7 of the 9 races. Franco won three of the first four races.
• Race 6: Rafael Hernandez/Gary Sciacca won with a 38-to-1 shot.
• Race 9: In the finale, a 14-horse field and one of the most intriguing betting races of the early calendar, Trevor McCarthy won with a 9-to-1 shot. It took a while to determine a favorite and at one point late a 5-to-1 had the lowest odds. A great stretch drive ensued which ultimately included a photo for win; a charging Jeremy Rose on the far outside nearly pulled off a spectacular upset with a 36-to-1 bomb to finish third and pay a remarkable $15.80 for show.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Daniel Centeno won four times including the first and last races. He is without a doubt one of the top riders at the track. He finished the day with a 35-to-1 bomb winning the finale.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• The $.20 Rainbow 6 had an increase of $440,000+ which was under what I thought. The max reached more than $3.1 million. The carryover for tomorrow begins at $2.789 million. I would guess that more than $500,000 will be added.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. won three times He was the only rider or trainer to repeat wins.

Penn National (Pennsylvania):

• Race 2: The $.10 super returned over $4,400.

Note:
Justify (Mike Smith/Bob Baffert) who romped in his maiden on February 18 at Santa Anita is running Sunday in his second lifetime race. He has been getting buzz since he won by nearly 10 lengths in that debut and perhaps could be a late entry to Kentucky Derby chatter.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 10, 2018

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• Live racing for today due to unsatisfactory track conditions related to the weather earlier in the week.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Something interesting and perhaps too visionary at this stage but perhaps worthy of discussion in the south Florida T-bred racing world.

Currently, Gulfstream (a casino and race track) runs about 10 months a year at its superb home base and about two months -- generally Oct./Nov. -- at the track formerly known as Calder which is about 10 miles away. Calder (a casino and race track) operates racing under the name Gulfstream Park West but keeps the moniker Calder for its casino purposes. It is owned by Churchill Downs who leases the racing end of the operation to Gulfstream, a pact which expires in 2020. Churchill has a profitable casino at Calder but has minimized horse racing operations to bare bones; however, racing is needed in order to keep a casino license as required by law.

A few miles south stands the once luxurious Hialeah Park whose owner John Brunetti passed away earlier this month. Hialeah was once considered to be among the most beautiful tracks in the country and many observers had it at the top of their list. Hialeah was scenic. Movies were filmed there. The pink flamingoes made for an image unmatched. But when racing laws changed in Florida, the schedules were altered and Hialeah opted not to compete with Gulfstream. The track decided to operate a quarter horse meet in order to keep the casino license operating, something mandated as a pari-mutuel sport was needed on a casino's property. Brunetti owned the track for many years and T-bred racing remained part of his background despite no such racing at the track.

Which brings us to a hypothetical. Would the current operators of Hialeah and Gulfstream set aside any differences and consider racing T-breds a few weeks at the Hialeah facility? Calder is interested in opening a Jai Alai fronton on its property if given approval by the state. Gulfstream Park West (again, Calder's racing name) is beyond a shadow of its former appeal, and if nothing else is currently an eyesore at least in the racing aspect. If laws change and Churchill no longer needs horse racing (IIRC, the state law is approximately 35 or so dates) to run a casino that could open a door to Hialeah.

South Florida currently runs a 12-month calendar. It would be difficult for Gulfstream to operate one track 12 months a year. Despite its contributions to the sport, the turf course is worn and additional racing dates won't help it. If Gulf has a desire to continue to operate year-round and Calder is not interested, would Hialeah be an option? There would be issues with the backside and racing necessities but perhaps that can be addressed considering the closeness of the facilities.

 

[Preds Partisan]

Sure everyone loved Hialeah, but why would Stronach give an inch to anybody and help Hialeah? I don't like the whole CDI/Stronach Calder deal (we all still call it Calder, don't care what the actual name is) because it was obviously just about the casino license.

Wouldn't it be more likely that Stronach would just try to buy Tampa Bay? That seems to me like the more likely long term play unless there is something in Florida law that prohibits it.

I like your thinking, just don't see it happening.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sure everyone loved Hialeah, but why would Stronach give an inch to anybody and help Hialeah? I don't like the whole CDI/Stronach Calder deal (we all still call it Calder, don't care what the actual name is) because it was obviously just about the casino license.

Wouldn't it be more likely that Stronach would just try to buy Tampa Bay? That seems to me like the more likely long term play unless there is something in Florida law that prohibits it.

