Check out my Santa Anita Stakes video for Saturday (12-28-19) below!
Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase our daily Santa Anita picks.
Showing posts with label Omaha Beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Omaha Beach. Show all posts
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Friday, November 1, 2019
Breeders' Cup Saturday 2019 Video: 9 Horses Worth Betting
Check out my Breeders' Cup Saturday 2019 video preview below! I look at one horse worth betting in each of the nine BC Saturday races at Santa Anita Park on 11-2-19.
Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase our daily Santa Anita Park and Breeders' Cup picks.
Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase our daily Santa Anita Park and Breeders' Cup picks.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 2019 Video Preview Featuring Omaha Beach
Check out my Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 2019 video preview below!
Santa Anita Park Weekly Recap (October 3-6)
Santa Anita Recap for Thursday (10-3-19)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at 6.5 furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a patient runner at one mile, a two stalkers at one mile (rail at 20 feet).
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Omaha Beach capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
Tiago Pereira booted home a pair. Evin Roman and Vann Belvoir teamed up for two wins.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $86,939, and one winning ticket took down the entire jackpot to the tune of $144,893.
Oct 3 Claims: Race 2 - Rattle ($16k, Reed Saldana). Race 3 - Muthhila ($25k, Bill Spawr). Race 5 - Poster Girl ($62.5k, Bill Spawr). Race 7 - Bella Figura ($50k, Alfredo Marquez).
SA Full Card Highlights for 10-3-19
SA 3 Avalon Ride/Lucky Stepper Exacta ($208.40)
SA 4 SHEZA FACTOR ($5.20)
Double (races 3-4, $174.00)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $92.40)
————--
Santa Anita Recap for Friday (10-4-19)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at six furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at nine furlongs, a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a front runner at one mile, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 20 feet).
Abel Cedillo won three races. Riding double for Geovanni Franco.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $58,656, and multiple winning tickets paid $305.70 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $13,430 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Oct 4 Claims: Race 8 - Combat Zone ($25k, Mark Glatt).
SA Full Card Highlights for 10-4-19
SA 1 PAPA TURF ($3.00)
Double (races 1-2, $6.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $7.30)
SA 7 Platinum Equity/Dukes Up Exacta ($5.10)
KEE 8 Engage/Whitmore Exacta ($44.70)
You can read the rest of this post at The Runaway Horse
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at 6.5 furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a patient runner at one mile, a two stalkers at one mile (rail at 20 feet).
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Omaha Beach capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
Tiago Pereira booted home a pair. Evin Roman and Vann Belvoir teamed up for two wins.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $86,939, and one winning ticket took down the entire jackpot to the tune of $144,893.
Oct 3 Claims: Race 2 - Rattle ($16k, Reed Saldana). Race 3 - Muthhila ($25k, Bill Spawr). Race 5 - Poster Girl ($62.5k, Bill Spawr). Race 7 - Bella Figura ($50k, Alfredo Marquez).
SA Full Card Highlights for 10-3-19
SA 3 Avalon Ride/Lucky Stepper Exacta ($208.40)
SA 4 SHEZA FACTOR ($5.20)
Double (races 3-4, $174.00)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $92.40)
————--
Santa Anita Recap for Friday (10-4-19)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at six furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at nine furlongs, a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a front runner at one mile, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 20 feet).
Abel Cedillo won three races. Riding double for Geovanni Franco.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $58,656, and multiple winning tickets paid $305.70 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $13,430 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Oct 4 Claims: Race 8 - Combat Zone ($25k, Mark Glatt).
SA Full Card Highlights for 10-4-19
SA 1 PAPA TURF ($3.00)
Double (races 1-2, $6.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $7.30)
SA 7 Platinum Equity/Dukes Up Exacta ($5.10)
KEE 8 Engage/Whitmore Exacta ($44.70)
You can read the rest of this post at The Runaway Horse
Friday, September 6, 2019
Top Five 3-Year-Old Males: Travers 2019 Hero Code of Honor Moves Up
Code of Honor won the Travers Stakes (G1) on Saturday, August 24. Did he do enough to take over the top spot on my sophomore males list?
