Santa Anita opinions for Friday, July 1

Preview: One can only hope the cards get better this holiday weekend, but I doubt it. With the remainder of the meet on the main track, here are some jockeys to think twice about: Agapito Delgadillo is 2-for-38 on the dirt, Abel Lezcano is 0-for-28 and Kerwin John is 0-for-20. We gave out another double-digit winner on Thursday which is no mean feat with the field sizes so small.

Race 2 – SA
#5 Tangled Up in Ju (3-1): This filly is dropping to her lowest level yet and she is making her third start off the layoff and with improving speed figures she might fire her best shot today. Key jock change from apprentice Barnes to journeyman Edwin Maldonado, who is 25% with trainer Mike Machowsky at Santa Anita.

Race 7 – SA
#3 Filly On Fire (6-1): Trainer Victor Garcia experimented on the turf last time with this filly and now she returns to her favorite surface. All three career wins are on dirt and she is 6-2-1-0 on the Santa Anita oval. She has been training lights out so could be coming up to a good one.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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).

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.

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

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, Jan. 23

Preview: Decent Saturday card and a Pick Six carryover of more than $300,000. They say there could be $1.2 million in new money, but with all the snow in the East, I’m thinking it will be more as bettors will only be able to play tracks in Florida, New Orleans and California. The Bob Baffert barn has gotten hot and is 6-ofr-31 on the dirt to lead all trainers on the main track. He is followed by Richrda Baltas (5-25), Bill Spawr (5-11) and Vladimir Cerin (4-9). Guys looking for their first dirt win are Gary Sherlock (0-12), Mike Pender (0-10) and Mike Machowsky (0-10).

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Race 2: #3 Where’s Bubba (7-2)

As we stated Bill Spawr is one of the top dirt trainers this meet. Just draw a line through this gelding’s last race and the previous race puts right there with these. Spawr is 37% going from route to sprint.

Race 5: #3 A Colt Following (7-2)

We’re sticking with Bill Spawr in this one, too. This colt won at this level last time and Spawr is daring someone to claim him. Again the route to sprint angle (37%) comes into play.

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Race 9: #7 Sudden Sam (6-1)

Breeder/owner Nick Alexander likes to win races, especially with homebreds. There are a lot of fast works o this 3-year-old but I guarantee trained Phil D’Amato (16% with firsters) has him fit. Tribal Rule is a 15% sire with firsters and this one gets Lasix, too.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, Oct. 11 (plus Gulfstream West)

Sorry Saturday nights are the worst for me since I am on the desk at the San Diego Union-Tribune and just no time to fully handicap so this is the best I can do on Sundays. Thanks for reading.

Race 2: #7 Aloha Ke Akua (4-1)

Trainer Bill Spawr claimed this filly at Del Mar and he is 32% first off the claim. Spawr is also 33% when dropping a horse off the claim. The 3-year-old has won three times at this distance will show more speed with jockey Santiago Gonzalez.

Race 3: #2 Devoted One (5-2)

First off, we’ll never get this morning-line on this 2-year-old. The filly was all the rage at Del Mar before she was scratched at the gate at even money, if my memory serves me. Again she is working lights out for trainer Phil D’Amato and will be a short price in here.

Race 7: #3 Why Two (10-1)

=After a pair of disappointing efforts, trainer Mike Machowsky decides to put the blinkers on this 3-year-old. There is a string of bullet workouts coming into this race, maybe with blinkers added. Jockey Gary Stevens decides to take the ride.

Race 8: #4 Surfside Tiara (4-1)

Turned in a clunker in a Grade I so trainer Jerry Hollendorfer regroups and cuts back in distance. Jockey Rafael Bejarano decides to stay aboard.

Gulfstream Park West

Race 1: #2 Storm Swept (4-1)

This 4-year-old filly drops into a claimer for the first time as trainer Ralph Nicks searches for a winning spot. She is coming out of a key races and jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who is 27% with Nicks, jumps back on today.

Race 7: #7 Super Surfer (4-1)

Trainer Ralph Nicks and jockey Tyler Gaffalione team up here again. This won of Super Saver has been away since March, but he comes out of a race that has produced four next out winners.

