Bertrando Stakes 2026 Analysis (6-20-26)

The $100,000 Bertrando Stakes headlines Saturday card at Los Alamitos Race Course, going as Race 9 for California-bred horses aged three and up. The one-mile dirt contest has attracted a compact field of six.

After reviewing the pace scenario, speed figures, and track profile, Coach Cronin emerges as the horse to beat.

Pace Scenario Favors Speed

One of the most important handicapping angles in this race is the projected pace setup.

Coach Cronin appears to be the lone true front-runner in the field, a significant advantage considering one mile races at Los Alamitos have historically favored horses racing on or near the lead. Front-runners and pressers account for the vast majority of winners at this distance, making early position especially valuable.

With little apparent pressure up front, Coach Cronin could find himself controlling the tempo from the start.

Favorite: Coach Cronin

Coach Cronin enters the Bertrando Stakes in outstanding form for trainer Bob Hess Jr. The six-year-old gelding has won five of his last seven starts and arrives off back-to-back victories at the one-mile distance.

His most recent performance was particularly impressive, as he wired the field while earning one of the strongest speed figures in the race (144 FTR). Prior to that, he scored another front-running victory at Santa Anita, confirming that his current form is no fluke.

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King Glorious Stakes 2025 Video Analysis (12-14-25)

In this horse racing handicapping video, I analyze the King Glorious Stakes at Los Al (12-14-25).  

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Starlet Stakes 2025 Video Picks at Los Alamitos Race Course

In this horse racing video, I analyze the Grade 2 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course (12-6-25).  

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Los Alamitos Futurity 2024 Video Analysis

This horse racing video features analysis of the 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity.  

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Starlet Stakes 2024 Video Picks at Los Alamitos Race Course

This horse racing video features analysis of the 2024 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos.  

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Los Alamitos Futurity 2023 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Los Alamitos Futurity on 12-16-23. 

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Los Alamitos Futurity 2023 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues at Los Alamitos Race Course on Saturday, December 16, and I have included Los Alamitos Futurity 2023 picks below. The Grade 2 event for 2-year-olds has a $200,000 purse and the six entrants will be traveling 1 1/16 miles on the main track. It is the 9th race on Dec. 16 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Derby points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Los Alamitos Futurity 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Moonlit Sonata broke slow from an outer post and came rolling home from off the pace to capture his 6 1/2 furlong debut at Del Mar on Nov. 25. He was 33-1 in his bow and Tim Yakteen’s $75k son of Malibu Moon is bred to handle two turns. 

Wynstock is the first of three Bob Baffert trainees and the veteran conditioner has saddled the winner of this race a record 13 times. It was previously run as the Hollywood Futurity and CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park. After that venue closed, it was moved to Los Alamitos in 2014, and Baffert trainees captured seven consecutive runnings (2014-2020). This $700k Solomini colt stretched out and cruised to a big victory at 13-1 odds under Kyle Frey on Oct. 13. He might be the one to catch. 

Stronghold showed ability right off the bat in a clear runner-up finish behind Awesome Road in his six panel bow at Ellis Park on Aug. 27. He stretched out to a mile and graduated in professional fashion at Churchill Downs second time out. He shipped to Del Mar and ran into buzzsaw Nysos in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at seven panels on Nov. 19, and he was clearly second best that day. He drilled a local bullet for this on Dec. 10 and Antonio Fresu got acquainted with Phil D’Amato’s Ghostzapper colt last time. 

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Starlet Stakes 2023 Video Picks at Los Alamitos Race Course

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 2 Starlet at LRC on 12-9-23. 

