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

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

July 23, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• The Pick Six carryover into Monday will begin at $577,107.
• The star of the day was Ricardo Santana, Jr. who won three consecutive races and the $2 Pick 3 with him on top in each race returned $4,399. One win was $45.80 and another for $24.00.
• Johnny Velazquez, mentioned yesterday for his rough start to the meet, won twice and both times for Todd Pletcher.
• Meanwhile, the Ortiz brothers (Irad in the finale) combined for one win after their 7-victory day yesterday.
• Feature race: Abel Tasman (Mike Smith/Bob Baffert) shipped east and won a nail-biter and an inquiry/objection in the $300,000 Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks. The 3-year-old filly is now 6-for-9 lifetime and is 3-for-4 under Smith's direction with a 3-race win streak. Elate (Jose Ortiz/Bill Mott) hugged the rail, went eye-to-eye with the winner and eventually Ortiz claimed foul against Smith but that was denied. Salty, under Joel Rosario, had a terrible start and recovered for third. It was Smith's only ride of the day.
  
  ​

Monmouth (New Jersey):

• Jorge Navarro became the first trainer to saddle five winners in one card at the track. He won the first three races, the fifth and then had a win and a loss in the finale.

Canterbury (Minnesota):

• McLean Robertson had one starter and at 6-to-1 was a gift with his numbers, especially at that track. He is my number one trainer there for a reason. Cecily Evans, the rider, was 1-for-50 this year.

Del Mar (California):

• Trainer Peter Eurton completed a perfect 3-for-3 day including wins in the first two races.
• Madam Dancealot (Jamie Theriot/Richard Baltas), the second-longest shot in field at 21-1, was the upset winner of the Grade II $250,000 San Clemente Handicap. A last-to-first rally got it done. Sircat Sally (Drayden Van Dyke/Jerry Hollendorfer) was vanned off with a fractured sesamoid (per Jay Privman of the DRF) and another report said retirement from racing was confirmed. She lost for the first time in eight races.
  
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Woodbine (Toronto):

• In the $125,000 feature race, a 3rd-time starter stood out especially at 6-to-1. The 2-year-old filly named Glamanation (David Moran/Michael Doyle) broke her maiden with an $8.90 victory. When paired with Luis Contreras's favorite, the exacta came back $29.30. What made the filly a standout was her two prior races were won by Dream It Is who, under the direction of Contreras, was mentioned in this thread for her impressive win at Saratoga a couple of days ago. But maybe as important, she is a January foal and had the advantage of being slightly more mature than all of her opponents.

 

[GKJ]

At least Arrogate isn't sore judging by these remarks. Hopefully this was just one blemish and he can return to glory.



http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...ert-still-aiming-arrogate-for-pacific-classic

He just bounced, imo. Happens almost all the time in this scenario. Not always, but it was definitely a great day to try and beat him with a price, unlikely you'd get that chance again.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

^If anyone can get a horse to rebound it is Baffert. I have no doubt the horse will perform up to standards next time out. Horses are people, too, or whatever Radar O'Reilly said. They can have off days.

Saratoga (New York):

• Since Hall-of-Famer Wayne Lukas was treated so regally Saturday after his win, what was the reaction following today's opener? My goodness. That has to be near a track record for any opener at the Spa. A 99-to-1 shot -- officially 115-to-1 -- smashes the tote board. Perplexed made the board just once (a third place finish) in nine prior starts all of which were in either Arkansas or Kentucky except his maiden race which was also at the Spa. Other than "all" bets, good luck to anyone who was alive in exotics after this race. And look at Mike Luzzi finish for third after a terrible start to the race.
  
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• The early $2 double was an astonishing $1,342.
• The $2 Pick 5 following race 5 paid more than $36,000.
• Nine jockeys and ten trainers won on the 10-race card. The only repeat winner was Joel Rosario, who as it is often said, will win a second time if he wins a first time during a race day. Miss Ella won the $200,000 Caress, a race she won last year, under Rosario.
• Tyler Gaffalione brought his skills to New York today and won the finale with a $24.00 winner.
• Reigning Jockey of the Year Javier Castellano is currently 1-for-31 at the meet. That is the same win total as Mike Smith who has 30 less rides.
• Manny Franco is a good rider but he is 0-for-26 to start the meet. Saratoga can be difficult and humbling, Corey Lanerie and Julien Leparoux among others have found that out in recent years. It isn't always about the riders, sometimes it is about the mounts.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Stronach has desired a regional situation to include Maryland. Philly was once a rumor. It is too bad he couldn't get Suffolk Downs under his direction and control, that would have added to his empire which is now on both coasts.

There is still chatter that Laurel could be awarded a future Breeders' Cup, maybe in 2020. That would be a massive coup. Size is an issue but Keeneland overcame obstacles and Stronach has the resources to complete the possibility.

Initial plans would call for a limited live season of 30 days in 2018 that would coordinate with the meets at the Stronach-owned Maryland tracks, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course. It is unclear at this stage whether a Massachusetts meet would fit into the spring, summer, or autumn calendar.

Suffolk Downs in Boston, which is owned by Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC and has hosted live racing since 1935, has raced six days in a calendar year since 2015, and plans call for another six-day meet in 2018 even though the property was sold recently to a real estate developer with no interest in continuing live racing or simulcasting.

The purchase and sales agreement with the new owner allows Sterling Suffolk to lease the racing and simulcasting operation for $20,000 per month this year and next, with an option to continue dependent upon the demolition and construction schedule.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...h-group-explores-expansion-into-massachusetts

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome have arrived in the Southern Hemisphere for the upcoming breeding seasons in Australia and Chile, respectively.

American Pharoah, who has stood the past two Northern Hemisphere seasons at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky, will debut at Coolmore Australia for the breeding season beginning Sept. 1 and will return to Kentucky in December.

California Chrome has shuttled to Oussama Aboughazale’s Haras Sumaya in Chile for the Southern Hemisphere season. Taylor Made Farm, which co-owns the stallion and debuted him at stud in Kentucky this year, said Sunday on its social-media outlets that he “traveled well and is settling in nicely.â€

http://www.drf.com/news/pharoah-chrome-head-southern-hemisphere-breeding-season

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

July 25, 2017

Fort Erie (Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada):

• In the 82nd edition of the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, Luis Contreras rode home a 14-to-1 winner. He won this race last year and is the reigning North American Jockey of the Week.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

July 26, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• Javier Castellano woke up from his doldrums and won twice. Castellano has won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey the past four years. He could be in serious competition this year. Mike Smith gets the high caliber horses and the stature of Jose Ortiz has increased and intensified. Whether it is enough to knock off the champ without a knockout blow remains to be seen.
• The Ortiz brothers won the day's two highest purses. Irad won the $75,000 race and Jose own the $200,000. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss or something akin to that philosophy.
• As mentioned a few times, Luis Saez should be considered at any distance, on any surface. A solid rider. He won twice.

Indiana Grand (Indiana):

• Race 3: The $2 exacta paid $1,499. The $1 trifecta over $4,400. The $.10 super paid in excess of $7,000 or $70,000+ for a successful $1 wager.

