Tampa Bay opinions for Wednesday, Feb. 17

Preview: Pretty decent weekday card decent the fact that they will run five days this week. Jockey Antonio Gallardo came back to life over the weekend after a huge slump, but we knew that would happen.

Race 2: #10 Sylver Magic (7-2)

This filly is making her first start in more than a year. She has been training well and comes out of a key Gulfstream Park West key race. Trainer Gary Jackson is 20% with second time starters and 22% with Manoel Cruz.

Race 4: #10 Hi Ho Heels (turf only) (9-2)

I would be higher on this filly if it wasn’t for the post position draw. Trainer Gerald Aschinger is 4-for-8 with horses going a route of ground for the first time and he’s good first time turf.

Race 6: #2 El Santo (turf only) (3-1)

Trainer Efren Loza Jr. has been trying to get this gelding in the starting gate here a number of times, but bad draws have meant scratches. Loza is 42% with first time starters. He’s not as good on the turf, but there must be a reason he wants this 3-year-old on the grass.

Race 10: #4 Lady Allegra (turf only) (7-2)

This filly broke her maiden in Ireland and now surfaces here for trainer Arnaud Delacour, who is 20% with horses running off a 90-day layoff or more and 23% first-time Lasix. Red hot jockey Daniel Centeno is aboard.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Horse racing, Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs opinions for Wednesday, Feb. 10

Preview: Not a great card, but hopefully they will be back on the grass after a full week not on the green stuff. On the jockey front, leading rider Antonio Gallarado had a bad week with just two winners. Ronnie Allen Jr. had seven winners followed by Daniel Centeno and Fernando De La Cruz with five each.

Race 3: #1 He’s the Dude (turf only) (6-1)

They tried to get this gelding on the grass in his debut, but it was taken off and trainer Larry Rivelli claimed him out of that effort. Rivelli is 28% with horses off a 90-day layoff or longer.

Race 5: #5 Calm (turf only) (15-1)

Another filly that set to debut on turf but it was rained off. Trainer Dane Kobiskie is 24% first time turf and brings her up from Gulfstream Park West and drops her into a maiden claimer for the first time. The 3-year-old is also coming out of a race that has produced four next out winners.

Race 6: #1 Lisa’s Secret (5-2)

Trainer Kathleen O’Connell has had a big meet and this filly comes out of a key race. O’Connell is 30% with jockey Antonio Gallardo, who is due to have a big day.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Horse racing, Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs opinions for Friday, Jan. 29

Preview: Rains hit again Wednesday forcing races off the turf. With Thursday a day off, hopefully the turf course will be dried on Friday. Jockeys Antonio Gallardo, Jose Ferrer and Ronnie Allen Jr. all doubled Wednesday. Both of Gallardo’s wins were for leading trainer Jamie Ness at short prices.

Race 2: #6 Ms Hoochie Coochie (9-2)

Three of the last four times this mare has been in a claiming race, she has won. Trainer Joe Woodard drops hers from an allowance race to the claimers and jockey Daniel Centeno, who has won three races with Woodard at the meet, keeps the mount.

Race 6: #9 Quality Hey (7-2)

Trainer Keith Nations has been trying to figure out this filly as he sprinted her and then went long. He cuts her back here and he speed and stamina should be tough. Nation is 31% with horses in their third race off a layoff. – J

Race 8: #3 Hey Girl Hey (4-1)

This filly’s lone turf try at Gulfstream Park West should be tough to beat at this level. Trainer Kathleen O’Connell is 30% with class droppers at Tampa. Jockey Ronnie Allen Jr. is 21% with O’Connell at the meet.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, Jan. 15

Preview: Turf races again seem to hold the most intrigue. On the training front, Richard Baltas has been reaching the winner’s circle plenty of times and Peter Eurton’s horses are hitting the board with great regularity. Also, Bob Baffert’s barn has hit a hot spell after cold few weeks.

Race 2: #2 Dauphine Russe (turf only) (5-2)

Trainer David Jacobsen, who is based in New York, has a string here this winter. This mare will make her first trip down the hill and Jacobsen is 25% second off the claim and with shippers. Martin Garcia picks up the mount.

Race 5: #1 El Gran Turismo (turf only) (8-1)

At some point this gelding’s breeding has to kick in as his mother is Cambioscorsa, who was a monster on this downhill course. He had a tough debut but jockey Flavien Prat takes over for trainer Mike Puype.

