Horse Racing: BELMONT dates move to AQUEDUCT; SARATOGA opens July 11

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

December 30, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):

• Races 2-3-4: An usual natural hat trick as the rider and trainer combined for all three wins. Manny Franco rode three straight for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. They teamed but lost in the next race.
• Races 5-6: Reylu Gutierrez, a bug, won consecutive races.
• Races 7-8: Junior Alvarado, the meet's leading rider, won consecutive races. Alvarado was smiling widely following the win in the 7th which was the $100,000 feature race. He seemed to mimic Mike Luzzi's traditional celebration with the whip entering the winner's circle, too, and then kissed the horse which I don't recall seeing him do too often. He can be animated but euphoria isn't his usual style.
• Junior Alvarado has a 22-to-16 lead in the rider's standings with Manny Franco in second place.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 11: Three horses were singled in the finale and the eventual winner was sent off at 18-to-1 which gave one resourceful handicapper a $.20 Pick 6 worth $177,317.80. The bet was nailed for over $288,000+ earlier this month.
• Race 10: Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano rode for the first time since December 16 at Remington. Apparently, the reason for the layoff was personal time.
• Race 8: Tyler Gaffalione won for the 1,000th time in his sparkling young career. Gaffalione, who is only 24 years old, has been riding since 2014.

• Race 5: Edgard Zayas suffered a broken right femur during a pre-race incident.
• Race 3: Antonio Sano, best known for training Gunnevera, ended an 0-for-55 start to the meet when Tyler Gaffalione won for the 999th time.
• Race 2: A lengthy review removed the original winner, who was placed last, and put up a 22-to-1 shot. It was the rider of a non-placed horse, the 7, that lodged the objection.

Golden Gate Fields (California):

• Abel Cedillo won for the 1,000th time. He is 29 years old and has been riding since 2009.

Santa Anita (California):

• Race 9: Mike Smith, in his only ride of the day, won on Amuse for Richard Mandella. The 3-year-old filly was out for the 4th time, second win.
• Race 7: A tremendous finish in which a 48-to-1 first-time starter won a photo finish and paid $99.80. The $1 super paid over $36,000.
• Race 6: Anuket (Drayden Van Dyke/Bob Baffert) won comfortably at 4-to-5. The 2-year-old filly was out for the first time. Baffert had two in the field. Another one to add to his collection, this girl looks talented.
• Flavien Prat and Richard Baltas were a perfect 3-for-3 as a team.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

December 31, 2018

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• Race 1: The exacta exceeded $1,000, which is always noteworthy, but the attention-getter was a $2 tri worth over $11,000. Nice way to open a card for New Year's Eve.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Race 7: Lacey Gaudet temporarily got out of her recent skid with a 35-to-1 bomber on top.
• Race 9: Two fillies, both trained by Michael Dickinson, finished 1-2. The $2 Pick 4 returned over $85,000.

January 1, 2019

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 8: Mind Control (John Velazquez/Gregory Sacco) won the $150,000 Jerome Stakes which is a Kentucky Derby prep race. The winner's circle was extensive. Velazquez, who rides mostly in New York but in south Florida this time of year, returned home to ride this horse; he returns to Gulfstream for tomorrow's card. Mind Control is 5 3-1-0 but a perfect 2-for-2 under Velazquez.

​

Laurel (Maryland):

• Race 6: Trimmed in Grey, at 21-to-1, won for the first time after being pulled in her prior two lifetime starts. No form in which to analyze productively, not too many horses in my memory have been pulled in his or her first two starts.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Paco Lopez won three times.
• Race 10: Javier Castellano won for the first time since returning Dec. 30 from his 2-week vacation.
• Race 6: Luca Panici won a race fore the first time since early December. He had gone approximately 40 rides without a win.
• Race 4: A close finish with multiple horses across the wire:

​

Santa Anita (California):

• Caribou Club (Joe Talamo/Thomas Proctor) pulled a mild upset over runner up Stormy Liberal (Drayden Van Dyke/Peter Miller) in the Grade 3 $100,000 Hernandez Stakes. The winner was sent off 3-to-1, the runner up at 4-to-5.

​

• Flavien Prat (8 wins), Heriberto Figueroa (7), one of North America's top bugs, and Joel Rosario (6) lead the rider standings at the early stages of the meet.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Here is a complete list of Kentucky Derby prep races held in North America. Next up: the Sham at Santa Anita this Saturday.

