Del Mar recap + Travers 2016 video

In case you missed it at The Runaway Horse, here is my Del Mar recap followed by my Travers 2016 video analysis.

Del Mar Weekly Recap (Aug 17-21)

Wednesday, August 17

Fast main track and firm turf course. One wire-to-wire winner in the 5.5f opener on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at five furlongs, a stalker at 8.5f, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 30 feet).

Two turf wins for jockey Jamie Theriot.

Tara's Tango returned from a vacation and turned back in distance to take the G3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap for Martin Garcia and Jerry Hollendorfer. She will probably return to the route game in the near future.

Thursday, August 18

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one mile, a  patient runner at one mile, and a stalker at eleven furlongs (rail at 30 feet).

Flavien Prat and Phil D’Amato teamed up for two turf wins.

Friday, August 19

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners at 5.5f on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at 8.5f, a patient midpack runner at one mile, and a stalker at eleven furlongs (rail at 30 feet).

Rafael Bejarano and Iggy Puglisi both booted home a pair.

Frenzified enjoyed the eleven furlong turf jouney and picked up her first US win in the CTT and TOC Handicap. Santiago Gonzalez rode the winner for James Cassidy.

Saturday, August 20

Fast main track and firm turf course. California Chrome was the only wire-to-wire main track winner on Pacific Classic Day. The winning turf course running styles were a last-to-first closer at 8.5f, a patient runner at 9f, a forwardly placed runner at 11f, and a patient runner at a flat mile.

Martin Garcia and Gary Stevens both booted home a pair.

The highly anticipated Pacific Classic was over as soon as they broke from the gate. For some inexplicable reason, the competition, notably Dortmund and Beholder, let California Chrome coast along on an uncontested lead through moderate splits and the outcome was eerily similar to Game On Dude's Pacific Classic romp in 2013.

The no passing zone signs were out in full force as Beholder chased throughout in second with Dortmund (3rd), Hoppertunity (4th), Dalmore (5th), and Imperative (6th) all basically running in place from start to finish.

Come on guys, at least make Chrome break a sweat and work hard for the money like Luis Saez and Go Maggie Go did in the Alabama. Saez went right after Songbird from the start and made her earn the win and she did just that but at least it was a horse race instead of a coronation.

My top choices suffered tough losses in the other two stakes races. Stays in Vegas appeared home free in the Del Mar Oaks but Harmonize and Decked Out both nipped her in the very late stages.

In the Del Mar Handicap, Ashleyluvssugar had a clear lead and held off my charging top Metaboss to win by a desperate nose. Gary Stevens stole this one and the beats do not come tougher than this!

Sunday, August 21

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to--wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 6f). The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at one mile, a stalker at 8.5 furlongs, and patient runner at five furlongs.  

Hat trick for Rafael Bejarano. Two wins for Stewart Elliott. Phil D'Amato and Chris Hartman both saddled two winners.

Midnight Storm is fast and sharp and went all the way in the G2 Del Mar Mile, holding off Om by a 1/2 length and earning a 106 BSF. The latter ran a big race off the bench and the top two were well clear of show finisher Ohio.

TRAVERS 2016 VIDEO ANALYSIS

Jim Dandy and Haskell handicapping video featuring Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist

The winners of all three Triple Crown series 2016 races are back in action this weekend at Saratoga and Monmouth.

In the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 30, Belmont Stakes 1-2 finishers Creator and Destin square off again with the latter holding the tactical edge.

Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and Preakness winner Exaggerator continue their rivalry in Sunday's Haskell Invitational on July 31.

Belmont Stakes 2016 Handicapping Video: Preakness hero Exaggerator 9-5 favorite

The 2016 Belmont Stakes will be run on Saturday, June 11 and twelve horses will line up against solid favorite Exaggerator.

SATURDAY’S (6-11-16) BELMONT STAKES DAY FULL CARD IS READY TO PURCHASE:

The Runaway Horse – $15.00

The Runaway Horse How to Handicap Video Series #4: Pace Makes the Race

Jarrod Horak continues his How to Handicap video series with a look at pace and how it impacts a race.

Preakness 2016 Recap + Belmont Stakes preview: Get well soon Nyquist

A video recap of the 2016 Preakness Stakes + an early look at the Belmont Stakes. Nyquist's biggest fan Riley the dog makes a get well soon card for her Kentucky Derby hero!

 

Preakness Stakes 2016 Preview Video

The Kentucky Derby is in the books and Nyquist emerged victorious. Can he win the Preakness Stakes and continue his Triple Crown march?

Kentucky Derby 2016 Top 5 Contenders: Mohaymen, Mor Spirit, Nyquist, Exaggerator, Destin

We are in Kentucky Derby 2016 countdown mode. Final works are starting to wrap up and post positions will be drawn on Wednesday, May 4.

With one week to go, here are my Top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders, video style!

2016 TRIPLE CROWN FULL CARDS

My 2016 Kentucky Derby/Triple Crown pre-sale products are ready to purchase.

The Kentucky Derby 2016 full card pre-sale product is on sale now for $12.00.

The Kentucky Derby pre-sale product includes updated notes for all Kentucky Derby 2016 hopefuls. I have also included my Kentucky Derby 2015 analysis and wagering styles to give you an idea of what to expect when my 2016 full card reports are complete.