I like your thinking, just don't see it happening.

Much depends on any changing legislation. Broward (Fort Lauderdale area) and Dade (Miami) border each other and have special provisions as it relates to state law and the racing industry. Tampa Bay Downs is on the west coast of the state and to my knowledge is not up for sale nor has there been any discussion about any possible lease.

It isn't about helping out Hialeah as it is a desire to run 12 full months. I don't think Gulfstream can race 12 months unless perhaps the totals days a week is reduced but that would cut into the total live racing dates.

Going to Hialeah could be a challenge because of many issues including backside availability and I can't say with certainty it is better or worse than the current Calder -- which is closer to Gulfstream compared to Hialeah by a few miles, not many. Maybe south Florida goes dark for a couple of months but that isn't in Stronach's best interest.

There is ongoing legislation to rewrite some state laws which fall under the umbrella of decoupling. Basically, a pari-mutuel facility could be given the authority to cut ties with the racing aspect of a racing/casino. It is more complicated than that but more than one person has surmised that Churchill doesn't always have horse racing as its primary motivating factor. We'll see what happens with state laws and changes but the prospect of Hialeah may not even be a viable option but perhaps Stronach has enough power to make it happen.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 10, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):

• KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACE (race 11): In the $300,000 Grade III Gotham Stakes, two of my all-time favorite riders put on a show and combined for a $246.50 exacta. Jeremy Rose picked up the mount and took a 37-to-1 to the lead and almost pulled an extraordinary upset. Enticed (Junior Alvarado/Kiaran McLaughlin) passed him in the stretch and as mentioned above, Alvarado excels on the outside. THE BET OF THE DAY!

​

• Junior Alvarado finishesd 9 1-3-1 and was substandard with some rides but he was ideal in the most important race of the day.
• Multiple winners were limited to Trevor McCarthy (3) and Dylan Davis (2). McCarthy has found a home in his first venture into New York. Davis is having an exceptional meet.
• New York was a freak show today with evidence being a $2 pick 5 that returned over $200,000.
• Race 2: The $2 double paid over $500. The exacta was more than $600 with a 12-to-1 and 25-to-1 topping the ticket.
• Leading riders at the meet by wins with winning percentages and hitting board listed: Dylan Davis 43 (22%/55%); Manny Franco 40 (22%/56%); Junior Alvarado 32 (26%/63%); Trevor McCarthy 27 (14%/48%).

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• Canceled due to track conditions related to weather earlier in the week.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• KENTUCKY DERBY PREP (race 11): An upset in the Tampa Bay Derby! This one I did not consider. Quip (Florent Geroux/Rodolphe Brisset) was sent off at 19-to-1 and embarrassed the field. Quip is 3-for-4 lifetime and won a stakes race for the first time. It was the trainer's first graded stakes win. The $1 exacta paid $151 with Flameaway (Jose Lezcano/Mark Casse) in second place. Vino Rosso (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) looked tired and beaten. The favorite was World of Trouble (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Jason Servis) who faded on the lead in the stretch.

​

• Race 12: The $.50 Pick 3 paid over $1,300. The $.50 Pick 4 paid over $9,100.
• Race 10: In a thrilling race, the Grade III Florida Oaks, Julien Leparoux outrode Joel Rosario and the ensuing exacta paid over $300. Rosario had an exceptional second half to 2017 but has been insufficient for much of 2018.

Mustafa GRGC on Twitter​

• Race 5: Jagr, a horse once owned by Vinny Viola (Florida Panthers) was victorious for the 4th time in 13 starts.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. won three times. The combo of John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher won twice but failed to fire in the big prize.
• The track handled over $14,600,000 from all sources which establish a record-high for the facility.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Three horses were singled going into the finale but since none won, the Jackpot rolls onward. However, the consolation payout of $61,000+ was collected by many. More than $655,000 was added today which brought the total 'pot to more than $3.4 million. The carryover starts at $2.9 million for Sunday and my assumption is that at least a half million dollars will be added. Separately, the $.50 Pick 5 paid over $18,000.
• The track handled over $13,000,000 on a rare winter/spring meet Saturday that it wasn't in the spotlight.
• Luis Saez returned from his 3-day suspension and continued his dominance at the meet with three more wins.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• McLean Robertson was 4 1-2-1 today and both his second place finishes were in the two feature races.
• The only rider or trainer to repeat with wins was jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. who opened a 10-win lead at the meet.
• The leading trainers at the meet are Steve Asmussen (21), Robertino Diodoro (20) and Brad Cox (19).
• Judging by the outside crowd, the place appeared packed.