Del Mar (California):

• The prices were outstanding throughout the day. Seven of the eight races had double digit payouts for the winners.
• Race 5: The winner paid $64.40. The $.50 Pick 5 returned an enormous $24,000+.
• Race 6: The double paid $634.60, the $1 Pick 3 was a wonderful $5,865.
• Race 7: The $1 Pick 3 continued the trend of exceptional payouts with $4287.70 going to all winners.
• Curlin Road (Flavien Prat/Doug O'Neill) won the $100,000 Grade III feature race (race 7) and paid $21.80.
• Evin Roman is a bug who has been generating much buzz. Chalk up two more wins.
• Trainer Jack Carava finished 1-2 in the opening race and then won the second race as well.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

July 27, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

• There were five horses singled heading into the finale which set up a strong probability that the $.20 Rainbow Six would be hit. One bettor was the lucky recipient of $436,000+ for a winning wager.
• The $1 Pick 5 paid more than $13,400 after the final race.
• The 8th race had 12 runners and the second lowest set of odds was 6-to-1. The favorite showed little but managed second.
• After race 5, the $2 pick 4 paid $5,742.60 and the $2 Pick 5 returned $24,808.00.
• An oddity in the first race when an 0-for-19 Indiana-bred in the 7 post decided to head towards the rail coming out of the gate. She was declared a non-starter.

Saratoga (New York):

• Many scratches on the card due to inclement weather and only two races remained on turf. In the third race, six out of the 10 scheduled runners had the day off.
• I sense a trend. I mentioned John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Manny Franco as having rough starts to the meet. On each occasion, those riders won twice the following day(s) and today was Franco's turn. He is now 2-for-38 at Saratoga this meet. So, um, how about it Junior Alvarado?
• Trainer Robert Ribaudo, who generally operates a small stable, has been training since 1976 and has slightly more than 400 career wins, was 2-for-2 winning the first two T-bred races on the card. Race 1 had jumpers and the winner paid $59.
• Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin improved his winning percentage to 50% at the meet 10 5-0-1.
• Trainers Steve Asmussen, Christophe Clement, Wesley Ward and Gary Contessa are a combined 0-for-48. Saratoga can humble.
• Jose Ortiz was off his mounts mid-card due to an elbow injury but X-rays showed no ill effects and he should return Friday.
• John Velazquez had no rides.

Delaware Park (Delaware):

• Ex-jockey recently turned trainer Abel Castellano (brother to Javier), had two runners in race 6 and won with one. He is now 4-for-10 lifetime.
• The $2 Pick 5 paid more than $13,000.

Arlington (Illinois):

• Limestone, a 9-year-old Illinois-bred, ran for the 95th time and finished fifth.

Prairie Meadows (Iowa):

• Brett Birzer won for the first time as a professional jockey and it was in a race in which his dad, Alex, also rode. It was his 25th lifetime ride. One horse he rode recently is named My Toccet whose sire, Toccet, was named after Rick Tocchet.
• Bombs away in the $65,000 feature race. The 22nd running of the Prairie Gold Lassie had a terrific stretch duel with a 22-to-1 and a 14-to-1 separating themselves from the pack. A 9-to-1 finished third. The exacta was $561.80. The trifecta returned more than $1,500. The $1 superfecta paid out over $14,000.
• The daily double for the last two races was $666.60.

Del Mar (California):

• Bourque, who is no longer owned by Eddie Olczyk or Reddam Racing, finished fourth.
• And multiple tickets nailed the $.20 Pick Six for $146,000+. There was $1.1 million bet into the pool just today.

Woodbine (Toronto, Canada):

• The carryover into Friday's racing will start at more than $482,000.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

July 28, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• The Ortiz brothers and Luis Saez each won twice.
• The $100,000 feature race was won by Outplay (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) who wired the field.
• Eric Cancel won the finale, mentioned in this thread recently that he has a knack, even occasionally, for winning the last race on the card.
• Trainer Barclay Tagg, who has just eight wins this year (he won the Kentucky Derby with Funny Cide in 2003) was a perfect 2-for-2 today.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Ashley Castrenze had two mounts and was sent off 1-to-5 in one. She won. The runner up was 21-to-1. A nice exacta returned $26.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 7: A 35-to-1 went gate-to-wire to produce an $80.40 winner and the runner up was a gelding-turned-colt. Hmmm. Must have been an error in the program which was changed on the feed to correct the mistake.
• Race 8: A 16-to-1, shown at 25-to-1 as post time neared, won for the second straight time (prior race was 52-to-1). The double was a shocking $1,569.80.
• The Rainbow Pick Six was hit for the second consecutive day. This payout returned $20,316.
• Trainer Manny Azpurua, who passed away last month at 88, was honored today. He had Social Inclusion who created a buzz in 2014 after breaking a track record.

Arlington (Illinois):

• After a 31-to-1 shot was victorious in the final race, successful bettors to the $1 Super High Five won over a quarter million dollars. For those who invested and played 9-4-1-5-6, there is a handsome reward of $248,110.20 awaiting.

Lone Star (Texas):

• One of three tracks in North America to have a carryover pool in excess of $100,000. Currently listed at $104,000+, the pool is third to Woodbine and Del Mar.

Del Mar (California):

• The pool for the Pick 6 will start at $282,976.

Woodbine (Toronto, Canada):

• The first three winners excluded chalk which led to a $1 Pick 3 worth $738.40
• Rafael Hernandez had the hat trick beginning with race 3.
• Woodbine will begin the day with the top carryover pool in North America. It is listed at $514,407.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

JIM DANDY STAKES (Grade II)

• What: Always Dreaming, who won the Kentucky Derby, and Cloud Computing, who won the Preakness Stakes, square off for the second time in 2017. Cloud Computing will run for just the fifth time in his career.
• History: An annual event at the Spa since 1964.
• When: Saturday, July 29, 2017, Race 10 of 11, 6:18 PM Eastern Time
• Where: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, New York
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile (9 furlongs)
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $600,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-year-old. Open
• Preview: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...lways-dreaming-cloud-computing-head-jim-dandy
• Television: TVG (24/7 horse racing channel) . MSG+ Networks, Altitude (ALT), Fox Sports 2 (FS2), Fox Sports Prime Ticket (FSPT), Fox Sports Ohio (FSO) and Fox Sports San Diego (FSSD) from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. ET though time can be vary depending on outlet.

Post​

| Horse (location bred) | Age/Sex | Jockey |

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line Odds​

1| Always Dreaming (KY)| 3/Colt| John R. Velazquez |123 |Todd A. Pletcher |1/1
2 | Cloud Computing (KY)| 3/Colt|Javier Castellano| 123 |Chad C. Brown| 6/5
3 | Giuseppe the Great (KY) |3/Colt|Luis Saez| 117 |Nicholas P. Zito| 10/1
4| Pavel (KY) |3/Colt| Mario Gutierrez| 117 |Doug F. O'Neill |6/1
5 |Good Samaritan (KY) |3/Colt| Joel Rosario |119 |William I. Mott | 12/1

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

HASKELL INVITATIONAL STAKES (Grade I)

• What: The winner gets an automatic invitation to the Breeders' Cup Classic.
• History: The 50th anniversary. This race has been won most recently by Exaggerator and American Pharoah. West coast shippers have dominated recent years by winning six of the past seven races including five by Bob Baffert.
• When: Sunday, July 30, 2017, Race 12 of 14, 5:47 PM Eastern Time
• Where: Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport, New Jersey
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile (9 furlongs)
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $1,000,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-year-old. Open
• Preview: http://www.brisnet.com/content/2017/07/seven-horse-haskell-features-irish-war-cry-timeline/ and http://www.monmouthpark.com/haskell/
• Television: TVG (24/7 horse racing channel). NBC (5:00 - 6:00 p.m. window) . NBC TV info: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/222781/nbc-plans-live-coverage-of-haskell
• Live stream for the entire card: http://www.monmouthpark.com/video.aspx?id=252

