There have been four Kentucky Derby 2020points races this year, and the LeComte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds has been the strongest race so far. There are three Derby preps this weekend (Holy Bull, Robert B. Lewis, Withers).
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Tiz the Law is the 3-5 morning line favorite for the Holy Bull Stakes (G2), and Thousand Words is 4-5 to remain unbeaten in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita Park. The final points race on Saturday, Feb. 1 is the Withers Stakes at the Big A. Shotski is the 2-1 choice on the line and is the most vulnerable of the three Derby points race favorites on Saturday. For analysis of those three Derby preps, check out my Today’s Racing Digest video.
A big field with a solid pace and stamina won out. Bango, Shashashakemeup, and Jack the Umpire were the early instigators. Mr. Monomoy sat behind them and was the only forwardly placed runner around at the end. Enforceable was wide early and often from post ten. He raced 11th of 13 for the first half-mile and picked up the pace nicely after that. He showed a nice turn of foot in the stretch and kicked clear to score by a length and a half. My top choice Silver State rallied smartly for the place in just his third career start for Steve Amussen. I thought he ran every bit as well as the winner. This was his first start around two turns and he has plenty of upside. Mr. Monomoy missed 2nd by a neck and was well clear of 4th place finisher Finnick the Fierce. Beaten favorite Scabbard was a flat 6th and was followed by Shashashakemeup, Excession, Halo Again, Bango, Perfect Star, Jack the Umpire, Sycamore Run, and New Eagle.
Smarty Jones Stakes Recap from Oaklawn Park (1-24-20) - Winner: Gold Street ($22.80)
Everything about this race was confusing. First of all, the track was muddy, and some horses probably did not handle the footing. There were a trio of sprinters stretching out in distance (Lykan, Nucky, Gold Street), and the pace figured to be fast. Spoiler alert, it wasn’t! Lykan was rank early and Nucky never got involved. Gold Street was exiting back-to-back dirt sprint wins in the slop, and he just got out there and completely controlled the pace in this spot. My value top choice Lynn’s Map took up chasing duties because someone had to. Gold Street was in cruise control from start to finish and scored by a very comfortable 2+ lengths. Three Technique stalked from the outside post and was clearly second best in a solid effort. Shoplifted stalked the pace and was best of the rest in 3rd, and his stablemate Silver Prospector was 4th. Lynn’s Map weakened to 5th, and Shared Sense, Lykan, Jungle Runner, and Nucky completed the order of finish. The speed figure came back solid but there is a very good chance that this was not a strong race, at least when it comes to the Derby trail. My best guess is that the top two finishers are milers at best. You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...
Check out my Kentucky Derby 2020 points race video for Saturday (2-1-20) below! The three races covered in this video are Kentucky Derby 2020 points races.
Fast main track and firm turf course. One dueling front running winner at six furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one mile, a patient runner at one mile, and a front runner at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
Riding double for Eswan Flores. Training double for Hector Palma.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $158,860 and one winning jackpot ticket paid $721,789.40.
Jan. 24 Claims: Race 6 - Toothless Wonder ($16k, Steve Miyadi). Race 7 - Murad Khan ($50k, Doug O’Neill).
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-24-20 SA 3 NOMIZAR (SA Best Bet #1, $8.60), Exacta ($12.30) Double (races 3-4, $40.40) Pick 3 (races 3-5, $48.70)
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (1-25-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Four front running winners on dirt (6f, 6.5f, 8f, 6f). The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a stalker at one mile, a two last-to-first closers at a mile and an eighth (rail at 10 feet).
Abel Cedillo guided home four winners. Geovanni Franco booted home a pair on turf.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $94,147 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $2,958.12 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $21,552 when live racing resumes on Sunday, Jan. 26.
An original field of six was scratched down to four. Captain Scotty cleared early and it was game over. Flagstaff chased throughout and fell a neck short. He was well clear of outside stalker Speed Pass, and Grinning Tiger broke a bit slow and trailed throughout.
Jan. 25 Claims: Race 3 - Fire When Ready ($12.5k, Jeff Mullins).
