Saturday, Santa Anita Race 3 — 1:31 p.m. post time

January 3, 2009 — maidenking

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden Special Weight, 5-1/2 furlongs, 3-yo colts

Possible overlays                            Morning line

#1 Pauper’s Prize                               12/1
#2 Street Car                                        4/1
#4 Ego                                                  20/1
#7 Snapshot                                          5/2
#8 Wall Street Wonder                       5/1
#9 Gotmymojoworkin                       8/1

Both of the Bob Baffert trained colts — #2 Street Car and #8 Wall Street Wonder — have several quick workouts showing in the Daily Racing Form. But I believe Corey Naktani on Wall Street Wonder will be quicker out of the gate. For one thing, he’s a Florida-bred and those debuters have performed better in So. Cal than those from Kentucky or California over the last few years. Other betable firsters, at the right price, include #9 Gotmymojoworkin and #1 Pauper’s Prize.

Martin Wygod owns #7 Snapshot who was laid off for five months after showing speed in his Aug. 2 Del Mar debut. Wygod and Sise have won many races together with second-time starters.

At 7/2 or more, I’ll bet $300 to win on #8 Wall Street Wonder, and $200 on both #9 Gotmymojoworkin, and #2 Street Car.

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LA Times: Gomez couldn’t move or feel legs after fall

January 3, 2009 — maidenking

Jockey Garrett Gomez thought hand was broken after crashing Dec. 27 aboard fallen horse

Jockey Garrett Gomez thought hand was broken after crashing Dec. 27 aboard fallen horse

When Back At You slammed to the ground after trying to jump the inner stretch rail in the Dec. 27 Eddie Logan Stakes, jockey Garrett Gomez was momentarily paralyzed, he told Bill Dwyre of the Los Angeles Times.

“When I hit,” said Gomez, who on Wednesday narrowly missed breaking the annual jockey earnings record. “I came down on both my heels. When I was on the board, being carried off, I couldn’t feel my legs, or move them. That was scary.”

And he thought his bruised hand was more seriously injured. I “thought it was broken for sure,” he said.

Gomez’s agent Ron Anderson was in the grandstand, but he was so distraught that he couldn’t look. “When it happened, somebody offered me binoculars to take a look. I said no thanks.” 

Fortunately, the feeling in Gomez’s legs came back and the doctors sent him home. However, he spent most of Sunday getting cosmetic dental surgery and could not ride. And the injury likely cost Gomez the earnings record because three of the horses he was scheduled to be aboard Sunday won, including Proudinsky in the the $150,000 San Gabriel Handicap.

During Saturday’s Eddie Logan Stakes, Back At You had a clear lead in the stretch, but the lightly-raced 2-year-old fell when he tried to jump the inner rail as he approached a large shadow of the grandstand that darkened the turf course. 

Gomez, who was taken to the hospital, broke several front teeth, cut his knee and one of his hands was swollen.

After a quick recuperation and a gritty effort, Gomez won two races Monday and three more on Wednesday at Santa Anita, but fell $10,609 short of Jerry Bailey’s single year earnings record of $23,354,960 set in 2003.

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Results Santa Anita Friday Race 8 — lost $150

January 3, 2009 — maidenking

After six wins in all of 2008, jockey Octavio Vergara tastes success early in 2009 winning aboard #7 Weevescent

After six wins in all of 2008, jockey Octavio Vergara tastes success early in 2009, winning aboard #7 Weevescent

This race began with 99/1- shot Far Turn bursting from the rail post to the lead. He battled with #4 Goodlookindude, at 48-to-1, down the backstretch and around the turn, but in the stretch 3-to-5 favorite #8 Motorboat took the lead briefly nearing the wire. But then Motorboat got nailed on the outside by a late charge from #7 Weevescent.

Many of the contenders that I was watching in this race got scratched, such as #3 Mort Robbins, #13 Sailboat Sam and #14 All About Larry. I ended up with a small wager on #11 Stray Cat, a second-time starter who was in good position turning for home, but had no late kick. 

