Tag Archives: John Shirreffs

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.

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Horse racing, Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos RC opinions for Thursday, April 21

Preview: Another small card as far as entries as Los Al has no turf course, but prices have been surprisingly good. On the jockey front, Mario Gutierrez (6-11) and Kent Desormeaux (5-11) have come out swinging plus Agapito Delagadillo, Tiago Pereira and Tyler Baze all have three wins.

 

Race 4 – LRC

#3 Jena Baby (3-1): Trainer Peter Miller drops this filly to her lowest level ever. Miller is 23% taking a horse sprint-route-sprint and 23% with maiden claimers. Apprentice Bryan Pena is 21% with Miller.

 

Race 6 – LRC

#2 Crayon (6-1): Trainer John Shirreffs doesn’t start many at this track so this filly must be doing well. She broke slow in her debut but showed late interest on the grass. With the long stretch here it might suit her well. Shirreffs is 31% with horses making their second career start.

 

Race 7 – LRC

#5 One More Roll (15-1): This gelding is 4-1-1-0 on this track and has plenty of early speed. Trainer Bill Spawr is 22% with horses off a 46 to 90-day layoff and the 4-year-old comes out of a key race that has produced two winners so far.

 

Race 8 – LRC

#4 Johny’s Choice (5-2): The 7-year-old is 5-2-1-0 over the track. Trainer Mark Glatt has a pair of wins at the meet the first week of the meet and this gelding comes out of a race that has produced three next out winners.

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Horse racing, Santa Anita, Triple Crown

Belmont Park selections for Saturday, June 7

Belmont Stakes (11th race)

2 California Chrome

4 Commanding Curve

5 Ride On Curlin

7 Samraat

10 General A Rod

3 California Chrome: Drew great post, can be used a little to get position, will be in great spot turning for home and his Triple Crown immortality.

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FIRST RACE: 1. Forever Thing, 2. Jimmy Connors, 3. Wabbajack, 4. Catholic Cowboy. LONG SHOT: Bernardo.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Life in Shambles, 2. Misconnect, 3. No Surrender, 4. Legend. LONG SHOT: Kid Cruz.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Micromanage, 2. Ground Transport, 3. Ever Rider, 4. Golden Soul. LONG SHOT: Eriugena.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Marchman, 2. Positive Side, 3. Ben’s Cat, 4. Spring in the Sky. LONG SHOT: Upgrade.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Kobe’s Back (15-1), 2. Top Fortitude, 3. Pure Sensation, 4. Coup de Grace. LONG SHOT: Tonito M.

Tough to explain last race by KOBE’S BACK other than got off bit slow and the pace wasn’t as hot as he needs with his come-from-behind style. That shouldn’t be a problem here and jockey Joel Rosario, who is the last one to win with him, returns to saddle for trainer John Sadler.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Artemis Agrotera, 2. My Miss Sophia, 3. Fiftyshadesofgold, 4. Sweet Whiskey. LONG SHOT: Euphrosyne.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Beholder, 2. Close Hatches, 3. Princess of Sylmar, 4. Antipathy. LONG SHOT: Belle Gallantey.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Better Lucky, 2. Coffee Clique, 3. Somali Leomnade. 4. Strathnaver. LONG SHOT: Dame Marie.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Palace Malice, 2. Goldencents, 3. Normandy Invasion, 4. Romansh. LONG SHOT: Vyjack.

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10TH RACE: 1. Rookie Sensation (12-1, best bet), 2. Hey Leroy, 3. Imaging, 4. Grandeur. LONG SHOT: Chamois.

ROOKIE SENSATION had a ton of trouble in Grade III Last Tycoon at Santa Anita when got stuck on rail in the stretch, had to wheel out and finished third. One horse has already come back to win out of that race and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith stays aboard.

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11TH RACE: Belmont Stakes (see above)

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12TH RACE: 1. Ghurair, 2. Artic North, 3. Inchcape, 4. North Star Boy. LONG SHOT: Shining Copper.

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13TH RACE: 1. Protocol (6-1), 2. Slan Abhaile, 3. In Trouble, 4. Confrontation. LONG SHOT: Celebrator.

