SANTA ANITA Saturday, May 31, 2014

One winner on yesterday’s card. Nice program today with two graded stakes.  Good luck!

Race 1 

#1 - TONES - Shipper from Turf Paradise in Phoenix, tried a stakes race in his last start.

Race 2

#6 - MASTER CHEF - Pace stalker sent out by trainer Robertino Diodorio.

Race 3

#13 - OINKUS - First time starter who shows good works.

Race 4

#3 -SIZZLIN’ JOE - Won his last start, takes a big step up in class to repeat.

Race 5

#12 - EVERLOVIN WOMAN - First time starter who shows good works.

Race 6

#6 - WOODYS WARF - Drops to run for a tag, Kent Desormeaux rides.

Race 7 G2 Californian Stakes

#2 - FURY KAPCORI - Winner of four in a row, shows good works, Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is the conditioner.

Race 8 G1 America Oaks

#8 - ROOM SERVICE - Shipper from Keenland in Kentucky, big win in a G1 in her last start, Shaun Bridgmohan comes in to ride for trainer Wayne Catalano.

Race 9

#6 - NEWFOUND GIRL - Finished 2nd and claimed in her last start, drops in class, trained by Tim Yakteen.

SANTA ANITA Friday, May 30, 2014

Brutal day again Monday. Players didn’t fare much better. Two day Pick 6 carryover is $407K.  Good luck!

Race 1 

#6 - LADY VIVIEN - Finished 3rd in her last start, drops in class, Desormeaux rides.

Race 2

#4 - FULL BIRD COLONEL - First time starter, shows good works.

Race 3

#6 - STAUFFENBERG - Drops to the bottom maiden claiming level, turf to dirt angle.

Race 4

#4 - GELILA - Finished 2nd in her last start, should be closing fast.

Race 5

#5 - FANNY BRICE - Big win in her last start, shows good works, Robertino Diodorio trains.

Race 6

#4 - WINNING RHYTHM - Finished 2nd in her last start, should handle the distance and be coming at the end, Mike Smith rides.

Race 7

#1 - MISS RADIANCE - Finished 3rd in her last start, should be closing fast.

Race 8

#2 - LASSIE’S REWARD - Drops in class, seems to be able to handle the hillside.

SANTA ANITA Monday, May 26, 2014

Happy Memorial Day!. Ice cold the last two days. Pick 6 carryover is $95K. Good luck today!

Race 1 

#3 - DESERT STEEL - Finished 2nd in her last start, shows early speed.

Race 2 G3 Los Angeles Handicap

#4 -WILD DUDE - Finished 2nd in a G2 in his last start, Smith/Hollendorfer team up.

Race 3

#9 - BLUEGRASS REWARD - Finished 3rd in his last start, should be coming at the end.

Race 4

#4 - FOREST ROMANCE - First time starter, shows good works.

Race 5

#4 - WOODMANS LUCK - Appears to be at the right class level, shows good works.

Race 6

#6 - FLEW FLICKER - Big maiden claiming win in his last start, seems to like the tough 7F distance.

Race 7 G1 Gamely Stakes

#8 - EMOLLIENT - Shipper from Keenland comes with Rosie Napravnik to ride.

Race 8

#8 - DISCATSONTHESQUARE - First time starter, shows good works.

Race 9

#12 - SMART TYPICAL - First time starter tries the hillside with Kent Desormeaux aboard.

SANTA ANITA Sunday, May 25, 2014

One winner and one scratch on yesterday’s card.  Good luck today!

Race 1 

#4 - VALENTINE BOY - Drops in class, previous winner at the distance.

Race 2

#2 - DRY SUMMER - Shipper from Sunland Park in New Mexico, finished 2nd in a stakes race in his last start.

Race 3

#5 - GOSPEL MUSIC - Finished 2nd in his last start, drops in class.

Race 4

#5 - GRAZENETTE - Finished 2nd in her last start, 3/3 in the money lifetime.

Race 5

#8 - CLICKTAB - First time starter tries the hillside with Mike Smith aboard.

Race 6

#1 - INA MINA - First time starter sent out by trainer Bob Baffert.

Race 7

#4 - TOP KISSER - Won a stakes race in her last start, Jerry Hollendorfer trains.

Race 8

#5 - MERINGUE PIE - Finished 3rd in his last start, Bill Spawr trains.

Race 9

#8 - MY LIL SHAMROCK - Wired the field in her last start, steps up one class level to repeat.

SANTA ANITA Saturday, May 24, 2014

Three wins on yesterday’s card including a $16.40 longshot.