Post​

| Horse (location bred) | Age/Sex | Jockey |

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line Odds​

1| Irish War Cry (NJ) | 3/Colt| Rajiv Maragh| 118| H. Graham Motion |5/2
2| Battle of Midway (KY)| 3/Colt | Flavien Prat| 118 |Jerry Hollendorfer |5/1
3| Timeline (KY) | 3/Colt | Javier Castellano| 118| Chad Brown| 3/1
4| Practical Joke (KY) | 3/Colt| Joel Rosario| 118 |Chad Brown |4/1
5| McCraken (KY) | 3/Colt| Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.| 118| Ian Wilkes |9/2
6| Hence (KY) | 3/Colt | Paco Lopez| 118 |Steve Asmussen| 12/1
7| Girvin (KY) | 3/Colt | Robby Albarado| 118 |Joe Sharp| 6/1

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


CLEMENT L. HIRSCH STAKES (Grade I)

• What: The winner gets an automatic invitation to the Breeders' Cup Longines Distaff.
• History: Stellar Wind attempts to defend her reigning title in this race. Beholder won in 2015. Zenyatta won this race three consecutive years starting in 2008. It returned as an annual race beginning in 1973 after a variant in prior seasons.
• When: Sunday, July 30, 2017, Race 8 of 9, 5:40 PM Pacific Time
• Where: Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar, California
• Distance: 1 1/16 mile (8.5 furlongs)
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $300,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-year-old and up. Fillies and mares.
• Preview: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-ra...ellar-wind-vale-dori-face-off-again-in-hirsch
• Television: TVG (24/7 horse racing channel).

Post​

| Horse (location bred) | Age/Sex | Jockey |

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line Odds​

1| Motown Lady (KY)| 4/Filly| Kent J. Desormeaux| 119| J. Keith Desormeaux |12-1
2| Vale Dori (ARG)| 5/Mare| Mike E. Smith |123 |Bob Baffert| 7-5
3| Stellar Wind (VA)| 5/Mare| Victor Espinoza| 123| John W. Sadler| 6-5
4| Autumn Flower (KY) | 5/Mare| Martin A. Pedroza |119 |Dan L. Hendricks| 15-1
5| Shenandoah Queen (KY)| 5/Mare| Drayden Van Dyke|119 |John W. Sadler| 20-1
6| Faithfully (KY)| 5/Mare| Rafael Bejarano |119 |Bob Baffert| 4-1

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

Many graded stakes across the circuits. There are also four Breeders Cup races among this weekend's superb schedules. Those are:

Jul 29 DEL MAR: Bing Crosby Stakes -- TwinSpires Sprint
Jul 29 ASCOT: King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes sponsored by QIPCO -- Longines Turf
Jul 30 MONMOUTH: Haskell Invitational -- Classic
Jul 30 DEL MAR: Clement L. Hirsch Handicap -- Longines Distaff

Woodbine, Saratoga, Del Mar and Monmouth are among the facilities hosting grades stakes races this weekend. Previews of which can be found here: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/222798/weekend-stakes-rundown-monmouths-big-day

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

July 29, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• Race 10: In the $600,000 Grade II Jim Dandy, Good Samaritan (Joel Rosario/Bill Mott), the second longest shot on the board at 8-to-1, tried dirt for the first time after six lifetime starts on turf and defeated both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners. My rule about Rosario was applied that whenever he wins a race he will find a way to win a second. The problem, oftentimes, is getting him to win that first. Rosario is as physically gifted a rider as there is in the land. A plan was apparently hatched and eventually utilized. He came out from the outside gate and went straight to the rail. A maneuver that made him lose much ground to the frontrunners and likely considered an afterthought to many at that point. However, I whispered to a cohort that Rosario was going to win this race after noticing that. He remained in last at the three-quarters pole. Rosario was as determined as I have ever seen him. An incredible athletic ability combined with a brilliant acumen for this race. Marvelous to watch implemented. It was lights out as soon as Rosario got to roll.
  
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• Race 9: Hunter O'Riley (Florent Geroux/James Toner) upset the field as the longest shot on the board at 16-to-1 in the $250,000 Grade II Bowling Green. Geroux is now 1-for-18 at the meet.
  
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• Race 8: El Deal (Javier Castallano/Jorge Navarro) teamed to win the Grade I Vanderbilt and its $350,000 purse. A.P. Indian, ridden by Joe Bravo, was a scratch after what appeared to be a precautionary measure due to an ankle injury. He was the favorite and defending race champion. UPDATE: A.P. Indian has been retired from racing.
  
• Race 5: Coal Front (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) won the $200,000 Amsterdam
• Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez teamed to win three times including a pair of two-year-old runners named Mojovation and El Dulce who won their debuts.
• John Velazquez must have read my messages. He won four times in the first five races. He had a slump-busting few days and is now 23% at the meet after a terrible start. Perhaps enough to garner Jockey of the Week.
• Jockeys John Velazquez (4), Jose Ortiz (3) and Joel Rosario (2) won 9 of the 11 races.
• Trainers Todd Pletcher (4) and Chad Brown (2) won multiple times.
• Junior Alvarado is not getting many good mounts and is 0-for-19 at the meet. Perhaps more alarming is that Paco Lopez is 0-for-29.
• The Ortiz brothers lead the meet with 12 victories apiece.
• I expect Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown to battle every day for supremacy atop the trainer standings. Right now, Pletcher leads 9-to-8. Highly successful trainers Steve Asmussen, Mark Casse and Wesley Ward are a combined 2-for-53.
• $2 Pick 6 paid $49,000+ and the $2 Pick 5 paid $59,000+ to end the card.
• More than $27,000,000 was wagered on the 11-race card.

Monmouth (New Jersey):

• I don't recall too many South Carolina breds at Monmouth but one was entered in the opening race.
• Someone has a sense of humor and/or is a Green Acres fan. A horse named Arnold Ziffle was entered in race 8.

Delaware Park (Delaware):

• The double after race 7 paid $957.80. A $44.40 winner went gate-to-wire in a race in which Larry Jones had his lone starter.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Sheldon Russell won four times. It took a while but he has been rebounding quite nicely recently after returning from his multiple injuries and prolonged absence.
• Race 8 had just two runners after nine were scratched. Sloppy weather in the mid-Atlantic contributed to reduced fields.
• Training 2-year-old runners can be a difficult task but Lacey Gaudet was victorious with a 12-to-1 M/L sent off at 4-to-1.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Trainer Carlo Vaccarezza won twice. He owns a highly recommended dining establishment a few miles north of the race track named Frank and Dino’s in Deerfield Beach.
• Miguel Vazquez is nearing the top of the meet's win column for jockeys with two victories. He was the only rider to win multiple times in the 12-race card.
• In race 3, the runner up paid $63.20 in the middle, the first time in 25 lifetime starts the horse finished first or second.
• A mid-summer card without notable races and yet still $17,000,000+ bet.

Ellis Park (Kentucky):

• Trainer Gary Thomas, who was 0-for-51 in 2017, finally made the winner's circle when Calvin Borel delivered a 12-to-1 to the promise land.

Praririe Meadows (Iowa):

• The highest payout in North America today for any race, the $.50 Pick 5 Jackpot returned over $101,000 to all successful handicappers. Rider David Cabrera won three of those five races.

Canterbury (Minnesota):

• It has been mentioned here a few times but McLean Robertson can train. Chalk up three more winners.