Kentucky Derby Prep Season

Date	Race	Distance	Track	Winner	Beyer	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Charts & Analysis
9/15/18	Iroquois	1 1/16 miles	Churchill Downs	Cairo Cat	80	10	4	2	1	Analysis
9/29/18	American Pharoah	1 1/16 miles	Santa Anita	Game Winner	97	10	4	2	1	Analysis
10/6/18	Champagne	1 mile	Belmont	Complexity	94	10	4	2	1	Analysis
10/6/18	Breeders' Futurity	1 1/16 miles	Keeneland	Knicks Go	81	10	4	2	1	Analysis
11/2/18	Breeders' Cup Juvenile	1 1/16 miles	Churchill Downs	Game Winner	93	20	8	4	2	Analysis
11/24/18	Kentucky Jockey Club	1 1/16 miles	Churchill Downs	Signalman	84	10	4	2	1	Analysis
12/1/18	Remsen	1 1/8 miles	Aqueduct	Maximus Mischief	97	10	4	2	1	Analysis
12/8/18	Los Alamitos Futurity	1 1/16 miles	Los Alamitos	Improbable	96	10	4	2	1	Analysis
12/16/18	Springboard Mile	1 mile	Remington	Long Range Toddy	82	10	4	2	1	Analysis
1/1/19	Jerome	1 mile 70 yards	Aqueduct	Mind Control	88	10	4	2	1
1/5/19	Sham	1 mile	Santa Anita			10	4	2	1
1/19/19	Lecomte	1 mile 70 yards	Fair Grounds			10	4	2	1
1/26/19	Smarty Jones	1 mile	Oaklawn			10	4	2	1
2/2/19	Robert B. Lewis	1 1/16 miles	Santa Anita			10	4	2	1
2/2/19	Withers	1 1/16 miles	Aqueduct			10	4	2	1
2/2/19	Holy Bull	1 1/16 miles	Gulfstream			10	4	2	1
2/9/19	Sam F. Davis	1 1/16 miles	Tampa Bay			10	4	2	1
2/16/19	El Camino Derby	1 1/8 miles (Synth)	Golden Gate			10	4	2	1
2/16/19	Risen Star	1 1/16 miles	Fair Grounds			50	20	10	5
2/18/19	Southwest	1 1/16 miles	Oaklawn			10	4	2	1
3/2/19	Fountain of Youth	1 1/16 miles	Gulfstream			50	20	10	5
3/9/19	Gotham	1 1/16 miles	Aqueduct			50	20	10	5
3/9/19	San Felipe	1 1/16 miles	San Felipe			50	20	10	5
3/9/19	Tampa Bay Derby	1 1/16 miles	Tampa Bay Downs			50	20	10	5
3/16/19	Rebel	1 1/16 miles	Oaklawn			50	20	10	5
3/16/19	Jeff Ruby Steaks	1 1/8 miles (synth)	Turfway			20	8	4	2
3/23/19	Louisiana Derby	1 1/8 miles	Fair Grounds			100	40	20	10
3/24/19	Sunland Derby	1 1/8 miles	Sunland			50	20	10	5
3/30/19	UAE Derby	1 3/16 miles	Meydan			100	40	20	10
3/30/19	Florida Derby	1 1/8 miles	Gulfstream			100	40	20	10
4/6/19	Wood Memorial	1 1/8 miles	Aqueduct			100	40	20	10
4/6/19	Blue Grass	1 1/8 miles	Keeneland			100	40	20	10
4/6/19	Santa Anita Derby	1 1/8 miles	Santa Anita			100	40	20	10
4/13/19	Lexington	1 1/16 miles	Keeneland			20	8	4	2
4/13/19	Arkansas Derby	1 1/8 miles	Oaklawn			100	40	20	10

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Eclipse Award Nominees to be announced Saturday morning at Gulfstream:

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers And Broadcasters and Daily Racing Form have announced that finalists for the 2018 Eclipse Awards will be revealed live at 11:05 a.m. ET Saturday from Gulfstream Park.

The announcement can be live streamed at GulfstreamPark.com XBTV.com and any racetrack outlets carrying the Gulfstream simulcast feed.

Finalists in 17 equine and human categories will be announced during a 30-minute program hosted by Gulfstream Park racing analysts Gabby Gaudet and Jason Blewitt.

