The King's Speech 8-5
The Social Network 3-1
Black Swan 4-1
The Fighter 9-2
Inception 8-1
True Grit 10-1
127 Hours 15-1
The Kids Are All Right 20-1
Winter's Bone 25-1
Toy Story 3 50-1
Kevin's Oscar line was spot-on in 2010. Please submit your vote for Best Picture in our poll.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
BOURBON BAY, CHAMP PEGASUS RENEW RIVALRY IN SAN LUIS OBISPO; SMILING TIGER SEEKS REDEMPTION IN SAN CARLOS SATURDAY AT SANTA ANITA
Bourbon Bay and Champ Pegasus, the West Coast's foremost turf marathoners, renew their long-distance relationship in Santa Anita's Grade II, $150,000 San Luis Obispo Stakes at 1 ½ miles on Saturday, when they meet for the third time in what promises to be the "rubber game" of their racing rivalry. Bourbon Bay got the better of favored Champ Pegasus most recently in the Jan. 17 San Marcos Stakes at 1 ¼ miles. Before that, Champ Pegasus made good on his 8-5 favoritism when besting third-place Bourbon Bay by one length in Oak Tree's Clement L. Hirsch over 1 ¼ miles at Hollywood Park on Oct. 3.
It is expected that the more recent San Marcos result, which separated the pair by one length, will elevate Bourbon Bay to slight favoritism when attempting to defend his title among 13 entrants in the 55th running of the San Luis Obispo. Although inclement weather is a distinct possibility on Saturday, it is hoped the San Luis Obisbo will remain on Santa Anita's Camino Real Turf Course. First run on turf in 1954, a surface switch has occurred just three times in San Luis Obispo history, most recently in 2005.
The complete field for the San Luis Obispo Stakes, in post position order, is: Bourbon Bay (jockey: Rafael Bejarano, weight: 123); Haimish Hy (Garrett Gomez, 123); Riviera Cocktail (Alonso Quinonez, 118); Juniper Pass (Brice Blanc, 118); Champ Pegasus (Joel Rosario, 123); Pode Ir (Omar Berrio,118); Interpatation (Santiago Reyes, 118; Falcon Rock (Patrick Valenzuela, 118; Unbridle's Dream (Joseph Talamo, 118); Marlang (David Flores, 118); Tiz Argent (Victor Espinoza, 118); Imponente Purse (Martin Garcia, 118); and Buenos Dias (Martin Pedroza, 118).
Meanwhile Smiling Tigerwill seek redemption with a rider switch to Joel Rosario when he goes up against six sprinters in Saturday's co-feature, the 73rd running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Carlos Handicap at seven furlongs.
Rosario will replace Northern California-based Russell Baze atop Smiling Tiger in the San Carlos with Alan Klein and Philip Lebherz's 4-year-old colt having been assigned high weight of 121 pounds. After having won Oak Tree's Ancient Title Stakes, running a competitive third to Big Drama in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and losing by a nose to the brilliant Twirling Candy in Santa Anita's opening-day Malibu Stakes with Baze in the saddle, Smiling Tiger took it on the chin in the Palos Verdes.
He suffered the worst defeat of his 12-race career in the six furlong event while finishing third, 4 ½ lengths behind 9-1 winner Euroears at odds of 2-5. Smiling Tiger had drawn the rail and acted up in the gate.
The complete field for the San Carlos, in post position order, is: Mythical Power (Rafael Bejarano, 117); Ventana (Martin Garcia, 119); Stacy's Hope (Victor Espinoza, 113); Captain Cherokee (Joe Talamo, 117); Smiling Tiger (Joel Rosario, 121); and Supreme Summit (Garrett Gomez, 118).
MUCHO MACHO MAN, 'ROMANCE' VIE IN RISEN STAR
Catesby Clay's Rogue Romance, third in the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile last fall, and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team 1 Racing's Mucho Macho Man, who was fourth in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park three weeks ago, are expected to vie for the public's affection in New Orleans this Saturday when they head a field of 10 sophomores named to Fair Grounds' Grade II, $300,000 Risen Star Stakes in the final local prep for the Louisiana Derby five weeks later. Saturday's card will also feature three Grade III races: the Rachel Alexandra Stakes, the Mineshaft Handicap and the Fair Grounds Handicap.
In the Risen Star, Rogue Romance has been given a slight edge at 3-1 in the morning line while Mucho Macho Man has been installed as the 4-1 second choice.
Rogue Romance is trained by Ken McPeek, who won the 2002 Risen Star and Louisiana Derby with Select Stable's Repent, and this colt will be making his first start of 2011 since last fall's Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
"We're just as confident in this horse as we were with Repent," said McPeek Monday, shortly after the post position draw.
Prior to his lone 2011 start in the Holy Bull Stakes, Mucho Macho Man had run second in last fall's Remsen and Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct as a 2-year-old.
"We've got to figure out exactly where we fit in the picture with all the rest of this year's 3-year-olds," said Mucho Macho Man's trainer Kathy Ritvo on Sunday. "This race Saturday should answer that question."
Jockey Julien Leparoux will return in the irons on Rogue Romance in the Risen Star, while Eibar Coa will be aboard Mucho Macho Man once again Saturday.
Just for Fun Stable's Decisive Moment, 3 1/2-lengths the best in the $250,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs in his only start as a sophomore on Jan. 14, is a close third choice pegged at 9-2 in the Risen Star morning line, and is slated to have Kerwin Clark in the irons once again.
"It's amazing how much this horse has improved between his 2-year-old and 3-year-old seasons," Clark said.
The complete Risen Star field, in post position order, is: Rogue Romance (jockey: Julien Leparoux, morning line odds: 3-1); Liondrive (Chantel Sutherland, 50-1); Decisive Moment (Kerwin Clark, 9-2); Pants On Fire (Joe Bravo, 6-1); Mucho Macho Man (Eibar Coa, 4-1); Machen (Jamie Theriot, 6-1); Santiva (Mike Smith, 6-1); Action Ready (Rosie Napravnik, 12-1); Justin Phillip (Shaun Bridgmohan, 8-1); and Sorgho (Eddie Martin Jr., 30-1).
NIGHT SCHOOL" FAN EDUCATION FORUM TO BE FEATURED ON NTRA.COM
"Night School"—the racing industry's first national, interactive online fan education forum—will make its debut on Monday, February 21, and be made available free of charge to all National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) member organizations, the NTRA announced this week. Pioneered and developed by Horse Player NOW, Night School will be syndicated and implemented into racetrack and organization websites throughout the industry, providing a professional, consistent and unified outlet for fan education. Presenting title sponsors of the program are the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Keeneland.
Co-hosted by Horseplayernow.com owners Jeremy Plonk and Joe Kristufek, the weekly Night School lessons are offered free to any racing fan who wants to learn more about the game and will include both novice and advance-level fan education. The 40-week season runs through December 19 with 90-minute sessions taking place from 8:30-10:00 p.m. (ET) each week. Other regular panelists will include Horse Player NOW's Caton Bredar and Churchill Downs analyst Jill Byrne. Topical experts will be brought in weekly to share their expertise.
Each class will include a 60-minute topical discussion, complete with an introduction video and downloadable lesson overview, and a 30-minute open forum where racing fans can ask the panel of experts anything about horse racing. Each of the lessons over the 40 weeks will be archived, creating an educational library via the popular Cover It Live live-blogging technology used by many of the world's leading news agencies.
Racetrack and other member websites affiliated with the title sponsors – the NTRA, AQHA and Keeneland – will be permitted to offer the Night School sessions on their sites at no charge. Other racing organizations already signed on to participate in the program include Churchill Downs, Arlington Park, Fair Grounds, Calder Race Course, Hawthorne Race Course, Oaklawn Park, Pimlico, Laurel and the University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program.
"This is an excellent initiative and resource for existing and prospective fans, and we hope all member organizations will join the NTRA in carrying Night School on their Web sites," said Keith Chamblin, Senior Vice President of the NTRA. "Night School is a national approach to addressing fan education through the utilization of the Internet and social media tools that did not exist a few years ago."
Topics for all 40 Night School sessions have been established and will be released as the season unfolds. The first five topics will be: 21st century handicapping; handicapping for class; pace handicapping; trip handicapping; and track bias. While many of the subjects are aimed directly at horseplayers, other scheduled topics will include ownership, racehorse retirement, behind-the-scenes looks at various racetrack jobs and more.
"Jeremy and I are both extremely passionate about education, and we relish the opportunity to interact with, and teach, horse racing fans at all levels," said Joe Kristufek, Night School host and co-owner of Horseplayernow.com. "With knowledge comes interest. Horse racing is a fascinating game, and the more you know about it from every angle, the more captivating it becomes. A successful future for horse racing is predicated upon growing the fan base, and that's what Night School is all about."
REGISTRATION OPEN AT NTRA.COM FOR FREE "MARCH TO THE NHC ONLINE CHALLENGE" ON MARCH 6; TOP FOUR FINISHERS AMONG NHC TOUR MEMBERS TO RECEIVE BERTHS IN 2012 NHC
Signups are now being accepted at NTRA.com for the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship "March to the NHC Online Kickoff Challenge"—a free, online handicapping tournament on Sunday, March 6. The four highest finishers among registered Daily Racing Form NHC Tour members will receive guaranteed berths in the $2 million (estimated) Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) in January 2012 in Las Vegas. The four qualifiers will also receive roundtrip air travel and hotel accommodations for their trip to the 2012 NHC.
The March to the NHC Online Challenge requires contestants to place hypothetical $2 win and place wagers on 10 designated contest races on Sunday, March 6. The 10 contest races will be chosen by tournament officials on Friday, March 4, and are scheduled to be selected from the March 6 cards at Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds and Santa Anita Park (contest tracks subject to change). Free DRF past performances for the tournament races will be available at the contest site. All selections must be made no later than one minute prior to the scheduled post time of each mandatory race. The four players amassing the highest number of points based on the players' earnings (i.e. the highest final bankroll) from all $2 win and place wagers at the end of the competition will receive berths in the January 2012 NHC in Las Vegas, provided that they have registered for the 2011 NHC Tour prior to the start of the tournament.
To sign up for the 2011 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour, visit www.ntra.com/nhctour. The Daily Racing Form NHC Tour is a yearlong bonus series offering an additional $125,000 in prize money—including $75,000 to the overall points leader at year's end—plus qualifying berths to the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship to be held in January 2012 in Las Vegas. Membership in the 2011 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour is open to adults 21 years of age or older and requires a one-time membership fee of $45. Membership in the 2011 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour is mandatory in order for top finishers of sanctioned NHC qualifying events to be eligible to compete in the January 2012 NHC Finals in Las Vegas. The NHC Tour membership must be in place prior to the start of any given qualifying tournament in order for one to qualify for the NHC Finals at that qualifying tournament.
Among the many benefits of 2011 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour membership are free, online qualifying tournaments that are restricted to NHC Tour members. Additional free, online qualifying events—offering a total of six additional berths to the NHC Finals—will be held later in 2011.
To register for the March 6 online tournament, or for additional information about it, including prize terms and conditions, visit http://games.ntra.com/.
BOURBON BAY, CHAMP PEGASUS RENEW RIVALRY IN SAN LUIS OBISPO; SMILING TIGER SEEKS REDEMPTION IN SAN CARLOS SATURDAY AT SANTA ANITA
Bourbon Bay and Champ Pegasus, the West Coast's foremost turf marathoners, renew their long-distance relationship in Santa Anita's Grade II, $150,000 San Luis Obispo Stakes at 1 ½ miles on Saturday, when they meet for the third time in what promises to be the "rubber game" of their racing rivalry. Bourbon Bay got the better of favored Champ Pegasus most recently in the Jan. 17 San Marcos Stakes at 1 ¼ miles. Before that, Champ Pegasus made good on his 8-5 favoritism when besting third-place Bourbon Bay by one length in Oak Tree's Clement L. Hirsch over 1 ¼ miles at Hollywood Park on Oct. 3.
