Tag Archives: Arlington Park

Arlington Park, Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita (plus Arlington Park) opinions for Saturday, July 9

Preview: Interesting card just because there are a pair of 2-year-old stakes. Looking for that Pick 6 and late Pick 4 single? Looking no further than Navy Hymn (4-5) in the sixth race. Don’t see him beaten, but that might be the kiss of death. And don’t forget that 2015 Kentucky Derby runner-up Firing Line (also 4-5) makes his return to the races in the fourth and trainer Simon Callaghan has admitted he isn’t fully cranked up.

Race 5 – SA: #2 Tap It All (8-1): This filly cost $800K at auction in March and she has finished second in all three of her maiden races this year for trainer Doug O’Neill. By Tapizar, I think this 2-year-old has been wanting more ground and she gets an extra half-furlong here. Sure, she’s a maiden but O’Neill is 23% with beaten favorites and new rider Santiago Gonzalez takes over.

Race 7 – SA: #1 Big Break (4-1): I’m not the biggest fan of trainer Steve Knapp and in fact in most cases if Knapp wins, I lose, but here is the one category Knapp excels in: beaten favorites. He is 41% with those kind of horses. This mare is moving up in class, but her early speed will be a weapon from the inside post.

ARLINGTON PARK

Race 4 (Modesty Handicap): 1. Faufiler, 2. No Fault of Mine, 3. Al’s Gal, 4. Marypop.

Race 6 (The Stars and Stripes): 1. Roman Approval, 2. Quiet Force, 3. The Pizza Man, 4. Bullards Alley.

Race 7 (Arlington Handicap): 1. Kasaqui, 2. Messi, 3. Roman Approval, 4. Only in America.
Be careful because ROMAN APPROVAL and QUIET FORCE are cross-entered in the Stars and Stripes plus the Arlington Handicap.

Race 8 (American Derby): 1. Oscar Nominated, 2. Two Step Time, 3. J R’s Holiday, 4. The Rouge Diesel.

Good luck.

Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs opinions for Sunday, Jan. 24

Preview: Races were rained off the turf on Friday and Saturday. There are three turf races on this card and later on the card so hopefully they stay on the turf as they have larger fields.

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Race 2: #2 Tonite Tonite (7-2) 

This 5-year-old has broken his maiden but was disqualified. He now shows up at Tampa under trainer Rashern Creque, who is 36% with horses the first time he has them.

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Race 9: #5 Fancy Man (5-2)

This 4-year-old is coming out of a winning effort at Keeneland and is now in the Dale Bennett barn, which is having a good meet. Bennett is 21% with horses off a 90-plus-day layoff and he’s 35% with jockey Pablo Morales.

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Race 10: #2 He’s the Dude (8-1) 

This gelding was claimed at Arlington Park last June by trainer Larry Rivelli and hasn’t been seen since. Rivelli is 28% with horses off a layoff of more than 90 days. You can be sure this one will be fit.

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Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, Oct. 24

Race 4: #7 City of Vengeance (15-1)

Has been a disappointment since coming West, but trainer John Sadler is 22% second off the claim as the gelding tries the downhill for the first time. Jockey Victor Espinoza jumps off another contender to ride this son of City Zip and is 21% with Sadler.

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Race 6: #8 Oppidum (5-1)

If it’s a 2-year-old race trainer Bob Baffert usually has it surrounded and such is the case here with three horses. The barn’s main rider, Martin Garcia, chooses this son of Speightstown who showed good speed at Del Mar before stopping. He goes shorter here and should be on the engine.

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Race 9: #7 Canada (4-1)

Is bred to be a good one, but has had problems in both starts, especially last time, but Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens has seen enough to stay aboard and he is 26% with trainer Simon Callaghan.

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Gulfstream Park West

Race 1: #2 Drama Club (5-2)

This colt makes his debut on turf, but the bigger thing is that he drops from the straight maiden ranks to a maiden claimer. Trained by David Fawkes, he exits a race that has produced three winners. Jockey Edgard Zayas takes over.

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Race 7: #10 Awesome Sunrize (turf only) (6-1)

This filly returns to South Florida after running at Arlington Park. She comes out of a key race and trainer Kerry Zavash is 24% with shippers. Zavash has a winner already at the meet with jockey Eddie Castro, who jumps on.

