Tag Archives: Gary Stevens

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Saturday, Aug. 5

Preview: Boy, is the Peter Miller barn cold or what? He’s is a little tough to bet right now as he hasn’t won a race since the first week of the meet. On top of that he has lost with 12 straight betting favorites. Ouch. Another person to watch is apprentice Evin Roman. Yes, he is tearing it up, but he’s only won twice on the grass in the first 13 days of the meet. Turf riding is an art and he still has a lot of learning to do. Until I see some positive signs, I’m staying away from him, especially in grass route races.

FIRST RACE: 1. Soul Sound, 2. Anchor Baby, 3. Privvy. LONG SHOT: I’m Sassy

SECOND RACE: 1. Roman Tizzy, 2. Private Prospect, 3. So Elite. LONG SHOT: Tisdale.

THIRD RACE: 1. WOOD MACHINE (best bet), 2. Chris and Dave, 3. Unusual Meeting. LONG SHOT: South Texas Lingo.
Trainer Mike Chambers cut his teeth in the Pacific Northwest and in Arizona. Jockey Gary Stevens got his start in Pacific Northwest, too. In today’s third race, Stevens rides Wood Machine (7-2) for Chambers. They scored at nearly 10-1 at Santa Anita with this gelding. Last time, the 5-year-old started from the packing lot (No. 10 of 11 horses). He draws inside here and has the best last win in terms of company lines (a $32,000 claimer). He drops in class and I think Stevens will have him rolling down the stretch.

For the rest of my selections, go to:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-nahill-delmar-handicapping-saturday-aug8-story.html

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on the Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Wednesday, Aug. 2

PREVIEW: Apprentice Evin Roman has taken over the lead in the jockey standings, but keep in mind 10 of his wins have come on dirt and only one on the grass. Food for thought. Today isn’t the best card of the meet but a couple of decent grass races.

FIRST RACE: 1. Malibu d’Oro, 2. My Perfect Gem, 3. Inhibition. LONG SHOT: Second Gear.

SECOND RACE: 1. Small Town Hero, 2. Spanish Eyes, 3. Slasher. LONG SHOT: Not Chopped Liver.

THIRD RACE: 1, Martin Riggs, 2. Bombardeo, 3. Desert Domination. LONG SHOT: Butte City.
Love this race with 2-year-olds going 5 furlongs on the grass. Bombardeo will end up the favorite off some good works, but I’m taking a shot here with Martin Riggs, trained by Mark Glatt and ridden by Gary Stevens. The sire Exchange Rate is 13 percent first time on the turf and I think this one may be live at 8-1.

For the rest of my selections, go to:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-nahills-del-mar-selections-wednesday-20170801-story.html

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on the Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Thursday, July 27

PREVIEW: Looks like another tough card and a single ticket in the Pick 6 will return more than $400,000 so better look ta Races 3-8 very carefully.

FIRST RACE: 1. Cupid’s Beau, 2. Zarqa Star, 3. Strong Values. LONG SHOT: Seal Six.

SECOND RACE: Lea’s Reward, 2. Bellasario, 3. Tenthousandreasons. LONG SHOT: My Carmela.

THIRD RACE: 1. Exclusively Ours, 2. City Storm, 3. Interrogator. LONG SHOT: Oopper Wallah.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Lucky With You, 2. Rule Number Eight, 3. Raul Rosas. LONG SHOT: Vegas Vic.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Mac McLovin, 2. Oh Man, 3. Rocky Rogue. LONG SHOT: Lucky Romano.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Golden Light, 2. Spin Me a Kiss, 3. Afewency. LONG SHOT: Moonshine Annie.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. She’s a Warior, 2. Plastered, 3. Mended. LONG SHOT: Mangita.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. TWEETING (BEST BET), 2. Tiz Bailee, 3. Tiz My Love. LONG SHOT: Pantsonfire.
We hit with a Glen Hill Farm grass horse on Wednesday and we’re looking for another here. This 3-year-old filly is running at her sixth different track and she is dropping from the straight maiden ranks to a maiden claimer for the first time. Gary Stevens rides for trainer Tom Proctor, who is 36% with the MSW-MC move. The daughter of Uncle Mo has a good work locally and could be a decent price.

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, March 31

Race 4 – SA
#4 Settle Down Eileen (7-2) ****
Our Eyes: Has been away since October and ends up in the Bill Spawr barn. Spawr is 2-for-3 with maiden claimers and 50% going from MSW to maiden claimers. Gary Stevens rides and he’s picky on who he rides.
Jeff’s Playbook: 4 units to win. Back wheel exacta all with 4.

Race 6 – SA
#1 Generous Pour (6-1) ****
Our Eyes: Trainer Craig Dollase is 29% second off the claim. This has two career wins on dirt but her last three were on the turf. Maybe she is just a dirt horse.
Jeff’s Playbook: 4 units to win, 5 units to place and 6 units to show.

