Horse racing newsletter: Los Al stays in business … for now

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter, as Del Mar has the strangest opening in its history with no fans and Ron Flatter gives us a history lesson.

First, the news about Los Alamitos. The California Horse Racing Board gave the track 10 days to come up with a plan to curb a recent increase in horse deaths. There have been 20 racing and training deaths at Los Alamitos since Dec. 27, including eight since May 26.

The proposal came from Dr. Greg Ferraro, chairman of the CHRB. Wendy Mitchell was the dissenting vote in the 5-1 decision. Vice-chair Oscar Gonzales put forth the idea that Los Al should put a pause on racing for maybe three racing days but switched to vote for the proposal.

CHRB votes rarely are close, although it was the case on the original whip vote in the last meeting. I get the impression that the board is starting to see some splits between the old guard and new guard. It was probably most evident in that Scott Chaney, the new executive director, and Dr. Rick Arthur, longtime equine medical director, did not agree on the need for Friday’s meeting.

Arthur was probably Los Alamitos’ best witness, saying that deaths can cluster and that things aren’t significantly different than in the past.

“I see no evidence there is a problem with the Los Alamitos track,” Arthur said. “It’s the same problems everywhere … with questionable training and horse management and questionable veterinary practices. For whatever reasons those have been especially problematic at Los Alamitos this year. This is not a Los Alamitos problem.”

The Los Alamitos presentation was all backward looking, filled with stats, as opposed to forward looking, which is what the board would have preferred. At one point, attorney Drew Couto made a comparison to the deaths last year at Santa Anita.

It brought a rebuke from Ferraro. “Guilt by one doesn’t necessarily obviate guilt by the other,” he said.

I was disappointed we didn’t get to hear from Dr. Ed Allred, the Los Al owner and patriarch. When they write the history of racing in Southern California, he should get his own chapter. Maybe at the next meeting. More in 10 days.

OK, on to the good stuff.

Ron Flatter’s weekly insights

It’s time for our weekly contribution from Ron Flatter of the Vegas Stats and Information Network. He offers up some history on fillies competing for the Kentucky Derby. Ron, what insights do you have?

“She is out to make some history Saturday. But it is a lock that Swiss Skydiver will not be doing what Alcibiades did 90 years ago.

“It is true that if Swiss Skydiver wins the Blue Grass Stakes, the 100 points that she will earn will qualify her for the Kentucky Derby. The 40 points for second might also get her in.

“Already a winner of three graded stakes this year, she is more than qualified for the Kentucky Oaks. Right now, it sounds like trainer Kenny McPeek, who has not had a Derby starter in seven years, and owner Peter Callahan, who has never had a Derby horse, are leaning hard toward making Swiss Skydiver the first filly in 10 years to run for the roses.

“But she will not be in both races. Not with their being just one day apart. As long as that is the case, Alcibiades will remain the last filly to have run in the Oaks and the Derby. And not in that order. Back in those days, the Derby was a de facto prep race for the Oaks, which was held between mid-May and early June.

“In 1930 Gallant Fox won the Derby, which was the middle jewel in his Triple Crown. Alcibiades finished 10th as part of an 18-1 mutuel entry. Two weeks later she finished first in the Oaks, making her the last of seven fillies to start both races, all between 1906 and 1930. Of those seven, five won the Oaks.

“By 1936 a total of 28 fillies had raced in the Kentucky Derby, including two favorites — Regret, the 1915 winner, and Nellie Flag, the fourth-place finisher in 1935. But then it all stopped. By 1944 the Oaks was moved to its current place the day before the Derby, which would see only two fillies in the 43 runnings from 1937 to 1979.

“When graded-stakes earnings became most influential in filling the Derby field, connections found the process more female-friendly. That is because dollars from no-boys-allowed races were worth every bit as much as those earned in open company. From 1980 to 2010, 10 fillies started the Derby, and two won it — Genuine Risk in 1980 and Winning Colors in 1988.

“Criticism grew. It was frequently pointed out that being in restricted company and theoretically a thinner pool of talent, the girls had an easier path to Churchill Downs than the boys.

