Preview: Want to know what a joke racing in Southern California has become? Just take one look at today’s Grade I $400,000 Beholder Mile. A total of five fillies and mares were entered, but only three will run (Vale Dori, Stellar Wind and Finest City). Trainers Bob Baffert (Faithfully) and Art Sherman (Show Stealer) scratched on Friday. A Grade I and there is just three horses. What a sad state of affairs. I really don’t understand Baffert scratching Faithfully. Yes, Baffert has Vale Dori in the race, but he could have used the race as a workout for Faithfully. She would have earned $24,000 for finishing fourth and gotten black type in her pedigree. Horses received black type if they finish in the top four of a stakes. Instead, Baffert scratched. Guess he didn’t need the $2,400 for his time or his clients didn’t need $19,000.

Race 1 – SA
#1 Squared Squared (4-1) ****
Trainer John Sadler is starting to come around and I think this gelding might just take to the turf.
Jeff’s Playbook: 4 units to win, 5 units to place and 6 units to show. EX 5-6 with 1.

Race 3 – SA
#4 Mr. Twinery (9-5) *****
This looks like a single to me in the Pick 5. He is dropping from a MSW to a maiden claimer for the first time. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 22% in the second career start of a horse and he’s 26% with apprentice Evin Roman.
Jeff’s Playbook: 5 units to win, 10 units to place and 15 units to show.

Race 7 – SA
#4 Farhaan (12-1) TURF ONLY ***
This 8-year-old scored a nice win in the Thunder Road and trainer Phil D’Amato sees fit to come back in this Grade I. Flavien Prat keeps the mount and there is a good work last time out showing.
Jeff’s Playbook: 3 units to win, 5 units to place and 6 units to show.

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter