Horse Racing News from Del Mar : Race Results and Analysis 8/31/08

Today, the feature race at Del Mar is the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, which will be run over the turf at a mile and a eighth. The morning line favorite is the East Coast shipper Gio Ponti for trainer Christophe Clement. Yesterday, I went two for three with my suggested Pick 6 singles as Bad Big Al and Anatolian Gold each crossed the wire first. The most impressive horse to run yesterday was the two year old filly Alpha Kitten, who ran 5.5 furlongs in 1:03.87 and did without being asked for her best. She gives trainer John Saddler another good two year old filly prospect.

Today, looks to have some interesting price possibilities. I think #4 Syspy in the
6th race offers great value at 12-1, as he is consistent and is returning to one turn today, after new trainer Eric Guillot sent him long for the first time. The 8th race is a Maiden Special Weight race for 2 year olds and not one the eleven starters has ever run before and according to workout reports #3 Details R Sketchy (4-1) is a real runner. He gets a top jock in Garret Gomez for his unveiling and is trained by excellent conditioner Carla Gaines, who can strike first time out. Her horses generally run to their works and if this one does he should be tough in today's 8th race. The 10th race is for older claiming horses and #4 Common Trust (6-1) is reunited with his old conditioner Jeff Mullins, who was successful with him in the past. Mullins moves in him up in class and gets jockey Garret Gomez to ride him again as he has in the past for Mullins.

The main track remains fast and the final times were quick yesterday. Nicole's Image went gate to wire in the 3rd race, all of the other winners came from off the pace. Horses were able to win from the inside and the outside, so it played fair with respect to positioning on the track.

The rails on the turf were down for the 3 races that were carded for the turf. The first race dominated by the front end horses as the two horse who won sat a co-second down the backside. The pacesetter finished less than a length back. The second turf race was 5 furlong sprint and Candy Pull Came from off the pace to capture this race. It is rare to see a horse win from this far back sprinting on this turf course and this guy may like the downhill course at Santa Anita, which plays to horses with this off the pace style. This was his first try over the turf and he really took to it. The 9th race was won by Vacare who came from off the pace while racing wide all the way around the track. She was between horses late and outclassed this group.

For further information on yesterday's races click on Race Results from Del Mar 8/30/08 - Google Docs, which can be found following my blog.

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Race Results from Del Mar 8/30/08 - Google Docs

Race Results from Del Mar 8/30/08 - Google Docs

Horse Racing News from Del Mar : Race Results and Analysis 8/30

Today, at Del Mar there is a Pick 6 carryover of $156k, which will be contested over races 5-10. I think the #10 Bad big Al in race six is a potential single, he is in good form and has the ability to handle this group. The last time he ran he was down on the dead rail, as the outside was the place to be that day. In the 9th race #4 Kris' Sis should get a better trip toady with the post draw and the addition of leading rider Rafael Bejarano. She has the ability to beat these and with a little racing luck she will be right there when all is said and done. In the 10th race #12 Anatolian Gold ran a good second despite the troubled trip, was not going to beat the runaway winner that day who came back to win, but he finished clear of third place horse and seemed to has found his level. The Pick 6 is hittable today and these are a couple of what I think are key horses in the sequence.

As for yesterday, the main track played fair and fast once again. Looked like you could win from anywhere on the track, inside/outside, near the pace or off the pace. I still think you want to be forwardly placed for your best chance at winning. Slew's Tiznow made an impressive return to racing for new trainer Doug O'Neil as he won the El Cajon Stakes. Two year olds went two turns for the first time over the main track at Del Mar and Tiger Blitz did just that to this group and returned $59 in the process. The most impressive winner had to be the 2 year old filly first time starter Mi Chiamano Mimi who ran 6 furlongs in 1:10.25 and did it with ease. Later on male 2 year olds at the same level ran 6 furlongs in 1:11.15.

The rails were down yesterday and we had two races over the turf course. The first was a 5 furlong sprint that was won by Peppermint Lounge who sat right behind the dueling front runners and was able to somehow hold off the closers late as she looked beaten in the lane. The second race was won in gate to wire fashion by Global Heat as he set solid fractions and was able to kick clear turning for home. Malibu Canyon had a bit of a tough trip going two turns for the first time.

For further information on yesterday's races click on Race Results from Del Mar 8/29/08 - Google Docs, which can be found following my blog.