It is expected that the more recent San Marcos result, which separated the pair by one length, will elevate Bourbon Bay to slight favoritism when attempting to defend his title among 13 entrants in the 55th running of the San Luis Obispo. Although inclement weather is a distinct possibility on Saturday, it is hoped the San Luis Obisbo will remain on Santa Anita's Camino Real Turf Course. First run on turf in 1954, a surface switch has occurred just three times in San Luis Obispo history, most recently in 2005.
The complete field for the San Luis Obispo Stakes, in post position order, is: Bourbon Bay (jockey: Rafael Bejarano, weight: 123); Haimish Hy (Garrett Gomez, 123); Riviera Cocktail (Alonso Quinonez, 118); Juniper Pass (Brice Blanc, 118); Champ Pegasus (Joel Rosario, 123); Pode Ir (Omar Berrio,118); Interpatation (Santiago Reyes, 118; Falcon Rock (Patrick Valenzuela, 118; Unbridle's Dream (Joseph Talamo, 118); Marlang (David Flores, 118); Tiz Argent (Victor Espinoza, 118); Imponente Purse (Martin Garcia, 118); and Buenos Dias (Martin Pedroza, 118).
Meanwhile Smiling Tigerwill seek redemption with a rider switch to Joel Rosario when he goes up against six sprinters in Saturday's co-feature, the 73rd running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Carlos Handicap at seven furlongs.
Rosario will replace Northern California-based Russell Baze atop Smiling Tiger in the San Carlos with Alan Klein and Philip Lebherz's 4-year-old colt having been assigned high weight of 121 pounds. After having won Oak Tree's Ancient Title Stakes, running a competitive third to Big Drama in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and losing by a nose to the brilliant Twirling Candy in Santa Anita's opening-day Malibu Stakes with Baze in the saddle, Smiling Tiger took it on the chin in the Palos Verdes.
He suffered the worst defeat of his 12-race career in the six furlong event while finishing third, 4 ½ lengths behind 9-1 winner Euroears at odds of 2-5. Smiling Tiger had drawn the rail and acted up in the gate.
The complete field for the San Carlos, in post position order, is: Mythical Power (Rafael Bejarano, 117); Ventana (Martin Garcia, 119); Stacy's Hope (Victor Espinoza, 113); Captain Cherokee (Joe Talamo, 117); Smiling Tiger (Joel Rosario, 121); and Supreme Summit (Garrett Gomez, 118).
MUCHO MACHO MAN, 'ROMANCE' VIE IN RISEN STAR
Catesby Clay's Rogue Romance, third in the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile last fall, and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team 1 Racing's Mucho Macho Man, who was fourth in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park three weeks ago, are expected to vie for the public's affection in New Orleans this Saturday when they head a field of 10 sophomores named to Fair Grounds' Grade II, $300,000 Risen Star Stakes in the final local prep for the Louisiana Derby five weeks later. Saturday's card will also feature three Grade III races: the Rachel Alexandra Stakes, the Mineshaft Handicap and the Fair Grounds Handicap.
In the Risen Star, Rogue Romance has been given a slight edge at 3-1 in the morning line while Mucho Macho Man has been installed as the 4-1 second choice.
Rogue Romance is trained by Ken McPeek, who won the 2002 Risen Star and Louisiana Derby with Select Stable's Repent, and this colt will be making his first start of 2011 since last fall's Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
"We're just as confident in this horse as we were with Repent," said McPeek Monday, shortly after the post position draw.
Prior to his lone 2011 start in the Holy Bull Stakes, Mucho Macho Man had run second in last fall's Remsen and Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct as a 2-year-old.
"We've got to figure out exactly where we fit in the picture with all the rest of this year's 3-year-olds," said Mucho Macho Man's trainer Kathy Ritvo on Sunday. "This race Saturday should answer that question."
Jockey Julien Leparoux will return in the irons on Rogue Romance in the Risen Star, while Eibar Coa will be aboard Mucho Macho Man once again Saturday.
Just for Fun Stable's Decisive Moment, 3 1/2-lengths the best in the $250,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs in his only start as a sophomore on Jan. 14, is a close third choice pegged at 9-2 in the Risen Star morning line, and is slated to have Kerwin Clark in the irons once again.
"It's amazing how much this horse has improved between his 2-year-old and 3-year-old seasons," Clark said.
The complete Risen Star field, in post position order, is: Rogue Romance (jockey: Julien Leparoux, morning line odds: 3-1); Liondrive (Chantel Sutherland, 50-1); Decisive Moment (Kerwin Clark, 9-2); Pants On Fire (Joe Bravo, 6-1); Mucho Macho Man (Eibar Coa, 4-1); Machen (Jamie Theriot, 6-1); Santiva (Mike Smith, 6-1); Action Ready (Rosie Napravnik, 12-1); Justin Phillip (Shaun Bridgmohan, 8-1); and Sorgho (Eddie Martin Jr., 30-1).
NIGHT SCHOOL" FAN EDUCATION FORUM TO BE FEATURED ON NTRA.COM
"Night School"—the racing industry's first national, interactive online fan education forum—will make its debut on Monday, February 21, and be made available free of charge to all National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) member organizations, the NTRA announced this week. Pioneered and developed by Horse Player NOW, Night School will be syndicated and implemented into racetrack and organization websites throughout the industry, providing a professional, consistent and unified outlet for fan education. Presenting title sponsors of the program are the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Keeneland.
Co-hosted by Horseplayernow.com owners Jeremy Plonk and Joe Kristufek, the weekly Night School lessons are offered free to any racing fan who wants to learn more about the game and will include both novice and advance-level fan education. The 40-week season runs through December 19 with 90-minute sessions taking place from 8:30-10:00 p.m. (ET) each week. Other regular panelists will include Horse Player NOW's Caton Bredar and Churchill Downs analyst Jill Byrne. Topical experts will be brought in weekly to share their expertise.
Each class will include a 60-minute topical discussion, complete with an introduction video and downloadable lesson overview, and a 30-minute open forum where racing fans can ask the panel of experts anything about horse racing. Each of the lessons over the 40 weeks will be archived, creating an educational library via the popular Cover It Live live-blogging technology used by many of the world's leading news agencies.
Racetrack and other member websites affiliated with the title sponsors – the NTRA, AQHA and Keeneland – will be permitted to offer the Night School sessions on their sites at no charge. Other racing organizations already signed on to participate in the program include Churchill Downs, Arlington Park, Fair Grounds, Calder Race Course, Hawthorne Race Course, Oaklawn Park, Pimlico, Laurel and the University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program.
"This is an excellent initiative and resource for existing and prospective fans, and we hope all member organizations will join the NTRA in carrying Night School on their Web sites," said Keith Chamblin, Senior Vice President of the NTRA. "Night School is a national approach to addressing fan education through the utilization of the Internet and social media tools that did not exist a few years ago."
Topics for all 40 Night School sessions have been established and will be released as the season unfolds. The first five topics will be: 21st century handicapping; handicapping for class; pace handicapping; trip handicapping; and track bias. While many of the subjects are aimed directly at horseplayers, other scheduled topics will include ownership, racehorse retirement, behind-the-scenes looks at various racetrack jobs and more.
"Jeremy and I are both extremely passionate about education, and we relish the opportunity to interact with, and teach, horse racing fans at all levels," said Joe Kristufek, Night School host and co-owner of Horseplayernow.com. "With knowledge comes interest. Horse racing is a fascinating game, and the more you know about it from every angle, the more captivating it becomes. A successful future for horse racing is predicated upon growing the fan base, and that's what Night School is all about."
REGISTRATION OPEN AT NTRA.COM FOR FREE "MARCH TO THE NHC ONLINE CHALLENGE" ON MARCH 6; TOP FOUR FINISHERS AMONG NHC TOUR MEMBERS TO RECEIVE BERTHS IN 2012 NHC
Signups are now being accepted at NTRA.com for the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship "March to the NHC Online Kickoff Challenge"—a free, online handicapping tournament on Sunday, March 6. The four highest finishers among registered Daily Racing Form NHC Tour members will receive guaranteed berths in the $2 million (estimated) Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) in January 2012 in Las Vegas. The four qualifiers will also receive roundtrip air travel and hotel accommodations for their trip to the 2012 NHC.
The March to the NHC Online Challenge requires contestants to place hypothetical $2 win and place wagers on 10 designated contest races on Sunday, March 6. The 10 contest races will be chosen by tournament officials on Friday, March 4, and are scheduled to be selected from the March 6 cards at Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds and Santa Anita Park (contest tracks subject to change). Free DRF past performances for the tournament races will be available at the contest site. All selections must be made no later than one minute prior to the scheduled post time of each mandatory race. The four players amassing the highest number of points based on the players' earnings (i.e. the highest final bankroll) from all $2 win and place wagers at the end of the competition will receive berths in the January 2012 NHC in Las Vegas, provided that they have registered for the 2011 NHC Tour prior to the start of the tournament.
To sign up for the 2011 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour, visit www.ntra.com/nhctour. The Daily Racing Form NHC Tour is a yearlong bonus series offering an additional $125,000 in prize money—including $75,000 to the overall points leader at year's end—plus qualifying berths to the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship to be held in January 2012 in Las Vegas. Membership in the 2011 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour is open to adults 21 years of age or older and requires a one-time membership fee of $45. Membership in the 2011 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour is mandatory in order for top finishers of sanctioned NHC qualifying events to be eligible to compete in the January 2012 NHC Finals in Las Vegas. The NHC Tour membership must be in place prior to the start of any given qualifying tournament in order for one to qualify for the NHC Finals at that qualifying tournament.
Among the many benefits of 2011 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour membership are free, online qualifying tournaments that are restricted to NHC Tour members. Additional free, online qualifying events—offering a total of six additional berths to the NHC Finals—will be held later in 2011.
To register for the March 6 online tournament, or for additional information about it, including prize terms and conditions, visit http://games.ntra.com/.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Canterbury Park Condition Book Now Available
The first condition book for Canterbury Park’s 62-day race meet is now available and can be found online HERE. Stall applications, also available online, are due April 1. The meet begins Friday, May 20 and concludes Sept. 5.
Racing Secretary Doug Schoepf has made several changes to the condition book for the upcoming meet. “We are offering races that should appeal to stables racing in this region. The new race conditions also better reflect the types of horses that are currently racing at tracks from which we traditionally draw horsemen,” Schoepf said.
Canterbury Park, located in suburban Minneapolis, Minn., has a one-mile dirt oval and a seven-furlong turf course. Race conditions at several class levels are offered for both surfaces.
“Our condition book is designed to offer a wide selection of races for every stable,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. “Our turf course, one of the best in the Midwest, offers racing opportunities not found at other tracks. We have a well-rounded stakes schedule as well.”
Print copies are available through Linda Arnoldi at 952.496.6449 or larnoldi@canterburypark.com.
Racing Secretary Doug Schoepf has made several changes to the condition book for the upcoming meet. “We are offering races that should appeal to stables racing in this region. The new race conditions also better reflect the types of horses that are currently racing at tracks from which we traditionally draw horsemen,” Schoepf said.
Canterbury Park, located in suburban Minneapolis, Minn., has a one-mile dirt oval and a seven-furlong turf course. Race conditions at several class levels are offered for both surfaces.
