Author Archives: Jeff Nahill

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Sunday, July 23

PREVIEW: Well that was quite a Saturday with the defeat of Arrogate in the San Diego Handicap. I think I stand in the camp that something had to be amiss with the $17 million-horse, but trainer Bob Baffert said the horse appeared to be fine late Saturday. The coming days will tell, but if I had to guess right this minute I would say I will be surprised if he runs back in the Pacific Classic. Time will tell all. I hope someone cashed on my selection of An Ocala Ten on Saturday.

FIRST RACE: 1. #5 Winsinfashion, 2. #6 Ladybug, 3. #8 Krissys Manicure. LONG SHOT: #3 Dancing Belle.

Trainer Bob Hess Jr. can hit with first-time starters and this 2-year-old has a long list of drills leading up to this race. Edwin Maldonado is a good gate jockey so look for early speed out of this filly.

SECOND RACE: 1. #6 Blooming Hannah, 2. #5 Private Terrace, 3. #4 Sheswildbnfree. LONG SHOT: #7 Scathing.

THIRD RACE: 1. #7 Vyjack, 2. #5 Calculator, 3. #3 Prime Attraction. LONG SHOT: #6 Blackjackcat.

I have always like Vyjack, trained by Phil D’Amato. Look at some of the horses he has lost to in his last tweo races: Ring Weekend, Gun Runner and Accelerate. Hmmm. This is first race since November, but I think D’Amato will have him ready to go.

For the rest of my picks go to,
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-jeff-nahills-del-mar-picks-for-sunday-20170722-story.html

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Saturday, July 22

Preview: The great Arrogate will run in today’s San Diego Handicap and that’s worth the price of admission right there. Jockey Rafael Bejarano seems to be on an every other day binge right now as he had four winners on opening day and two of the first five races on Friday’s card.

FIRST RACE: 1. #5 True Ranger, 2. #8 Looks Good N a Tux, 3. #1 Golden Atlantic. LONG SHOT: #4 Where’s Bubba.
True Ranger has never been off the board in three tries on the Del Mar main track with a 3-1-1-1 record. Jockey Jamie Theriot is 27% with trainer Ryan Hanson, who is 25% in dirt races.

SECOND RACE: 1. #4 Alley Boss, 2. #6 Cherubim, 3. #3 Pray Hard. LONG SHOT: #1 Kaabraaj.
Alley Boss comes out of a key race that has produced two winners from five starts. This colt has been throwing bullets in morning works at San Luis Rey Downs and seems to be ready for an upset.

NINTH RACE (San Diego Handicap): 1. #3 Arrogate, 2. #5 Cat Burglar, 3. #4 Donworth. LONG SHOT: El Huerfano.
Did you really expect me to pick against the big horse? I think trainer Bob Baffert will run 1-2 here. This is just a work out for Arrogate and he should be able to toy with this field.

For the rest of my selections go to:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-nahills-del-mar-picks-for-july-22-story.html

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Friday, July 21 (First post 4 p.m.)

Preview: I’m off to a slow start but I hope some of you bet my long shot Snow Cloud in Thursday’s seventh race. Trainer Jim Cassidy is now 6-for-10 the last two years in Del Mar turf sprints. As for the rest of the day, trainer Peter Miller got off the the duck with the winner in the last race which gave one lucky bettor from New Jersey the whole Pick Six pool. Trainer Vladimir Cerin won his third of the two-day meet.

FIRST RACE: 1. #8 Nazareth, 2. #6 Herunbirdledpower, 3. #1 Sidepocket Run. LONG SHOT: #5 Goliath’s Girl.
Trainer Gary Sherlock is 19 percent with horses off a 46 to 90-day layoff. This mare has a 7-1-0-3 record over the Del Mar main track and apprentice Evin Roman jumps aboard.

For the rest of my picks go to:

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-jeff-nahills-del-mar-handicap-for-friday-20170720-story.html

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Thursday, July 20

PREVIEW: Day 2 of the meet. Rafael Bejarano won four times and Flavien Prat won three times on opening day and trainer Vladimir Cerin took the first two races of the meet so watch out his barn appears ready. On the opposite end, trainer Peter Miller went 0-for-10 on opening day after extolling his virtues first out the meet. Ouch.

FIRST RACE: 1. #2 Frac Candy, 2. #4 Oh Newman, 3. #6 Finallygotabentley. LONG SHOT: #5 Royal F J.

SECOND RACE: 1. #6 Sassy Ashley, 2. #4 Ocean Dream, 3. #5 Yavrig. LONG SHOT: #3 Honor Maker.

THIRD RACE: 1. #10 Battleground State, 2. #5 Jabber Now, 3. #6 Easy Song. LONG SHOT: #11 Halo Ahead.