Travers Stakes (G1) Recap (8-24-19) - Winner: Code of Honor ($10.80)
Mucho Gusto and Tacitus set this up for a closer. When two very good horses are battling on the lead at a mile and a quarter, you just know another quality horse will pick them off. Tax from post 12 also pushed the pace, and Code of Honor’s pilot John Velazquez had to be loving the race shape. He was patiently ridden from 9th, and he started to move up with a quarter of a mile remaining. He raced wide throughout and swung out even wider in the stretch, and rumbled down the middle to prevail by about three lengths. Tacitus fought with Mucho Gusto throughout and gamely finished a 1/2 length in front of that one for 2nd. The top three ran quality races and Tacitus settled for the runner-up spot once again (also 2nd in G1 Belmont and G2 Jim Dandy). The blinkers definitely got him in the race earlier, and he lost nothing in defeat. He will win one of these big races at some point. Mucho Gusto tried to steal it and probably would have if Tacitus did not get the equipment change. Hats off to Shug McGaughey for having Code of Honor in peak form for the mid-summer Derby. Endorsed rallied from 12th to complete the superfecta. Owendale was a bit more forwardly placed than expected from the rail, and he ended up an even 5th. Highest Honors sort of ran in place throughout and was right behind that one in 6th, and Tax gradually weakened to 7th. Chess Chief, Laughing Fox, and Scars Are Cool were next, and it was a big gap back to Looking At Bikinis (stumbled at start) and Everfast.
Jarrod Horak’s Top 5 Three-Year-Old Males (9-5-19)
#1 - OMAHA BEACH - Ack Ack (G3) at Churchill on Sept. 28 is the new comeback spot.
#2 - CODE OF HONOR - Top 3yo of second half with wins in Dwyer (G3) and Travers (G1).
#3 - TACITUS - Gem of consistency added blinkers and finished 2nd in Travers.
#4 - MAXIMUM SECURITY - Bounced back in Haskell (G1). PA Derby next.
#5 - GAME WINNER - Got sick and missed Travers. No fall plans have been announced.
Article by Jarrod Horak
Photo by Josh Chicorelli
You can read all of our 3-year-old division reports on our Triple Crown 2019 page.
Travers Stakes (G1) Recap (8-24-19) - Winner: Code of Honor ($10.80)
Mucho Gusto and Tacitus set this up for a closer. When two very good horses are battling on the lead at a mile and a quarter, you just know another quality horse will pick them off. Tax from post 12 also pushed the pace, and Code of Honor’s pilot John Velazquez had to be loving the race shape. He was patiently ridden from 9th, and he started to move up with a quarter of a mile remaining. He raced wide throughout and swung out even wider in the stretch, and rumbled down the middle to prevail by about three lengths. Tacitus fought with Mucho Gusto throughout and gamely finished a 1/2 length in front of that one for 2nd. The top three ran quality races and Tacitus settled for the runner-up spot once again (also 2nd in G1 Belmont and G2 Jim Dandy). The blinkers definitely got him in the race earlier, and he lost nothing in defeat. He will win one of these big races at some point. Mucho Gusto tried to steal it and probably would have if Tacitus did not get the equipment change. Hats off to Shug McGaughey for having Code of Honor in peak form for the mid-summer Derby. Endorsed rallied from 12th to complete the superfecta. Owendale was a bit more forwardly placed than expected from the rail, and he ended up an even 5th. Highest Honors sort of ran in place throughout and was right behind that one in 6th, and Tax gradually weakened to 7th. Chess Chief, Laughing Fox, and Scars Are Cool were next, and it was a big gap back to Looking At Bikinis (stumbled at start) and Everfast.
Jarrod Horak’s Top 5 Three-Year-Old Males (9-5-19)
#1 - OMAHA BEACH - Ack Ack (G3) at Churchill on Sept. 28 is the new comeback spot.
#2 - CODE OF HONOR - Top 3yo of second half with wins in Dwyer (G3) and Travers (G1).
#3 - TACITUS - Gem of consistency added blinkers and finished 2nd in Travers.
#4 - MAXIMUM SECURITY - Bounced back in Haskell (G1). PA Derby next.
#5 - GAME WINNER - Got sick and missed Travers. No fall plans have been announced.
Article by Jarrod Horak
Photo by Josh Chicorelli
You can read all of our 3-year-old division reports on our Triple Crown 2019 page.
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Bad Luck Continues for Tacitus in 2019 Jim Dandy Stakes
It all started with the Belmont Stakes (G1). Tacitus was supposed to win the final leg of the Triple Crown. He looked like a slam dunk on paper, but a funny thing happened. He drew the outside post and raced wide throughout. That would not have been a deal breaker, except for the fact that the rail was golden, and upset winner Sir Winston was riding the good inside.
Fast forward to the Jim Dandy, and Tacitus found a way to lose again. This time, he stumbles badly at the start and almost tosses jockey Jose Ortiz. He miraculously recovers and almost beats Tax. See my full Jim Dandy recap below.
My Kentucky Derby (G1) top choice Game Winner finally made it back to the races on July 13, and he easily disposed of three overmatched rivals in the Los Alamitos Derby (G3). This was nothing more than a public workout, and the 2-year-old champ did his best work in late stretch. That race should set him up perfectly for the Travers (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on August 24.
Also on July 13, Mr. Money captured his third straight grade three race in the Indiana Derby. He has obviously never been better, and his tactical speed is a big weapon. The Travers is being considered, but he is more likely to go in the West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer Park on Aug. 3. The latter race just makes more sense. He most likely wants nothing to do with grade one foes at a mile and a quarter.
Maximum Security got back on the beam in the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 20. He got his revenge on King for a Day, and he gamely turned away Baffert trainee Mucho Gusto. The top two were well clear of show finisher Spun to Run. Everfast was 4th, followed by King for a Day and Bethlehem Road. The Travers might be next for the winner, but his steady numbers are not getting any better, and he sure did not look like he would thrive at ten furlongs. Mucho Gusto is consistent and improving, but he seems to have distance limitations. There was not much depth to this race.
Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) Recap (7-27-19) - Winner: Tax ($11.00)
Let’s just get this out of the way right now. No disrespect to Tax, but Tacitus was best in this race, and I am not saying that because he was my top pick. Actually, Tacitus was also best in his prior start in the Belmont Stakes (G1). In the Test of Champions, he was hung out to dry from the outside post while the winner was perched on the golden rail. In the Jim Dandy, he had a terrible stumble and lost all chance at the start. Tax was the early leader but War of Will surged to the front and showed the way for much of the opening six furlongs. The Preakness (G1) champ threw in the towel in short order and Tax took over in the lane and looked home free, but Tacitus emerged along the inside and made a race of it in deep stretch. Tax was traveling slightly better and prevailed by a bit less than a length. Tacitus ran a monster race to finish a clear 2nd, and Global Campaign was an okay 3rd. Laughing Fox edged War of Will for 4th, and Mihos trailed. One horse I absolutely did not like in this race was War of Will. He just has not improved from a numbers standpoint since January.
Jarrod Horak’s Top 5 Three-Year-Old Males (7-28-19)
#1 - OMAHA BEACH - Rebel/Arkansas Derby hero returned to work tab at Del Mar July 23.
#2 - GAME WINNER - Nice effort in Los Al Derby (G3). Had first Travers work July 27.
#3 - TACITUS - Belmont/Jim Dandy runner-up needs racing luck in Travers.
#4 - MAXIMUM SECURITY - Bounced back in Haskell (G1). Possible for Travers.
#5 - CODE OF HONOR - Dwyer (G3) return was outstanding. Travers is next.
Article by Jarrod Horak
Photo by Josh Chicorelli
You can read all of my 3-year-old division reports on my Triple Crown 2019 page, and my daily full cards from Del Mar can be found on my Runaway Horse Sales page.
Fast forward to the Jim Dandy, and Tacitus found a way to lose again. This time, he stumbles badly at the start and almost tosses jockey Jose Ortiz. He miraculously recovers and almost beats Tax. See my full Jim Dandy recap below.
My Kentucky Derby (G1) top choice Game Winner finally made it back to the races on July 13, and he easily disposed of three overmatched rivals in the Los Alamitos Derby (G3). This was nothing more than a public workout, and the 2-year-old champ did his best work in late stretch. That race should set him up perfectly for the Travers (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on August 24.
Also on July 13, Mr. Money captured his third straight grade three race in the Indiana Derby. He has obviously never been better, and his tactical speed is a big weapon. The Travers is being considered, but he is more likely to go in the West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer Park on Aug. 3. The latter race just makes more sense. He most likely wants nothing to do with grade one foes at a mile and a quarter.
Maximum Security got back on the beam in the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 20. He got his revenge on King for a Day, and he gamely turned away Baffert trainee Mucho Gusto. The top two were well clear of show finisher Spun to Run. Everfast was 4th, followed by King for a Day and Bethlehem Road. The Travers might be next for the winner, but his steady numbers are not getting any better, and he sure did not look like he would thrive at ten furlongs. Mucho Gusto is consistent and improving, but he seems to have distance limitations. There was not much depth to this race.
Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) Recap (7-27-19) - Winner: Tax ($11.00)
Let’s just get this out of the way right now. No disrespect to Tax, but Tacitus was best in this race, and I am not saying that because he was my top pick. Actually, Tacitus was also best in his prior start in the Belmont Stakes (G1). In the Test of Champions, he was hung out to dry from the outside post while the winner was perched on the golden rail. In the Jim Dandy, he had a terrible stumble and lost all chance at the start. Tax was the early leader but War of Will surged to the front and showed the way for much of the opening six furlongs. The Preakness (G1) champ threw in the towel in short order and Tax took over in the lane and looked home free, but Tacitus emerged along the inside and made a race of it in deep stretch. Tax was traveling slightly better and prevailed by a bit less than a length. Tacitus ran a monster race to finish a clear 2nd, and Global Campaign was an okay 3rd. Laughing Fox edged War of Will for 4th, and Mihos trailed. One horse I absolutely did not like in this race was War of Will. He just has not improved from a numbers standpoint since January.
Jarrod Horak’s Top 5 Three-Year-Old Males (7-28-19)
#1 - OMAHA BEACH - Rebel/Arkansas Derby hero returned to work tab at Del Mar July 23.
#2 - GAME WINNER - Nice effort in Los Al Derby (G3). Had first Travers work July 27.
#3 - TACITUS - Belmont/Jim Dandy runner-up needs racing luck in Travers.
#4 - MAXIMUM SECURITY - Bounced back in Haskell (G1). Possible for Travers.
#5 - CODE OF HONOR - Dwyer (G3) return was outstanding. Travers is next.
Article by Jarrod Horak
Photo by Josh Chicorelli
You can read all of my 3-year-old division reports on my Triple Crown 2019 page, and my daily full cards from Del Mar can be found on my Runaway Horse Sales page.
Friday, July 26, 2019
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Kentucky Derby 2019 Points Race Recap: Derby Favorite Omaha Beach Wins Arkansas Derby
Mud-loving Omaha Beach got the jump on Improbable and won the last big 100 point Kentucky Derby 2019 prep race by a length. That is the second time that he shipped to Oaklawn Park and took down a Bob Baffert runner. Last month, he nipped Game Winner by a nose in the second division of the Rebel Stakes (G2).
Click here to read the rest of this post at The Runaway Horse...
Click here to read the rest of this post at The Runaway Horse...
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Kentucky Derby 2019 Prep Race Video: Arkansas Derby & Lexington Stakes
Check out my top win contenders for the Arkansas Derby & Lexington Stakes in my Today's Racing Digest video below!
Kentucky Derby 2019 Blog: End of the Line for Derby Points Races
This is the final week for points races on the Road to Kentucky Derby 2019. Omaha Beach and Improbable are the two favorites in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, April 13, and Anothertwistafate and Sueno square off in the Lexington Stakes (G3) on the same day at Keeneland.