Race 7 – SA
#3 Accountability (10-1) TURF ONLY ***
Our Eyes: This colt has a lot going for him as he goes two turns for the first time. The 3-year-old comes out of a key race and trainer Rafael Becerra is 19% with horses off 90-day or longer rest plus the sire Acclamation is 17% with horses first time on the turf.
Jeff’s Playbook: 3 units to win, 5 units to place and 6 units to show.

Race 8 – SA
#7 Jordana (8-1) ***
Our Eyes: Trainer Scott Hansen is 18% when he sends a horse around two turns for the first time. He also puts blinkers on and this filly has the best Brisnet Late Pace Rating.
Jeff’s Playbook: 3 units to win, 5 units to place and 6 units to show.

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Delta Downs, Horse racing

Del Mar picks for Saturday, November 19 (plus Delta Downs)

Preview: Jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. missed Thursday’s card due to personal reasons but was due back Friday and will ride this weekend. Flavien Prat, Kent Desormeaux and Martin Pedroza are all riding elsewhere today. The rails on the turf course will be at 24 feet which could mean speed will dominate on the green.

Race 1: 2. #6 Black Tie ‘n Tails (6-1), 2. Junior Gilliam, 3. El Super. LONG SHOT: Dano’s Dream.
Trainer Peter Miller claimed this gelding and he must have had a planned for this as this 4-year-old goes first time on the turf. Miller is 32% first off the claim and he gets apprentice Austin Solis to ride which tells me they are going to try and go to the front.

Race 2: 1. Finallygotabentley, 2. Quorum of Joy, 3. Senator Bob. LONG SHOT: Captain Akers.

Race 3: 1. #6 Big Hit (6-1) BEST BET, 2. Fielder, 3. Law Abidin Citizen. LONG SHOT: Little Juanito.
Trainer Phil D’Amato is 47% when have a horse go sprint-route-sprint like this 2-year-old. The colt should be plenty fit for this elongated sprint. Santiago Gonzalez picks up the mount for the injured Rafael Bejarano.

Race 4: 1. #1 Sergio (5-1), 2. Avalanche, 3. Irap. LONG SHOT: Odyssey Explorer.
Big jockey switch to Gary Stevens, who rode two turf winners opening weekend. This colt’s best race came on the grass so why he was switch to the dirt for his last is a mystery.

Race 5: 1. Mastery, 2. California Diamond, 3. Bernin Sensation. LONG SHOT: Opper Wallah.

Race 6: 1. #1 Gangster (12-1), 2. Liam the Charmer, 3. Fritz Johansen. LONG SHOT: Sawyer’s Hill.
In his second race back off a long layoff, trainer Doug O’Neill puts this 4-year-old on the turf for the first time and his sire Street Boss gets 18% winners first time on the green. Good grass rider Drayden Van Dyke takes the mount. O’Neill is also 23% second off the layoff.

Race 7: 1. Match Play, 2. Honor and Courage, 3. Bobby Abu Dhabi. LONG SHOT: Adorned.

Race 8: 1. Wanstead Gardens, 2. Play Hard to Get, 3. Perfectly Majestic. LONG SHOT: Little Curlin.

Race 9: 1. Aloha Spirit, 2. Warren’s Honey Bee, 3. Motutapu. LONF SHOT: Turf Club Queen.

Plus here are some picks on the big 2-year-old races at Delta Downs.

DELTA DOWNS
Race 6 (Delta Downs Princess): 1. Flatter Up, 2. Golden Mischief, 3. Shane’s Girlfriend, 4. Jilly.
Race 7 (Delta Downs Jackpot): 1. Thirstforlife, 2. Gunnevera, 3. Baladeen, 4. Hot Sean.

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Thursday, Aug. 18

Preview: Big week at Del Mar with the Pacific Classic on Saturday. Bob Baffert, to no one’s surprise is leading all trainers in main track wins with 10 from 33 mounts. John Sadler is having a great meet with 7 wins from 16 starters on the dirt and Mark Glatt is 6-of-21.

Race 1: #2 Nuke Laloosh (3-1), 2. Ideal, 3. Papa Gulf. LONG SHOT: Foolish to Deceive.
Trainer Peter Miller brings this 3-year-old back after more than a year’s layoff, but look who he lost to in his last race, no other than Preakness winner Exaggerator. That race was a key race and with the drop to maiden claimers for the first time (Miller’s 28% there) this first-time gelding could be real tough.

Race 2: Dame Street, 2. Optimism And Hope, 3. Compel. LONG SHOT: Tequila Mary.

Race 3: 1. Golden Atlantic, 2. Cee the Preacher, 3. Look Me in the Eye. LONG SHOT: Redneck Crazy.

Race 4: 1. Marvelous Max, 2. Bernardjfortunato, 3. Zealous Tale. LONG SHOT: Ring Collector.

Race 5: #1 Marriedtoaminister (5-1) BEST BET, 2. Papa Mambo, 3. Watch This Cat. LONG SHOT: Conquest So True.
This filly was claimed by trainer Richard Baltas out of a maiden claiming victory and we think he had grass in mind for her. Baltas is 21% first off the claim and 25% both first turf and dirt to turf. The filly has the best Brisnet Late Pace Rating by 9 points which should work out well on the grass.

