Tag Archives: Garrett K. Gomez

Horse racing, Santa Anita

With Gomez out, Matos reunites with Nakatani

          From Ed Golden of the Santa Anita publicity department:

 The fallout continued Friday morning in the aftermath of Garrett Gomez saying he “didn’t want to ride for a while,” leaving his agent, Tony Matos, without a premier jockey.

Effective today, Matos will be agent for veteran Corey Nakatani, whom he represented as an apprentice when he was Southern California’s leading “bug” rider nearly a quarter century ago. Nakatani, who had been represented by agent Jim Pegram, will be 43 on Oct. 21.

“Surprised” is how Pegram described his primary reaction on hearing the news from Nakatani that he was parting company. “I got a hint of it last night, but not officially until this morning,” said Pegram, who once upon a time also represented Gomez.

Matos, who also represents jockey Alonso Quinonez, currently recovering from injuries in a spill at the recent Fairplex Park meet, said Friday he “hasn’t heard from” Gomez since receiving a text from him on Wednesday.

“He’s going through personal problems,” Matos said Thursday. “He texted me yesterday and said he didn’t want to ride for a while.”

Matos expects Quinonez to resume riding before the meet ends on Nov. 3. “He was out here yesterday,” Matos said. “He’s going to start swimming, he’s going to start therapy and I would say he’ll be back in two weeks.”

Standard
Horse racing

Updated Santa Anita picks for Saturday, Sept. 28

Chips_All_In

Chips All In and jockey Julien Leparoux, green, overpower Boat Trip (Garrett Gomez), red, to win the Grade III, $100,000 Eddie D. Stakes, Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 at Santa Anita Park. BENOIT PHOTO

====

Well, it certainly wasn’t anything close to opening day at Del Mar, as Santa Anita’s fall opener drew only 4,537 on Friday. It will be interesting to see what Del Mar draws in 2014 for its first ever fall meeting.

On thing was sure on Friday in Arcadia: trainer Bob Baffert was back on his favorite surface: dirt. Baffert scored two wins and his horses were ready to run.

On the jockey front, nine races produced nine different winners.

Saturday should prove interesting with Breeders’ Cup preps front and center at the Great Race Place and around the country, too.

==

FIRST RACE: 1. Yana, 2. Moving Seas, 3. Versye. LONG SHOT: Another Victoria.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Southern Sunrise, 2. Hello Frankie, 3. Topper’s Ghost. LONG SHOT: Tribal Smoke.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Shiva Ryan, 2. All for Us, 3. Cautious Giant. LONG SHOT: Closet E.

Trainer Bisnath Parboo ships this 2-year-old colt, SHIVA RYAN, West to try and break his maiden around two turns on the grass. The son of Tapit did well at Calder with a third-place finish after a slow start in his career. He figures to improve off that effort and we should get a nice price with jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. aboard. It looks like all of the shippers have a shot here so don’t discount ALL FOR US  and CLOSET E.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. I See Back, 2. Kristo, 3. Da Bears. LONG SHOT: Quick and Silver.

==

FIFTH RACE (Grade I Chandelier): 1. Secret Compass, 2. Fascinating, 3. She’s a Tiger. LONG SHOT: Antiquity.

==

SIXTH RACE (Grade I Rodeo Drive): 1. TIZ FLIRTATIOUS (best bet), 2. My Gi Gi, 3. Starstruck. LONG SHOT: Vionnet.

==

SEVENTH RACE (Grade I Frontrunner): 1. Can the Man, 2. Dance With Ftae, 3. Tamarando. LONG SHOT: Schoolofhardrocks.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Burns Turn, 2. Rosies Ready, 3. Smooth Talker. LONG SHOT: Our Pure Creation.

==

NINTH RACE (Grade I Zenyatta): 1. Beholder, 2. Authenticity, 3. Joyful Victory. LONG SHOT: Flashy American.

==

10th RACE (Grade I Awesome Again): 1. Mucho Macho Man, 2. Golden Ticket, 3. Paynter. LONG SHOT: Jeranimo.

