Tag Archives: Justin Clark

Horse racing, Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos RC opinions for Sunday, May 1

Preview: It’s the final day of an underwhelming meet that wasn’t supported by horsemen until the final few days. Let’s hope for better in the fall.

 

Race 1 – LRC

#8 Oh Daddy Oh (6-1): This gelding has never run in the afternoons at this track but has a good record at night. Trainer Lorenzo Ruiz is 26% with horses coming off a 46 to 90-day layoff. He has put two good works into him and Vinnie Bednar rides back.

                                               

Race 3 – LRC

#1 Wonderful Becky (8-1): Jockey Vinnie Bednar could be in for a good day as he also rides this mare for trainer Justin Clark, who is 50% with horses returning off a 90-plus day layoff.

 

Race 4 – LRC

#8 The Natural (7-2): Come on, everyone loved the movie. This colt is dropping in class and is coming out of a race where the first two horses to come back have won. Can you say 3-for-3?

 

Race 8 – LRC

#5 D Day Dude (6-1): Trainer Phil D’Amato has been hot for months and while he hasn’t started many here he’s still batting 33% (2-for-6). D’Amato is 29% third off the layoff and 21% at Los Al with jockey Tiago Pereira.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos RC opinions for Thursday, April 28

Preview: We enter the final week of the Los Alamitos meet as the circuit will return to Santa Anita next week and we’ll get some grass racing. Jockey Kent Desormeaux continues to ride with confidence as he leads the standings with 10 wins from 21 mounts. Mario Gutierrez, Tyler Baze and Tiago Pereira all have six wins each.

 

Race 5 – LRC

#5 Proud Fighter (10-1): This gelding has been away from the races more than 18 months, but trainer Justin Clark is 5-for-9 when bringing a horse back off a layoff of more than 90 days. Jockey David Lopez jumps on.

 

Race 8 – LRC

#3 The Gold Monkey (5-1): Trainer Bruce Headley doesn’t start many these days but he can still get winners. This gelding comes out of a key race that has produced two winners already. Jockey Edwin Maldonado, who is 41% with Headley, takes the mount.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Monday, Jan. 18

Preview: Sorry forgot to post Sunday’s thoughts. Had just one winner: Dressed to a T and it went off at 2-1 so I guess no great loss. Again five-day weeks aren’t good for the circuit right now. The turf trainers haven’t gotten into a rhythm yet due to the weather so these numbers hopefully will improve but trainers to give a second thought to right now on grass: Doug O’Neill is 1-for-16, Jerry Hollendorfer is 0-9, John Sadler 0-8, Mike Puype 0-7 and Neil Drysdale 0-7.

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Race 2: #2 Drum Roll Please (turf only) (6-1)

This gelding almost scored at Del Mar at 33-1. He has had two months off and jockey Alonso Quinonez takes over. A similar effort with the cozy inside draw might mean a trip to the winner’s circle.

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Race 7: #1 Monsieur Power (6-1)

After 20 combined races on all-weather or grass tracks, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer decides to put this 5-year-old on dirt after claiming him two back. Hollendorfer is 30% in a horse’s second start off the layoff and Flavien Prat rides.

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Race 9: #10 Blix Curve (15-1) 

Trainer Justin Clark was 29% last year. He is 41% with horses moving up one class and 35% in sprint races. Jockey Alonso Quinonez grabs the mount.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park, Horse racing, Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos (plus a few other) opinions for Saturday, July 11

LOS ALAMITOS

Race 3: #3 Caliente Cat (3-1): This gelding loves this track and moves from the nighttime programs to the daytime and a bigger purse. Jockey Gary Boag knows this speedball well and trainer Justin Clark is 44% with horses that won their last race.

Race 7: #8 Watdifrenzdzitmake (6-1):  Will have to navigate from an outside post going long, but trainer Phil D’Amato has been pushing a lot of right buttons this year. D’Amato is 29% third off the layoff, which is what this 3-year-old filly is.

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BELMONT PARK

Race 8: #8 Midnight Trace (12-1): This gelding broke his maiden first out on the turf and finished third on the grass in an allowance race, but then was tried on Polytrack, since he was an Ontario-bred. He returns to the grass today for trainer Graham Motion, who is 18% with shippers, and we love Scat Daddys on the grass.

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Race 10: #10 Puparee (5-1):  This filly broke her maiden in her first time on the grass and comes right back against winners for trainer Dominick Schettino, who is 17% with maiden winners right back. Jockey Jose Ortiz rides right back after making a huge move on the turn.

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GULFSTREAM PARK

Race 8: #4 Hear That Tune (4-1): Throw out this 3-year-old’s last race. He just doesn’t like off tracks. The race one back was sensational while just missing the win. Trainer Stanley Gold is 29% with beaten favorites and he is 3-for-8 with jockey Eddie Castro over the last 60 days.

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Race 9: #11 Proper Empire (6-1): This 6-year-old moves up in class, but trainer Luis Ramirez is 48% with horses second off the layoff and 29% when a horse is second time in his care. Apprentice Harry Hernandez must work a trip from the outside but look for him to close down the lane.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos Race Course opinions for Friday, Dec. 5

Race 2: #2 Caliente Cat (6-1)

This gelding has been running with thoroughbreds at night and now tries the day time for bigger cash. Trainer Justin Clark is an amazing 42% (25-for-60). The 5-year-old likes to come from off the pace and the long stretch run should suit his style.

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Race 3: #1 Sweet Renata (5-2)

Trainer Craig Dollase has had a slow year, but he knows how to get a first-timer ready (33%) and jockey Gary Stevens rides. Stevens doesn’t need the exercise so this 2-year-old filly figures to be live. The only drawback in the No. 1 post.

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Race 6: #7 Zendai (5-2)

This 2-year-old by Zensational finished second to Ocho Ocho Ocho in his last race 55 days ago. All Ocho has done since is win two stakes, including the Delta Jackpot. This Eoin Harty trainee will be forwardly placed and should make short work of this field.

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Race 7: #4 Tacit Approval (7-2)

The 3-year-old filly has a win and a third over this track in two tries this year. Trainer Craig Dollase gets apprentice Drayten Van Dyke to ride instead of double apprentice Sullivan, which is a huge upgrade. She will likely try to go wire-to-wire.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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