Del Mar picks for Friday, Nov. 25 (Sorry they are late)

Preview: Despite missing last Saturday, jockey Flavien Prat leads the riding race by one (8-7) over Santiago Gonzales. In the training standings, a hat trick on Sunday put Peter Miller on top with six victories. Then he won three more races on Thursday and he is starting to run away with the training title.

SORRY PICKS ARE LATE.

Race 1: #6 Holidayincambodia (8-1), 2. Altaira, 3. Rosarita. LONG SHOT: Audra.
This filly won at this level at LRC, then was bumped up and now comes back down. Trainer Dan Hendricks is 33% when dropping a horse two or more classes. Jockey Brice Blanc continues to ride.

Race 2: 1. Salient, 2. Jet Set Man, 3. My Uncle Al. LONG SHOT: Hot Rodin.

Race 3: 1. Mr Ability, 2. Hot Smoke, 3. Elwood J. LONG SHOT: Ms. Wakaya.

Race 4: 1. Miss Big Stuff, 2. Lajatico, 3. Sturdy One. LONG SHOT: Little Voice.

Race 5: #2 Ourroseofthenile (8-1), 2. Wicked Factor, 3. Pontificator. LONG SHOT: Tell My Fortune.
Gave an even effort in her debut in late August and hasn’t been seen since. That race has produced at least two winners. This daughter of Pioneerof the Nile got out of the gate slow and it looks like trainer Joe Herrick has worked on that. Jockey Iggy Puglisi stays aboard.

Race 6: 1. Ashleyluvssugar, 2. Flamboyant, 3. Quick Casablanca. LONG SHOT: Royal Albert Hall.

Race 7: 1. Prime Attraction, 2. Univited, 3. My Italian Babbo. LONG SHOT: Hollywood Strike.

Race 8: #11 Alsatian (8-1), 2. Extreme Heat, 3. Amodei. LONG SHOT: Bottle Service.
We liked this colt last week when he was entered but trainer Neil Drysdale scratched and we’re not happy about the outside draw but the rails are at zero so that will help anyone going wide. This colt is bred to love the turf and Drysdale has them cranked up first time out but he’s 19% second time. Good turf rider Drayden Van Dyke takes the mount.

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, June 26

Preview: Gold Cup Day and we like the idea of running the race as the last event on the card. Rafael Bejarano went 2-for-2 on Thursday to create some space in the jockey’s race and he could pick up some more today as Flavien Prat is suspended and can only ride in the Gold Cup. Bad day on Friday as favorites won everything and my favorites ran up the track

Race 3: #4 Concorso (9-2): Trainer Dan Hendricks is 2-for-8 at the meet. This gelding showed good speed in breaking his maiden at Los Alamitos but he also has the Brisnet top Late Pace Rating. Hendricks is 21% with horses coming off a 46 to 90-day layoff and jockey Drayden Van Dyke gets aboard.

Race 4: #7 Chasing Aces (6-1): Trainer Peter Miller scored Thursday with a maiden training at San Luis Rey Downs and that’s what we have here in this colt sired by Flatter, an 11% first out sire. Miller is 17% first time out and he’s 26% with jockey Fernando Perez.

Race 6: #8 Family Code (3-1): This gelding pressed the pace in his last win and has two wins over this track. Trainer Robertino Diodoro is 48% when he drops a horse off a win.

Race 7: #5 Tiz No Bluff (6-1): This colt is making his second career start after an even effort in his first try around two turns. He should improve off that effort for trainer Ron Ellis, who is 24% with horses off a 61 to 180-day layoff and 20% on the dirt.

Race 8: #2 Kobe’s Back (5-2): Absolutely love this horse in this spot going 7 furlongs. He also loves this track with a 6-3-2-0 record over the oval. There is plenty of speed in here and he has Brisnt’s top Class and Late Pace Ratings.

Race 9: #1 Bal a Bali (9-2): This horse has run all 21 lifetime efforts on the grass so why does Richard Mandella run him here? Because he’s a Hall of Fame trainer. The 6-year-old horse from Brazil has been tearing it up in the mornings in workouts on the dirt and there are no world beaters in this race so why not take a shot? Mandella is 26% going from turf to dirt and 22% with beaten favorites. This horses has been facing tough ones on the grass so the class shouldn’t be a problem and jockey Flavien Prat stays aboard.

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Sunday, Aug. 30

FIRST RACE: 1. Big Rosie Brown, 2. Runningwiththelute, 3. Light Striker. LONG SHOT: Veronica Bay.

SECOND RACE: 1. Ain’t No Other, 2. Giant Ego, 3. Pepnic. LONG SHOT: Royal FJ.

THIRD RACE: 1. STELLAR WIND (best bet), 2. Big Book, 3. Ultimate Holiday. LONG SHOT: Hone In.

Just single Stellar Wind in all of your horizontal wagers.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Chasing the Heat, 2. My Slew, 3. Maximinus. LONG SHOT: No Contingency.

FIFTH RACE: 1. #7 Poythress (5-1), 2. Professor Berns, 3. Gigantis. LONG SHOT: Third Division.

Trainer Dan Hendricks tried to get this son of Bellamy Road on the grass last time but it was rained off. Hendricks wins a high percentage of maiden claimers at Del Mar and this 3-year-old goes from MSW to MC. Also, huge jockey change from Gonzalo Nicholas to Joe Talamo.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Hide My Heart, 2. Always a Chance, 3. Lucky Student. LONG SHOT: Moscato Girl.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. #4 The Gomper (4-1), 2. Hunt, 3. Chiropractor. LONG SHOT: Forest Blue.

Had a troubled start last time and had to come from way out of it and still managed to finish third. Gets a good draw here and switches to jockey Flavien Prat, who is 25% with trainer Jerry Hollendorfer at Del Mar.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Sunbeamsfromhaven, 2. Bellamy Concerto, 3. Blue Anchor. LONG SHOT: Says Me.

NINTH RACE: 1. Long Hot Summer, 2. Gusto Dolce, 3. Royal Tempress. LONG SHOT: Native Heart.

10TH RACE: 1. Divine Tale, 2. Kiss My Face, 3. Altaira. LONG SHOT: Take It Easyplease.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Friday, Aug. 21

FIRST RACE: 1. Good Looking, 2. I’m a Drama Mama, 3. Vronsky’s Devka. LONG SHOT: Daddy’s Sweetie.

SECOND RACE: 1. Basmati, 2. Saint Adalbert, 3. Mistaken Identity. LONG SHOT: Sacred Ovation.

THIRD RACE: 1. #8 Trifecta (5-2), 2. Lovenseek, 3. Dynamite Ride. LONG SHOT: A Colt Following.

Trainer Phil D’Amato claimed this 3-year-old out of an off-the-turf affair the first weekend of the meet and brings him back at the same level. D’Amato is 25% first off the claim and 22% with jockey Joe Talamo.

FOURTH RACE: 1. #9 True Ranger (6-1), 2. Nusret, 3. Kelly With a Twist. LONG SHOT: Outrage.

Trainer Dan Hendricks was 46% with maiden claimers at Del Mar coming into this meet. This 2-year-old finished third in his SoCal debut from New Jersey and now drops a level plus Hendricks puts blinkers on.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Chief of Staff, 2. Storm Comin Thru, 3. Prince Charmant. LONG SHOT: Nina’s Dragon.

SIXTH RACE: 1. #3 DIDO (5-2) BEST BET, 2. Circling, 3. Honey Lake. LONG SHOT: One More.

Trainer Graham Motion doesn’t ship West much so when he does it’s with a purpose. The big question is whether this is a prep for a race later in the meet or the main objective? This 5-year-old mare comes out of a Belmont Park key race that produced a graded stakes winner at Saratoga last week.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Olympic Fashion, 2. Katsfashion, 3. Warren’s Honey Bee. LONGSHOT: Katy’s Plum.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Thursday’s top choice winners: 2 (Belle Et Bete $6.20, first race; Dream Police $7.60, second)

Thursday’s second choice winners: 2 (Some Caan Job $4, fourth; Herbies Thunder $7.60, eighth)

Thursday’s third choice winners: 2 (Rocket Heat $7.40, third; Golden Bayers $9.60, sixth)

Thursday’s long shot winners: 0

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Wednesday, August 12 (updated)

FIRST RACE: 1. Mint Julep Taffy (SCRATCHED), 2. Wish I Understood, 3. Rich Girl. LONG SHOT: Gusto’s Girl. New picks: 1. Wis I Understood, 2. Rich Girl, 3. One Putt Par. LONG SHOT: Gusto’s Girl.

