Tag Archives: Jim Cassidy

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Thursday, July 19

Preview: Trainers Doug O’Neill and Jerry Hollendorfer, who were mediocre in 2017, dominated on opening day, winning the first seven races between them. Give their horses an extra look, especially O’Neill, who gets hot and then cools off.

Trainers to watch
PHIL D’AMATO: Tied for the Del Mar training title last summer with 18 wins and his stable has only gotten stronger since then. He is a monster on the turf with 12 wins and 11 seconds from 66 starters. This summer look for improved numbers on the dirt and with younger horses.

RICHARD BALTAS: He tied D’Amato for the crown a year ago. Surprisingly, he beat D’Amato on the grass, leading all trainer with 13 winners on the green. One area of weakness is first-time starters so stay away from them.

PETER MILLER: Last summer wasn’t the best for the Carlsbad resident who annually starts a ton of horses at the seaside oval. He had more than twice has many seconds and thirds (24 and 16) as wins (15). No doubt he wants to turn those numbers around. Don’t be afraid of horses showing San Luis Rey Downs works because he has a portion of his stable there. Miller was second in dirt wins and victories by 2-year-olds. He does a lot of damage with claimers and maiden claimers, but you often don’t get a square price.

MARK GLATT: He had a really good summer under the radar last year, finishing tied for third in the standings with Miller (15 wins) from far less starters (68). He also is sneaky on the grass with eight wins from 37 starts. Betting on all of Glatt’s starters would have produced a flat-bet profit, according to Jim Mazur’s The Del Mar Handicapper 2018.

DOUG O’NEILL: It will be a race to see who starts more horses this meet: Miller or O’Neill. The O’Neill barn gets a lot of horses from J. Paul Reddam and a lot sired by Square Eddie so watch for that combination. O’Neill was tied for third in dirt wins (nine) and grass can be a weakness. However, look at turf sprints because in 2016 O’Neill did well in that category.

OTHERS: Bob Baffert has his second Triple Crown winner in four years but like American Pharoah, Justify won’t run at Del Mar. Baffert led all trainers with 12 dirt wins, with half of them coming from 2-year-olds. He is also usually strong in the sprint and handicap divisions. The best betting option is “the other Baffert.” When he has two horses in the same race, bet the one with the higher odds plus bet an exacta box of his two horses. … Jerry Hollendorfer had just five winners a year ago but he got hot during Santa Anita and might be back to his old self. Watch out for his 2-year-olds, especially the fillies, one of which (Brill) is running on opening day. … Michael McCarthy, the former Todd Pletcher assistant, is starting to get better stock after finishing last summer for third in dirt wins (nine). According to Mazur’s book, McCarthy produced a huge $73 flat-bet profit. … Simon Callaghan is another younger trainer to watch after he had seven 2-year-old winners in 2017. … Steve Miyadi is also good with 2-year-olds (four wins) and first-time starters (three of 11). … Jim Cassidy, the life-long New York Yankees fan, is 7-for-13 in turf sprints the last three years with a profit of $137, according Mazur’s book. … Tom Proctor, who trains mainly for Glen Hill Farm, is a whiz on the turf and he went 6-for-15 at 2017 meet for a flat-bet profit, but don’t expect any large prices because his horses get bet.

FIRST RACE: 1. Watch Me Burn, 2. Jellybeankristine, 3. No Thanks Erik. LONG SHOT: Lakerzwin.

SECOND RACE: 1. Gutsy Effort, 2. Welldidyougetit, 3. Latitude. LONG SHOT: June Two Four.

THIRD RACE: 1. PASTIME (best bet), 2. G Q Covergirl, 3. Painting Corners. LONG SHOT: Invested Prospect.
Let me just say this up front there is no way we are getting the 12-1 morning line on No. 8 Pastime in today’s third race. Trainer Victoria Oliver brings a small string to Del Mar almost every year from Kentucky and always seem to win at a good price, but the word is already out on social media. That being said Oliver is 4-for-11 at Del Mar with horses off a 31- to 60-day layoff like this filly and the average winning price is $20, according to Jim Mazur’s The Del Mar Handicapper 2018.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Robin’s Love, 2. Cylinders, 3. Lil Bit Dangerous. LONG SHOT: Go Smiley Go.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Memorable Election, 2. Rockaway, 3. Ivy Mike. LONG SHOT: Master Ruler.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Magic Musketier, 2. Andesh, 3. Inscom. LONG SHOT: Soltero.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Secret Spice, 2. Moonshine Memories, 3. Show It N Moe It. LONG SHOT: Treasuring.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Majorie E, 2. Venue, 3. Oh Pretty Woman. LONG SHOT: Unusual Gold.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