Santa Anita (California):

• KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACE (race 6): Arguably the top two Kentucky Derby contenders hooked up in what was called as a "spine tingling spectacle" by the track announcer in the Grade II $400,000 San Felipe Stakes. After a lengthy objection/inquiry, Bolt d'Oro (Javier Castellano/Mick Ruis) was declared the winner and McKinzie (Mike Smith/Bob Baffert) was DQ'd to second. The two chalky picks made it a fantastic race. DQ'ing Mike Smith especially for a visiting rider was probably not what many expected. This could be the beginnings of a splendid rivalry and maybe a good boost for California racing. The chalky $1 exacta paid $3.90. Those two horses were touted and touted and perhaps seemed heads and shoulders above the remainder of the field.

​

• Race 5: In the $400,000 Grade I Frank Kilroe Mile, World Approval, the 1-to-2 favorite flopped . Bowies Hero (Corey Nakatani/Phil D'Amato) won at 8-to-1 and topped a $318 $.50 tri. The $.10 super may have been a weak payout considering a 38-to-1 was in the mix and the chalky favorite was off-the-board.
• Race 10: Accelerate (Victor Espinoza/John Sadler), who had been training exceptionally, romped on a sloppy track as the 5-to-2 favorite in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap.
• Drayden Van Dyke ( 6 4-0-0) had a remarkable start to the racing day by winning the first four races. The fourth win was in the Grade I Triple bend on board City of Light for Michael McCarthy. Van Dyke had six mounts which included two fourth place finishes. Two of the wins were for Bob Baffert.
• Mike Smith won the finale on the 12-race card.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A recap of yesterday's three Derby prep races,

AQUEDUCT (NEW YORK)
I like Enticed and certainly in yesterday's race more so than the competition. The comparisons to Mohaymen from 2016 are perhaps inevitable, but the Junior Alvarado/KiaranMcLaughlin duo could be back for another battle. Mohaymen, who was a favorite through the summer of 2016, didn't want to run anymore at some point following the Kentucky Derby. That was in evidence to some more than others but easy to say from the sidelines. Alvarado had two shoulder injuries and at least one surgery since last year. He has earned another shot to be in the spotlight. If nothing else, Enticed is a bigger horse than Mohaymen and with a different pedigree though not necessarily better. But this is 2018 and the connections can look forward. How much can this colt advance will be answered in the upcoming weeks.

"He's a big horse and has a nice pedigree to go along with it," Alvarado said. "I kept him outside, and each time I asked him to respond, he did. Turning for home, he took off right away and gave me what I wanted. The last part, I just geared him down. I didn't want to kill him. I know he's fine with more distance. I already won at two turns with him. He had a tough trip in (in the Kentucky Jockey Club), and he handled it. He's a very nice horse. Hopefully he stays sound and keeps going forward."

"It was a great run, and everything went perfect," said McLaughlin, who watched the race from Florida.​

And to use a favorite movie quote " Just as I thought I was out, they bring me back in."

TAMPA BAY (FLORIDA)
Quip was the surprise winner of the day. The trainer, a former assistant under Bill Mott, had never won a graded stakes race. With the two scratches that were co-entered in the Gotham at Aqueduct, I felt somewhat comfortable with the combination of John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher at 4-to-1 who was sent off with the second lowest set of odds. The winner had the sixth highest odds in the field of nine. One horse was sent off at 220-to-1. The race was certainly wide open but Quip wasn't on the radar.

"He is a pretty forward horse, and he's a smart horse," said Brisset, who helped condition such runners as three-time Eclipse Award winner Royal Delta, classic winner Drosselmeyer, and grade 1 winner Emollient during the nearly 11 years he spent with Mott. "On paper it looked like we were going to be there early, and it was a matter (of) if they were going to let us go (the half) in :47 or :49. I guess they let us go in :49, which was a little surprising to me.

"It was just a matter of him being fit enough. I'm not sure if we had him 100%, but he was fit enough to win today, and that's the main thing."

SANTA ANITA (CALIFORNIA)
The controversy. The disqualification. Arguably the top two Kentucky Derby contenders. The potential rivalry. McKinzie vs. Bolt d'Oro. Mike Smith vs. Javier Castellano. Bob Baffert vs.... the world. What a storybook script. This is just now going from the embryonic stage to that of something growing. I leaned towards the side of no DQ.