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Race Results from Del Mar 8/29/08 - Google Docs

Race Results from Del Mar 8/29/08 - Google Docs

Horse Racing News from Del Mar : Race Results and Analysis 8/29

It is the last Four O'clock Friday from Del Mar and that means that we are almost to the end of the 2008 meeting from Del Mar. We still have some great racing yet to come along with some important stakes races as we march towards the 2008 Breeders' Cup. Yesterday, the Pick 6 paid out over $320k as price horses captured the 3rd and 7th races. Also, Exquisite was beaten at odds on in the 6th race, when In My Glory wired the field. I had suggested Texas Devil was a single and he did prevail in the 8th race taking the field gate to wire, despite encountering early pace pressure and throwing his head out of the gate.

Today, without the Pick 6 to focus on I will give you a three live horses as I see it on today's card. In the 2nd race #8 Ashton Girl should move forward off her first try here in the States. She broke slowly that day and moved up quickly to get into position. She finished well behind a run away winner, but she did run 5 furlong that day faster than anybody in this race has shown the ability to do and at 5-1 she is worth a shot in today's 2nd. I also like the #1 Lukimbi in today's featured 7th race as the inside has been playing quite well lately going two turns. He ran a solid race last time going two turns for the first time and was beaten by a nice horse in Bullsbay. He should improve off that effort and he should get an ideal trip saving ground behind what is likely be a contested pace. With a little racing luck he will find a seem somewhere on the turn and make the last run today. The last horse I like is in the 8th race as this looks to be a wide open affair and the #8 Fall Forest at 15-1 looks to be in a spot where she can use her ealry speed to her advantage. She comes out of a very quickly run maiden 25k race and catches a field without much early zip. If she is able to clear she could be tough to collar at what is likely to be a huge price. The only questions is will the 6.5 furlongs be too far for her?

On the main track yesterday the inside played very well and horses on or near the lead seemed to have the best chance of winning. Horses who came from off the pace were saving ground before getting out late to run down the leaders. Carrie With a C did buck that trend in the 5th race as she was towards the middle of the track the whole way around the track. The final times were on par for their levels and I think that Wake Up Maggie really woke up over the polytrack yesterday, maybe Julio Cannani has found her a new home over the synthetic surface. We will have to wait and see because, if he goes that route with her she will have to face the undefeated Zenyatta.

Yesterday, on the turf course the rails were at 14 feet and In My Glory raced gate to wire. Jockey Martin Garcia was able to make the lead and set a sensible pace down the backside. Garcia rode this race to perfection as he saved horse early, opening up as they entered the lane and won clear defeating the odds on favorite Exquisite. She was well prepared and she gave her all yesterday. Good effort all around.

For further information on yesterday's races click on Race Results from Del Mar 8/28/08 - Google Docs, which can be found following my blog.

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Race Results from Del Mar 8/28/08 - Google Docs

Race Results from Del Mar 8/28/08 - Google Docs

Horse Racing News from Del Mar : Race Results and Analysis

Well the Pick 6 carried over once again at Del Mar, which leaves the carry at almost $474k and that means the pool should swell to over $2 million in my opinion. I suggested on Tuesday that the we would see a two day carryover and I was right. As for today the card looks tough, but the Pick 6 should get hit and I would think the payoff will be pretty good for those who can find all six winners. The most likely single comes in the 6th race and that is #4 Exquisite the 9/5 morning line favorite, she comes out of a live race and will probably go off at even money or less. I think #3 Texas Devil (9/2) is a single in the 8th race. He has been knocking on the door and today he has found a field that he should beat. I think Trainer Eric Kruljac and jockey Julio Garcia will have a say so in the outcome of today's Pick 6, as they have been red hot and they two price horses who look to be live, especially #11 Karolly in the 4th race. I also think #9 Unspoken Word is primed for a big effort in today's feature for the always tough duo of Garrett Gomez and Jerry Hollendorfer. That is my quick look at today's Pick 6 races. If you want the whole Pick 6 sequence go to my website www.southerncalracing.com.

The main track yesterday played fair as horses were winning from all the over the track. We saw a couple of gate to wire winners early on in the card. A couple of horses were able to rally from off the pace and a couple of stalkers won. Horses were able to win from the inside and from the outside. The track played fair once again. The times were a little on the slow side for their levels, at which they were racing at. Ten Churros was an impressive winner of the Generous Portions Stakes as she was wide throughout and was able to pass horses for the first time with the addition of blinkers.