“Our condition book is designed to offer a wide selection of races for every stable,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. “Our turf course, one of the best in the Midwest, offers racing opportunities not found at other tracks. We have a well-rounded stakes schedule as well.”
Print copies are available through Linda Arnoldi at 952.496.6449 or larnoldi@canterburypark.com.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Road to Kentucky Week 1
The Oracle
Welcome to the 2011 Road to Kentucky handicapping contest! This is a 13 week contest featuring weekly and cumulative prizes. The Grand Prize is an entry to the National Handicapping Championship next January in Las Vegas! History shows that to win this contest you need about 13,000 points give or take a thousand. There are a lot of long and winding roads to nowhere and very few roads that actually lead to success, so let’s try to stay on path. We start the contest at Santa Anita with the featured Robert B. Lewis Stakes. There are also contest bonus races at Tampa Bay Downs and Golden Gate. Bonus races are worth double points so the goal is to find the horse in those spots that can knock out the favorite. If favorites win and we don’t have them, it doesn’t hurt that much. Even if the favorite wins, often times the longshots running second and third can produce more contest points. Good luck in Week 1.
Race 1: The opener is a maiden claiming route for 3yo’s. Not much speed on paper in this one and a few msw droppers to choose from. I selected Star Navigator who stretches out, gets P Val and might get brave with the early lead at ML 6-1. For those familiar with Quirin speed points, Star Navigator had a 4 point advantage in this race.
The Result: Money Included got up at 9/2 over T.K. Fortysix (2-1) and Magaride (7-1). This winner seemed rather unlikely as he was a multiple loser at the mcl level facing many class droppers today. On the plus side he was caught very wide in his last start and still rallied for third. The pace scenario for my pick didn’t materialize as three runners sprinted well clear in a sub 46.0 half mile and Star Navigator (9/2) was caught between horses. They don’t win from there.
Maximum Points: Money Included 190
Maximum Score: 190
My Score: 0
Race 2: This is a 1m starter allowance on the turf for fillies and mares 4+. I selected Ascot’s Highflyer (ML 4-1) who finished 2nd in her first start around 2 turns over a wet-fast track last time out. She has a good grass pedigree and faces a modest field in this spot. Trainer Ellis is winning over 30% with the second time turf angle.
The Result: Elegant (9/2) got up in the last stride over Ruby Lane (9/5) and Ancient Holiday (5-1). Elegant was making her first start around 2 turns and got the money for trainer Hess who was 1 for 55 with turf runners! That statistic had me looking elsewhere.
Maximum Points: Elegant 198
Maximum Score: 388
My Score: 0
Race 3: This is a 7f msw for 3yo’s. The heavy favorite in here is Albergatti (opened 1/5) off a very nice runner up try in his debut that earned a 90 Beyer speed figure. I decided to bypass the “free” points and try Chico d’Oro, a first time starter sired by Medaglia d’Oro and trained by Sadler. The Sadler/Rosario combo has been pretty strong and at ML 10-1 I thought it was worth a gamble.
The Result: Albergatti scored as the heavy chalk (1/2) over Chico d’Oro (8-1) and Purely Awesome (10-1). There was a successful bridge jump show bet on the winner. Chico d’Oro earned the most contest points for his runner-up finish.
Maximum Points: Chico d’Oro 78
Maximum Score: 466
My Score: 78
The Sam F Davis: The first bonus race of the day features Todd Pletcher’s Brethren, a half brother to last year’s Derby winner Super Saver. This colt figures to get a major share of the purse from post position 10, but as contests go we will try to beat the favorite as per usual. I selected Beamer, who scored impressively in his maiden win at Tampa, and then finished third behind a runaway winner at Gulfstream over a sloppy track. Beamer is trained by two-time Derby winner Carl Nafzger and is sired by former Juvenile Champion Vindication.
The Result: Brethren drew off like a heavy favorite should to win easily at 4/5, but the correct contest selection was the second place finisher Too Experience (31-1). Watch Me Go (30-1) finished third. Too Experience was 5 for 6 lifetime and had top Tampa jockey Centeno aboard. He hadn’t raced since November and shipped over from Calder to grab the place spot at a big price. My selection Beamer (8-1) ran on for 4th.
Maximum Points: Too Experience 520
Maximum Score: 986
My Score: 78
Race 4: This is another 1m turf route for fillies and mares 4+. You have to swallow pretty hard to select a horse that is 0 for 26, but I did land on the rail horse Unknown Heat (ML 9/2). She consistently runs races that are good enough to win here even though she never wins. She does look like a logical in-the-money horse.
The Result: Unknown Heat scored in her 27th start as the lukewarm 5/2 favorite over Bila Shaka (5/2) and Nana Beach (9/2). The three favorites dominated the action in this one. I wouldn’t expect this one to be a key race!
Maximum Points: Unknown Heat 132
Maximum Score: 1,118
My Score: 210
Race 5: This is a 20K claiming race sprint for 4+. I chose Positive Force trained by Chambers, who wins at a 47% clip second off the layoff. To be fair, most of that action is at Turf Paradise I believe. He has good early speed in a race without much speed on paper. He also has three wins on dirt and only the favorite shows a single win on dirt. The favorite is Bullfighter who also has speed and is dropping in class. He hasn’t been out since November for Baffert, who has cooled off a bit the past two weeks.
The Result: Position A won at a nice price of 9-1 over The Whammer (5-1) and Mensa Heat (19-1). The two favorites were off the ticket. Position A was dropping a notch in class for Spawr and switching to P Val. His 0 for 5 record at SA with 0 itm had me looking another direction. My selection got the lead as hoped but faded badly at 3-1 in a poor effort.
Maximum Points: Position A 358
Maximum Score: 1,476
My Score: 210
Race 6: This is the Robert B. Lewis at 1m1/8 for 3yo’s. Tapizar is the likely winner and taking all the early money (currently 1/9). He probably wins but like the Sam F. Davis maybe the runner-up will be worth more points. I selected Anthony’s Cross who was also entered at Golden Gate but chose this spot. He was handily defeated by Tapizar last time out but has trained well since and adds blinkers today. He did beat Tapizar last November at Churchill Downs. Maybe he improves a ton in his second start off the layoff.
The Result: Something went amiss for Tapizar today as he sprinted clear and then offered no resistance on the turn. He looked a bit rank early as if he didn’t want to be rated and that is a potentially huge problem for the Asmussen camp. It was a battle to the wire between Anthony’s Cross (8-1) and Riveting Reason (7-1) and Anthony’s Cross got the nod. Tapizar’s fade also created huge show prices for the horses that finished in-the-money. Quail Hill grabbed 3rd at 68-1. It will be interesting to read what Asmussen has to say about Tapizar after this debacle.
Maximum Points: Anthony’s Cross 844
Maximum Score: 2,320
My Score: 1,054
Race 7: This is an optional claimer on the hill for 4+. I chose Cherokee Heaven who is pretty chalky but this runner has 3 wins on the SA turf and makes his second start off the layoff. Trainer Jones is over 30% with the second off angle.
The Result: Earnednevergiven (4-1) outgamed Cherokee Heaven (2-1) and Leroy’s Dynameaux (6-1) finished third. The winner was 2 for 3 on the SA turf and 4 for 9 on the turf overall. He also had defeated Cherokee Heaven last time out. In hindsight probably the wrong horse was favored in this race.
Maximum Points: Earnednevergiven 180
Maximum Score: 2,500
My score: 1,118
Race 8: This is the 1m1/16 Santa Maria for fillies and mares 4+. St. Trinians was last seen in June 2010 losing a very close race to Zenyatta. Mitchell is deadly off a long layoff; the only possible negative is that she has never run on dirt. I couldn’t beat her on paper so I settled on the heavy favorite in this spot. Two scratches leave a field of 5.
The Result: Vision in Gold stepped up for Ellis and scored at 5-1 over Zardana (9/2) and St. Trinians (4/5). No excuse for the big favorite, she drew even at the top of the lane and was outfinished. The winner had a win over the SA main track in her previous start.
Maximum Points: Vision in Gold 204
Maximum Score: 2,704
My Score: 1,142
El Camino Real Derby: This is the final bonus race of the contest and features another heavy favorite Comma to the Top. He scratched from the Santa Anita race for this easier spot and has won five consecutive races by daylight. I selected Positive Response who has won his last three at Golden Gate and has the home track advantage. He appeared to be second best on paper.
The Result: Another heavy favorite bit the dust as Silver Medallion (6-1) won it over Jukes (12-1) and Positive Response (5/2). Comma to the Top (1/2) tracked the early leader and came up empty in the stretch while appearing to bear out. His fourth place finish triggered big show payoffs for the top three finishers. Baze at 6-1 in Northern California. Rare indeed…
Maximum Points: Silver Medallion 636
Maximum Score: 3,340
My Score: 1,290
Race 9: This is a 1m turf allowance race for 3yo fillies. I took the speed on the rail Scarlet Starlet who wired a maiden turf sprint in her debut at 29-1. She recently finished third in a Graded Stake on the main track. The kicker is it was a three horse race. Trainer O’Neill is a rather unlikely 61% with the dirt to turf move.
The Result: When in doubt take the Euro shipper on the grass. That’s the lesson as Bonita Star parlayed some suspect Euro form to victory at 22-1! Wave of Applause (2-1) finished second and Recipient (9-1) was third. Often times that first Lasix wakes up those Euro horses and they get overlooked by the public. Scarlet Starlet (9/2) faded late.
Maximum Points: Bonita Star 690
Maximum Score: 4,030
My Score: 1,290
Race 10: The finale is a 12.5K claiming sprint for 4+. I went to the rail horse Zulu King (ML 8-1) who plunges in class after being soundly defeated against much tougher. He needs to overcome a lack of early speed and the rail combination which isn’t a recipe for long term success.
The Result: Peacock Alliance was the logical 2-1 winner but bomber Warren’s Prancer was an illogical second at a huge price. Swongs finished third. Warren’s Prancer was the top point horse for contest purposes and his place price is capped at 400 points. If you found him on paper, let me know how you did it. He had finished dead last in his prior three starts and looked hopelessly overmatched.
Maximum Points: Warren’s Prancer 566
Maximum Score: 4,596
My Score: 1,290
Summary: There should be a few scores over 2,000 today and if you made it to 1,500 that’s a good start. Two very big favorites were busts in the bonus races, which helped generate some big point totals for the day. Brethren looks like a legit Derby contender for Pletcher as he was a very impressive winner. The California horses look a little shaky right now. Back next week for Fair Grounds.
Welcome to the 2011 Road to Kentucky handicapping contest! This is a 13 week contest featuring weekly and cumulative prizes. The Grand Prize is an entry to the National Handicapping Championship next January in Las Vegas! History shows that to win this contest you need about 13,000 points give or take a thousand. There are a lot of long and winding roads to nowhere and very few roads that actually lead to success, so let’s try to stay on path. We start the contest at Santa Anita with the featured Robert B. Lewis Stakes. There are also contest bonus races at Tampa Bay Downs and Golden Gate. Bonus races are worth double points so the goal is to find the horse in those spots that can knock out the favorite. If favorites win and we don’t have them, it doesn’t hurt that much. Even if the favorite wins, often times the longshots running second and third can produce more contest points. Good luck in Week 1.
Race 1: The opener is a maiden claiming route for 3yo’s. Not much speed on paper in this one and a few msw droppers to choose from. I selected Star Navigator who stretches out, gets P Val and might get brave with the early lead at ML 6-1. For those familiar with Quirin speed points, Star Navigator had a 4 point advantage in this race.