Race 9: #3 The Silver Sniper (8-1)

This 2-year-old has been away since August when he finished fifth in a MSW race. Trainer Walter Woodard now drops into a maiden claimer for the first time and gets the services of leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Santa Anita results

Saturday’s top choice winners: 2 (Family Code $4.60, sixth race; Stays in Vegas $17.40, seventh)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 4 (Illuminant $3.60, second; All Star Parade $10, third; Dr. Dorr $4.20, eighth; Brimstoned $5.40, ninth)

Saturday’s third choice winners: 1 (Dressed in Hermes $5.20, fifth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 0

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Thursday, July 23

FIRST RACE: 1. Wish I Understood, 2. Don’t Tell Jackie, 3. Vronsky’s Devka. LONG SHOT: Sooner Time.

SECOND RACE: 1. #2 SMOOTH TALKER (6-1) best bet, 2. Good Stats, 3. Where Is My Mind. LONG SHOT: Norastone.

Trainer Doug O’Neill has gotten off to a slow start at the meet, but he’s bound to heat up at some point and did so on Wednesday when he won two races on the turf, of all surfaces. O’Neil is 36% with horses moving down two or more classes like this 5-year-old mare. Drayden Van Dyke is re-united with the mare.

THIRD RACE: 1. #9 Holiday Camp (12-1), 2. Roy H, 3. Incline Village. LONG SHOT: Rule He Will.

Trainer Bob Baffert is searching for a winning spot for the this $700,000 purchase last year. The turf might be the answer as the sire Street Boss is 20% with first-time turfers and Baffert is 24% with jockey Martiin Garcia.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Gravity Force, 2. Blue Ratio, 3. Out of Mischief. LONG SHOT: I’m Zonin.

FIFTH RACE: 1. #2 Lily Kai (12-1), 2. Almost Reality, 3. Ticaboo. LONG SHOT: Just Got Lucky.

This daughter of Unusual Heat is bred to love the grass and to go long. She showed improvement in her second start and now trainer Mike Machowsky sends her around two turns for the first time after two sprints, a move he is 23% with. Good turf jockey Brice Blanc is aboard.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Midnight Transfer, 2. Buckleberry Grey, 3. Barrel Knot. LONG SHOT: Ain’t No Other.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Lady’s Plan, 2. Freethinker, 3. Kadesha. LONG SHOT: Halljoy.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Emerald Green, 2. West Coast Storm, 3. I Heart You. LONG SHOT: Quick Navigator.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Wednesday’s top choice winners: 2 (Gypsy’s Rule $17.20, fourth race; Savings Account $4.20, sixth)

Wednesday’s second choice winners: 1 (Luvuryan $7.40, eighth)

Wednesday’s third choice winner: 0

Wednesday’s long shot winners: 1 (Karma King $17.80, second)

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita (plus a few others) opinions for Sunday, June 14

Race 5: #5 Silver Spirit (5-1)

This 4-year-old has made all of his career starts on the grass and now trainer Julio Canani decides it’s time to try the dirt. Canani puts the blinkers back on, a move he is 43% with. There is a good work over the track, probably with the blinkers back on. Jockey Alex Solis rides.

Race 7: #3 Clever Royal (turf only)

Trainer Eddie Truman is having one of the best meets of his career and he has been unconscious with horses coming down the hill. This colt won his first race on that course in his last and figures to only improve as Truman is 36% third off the layoff.

Race 9: #9 True Image (turf only) (4-1)

Our Eyes: This gelding showed big improvement when put on the turf last time, losing by just two lengths down the hill. The 3-year-old tries the downhill again and Flavien Prat will know this presser better for trainer Mike Machowsky.

BELMONT PARK

Race 8: #8 My Year Is a Day (turf only) (6-1)

This filly was thought to be hot stuff when she ran in the Edgewood at Churchill as she was bet down to 2-1, but she fought her rider. She’s had a month between races and maybe trainer Graham Motion has gotten her to settle down.

GULFSTREAM PARK

Race 6: #8 Mischievevouscharlie (10-1)

This 3-year-old filly ran her best career race two back sprinting on the main track. Trainer James McMullen goes back to the well here as a sends her route-to-sprint, a move he is 35% with and she has a decent work coming into the race.

Race 8: #9 Biggest Drama (5-1)

This 2-year-old colt comes out of a maiden race where the first two horses to run have won so we’re hoping for 3-for-3.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Sunday, Jan. 25

FIRST RACE: 1. Sudden Rumor, 2. Papa’s Paisley, 3. Friendswith K Mill. LONG SHOT: Rocked Twice.

SECOND RACE: 1. Alamo (best bet), 2. To the Bar, 3. Opsec. LONG SHOT: Derby Glass.

ALAMO, a 4-year-old colt trained by Richard Mandella, makes his turf debut and love horses sired by War Front, especially at a mile and on the grass. Jockey Gary Stevens keeps the mount. Stevens and Mandella are a 32% proposition at Santa Anita the last two years.

THIRD RACE: 1. Deep Play, 2. Street Serenade, 3. Broadway Nika. LONG SHOT: Timeless Indy.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Why Two, 2. The Man, 3. New Summit. LONG SHOT: Honor Society.

WHY TWO, a 3-year-old colt, got off to a slow start in his debut and still finished fourth. There have been two good works since and jockey Victor Espinoza stays aboard for trainer Mike Machowsky. There is no doubt that THE MAN is the horse to beat, but how many odds-on favorites has trainer Bob Baffert lost so far this meet? I’m just taking a shot, but The Man is the most likely winner.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Sayes So, 2. Air of Royalty, 3. Hide My Heart. LONG SHOT: Mum’s Truckee.

SIXTH RACE: 1. American Sun, 2. Rattataptap, 3. Jaded Glory. LONG SHOT: Prize Exhibit.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Ballard Ruler, 2. Znelle, 3. Kozani. LONG SHOT: Aperfectdaytofly.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Fly Lexis Fly, 2. Lil Bit O’Fun, 3. Sweet Swap. LONG SHOT: Hay Dude.

NINTH RACE: 1. Zen Zai Sun 2. Slewpy Again, 3. Nevada Time. LONG SHOT: Surfer Moon.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Sunday, Oct. 19

FIRST RACE: 1. Cee’s Tizzy Belle, 2. Susan B Good, 3. Three Blondes. LONG SHOT: Demonica.

SECOND RACE: 1. Sacred Ovation, 2. Valdirone, 3. Gal Has to Like It. LONG SHOT: W. Giles.

THIRD RACE: 1. Warren’s Sunny Boy, 2. Pioneer Charlie, 3. Cernobbio. LONG SHOT: Higher Mandate.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Jomelo, 2. Local One Thirty, 3. Sizzlin’ Joe. LONG SHOT: Buymeabond.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Marla Hooch, 2. Quinnette, 3. Love the Breeding. LONG SHOT: It’s Aine.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Red Outlaw, 2. Street Icon, 3. Bolita Boyz. LONG SHOT: Daraybi.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Girl Downstairs, 2. Windy Forecast, 3. Lady Dedlock. LONG SHOT: Ascent.

Trainer Bob Baffert takes the blinkers off GIRL DOWNSTAIRS (7-2, a daughter of A.P. Warrior, who showed speed in her debut and now shortens up. She was favored first time out and Baffert is 24% second time out.

Race 8: 1. Gangnam Guy (best bet), 2. Sir Barclay, 3. El Tovar. LONG SHOT: Valentine Boy..

GANGNAM GUY (4-1) drops out of a Cal-bred stakes race (Real Good Deal) which has proven to be a key race with four next out winners. This 3-year-old gelding has finished second twice on the downhill turf course, including once to the undefeated Red Outlaw. Has some good works for this start for trainer Mike Machowsky and jockey Joe Talamo.

NINTH RACE: 1. Push Girl, 2. Southern Owah, 3. Jo’s Approval. LONG SHOT: Turn On.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 6 (Stored Attaq $9.60, first race; My Samurai Warrior $11.60, second;Boozer $3.40, third; Watdifrenzdzitmake $6.40, fourth; Chilada $8.80, eighth; Ferrero $18.80, ninth)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 0

Saturday’s third choice winners: 1 (Backstreet Lisa $21.60, sixth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 0

Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita selections for Saturday, Oct. 18 (updated)

FIRST RACE: 1. Stored Attaq (best bet), 2. Mark of the Affair, 3. English Annie. LONG SHOT: Queen Mad.

Trainer Bob Hess Jr. entered STORED ATTAQ (4-1) earlier in the week, but elects to run here going 7 furlongs. Apprentice Drayden Van Dyke takes over the mount.

SECOND RACE: 1. My Samurai Warrior, 2. Hadfunlastnight, 3. Heir of Storm. LONG SHOT: Apollo Ten.