Del Mar (California):

• In the $300,000 Bing Crosby, Ransom the Moon (Flavien Prat/Phil D'Amato) was the victor and paid $10.80. The Ontario-bred is now 3-for-4 since relocating to California from Canada. Mike Smith got dumped by his mount Drefong, the lightest race of those entered yet the earner of the most money. Drefong began the day with a 5-race win streak in 6 career starts but was last out at the Breeders' Cup in November 2016.
  
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[MiamiScreamingEagles]

July 30, 2017

Monmouth (New Jersey):

• The 50th running of the $1,000,000 Grade I Haskell, the signature event at the meet. Girvin (Robby Albarado/Joe Sharp) won for the fourth time in seven lifetime starts. His other Grade I appearance was a 13th place finish in the 2017 Kentucky Derby and had a reported quarter crack injury around that time. His most recent victory came in April's Louisiana Derby. This was the only starter for either the trainer or jockey. Sharp, who is in his early 30's and married to former jockey Rosie Napravnik, has about 75 horses in his stable; this is probably his biggest racing victory to date. Two of the three highest odds on the board finished first and second. This race adds to the unpredictable 2017 3-year-old season. The owner of Girvin will celebrate his 38th birthday this week and named the horse after his hometown in Texas.
  
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• A 14-race card with five stakes races.
• Four riders won multiple times. Antonio Gallardo (3), Nik Juarez (3), Paco Lopez (2) and Javier Castellano (2) combined for 10 wins.
• Chad Brown, who won two graded stakes, and Kelly Breen each trained three winners.
• Journeyman rider Eddie Castro had a tough day finishing out of the money with all eight mounts.

Saratoga (New York):

• Trainer Chad Brown was a perfect 3-for-3 at the Spa. He won at each of the three tracks in which he had starters (Saratoga, Monmouth and Woodbine) and was a remarkable 10 7-0-1 (7 winners among 10 starters). However, one of the wins was in the $200,000 Grade III Shuvee with a field of just three. That is a terrible opener. Paid Up Subscriber won officially by 32 1/2 lengths.
  
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• Jose Lezcano won three of the final four races including a 31-to-1 bomb in race 7 which paid $64.00. He always had the reputation for being a superior turf rider and each of the three races was held on that surface. Lezcano entered the day with just two wins at the meet.
• Jose Ortiz also won three times. Add two more wins to John Velazquez's week. He should get significant attention for Jockey of the Week based on volume more so than purses.
• Following race 9, the $2 pick 3 returned more than $6,500.
• Following race 10, the $2 Pick 4 paid an exceptional $59,000.
• 25,000+ people attended a busy Spa and more than $15,000,000 was wagered through all circuits.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Trainer Arnaud Delacour has a couple of impressive numbers at the meet: he is 53% in wins and 76% in the money with his 17 starters to date.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Miguel Vasquez has 24 wins at the meet after three more victories today, He is currently third in the standings, seven behind the leader Tyler Gaffalione.

Mountaineer (West Virginia):

• A $77 winner topped a $2 exacta that returned $1,141.40, a $2 trifecta that returned $10,023.60 and a $2 superfecta that paid $23,782.20. The Pick 5 paid over $10,000.

Woodbine (Toronto, Canada):

• The $1 superfecta paid over $39,000 in the finale.
• Luis Contreras won three times including once for Chad Brown.

Del Mar (California):

• The $2 Pick Six paid over $32,000 to multiple winners. The single-ticket jackpot carried over to Wednesday and now stands at $441,293.
• Mike Smith had two wins and topped one exacta that returned $261. Poetic (trained by Richard Mandella) is a 2-year-old who broke her maiden in her debut race today at 9-to-1. The second highest shot on the board among the nine entered placed at 23-to-1,
• Stellar Wind (Victor Espinoza/John Sadler) defeated Vale Dori (Mike Smith/Bob Baffert) by a neck in the Grade I $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch. The chalky exacta paid just $4.20 for a $2 bet. Stellar Wind won for the tenth time in 15 starts and 13 of her races have been in graded stakes competition. The 5-year-old Virginia-bred is 15 10-2-1 with lifetime earnings over $2,200,000. Vale Dori is 16 9-5-1 (14 times either 1st or 2nd in 16 starts) including 6 4-2-0 in 2017 with both defeats coming to today's winner. The $.50 trifecta in this race paid $2.00. That is as low as I remember.
  
  ​
  
  

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

July 31, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• The $2 Pick Six paid $108,743. The $2 Pick 5 returned $29,095.
• Morticia, who set a track record at Laurel July 15, won for the fifth time in seven lifetime starts. Jose Lezcano rode another turf winner, this time in the $100,000 feature.
• Race 7: A Finger Lakes horse ridden by Angel Arroyo won for the third straight time. It has to be a special moment for the Finger Lakes personnel to have a runner entered at Saratoga and not only win but to hold off Irad Ortiz, Jr. at 1-to-2.
• Irad Ortiz (3) and his brother Jose (2) combined to win five of the nine races.
• The handle was approximately $11.5 million...for a 9-race Monday.
• There was plenty on the line in this photo finish. Three across the wire and that is Javier Castellano in the not too distant fourth position.
  
  

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• It was bombs away late in the day when 18-to-1 and 36-to-1 won consecutive races.
• Race 7: $39.00 winner, $2,690 tri and a $1 super that paid over $8,100.
• Race 8: $74.80 winner, $4,428 tri and a $1 super that paid over $48,000. The $2 Pick 3 paid over $4,000. The $1 Pick 4 approached $12,000.
• Race 9: $1,005.60 was the gift for hitting the trifecta. The $2 Pick 3 paid over $2,000.

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

The Jockeys Guild announced that Robby Albarado was the recipient of the Jockey of the Week. Based on volume and certainly promise, I thought John Velazquez should/would be the receiver of the award though the purse money wasn't in his favor in most of those races. Albarado won a $1,000,000 race and apparently that is enough.

Meanwhile, trainer Chad Brown had staggering numbers dating July 24 - July 31. He was 31 13-7-4 (42% wins, 77% in the money). At Saratoga, arguably the toughest meet of the year, he was 23 9-7-2 (39% wins, 78% in the money). He is entrusted with some fantastically gifted animals but he also gets them for a reason. He is currently 25% lifetime in wins.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

August 1, 2017

A typical quiet Tuesday as many tracks are dark but one payout worth noting:

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• Trainer Michael Aro hit a home run today with a $105.60 winner. He doesn't have many horses in his stable but has been training since the 1970s.

The Grade I "Midsummer Derby" Travers is taking shape (August 26 at Saratoga). Those who could be among the entries:

• Girvin -- winner of the Haskell.
  
• McCracken -- runner up to Girvin in the Haskell.
  
• Good Samaritan -- winner of the Jim Dandy.
  
• Giuseppe the Great -- runner up to Good Samaritan in the Jim Dandy.
  
• Always Dreaming -- Kentucky Derby winner.
  
• Outplay, Tapwrit and Patch -- all three are trained by Todd Pletcher.
  
• Fayeq -- had an allowance victory July 26 at Saratoga.
  
• Cloud Computing -- Preakness winner.
  
• Classic Empire -- top four in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
  
• Irap -- coming off wins in both the Ohio Derby and Indiana Derby.
  
• Gunnervera -- has been in eight straight graded stakes races.
  
• West Coast -- Bob Baffert runner coming in off three wins.

