Tag Archives: Oaklawn Park

Horse racing, Keeneland, Keeneland Race Course, Oaklawn Park, Tampa Bay Downs

Keeneland and Oaklawn Park stakes opinions for Saturday, April 13 (Plus Tampa Bay)

KEENELAND

SEVENTH RACE (Ben Ali): 1. Nun the Less 2ND PAID $9.60 TO PLACE, 2. Bonus Points, 3. Hence. LONG SHOT: Third Day.

EIGHTH RACE (Giant’s Causeway): 1. Mrs. Ramona G. SCRATCHED, 2. Morticia WINNER $6.40, 3. Excessivespending COLD EXACTA $26.80. LONG SHOT: Surrender Now. TRIFECTA $27.30 for 50 cents

NINTH RACE (Lexington): 1. Anothertwistafate 2ND PAID $3.60 TO PLACE, 2. Sueno THIRD, 3. Shang. LONG SHOT: Hawaiian Noises.

10TH RACE (Jenny Wiley): 1. Rymska SECOND, 2. Rushing Fall WINNER $3.80 REVERSE EXACTA $7.40, 3. Onthemoonagain, 4. Bellavais.

OAKLAWN PARK

NINTH RACE (Oaklawn Handicap): 1. Quip WINNER $13, 2. Rated R Superstar, 3. Giant Expectations. LONG SHOT: Lookin At Lee.

11TH RACE (Arkansas Derby) : 1. Omaha Beach WINNER $5.40, 2. Galilean, 3. Improbable SECOND, 4. Long Range Toddy. LONG SHOT: Tikhvin Flew.

TAMPA BAY

SECOND RACE: 1. R True Sensation WINNER $5.40, 2. Lovetobehappy, 3. Taylor’s Belle. LONG SHOT: U Know I B Lion.

THIRD RACE: 1. Spectacular Plum WINNER $9, 2. First Reward, 3. Trumpi. LONG SHOT: Candy Cove. COLD EXACTA $66.20; COLD TRIFECTA $102.30 for $1

SIXTH RACE: 1. Architect SECOND AT 19-1 PAID $19.60 TO PLACE, 2. Luna, 3. Itsagimme’s Girl. LONG SHOT: Red Curls.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Silver Duke WINNER $54.80, 2. Peas and Carrots, 3. Money Broker. LONG SHOT: Tamper (SCRATCHED). COLD EXACTA $189; COLD TRIFECTA $198.55 for 50 cents

Good luck.

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Horse racing, Oaklawn Park

Oaklawn Park stakes opinions for Saturday, March 16

SEVENTH RACE (Grade II Azeri): 1. Elate, 2. Shamrock Rose, 3. Midnight Bisou. LONG SHOT: Eskimo Kisses.

EIGHTH RACE Grade II Rebel): 1. Long Range Toddy, 2. Improbable, 3. Galilena. LONG SHOT: Extra Hope.

NINTH RACE (Essex): 1. Giant Expectations, 2. Heavy Roller, 3. Rated R Superstar. LONG SHOT: Hence.

10TH RACE (Grade II Rebel): 1. Gunmetal Gray, 2. Game Winner, 3. Laughing Fox. LONG SHOT: Our Braintrust.

Good luck.

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Nakatani to return to riding with son as agent

Jockey Corey Naktani, who hasn’t ridden since April while contemplating retirement, is returning to ride, presumably before the end of the Del Mar Bing Crosby Season meet on Dec. 4.

Nakatani’s son, Matt, said Wednesday on Twitter that his father start will start taking mounts and that he would be his agent.

Corey Nakatani, 46, who has won 10 Breeders’ Cup races and nearly $228 million in purses lifetime, has been seen working horses in the mornings at Del Mar.

This year Nakatani had 27 winners — all at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., last winter — from 158 mounts and $1.4 million in earnings, but was frustrated by his lack of quality mounts and stepped away from the sport.

Nakatani has not been named on any mounts yet. Del Mar has drawn entries through Saturday.

The Thoroughbred Daily News first wrote the story of Nakatani’s return.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Horse racing

Belmont, Churchill, Gulfstream opinions for Thursday, June 4

GULFSTREAM PARK  

Race 1: #10 Famous Sting (9-2)

Trainer Marcial Navarro is 29% first off the claim and has been out at this meet, winning his last three race without a loss. This 4-year-old filly just broke her maiden and should fit at this level.

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BELMONT PARK        

Race 1: #7 Groupthink (8-1)

Trainer Chad Brown is a spectacular 46% going from a route race to a sprint like this 4-year-old gelding. The horse has been first or second eight times in 13 races.

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Race 8: #11 Robe (8-1)

Trainer Bill Mott has better numbers with second-time starters and comes out of a Gulfstream Park race that has produced three next out winners.

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CHURCHILL DOWNS                  

Race 7: #5 Vancouver (7-2)

Our Eyes:  This 3-year-old colt drops into a claimer for the first time for trainer Wayne Catalano and comes out of a Oaklawn Park MSW race that has produced three next out winners. Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan is 26% with Catalano.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita early opinions for Saturday, Jan. 31

Might not get to do a full handicap this weekend as a family member is back in the hospital. Thanks for reading.

Race 3: #7 Commute (8-1)

Interesting that this 3-year-old colt was tearing up the track in the mornings at Oaklawn Park and all of a sudden trainer Mark Casse decides to ship him West and the son of Hold Me Back turns in another good work. Looking for regular barn rider Corey Nakatani to put this one on the lead from the outside.

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Race 8: #7 Callback (4-1)

This 3-year-old filly has shown improvement every time out and now she gets to do what she was bred for —- going around two turns (sired by Street Sense). She has a good work since her last start and trainer Bob Baffert is due to get hot any day.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

 

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Horse racing, Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos thoroughbred picks for Sunday, July 6

FIRST RACE: 1. No Dishonor, 2. Wrightwood, 3. True Visionary. LONG SHOT: Rusty Road.
Trainer Cody Autry claimed NO DISHONOR two races back at Oaklawn Park. The 3-year-old has been training steadily at Los Alamitos and Autrey puts blinkers on, a 21% move for him. On top of that, recent Santa Anita riding champion Joe Talamo jumps on.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Eddies Curl, 2. Nothing to Hide, 3. Hollywood Producer. LONG SHOT: I Like a Kathy.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Loop Current Eddie, 2. Money Tree, 3. Triunfo. LONG SHOT: Billy Mac.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Dallon’s Gold, 2. Happy Idea, 3. Noble Metal. LONG SHOT: W. Giles.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Two Six Wins (best bet), 2. Dream Police, 3. Seve’s Road. LONG SHOT: Kinsale Sailor.
This 2-year-old Midshipman colt finished sixth in his debut at odds of 9-5 at Santa Anita. He showed speed out of the gate but tired. Gets a big jockey switch from Eswan Flores to Joe Talamo.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Watch It Buster, 2. Ron’s Boy, 3. Synchrotron. LONG SHOT: They Call Me Mr. P.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Belle of the Fleet, 2. Cloudy Moon, 3. Lindz Winz. LONG SHOT: Gracie Ragazza.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Onna Bugeisha, 2. Legacy, 3. Maker Or Breaker. LONG SHOT: Miss Radiance.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Southern Digs, 2. Forever Freedom, 3. Cuneo. LONG SHOT: It’s Superman.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 2 (Oeighter $5.40, first race; Tiznow Or Then $4.40, fifth)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 1 (Shared Belief $3.40, eighth)

Saturday’s third choice winners: 1 (Johns Journey $10.60, fourth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 1 (Lucky S.J. $20.20, ninth)

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita picks for Saturday, May 17 (updated)

Preakness Day will feature an 11:30 a.m. first post at Santa Anita.

In the Preakness, I really don’t see California Chrome losing. I think General a Rod will run better than he did in the Derby and worth a look in the exotics.

FIRST RACE: 1. L T Reckless, 2. Parada, 3. Passion Bucket. LONG SHOT: Charlie Time.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Bench Press, 2. Pass the Pico, 3. Cinco de Mario. LONG SHOT: Shining Son.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Kochees, 2. Midnite View, 3. Seeking the West. LONG SHOT: Honduran.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Obviously, 2. Silentio, 3. Smart Ellis. LONG SHOT: Tigah (SCRATCHED). New long shot: Chips All In.

Race has been decimated by scratches with Winning Prize, Pure Tactics and Tigah out. Four-horse race for a Grade III? Embarrassing.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. Explain (SCRATCHED), 2. Hamiltonian, 3. Close to the Edge. LONG SHOT: Jovita’s Tuffy. New picks: 1. Too Fast to Pass, 2. Jovita’s Tuffy, 3. Hamiltonian. LONG SHOT: Close to the Edge.

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SIXTH RACE: 1. Number Five, 2. Remind Mee, 3. Back to Bako. LONG SHOT: Boompa.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Compulsive, 2. Slewisurfing, 3. Destino. LONG SHOT: Triunfo.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Stolen Property (best bet), 2. Public Interest, 3. Misdeed. LONG SHOT: Midnight Mayhem.

Trainer Dan Blacker is 2-for-6 with maidens making their second starts and 27% with maiden claimers overall. This gelding STOLEN PROPERTY got off to a poor start in debut and now stretches out around two turns with veteran jockey Martin Garcia taking over.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Delta Flower, 2. Empress of Midway, 3. Satirical. LONG SHOT: Time and Tides.

DELTA FLOWER, a 3-year-old filly, makes her SoCal debut after winning twice at Oaklawn Park. Jerry Hollendorfer takes over the training and he is 31% with horses first time in his barn. Jockey Corey Nakatani picks up the mount and expect the filly to be put on the lead.