The Eclipse Awards, honoring excellence in Thoroughbred racing, are voted upon by the NTRA, NTWAB and Daily Racing Form.

Winners in all categories, including 2018 Horse of the Year, will be announced at the 48th Eclipse Awards on Thursday, January 24, at Gulfstream in Hallandale Beach, Fla., just two days prior to the $17 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational race card.​

Eclipse Awards finalists to be revealed live on Saturday - Horse Racing Nation

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

January 2, 2019

• A quiet day due to many tracks taking advantage of the Monday-Tuesday holiday schedule. Tomorrow is even lighter.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Race 5: A 71-to-1 bomber was DQ'd for an 18-to-1 runner up. If that original winner had remained, the prices in the subsequent exotics would have been even wilder than what was official. The $2 Pick 5 paid over $46,000.
• Race 6: A $73.20 winner. Sure, after the fact, but though the mare has just three lifetime wins in 19 starts she is a perfect 2-for-2 on Tampa turf which is among the best in the nation. The $2 Pick 4 paid over $22,000. The $2 Pick 3 returned over $7,700. The $2 double paid $771.40. If the 71-to-1 had remained in race 5, this double payout could have been doubled.
• Race 7: The $2 Pick 3 paid close to $6,000.
• Race 10: The winner paid $81.60 and was ridden by Jesse Garcia who has two wins in two starts since returning to racing. He won on December 12 in his first ride since 2017 and that was his first victory since 2012. The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $41,000.
• Samy Camacho won three races for the third straight racing day. He opened the day winning the first two races.
• Kevin Mendez had a tough day. He was DQ'd on the 71-to-1 bomb and in the next race was involved in a spill in which he was transported to a local hospital for precautionary reasons.

Gulfstream Park (Florida):

• Race 7: A race of 12 overflowing with talented maidens based on pedigree. The winner was purchased for $1.25 million by the former exec of Boston Scientific, Larry Best (OXO Equine), who got in the racing business late in life but drops significant capital at sales. Cambier Parc (Jose Ortiz/Chad Brown) the winning connections. More than one of these fillies will be heard from again.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

SHAM STAKES (Grade III)

What: Kentucky Derby prep race
Where: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA
When: Saturday, January 5, 2019, Race 9
Post time: 4:00 pm Pacific Time
Who: 3-year-olds
Distance: 1 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $100,000
Television: TVG
Note: Bob Baffert had an exceptional year with 2-year-olds in 2018 which now become 3-year-olds with the calendar change to 2019. These horses are vying for points to the Kentucky Derby. Coliseum is among the early darlings for race in May.​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Sueno (KY)	Kent J. Desormeaux	120	J. Keith Desormeaux	-
2	Gray Magician (KY)	Flavien Prat	120	Peter Miller	-
3	Savagery (KY)	Joel Rosario	120	Peter Miller	-
4	Easy Shot (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	120	J. Keith Desormeaux	-
5	Coliseum (KY)	Joseph Talamo	120	Bob Baffert	-
6	Gunmetal Gray (KY)	Mike E. Smith	120	Jerry Hollendorfer	-
7	Much Better (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	120	Bob Baffert	-

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

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

January 3, 2018

• The biggest racing news of the day was European riding sensation Frankie Dettori will pick up the mount on Kukulkan, who is a perfect 14 14-0-0 (13 races in Mexico) in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup later this month. The horse won at Gulfstream late in 2018.
• Gulfstream Park reported that over $2 billion was bet at the track in 2018. That established a high previously set in 2017.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Off and Running: One of the few tracks running. Again, usual schedules were altered due to some tracks taking advantage of the Monday and Tuesday holiday option.
• Luis Saez rode four winners.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode three winners.
• Race 10: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $48,000.
• Handle: $7.3 million.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