Top choice winners: 2 (Shivermetimbers $4.60, sixth race; Brill $3.40, seventh)

Second choice winners: 1 (Super Duper Cooper $6.40, ninth)

Third choice winners: 3 (Eighty Three $10.60, third; Dichotomy $5.40, fourth; Ann Arbor Eddie $20, fifth)

Long shot winners: 1 (Jimmy Chila $7, second)

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Sunday, Aug. 6

PREVIEW: The La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-old on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course is the feature today. Only Pioneer Lad and Caribou Club are returning from the opening day Oceanside Stakes so this should prove to be interesting.

FIRST RACE: 1. Old Man Lake, 2. Freddies Dream, 3. Que Chistoso. LONG SHOT: Plain Wrap.

SECOND RACE: 1. Zuzanna, 2. Simmy’s Temple, 3. Tink’s Twirl. LONG SHOW: Glorious Venezuela.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Continental Divide, 2. Smokem, 3. Schulace. LONG SHOT: Sir Valentine.

Trainer Jim Cassidy isn’t known for his work with 2-year-olds (0-for-24), but he might have a good Cal-bred in today’s fifth race, the Graduation Stakes. Continental Divide (8-1 on the morning-line) finished second in his debut opening week here and figures to only improve. You might have heard of his daddy, 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. 

For the rest of my selections go to:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-delmar-handicap-sunday-aug-6-story.html

Good Luck

@Jeff_Nahill on the Twitter.

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar opinions for Friday, July 21 (First post 4 p.m.)

Preview: I’m off to a slow start but I hope some of you bet my long shot Snow Cloud in Thursday’s seventh race. Trainer Jim Cassidy is now 6-for-10 the last two years in Del Mar turf sprints. As for the rest of the day, trainer Peter Miller got off the the duck with the winner in the last race which gave one lucky bettor from New Jersey the whole Pick Six pool. Trainer Vladimir Cerin won his third of the two-day meet.

FIRST RACE: 1. #8 Nazareth, 2. #6 Herunbirdledpower, 3. #1 Sidepocket Run. LONG SHOT: #5 Goliath’s Girl.
Trainer Gary Sherlock is 19 percent with horses off a 46 to 90-day layoff. This mare has a 7-1-0-3 record over the Del Mar main track and apprentice Evin Roman jumps aboard.

For the rest of my picks go to:

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-jeff-nahills-del-mar-handicap-for-friday-20170720-story.html

Good luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, June 12

Preview: Not a whole lot of quality on this card, but maybe it will make up for it with prices. Trainer Phil D’Amato continues to lead in wins on the turf course with seven followed by Richard Mandella and Jim Cassidy, who both have four. Trainers to think twice about on the grass are Richard Baltas (1-17), Peter Miller (1-15), Mark Glatt (1-15), Doug O’Neill (1-14) and John Shirreffs (0-10).

Race 6 – SA
#6 Street Moxie (2-1): Trainer Phil D’Amato claimed this gelding at Keeneland and ships West. He ran at a similar level there, finishing second. He likes to come from off the pace. D’Amato is 21% first off the claim and 23% with first routers. Jockey Tyler Baze is 27% with D’Amato.

Race 8 – SA
#5 Exuberante (15-1): This maiden is running in a stakes race, but the key here is the distance of 1 1/2 miles on the turf. This filly is bred to go more than 10 furlongs on both the top and bottom. Jockey Brice Blanc rides back for Paulo Lobo.

Race 9 – SA
#9 C W Road (4-1): Trainer Peter Eurton drops this filly down to the bottom of the maiden claiming ranks for the first time. Eurton is 25% when dropping a horse more than two levels. Key jockey switch to Flavien Prat, who is 13% with Eurton.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, May 29

Preview: There are three turf races on this pretty mundane Sunday card. Phil D’Amato leads all trainers (through Friday) with four turfs wins followed by Mike Puype with three. Trainers to avoid are Jim Cassidy (1-for-12), shockingly Richard Baltas (1-10), Mark Glatt (0-9) and Peter Eurton (0-8).