==

11th RACE: 1. Pontchatrain, 2. Heir Kitty, 3. Judy In Disguise. LONG SHOT: Moulin de Mougin.

This 3-year-old War Front filly, PONTCHATRAIN, showed a lot of promise in winning an allowance race at Del Mar on July 28, but she came back in a minor stakes and was just too keen after getting bumped at the start and finished fourth. With a little more conservative ride from jockey Gary Stevens, this Tom Proctor-trainee could love the hillside turf course.

Friday’s top pick winners: 0

Friday’s second choice winners: 2 (Oh Daddy Oh $6.60, 2nd race; Hurray Home Clover $9.20, 5th race)

Friday’s third choices winners: 2 (Georgia $4.20, 1st race; Tiz the Truth $6.60, 7th race)

Friday’s long shot winners: 0

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Horse racing

Santa Anita picks for Friday, Sept. 27

FIRST RACE: 1. Arethusa, 2. Be Proud, 3. Georgia. LONG SHOT: Loan Savant.

The Bob Baffert-trained trio of BE PROUD, GEORGIA and LADY BUGATTI will be tough to beat in the opener of the Santa Anita fall season, but ARETHUSA, a 2-year-old daughter of A.P. Indy, is an interesting long shot. Jockey Garrett Gomez jumps off a Peter Miller horse (AMY JANE) to ride this one for trainer Eoin Harty. She hopped in the air at the start and just ran around the track. She is bred to run this far and should show big improvement.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Eleven Zip, 2. Oh Daddy Oh, 3. Infosec. LONG SHOT: Code of Pleasure.

ELEVEN ZIP gave an even effort in career debut at Del Mar. He drops into a maiden claimer for the first time and might be ready to go. Note: Eleven Zip lost to Tamarando in that first race and all Tamarando did was go on to win the Grade I Del Mar Futurity on closing day.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Chicsdigtheshark (best bet), 2. Truelee Scrappin, 3. Dress Code. LONG SHOT:  Coo Cachoo.

CHICSDIGTHESHARK, a 4-year-old gelding, ran just once at Del Mar and that might have been to just stretch his legs for this spot because he has won 3-of-4 at Santa Anita. On top of that trainer Bill Spawr is an amazing 60 percent (9-of-15) the last two years with an ROI of $6.32 with horses going from a route to a sprint.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Ella’s Kitten, 2. Valtatri, 3. Cuneo. LONG SHOT: Navarre.

ELLA’S KITTEN ships West from Saratoga for trainer Eric Guillot. She comes out of a key race at The Spa in which three horses have come back to win. The outside post is a tough draw and not the biggest fan of jockey Martin Pedroza on turf, but this son of Kitten’s Joy may outclass these. VALTARI, who is owned by Santa Anita president Keith Brackpool, showed early speed in his debut but just might prefer turf and not Polytrack.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. One World, 2. Hurry Home Clover, 3. Shackbamalama. LONG SHOT: Jets to Brazil.

ONE WORLD has been training well for his return to the track since last running on May 26. He comes of out a key race (three winners) and trainer John Shirreffs knows how to get them ready. HURRY HOME CLOVER is another one of those Spawr 60 percent stats going from a route to a sprint.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. D’ Obession, 2. My Samurai Warrior, 3. Appealing Tale. LONG SHOT: Blu Jon.

Tough race. D’ OBESSION draws a good outside post and has never been worse than third down the hillside turf course.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Omega Star, 2. Imperial Fortune, 3. Tiz the Truth. LONG SHOT: Usbek Thunder.

OMEGA STAR is another who loves the Arcadia track. He has two wins and a second in four tries on the Santa Anita dirt. IMPERIAL FORTUNE and TIZ THE TRUTH come from the Baffert barn and will likely be among the favorites.

==

EIGHTH RACE (Grade II The Eddie D.): 1. Majestic City, 2. Boat Trip, 3. Unbridled’s Note. LONG SHOT: Rosengold.