Race 6: 1. Warren’s Purrfect, 2. Appealing Lady, 3. Goliath’s Girl. LONG SHOT: Lob City.

Race 7: 1. Danas Best, 2. Pretentious, 3. Infinite Loop. LONG SHOT: Banze No Oeste.

Race 8: 1. #8 You’re the Reason (5-1), 2.It’s Not So Easy, 3. Starr of Quality. LONG SHOT: Victory Seeker.
Trainer William Morey drops this filly into a maiden claimer for the first time and he is 53% with such moves. Huge jockey switch from Kerwin John to Gary Stevens.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Pimlico

Pimlico Race Course opinions for Friday, May 20

Preview: The rain isn’t suppose to hit Baltimore until tomorrow so hopefully its fast and firm today at Pimlico. Here’s a look at the stakes races, beginning with the seventh race.

SEVENTH RACE
1. Noble Bird, 2. Page McLenney, 3. Hesinfront. Long shot: Savoy Stomp.

EIGHTH RACE
1. Expected Ruler, 2. Rocket Heat, 3. Ben’s Cat. Long shot: Rapid Dan.

NINTH RACE
1. Theogony, 2. Super Majesty, 3. Mei Ling. Long shot: Tiger Ride.

10TH RACE
1. Thundering Sky, 2. Spinamiss, 3. Miss Katie Mae. Long shot: Morethanjusthello.

11TH RACE: The Black-Eyed Susan
1. She’s a Warrior, 2. Land Over Sea, 3. Go Maggie Go. Long shot: Midnight On Oconee.
Yes, SHE’S A WARRIOR is still a maiden, but trainer Peter Eurton isn’t one to ship a horse around just for the heck of it. Eurton is 25% with shippers. This daughter of Majestic Warrior has run third to Songbird in two of her last three races and she seemed to enjoy the mud while finishing third in the Santa Anita Oaks. She has the fourth best Brisnet Late Pace Rating and jockey Gary Stevens keeps the mount. LAND OVER SEA and GO MAGGIE GO are the class in the race coming out of the Kentucky Oaks. MIDNIGHT ON OCONEE is from the always dangerous trainer Larry Jones barn.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, Jan. 31

Preview: The forecast is for 100% chance of rain and has been for days so I don’t understand why Santa Anita carded so many turf races. I didn’t even look at the grass races because I know they will be decimated by scratches so I just stuck to the dirt/slop races.

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Race 2: #6 Armoured Car (3-1) 

When trainer Richard Mandella drops into the maiden claiming ranks for the first time he is 35%. This son of Giant’s Causeway has a good mud Tomlinson and jockey Alex Solis keeps the mount.

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Race 7: #4 Eighty Three (3-1) 

As of Friday morning, trainer David Jacobson was winless this winter after shipping a string West from New York. Normally, Jacobson is 25% with shippers and this gelding is 2-for-2 on a wet track and that’s what we are hoping for here as Gary Stevens picks up the ride.

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Race 9: #7 George’s Main Man (15-1)

This gelding has won twice over this track but his last two are tough to explain. Trainer Mike Puype drops him and Puype is 71% when he drops more than two class levels. Journeyman Joe Talamo takes over for apprentice Ty Kennedy.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Thursday, Jan. 28

Preview: Not a real exciting card. Jockey Rafael Bejarano is back after spending a week overseas riding. Look for him to be on live horses.

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Race 3: #9 Tough Annie  (12-1) 

This mare has plenty of speed with the second best early pace rating from Brisnet. Trainer Lorenzo Ruiz is 33% second off the layoff and he puts apprentice David Lopez aboard.

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Race 4: #10 Our First Girl (3-1)

Horses under trainer Peter Eurton does better with second-time starters and this filly finished second first time out. She had the top Prime and Class ratings on Brisnet plus the second best Early pace rating. Jockey Gary Stevens takes over and the 4-year-old comes out of a key race.

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Race 8: #7 Bolt Up  (6-1)

This filly puts the blinkers on for trainer Jonathan Wong, who is 3-for-6 with that move. Wong is also 57% route to sprint and apprentice David Lopez takes this mount.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, Jan. 16

Preview: Kind of a weird card in that there’s a few maiden races and lots of first-time starters so without workout reports those are close to tosses. A good stakes race on tap, but kind of a letdown card for me.

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Race 6: #6 Vanlose Stairway (5-1) 

Trainer Bill Spawr is off to a good start at the meet with 5 wins in 11 starts. This mare has a couple wins over the course. She is taking a class drop and Spawr is 21% with horses off a 46 to 90-day layoff.

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Race 8: #11 Demonica (turf only) (8-1)

Trainer Peter Eurton’s horses have been running at the start of the meet with 13 in the money out of 18 starts. This mare has speed and is a threat to go wire-to-wire as Gary Stevens jumps on. Stevens is 2-for-5 with Eurton at Santa Anita.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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