January 4, 2019

• NYRA reported that $2,113,408,494 was handled at their three New York (Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct) tracks in 2018. That averaged $9.6m over 219 days of racing.
• Gulfstream handled $2.010 billion in 2018. I do not believe that includes the 6-week meet at the former Calder in which Gulfstream leases from Churchill Downs.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 1: Junior Alvarado brought home a 19-to-1 shot. Great way to open a day. The winner had the highest morning line odds.
• Race 5: Turco Bravo, bred in Chile, raced for the 74th time and won for the third straight outing. A 10-year-old.
• Race 6: Chris DeCarlo rode for the first time since getting injured at Laurel in late October.
• Junior Alvarado was 6 1-1-3. Manny Franco was 8 3-2-0. Arguably the top two riders at the meet, they seem to have been developing a rivalry highlighted by some bumping caused by Alvarado in one race. Alvarado has a 2-win lead over Franco atop the rider standings.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Race 6: The skies opened prior to the race. So much so, the simulcast feeds were dropped nationally.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 10: The $.20 Pick 6 was nailed for over $166,000. What made this extra noteworthy was that of the three horses singled in the finale, one was a prohibitive 4-to-5 shot. That person must have felt good going into the race but it was the other two runners singled that finished 1st and 2nd.
• Race 7: Luca Panici was on board a cannon at 21-to-1. What a finish! Watch the 4:

​

Hawthorne (Illinois):

• Race 8: Skyler Spanabel, who lost all 130 of her starts in 2018, won her second start of 2019 and fourth in 171 lifetime races. This winner was the favorite in a field of nine.

Santa Anita (California):

• Joel Rosario won with two favorites, his first wins of 2109.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

 

[GKJ]

Old horse racing photos are among the most timeless things in sports.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

January 5, 2019

Aqueduct (New York):

• Junior Alvarado won the opener for his only win of the day, similar to yesterday.
• Manny Franco won twice including the $100,000 feature race in which Kathryn the Wise (tr. Chad Brown) "dominated" as the call by the track announcer.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Race 4: Rebecca LaBarre rode a winner for the first time, in her 25th start (13th as a pro).

Gulfstream (Florida):

• The $.20 Pick 6 was hit for $47,000+
• Race 10: Mihos (Jose Ortiz/Jimmy Jerkens) pulled a mild upset against Code of Honor (John Velazquez/Shug McGaughey) who was sent off at 4-to-5 in his first race since October. He was scratched from the Breeders' Cup Juvy (Kentucky Derby prep) due to illness.

​

• Race 9: Casa Creed (John Velazquez/Bill Mott) teamed for a 12-to-1 winner, from a 20-to-1 morning line. A close finish with three across the wire. The horse was the only one entered who was debuting on turf.
• Race 4: Dale Romans trained a winner for the 2,000th time.
• Luis Saez (3), Tyler Gaffalione (2) and Jose Ortiz (2) won multiple times.
• Handle: Over $12.6 million.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Race 9: Contributing (Joe Bravo/Brad Cox) won the $75,000 feature race and paid $22.40.

Santa Anita (California):

• Weather: Unpleasant weather conditions.
• Race 7: Next Shares (Geovanni Franco/Richard Baltas), a 6-year-old who has earned over $1,000,000, closed mightily in winning the Grade II $200,000 San Gabriel. He will likely run next in the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Turf later this month at Gulfstream. Franco picked up the mount from Joel Rosario who did not ride this day due to illness. Next Shares is owned by Michael Iavarone who is probably best known for 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown.

​

• Race 9: Gunmetal Gray (Mike Smith/Jerry Hollendorfer), who was in 7th of seven entering the stretch, won the $100,000 Grade 3 Sham Stakes, a Kentucky Derby prep. It was the colt's second win in five starts. Hollendorfer was one of four trainers who entered horses in this race but the only one with a single starter. Bob Baffert's Colisuem lacked experience and it showed.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

An unfavorable omission in leaving Joel Rosario from the list of nominees for Jockey of the Year. Mike Smith may have had some west coast support to balance the list and could win the award due to the Triple Crown but while his resume is strong in the graded stakes it lacks volume in comparison to others. Jose Ortiz's 2018 was not as good as 2017 when he won the award. Rosario deserved better. I don't see Jose winning, it'll come down to Smith's pinnacle or Irad Ortiz, Jr.s depth.

Purse money earned in 2018: Irad was 1st, Jose was second, Smith 12th.
Wins: Irad 346, Jose 264, Smith 55.




