Tag Archives: Fairplex Park

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Wednesday, Oct. 29

FIRST RACE: 1. Whoyougonnacall (best bet), 2. Empire Cat, 3. Slapshot Man. LONG SHOT: Condition.

WHOYOUGONNACALL (3-1), a 2-year-old gelding, has shown speed in both of his races and now gets to go around two turns for the first time. He is a son of Ghostzapper and should relish the added distance. Trainer Phil D’Amato is 21% sprint-to-route and jockey Joe Talamo is 28% with D’Amato.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. West Riding, 2. Mangita, 3. Taste Like Candy. LONG SHOT: Yahilwa.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Bolo, 2. Diamond Majesty, 3. Secreto Primero. LONG SHOT: Clever Move.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Silk in Silver, 2. Magic Number, 3. Cayanna. LONG SHOT: Siberian Winter.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. Inspeight of Us, 2. Partyin, 3. Doctor Susan. LONG SHOT: Blooming Hannah.

Since Leandro Mora has taken over for the suspended Doug O’Neill the barn has been winning at a 25% clip and the 2-year-olds have been firing. INSPEIGHT OF US (6-1), a daughter of Speightstown, has had some good works for her debut at Fairplex Park. Leading jockey Rafael Bejarano takes the mount.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. Silver Torch, 2. Gallant Charm, 3. Watch It Buster. LONG SHOT: Crux.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Alberts Hope (15-1), 2. Hoppertunity, 3. Pimpernel. LONG SHOT: Diamond Bachelor.

One of the top 2-year-olds on the West Coast last summer, ALBERTS HOPE (15-1), a gelding, came back with a disappointing race last month. He only figures to improve off that effort for trainer Mike Puype and might surprise in here against some toughies.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Signature Cat, 2. Hot Lightning, 3. Dontpreachto Darcy. LONG SHOT: All Around Brown.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Sunday’s top choice winners: 2 (Decisive Edge $4.40, first race; No Problem $8, ninth)

Sunday’s second choice winners: 1 (Desert Madam $14.60, second)

Sunday’s third choice winners: 0

Sunday’s long shot winners: 2 (Bluegrass Reward $17.80, third; Twenty Percent $9.40, seventh)

Standard
Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Saturday, Oct. 11 (updated)

FIRST RACE: 1. Carlot Cowboy, 2. Hurricane Lake, 3. Uncle Dick. LONG SHOT: Perfect Set.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Iancol (best bet) SCRATCHED), 2. Liberty First, 3. Desert Dynamo. LONG SHOT: Zendai. NEW PICKS: 1. Liberty First, 2. Desert Dynamo, 3. Zendai. LONG SHOT: Stand and Salute.

OUCH THIS HURTS BECAUSE THIS HORSE HAD BIG WORKS BUT WAS SCRATCHED THIS MORNING. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer wins 31% of the time with his first-time starters, who are prepared for the races at Fairplex Park before moving to the main stable. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith takes the mount on IANCOL (4-1) and he is 37% when riding for Hollendorfer at Santa Anita.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Top Drawer, 2. Stormin Wild, 3. Cloudy River. LONG SHOT: I’m Popeye.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Polytechnicien, 2. Compari, 3. Sizzlin’ Joe. LONG SHOT: American Act.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. He’s a Bling, 2. Alfa Bird, 3. Majestic Charlie. LONG SHOT: Simon Kenton.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. Deraptor, 2. Luckbox Sam, 3. Volkonsky. LONG SHOT: Lucky J Lane.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Wild Caroline, 2. Spectacular Proof, 3. Denotation. LONG SHOT: Hidden Reality.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Conscience, 2. Toowindytoohaulrox, 3. Rusty Road. LONG SHOT: Image of Joplin.

==

NINTH RACE: 1.  Velvet Mesquite, 2. Tribal Spy, 3. Heat Trap. LONG SHOT: Warren’s Veneda.

VELVET MESQUITE (9-2), a 4-year-old filly, is a beast down the hill with four wins in five tries. She tries stakes competition for the first time here, but most of her wins were in open company and she drops in with Cal-breds here. Mike Smith takes the mount for trainer Balke Heap.

==

10TH RACE: 1. Forest Trees, 2. Lamist, 3. Holy Ascension. LONG SHOT: Council Bet.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Thursday’s top choice winners: 0

Thursday’s second choice winners: 2 (Afleet in Time $20.60, second race; Barrel Know $7.80, third

Thursday’s third choice winners: 2 (Take Back Spring $13.80, first; Winning Rhythm $7.40)

Thursday’s long shot winners: 0

==

Friday’s top choice winners: 1 (Silk in Silver $3.40, first race)

Friday’s second choice winners: 2 (Small Moves $10.80, sixth; Kulik Lodge $5, seventh)

Friday’s third choice winners: 0

Friday’s long shot winners: 0

Standard
Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita picks for Monday, May 26

Remember first post is 1:30 p.m. today.

