Tag Archives: Stewart Elliott

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Saturday, Aug. 27

Preview: The turf rails will be at 12 feet today so closers should have a shot. Jockeys Flavien Prat (16-for-69) and Rafael Bejarano (10-56) lead the way on the grass. Jockeys to avoid (maybe) are Stewart Elliott 1-for-26, Mike Smith 1-for-25 and Martin Garcia 0-21.

Race 1: 1. #3 Where’s Bubba (6-1) BEST BET, 2. Boompa, 3. Tomasino. LONG SHOT: Exemplar.

Trainer Bill Spawr is good a changing a horses distance. He is 36% when going from a route to a sprint and even more impressive when going sprint-route-sprint he is 56%.

Race 2: 1. Above Board, 2. Latest Craze, 3. Counturluckystars. LONG SHOT: Cavalry.

Race 3: 1. Masochistic, 2. Indexical, 3. Vyjack.

Race 4: 1. Vartan, 2. Dream It Do It, 3. Moose Skowron. LONG SHOT: Dynamic Scoring.

Race 5: 1. #3 Lauren’s Export (12-1), 2. Dust It, 3. Leveler. LONG SHOT: Anythingcanhappen.

Trainer Carla Gaines is 23% when debuting a horse on the turf and this daughter of Lonhro has three straight big works coming into the race. Lonhro is 13% with first-time turfers.

Race 6: 1. Hell On Heels, 2. Krisie’s Heart, 3. Passionate Emotion. LONG SHOT: Dragon Flowerr.

Race 7: 1. Nodiac, 2. Do the Dance, 3. How Unusual. LONG SHOT: Patriotic Diamond.

Race 8: 1. #5 How About Zero (6-1), 2. Miss Sunset, 3. You’re Late. LONG SHOT: I’ll Be Around.

We have seen trainer Doug O’Neill do this before: start a first-time maiden in a stakes race and he has won. This is a daughter of Square Eddie, who gets 16% winners first time out and barn jockey Mario Gutierrez takes the ride.

Race 9: 1. #8 Hansen Tale Blues (10-1), 2. Life’s Blessings, 3. Lovely Linda. LONG SHOT: Soul Singer.

Trainer Victor Garcia is 12% with first-time starters and he always seems to cash a bomber for his father King Juan Garcia, who races under the name Lucky Charm Stable. This son of Hansen has been training steadily and the sire gets 14% first time out. Follow the money.

Race 10: 1. American Aristocat, 2. Temple Keys, 3. Anatolian. LONG SHOT: Over Par.

Good luck

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar late selections for Thursday, Aug. 25

Preview: Plenty of variety on this card so should be interesting. The trainer’s race is coming down to the usual suspects. Heading into the week Phil D’Amato led with 16 winners followed by Richard Baltas and Bob Baffert at 12 wins each and Peter Miller with 10. Disappointing meet for the Doug O’Neill barn so maybe that barn will get hot in the last two weeks.

Sorry late again.

Race 1: 1. Tryst, 2. Pearl de Vere, 3. Cuyathy. LONG SHOT: Spicy Blonde.

Race 2: 1. #4 Handsome Hank (5-2), 2. Unbridled Rocket, 3. Suavemente. LONG SHOT: Proud Zoning.
Trainer Art Sherman does claim many but he must have seen some here. Maybe it’s the 5-2-1-2 record at this distance or 2-1-0-1 record on the dirt. This colt is bred to run all day and has the best Brisnet Late Pace Rating.

Race 3: 1. Lil Miss Sapphire, 2. Woot Woot, 3. Goseecal. LONG SHOT: My Mel Mar.

Race 4: 1. #3 Patron (6-1) BEST BET, 2. Silent Movies, 3. What’s Up Gus. LONG SHOT: Magik Pepper.
This is strictly a breeding play as trainer Bob Baffert is 4% with first-time turfers. This colt was training good enough going into debut but that was on the dirt. This 3-year-old is bred to run on the turf (13% first time grass) and bred to run all day (7.5 average furlongs for sire and 9.4 for the broodmare sire). This colt is also coming out of a key race. Baffert is 32% with jockey Stewart Elliott. I’m all in.

Race 5: 1. Enduring Erin, 2. Mrs. Norris, 3. Dis Smart Cat. LONG SHOT: Stylish in Black.

