Kentucky Derby 2017 Update: Remsen/Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Preview

My top ranked Kentucky Derby 2017 contender Mastery made short work of his four rivals in last weekend’s Grade III Bob Hope at Del Mar.

Just like his winning debut, Mastery was in complete control throughout and easily swatted away seasoned CA-bred sprinter California Diamond. Pace frequently makes the speed figure and since there was none the final number came back a modest 86. We will learn much more when the Baffert trainee stretches out in the G1 CashCall Futurity at Los Al on Dec 10.

In the $1 million Delta Jackpot, post time favorite Gunnevera got pace help as expected in an easy last-to-first triumph over dueling early runner Hot Sean. The winning BSF came back 87 and since there was a contested pace it would have been nice to see a higher final number.

There are two Derby points races on the docket for Nov 26 beginning with the Grade II Remsen at Aqueduct. Much like the G3 Bob Hope, we have a flashy debut winner (Takaful) taking on a seasoned rival with stakes experience (No Dozing). There are other contenders in the 10-horse field but it would take a big effort to knock off the aforementioned dynamic duo.

At Churchill Downs, a dozen juveniles take center stage in the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and all eyes are on undefeated McCraken. The well-bred colt should get more than enough pace help and looks tough to deny.

Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 11-26-16)

#1 - MASTERY

#2 - Classic Empire

#3 - Three Rules

#4 - Gormley

#5 - Takaful

#6 - Beach Bum

#7 - Klimt

#8 - Theory

#9 - Royal Mo

#10 - Silver Assault

#11 McCraken

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

* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards

Del Mar 2016 Fall Meet Rewind (Nov 17-20)

The 2016 Del Mar Fall Meet is in full swing and hot trainer Peter Miller finished out the second week with two wins on the 19th and three more on the 20th.

Thursday DEL MAR Recap: Nov 17

Fast main track and firm turf course at Del Mar on Thursday. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at 8 furlongs, a front runner at one mile, and a stalker at 8.5 furlongs (rail at 24 feet).

Fernando Perez and Flavien Prat both booted home a pair. Richard Baltas saddled two flat mile turf winners.

Friday DEL MAR Recap: Nov 18

Fast main track and firm turf course at Del Mar on Friday. Just one wire-to-wire winner on dirt (8f). The winning turf course running styles were a  patient runner at one mile, a dueling front runner at five furlongs, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 24 feet).

Drayden Van Dyke booted home a pair.

Marckie’s Water (even 4th in 8th race) ran much better on turf second time out (stalked inside, edged for 3rd).

You can read the rest of my Del Mar Report at The Runaway Horse...

Kentucky Derby 2017 Update: Delta Jackpot/Bob Hope Preview

A couple of graded stakes races on Nov. 19 could have Kentucky Derby 2017 implications beginning with the Grade III Bob Hope at Del Mar.

My brand new top ranked Derby contender Mastery is the strong 4-5 favorite in the Bob Hope. He looked outstanding throughout in his six furlong debut and is expected to target the CashCall Futurity at Los Alamitos in December if everything goes well at Del Mar on Saturday.

There appears to be plenty of early pace in the Grade III Delta Jackpot and if that scenario plays out on the racetrack, watch out for stretch runners Gunnevera and J Boys Echo.

Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 11-18-16)

#1 - MASTERY

#2 - Not This Time

#3 - Classic Empire

#4 - Three Rules

#5 - Gormley

#6 - Takaful

#7 - Beach Bum

#8 - Klimt

#9 - Theory

#10 - Royal Mo

#11 - Silver Assault

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

* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards

Del Mar Fall Meet Rewind (Nov 11-13)

The 2016 fall meet at Del Mar is underway and Flavien Prat posted back-to-back riding doubles on Nov 11-12.

Friday DEL MAR Recap: Nov 11

Fast main track and firm turf course at Del Mar on Friday. Three wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f, 5.5f, 6f). The winning turf course running styles were a closer at one mile, a closer at nine furlongs, and a front runner in the Kathryn Crosby at 8.5 furlongs (rail at 12 feet).