“Look at Devil May Care, the last filly to race in the Derby. She carried $243,000 in graded-stakes earnings to the entry box, mostly from a Grade 1 win as one of trainer Todd Pletcher’s 2-year-olds. But was her résumé more impressive than that of Jackson Bend, the runner-up in the Holy Bull, the Fountain of Youth and the Wood Memorial? With $230,000 he scraped into the Derby only because Devil May Care’s stable mate Rule was not entered.

“Devil May Care would finish 10th in 2010, losing to another one of her stable mates. That was the year when Super Saver got Pletcher off his 0-for-24 Derby schneid.

“The pendulum swung completely the other way in 2013, when the Derby went to the current system of points preps. Conspicuous by their absence are sprints — and fillies-only races.

“’If a filly wants to run in the Kentucky Derby she can,’ is what the Derby’s formal announcement said when the format was announced eight years ago. ‘But she’ll have to earn her way into the field by accumulating points against open company just like the rest of the colts and geldings.’

“There have not been many takers. Churchill Downs racetrack spokesman Darren Rogers looked it up and found that only three fillies have earned so much as a single point in the current format. Paved won the 2018 El Camino Real and got 10 points, but she would have needed at least 19 more to get into the Derby. The other two — Polar River in 2016 and Rayya in 2018 — got 40 points each for finishing second in the UAE Derby, but their connections decided not to come to America.

“If Swiss Skydiver makes it to the Derby by going through the Blue Grass, she will be the first filly in 25 years to use a race against 3-year-old colts and geldings as a springboard. Serena’s Song was the last, winning the Jim Beam Stakes (now the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park.

“Even though she faded to finish 16th in the 1995 Derby, Serena’s Song has a legacy that is in her bloodlines. Her ancestors include this year’s Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A.P., the second betting choice for the Kentucky Derby.

“The idea of building that legacy is what drove Swiss Skydiver’s connections to skip Saturday’s Ashland, a Grade 1 for fillies, to take on the challenge of the Blue Grass, even though it is only a Grade 2.

“’The possibility that she could beat the colts in a (109-year-old) race that’s never been won by a filly,’ McPeek said, ‘it would be kind of a throwback to Serena’s Song.’

“Not bad for a horse that was still only a maiden winner when she lost her graded-stakes debut in March. But a lot can change in four months. Ask, well ... anyone.

Ron Flatter is a host and reporter who covers horse racing for the Vegas Stats & Information Network, which is available at SiriusXM 204 and to subscribers at VSiN.com. He also hosts the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. VSiN.com. The current episode focuses on Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes. Sports-gambling broadcaster Hank Goldberg and Art Collector’s trainer Tommy Drury are the guests, and South Point race and sportsbook director Chris Andrews handicaps Saturday’s Keeneland card. To listen, just click here.

Del Mar review

Opening day is normally about festivities, hat contests, and parking jams getting into Del Mar. Not so Friday. The big story, besides the racing, was the COVID-19 situation in regards to the jockeys. The day started with jockeys not having to be tested for the novel coronavirus unless they showed symptoms.

Things changed when jockeys Martin Garcia and Luis Saez, who both raced at Los Alamitos last weekend, tested positive. That meant they had exposure to the regular Southern California jockey colony.

Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza came down with a case of the sniffles Thursday and was tested. But the results didn’t come back in time and Espinoza was scratched from his three mounts. Now, Del Mar, at that time, wasn’t testing jockeys without symptoms.

Interesting. The one jockey who got tested, but didn’t get the results in time, wasn’t allowed to ride while the rest of the colony, who weren’t tested and could be asymptomatic, got to ride.

That information all came from Bryce Miller of the San Diego Union-Tribune off his Twitter feed. (@Bryce_A_Miller)

Upon that news, Del Mar changed its jockey policies. From Miller: “Anyone coming from out of state, or an out-state trip must test negative 72 hours before racing. Even if a jockey receives a negative test, they will be housed in auxiliary jockey room and would require a second negative test before the following weekend to rejoin the main colony.”

On to the opening day feature, the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds going a mile on the turf.

Hit The Road ran a perfect race under jockey Umberto Rispoli, saving ground near the front for most of the race and then splitting horses to win by a convincing 1 ¾ lengths for trainer Dan Blacker.

The colt paid $5.20, $3.60 and $2.80. Kanderel was second, and Ajourneytofreedom finished third.