Here’s another tough race. A bomber wouldn’t surprise in this spot and we’re going with one in MAJESTIC CITY. Yes, we’re friends with owner Jeff Bloom, but look at who MAJESTIC CITY has been facing in his most recent races: Fed Biz, Goldencents, Points Off the Bench, Jimmy Creed, Paynter, Commatothetop. Then go back to last year: Liasion, Dullahan and Drill. This 4-year-old colt has been facing some tough fields and he gets another here, but maybe with some luck and the addition of jockey Gary Stevens it will make a difference.

==

NINTH RACE: 1. Carrytheteam, 2. Wildcat Candy, 3. Running Water. LONG SHOT: Wave Catching.

CARRYTHETEAM drops into a maiden claimer for the first time for trainer John Sadler. WAVE CATCHING drops out of a Del Mar key race which has seen three winners for far so you’ve been warned.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Updated Del Mar picks for Wednesday, Sept. 4

FIRST RACE (The C.E.R.F): 1. Madame Cactus, 2. Wednesday, 3. Big Honey Bee. LONG SHOT: Gypsy Robin.

MADAME CACTUS has been on the sidelines since last Novemeber, but trainer Peter Eurton figures to have her fit and ready to run. WEDNESDAY and BIG HONEY BEE come out of a key race that has produced two winners so far.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Pebble Beach Baby, 2. Bas, 3. Lady Rosamond. LONG SHOT: Explosive Argument.

Trainer Mike Puype has had a fairly quiet Del Mar meet after a big Hollywood Park, but his horses might be ready to cycle around. PEBBLE BEACH BABY, a daughter of Rock Hard Ten, is dropping in class off a middle-of-the-road effort. The key here is Puype is cutting her back from a route to a sprint and he does very well with that angle. It also doesn’t hurt jockey Garrett Gomez jumps aboard.  EXPLOSIVE ARGUMENT has been scratched.

==

THIRD RACE (Oak Tree Juvenile Turf): 1. Diamond Bachelor, 2. Station House, 3. Ontology. LONG SHOT: Home School.

DIAMOND BACHELOR and STATION HOUSE were two of the most impressive winners at the meet, both scoring at first asking on the grass and around two turns as 2-year-olds. ONTOLOGY is bred to love the grass and could be the upsetter but it will tough to beat the top two.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. KARMA KING (best bet), 2. Candy Anniversary, 3. Big Medicine Man. LONG SHOT: Maxx the Kid.

Trainer Craig Dollase is deadly with first-time starters (36 percent the last two years) and even more so with 2-year-olds at Del Mar. KARMA KING, a son of Pure Prize, has a bullet work show on Aug. 23 (best of 42) and should be ready to do some serious running. Once again, Gomez jumps on and he has been one of the meet’s hottest jockeys the last two weeks.

==

FIFTH RACE (Pirate’s Bounty ): 1. Private Zone, 2. Roman Threat, 3. So Brilliant. LONG SHOT: Koast.

This is a tough race and I even left out graded stakes winner RAIL TRIP, who I’m just not sure he’s ready to go all out in this spot to win. PRIVATE ZONE is making his first start since running in Dubai and trainer Doug O’Neill figures to have him ready to go.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. Magic Channel, 2. Quiet Force, 3. Warrant. LONG SHOT: Somethings Unusual.

MAGIC CHANNEL is going for the hat trick as he has two wins over the grass already. The son of English Channel was claimed last time out by Jerry Hollendorfer, who is 27 percent first off the claim.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Crystalline Indy, 2. Hanserella, 3. That’s a Bingo. LONG SHOT: Heavens Stairway.

CRYSTALLINE INDY hasn’t raced since July 13 at Hollywood Park, but she has been training well over the Del Mar Polytrack. Trainer Phil D’Amato, Mike Mitchell’s assistant, is 43 percent second time out. here’s hoping he gets his first win of the meet on closing day.

==

EIGHTH RACE (Del Mar Futurity) 1. Indexical, 2. Dance With Fate, 3. Can the Man. LONG SHOT: Skydreamin.