Only one turf race was carded yesterday and the rail were set at 14 feet. The pace was contested, but was not particularly fast. I thought we should have seen a much faster pace as Stathy was stretching out for the first time and he had shown sprinter type speed in his first two races. He had a tough go of it early and did not make the lead. The race was won by Earnednevergiven who saved ground all the way around the track and showed an impressive turn of foot late to win clear, this was an excellent example of how turf races are won.

For further information on yesterday's races click on Track Notes by Google Docs, which can be found following my blog.

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Google Docs - Track Notes 8/27/08

Track Notes 8/27/08 - Google Docs

Horse Racing News from Del Mar : A Look at Today's Pick 6

Today, we have a Pick 6 carryover at Del Mar I am going to give you a race by race analysis and opinion of each race in the sequence. The fields today are quite large with all, but one reaching double digits in terms of numbers. The lowest price favorite is in the fourth race and that is Burnt at 5/2. So the fields are both competitive and cumbersome.

Race 3 kicks it off and this race is in my opinion a spread race, which means you should probably use quite a few horses. This race lacks any major speed and many of these horses have similar styles. Many of theses horses come out of the same races and finished not to far from each other. I will be using Helmsgold, Hotitiude, Too Phar, Pirate's Charm, Velvety Smooth and Delphina. Let me take some time and talk about a couple of the horses I have selected. I will talk about Delphina first as she should improve today as she made her first start last time out off a long layoff. Her trainer Paul Aguirre tends to need a race or two before his horses are ready and with her speed she will be forwardly placed today in a race that does not have much early pace. She also gets off the rail and will have to deal with a half a furlong less. Pirate's Charm has been racing her way back into shape and she is on the steady improve. Her trainer must think she is doing well because she recently worked at Fairplex and he has vanned her down for this cheap 10k race. He could have waited a week with her and found much softer fields, but less purse money. She looks sneaky on that angle.

Race 4 is a bottom level maiden claimer and Renee's Beauty and Narley Darley are my only two selections. Renee's Beauty is the speed of the race, not cutting the first timers. Her trainer is good with layoff runners and her best should be good enough to beat these, as long as one of the firsters are not freaks. Narley Darely makes the biggest class drop in racing as she goes from maiden special weight into maiden claiming. She has been transferred to the Eddie Truman barn, who has had a solid year and will be ridden by Joel Rosario one of the meets leading riders. She should be closing late if the top one falters she should pick up the pieces.

Race 5 is an optional claiming race for older fillies and mares. My selections are Inspiration Within and Asian Eyes. Inspiration Within is on a roll and looking for her third straight victory she will be forwardly placed and will be tough to deny today. Asian Eyes has also been in good form and likes it here at Del Mar and today's distance of 6.5 furlongs. She should be making a middle move and get first run on the pacesetters.

Race 6 is the lone turf race of the sequence and most of these come out of common races. My selection will be General Dan, who is dropping out of a stakes race. He won impressively first off the claim for trainer Gary Stute and he has run well over the turf in the past. The horses shipping in from up north have been holding their own versus the horses here in the south over the turf. Squallcreek who defeated him shipped south and already won. So the form is good.

Race 7 is the Generous Portions Stakes for two year old fillies bred in California. Many of these have faced each other already, so I am going with two new shooters. They are Warren's Lady Slew and Tammy's Luck. Warren's Lady Slew is making her first start for red hot trainer John Saddler. He claimed out of her first race, in which she won professionally from the rail and sitting behind horses. She was the morning line favorite that day, so the word was out on her and she did not disappoint. Saddler now places her in a stakes race and she looks to be tough for her new connections today. Tammy's Luck just broke her maiden and she did it while racing along the inside versus an track that played best for horses finishing on the outside. She will be coming late and could shock them in today's feature. I don't expect Streamin Heat to clear as easy as she did last time out versus many of these.

Race 8 is maiden claimer for two year olds and Brave Justice is my choice. He had trouble at the gate last time out as he hit it, which is noted in the form, but he was also bumped by the horse to his outside in the first few strides. He made a middle move to get himself into position, but tired in the lane. He should be tough to deny with a clean trip today.