PROTOCOL won his first condition in impressive fashion at Santa Anita three months ago and resurfaces here for trainer John Shirreffs. Been training in New York for couple weeks with a few good works and should love the 7-furlong distance.

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Saturday, May 10

FIRST RACE: 1. Silk in Silver, 2. Kid Rollins, 3. Corinthian Melody. LONG SHOT: Wild Nicole.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Segway, 2. Tiz Dynamic, 3. Jules Journey. LONG SHOT: Dreamy Kid.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Circle the Moon, 2. Valley Cat, 3. Big Kick. LONG SHOT: Toledo Eddie.

Trainer Karen Headley drops CIRCLE THE MOON, a gelding, in class and stretches him out. The real tipoff here is the securing of jockey Mike Smith, who is a perfect 4-for-4 riding for Headley over the last two years.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Gameboy Luke, 2. Distinct Asset, 3. Red Globe. LONG SHOT: Letaba.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Cut to Run, 2. Time for a J, 3. Soul Saver. LONG SHOT: Doctor McEachnie.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Creditcardroulette, 2. Kerrilynn, 3. Toppers Sunshine. LONG SHOT: Thermal Nermal.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Chelios, 2. Kobe’s Back, 3. Ferocious. LONG SHOT: Top Fortitude.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Sweet Boss (best bet), 2. Queen of the Hill, 3. Chati’s On Top. LONG SHOT: Copperopolis.

Trainer John Shirreffs cuts back SWEET BOSS, a 4-year-old filly, from a mile to 6½ furlongs down the hill on the grass. That has been a winning formula in the past. On top of that, this daughter of Street Boss should like the shorter distance as her daddy was a very nice sprinter. Add on Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith jumps aboard.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Enchanted Fortune, 2. See Through, 3. Classy Ava. LONG SHOT: Reverchon.

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Friday’s top choice winners: 1 (Eltoninadress $4.40, fifth race)

Friday’s second choice winners: 3 (Henry’s Holiday $20.80, first; Frensham $4.20, second; She’s Flush $4.80, eighth)

Friday’s third choice winners: 0

Friday’s long shot winners: 2 (Benba $14.20, third; Fir to Rule $6.80, sixth)

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Updated Santa Anita picks for Saturday, March 15

FIRST RACE: 1. Como Mi Padre (best bet), 2. Distillery, 3. Surfer Moon. LONG SHOT: Bertrane.

Trainer Blake Heap has hit on 3-of-5 when he puts a horse on the turf for the first time. COMO MI PADRE, a son of Borrego, got off to a slow start while finishing second to cheaper. Jockey Victor Espinoza know the colt well and is 2-for-7 with Heap.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Maximinus, 2. Morning Line Wiz, 3. Happy Idea. LONG SHOT: Johns Journey.

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THIRD RACE: 1. W. Giles, 2. Heaveneleven, 3. Bart the Barrister. LONG SHOT: Black Tie.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Tribal Spy, 2. Ciao Bella Luna, 3. Could Be Trouble. LONG SHOT: Oscillator.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Wonderful Union, 2. Brave Act, 3. Boss of Me. LONG SHOT: Hello Frankie.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Dynesque, 2. Bird In Love, 3. Star Act. LONG SHOT: Tizmiss.

Trainer John Shirreffs doesn’t usually put in a bunch of flashy drills for first-time starts and such is the case is here. This daughter of Dynaformer has been working nice and steady for her debut. She has the breeding to win first time out going long on the turf and we might get a hint of a price, too.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Let Faith Arise, 2. Iotapa, 3. Fiftyshadesofhay. LONG SHOT: Miss Serendipity (SCRATCHED) new long shot: Stanwyck.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Procurement, 2. Rookie Sensation, 3. Si Sage. LONG SHOT: Di Giorgio.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Whine for Wine, 2. K Thirty Eight, 3. Natural Stride (SCRACTHED), new 3. Next Book. LONG SHOT: Masochistic.