The Result: Money Included got up at 9/2 over T.K. Fortysix (2-1) and Magaride (7-1). This winner seemed rather unlikely as he was a multiple loser at the mcl level facing many class droppers today. On the plus side he was caught very wide in his last start and still rallied for third. The pace scenario for my pick didn’t materialize as three runners sprinted well clear in a sub 46.0 half mile and Star Navigator (9/2) was caught between horses. They don’t win from there.
Maximum Points: Money Included 190
Maximum Score: 190
My Score: 0
Race 2: This is a 1m starter allowance on the turf for fillies and mares 4+. I selected Ascot’s Highflyer (ML 4-1) who finished 2nd in her first start around 2 turns over a wet-fast track last time out. She has a good grass pedigree and faces a modest field in this spot. Trainer Ellis is winning over 30% with the second time turf angle.
The Result: Elegant (9/2) got up in the last stride over Ruby Lane (9/5) and Ancient Holiday (5-1). Elegant was making her first start around 2 turns and got the money for trainer Hess who was 1 for 55 with turf runners! That statistic had me looking elsewhere.
Maximum Points: Elegant 198
Maximum Score: 388
My Score: 0
Race 3: This is a 7f msw for 3yo’s. The heavy favorite in here is Albergatti (opened 1/5) off a very nice runner up try in his debut that earned a 90 Beyer speed figure. I decided to bypass the “free” points and try Chico d’Oro, a first time starter sired by Medaglia d’Oro and trained by Sadler. The Sadler/Rosario combo has been pretty strong and at ML 10-1 I thought it was worth a gamble.
The Result: Albergatti scored as the heavy chalk (1/2) over Chico d’Oro (8-1) and Purely Awesome (10-1). There was a successful bridge jump show bet on the winner. Chico d’Oro earned the most contest points for his runner-up finish.
Maximum Points: Chico d’Oro 78
Maximum Score: 466
My Score: 78
The Sam F Davis: The first bonus race of the day features Todd Pletcher’s Brethren, a half brother to last year’s Derby winner Super Saver. This colt figures to get a major share of the purse from post position 10, but as contests go we will try to beat the favorite as per usual. I selected Beamer, who scored impressively in his maiden win at Tampa, and then finished third behind a runaway winner at Gulfstream over a sloppy track. Beamer is trained by two-time Derby winner Carl Nafzger and is sired by former Juvenile Champion Vindication.
The Result: Brethren drew off like a heavy favorite should to win easily at 4/5, but the correct contest selection was the second place finisher Too Experience (31-1). Watch Me Go (30-1) finished third. Too Experience was 5 for 6 lifetime and had top Tampa jockey Centeno aboard. He hadn’t raced since November and shipped over from Calder to grab the place spot at a big price. My selection Beamer (8-1) ran on for 4th.
Maximum Points: Too Experience 520
Maximum Score: 986
My Score: 78
Race 4: This is another 1m turf route for fillies and mares 4+. You have to swallow pretty hard to select a horse that is 0 for 26, but I did land on the rail horse Unknown Heat (ML 9/2). She consistently runs races that are good enough to win here even though she never wins. She does look like a logical in-the-money horse.
The Result: Unknown Heat scored in her 27th start as the lukewarm 5/2 favorite over Bila Shaka (5/2) and Nana Beach (9/2). The three favorites dominated the action in this one. I wouldn’t expect this one to be a key race!
Maximum Points: Unknown Heat 132
Maximum Score: 1,118
My Score: 210
Race 5: This is a 20K claiming race sprint for 4+. I chose Positive Force trained by Chambers, who wins at a 47% clip second off the layoff. To be fair, most of that action is at Turf Paradise I believe. He has good early speed in a race without much speed on paper. He also has three wins on dirt and only the favorite shows a single win on dirt. The favorite is Bullfighter who also has speed and is dropping in class. He hasn’t been out since November for Baffert, who has cooled off a bit the past two weeks.
The Result: Position A won at a nice price of 9-1 over The Whammer (5-1) and Mensa Heat (19-1). The two favorites were off the ticket. Position A was dropping a notch in class for Spawr and switching to P Val. His 0 for 5 record at SA with 0 itm had me looking another direction. My selection got the lead as hoped but faded badly at 3-1 in a poor effort.
Maximum Points: Position A 358
Maximum Score: 1,476
My Score: 210
Race 6: This is the Robert B. Lewis at 1m1/8 for 3yo’s. Tapizar is the likely winner and taking all the early money (currently 1/9). He probably wins but like the Sam F. Davis maybe the runner-up will be worth more points. I selected Anthony’s Cross who was also entered at Golden Gate but chose this spot. He was handily defeated by Tapizar last time out but has trained well since and adds blinkers today. He did beat Tapizar last November at Churchill Downs. Maybe he improves a ton in his second start off the layoff.
The Result: Something went amiss for Tapizar today as he sprinted clear and then offered no resistance on the turn. He looked a bit rank early as if he didn’t want to be rated and that is a potentially huge problem for the Asmussen camp. It was a battle to the wire between Anthony’s Cross (8-1) and Riveting Reason (7-1) and Anthony’s Cross got the nod. Tapizar’s fade also created huge show prices for the horses that finished in-the-money. Quail Hill grabbed 3rd at 68-1. It will be interesting to read what Asmussen has to say about Tapizar after this debacle.
Maximum Points: Anthony’s Cross 844
Maximum Score: 2,320
My Score: 1,054
Race 7: This is an optional claimer on the hill for 4+. I chose Cherokee Heaven who is pretty chalky but this runner has 3 wins on the SA turf and makes his second start off the layoff. Trainer Jones is over 30% with the second off angle.
The Result: Earnednevergiven (4-1) outgamed Cherokee Heaven (2-1) and Leroy’s Dynameaux (6-1) finished third. The winner was 2 for 3 on the SA turf and 4 for 9 on the turf overall. He also had defeated Cherokee Heaven last time out. In hindsight probably the wrong horse was favored in this race.
Maximum Points: Earnednevergiven 180
Maximum Score: 2,500
My score: 1,118
Race 8: This is the 1m1/16 Santa Maria for fillies and mares 4+. St. Trinians was last seen in June 2010 losing a very close race to Zenyatta. Mitchell is deadly off a long layoff; the only possible negative is that she has never run on dirt. I couldn’t beat her on paper so I settled on the heavy favorite in this spot. Two scratches leave a field of 5.
The Result: Vision in Gold stepped up for Ellis and scored at 5-1 over Zardana (9/2) and St. Trinians (4/5). No excuse for the big favorite, she drew even at the top of the lane and was outfinished. The winner had a win over the SA main track in her previous start.
Maximum Points: Vision in Gold 204
Maximum Score: 2,704
My Score: 1,142
El Camino Real Derby: This is the final bonus race of the contest and features another heavy favorite Comma to the Top. He scratched from the Santa Anita race for this easier spot and has won five consecutive races by daylight. I selected Positive Response who has won his last three at Golden Gate and has the home track advantage. He appeared to be second best on paper.
The Result: Another heavy favorite bit the dust as Silver Medallion (6-1) won it over Jukes (12-1) and Positive Response (5/2). Comma to the Top (1/2) tracked the early leader and came up empty in the stretch while appearing to bear out. His fourth place finish triggered big show payoffs for the top three finishers. Baze at 6-1 in Northern California. Rare indeed…
Maximum Points: Silver Medallion 636
Maximum Score: 3,340
My Score: 1,290
Race 9: This is a 1m turf allowance race for 3yo fillies. I took the speed on the rail Scarlet Starlet who wired a maiden turf sprint in her debut at 29-1. She recently finished third in a Graded Stake on the main track. The kicker is it was a three horse race. Trainer O’Neill is a rather unlikely 61% with the dirt to turf move.
The Result: When in doubt take the Euro shipper on the grass. That’s the lesson as Bonita Star parlayed some suspect Euro form to victory at 22-1! Wave of Applause (2-1) finished second and Recipient (9-1) was third. Often times that first Lasix wakes up those Euro horses and they get overlooked by the public. Scarlet Starlet (9/2) faded late.
Maximum Points: Bonita Star 690
Maximum Score: 4,030
My Score: 1,290
Race 10: The finale is a 12.5K claiming sprint for 4+. I went to the rail horse Zulu King (ML 8-1) who plunges in class after being soundly defeated against much tougher. He needs to overcome a lack of early speed and the rail combination which isn’t a recipe for long term success.
The Result: Peacock Alliance was the logical 2-1 winner but bomber Warren’s Prancer was an illogical second at a huge price. Swongs finished third. Warren’s Prancer was the top point horse for contest purposes and his place price is capped at 400 points. If you found him on paper, let me know how you did it. He had finished dead last in his prior three starts and looked hopelessly overmatched.
Maximum Points: Warren’s Prancer 566
Maximum Score: 4,596
My Score: 1,290
Summary: There should be a few scores over 2,000 today and if you made it to 1,500 that’s a good start. Two very big favorites were busts in the bonus races, which helped generate some big point totals for the day. Brethren looks like a legit Derby contender for Pletcher as he was a very impressive winner. The California horses look a little shaky right now. Back next week for Fair Grounds.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Hawthorne offers Survivor contest + NTRA News
Hawthorne Race Course opens Friday with a 1:30pm first post. As always, you can watch and wager on each day of racing at Hawthorne.
The popular online Hawthorne Thoroughbred Survivor Contest begins Feb 18. You can register now at their website. This contest is free to enter and offers a $2,500 first prize.
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
SANTA ANITA HOSTING PAIR OF KEY GRADE II EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Trainer Steve Asmussen's Tapizar, regarded by many as the West Coast's preeminent 3-year-old, will be solidly favored to enhance that judgment Saturday among eight entrants in Santa Anita's 73rd running of the Grade II, $250,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.
The Lewis, named for the immensely popular owner/breeder who passed away in 2006, was run as the Santa Catalina Stakes prior to 2007, and has produced five of the last 16 winners of the Santa Anita Derby.
Two-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Asmussen, who had never competed at Santa Anita on a large scale before this season, watched Tapizar evolve into his premier 3-year-old with a crushing 4 ½-length victory in the Sham Stakes on Jan. 15 at Santa Anita.
"I'm blessed to have him," said Asmussen, a winner of 504 races last year."He's a tremendously talented horse."
Tapizar comes into the Lewis with earnings of $105,632 from four starts, all route races, for Winchell Thoroughbreds. It took three races before the son of hot young stallion Tapit broke his maiden by 10 ½ lengths at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27. One of his earlier races was marred when Tapizar tossed his rider. Garrett Gomez, aboard for the commanding win in the Sham, will be back atop Tapizar.
None of Tapizar's opponents appears to be of his caliber. Grade I winner Comma to the Top was entered by trainer Peter Miller, but only as a contingency measure, as the 123-pound high weight is expected to run instead in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.
The complete field for the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, from the rail out, is: Wegner (jockey: Rafael Bejarano, weight: 118); Anthony's Cross (Joel Rosario, 118); Comma to the Top (Corey Nakatani, 123); Tapizar (Garrett Gomez, 120); Ten Devils (Joseph Talamo, 118); Riveting Reason (Victor Espinoza, 118); Quail Hill (Martin Pedroza, 118); and Thirtyfirststreet (Patrick Valenzuela).
On Saturday, Santa Anita also presents the 69th running of the Grade II, $150,000 Santa Maria Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. The Santa Maria marks the return of defending champion St Trinians among its seven entrants.
In capturing the 2010 Santa Maria by 1 ¾ lengths over Life Is Sweet, St Trinians won her fourth straight race on U.S. soil after being imported from Great Britain by trainer Mike Mitchell on behalf of owners Daniel Capen and Laura Chavers. The win was impressive enough for the bay mare to warrant 3-1 favoritism in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap.