After the unfortunate accidental death of a horse at Churchill Downs on Thursday, I am sure the PETA people, whose stated goal is to ban horseracing, will be coming out of the wood work. For those interested, I invite you to read about the organization’s history and its founder Ingrid Newkirk. Then, you can decide for yourself whether these people are legitimate animal rights activists or hypocrites who are part of the lunatic fringe.

Good luck on today’s program!

Race 1 

#6 - XUANG FENG - Big win in his last start, shows good works, moves up in class to repeat.

Race 2

#5 - SNOWDAY - G3 try in his last start, should fire off the layoff with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith aboard.

Race 3

#1 - SEANS SILVERDANCER - Shipper from Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, finished 2nd in her last start, shows good works.

Race 4

#9 - DESERT MADAM - Second time starter, should show a big improvement out of the gate.

Race 5

#8 - FRONT RANGE - Won a maiden race in her last start, takes a big step up in class to repeat for trainer Bob Baffert.

Race 6

#8 - HALL OF FAME - First time starter who shows good works, Baffert trains.

Race 7 G2 Charles Whittingham Handicap

#4 - AFRICAN OIL - Just missed in his last start, should be able to handle the distance, Desormeaux/Callaghan team up.

Race 8

#8 - BRANDON’S PRINCESS - Finished 2nd in her last start, drops in class, shows good works.

Race 9

#10 - ZIM N THE MAILMAN - First time starter sent out by trainer Tim Yakteen.

SANTA ANITA Friday, May 23, 2014

Sometimes all you need is one winner to have a profitable day, especially if it is a first time starter that pays $35.40. Also, keep an eye on jockey Elvis Trujillo who has moved his tack here from Florida and has already had some success. Good luck on today’s twilight card!

Race 1 

#2 - TIZ JOLIE - Second time starter who shows good works.

Race 2

#3 - SALT OF THE EARTH - Now or never for this runner.

Race 3

#3 - HEAT DU JOUR - Finished 2nd and claimed out of her last start, Desormeaux rides.

Race 4

#3 - HALO LA - Golden Gate shipper was claimed out of her last race, shows early speed and good works.

Race 5

#7 - ALWAYS A CHANCE - Just missed and claimed out of her last start, should be coming at the end.

Race 6

#2 - AIRFOIL - Won his last start and moves up in class to repeat, shows good works, sent out by high percentage trainer Vladimir Cerin.

Race 7

#3 - HEAT TRAP - Finished a close 3rd in her last start, shows good works to fire off the layoff.

Race 8

#4 - TIZ ZOE CEE - Drops in class to run for a tag, sent out by trainer Marty Jones.

SANTA ANITA Thursday, May 22, 2014

Two wins on Sunday’s card including a $23.00 first time starter.  Good luck today!

Race 1 

#1 - AMERICAN CHARM - First time starter who shows good works.

Race 2

#2 - QUAY FACTOR - Won a maiden claiming race in her last start, tries the hillside.

Race 3

#2 - GLADDING - Shows early speed, should fire off the layoff.

Race 4

#1 - BROADCASTER - Drops in class, turf to dirt angle.

Race 5

#8 - SWEET SILICA - First time starter who shows good works.

Race 6

#6 - SECRET GENIUS - Drops in class, Desormeaux rides.

Race 7

#4 - LITTLE BIT LUCKY - Won a maiden claiming race in her only start, primed to repeat.

Race 8

#6 - KADESHA - First time starter with Desormeaux aboard.

SANTA ANITA Sunday, May 18, 2014

Congratulations to California Chrome for an easy win in the Preakness Stakes where he was much the best. Another brilliant ride by Victor Espinoza. And the dream continues! Good luck on today’s tough card.

Race 1 

#9 - LINE LEADER - First time starter sent out by Jeff Bonde.

Race 2

#3 - LIL SWISS ECHO - Won her last start, distance is the only question.

Race 3

#4 - PRODIGIOUS - First time starter, shows good works, Desormeaux rides.

Race 4

#2 - MY MONET - 2/2 lifetime, shows good works, should be able to handle two turns.

Race 5

#10 - TIZNOW OR THEN - Shows early speed and good works, should fire in his second start off the layoff for trainer Ron Ellis.

Race 6

#1 - MINERS LASS - First time starter who shows good works.

Race 7

#4 - MR. CANDY - Should be coming at the end.

Race 8 G3 Adoration Stakes

#1 - LET FAITH ARISE - G1 try in her last start, shows good works, sent out by Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Race 9

#6 - KRISTO - Tried the G1 Wood Memorial in New York in his last start, shows early speed.

Race 10

#9 - WILMA HONEY - First time starter sent out by the Jeff Mullins barn.

SANTA ANITA and PREAKNESS STAKES Saturday, May 17, 2014

Preakness Day! Rooting for Chrome in the second leg. Good luck!

Race 1 

#1 - MISS SWISS ROSE - Big maiden claiming win in her last start, should be in the right spot to repeat.

Race 2

#5 - SHINING SON - Finished 2nd in his last start, sent out by high percentage trainer Richard Baltas.

Race 3

#4 - SEEKING THE WEST - Finished 2nd in his last start, shows good works, sent out by trainer Ron Ellis.

Race 4 G3 American Stakes

#4 - SILENTIO - G1 try in his last start, shows good works, Stevens/Mandella team up.

Race 5

#7 - JOVITA’S TUFFY - Big win and claimed out of his last start, should be coming at the end.

Race 6

#3 - I EARNED IT BABY - Wired the field in his last start, shows good works, sent out by Blake Heap.

Race 7

#13 - FIFTEEN BLACK - Finished 2nd in his last start, Jeff Bonde trains.

Race 8

#1 - INDIAN GODS - Just missed in his last start, drops in class, should fire off the layoff.

Race 9

#1 - D’YA KNOWWHATIMEAN - Finished 2nd in her last two starts, should stalk the pace and score.

Race 10

#6 - BEA’S BENCH - Second time starter who tries the hillside.

Race 11

#8 - NO EZ MONEY - Big maiden claiming win in his last start, shows good works, should fire off the layoff.

Pimlico Race 12 - G1 Preakness Stakes

#3 - CALIFORNIA CHROME - Big wins in his last five starts including the Kentucky Derby, should win again if he gets a clean trip.

SANTA ANITA, Friday, May 16, 2014

Sad day yesterday for all those who lost their homes. Time for the Santa Ana winds to go away so racing can resume. Best wishes to all of the brave firefighters. Hope it will be a little cooler for today’s twilight card.  Good luck!

Race 1 

#6 - PLAYER’S CHARM - Second time starter who finished 3rd in his debut versus a field of first time starters.

Race 2

#4 - SEEKING THE SHERIF - Wired the field in his last two starts, takes another step up the class ladder to go for the hat trick, shows good works, Ron Ellis trains.

Race 3

#2 - TWO IS TOO MANY - New York shipper drops in class, shows good works.

Race 4

#5 - PLAZA DE INDIAS - Closer who should fire off the layoff.

Race 5

#5 - MY SWEET AFLEET - First time starter who shows good works.

Race 6

#6 - HALF DOME DUDE - Finished 3rd in his last start, drops in class and shows good works.

Race 7

#7 - HEAT FLASH - Won a maiden race in his last start, should be coming at the end.

Race 8

#10 - RICH IN TRADITION - Now or never for this runner.

SANTA ANITA Thursday, May 15, 2014

Tough day on Sunday. No easier today. Good luck!

Race 1 

#4 - TAKE BACK SPRING - Second time starter, wins if she breaks.

Race 2

#4 - GLADDING - Shows early speed, should fire off the layoff.

Race 3

#2 - KADESHA - First time starter with Desormeaux aboard.

Race 4

#4 - STADTPARK - Second time starter who finished 2nd in his debut.

Race 5

#7 - SMART N DREAMY - Won and claimed out of her last start, moves up one class level to repeat.

Race 6

#6 - SWEETRAYOFSUNSHINE - Finished 2nd in her last start, drops in class, sent out by trainer Bill Spawr.

Race 7

#9 - LIL SWISS ECHO - Won her last start, drops in class to run for a tag.

Race 8

#2 - NONNA REESE - Finished 2nd in her last start, now or never for this one.

SANTA ANITA Sunday, May 11, 2014

One winner on yesterday’s card.  Good luck today!

Race 1 

#2 - ICE CREAM TRUCK - Finished 2nd in his last start, should finally break his maiden versus these.

Race 2

#5 - MIDNIGHT TRANSFER - G2 try in his last start, Bejarano rides.

Race 3

#4 - ARKENSTONE - Maiden win in his last start, steps up into high priced claiming ranks.

Race 4

#6 - RANGER SCHOOL - First time starter sent out by the Gary Mandella barn.

Race 5

#5 - NEW NATURE - Wired a maiden claiming field in her last start, wins if she can get the lead.