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Race 9: #1 Samus (turf only) (5-1)

Trainer Marcus Vitali has been on fire at the meet with 6 winners from 20 starters. Vitali is 25% with horses second time in his care like this 3-year-old. He is also 30% on the year with jockey Matthew Rispoli.

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Thursday, August 6

Tough to explain some of Wednesday’s results other than the track was worked on Tuesday and you just never no how it is going to play on Wednesdays. Hats off to those who hit the long shots. I had no clue (obviously if you look at the results). Good luck.

FIRST RACE: 1. Avicii, 2. Always a Chance, 3. Swissarella. LONG SHOT: Two Step Flor.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Scarlet Emerald, 2. Mitzi Winks, 3. Amare. LONG SHOT: Lady of the Lake.
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THIRD RACE: 1. #2 CORNBREAD RED (4-1) best bet, 2. Know Plans, 3. Saticoy. LONG SHOT: Tribalist.

This colt makes his turf debut for a sire (Grazen) that is OK with those types. Trainer Phil D’Amato is 35% for an 180-day layoff or more, 22% turf/dirt and 31% with horses that won their last race.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Jet Warrior, 2. Not Enough Eddie, 3. The Cleaners. LONG SHOT: Chapman’s Peak.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. #1 Alltheleavesrbrown (5-1), 2. Feynman, 3. Architop. LONG SHOT: Admiral Jaxon.

Midwestern trainer Michael Stidham tries for some more “Ship N Win” money with this son of Big Brown. When last seen at Arlington Park, he finished second in his turf debut. Stidham can get them ready off a long layoff (25%) and jockey Joe Talamo is 27% with Stidham.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. #6 Atlantic Slew (6-1), 2. Tiz Pleasant, 3. Gracee Hunny. LONG SHOT: Briana Jean.

This 2-year-old filly ran into a buzz saw in her debut as the winner, Obey, came back to win a Cal-bred stakes recently. Trainer Mike Puype does well in the state-bred ranks and he is 23% going from MSW to maiden claimers.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Istanford, 2. Famous Alice, 3. She’s Not Here. LONG SHOT: Indecise.
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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Miltee, 2. Jens de Ville, 3. Out of Mischief. LONG SHOT: Ghost of Navigator.
@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter
Wednesday’s top choice winners: 0
Wednesday’s second choice winners: 1 (Mrazek $3.2o, seventh race)
Wednesday’s third choice winners: 2 (Tara’s Tange $2.80, seventh; Sparkling Peg $15.60, eighth)
Wednesday’s long shot winners: 0
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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Wednesday, July 29

FIRST RACE: 1. He Will, 2. Oil, 3. Prodigious. LONG SHOT: Hye I’m Jack.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Worldwide, 2. Where Was Eddie, 3. Chromium. LONG SHOT: Mr. Zippers.
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THIRD RACE: 1. Tizcano, 2. Well Maybe, 3. Jimmy Bouncer. LONG SHOT: Clever Royal.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. #8 Lov Fool (12-1), 2. Rich Girl, 3. Tequila Mary, LONG SHOT:  Tumbleweedprincess.

Trainer Tim Yakteen is 18% in maiden claiming events. Here he adds blinkers to a filly that showed speed last time and he puts the red-hot Flavien Prat aboard.

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Race 5: #7 Warm Endowment (5-2) STUCK IN RACE AND LIKELY TO SCRATCH

This filly is sired by Unusual Heat (12% first time turf) and is out of a Lemon Drop Kid (13%) mare. That screams turf and two turns. The 2-year-old got her prep at Los Alamitos and today is graduation day for trainer Dean Pederson, who is 43% with first-time turfers. If she runs, she’s our best bet, but it sounds like she will scratch.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Land Over Sea, 2. Asian Moonlady, 3. She’s On the Line. LONG SHOT: Red Stitch.

 

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Temperature Runnin, 2. Bonus Spin, 3. Anita Marie. LONG SHOT: Lucky Student.
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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Kyankes, 2. Belle Et Bete, 3. Housemaker. LONG SHOT: Sound City.
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EIGHTH RACE: 1. #8 MIGHTY BROWN (6-1), 2. No Ez Money, 3. Shakahari. LONG SHOT: Saint Adalbert.