Here’s what the winning connections had to say.

Dan Blacker (winning trainer): “I’m just thrilled to win a big race on opening day at Del Mar. The Oceanside is like my Kentucky Derby. It’s unfortunate that there were no fans, but that’s the way things are. Umberto ran a faultless race and the horse is super talented. You can put him on the lead or take him back and Umberto put him in a perfect spot.”

Umberto Rispoli (winning jockey): “I think Dan has done a terrific job with this horse. He ran a very, very good race today. He broke really well, so I could take the rail. I had a lot of horse, more horse than I thought. Maybe I could have won this race by more. I love being in California, it feels like home. I’m working hard every day and having some results. Everyone told me about Del Mar and opening day and what a big deal it is. But we can’t have the fans now, too bad. But right now, I’m still loving Del Mar. It’s a good day for me.”

Del Mar preview

The second day of the summer Del Mar meeting is not one you would say “wow” about, but there are plenty of races and pretty good-sized fields. There are 10 races starting at 2 p.m. Half of the races are on the turf, and the feature is the $65,000 Wickker Stakes for horses going a mile on the turf.

The favorite, at 3-1, is Kiwi’s Dream for trainer Victor Trujillo and jockey Juan Hernandez. This 5-year-old gelding is five for 13 lifetime and is coming off a pair of second-place finishes in stakes at Golden Gate.

The second favorite is Big Score at 7-2 for Tim Yakteen and Abel Cedillo. This 6-year-old horse has won four of 18 lifetime and last out was fifth in the City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita. He’s been running at a high level with a lot of graded stakes races, so the class is likely there. Post is scheduled for 5:37 p.m.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 6, 9, 7, 10, 6, 11, 8, 9, 8, 12.

Bob Ike’s DM pick of the day

EIGHT RACE: No. 3 Jasikan and No. 5 Bob And Jackie

I like two comebackers who are both 8-1 on the morning line in No. 3 Jasikan and No. 5 Bob And Jackie. Looks like two committed speed horses and Bob And Jackie could get a great trip if able to relax and tuck in behind them. The Richard Baltas trainee showed good ability as a sophomore and is two for two at Del Mar. Jasikan is a deep closer who would benefit from a pace meltdown. He also showed talent last year as a 3-year-old and likes this course. If the prices are right, bet them both to win and box in the exacta.

Friday Result: Tonahutu (5-1) got a perfect trip and ride, fired her best shot but couldn’t quite match Maxim Rate while well clear of the third horse.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here’s a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Ciaran Thornton’s DM pick of the day

RACE FOUR: No.7 Rowangoestohollywood (12-1)

Rowangoestohollywood was a value play for me in the debut race last month at 5 ½ furlongs. The horse blasted out of the gate, tracked in third into the turn and made a small late move before fading. It was a nice debut where nothing was expected. Saturday, trainer Alfredo Marquez sends the horse routing. This trainer is 21% from his 14-race sample and 22% in turf starts. He has a flat bet profit. This horse cost $75,000, a decent amount of money compared to some of the horses in here. In for a $50,000 claim Saturday when they win the race they will be very happy. The name is also the name of my niece and it is Del Mar. Crazy value plays and name horses have done very well here for us over the years. Horses over 5-1 win this race 40% of the time.

Friday’s result: When your horse gets ridden horribly there is nothing you can say than on to the next race.

Ciaran Thornton is the handicapper for Californiapick4.com, which offers daily full card picks, longshots of the day, best bets of the day.

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth $100,000 or more on Saturday. All times PDT.

11:35 Woodbine (4): $123,200 maiden special weight, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Fort Hope (3-1)

11:45 Keeneland (4): $150,000 Appalachian Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Alms (6-5)

11:55 Belmont (4): Grade 2 $150,000 Ruffian Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Monomoy Girl (2-5)

12:12 Woodbine (5): $126,800 maiden special weight, fillies 2-years-old, 5 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Designed By Kitten (2-1)

12:18 Keeneland (5): Grade 1 $250,000 Madison Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Guarana (1-1)

12:43 Woodbine (6): $108,700 allowance optional claimer, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Moonlit Garden (2-1)