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita picks for Sunday, Jan. 12 (updated)

FIRST RACE: 1. Polytechnicien, 2. Trelawny, 3. Half Strike. LONG SHOT: Yomybato.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Full Consent, 2. I Don’t Care Who, 3. Tenkiller Kid. LONG SHOT: Dirty Swagg.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Readyforhercloseup, 2. Moon Ride, 3. Cava;;etta. LONG SHOT: Mom Nana Petrie.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. One Magical Girl, 2. Economy of Motion, 3. J Louie. LONG SHOT: Brown Is Beige.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Splendid Fortune, 2. Fanny Brice, 3. Peppy Bolly. LONG SHOT: Our Pure Creation.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Velvet Mesquite, 2. Cayanna, 3. Hidethegoodstuff. LONG SHOT: Always a Chance.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Warren’s Veneda (SCRATCHED), 2. Stanwyck, 3. Miss Serendipity. LONG SHOT: Halo Dolly. New picks: 1. Stanwyck, 2. Miss Serendipity, 3. Halo Dolly. LONG SHOT: Rock and Glory.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Razorbill, 2. Ready for More, 3. Pure Loyalty. LONG SHOT: Royal F J.

Jockey Victor Espinoza could have ridden another horse in this down-the-hill race who has won over the course, but he chooses this 5-year-old RAZORBILL, which began his career in Europe. The son on Speightstown ran OK back East for trainer John Shirreffs and now tries his luck on the West Coast.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Moscato Girl (best bet), 2. May Fine, 3. L X Sunrise. LONG SHOT: Run Rosie Run.

MOSCATO GIRL, a daughter of Desert Code, takes the biggest class drop in racing, maiden special weight to maiden claiming. The Cal-bred is running in open company but it shouldn’t matter as jockey Rafael Bejarano should get her to show more speed in this spot. She had a nice third-place finish over the track in October.

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Saturday’s top choice winners: 3 (Anita Marie $5.20, third race; Midnight Hawk $2.80, fifth; Peacenik $7, sixth)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 2 (Red N Black Attack $13.60, first; Blueskiesnrainbows $6.20, eighth)

Saturday’s third choice winners: 1 (Fly High $20.40, fourth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 3 (Planet Sunshine $6.20, second; Danderek (dead heat) $3.40, seventh; Home Run Kitten $11.20, ninth)

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita picks for Friday, December 27

I almost made the prediction on the opening day picks that there would be a Pick 6 carryover going into this Friday card because of the great stakes races, but I didn’t, and there is.

There won’t be a carryover into Saturday. There just are enough quality races or horses running so tread lightly and wait for Saturday and Sunday.

FIRST RACE: 1. For the People, 2. The Mothership, 3. I’m No Patsy. LONG SHOT: Winninginfashion.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Pretzel Logic, 2. Chila Ali (SCRATCHED), 3. Tribal Rain. LONG SHOT: Citizen Jane.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Cool Samurai (best bet), 2. The Admiral, 3. Icy Ride. LONG SHOT: Rough Passage.

The 2-year-old gelding COOL SAMURAI might have won his debut at Belmont had it not gotten checked in the stretch. Makes first start on West Coast for trainer John Shirreffs and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will take this one two turns for the first time.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Dunmore East, 2. Macias, 3. Truelee Scrappin. LONG SHOT: Anabaa Premium.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Van Dien Avenue, 2. Velvet Mesquite, 3. Sae John’s Spirit. LONG SHOT: Hot and Pleasing.

VAN DIEN AVENUE, a 3-year-old filly, actually broke her maiden at Del Mar, but she was disqualified from the purse money so she has been running against winners. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens rides for trainer Neil French and when a big time rider shows up for a small time trainer look out.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Street Icon, 2. Chitu, 3. Beach Hut. LONG SHOT: Benny Time.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Kathleen Rose, 2. Mangita, 3. Krazypapaya. LONG SHOT: Warren’s Rosebud.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Anythingtogeteven, 2. Cactus Shines, 3. Reps and Warrants. LONG SHOT: Bluegrass Fox Trot.

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Thursday’s top choice winners: 1 (Five Palms $5, fourth race)

Thursday’s second choice winners: 2 (Battled $3.40, second; Buckingham Bull $4.60, third)

Thursday’s third choice winners: 2 (Crusher $4.60, first; Gervinho $9, seventh)

Thursday’s long shot winners: 1 (Toomuchinformation $15, ninth)

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Horse racing

Santa Anita picks for Friday, Sept. 27

FIRST RACE: 1. Arethusa, 2. Be Proud, 3. Georgia. LONG SHOT: Loan Savant.