Race 6

#2 - LONDINIUM - Finished 3rd in his last start, drops in class, Robertino Diodorio trains.

Race 7

#3 - MANGO REWARD - First time starter who shows good works.

Race 8

#4 - BIG HONEY BEE - Finished 2nd in her last start, Kent Desormeaux rides.

Race 9

#5 - IT IS LIVING WATER - Finished 2nd in his last start, seems to like the hillside.

SANTA ANITA Saturday, May 10, 2014

Two wins and one scratch on yesterday’s card.  Good luck today!

Race 1 

#2 - CORINTHIAN MELODY - Finished 3rd in her last start, should like the extra distance.

Race 2

#2 - JULES JOURNEY - Won his last start on the same surface and at the same distance.

Race 3

#2 - BIG KICK - Drops in class, shows good works, Michael Machowsky trains.

Race 4

#4 - LETABA - First time starter to try the hillside for cagy trainer John Sadler.

Race 5

#9 - DOCTOR McEACHNIE - First time starter who shows good works.

Race 6

#6 - THERMAL NERMAL - 3rd in her last two starts, shows early speed.

Race 7 G3 Lazaro Barrara Stakes

#5 - TWENTY PERCENT - Big maiden win in his only start, steps up into graded stakes company at the tough 7F distance with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith aboard.

Race 8

#7 - QUEEN OF THE HILL - Big wins in her last two starts, takes a big step up in class to try the hillside off super works.

Race 9

#4 - RIVERCHON - First time starter from the Tom Proctor barn.

SANTA ANITA Thursday, May 8, 2012

One winner and two scratches on Sunday’s card. Super tough program today. Good luck!

Race 1 

#3 - AMERICAN CHARM - Longshot first time starter who shows good works to prepare for this grab bag race.

Race 2

#6 - THIS CAT’S AWESOME - Drops in class, now or never for this one.

Race 3

#5 - THE CLEANERS - Finished 2nd in his last start, shows early speed.

Race 4

#6 - COUSIN RICKY - Won his last two starts, drops to a softer spot to go for the hat trick.

Race 5

#3 - UNUSUAL STYLE - Finished 2nd in her last start, should be coming at the end.

Race 6

#5 - GRAY MADAM - Wired the field in her last two starts, takes a big step up in class to go for three in a row.

Race 7

#2 - IRENES JACKPOT - Finished 3rd in her last start, 10/13 in the money on the turf.

Race 8

#3 - FLEW FLICKER - Finished 2nd in his last start, drops to the bottom maiden claiming level, set to fire off the long layoff.

SANTA ANITA Sunday, May 4, 2014

Congratulations to the Kentucky Derby winning California Chrome team! Special mention should be made of the brilliant ride by journeyman California jockey Victor Espinoza. He kept the chestnut colt out of trouble and gave him a clear run to the wire. This Mexico City native also won the 2002 Derby aboard the Bob Baffert trained War Emblem, a 21-1 shot he rode for the first time that day. 

Yesterday’s Derby sets up a possible meeting between Chrome and Untapable, winner of the Oaks, in the Preakness. This classic matchup, if it happens, would pit East versus West and male versus female, both in horse and jockey. The last two days were great for horse racing. Sorry PETA, your lie driven agenda will have to wait for another time.

Four winners on yesterday’s Santa Anita card. Interesting eight race program today. Good luck!

Race 1 

#1 - DUBLIN UP - Tried a G1 in his last start, shows early speed.

Race 2

#6 - SING WITH BLING - Shows early speed for the Smith/Spawr combination.

Race 3

#1 - MY JEALOUS - Big win in his last start, finds a softer spot to repeat with Bejarano up.

Race 4 G2 Honeymoon Stakes

#7 - ARETHUSA - G1 try in her last two starts, Bejarano rides.

Race 5

#7 - MADAME FORBES - Second time starter, finished 3rd in her last start, should fire with Bejarano aboard off the layoff.

Race 6

#5 - GRAND HUMOR- Wired a maiden claiming field in his last start, shows good works for the hillside try.

Race 7

#10 - AIRFOIL - Finished 3rd in his last start, Bejarano rides.

Race 8

#9 - BLUEGRASS REWARD - Won his last start, steps up in class to repeat.

SANTA ANITA and KENTUCKY DERBY Saturday, May 3, 2014

Derby Day! Modest card at Santa Anita. Good luck!

Race 1 

#9 - CITIZEN JANE - Finished 3rd in her last start, drops in class.

Race 2

#10 - RICH IN TRADITION - Finished 2nd in her last start, drops to the bottom maiden claiming level.

