Tag Archives: Monmouth Park

Horse racing

Gulfstream Park West opinions for Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 18-19)

Gulfstream Park West Wednesday

Race 1 : #4 Jet Prince (10-1)

This gelding comes out of a race that has produced two next out winners. Jockey Edgard Zayas stays on for trainer Daniel Pita and they are a 17% combination.

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Race 9: #8 Danalin (12-1)

This filly is coming out of a Monmouth Park race that has produced three next out winners. Trainer Edward Plesa Jr. is 21% with layoffs of 46 to 90 days..

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Race 10: #10 Blazing Diamond (4-1)

This filly is coming out of a key race and dropping into a maiden claimer for the first time. Jockey M. Vasquez stays on for trainer Manuel Morales.

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Gulfstream Park West Thursday

Race 3: #7 Deer Dog (12-1)

This 3-year-old showed speed in his comeback race and faded. Trainer Tamara Levy is 25% second off the claim and she is 31% with jockey Matthew Rispoli. Look for better effort here.

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Race 4: #1 Something Blue (15-1)

Trainer Rasharn Creque has some big numbers second off the layoff – 60% second off layoff and 53% second off a layoff of 45-180-day layoff. This filly showed speed and pressed the pace off the layoff and now tries the turf.

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Race 8: #8 Ginger Goose (5-1)

Trainer Eddie Broome has hit the ground running since shipping his barn down from New Jersey. This gelding drops into a claimer and Broome is 22% with shippers. Broome is 30% with jockey Paco Lopez, who has previously finished second on this 5-year-old.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Saturday, Nov. 14 (Plus Gulfstream Park West)

FIRST RACE: 1. #8 Mal Verde (7-2), 2. Unusual Taste, 3. Home School. LONG SHOT: Buymeabond.

 Trainer Blaine Wright claimed this one off John Sadler and appears to be co-owner. Wright is 38% first off the claim and he’s 45% with jockey Tyler Baze.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Big Move, 2. Desert Thief, 3. Rockin Dorita. LONG SHOT: Q’Viva.
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THIRD RACE: 1. Take It Easyplease, 2. Geistreter, 3. Kiss My Face. LONG SHOT: City Beach.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. Lily Pod, 2. Perdona, 3. Miss Gifted. LONG SHOT: Codacious.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Devil Rising, 2. No Ez Money, 3. Market Notes. LONG SHOT: Love de Car.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. #9 Twosome (12-1), 2. Ya Ya Girl, 3. Art of War. LONG SHOT: Socialized.

Jockey Corey Nakatani, who is a whiz on this turf course, decides to ride this filly back after a sixth-place effort. He must think she has some talent the Nakatani is 21% at Del Mar with trainer Eric Kruljac, who is 47% with second-time turfers.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. #2 Big Tire (12-1), 2. Brimstoned, 3. Rockport Kat. LONG SHOT: The Gomper.
 “Eikleberry off” has become a play recently as the jockey isn’t riding locally anymore and a couple of bombs have come in over the last week with new jockeys aboard. Such is the case here as Santiago Gonzalez jumps back on for trainer Mark Glatt and they are a 23% combination.
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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Mac Daddy Mac, 2. On Fire, 3. Dr. Dorr. LONG SHOT: Jury.
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NINTH RACE: 1. #13 BASINCA (5-2) (BEST BET), 2.Drefong, 3. Eric the Trojan. LONG SHOT: Blue Navy Blue.

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Gulfstream Park West

Race 4 – GPW

#5 Never Give In (8-1): This gelding faced winners for the first time in his last race and finished third. Trainer Kathleen O’Connell is 20% with sprinters and she stretches this one out to 7 furlongs.

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Race 6 – GPW               

#5 Expect Some Dreams (20-1): This 2-year-old filly finished third at this level at 7-1 for trainer Jane Cibelli, cuts back in distance and gains services of Antonio Gallardo, the Tampa riding champ. I just don’t get this morning-line.

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Race 9 – GPW

#6 Paddy O’Wagon (turf only) (7-2): The son of Paddy O’Prado, this 2-year-old makes his South Florida debut off a couple of decent races at Laurel and Monmouth Park. Trainer Jane Cibelli and jockey Antonio Gallardo team up again and they are 30% together.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

 

Friday’s top choice winners: 3 (Athens $3.60, first race; Juansagain $3.80, second; Blue Anchor $5.40, third)

Friday’s second choice winners: 1 (My Silver Cat $12, eighth)

Friday’s third choice winners: 1 (Sturdy One $6.40, sixth)

Friday’s long shot winners: 0

 

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Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing

Gulfstream Park West opinions for Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 11-12

Race 3 – GPW

#5 It’s My Pleasure (3-1)

Trainer Edward Plesa Jr. ships this filly in from Monmouth Park where she finished fourth in the Sorority stakes. Pleasa is 21% on layoffs of 46-90 days and he puts speed jockey Paco Lopez aboard.