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Upcoming Plans for Horses Who Raced This Weekend at Del Mar

This covers Grade 1 stakes winners to recent maiden winners whose connections are all are eyeing their shot at Breeders' Cup glory.

Go Between winner of the Pacific Classic

"He'll gear towards the Breeders' Cup," Go Between's trainer, Bill Mott, said Monday morning at Saratoga. "He probably wouldn't have to make another start. He had eight weeks prior to this race and fired pretty good."

Well Armed runner up in the Pacific Classic

The Goodwood, though, is the obvious next spot for Well Armed, so Harty and Casner will have to decide if they want to put two horses in the same race and use it as a means to an end, or try to divide and conquer. This is with respect to recent Travers Stakes winner Colonel John.

Well Armed "came out of the race great," Harty said.

Lewis Michael winner of the Pat O'Brien Handicap

The main target is a Breeders' Cup race - probably the Dirt (synthetic-track) Mile, but perhaps the Sprint - and Lewis Michael could prep for the BC with a race at Keeneland, Catalano said.


Midnite Lute the dissapointing odds on favorite in Pat O'Brien

Things were not any better Monday. Midnight Lute tore up the back part of his left front foot so badly in the race that his trainer, Bob Baffert, said Monday that any plans for Midnight Lute are on hold.

"He's really sore today," Baffert said. "He grabbed a quarter and ripped off the shoe. It's a pretty deep grab. That foot deal is going to take at least 10 days to clear up."

Asked if Midnight Lute might be well enough to come back Sept. 27 in the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park - a race that would allow Midnight Lute to return to dirt - Baffert said, "No way."

"Not the way it looked today," Baffert said. "You're not supposed to be that sore. He looked good after the race, but today he's not good on it."

John Saddler on his plans for his two Breeder's Cup contenders

Both horses, Sadler said Monday, will be aimed for their respective Breeders' Cup races, the BC Mile for Whasthescript, and the BC Filly and Mare Sprint for Dearest Trickski. Both horses, with their wins Sunday, earned automatic berths into those BC races through the Win and You're In program.

Dearest Trickski winner of the Rancho Bernardo Handicap

Dearest Trickski likely will head straight to the Breeders' Cup, in part because there is no graded stakes on the dirt for fillies and mares during the first part of the Oak Tree meeting that would serve as an ideal prep.

"She was a little tired after the race," Sadler said. "It's fine going straight to the Breeders' Cup, because she does well with that kind of spacing."

Whatthescript winner of the Del Mar Mile

Whatsthescript will make his next start in the Grade 2, $200,000 Oak Tree Mile on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting, Sadler said.

Toro Bonito recent maiden winner and possible Breeders' Cup Filly contender

Toro Bonito, trained by Bob Baffert, won the second start of her career in the second race, running six furlongs in 1:10.07. She is a candidate for the $250,000 Oak Leaf Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 27.

Majormotionpicture recent maiden winner and possible Breeders' Cup Juvenile contender

Majormotionpicture won his debut in the fourth race, which will lead to a start in the $250,000 Norfolk Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 28, trainer Mike Machowsky said. Majormotionpicture ran six furlongs in 1:10.37.

"He's always trained like he's special, very special," Machowsky said. "All of his works have been so easy."

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Track Notes for Del Mar 8/25/08

Pacific Classic week came to an end at Del Mar as we saw Kiamika win the finale returning $107.80, this monster mutuel triggered a Pick 6 carryover of over $111k for the start of closing week at Del Mar. The carryover was also aided by Got Free, who returned $44.80 in the 5th race, which started the late Pick 4 that returned in excess of 13k. The amazing thing about the payoff in the Pick 4 was that the other two winners in this sequence were both post time favorites, one of which was sent off at odds on at 3/5. I took a quick glance through Wednesday's card and thought the Pick 6 sequence looked quite tough, due to the size of the fields and the fact that their looked to be no clear cut singles. The lowest morning line favorite is Burnt at 5/2 and he is no single by any stretch of the imagination. I think we could quite possibly see a two day carryover into Thursday's card or we could see one big payoff on Wednesday in the Pick 6 at Del Mar. If someone hits this Pick 6 it will be due to some good handicapping and a lot of luck.

The main track remains still quite fast as we saw quick early pace times, which led to fast final times for the sprint races. Winners of all the sprint races were forwardly placed, with the exception Got Free who came from mid pack after being steadied off heels down the backside, he looked to be much the best in this race today. The route races were both won at the wire by horses who came from off the pace. Souvenir Slew captured the first route race as he was able to run down Frankelstein, who was bothered by a horse who raced quite erratic during the running of this race. The other two turn race was captured by Kiamika who won the last race after being dead last by quite a large margin going onto the backside.

The turf rails were at 14 feet for yesterday's lone turf race, which was captured by Tripped the Light who saved ground early while lagging back towards the back of the pack. She was ridden beautifully by Rafael Bejerano who got her into striking position down the backside and then came off the rail on the turn and swung her out wide to win clear from the runner up. The pace of this race was not particularly fast as they went 6 furlongs in 1:11.67, but it was a contested pace as their was more than a couple horses up near the lead.

For further information on yesterday's races click on Track Notes by Google Docs.

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Google Docs - Track Notes 8/25/08

Track Notes 8/25/08 - Google Docs

Track Notes for Del Mar 8/24/08

It is 8-25-08 and the end of the 2008 Del Mar meeting is near. Pacific Classic Day saw Garret Gomez take two of the four stakes races as he rode Whatthescript to victory in the Del Mar Mile, nearly breaking the track record and also guided Go Between to the winners circle in the Pacific Classic, which set a new polytrack record of 2:00.72 for the mile and a quarter distance. In the other stakes races Dearest Trickski won the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo in gate to wire fashion, also setting a new polytrack record and in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Lewis Michael shipped in from the Midwest and won impressively over a good group of sprinters here on the west coast. The big news in the O'Brien was the poor effort put in by defending Breeders Cup Sprint winner Midnight Lute, who never looked like a threat in his first start of the year.

The main track yesterday continued to play fast as we saw multiple polytrack records fall as there was a combination of good horses running over a fast surface. Horses coming from off the pace seemed to have an advantage as the pace of many of the races was on the fast side for this track. Dearest Trickski was the lone gate to wire winner on the day and the pace time for that race was 44.47 seconds. Winners from the 4th,5th,7th and 11th races were relatively close to the early pace. In the 2nd and 10th races the winner came from farther off the pace. Once again you could win from the inside and the outside on this track. One horse of note was the professional effort from first time starter Majormotionpicture who broke from the rail and was able to win while coming through on the inside in his debut effort. He was well supported at the windows as he was bet down to favoritism and he was also the favorite in multiple race wagers.

The turf course played fair as the pace definitely dictated who won the race. The 1st and 6th races were won by horses who tracked right off the slow early pace. The winner of the 3rd race sat right behind the leaders and was able to get by Gem Proof, whose saddle slipped forward and then hold off the unlucky runner up Westerly Magic. The Del Mar Mile was a quickly run race as the pace time was 1:09.26 and the winner rallied from off the pace and finished the mile in 1:32.55. The turf played fair it just depended on how the pace of the race set things up.

For further information on yesterday's races click on Track Notes by Google Docs.

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Google Docs - Track Notes 8/24/08

Track Notes 8/24/08 - Google Docs

Track Notes for Del Mar 8/23/08

Today, is Pacific Classic day at Del Mar and the card looks great as there is a full field and handicappers should be able to find value in many of the races. The Grade 1Pacific Classic is one of four graded stakes races, all of which are "Win and Your In Races" for this years Breeders Cup to be run at Santa Anita Park. The other stakes races are Grade 2's, which include the Rancho Bernardo, the Pat O'Brien and Del Mar Mile. These four stakes make four of the six Pick 6 races, which as guaranteed to be a million dollars. For Pick 6 players I think Dearest Trickski(Rancho Bernardo), Midnight Lute(Pat O'Brien) and Banner Lodge in the last race are all singles.

The main track played fast once again as the final times were on the quick side. We saw horses win on the lead and from off the pace. Horses were able to win from both the inside and outside portions of the track. I still think you want to wager on horses who are forwardly placed on the main track for your best shot at winning.

The turf course was fair as the rails were down. Bright Moon rallied from dead last along the rail in the 2nd, Muny ran a huge race on the lead to win the 5th and Spring House won from off the pace in the feature. I thought Spring House looked like the most likely single for yesterday's Pick 6 carryover.

For further information on yesterday's races at Del Mar click on my spreadsheet on Google Docs.