The big race of the final day is this 7-furlong affair for 2-year-olds. It’s tough to pick against trainer Bob Baffert and Can the Man because Baffert has won this race so many times, but we’re going with INDEXICAL. The son of Latent Heat improved a ton while breaking his maiden 18 days ago. He gets a nice outside post and will be able to spy the speed inside. DANCE WITH FATE also improved second time out and figures to only get better as the distances grow.

==

NINTH RACE: 1. Appealing Tale, 2. Amazing Hearted, 3. Omega Star. LONG SHOT: Derringer.

APPEALING TALE has been away since January but you have that magic team of trainer Peter Miller and jockey Garrett Gomez, who have hit for more 36 percent winners the last two years at Del Mar.

==

10th RACE: 1. Serene Melody, 2. Nicegirlsfnishlast, 3. Fanticola. LONG SHOT: Switched Up.

Trainer John Shirreffs mainly plies his trade in New York, but Zenyatta’s conditioner left a few horses out West. SERENE MELODY is one of those as she is owned by the Lewis Trust and out of the mare Serena’s Song. This daughter of Street Cry will be trying the grass for the first time and going two turns, too. Shirreffs can get them ready off the layoff.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Updated Del Mar picks for Monday, September 2

FIRST RACE: 1. He’s a Dance Star, 2. Muchos Besos, 3. Hadfunlastnight. LONG SHOT: Carbonite.

HE’S A DANCE comes back after more than a year off, but trainer Paddy Gallagher is good in that category (38%) and he gets the services of leading rider Rafael Bejarano.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Money Machine, 2. Fight the Power, 3. Wildcat Candy. LONG SHOT: Indygo Andy.

This is a fairly tough maiden claimer. MONEY MACHINE has improved every time out, but trainer Peter Miller decides to drop him another level and go from a route to a sprint. Jockey Garrett Gomez will probably take this 3-year-old gelding back and make one run on the turn. FIGHT THE POWER is an invader from Oaklawn Park coming out of a key race. INDYGO ANDY is a first-timer from the John Sadler barn, which is 35% with debut maiden claimers. Also watch out for BIG MACHER and SPIRITED TOUCH, who have been working well.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Tiz a Kiss, 2. Warren’s Rosebud, 3. Promiscuoussuances. LONG SHOT: Only Josie Knows.

The leading trainer (Sadler) and leading jockey (Bejarano team up here on TIZ A KISS, who tries the turf for the first time.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Salsita, 2. Amy Jane, 3. Mostro Bella. LONG SHOT: Moving Seas.

Miller holds the cards here with first-timer SALSITA and second-time runner AMY JANE. SALSITA was bred in Florida and Florida speed tends to do well at Del Mar. AMY JANE showed speed first time out, but Gomez tends to take horses back and Miller certainly doesn’t want his two horses battling each other for the lead.

==

FIFTH RACE (I’m Smokin Stakes): 1. AOTEAROA (best bet), 2. Better Bet, 3. Solid Wager. LONG SHOT: Easy Topper.

AOTEAROA, a 2-year-old gelding, was one of the most visually impressive juvenile winners of the meet. He was a complete nut job in the post parade and at the gate, but when the latch was thrown he was all business. Trainer Leonard Powell certainly could have taken a shot in the closing day Del Mar Futurity, but decided on this easier spot because the youngster is a gelding and he hopes to have him around for a long time. SOLID WAGER and EASY TOPPER have been scratched. Take a look at JEDI MIND TRICK instead.

==

SIXTH RACE (Oak Tree Juvenile Fillies): 1. E Equalsmcsquared, 2. Venetian, 3. Clenor. LONG SHOT: Nesso.

The Pick 6 starts here and there is a carryover of nearly $300,000 going into today’s program. This 2-year-old filly, E EQUALSMCSQUARED, has plenty of experience as she is going to the gate in her fifth race, but she has yet to do what she was bred for, which is to go two turns. A daughter of Einstein out of a Conquistador Cielo mare screams route race and she gets it here on the grass. Garrett Gomez takes the mount for trainer Eric Kruljac, who is also adding blinkers to his runner. STUNNING DRAMA and TIZ THE KEY have been scratched.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Botch, 2. Ankeny Hill, 3. Too Fast to Pass. LONG SHOT: Real Heat.

The top two horses are invaders from Emerald Downs in Washington. BOTCH is from the Vann Belvoir barn and he has teamed up with jockey Chantal Sutherland for two wins this meet. ANKENY HILL has shown speed and gets the services of Bejarano.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Faith Hope Love, 2. Belle of the Fleet, 3. Costamar. LONG SHOT: Pretty Storm.

Trainer Craig Dollase wins with 36% of his first-time starters and in FAITH HOPE LOVE he has a filly bred for speed. She has been working well and should be live.  FAITH HOPE LOVE has been scratched. Take a look at GEORGIA and HONEY RIDE.

==

NINTH RACE (Yellow Ribbon Handicap): 1. My Gi Gi, 2. In the Stars, 3. Halo Dolly. LONG SHOT: Closing Range.

The former Palomar Handicap looks tough from top to bottom. MY GI GI finished third in the John C. Mabee to the freakish Tiz Flirtatious and should be well spotted for a big effort under new rider Gomez. HALO DOLLY is 4-for-5 on the Del Mar grass and will be tough after winning the Solana Beach last month. IN THE STARS has been scratched.

==

10th RACE: 1. Sudden Rumor, 2. Southern Digs, 3. Go First. LONG SHOT: Even to the Moon.

SUDDEN RUMOR was a hot commodity first time out, going off as the 2-1 favorite, but the gelding got bumped at the start and had to rally for third place. Trainer is 3-for-7 with second time starters.

==

11th RACE: 1. Carrytheteam, 2. Layton Register, 3. Corinthian’s Song. LONG SHOT: Power Ped.

Sadler and Bejarano team up for the entry of CARRYTHETEAM, who is making his turf debut. The son of Candy Ride should have no problem with the new surface.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
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.

==

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.

==

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.

==

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.

==

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.

==

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.

==

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.

==

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.

==

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.

==

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.

==

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.

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Updated Del Mar picks for Friday, August 30

FIRST RACE: 1. Lilly’s Perfect, 2. Bonita Star, 3. Splendiferous Moon. LONG SHOT: Ribot Belle.

There’s lots to like about LILLY’S PERFECT. First you have leading jockey Rafael Bejarano. Then you have second leading trainer Doug O’Neill. Then you have a 6-year-old mare who is dropping in class and has been in the money five of the seven times she has run a mile on the main track.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. My Lucky Rose, 2. Grazenette, 3. Another Victoria. LONG SHOT: Full of Slew.

Trainer Bob Baffert takes the quick drop from the straight maiden ranks to the maiden claiming ranks with this 2-year-old filly. She showed some speed last time and that’s always dangerous at this level. GRAZENETTE is bred to win early and to be a sprinter. Her works are pretty decent for the level. FULL OF SLEW comes out of a key race where three horses have come back to win next time out.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. GULSARY (best bet), 2. Blues and Silvers, 3. Perfecta. LONG SHOT: Double Ante.

Glen Hill Farm and trainer Tom Proctor had been preparing GULSARY, a 4-year-old daughter of Galileo, at Arlington Park and decide to run at Del Mar to know doubt try and collect part of that “Ship ‘N Win” bonus money. This filly made $47,828 in France and ran in two graded stakes. Jockey Gary Stevens sees fit to ride off the 10-month layoff. Stevens and Proctor are a 23 percent proposition.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Goodhumorgirl, 2. Take One, 3. Gracie Ragazza. LONG SHOT: Quick Approval.

GOODHUMORGIRL is a first-time starter from the Jeff Bonde barn. She is by Sharp Humor, a good first out sire, and speed jockey Edwin Maldonado gets aboard. Good works on a pair of first-timers in QUICK APPROVAL and PEGGY LYNN, but they start from in the inside two post which can be intimidating for 2-year-olds.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. Frenemy, 2. Salah Champ, 3. Afflication. LONG SHOT: Cardio Royale.

FRENEMY takes a drop in class for leading trainer John Sadler and Bejarano stays on. Look for a better effort.

==

SIXTH RACE (El Cajon Stakes): 1. Pataky Kid, 2. U’narack, 3. Fury Kapcori. LONG SHOT: Tiz a Minister.

This is a tough edition of the El Cajon for 3-year-olds going a mile on the Polytrack. PATAKY KID is 3-for-4 on synthetic tracks for trainer Tom Proctor. Look for this one to be rolling on the turn with jockey Garrett Gomez.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Tickle Again, 2. St. Malo’s Gate, 3. Cee’s Tizzy Belle. LONG SHOT: Tribal Valentine.

TICKLE AGAIN gets a big jockey change from apprentice Arnold Perez to veteran Patrick Valenzuela. It might be the winning move for trainer Thomas Blincoe, who is winless at the meet.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Updated Del Mar picks for Thursday, August 29

Nick Alexander's Sunday Rules and Edwin Maldonado win the $150,000 Generous Portion Stakes Wednesday at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. © Benoit Photo

Nick Alexander’s Sunday Rules and Edwin Maldonado win the $150,000 Generous Portion Stakes Wednesday at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. © Benoit Photo

The reports of jockey Joe Talamo’s are greatly exaggerated, or at least they were on Wednesday.

Talamo, in a meet-long slump, was the only jockey to win twice on Wednesday’s card with Rivers Run Deep ($49) in the second for trainer Cody Autry and Uncle Dick ($20) in the sixth for trainer Craig Dollase.

Bro’s Bro ($5.60) gave trainer Jack Carava his first win of the meet and Matt Chew got his first win with Domonation ($21.40) in the fifth.

Sunday Rules ($2.60) was impressive in winning the featured Generous Portion for trainer Mike Mitchell. Maybe Mitchell should have run her in this weekend’s Del Mar Debutante. Just saying.

FIRST RACE: 1. Two Blue Hens, 2. Mille Luna, 3. Itsabeautifulday. LONG SHOT: Tiz Zoe Cee.

TWO BLUE HENS certainly wasn’t disgraced in her only time around two turns and may be a good fit in this spot for trainer Tom Proctor and jockey Garrett Gomez.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Tribe, 2. Free Time, 3. Love de Car. LONG SHOT: Toledo Eddie.

TRIBE may need the race for trainer Jerry Quinn/Carla Gaines, but jockey Rafael Bejarano isn’t in the business of wasting rides so we think this gelding is live off the layoff.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. THE GATEKEEPER, 2. Hope ‘n Pray, 3. Warren’s Tyler S. LONG SHOT: St. Valentino.

If this write-up sounds familiar, it should. This race is a make-up of Saturday’s ill-fated 10th race, which was declared a no contest due a malfunction of the starting gate. So they are back to try again. Trainer John Sadler tried to get his exercise rider Brayan Pena a win earlier in the meet on a maiden claimer and Pena finished second. We think Sadler is trying again with a horse, THE GATEKEEPER, that has a big shot. This 3-year-old gelding has improved since he came to Del Mar and has a big workout showing since his last race.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Unkept Rendez Vous, 2. Miz Wounded Knee, 3. Pure Blush. LONG SHOT: Frequent Fame.

UNKEPT RENDEZ VOUS was claimed last out by trainer Victor Garcia, who got off to a fast start but has cooled off as of late. However, Garcia is 6-of-9 first off the claim so look for another big effort here.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. Motivated, 2. Journey On, 3. Rolanda. LONG SHOT: Calameera.

MOTIVATED has been working at Arlington Park and shipped West for Glen Hill Farm and trainer Tom Proctor. This daughter of Smarty Jones broke her maiden in wire-to-wire fashion and with an inside post she might try it again.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. Znelle, 2. Sailors Brother, 3. Unusual Don. LONG SHOT: New Order.