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Race 5 – GPW

#6 Depeche Cat (6-1) ***

Our Eyes: Trainer Jorge Navarro has hit the ground winning at this meet with 47% winners, mostly from shippers like this 7-year-old. The gelding finished fourth in a race at Saratoga that has proven to be a key race.

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Race 8 – GPW

#4 Robert Rocket (8-1) ***

Our Eyes: Trainer Gustavo Delgado is 26% with horses in their second start for him. This 4-year-old finished third in his comeback race so he should be tighter here.

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Gulfstream Park West for Thursday, Nov. 12

Race 1 – GPW

#7 Too Clever by Half (6-1)

Trainer Jorge Navarro is off to a blazing start at the meet (8-for-17) and this mare will be running for the second time for him. She is coming out a key race at Monmoth Park. Jockey Eddie Castro 32% on the year with Navarro.

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Race 4 – GPW               

#6 Scotland Bay (3-1)

This 2-year-old filly take a class drop but more importantly trainer Jose Pinchin is 3-for-3 with horses making their second start on Lasix. Jockey Edgard Zayas takes over and he is 31% with Pinchin.

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Race 7 – GPW

#1 At the Ready (turf only) (3-1)

This colt broke his maiden on the Gulfstream Park turf and then finished fifth in a tough Kentucky Downs stakes race. Trainer Joseph Hennessy is 20% with horses off a 46 to 90-day layoff.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Sunday, Nov. 8 (Plus Gulfstream Park West)

FIRST RACE: 1. It Is Living Water, 2. Crucero, 3. China Girl Love. LONG SHOT: Image of Joplin.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Moonie (7-2), 2. Lucy De, 3. Slew’s Charm. LONG SHOT: Heres Geegees Girl.

This filly threw in a clunker last time but she’s back on a surface which she finished second on at this level during the summer. Trainer Edward Freeman is 36% with beaten favorites and he puts his main man Mario Gutierrez up.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Exactamente, 2. Knightwithputnam, 3. Tanager. LONG SHOT: Chalking It Up.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. Great Lou, 2. Wake Up Nick, 3. Mr. Jay D. LONG SHOT: Fooled Again.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Heavenly Haze, 2. Formally Wild, 3. I’m Zonin. LONG SHOT: Slight Edge.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. #4 ARABIAN LEOPARD (8-1) BEST BET, 2. Tusk, 3. Osceola Pond. LONG SHOT: Papa Gulf.

This 2-year-old cost $575K at auction and has proven a bust on turf so Bob Baffert moves him to the turf. His sire, Scat Daddy, is 16% first time turf and Baffert is 33% with horses making their second appearance going around two turns.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Power Jam, 2. Logan’s Moon, 3. Oligarch. LONG SHOT: Golden Atlantic.
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EIGHTH RACE: 1. #6 Yana (8-1), 2. My Monet, 3. Wild in the Saddle. LONG SHOT: Kiss At Midnight.

Trainer Bill Spawr is 35% on the cut back back a route to a sprint. This filly just missed going 7 furlongs earlier this year so the distance shouldn’t be an issue and she had a good work over the track.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Archaeo, 2. Tristan’s Trilogy, 3. Trust Your Gut. LONG SHOT: Silent Lovies.

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Gulfstream Park West  

Race 3: #3 Thinking of Mom (turf only) (6-1)

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. has two entries in the race and we’ll go with the longer price. This filly is coming out of a key Monmouth Park race that has produced three next out winners. Plesa is 21% with horses coming off a 46-90-day layoff.

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Race 8: #3 Zo Zo Striking (10-1)

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. wins at 20% rate with first-timer starters. Smart Strike is a good first out sire and speed jockey Paco Lopez jumps on. 

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 2 (Glory $5.40, sixth race; All Run $3.60, seventh)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 0

Saturday’s third choice winners: 1 (Esposito $8.20, first)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 1 (Tough But Nice $13.80, third)

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Friday, August 7

FIRST RACE: 1. #6 TRUE RANGER (4-1) best bet, 2. Last One Standing, 3. Panther Creek. LONG SHOT: Keepin It Lucky.

This colt makes his SoCal debut after two races at Monmouth Park. Trainer Dan Hendricks is 46% with maiden claimers at Del Mar and the son of U S Ranger has speed, which is key at this level.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Light Striker, 2. Big Rosie Brown, 3. Del Mar Dixie. LONG SHOT: Natalie Paige.
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THIRD RACE: 1. Simplicityizgenius, 2. Vartan, 3. Rare Punch. LONG SHOT: Juansagain.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. Urloveneverfails, 2. Sadie Clare, 3. Edwina E. LONG SHOT: Soul Fryer.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Volkonsky, 2. Hobbits Hero, 3. Blackford. LONG SHOT: Friendswith K Mill.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. Daddy’s Duo, 2. Silver Mojave, 3. Sweet Mz. Poppet. LONG SHOT: Siena Grace.
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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Shrinking Violet, 2. Birdlover, 3. Home Journey. LONG SHOT: Amaranth.

Wesley Ward is the listed trainer, but she has been working under the eye of trainer Blake Heap. She finished sixth against the boys at Woodbine, but has beaten this kind on the West Coast before and has a win at Del Mar. She can sit off the pace an bounce with jockey Kent Desormeaux.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Bananappeal, 2. Mydancingshadow, 3. Show and Tell. LONG SHOT: Scat City.
@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter
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Gulfstream Park, Horse racing, Los Alamitos, Monmouth Park

Los Alamitos (plus a few others) opinions for Sunday, July 5

Race 3: #1 Sheza Eyeopener (5-1)

This 5-year-old mare won over this course three times last year in four tries. She returns to the dirt from the turf for trainer Rafael Becerra, who is 2-for-9 with the move. Jockey Martin Garcia keeps the mount.

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Race 8: #3 Ultimate Holiday (5-1)

Jockey Jimmy Graham makes his debut in SoCal today and rides this daughter of Harlan’s Holiday. The 3-year-old filly ran a creditable third over the track a year ago and trainer Richard Baltas is a 23% trainer this year.

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MONMOUTH PARK

Race 10: #6 Red Vine (3-1) *****

This 5-year-old broke his maiden on the turf at Del Mar a few years back and this year trainer Christophe Clement switched to the dirt and just like that he is 3-for-3. This horse is moving up the ladder  and think a win here propels him to Del Mar’s $1 million Pacific Classic. Likes to stay just off the pace and punce in the stretch. “Jersey” Joe Bravo retains the mount.

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Race 11: #8 Ashleyluvssugar (5-1)

SoCal-based trainer Peter Eurton switched this 4-year-old gelding to going long on the turf this year and discovered a star with a perfect 3-for-3. Eurton skipped the closing weekend San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita to run here and Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens retains the mount for this closer .

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GULFSTREAM PARK

Race 10: #10 Nesso (20-1)

A long time ago, this filly broke her maiden in Southern California, but now runs on the East Coast. She is versatile, running on the front end or from off the pace. Think the pace could be hot here for look for jockey Jesus Rios to be closing in the lane. She ran well over this track a year ago. Beware.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Week that was: Ragin’ Cajun back in form at Del Mar

In reality it wasn’t a very good week the last five racing days at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Too many horses died, including the freakish death of the very good 3-year-old Dance With Fate, and too many jockeys ended up on the dirt or turf. The vibe, I hear from colleagues, wasn’t good on Sunday. Luckily, none of the jockeys who were involved in the incidents appear to have suffered serious injuries.

Del Mar made the right decision in cancelling turf racing on Sunday after a rash of deaths the first two weeks of the meet on the new surface. I’m sure when racing resumes on Wednesday, Joe Harper will make the right decision again, if problems persist.

I’ll tell anyone who will listen that the first two weeks of any race meeting, and it seems particularly Del Mar, is when horses are at most risk because they are changing surfaces. It seems that trainers who get to Del Mar early, don’t have as much of a problem, but the fact is horses have to get used to new surfaces.

As for the action on the track, jockey Kent Desormeaux has rocketed to the top of the riding standings after two weeks with nine victories from 41 mounts. The Hall of Fame jockey from Louisiana is riding as well as I have seen him recently. He was real good back in the day and then hit a rough patch due to personal issues and the like. Let’s hope that is all past him and he’s back in his glory days again.

Jockeys Tyler Baze and Elvis Trujillo, second and third in the current standings, continued strong campaigns so far. For the week Baze was 5-of-40 and Trujillo 4-of-29. Joe Talamo was 3-of-33 but it doesn’t seem like he’s riding well, to me. Talamo seems to be making big moves on the Polytrack turn for home and then flattening out. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but he seemed to ride the same way last year.

Martin Garcia was just 1-for-14, but he did miss Sunday to ride Bayern to victory in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Apprentice Drayden Van Dyke was 0-for-19, but we’ll cut him huge slack after getting dumped twice in races. He took Sunday off to recuperate.

A couple of other jockey notes, Tiago Pereira, who has earned the nickname “Mr. Long Shot” at the meet with victories on two 50-1 shots, begins a three-days suspension on Wednesday. Victor Espinoza isn’t named on horses on Friday. Brian Beach, Espinoza’s agent, said the horse his jockey was suppose to ride in the stakes didn’t enter and they didn’t have any other calls that day.

On the training end, Peter Miller, a Carlsbad resident, just keeps on trucking and is now a top the standings. Miller has seven wins for the meet and was 4-for-17 last week.

Doug O’Neill is second in the standings with five wins but he was just 1-for-21 on the week.

On the other end, John Sadler had a very frustrating week as his barn went 0-for-20. Look for a rebound soon.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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