Race 7: #6 Precious Audrey (turf only) (6-1)

This filly broke her maiden at Gulfstream Park West and looks like a private purchase and sent to trainer Phil D’Amato, who is 25% going dirt to turf and 20% first time turf.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Del Mar, Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Sunday, Nov. 22 (Plus Gulfstream Park West) UPDATED

FIRST RACE: 1. Sunday Rules, 2. My Year Is a Day, 3. Home Journey. LONG SHOT: Velvet Mesquite.

SECOND RACE: 1. #2 Formally Wild (6-1), 2. Ultimate Luck, 3. Monument. LONG SHOT: Half Dome Dude.

Doug O’Neill has been the hottest trainer on the grounds the last week and he drops this gelding down to the $8K level. O’Neill is 35% when he moves a horse down two or more class levels. This 4-year-old was favored last time out but encountered all kinds of trouble coming out of the gate.

THIRD RACE: 1. Can Can Babe, 2. Golds Venice, 3. Chia Love. LONG SHOT: Ms. K J.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Unforgettable U, 2. Not too Shiny, 3. Minks Aprise. LONG SHOT: More Complexity.

FIFTH RACE: 1. #1 Mountain Hero (5-1), 2. Classico, 3. Bullish On Steve. LONG SHOT: Gone With It.

This 2-year-old showed speed against tougher in his debut at Santa Anita. Trainer Mike Puype puts blinkers on and the gelding has been working well likely with the new equipment. On top of that Puype is 71% when dropping a horse two or more levels.

SIXTH RACE: 1. West Coast Storm, 2. Handfull, 3. Kristinite. LONG SHOT: Individual Design.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. #8 Stormy Liberal (8-1), 2. Hobbits Hero, 3. Perfectly Majestic. LONG SHOT: Drover Crazy.

Here’s that man again, trainer Doug O’Neill. This gelding won last time going down the hill at Santa Anita and he finished second on this turf course last year in a graded stakes. O’Neill is 23% second off a layoff of 180 days or more and he gets a top turf jockey in Corey Nakatani to ride.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. BIG MACHER (best bet), 2. Red Outlaw SCRATCHED, 3. Avanti Bello SCRATCHED. LONG SHOT: Forest Chatter. New picks: 1. BIG MACHER (BEST BET), 2. Richard’s Boy, 3. Forest Chatter. LONG SHOT: Raised a Secret.

NINTH RACE: 1. Nikki’s Fine Time, 2. Taffeta, 3. Lottie. LONG SHOT: Nodiac.

Gulfstream Park West

Race 5 : #11 Takeoff Your Hat (6-1)

Trainer Phil Serpe ships this filly down from New Jersey off a two-race winning streak. She comes out of a key race and Serpe is 50% (4-for-8) with horses looking to repeat a claiming victory.

Race 7: #10 Havermeyer Street (4-1)

Trainer Michael Petro is 20% on the turf and this 3-year-old just missed last time out and that race has proven to be a key race. Jockey Edgard Zayas takes over and he’s 32% with Petro.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing

Gulfstream Park West opinions for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21

Gulfstream Park West for Friday, Nov. 20

Race 4: #2 Duffle Bag (5-1)

This 2-year-old showed speed in his debut at Pimlico and now drops into a maiden claimer for the first time and tries turf. Trainer Dane Kobiskie is 22% with horses trying grass for the first time.

Race 9: #1 Karlyrae’swarrior (5-1)

Trainer Robert Dibona claimed this 3-year-old out of a race at Keeneland, which has produced two winners from the first three horses to run back. Dibona is 20% going sprint to route and 38% with horses in the allowance ranks.

Gulfstream Park West for Saturday, Nov. 21

Race 7: #4 Little Caton (7-2)

This 2-year-old ran like a horse that needs Lasix as she showed speed and faded in her debut. Trainer Carlo Vaccarezza, who has won 5 of his last 10 starters, does add Lasix in this spot and drops her in class.

Race 8: #10 Media Kid (8-1)

Trainer Joe Sharp has shipped to South Florida this year and he wins wherever he goes. This gelding gets some class relief on the drop from racing in New York. The gelding is 2-for-3 at this distance and good turf rider Tyler Gaffalione gets aboard. I would protect myself with the 7-5 favorite, Treasury Devil, trained by Jorge Navarro with an exacta box.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Horse racing

Gulfstream Park West opinions for Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 18-19)

Gulfstream Park West Wednesday

Race 1 : #4 Jet Prince (10-1)

This gelding comes out of a race that has produced two next out winners. Jockey Edgard Zayas stays on for trainer Daniel Pita and they are a 17% combination.

Race 9: #8 Danalin (12-1)

This filly is coming out of a Monmouth Park race that has produced three next out winners. Trainer Edward Plesa Jr. is 21% with layoffs of 46 to 90 days..

Race 10: #10 Blazing Diamond (4-1)

This filly is coming out of a key race and dropping into a maiden claimer for the first time. Jockey M. Vasquez stays on for trainer Manuel Morales.

Gulfstream Park West Thursday

Race 3: #7 Deer Dog (12-1)

This 3-year-old showed speed in his comeback race and faded. Trainer Tamara Levy is 25% second off the claim and she is 31% with jockey Matthew Rispoli. Look for better effort here.

Race 4: #1 Something Blue (15-1)

Trainer Rasharn Creque has some big numbers second off the layoff – 60% second off layoff and 53% second off a layoff of 45-180-day layoff. This filly showed speed and pressed the pace off the layoff and now tries the turf.

Race 8: #8 Ginger Goose (5-1)

Trainer Eddie Broome has hit the ground running since shipping his barn down from New Jersey. This gelding drops into a claimer and Broome is 22% with shippers. Broome is 30% with jockey Paco Lopez, who has previously finished second on this 5-year-old.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Del Mar, Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Saturday, Nov. 14 (Plus Gulfstream Park West)

FIRST RACE: 1. #8 Mal Verde (7-2), 2. Unusual Taste, 3. Home School. LONG SHOT: Buymeabond.

Trainer Blaine Wright claimed this one off John Sadler and appears to be co-owner. Wright is 38% first off the claim and he’s 45% with jockey Tyler Baze.

SECOND RACE: 1. Big Move, 2. Desert Thief, 3. Rockin Dorita. LONG SHOT: Q’Viva.

THIRD RACE: 1. Take It Easyplease, 2. Geistreter, 3. Kiss My Face. LONG SHOT: City Beach.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Lily Pod, 2. Perdona, 3. Miss Gifted. LONG SHOT: Codacious.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Devil Rising, 2. No Ez Money, 3. Market Notes. LONG SHOT: Love de Car.

SIXTH RACE: 1. #9 Twosome (12-1), 2. Ya Ya Girl, 3. Art of War. LONG SHOT: Socialized.

Jockey Corey Nakatani, who is a whiz on this turf course, decides to ride this filly back after a sixth-place effort. He must think she has some talent the Nakatani is 21% at Del Mar with trainer Eric Kruljac, who is 47% with second-time turfers.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. #2 Big Tire (12-1), 2. Brimstoned, 3. Rockport Kat. LONG SHOT: The Gomper.

“Eikleberry off” has become a play recently as the jockey isn’t riding locally anymore and a couple of bombs have come in over the last week with new jockeys aboard. Such is the case here as Santiago Gonzalez jumps back on for trainer Mark Glatt and they are a 23% combination.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Mac Daddy Mac, 2. On Fire, 3. Dr. Dorr. LONG SHOT: Jury.

NINTH RACE: 1. #13 BASINCA (5-2) (BEST BET), 2.Drefong, 3. Eric the Trojan. LONG SHOT: Blue Navy Blue.

Gulfstream Park West

Race 4 – GPW

#5 Never Give In (8-1): This gelding faced winners for the first time in his last race and finished third. Trainer Kathleen O’Connell is 20% with sprinters and she stretches this one out to 7 furlongs.

Race 6 – GPW

#5 Expect Some Dreams (20-1): This 2-year-old filly finished third at this level at 7-1 for trainer Jane Cibelli, cuts back in distance and gains services of Antonio Gallardo, the Tampa riding champ. I just don’t get this morning-line.

Race 9 – GPW

#6 Paddy O’Wagon (turf only) (7-2): The son of Paddy O’Prado, this 2-year-old makes his South Florida debut off a couple of decent races at Laurel and Monmouth Park. Trainer Jane Cibelli and jockey Antonio Gallardo team up again and they are 30% together.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Friday’s top choice winners: 3 (Athens $3.60, first race; Juansagain $3.80, second; Blue Anchor $5.40, third)

Friday’s second choice winners: 1 (My Silver Cat $12, eighth)

Friday’s third choice winners: 1 (Sturdy One $6.40, sixth)

Friday’s long shot winners: 0

Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing

Gulfstream Park West opinions for Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 11-12

Race 3 – GPW

#5 It’s My Pleasure (3-1)

Trainer Edward Plesa Jr. ships this filly in from Monmouth Park where she finished fourth in the Sorority stakes. Pleasa is 21% on layoffs of 46-90 days and he puts speed jockey Paco Lopez aboard.

Race 5 – GPW

#6 Depeche Cat (6-1) ***

Our Eyes: Trainer Jorge Navarro has hit the ground winning at this meet with 47% winners, mostly from shippers like this 7-year-old. The gelding finished fourth in a race at Saratoga that has proven to be a key race.

Race 8 – GPW

#4 Robert Rocket (8-1) ***

Our Eyes: Trainer Gustavo Delgado is 26% with horses in their second start for him. This 4-year-old finished third in his comeback race so he should be tighter here.

Gulfstream Park West for Thursday, Nov. 12

Race 1 – GPW

#7 Too Clever by Half (6-1)

Trainer Jorge Navarro is off to a blazing start at the meet (8-for-17) and this mare will be running for the second time for him. She is coming out a key race at Monmoth Park. Jockey Eddie Castro 32% on the year with Navarro.

Race 4 – GPW

#6 Scotland Bay (3-1)

This 2-year-old filly take a class drop but more importantly trainer Jose Pinchin is 3-for-3 with horses making their second start on Lasix. Jockey Edgard Zayas takes over and he is 31% with Pinchin.

Race 7 – GPW

#1 At the Ready (turf only) (3-1)

This colt broke his maiden on the Gulfstream Park turf and then finished fifth in a tough Kentucky Downs stakes race. Trainer Joseph Hennessy is 20% with horses off a 46 to 90-day layoff.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Del Mar, Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Sunday, Nov. 8 (Plus Gulfstream Park West)

FIRST RACE: 1. It Is Living Water, 2. Crucero, 3. China Girl Love. LONG SHOT: Image of Joplin.

SECOND RACE: 1. Moonie (7-2), 2. Lucy De, 3. Slew’s Charm. LONG SHOT: Heres Geegees Girl.

This filly threw in a clunker last time but she’s back on a surface which she finished second on at this level during the summer. Trainer Edward Freeman is 36% with beaten favorites and he puts his main man Mario Gutierrez up.

THIRD RACE: 1. Exactamente, 2. Knightwithputnam, 3. Tanager. LONG SHOT: Chalking It Up.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Great Lou, 2. Wake Up Nick, 3. Mr. Jay D. LONG SHOT: Fooled Again.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Heavenly Haze, 2. Formally Wild, 3. I’m Zonin. LONG SHOT: Slight Edge.

SIXTH RACE: 1. #4 ARABIAN LEOPARD (8-1) BEST BET, 2. Tusk, 3. Osceola Pond. LONG SHOT: Papa Gulf.

This 2-year-old cost $575K at auction and has proven a bust on turf so Bob Baffert moves him to the turf. His sire, Scat Daddy, is 16% first time turf and Baffert is 33% with horses making their second appearance going around two turns.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Power Jam, 2. Logan’s Moon, 3. Oligarch. LONG SHOT: Golden Atlantic.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. #6 Yana (8-1), 2. My Monet, 3. Wild in the Saddle. LONG SHOT: Kiss At Midnight.

Trainer Bill Spawr is 35% on the cut back back a route to a sprint. This filly just missed going 7 furlongs earlier this year so the distance shouldn’t be an issue and she had a good work over the track.

NINTH RACE: 1. Archaeo, 2. Tristan’s Trilogy, 3. Trust Your Gut. LONG SHOT: Silent Lovies.

Gulfstream Park West

Race 3: #3 Thinking of Mom (turf only) (6-1)

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. has two entries in the race and we’ll go with the longer price. This filly is coming out of a key Monmouth Park race that has produced three next out winners. Plesa is 21% with horses coming off a 46-90-day layoff.

Race 8: #3 Zo Zo Striking (10-1)

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. wins at 20% rate with first-timer starters. Smart Strike is a good first out sire and speed jockey Paco Lopez jumps on.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 2 (Glory $5.40, sixth race; All Run $3.60, seventh)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 0

Saturday’s third choice winners: 1 (Esposito $8.20, first)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 1 (Tough But Nice $13.80, third)

fromthewinnerscircle

About SoCal horse racing, Del Mar in particular

Tag Archives: Gulfstream Park West

Tampa Bay opinions for Wednesday, Feb. 17

Tampa Bay Downs opinions for Wednesday, Feb. 10

Tampa Bay Downs opinions for Friday, Jan. 29

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, Jan. 15

Del Mar selections for Sunday, Nov. 22 (Plus Gulfstream Park West) UPDATED

Gulfstream Park West opinions for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21

Gulfstream Park West opinions for Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 18-19)

Del Mar selections for Saturday, Nov. 14 (Plus Gulfstream Park West)

Gulfstream Park West opinions for Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 11-12

Del Mar selections for Sunday, Nov. 8 (Plus Gulfstream Park West)