The list is fluid.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

August 1, 2017

A typical quiet Tuesday as many tracks are dark but one payout worth noting:

Check out goodwood winners yesterday and exactas, trifectas price, etc

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Check out goodwood winners yesterday and exactas, trifectas price, etc

I saw the Strad-Big Orange race and the track announcer's disappointment reminded me at least minimally of Tom Durkin and Birdstone in the 2004 Belmont. But those payouts as you indicated....yup. A couple of remarks left on Twitter (refreshing the page may be needed):

​

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

August 2, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• If there was ever a case to feel mortified about cashing a ticket it was in the 10th and final race. Todd Pletcher with 2-year-old runners should almost always be considered. You have arguably the top East coast rider on board in Jose Ortiz. You have 5-to-1 odds. The only conceivable drawback is that it is the filly's maiden race and that can lead to unpredictability. Then again. March X Press missed the break badly, was bottled but then with a terrific maneuver by Ortiz went to the outside and shot like a cannon. When replays are made available, it will be posted here. A New York-bred in state company but she had quality turf breeding. $12.40 for the win. Run for cover.
• Race 9: The $100,000 feature, Carina Mia (Javier Castellano/Chad Brown) was the obvious class in this race and she has earned over $1,000,000 in her 12 races. She didn't disappoint and at 1-to-2 she had heavy support despite a 6-race skid. It was the first time she trained under Brown after a switch from Bill Mott.
• Outsiders can find it especially difficult at the Spa and as mentioned in this thread recent history has been documented. While I think Florent Geroux is a better jockey than Julien Leparoux, both have a resume filled with success yet have struggled to date. However, both were victorious. Geroux was 1-for-23 but got every needed inch in pushing his 11-to-1 to victory. Leparoux was 2-for-24 and won in his only ride of the day,
• Add another turf win for Jose Lezcano, this time on a $37.40 winner in race 3.

Delaware Park (Delaware):

• The tote board saw some fireworks.
  • Race 4: $2 Pick 4 paid $2,457.40.
  • Race 5: $114.60 winner. $4,533.20 for the $2 trifecta. $13,993.80 for a $1 superfecta. $702.80 for the $2 double. $11,016.40 for the $2 Pick 3.
  • Race 6: $2 Pick 3 paid $13,301.80. The $2 double returned $916.80.

Del Mar (California):

• Pick 6 hit for $603,613 when Pistol Packin Rose (Rafael Bejarano/Doug O'Neill) crossed the finish line first. She was one of three runners singled in the finale. The person who had the only winning combination purchased it at The Meadowlands in New Jersey.

Woodbine (Toronto, Canada):

• Eurico da Silva won four of the eight races.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

This post will be updated to include morning line odds.

LONGINES TEST STAKES (Grade I)

• What: A race in which fillies and eventually mares form the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint division.
• History: First run in 1922. Jerry Bailey won this race six times including in three consecutive decades.
• When: Saturday, August 5, 2017, Race 8 of 11, 5:10 PM Eastern Time
• Where: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, New York
• Distance: 7 furlongs
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $500,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-year-old. Fillies.
• Preview: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...aypien-american-gal-ship-east-for-test-stakes
• Television: TVG (24/7 horse racing channel). NBCSN from 5:00 pm ET - 6:00 pm ET.
• Full card: http://www.drf.com/race-entries/track/SAR/country/USA/date/08-05-2017

Post​

| Horse (location bred) | Age/Sex | Jockey |

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line Odds​

1 |Minnie Blip (KY) |3/filly| Javier Castellano |116| Albert M. Stall, Jr. |15-1
2 |Your Love (KY)| 3/filly|Irad Ortiz, Jr. |116| Chad C. Brown| 6-1
3 |Chalon (KY) |3/filly|Paco Lopez |116 |Peter Miller | 5-1
4 |Tequilita (KY) |3/filly|Luis Saez |120| Michael R. Matz| 15-1
5 |Vertical Oak (KY)| 3/filly| Florent Geroux| 118 |Steven M. Asmussen| 8-1
6 |Cursor (KY)| 3/filly| Junior Alvarado |116 |Mark A. Hennig|30-1
7 |Divine Miss Grey (KY)| 3/filly|Manuel Franco |116 |Danny Gargan |12-1
8| Faypien (FL)| 3/filly| Rafael Bejarano |120| Bob Baffert |3-1
9 |Chanel's Legacy (IA) |3/filly| Joel Rosario |116| Chad Summers| 15-1
10 |American Gal (KY)| 3/filly| Jose L. Ortiz |118| Simon Callaghan |5-2

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

WHITNEY STAKES (Grade I)

• What: Gun Runner attempts to add to his exceptional career. The winner gets an automatic invitation to the Breeders' Cup Classic.
• History: Inaugurated in 1928, legends such as Discovery, Tom Fool, Kelso, Dr. Fager, Alydar, Easy Goer, Lady's Secret, Blame and many others have won.
• When: Saturday, August 5, 2017, Race 9 of 11, 5:46 PM Eastern Time
• Where: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, New York
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile (9 furlongs)
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $1,200,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-year-old and up. Open
• Preview: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/222868/all-eyes-on-gun-runner-in-whitney-stakes
• Television: TVG (24/7 horse racing channel). NBCSN from 5:00 pm ET - 6:00 pm ET.
• Full card: http://www.drf.com/race-entries/track/SAR/country/USA/date/08-05-2017

Post​

| Horse (location bred) | Age/Sex | Jockey |

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line Odds​

1| War Story (KY)| 5/gelding| Javier Castellano | 121 | Jorge Navarro| 6-1
2| Breaking Lucky (ON)| 5/horse| Luis Contreras |117 |Reade Baker|8-1
3| Cautious Giant (KY)| 6/gelding| Jose A. Bracho| 117 |Anthony T. Quartarolo| 30-1
4 |Tu Brutus (CHI)|5/horse| Irad Ortiz, Jr. |117| Gary C. Contessa|8-1
5 |Keen Ice (KY)| 5/horse| Jose L. Ortiz |121 |Todd A. Pletcher|3-1
6 |Gun Runner (KY) | 4/ colt| Florent Geroux |124 |Steven M. Asmussen| 4-5
7 |Discreet Lover (FL) |4/colt| Eric Cancel| 117| Uriah St. Lewis | 25-1

Gun Runner doesn't get enough exposure as one of the greats of this era. He is a ferocious beast. A look at his career includes 15 races and 8 wins. His official mark is 15 8-3-2 (13 of 15 in the money). He has been first or second in his last six races (6 3-3-0). He finished third in the 2016 Kentucky Derby. Two losses were in races won by Arrogate. He has surpassed $4,600,000 in earnings.

Grade I races: 7 2-2-2
Grade II races: 4 2-1-0
Grade III races: 2 2-0-0
Other: 2 2-0-0
​

He has won at four tracks: Churchill Downs (4), Fair Grounds (2), Keeneland and Oaklawn. A win at the Spa would certainly boost his standing and reputation.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBC info for Saturday's broadcast:

Led by multiple graded stakes winner Gun Runner, a top field of seven horses is set for the 1 1/8 mile, $1.2 million Whitney this Saturday, August 5 at 5 p.m. ET on the live NBC broadcast from Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The one-hour 'Summer at Saratoga' program, which will also include the Longines Test Stakes, is a part of the "Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In - Presented by Lane's End Farm and America's Best Racing.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...esents-live-coverage-of-whitney-from-saratoga

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

WEST VIRGINIA DERBY (Grade III)

