Tag Archives: George Papaprodromou

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Saturday, Aug. 6

Preview: Not a bad card with a pair of stakes races on the 10-race card. Some stats to consider are jockeys not doing well on the dirt: Drayden Van Dyke 0-for-15, Abel Lezcano 0-11, Jamie Theriot 1-15 and Mike Smith 1-14.

Race 1: Nextdoorneighbor, 2. Basmati, 3. Luckarack. LONG SHOT: Changing Karma.

Race 2: 1. #6 Big Tire (5-1), 2. Hay Dude, 3. All Call. LONG SHOT: Madikwe.
It’s been a long time since this gelding has been on the grass, but trainer John Brocklebank claimed him last out and gets top turf rider Flavien Prat to take the mount. Look for this 5-year-old to close down the lane.

Race 3: 1. Truly Ponti, 2. Angel Lane, 3. Esmeralda Belle. LONG SHOT: Lisa Largo.

Race 4: 1. #3 Rooms (10-1), 2. Miss Southern Miss, 3. Champagne Room. LONG SHOT: Ciao Bella Rosa.
This filly wanted no part of two turns on the grass so what does trainer George Papaprodromou do? He puts this maiden in a stakes on the dirt cutting back in distance. She should be plenty fit and he gets the meet’s leading rider Flavien Prat to take over.

Race 5: 1. Sutton’s Smile, 2. La Boheme, 3. Stylish in Black. LONG SHOT: Dynamic Mizzes K.

Race 6: 1. Pragmatical, 2. Tandora, 3. Vivacious Beauty. LONG SHOT: Dashin Ashen.

Race 7: 1. #7 Annie’s Candy (15-1), 2. Bombard, 3. Curlin Rules. LONG SHOT: Trinitas Soldier.
This gelding showed a decent effort while closing in a 5-furlong turf event recently. Now trainer Peter Miller stretches him out and Miller is 21% with horses their second time on the turf. Jockey Norberto Arroyo keeps the mount.

Race 8: 1. Excavation, 2. Straight Fire, 3. James River. LONG SHOT: Plum Dandy.

Race 9: 1. Lucky Bryan, 2. Moonlight Drive, 3. Monster Bea. LONG SHOT: Dressed in Hermes.

Race 10: 1. #4 Little Mustard (5-1) BEST BET, 2. Rideo, 3. Alaskan Cruise. LONG SHOT: Woodstock Memory.
This gelding likes to finish second and third, but maybe today is graduation day. Jockey Flavien Prat could have ridden two others in this race but opted to get back on this 3-year-old. The gelding likes to be close to the pace so maybe there will be a speed bias to help him.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, March 25

Preview: Interesting card, especially with Ziconic, Zenyatta’s son, running in the fourth race. As the 2-1 favorite, I’ll pass on him in his first start around two turns.
                                
Race 1 – SA
#1 Dissension (3-1): Just missed going down the hill and stretches out here. Trainer Victor Garcia is 3-for-9 going sprint to route and 35% sprint-sprint-route and he gets leading rider Rafael Bejarano to take over.
                   
Race 3 – SA
#5 Pulmarack (5-1): This gelding has been in the money two of three times on this track and the Jerry Hollendorfer barn is starting to heat up. Hollendorfer is 26% with two sprints to a route plus Rafael Bejarano jumps on this one too.
 
Race 8 – SA
#1 Mr. Sexy (3-1) (turf only): Trainer George Papaprodromou is having a career and has been trying to get this horse down the hill two races in a row that have come off. The 6-year-old has won twice over this course and the early speed could be the play with that man Rafael Bejarano aboard. 
@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter
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