The Kentucky Derby Day full card will be finished after post positions are drawn and fields are set next week. If you purchase the Kentucky Derby Day pre-sale product, the Kentucky Derby Day full card from Churchill Downs will be emailed to you as soon as it is complete.

Kentucky Derby Pre-sale: Click Add To Cart below ($12)

The Triple Crown 2016 full card pre-sale product is on sale now for $30.00.

The Triple Crown pre-sale product includes updated notes for all Kentucky Derby 2016 hopefuls. I have also included my Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes 2015 analysis and wagering styles to give you an idea of what to expect when my 2016 full card reports are complete.The Kentucky Derby full card will be finished after post positions are drawn and fields are set next week. If you purchase the Triple Crown pre-sale product, the full cards (Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes) will be emailed to you as soon as they are complete.

The special pre-sale prices will only be available for a limited time. Once the Kentucky Derby 2016 full card is complete, the Derby full card will be $15.00.

The Triple Crown pre-sale product is a $15.00 savings. The three full cards (Derby, Preakness, Belmont) purchased separately will cost $15/each or $45 total.

Triple Crown Pre-sale: Click Add To Cart below ($30)

Last Week at Santa Anita Park (April 7-10)

It was a wet closing weekend at Santa Anita Park and Exaggerator threw his hat into the Kentucky Derby ring with a dominating victory in the Santa Anita Derby.

Thursday Santa Anita Park Recap: April 7

Fast main track and firm turf course. The fourth race was originally scheduled for the downhill turf course and moved to the main track. Three wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f, 6f, 5.5f).  The two turf races were taken by a flat mile front runner and a flat mile stalker (turf rail at 30 feet).

Riding doubles for Martin Pedroza and Flavien Prat. Leading trainer Phil D’Amato saddled two more winners.

Friday Santa Anita Park Recap: April 8

Main track started out fast by was sloppy by the sixth race. The third race was taken off the downhill turf course but the seventh race stayed on the grass at one mile. The turf course was listed as good and the rail was at 20 feet. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8.5f, 8f).  The flat mile turf feature was nabbed by a prominent throughout runner.

Riding double for Flavien Prat.

Saturday Santa Anita Park Recap: April 9

Sloppy (sealed) main track and yielding turf course. The opening race was originally scheduled for nine furlongs on turf and moved to wet dirt. Three wire-to-wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 8.5f, 6.5f). The G3 Providencia at nine furlongs on turf was nabbed by a late runner (rail at 20 feet) and the G3 Thunder Road at one mile on turf was captured by a midpack stalker (turf rail down).

Kent Desormeaux was the riding star of the day with a graded stakes hat trick. Riding doubles for Rafael Bejarano and Flavien Prat. Keith Desormeaux saddled two graded winners and his brother Kent rode both. Peter Miller saddled two maiden sprint winners. Leading trainer Phil D’Amato saddled two winners.

Sunday Santa Anita Park Closing Day Recap: April 10

Drying out (wet fast) main track was upgraded to fast by the fourth race. All turf races were moved to dirt except the San Juan Capistrano, which was changed in distance to fifteen furlongs. Eight of the ten main track winners went wire-to-wire or were all over the pace. The grassy featured was nabbed by a patient type (course yielding).

Hat trick for Tyler Baze. Leading trainer Phil D’Amato saddled two winners and Baze rode both.

If you are interested in full card analysis, I am selling Santa Anita full cards each weekend at The Runaway Horse. You can check out full card recaps with highlights on our What You Missed page.

I also post free daily tickets from Santa Anita Park at Pick 6 Blog. You can also read my recaps at Pick 6 Blog.  

Santa Anita Park photos by Stacy Edwards. 

Kentucky Derby 2016 prep race video series: Blue Grass, SA Derby, and Wood Memorial

There are four important nine furlong preps left on the road to Kentucky Derby 2016 and three of them will be contested this weekend in California, New York, and Kentucky.

The Santa Anita Derby is a rematch between the top three finishers in the San Felipe – Danzing Candy, Mor Spirit, and Exaggerator. The pace scenario might favor Mor Spirit but if the track comes up wet (a real possibility) all bets are off!

The Wood Memorial at Aqueduct features undefeated Gotham hero Shagaf but he is light on numbers. Watch for fast stakes newcomer Matt King Coal to attempt a wire job.

Finally, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland features a full field of fourteen with two also-eligibles. Fountain of Youth runner-up Zulu is the 5-2 morning line favorite and Keeneland lover Brody’s Cause tries to bounce back after his non-effort in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Kentucky Derby 2016 Top 5 Contenders: #5 - EXAGGERATOR

It's time to take a look at my Top 5 Kentucky Derby 2016 contenders, starting with #5, Exaggerator.

Exaggerator won the Delta Jackpot to end his 2-year-old season and began his sophomore campaign with a fine runner-up finish to unbeaten Juvenile Champion Nyquist. 

The Keith Desormeaux trainee makes his next start in the G2 San Felipe at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, March 12.

Kentucky Derby 2016 video handicapping: Tampa Bay Derby w/Brody's Cause & San Felipe w/Mor Spirit

The road to Kentucky Derby 2016 continues on Saturday, Match 12 with the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby and Grade 2 San Felipe.