FIRST RACE: 1. Lost Bus, 2. Desert Steel, 3. Saturday Yodeler. LONG SHOT: Global Hart.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Wild Dude, 2. Cyclometer, 3. Wine Police. LONG SHOT: Color of Courage.

Another four-horse stakes race as Super Ninety-Nine scratched out.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. This One’s for Mel, 2. Candy’s Sunrise, 3. Koast. LONG SHOT: Nobel Metal.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Forest Romance, 2. Celestial Image, 3. Time for a J. LONG SHOT: Shop Forever.

Trainer Bobby Wayne Grayson has been known to get a first-timer ready to score at nice odds in the past. Grayson owns and trains FOREST ROMANCE, a son of Forest Danger, who has been training with purpose at Fairplex Park. Mario Gutierrez takes the mount.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. Mel’s Game, 2. Deraptor, 3. Bobby Z Man. LONG SHOT: Poshsky.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. Stormin Lute, 2. Goyan, 3. Mavericks Gun. LONG SHOT: I Buy Gold.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Emotional Kitten, 2. Stormy Lucy, 3. Customer Base. LONG SHOT: Miss Serendipity.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Benicia Gem, 2. Discatsonthesquare, 3. Say’s Who. LONG SHOT: Bonus Spin.

BENICIA GEM, a daughter of McCann’s Mojave, comes out of a key maiden race from Jan. 25. She had all kinds of trouble in the race, but took some money in that debut. She has been training well for Jeff Mullins and jockey Tyler Baze takes the mount. Mullins also trains first-time starter BONUS SPIN.

==

NINTH RACE: 1. Pouncerounddaclock (best bet), 2. Quick Navigator, 3. Bird In Love. LONG SHOT: Smart Typical.

POUNCEROUNDDACLOCK, a daughter of Smart Strike, makes her career debut down the hill for trainer John Sadler, who is 26% with first-time starters. She had a big work back in April and Sadler is due to get hot. Plus jockey Rosie Napravnik takes the mount.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

==

Sunday’s first choice winners: 2 (Como Mi Padre $5.60, third race; Betty Bing Bing $6, sixth)

Sunday’s second choice winners: 1 (Taelyns Prince $10.20, fifth)

Sunday’s third choice winners: 4 (No Contingency $6.80, first; Shapely $3.60, fourth; Sky High Gal $12.60, seventh; Moulin de Mougin $8.20, ninth)

Sunday’s long shot winners: 1 (Image of Joplin $41.40, eighth)

==

Bonus picks for Gulfstream Park’s Rainbow 6 jackpot (doesn’t matter now after the bet was hit on Sunday, but I did the work already)

==

Race 6: #11 Distinctive Lady (3-1)

Finished second against the boys last time out at Tampa Bay Downs and now returns to face fillies and mares. Has tactical speed and distance should hit her right between the eyes. Trainer Reid Nagle is 29% with MSW.

==

Race 10: #12 Kimberly Is That U (6-1)

Just gave an even effort in first time going around two turns and still finished third. Takes a drop in class and with an outside post should be closing on the turn for home after saving ground early.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Thursday, May 8

FIRST RACE: 1. Lookin for Money, 2. Yes She’s a Dancer, 3. Sea Mona. LONG SHOT: Kyankes.

Trainer Doug O’Neill sent out a 2-year-old winner last week and here he sends out one of the first juveniles sired by Lookin At Lucky. This filly has been training at Fairplex Park and gets the services of leading jockey Rafael Bejarano. SEA MONA has some big works, but I have a problem betting/picking a first-timer starter out of the No. 1 hole.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. This Cat’s Awesome, 2. Juliet’s Tizzy, 3. Secret Wishes. LONG SHOT: Cache Wanted.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. A Toast to You, 2. Royal F J, 3. Circa’sgoldengear. LONG SHOT: Big Note.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Cousin Rikcy, 2. Bushwacked, 3. Runaway Que. LONG SHOT: Colton’s First.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. Unusual Style (best bet), 2. Jennyway U Want It, 3. I’msoulflattering. LONG SHOT: Nightfall. 

