Check out my San Felipe Stakes & Santa Ysabel Stakes 2020 video from Santa Anita Park.
Showing posts with label Thousand Words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thousand Words. Show all posts
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Friday, February 7, 2020
Kentucky Derby 2020 Report for 2-7-20
The Kentucky Derby 2020 points race series was in high gear last weekend. Tiz the Law is the very early Derby favorite after a sharp score in the Holy Bull Stakes, and Bob Baffert’s $1 million colt Thousand Words ran his record to 3-for-3 in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. The Withers was the other points race on Feb. 1, and Max Player went from maiden winner at Parx to graded stakes winner at the Big A.
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Tiz the Law capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
The Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs is the lone points race on Saturday, Feb. 8, and Independence Hall tries to go 4-for-4. The early-pressing type makes his first start around two turns. Premier Star stretches out and looms the target, and Remsen Stakes (G2) runner-up Ajaaweed is the one to fear late.
Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Recaps
Withers Stakes Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: Max Player ($12.80)
Shotski was an underlay as expected. He stole the Remsen (G2) over a speed favoring oval last year. In this event, he did not figure to shake loose early, and he did not. Prince of Pharoahs was the first to engage the chalk, and Vanzzy and New Commission were also forwardly placed. Monday Morning Qb went after Shotski after the other early challengers faded, and that set the table for my value oriented TRD video winner Max Player. The Linda Rice trainee was lurking wide under Dylan Davis. He was scrubbing away and under the whip while continuing wide approaching the far turn, and swung even wider turning for home. He had the momentum out in the middle of the track and won going away by 3+ lengths. Shotski just held 2nd over late runner Portos, and Monday Morning Qb flattened out and finished 4th. New Commission was 5th, and Prince of Pharoahs was another ten lengths back in 6th. Mr. Shortandsimple and Vanzzy were both eased. This was not a fast race but was a big forward move for Max Player. He went from wet track maiden winner at Parx to a graded Derby points race winner.
You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Tiz the Law capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
The Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs is the lone points race on Saturday, Feb. 8, and Independence Hall tries to go 4-for-4. The early-pressing type makes his first start around two turns. Premier Star stretches out and looms the target, and Remsen Stakes (G2) runner-up Ajaaweed is the one to fear late.
Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Recaps
Withers Stakes Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: Max Player ($12.80)
Shotski was an underlay as expected. He stole the Remsen (G2) over a speed favoring oval last year. In this event, he did not figure to shake loose early, and he did not. Prince of Pharoahs was the first to engage the chalk, and Vanzzy and New Commission were also forwardly placed. Monday Morning Qb went after Shotski after the other early challengers faded, and that set the table for my value oriented TRD video winner Max Player. The Linda Rice trainee was lurking wide under Dylan Davis. He was scrubbing away and under the whip while continuing wide approaching the far turn, and swung even wider turning for home. He had the momentum out in the middle of the track and won going away by 3+ lengths. Shotski just held 2nd over late runner Portos, and Monday Morning Qb flattened out and finished 4th. New Commission was 5th, and Prince of Pharoahs was another ten lengths back in 6th. Mr. Shortandsimple and Vanzzy were both eased. This was not a fast race but was a big forward move for Max Player. He went from wet track maiden winner at Parx to a graded Derby points race winner.
You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...
Santa Anita Park Report 2020 (Jan. 30-Feb. 2)
Santa Anita Recap for Thursday (1-30-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running dirt sprint winners (6f, 6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a presser/stalker at one mile and a stalker at 5.5 furlongs (rail at 20 feet).
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! United capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
No riding or training doubles on Thursday.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $51,725 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $905.34 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $50,049 when live racing resumes on Friday, Jan. 31.
Jan. 30 Claims: None.
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-30-20
SA 4 GO DADDY GO ($10.80)
Double (races 3-4, $28.60)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $58.00)
SA 5 BLAME IT ON KITTY (SA Best Bet, $5.80)
Double (races 4-5, $45.40)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $27.70)
SA EARLY PICK 4 (races 2-5, $185.85)
SA 6 Shootin Money/Mosienko Exacta ($13.00)
Double (races 5-6, $44.00)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $62.60)
SA 7 Lightning Fast/Audance Exacta ($9.10)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $30.10)
SA LATE PICK 4 (races 4-7, $154.10)
SA LATE PICK 5 (races 3-7, $246.35)
———--
Santa Anita Recap for Friday (1-31-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at six furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at 5.5 furlongs, and a pair of stalkers at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
Hat trick for Joel Rosario, and a riding double for Flavien Prat. Richard Baltas saddled two winners and Rosario rode both.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $72,309 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $215.12 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $66,604 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Jan. 31 Claims: Race 2 - Busy Paynter ($20k, Mark Glatt), Mongolian Humor ($20k, Peter Miller).
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-31-20
SA 1 Jetovator/A Man’s Man Exacta ($6.00)
SA 6 LITTLE BIRD (SA Best Bet #2, $6.20)
Double (races 5-6, $29.00)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $35.00)
SA 7 ITSTHATTIME ($6.60), Superfecta ($13.70)
Double (races 6-7, $19.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $21.10)
SA LATE PICK 4 (races 4-7,$107.05)
SA LATE PICK 5 (races 3-7, $214.45)
RAINBOW 6 (races 2-7, 6 out of 6, $215.12)
AQU 5 WHERE’S RUDY ($6.30), Exacta ($23.40)
———--
Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (2-1-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (6f, 8f, 9f). The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a stalker at 5.5 furlongs, a stalker at a mile and a quarter, and a patient midpack closer at one mile.
Hat trick for Flavien Prat (2 graded wins). Bob Baffert saddled two winners.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $208,630 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $946.44 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $114,370 when live racing resumes on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: Thousand Words ($3.20)
These early winter Derby preps at a mile and a sixteenth are not particularly important. They key is to keep earning points and moving forward, and hopefully stay healthy. Things will get serious at a mile and an eighth in March and April. High Velocity got out there and gave his chalky stablemate a target. Tizamagician chased outside and Thousand Words was patiently ridden inside and behind horses under Flavien Prat. The favorite came off the rail and engaged High Velocity in the stretch, and fought hard to the end to prevail by a bit less than a length. Surface switcher Royal Act nabbed 2nd late, and High Velocity was another neck back in 3rd. Tizamagician could not go with the top runners late and ended up an even 4th. He was followed by Encoder and Zimba Warrior. As for the winner, this was a solid beginning to his 3yo campaign. I love his tactical speed and heart, and nothing seems to bother him (track condition, racing inside, eating dirt, etc). He is now 3-for-3 with 20 Derby points. I doubt he was fully cranked for this. No reason to be. He should be sharper, faster, and fitter next time.
San Marcos Stakes (G2) Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: United ($3.60)
United finally got his much deserved first graded victory. Brown Storm carved out the fractions and Chosen Vessel was in chase mode. United found a nice stalking spot outside under Flavien Prat. The favorite took a short lead in the stretch and Celopatra’s Strike and Oscar Dominguez were breathing down his neck. United was plenty fit for this and got the job done by a 1/2 length in this mile and a quarter test. Cleopatra’s Strike was a neck better than Oscar Dominguez for runner-up honors, and Brown Storm was right behind them in 4th. Multiplier and Chosen Vessel were the final two runners in this tight six pack.
San Pasqual (G2) Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: Midcourt ($6.40)
Midcourt got back on the beam after a troubled trip in the San Antonio. Victor Espinoza did not fool around this time. He shot straight to the front and lead them on a merry chase. That is the second time the versatile gelding set the pace in the stakes ranks, and he seems just as comfortable stalking and closing. The Big ‘Cap on March 7 is probably next, and he is a very strong contender if he opts for that spot. Two Thirty Five stalked from 4th and was clearly second best. Combatant rallied for 3rd from the outside post. That has been the story of his career. He loves to purse nibble. King Abner found 9f a bit out of reach and ended up 4th, and Restrainedvengence chased the winner and weakened to 5th. Instagrand did not show speed and checked in 6th, and Roadster never got involved as the beaten favorite. He has now dropped six straight since the 2019 SA Derby. I thought he might bounce back here, but no dice. Maybe he is best in longer sprints. California Street and Bold Endeavour trailed.
Feb. 1 Claims: None.
SA Full Card Highlights for 2-1-20
SA 3 AUBERGE ($3.20)
Double (races 2-3, $28.80)
SA 6 THOUSAND WORDS ($3.20)
Double (races 5-6, $49.80)
SA 7 UNITED ($3.60), Exacta ($5.70), Trifecta ($5.55)
Double (races 6-7, $5.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $21.30)
Double (races 7-8, $13.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $4.85)
SA 9 BODHICITTA (SA Best Bet #2, $7.60)
Double (races 8-9, $22.20)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $12.65)
SA LATE PICK 4 (races 6-9, $26.55)
SA LATE PICK 5 (races 5-9, $323.85)
AQU 8 MAX PLAYER (Best Bet, $12.80), Trifecta ($35.25)
GP 6 TONALIST’S SHAPE ($2.60), Exacta ($5.40)
OP 6 TARAZ ($2.20)
———--
Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (2-2-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners at six furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at a mile and an eighth, and dueling front runner at 5.5 furlongs (rail at 10 feet).
Richard Baltas saddled two turf winners.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $93,356 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $1,022.80 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $135,744 when live racing resumes on Friday, Feb. 7.
Feb. 7 Claims: Race 3 - Sheza Factor ($16k, Victor Garcia). Race 7 - Rstars and Stripes ($50k, Steve Knapp).
SA Full Card Highlights for 2-2-20
SA 3 Sheza Factor/Leading Indicator Exacta ($5.40)
SA 7 RSTARS AND STRIPES ($4.80)
Double (races 6-7, $33.80)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $45.40)
AQU 6 HAY FIELD ($3.70)
AQU 8 QUICKFLASH ($4.00), Trifecta ($58.50)
AQU Late Pick 4 (races 5-8, $24.12)
Article by Jarrod Horak
Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks.
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running dirt sprint winners (6f, 6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a presser/stalker at one mile and a stalker at 5.5 furlongs (rail at 20 feet).
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! United capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
No riding or training doubles on Thursday.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $51,725 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $905.34 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $50,049 when live racing resumes on Friday, Jan. 31.
Jan. 30 Claims: None.
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-30-20
SA 4 GO DADDY GO ($10.80)
Double (races 3-4, $28.60)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $58.00)
SA 5 BLAME IT ON KITTY (SA Best Bet, $5.80)
Double (races 4-5, $45.40)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $27.70)
SA EARLY PICK 4 (races 2-5, $185.85)
SA 6 Shootin Money/Mosienko Exacta ($13.00)
Double (races 5-6, $44.00)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $62.60)
SA 7 Lightning Fast/Audance Exacta ($9.10)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $30.10)
SA LATE PICK 4 (races 4-7, $154.10)
SA LATE PICK 5 (races 3-7, $246.35)
———--
Santa Anita Recap for Friday (1-31-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at six furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at 5.5 furlongs, and a pair of stalkers at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
Hat trick for Joel Rosario, and a riding double for Flavien Prat. Richard Baltas saddled two winners and Rosario rode both.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $72,309 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $215.12 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $66,604 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Jan. 31 Claims: Race 2 - Busy Paynter ($20k, Mark Glatt), Mongolian Humor ($20k, Peter Miller).
SA Full Card Highlights for 1-31-20
SA 1 Jetovator/A Man’s Man Exacta ($6.00)
SA 6 LITTLE BIRD (SA Best Bet #2, $6.20)
Double (races 5-6, $29.00)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $35.00)
SA 7 ITSTHATTIME ($6.60), Superfecta ($13.70)
Double (races 6-7, $19.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $21.10)
SA LATE PICK 4 (races 4-7,$107.05)
SA LATE PICK 5 (races 3-7, $214.45)
RAINBOW 6 (races 2-7, 6 out of 6, $215.12)
AQU 5 WHERE’S RUDY ($6.30), Exacta ($23.40)
———--
Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (2-1-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (6f, 8f, 9f). The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a stalker at 5.5 furlongs, a stalker at a mile and a quarter, and a patient midpack closer at one mile.
Hat trick for Flavien Prat (2 graded wins). Bob Baffert saddled two winners.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $208,630 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $946.44 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $114,370 when live racing resumes on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: Thousand Words ($3.20)
These early winter Derby preps at a mile and a sixteenth are not particularly important. They key is to keep earning points and moving forward, and hopefully stay healthy. Things will get serious at a mile and an eighth in March and April. High Velocity got out there and gave his chalky stablemate a target. Tizamagician chased outside and Thousand Words was patiently ridden inside and behind horses under Flavien Prat. The favorite came off the rail and engaged High Velocity in the stretch, and fought hard to the end to prevail by a bit less than a length. Surface switcher Royal Act nabbed 2nd late, and High Velocity was another neck back in 3rd. Tizamagician could not go with the top runners late and ended up an even 4th. He was followed by Encoder and Zimba Warrior. As for the winner, this was a solid beginning to his 3yo campaign. I love his tactical speed and heart, and nothing seems to bother him (track condition, racing inside, eating dirt, etc). He is now 3-for-3 with 20 Derby points. I doubt he was fully cranked for this. No reason to be. He should be sharper, faster, and fitter next time.
San Marcos Stakes (G2) Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: United ($3.60)
United finally got his much deserved first graded victory. Brown Storm carved out the fractions and Chosen Vessel was in chase mode. United found a nice stalking spot outside under Flavien Prat. The favorite took a short lead in the stretch and Celopatra’s Strike and Oscar Dominguez were breathing down his neck. United was plenty fit for this and got the job done by a 1/2 length in this mile and a quarter test. Cleopatra’s Strike was a neck better than Oscar Dominguez for runner-up honors, and Brown Storm was right behind them in 4th. Multiplier and Chosen Vessel were the final two runners in this tight six pack.
San Pasqual (G2) Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: Midcourt ($6.40)
Midcourt got back on the beam after a troubled trip in the San Antonio. Victor Espinoza did not fool around this time. He shot straight to the front and lead them on a merry chase. That is the second time the versatile gelding set the pace in the stakes ranks, and he seems just as comfortable stalking and closing. The Big ‘Cap on March 7 is probably next, and he is a very strong contender if he opts for that spot. Two Thirty Five stalked from 4th and was clearly second best. Combatant rallied for 3rd from the outside post. That has been the story of his career. He loves to purse nibble. King Abner found 9f a bit out of reach and ended up 4th, and Restrainedvengence chased the winner and weakened to 5th. Instagrand did not show speed and checked in 6th, and Roadster never got involved as the beaten favorite. He has now dropped six straight since the 2019 SA Derby. I thought he might bounce back here, but no dice. Maybe he is best in longer sprints. California Street and Bold Endeavour trailed.
Feb. 1 Claims: None.
SA Full Card Highlights for 2-1-20
SA 3 AUBERGE ($3.20)
Double (races 2-3, $28.80)
SA 6 THOUSAND WORDS ($3.20)
Double (races 5-6, $49.80)
SA 7 UNITED ($3.60), Exacta ($5.70), Trifecta ($5.55)
Double (races 6-7, $5.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $21.30)
Double (races 7-8, $13.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $4.85)
SA 9 BODHICITTA (SA Best Bet #2, $7.60)
Double (races 8-9, $22.20)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $12.65)
SA LATE PICK 4 (races 6-9, $26.55)
SA LATE PICK 5 (races 5-9, $323.85)
AQU 8 MAX PLAYER (Best Bet, $12.80), Trifecta ($35.25)
GP 6 TONALIST’S SHAPE ($2.60), Exacta ($5.40)
OP 6 TARAZ ($2.20)
———--
Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (2-2-20)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners at six furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at a mile and an eighth, and dueling front runner at 5.5 furlongs (rail at 10 feet).
Richard Baltas saddled two turf winners.
The Rainbow 6 pool was $93,356 and multiple winning jackpot ticket paid $1,022.80 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $135,744 when live racing resumes on Friday, Feb. 7.
Feb. 7 Claims: Race 3 - Sheza Factor ($16k, Victor Garcia). Race 7 - Rstars and Stripes ($50k, Steve Knapp).
SA Full Card Highlights for 2-2-20
SA 3 Sheza Factor/Leading Indicator Exacta ($5.40)
SA 7 RSTARS AND STRIPES ($4.80)
Double (races 6-7, $33.80)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $45.40)
AQU 6 HAY FIELD ($3.70)
AQU 8 QUICKFLASH ($4.00), Trifecta ($58.50)
AQU Late Pick 4 (races 5-8, $24.12)
Article by Jarrod Horak
Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks.
Friday, January 31, 2020
Kentucky Derby 2020 Blog: Enforceable Kicks Late in LeComte Stakes
There have been four Kentucky Derby 2020 points 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).
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Enforceable capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
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.
Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Recaps
LeComte Stakes (G3) Recap from Fair Grounds (1-18-20) - Winner: Enforceable ($15.60)
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 Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Enforceable capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
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.
Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Recaps
LeComte Stakes (G3) Recap from Fair Grounds (1-18-20) - Winner: Enforceable ($15.60)
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...
Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Video Series Featuring Holy Bull Stakes
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.
Video by Jarrod Horak
Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks.
Video by Jarrod Horak
Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
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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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.
Read the rest of this post at The Runaway Horse...
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