This 2-year-old gelding ZNELLE was claimed out of his last race and trained John Sadler is 25 percent with first out runners. He also gets top jockey Rafael Bejarano to ride and they are a 32 percent combo.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Bluegrass Ellie, 2. Pat’s Back, 3. Decoy. LONG SHOT: Twirlybird.

Minor class move down here for BLUEGRASS ELLIE might prove to be key for trainer Jeff Bonde. Bluegrass ran in an open $16,000 claimer last time against multiple winners but now she faces non-winners of two races lifetime. Granted it’s against older horses but she has the speed to make it work out.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Summer Exclusive, 2. Strong Wind, 3. A Toast to You. LONG SHOT: Atta Boy Pete.

Seems like these horses have been facing each other every two weeks. SUMMER EXCLUSIVE showed speed in only here second race since April and now Gomez takes over for trainer Pete Miller.

==

NINTH RACE: 1. Concorde West, 2. Denzel, 3. Arizona Wildcat. LONG SHOT: Sheriff Hutton.

DENZEL looks like another fire sale by the Bob Baffert barn as this one hits rock bottom: maiden claimers for $20,000. Denzel will be the favorite, but CONCORDE WEST is first off the claim for Bonde and the 3-year-old has big work over the track last week.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Updated Del Mar picks for Thursday, Aug. 22

Wednesday’s action saw eight races with eight different jockeys and eight different trainers heading to the winner’s circle, but we probably should put an asterisk next to apprentice jockey Irving Orozco.

Orozcon crossed the wire first in the fourth race with 16-1 long shot Trelawny, but was disqualified by track stewards for costing Oak Kye Why a placing. The DQ was justified and will likely result in a three-day suspension.

Orozco then took the fifth race aboard first-time starter Clouds Clearing ($22.80) for trainer Dean Pederson and Harris Farms, Inc. You always have to give Harris Farm horses an extra look.

Trainer Ed Moger Jr. got off the duck when he won the seventh race with Qiaona ($7). Moger was 0-for-21 going into the race.

There was a possibility of a Pick Six carryover going into the last race with only three horses covered but when Oh My Enberg ($13.60) scored for first time out for trainer John Sadler, it was back to the drawing board. Oh My Enberg is co-owned by Halo Farms (aka Teddy Aroney) and another outfit to watch closely at Del Mar. It’s too bad the race wasn’t on Thursday, an off day for the Padres because Padres television play-by-play man Dick Enberg is a known lover of the sport of horse racing.

FIRST RACE: 1. Beast of Bourbon, 2. Hunger, 3. Shackbamalama. LONG SHOT: Hardliner.

We’ve been trying to get trainer Ron Ellis first off the claim all meet and we try again here with BEAT OF BOURBON. This 3-year-old moves up in class, but jockey Victor Espinoza stays aboard.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Toomanytomatoes, 2. Cotton’s Point, 3. Only Josie Knows. LONG SHOT: Hey Cowboy.

TOOMANYTOMATOES takes a drop into the Cal bred ranks for trainer Mike Mitchell. She was favored last time on the turf and Garrett Gomez takes over.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Extensive, 2. Grandstand, 3. Irish Surf. LONG SHOT: Dreamcatcher.

Trainer Vladimir Cerin had a good Hollywood Park meet, but has yet to reach the winner’s circle at the seaside oval. That might end here with EXTENSIVE, who is dropping out of a third-place finish to Marketing Mix in the Grade III Sunset Handicap.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. MARKET NOTES (best bet), 2. Uptown Big Brown, 3. Tosheen. LONG SHOT: I’ll Wrap It Up.

MARKET NOTES moves down the Southern California circuit from the NoCal fair circuit for trainer Jeff Bonde. Leading rider Rafael Bejarano takes the mount and that should be all you need to know.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. Koko Loca, 2. Lanida, 3. Dilly’s Dancer. LONG SHOT: Full’s Figurehead.

