Hollywood cancels Thursday card due to horse shortage

April 29, 2009 — maidenking

Hollywood Park officials could not fill fields for Thursday’s races, so they canceled the entire card. Racing was not canceled any other day and the first post time for today is 1 pm.  

A Hollywood Park official said that they postponed the draw from Sunday until Tuesday for Thursday’s races, then had to cancel when not enough horses entered.

“It’s simple,” Eual Wyatt, Jr., vice president and general manager of Hollywood Park told the Los Angeles Times.  “There is a shortage of horses. It may be the economy. Investing in horses is an expensive proposition.

“Is this a sign of things to come? That’s only a guess.”

This winter, races were canceled at Golden Gate Fields because of horse shortages, but never before at Hollywood, Wyatt said. 

“We will discuss and see if there are some accommodations we can make,” Wyatt said. “We should have a strategy by early next week.”

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Results, Hollywood Park Sunday Race 3 — no bets

April 28, 2009 — maidenking
Trainer John Sadler and jockey Joel Rosario teamed up on #9 I Swear

Trainer John Sadler and jockey Joel Rosario teamed up on #9 I Swear

When trainer John Sadler names jockey Joel Rosario as his rider, bettors should take notice.

Coming into Sunday’s third race, Rosario had won with 30 of the last 137 horses that he rode for Sadler and horseplayers who bet them all got back $1.51 for every dollar they bet.

In this race, Sadler gave Rosario a leg up on #9 I Swear, a 5-to-2 shot who was running in her third lifetime start. She was slow to start and Rosario was content to lay eight lengths off the pace on the backstretch.

As #2 Parker’s Stormgirl and #6 Wild Heart battled for the lead on the turn, I Swear started her run and moved up four-wide entering the stretch. When the speed collapsed, it became a race between #5 Youknowwhatilike and I Swear — and I Swear prevailed by a length.

I was planning on betting #6 Wild Heart at 2/1 or more, but the Bob Baffert-trained filly was hammered down to 3/2, which was too low for a wager.

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

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Crystal Empire R N (KY) Sorenson D Walsh K 2.90 5
2 2 Parker’s Stormgirl (CA) Talamo J Puype M 9.70 3
4 3 Aislebebarbie (CA) Scott J Sierra C 65.20 7
5 4 Youknowwhatilike (CA) Arambula P Martinez S 10.30 2
6 5 Wild Heart (KY) Rios J Baffert B 1.50 6
7 6 Candelaria (CA) Martin G Shidaker D 76.70 8
8 7 Court Ballado (KY) Baze T Sherman A 13.30 4
9 8 I Swear (KY) Rosario J Sadler J 2.70 1
SCR – Whatafantasy (CA) Delgadillo A O’Neill D – –
Pgm Win Place Show
9 $7.40 $3.80 $3.00
5 – $6.60 $4.20
2 – – $5.00
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta
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Results, Hollywood Park Sunday Race 1 — lost $200

April 28, 2009 — maidenking
After winning five races on Saturday, Rafael Bejarano took the opener on Sunday.

After winning five races on Saturday, Rafael Bejarano took the opener on Sunday.

After running an amazing race to cross the wire first, #7 Seeuat Sticknstein was taken down by the stewards for causing interference in the stretch to #2 Gate to Wire.

The win continued a huge weekend for jockey Rafael Bejarano, who won five races Saturday and two more on Sunday.

Seeuat Sticknstein, who is trained by David La Croix, was trying to overcome a huge bias against him. In these 4-1/2 furlong races the turn comes up quickly, so horses in the inside four post positions have a tremendous advantage. 

In fact, according to my records, only one first-time starter of 50 in the last two years won a 4-1/2 furlong race at Hollywood breaking from outside of post number 4. And that horse was even money.

In this race, Seeuat Sticknstein battled for the lead while three wide on the turn against #4 Catch My Tale and #5 Great Wheels. He shook off those two and led by a length over #3 Izzynfranstreasure, who was coming on the outside.