After a severely extended inquiry period, the stewards decided to disqualify McKinzie from first to second and elevate Bolt d'Oro to first.

"The first incident—we ultimately concluded that the video was inconclusive," said steward Scott Chaney. "It was our opinion that from the pan (replay), it appeared (McKinzie) came out to make contact. From the quarter-pole (replay angle), it appeared the outside horse was actually coming in to make contact. We thought it was inconclusive as to who was culpable.

"Regarding the second incident, that one was obviously much easier. The videotape showed over the last sixteenth, the inside horse, McKinzie, was drifting out—probably about two paths—forcing (Bolt d'Oro) off his path, costing him the opportunity to gain the head he lost by."

McKinzie's connections did not agree with the decision.

"That last hit, where he hit me in the (butt), he turned me out," Smith said. "I was just trying to ride my own race, and he was on top of me. At the quarter pole, after the quarter pole, and through the lane, he hit me and turned me out. I mean, he's got the whole racetrack and he's on top of me on the fence."
"That's some (expletive)," Baffert said. "(Bolt d'Oro's jockey) Javier (Castellano) had a better story, I guess. I'm shocked, after the way he hit us at the top of the stretch. I don't know what they're looking at, but apparently he talked them into it."

Bolt d'Oro Defeats McKinzie Via DQ in San Felipe - BloodHorse

​

Sources for quotes and text: Bloodhorse.com

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 11, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):

• Manny Franco had a monster day with a career-best five-win day. He was 5-1-0 in total, won three straight races beginning with the sixth and won for five different trainers.
• Manny Franco is now 2 wins ahead of Dylan Davis at the meet.
• Race 5: Finger Lakes trainer Lauren Linn, who won once last year, was victorious today with her first starter of 2018. I don't recall her even winning at a track outside of Finger Lakes.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Race 6: A 99-to-1 shot finished last in a field of seven. But what caught my eye was the 10-year-old mare had just 13 lifetime starts. She had at least two long layoffs one from December 2011 to July 2013 and then from May 2014 to today. She has had two races in more than six years. The horse ran mostly at Charles Town in West Virginia.
• The $2 pick 5 to end the day paid over $21,000.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Luis Saez has convinced many observers that he is among the elite riders in the nation. He leads the current meet by 35 wins (though with many more mounts). Today, he was 10 4-3-0 and among his four wins was on a 31-to-1 bomb for the efficient Michael Matz. He also won as a late rider change on a 7-to-1 and perhaps some of the observers overlooked a switch from the listed Tony Maragh who rides infrequently and has one win in 12 starts this year.
• Each of the 13 races had a unique trainer with victory.
• Race 1: The race day opened with a 70-to-1 nearly pulling off a miracle win but settling for second in an exacta that paid $972 and a tri that returned over $2,600.
• Race 5: Good young talent in a short field. Autostrade (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) got the comfortable win in his maiden race. Another young talent for Pletcher.
• The $.20 Pick 6 Jackpot survives another card even with two horses singled in the finale. All winners collected over $30,000, another very nice consolation prize. More than $640,000 was added. The carryover for Wednesday's card will begin at slightly more than $3.1 million.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Wayne Lukas saddled two winning horses in three starters and both were prices at 7-to-1 and 10-to-1. Lukas is 82-years-old.

Santa Anita (California):

• The winner of the $100,000 Sensational Star was 6-year-old Tough Sunday (Joe Talamo/Steven Miyadi) who was born blind and deaf.
• Justify (Mike Smith/Bob Baffert) was mentioned earlier in the week as someone to follow. He is now 2-for-2 lifetime after a resounding victory and is expected to race next in a yet unannounced Kentucky Derby prep race. Justify is sired by Scat Daddy out of a Ghostzapper mare named Stage Magic. Smith compared him to Easy Goer who went 14-5-1 in 20 starts. He did the mile in 1:35 and 3 to which Smith replied "Good Lord" when he was informed. Be prepared.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

MIKE SMITH SUSPENDED
The decision itself to DQ McKinzie was questionable though understandable; however, Mike Smith got suspended three days (March 17, 22, and 23) for his ride yesterday in the San Felipe. That is mystifying.

Edit: Maybe suspensions are automatic in California and perhaps that is why the ruling.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Well now, look who is #2 on the Kentucky Derby Futures list released tonight (the lowest belongs to the "others" category which currently includes Enticed, Gronkowski, Quip and many others). Quite the jump for Justify. Also, a link to past performances of some possible Derby runners.

http://www.brisnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Derby18Future3.pdf

The fourth and final pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager takes place April 6-8.