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Grade 2 Starlet Stakes 2023 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Los Alamitos Race Course on Saturday, December 9, and I have included Starlet 2023 picks below. The Grade 2 event for 2-year-old fillies has a $200,000 purse and the six entrants will be traveling 1 1/16 miles on the main track. It is the 9th race on Dec. 9 and the top five finishers will earn Oaks points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Starlet 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Nothing Like You is trained by Bob Baffert and he saddled the winner of this race the last six years. This $190k Malibu Moon filly captured her last two starts and earned an improved speed rating in a nose victory in the Desi Arnaz Stakes on Nov. 18. The 9-5 morning line favorite stretches back out and should be forwardly placed from the inside post under her winning pilot Juan Hernandez. 

Pacific Rose is still a maiden after four starts. Doug O’Neill’s filly completed the superfecta in her last three starts and was only beaten 2 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2 Chandelier on Oct. 7. She was the beaten favorite in a maiden dirt route on Nov. 12. 

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Los Alamitos Derby Video Analysis with Reincarnate & Skinner

This horse racing video featuring analysis of the Los Al Derby on 7-8-23.     

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Kentucky Oaks 2023 Video Series: Grade 1 Starlet

Here is my latest horse racing video featuring analysis of the Grade 1 Starlet for 12-10-22.  

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Kentucky Oaks 2022 Video Series: G1 Starlet

Here is my latest horse racing video featuring analysis of the Grade 1 Starlet on 12-4-21.     

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Los Alamitos Derby 2021 Video Picks

Here is my latest horse racing video featuring analysis of the Los Alamitos Derby.

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Kentucky Derby 2021 Point Race Video Series: Springboard Mile + Los Al Futurity

 Here is my latest handicapping video featuring analysis of Gulfstream Park stakes races (12-12-20). 

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Kentucky Oaks 2020 Blog: Bast Captures G1 Starlet

The Kentucky Oaks points race series for 2020 picked up steam with a pair of graded races on Dec. 7. Lake Avenue went all the way in the Demoiselle (G2), and Bast pulled off a wire job later that day at Los Alamitos in the Starlet (G1). Last week, Finite ran her winning streak to three in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs. The Starlet was the final Oaks points race of the year. The next race on the docket is the Santa Ynez at Santa Anita Park on January 5. 

Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Bast capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

Golden Rod (G2) from Churchill Downs (11-30-19) - Winner: Finite ($3.60)

This dirt route at Churchill Downs was run in the slop. Bean and Lady Glamour battled on the pace, and strong favorite Finite sat in the right spot behind those two. Finite surged to the lead in the stretch and held off my 13-1 value top choice Motu. The latter made a sustained run from the outside post and was clearly second best in a strong effort. Lady Glamour was best of the rest in 3rd. She Can’t Sing was 4th, followed by Turtle Trax, His Glory, Bean, and Ivyetsu. 

Demoiselle (G2) from Aqueduct Racetrack (12-7-19) - Winner: Lake Avenue ($10.80)

Lake Avenue surprisingly controlled proceedings throughout from the outside post. She carved out the slowest fractions of the day on the main track, and just kept on going in an easy 4-length victory for Junior Alvarado and Bill Mott. The others really handed her the victory, and she was not the only wire-to-wire winner on the Cigar Mile Day program. The last five races on the main track were all captured in front running fashion. Slight betting favorite Maedean pounced from midpack and edged stalker Blame Debbie for the place, and presser Critical Value was another 1/2 length back in 4th. Water White was wide early from an outer post and ended up splitting the 10-horse field. My top choice Alandra was a flat 6th. I really thought she would get involved early, but she was just spinning her wheels and looked uncomfortable throughout. Glass Ceiling, Daphne Moon, Jara, and Miss Marissa completed the order of finish.   

Starlet (G1) from Los Alamitos (12-7-19) - Winner: Bast ($6.40)

This grade one route was contested over a good (sealed) main track. It looked like a match race on paper, and the two favorites put on a show. Bast drew post 2 and strong favorite Donna Veloce drew post 3, and that was key because Bast was able to make a short lead, and that slight edge propelled her to victory by a 1/2 length. Donna Veloce prompted the winner throughout but could never get past that one. She was at least twelve lengths in front of show finisher K P Dreamin. Gingham was 4th and Roadrunner’s Honor trailed. Before this event, Donna Veloce and Bast met in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1), and both ran quality races that day. In just her second career start, Donna Veloce stalked, took the lead, and was run down late by likely 2-year-old filly champ British Idiom at Santa Anita on Nov. 1. Bast battled on the pace that day and tried hard throughout in a solid show finish (beaten less than two lengths).  

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Kentucky Derby 2020 Blog: Los Alamitos Futurity Recap

The Kentucky Derby 2020 preps are winding down for the juvenile set. Silver Prospector took the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) Nov. 30. Shotski wired the field in the Remsen (G2) Dec. 7, and Thousand Words captured the Los Al Futurity (G2) later that day for trainer Bob Baffert. The Derby trail has one more stop for the juveniles next week, the $400k Springboard Mile at Remington Park on Sunday, Dec. 15. They will all officially turn three on January 1, and the Jerome at Aqueduct is the first points race of 2020.  

Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Thousand Words capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.

Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Recaps

Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) Recap (11-30-19) - Winner: Silver Prospector ($17.80)

This graded point race was run at a mile and a sixteenth in the slop. Longshot New Eagle set the pace and favorites South Bend and Tiz the Law were in chase mode. I initially thought my value top choice Silver Prospector would dictate terms, but he was patiently handled under Ricardo Santana Jr. The eventual winner rallied while out in the clear, and that was the key to victory. 87-1 bomber Finnick the Fierce rallied to edge Tiz the Law for the place, but the latter probably could have captured this event with a different trip. He was hemmed in from the inside post for much of the running, and there is little to no doubt that he would have finished at least 2nd if he sat the same journey as Silver Prospector. Enforceable rallied from last and was gaining late in an okay 4th place finish. He ran out of ground and was in the wrong race. He should have been in the Remsen (G2) at a mile and an eighth. New Eagle faded to 5th, and South Bend, Fighting Seabee, and Two Last Words trailed. The jury is out on the strength of this race, and the wet track makes it tougher to decipher. 

Remsen Stakes (G2) Recap (12-7-19) - Winner: Shotski ($19.60)

Shotski rode the speed bias to victory in this graded affair at a mile and an eighth. He was one of five front running winners on the card, and the pace was slow in this event. He was coasting along up front, opened up in the stretch, and held on to score by a diminishing 1/2 length. I don’t think this was a strong race, and the only one I am interested in is runner up Ajaaweed. The latter was the only one making up any ground, and he really moved forward after a well-beaten 4th in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1). He has been part of my Derby list all along and seems to want more ground. Show finisher Chase Tracker chased the pace from the inside post and was almost four lengths behind Ajaaweed. Informed was best of the rest in 4th, and was followed by Prince James, a flat Alpha Sixty Six, Cleon Jones, a fading Forza Di Oro, and Amends. 

Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) Recap (12-7-19) - Winner: Thousand Words ($5.40)

Only four lined up in this graded dirt route on a good (sealed) track. All four were decent runners, and Bob Baffert trained half the field. Speaking of Baffert, he absolutely owns this race, and it was surprising that Thousand Words was not the favorite. He should have been. The pace was quick in here with High Velocity sprinting to the early lead. The other three were in chase mode, and Thousand Words was the closest pursuer. The latter took a short lead in the stretch and BC Juvenile runner-up Anneau d’Oro immediately confronted him. Those two bounded clear and battled all the way to the wire. The both had the lead late, and Thousand Words fought back and scored by a neck. Anneau d’Oro ran a winning race in defeat, and High Velocity was another five lengths back in 3rd. Wrecking Crew gave way and was eased. In the end, it was tough to read this fast early/slow late stakes on a wet track. The top two are decent sorts. 

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Soviet Problem Stakes 2019 Video from Los Alamitos Race Course

Check out my Soviet Problem Stakes 2019 video below!