• What: A very competitive race, the signature event at the meet.
• History: First run in 1923. A race dominated by Steve Asmussen and Bob Baffert in recent years as each has won four times since 2005.
• When: Saturday, August 5, 2017, Race 8 of 9, 5:21 PM Eastern Time
• Where: Mountaineer Racetrack, New Cumberland, West Virginia
• Distance: 1 1/8 mile (9 furlongs)
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $750,000
• Runners (age, sex): Three-year-old. Open
• Preview: http://www.morningjournalnews.com/sports/local-sports/2017/08/field-of-11-coming-to-wv derby/ and http://www.brisnet.com/content/2017/08/patch-lookin-lee-among-11-competitive-west-virginia-derby/
• Television: TVG (24/7 horse racing channel)
• Full card: http://www.drf.com/race-entries/track/MNR/country/USA/date/08-05-2017

Post​

| Horse (location bred) | Age/Sex | Jockey |

Weight​

|

Trainer​

|

Morning Line Odds​

1| Game Over (KY)| 3/colt | Deshawn L. Parker| 118 | Jorge Navarro |12/1
2 | Phat Man (KY) |3/gelding |Ricardo Santana, Jr. |118 | Joe Sharp |10/1
3 | Patch (KY) |3/colt |Tyler Gaffalione |118| Todd A. Pletcher |7/2
4 | B Squared (CA) |3/colt |Mario Gutierrez |118| Doug F. O'Neill |9/2
5 | Impressive Edge (KY) | 3/colt |Robby Albarado |118| Dale L. Romans| 8/1
6 | Watch Me Whip (KY) |3/colt | Jose Lezcano| 118 |Dale L. Romans |20/1
7 | Colonelsdarktemper (KY)| 3/colt | Jon Kenton Court| 118 |William H. Fires| 8/1
8 | Lookin At Lee (KY)| 3/colt |Corey J. Lanerie| 118| Steven M. Asmussen| 3/1
9 | Silver Dust (KY)|3/colt | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. |118 |Randy L. Morse |15/1
10 | Heartwood (KY) |3/colt |Nik G. Goodwin| 118 |James K. Chapman| 50/1
11 | McCormick (KY)|3/colt | Julien R. Leparoux | 118| Ian R. Wilkes |6/1

I don't know much about the connections on #10, the 50-to-1. Nik Goodwin the jockey won his first race at Winnipeg's Assiniboia Downs and is riding at Minnesota's Canterbury Downs most recently where he won for the 1,000th time in June.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

One of Lavin's horses was named Old Time Hockey who is a son to Smarty Jones and ran 42 times.

“Winners make it happen. Losers let it happen.”

That was the motto of self-made entrepreneur, World War II combat veteran, racehorse owner/breeder and philanthropist Leonard H. Lavin, who died at age 97 Wednesday, Aug. 2, at his River Forest, Illinois, home from complications related to pneumonia.

Although Thoroughbred endeavors occupied only a slice of Lavin’s richly diverse life, he enjoyed immense pleasure from founding Glen Hill Farm in Ocala, Florida, in 1966. A half-century later, Lavin was honored with the 2015 Eclipse Award of Merit for his decades of service within the Thoroughbred industry.

Born in Chicago Oct. 29, 1919, Lavin came of age during the Great Depression. As a 9-year-old in 1928, his father took him on a train from Chicago to see Reigh Count win the GI Kentucky Derby. As a teenager, he skipped school to bet on Equipoise when he ran at Washington Park or Arlington Park.

Lavin counted among his racing career highlights a 1972 match race victory by his filly Convenience over national champion Typecast, which drew more than 50,000 people to Hollywood Park.

Yet among some 184 stakes wins at 28 tracks, Bernick said his grandfather’s proudest moment was winning the GIII Equipoise Mile with homebred Split Run in 1993.

That’s because that race coincided with the 50th reunion of Lavin’s naval shipmates aboard the USS DuPage, and 100 of the men he fought alongside in battle made the trip to Arlington Park for the race.

“The 50th year reunion was a big deal, and the reunion was being held in Chicago and he took everyone to Arlington,” Bernick recalled. “I know it was wonderful for him to win that race. Obviously he’d won bigger races, but that was a special day for him.”

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/glen-hill-founder-leonard-lavin-passes-away/

August 3, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• Luzzi!! The power of Mike Luzzi reached Saratoga in his only ride of the day. He is now 1-for-8 at the meet after holding off the Ortiz brothers with an 11-to-1 bomb in the second race (jumpers rode in the opener).
• The skies opened for Junior Alvarado...finally. He is now 1-for-28 after a 6-to-1 named Dream Mover, a playable Irish-bred making his debut in the U.S. after 11 races in Europe including his most recent outing in Italy, won the ninth race. The unknown commodity existed but this had the appearance of a potential winner for Alvarado who has not been given too many good horses yet at the meet. Trained by Jimmy Jerkens who is now 2-2-0 in 6 starts at the meet.
• Dylan Davis also got his first win, a $32.20 price in race 5. He is now 1-for-30 at the meet.
• No jockey or trainer had multiple victories today. A rarity. Even more uncommon perhaps was neither Ortiz brother found the winner's circle. Trainer Christophe Clement, generally one of the most respected in the industry, got his first win and is now 1-for-13. Carla Morgan won for the 129th time, in the finale, and is now 1-for-1 at the meet. Go figure.
• Hard Study (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) won the 1 3/4 $100,000 feature race. The 14 furlong length is somewhat uncommon, today's win was less than two seconds off the track record for the distance set in 1928.
• Jose Ortiz (19), Irad Ortiz, Jr. (17) and John Velazquez (11) lead the meet in wins and all three are at 22%, the high figure for jockeys who are top ten in victories.
• At some point Paco Lopez has to win. One of the best at Monmouth, he is 0-for-38 at the Spa.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 5 had a dead heat for first.
• Luca Panici and Edgard Zayas were the only riders with multiple wins. Panici was caught in the stretch in race 2 but rebounded with a strong performance in the next race. In race 9, a 70-to-1 came in second to Panici's favorite and the exact was a resounding $360.60. You gotta love when 9-to-5 shots top exactas worth that sum.

Delaware Park (Delaware):

• Bombs away again in Delaware.
• Quite the day for journeyman rider Scott Spieth. He won a perfect 3-for-3 and won races 5, 7 and 8. Two of his victories were $63.00 and $33.80.
• If you had those Scott Spieth wins as part of the Pick 4, buy the man a beverage. The $1 Pick 4 with three Spieth winners paid $10,290.20.
• Race 8: $2 Pick 4 paid $20,580.40.
• Race 7: $2 Pick 5 paid $81,738.80. $2 Pick 3 paid $1,111.40.
• Race 5: $2 win paid $63.00. The $2 exacta paid $703.20. The $2 trifecta paid $11,030.00. The $2 Pick 3 paid $3,214.60. The $1 superfecta was listed at $103,669.20.
  

Canterbury (Minnesota):

• Race 3: Nine horses entered from eight different states: New York, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Kentucky (2), Florida, Louisiana, Iowa and California.
• Race 4: Evening Concerto should be everyone's pick tonight. The 10-year-old gelding has a lifetime record of 119 19-14-26. This will be his 120th lifetime race.

Del Mar (California):

• Bug rider Evin Roman won three more times. He leads the meet with 15 wins.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

August 4, 2017

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Tyler Gaffalione won four times and was in the money in seven of his mounts (8 4-1-2). He is the leading rider at the track.
• The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $11,000 after the fifth race.
• In the finale, won by Tyler Gaffalione on a favorite, the $1 superfecta returned $16,000. Things like that happen when 17-1, 27-1, 30-1 follow the winner.

Saratoga (New York):

• $19,000,000+ handled.
• The $2 Pick 6 paid out $37,000+.
• Bricks and Mortar (Joel Rosario/Chad Brown) won the $200,000 Grade II Hall of Fame. The 3-year-old colt is now a perfect 4-for-4 lifetime and all under the guidance of Rosario who may be in the catbird seat with this youngster. It was the third consecutive time Brown has won this race and fourth overall.
  