Rafael Bejarano tried to squeeze between #3 Izzynfranstreasure while Seeuatsticknstein was bearing out, so the seam closed quickly and Gate to Wire checked in midstretch. Gate to Wire regained his footing and came charging at Seeuat Sticknstein, but missed by a half a length.

I bet $200 on #1 Swiss Record at 2/1 and he was not a factor.

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

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Swiss Record (CA) Rosario J Harrington M 2.10 6
2 2 Gate to Wire (KY) Bejarano R Dominguez C 2.10 1
3 3 Izzynfranstreasure (CA) Gavica G Coffee C 53.00 3
4 4 Catch My Tale (KY) Hill C Talbot S 5.30 5
5 5 Great Wheels (CA) Baze M Freeman E 18.80 4
6 6 Suitcase Simpson (CA) Sorenson D Harrington M 8.70 7
7 7 Seeuat Sticknstein (KY) Baze T La Croix D 4.20 2
8 8 Del Mar Truckee (CA) Scott J Sierra C 33.60 8
Pgm Win Place Show
2 $6.20 $3.60 $2.80
7 – $4.40 $4.00
3 – – $16.20
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $15.40 (2-7)
$1.00 Superfecta
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Quality Road still possible for Preakness and Belmont

April 27, 2009 — maidenking

Florida Derby winner Quality Road remains a possibility for the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, but will not run in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby due to a sore cracked hoof.

The 3-year-old colt missed a scheduled 5-furlong workout today at Belmont Park because of the injury to his right front hoof.

“It’s not terribly bad, but it’s not right,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens told USA Today. “He’s really sensitive on the quarter.”

Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay, who is working on Quality Road’s foot, is optimistic that the colt may compete in Pimlico’s Preakness Stakes on May 16.

“If this thing calms right down,” McKinlay said, “he’ll be back on track.”

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Derby Festival Great Balloon Race colors Louisville sky

April 27, 2009 — maidenking

 

bilde

After two days of being canceled because of high winds, the Derby Festival Great Balloon Race took to the air in Louisville on Sunday.

The University of Louisville balloon beat out 33 others by landing its craft closest to an “X” marked on the ground, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

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Ky Derby decision on Quality Road hangs in the breeze

April 26, 2009 — maidenking

On Saturday, Kentucky Derby hopeful Quality Road jogged the Belmont Park track and his slight quarter crack appeared stable. So it seemed, all systems were go for the big race next Saturday.

But after a mile and three-quarter Sunday gallop, the crack on his right front foot emitted a tinge of blood.

And that was enough to get trainer Jimmy Jerkens thinking about doing the unthinkable: scratching the Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth winner. It’s not that Quality Road didn’t look great on the track, but Jerkens said that the Derby is no place to send a horse who is at anything less than his best.  

“He galloped the way he usually does,” Jerkens told Joe Drape of the New York Times. “I would have been more optimistic with no blood.”

So it all comes down to today. 

Quality Road is scheduled to breeze five-eighths of a mile on the Belmont Park training track.  If it goes well, then Quality Road will be in the Churchill Downs starting gate on Saturday, and Jerkens might be smelling roses a few  minutes later.

But if the colt seems weakened at all by the crack, then the plane headed from New York City to Louisville on Tuesday will leave without him.

“He needs to work to our liking and come out perfect,” said the cautious Jerkens. “If he takes one bad step — forget it.”

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Sunday, Hollywood Park Race 3 — 2 pm post time

April 26, 2009 — maidenking
Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden claiming $32,000, 6 furlongs, 3+up, f & m

Possible overlays                           Morning line

#6 Wild Heart                                    5/2

In her March 12 debut, #6 Wild Heart broke slowly, but made an impressive move at the leaders entering the turn. On that day, she was going against maiden special weight runners and jockey Jesus Rios put the brakes on as Wild Heart was within a half length of the leaders. 

She quickly fell back and ended up losing the race by more than nine lengths. Today, she is facing a weaker bunch and should be able to run the 70 Beyer Speed Figure necessary to win this type of race.

You might wonder why trainer Bob Baffert is using jockey Rios if Wild Heart is really ready to win. I believe that if Wild Heart is right, she’ll get the lead and never look back, so Rios will have an easy trip.

Also, I think Baffert’s barn likes to bet and Rios will help the odds stay reasonable.

The most likely challengers to Wild Heart are second-timers #1 Crystal Empire R N and #5 Youknowwhatilike.  Also, the John Sadler-trained #9 I Swear was bet below 7-to-2 both times she ran, so I am hoping bettors like her again in this race.

In the end, Hall of Famer Baffert will probably win another. Therefore, I will bet $300 on #6 Wild Heart at 2/1 or more.

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Sunday, Hollywood Park Race 1 — 1 pm post time

April 26, 2009 — maidenking
Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden claiming $40,000, 4-1/2 furlongs, 2-year-olds

Possible overlays                          Morning line

#1 Swiss Record                               2/1
#2 Gate to Wire                                5/2

In these 4-1/2 furlong races the turn comes up real quickly so the inside four post positions have a tremendous advantage over the others.

In fact, over the last two years only one out of 50 first time starters won breaking from a post position outside of gate 4. And that horse was even money.

So, although I would love to play #6 Suitcase Simpson or #7 Seeuat Sticknstein, I won’t do it because their post positions nullify their great connections. The only horses that I will consider are #1 Swiss Record and #2 Gate to Wire.

Swiss Record has several quick workouts and is breaking from stall #1. Sire Swiss Yodler is known for dropping precocious horses and jockey Joel Rosario can get the job done. Just outside of him, #2 Gate to Wire got body checked hard at the start of his April 2 debut then ran on well. Now trainer Caesar Dominguez switches from no-name rider Pedro Arambula to Rafael Bejarano, who led the Santa Anita jockey standings and won five races at Hollywood Park on Saturday.

I will bet $200 to win on #1 Swiss Record at 3/2 to 4/1, but if his odds are not in that range I will instead put the $200 on #2 Gate to Wire at odds of 2/1 or more.

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Results, Hollywood Park Saturday Race 10 — won $1,745

April 26, 2009 — maidenking

imgres3I wonder how many people looked at their racing forms after this one and wondered how the heck a lightly-raced maiden trained by Mike Mitchell and ridden by Garrett Gomez could go off at 12-to-1.

The money stayed away, I believe, because #12 Grazen was coming into its second lifetime race off a seven-month layoff and had only one swift workout. The $26.60 payoff shows you that when a horse isn’t being bet, then everyone believes its dead on the board and stays away. 

And in most cases, that’s the right thing to do. But great trainers like Mitchell win at such a high percentage that they always need to be respected.

The favorite #9 Raise the River was 7-to-2 on the morning line, but his 92 Beyer Speed Figure in his last race was like a flashing neon sign that screamed “Bet Me.” He went off at 8-to-5 and Rafael Bejarano was trying to earn his sixth victory of the day, but all he and Raise the River could muster was a second-place finish.

Recently, the Gomez-Mitchell duo has been gold together. Coming into this race, anybody who bet on all of the last 56 horses these two combined on got back $1.29 for every $1 bet.

And that’s strong.

In the race, Gomez broke with #10 M One Rifle and the two dueled down the backstretch. Grazen shook him off in the stretch and drew off to win convincingly.

I bet $150 to win on #12 Grazen and $100 to win on #13 Charlie and Chris. I collected $1,995 and profited $1,745.

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

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
2 1 Quick Vic (CA) Talamo J Koriner B 28.70 9
3 2 Kaptain Kordough (CA) Espinoza V Garcia O 7.40 5
4 3 Warrens Wild Thing (CA) Baze M Gutierrez J 63.70 12
5 4 Teamwork (CA) Rosario J Sise, Jr. C 10.70 4
6 5 Mendota Bay (CA) Solis A Barba A 24.00 13
7 6 Cork Creek (CA) Quinonez A Sayler J 56.50 11
8 7 Star Redeemer (CA) Flores D Sadler J 8.80 8
9 8 Raise the River (CA) Bejarano R Gaines C 1.60 2
10 9 M One Rifle (CA) Smith M Headley B 7.30 3
11 10 Mountain Guide (CA) Garcia M Harrington M 45.80 10
12 11 Grazen (CA) Gomez G Mitchell M 12.30 1
13 12 Charlie and Chris (CA) Baze T Zucker H 5.30 7
14 13 Top Biker (CA) Gryder A Mitchell M 39.00 6
SCR – Premiere Flyer (CA)     – –
Pgm Win Place Show
12 $26.60 $11.00 $6.80
9 – $3.40 $2.60
10 – – $5.60
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $46.10 (12-9)
$1.00 Pick 3 paid $553.00 (3-3-12)
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Results, Hollywood Park Saturday Race 2 — lost $150

April 26, 2009 — maidenking
bio_bruceheadley

Trainer Bruce Headley is also the owner of #8 Woman Warrior

Coming into this race, #3 Ruffled Feathers looked like she was going to run big. Trainer Patrick Gallagher switched jockeys from Danny Sorenson to Garrett Gomez and the filly had improved in each of her two starts.

She was bet to 2-to-1 but broke slowly to be near the back of the field. Approaching the turn, Gomez checked Ruffled Feathers and got into more trouble entering the stretch. At that point. Ruffled Feathers was so far behind that Gomez merely breezed her to the wire.

One horse that didn’t get in trouble was #8 Woman Warrior, a first-time starter trained by Bruce Headley. Alex Solis sat her just off the pace and she was a bit wide on the turn But then she came with a furious stretch rally to mow down #7 Running After Boys.

I was prepared to wager on Ruffled Feathers, but she was below my minimum odds of 5/2. Gold Image, #6, was also out of my range and I ended up with a $150 bet on #5 Irridescent Red, who did nothing.

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

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Wearehaving Funyet (CA) Hill C Mendoza J 51.90 9
2 2 Metallic Waters (CA) Smith M Baffert B 7.40 6
3 3 Ruffled Feathers (CA) Gomez G Gallagher P 2.30 8
4 4 Kant Catch the Kat (CA) Garcia M Sherman A 19.20 7
5 5 Irridescent Red (CA) Gryder A Becerra R 2.20 5
6 6 Gold Image (CA) Bejarano R Gaines C 9.50 3
7 7 Running After Boys (CA) Espinoza V Kitchingman A 6.50 2
8 8 Woman Warrior (CA) Solis A Headley B 6.90 1
9 9 Suances Rio (CA) Rosario J Vienna D 24.10 4
Pgm Win Place Show
8 $15.80 $7.40 $4.80
7 – $9.60 $6.40
6 – – $6.60
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $62.00 (8-7)
$1.00 Superfecta paid $2981.50 (8-7-6-9)
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A big Dodgers fan, TV’s Alyssa Milano loves horses too

April 26, 2009 — maidenking

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Saturday, Hollywood Park Race 10 — 5:05 pm post time

April 25, 2009 — maidenking
Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden Special Weight, 6-1/2 furlongs, 3 yo’s and up

Possible overlays                            Morning line

#9 Raise the River                                7/2
#12 Grazen                                               6/1
#13 Charlie and Chris                          6/1

It seems to me that horses coming off layoffs don’t do well in races like this and neither do first time starters.That leaves me with one big stick out here: #9 Raise the River.

In his last race, Raise the River ran a 92 Beyer Speed Figure while missing by a nose. In seven races, his odds have never been higher than 5-to-2, so the 7-to-2 morning line looks a bit unrealistic even in a 13-horse field. I think bettors will see that big last race Beyer and knock him below 3/1. Bejarano, who has won on 15 of the last 46 Carla Gaines horse he has ridden, will not help the price either.

Mike Mitchell trains #12 Grazen and his second-time starters win at a 39 percent clip, although most of them are maiden claimers. Also, rider Garrett Gomez has won on 21 of the last 56 Mitchell horses he has ridden.

With any improvement and a good trip, #13 Charlie and Chris can get there. He ran an 83 Beyer Speed Figure on Feb. 26, which fits in well here as the median figure needed to win this type of race is an 86.

I will bet $200 to win on #9 Raise the River at 2/1 and up and $150 to win on #12 Grazen at 3/1 or higher. If Raise the River falls below 2/1 then I’ll bet $100 on #13 Charlie and Chris at 7/2 or higher.
  
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Saturday, Hollywood Park Race 2 — 1 pm post time

April 24, 2009 — maidenking
Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden Special Weight, 6-1/2 furlongs, 3 yo’s and up, f

Possible overlays                                 Morning line

#3 Ruffled Feathers                                   5/2
#5 Irridescent Red                                     3/1
#6 Gold Image                                           6/1

Of the nine horses in this race, three of them are first-time starters — and I don’t like any of them. That leaves six fillies and mares of which #3 Ruffled Feathers looks to have the best chance to win.

This Patrick Gallagher-trained filly drastically upgrades jockeys from Danny Sorenson to Garrett Gomez and is on the improve. On March 29, Ruffled Feathers lost ground when she walked out of the gate then swang ultra-wide into the turn.  Because of the bad trip, I adjusted her 69 Beyer Speed Figure to a 74, which is in the range of what it takes to win a race of this class.

Irridescent Red, #5,  ran against Ruffled Feathers last time and she finished second in that March 29 race.  She set the pace and beat Ruffled Feathers by a half a length at the wire.

Coming off a 10-month layoff, #6 Gold Image has great connections. She’s owned by Harris Farms which gives all of their best horses to Carla Gaines. Over the years, Gaines has won with many second timers coming off long layoffs and her winning percentage with jockey Rafael Bejarano is outstanding.

I will bet $250 to win on #3 Ruffled Feathers at 5/2 or more, and $200 to win on #6 Gold Image between the odds of 3/1 and 5/1 only. If Ruffled Feather’s post time odds are 2/1 or less then I will instead bet $150 on #5 Irridescent Red.

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Minor quarter crack unlikely to sideline Quality Road

April 24, 2009 — maidenking

Although Quality Road developed a new quarter crack, the hoof specialist working on the injury said he believes the colt will run in the Kentucky Derby on May 2.

Ian McKinlay told Fran Jurga’s Hoof Blog that the crack on his right front hoof is minor and Quality Road is in no pain. About a month ago, the Florida Derby winner also developed a quarter crack on his right hind foot, and McKinlay said the cracks are forming because Quality Road’s feet are disproportionately small when compared to the rest of his body.

“He’s a very, very big horse with a small foot,” McKinlay told Jurga.

Quality Road, who recovered from the first crack, has been training well and plans are for the horse to jog on Saturday, gallop on Sunday and breeze on Monday. If he’s sound on Tuesday, then Quality Road will ship to Churchill Downs, said trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

“Right now, he’s absolutely sound,” Jerkens said.

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Partying Paris jets off to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby

April 24, 2009 — maidenking
Paris Hilton, left, and Kim Kardashian will both be hosting Ky Derby parties

Paris Hilton, left, and Kim Kardashian will both be hosting Ky Derby parties

The party never really starts until Paris Hilton arrives.

And with the Kentucky Derby just eight days away, it’s no surprise she’ll be in Louisville living it up with other famous people who have nothing to do with horse racing.

Hilton will be going to the Barnstable-Brown Derby Eve Gala, which is known as one of the top 10 parties in the world, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal’s website. The celebrity packed function is held every year at the Louisville home of Patricia Barnstable-Brown, and the 21st annual gala held on May 1 raises money to benefit diabetes research.

Afterward, Hilton and her boyfriend Doug Reinhardt will host the official Barnstable-Brown after-party at The Sports and Social Club in Louisville.

“With Paris and Doug adding to this year’s celebrity lineup, this party’s sure to be talked about for years to come. Paris Hilton will definitely be one of the hottest fillies in Kentucky,” said Barnstable-Brown in a news release.

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Results, Santa Anita Sunday Race 10 — won $1,750

April 20, 2009 — maidenking

imgres2Some trainers know the betting tendencies of the public and they use the information to help get prices on their horses.