KOCO LOCA takes a huge drop from a $32,000 claiming race to $8,000. She didn’t run bad last time with a fifth-place effort and apprentice Irving Orozco gets aboard for a 5-pound weight break for hot trainer Doug O’Neill.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. Here’s to Rose, 2. Midnight Lady, 3. Lets Get Frisky. LONG SHOT: Gabbiano.

Trainer Adam Kitchingman claimed HERE’S TO ROSE from a win at the maiden claiming level. Jockey Edwin Maldonado takes over so look for a change of tactics.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Boat Trip, 2. Compari, 3. Chips All In. LONG SHOT: Winning Prize.

BOAT TRIP just missed going five furlongs on the turf course here and now stretches out to a mile. The 4-year-old colt has a win in a minor stakes at Hollywood Park so the trip should be fine.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Tookmebysurprise, 2. Sweet Millicent, 3. Silver N Sassy. LONG SHOT: Jade and Sauci.

TOOKMEBYSURPRISE got bumped at the start and finished third. With a cleaner start, the 2-year-old filly might be right there.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Updated Del Mar picks for Wednesday, Aug. 21

If it’s Wednesday at Del Mar, there must be a Pick Six carryover. Oops, nope, sorry. There was a carryover going into Sunday, but favorites or near favorites winning the last three races saw the pool taken home.

So there are 12 days of racing left and barns will be looking for shipping money. Watch big drops on horses by outfits looking to cash.

FIRST RACE: 1. Sweet Assay, 2. Golden Production, 3. Upbeat Mood. LONG SHOT: Brilliant Melody.

SWEET ASSAY just missed first time over the course and now gets leading rider Rafael Bejarano. You really don’t have to look much further.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. No Rachmones. 2. Zip Cat, 3. Congregationalist. LONG SHOT: Langfurs Lightning.

NO RACHMONES has one career win and it was over the Del Mar Polytrack. Trainer Peter Miller gets this horse back from Chicago and puts Garrett Gomez aboard to ride.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Three Cuties, 2. Unkept Rendez Vous, 3. La Torera. LONG SHOT: Frequent Fame.

THREE CUTIES is another horse for the course with both career wins over the Polytrack. Of course, a couple years ago she helped one Pick Six bettor win a $1 million. The 5-year-old mare has been away since March, but should be ready to run.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Sebastian Flyte, 2. Oak Kye Why, 3. Copper Bay. LONG SHOT: Facoltoso.

The rail on turf course is at 14 feet. SEBASTIAN FLYTE has a win on the Del Mar green and now goes to trainer Adam Kitchingman. The 6-year-old horse has a good work since his tough luck fourth-place finish on July 25.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. Anythingtogeteven, 2. Mosso, 3. Sir Barclay. LONG SHOT: Sooo Major.

ANYTHINGTOGETEVEN finished fourth at this level after press the pace. The son of Time to Get Even got in a little tight in the stretch and jockey Edwin Maldonado returns for the ride.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. Raised a Secret, 2. Master Chef, 3. Indian Classic. LONG SHOT: Pulla Train.

RAISED A SECRET took third-place in the Real Good Deal Stakes for Cal-breds and now drops into an allowance race. Jockey Gary Stevens might have made a premature move last time and this distance might suit the son of Songandaprayer perfectly.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. WHAT A SPOT (best bet), 2. Smooth Talker, 3. Burns Turn. LONG SHOT: Diocesan Policy.

Tough race, but we’re going to the Tom Proctor due of WHAT A SPOT and SMOOTH TALKER for the exacta. WHAT A SPOT is trying two turns on the turf for the first time and she is bred to relish it, being my Arch out of a Theatrical mare.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Floatthrutheair, 2. Katey Pie. 3. Oh My Enberg. LONG SHOT: Big G Secret Crab.

Another tough race and to see a Pick Six carryover today wouldn’t be a surprise. FLOATTHRUTHEAIR is first off the claim for Miller and has some decent works for her return to the races since April 20.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard