We are a few weeks into the Santa Anita fall meet and once again it is
time to catch up with jockey-trainer leaders + track bias information.
On the jockey front, Rafael Bejarano, Tyler Baze and Tiago Pereira are going great guns, and trainer Bob Baffert unveiled promising juvenile Mastery on Oct 22.
Friday SANTA ANITA Recap: October 14
Fast
main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6f,
8f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one mile
and two stalkers at nine furlongs (rail at 30 feet).
Tyler Bazeand Jeff Mullins teamed up for two wins. Richard Baltas saddled two winners.
Saturday SANTA ANITA Recap: October 15
Fast
main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (7f,
8.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one
mile, a dueling front runner down the hill, and a midpack stalker at one
mile (rail at 20 feet).
It is time to catch up with leading jockey, trainer, and track bias
information for the current 2016 fall race meeting at Santa Anita Park.
Norberto Arroyo Jr. and Peter Miller are off and running!
Friday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: September 30
Fast
main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6f,
7f). The winning turf course running styles were a downhill closer, a
flat mile stalker, a downhill stalker, and another downhill stalker
(rail at 10 feet).
Hat trick forKent Desormeaux.
Saturday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: October 1
Fast
main track and firm turf course. Early-pressing types strong on dirt
with three wire-to-wire winners (5.5f, 8.5f, 9f). The winning turf
course running styles were a flat mile stalker, a flat mile closer, a
ten furlong wire job, and a downhill wire job.
Four wins for jockey Victor Espinoza(3 Grade 1 wins). Rafael Bejarano booted home a pair. Bob Baffertsaddled two winners.
Kentucky Derby 2017 is right around the corner. Well, not quite, but we are well into the month of September and it is time to roll out my annual Derby contenders list.
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders #1 - Silver Assault #2 - Klimt #3 - Not This Time #4 - Three Rules #5 - Straight Fire #6 - Plum Dandy #7 - Favorable Outcome #8 - Big Gray Rocket #9 - Term of Art #10 - Theory #11 - Vibe You can read my entire first Kentucky Derby 2017 blog at The Runaway Horse.
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.
In case you missed it at The Runaway Horse, here is my Del Mar week 5 recap + Pacific Classic video preview.
Wednesday, August 10
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6f, 6f, 6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at five furlongs, a front runner at one mile, a patient runner at one mile, and and a stalker at 8.5f (rail at 30 feet).
Kent Desormeaux, Santiago Gonzalez, and Flavien Prat each booted home a pair.
Thursday, August 11
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f, 5.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at one mile, a patient runner at one mile, and and a stalker at five furlongs (rail at 30 feet).
Rafael Bejarano booted home a pair on turf. Mike Puype saddled two winners at one mile on dirt.
Friday, August 12
Fast main track and firm turf course. Only one wire-to-wire winner on dirt (5.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner at one mile, a stalker at one mile, and a patient runner at five furlongs (rail at 12 feet).
Norberto Arroyo Jr. booted home a pair.
Why Two stalked, pounced, and kicked away to win the Green Flash Handcap by a length and a half for Arroya/Machowsky. My top choice Richard's Boy was 2nd and 55-1 outsider Horse Laugh was up for the show.
Saturday, August 13
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at 8.5f, a closer at 8.5f, and patient runner at eleven furlongs, and a front runner at nine furlongs (rail at 12 feet).
Santiago Gonzalez guided home four winners. Rafael Bejarano rode three winners and Tyler Baze booted home a pair.
Baffert first timer Big Gray Rocket took a ton of money in the 7th race but blew the break and ended up 2nd behind 14-1 LA-bred debut winner Superior Status (Baze/Mullins). One race later, Baffert the prize he really wanted when Klimt easily captured the G2 Best Pal Stakes over Big League and Thirstforlife.
Sunday, August 14
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners at 5.5 furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at five furlongs, a stalker at one mile, a front runner at one mile, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 12 feet).
Rafael Bejarano and Flavien Prat both booted home a pair.
Bob Baffert was at in again on Sunday with smart debut 2-year-old filly winner American Gal. Fellow first timer Partyinthepaddock was clearly second best and another Baffert firster Facts of Life was along for the show.
My Sunday Best Bet Majestic Heat did not have an easy go of it but she did hold on by a nose from the outside post in the Solana Beach Handicap. 14-1 longshot Tiz a Kiss just missed and second betting choice Singing Kitty checked in 3rd.
Pacific Classic Video Analysis
This is the race we have been waiting for! Defending champion Beholder will take on California Chrome and Dortmund in what figures to be an outstanding renewal of the Pacific Classic. The supporting stakes on Saturday are the G2 Del Mar Handicap and G1 Del Mar Oaks.
The G2 Del Mar Mile on Sunday, Aug 21 wraps up the biggest graded stakes weekend of the meet.