In the April 19 Daily Racing Form Simulcast Weekly, Darrell Vienna was the profiled trainer. In a chart labeled “Vital Statistics,” Vienna’s training numbers were broken down into 37 categories. And Vienna had long-term money making statistics in 18 of the 25 categories that showed him with 10 starters or more.

In the body of the story, it hinted that one reason Vienna’s horses pay so well is that he works his runners out on the deeper dirt surface of the Santa Anita training track rather than the main track that most use. The horses get fit, but their times are slow, which may cause bettors to stay away.

On Sunday, Vienna brought #3 Chic Chick off a nine-month layoff to win the tenth race. This 5-year-old mare had run decently versus maiden special weight company last year and was now dropping into $25,000 maiden claiming, yet she still paid $9.

The public, in general, doesn’t like risking their money on horses that were laid off for long stretches. And I’m sure they like these comebackers even less if their workouts are all slow or nondescript.

Sunday’s race by Chic Chick was only a race until midstretch when jockey Joel Rosario found a seam and, as race caller Trevor Denman enthusiastically described, “exploded thorough on the inside.” 

Chic Chick then pulled away from the pack and closed out the meet in style.

I bet $500 on #3 Chic Chick and was prepared to bet $200 on #7 Hannah’s Moment, but she was bet below my minimum 3/1 price. I collected $2,250 and profited $1,750. 

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

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Christy’s Bullet (CA) Solis A Dominguez C 2.50 2
3 2 Chic Chick (CA) Rosario J Vienna D 3.50 1
4 3 Judge in the West (CA) Baze T Schiewe P 13.80 5
5 4 A Fine Time (KY) Talamo J Robbins J 24.00 8
6 5 Classic Demand (CA) Garcia M Eurton P 5.10 3
7 6 Hannah’s Moment (CA) Bejarano R Periban J 2.90 4
11 7 Girl of Mine (CA) Rios J Knapp S 10.50 7
12 8 She’s a Single (CA) Sorenson D Bernstein D 14.00 6
SCR – Cee’s Harmony (CA)     – –
SCR – Sister Lucy (CA)     – –
SCR – Ms Honkytonk Woman (CA) Martin G Shidaker D – –
SCR – Ata Honour (KY) Gryder A Burnison E – –
Pgm Win Place Show
3 $9.00 $4.40 $3.20
1 – $3.60 $2.80
6 – – $4.00
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Consolation Pick 3 paid $11.90
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Results, Santa Anita Sunday Race 6 — lost $650

April 20, 2009 — maidenking
Trainer Carla Gaines and jockey Rafael Bejarano won with 14 of their last 43 horses

Trainer Carla Gaines and jockey Rafael Bejarano won with 14 of their last 43 horses

What threw me off on #3 Indomitable was she was showing a purchase price of $210,000, but she was dropping into a race for $32,000 claimers.

And it’s not like she had run five times and never came close. This was only her second start and she showed speed in her debut, yet the owner was still giving up on her.

No question that Indomitable had a couple of things in her favor, as trainer Carla Gaines has won regularly with second timers over the last decade, and Gaines has a high winning percentage when using jockey Rafael Bejarano.

But, at 2-to-1 on Indomitable, I instead opted for #5 To Hot for You, who was coming off an eight month layoff for Mike Mitchell. Also, I liked #10 Humane who ran a monster race in her Feb. 5 debut, but hasn’t duplicated it now in three tries.

In the race, both Humane and To Hot for You were plugging away four lengths behind #2 Touch Me Babe, who set the pace until the top of the stretch. Indomitable, who tracked the leader all the way, then moved strongly to the lead while both Humane and To Hot for You tried fruitlessly to catch her.

I bet $400 on #5 To Hot for You at 5/2 and $250 on #10 Humane at 5/1.