Race 3

#2 - MY MONET - Wired the field in a maiden claimer in her first start and claimed, should repeat against these.

Race 4

#3 - FOREVER JUANITO - Finished 2nd in his last start, seems to like the hillside.

Race 5

#9 - MAVERICK’S GUN - Big maiden claiming win in his last start, shows super works.

Race 6

#8 - SWISS PERFECTION - Second time starter who finished 2nd in her debut, shows good works.

Race 7

#11 - STAR ROCKER - Won his last two starts on the Hollywood Park turf, may like the switch to the hillside off the layoff.

Race 8

#4 - SATICOY - Buried the field in his only start, should fire for the Bejarano/Mandella connections even off the long layoff.

Race 9

#7 - HOG’S HOLLOW - Won his last start, previous winner at Santa Anita and the distance.

Race 10 G3 Precisionist Stakes

#7 - FURY KAPCORI - Won his last three starts, shows good works, Bejarano/Hollendorfer are the connections.

Race 11

#8 - SOLAR HOME - Finished 2nd in her last start, drops in class.

Churchill Downs Race 11 G1 Kentucky Derby

#5 - CALIFORNIA CHROME - Won his last four starts including an impressive win in the G1 Santa Anita Derby, shows good works.

A special wish for good fortune and racing luck goes out to the California Chrome team. The Coburns and Martins, owners of the colt, are working people who toil at regular jobs every day. The trainer, seventy-seven year old Art Sherman has given his life to the game. Racing fans know that in 1955 he was an eighteen year old exercise rider for Swaps and rode in a boxcar with the colt on his way from Southern California to Louisville before winning that year’s Derby. Ridden by legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker, the big horse wired the field and defeated the East Coast favorite Nashua ridden by the equally legendary jockey Eddie Arcaro. That result was reversed later that year in a match race on an off track, with Swaps battling a foot injury,  at the old Washington Park race track in Chicago. Nashua, guided by Arcaro, got the jump on Swaps and forced him wide, taking the running lane with the good footing away and winning easily.

Today is a different day and here’s hoping Chrome brings the roses home!

SANTA ANITA and KENTUCKY OAKS Friday, May 2, 2014

Three winners on yesterday’s card. Super tough program today.  Good luck!

Race 1 

#4 - J LOUIE - Moves across town from Los Alamitos, drops in class, all speed.

Race 2

#5 - PAPA’S PAISLEY - Finished 2nd in his last start, shows good works, should like the switch to the lawn for trainer Danny Velasquez.

Race 3

#3 - YARD LINE - Finished 2nd in his last two starts, should like the extra distance, Bejarano rides.

Race 4

#5 - SAINTLY JOAN - Won her last start on the hillside, qualified to step up into stakes company.

Race 5

#4 - APPEALING RESUME - Finished 3rd and claimed in her last start, should be coming at the end.

Race 6

#6 - HANNA NO SIR - Second time starter who finished 2nd in her debut, shows good speed.

Race 7

#1 - PASS THE PICO - Finished 2nd in his last three starts, overdue to score.

Race 8

#2 - BIG BREAK - Stakes try in her last start, seeking a softer spot today.

Race 9

#1 - GOYAN - Finished 3rd and claimed in his last start, should win if he rates.

Race 11 Churchill Downes -  G1 Kentucky Oaks

#2 - RIA ANTONIA - Finished 2nd in the G1 Santa Anita Oaks, should like the extra distance, shows super works, Hall of Fame combination of Mike Smith and Bob Baffert are the connections.

SANTA ANITA Thursday, May 1, 2014

Four winners and one scratch on Sunday’s card.  Tough program today. Good luck!

Race 1 

#2 - SATURDAY YODELER - First time starter who shows good works.

Race 2

#5 - ROMAN TIZZY - Finished 2nd in his last two starts, 4/5 in the money at Santa Anita.

Race 3

#1 - AFRICAN OIL - Third North American start should be the charm for this Simon Callaghan trained runner.

Race 4

#8 - TIZ FUTURITY - Finished 3rd in his last start, should be coming at the end.

Race 5

#7 - FRONT RANGE - Second time starter, finished 3rd in her last start, should like the stretch out around two turns, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is the conditioner.

Race 6

#6 - RHAGORI - Finished 2nd in her last start, Bejarano/Callaghan team up.

Race 7

#7 - OUR GLITTER BALL - Wired a maiden claiming field in her last start, shows good works to repeat.

Race 8

#6 - ELEGANT - Finished 3rd in her last start, drops in class.