Jay's Wish walks the paddock before Monmouth's second race on Aug. 22.
NY Times: Horse Racing & more- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- Louisville C-J
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- Pace & Cap Forum
- Dan Illman’s Blog
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- Steve Crist’s Blog
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- Peter Fornatale’s Blog
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- DRF Players’ Podcast
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
September 3, 2009 — maidenking
This runner seems to be enjoying a blast of cold water after running on a humid New Jersey day.
September 3, 2009 — maidenking
Jockey Jackie Davis, riding #7 Decue, can't hold off the rush of #8 Glory Tour and Victor Santiago on Aug. 21
September 3, 2009 — maidenking
Jockey Channing Hill heads to the scale after riding Meadow Blue
Jockey Jackie Davis, left, watches replay after getting nailed on front-runner #7 Decue
September 3, 2009 — maidenking
Jockey Jose Velez weighs out after riding French Transition on Aug. 22
Velez cleans up before heading back to the jockey's room
September 3, 2009 — maidenking
Monmouth Park may not run a meet with the quality of Saratoga, but the paddock landscaping is unquestionably second to none.
Atlantic City’s Boardwalk
September 3, 2009 — maidenking
Rolling chair operators didn't have much business on Atlantic City's famed Boardwalk when I visited on Aug. 21.
September 3, 2009 — maidenking
Lifeguards chat with beachgoers while a billboard asks gamblers to stay away from Bally's and Caesars until labor problems are settled.
September 3, 2009 — maidenking
The Goose isn't making anymore appearances on the mound for the Yankees, but you can catch him in Atlantic City.
Eastward Ho
August 19, 2009 — maidenking![ACY_HILT-exter-1[1]](https://maidenking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/acy_hilt-exter-11.jpg "ACY_HILT-exter-1[1]")
With airlines competing for passengers, I was able to get a ticket from Las Vegas to Philadelphia for just $99. I figured why should I pay $175 for a direct flight to Boston when I can land in Philly, hit Atlantic City for a day then then drive up the Jersey Shore to Monmouth Park.
![monmouth-park[1]](https://maidenking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/monmouth-park1.jpg "monmouth-park[1]")
So, on Thursday that’s what I’m going to do. After Monmouth, I’ll loop around and possibly check out some Jersey Shore beach towns before catching a Saturday evening flight from Philadelphia to Boston, which was only $59.
On Aug. 29, I am hoping to be at Saratoga’s Travers Stakes.
Since I won’t be in Las Vegas, I won’t be blogging about maidens from Del Mar for a couple of weeks. But I will try to put up some photos of anything interesting I might come across.
Horse gets a bath in saddling area at Saratoga.
Results, Del Mar Sunday Race 6 — lost $400
August 19, 2009 — maidenking![garrettgomez25_mjm[1]](https://maidenking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/garrettgomez25_mjm11.jpg)
Riding for trainer Jack Carava, Garrett Gomez got #12 Lunar Humor up in the final strides
Trainer Jack Carava ran Lunar Humor against maiden special weight company until his fifth race. But when the gelding could finish no better than third in four straight races, Carava began descending the class ladder.
In the maiden claiming ranks last May and June, Lunar Humor ran low-to-mid 70 Beyer Speed Figures while finishing second two times — first for $80,000 claiming and then for $40,000. On July 24 something curious happened, as jockey Michael Baze merely breezed Lunar Humor in the stretch, which caused the Beyer to sink to an all-time low of 63.
I am sure that the low last-race Beyer kept some betting money off of Lunar Humor, a 3-to-1 shot, despite the presence of jockey Garrett Gomez, who has a large following. In a recent TVG video, Carava — who is the son of a horse trainer — said that he enjoys picking spots for his runners, strategizing and compared horse racing to poker.
So maybe, just maybe, Carava was “strategizing” by breezing his horse in the stretch, so it would pay a good price when he picked his spot on the drop.