Source: BRISNET

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Two Kentucky Derby preps for Saturday, March 17. The Rebel at Oaklawn (Arkansas) is the more significant race. It offers a 50-20-10-5 point scale compared to 20-8-402 for the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park in Kentucky. Also, the Rebel is run on a more traditional surface (dirt) compared to the synthetic at Turfway.

THE REBEL STAKES AT OAKLAWN (ARKANSAS):
Look for Solomini (Bob Baffert), Sporting Chance (Wayne Lukas), Magnum Moon (Todd Pletcher), Combatant (Steve Asmussen) and Title Ready (Steve Asmussen) among other probable runners.

The Rebel has been won by the likes of American Pharoah, Lookin At Lucky, Curlin and Smarty Jones.

THE JEFF RUBY STEAKS AT TURFWAY PARK (KENTUCKY):
Hollywood Star (Dale Romans), Believe In Royalty (Larry Jones), Dreamer's Point (Ian Wilkes), Ride A Comet (Mark Casse) and Magicalmeister (James Chapman) seem to be pointed there. The horse trained by Chapman won in his last start on the track. Chapman by comparison to the other trainers is not as well known. He has 200+ lifetime wins and has not had any starter since February.

As a side note: The Jeff Ruby Steaks was formerly known as the Spiral Stakes. Jeff Ruby's is a famous steakhouse in Cincinnati which is about 10 miles away from the track in northern Kentucky. Mike Smith wore pants with the Jeff Ruby logo when he rode Songbird as one example.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

The Jeff Ruby Steaks (it figures Ruby would make them spell it that way) has a long history. It has had a pretty impressive list of Kentucky Derby winners including Hansel, Lil E. Tee, and most recently, Animal Kingdom. The filly Serena's Song won the race when it was known as the "Jim Beam Stakes" as well.

Jeff Ruby Steaks - Wikipedia

A little heads up on an apprentice jockey who appears to be just starting his career. Jann (pronounced John) N. Hernandez won 2 of his first 15 races at Parx (Philly Park) and added 2 more today including a $107.60 winner in the 8th race which keyed a 50 cents $791.40 trifecta. The kid can flat out ride. He's very good at coming from off the pace-which is very unusual for a bug boy with a 7 lbs. allowance. I don't know his history-he could be a veteran of many rides in another country-but in any case, he's extremely worthy of a bet if one thinks that his horse should be competitive in a race.

@MiamiScreamingEagles ......You do a wonderful job in this thread. I said it before and I'll say it again-it's a professional quality publication. Many Thanks!

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

^ Thank you. It is a labor of love. If I could give two thumbs up, I would.

I should add that I was going to look up info on that rider prior to you mentioning the name. I saw the results from earlier today.

The last time I visited Cincinnati I ate at Montgomery Inn. Jeff Ruby's would have been a good Plan B especially if I could have met the owner and talked horses.

From DRF:

Parx: 7-pound bug Jann Hernandez goes back to back, including a $107 winner

Seven-pound apprentice Jann Hernandez won back-to-back races at Parx on Monday, including race 8 with Speightman, who paid $107.60.

Speightman, who came into the conditioned $7,500 claimer with a 2 for 40 record for trainer Uriah St. Lewis, broke slowly in the mile and 70-yard race. Hernandez stayed to the inside throughout, worked his way through a narrow opening entering the stretch, and was up to win by a half-length over 5-2 favorite Snowfly.

The $2 exacta paid $419.

Hernandez came back to win race 9 on Richie's Lady ($5).

Since coming to the United States from Puerto Rico in February, Hernandez is 4 for 21 at Parx and Penn National.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Not exactly a quiet 48 hours for Mike Smith.

Today he was named Forever Unbridled's rider in the UAE Derby in Dubai on March 31. John Velazquez replaced Joel Rosario in the Breeders' Cup in a controversial moment but with Johnny V. opting to stay at Gulfstream for the Florida Derby a new rider was needed. The move to Smith deserves a Wow!