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Omaha Beach capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
Kentucky Derby 2019 Points Race Analysis for Saturday (4-13-19)
KEE 9 (G3 Lexington, 8.5f) #4 ANOTHERTWISTAFATE (2-1) proved that he could handle dirt in a surging place finish in the Sunland Derby (G3) March 24 (137 CPR, 155 Pace Rating, 149 Final Rating). I like his early-pressing versatility and Castellano should have options. He drilled a Sunland bullet for this April 4 and has the talent to make short work of this group. #3 Sueno (5-1) fired trifecta shots in all six starts including a trio of underneath finishes in Derby points races (2nd in G3 Sham, 2nd in G3 Southwest, 3rd in G2 LA Derby). He projects another decent tactical trip under Lanerie. #5 Harvey Wallbanger (7-2) and #10 Roiland (15-1) did not get much pace help in the Florida Derby (G1) and LA Derby (G2) in their last starts. I can see one or both hitting the board if the pace heats up. The Plays: #4 to win, Exacta 4-3, Trifecta Key 4/3-5-10
OP 11 (G1 Arkansas Derby, 9f) #8 COUNTRY HOUSE (12-1) is slowly improving for Mott and this would be a great time to put it all together. Rosario might be a good fit for this one and there is pace to chase today. He was off slow and wide in the LA Derby (G2), and he flattened out in the lane after putting in a big run around the far turn (improved 106 FIRE). Plus, the speed did not come back that day, but it might in this spot. #3 Omaha Beach (2-1) has put in all together in his last pair and gamely beat Game Winner in the second division of the Rebel Stakes (G2) March 16. He is firing bullets for this and could easily score again. #1 Improbable (8-5) adds blinkers and goes from the outside post in the Rebel Stakes (G2) to the rail in this longer event. He won all three starts last year from inner posts including a razor sharp score from the rail in the Los Al Futurity (G1). He drilled a SA bullet for this April 5. #11 Long Range Toddy (5-1) always finishes in the top three in these points races, He will have to work out a trip from the outside post and he upset Improbable in the first division of the Rebel Stakes (G2) under today’s rider Jon Court March 16. #7 Galilean (10-1) removes blinkers after an okay 3rd in the 1st division of the Rebel Stakes (G2). He figures to stalk the pace under Prat. #5 Laughing Fox (20-1) was pinched at the start and never got involved vs. Omaha Beach last time. He fired a bullet in the local mud April 8 and deserves another chance in the stakes ranks. The Plays: #8 to win, Exacta 8/1-3, Exacta 1-3/8, Superfecta 8/1-3/1-3-11/1-3-5-7-11, Superfecta 1-3/8/1-3-11/1-3-5-7-11, Superfecta 1-3/1-3-11/8/1-3-5-7-11, Superfecta 1-3/1-3-11/1-3-5-7-11/8
Kentucky Derby 2019 Points Race Recaps
Blue Grass Stakes (G2) Recap (4-6-19) - Winner: Vekoma ($4.80)
Vekoma did not disappoint as the favorite in his final Derby prep. He chased the pace from 2nd, took the lead, and rode the speed bias to an easy 3-1/2 length victory. He was good as a juvenile and has improved this year. He will have to improve again to compete for a top prize on the first Saturday in May. Win Win Win rallied to grab the place in the final strides and has also secured his spot in the Derby. Signalman stalked the pace and just missed the place. He finished in the top three in four of his five points races and is #18 on the Derby points list. Somelikeithotbrown battled on the pace and weakened late to finish 4th. He is currently #21 on the points list (30 points) and is on the outside looking in. Chess Chief, So Alive, Sir Winston, Admire, Moonster, Lucky Lee, Market King, Aquadini, Dream Maker, and Parsimony completed the order of finish.