Santiago Gonzalez and Flavien Prat both booted home a pair. Richard Baltas saddled two winners.

R4 winner Mo’vette ($24.40) scored as my value top (Sire: Uncle Mo). Santiago Gonzalez rode the winner for Richard Baltas.

R8 Kathryn Crosby runner-up Keri Belle (no pace help). Her trainer John Shirreffs is getting good horses in his barn again like promising juveniles Gormley and Royal Mo. The latter was up for the place after a bad start in his last and won't be a maiden much longer.

You can read the rest of my Del Mar Report at The Runaway Horse...

Kentucky Derby 2017 update: Breeders' Cup Juvenile recap

Early Kentucky Derby 2017 favorite Classic Empire stalked, pounced, and held off Not This Time to capture the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, November 5.

The aforementioned BC Juvenile also attracted Grade 1 winners Gormley, Klimt, and Practical Joke, but they were no match for Classic Empire and Not This Time. The aforementioned dynamic duo were well clear of show finisher Practical Joke and the Juvenile Beyer Speed Figure came back a very good 102. 

You can read my entire Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2016 update blog at The Runaway Horse.

* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards

Video race of the week: 2016 Red Smith Handicap with Wake Forest

Wake Forest is the 8-5 morning line favorite in Saturday's G3 Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct. Can anyone beat him? I sure hope so! Watch my video analysis below for contenders and wagering strategies.

Santa Anita Track Bias Report 2016 (Nov 3-6)

Closing week at Santa Anita was also Breeders' Cup week. Mike Smith capped off an outstanding Breeders' Cup with a very smart victory aboard Arrogate in the BC Classic. He was much the best over California Chrome and it looks as though the torch has been passed in the Handicap Division.

Thursday Santa Anita Recap: November 3

Fast main track and firm turf course at Santa Anita Park. Only one wire-to-wire winner on dirt (6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner down the hill, a downhill stalker, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 30 feet).

Kent Desormeaux booted home a pair. Training doubles for Phil D’Amato, Peter Miller, and Doug O’Neill.

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

Kentucky Derby 2017 update: Breeders' Cup Juvenile preview

The 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile will be run later this weekend at Santa Anita Park and seven of my Top 11 Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders are entered. 

Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 10-29-16)

#1 - Silver Assault

#2 - Klimt

#3 - Not This Time

#4 - Three Rules

#5 - Theory

#6 - Gormley

#7 - Classic Empire 

#8 - Straight Fire

#9 - Favorable Outcome

#10 - Mastery

#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

Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2016 video preview

The 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile is shaping up as a competitive race with a good mix of speed horses, stalkers, and closers.

Syndergaard and Gormley are the early threats and the latter has the home court advantage following a wire job win in the G1 FrontRunner. Undefeated Gulfstream shipper Three Rules should be forwardly placed as well.

Klimt, the FrontRunner runner-up, should be stalking the pace for trainer Bob Baffert. G1 Breeders' Futurity hero Classic Empire and Theory, 2-for-2 at six furlongs for trainer Todd Pletcher, should also be tracking the front runners.

If the early pace heats up, look for Churchill Downs shipper Not This Time to pick up the pieces.

Santa Anita Park Track Bias Report (Oct 27-30)

The final week of live racing before the 2016 Breeders' Cup is in the books. Kent Desormeaux was the riding star of the week!

Thursday Santa Anita Recap: October 27

Fast main track and firm turf course at Santa Anita Park. Only one wire-to-wire winner on dirt (one mile). The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner at nine furlongs and a patient runner at one mile (rail at 30 feet).

Kent Desormeaux guided home two winners.

Friday Santa Anita Recap: October 28

Fast main track and firm turf course at Santa Anita Park. Three wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6f, 8,5f, 6f). The lone turf race was captured by a downhill stalker (rail at 30 feet).

Rafael Bejarano guided home three winners. Bob Baffert saddled two winners and Bejarano rode both.

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