Full 2018 Eclipse Awards Finalists (in Alphabetical Order):

Horse of the Year: Accelerate, Justify, Monomoy Girl
2-year-old male: Game Winner, Improbable, Knicks Go
2-year-old filly: Bellafina, Jaywalk, Newspaperofrecord
3-year-old male: Catholic Boy, Justify, McKinzie
3-year-old filly: Midnight Bisou, Monomoy Girl, Rushing Fall
Older dirt male: Accelerate, City of Light, Gun Runner
Older dirt female: Abel Tasman, Marley's Freedom, Unique Bella
Male sprinter: Imperial Hint, Roy H, Stormy Liberal
Female sprinter: Finley'sluckycharm, Marley's Freedom, Shamrock Rose
Male turf horse: Expert Eye, Glorious Empire, Stormy Liberal
Female turf horse: A Raving Beauty, Enable, Sistercharlie
Steeplechase horse: Jury Duty, Optimus Prime, Zanjabeel
Owner: Peter Brant; Hronis Racing; (one group) WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, and Head of Plains Partners
Breeder: Mike Abraham, John D. Gunther, WinStar Farm
Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert, Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz, Mike Smith
Apprentice jockey: Reylu Gutierrez, Weston Hamilton, Edgar Morales​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

At last check, the 12 likely runners for the Pegasus World Cup on January 26 at Gulfsream (Florida). Some riders are confirmed while others have yet to be named including other commitments

Accelerate

[Lookin At Lucky – J. Sadler/J. Rosario – 22: 10-5-5 - $5,792,480]​

Audible

[Into Mischief – T. Pletcher/J. Castellano – 8: 5-1-2 - $1,220,520]​

Bravazo

[Awesome Again – D. W. Lukas/L. Saez – 16: 3-4-3 - $1,303,528] ​

City of Light

[Quality Road – M. McCarthy/J. Castellano – 10: 5-4-1 - $1,662,600] ​

Gunnevera

[Dialed In – A. Sano/I. Ortiz Jr. – 19: 6-5-2 - $4,111,800] ​

Kukulkan

[Point Determined – F. Gutierrez/F. Dettori – 14: 14-0-0 - $73,650] ​

McKinzie

[Street Sense – B. Baffert/M. Smith – 7: 5-1-0 - $1,086,000] ​

Patternrecognition

[Adios Charlie – C. Brown/J. Ortiz – 11: 5-5-0 - $812,325]​

Seeking the Soul

[Perfect Soul – D. Stewart/J. Velazquez – 23: 6-5-6 - $1,701,042] ​

Something Awesome

[Awesome Again - J. Corrales/E.Prado - 26 9-3-6 - $1,093,601]​

Tom’s d’Etat

[Smart Strike – A. Stall Jr./S. Bridgmohan – 9: 6-1-0 - $278,492] ​

True Timber

[Mineshaft– K. McLaughlin/J. Bravo – 17: 4-4-4 - $550,550]​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

January 6, 2019

Aqueduct (New York):

• Manny Franco won three times and overtook Junior Alvarado as the meet's winningest rider.
• Race 2: Mike Luzzi was tossed at the gate and landed on his backside. He got ride back up and finished third despite an awkward pre-start, a bad break and a fair distance from the winner. When playing exotics, finishes like this can be detrimental for the loser or beneficial for the victorious handicapper. But the rider should be praised for exerting that energy despite a rough start.
• Race 4: Jose Lezcano was tossed after the break and looked to be in a perilous position but was on the right side of a fortunate outcome with no injury. Dylan Davis was tossed midrace. That left three horses in the field of five to finish. Mike Luzzi was officially third at 22-to-1 despite being more than 20 lengths behind the winner.
• Race 5: Oh K Funnybone, ridden by Mike Luzzi, won with one of the most remarkable races of the early calendar year. The gelding led at the 3/4 pole and then dropped back but in a rare recovery won by a nose. He broke his maiden with this win. Luzzi got into a game of possum with meet leader Manny Franco and came out on top.
• Race 7: Joey Martinez rode a 60-to-1 bomber up the rail and flew past the leader for a $123.00 win. The top three finishers were ridden by apprentices.
• Race 8: The $2 Pick 5 paid over $38,000.
• Race 9: Edwin Rivera, in a rare New York appearance, won the finale.
• Edward Escobar rode twice. He began riding in 1995 and has never hit the board in 61 lifetime starts per Equibase. Winter racing in New York can offer many puzzles.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Race 10: The winner was out for the first time since October 2017.
• Leading riders: Samy Camacho (39) and Antonio Gallardo (25) have separated themselves from the rest of the riding colony. Next on the list are two riders with 14 victories.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Jose Ortiz won three times. He finished 7 3-3-0.
• Emisael Jaramillo finished in the money with all three starters and won with two prices.
• Luis Saez, who was named Jockey of the Week (Jan. 7), is 46 12-9-2 to begin 2019.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Race 7: A $69.30 winner.
• Race 8: A $43.60 which led to an incredible $2 double worth $2,095.20. The $2 Pick 3 paid over $6700. Ezequiel Lara, the winning rider, ended the day with a record of 108 2-9-10 at the meet (2 wins in 108 starts).
• Race 9: The finale. The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $51,000. The $2 Pick 3 was worth over $6,000.