Back to Justify. He received a 104 Beyer in his maiden race and a 101 in his second career race. Consecutive 100+ Beyer figures to begin a career is almost unfathomable. How rare is it? Since 2008,. only Bourbon Courage (102/100) and Declassify (101/104) have performed the feat in North America. Maclean's Music (Mike Smith/Steve Asmussen) received a 114 Beyer in his only lifetime start but was injured soon thereafter and never ran again. Rare air indeed.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen (March 13) on Bloodhorse.com

The comments are mine.​

Rank	Name	Trainer	Pedigree	Comments
1	Bolt d'Oro	Mick Ruis	Medaglia d'Oro—Globe Trot, by A.P. Indy	Ran last weekend, defeated McKinzie after a DQ. Could run next in the Santa Anita Derby April 7
2	McKinzie	Bob Baffert	Street Sense—Runway Model, by Petionville	Ran last weekend, was defeated by Bolt d'Oro after a DQ. Could run next in the Santa Anita Derby April 7
3	Good Magic	Chad Brown	Curlin—Glinda the Good, by Hard Spun	Could run in the Blue Grass April 7
4	Catholic Boy	Jonathan Thomas	More Than Ready—Song of Bernadette, by Bernardini	Could run in the Florida Derby March 31
5	Audible	Todd Pletcher	Into Mischief—Blue Devil Bel, by Gilded Time	Could run in the Florida Derby March 31
6	Solomini	Bob Baffert	Curlin—Surf Song, by Storm Cat	Entered to run in the Rebel Stakes March 17
7	Justify	Bob Baffert	Scat Daddy—Stage Magic, by Ghostzapper	Could run in the Santa Anita Derby April 7 if not sooner
8	Quip	Rodolphe Brisset	Distorted Humor—Princess Ash, by Indian Charlie	Could run in the Blue Grass or Wood Memorial April 7
9	Enticed	Kiaran McLaughlin	Medaglia d'Oro—It's Tricky, by Mineshaft	Could run in the Wood Memorial April 7
10	Flameaway	Mark Casse	Scat Daddy—Vulcan Rose, by Fusaichi Pegasus	Could run in the Blue Grass April 7
11	Instilled Regard	Jerry Hollendorfer	Arch—Enhancing, by Forestry	Could run in the Santa Anita Derby April 7
12	Promises Fulfilled	Dale Romans	Shackleford—Marquee Delivery, by Marquetry	Could run in the Florida Derby March 31

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I am interested in seeing Solomini this weekend who could be as good as the top two mentioned in this ranking.

Justify and Audible both have yet to be fully tested despite their brilliant runs and their lack of racing as 2-year-olds is always a concern for Derby runners. However, they have been phenomenal.

I wouldn't be opposed to putting McKinzie ahead of Bolt d'Oro.

Good Magic was my early Derby favorite but he has lost three of his four races. His fantastic maiden win in the Breeders' Cup was sensational.

I am not as high on Catholic Boy at this stage but that could change. The fan in me is pulling for Enticed.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

This doesn't seem like a good idea.

Breeders' Cup board again set to discuss splitting up event | Daily Racing Form

Under a plan floated three weeks ago by the organization’s Innovation Committee, the Breeders’ Cup would add a $3 million race restricted to 3-year-old horses to a slate of 10 races to be held on the first Saturday of November. The Classic, Juvenile, Juvenile Fillies, and Sprint would then be moved to a date in December, with the races and an undercard held at Gulfstream Park in South Florida, the lone major racetrack that has dates at that time.

Supporters of the plan believe that the Breeders’ Cup would benefit by holding a race restricted to 3-year-olds as a prep race for a rescheduled Classic, citing the popularity of the Triple Crown races. Supporters also believe that television ratings and media coverage of the event suffer from the November date, when the Saturday television lineup is dominated by college football broadcasts.

Opponents of the plan are concerned that splitting the event into separate dates at separate racetracks would be greeted with intense criticism from racing fans, many of whom already spend thousands of dollars to travel to a Breeders’ Cup at a single site. In addition, the opponents are skeptical that the event’s television ratings are impacted to any significant degree by college football broadcasts.

The Breeders’ Cup drafted a survey to gauge constituents’ views on the proposal, but the survey was never sent out to large numbers of people, according to officials. Daily Racing Form obtained a copy of the survey.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

March 14, 2018

Gulfstream (Florida):

• The $.20 Pick 6 carryover will be $3.2 million for tomorrow's card. More than $457,000 was added today. Each winner today collected over $18,000.
• The $.50 Pick 5 to begin the day paid over $15,000.
• Peter Walder entered today with six wins in 2018 but was 3-for-4 in his best day in many weeks. His last win came February 16.