Midwest-based trainer Michael Stidham already has a couple wins at the meet and he puts 19% barn rider James Graham up here for this Arlington Park invader. The son of Big Brown has two wins on dirt and a good work over the track. Stidham is 28% going route to sprint.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Sunday’s top choice winners: 3 (Hide My Heart $3.20, first race; Far Out Kailee $22.20, third; Spirit of Ten $10.80, 10th)

Sunday’s second choice winners: 2 (Newfound Gold $4.20, fourth; Songbird $6.40, seventh)

Sunday’s third choice winners: 0

Sunday’s long shot winners: 2 (Rare Candy $6.60, fifth; Wild Dude $24.60, sixth)

 

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Horse racing, Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs opinions for Sunday, Dec. 21

Race 1 – TB

#9 Prothoe (9-2)

The outside post is the only obstacle here, but hot jockey Daniel Centeno knows how to get them in the right position. Trainer Barbara McBride has won with this 5-year-old mare before at Tampa.

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Race 5 – TB

#2 Samka (6-1)

This 4-year-old filly tries dirt for the the first time after running on Polytrack at Woodbine. She showed improved speed last time out and at this distance that could be a key with veteran rider Dean Butler aboard for trainer Aldana Gonzalez.

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Race  – TB

#9 Mashuk (6-1)

Our Eyes: This 4-year-old colt’s best finish came in his debut on the Arlington Park turf and he’s never been back on the grass since. He is bred to like it —- out of a Dynaformer mare —- and he’s bred to run all day. Lasix is added so look for a better effort.

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Thursday, Oct. 23 (updated)

FIRST RACE: 1.Holiday Maker, 2. Desert Thief, 3. Global Hart. LONG SHOT: Yes She’s a Dancer.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Maybellene, 2. Morning Coffee (SCRATCHED), 3. Achiever’s Legacy. LONG SHOT: Don’t Blame Me. NEW PICKS: 1. Maybellene, 2. Dpn’t Blame Me, 3. Daddy’s Duo. LONG SHOT: Achiever’s Legacy.

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THIRD RACE: 1. All Star Bub, 2. Bullwinkle Babe, 3. Ritzy Tags. LONG SHOT: Golds Venice.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Flowinwiththebreez, 2. Goofy Rainbow, 3. Comin’offthebench. LONG SHOT: Sophistry.

Watch out for #6 Lazy Lightnin, whose listed trainer is Brian Pitnick (1-for-29 on the year), but clocker Andy Harrington reports that the horse has been working with a saddle towel from trainer Jeff Mullins’ barn. Might be a betting coup in the making.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Willing to Travel (best bet), 2. Soul Driver, 3. Film Freak. LONG SHOT: Pretentious.

WILLING TO TRAVEL (2-1), a son of Pleasantly Perfect, gave an even effort when coming down the hill, making up some ground the stretch. Should enjoy the stretch back out to two turns, something he did twice at Arlington Park. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 23% sprint-to-route and 32% with jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Highly Rated, 2. Belonging, 3. Sheza Eyeopener. LONG SHOT: Wildy Excessive.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Bunairgead, 2. Aguafria (sCRATCHED), 3. Scooter Bird. LONG SHOT: Irish Presence. NEW PICKS: 1. Bunairgead, 2. Scooter Bird, Irish Presence. LONG SHOT: Perfecta.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Nextdoorneighbor, 2. Golden Triumph, 3. Bench Press. LONG SHOT: Warren’s Cole.

NEXTDOORNEIGHBOR (2-1), a 7–year-old gelding, returned from a 13-month absence to run a bang-up second at this level and was promptly claimed by trainer Robertino Diodoro, who is 30% first off the claim.