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Google Docs - Track Notes - 8/23/08

Track Notes - 8/23/08 - Google Docs

Google Docs - Track Info 8/22/08

Track Info 8-22-08 - Google Docs

Track Notes for Del Mar 8/22/08

Today, is Saturday the 23rd and it is the calm before the storm of Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar. The feature is the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap and Spring House is the 8/5 morning line favorite. The trainer of Spring House is Julio Cannani and he is 3 for 3 with his last 3 turf runners and this one will be tough to deny today, as he is the most probable single in today's Pick 6 sequence, which happens to be a carryover of over 133k.
Yesterday, on the main track speed was dominate as we saw 4 of the 6 races on the main track won by front runners and the in the other two races the early leader ran second and third respectively. The speed was so dominate that in multiple races 1-2 finishers ran first and second all the way around the track. The final times for the sprint races were fast for their respective levels, as 10k claimer ran under 1:10 for 6 furlongs and in an Alw./Opc race we saw a track record almost go down at 6.5 furlongs. Horses ran well from all post positions and looks to be fair no matter, which post you drew.
On the turf course both winners came from off the pace as the rails were down of the first time in a couple of days. Both winners were visually impressive and confidently ridden. Marzelline was never more than a couple of lengths from the front runner and was ridden patiently until he moved on the far turn and she drew off impressively. The ensuing inquiry of the race seemed to be bogus in my opinion, did lug in, but looked to be clear. Solar Miss sat dead last behind slow fractions and came widest of all, did lug in a bit, but won without the use of the whip.

Click on our link to get more detailed information on races from Del Mar.

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Remember Cannani is a HOT trainer at Del Mar and is 3 for 3 over the turf in the last couple of days

Longer is better for Spring House
By STEVE ANDERSEN
DEL MAR, Calif. - Spring House was getting warmed up when he reached the stretch of the Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar on July 20. Making his first start since a 10th-place finish in the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic in March, Spring House was closing on the leaders when he got stuck in traffic in the 1 1/8-mile turf race. He wound up fourth.
The loss did not shake trainer Julio Canani's confidence. He considered the Eddie Read to be a wake-up race for Spring House, who starts in Saturday's $250,000 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf. The Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap is not as prestigious as the $400,000 Eddie Read, or worth as much money, but Canani thinks that Spring House is better suited to Saturday's race.

"I was happy with his last race," Canani said. "A mile and an eighth is too short for him. He's training unbelievably."

From Canani, that last statement is an endorsement.
Owned by R.D. Hubbard, Spring House carries top weight of 118 pounds in the Del Mar Handicap. The Del Mar Handicap is part of the Breeders' Cup's Win and You're In program, offering a berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 25, subject to the payment of entry fees.
The BC Turf is on Canani's mind. First, Spring House needs to duplicate his two stakes wins in the last year - the Grade 3 Carleton Burke Handicap at Santa Anita last fall and the Grade 2 San Luis Obispo Handicap there in February. In both races, run at 1 1/2 miles on turf, Spring House lagged at the back of the field for the first mile, then made a move on the turn before pulling away to win each race by 2 1/4 lengths.
Corey Nakatani rides Spring House, replacing Garrett Gomez, who is riding at Saratoga on Saturday.
Spring House is part of a nine-horse field that lacks a confirmed front-runner. There is no shortage of distance specialists.

Track Notes for Del Mar 8/21/08

Yesterday, the main track was fair as we saw horses win from the rail,outside, on the lead and off the pace. The times were solid for there respective class levels in terms of pace and final times. They seemed to be on par with what we have been seeing here so far at Del Mar. I think the biggest thing was we saw horses do well sprinting from the rail for the first time that I can remember. Afleet's Desire went coast to coast from the rail and horses Richly Endowed and Barbara's were down on the inside and came off the rail to win. I have not seen a lot of this so far at this meet.
On the turf we saw the second two turn race for 2 year olds and Del Conte won impressively as he was up near very fast fractions as the pace time was 1:10.47 and the final times was 1:35.11 and he won clear of the runner up. The second turf race was won by Renegade Ruby and that makes it 3 straight winners for trainer Julio Cannani over the turf. This was also run very quickly as the turf seems to be playing quite fast as we get closer to the end of the meeting.