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

 

 

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Where’s My Limo (CA) Sorenson D Sahadi J 37.80 9
2 2 Touch Me Babe (KY) Baze T Miller P 6.10 6
3 3 Indomitable (KY) Bejarano R Gaines C 2.10 1
4 4 Maeve (CA) Solis A Becerra R 16.60 8
5 5 To Hot for You (FL) Gryder A Mitchell M 2.80 3
6 6 Poolside (CA) Quinonez A Periban J 29.60 4
7 7 Sand Bridled (CA) Cedeno A Stein R 27.10 5
8 8 Hostile Reaction (CA) Stra K Martinez S 45.10 7
9 9 Kristen’s Lil Lady (CA) Talamo J Yakteen T 6.10 10
10 10 Humane (CA) Baze M Meredith D 5.40 2
 
Pgm Win Place Show
3 $6.20 $4.00 $3.00
10 – $5.80 $3.80
5 – – $3.20
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $18.60 (3-10)
$1.00 Pick 3 paid $265.30 (3-8-3)
$1.00 Superfecta
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Results, Santa Anita Sunday Race 3 — won $1,695

April 19, 2009 — maidenking

e-pluribus-unumThe crowd in this race went for #6 Michelle Marie, who had recently competed in maiden special weight races with the likes of Irish Gypsy and Mother Ruth.

She ran OK to finish second at 6-to-5, but first-time starter #7 Martini Mixer was absolutely the best horse in this maiden claiming field. 

Jockey Joe Talamo broke Martini Mixer in the middle of the field where she followed six lengths behind a pack of four horses vying for the lead — #3 Tripped Fame, #4 Mary the Princess, #6 Michelle Marie and #9 Misstrailcityzone.

On the turn, Talamo began his rail-hugging rally then swang out for the drive.  Only two of the four pace setters remained at the top of the stretch and Martini Mixer blew by both Mary the Princess and Michelle Marie to win by about three lengths.

I thought Martini Mixer, who is trained by Brian Koriner, had a good chance and bet $400 on her. I collected $2,080 and profited $1,655, as I also put $25 on 22-to-1 shot Misstrailcityzone.

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

 

 

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 St. Rosalind (KY) Baze M Headley G 27.20 5
3 2 Tripped Fuse (FL) Baze T Glatt M 3.90 8
4 3 Mary the Princess (CA) Bejarano R Periban J 7.00 4
5 4 Daniella Roth (CA) Garcia M Stein R 27.10 6
6 5 Michelle Marie (KY) Rosario J West T 1.20 2
7 6 Martini Mixer (CA) Talamo J Koriner B 4.30 1
8 7 Ata Pretense (CA) Arambula P Burnison E 56.20 9
9 8 Misstrailcityzone (CA) Quinonez A Nettles K 22.10 3
10 9 Greek Advantage (CA) Sorenson D Bell, II T 9.60 7
SCR – Roomantic (LA) Delgadillo A Hajek I – –
 
Pgm Win Place Show
7 $10.60 $4.60 $3.60
6 – $2.80 $2.40
9 – – $6.60
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Consolation Pick 3 paid $109.30 (2-3-2)
$1.00 Exacta
Posted in maiden claiming 2s & 3s. Tags: , , , . Leave a Comment »

Results, Santa Anita Saturday Race 10 — no bets

April 19, 2009 — maidenking
Leading jockey Rafael Bejarano won aboard #2 Foreign Taurean for trainer Steve Knapp

Leading jockey Rafael Bejarano won aboard #2 Foreign Taurean for trainer Steve Knapp

My horse in this race, #5 Victory Knock, was scratched in the morning, so I didn’t have any bets.

Victory Knock was the 2-to-1 morning line favorite and without him in the race, #2 Foreign Taurean was bet down to even money.

And Foreign Taurean, who is trained by Steve Knapp, won like an even money shot should win. He took the lead down the backstretch on a slow pace, remained in front on the turn, then pulled away in the stretch.

The win added to Bejarano’s lead in the jockey standings on the next to last day before the prestigious Santa Anita winter meet ends. As of April 15, Bejarano had a 93-to-86 lead in wins over Garrett Gomez.

However, in defense of Gomez, the 2007-2008 Eclipse Award winner leaves town more than Bejarano to ride in stakes races on the East Coast and Midwest.