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-25-20 SA 2 REMEMBER TO SMILE ($3.40) Double (races 1-2, $15.40) SA 3 CONQUEST COBRA ($6.40), Exacta ($5.80) Double (races 2-3, $12.20) Pick 3 (races 1-3, $11.10) SA 4 STACKIN SILVER ($3.00) Double (races 3-4, $13.20) Pick 3 (races 2-4, $3.80) OP 8 Pioneer Spirit/Bankit Exacta ($43.60)
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (1-26-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running dirt sprint winners at 5.5f panels. The winning turf course running styles were a dueling front runner at 5.5 furlongs, and two stalkers at 5.5 furlongs (rail at 20 feet).
Joel Rosario booted home the early double.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $72,745 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $6,477.04 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $38,207 when live racing resumes on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Clocker’s Corner Stakes Recap (1-26-20) -Winner: Lil Milo ($14.20)
The pace figured to be swift and it was (Bay Muzik, What’sontheagenda dueled). Lil Milo sat the right outside stalking trip and got the jump on the closers in a length and a quarter tally. Post time favorite Ghoul got up for 2nd but was placed 5th for causing interference in the stretch. What’sontheagenda was elevated to 2nd, and Ax Man and Double Touch were next. Oiseau de Guerre and Bay Muzik trailed.
Jan. 26 Claims: None.
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-26-20 SA 1 Untouched Elegance/Jaccat Exacta ($6.50), Trifecta ($16.05) SA 2 BOOGALUTE (SA Best Bet #1, $4.00), Exacta ($4.40) Double (races 1-2, $8.60) Double (races 2-3, $17.00) Pick 3 (races 1-3, $17.95) Pick 3 (races 2-4, $43.70) SA 5 MYSTERY MESSENGER (SA Best Bet #2, $12.20), Exacta ($16.00) Double (races 4-5, $59.00) Pick 3 (races 3-5, $74.15) Double (races 5-6, $82.40) Pick 3 (races 4-6, $91.60) Pick 3 (races 5-7, $176.10) SA 8 SHE CHERIE ($5.20) Double (races 7-8, $54.60) Pick 3 (races 6-8, $76.00) HOU 8 Lady Apple/Serengeti Empress Exacta ($55.40) HOU 10 WINNING ENVELOPE ($6.40), Exacta ($19.80)
Finite picked up ten more points to move into third place in the Kentucky Oaks 2020 points race standings. The overwhelming favorite earned her victory the hard way in the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday, Jan. 18.
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The next three Oaks points races on the docket are the Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park (Feb. 1), the Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park (Feb. 1), and the Busanda at Aqueduct on Feb. 2.
Tonalist’s Shape is the overwhelming 1-2 favorite in the Forward Gal at seven panels and she drew perfectly outside. Taraz is the strong even money chalk in the Martha Washington, and she might jump on the Kentucky Derby 2020 trail if she wins impressively. Finally, the Busanda attracted seven fillies and Persisto looks like the one to catch.
Finite worked hard throughout in a tougher than expected neck victory. Ursula set the pace and His Glory tracked her. Finite sat in 3rd and went up to engage the early leader at the six furlong mark. His Glory was the first to crack and Portrait joined the chase outside, and the race was on in the stretch. Finite and Ursula battled in the lane and Portrait started to flatten out. Tempers Rising was on the scene late but when the smoke cleared, Finite was a neck to the good of Ursula, with Tempers Rising a head back in 3rd. Portrait was a length behind that one, and was followed by His Glory, Pass the Plate, She Can’t Sing, and Maga Suite. This was not a fast race and the top finishers will have to improve to compete with the top horses in this division. You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...
Fast main track and good turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (8f, 6f, 7f). The winning turf course running styles were a closer at 5.5 furlongs, a stalker at one mile, and a front runner at 5.5 furlongs (rail at 30 feet).
Riding double for Jorge Velez.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $93,398 and multiple winning tickets paid $2,771.60 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $453,423 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Jan. 18.