Race 5 – SA
#3 Family Code (6-1): This gelding is returning from a 3-month freshening and trainer Robertino Diodoro is 27% with horses away 90-plus days. The 3-year-old has been facing tougher and might score right off the layoff.

Race 7 – SA
#5 Swiss Silver (5-2): Trainer Hector Palma claimed this gelding out of a sprint but we think the reason he did was a second place going around two turns two races back. Palma is 31% first off the claim and he’s 33% with apprentice rider Brayan Pena.

Race 8 – SA
#3 A Red Tie Day (6-1): We’re not sure this horse is a Grade II animal but he didn’t finish fourth at the level at Keeneland in only his third race after more than 18 months away. This much we do know the 66-year-old loves the Santa Anita turf course with three lieftime wins and jockey Flavien Prat, who guided him to one of those wins, gets back on.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, Feb. 28

Preview: Plenty of turf races on the card. Phil D’Amato has been tearing it up on the grass with a 10-for-41 mark. He’s followed by Doug O’Neill (6-34), Richard Baltas (5-34), Paddy Gallagher (4-14) and shockingly Bob Baffert (4-10). On the other end are Neil Drysdale (1-24), Jim Cassidy (1-21), Jerry Hollendorfer (1-22) and Mark Glatt (0-19).

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Race 2 – SA        

#3 Noble Kent (7-2)

This gelding has been popular at the claim box and that’s probably due to four wins at Santa Anita. Trainer Jonathan Wong is 32% with beaten favorites and he moves this on up off the claim and he’s 22% first off the claim. Jockey Santiago Gonzalez jumps on.

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Race 5 – SA

#5 Holiday Mousse (8-1)

Trainer Doug O’Neill tries this son of Harlan’s Holiday around two turns for the first time and O’Neill is 17% with that move. Jockey Edwin Maldonado could have ridden another in this race but sticks here.

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Race 9 – SA

#5 Belle Et Bete (turf only) (5-1)

Trainer Phil D’Amato has done little wrong at the meet. He drops this filly in class but sends her around two turns, a move he is 27% with. Jockey Flavien Prat keeps the mount and he’s 38% with D’Amato.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, Feb. 26

Preview: If it only takes 15 pages to print out the card, that means there aren’t a lot of entries and there aren’t. In looking at the main track, trainers Doug O’Neill (13-87) leads the way followed by Bob Baffert (12-62) and Jerry Hollendorfer (10-70). On the other end, trainers to avoid might be Jim Cassidy (1-26), Art Sherman (1-20), Mike Machowsky (1-19) and Javier Sierra (1-19).

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Race 3

#6 Desert Madam (6-1) 

Trainer Robertino Diodoro, who is 22% first off the claim, claimed this mare off two sub-par efforts. If she returns to form, she’s worth the price. The mare has three wins over the Santa Anita surface in her four lifetime dirt wins.

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Race 4 

#3 Cimpl Man (turf only) (3-1) 

Trainer Gary Mandella is 30% when a horse is making his third race off a layoff and this colt stretches out. Jockey Mike Smith and let’s hope he gets more speed out of this colt because the rails are set at 30 feet and speed will be important.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Pimlico

Pimlico Race Course opinions for Friday, May 15

Race 2: #7 Samantha Nicole (3-1)

Just broke maiden at Keeneland and might score right back. Trainer Kirian McLaughlin is 33% third off the layoff.

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Race 6: #7 Holiday Camp (fast track only) (5-1)

Tough to ready explain this 3-year-olds last race other than he might not have liked the wet track because Bob Baffert horses are usually ready to go off the layoff. Jockey Victor Espinoza jumps on and is 6-for-9 in the last 60 days for Baffert .

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Race 8: Windy Forcast (10-1)

Lost to the ultra-tough Avenge going down the hill last time. Trainer Simon Callaghan returns her to the dirt, where she has her only career victory so she might surprise with Gary Stevens aboard.

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Race 9: #1 Grateful Nation (turf only) (15-1)

Tough not like this gelding at this price with jockey Javier Castellano aboard. The 5-year-old has faced many of these before and held his own. Just finished third off a long layoff and has never been off the board over with course in five tries (1-2-2).  Watch out for DREAMSGONEWILD, who comes out of a race that has produced five winners.

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Race 10: #10 Yahilwa (9-2)

Once this mare got away from the top fillies on the West Coast she aired in the Sixty Sails at Hawthorne. She faces tougher here but she could go back-to-back. Victor Espinoza rides for trainer Jim Cassidy.