SECOND RACE: 1. Desert Steel, 2. Sky Forever, 3. Autumn Twilight. LONG SHOT: Cin City Lady.

THIRD RACE: 1. MAGIC LILLY (5-2) best bet, 2. Seeking Shamrocks, 3. Sweetrayofsunshine. LONG SHOT: Lucky Student.

This 4-year-old filly was claimed by trainer John Martin on the Northern California circuit and shipped south. This will be her lowest level ever in SoCal and Martin is 31% first off the claim and he goes to leading jockey Rafael Bejarano, who is 1-for-1 at the meet with Martin.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Bella Breeze, 2. Rush of Day, 3. Let the Girl Go. LONG SHOT: Queen Cali.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Dressed in Hermes, 2. Rideo, 3. Path of David (Scratched) new pick: Irish. LONG SHOT: Hollywood Don.

This gelding closed ground in his debut on the dirt, but he is bred to turf and go two turns, which he does here. The sire Hat Trick is 21% with first-time turfers and jockey Tyler Baze takes over for trainer Janet Armstrong.

Race 6: 1. #4 Story to Tell (8-1), 2. Yiannis, 3. Forver, Juanito. LONG SHOT: Top Fortitude.

This 3-year-old has never been off the board (4-2-1-1) when he has run on the dirt. Trainer Dan Hendricks doesn’t have great stats off the layoff, but he had this one ready to win his career debut and there is a big work over the track showing. Jockey Joe Talamo keeps the mount.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Pretty N Cool, 2. Right There, 3. Uptown Twirl. LONG SHOT: Undisputed.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Handful of Stripes, 2. Arcature, 3. Incredible Luck. LONG SHOT: Recalibarting.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Sunday’s top choice winners: 0

Sunday’s second choice winners: 2 (Majestic Minister $19, first race; Ben’s Duchess $3.60, third)

Sunday’s third choice winners: 1 (New Summit $3.20, second)

Sunday’s long shot winners: 4 (Atomic Rule $18.80, fourth; If You Dream $15.80, fifth; Majestic Heat $5.80, sixth; Surfside Tiara $6.60, seventh)

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Sunday, August 9 (UPDATED)

FIRST RACE: 1. Jade With Envy, 2. Majestic Minister, 3. Thundering Gale. LONG SHOT: Loveintheshadows.

Jockey James Graham is a very good rider on the turf, but hasn’t had a chance to shot it yet at Del Mar. He gets aboard this 5-year-old mare taking a drop in class for trainer Richard Baltas, who is a 20% conditioner on the green stuff.

SECOND RACE: 1. Zendai, 2. Chasing Kings( SCRATCHED) new pick: Homer Matt, 3. New Summit. LONG SHOT: Papa de Gatto.

THIRD RACE: 1. Unforgettable U, 2. Ben’s Duchess, 3. Dr. Fager’s Gal. LONG SHOT: Ramona’s Wildcat.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Sizzlin’ Joe, 2. Unusual Taste, 3. China Prince. LONG SHOT: Atomic Rule.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Tribal Roar, 2. Counterplay, 3. Rickles. LONG SHOT: If You Dream.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Holograeme, 2. Miss Gifted, 3. Colour Party. LONG SHOT: Majestic Heat.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Dreamarcher, 2. Dreamy Art, 3. Jade Princess. LONG SHOT: Treasuring (SCRATCHED) new long shot: Surfside Tiara.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. OM (7-2) (BEST BET), 2. Papacoolpapacool, 3. Cross the Line. LONG SHOT: Tried and True.

Always been a big fan of this son of Munnings ever since beating American Pharoah last year. The grass is really where he wants to run and he gets a class test here after winning an allowance race on the green two races back for trainer Dan Hendricks and jockey Fernando Perez.

NINTH RACE: 1. Peppy Bolly, 2. It’s Aine, 3. Rosewhitenblue. LONG SHOT: Lazy Daisy May.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 2 (Nyquist $4, fifth race; Ultimate Holiday $15, seventh)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 2 (Sayitright Kat $6.60, second; Nextdoorneighbor $4.60, ninth)

Saturday’s third choice winners: 2 (Young Brian $4.40, third; Dallas Skyline $13, sixth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 0

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Friday, August 7

FIRST RACE: 1. #6 TRUE RANGER (4-1) best bet, 2. Last One Standing, 3. Panther Creek. LONG SHOT: Keepin It Lucky.

This colt makes his SoCal debut after two races at Monmouth Park. Trainer Dan Hendricks is 46% with maiden claimers at Del Mar and the son of U S Ranger has speed, which is key at this level.

SECOND RACE: 1. Light Striker, 2. Big Rosie Brown, 3. Del Mar Dixie. LONG SHOT: Natalie Paige.

THIRD RACE: 1. Simplicityizgenius, 2. Vartan, 3. Rare Punch. LONG SHOT: Juansagain.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Urloveneverfails, 2. Sadie Clare, 3. Edwina E. LONG SHOT: Soul Fryer.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Volkonsky, 2. Hobbits Hero, 3. Blackford. LONG SHOT: Friendswith K Mill.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Daddy’s Duo, 2. Silver Mojave, 3. Sweet Mz. Poppet. LONG SHOT: Siena Grace.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Shrinking Violet, 2. Birdlover, 3. Home Journey. LONG SHOT: Amaranth.

Wesley Ward is the listed trainer, but she has been working under the eye of trainer Blake Heap. She finished sixth against the boys at Woodbine, but has beaten this kind on the West Coast before and has a win at Del Mar. She can sit off the pace an bounce with jockey Kent Desormeaux.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Bananappeal, 2. Mydancingshadow, 3. Show and Tell. LONG SHOT: Scat City.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, April 12

Race 8: #7 Om (9-5)

This 3-year-old comes out of one of the highest rated 2-year-old races last summer at Del Mar and he won by more than 7 lengths and beat American Pharoah (does that name ring a bell?). Trainer Dan Hendricks doesn’t have great numbers off the layoff but this son of Munnings might be so talented that he can overcome that.

Race 9: #10 Pammy Whammy (6-1)

This 3-year-old filly didn’t get a lot out of her debut, but trainer Peter Miller is 22% second time out and 22% dropping into a maiden claimer for the first time. On top of that the sire, War Front, is 19% with his turf horses.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Sunday, Jan. 11 (off the turf)

RAIN AT SANTA ANITA OFF THE TURF SO JUST THROW MY TURF PICKS OUT THE WINDOW. I WILL ONLY GRADE THE DIRT RACES.

FIRST RACE: 1. Greeley Awesome, 2. Ezio, 3. Sizzlin’ Joe. LONG SHOT: Empty Headed.

SECOND RACE: 1. Apollo Ten, 2. Got Even, 3. I’ll Wrap It Up. LONG SHOT: I Don’t Care Who.

THIRD RACE: 1. Light Striker, 2. Kohala, 3. Comin’offthebench. LONG SHOT: Vocalist.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Lucy in Diamonds (best bet), 2. Thermodynamics, 3. Exfanofsixties. LONG SHOT: It Girl.

LUCY IN DIAMONDS (4-1) is a first-time starter from the Jerry Hollendorfer barn, which hits at 30% with this type. She has been training at Pomona and is by a good first out sire in Rock Hard Ten. Jockey Elvis Trujillo (21% with The Dorf) jumps on.