Santa Anita (California):

• Race 6: Bashful (Mike Smith/Richard Mandella) is one to follow. Smith's ride was something similar to yesterday with Gunmetal Gray. Based off this race, I expect bigger things for Bashful who was 5th at the 1/2 pole. The filly is 2-for-2 lifetime.
• Race 8: Bellafina (Flavien Prat/Simon Callaghan), who is a finalist for 2-year-old female at the Eclipse Awards later this month, simply put on a show in the $200,000 Grade II Santa Ynez. Quoting the track announcer, she "(is) firing a big shot," "an extremely classy display" and "absolutely overwhelming." She won by more than 8 lengths and trounced Bob Baffert's Mother Mother who was her closest challenger. She is 6 4-1-0 lifetime and entered off a 4th placeas the favorite in the BC Juvy Fillies race back in November.

​

• Joel Rosario was once again off his mounts due to illness.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Abel Tasman sported a lifetime mark of 16 8-4-0, earned over $2.7 million and won multiple Grade I races.

​

Champion Abel Tasman, in the hunt for another title as a 2018 Eclipse Award finalist, made Keeneland history Monday when selling for $5 million to Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier.

Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, as a broodmare prospect, the five-year-old daughter of Quality Road tied for the highest price ever paid at the January Horses of All Ages Sale.

The $5 million sale record was established in 2000 by Mackie, gaveled down to Britton House Stud Ltd. while in foal to Mr. Prospector. A Grade 3 winner herself, Mackie was out of Broodmare of the Year Glowing Tribute, and thus counted among her half-siblings 1993 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Travers (G1) star Sea Hero.

No other horse has passed the $4 million threshold at Keeneland January. Third on the all-time list is Desert Stormer, the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) heroine who went to Live Oak Stud for $3.6 million, in foal to Kris S., in 2002.

Abel Tasman entered the ring to fanfare as Hip No. 288, and bidding started at $3 million.

Abel Tasman goes to Coolmore for Keeneland January record-tying $5 million - Brisnet
​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

January 9, 2019

• A light Wednesday of racing.

Mahoning Valley (Ohio):

• Weather: Snow fell through most, if not all, the card.
• Race 2: A 10-year-old gelding won and was out for the 87th time.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Race 10: Bombs away when the two longest shots [a 29-to-1 beat a 43-to-1] on the board topped a $2 exacta that paid $1,254. The $1 tri paid over $3,400. The $.10 super (a dime) paid over $6,500.
• Race 5: A 30-to-1 romped for trainer Johnny Collins who has nine lifetime wins.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 10: When John Velazquez delivered on a 5-to-1 shot, a handicapper collected over $188,000 in the $.20 Rainbow 6.
• Race 7: Julien Leparoux won with his only mount of the day.
• Race 5: Bad to the Core, the #10 under the direction of Miguel Vasquez, got my attention the second after coming out of the gate and bolting straight for the rail. I had an eerie inkling that he would win moments from the break. At 43-to-1, he stalked and paced but was still 9th at the 1/2 mile.He then went off the rail and finished with a rally. With the help of a 92-to-1 in third, the $1 super paid over $13,000 and a handsome $2 tri paid $7,500+. The 3-year-old winner was the only first-time starter in the field of 11, bred in France to Irish parents.
  
  ​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

January 10, 2019

Aqueduct (New York):

• Cancellation: Canceled prior to the sixth race due to high winds.
• Junior Alvarado had layups and delivered almost effortlessly with three wins among four starts. He cruised to a win in the opener and romped in the second race.
• Junior Alvarado (29) leads the meet in wins by one victory over Manny Franco.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Trevor McCarthy was the star of the day going 6 3-3-0. In race 6, he was involved with some rough riding in the stretch with Jorge Vargas, Jr.
• Trevor McCathy leads the new meet with seven wins. Jorge Vargas, Jr. has impressive numbers at 7 4-1-1 (57%/86%).