St Trinians wound up sixth in the March 6 Big 'Cap. She subsequently went to the sidelines, but returned at full strength to give the mighty Zenyatta a terrific scare when beaten by one-half length in the Grade I Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park on June 13. Again, she went to the sidelines when, according to Mitchell, she became body sore.
"I'm very pleased with her works," Mitchell said of St Trinians' comeback preparations at the age of six."She's had a nice break." Joe Talamo will take over the reins of the British-bred who has earned $308,587 from a career record of 7-1-3 in 13 starts.
The opposition for St Trinians in the Santa Maria includes Zardana, the 7-year-old mare who made a name for herself by upsetting 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies Handicap last March 20 at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
The Brazilian-bred mare, trained by John Shirreffs for Arnold Zetcher, will be seeking her first win in five starts since stinging Rachel Alexandra at odds of 9-1. Victor Espinoza, who rode Zardana to a pair of stakes wins in 2009, has the mount. He was aboard when Zardana finished fourth, 4 ¾ lengths behind St Trinians, in last year's Santa Maria.
The complete field for the Santa Maria Handicap, in post position order, is: St Trinians (jockey: Joe Talamo, weight: 120); Vision in Gold (Joel Rosario, 118); Washington Bridge (Raphael Bejarano, 123); Miss Match Garrett Gomez, 118); Zardana (Victor Espinoza, 118); Mona de Momma (Alonso Quinonez, 118); and It Tiz (David Flores, 118).
FUTURITY WINNER COMMA TO THE TOP HEADS SEVEN IN EL CAMINO REAL DERBY
Last year's Grade I CashCall Futurity winner Comma to the Top will be the horse to beat when he takes on six foes in Saturday's $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif.
Northern California's premier event for Triple Crown hopefuls, the El Camino Real Derby will be run at 1 1/8-miles on Golden Gate Fields' synthetic Tapeta racing surface.
Southern California-based Comma to the Top has won five straight races, a streak that began when trainer Peter Miller sent the gelding to Golden Gate Fields for a $40,000 starter allowance race. Comma to the Top won that six-furlong sprint by four lengths and three weeks later returned to the Bay Area to win a six-furlong allowance race by six lengths.
Comma to the Top followed up his Bay Area victories with a stakes hat trick at Hollywood Park, where he captured the Real Quiet Stakes (a 1 1/16-mile test on the synthetic Cushion Track surface), the Grade III Generous Stakes (a one-mile turf race), and the Grade I CashCall Futurity (a 1 1/16-mile race on Cushion Track).
Comma to the Top, who has six wins and a second in 10 career starts and $551,600 in earnings, will be ridden in the El Camino Real Derby by Corey Nakatani.
The top local hope is Positive Response. The William E. Morey trainee has four victories and a third in six career starts and enters the El Camino Real Derby with a three-race winning streak at Golden Gate Fields. Prior to winning the 1 1/16-mile California Derby, Positive Response won the one-mile Gold Rush Stakes and a one-mile starter allowance race. All three races were recorded on the Tapeta surface.
Positive Response began his career in Canada and was purchased by Morey for $75,000 after he broke his maiden in his second start at Woodbine. Since joining the Morey barn, Positive Response has earned $116,880 for the trainer and his ownership partners, Saul Gevertz, Roger Newman and Ray Pagano.
Frenchman Julien Couton, who is second to Russell Baze in the jockey standings at the current Golden Gate Fields meeting, guided Positive Response to his Gold Rush and California Derby victories and will be back in the irons Saturday. Baze, who has won the El Camino Real Derby a record seven times, will seek an eighth victory in the race with Silver Medallion. The Steve Asmussen trainee is coming off a victory in the Eddie Logan Stakes, a one-mile turf race at Santa Anita. Silver Medallion, who has two wins and a second in five career starts, will be Asmussen's first starter at Golden Gate Fields.
The El Camino Real Derby field also features Jakesam, Anthony's Cross, Bluegrass Reward, and Formula Gold.
BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT CHAMPION CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE TO RUN AT SAM HOUSTON SATURDAY
In Saturday night's $75,000 RailSplitter Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park, fans will be treated to the return of 2010 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Chamberlain Bridge, who will ship in from Fair Grounds for Saturday's 5-furlong grass event.
Owned by Carl Moore Management LLC, the 7-year-old son of War Chant is an extraordinary turf specialist, winning eight of his 13 starts sprinting. Last year, he won three consecutive stakes in Illinois and Pennsylvania before scoring the biggest victory in his career, the Grade II, $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs. Calhoun and Moore had been searching for a prep race for Chamberlain Bridge, who will ship to Dubai for $1 million Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse on March 26.
"We have gone back and forth with the weather," said Calhoun from his Fair Grounds barn. "The Fair Grounds weather has been so volatile; we decided that shipping to Houston was our best option. Houston has a nice turf course, which was definitely part of the lure."The complete field, from the rail out, is: Forestry Gold (jockey: Alfredo Contreras); Goldzar (Shane Sellers); Truly Lucky (Quincy Hamilton); Hollywood Ice (Chris Landeros); Chamberlain Bridge (Jamie Theriot); Antioch Diamond (Eguard Tejera); Pacific Tsunami (Bobby Walker, Jr.); Thunder Pants (Paul Nolan); Midnight Cabinet (Larry Taylor; and Future Covenant (Miguel Mena.)
The popular online Hawthorne Thoroughbred Survivor Contest begins Feb 18. You can register now at their website. This contest is free to enter and offers a $2,500 first prize.
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
SANTA ANITA HOSTING PAIR OF KEY GRADE II EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Trainer Steve Asmussen's Tapizar, regarded by many as the West Coast's preeminent 3-year-old, will be solidly favored to enhance that judgment Saturday among eight entrants in Santa Anita's 73rd running of the Grade II, $250,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.
The Lewis, named for the immensely popular owner/breeder who passed away in 2006, was run as the Santa Catalina Stakes prior to 2007, and has produced five of the last 16 winners of the Santa Anita Derby.
Two-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Asmussen, who had never competed at Santa Anita on a large scale before this season, watched Tapizar evolve into his premier 3-year-old with a crushing 4 ½-length victory in the Sham Stakes on Jan. 15 at Santa Anita.
"I'm blessed to have him," said Asmussen, a winner of 504 races last year."He's a tremendously talented horse."
Tapizar comes into the Lewis with earnings of $105,632 from four starts, all route races, for Winchell Thoroughbreds. It took three races before the son of hot young stallion Tapit broke his maiden by 10 ½ lengths at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27. One of his earlier races was marred when Tapizar tossed his rider. Garrett Gomez, aboard for the commanding win in the Sham, will be back atop Tapizar.
None of Tapizar's opponents appears to be of his caliber. Grade I winner Comma to the Top was entered by trainer Peter Miller, but only as a contingency measure, as the 123-pound high weight is expected to run instead in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.
The complete field for the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, from the rail out, is: Wegner (jockey: Rafael Bejarano, weight: 118); Anthony's Cross (Joel Rosario, 118); Comma to the Top (Corey Nakatani, 123); Tapizar (Garrett Gomez, 120); Ten Devils (Joseph Talamo, 118); Riveting Reason (Victor Espinoza, 118); Quail Hill (Martin Pedroza, 118); and Thirtyfirststreet (Patrick Valenzuela).
On Saturday, Santa Anita also presents the 69th running of the Grade II, $150,000 Santa Maria Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. The Santa Maria marks the return of defending champion St Trinians among its seven entrants.
In capturing the 2010 Santa Maria by 1 ¾ lengths over Life Is Sweet, St Trinians won her fourth straight race on U.S. soil after being imported from Great Britain by trainer Mike Mitchell on behalf of owners Daniel Capen and Laura Chavers. The win was impressive enough for the bay mare to warrant 3-1 favoritism in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap.
St Trinians wound up sixth in the March 6 Big 'Cap. She subsequently went to the sidelines, but returned at full strength to give the mighty Zenyatta a terrific scare when beaten by one-half length in the Grade I Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park on June 13. Again, she went to the sidelines when, according to Mitchell, she became body sore.
"I'm very pleased with her works," Mitchell said of St Trinians' comeback preparations at the age of six."She's had a nice break." Joe Talamo will take over the reins of the British-bred who has earned $308,587 from a career record of 7-1-3 in 13 starts.
The opposition for St Trinians in the Santa Maria includes Zardana, the 7-year-old mare who made a name for herself by upsetting 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies Handicap last March 20 at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
The Brazilian-bred mare, trained by John Shirreffs for Arnold Zetcher, will be seeking her first win in five starts since stinging Rachel Alexandra at odds of 9-1. Victor Espinoza, who rode Zardana to a pair of stakes wins in 2009, has the mount. He was aboard when Zardana finished fourth, 4 ¾ lengths behind St Trinians, in last year's Santa Maria.
The complete field for the Santa Maria Handicap, in post position order, is: St Trinians (jockey: Joe Talamo, weight: 120); Vision in Gold (Joel Rosario, 118); Washington Bridge (Raphael Bejarano, 123); Miss Match Garrett Gomez, 118); Zardana (Victor Espinoza, 118); Mona de Momma (Alonso Quinonez, 118); and It Tiz (David Flores, 118).
FUTURITY WINNER COMMA TO THE TOP HEADS SEVEN IN EL CAMINO REAL DERBY
Last year's Grade I CashCall Futurity winner Comma to the Top will be the horse to beat when he takes on six foes in Saturday's $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif.
Northern California's premier event for Triple Crown hopefuls, the El Camino Real Derby will be run at 1 1/8-miles on Golden Gate Fields' synthetic Tapeta racing surface.
Southern California-based Comma to the Top has won five straight races, a streak that began when trainer Peter Miller sent the gelding to Golden Gate Fields for a $40,000 starter allowance race. Comma to the Top won that six-furlong sprint by four lengths and three weeks later returned to the Bay Area to win a six-furlong allowance race by six lengths.
Comma to the Top followed up his Bay Area victories with a stakes hat trick at Hollywood Park, where he captured the Real Quiet Stakes (a 1 1/16-mile test on the synthetic Cushion Track surface), the Grade III Generous Stakes (a one-mile turf race), and the Grade I CashCall Futurity (a 1 1/16-mile race on Cushion Track).
Comma to the Top, who has six wins and a second in 10 career starts and $551,600 in earnings, will be ridden in the El Camino Real Derby by Corey Nakatani.
The top local hope is Positive Response. The William E. Morey trainee has four victories and a third in six career starts and enters the El Camino Real Derby with a three-race winning streak at Golden Gate Fields. Prior to winning the 1 1/16-mile California Derby, Positive Response won the one-mile Gold Rush Stakes and a one-mile starter allowance race. All three races were recorded on the Tapeta surface.
Positive Response began his career in Canada and was purchased by Morey for $75,000 after he broke his maiden in his second start at Woodbine. Since joining the Morey barn, Positive Response has earned $116,880 for the trainer and his ownership partners, Saul Gevertz, Roger Newman and Ray Pagano.
Frenchman Julien Couton, who is second to Russell Baze in the jockey standings at the current Golden Gate Fields meeting, guided Positive Response to his Gold Rush and California Derby victories and will be back in the irons Saturday. Baze, who has won the El Camino Real Derby a record seven times, will seek an eighth victory in the race with Silver Medallion. The Steve Asmussen trainee is coming off a victory in the Eddie Logan Stakes, a one-mile turf race at Santa Anita. Silver Medallion, who has two wins and a second in five career starts, will be Asmussen's first starter at Golden Gate Fields.