This race began with #2 Al N Con, #8 She Made Me Do It and #11 Cafe Con Leche all battling head-to-head down the backstretch. Al N Con, who had led in his last two races against $40,000 maiden claimers, shook clear by a length on the bend, as Cafe Con Leche kept chasing.
As the field swung into the lane, Morton Owen and Joel Rosario were making a move some eight paths wide with Lunar Humor also coming on just inside of him. They had to make up four lengths on Al N Con, 4/1, at the top of the stretch.
When Joe Talamo rode Al N Con past the sixteenth pole, he still had what appeared to be a safe 2-length lead. But Lunar Humor came with a late charge to get up with two jumps to go.
Despite being extremely wide, Morton Owen, at 9-to-2, only missed by two lengths.
I bet $400 on Morton Owen because he had lots of positive long-term betting angles going for him. This gelding was 3-to-1 on the morning line, but was cold on the board throughout the betting period and ended up at 9-to-2.
To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Results, Del Mar Sunday Race 4 — lost $300
August 19, 2009 — maidenking
Joel Rosario, riding #7 It Tiz, inherited the lead and never gave it up.
Sure, in her last start on July 23 Imperatriz showed good speed. But she was loose on the lead and, although she had an easy trip, she didn’t come close to the median winning Beyer Speed Figure for this class of fillies. Still on Sunday, the public saw the early foot in her past performance line and bet her down to 5-to-2.
In the race, debuter #1 Linda Surprise bounced out of the gate and dueled with Imperatriz all the way down the backside. These two were 6 lengths ahead of the next pair of horses — #7 It Tiz and #3 Seriously.
By the top of the stretch, both Imperatriz and Linda Surprise were gasping for air and #7 It Tiz was ready to pounce. It Tiz inherited the lead and held off Seriously, as It Tiz’ jockey Joel Rosario did a nice job of race riding by pinning Seriously against the rail late.
I bet $150 on first-time starters #2 Dixie Sandals at 16/1 and #5 Vivacious Anna at 15/1.
To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Results, Del Mar Saturday Race 7 — lost $500
August 19, 2009 — maidenking
Newly-inducted Hall-of-Famer Bob Baffert broke #12 Marcello's maiden on Saturday.
It really made sense for the Bob Baffert-trained #12 Marcello to win this race. In his only lifetime start on July 25, Marcello lagged at the back of the back then came with a strong rally at 5-1/2 furlongs to get fourth.
Click photo for view of the finish
In the race, Marcello broke alertly then settled in fourth place, as #2 Our Crazy Monkey led down the backstretch. Jockey Garrett Gomez — who was likely the reason Marcello’s post time odds were crushed to 1-to-2 — began his wide move as the horses approached the turn.
Our Crazy Monkey gave the lead up quickly and had no chance of staying with Marcello. But #9 Pulsion, another second-timer, had lots of fight in him and really showed up ready to run.
Pulsion, a 9-to-1 shot who was adding blinkers for trainer Patrick Biancone, closed into Marcello’s 2-length lead with every stride as the wire approached. But Marcello hung on by a nose in a dramatic photo finish.
I liked Marcello but his short price forced me to look elsewhere. So, I spread $500 out over three first timers. #3 Poker Trick, at 14/1, #6 Erbeia, 11/1, and #10 We Will Rock, 12/1. However, none of them fired.
To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Masked man
August 16, 2009 — maidenking
Jockey Rafael Bejarano will ride with a protective face mask when he returns from injury Aug. 28. Bejarano broke his jaw, cheek and nose when his mount Mi Rey went down on Del Mar's Opening Day.
Sunday, Del Mar Race 6 — 4:30 pm post time
August 16, 2009 — maidenking
Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races
Maiden claiming $25,000, 6 furlongs, 3 yo’s and up
Possible overlays Morning line
#2 Al N Con 5/1
#4 Morton Owen 5/2
#6 Smokenomore 12/1
#12 Lunar Humor 3/1
Mike Mitchell leads over #4 Morton Owen. While it’s true that this gelding has had six chances to break his maiden and couldn’t get the job done. And that he was bet below 4-to-1 in his last four starts.