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Sunday’s top choice winners: 3 (Jomelo $7, fourth race; Red Outlaw $3.80, sixth; Push Girl $4.60)

Sunday’s second choice winners: 2 (Pioneer Charlie $6.40, third; Windy Forecast $4, seventh)

Sunday’s third choice winners: 1 (Gal Has to Like It $5.20, second)

Sunday’s long shot winners: 1 (Demonica $9.60, first)

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Thursday, Aug. 28

FIRST RACE: Prettyhotprincess, 2. Hit Girl, 3. Popalicious. LONG SHOT: On Golden Pawn

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SECOND RACE: 1. A Red Tie Day, 2. Big Cazanova, 3. Patrioticandproud. LONG SHOT: Stoney Fleece.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Noble Birl, 2. Clickjab, 3. Constantine. LONG SHOT: Silver Touch.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. I’msoulflattering, 2. Sheza Eyeopener, 3. Always an Angel. LONG SHOT: Woodys Wharf.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Znelle, 2. Small Town Cop, 3. Rare Punch. LONG SHOT: Changing Game.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Carrick Bay (best bet), 2. Enduring Eric, 3. Asparagus. LONG SHOT: Chilada.

CARRICK BAY (8-1), a 3-year-old filly, will be running for the “Ship ‘N’ Win” program after running at Arlington Park. Trainer Vann Belvoir takes over the training and he is 24% first off the claim. On top of that, he lures red-hot Mike Smith to ride.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Seeking Shamrocks, 2. Air of Royalty, 3. Only Josie Knows. LONG SHOT: Glamsquad.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Inspired Wisdom, 2. Next Book, 3. It Is Living Water. LONG SHOT: Smokey’s Legacy.

Looks like jockey Mike Smith is going after the meet title as he rides this maiden claimer and sticks around for the last race. This gelding INSPIRED WISDOM (8-1) pressed the pace early in his debut and faded. Look for him to be tighter here for trainer Marty Jones.

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Wednesday’s top choice winners: 3 (Silk in Silver $5.40, second race; Holiday Maker $7.60, fourth; West Riding $3.80, fifth)

Wednesday’s second choice winners: 3 (Best Efforts $9.20, third; Wedding Blush $5.40, sixth; Long Hot Summer $12.40, eighth)

Wednesday’s third choice winners: 0

Wednesday’s long shot winners: 1 (Devil’s Beauty $48.80, ninth)

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Horse racing, Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos thoroughbed picks for Sunday, July 13 (updated)

FIRST RACE: 1. Nikki Allyn, 2. Brandon’s Princess, 3. Skyrose. LONG SHOT: Wicked City Woman.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Swiss Heart, 2. Afleet Echo, 3. Getaway Keys. LONG SHOT: Jo’s Approval.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Story to Tell, 2. Bad Read Sanchez, 3. Wake Up Nick (SCRATCHED). LONG SHOT: Peradventure. NEW PICKS: 1. Story to Tell, 2. Bad Read Sanchez, 3.Peradventure. LONG SHOT: Litigation Road.

The Doug O’Neill Invitational has been scratched down to four 2-year-olds as O’Neill has scratched WAKE UP NICK and HENRY’S HOLIDAY. O’Neill just wanted to make sure the race ran and then looked for other spots at Del mar for his two scratched horses.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Yodeling Honey, 2. Triunfo, 3. Shemp (SCRATCHED). LONG SHOT: Best Ransom. NEW PICKS: 1. Yodeling Honey, 2. Triunfo, 3. Best Ransom. LONG SHOT: I’ve Had Enough.

Again O’Neill scratched first-time starter SHEMP for a better spot (and more purse money) at Del Mar.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Fleet of Gold, 2. Sweet Tess, 3. Melanistic. LONG SHOT: Woodys Wharf.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Stepinmoon, 2. Stormin Applause, 3. Swiss Intrigue. LONG SHOT: Covey.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Sharla Rae (best bet), 2. Don’t Blame Me, 3. Midnight Belle. LONG SHOT: City Ride.

Apprentice jockey Drayden Van Dyke has been a star at this new meet and trainer Doug O’Neill gets him to ride SHARLA RAE, a  firster by Afleet Alex. The 2-year-old filly had a good work three back, which shows she should be ready to go.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. La Grange, 2. Heart of Paradise, 3. Abets Abet. LONG SHOT: Shh She’s Ours.

Trainer Keith Desormeaux ships LA GRANGE, a 2-year-old filly, from a second place finish at Arlington Park into a stakes race. Being by the sire Curlin and out of a Awesome Again mare, she should love the dirt surface. Jockey Kent Desormeaux rides for his brother.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Weekendwithbernie, 2. Patriotic Lion, 3. Now You’re It. LONG SHOT: Surfing Angel (SCRATCHED). New long shot: Astutely.

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Updated Del Mar picks for Sunday, September 1

FIRST RACE: 1. Admission, 2. American Act, 3. Soi Phet. LONG SHOT: Huntsville.

ADMISSION is coming off more than a year away from the track, but trainer Mike Puype knows how to get them ready. Jockey Mike Smith jumps on and this 5-year-old comes out of a key race.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Moonlit Meteor, 2. Scatman Blues, 3. Spotted Owl. LONG SHOT: Perfect Magic Man.

MOONLIT METEOR is another horse coming off a long layoff, but trainer Paul Aguirre is 4-for-7 with horses coming off a layoff of more than 180 days. All this 5-year-old gelding has to do is get off to a better start than his debut and he should be right there.

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THIRD RACE: 1. BEHOLDER (best bet), 2. Charlie Em, 3. Becky Lou. LONG SHOT: Wittgenstein.

OK, here is the free bingo square for the day as BEHOLDER is one of the top 3-year-old fillies in the nation. Trainer Richard Mandella has been getting her ready for the second half of the year following here second-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Ransom Canyon, 2. Brother Pete, 3. Shadow Runner. LONG SHOT: Mambo Man.

RANSOM CANYON comes from that Glen Hill Farm, trainer Tom Proctor and Arlington Park pipeline looking for the “Ship N Win” bonus. The 4-year-old gelding showed his readiness for the race with a monster 5-furlong work last week. Look for a big effort with Garrett Gomez aboard.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Cathy’s Crunches, 2. Lady Aspen, 3. Maker of Breaker. LONG SHOT: Charm the Maker.

CATHY’S CRUNCHES, a 5-year-old mare, loves Del Mar and she won this race a year ago from off the pace. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has had her running in Northern California, but with the sea air she might win her first race of the year. Jockey Garrett Gomez, who won six races last week, jumps aboard.

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SIXTH RACE (Del Mar Derby, first division): 1. Procurement, 2. Rising Legend, 3. Gervinho. LONG SHOT: Chief Havoc.

Hey, it’s Proctor, Glen Hill and Arlington again with this 3-year-old son of Milwaukee Brew. PROCUREMENT showed he could run with these in the West earlier in the year and is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade III American Derby. Gary Stevens takes over the reins and he has had good success with Proctor.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Colonel Joan, 2. Tiz the Key, 3. Exotic Behavior. LONG SHOT: Appearance.

COLONEL JOAN didn’t have the best of debuts back in May at Hollywood Park, but she is bred to love going around two turns on the synthetic since she is a daughter of Colonel John. Mike Smith picks up the mount for trainer Eoin Harty.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Heir Kitty, 2. Twitter Pie, 3. Kinz Funky Monkey. LONG SHOT: Hail Mary.

HEIR KITTY finished fourth to Beholder earlier this year and then went to the sidelines for trainer Peter Miller. She has been training well for her return and Gomez regains the mount.

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NINTH RACE (Del Mar Derby, second division): 1. Dry Summer, 2. General Election, 3. Ethnic Dance. LONG SHOT: Dorsett.

These divisions of the Del Mar Derby are both tough. DRY SUMMER, a son of Any Given Saturday, was given way too much to do last time in the La Jolla Handicap, closing from some 11 lengths back at the second call to finish fourth, 1¾ lengths behind the winner. Trainer Jeff Mullins puts Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith aboard and the gelding gets an extra sixteenth of a mile to close.

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10th RACE: 1. Ajac, 2. Oh Daddy Oh, 3. Missing Groom. LONG SHOT: Charisma Code.

AJAC finished third to AOTEAROA, who is running in a Cal-bred stakes on Monday. Big jockey switch here from Chantal Sutherland to Rafael Bejarano. Need we say more.

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11th RACE: 1. With a Miracle, 2. Flashy Dame, 3. Dolphin Shorts. LONG SHOT: Diocesan Policy.

Trainer Ron Ellis claimed this 5-year-old mare earlier in the meet and keeps her at the same level. She pressed the pace under jockey Victor Espinoza, who keeps the mount, and she should like the 7 furlongs.

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