Race 6: 1. #8 Vibe (6-1), 2. Plum Dandy, 3. Term of Act. LONG SHOT: Thirty Pepperonis.
Think this colt’s debut was just a training race as the Desormeaux brothers team up here on this son of Astrology. Trainer Keith Desormeaux is 17% with horses the first time they go a route of ground.

Race 7: 1. #5 Instant Drama (15-1), 2. Easy Grader, 3. Madame Mousse. LONG SHOT: Cover Song.
This filly tries turf for the first time as she returns from a short freshening. The sire Big Drama gets 10% winners first time turf. Trainer Gary Mandella is 2-for-8 in turf sprints and this 3-year-old has a couple of big works coming into the race.

Race 8: 1. Clude, 2. Big Discovery, 3. Motoring Around. LONG SHOT: Tough Emblem.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Wednesday, Aug. 24

Preview: Not the best of cards, but at least they have a maiden grass sprint. Heading into the final two weeks of the meet, the jockeys’ race appears to be a three-horse race: Flavien Prat 28-146, Rafael Bejarano 25-122 and Santiago Gonzalez 23-160..

Race 1: 1. #2 Fruity (7-2), 2. Desert Madam, 3. Take It Easyplease. LONG SHOT: Ipray.
Jockey Flavien Prat jumps on this filly, which tries two turns on the dirt for the first time. Trainer Matthew Chew claimed her out of her last and drops her into this spot off a win over the track.

Race 2: 1. Magic Tatse, 2. Silver Chrome, 3. Citori. LONG SHOT: Footloos Indy Lane.

Race 3: 1. Eddie’s Turn, 2. Eight Spokes, 3. Never Say Try. LONG SHOT: Pulla Train.

Race 4: 1. #6 Moonlight Blue (4-1), 2. Three Eclipse, 3. Sorry Erik. LONG SHOT: Ucanthankmelater.
Most of the 2-year-olds in this race are going around two turns for the first time. This gelding has been running in Florida and looks for the Ship ‘N Win bonus. Trainer Vladimir Cerin is 21% first time with a horse and 20% with horses off a 31 to 60-day layoff. This one also drops into a maiden claimer for the first time.

Race 5: 1. Soi Phet, 2. The Gomper, 3. Kristo. LONG SHOT: Grazen Sky.

Race 6: 1. #5 Schwary’s Girl (6-1) BEST BET, 2. Lori’s Attitude, 3. Could Be Magic. LONG SHOT: White Rock Lake.
Love the Australian sire Lonhro, especially on the turf where he gets 14% winners first time out. This filly has a good last work and trainer Mike Puype is 20% with jockey Stewart Elliott.

Race 7: 1. Blue Tone, 2. Conquest Cobra, 3. Avanti Bello. LONG SHOT: War Envoy.

Race 8: 1. Sidepocket Run, 2. Revenue Virginius, 3. Hennythelovepenny. LONG SHOT: Desert Thief.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Friday, July 29 (4 p.m. first post)

Preview: The turf rails come back in to 12 feet today which will allow closers to have a better shot in the stretch. Yesterday we talked about jockeys who have done well so far during the meet on the grass. Here are a couple of jockeys who have been struggling on the green (stats through Tuesday): Tyler Baze (1-for-18), Santiago Gonzalez (1-15) and Stewart Elliott (0-9).

Race 1: 1. #4 Mrs. Guty (7-2) BEST BET, 2. Spindle, 3. Generous Pour. LONG SHOT: La Galy
This filly finished third as the 6-5 favorite in her debut. She showed a lot of speed that day and tired so should be fitter for this race. Trainer Michael McCarthy is 23% with horses off a 46 to 90-day layoff. The filly also takes a drop in class.

Race 2: 1. Cioppino Pasadino, 2. My California, 3. I’ll Be Around. LONG SHOT: Love a Honeybadger.

Race 3: 1. Katy Drama, 2. Sizzling Bel, 3. B K Miss. LONG SHOT: Chicago Angel.

Race 4: 1. #5 Ciao Bella Rosa (12-1), 2. Simmy’s Temple, 3. You Missed It. LONG SHOT: Gio’s Lady.
This filly cost $125K at auction and is sire by Kitten’s Joy, who gets 17% first out winners on the grass. This 2-year-old is prep to love the green and go a distance of ground. Trainer Peter Miller likes to win at Del Mar and at a price is even better.

Race 5: 1. Jonny’s Choice, 2. Minister Vivendi, 3. Nahem. LONG SHOT: Misdeed.

Race 6: 1. #5 Doubelievenmagic (7-2), 2. Out Ofthe Ordinary. LONG SHOT: Queen Scheherazade.
This filly finished second on the grass for trainer Todd Pletcher at Gulfstream Park 2 months ago and now ends up here to try and cash in on the “Ship N Win” program. Trainer David Hofmans is 35% going from sprint to route, 18% with first-time routers and 27% with jockey Joe Talamo at Del Mar.

Race 7: 1. Elwood J, 2. Caiifornia Clone, 3. Amodei. LONG SHOT: Midnight Reveler.

Race 8: 1. With a Twist, 2. Swiss Skimmer, 3. Intoxicaing Move. LONG SHOT: Lady’s Lunar Luck.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Sunday, July 17

Preview: Phil D’Amato led the training standings at Santa Anita on the turf, but last year at Del Mar he was no better than fourth on the grass. Doug O’Neill led all trainers with grass wins last summer followed by Peter Miller and Mike Puype. Keep it in mind. How some of you hit Saturday’s $20.40 winner She’s Not Here.

Race 1: 1. Pragmatical (SCRATCHED), 2. English Queen, 3. Brainspin. LONG SHOT: Vivacious Beauty.

Race 2: 1. #5 Carlsbad Mountain (8-1), 2. Thanksgiving Day, 3. Big Tire. LONG SHOT: Dive Down.
Just throw out that last race for this gelding. Trainer Robertino Diodoro drops this 7-year-old back to his claimed level and the gelding has a win over the track at the fall meet. Look for jockey Stewart Elliott to send his mount from the gate.

Race 3: 1. #8 Cammy’s Music (4-1), 2. Mr. Louis, 3. Crime Boss. LONG SHOT: Thirty Pepperonis.
Trainer Craig Dollase is good with first-timers, sporting a 24% win pct. with those types. He is 29% with debuting maiden claimers and the sire Maclean’s Music is 38% with first-time starters with limited starters.

Race 4: 1. Sausalito Sunset, 2. It’s Not So Easy, 3. Champagne Elegance. LONG SHOT: Highly Classified.

Race 5: 1. Entrechat, 2. Chati’s On Top, 3. Flamingo Lane. LONG SHOT: Bottle Blonde.

Race 6: 1. Success Rate, 2. Celebrity Status, 3. Swiss Cheese. LONG SHOT: Northern Iowa.

Race 7: 1. Riri, 2. Cheekaboo, 3. Well Caught. LONG SHOT: How Unusual.

Race 8: 1. Chasing Aces, 2. Law Abidin Citizen, 3. The All Button. LONG SHOT: Blame Joe.

Race 9: 1. Midnight Storm, 2. Finnegans Wake, 3. Ashleyluvssugar. LONG SHOT: Flamboyant.

Race 10: 1. Kristi’s Copilot, 2. Que Chistoso, 3. It’s Just Bob. LONG SHOT: Ebony Gold.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 3 (Toowindytohaulrox $4.20, fifth race;  Rinse and Repeat $6.20, sixth; She’s Not Here $20.40, ninth)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 0

Saturday’s third choice winners: 4 (Overcomer $7, first; Passionate Emotion $5, second; Spanish Hombre $7.40, fourth; Morganite $19.40, eighth)

Saturday’s long shot winners: 1 (Cindys Secret $43.40, third)

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Monday,May 30

Preview: Not the greatest card, but it’s a holiday so let’s have a good time. A few numbers to ponder: the leading rider of the main track is Edwin Maldonado with 15 wins from 51 mounts followed by Tyler Baze (10-47) and Rafael Bejarano (9-43). On the other end, Stewart Elliott 1-for-29, Agapito Delgadillo (0-21) and Abel Lezcano (0-18).

Race 1 – SA
#7 Mai Tai (5-2) LIKELY TO SCRATCH
This filly ran into a buzzsaw named Enola Gray first time out and lost by more than 16 lengths, despite finishing second. Enola came back to win a Cal-bred stakes Saturday so that’s good for this 3-year-old.

Race 5 – SA
#3 Little Bit Lovely (6-1): This 4-year-old could prove to be a great claim by trainer Jack Carava. She won her only race down the hill and comes back on the same layout with the same jockey, Flavien Prat, who is leading the meet in winners on the grass. The fill also has the top Brisnet Prime and Class Ratings.

Race 8 – SA
#8 Illuminant (5-1): This filly finished third to the monster female Tepin in the Grade I Jenny Wiley. She is the only speed I see in this race and think Falvien Prat will go to the front with her again. She must make up a length on Wekeela, who is shipping in for trainer Chad Brown but I think she can do with a patient ride.

Race 10 – SA
#9 El Super (6-1): The Richard Mandella-trainee gave just an even effort in his first race in more than a year last time. Good turf jockey Flavien Prat takes over and he is 17% with Mandella.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, May 20

Preview: More horses in the late Pick Four than early. The turf rails at 30 feet, which might favor speed. A few jockeys have gotten off to a slow start at the meet: Agapito Delgadillo is 0-for-15 followed by Stewart Elliott is 1-for-24 and Drayden Van Dyke is 1-for-16.

Race 1 – SA
#7 Western Warrior (4-1): The first year sire Iqbaal is 1-for-4 with debuting maidens and looking to make a name for himself. Trainer Blade Heap is 15% first-timers and 3 for his last 10 in the MSW ranks. He is the co-breeders on this colt and gets good gate jockey Martin Pedroza.

Race 3 – SA
#2 Trifecta (9-2) (turf only): This gelding has been running in longer races and cuts back to a mile so he should be plenty fit and maybe that’s why trainer Ron Ellis claimed him. The 4-year-old is 7-2-2-0 at this distance and Ellis is 23% first off the claim.

Race 5 – SA
#2 Yes Yes Yes (5-1)(turf only): Trainer Peter Eurton gets the gelding back down the hill where he is 3-1-0-2 and the 5-year-old has had a couple of good works coming into this race. Eurton is 26% with horses off a 61-180-day layoff and jockey Rafael Bejarano jumps on (28% with Eurton.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, Feb. 20

Preview: Interesting card with the highly anticipated debut of Ziconic, a son of Zenayata, set to run in what looks like a tough maiden race in the third.

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Race 2: #4 Decisive Triumph (turf only) (8-1) 

Trainer Graham Motion doesn’t have a win at the meet yet, but he’s too good not to score eventually. This son of Kitten’s Joy should love this distance and surface. Motion adds Lasix and he’s 23% first time he does that plus he adds leading jockey Rafael Bejarano.

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Race 3: #2 Fast Munny (6-1)

This is the race with Zenyatta’s son, Ziconic, plus two horses trained by Bob Baffert and one trained by Jerry Hollendorfer so this could turn out to be a key race. We’re going with the son of Munnings and trained by Craig Dollase, who is 26% with first-time starters. I know the connections are high on this 3-year-old colt, but like I said it’s a tough heat. Flavien Prat rides and he’s 2-for-4 with Dollase.

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Race 7: #9 I’m Zonin (8-1) 

This gelding is in the money 60% (3 for 5) at this distance. Trainer Richard Baltas is 30% going sprint-route-sprint meaning that this 4-year-old should have plenty of stamina. Veteran jockey Stewart Elliott gets the mount.

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FAIRGROUNDS

Race 11 (Grade II Risen Star Stakes: 1.#4 Bistraya (15-1), 2. #10 Airoforce (5-2), 3. #13 Candy My Boy (15-1), 4. #6 Gun Runner (6-1). LONG SHOT: #7 Its All Relevent (15-1).

It’s time for the 50-point races on the Kentucky Derby trail so a win in any of these races pretty much gets you in the starting gate on the first Saturday of May. We’re going with an upset here as Bistraya ships in off a maiden victory in Southern California. Jockey Edwin Maldonado comes along for the ride. Candy My Boy is interesting but that post is a killer.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

 

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Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Wednesday, Aug. 25 (updated)

FIRST RACE: 1. Speckles, 2. When I’m calling U, 3. First Flower. LONG SHOT: Whodoo Pirate.

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SECOND RACE: 1. Silk in Silver, 2. Cayanna, 3. Acute. LONG SHOT: My B F F.

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THIRD RACE: 1. Temeeku (best bet), 2. Best Efforts, 3. Doodetta. LONG SHOT: Star Act.

The 3-year-old TEMEEKU (4-1) was off slow in her debut, but made up ground in the stretch. She now gets two turns, which she was bred for. Trainer Peter Eurton is better second time out and jockey Joe Talamo is one of his main men.

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FOURTH RACE: 1. Holiday Maker, 2. Mama’s Trasheed, 3. Misty Warrior. LONG SHOT: Imperial Badger.

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FIFTH RACE: 1. West Riding, 2. Zanbo, 3. Tiz a Kiss. LONG SHOT: Passionate Diva.

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Race 6: #5 Racing for Chasen, 2. Wedding Blush, 3. Rosie Brown. LONG SHOT: Urgraceisenough.

RACING FOR CHASEN (5-1), a 2-year-old filly, has improved each time out and jockey Stewart Elliott, who is returning from an injury, seems to have the right idea what to do with her. She likes the Polytrack and could improve some more in her first try against winners.

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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Hidden Zensation, 2. In Excessiveness, 3. Sir Macho. LONG SHOT: Romar Success.

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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Grand Yodeler, 2. Long Hot Summer, 3. Lost Bus. LONG SHOT: Do the Danse (SCRATCHED) NEW PICK: My Fiona.

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NINTH RACE: 1. Mucho Blessings, 2. Daddy’s Duo, 3. Wistful Woman. LONG SHOT: Devil’s Beauty.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Sunday’s top choice winners: 1 (Conquest Panthera $3, first race)

Sunday’s second choice winners: 3 (Shun $10.80, seventh; Shared Belief $4.40, 10th; World Famous Sam T $12.20, 11th)

Sunday’s third choice winners: 5 (Bee Brave $8.60, second; Miss Super Quick $10.80, fourth; Tom’s Tribute $8.20, fifth; Burning Arch $10.60, eighth; Goldencents $5.40, ninth)

Sunday’s long shot winners: 1 (Light the City $14.60, third)

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Del Mar, Horse racing

The week that was at Del Mar

Well, opening week has come and gone at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

The Polytrack was inside speed-favoring the first two days and then seemed to play fair over the weekend.

The new Jimmy Durante Turf Course also seemed to play fair despite the fact it looked more like it belongs on a golf course than a race track. Oh, yeah, it was developed by Greg Norman.

And finally if you’re a fan of trainer Gary Sherlock or a member of his barn, you got rich. It’s safe to say Sherlock’s wins with Passing Game on opening day at $62.80 and She’s Flush on Sunday at $108.60 will result in a positive ROI for a couple of years. There was no way I could come up with She’s Flush, even if it was a bad race. Passing Game, on the other hand, had a past win on the Polytrack. Horses that won on it before should be given extra consideration when handicapping.

Surprisingly, jockey Martin Garcia was the star the first week with six wins from 23 starts and only two of them were for his main guy, trainer Bob Baffert. Even more shocking was the fact that Garcia won twice on the turf, a surface he hasn’t excelled at a lot in the past.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith was a standout, as usual. When big money is on the line, you want Smith in your corner. Smith was 5-of-19 for the week and his horses earned $455,720.

Elvis Trujillo, the import from Florida who joined the Southern California circuit in May, had a very quiet 4-of-27 week.

Rafael Bejarano returned from injury and scored three victories, all of them on the turf. He seems to be getting more comfortable and stronger every day.

Corey Nakatani (15-1-4-5) and Stewart Elliott (7-1-4-0) bear watching because those seconds and thirds will turn into wins. Elliott, who is riding a lot for Canadian-based trainer Mark Casse, should be watched on the Polytrack, especially. He will notice a bias in a minute and take advantage of it.

On the not so good side, Victor Espinoza, California Chrome’s jockey, went 0-for-23 and Edwin Maldonado was 0-for-18 the first four days.

On the training side, Doug O’Neill leads after one week after going 4-for-21.He led with Polytrack victories with three.

Following O’Neill in the standings, John Sadler, Peter Miller and Jerry Hollendorfer all recorded three victories. Miller led the way with two wins on the turf.

It looks like Casse has brought a strong group from Canada and will be a force to watch at the meet.

I’m still trying to get a handle on Midwest trainer Michael Stidham. It’s looking to me like his turf horses are taking better to the Del Mar grass than his Polytrack horses are in going from Arlington Park to the seaside oval, but it could all change.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Sunday’s top choice winners: 1 (Luminance $3, eighth race)

Sunday’s second choice winners: 3 (Thermal Nermal $9.80, third; Tom’s Tribute $6.60, fifth; Poshsky $11.40, seventh)

Sunday’s third choice winners: 4 (Tigah $6.60, second; Tara’s Tango $4.60, fourth; Shysheisnot $5, sixth; Secret Command $19.60, 10th)

Sunday’s long shot winners: 0 

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