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Omaha Beach capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
Kentucky Derby 2019 Points Race Analysis for Saturday (4-13-19)
KEE 9 (G3 Lexington, 8.5f) #4 ANOTHERTWISTAFATE (2-1) proved that he could handle dirt in a surging place finish in the Sunland Derby (G3) March 24 (137 CPR, 155 Pace Rating, 149 Final Rating). I like his early-pressing versatility and Castellano should have options. He drilled a Sunland bullet for this April 4 and has the talent to make short work of this group. #3 Sueno (5-1) fired trifecta shots in all six starts including a trio of underneath finishes in Derby points races (2nd in G3 Sham, 2nd in G3 Southwest, 3rd in G2 LA Derby). He projects another decent tactical trip under Lanerie. #5 Harvey Wallbanger (7-2) and #10 Roiland (15-1) did not get much pace help in the Florida Derby (G1) and LA Derby (G2) in their last starts. I can see one or both hitting the board if the pace heats up. The Plays: #4 to win, Exacta 4-3, Trifecta Key 4/3-5-10
OP 11 (G1 Arkansas Derby, 9f) #8 COUNTRY HOUSE (12-1) is slowly improving for Mott and this would be a great time to put it all together. Rosario might be a good fit for this one and there is pace to chase today. He was off slow and wide in the LA Derby (G2), and he flattened out in the lane after putting in a big run around the far turn (improved 106 FIRE). Plus, the speed did not come back that day, but it might in this spot. #3 Omaha Beach (2-1) has put in all together in his last pair and gamely beat Game Winner in the second division of the Rebel Stakes (G2) March 16. He is firing bullets for this and could easily score again. #1 Improbable (8-5) adds blinkers and goes from the outside post in the Rebel Stakes (G2) to the rail in this longer event. He won all three starts last year from inner posts including a razor sharp score from the rail in the Los Al Futurity (G1). He drilled a SA bullet for this April 5. #11 Long Range Toddy (5-1) always finishes in the top three in these points races, He will have to work out a trip from the outside post and he upset Improbable in the first division of the Rebel Stakes (G2) under today’s rider Jon Court March 16. #7 Galilean (10-1) removes blinkers after an okay 3rd in the 1st division of the Rebel Stakes (G2). He figures to stalk the pace under Prat. #5 Laughing Fox (20-1) was pinched at the start and never got involved vs. Omaha Beach last time. He fired a bullet in the local mud April 8 and deserves another chance in the stakes ranks. The Plays: #8 to win, Exacta 8/1-3, Exacta 1-3/8, Superfecta 8/1-3/1-3-11/1-3-5-7-11, Superfecta 1-3/8/1-3-11/1-3-5-7-11, Superfecta 1-3/1-3-11/8/1-3-5-7-11, Superfecta 1-3/1-3-11/1-3-5-7-11/8
Kentucky Derby 2019 Points Race Recaps
Blue Grass Stakes (G2) Recap (4-6-19) - Winner: Vekoma ($4.80)
Vekoma did not disappoint as the favorite in his final Derby prep. He chased the pace from 2nd, took the lead, and rode the speed bias to an easy 3-1/2 length victory. He was good as a juvenile and has improved this year. He will have to improve again to compete for a top prize on the first Saturday in May. Win Win Win rallied to grab the place in the final strides and has also secured his spot in the Derby. Signalman stalked the pace and just missed the place. He finished in the top three in four of his five points races and is #18 on the Derby points list. Somelikeithotbrown battled on the pace and weakened late to finish 4th. He is currently #21 on the points list (30 points) and is on the outside looking in. Chess Chief, So Alive, Sir Winston, Admire, Moonster, Lucky Lee, Market King, Aquadini, Dream Maker, and Parsimony completed the order of finish.
You can read the rest of this post at The Runaway Horse...
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Kentucky Derby 2019 Prep Races: Omaha Beach Upsets Game Winner in Rebel Stakes
Kentucky Derby 2019 favorite Game Winner got in a real tussle with fellow California shipper Omaha Beach and fell a nose short in his 3-year-old bow in the second division of the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, March 16.
Omaha Beach was considered an underachiever after losing as the favorite in his first four races, but all of that changed following a runaway maiden win in the slop Feb. 2. He made his stakes debut a winning one on Saturday and must now be considered a serious Kentucky Derby contender.
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Omaha Beach capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
Rebel Stakes (Division 2) Recap from Oaklawn Park (3-16-19)
1st - Omaha Beach - Mike Smith used the consistent colt's early-pressing speed to perfection in this spot. After tracking the pace early, he went after longshot pacesetter Market King after a half-mile, and getting the jump on the returning 2-year-old champion made all the difference in the world. Richard Mandella's improving runner has really turned the corner in his last two starts.