Race 5: #3 Autumn Flower (10-1) SCRATCHED

This daughter of Flower Alley gets a huge post switch after starting from the No. 10 hole at Del Mar. She had no shot that day but still came running in the lane to finish a good fifth for trainer Dan Hendricks and jockey Alex Solis. Look for further improvement as Hendricks is 22% with MSW.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Scandal, 2. Madam Aamoura, 3. Conquest Artura. LONG SHOT: Caradini.

As you can see I liked Autumn Flower, but had to go in a different direction. SCANDAL has been training well for trainer Richard Mandella and she made up a lot of ground on Nov. 8 at Del Mar.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Gusy Ruler, 2. Molten Image, 3. Triunfo. LONG SHOT: Takem by Surprise.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Tiz Midnight, 2. My Sweet Addiction, 3. Taste Like Candy. LONG SHOT: Legacy.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Toruk Makto, 2. Ashleyluvssugar, 3. Sofast. LONG SHOT: Helm.

NINTH RACE: 1. Pat the Bear, 2. Bandido Too, 3. Jet Trick. LONG SHOT: Whiskey Wild.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 0

Saturday’s second choice winners: 4 (Glory $3.60, second race; Mama’s Trashed $6.60, third; Keri Belle $15.20, fourth; Hoppertunity $3.60, eighth)

Saturday’s third choice winners: 1 (Calculator $3.20, sixth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 1 (Guy Code $5.60, first)

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar picks for Sunday, Nov. 23 (Bing Crosby Season) UPDATED

FIRST RACE: 1. Dudley Studley, 2. Guy Code, 3. Guyfromtheskyfive. LONG SHOT: Nellie Fox.

Trainer Dan Hendricks is 21% with 2-year-olds and maiden claimers. DUDLEY STUDLEY (6-1), a 2-year-old by Benchmark, has a good work coming into the race and has good win-early breeding. Apprentice jockey Drayden Van Dyke takes the mount.

SECOND RACE: 1. Mon Petite, 2. Miss Ellany (SCRATCHED) new pick: Tanquerray, 3. Zanbo. LONG SHOT: Tebowing.

THIRD RACE: 1. Hot Lightning, 2. Whoyougonnacall, 3. Slapshot Man. LONG SHOT: Sacred Temple.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Nighttiming, 2. Cacica Dulima, 3. Stole a Kiss. LONG SHOT: Lethal Story.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Candy Anniversary (best bet), 2. Mind the Master, 3. Blackford. LONG SHOT: Grandstand.

CANDY ANNIVERSARY (8-1), a 3-year-old, drops into an opener claimer for the first time and stretches out around two turns for the first time. By Candy Ride out of a Deputy Minister mare, the stretch out should be no problem for this John Sadler trainee.

SIXTH RACE: 1. El Nino Terrible, 2. Whine for Wine, 3. Kristo. LONG SHOT: Celtic Moon.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Dancnthenightaway, 2. Backwoods Belle, 3. Cal Gal. LONG SHOT: Copperopolis.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Red Outlaw, 2. Big Macher, 3. Soi Phet (SCRATCHED) new pick: Rousing Sermon. LONG SHOT: Magic Mark.

NINTH RACE: 1. Jomelo, 2. Dysprosium, 3. Mambo Man. LONG SHOT: Ezio.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 2 (Grand Yodeler $5.20, first race; Secretsatmidnight $4.80, seventh)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 0

Saturday’s third choice winners: 3 (Tiz Futurity $18.80, fifth; Persuasive Paul $12.40, sixth; Sayes So $7.40, ninth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 1 (Shesheisnot $6, second)

fromthewinnerscircle

About SoCal horse racing, Del Mar in particular

Tag Archives: Dan Hendricks

Del Mar picks for Friday, Nov. 25 (Sorry they are late)

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, June 26

Del Mar selections for Sunday, Aug. 30

Del Mar selections for Friday, Aug. 21

Del Mar selections for Wednesday, August 12 (updated)

Del Mar selections for Sunday, August 9 (UPDATED)

Del Mar selections for Friday, August 7

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, April 12

Santa Anita selections for Sunday, Jan. 11 (off the turf)

Del Mar picks for Sunday, Nov. 23 (Bing Crosby Season) UPDATED