Santa Anita Park Report (October 14-23)

We are a few weeks into the Santa Anita fall meet and once again it is time to catch up with jockey-trainer leaders + track bias information.

On the jockey front, Rafael Bejarano, Tyler Baze and Tiago Pereira are going great guns, and trainer Bob Baffert unveiled promising juvenile Mastery on Oct 22.

Friday SANTA ANITA Recap: October 14

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6f, 8f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one mile and two stalkers at nine furlongs (rail at 30 feet).

Tyler Baze and Jeff Mullins teamed up for two wins. Richard Baltas saddled two winners.

Saturday SANTA ANITA Recap: October 15

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (7f, 8.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one mile, a dueling front runner down the hill, and a midpack stalker at one mile (rail at 20 feet).

Two more wins for Tyler Baze (riding doubles Oct 10, Oct 14-15). Bill Spawr saddled two winners.

You can read the rest of my Santa Santa Park report at The Runaway Horse...

Video Race of the Week - 2016 Fayette Stakes featuring 6-5 favorite Noble Bird

Noble Bird is the 6-5 favorite and the one to catch in the Grade 2 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday, October 29, 2016. Can anyone beat him?

Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update (10-12-16)

The 2016 FrontRunner, Champagne, and Breeders’ Futurity are in books and that means it is time for another Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update.

Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 10-12-16)

#1 - Silver Assault

#2 - Klimt

#3 - Not This Time

#4 - Three Rules

#5 - Straight Fire

#6 - Theory 

#7 - Gormley

#8 - Classic Empire 

#9 - Favorable Outcome

#10 - Big Gray Rocket

#11 - Term of Art

You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.

* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards

Santa Anita Park report (10-12-16)

It is time to catch up with leading jockey, trainer, and track bias information for the current 2016 fall race meeting at Santa Anita Park. Norberto Arroyo Jr. and Peter Miller are off and running!

Friday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: September 30

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6f, 7f). The winning turf course running styles were a downhill closer, a flat mile stalker, a downhill stalker, and another downhill stalker (rail at 10 feet).

Hat trick for Kent Desormeaux.

Saturday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: October 1

Fast main track and firm turf course. Early-pressing types strong on dirt with three wire-to-wire winners  (5.5f, 8.5f, 9f). The winning turf course running styles were a flat mile stalker, a flat mile closer, a ten furlong wire job, and a downhill wire job.

Four wins for jockey Victor Espinoza (3 Grade 1 wins). Rafael Bejarano booted home a pair. Bob Baffert saddled two winners.

You can read the rest of my Santa Santa Park report at The Runaway Horse...

Kentucky Derby 2016 Contenders: The First Step

Kentucky Derby 2017 is right around the corner. Well, not quite, but we are well into the month of September and it is time to roll out my annual Derby contenders list. 

Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders

#1 - Silver Assault

#2 - Klimt

#3 - Not This Time

#4 - Three Rules

#5 - Straight Fire

#6 - Plum Dandy

#7 - Favorable Outcome

#8 - Big Gray Rocket

#9 - Term of Art

#10 - Theory

#11 - Vibe

You can read my entire first Kentucky Derby 2017 blog at The Runaway Horse. 

* Nyquist photo by Stacy Edwards