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-17-20 SA 4 LA ROSA DRIVE ($5.00), Exacta ($4.00) SA 7 Reedley/Cunning Munnings Exacta (SA Best Bet #2, $32.10) AQU 6 CAVARADOSSI ($4.70)
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (1-18-20)
Fast main track and good turf course. Three front running sprint winners on dirt (6f, 6f, 6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a closer at a mile and an eighth, a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a front runner at a mile and an eighth, and a stalker at one mile.
Agapito Delgadillo and Tiago Pereira both booted home a pair.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $282,166 and multiple winning tickets paid $2,691.76 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $518,026 when live racing resumes on Sunday, Jan. 19.
Sunshine Millions F&M Turf Sprint (1-18-20) - Winner: Stealthediamonds ($8.80)
I was skeptical of her chances at 5.5f, but Stealthediamonds was able to slow things down just enough to score. Just Grazed Me chased from 2nd throughout and was slowly getting to the winner late. My top choice Apache Princess did not get enough pace help and was a clear 3rd. Lakerball, Show I N Moe It, and Lippy trailed.
California Cup Sprint (1-18-20) - Winner: Fashionably Fast ($6.20)
Tough beat for my top pick Lieutenant Dan. I thought he had this one in the bag after Baja Sur and Fashionably Fast hooked up and set strong fractions. The latter gained a slight lead in the stretch, but Lieutenant Dan was rallying wide and seemed to have all the momentum. Fashionably Fast was sharp and determined, and he prevailed by a hard fought neck. Brandothebartender was up very late for 3rd, and pace presser Oliver was a head behind him. Beaten favorite Baja Sur broke slow from the rail, dueled inside, and faded to last.
A nice 3-1 winner for the loyal TRD video viewers. Wound Tight looked like the controlling speed on paper, and I figured the miler would be able to stretch his speed another furlong due to the tepid pace scenario. This was an excellent front running ride. Abel Cedillo went somewhat fast early, slowed it down in the middle, and picked up the pace late. That is how you ride a controlling speed horse. He crossed the line a very comfortable 3-1/2 lengths in front of post time favorite Ward ’n Jerry. Cono chased the winner throughout and gamely held 3rd at 34-1 odds. Ashleyluvssugar was next, followed by The Hunted (he is a miler), Desmond Doss, Accountability, and Mobou.
California Cup Derby (1-18-20) - Winner: Fast Enough ($11.60)
Bettor Trip Nick tried to steal this one but did not have enough left in the stretch to hold off the eventual top two finishers. Sacred Rider was the longest shot on the board at 36-1, and he almost got the job done, but Fast Enough wore him down and was just fast enough by a neck. The top pair were five lengths clear of Bettor Trip Nick. Dapper, Club Aspen, and Summer Fire were next, and my value top Indian Peak was behind them. The latter looked loaded while racing inside the speed around the far turn, but steadied and never kicked in the stretch. Rookie Mistake was next and Big Returns trailed throughout.
California Cup Oaks (1-18-20) - Winner: Warren’s Showtime ($10.20)
Bulletproof One tried to steal this one but got tired late as expected, and Warren’s Showtime spurted clear inside and was much the best when all was said and done. There were five necks on the line for 2nd, and Bulletproof One just held off Warrior’s Moon, California Kook, Smiling Shirlee, and Homehome. Wise Rachel was less than a length behind that group, and was followed by my troubled top pick Almost a Factor, Cholula Lips, Midnight Sunrise, overbet favorite Been Studying Her, and Smoking Hot Bobbie.
Jan. 18 Claims: Race 9 - Posterize ($20k, Lorenzo Ruiz), Principe Carlo ($20k, Ryan Hanson).
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-18-20 SA 6 WOUND TIGHT (SA Best Bet #1, $8.00), Exacta ($12.50) Double (races 5-6, $24.60) Pick 3 (races 4-6, $24.10) FG 9 Quebec/Don’t Tell Marge Exacta ($81.60) FG 10 SILVER DUST (FG Best Bet, $3.20), Exacta ($9.20), Trifecta ($12.00)
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (1-19-20)
Fast main track and good turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (7f, 8f, 6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at 5.5 furlongs, a stalker at one mile, a stalker at a mile and a half, and a closer at one mile (rail at 20 feet).