The Bob Baffert-trained trio of BE PROUD, GEORGIA and LADY BUGATTI will be tough to beat in the opener of the Santa Anita fall season, but ARETHUSA, a 2-year-old daughter of A.P. Indy, is an interesting long shot. Jockey Garrett Gomez jumps off a Peter Miller horse (AMY JANE) to ride this one for trainer Eoin Harty. She hopped in the air at the start and just ran around the track. She is bred to run this far and should show big improvement.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Eleven Zip, 2. Oh Daddy Oh, 3. Infosec. LONG SHOT: Code of Pleasure.

ELEVEN ZIP gave an even effort in career debut at Del Mar. He drops into a maiden claimer for the first time and might be ready to go. Note: Eleven Zip lost to Tamarando in that first race and all Tamarando did was go on to win the Grade I Del Mar Futurity on closing day.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Chicsdigtheshark (best bet), 2. Truelee Scrappin, 3. Dress Code. LONG SHOT:  Coo Cachoo.

CHICSDIGTHESHARK, a 4-year-old gelding, ran just once at Del Mar and that might have been to just stretch his legs for this spot because he has won 3-of-4 at Santa Anita. On top of that trainer Bill Spawr is an amazing 60 percent (9-of-15) the last two years with an ROI of $6.32 with horses going from a route to a sprint.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Ella’s Kitten, 2. Valtatri, 3. Cuneo. LONG SHOT: Navarre.

ELLA’S KITTEN ships West from Saratoga for trainer Eric Guillot. She comes out of a key race at The Spa in which three horses have come back to win. The outside post is a tough draw and not the biggest fan of jockey Martin Pedroza on turf, but this son of Kitten’s Joy may outclass these. VALTARI, who is owned by Santa Anita president Keith Brackpool, showed early speed in his debut but just might prefer turf and not Polytrack.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. One World, 2. Hurry Home Clover, 3. Shackbamalama. LONG SHOT: Jets to Brazil.

ONE WORLD has been training well for his return to the track since last running on May 26. He comes of out a key race (three winners) and trainer John Shirreffs knows how to get them ready. HURRY HOME CLOVER is another one of those Spawr 60 percent stats going from a route to a sprint.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. D’ Obession, 2. My Samurai Warrior, 3. Appealing Tale. LONG SHOT: Blu Jon.

Tough race. D’ OBESSION draws a good outside post and has never been worse than third down the hillside turf course.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Omega Star, 2. Imperial Fortune, 3. Tiz the Truth. LONG SHOT: Usbek Thunder.

OMEGA STAR is another who loves the Arcadia track. He has two wins and a second in four tries on the Santa Anita dirt. IMPERIAL FORTUNE and TIZ THE TRUTH come from the Baffert barn and will likely be among the favorites.

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EIGHTH RACE (Grade II The Eddie D.): 1. Majestic City, 2. Boat Trip, 3. Unbridled’s Note. LONG SHOT: Rosengold.

Here’s another tough race. A bomber wouldn’t surprise in this spot and we’re going with one in MAJESTIC CITY. Yes, we’re friends with owner Jeff Bloom, but look at who MAJESTIC CITY has been facing in his most recent races: Fed Biz, Goldencents, Points Off the Bench, Jimmy Creed, Paynter, Commatothetop. Then go back to last year: Liasion, Dullahan and Drill. This 4-year-old colt has been facing some tough fields and he gets another here, but maybe with some luck and the addition of jockey Gary Stevens it will make a difference.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Carrytheteam, 2. Wildcat Candy, 3. Running Water. LONG SHOT: Wave Catching.

CARRYTHETEAM drops into a maiden claimer for the first time for trainer John Sadler. WAVE CATCHING drops out of a Del Mar key race which has seen three winners for far so you’ve been warned.

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Updated Del Mar picks for Wednesday, Sept. 4

FIRST RACE (The C.E.R.F): 1. Madame Cactus, 2. Wednesday, 3. Big Honey Bee. LONG SHOT: Gypsy Robin.