The El Camino Real Derby field also features Jakesam, Anthony's Cross, Bluegrass Reward, and Formula Gold.
BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT CHAMPION CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE TO RUN AT SAM HOUSTON SATURDAY
In Saturday night's $75,000 RailSplitter Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park, fans will be treated to the return of 2010 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Chamberlain Bridge, who will ship in from Fair Grounds for Saturday's 5-furlong grass event.
Owned by Carl Moore Management LLC, the 7-year-old son of War Chant is an extraordinary turf specialist, winning eight of his 13 starts sprinting. Last year, he won three consecutive stakes in Illinois and Pennsylvania before scoring the biggest victory in his career, the Grade II, $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs. Calhoun and Moore had been searching for a prep race for Chamberlain Bridge, who will ship to Dubai for $1 million Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse on March 26.
"We have gone back and forth with the weather," said Calhoun from his Fair Grounds barn. "The Fair Grounds weather has been so volatile; we decided that shipping to Houston was our best option. Houston has a nice turf course, which was definitely part of the lure."The complete field, from the rail out, is: Forestry Gold (jockey: Alfredo Contreras); Goldzar (Shane Sellers); Truly Lucky (Quincy Hamilton); Hollywood Ice (Chris Landeros); Chamberlain Bridge (Jamie Theriot); Antioch Diamond (Eguard Tejera); Pacific Tsunami (Bobby Walker, Jr.); Thunder Pants (Paul Nolan); Midnight Cabinet (Larry Taylor; and Future Covenant (Miguel Mena.)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
DOYLE WINS $500,000 IN DRF/NTRA NATIONAL HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP
John Doyle of Scottsdale, Ariz., won the $500,000 first-place prize and title of DRF/NTRA Handicapper of the Year at the 12th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) on Saturday night.
The 49-year-old Doyle, a longtime IBM account executive who resigned to become a fulltime horseplayer roughly one year ago, amassed a winning score of $234.80 from 30 mythical $2 win-and-place wagers over the two-day tournament held at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas. Doyle, an NHC rookie who qualified for the NHC at NHCQualify.com, never led until the contest was over, scoring with Santa Anita race 10 winner Dapper Gene ($13.20 to win, $5.40 to place) in the event's final race to leapfrog eventual second place finisher Ron Geary, who had led for much of Day 2. The consistent Doyle tallied a solid $91.00 on Day 1 and added another $143.80 to his contest total today, putting himself atop the field of 301.
"This is just incredible, especially winning on the last race like that," said Doyle. "I actually visualized this moment when I left work about a year ago. I've always loved betting the horses, but had never gotten involved in tournament play until this past year."
Geary, a Louisville, Ky., resident who owns Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., finished with a score of $226.40 to win the second-place prize of $150,000, after having qualified for the NHC at Fairplex Park. Thomas Anderson, a Burnsville, Minn. resident who qualified at Canterbury Park was third at $213.40 to collect $100,0000 plus another $2,500 for having the top Day 1 score of $182.00. Jon Cianci of Seal Beach, Calif., (qualified at Surfside Race Place) was fourth at $211.60 to take home $55,000 as well as another $3,000 for having Saturday's second-highest score ($170.20). Jim Templin of West Chester, Pa., (qualified at Horsemen's Park) was fifth at $194.00. That score was good for $40,000 plus $2,500 for having Saturday's second-highest score.
The NHC XII finals paid out to the top 30 finishers from a record total purse of $1,050,150. Including $75,000 awarded to Tom Noone, the winner of the year-long NHC Tour, the aggregate payouts this weekend to contestants totaled $1,125,150.
The highest finish by a previous NHC winner at this year's event was recorded by 2006 winner Ron Rippey, who checked in 40th. Last year's winner, Brian Troop, finished tied for 234th place. No one has ever won the NHC more than once in the event's 12-year history.
By virtue of his victory, Doyle also automatically earns an exemption into next year's NHC finals, where the purse is projected to rise to $2 million with $1 million to the winner.
Registrations for the 2011 NHC Tour are now being accepted at www.ntra.com/nhctour. Full standings and results for this weekend's just completed NHC can be found at http://www.ntra.com/ and http://www.drf.com/.
FLY DOWN, RULE, GIANT OAK MEET IN DONN HANDICAP
Fly Down was last seen finishing third behind Blame and Zenyatta in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 6. The now 4-year-old colt sets off on his 2011 campaign in Saturday's Grade I, $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
Fly Down's highly-accomplished rivals in the 53rd edition of the 1 1/8- miles Donn include fellow 4-year-old Rule, ranked among the nation's leading Kentucky Derby prospects early last season, but sidelined after finishing third as the favorite in the Florida Derby in March; and the 5-year-old Giant Oak, winner of the Clark Handicap at Churchill in late November on a disqualification.
Jockey Julien Leparoux was aboard Fly Down in the Classic and retains the mount for trainer Nick Zito after they teamed up for Dialed In's stunning 3-year-old debut victory in last Sunday's Holy Bull Stakes. The Classic closed out a very productive but frustrating season for Fly Down's connections as he finished a close-up second in both the Belmont Stakes and the Travers Stakes.
Rule was beaten 1 ½ lengths by the Zito-trained Ice Box in last year's Florida Derby before missing the Kentucky Derby and the rest of the season. A homebred colt by Roman Ruler, Rule returned with a good effort finishing second in the one-mile Hal's Hope Handicap at Gulfstream on January 8, beaten 1 ¼ lengths. Jockey Javier Castellano gets a return call.
Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan flies in for the mount on Giant Oak for trainer Chris Block as he makes his first start since finishing second by a head behind Successful Dan in the Clark on November 26 before being awarded the victory by the stewards. The chestnut son of Giant's Causeway ran big races to finish a close second in both the Washington Park Handicap at Arlington Park and the Hawthorne Gold Cup earlier in 2010.
In addition to Fly Down, Zito will send out the 4-year-old Morning Line with John Velazquez aboard. A son of Tiznow, Morning Line developed late last season to win the Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park in his stakes debut and sixth career start. Morning Line came back with a big performance to finish second by a head behind longshot Dakota Phone in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill on November 6. Morning Line returned this year with a good third-place effort in the Hal's Hope, beaten 1 ¾ lengths for it all as the even-money favorite.
The big question mark in the deep field set for the Donn will be 5-year-old Square Eddie, shipping in from California for trainer Doug O'Neill with Corey Nakatani coming along for the ride. The son of Smart Strike was a major player as a 2-year-old in 2008 after beginning his career in England, winning the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and finishing second to Midshipman in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita, both races run on synthetic surfaces. Square Eddie made six starts as a 3-year-old in 2009 without a victory, though he placed in stakes at Keeneland and Santa Anita. Following a sixth-place try in the Malibu Stakes late that year on December 26, he was tried at stud, but brought back to the races in an allowance race at Santa Anita on January 14 of this year when he dazzled while winning by 3 ¼ lengths and setting a track record for 6 ½ furlongs.
The 6-year-old gelding Eldaafer won a Breeders' Cup race in his last start and makes his 2011 debut in the Donn, but will be a longshot in the field as his victory at Churchill Downs came in the 1 ¾ miles Marathon, and his effectiveness at nine furlongs at this level of competition is a question. Jockey Edgar Prado rides the son of A.P. Indy for trainer Diane Alvarado.
The complete field for the Donn Handicap, in post position order, is: I Want Revenge (jockey: Ramon Dominguez); Hear Ye Hear Ye (Jeffrey Sanchez); Morning Line (John Velazquez); Giant Oak (Shaun Bridgmohan); Eldaafer (Edgar Prado); Fly Down (Julian Leparoux); Square Eddie (Corey Nakatani); Rule (Javier Castellano); and Ron the Greek (Jose Lezcano).
BIG DAY SATURDAY AT SANTA ANITA WITH STRUB, LAS VIRGENES
Once-beaten 4-year-old Twirling Candy and unbeaten 3-year-old filly Turbulent Descent will be solidly favored to continue their respective climbs toward divisional supremacy on Saturday's Strub Stakes Day at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.
Jenny Craig's Twirling Candy, the homebred son of Candy Ride whose overall brilliance has dimmed a single setback in six trips to the post, is expected to be the odds-on favorite among eight 4-year-olds in the 64th running of the historic Grade II, $200,000 Strub Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.
Turbulent Descent, a $160,000 sales purchase whose flawless three-race career includes a handy triumph in the Grade I Hollywood Starlet, will be a solid choice among seven 3-year-old fillies set to contest the 29th running of the Grade I, $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at one mile.
Dakota Phone, winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs last November, will face eight rivals in yet another graded stakes race on the ten-race program, the Grade III, $100,000 Thunder Road Handicap at one mile on turf for older horses.
Penny Chenery, who owned the legendary Secretariat, and who was prominently portrayed in the recent move "Secretariat," will present Jerry and Ann Moss, the owners of Zenyatta, with the first Secretariat Vox Populi (Voice of the People) Award during a winner's circle ceremony. Chenery and the Mosses will sign selected prints of "Racing Royalty: Secretariat and Zenyatta" in the East Paddock Gardens area for one hour beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Last time out on December 26, Twirling Candy gave a sensational showing, rallying at odds of 7-2 to nose out Smiling Tiger in the Grade I Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs. Santa Anita's new dirt track was playing unusually fast just after installation, but Twirling Candy's record-breaking time of 1:19 3/5 in the Malibu didn't particularly surprise his jockey. "When you're on the best horse like Twirling Candy," Joel Rosario commented, "it's no surprise that he ran that fast."
Rosario, who was not aboard Twirling Candy in the Goodwood, will be the riding companion on Saturday as the bay colt trained by John Sadler takes aim on a storied stakes race that not infrequently leads to the Santa Anita Handicap.
The complete field for the Strub Stakes, in post position order, is: Honour the Deputy (jockey: Garrett Gomez, weight: 118); Indian Firewater (Mike Smith, 123); Twirling Candy (Joel Rosario, 123); Tweebster (Rafael Bejarano, 118); Paris Vegas (Brice Blanc, 118); Make Music for Me (Chantal Sutherland, 118); Do It All (Patrick Valenzuela, 118); and Oilisblackgold (Victor Espinoza, 118).
If there is any hint of descent in the future of Turbulent Descent, it would not figure to develop on Saturday. The bay filly conditioned by Mike Puype has been training exceptionally well for her return after being freshened since her 1 ¼-length win over Big Tiz in the Starlet at Hollywood Park on December 11.
"Great" was how regular rider David Flores described a five-furlong drill in 59 1/5 last Sunday at Hollywood Park. "We're ready for Saturday," said Flores. The filly had worked a sparkling seven furlongs in 1:23 2/5 the previous week at Hollywood Park.
A Florida-bred daughter of Congrats who was purchased in April of last year, Turbulent Descent won Hollywood Park's $100,000 Moccasin Stakes following her maiden debut victory. Her spotless record in three starts has netted $328,350 for her owners.
The complete field for the Las Virgenes, in post position order, is: Plum Pretty (jockdy: Martin Garcia, weight: 118); Bluegrass Chatter (Garrett Gomez, 118); Tiz the Route (Brice Blanc, 118); California Nectar (Patrick Valenzuela, 118); May Day Rose, Rafael Bejarano, 119); Turbulent Descent (David Flores, 122), and Zazu (Joel Rosario, 118).
Winless while chasing Aggie Engineer in two starts since springing his 37-1 upset in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Dakota Phone will switch to grass in the Thunder Road. In his last start on turf in an allowance race at Hollywood Park on June 27, Dakota Phone rallied for second, one-half length behind multiple stakes winner The Usual Q.T. Joel Rosario rides Dakota Phone for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The 6-year-old bay gelding has earned $1,282,810 from a career record of 6-7-9 in 34 starts. He has raced on turf five times with a 1-1-1 showing.