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

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Class Dismissed (KY) Rosario J Dunham D 5.70 3
2 2 Foreign Taurean (KY) Bejarano R Knapp S 1.00 1
3 3 Self Defense (CA) Gryder A Lewis C 4.10 4
4 4 Llamada Perdida (CA) Garcia M Garcia V 54.40 5
6 5 Joshomo (CA) Rios J Metz J 15.70 6
7 6 Brahms Medal (KY) Gavica G Dahl T 49.30 8
8 7 Kitty Caliente (CA) Hill C Matties G 3.90 2
9 8 Papa Doowop (NY) Nakatani C Truman E 16.70 7
SCR – Victory Knock (KY) Solis A Gallagher P – –
Pgm Win Place Show
2 $4.00 $2.60 $2.20
8 – $4.20 $3.60
1 – – $3.00
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $8.60 (2-8)
$1.00 Pick 3 paid $102.00 (4-1-2)
$1.00 Pick 4 paid $401.30 (8-4-1-2/5)
Posted in maiden claiming 2s & 3s. Tags: , , , . Leave a Comment »

Results, Santa Anita Saturday Race 6 — lost $400

April 19, 2009 — maidenking
Trainer Ron Ellis continues to do well with horses coming off of layoffs

Trainer Ron Ellis continues to do well with horses coming off of layoffs

Horseplayers bet #2 Unionize in this race like he couldn’t lose.

And, of course, not only did he lose but Unionize didn’t even hit the board.

The Clifford Sise-trained colt was coming off of two second-place finishes where he earned Beyer Speed Figures of 90 and 87. Bettors pounded Unionize to 3-to-5, and I looked at the show pool with about 10 minutes to go and Unionize had $51,000 of the $60,000 that was wagered.

Obviously, a bride jumper dumped $40,000 to $45,000 to show on Unionize, which created inflated payoffs for the first, second and third finishers in that pool.

For example, #6 Speight the Halo ran third at 7-to-2 and paid $16.40 to show while #9 Truest Legend won the race, but his show payoff of $32.80 was larger than the $24.60 he paid to win.

Score one for the folks who bet horses across the board.

Truest Legend, who was making his second lifetime start, had a published purchase price of $240,000. But the best thing about him was that Ron Ellis was doing the training.

Coming into the race Ellis had won with four of his last 14 runners coming off layoffs of six months or more. And Truest Legend hadn’t run since September when he showed good speed at Fairplex before falling apart in the stretch at 53-to-1.

In this race, Truest Legend blasted from the gate and established a large lead by running the first quarter mile in 21.25 seconds. He rolled through the next quarter in 22.24 seconds, then if anybody was going to catch him they would have blown by when Truest Legend could only muster a third quarter in 25.52 seconds.

But none of the other eight horses made a move.

I focused my betting on #6 Speight the Halo, who I bet $200 on at 7/2 and boxed him in the exacta with the favorite for $100 each way.

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

 

 

PGM PP# NAME JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS FN
1 1 Absolutlypositivly (CA) Garcia M Chew M 55.50 7
2 2 Unionize (KY) Baze T Sise, Jr. C 0.60 4
3 3 Collalto (CA) Baze M Chew M 44.10 8
4 4 Kumiva (KY) Bejarano R Bell, II T 10.20 5
5 5 Brian the Brave (KY) Hill C O’Callaghan C 29.90 6
6 6 Speight the Halo (KY) Gryder A Harty E 3.60 3
7 7 Margarita Shot (KY) Delgadillo A DeLeon R 11.50 2
8 8 Right One (KY) Rosario J Lobo P 20.00 9
9 9 Truest Legend (FL) Espinoza V Ellis R 11.30 1
 
Pgm Win Place Show
9 $24.60 $13.20 $32.80
7 – $10.80 $25.20
6 – – $16.40
 
Exotic Payoffs
$1.00 Exacta paid $100.30 (9-7)
$1.00 Pick 3 paid $604.40 (8-6-9)
$1.00
Posted in msw, 2s & 3s. Tags: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »
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