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10TH RACE: 1. Q’ Viva, 2. Warren’s Jen Fizz, 3. Exclusive Girl. LONG SHOT: Natalie Paige.

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11TH RACE: 1. Fight the Power, 2. Rocked Twice, 3. Fly Boy Roy. LONG SHOT: No Ez Money.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Friday’s top choice winners: 2 (Gracie Ragazza $6.40, fifth race; Carbonite $9, sixth)

Friday’s second choice and long shot winners: 0

Friday’s third choice winners: 5 (Kristi’s Copilot $3.40, first; Seeking the Sherif $5, second; Prime Issue $31.20, third; Redressthebalance $4.20, fourth; Rich in Tradition $7.40, eighth)

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Horse racing, Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown

Rebel Stakes: What they said

Quotes courtesy of Oaklawn Park following Hoppertunity’s win in Saturday’s Rebel Stakes:

Mike Pegram (owner, Hoppertunity, 1st): “Bob (Baffert, trainer) is in charge and he knows what to do. I’m just having fun being a passenger. He looks like he’ll go a mile-and-a-quarter and I wouldn’t trade places with nobody. He’s a nice horse and he proved it today. What you really want to see is a horse that will fight, and he showed it when he got bumped in there and held his ground. He responded. He’s a fighter. We will run is some Derby. His next race will be a derby if he comes out good out of here.”

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Jimmy Barnes (assistant to Baffert, Hoppertunity, 1st): “That was exciting. Wow. I saw what happened in the race live and I was saying to myself, that kid (Santana, Jr. on Tapiture) is trying to push us out of the way to get by. We had enough horse that he wasn’t getting by. Mike (Smith) said he just started running when he got bumped. That just made him run faster. He’s tough. He’s lightly raced. That was only his fourth race so that was exciting and I’m glad we came. Whether we come back for the Arkansas Derby is up to Bob.”

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Steve Asmussen (Tapiture, 2nd) – “He ran well. It was a pretty roughly run race by some fast horses.”

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Kent Desormeaux (Ride On Curlin, 3rd) – “I tell you, I fancy him. I like him a lot. At the half-mile pole, I thought I could win. The only thing I didn’t like was my post. I think if I had had an outside post, it would have been better. I was kind of committed from where I was. But, he was comfortable. He’s like riding a 9-year-old he’s so cool.”

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D. Wayne Lukas (4th Strong Mandate): “We haven’t been able to get a clean trip yet. We got roughed up more than was indicated. I don’t yet what’s next for him. We haven’t even gotten him cooled out yet. The Arkansas Derby is a month away.”

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Association Steward Larry Snyder on the decision not to change the order of finish after an inquiry and jockey objection: “We based our decision on the fact that Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. on Tapiture pushed his way out from behind the four horse (Strong Mandate) as the horses were straightening out into the stretch. Jockey Mike Smith was just holding his position.”

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Horse racing, Triple Crown

Lukas not happy with Strong Mandate’s Rebel effort?

Sounds like trainer D. Wayne Lukas wasn’t all that happy with Strong Mandate’s second place finish in Monday’s Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Quotes are courtesy of the Oaklawn Park media department:

Lukas: “He ran well. He didn’t have the cleanest of trips. We had wanted to be more forwardly placed, but he got bumped leaving the gate and was actually wide the whole trip. The winner ran exceptional. We’ll just go back to the barn and look at the Rebel Stakes (March 15).”

Jockey Joel Rosario, on Strong Mandate: “He broke a little slow. In the first turn, I wanted to get into position, but I couldn’t. I had to hold a bit because a few horses were bouncing in and out. He’s the kind of horse you need to let run easy. He’s a big horse and you want to let him do what he wants. Maybe next time we’ll get a better trip.”

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Winning trainer Steve Asmussen, Tapiture: “It was a big step forward for him. I was impressed with  what he did. I saw some things we need to improve and he’ll have to continue to improve with the races coming up. I think the series sets up really well for him.”

Winning jockey Ricardo Santana Jr, Tapiture: “This horse was working really nice. I was so excited for this race. When we got to the straight, he showed all his class. He was really nice and was really relaxed today.”

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Trainer Billy Gowan, third with Ride OnCurlin: “He ran a heck of a race. He was hung nine wide and he got a little bit tired. We’ll be back for the Rebel.”

Jockey Calvin Borel, third with Ride OnCurlin: “He ran good. He broke sharp. He got hung a little wide going into the first turn and he didn’t like that. I had to take him back and let him go about his business. He got a little heavy at the end.”

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Jockey Terry Thompson on Kendall’s Boy, “He had a real rough trip. He got banged up basically from when the gates opened until he just gave up on me. He never go into stride. It was his first time going two turns and we needed everything to go right. Hard to go off of this one.”

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