The complete field for the Thunder Road Handicap, in post position order, is: Blue Chagall (Garrett Gomez, weight: 118), Fluke, (Joe Talamo, 120); Dakota Phone (Joel Rosario, 120); Proudinsky (Patrick Valenzuela, 120); Meteore (Alonso Quinonez, 116); Jazzman's Dance (Kayla Stra, 108); Skyrush (Martin Pedroza, 116); Colgan's Chip (Brice Blanc, 116); and Victor's Cry (Victor Espinoza, 122).
INDEPENDENT MONITOR RELEASES REPORT ON NTRA SAFETY AND INTEGRITY ALLIANCE
The Honorable Tommy G. Thompson, independent monitor of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, and the Washington, D.C., law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld released a comprehensive public report on the Alliance yesterday. The 12-page "Report of the Independent Monitor" covers the Alliance's progress to date in implementing safety and integrity standards and reforms.
The report, available in full at NTRA.com, cited the successful implementation of several meaningful safety improvements at accredited racetracks throughout North America and also praised the Alliance for sparking legislative changes in states whose rules were substandard relative to those in other racing states. The report expressed disappointment, however, that only five new racetracks availed themselves of the accreditation process in 2010. Suggested areas for improvement included the creation of incentives to compel more tracks to seek accreditation, and the need to better educate the general public about specific improvements made at racetracks.
"While the lack of accreditation through the end of the calendar year appears to be problematic, it must be recognized that the Alliance is still in its infancy – just two years old," the report stated. "The number of accreditations may seem small in quantity, but it should be recognized that the tracks accredited thus far represent most of racing's premier venues. In addition, nearly 70 percent of annual nationwide wagering handle is represented by the tracks already accredited. However, for the Alliance to succeed, broader support must be garnered."
"I commend Governor Thompson and his team at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld for what is, once again, a frank and thorough report," said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. "The analysis recognizes economic challenges; spotlights many areas of achievement; and points out several other areas where improvement is necessary in order to ensure the future success of the Alliance."Thompson, the former four-term Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has served as the Alliance's independent monitor since its inception in October 2008.
WHIRLAWAY ATTRACTS A FIELD OF SEVEN AT THE BIG A
With an eye to the future, seven 3-year-olds will find out if maturity and distance are on their side when they line up for Saturday's $100,000 Whirlaway at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.
At 1 1/16th miles, the Whirlaway – named for the popular colt who swept the 1941 Triple Crown – is just the second open stakes of 2011 for sophomores in New York, and the connections of many of Saturday's entrants are hoping the race will be a gauge of things to come.
"They all change so rapidly this time of year," said Dogwood Stables' Cot Campbell, whose Sky Music drew post position 7 for the race. "Dramatic things happen. Some of those unwatched pots begin to boil, and that's where we hope he is."
The New York-bred son of Sky Mesa, who fetched $140,000 as a yearling at Saratoga's Fasig Tipton sales, has two victories in four starts for trainer Todd Pletcher, all against fellow state-breds. He followed his maiden victory at Belmont Park on October 3 with a 3 ¾-length win in the Restrainor Stakes over the Big A's main track on November 18, and then finished fourth and third, respectively, as the favorite in the Damon Runyon and the Champagneforashley.
"He got off to a splendid start and won a stakes," said Campbell. "We think – repeat, think – he got a little unlucky in his past two. In the Damon Runyon he was in all sorts of trouble, and in his last race he dropped back and then came extremely wide. I think we might have had the best horse, and in this race, against open company, we'll find out. Now's the time to take a shot. He's got the right to be a good horse, and, he's in good hands."
David Cohen will be aboard Sky Music, listed at 10-1 on the morning line.
Putting a 2-for-2 record on the line as the 2-1 favorite in the Whirlaway is Klaravich Stables, Inc.'s Rescind the Trade, who broke his maiden at Parx Racing and next took a one-mile, 70-yard optional claimer at Aqueduct on December 19.
"His Parx race was very professional," said trainer Rick Violette. "He had to tap on the brakes a couple of times, and prevailed in a stretch-long duel over a horse [Tap Star] who won the next time out. In his next start, his first around two turns, the first turn surprised him, and when he got to the five-eighths pole he didn't understand he still had another turn to go. He lost all position, but then circled widest and came back to beat a horse [Pants On Fire] who went on to finish second in the LeComte stakes at the Fair Grounds.
"So he overcame a less than perfect trip, and those turned out to be nice horses he beat," added Violette. "You hope it carries forward."
Alan Garcia will ride the Put It Back colt from post position 3.
Preachintothedevil comes into the Whirlaway off a mild upset in the Champagneforashley, in which he sat three-wide before taking over and pulling clear to a 3 ¼-length victory, his second in three starts. Trained by Gary Contessa, the Pulpit colt was a 7 ¼-length winner in his debut, which came off the turf, and next finished third in the Damon Runyon.
"It will be the acid test," said Contessa, who trains Preachintothedevil for Crossed Sabres' Farm. "With a young horse, you like to see every race be a step forward, whether it's a baby step or a big step. He went from a maiden race to a stakes, and performed well, and then won a stakes. He's continuing to impress me. And if we have even the remotest idea this horse has a chance to go to the Triple Crown, this is the place to find out."
Junior Alvarado rides Preachintothedevil, 4-1 on the morning line, from post 5.
Norman Asbjornson carries a two-race winning streak into the Whirlaway, having broken his maiden in a one-mile event at Penn National in December and following that up with a front-running allowance win at Parx on January 11.
"The two turns has really helped him," said trainer Christopher Grove of the Real Quiet colt, who was winless in his first three starts sprinting. "He didn't show a whole lot going short. It's a little ambitious, but he keeps improving."
J.D. Acosta will ride Norman Asbjornson, 20-1 on the morning line, from post position 4.
The complete field for the Whirlaway, from the rail out, is: Toby's Corner (jockey: Eddie Castro, morning line odds: 6-1); Arthurs' Tale (Chuck Lopez, 6-1); Rescind the Trade (Alan Garcia, 2-1); Norman Asbjornson (J.D. Acosta, 20-1); Preachintothedevil (Junior Alvarado, 4-1); J J's Lucky Train (Jose Ferrer, 5-2); and Sky Music (David Cohen, 10-1).
DOYLE WINS $500,000 IN DRF/NTRA NATIONAL HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP
John Doyle of Scottsdale, Ariz., won the $500,000 first-place prize and title of DRF/NTRA Handicapper of the Year at the 12th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) on Saturday night.
The 49-year-old Doyle, a longtime IBM account executive who resigned to become a fulltime horseplayer roughly one year ago, amassed a winning score of $234.80 from 30 mythical $2 win-and-place wagers over the two-day tournament held at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas. Doyle, an NHC rookie who qualified for the NHC at NHCQualify.com, never led until the contest was over, scoring with Santa Anita race 10 winner Dapper Gene ($13.20 to win, $5.40 to place) in the event's final race to leapfrog eventual second place finisher Ron Geary, who had led for much of Day 2. The consistent Doyle tallied a solid $91.00 on Day 1 and added another $143.80 to his contest total today, putting himself atop the field of 301.
"This is just incredible, especially winning on the last race like that," said Doyle. "I actually visualized this moment when I left work about a year ago. I've always loved betting the horses, but had never gotten involved in tournament play until this past year."
Geary, a Louisville, Ky., resident who owns Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., finished with a score of $226.40 to win the second-place prize of $150,000, after having qualified for the NHC at Fairplex Park. Thomas Anderson, a Burnsville, Minn. resident who qualified at Canterbury Park was third at $213.40 to collect $100,0000 plus another $2,500 for having the top Day 1 score of $182.00. Jon Cianci of Seal Beach, Calif., (qualified at Surfside Race Place) was fourth at $211.60 to take home $55,000 as well as another $3,000 for having Saturday's second-highest score ($170.20). Jim Templin of West Chester, Pa., (qualified at Horsemen's Park) was fifth at $194.00. That score was good for $40,000 plus $2,500 for having Saturday's second-highest score.
The NHC XII finals paid out to the top 30 finishers from a record total purse of $1,050,150. Including $75,000 awarded to Tom Noone, the winner of the year-long NHC Tour, the aggregate payouts this weekend to contestants totaled $1,125,150.
The highest finish by a previous NHC winner at this year's event was recorded by 2006 winner Ron Rippey, who checked in 40th. Last year's winner, Brian Troop, finished tied for 234th place. No one has ever won the NHC more than once in the event's 12-year history.
By virtue of his victory, Doyle also automatically earns an exemption into next year's NHC finals, where the purse is projected to rise to $2 million with $1 million to the winner.
Registrations for the 2011 NHC Tour are now being accepted at www.ntra.com/nhctour. Full standings and results for this weekend's just completed NHC can be found at http://www.ntra.com/ and http://www.drf.com/.
FLY DOWN, RULE, GIANT OAK MEET IN DONN HANDICAP
Fly Down was last seen finishing third behind Blame and Zenyatta in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 6. The now 4-year-old colt sets off on his 2011 campaign in Saturday's Grade I, $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
Fly Down's highly-accomplished rivals in the 53rd edition of the 1 1/8- miles Donn include fellow 4-year-old Rule, ranked among the nation's leading Kentucky Derby prospects early last season, but sidelined after finishing third as the favorite in the Florida Derby in March; and the 5-year-old Giant Oak, winner of the Clark Handicap at Churchill in late November on a disqualification.
Jockey Julien Leparoux was aboard Fly Down in the Classic and retains the mount for trainer Nick Zito after they teamed up for Dialed In's stunning 3-year-old debut victory in last Sunday's Holy Bull Stakes. The Classic closed out a very productive but frustrating season for Fly Down's connections as he finished a close-up second in both the Belmont Stakes and the Travers Stakes.
Rule was beaten 1 ½ lengths by the Zito-trained Ice Box in last year's Florida Derby before missing the Kentucky Derby and the rest of the season. A homebred colt by Roman Ruler, Rule returned with a good effort finishing second in the one-mile Hal's Hope Handicap at Gulfstream on January 8, beaten 1 ¼ lengths. Jockey Javier Castellano gets a return call.
Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan flies in for the mount on Giant Oak for trainer Chris Block as he makes his first start since finishing second by a head behind Successful Dan in the Clark on November 26 before being awarded the victory by the stewards. The chestnut son of Giant's Causeway ran big races to finish a close second in both the Washington Park Handicap at Arlington Park and the Hawthorne Gold Cup earlier in 2010.
In addition to Fly Down, Zito will send out the 4-year-old Morning Line with John Velazquez aboard. A son of Tiznow, Morning Line developed late last season to win the Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park in his stakes debut and sixth career start. Morning Line came back with a big performance to finish second by a head behind longshot Dakota Phone in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill on November 6. Morning Line returned this year with a good third-place effort in the Hal's Hope, beaten 1 ¾ lengths for it all as the even-money favorite.
The big question mark in the deep field set for the Donn will be 5-year-old Square Eddie, shipping in from California for trainer Doug O'Neill with Corey Nakatani coming along for the ride. The son of Smart Strike was a major player as a 2-year-old in 2008 after beginning his career in England, winning the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and finishing second to Midshipman in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita, both races run on synthetic surfaces. Square Eddie made six starts as a 3-year-old in 2009 without a victory, though he placed in stakes at Keeneland and Santa Anita. Following a sixth-place try in the Malibu Stakes late that year on December 26, he was tried at stud, but brought back to the races in an allowance race at Santa Anita on January 14 of this year when he dazzled while winning by 3 ¼ lengths and setting a track record for 6 ½ furlongs.