FOURTH RACE: 1. #5 CLIFTON BEACH (BEST BET), 2. #8 Shadow Op, 3. #1 Orejas. LONG SHOT: #7 Ruff House.
Clifton Beach has the top Brisnet Prime and Class ratings which means the 5-2 morning-line won’t be close look for 8-5 or less. This colt has speed and shorten ups for John Sadler.

FIFTH RACE: 1. #9 Buymeabond, 2. #3 Hero Ten All, 3. #6 Awesome Return. LONG SHOT: #2 Moving.

SIXTH RACE: 1. #5 Hold That Smile, 2. #8 Whatyoucuswhatuget, 3. #6 Sharona Sunset. LONG SHOT; #2 Miss Pretty.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. #1 Lajatico, 2. #4 Everqueen, 3. #6 Tapped. LONG SHOT: #9 Snow Cloud.
Trainer Doug O’Neill isn’t know for his prowess on the turf, but he seems to do well in Del Mar turf sprints so we are with his horses in the first two slots. Long shot Snow Cloud is from the Jim Cassidy barn and he did very well last year going short on the grass, but why no Jamie Theriot?

EIGHTH RACE: 1. #6 Acharnement, 2. #4 Factorize, 3. #1 Midnight Summer. LONG SHOT: #10 Ginger Street.
It isn’t often that you jockey Gary Stevens stick around for the last race and a maiden claimer at that. Trainer Eddie Truman is 29% with horses the first time they drop into a maiden claimer for the first time. Trainer Peter Miller has both the second and third horses and is live whenever he runs first time at the meet.

Good luck

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Wednesday, July 19 (Opening day) Updated

PREVIEW: Del Mar is finally back and it’s Christmas in July for many people. There is nothing like opening day. On the track, look for Peter Miller to come out swinging with 10 horses set to run in the first card. I set the over/under at 2 1/2 wins Wednesday. Don’t forget red hot apprentice Evin Roman will be riding for the first time at the seaside oval and there will be a learning curve, especially on the turf. It will be fun to watch his development.

FIRST RACE: 1. #5 Getoffmyback, 2. #6 Papa Royale, 3. #4 Our Nation. LONG SHOT: #1 Post Rock.

I look for Miller to get off to fast start and it begins here as Roman rides this gelding. Miller is 26% with beaten favorites and I look for this one to be on the engine from the start.

SECOND RACE: 1. #1 PEDRO CERRANO (BEST BET), 2. #3 Where Y’at Joe Joe, 3. #6 Bronzino. LONG SHOT: #4 Holdthismiss.

It’s Miller time again. This gelding is a perfect 2-for-2 over the track.

THIRD RACE: 1. #2 Cheekaboomboom, 2. #6 Alsatian, 3. #3 Popular Kid. LONG SHOT: #1 Ibon.

FOURTH RACE: 1. #6 Literary Critic, 2. #3 Pretty Owl, 3. #8 Classy Tune. LONG SHOT: #2 Slim Fit.

FIFTH RACE: 1. #9 Mapit, 2. #8 Just a Smidge, 3. #3 Varanasi. LONG SHOT: #5 My Princess Taylor.

SIXTH RACE: 1. #3 Family Meeting, 2. #2 Nodiac, 3. #7 Moonless Sky. LONG SHOT: #1 Bert’s Melody.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. #9 Giant Expectations, 2. #10 Magical Mystery, 3. #1 Miner’s Light. LONG SHOT: #3 Tell Me a Story.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. #2 Bird Is the Word, 2. #4 Bowies Hero, 3. #1 Arms Runner. LONG SHOT: #9 Placido.

NINTH RACE: 1. #3 Helen’s Tiger, 2. #4 Spiced Perfection, 3. #6 Smiling Tigress. LONG SHOT: #9 Steak of Luck.

10TH RACE: 1. #3 Preacher Roe, 2. #5 Que Chistoso, 3. #6 Belisarius. LONG SHOT: #1 Dream Police.

More picks later. Wanna look at works in maiden races.

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Tuesday, July 4

Race 2: #5 Miss Remembering (6-1) ****
Play: 4 units to win, 5 units to place, 6 units to show. EXBX 5-6 (All-Baffert exacta)

Race 3: #9 California Breeze (12-1) ***
Play: 3 units to win, 5 units to place, 6 units to show.

Race 5: #1 Atomic Action (4-1)****
Play: 4 units to win, 5 units to place, 6 units to show.

Race 6: #1 Hunt (5-1) ****
Play: 4 units to win, 5 units to place, 6 units to show.

Race 9: #5 Mining Diamonds (5-1) ****
Play: 4 units to win, 5 units to place, 6 units to show.

Race 10: #6 Union Rebel (6-1) ****
Play: 4 units to win, 5 units to place, 6 units to show. EX 5-8-10-11-12 w 6

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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