12:51 Keeneland (6): Grade 2 $150,000 Shakertown Stakes, 3 and up, 5 ½ furlongs on turf. Favorites: Wildman Jack, Bound For Nowhere (5-2)

1:15 Delaware (7): Grade 3 $125,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 3/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Gentle Ruler (3-2)

1:15 Woodbine (7): Grade 2 $175,000 Connaught Cup Stakes, 3 and up, 7 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Silent Poet (9-5)

1:24 Keeneland (7): Grade 1 $400,000 Ashland Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Venetian Harbor (6-5)

1:45 Delaware (8): Grade 2 $400,000 Delaware Handicap, 3 and up, 1 ¼ miles. Favorite: Dunbar Road (6-5)

1:57 Keeneland (8): Grade 1 $350,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Rushing Fall (6-5)

2:17 Woodbine (9): $101,200 allowance, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: All Good (3-1)

2:30 Keeneland (X): Grade 2 $600,000 Blue Grass Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Swiss Skydiver (3-1)

Los Alamitos weekend preview

Los Alamitos is going to race while on probation from the CHRB. So, let’s turn things over to marketing and media guru Orlando Gutierrez, who will tell us about things going on at Los Alamitos. Orlando, the floor is yours.

“BF Outfoosed, who raced in the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity in his last start, and Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity finalists La Reina Del Sur and Hi High Hopes are among the 40 juveniles that will race in the trials to the $322,000 Governor’s Cup Futurity on Saturday night.

“There will be five futurity trials with each heat having an eight-horse field. The Governor’s Cup trials will start in the fourth of the eight-race program. First post is 7:10 p.m. The horses with the 10 fastest times will advance to the 350-yard final on Saturday, July 25.

“Owned by Les and Kim Sweeting, the Foose gelding was a game second to Strange Fellow in their Ed Burke trial on June 7. BF Outfoosed was the longest shot on the board in the Ed Burke final, but he was in contention early before lacking racing room and then trailing from there. He will be in the second trial and take on unbeaten filly Sassies Blues Girl and the impressive debut winner Cartels Legacy.

“Abel Reyes’ La Reina Del Sur 1 and Paul Jones and Ripley Vaughn’s Hi High Hopes met in the Kindergarten final, finishing fourth and sixth respectively, and now face off in the fifth and final Governor’s Cup trial. Trained by Sally Rivera, La Reina Del Sur 1 was all class in her Kindergarten trial, winning the 300-yard race by a half-length and in the third fastest qualifying time of the night. Hi High Hopes had the sixth-fastest qualifying time while running second in his trial. He will be a top contender to advance to the July 25 final.

“On Sunday night, there will be two trials to the $185,000 Governor’s Cup Derby, and similarly to the futurity with the 10 fastest times advancing to the Governor’s Cup final on California Breeders Champions Night.

“The second of two trials is loaded with top names headed by Runforyourlife, winner of the Grade 1 Golden State Million Futurity, Sass Go Blue, winner of the Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity, and Cattail Cove, runner-up in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. Other top names in this heat include Nomadic, the winner of the Ed Burke Memorial Juvenile Stakes last year, and Mister Tornado, the recent winner of the Adequan California Derby Challenge.

“Ridden by Eduardo Nicasio for trainer Chris O’Dell, Runforyourlife finished second in the Governor’s Cup Futurity and made the final of the Los Alamitos Two Million during his strong juvenile campaign last year. Ralph Link Newcomb’s Cattail Cove was second in the Los Alamitos Two Million and posted three victories last year.

“The first trial is headed by Allred’s Autumn Handicap winner and Grade 1 derby finalist Just Be Real and by Martha Wells’ Fire By Night, who ran third to stablemate Tell Cartel in the Grade 3 El Primero Del Ano Derby earlier this year.”

Chris Wade’s LA pick of the day

RACE TWO: No. 7 Stormin Trick (6-1)

He has improved in his last two starts over the oval against quality opposition and those efforts included a third-place finish at a longer distance and a very easy win two races back at this level and yardage. With very competitive numbers earned from recent performances and a perfect outside draw for a barn that’s been doing well these last 30 nights (34%) of racing, we’ll push the chances of this consistent performer.

Now the stars of the show, Friday’s results and Saturday’s entries.