Horses to Watch: Dana's Beau made a wide sweeping move on the turn and finished a good third behnd Schill who got a dream trip just off the ealry speed. She was reportedly working well coming into the race and she was able to show it in the afternoon. She recently shipped back here from Washington and trainer Ben Cecil seems to have here on the improve and has found her level down here. Aquicksting ran a good second in the 8th as he finished well clear of the 3rd place finisher. He has been vatly improved since blinkers were added one start back. Looks to be sitting on a win versus similar.

Plese click on my link and take a look at my notes for the race card and get other information from the days races at Del Mar.

Check out my website http://www.southerncaclracing.com for FREE selections at Del Mar.

Pacific Classic News from Steve Andrson at DRF.com

Awesome Gem overdue
By STEVE ANDERSEN
DEL MAR, Calif. - A half-length here or a nose there has kept Awesome Gem from winning three stakes in the last year. He lost the 2007 Pacific Classic by a half-length, the 2007 Goodwood Stakes by a nose, and the Wickerr Handicap by a nose on July 25.
Eventually, the tough luck will end. At least that's what trainer Craig Dollase is hoping when Awesome Gem starts from the rail in Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

"I hope he gets a clean run," Dollase said.

Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Awesome Gem is winless in his last seven starts, a span that includes the three narrow losses as well as a well-beaten third behind Curlin in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park last October. A 5-year-old gelding, Awesome Gem has won 4 of 18 starts and $1,179,882.
The prize money would be a heck of a lot higher with an occasional win. This year, Awesome Gem is winless in three starts. At Santa Anita last winter, he was third in the San Antonio Handicap and seventh in the Santa Anita Handicap, emerging from the latter race with an illness.

"He needed a break," Dollase said.

The Wickerr Handicap, run over a mile on turf, was a more encouraging race. Racing at a distance shorter than his best trip, Awesome Gem rallied from last in a field of 10, overcoming traffic and trouble to just miss catching pacesetter One Union.
"He accelerated at the end," Dollase said. "It was good to see him back in that form and that level."
Dollase said before the Pacific Classic draw took place on Wednesday evening that he did not want to be on the rail or the outside in the 11-horse field. He let out a small groan when Awesome Gem drew the rail.
"He'll have to step up again," Dollase said. "He couldn't be coming in any better as a fresh horse. Everything is falling into place."
Ridden by Tyler Baze, Awesome Gem is a closer who will be at the back of the field early.

"He can get position through the race," Dollase said.

Google Docs - Track Info 8/21/08

trackinfo-0821 - Google Docs

HOT Trainer : Julio Cannani

As I suggested in my earlier post watch out trainer for Julio Cannani he had another winner today as Renegade Ruby took today's feature race. That is three winners in the last two days and all of them came over the turf. Cannani is a tremendous trainer, but we feel he is at his best over the turf. Looking into the future Julio has a horse entered on Friday and multiple horses entered on both Saturday and Sunday.

http://www.southerncalracing.com

Track Notes for Del Mar 8/20/08

This is the first day of talkig horse racing in Southern California from Del Mar with Kyle Smock. We will be taking a look at things like track bias, hot trainers or jockeys and other useful information as it pertains to horse racing in Southern California.

Yesterday, the main track played fair as we saw 3 horses win in gate to wire fashion in races 1,4,and 8. Horses rallied from off the pace in the other races carded for the main track. With the exception of the opening race the times seemed to be average for the levels of competition. The pace was slow early in the first as they covered the opening 1/2 in 47.52 seconds and finished out in 1:13.06, much slower than the other race on the card for 2 year old fillies.

Yesteday, 2 year old fillies were sent long over the turf course and Kinesiology got up near the wire to prevail. This was the first time we have seen 2 year olds go to two turns and it seemed to be a good race as the top 4 finishers did it well considering none have gone a distance of ground before. Trainer Julio Cannani took center stage in the other turf races as both Charmo and Hyperbaric won easily in there respective races. This may signal a start off things to come for the streaky Cannani so take note of his horses in the coming weeks at Del Mar and he looks to have a live one entered in the feature on Thursday 8/21/08 in Renegade Ruby. Who has raced against much better and should be up close to the early pace for jockey Tyler Baze.

The day was very formal as the highest paying mutuel was in the last race as Athenry held off favored Winning Yield, which saved the late Pick 4. Please look at our notes that can be found under Track Info 8/20/08.

Google Docs - Track Info 8/20/08

Google Docs - Track Info 8/20/08