  ​

Laurel (Maryland):

• In race, 6 Jose Barnes won for just the second time in North America (40 starts) and brought in a $124.00 winner.

Ellis Park (Kentucky):

• Mr. Cub couldn't hold on but at 46-to-1 he finished second and part of a $1 tri that returned $1,713.10 and a $1 super that paid $26,000+.

Hastings (Vancouver, Canada):

• The biggest payout in North America for Friday at just under $50,000 for the Pick 6

.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A couple of tracks that could be overlooked by some tomorrow but have attractive offerings:

• Woodbine has a potential carryover beginning around $600,000.
  
• Suffolk Downs is running one of its three 2-day meets and has roughly 316 horses entered over the weekend. Trainer Jay Bernardini, currently in West Virginia and recently in Ohio, has 18 entered.

Also, it appears rain could be in the forecast for the area around Saratoga and that could dramatically affect the races including the Whitney.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

August 5, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• Gun Runner is a terrific athlete and as I mentioned above one of the greats of this era. He deserves any and all accolades. He s now 16 9-3-2 and has earned over $5,280,000. Florent Geroux/Steve Asmussen have teamed ideally. A pleasure to watch in the Whitney. Following the race, Gun Runner was given a 112 Beyer Figure which, from what I can find, is the sixth highest figure issued this year. His final time of 1:47.71 was the fastest Whitney since Lawyer Ron set a track record 1:46.64 in 2007. The margin of victory was reported to be the largest in the last 36 years. Impressive indeed. Next up: the Woodward at Saratoga on September 2.
  
  ​
• American Gal (Jose Ortiz/Simon Callghan) -- "She got an A+" -- topped a 1-2 California ticket in which a former Bob Baffert runner defeated a current Bob Baffert runner (Faypian ridden by California-based jockey Rafael Bejarano) in the Grade I Test and the $500,000 purse.
  
  ​
• Race 4: $2 Pick 3 paid $2,125.
• Race 5: $2 Pick 5 paid $36,166 and the $2 Pick 4 returned $8,122.
• Race 10: $2 pick 6 paid $41,841.
• Junior Alvardo won for the second time this meet with a 22-to-1 bomber for Bill Mott in race 4. The duo have teamed successfully in the past but seem to match too infrequently at the meet. The $2 superfecta paid $11,000+.
• John Velazquez won three times including for Todd Pletcher twice. Pletcher had a pair of 2-year-old starters and finished first and third in race 6 in which Chris DeCarlo finished second on a 49-to-1 shot.
• Todd Pletcher had seven starters and went 7 2-3-1
• Joe Bravo won the $100,000 purse in race 7 for Kiaran McLaughlin on a 14-to-1 shot which paid $30.60. Chad Brown runners came in second and third.
• Paco Lopez is now 0-for-44.
• Approximately $30,000,000 was handled from all sources.

Monmouth (New Jersey):

• Journeyman rider Eddie Castro won four times.

Mountaineer (West Virginia):

• Harsh criticism time: The $750,000 feature race on the card should not be going off as horses enter the gate at Saratoga for the Grade I Whitney. Someone needed to balk. Saratoga is on a schedule due to national TV with a one-hour window. The two biggest races in the east should not have been run simultaneously.
• In the race, 56-year-old Jon Court surprised many of us riding Colonelsdarktemper to a gate-to-wire win at 7-to-1. Jinks Fires, the 77-year-old trainer who is also Court's father-in-law, won his first graded stakes race since 2011. Former auto racer A.J. Foyt Jr. owns the colt. Court held off the #1 who finished second at 4-to-1. Patch went off the 2-to-1 favorite and finished fourth. The questionable entry of Heartwood (50-to-1 ML who went off 97-to-1) seemed answerable by a $500,000 purchase price upon further research and later sold to the trainer/owner for $75,000. The horse was second at the 3/4 poll but faded to 10th and last by the mile pole and he ended in last place.
• Not a good day for the combination of Tyler Gaffalione/Todd Pletcher who had three starters and the best they mustered was a third place.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Race 11: The $.20 Pick 6 paid over $14,000. The $2 Pick 4 returned $35,841.40. The $2 Pick 3 paid $2,515.80.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Emisael Jaramillo had what can perhaps be called a career day. He not only won four times but was in the money in each of his 10 mounts. He finished 10 4-5-1.
• Luca Panici and Edgard Zayas also won multiple times.
• Trainer Phil Combest has just three wins in 74 starts in his career but has now won two of his last three. In race 6, he had a $112.20 winner.
• A rough estimate based on a quick count but there were 90 trainers who entered horses. An exorbitant amount.

Suffolk Downs (Massachusetts):

• Though it lacked national appeal, a 15-race card these days is almost non-existent. The staff put together a solid day of racing one of six scheduled in 2017.
• Brian Pedroza, a mid-Atlantic rider, won four times including three consecutive races. He finished 6 4-0-1.
• The finale was won by a 56-to-1 bomb which paid $114.00. The $1 superfecta paid $27,000+ which was the highest payout in North America except for two returns at Saratoga.
• In race 12, a 62-to-1 paid $70.80 for finishing second.
• Jay Bernardini, mentioned above, won the opener. The majority of his horses run Sunday in a similar type race day.
• The feature $75,000 purse was won by Mike Luzzi. Woo, Luzzi!

Saturday, Bellavais rallied to win the $75,000 Drumptop Stakes.

Trained by James Toner and ridden to victory by Michael Luzzi, the 3-year-old daughter of Tapit stalked the pace and launched a strong bid on the turn. She hit the lead and drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths to complete the mile in 1:42 4/5. Toner also won the Drumptop Stakes in 1997 with Gastronomical.

“I had been only on this filly once before,” said Luzzi. “I got on her in the morning to get a feel for her because she can be a little tricky – she can be mouthy and wants things her way. The pace slowed down a little bit and I knew we were in a good position and she finished really strong.”


Bellavais returned $6.80, 4.00 and 3.20. Notapradaprice paid $14.20 and 5.80 while Cool returned $5.80.

http://www.itemlive.com/2017/08/06/iffy-weather-doesnt-deter-racing-fans-suffolk-downs/



============================
Songbird's option are plenty but seem to be three strong possibilities:

• The Pacific Classic at Del Mar on August 19 against Arrogate which means Mike Smith would have to make a decision. I would imagine Arrogate takes preference based on the failure in the last race. If so, a replacement rider would be easy to find for Songbird.
  
• A second option is the Personal Ensign at Saratoga on August 26.
  
• A third option is the Zenyatta at Santa Anita on September 30 which means she could face Stellar Wind and would bypass both meets at Del Mar and Saratoga.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

August 6, 2017

Suffolk Downs (Massachusetts):

• Another 15-race card, consecutive doubleheaders are almost unheard of in current settings. Post time was before noon time and started with a non-betting stakes race. Many shippers from surrounding and nearby states.
• Local legend Tammi Piermarini, who has been riding sparingly at Finger Lakes in New York, returned home and had a fantastic day with six wins and a perfect 3-for-3 in stakes races. Her feat is one off the track record of seven. The achievement shouldn't be dwarfed by the total races on the card. She was 8 6-1-0 (6 wins in 8 starts). The track is in what appears to be its second-to-last year of existence; has been around since 1928.
• One of the wins for Tammi Piermarini was on a 1-to-9 lock. Dr. Blarney is a Mass-bred and arguably the best of the rare state breds currently running. The 4-year-old is 6-for-6 lifetime at Suffolk and 14 10-0-1 lifetime (10 wins in 14 races should be cause for celebration). Trained by Karl Grusmark who has been training since 1965.
• Luzzi!!! The power of Mike Luzzi has no boundaries. He was up from New York the weekend. He originally finished second in one of his two rides but filed an objection and the stewards agreed which meant he was elevated to the win. He rode Fried Baloney for Nick Zito to that victory. Luzzi: wins on three straight cards.
• While the volume of wins didn't materialize as I anticipated above, trainer Jay Bernardini had the biggest winner on the day at 12-to-1.