It is also true that this 3-year-old is coming off of a four-month freshening and is dropping in class to his lowest lifetime level. Furthermore, the 74 Beyer Speed Figure Morton Owen ran in February equates to an 83 after adding on six points for growth in his 3-year-old season and three more points for a wide trip.
If Morton Owen can run in the neighborhood of an 83 Beyer then he’ll be very tough considering that the median winning Beyer Speed Figure is just a 74.
Another who I give a chance to is #2 Al N Con. He’s also running in a $25,000 maiden claimer for the first time. On July 29, he tired after a speed duel in a maiden claiming $35,000 sprint to earn a 71 Beyer. With softer early fractions, Al N Con may be able to run a 77.
Lastly, Jack Carava, the trainer of #12 Lunar Humor, changes jockeys from Michael Baze to Garrett Gomez. Looking at the July 24 race replay, it appears that Lunar Humor breezed in the stretch. In the past, Lunar Humor has earned low-to-mid 70s Beyer figures, which may be enough to win if Morton Owen and Al N Con aren’t at their best.
I will bet $400 to win on #4 Morton Owen at 8/5 to 9/1 and $100 on #2 Al N Con at 9/2 and above. If Morton Owen’s odds are out of the zone, then I will substitute $200 to win on #12 Lunar Humor at 2/1 and up.
Sunday, Del Mar Race 4 — 3:30 pm post time
August 16, 2009 — maidenking
Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races
Maiden Special Weight, 6-1/2 furlongs, 2 yo fillies
Possible overlays Morning line
#2 Dixie’s Sandals 8/1
#3 Seriously 3/1
#4 Star of Sapphire 4/1
#5 Vivacious Anna 8/1
Although #6 Imperatriz showed good speed in her debut and lasted for second, this filly had an easy trip yet didn’t run anywhere close to the median winning Beyer Speed Figure of 80 for this class.
If the public sends Imperatriz off at close to her 5-to-2 morning line then I will enthusiastically bet against both her and #7 It Tiz, a first time starter who is 4-to-1 on the early line.
Much better potential wagers are #2 Dixie’s Sandals, #4 Star of Sapphire and #5 Vivacious Anna. Also, the Bob Baffert-trained #3 Seriously obviously has a decent shot, but she may be overbet.
Jockey Mike Smith rode Seriously in her debut, but now he shows up on Star of Sapphire, who’s been working out well. Star of Sapphire has a few good betting angles going for her.
Doug O’Neill saddles #5 Vivacious Anna and O’Neill has done well with this type of maiden in the past. Finally, Dixie Sandals has mostly slow workouts, but she fits the profile of a winning debuter — but only if she falls into the 10/1 to 19/1 betting range.
I will bet $250 to win on #4 Star of Sapphire at 7/2 to 19/1; $150 on #5 Vivacious Anna at 5/1 to 19/1 and $150 on #2 Dixie’s Sandals at 10/1 to 19/1.
If the public goes overboard on Star of Sapphire and bets her below 7-to-2, then I will instead substitute $200 to win on #3 Seriously at 5/2 to 7/1 only.
Saturday, Del Mar Race 7 — 5 pm post time
August 15, 2009 — maidenking
Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races
Maiden Special Weight, 6-1/2 furlongs, 2-year-olds
Possible overlays Morning line
#3 Poker Trick 7/2
#6 Erbeia 9/2
#9 Pulsion 8/1
#10 We Will Rock 8/1
#12 Marcello 3/1
In his first lifetime race on July 25, #12 Marcello sat at the back of the 10-horse field before accellerating four-wide on the turn. In the stretch, jockey Garrett Gomez ducked Marcello to the inside and closed more than three lengths.
On that day, trainer Bob Baffert also saddled the wire-to-wire winning favorite Tiny Woods, so Marcello might not have been well meant. This 6-1/2 furlong distance seems to fit his running style much better.
However, Gomez might cause Marcello to be overbet.
Doug O’Neill is training three first-time starters in this one: #2 Our Crazy Monkey, #3 Poker Trick and #10 We Will Rock. I don’t like Crazy Monkey, but will bet on Poker Trick and We Will Rock if the odds are decent.
Other colts who deserve consideration are #6 Erbeia and #9 Pulsion. Richard Mandella, the trainer of Erbeia is winning at 20 percent for the year, but Pulsion’s trainer Patrick Biancone is struggling at 8 percent since coming off his suspension for possessing cobra venom.
I will bet $250 on Marcello at odds of 5/2 and above. Also, I want $150 to win on #3 Poker Trick at 7/2 to 19/1, and $200 on #10 We Will Rock at 5/1 to 19/1.
Finally, if #6 Erbeia is 10/1 to 19/1 I will bet $150 to win on him. And only if Marcello is bet below 5/2 will I put $150 to win on #9 Pulsion at 5/2 to 7/1.
Living large
August 15, 2009 — maidenking
Is this the lifestyle of a Thoroughbred owner? At Del Mar it is.
Results, Del Mar Wednesday Race 2 — won $1,820
August 15, 2009 — maidenking![moneyman[1]](https://maidenking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/moneyman1.jpg "moneyman[1]")
This appeared to be a weak field for the level because none of these runners approached the median 82 Beyer Speed Figure that’s usually needed to win.
Surprisingly, the public settled on #5 Rented Cop as the 8-to-5 favorite. I assume it was because Rented Cop was dropping from maiden special weight into claiming. Although this gelding showed some speed in his debut, he really had not shown much overall promise.
Rented Cop’s 43 and 64 Beyer Speed Figures were nothing special and he was an easy favorite to wager against. On the rail, #1 Crazy Wager was 10 or 11 paths wide entering the stretch in his last, so I bumped his speed figure from 66 to 76 to make up for the lost ground.
And #7 Final Journey could have been any kind. He ran OK in his only lifetime start last February, but his workouts were all slow ones. Regardless, I gave trainer Marty Jones the benefit of the doubt.
In the race, apprentice jockey Christian Reyes-Santiago went right to the lead with 18-to-1 shot #3 Del Mar Express. The only problem with that strategy is that early speed is not as valuable at 6-1/2 furlongs as it is at shorter distances. Before even hitting the turn, Del Mar Express was tackled by #2 Velikaya on the inside and Rented Cop on the outside.
Del Mar Express backed up fast on the turn while Rented Cop continued to duke it out with Velikaya. By this time, Final Journey had worked his way through the pack to be third at the top of the stretch.
At 7-to-1, Final Journey rallied to the lead at the eighth pole and Crazy Wager, at 9-to-2, also showed a good late kick to get second.
I bet $400 on Crazy Wager and $300 on Final Journey. I got back $2,520 for a gain of $1,820.
To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
- DRF Today
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- The Blood Horse
- Museum Mile Beats Older Rivals in Arima Kinen
- Looking Ahead to 2026: Improving Field Size
- McCarthy Out in Force to Cap a Season to Remember
- Knightsbridge Strong in Mr. Prospector Victory
- Counting Stars Wheels Back to Take Oaklawn's Year's End
- Sovereignty Set to Rejoin Mott's Stable, Race in 2026
- Montador, Hear the Queen Capture Stakes at Fair Grounds
- Lovcen Takes Japan's Hopeful in Just His Second Start
- Looking Ahead to 2026: Exciting Freshman Sires
- Last Hurrah Stakes: Anegada
- Santa Anita News
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- Bob Baffert’s World
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- On the Backstretch
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- WSJ Sports
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
Maiden King 