To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Far Turn (CA) Arambula P Rickerd P 99.80 9
2 2 Warrington (CA) Garcia M Becerra R 26.10 10
4 3 Goodlookindude (FL) Stra K Martinez S 48.00 4
5 4 Premier Issue (MD) Delgadillo A Stute M 16.90 8
6 5 Bear Mountain (KY) Linares M Lerille, Jr. A 50.40 5
7 6 Weevescent (CA) Vergara O Polanco M 9.10 1
8 7 Motorboat (KY) Bejarano R Hollendorfer J 0.70 2
9 8 Enabler (CA) Blanc B Lerille, Jr. A 91.60 11
10 9 Minnie’s Boy (CA) Valdivia, Jr. J Puype M 29.60 6
11 10 Stray Cat (KY) Flores D Headley B 3.60 7
12 11 The Emerald King (CA) Pedroza M Monteleone F 7.50 3
SCR – All About Larry (CA) Gryder A Lewis C – –
SCR – Mort Robbins (CA) Rosario J Abrams B – –
SCR – Sailboat Sam (CA) Solis A Hendricks D – –

Pgm Win Place Show
7 $20.20 $5.00 $3.80
8 – $2.60 $2.40
12 – – $4.20
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Consolation Pick 3 paid $18.00 (2-3-3)
$1.00 Exacta paid $19.40 (7-8)
$1.00 Pick 3 paid $230.50 (2-3-7)
$1.00 Pick 4 paid $1234.40 (9-2-3-7)
$1.00 Place Pick All paid $360.10 (8 OF 8)
$1.00 Super High Five paid $34929.90 (7-8-12-4-6)
$1.00 Trifecta paid $89.20 (7-8-12)
$2.00 Consolation Double paid $4.60 (3-3)
$2.00 Daily Double paid $50.40 (3-7)
$2.00 Pick 6 paid $449.00 (9-1-9-2-3-7)
$2.00 Pick 6 paid $55712.60 (9-1-9-2-3-7)

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Swiiissshhh, Larry scores third recent debuter for Lewis

January 3, 2009 — maidenking

 

Larry The Legend sired Nine to Dine, who won Friday's third race for trainer Craig Lewis. The trainer, who also owns Larry The Legend, has won with 3 of 11 debuting horses sired by him dating back to January 2007. The horse was named not for Larry Bird, but for Lewis' brother Larry who managed the Long Beach Little League team that won back-to-back world championships in 1992-93

Larry The Legend sired Nine to Dine, who won Friday's third race for trainer Craig Lewis. The trainer named the sire not for Larry Bird, but for his brother Larry who managed Long Beach to back-to-back Little League World Series titles in 1992-93

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Results, Santa Anita Friday Race 3 — lost $200

January 3, 2009 — maidenking

Trainer Craig Lewis owns sire Larry the Legend who won the 1995 Santa Anita Derby over Afternoon Deelites

Trainer Craig Lewis owns sire Larry the Legend who won the 1995 Santa Anita Derby over Afternoon Deelites

First-time starter Nine to Dine, a 3-year-old daughter of Larry the Legend, sprinted to a clear lead and lasted until the wire, winning at 4/1.

Nine to Dine’s trainer Craig Lewis also owns Larry The Legend and the trainer has now won with three of 11 first starters sired by him since November 2006.

The cagey Lewis hid Nine to Dine’s speed well as she showed no fast workouts of the 11 listed. However, somebody liked her because she was bet to 5/2 early.

In general, betting horses with Nine to Dine’s published qualifications at 4/1 results in a trip to the poor house, but every now and then one of them pops.

I wagered $200 on #7 Holychoir at 6/1, who never challenged for the lead. Other horses I was watching included #4 Sky Marni and #8 Not So Plain Jane, who both ended with unsuitable wagering odds at post time.

To watch a replay of this race go to www.calracing.com

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Impressive Mary (CA) Stra K Martinez S 68.90 10
2 2 Flag Waver (KY) Valdivia, Jr. J Ellis R 4.60 11
3 3 Spoolish (CA) Pedroza M Vienna D 9.60 8
4 4 Sky Marni (KY) Arambula P Gonzalez S 8.30 3
5 5 Dixie Lucky (FL) Talamo J Saavedra A 9.30 2
6 6 Warrens Secondmoon (CA) Baze M Gutierrez J 31.20 9
7 7 Holychoir (CA) Enriquez I Fanning J 6.70 6
8 8 Not So Plain Jane (CA) Quinonez A Aguirre P 13.20 7
9 9 Nine to Dine (CA) Gryder A Lewis C 4.20 1
10 10 Nita’s Image (CA) Guce R Contreras G 21.50 5
12 11 Secret Limit (CA) Sutherland C Hendricks D 3.30 4
SCR – Tie (IN)     – –
SCR – Kelleys Kitchen (MEX)     – –
 
Pgm Win Place Show
9 $10.40 $5.80 $4.20
5 – $7.80 $6.60
4 – – $6.60
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $55.20 (9-5)
$1.00 Pick 3 paid $315.50 (2-5-9)
$1.00 Superfecta paid $2320.70 (9-5-4-12)
$1.00 Trifecta paid $349.40 (9-5-4)
$2.00 Daily Double paid $68.60 (5-9)
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Friday, Santa Anita Race 8 — 4:37 p.m. post time

January 2, 2009 — maidenking

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden claiming $25,000, 5-1/2 furlongs, 4-year-olds & up

Possible overlays                                Morning line

#3 Mort Robbins                                         6/1
#11 Stray Cat                                           7/2
#12 The Emerald King                               5 /1
#13 Sailboat Sam                                       8/1
#14 All About Larry                                   6/1

Lots of horses have been laid off recently in this race. Many of them have had sharp workouts, however, like that of #3 Mort Robbins on Dec. 27. The Barry Abrams-trained 4-year-old worked out five furlongs in 59 seconds, which was the third best of 128 at the distance. 

The top speed of the race is #13 Sailboat Sam, but I’m going to have to follow the money in here.

Therefore, I’ll bet $400 on any of the following horses that go off at 2/1 to 7/2: #3 Mort Robbins, #12 Emerald King, #13 Sailboat Sam or #14 All About Larry.  If none fall into that range, then I’ll bet $150 on #11 Stray Cat at 7/2 or higher. Regardless of whether the first two betting scenerios play out, I’ll put $100 on #13 Sailboat Sam at 7/2 or greater.

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Friday, Santa Anita Race 3 — 2:03 p.m. post time

January 2, 2009 — maidenking

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden claiming $32,000, 5-1/2 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies

Possible overlays                                           Morning line

#4 Sky Marni                                                       8/1
#7 Holychoir                                                       7/2
#8 Not So Plain Jane                                           8/1

In this 11-horse field, seven first-timers are going as well as four fillies running for the second time that were all trounced by more than 10 lengths in their first races.

The best-looking debut horse is #7 Holychoir who has been working out well and is the daughter of Swiss Yodeler. Another bettable first-timer is #4 Sky Marni, while second-time starter #8 Not So Plain Jane is trained by Paul Aguirre, who won with six of his last 16 horses running  for the second time.

Many capable trainers are in this race, so it would not surprise me to see Ron Ellis, Darrell Vienna or Craig Lewis getting their photo snapped in the winner’s circle at about 2:10 p.m PST. But I can’t bet their horses in this spot, so if they beat me, I will just move on to race eight. 

At the betting window, I will put $250 on #7 Holychoir at 7/2 to 19/1, $150 on #4 Sky Marni at 10/1 to 19/1 and $100 on #8 Not So Plain Jane from 3/1 to 8/1.

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Results, Santa Anita Thursday Race 10 — lost $400

January 2, 2009 — maidenking
Trainer Jeff Mullins won with second-timer Jaylo's Mark at 11/1.

Trainer Jeff Mullins won with hidden entry at 10/1

When a competent So. Cal trainer enters two horses in a maiden race, it usually pays to take a close look at both. And I wouldn’t argue with anybody who thought that a profitable long-term angle was to blindly bet them both, as long as they were paying decent odds. 

Trainer Jeff Mullins ran two fillies in Thursday’s tenth, with #11 Jaylo’s Mark getting the money in her second lifetime start at 10/1, while first-timer #9 Katie G finished seventh at 11/1.

Jockey Chantal Sutherland, who rode a recent winning first-time starter for Mullins, took Jaylo’s Mark immediately to the front then, with rivals closing in on her, pulled away by finding another gear in the stretch. 

Jaylo’s Mark had the curious morning line of 20/1. She had run a 51 Beyer Speed Figure in her only race while second-timer #3 Captivating Lyrics, trained by Thomas Bell II, ran a 54 in her debut, but was listed at 6/1. Furthermore, Mullins runs more horses than Bell II and wins at a higher percentage than him.

I bet $200 on Katie G., which was Mullins’ other horse, and $200 on #12 Ocean Style, who loomed at the top of the stretch, but had no late kick.  

To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Ultra Cat (CA) Espinoza V Mandella R 2.30 2
2 2 Flash Dance (CA) Talamo J Becerra R 6.80 3
3 3 Captivating Lyrics (KY) Court J Bell, II T 7.60 6
4 4 Mac One (CA) Valdivia, Jr. J Harris A 72.20 12
5 5 Count’n Tears (CA) Solis A Saavedra A 26.40 9
6 6 Dona Mary (CA) Potts C Gonzalez S 28.00 4
7 7 Bonita Birdie (CA) Rosario J Mendoza J 34.60 10
8 8 Sand Bridled (CA) Nakatani C Stein R 67.10 5
9 9 Katie G. (CA) Garcia M Mullins J 11.80 7
10 10 Warren’s Lisa (CA) Pedroza M Gutierrez J 6.00 13
11 11 Jaylo’s Mark (CA) Sutherland C Mullins J 10.30 1
12 12 Ocean Style (CA) Flores D Cassidy J 4.10 8
13 13 Stormy Runaway (CA) Stra K Zucker H 78.80 11

Pgm Win Place Show
11 $22.60 $9.40 $7.00
1 – $4.00 $3.00
2 – – $4.40
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $49.40 (11-1)
$1.00 Pick 3 paid $2637.50 (1-3-11)
$1.00 Pick 4 paid $6039.00 (4/9-1-3-11)

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Results, Santa Anita Thursday Race 2 — won $370

January 1, 2009 — maidenking

imgres1

The Craig Dollase-effect took hold as the public loaded up on #7 Auntgrace, hammering her to an unbettable 6/5. But that only meant her main competitor #6 Dancing Erin was a better price. Both fillies were racing in their second lifetime starts but Dancing Erin ran better in her debut, holding a clear lead into the stretch and earning a higher Beyer Speed Figure.

On Thursday, Dancing Erin got loose on the lead while jockey Arambula slowed things down so his horse had enough left in the stretch to win by four lengths. I was waiting for 5/2 on either Auntgrace or Dancing Erin, so my $200 bet was in play on the winner.

Also, I wagered $150 on #3 Broken Silence who finished second after clicking into the 10/1-to-19/1 betting zone in the final flash.

To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Podre de Chic (KY) Almeida G Sahadi J 40.70 7
2 2 Slammin Kat (KY) Nakatani C Tekos, Jr. A 4.10 4
3 3 Broken Silence (KY) Talamo J Biancone P 10.70 2
4 4 Misstrailcityzone (CA) Rosario J Nettles K 32.70 6
5 5 Dothetwist (KY) Pedroza M Mollica M 8.20 3
6 6 Dancing Erin (CA) Arambula P Sherlock G 2.60 1
7 7 Auntgrace (FL) Baze M Dollase C 1.10 5
 
Pgm Win Place Show
6 $7.20 $4.20 $3.60
3 – $10.20 $5.60
5 – – $5.00
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $27.10 (6-3)
$1.00 Trifecta paid $151.60 (6-3-5)
$2.00 Daily Double paid $16.00 (6-6)
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Thursday, Santa Anita Race 10 — 4:37 p.m. post time

January 1, 2009 — maidenking

 

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden claiming $40,000, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds

Possible overlays                                Morning line

#1 Ultra Cat                                               7/2
#3 Captivating Lyrics                             6/1
#6 Dona Mary                                           12/1
#9 Katie G.                                               12/1
#11 Jaylo’s Mark                                       20/1
#12 Ocean Style                                         9/2
#13 Stormy Runaway                               30/1

Coming off of two turf sprints, #12 Ocean Style is dropping in class and has shown some ability. She probably fits better in here than with the maiden special weight company that she was keeping. She ran well on the synthetic at Oak Tree on Sept. 24, finishing second in a race for maiden special weight state breds. A three-way battle for the early lead might materialize as three filles are rated about equal: #1 Ultra Cat, #3 Captivating Lyrics and #10 Warren’s Lisa.

With the pace war brewing, Ocean Style might be the main benefitiary.

Second-time starter #2 Ultra Cat stumbled in her debut to lose three lengths then stumbled again in the stretch. Thomas Bell II trains #3 Captivating Lyrics who was making a run through the stretch in her Dec. 5 debut, but jockey Rafael Bejarano had trouble keeping her head straight. 

Of the first-time starters, I like #9 Katie G., trained by Jeff Mullins, who also runs #11 Jaylo’s Mark. Althought Mullins has a lousy 4 percent winning mark with first starters showing in the racing from, I have him down as winning with five of his last 14 high-priced debuting maiden claimers. Also worth a wager at the right price are #6 Dona Mary and #13 Stormy Runaway, who are also starting for the first time.

I ‘m betting $200 on #9 Katie G. at 7/2 to 19/1, and $150 on both #6 Dona Mary and #13 Stormy Runaway, but only at 10/1 to 19/1. Also, I’ll take $200 on #12 Ocean Style at 7/2 or more, but if she’s less than 7/2 then I’ll put $150 on the highest odds of the following two that are less than 5/1 : #1 Ultra Cat and #3 Captivating Lyrics.

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Thursday Santa Anita Race 2 — 12:31 p.m. post time

January 1, 2009 — maidenking

 

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden Special Weight, 5-1/2 furlongs, 3-year-olds

Possible overlays                               Morning line

#3 Broken Silence                                   5/1
#4 Misstrailcityzone                             15/1
#6 Dancing Erin                                      2/1
#7 Auntgrace                                         5/2

Two second-time starters in here figure to be the favorites. On Dec. 11, #6 Dancing Erin was bet to 7/2 and had a three-length lead on six rivals, but finished second by 2-1/2 lengths. Just outside of her today, #7 Auntgrace ran evenly on Aug. 30, but was only five Beyer Speed Figure points behind Dancing Erin. Additionally, Auntgrace’s trainer Craig Dollase won with eight of his last 25 second-time starters or 32 percent. 

First time starters #3 Broken Silence and #4 Misstrailcityzone look like good bets at the right price. Broken Silence is trained by Patrick “Cobra Venom” Biancone who recently returned from a year-long suspension after investigators found snake venom when they searched his barn on June 22, 2007. The venom can be used as a nerve-blocking agent.

If either #6 Dancing Erin or #7 Auntgrace go off at 5/2 or more then I want $200 to win on the longest of the two. If both are 2/1 or less, then I won’t bet either. Also, I want $150 to win on #3 Broken Silence and #4 Misstrailcityzone, but only if their odds are between 10/1 and 19/1.

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Results Santa Anita Wednesday Race 4 — lost $500

January 1, 2009 — maidenking
imgres

Jockey Joel Rosario sat off the pace and made a run

The favorite #9 Suarez, who was pounded to a slim 2-to-1, found herself surrounded on the backstretch by three other fillies fighting for the lead. Saurez had led in her previous three races, but instead of gunning with them, jockey Joel Rosario took her off the pace.

The decision proved to be brilliant as she passed the tiring 20-1-shot Betterthanfiction in the stretch to win by a length.

Knowing that Suarez wasn’t likely to be on the pace for the first time, I tried to beat her using a first-time starter, two long shots and a horse coming off a layoff.  I bet $200 on both #11 Gone Punk at 9-1 and #10 Bajan Kitty at 5/2, then I put $50 on bombs #2 Jet Set Lass who was 24-1 and #6 Betterthanfiction at 20-1.

Betterthanfiction, who broke slowly in her last race but showed a quick quarter mile burst of acceleration, gave me a cheap thrill Wednesday as she held a clear lead in the stretch, but got run down late.

To watch a replay of this race go to www.calracing.com

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
2 1 Jet Set Lass (CA) Court J Blincoe T 24.40 5
3 2 Top Rockette (CA) Potts C Rosales R 14.10 9
4 3 Susananda (KY) Enriquez I Matlow R 6.50 3
5 4 Strapless (KY) Espinoza V Greely C 4.50 7
6 5 Betterthanfiction (KY) Sutherland C Hajek I 20.40 2
8 6 Hypnotizing (CA) Valdivia, Jr. J Lewis C 19.30 6
9 7 Suarez (CA) Rosario J Scolamieri S 2.10 1
10 8 Bajan Kitty (CA) Pedroza M Machowsky M 2.90 4
11 9 Gone Punk (CA) Baze M O’Neill D 9.70 8
12 10 New Partners (CA) Garcia M Truman E 68.30 10
SCR – Kelleys Kitchen (MEX)     – –
SCR – Rev Her Up (CA)     – –
SCR – Hara (KY) Talamo J Papaprodromou G – –
SCR – Spoolish (CA) Flores D Vienna D – –
 
Pgm Win Place Show
9 $6.20 $3.80 $3.00
6 – $14.20 $7.60
4 – – $5.60
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $41.70 (9-6)
$1.00 Pick 3 paid $138.50 (1-7-9)
$1.00 Pick 4 paid $406.50 (3/4-1-7-1/7/9/13/14)
$1.00 Superfecta paid $1574.80 (9-6-4-10)
$1.00 Trifecta paid $364.90 (9-6-4)
$2.00 Daily Double paid $47.80 (7-9)
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