2nd - Game Winner - Did not lose much in defeat. His winter training schedule was interrupted by frequent wet weather in California, and he had to alter plans and run in this race after the San Felipe Stakes was cancelled last weekend. He was more than eight lengths clear of the show finisher and has every right to move forward in his final points race in the Santa Anita Derby on April 6.
3rd - Market King - $550k son of Into Mischief took advantage of the inside post and went straight to the front under John Velazquez. He was no match for the top two but deserves props for holding off late running stakes winner Gunmetal Gray. It is a sure bet that trainer D. Wayne Lukas will run him back in the Arkansas Derby on April 13.
4th - Gunmetal Gray - Could see them all through the far turn and rallied from 10th to finish an okay 4th. He always tries hard but his lack of speed frequently puts him at a big disadvantage.
5th - Jersey Agenda - Chased the pace and was basically done after six panels.
6th - Captain Von Trapp - Made a middle move from post 10 but could not sustain his momentum and weakened in the stretch.
7th - Laughing Fox - Figured to take up an inside stalking position but was pinched back at the start and never got seriously involved.
8th - Parsimony - Chased the pace but was outclassed and retreated in the stretch.
9th - Kaziranga - 110-1 outsider never mounted a serious challenge.
10th - Our Braintrust - Appeared to have distance limitations heading into this event and that was certainly the case. He chased for the opening six furlongs before fading to last. He figures to turn back to sprints in the near future.
Article by Jarrod Horak
You can read all of my Derby blogs on my Kentucky Derby 2019 page, and my annual Triple Crown full card analysis from Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park will be available on my Runaway Horse Sales page later this spring.
Omaha Beach was considered an underachiever after losing as the favorite in his first four races, but all of that changed following a runaway maiden win in the slop Feb. 2. He made his stakes debut a winning one on Saturday and must now be considered a serious Kentucky Derby contender.
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Omaha Beach capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
Rebel Stakes (Division 2) Recap from Oaklawn Park (3-16-19)
1st - Omaha Beach - Mike Smith used the consistent colt's early-pressing speed to perfection in this spot. After tracking the pace early, he went after longshot pacesetter Market King after a half-mile, and getting the jump on the returning 2-year-old champion made all the difference in the world. Richard Mandella's improving runner has really turned the corner in his last two starts.
2nd - Game Winner - Did not lose much in defeat. His winter training schedule was interrupted by frequent wet weather in California, and he had to alter plans and run in this race after the San Felipe Stakes was cancelled last weekend. He was more than eight lengths clear of the show finisher and has every right to move forward in his final points race in the Santa Anita Derby on April 6.
3rd - Market King - $550k son of Into Mischief took advantage of the inside post and went straight to the front under John Velazquez. He was no match for the top two but deserves props for holding off late running stakes winner Gunmetal Gray. It is a sure bet that trainer D. Wayne Lukas will run him back in the Arkansas Derby on April 13.
4th - Gunmetal Gray - Could see them all through the far turn and rallied from 10th to finish an okay 4th. He always tries hard but his lack of speed frequently puts him at a big disadvantage.
5th - Jersey Agenda - Chased the pace and was basically done after six panels.
6th - Captain Von Trapp - Made a middle move from post 10 but could not sustain his momentum and weakened in the stretch.
7th - Laughing Fox - Figured to take up an inside stalking position but was pinched back at the start and never got seriously involved.
8th - Parsimony - Chased the pace but was outclassed and retreated in the stretch.
9th - Kaziranga - 110-1 outsider never mounted a serious challenge.
10th - Our Braintrust - Appeared to have distance limitations heading into this event and that was certainly the case. He chased for the opening six furlongs before fading to last. He figures to turn back to sprints in the near future.
Article by Jarrod Horak
You can read all of my Derby blogs on my Kentucky Derby 2019 page, and my annual Triple Crown full card analysis from Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park will be available on my Runaway Horse Sales page later this spring.
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