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 6: Jose Ortiz won on board a 3-to-1 shot. No story there but the runner up was his brother Irad who failed on a 1-to-9 (lowest odds possible) shot. Jose was 6 2-1-3 on the day. His other win was 11-to-1 which is uncommon to get him at that price.
• Races 4 and 5: Winning riders were Jorge Urbaneta (a $52.80 winner) and Edgar Prado. The former has two lifetime wins in North America. The latter has 7,020 lifetime wins in North America. The $2 Pick 5 following the fifth race was a monster at $74,000+. The $2 Pick 4 approached $20,000.
• Race 2: Luca Panici won in a romp by 10 lengths, almost 20 lengths in front of third place.
• Luis Saez hit the board just once with six starts. He leads all riders in North America with 14 wins in 2019.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Race 4: A 72-to-1 flew by the field and recorded a $146.80 win. The winning trainer had not won since July 2016 with minimal starts. The $2 Pick 4 was a fantastic $34,301.80. The $2 Pick 3 was a remarkable $24,252.20.
• Race 5: The $2 double was a phenomenal $1,786.40.

Golden Gate (California):

• Fog: Racing was delayed mid-card due to fog.

Santa Anita (California):

• Race 2: Mike Smith beat a Bob Baffert-trained horse who now has a record of 3 0-3-0. Smith rode the winner for the first time. There was also a stewards' review which was nullified.
• Race 3: Mike Smith completed his perfect day at 2-for-2.
• Races 5 and 6: Leonard Powell, who has trained 130 lifetime winners per Equibase, won consecutive races and both with Flavien Prat, the leading jockey at the meet, riding.

 

[DaaaaB's]

At last check, the 12 likely runners for the Pegasus World Cup on January 26 at Gulfsream (Florida). Some riders are confirmed while others have yet to be named including other commitments

Accelerate

[Lookin At Lucky – J. Sadler/J. Rosario – 22: 10-5-5 - $5,792,480]​

Audible

[Into Mischief – T. Pletcher/J. Castellano – 8: 5-1-2 - $1,220,520]​

Bravazo

[Awesome Again – D. W. Lukas/L. Saez – 16: 3-4-3 - $1,303,528] ​

City of Light

[Quality Road – M. McCarthy/J. Castellano – 10: 5-4-1 - $1,662,600] ​

Gunnevera

[Dialed In – A. Sano/I. Ortiz Jr. – 19: 6-5-2 - $4,111,800] ​

Kukulkan

[Point Determined – F. Gutierrez/F. Dettori – 14: 14-0-0 - $73,650] ​

McKinzie

[Street Sense – B. Baffert/M. Smith – 7: 5-1-0 - $1,086,000] ​

Patternrecognition

[Adios Charlie – C. Brown/J. Ortiz – 11: 5-5-0 - $812,325]​

Seeking the Soul

[Perfect Soul – D. Stewart/J. Velazquez – 23: 6-5-6 - $1,701,042] ​

Something Awesome

[Awesome Again - J. Corrales/E.Prado - 26 9-3-6 - $1,093,601]​

Tom’s d’Etat

[Smart Strike – A. Stall Jr./S. Bridgmohan – 9: 6-1-0 - $278,492] ​

True Timber

[Mineshaft– K. McLaughlin/J. Bravo – 17: 4-4-4 - $550,550]​

Nice to see a couple of horses sired by Awesome Again in there. I'm not familiar with them as I haven't followed as close the past few years (I've never followed anywhere near as close as you tho). AA's been a great sire over the years.

Also, nice to see Smart Strikes legacy live on. Seems like he died a long time ago now.

 

[DaaaaB's]

Does anyone here follow harness racing at all?

The town I live in has a track but its strictly harness racing. I still love going every week (may-september) and it's the only track within an hour's drive so I'm pretty lucky that way.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Does anyone here follow harness racing at all?

The town I live in has a track but its strictly harness racing. I still love going every week (may-september) and it's the only track within an hour's drive so I'm pretty lucky that way.

I don't follow it closely but know people who have an active interest.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

I don't follow it closely but know people who have an active interest.

I think it's just too hard for USTA to do what's been done here

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

January 11, 2019

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 4: Junior Alvarado opened a large lead only to hang on by a nose from a charging Manny Franco. A nail-biter to say the least. The top two riders at the meet.

​

• Race 6: Bavaro (Junior Alvarado/Jeremiah Englehart) won for the 8th time in 19 starts including six win in his last 9 starts. He has the odd tendency to repeat wins. Four times he has won consecutive starts. Owned by Bill Parcells, the 5-year-old was initially discussed as a possible Kentucky Derby contender.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Race 1: Creepy the Crab entered today with a 30 0-2-4 record but came charging in the opener to get second at 24-to-1 and paid over $15 in the middle. Go Creepy go! The New York-bred 6-year-old is now 31 0-3-4. It is the fun part of the sport to score on a hunch bet.
• Race 6: Two horses were critically injured in a terrible spill. Three riders were injured though none seems to be of a serious nature. It is the sad part of the sport.
• Weston Hamilton, my pick to win Apprentice of the Year for 2018, won his first two starts of the day.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Race 10: A 41-to-1 wired the field in the finale and paid $84.60.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Leading riders: Luis Saez (44 wins), Irad Ortiz, Jr (34), Paco Lopez (24), Jose Ortiz (22) and Tyler Gaffalone (22). With the exception of Lopez, the other four riders were the four winningest riders at last year's Championship Meet.

Santa Anita (California):

• Race 7: Mike Smith's win streak ended at four races with a fourth place finish. He is a fantastic 6-2-1 with his last 10 starts entering Saturday's card.

 

[GKJ]

This Kukulkan is an interesting horse they're bringing in and taking a big jump forward, but if they're getting Dettori for the ride, they aren't messing around and think this horse belongs.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

LA CANADA STAKES

What: Grade III
Where: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California
When: Saturday, January 12, 2019, Race 8
Post time: 4:04 PM Pacific Time
Who: 4 year olds and up, fillies and mares
Distance: 1 1/6 miles
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $100,000
Television: TVG
History: Inaugurated in 1975.
Notes:

Escape Clause, a Manitoba bred, could be sent off the favorite. Her lifetime record is 27 18-3-3. She has two races at Santa Anita with a majority of her performances in Canada specifically Assiniboia (Manitoba) where she won many stakes races and owns a record of 15 12-2-0..
Roimes Chirinos may be an unfamiliar name to many. He has raced at many east coast tracks from Massachusetts to Florida, Texas and recently in New Mexico. I am not sure if he has ever been in a stakes race at Santa Anita.​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Exuberance (KY)	Geovanni Franco	120	Ian Kruljac	8/1
2	Stradella Road (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	120	Gary Stute	5/1
3	Lemoona (KY)	Flavien Prat	120	Richard Baltas	5/1
4	True Royalty (FL)	Joel Rosario	122	John W. Sadler	3/1
5	Bernina Star (KY)	Kent J. Desormeaux	120	James M. Cassidy	8/1
6	Escape Clause (MB)	Tyler Baze	120	Don Schnell	5/2
7	K P Wildcat (KY)	Roimes Chirinos	120	Jeff Mullins	4/1

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

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

January 12, 2019 (Part I)

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 4: An 80-to-1 topped a 68-to-1, two first-time starters, for a resounding $2 exacta worth $2,033. The $2 tri was a monster at $17,000+ The $2 Pick 3 was over $7,600. The $2 double exceeded $1,400. The winner paid $162.50. Place prices were $62.50 and $44.20.
• Race 5: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $62,000 or approximately a quarter million for a successful $2 bet.
• Race 7: Mike Luzzi did it again!!!!! In a rare ride for solid trainer Linda Rice, Luzzi repeated a win from a few days ago by playing possum. He nearly wired the field with a 9-to-1, was briefly overtaken and then fought back which is nearly unthinkable in the sport. Twice in one week. And it appeared that Rice planted a big smooch on Luzzi's face. The magic of Luzzi. Make that 3,504 lifetime wins.

The gutsy Stoney Bennett (Bustin Stones) hangs tough for his second straight win at Aqueduct. Congrats to Roddy Valente, Darlene Bilinski & Dr. Richard Alfred and thank you to Mike Luzzi for a great ride!

Source: Linda Rice‏ @LindaRiceRacing
​

• Race 9: Junior Alvarado rode the prohibitive favorite, a maiden with 18 starts, to victory.

Mahoning Valley (Ohio):

• Race 8: The $2 Pick 6 paid over $72,000.