MADAME CACTUS has been on the sidelines since last Novemeber, but trainer Peter Eurton figures to have her fit and ready to run. WEDNESDAY and BIG HONEY BEE come out of a key race that has produced two winners so far.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Pebble Beach Baby, 2. Bas, 3. Lady Rosamond. LONG SHOT: Explosive Argument.

Trainer Mike Puype has had a fairly quiet Del Mar meet after a big Hollywood Park, but his horses might be ready to cycle around. PEBBLE BEACH BABY, a daughter of Rock Hard Ten, is dropping in class off a middle-of-the-road effort. The key here is Puype is cutting her back from a route to a sprint and he does very well with that angle. It also doesn’t hurt jockey Garrett Gomez jumps aboard.  EXPLOSIVE ARGUMENT has been scratched.

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THIRD RACE (Oak Tree Juvenile Turf): 1. Diamond Bachelor, 2. Station House, 3. Ontology. LONG SHOT: Home School.

DIAMOND BACHELOR and STATION HOUSE were two of the most impressive winners at the meet, both scoring at first asking on the grass and around two turns as 2-year-olds. ONTOLOGY is bred to love the grass and could be the upsetter but it will tough to beat the top two.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. KARMA KING (best bet), 2. Candy Anniversary, 3. Big Medicine Man. LONG SHOT: Maxx the Kid.

Trainer Craig Dollase is deadly with first-time starters (36 percent the last two years) and even more so with 2-year-olds at Del Mar. KARMA KING, a son of Pure Prize, has a bullet work show on Aug. 23 (best of 42) and should be ready to do some serious running. Once again, Gomez jumps on and he has been one of the meet’s hottest jockeys the last two weeks.

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FIFTH RACE (Pirate’s Bounty ): 1. Private Zone, 2. Roman Threat, 3. So Brilliant. LONG SHOT: Koast.

This is a tough race and I even left out graded stakes winner RAIL TRIP, who I’m just not sure he’s ready to go all out in this spot to win. PRIVATE ZONE is making his first start since running in Dubai and trainer Doug O’Neill figures to have him ready to go.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Magic Channel, 2. Quiet Force, 3. Warrant. LONG SHOT: Somethings Unusual.

MAGIC CHANNEL is going for the hat trick as he has two wins over the grass already. The son of English Channel was claimed last time out by Jerry Hollendorfer, who is 27 percent first off the claim.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Crystalline Indy, 2. Hanserella, 3. That’s a Bingo. LONG SHOT: Heavens Stairway.

CRYSTALLINE INDY hasn’t raced since July 13 at Hollywood Park, but she has been training well over the Del Mar Polytrack. Trainer Phil D’Amato, Mike Mitchell’s assistant, is 43 percent second time out. here’s hoping he gets his first win of the meet on closing day.

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EIGHTH RACE (Del Mar Futurity) 1. Indexical, 2. Dance With Fate, 3. Can the Man. LONG SHOT: Skydreamin.

The big race of the final day is this 7-furlong affair for 2-year-olds. It’s tough to pick against trainer Bob Baffert and Can the Man because Baffert has won this race so many times, but we’re going with INDEXICAL. The son of Latent Heat improved a ton while breaking his maiden 18 days ago. He gets a nice outside post and will be able to spy the speed inside. DANCE WITH FATE also improved second time out and figures to only get better as the distances grow.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Appealing Tale, 2. Amazing Hearted, 3. Omega Star. LONG SHOT: Derringer.

APPEALING TALE has been away since January but you have that magic team of trainer Peter Miller and jockey Garrett Gomez, who have hit for more 36 percent winners the last two years at Del Mar.

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10th RACE: 1. Serene Melody, 2. Nicegirlsfnishlast, 3. Fanticola. LONG SHOT: Switched Up.

Trainer John Shirreffs mainly plies his trade in New York, but Zenyatta’s conditioner left a few horses out West. SERENE MELODY is one of those as she is owned by the Lewis Trust and out of the mare Serena’s Song. This daughter of Street Cry will be trying the grass for the first time and going two turns, too. Shirreffs can get them ready off the layoff.

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