Tiago Pereira and Brian Koriner teamed up for two winners, but Koriner was not done. He also saddled Ms Peintour in the Astra Stakes (see recap below).
The Rainbow 6 pool was $173,493 and multiple winning tickets paid $2,117.32 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $557,744 when live racing resumes on Monday, Jan. 20.
Astra Stakes (G3) Recap (1-19-20) - Winner: Ms Peintour ($28.40)
Weak stakes races often produce upsets. As my value top, I landed on Blue Diva at 10-1, and she sat a decent trip but was not good enough. Lostintranzlation figured to control the pace and she did, but she came up empty when the real running began. Tiny Tina was the favorite and she sat a nice stalking trip, but Ms Peintour was right with the chalk throughout, and she had the outside position and momentum. She was clear by a couple of lengths over Tiny Tina, and Siberian Iris rallied for the show. Blue Diva was an even 4th and Heathers Gray was behind her. Lostintranzlation was next and Trust Fund Kitty trailed.
Jan. 19 Claims: Race 3 - Top of the Game ($10k, Reid France). Race 4 - Playa Chica ($35k, Andrew Lerner), Point Hope ($25k, Mark Glatt). Race 5 - Jen Go Unchained ($12.5k, Rafael Becerra).
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-19-20 SA 2 TROMADOR ($3.00) Double (races 1-2, $19.20) Double (races 2-3, $4.40) Pick 3 (races 1-3, $9.00) SA 4 ARCTIC ROLL ($8.40) Double (races 3-4, $22.40) Pick 3 (races 2-4, $6.90) Double (races 4-5, $26.80) Pick 3 (races 3-5, $12.75) AQU 5 Direct Order/Win With Pride/California Night Trifecta ($25.24) AQU 7 Bellera/Lucky Move Exacta ($19.60)
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Santa Anita Recap for Monday (1-20-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were two stalkers at one mile, a closer at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
No riding or training doubles for Monday.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $186,977 and multiple winning tickets paid $19,976.84 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $600,551 when live racing resumes on Friday, Jan. 24.
I thought Keeper Ofthe Stars might be able to able to shake loose early, and she did get to the front, but Brill was intent on the lead under Mike Smith, and those two set it up for the patient runners. Carressa stalked from the inside post and handled turf just fine in a sharp score under Victor Espinoza. Super Patriot was the best late runner and she was along for the place. La Sardane was a neck back in 3rd and was followed by Streak of Luck, Take These Chains, Keeper Ofthe Stars, and Brill. This was a bunched up race from first to last.
The Kentucky Derby 2020 trail is off and running! Independence Hall started off the year with an easy score in the Jerome Stakes, and Authentic ran away with the Sham Stakes a few days later. The Fair Grounds road to the Derby begins with the Lecomte Stakes (G3) Jan. 18, and Scabbard is the tepid morning line favorite.
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Lecomte Stakes (G3) Preview from Fair Grounds (1-18-20)
Scabbard is the favorite and he should not have any excuses. He looks like the class of the field and reunites with his winning rider Corey Lanerie. He drew a favorable post position and should get pace to chase. Look for him to strike from midpack. Steve Asmussen entered three runners (Excession, Halo Again, Silver State), and the latter might be the most dangerous of the three. The $450k son of Hard Spun ran well in both starts at Churchill Downs last year, and Ricardo Santana Jr. sticks with the stalker. Enforceable is one of two runners from the Mark Casse barn (Lynn’s Map is the other), and the well bred colt is part of my Derby list. He has a shot to rally for a share if the pace heats up (it should). Sycamore Run might be the one to catch from post 13. Can he go all the way from a tough post in his stakes and two turn debut in his second career start? Mr. Monomoy drew well and figures to save ground chasing the pace. He is bred to be a good one for Brad Cox. Finnick the Fierce rallied for the place at 87-1 odds in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2). We will find out if that effort was a fluke.
Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Recaps
Jerome Stakes Recap (1-1-20) - Winner: Independence Hall ($2.20)
This was not the performance many of us were expecting. Granted, Independence Hall scored easily, but he made some troubling mistakes. He was fractious in the paddock and lunged at the start and was away last. His rider Jose Ortiz maneuvered him outside, and within a matter of strides he was in front. He was a bit erratic in the lane and scored by four lengths. There was nothing behind him and that is why he got away with his antics. I still like him and he clearly has ability, but there are more questions than answers at this stage. Prince of Pharoahs and Bourbon Bay, a pair of NY-bred maiden winners, finished in a dead-heat for the place, and it was a mile back to Celtic Striker, Polar Bear Pete, and Dubai Bobby. The track was good and the final time was not particularly fast (1:37.27).
Authentic was my top pick in my TRD video for Jan. 4, and he made short work of this field. He seized control early from the rail under Drayden Van Dyke, and he was clear throughout. He was green in the stretch but it did not matter in this spot. He won by more than seven lengths over stablemate Azul Coast. The latter had no speed and wants all the ground he can get. Zimba Warrior held off Taishan for 3rd. Scoring was another 8+ back in 5th, and Uncaptured Hero stalked and retreated to last. This was only the second career start for Authentic, and he clearly has sped and talent. He needs to work on some things and we will find out if he is a legit Derby contender in the near future. You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...
Check out my Cal Cup Day video from Santa Anita Park for Saturday (1-18-20) below! Races covered: Sunshine Millions F&M Turf Sprint, Cal Cup Sprint, Unusual Heat Turf Classic.
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners at six and one-half furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at 5.5 furlongs, a last-to-first closer in a 5-horse field at 5.5 furlongs, and another last-to-first closer at 5.5 furlongs (rail at 30 feet).
Riding doubles for Flavien Prat and Joel Rosario.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $116,997 and multiple winning tickets paid $525.04 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $319,307 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Jan. 10 Claims: Race 2 - Busy Paynter ($16k, Bob Hess Jr.), Cimarron ($16k, Dean Pederson). Race 4 - Palace Prince ($50k, Bill Spawr). Race 6 - Classy Atlantic ($32k, Vladimir Cerin). Race 7 - Oiseau de Guerre ($62.5k, Doug O’Neill).
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-10-20 SA 2 Busy Paynter/Leading Indicator Exacta ($6.80) SA 6 Drift Away/Swirling/Classy Atlantic Trifecta (SA Best Bet #1, $13.45) SA 7 MCKALE ($5.00) Double (races 6-7, $18.20) Pick 3 (races 5-7, $22.30) SA 8 She’s Devoted/Bella Vita Exacta (SA Best Bet #2, $6.60) Double (races 7-8, $15.60) Pick 3 (races 6-8, $11.00) SA Late Pick 4 (races 5-8, $66.30) You can read the rest of this post on my California horse racing page...
The Kentucky Oaks 2020 points race series has a new leader. Thee-time grade one winner Bast began the new year in style with a solid victory in the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) on Jan. 5.
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The next points race is the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes (race 12) at Fair Grounds on Saturday, Jan. 18. Likely favorite Finite has captured her last three starts including the Golden Rod (G2) under the Twin Spires to end her juvenile campaign. She is strictly the one to beat for Steve Asmussen. Her main rival appears to be Portrait for trainer Brad Cox. She ran off the screen in her extended sprint maiden win at Ellis Park, and was last seen finishing 3rd in the Pocahontas (G2). His Glory has the speed to succeed for Tom Amoss, and Tempers Rising looks like the best closer in the field.
Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps
Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) Recap (1-5-20) - Winner: Bast ($3.20)
Bast towered over her rivals from a class standpoint, and she drew the perfect outside post in this extended sprint. Auberge and Golden Principal battled on the lead from the two inside posts, and Bast tracked them from the outside. Those three dominated throughout and Bast was able to wear down her two inexperienced stablemates to score by a bit less than two lengths. Auberge was second best and Golden Principal finished more than nine lengths in front of Orquidias Biz. K P Dreamin and Lovely Lilia trailed. This was a Kentucky Oaks 2020 points race and Bast is the new leader with 34 points. You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...