^ This is fairly significant to get national exposure. A powerful performance, she has been riding since the mid 1980s. The card had 15 races though one was a non-wagering event.

Jockey Tammi Piermarini notched six winners on Sunday's fourteen race card at Suffolk Downs and swept the three stakes races on tap for the afternoon.

Piermarini kicked off her day in the $50,000 Louise Kimball Stakes which was run as an exhibition race at the beginning of the day with a victory aboard Frosty Nurse for trainer Karl Grusmark. The three-year-old daughter of Freud is owned and bred by Joseph DiRico and was moved up to first via disqualification to earn her first victory.

As the remainder of the card got underway, Piermarini continued her success with a win in the first race aboard Charlie Riffic ($7.60) for longtime local trainer Bobby Raymond. She returned to the winner's circle after Mr. Grey ($18.00) prevailed by a nose for trainer Antonio Arriaga.

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/...-sweeps-stakes-wins-six-suffolk-downs-sunday/

Arlington (Illinois):

• Jose Valdivia, Jr. won five times in seven mounts. I seem to recall he won five races earlier this year at either Arlington or Hawthorne.
  
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Saratoga (New York):

• There may not be a better sports venue in all of North America.
• Over 31,000 people attended and track handle neared $20,000.000.
• Following the 11th and final race, the $2 Pick 5 returned $64,420.
• Paco Lopez won. Let it ring. My comment yesterday about Lopez being 0-for-44 screeched something alarming. He won the opener today on a 13-to-1 bomb. Lopez is 1-for-49 through Sunday's card.
• Manny Franco had a spectacular hat trick winning races 7, 8 and 9. His daily double paid $625 when $43.20 and $27.00 winners followed each other. His $2 Pick 3 was $1,846. But he also topped superfectas which returned $44,281 and $16,016. I do not recall any rider producing wins with consecutive supers that returned that amount.
• As I have said after prior races (plural), it may be time to rest Mohaymen. Something isn't right. I thought this horse was a beast at one point. But this can't continue. He finished last today. From a perfect 5-for-5 lifetime to eight straight defeats. He ran a decent Kentucky Derby in 2016 but "it" hasn't materialized.
  
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• In the above race, Rally Cry (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) won the $100,000 Alydar Stakes by 8 3/4 lengths.
• Chad Brown (16) leads Todd Pletcher (14) by two wins in the expected matchup of top trainers. Mark Casse is 1-for-40.
• Jose Ortiz (24) leads his brother Irad Ortiz, Jr. (20) among the jockeys.

Monmouth (New Jersey):

• Jose Ferrer won four times.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Tyler Gaffalione, the meet's top rider, won three more times.
• Gunnevera, who fizzled in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness under two of nation's best riders in Javier Castellano and Mike Smith, respectively, looked powerful in the $100,000 feature race today under Edgard Zayas.
• Edgard Zayas won the prior race on board Jagr who is now 2-for-6 lifetime but 2-for-3 since being claimed by Frank Calabrese.
• A Georgia-bred ran in race 12. Not many of those make the Gulfstream track.

Ellis Park (Kentucky):

• Six races were canceled due to weather.

Mountaineer (West Virginia):

• Races 5 (58-to-1) and 6 (24-to-1) had consecutive bombs. The former paid $118.80 for the win and $12,000+ for a $1 superfecta.
• The last race had a $1 Pick 5 that returned more than $56,000 which was the second highest payout in North America for Sunday.

Del Mar (California):

• In the Grade III $150,000 feature race, Sharp Samurai (Gary Stevens/Mark Glatt) won for the fourth time in seven starts.
• Continental Divide (Victor Espinoza/James Cassidy) was in the far outside post yet handled the 5 1/2 furlongs distance masterfully in a $100,000 race for California-bred 2-year-olds. He is now 2 1-1-0 lifetime.
  
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[MiamiScreamingEagles]

August 7, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• My number one bug Ashley Castrenze made a rare appearance in New York and in her only mount of the day finished second on a 9-to-1 shot in the opener. Mike Luzzi (two mounts all card) finished third in the same race on board an 8-to-1. Dylan Davis who won the race on another 8-to-1 was victorious for just the second time this meet (42 starts) and spoiled an otherwise prime opportunity for the Castrenze/Luzzi players to gloat in excess. The $2 tri paid more than $1,000.
• And in the finale, bombs bombs bombs away. Chris DeCarlo won on a 6-to-1 shot on his only ride of the day. Junior Alvarado came in second on a 25-to-1 bomber. The exacta returned $300.50 for a deuce. And DeCarlo won for Glen Hills Farm whose owner Leonard Lavin passed away last week at the age of 97. About those DeCarlo/Alvarado players.
• The good thing about avoiding favorites is percentages don't matter when the bombs deliver and certainly on the somewhat overlooked riders.
• Back to reality, Irad Ortiz, Jr. won three times. Javier Castellano won twice.
• $2 Pick Six paid $17,000. $2 Pick 4 paid $2,300.
• Joel Rosario was off all his mounts today. He was resting due to an injury but should return Wednesday.

Delaware Park (Delaware):

• Larry Jones had one starter entered and was issued an 8-to-1 morning line. The 2-year-old filly went off at 5-to-2 and won comfortably. A high morning line for a Jones' starter especially a young filly.

Woodbine (Toronto, Canada):

• The Jackpot Hi-5 carryover will begin at approximately $718,000 for the next day of racing.

Assiniboia Downs (Winnipeg, Canada):

• The Manitoba Derby, with a $75,000 purse, was held on a holiday race card and concluded a $2 Pick 3 that returned $1,934. The last three races paid $68, $18 and $23.
• A 3-to-5 favorite finished second to a 36-to-1 bomb in a $50,000 British Columbia Derby prep race.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

August 6, 2017

Saratoga (New York):

• As I have said after prior races (plural), it may be time to rest Mohaymen. Something isn't right. I thought this horse was a beast at one point. But this can't continue. He finished last today. From a perfect 5-for-5 lifetime to eight straight defeats. He ran a decent Kentucky Derby in 2016 but "it" hasn't materialized.

An update with Mohaymen, hopefully the brainpower can make a collective judgment.

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/...-scheduled-return-kentucky-colt-eased-alydar/

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reported Monday that Mohaymen will travel to Shadwell Farm in Kentucky in the upcoming days as his owner, Shadwell Stable, decides his future.

The 4-year-old son of Tapit returned to the dirt in Sunday's $100,000 Alydar at Saratoga, where he finished last in the five-horse field after being eased to the wire in the stretch. McLaughlin said Mohaymen came out of the race healthy, but will leave Saratoga later this week.

One start prior to Alydar, he was sent to the turf in a one-mile optional claiming race on July 14 at Belmont Park where he finished sixth.

“We tried one more time, with blinkers on and on the dirt, and it didn't go well,” said McLaughlin. “We'll send him back home in the upcoming week and see what happens from there.”