 

Kentucky Derby 2019 Blog: G1 Los Alamitos Futurity Preview

Trainer Bob Baffert has dominated the CashCall Futurity since the late 90’s at Hollywood Park and more recently Los Alamitos Race Course, and he has two strong contenders for the 2018 renewal. 

Improbable is his first entrant and the the unbeaten colt is the morning line favorite. Mucho Gusto is his other runner and he captured his first two starts to begin his career. The former has shown the ability to relax and finish, and the latter likes to get in the mix from the opening bell. 

CashCall Futurity 2018 Preview

LRC 5 (G1 Los Alamitos Futurity, 2yo, 8.5f) #1 Improbable (6-5) looked great romping on the BC undercard Nov 2 (130 CPR + 143 Final Rating). He is 2-for-2 for Baffert and projects a ground saving tactical trip behind the speed under Van Dyke. #2 Savagery (8-1) removes blinkers (strong move for Miller) and stretches out in distance. He ran well throughout in his last two sprint stakes starts without much pace. He should be forwardly placed and earned career best numbers in the Bob Hope (125 CPR + 128 Final Rating). #3 Dueling (6-1) improved over a route of ground in his SA maiden win at one mile Sept. 28 (2 next out winners - 123 Final Rating). He added blinkers and failed to get involved in the BC Juvenile, and he returns to SoCal and reconnects with his winning rider Mike Smith (6-for-14 w/Hollendorfer). #4 King of Speed (15-1) switches surfaces and has no early speed. He can get the distance but is 0-for-2 on dirt and seems up against it from a pace standpoint. #5 EXTRA HOPE (7-2) added blinkers and broke through with a big two turn maiden win at SA Oct 21 (129 CPR + 129 Final Rating). He ran out of ground vs. a couple of these in the G3 Bob Hope at 7f and is back in a preferred route. Prat knows him now and his tactical speed and stamina could pull him through in this spot. He is the only entrant with a win at 8.5f. #6 Mucho Gusto (3-1) went all the way in both sprint starts for Baffert including the G3 Bob Hope (129 CPR + 132 FR). He is an obvious prominent throughout threat under Talamo. THE PLAYS: #5 to win, Exacta Box 3-5

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Kentucky Oaks 2019 Blog: G1 Starlet Preview

The next Kentucky Oaks 2019 points race is the Grade I Starlet at Los Alamitos Race Course on Saturday, Dec. 8, and Bob Baffert saddles the two favorites.
American Pharoah’s sister Chasing Yesterday is the race favorite for Baffert, and she has been very good in sprint races. Mother Mother is also conditioned by Baffert and she looms a pace factor at the very least.

Grade I Starlet Analysis (12-8-18)

LRC 7 (G1 Starlet, 2yo fil, 8.5f) #1 VIBRANCE (5-2) started her career in a turf route and she ended up 4th. She was 1 of 3 next out winners from that heat in a flat mile dirt race Aug 29, and she followed that up with a clear 2nd to runaway winner Bellafina in the G1 Chandelier. She finished a clear 3rd behind sharp front running winner Jaywalk in the BC Juvenile Fillies last time and Prat rides the early-pressing threat today. She improved her FIRE, CPR, + Final Ratings in all four starts (129 Final in Breeders’ Cup). #2 Mother Mother (2-1) was up on the pace in all three starts (2 wins and a 2nd) and she added blinkers and held on in the Rags to Riches at CD Oct 28 (one turn mile - 132 Final Rating). The runner-up from her last, Molto Bella, went off a 3-1 in the G2 Demoiselle Dec 1 and finished 4th (beaten 18 lengths). Show finisher High Regard returned to land the show in the G2 Golden Rod. #3 Sold It (20-1) has a tough task for Doug O’Neill. She set a pressured pace and held 3rd in her dirt sprint bow at 6.5f, and she dueled and held on by a neck in a turf sprint Nov 15. She was the favorite in her first two starts and is a longshot pace factor today. #4 Oxy Lady (5-1) added blinkers and romped in the G3 Tempted at Aqueduct Nov 2 (136 CPR + 135 Final), but that is looking like a negative race (inflated number). Clear runner-up Enliven was pummeled by 23 lengths as the chalk in the Demoiselle Dec 1. Show finisher Surge of Pride was beaten by 10+ vs. NY-bred stakes foes Nov 23. 4th place finisher Takecharge Mirella was a well-beaten 3rd of 4 in an OC-75k/1x at AQU Nov 29. #5 Enaya Alrabb (12-1) added blinkers and improved to graduate in a one mile dirt race second time out at SA Oct 25. She owns the lowest numbers. #6 Chasing Yesterday (9-5) is 3-for-3 in SoCal dirt sprints and her only below par effort was a 7th of 11 in the G1 Spinaway at Saratoga second time out. She beat 2 rivals in the Desi Arnaz at 7f Nov 12 and the numbers from that race were disappointing. She can win if she earns Anoakia-like numbers (Oct 14 6f SA - 136 CPR + 137 Final). THE PLAYS - #1 to win, Exacta Box 1-4 