THIRD RACE: 1. Boozer, 2. Tamarando, 3. Ain’t No Other (SCRATCHED) new pick: Heat Flash. LONG SHOT: Super Ability.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Watdifrenzdzitmake, 2. Misty Warrior, 3. Seattle Music. LONG SHOT: Dana’s Delight.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Real Deal Appeal (SCRATCHED), 2. Salt Power, 3. Bourne Hot. LONG SHOT: Znelle. New picks: 1. Bourne Hot, 2. Znelle, 3. Salt Power. LONG SHOT: Red Man Run.

REAL DEAL APPEAL is coming out of a maiden claiming victory that produced five next out winners.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Flat Footed Mama, 2. Vow Me Over, 3. Backstreet Lisa. LONG SHOT: Educating.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Cyrus Alexander, 2. Fame and Power, 3. Kantune. LONG SHOT: Ghost of Navigator.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Chilada, 2. Tangelo, 3. Frandontjudge. LONG SHOT: Winninginfashion.

NINTH RACE: 1. Ferrero, 2. Sindys Luck, 3. Roper. LONG SHOT: Sonic Fever.

FERRERO (6-1), a son of Old Topper, makes his debut going 5 ½ furlongs. Old Toppers do well first time out, especially in Cal bred company. The 2-year-old had a good gate drill over the track last week for trainer Mike Machowsky.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Friday’s top choice winners: 2 (St. Joe Bay $7.80, first race; Mascato Girl $8.20, sixth)

Friday’s second choice winners: 2 (Pulmarack $9.40, fifth; Shysheisnot $6.40, seventh)

Friday’s third choice winners: 1 (Nighttiming $6, fourth)

Friday’s long shot winners: 0

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Wednesday, Aug. 20

FIRST RACE: 1. Halo La, 2. Rhodium, 3. Woebegon. LONG SHOT: Nueva Fortuna.

SECOND RACE: 1. Dr. Vincentstein, 2. Oatka Little Lou, 3. Borealis Breeze. LONG SHOT: Southeast Asia.

THIRD RACE: 1. Hanna No Sir, 2. Faith Proof, 3. She’s Flush. LONG SHOT: Josephine’s Moment.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Lucky J Lane, 2. Smart Journey, 3. Badasmywifeletsmeb. LONG SHOT: Droppin Buttons.

The inside post is 1-for-41 on the turf going around two turns at this meet and is an automatic toss out for me from the top spot.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Winninginfashion (best bet), 2. Casey’s Clem, 3. Passionville. LONG SHOT: Marina Del Heat.

There doesn’t appear to be a lot of speed in this race and WINNINGINFASHION (4-1), a 4-year-old filly, just scored over the Polytrack in wire-to-wire fashion. Trainer Mike Pender moves her up in class and jockey Edwin Maldonado stays aboard.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Secreto Primero, 2. Harmonic, 3. Battle of Evermore. LONG SHOT: Pioneerof the West.

SECRETO PRIMERO (10-1), a 2-year-old colt, tries two turns for the first time after an even effort going 6 furlongs in debut. Trainer Mike Machowsky puts blinkers on this son of First Samurai and jockey Victor Espinoza sticks around.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Gratification, 2. Alexis Tangier, 3. Love In The Desert. LONG SHOT: Oeighter.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Veronica Bay, 2. Madame Forbes, 3. Full of Spice. LONG SHOT: Vord Queen.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Sunday’s top choice winners: 0 (bad day, man; sorry)

Sunday’s second choice winners: 3 (Judy the Beauty $4.60, fourth race; Conquest Misbehave $21.60, seventh; Mom’s Winner $7.80, 10th)

Sunday’s third choice winners: 1 (Sawyer’s Hill $8.80, fifth

Sunday’s long shot winners: 4 (Fighting On $7, first; Cardiac $9.80, sixth; Heat Du Jour $21.40, eighth; Format V $9.60, ninth

fromthewinnerscircle

About SoCal horse racing, Del Mar in particular

Tag Archives: Mike Machowsky

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, July 1

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, Feb. 26

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, Jan. 23

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, Oct. 11 (plus Gulfstream West)

Del Mar selections for Thursday, July 23

Santa Anita (plus a few others) opinions for Sunday, June 14

Santa Anita selections for Sunday, Jan. 25

Santa Anita selections for Sunday, Oct. 19

Santa Anita selections for Saturday, Oct. 18 (updated)

Del Mar selections for Wednesday, Aug. 20