The 6-year-old gelding Eldaafer won a Breeders' Cup race in his last start and makes his 2011 debut in the Donn, but will be a longshot in the field as his victory at Churchill Downs came in the 1 ¾ miles Marathon, and his effectiveness at nine furlongs at this level of competition is a question. Jockey Edgar Prado rides the son of A.P. Indy for trainer Diane Alvarado.
The complete field for the Donn Handicap, in post position order, is: I Want Revenge (jockey: Ramon Dominguez); Hear Ye Hear Ye (Jeffrey Sanchez); Morning Line (John Velazquez); Giant Oak (Shaun Bridgmohan); Eldaafer (Edgar Prado); Fly Down (Julian Leparoux); Square Eddie (Corey Nakatani); Rule (Javier Castellano); and Ron the Greek (Jose Lezcano).
BIG DAY SATURDAY AT SANTA ANITA WITH STRUB, LAS VIRGENES
Once-beaten 4-year-old Twirling Candy and unbeaten 3-year-old filly Turbulent Descent will be solidly favored to continue their respective climbs toward divisional supremacy on Saturday's Strub Stakes Day at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.
Jenny Craig's Twirling Candy, the homebred son of Candy Ride whose overall brilliance has dimmed a single setback in six trips to the post, is expected to be the odds-on favorite among eight 4-year-olds in the 64th running of the historic Grade II, $200,000 Strub Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.
Turbulent Descent, a $160,000 sales purchase whose flawless three-race career includes a handy triumph in the Grade I Hollywood Starlet, will be a solid choice among seven 3-year-old fillies set to contest the 29th running of the Grade I, $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at one mile.
Dakota Phone, winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs last November, will face eight rivals in yet another graded stakes race on the ten-race program, the Grade III, $100,000 Thunder Road Handicap at one mile on turf for older horses.
Penny Chenery, who owned the legendary Secretariat, and who was prominently portrayed in the recent move "Secretariat," will present Jerry and Ann Moss, the owners of Zenyatta, with the first Secretariat Vox Populi (Voice of the People) Award during a winner's circle ceremony. Chenery and the Mosses will sign selected prints of "Racing Royalty: Secretariat and Zenyatta" in the East Paddock Gardens area for one hour beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Last time out on December 26, Twirling Candy gave a sensational showing, rallying at odds of 7-2 to nose out Smiling Tiger in the Grade I Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs. Santa Anita's new dirt track was playing unusually fast just after installation, but Twirling Candy's record-breaking time of 1:19 3/5 in the Malibu didn't particularly surprise his jockey. "When you're on the best horse like Twirling Candy," Joel Rosario commented, "it's no surprise that he ran that fast."
Rosario, who was not aboard Twirling Candy in the Goodwood, will be the riding companion on Saturday as the bay colt trained by John Sadler takes aim on a storied stakes race that not infrequently leads to the Santa Anita Handicap.
The complete field for the Strub Stakes, in post position order, is: Honour the Deputy (jockey: Garrett Gomez, weight: 118); Indian Firewater (Mike Smith, 123); Twirling Candy (Joel Rosario, 123); Tweebster (Rafael Bejarano, 118); Paris Vegas (Brice Blanc, 118); Make Music for Me (Chantal Sutherland, 118); Do It All (Patrick Valenzuela, 118); and Oilisblackgold (Victor Espinoza, 118).
If there is any hint of descent in the future of Turbulent Descent, it would not figure to develop on Saturday. The bay filly conditioned by Mike Puype has been training exceptionally well for her return after being freshened since her 1 ¼-length win over Big Tiz in the Starlet at Hollywood Park on December 11.
"Great" was how regular rider David Flores described a five-furlong drill in 59 1/5 last Sunday at Hollywood Park. "We're ready for Saturday," said Flores. The filly had worked a sparkling seven furlongs in 1:23 2/5 the previous week at Hollywood Park.
A Florida-bred daughter of Congrats who was purchased in April of last year, Turbulent Descent won Hollywood Park's $100,000 Moccasin Stakes following her maiden debut victory. Her spotless record in three starts has netted $328,350 for her owners.
The complete field for the Las Virgenes, in post position order, is: Plum Pretty (jockdy: Martin Garcia, weight: 118); Bluegrass Chatter (Garrett Gomez, 118); Tiz the Route (Brice Blanc, 118); California Nectar (Patrick Valenzuela, 118); May Day Rose, Rafael Bejarano, 119); Turbulent Descent (David Flores, 122), and Zazu (Joel Rosario, 118).
Winless while chasing Aggie Engineer in two starts since springing his 37-1 upset in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Dakota Phone will switch to grass in the Thunder Road. In his last start on turf in an allowance race at Hollywood Park on June 27, Dakota Phone rallied for second, one-half length behind multiple stakes winner The Usual Q.T. Joel Rosario rides Dakota Phone for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The 6-year-old bay gelding has earned $1,282,810 from a career record of 6-7-9 in 34 starts. He has raced on turf five times with a 1-1-1 showing.
The complete field for the Thunder Road Handicap, in post position order, is: Blue Chagall (Garrett Gomez, weight: 118), Fluke, (Joe Talamo, 120); Dakota Phone (Joel Rosario, 120); Proudinsky (Patrick Valenzuela, 120); Meteore (Alonso Quinonez, 116); Jazzman's Dance (Kayla Stra, 108); Skyrush (Martin Pedroza, 116); Colgan's Chip (Brice Blanc, 116); and Victor's Cry (Victor Espinoza, 122).
INDEPENDENT MONITOR RELEASES REPORT ON NTRA SAFETY AND INTEGRITY ALLIANCE
The Honorable Tommy G. Thompson, independent monitor of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, and the Washington, D.C., law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld released a comprehensive public report on the Alliance yesterday. The 12-page "Report of the Independent Monitor" covers the Alliance's progress to date in implementing safety and integrity standards and reforms.
The report, available in full at NTRA.com, cited the successful implementation of several meaningful safety improvements at accredited racetracks throughout North America and also praised the Alliance for sparking legislative changes in states whose rules were substandard relative to those in other racing states. The report expressed disappointment, however, that only five new racetracks availed themselves of the accreditation process in 2010. Suggested areas for improvement included the creation of incentives to compel more tracks to seek accreditation, and the need to better educate the general public about specific improvements made at racetracks.
"While the lack of accreditation through the end of the calendar year appears to be problematic, it must be recognized that the Alliance is still in its infancy – just two years old," the report stated. "The number of accreditations may seem small in quantity, but it should be recognized that the tracks accredited thus far represent most of racing's premier venues. In addition, nearly 70 percent of annual nationwide wagering handle is represented by the tracks already accredited. However, for the Alliance to succeed, broader support must be garnered."
"I commend Governor Thompson and his team at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld for what is, once again, a frank and thorough report," said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. "The analysis recognizes economic challenges; spotlights many areas of achievement; and points out several other areas where improvement is necessary in order to ensure the future success of the Alliance."Thompson, the former four-term Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has served as the Alliance's independent monitor since its inception in October 2008.
WHIRLAWAY ATTRACTS A FIELD OF SEVEN AT THE BIG A
With an eye to the future, seven 3-year-olds will find out if maturity and distance are on their side when they line up for Saturday's $100,000 Whirlaway at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.
At 1 1/16th miles, the Whirlaway – named for the popular colt who swept the 1941 Triple Crown – is just the second open stakes of 2011 for sophomores in New York, and the connections of many of Saturday's entrants are hoping the race will be a gauge of things to come.
"They all change so rapidly this time of year," said Dogwood Stables' Cot Campbell, whose Sky Music drew post position 7 for the race. "Dramatic things happen. Some of those unwatched pots begin to boil, and that's where we hope he is."
The New York-bred son of Sky Mesa, who fetched $140,000 as a yearling at Saratoga's Fasig Tipton sales, has two victories in four starts for trainer Todd Pletcher, all against fellow state-breds. He followed his maiden victory at Belmont Park on October 3 with a 3 ¾-length win in the Restrainor Stakes over the Big A's main track on November 18, and then finished fourth and third, respectively, as the favorite in the Damon Runyon and the Champagneforashley.
"He got off to a splendid start and won a stakes," said Campbell. "We think – repeat, think – he got a little unlucky in his past two. In the Damon Runyon he was in all sorts of trouble, and in his last race he dropped back and then came extremely wide. I think we might have had the best horse, and in this race, against open company, we'll find out. Now's the time to take a shot. He's got the right to be a good horse, and, he's in good hands."
David Cohen will be aboard Sky Music, listed at 10-1 on the morning line.
Putting a 2-for-2 record on the line as the 2-1 favorite in the Whirlaway is Klaravich Stables, Inc.'s Rescind the Trade, who broke his maiden at Parx Racing and next took a one-mile, 70-yard optional claimer at Aqueduct on December 19.
"His Parx race was very professional," said trainer Rick Violette. "He had to tap on the brakes a couple of times, and prevailed in a stretch-long duel over a horse [Tap Star] who won the next time out. In his next start, his first around two turns, the first turn surprised him, and when he got to the five-eighths pole he didn't understand he still had another turn to go. He lost all position, but then circled widest and came back to beat a horse [Pants On Fire] who went on to finish second in the LeComte stakes at the Fair Grounds.
"So he overcame a less than perfect trip, and those turned out to be nice horses he beat," added Violette. "You hope it carries forward."
Alan Garcia will ride the Put It Back colt from post position 3.
Preachintothedevil comes into the Whirlaway off a mild upset in the Champagneforashley, in which he sat three-wide before taking over and pulling clear to a 3 ¼-length victory, his second in three starts. Trained by Gary Contessa, the Pulpit colt was a 7 ¼-length winner in his debut, which came off the turf, and next finished third in the Damon Runyon.
"It will be the acid test," said Contessa, who trains Preachintothedevil for Crossed Sabres' Farm. "With a young horse, you like to see every race be a step forward, whether it's a baby step or a big step. He went from a maiden race to a stakes, and performed well, and then won a stakes. He's continuing to impress me. And if we have even the remotest idea this horse has a chance to go to the Triple Crown, this is the place to find out."
Junior Alvarado rides Preachintothedevil, 4-1 on the morning line, from post 5.
Norman Asbjornson carries a two-race winning streak into the Whirlaway, having broken his maiden in a one-mile event at Penn National in December and following that up with a front-running allowance win at Parx on January 11.
"The two turns has really helped him," said trainer Christopher Grove of the Real Quiet colt, who was winless in his first three starts sprinting. "He didn't show a whole lot going short. It's a little ambitious, but he keeps improving."
J.D. Acosta will ride Norman Asbjornson, 20-1 on the morning line, from post position 4.
The complete field for the Whirlaway, from the rail out, is: Toby's Corner (jockey: Eddie Castro, morning line odds: 6-1); Arthurs' Tale (Chuck Lopez, 6-1); Rescind the Trade (Alan Garcia, 2-1); Norman Asbjornson (J.D. Acosta, 20-1); Preachintothedevil (Junior Alvarado, 4-1); J J's Lucky Train (Jose Ferrer, 5-2); and Sky Music (David Cohen, 10-1).
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tom Anderson - NHC
Tom Anderson of Burnsville finished third in last weekend's $1,000,000 Daily Racing Form / NTRA National Handicapping Championship. Third place prize money was $100,000.
Tom qualified for NHC in last summer's Dog Days of Summer Handicapping Contest.
He reviews his big NHC weekend in the video below.
Tom qualified for NHC in last summer's Dog Days of Summer Handicapping Contest.
He reviews his big NHC weekend in the video below.
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