Kentucky Oaks 2019 Points Race Recaps

Golden Rod Recap (11-24-18) - Winner: Liora

Restless Rider was the overwhelming favorite in this wet track route under the Twin Spires, and she sat a comfortable stalking trip in third behind front runner Liora. Those two hooked up in the stretch and when the tussle ended, it was 27-1 longshot Liora by a nose. Restless Rider was a clear 2nd and was followed by High Regard, Champagne Anyone, Gold Credit, Princess Causeway, Break Curfew, and Reflect. The wet track may have affected some of the performances, and I am just not sure what to make of the results. I have been a fan of Restless Rider for quite some time and have been disappointed with her overall progress this fall. She deserves a break.

Demoiselle Recap (12-1-18) - Winner: Positive Spirit

The fast main track was deep and the rail was not the place to be early in the day, and this event was carded early (race 4). To give you an idea of the bad inside, Joe Bravo steered Enliven at least three paths away from the inside even though she broke from the rail post. Positive Spirit was up on the pace and wide throughout, and she rode the good portion of the track to a 10+ length score under Manny Franco. Afleet Destiny rallied wide to secure the place over outside front runner Filly Joel. It was more than five lengths back to Molto Bella in 4th, and she was followed by Enliven, Jennifer’s Dream, and Girl of Tosconova. The final time was 1:56.01, and note that the track played considerably faster and the inside lanes were not nearly as bad later in the day. For final time comparisons, 2-year-old males in the Remsen (race 8) completed the same distance in 1:51.34. Positive Spirit is bred to be a good one but it is tough to get a true early gauge on the 2018 Demoiselle.

Kentucky Oaks Points Leaderboard (through Demoiselle Stakes)

1.  Jaywalk - 30 points

2.  Restless Rider - 22 points

3.  Bellafina - 12 points

4.  Serengeti Empress - 10 points

5.  Positive Spirit - 10 points

6.  Liora - 10 points

7. Vibrance - 8 points

Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2019 Contenders (12-7-18)

#1 - JAYWALK - Two-time grade one winner continues to improve for John Servis (saddled 2016 Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia).

#2 - VIBRANCE - All four starts were routes and she hit the board in both grade one attempts. She goes next in the Dec. 8 Starlet.

#3 - RESTLESS RIDER - Consistent filly fired exacta shots in all six outings. She likes Churchill and is a grade one winner.   

#4 - OXY LADY - Improving filly owns a route pedigree (Oxbow-A. P. Indy) and looked good winning the G3 Tempted at Aqueduct Nov. 2.

#5 - POSITIVE SPIRIT - Always Dreaming’s 1/2 sister has plenty of upside and will spend the winter in Florida.

Los Alamitos Starlet 2018 Video Analysis

Check out my 2018 Los Alamitos Starlet video for Today's Racing Digest.