UNUSUAL STYLE, a 3-year-old filly, continues to improve each time out and has run her best races around two turns on the turf, which is what she gets here. The daughter of Unusual Heat gets a key jockey switch to Corey Nakatani, who is a master on the grass.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. Born Lucky, 2. Acute, 3. Lilly’s Perfect. LONG SHOT: Magic Number.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Van Dien Avenue, 2. Highly Rated, 3. Water Issues. LONG SHOT: Tiz a Kiss.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. No Barneys, 2. Tasha’s Courage, 3. Superboot. LONG SHOT: Stealth Fighter.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Hollywood Park, Horse racing, Santa Anita

Allred: Hollywood Park not involved with Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos Race Course owner Ed Allred said in an email Tuesday afternoon that Hollywood Park isn’t involved in any way, shape or form with the Orange County track and its agreement to take over thoroughbred racing dates from Fairplex Park in Pomona.

“Hollywood Park is in no way involved directly or indirectly in any dates that will be run at Los Alamitos,” said Allred. “My good friends, Richard Shapiro and Jack Liebau (former Hollywood Park president) are included in our 9 member board of directors. I repeat Hollywood Park will have absolutely no involvement in any sense of the word in Thoroughbred racing at Los Alamitos Race Course.”

Word in the industry was that Hollywood Park was involved in the movement of dates to Los Al in order to keep its company associated with the sport so that it wouldn’t have to pay out pensions right now to employees who were left without jobs when the track held its final thoroughbred meet last December.

The California Horse Racing Board isn’t expected to vote on the change of September dates until its May meeting.

If approved, thoroughbreds will run at Los Alamitos for two weeks before Del Mar’s summer meet and 11 dates after Del Mar, and right before Santa Anita’s autumn meet. Thoroughbred racing at Los Alamitos will be run on an extended one-mile dirt track. Los Alamitos doesn’t have a turf course giving trainers a built in break for grass horses.

Los Alamitos will run thoroughbreds during the day and its highly successful quarterhorse meet at night.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Hollywood Park, Horse racing, Santa Anita

Is there more to the Fairplex/Los Alamitos deal?

As most people know by now, Fairplex Park in Pomona is going out of the horse-racing meet business.

On Monday, it was announced Fairplex’s dates were moving to Los Alamitos. It was a story Southern California public handicapper Bob Ike (@bobike1) broke 10 days ago on Twitter.

This is now the third set of dates Los Alamitos has picked up for its new one-mile oval, which will feature thoroughbred racing in the daytime and quarterhorses at night. Previously, Los Al picked up two weeks right before Del Mar’s summer meet and three weeks after Del Mar’s new fall meet.

But that might not be the whole story.

The word on the street is that Hollywood Park’s old regime might have something to do with the dates shift from Fairplex to Los Al.

Yes, Fairplex wasn’t the best place, at least for fans of the thoroughbred game. I went once to experience it and never wanted to go back again.

Yes, Fairplex wasn’t willing to upgrade its facilities for just three weeks of racing a year. Understandable? Probably.

However, this is where it might get interesting and the California Horse Racing Board needs to pay attention.

If Hollywood Park is some how involved in this switch of dates and attaches its name to the new meet in any way, shape or form, it may not be good for former employees of the track in Inglewood.

You see Hollywood Park is on the hook for the pensions of the employees it laid off when it closed it doors to live racing. If it continues to run a meet, even at Los Alamitos, it doesn’t have to make those payoffs right now and that’s just not right. The CHRB needs to investigate this and not allow it. Those people who worked at Hollywood Park, and were laid off, are entitled to their money.

Two things bothered me regarding a release from the Thoroughbred Owners of California about the situation.

The release said the two tracks along with other “California horse racing industry leaders,” were in discussions on the dates transfer for several weeks.
Then there was the statement in the release from Los Alamitos.
“Naturally we are excited about the prospect of adding additional dates to our 2014 thoroughbred racing calendar, and we are very appreciative to Fairplex for the opportunity to conduct and manage their race meet here at Los Alamitos,” said Brad McKinzie, who is the Los Alamitos Racing Association’s vice president. “We plan to immediately work with the CHRB and other industry stakeholders to make sure these racing dates are used to add value to the California Thoroughbred racing calendar.”
The words “industry leaders” and “industry stakeholders” seem to throw up a red flag.

I hope Hollywood Park isn’t involved, and I hope the CHRB isn’t involved, either. It should have more compassion to people who gave their lives to the industry for all those years.

The CHRB is not expected to take up the issue before its May meeting.

There also may be some changes to the 2015 Southern California horse racing schedule. If Santa Anita’s new spring/summer meet doesn’t go well, or there are problems with overuse of the turf course, you could see Los Al get more dates in June next year and trade those dates back to Santa Anita in the fall right after Del Mar closes.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard