Tag Archives: James Graham

Horse racing, Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos RC opinions for Friday, Dec. 18

 

Preview: Might be the best overall card of the meet as seven of the eight races have eight or more horses entered as we now move into the final weekend of the meet. Posts one through three ae hitting at 8% for the meet.

==

 Race 6:  #12 Hurricaine Callie (6-1) ***

Big jock switch from James Graham to leading rider Santiago Gonzalez, who is 36% with trainer Peter Miller. Has a big work coming into the race should be pressing the pace early

===                                          

Race 8: #10 Backstreet Boss (8-1)

This gelding has won all of his career races over this surface. Trainer Lorenzo Ruiz is 23% with horses coming off a 46 to 90-day layoff. Also jockey Alonso Quinonez jumps on and he is 21% witth Ruiz.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing, Keeneland

Del Mar picks for Thursday, Oct. 29 (plus a few others)

FIRST RACE: 1. Doyouknowsomething, 2. Player’s Charm, 3. Vartan. LONG SHOT: Exemplar.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Pico Chick, 2. Exit Sixty Slew, 3. Swag Money. LONG SHOT: Amare.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Follow Me Cerv, 2. Sunbeamsfromheaven, 3. Mister Blue. LONG SHOT: Zim N the Mailman.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Newfound Gold, 2. Razorbill, 3. Karma King. LONG SHOT: Surf N Ski.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. John’s Success, 2. Lovenseek, 3. Trifecta. LONG SHOT: Peach Arch.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. #7 Pacific Heat (9-2) BEST BET, 2. Just Google Me, 3. Obey. LONG SHOT: Forthenineteen.

Trainer Peter Eurton doesn’t get them ready first time out so for this one to win first time out by 13½ lengths is impressive. Even more impressive is the fact he went wire-to-wire and had the best late pace BRIS figure.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Tiz a Kiss, 2. Hiking, 3. Natice Heart. LONG SHOT: Queenofthepalace.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. #3 Dirt in Your Face (4-1), 2. Dakota Deacon, 3. Alltheleavesrbrown. LONG SHOT: Ghost of Navigator.

This 3-year-old drops down to the level where he finished second at this summer. He has a good work coming into the race and trainer Tim Yakteen is 43% with horses moving down two or more classes. Jockey James Graham takes over.

==

Gulfstream Park West 

Race 1: #2 Megatoni (turf only) (5-1)

This 2-year-old finished sixth at this level over the track three weeks ago. That race has produced three next out winners and she gets a jockey change to E. Jaramillo.

==

Race 8: #7 Expect Some Drama (15-1)

Trainer Jane Cibelli is 36% with horses going down two or more class levels. On top of that this filly is coming out of a key race and apprentice jockey Harry Hernandez takes over.

==

Keeneland Race Course 

Race 6: #5 Clearly Confused (5-1)

Our Eyes: This filly has been playing musical trainers lately, ending with her third conditioner in her last three races. But this much is clear she is coming out of a Del Mar race that has produced three winners already and she finished third in a Grade I over this track in the spring.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Sunday, Sept. 27

FIRST RACE: 1. Roo’s Valentine, 2. Reckless C harm, 3. Hurricane Callie. LONG SHOT: Top Nothc.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Formally Wild, 2. Cougar Country, 3. Top Drawer. LONG SHOT: Keegers.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Kenjiislucky, 2. Whiskey Wild, 3. Prince Valiant. LONG SHOT: Papa Kade.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Mor Spirit, 2. Street Vision, 3. Beaumarchais. LONG SHOT: Speed Check.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. You Know I Know, 2. Sizzlin’ Joe, 3. Horizontalyspeakin. LONG SHOT: Husband’s Folly.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. #2 Danas Best (6-1), 2. Ashleyluvssugar, 3. Kulik Lodge. LONG SHOT: Texas Ryano.

This Aussie import is running her third race off the layoff, a move trainer Phil D’Amato is 28% with. She gets some class relief and gets a jock switch to Rafael Bejarano, who is 34% with D’Amato.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. #3 Sir Samson (5-1), 2. Guns Loaded, 3. Distinctive B. LONG SHOT: Look Twice.

This 3-year-old is returning from a 6-month layoff but look who he was losing to earlier this tear: Dortmund, Prospect Park, Bolo, Lord Nelson and Texas Red. Arguably he ran his best race on this track finishing third in the San Vicente. If trainer Brian Koriner has him ready look out. Jockey Rafael Bejarano takes the mount.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Silentio, 2. Talco, 3. Twentytwentyvision. LONG SHOT: Alert Bay.

==

NINTH RACE: 1. #6 Alfeet Domination (5-2) BEST BET, 2. Sugar Buzz, 3. Nusret. LONG SHOT: Storm Quest.

Trainer Peter Eurton drops this 2-year-old from a MSW to the maiden claiming ranks for the first time and he’s 20% with that move. The son of Afleet Alex has two route races to his name and wasn’t bad in either. Jockey James Graham takes over.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

==

Saturday’s top choice winners: 3 (Aeon $9.60, first race; Beholder $2.20, seventh; Songbird $2.40, eighth)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 2 (Nyquist $3, fifth; Photo Call $19.40, ninth)

Saturday’s third choice winners: 1 (Lambo Luxx $24.60, fourth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 1 (Singing Kitty $21.40, third)

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Sunday, August 9 (UPDATED)

FIRST RACE: 1. Jade With Envy, 2. Majestic Minister, 3. Thundering Gale. LONG SHOT: Loveintheshadows.

Jockey James Graham is a very good rider on the turf, but hasn’t had a chance to shot it yet at Del Mar. He gets aboard this 5-year-old mare taking a drop in class for trainer Richard Baltas, who is a 20% conditioner on the green stuff.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Zendai, 2. Chasing Kings( SCRATCHED) new pick: Homer Matt, 3. New Summit. LONG SHOT: Papa de Gatto.
==
THIRD RACE: 1. Unforgettable U, 2. Ben’s Duchess, 3. Dr. Fager’s Gal. LONG SHOT: Ramona’s Wildcat.
==
FOURTH RACE: 1. Sizzlin’ Joe, 2. Unusual Taste, 3. China Prince. LONG SHOT: Atomic Rule.
==
FIFTH RACE: 1. Tribal Roar, 2. Counterplay, 3. Rickles. LONG SHOT: If You Dream.
==
SIXTH RACE: 1. Holograeme, 2. Miss Gifted, 3. Colour Party. LONG SHOT: Majestic Heat.
==
SEVENTH RACE: 1. Dreamarcher, 2. Dreamy Art, 3. Jade Princess. LONG SHOT: Treasuring (SCRATCHED) new long shot: Surfside Tiara.
==
EIGHTH RACE: 1. OM (7-2) (BEST BET), 2. Papacoolpapacool, 3. Cross the Line. LONG SHOT: Tried and True.

Always been a big fan of this son of Munnings ever since beating American Pharoah last year. The grass is really where he wants to run and he gets a class test here after winning an allowance race on the green two races back for trainer Dan Hendricks and jockey Fernando Perez.

==

NINTH RACE: 1. Peppy Bolly, 2. It’s Aine, 3. Rosewhitenblue. LONG SHOT: Lazy Daisy May.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

 

Saturday’s top choice winners: 2 (Nyquist $4, fifth race; Ultimate Holiday $15, seventh)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 2 (Sayitright Kat $6.60, second; Nextdoorneighbor $4.60, ninth)

Saturday’s third choice winners: 2 (Young Brian $4.40, third; Dallas Skyline $13, sixth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 0

 

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Wednesday, July 29

FIRST RACE: 1. He Will, 2. Oil, 3. Prodigious. LONG SHOT: Hye I’m Jack.

==
SECOND RACE: 1. Worldwide, 2. Where Was Eddie, 3. Chromium. LONG SHOT: Mr. Zippers.
==
THIRD RACE: 1. Tizcano, 2. Well Maybe, 3. Jimmy Bouncer. LONG SHOT: Clever Royal.
==
FOURTH RACE: 1. #8 Lov Fool (12-1), 2. Rich Girl, 3. Tequila Mary, LONG SHOT:  Tumbleweedprincess.

Trainer Tim Yakteen is 18% in maiden claiming events. Here he adds blinkers to a filly that showed speed last time and he puts the red-hot Flavien Prat aboard.

==

Race 5: #7 Warm Endowment (5-2) STUCK IN RACE AND LIKELY TO SCRATCH

This filly is sired by Unusual Heat (12% first time turf) and is out of a Lemon Drop Kid (13%) mare. That screams turf and two turns. The 2-year-old got her prep at Los Alamitos and today is graduation day for trainer Dean Pederson, who is 43% with first-time turfers. If she runs, she’s our best bet, but it sounds like she will scratch.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Land Over Sea, 2. Asian Moonlady, 3. She’s On the Line. LONG SHOT: Red Stitch.

 

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. Temperature Runnin, 2. Bonus Spin, 3. Anita Marie. LONG SHOT: Lucky Student.
==
SEVENTH RACE: 1. Kyankes, 2. Belle Et Bete, 3. Housemaker. LONG SHOT: Sound City.
==
EIGHTH RACE: 1. #8 MIGHTY BROWN (6-1), 2. No Ez Money, 3. Shakahari. LONG SHOT: Saint Adalbert.

Midwest-based trainer Michael Stidham already has a couple wins at the meet and he puts 19% barn rider James Graham up here for this Arlington Park invader. The son of Big Brown has two wins on dirt and a good work over the track. Stidham is 28% going route to sprint.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Sunday’s top choice winners: 3 (Hide My Heart $3.20, first race; Far Out Kailee $22.20, third; Spirit of Ten $10.80, 10th)

Sunday’s second choice winners: 2 (Newfound Gold $4.20, fourth; Songbird $6.40, seventh)

Sunday’s third choice winners: 0

Sunday’s long shot winners: 2 (Rare Candy $6.60, fifth; Wild Dude $24.60, sixth)

 

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Sunday, July 19

It appears Del Mar will be on the turf today, but @Jonlindodrf reported this morning workouts on the main track were on the slow side but the sun is out.

==

FIRST RACE: 1. Keezheekoni, 2. Gucci Brown, 3. Little Emma. LONG SHOT: Sweet Profit.

==
SECOND RACE: 1. Summer Wine, 2. Codacious, 3. Fast Magoo. LONG SHOT: Desert Steel.

Golden Gate horses have done well at the meet so far and this one broke its maiden at first asking on the turf so there’s no telling how good she is. Good turf jockey Corey Nakatani takes the mount for trainer Bill Morey, who is 24% with horses hat won their last race.

THIRD RACE: 1. Light Striker, 2. Dublin Dancer, 3. Toomanytomatoes. LONG SHOT: Sheza Eyeopener.
==
FOURTH RACE: 1. War Destiny, 2. Inexcess Again, 3. Disco Boy. LONG SHOT: Juansagain.
==
FIFTH RACE: 1. Native Treasure, 2. Dead Easy, 3. Husband’s Folly. LONG SHOT: Unusual Taste.

Jockey James Graham is trying his hand at Del Mar this summer after riding in the Midwest. He’s good on the turf and jumps on this North California shipper for trainer Ed Moger Jr. This son of Tribal Rule likes to be forwardly place so should be in from the bell.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. DREAMY (best bet), 2. Pretty n Cool, 3. C. C. Zipp. LONG SHOT: Albeit.
==
SEVENTH RACE: 1. Top Fortitude, 2. Cherubim, 3. Yiannis. LONG SHOT: Snuggley Bear.
==
EIGHTH RACE: 1. Sunset Glow, 2. Pammy Whammy, 3. Her Emmynency. LONG SHOT: Paulina’s Love.

This 3-year-old filly was chasing Lady Eli, the undefeated turfer, two races in a row and then lost to Celestine in her last race, which has proven to be a key race. Trainer Wesley Ward ships West and jockey Gary Stevens is more than happy to take the ride on the speedster.

==
NINTH RACE: 1. Ultimate Luck, 2. Superboot, 3. Big Hat Charlie. LONG SHOT: Rebel Rebel.
==
10TH RACE: 1. Poythress, 2. Second Summer, 3. Air Pocket. LONG SHOT: Box Score.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 2 (Rockin Bayou $8.20, third race; Sweet Mz. Poppet $7.80, fifth)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 0

Saturday’s third choice winners: 1 (Go Long $7.20, seventh)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 2 (Gas Total $4.20, eighth; Dr. Fager’s Gal $5.60, ninth)

Standard
Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita (plus Belmont Park, Churchill Downs) opinions for Friday, June 12

Race 2: #7 Later My Love

Trainer Jeff Bonde is 24% with maiden debuters. This filly has been training well and is bred to win early being out of Lucky Pulpit (13%) and a Mr. Prospector (22%) mare. Fernando Perez (22% with Bonde) rides.

==

Race 3: #3 Grand Yodeler (turf only)

Trainer Eddie Truman has been on fire (47% at the meet) and really hot with horses going down the hill. Truman is 21% with horses going from dirt to turf and jockey Kent Desormeaux rides back.

==

Race 8: #8 Native City

Trainer Peter Miller is 27% first-time starters in a maiden claiming race and the sire City Zip is 15% first out. Jockey Tyler Baze, who is 25% with Miller, rides.

==

BELMONT PARK

           

Race 6: #2 Courageisamajority (turf only)

This 3-year-old filly came with a furious kick down the lane to just miss in her last start at Aqueduct. Jockey John Velazquez stays on for trainer Graham Motion (2-for-7 in the last 60 days) and she has the best late pace ratings.

==

Race 9: #5 Jackson N Leonard (turf only)

Trainer Dominick Schettino hit with a bomb on Wednesday, but this gelding won’t be that price. Sire by Colonel John, this 3-year-old woke up on the grass and should love the added distance in this spot. Look for him to come from off the pace.

==

CHURCHILL DOWNS

                  

Race 8: #6 Teniente Coronel (6-1)

Trainer Tom Amoss has huge numbers in a lot of categories so if we get this morning-line it will be a miracle. Amoss is 38% second off the claim and 40% with horses second time in his barn. Another sired by Colonel John, should like the added distance and jockey James Graham sticks.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Churchill Downs, Horse racing

Churchill Downs opinions for Friday, May 1

Race 2: #11 Vouch for Kitten (8-1)

Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey like to go to the winner’s circle during Derby week and this 3-year-old filly makes her debut for trainer Wesley Ward and jockey Joel Rosario. Offspring of Kitten’s Joy are 17% first time turf.

==

Race 4: #5 Counterfactual (9-2)

This 3-year-old filly had a ton of trouble in her debut at the Fair Grounds. Trainer Tom Amoss has good numbers in all areas and makes a key jockey switch to James Graham as they are 28% together.

==

Race 9: #10 Power Alert (5-1)

The favorite in the Shakertown at Keeneland tired in second race off the layoff for trainer Brian Lynch, who is 26% in turf sprints. There is a ton of speed in here so we think jockey Julien Leparoux will come from off the pace and nail them at the wire. The sire Alert is 32% on the turf.

==

Race 12: #4 Lunar Gaze (8-1)

Trainer Tom Amoss and jockey James Graham are looking to have a big Oaks Day. This filly pressed the pace in her debut, but had to wait at the quarter pole and lost all chance. Amoss is 31% with second-time starters.

==

Jeff Nahill’s Kentucky Oaks top four

#4 Eskenformoney

#12 Stellar Wind

#1 Forever Unbridled

#10 Oceanwave

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard