Del Mar Fall Meet Rewind (Nov 11-13)

The 2016 fall meet at Del Mar is underway and Flavien Prat posted back-to-back riding doubles on Nov 11-12.

Friday DEL MAR Recap: Nov 11

Fast main track and firm turf course at Del Mar on Friday. Three wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f, 5.5f, 6f). The winning turf course running styles were a closer at one mile, a closer at nine furlongs, and a front runner in the Kathryn Crosby at 8.5 furlongs (rail at 12 feet).

Santiago Gonzalez and Flavien Prat both booted home a pair. Richard Baltas saddled two winners.

R4 winner Mo’vette ($24.40) scored as my value top (Sire: Uncle Mo). Santiago Gonzalez rode the winner for Richard Baltas.

R8 Kathryn Crosby runner-up Keri Belle (no pace help). Her trainer John Shirreffs is getting good horses in his barn again like promising juveniles Gormley and Royal Mo. The latter was up for the place after a bad start in his last and won't be a maiden much longer.

You can read the rest of my Del Mar Report at The Runaway Horse...

Kentucky Derby 2017 update: Breeders' Cup Juvenile recap

Early Kentucky Derby 2017 favorite Classic Empire stalked, pounced, and held off Not This Time to capture the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, November 5.

The aforementioned BC Juvenile also attracted Grade 1 winners Gormley, Klimt, and Practical Joke, but they were no match for Classic Empire and Not This Time. The aforementioned dynamic duo were well clear of show finisher Practical Joke and the Juvenile Beyer Speed Figure came back a very good 102. 

You can read my entire Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2016 update blog at The Runaway Horse.

* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards

Video race of the week: 2016 Red Smith Handicap with Wake Forest

Wake Forest is the 8-5 morning line favorite in Saturday's G3 Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct. Can anyone beat him? I sure hope so! Watch my video analysis below for contenders and wagering strategies.

Santa Anita Track Bias Report 2016 (Nov 3-6)

Closing week at Santa Anita was also Breeders' Cup week. Mike Smith capped off an outstanding Breeders' Cup with a very smart victory aboard Arrogate in the BC Classic. He was much the best over California Chrome and it looks as though the torch has been passed in the Handicap Division.

Thursday Santa Anita Recap: November 3

Fast main track and firm turf course at Santa Anita Park. Only one wire-to-wire winner on dirt (6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner down the hill, a downhill stalker, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 30 feet).

Kent Desormeaux booted home a pair. Training doubles for Phil D’Amato, Peter Miller, and Doug O’Neill.

You can read the rest of my Santa Santa Park report at The Runaway Horse...

Kentucky Derby 2017 update: Breeders' Cup Juvenile preview

The 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile will be run later this weekend at Santa Anita Park and seven of my Top 11 Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders are entered. 

Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 10-29-16)

#1 - Silver Assault

#2 - Klimt

#3 - Not This Time

#4 - Three Rules

#5 - Theory

#6 - Gormley

#7 - Classic Empire 

#8 - Straight Fire

#9 - Favorable Outcome

#10 - Mastery

#11 - Term of Art

You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.

* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards

Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2016 video preview

The 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile is shaping up as a competitive race with a good mix of speed horses, stalkers, and closers.

Syndergaard and Gormley are the early threats and the latter has the home court advantage following a wire job win in the G1 FrontRunner. Undefeated Gulfstream shipper Three Rules should be forwardly placed as well.

Klimt, the FrontRunner runner-up, should be stalking the pace for trainer Bob Baffert. G1 Breeders' Futurity hero Classic Empire and Theory, 2-for-2 at six furlongs for trainer Todd Pletcher, should also be tracking the front runners.

If the early pace heats up, look for Churchill Downs shipper Not This Time to pick up the pieces.

Santa Anita Park Track Bias Report (Oct 27-30)

The final week of live racing before the 2016 Breeders' Cup is in the books. Kent Desormeaux was the riding star of the week!

Thursday Santa Anita Recap: October 27

Fast main track and firm turf course at Santa Anita Park. Only one wire-to-wire winner on dirt (one mile). The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner at nine furlongs and a patient runner at one mile (rail at 30 feet).

Kent Desormeaux guided home two winners.

Friday Santa Anita Recap: October 28

Fast main track and firm turf course at Santa Anita Park. Three wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6f, 8,5f, 6f). The lone turf race was captured by a downhill stalker (rail at 30 feet).

Rafael Bejarano guided home three winners. Bob Baffert saddled two winners and Bejarano rode both.

You can read the rest of my Santa Santa Park report at The Runaway Horse...