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Race 11 (Black-Eyed Susan): 1. Ahh Chocolate, 2. Include Betty, 3. Luminance, 4. Keen Pauline. LONG SHOT: Pure.

This is a wide-open race for the 3-year-old fillies. LUMINANCE is the likely favorite for Bob Baffert, but I’m hesitant to pick her after Baffert’s poor effort Derby weekend sans American Pharoah, plus Stellar Wind didn’t run well in the Kentucky Oaks, which is whom Luminance finished behind last time.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, April 5

Race 6: #6 Hurry Up Henry (8-1)

Was bred to be a decent sort out of Henrythenavigator, but just hasn’t delivered so trainer Phil D’Amato decided to geld him. Looks like some strong works since the gelding and D’Amato is 36% with jockey Elvis Trujillo.

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Race 8: #1 Full Ransom (20-1)

Won a grass stakes as a 2-year-old, but has floundered since. She is making her third start off a long layoff which may do the trick for the combination of Jim Cassidy and jockey Santiago Gonzalez. The key here is she is coming out of a race that has already produced two winners.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Kentucky Derby, Santa Anita, Triple Crown

Santa Anita opinions (plus some Derby preps) for Saturday, April 4 (updated)

Race 2: #4 Calm the Sea (6-1)

The fact is this race runs through trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s Never Ends, who has finished second in all three lifetime starts. Yet, Hollendorfer enters this 3-year-old filly and gets one of his main men from Northern California, J.J. Hernandez to ride. Interesting.

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Race 7: #3 Curlin’s Fox (4-1)

Trainer Carla Gaines tries the “Bolo route” here with this 3-year-old filly. After two wins on the turf, Gaines tries to find out if this daughter can run on the dirt like her daddy. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will be looking for a hot pace up front for this closer.

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EIGHTH RACE: SANTA ANITA DERBY: 1. Dortmund, 2. One Lucky Dane, 3. Prospect Park, 4. Bolo. LONG SHOT: Cross the Line.

What can you say about Dortmund? He’s 5-for-5 and wins impressively every time. I would single. Like Dortmund, One Lucky Dane is from the Bob Baffert barn and he was impressive in his 2015 debut. People forget he finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Interesting that Baffert didn’t ship this one somewhere else, but if he finishes second, he’ll go to the Derby. Prospect Park ran a good second to Dortmund last time and could love the extra ground. I’m not sold on Bolo. I didn’t like the he tired in the stretch last time. We find out here if he’s a dirt or turf horse.

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10TH RACE: 1. Bad Ju Ju

I debated this race for 10 minutes the other night and decided not to add this filly to my selections for HorsePlayer Now. I wish I had after seeing the works on this daughter of Desert Code. Jokcey Kayla Stra will take this one straight to the front and see how far she can go. That’s go enough for me on a day the track could be “souped up.”

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WOOD MEMORIAL at New York’s Aqueduct Race Track: 1. Frosted, 2. Lieutenant Colonel, 3. Daredevil, 4. El Kabeir. LONG SHOT: Tiz Shea.

Let me say I haven’t been impressed with much this winter in New York and the one horse I was (Far From Over) is hurt now. El Kabeir just doesn’t do it for me and he may prove me wrong. Frosted comes from the speed-biased Gulfstream and receives a jockey change to Joel Rosario. The real interesting horse to me is Lieutenant Colonel, who is trained by Chad Brown. By Colonel John, he should love longer distances, although he didn’t like the mud in the Grade III Gotham. Hope for a dry track.

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BLUE GRASS at Lexington’s Keeneland Race Course: 1. Ocho Ocho Ocho, 2. Carpe Diem, 3. Frammento, 4. Unrivaled. LONG SHOT: Gorgeous Bird.

As much as I laud trainer Jim Cassidy for coming to this race, I think he made a mistake by running against Dortmund in the San Felipe in this 3-year-old’s first race back from a layoff. There had to be easier spots, but it’s time to move on and look to the future. It’s now or never for this late-blooming 2-year-old. Carpe Diem was the first horse to come out of the key Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to win around two turns in the Tampa Bay Derby. That said, who did he beat in that race. He’s quality and will be tested here. Unrivaled is the “X” factor having been purchased by Team Valor after a huge win at Parx. Should be interesting.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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