Horse Racing: Arkansas Derby day recap: $41,000,000 bet, Nadal and Charlatan win Ky. Derby preps

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The tributes will be extensive but Andy Serling makes a poignant observation pertaining to A.P. Indy and his eventual offspring.





And probably the best of his best, A.P. Indy in the Belmont Stakes:


I would give almost anything to have sports reporters like Jack Whitaker again. It may revive my interest.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, February 22, 2020

• Edgar Prado has 7,051 wins just six away from tying Angel Cordero and eighth all-time in North America annals.
• Luca Panici (Friday) and Jose Ortiz (Saturday) were injured at Gulfstream. Details are below.
• Bob Baffert sent out four starters at two tracks and finished 4 0-1-0. That is a rare forgetable weekend for him.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Manny Franco rode five winners to tie his career-high mark. He ended the day 7 5-1-0. Franco (48 wins) is tied with Eric Cancel for second most victories at the meet. He won twice for Gary Gullo and George Weaver each who had a total of two horses entered. A very happy day for those three.
• Race 8: Mr. Buff (Junior Alvarado/John Kimmel) won the $100,000 feature race -- officially -- by 20 lengths and this could have been the butt kickin' of all-time had Alvarado not glided to victory. A 30-length win would not be an exaggeration. Mr. Buff is now 36 14-6-4 and officially became a millionaire with the victory. Mr. Buff received a career-high tying best 106 Beyer figure, too.

​

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• Race 4: Lucky Olivia Rose (Chris DeCarlo/Todd Plether) broke awkwardly and horribly in her first start, was 8th and last where she entered the stretch and seemingly 20 lengths out, before resurrecting her plight to finish third. Considering her first start, she may offer some interest in her next race.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Handle: Over $16.6 million. I wouldn't be surprised if next weekend's total breaks a record for the Fountain of Youth card.
• Race 12: The $,50 Pick 5 paid over $57,000.
• Race 10: The $.50 Pick 3 paid over $5,500.
• Race 9: Jackson (Luis Saez/Jose Pinchin) won the Grade 3 $100,000 sprint at 14-to-1. The jockey had another winner at 13-to-1.
• Race 7: Klaravich Stables, Eclipse Award winners for Owner of the Year, debuted a $270,000 Colorado-bred who ultimately showed little. I am not sure if I have ever seen a Colorado-bred in south Florida. Few run at major tracks these days.
• Race 6: Solar Warning (Victor Lebron/Elizabeth Dobles) won by 11 lengths at 14-to-1. What a show!
• Race 4: Vintage Point (Javier Castellano/Chad Brown) won at 5-to-1 and broke his maiden in his third lifetime race. He was purchased for $1,800,000 by Boston businessman Larry Best.
• Race 3: Jose Ortiz suffered a wrist fracture and was off his mounts for the remainder of the day. To heighten the blow, he will not be able to ride in the $20,000,000 (U.S.) Saudi Cup next weekend. He was scheduled to ride multiple horses on the card but Tacitus (Bill Mott, trainer) was his primary focus. A further update is due next week to determine the extent of the injury.
• Luca Panici in the Kentucky Derby is on hold. Panici broke his collarbone yesterday and will be off his two strong Derby contenders Ete Indien (Feb. 29 at Gulfstream) and Solo Volante (March 7 at Tampa Bay). Florent Geroux gained future rides on both horses. Trainer Patrick Biancone's daughter Andie stated "Luca has been working these horses since the very beginning, and although we're gutted by the news, we hope to see him back in the irons soon!" It is likely premature to guess if Panici will regain the mounts as he is scheudled to be out about a month. Biancone and Geroux have a long relationship dating to their time in France.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• David Cohen and Ricardo Santana have 20 wins apiece to lead all riders at the meet.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Colby Hernandez won four times and finished 7 4-2-0. He and trainer Lee Thomas won both ends of the early daily double.
• James Graham became the first rider at the current meet to win 50 times.
• Ron Faucheux won with his lone starter and now leads the trainer's standings at the meet by one victory over Brad Cox.

Sam Houston (Texas):

• Card: Four stakes races held with $75,000 purses.
• Deshawn Parker rode four straight winners, each the stakes races, twice for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Santa Anita (California):

• Race 7: Keeper Ofthe Stars (Abel Castillo/Jonathan Wong) shocked the Brazilian sensation Jolie Olimpica (Mike Smith/Richard Mandella) to win the $200,000 Grade 2 Buena Vista for fillies and mares. The winner was sent off at 36-to-1 and ran down the 3-to-5 chalk who had won her first three races in Brazil and then broke the Santa Anita track record in her U.S. debut in her most recent race.

​

• Attendance and handle: Over 5,000 people. The handle neared $10 million.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Per HorseRacingNation.com, this is a potential field for the Feb. 29 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream which is a 50-20-10-5 point scale for entry into the Kentucky Derby. Since Thunder Gulch in 1995, only Orb in 2013 has won this race and the Ky. Derby but the 50 points awarded is significant since the reformatting.

Horse [TBODY] [/TBODY] Trainer [TBODY] [/TBODY] Status [TBODY] [/TBODY] Gear Jockey G. Arnold II Probable Texas Swing T. Pletcher Possible Candy Tycoon T. Pletcher Possible Palm Springs T. Pletcher Possible Big City Bob J. Duarte Jr. Possible Ete Indien P. Biancone Probable Structor C. Brown Possible Shotski J. O'Dwyer Probable As Seen On Tv K. Breen Probable Chance It S. Joseph, Jr. Probable Dennis' Moment D. Romans Probable [TBODY] [/TBODY]

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Aqueduct (New York):

• Chalk: It has been chalky at New York. Today's biggest winner paid $7.50.
• Kendrick Carmouche rode three winners.
• Manny Franco (50) won twice and has now joined Jose Lezcano (53) as the only two riders with 50 wins this meet.
• Rob Atras, of Winnipeg, sent out two starters and won with both. He is winning at a 31% clip this meet. Outstanding.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Paco Lopez rode three winners.
• Changes: There were 12 rider changes all due to injuries to Jose Ortiz and Luca Panici.
• Junior Alvarado visited Gulfstream from his usual perch in New York to ride three first-time starters for Bill Mott. The results were ugly: 7-10-10. Mott is not known for success with first timers, however. Keep an eye on all three for future racing: Redemption Day, I Thee Wed and Miss T Too. Mott must feel good about at least one to have Alvarado venture south for a day of racing.
• Race 9: Saffie Joseph won again. He has strong numbers off the claim. Certainly needs to be factored if handicapping in this condition.
• Handle: Over $13,000,000 bet today.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Prices: Three winners at $25 or more.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Dark: The track was dark today but will run tomorrow. A calendar adjustment due to Mardi Gras festivities.

Sunland (New Mexico):

• Mike Smith: The legendary rider had a highway named after him in his hometown in New Mexico. Smith was supposed to ride in the Mine That Bird Derby but Exaulted was cross-entered Saturday at Santa Anita where he finished second.
• Black Type: Four black type races including three with $100,000 purses.
• Race 9: Sir Rick (Francisco Arrieta/Robertino Diodoro) improved to 6 4-0-1 after he won the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby. The race is normally a prep for the Sunland Derby next month which is a Kentucky Derby prep race. Entering today, only Steve Asmussen has more wins than Diodoro among all trainers in North America.

​

Santa Anita (California):

• Race 1: A $138 winner.
• Race 2: A 3-to-5 chalk completed a daily double of $363. Pretty lucrative considering the winner of this race or somewhat disappointing considering the winner of the opener. In either event, Geovanni Franco rode the early double.
• Race 6: Victor Rosales, who entered with 10 lifetime wins and none this year, brought home an $82.80 winner and seemed appreciative and relieved. He is a 34-year-old apprentice who has been an exercise rider.
• Race 7: The $.50 Pick 3 paid over $1,000.
• Race 8: The $.20 Pick 6 paid over $35,000.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saudi Cup info.

The inaugural Saudi Cup will be held a week from today, on Saturday, February 29. While the card has yet to be confirmed, Bob Baffert (2), Steve Asmussen, Bill Mott and Jason Servis are the U.S.-based trainers expected to enter.

The purse is $20,000,000 (U.S. $) and half will go to the winner. Prize money will be distributed through the first 10 finishers of the anticipated 14-horse field. The top five will receive at least $1 million, the runner up $3.5 million.

There are negotiations ongoing with Fox Sports 1 (FS1) to air the event though that is not yet confirmed.

Post time for the card's opener will be 8:00 a.m. ET (4:00 pm in Saudi Arabia). The feature race will be run 12:40 pm ET (8:40 pm Saudi time).

The track is King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

UPDATE: The TV outlet is now confirmed.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

SAUDI CUP: World's Richest Horse Race Ever -- $20,000,000​

SAUDI CUP

What: The richest horse race ever held with a purse of $20,000,000 (US) of which $10,000,000 goes to the winning connections. Prize money will be distributed through the first 10 finishers of the 14-horse field. The top five will receive at least $1 million each including $3.5 million to the runner up.
Where: King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
When: Saturday, February 29, 2020
Time: The feature race will be run 12:40 pm ET (8:40 pm Saudi time).
Who: Open company (not limited to a specific age)
Distance: 9 furlongs
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $20,000,000 -- Richest race ever held
TV: Fox Sports 1 (FS1) has the exclusive broadcast from 12:00-1:00 pm ET. Nick Luck and Michelle Yu will host. TVG will have extensive coverage.

​

International TV: Where to Watch the Saudi Cup - The Saudi Cup
History: This is the inaugural running.
Card: $29 million in purses covering eight races. Post time for the opener will be 8:00 a.m. ET (4:00 pm in Saudi Arabia). Full card: Deirdre, Imperial Hint in action on Saudi Cup undercard - Brisnet
Web site: The Saudi Cup - World’s Most Valuable Horse Race

[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]PP[/TD][TD]Horse[/TD][TD]Jockey[/TD][TD]Trainer[/TD][TD]Age[/TD][TD]Sex[/TD][TD]Odds [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]1[/TD][TD]Gold Dream (Jpn)[/TD][TD]Christophe Lemaire [/TD][TD]Osamu Hirata [/TD][TD]7[/TD][TD]Horse[/TD][TD]25-1[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]2[/TD][TD]Tacitus[/TD][TD]Jose Lezcano [/TD][TD]Bill Mott[/TD][TD]4[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]14-1[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]3[/TD][TD]Benbatl (GB)[/TD][TD]Oisin Murphy [/TD][TD]Saeed Bin Suroor[/TD][TD]6[/TD][TD]Horse[/TD][TD]11-2[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]4[/TD][TD]North America (GB)[/TD][TD]Richard Mullen [/TD][TD]Satish Seemar[/TD][TD]8[/TD][TD]Gelding[/TD][TD]25-1[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]5[/TD][TD]Gronkowski[/TD][TD]Frankie Dettori [/TD][TD]Salem Bin Ghadayer[/TD][TD]5[/TD][TD]Horse[/TD][TD]20-1[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]6[/TD][TD]Midnight Bisou[/TD][TD]Mike Smith [/TD][TD]Steve Asmussen[/TD][TD]5[/TD][TD]Mare[/TD][TD]15-2[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]7[/TD][TD]Maximum Security[/TD][TD]Luis Saez[/TD][TD]Jason Servis[/TD][TD]4[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]2-1[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]8[/TD][TD]Mucho Gusto[/TD][TD]Irad Ortiz, Jr. [/TD][TD]Bob Baffert[/TD][TD]4[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]11-2[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]9[/TD][TD]McKinzie[/TD][TD]Joel Rosario[/TD][TD]Bob Baffert[/TD][TD]5[/TD][TD]Horse[/TD][TD]5-2[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]10[/TD][TD]Chrysoberyl (Jpn)[/TD][TD]Christophe Soumillon[/TD][TD]Hidetaka Otonashi[/TD][TD]4[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]16-1[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]11[/TD][TD]Great Scot (GB)[/TD][TD]Alexis Moreno [/TD][TD]T. Dascombe[/TD][TD]4[/TD][TD]Gelding[/TD][TD]40-1[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]12[/TD][TD]Magic Wand (Ire) [/TD][TD]Ryan Moore[/TD][TD]Aidan O'Brien[/TD][TD]5[/TD][TD]Mare[/TD][TD]25-1[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]13[/TD][TD]Capezzano[/TD][TD]Michael Barzalona [/TD][TD]Salem Bin Ghadayer[/TD][TD]6[/TD][TD]Gelding[/TD][TD]12-1[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]14[/TD][TD]Mjjack (Ire)[/TD][TD]Abdullah Aloufi [/TD][TD]S. Al Harabi[/TD][TD]6[/TD][TD]Horse[/TD][TD]50-1[/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]​

Odds: (www.USracing.com)
2-6-7-8-9 are considered U.S. horses.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

​

FEBRUARY 29: If the weather cooperates, the handle at Gulfstream on Saturday could be a record-breaker for the card. There are nine graded stakes races on the card -- no other track in the country has a graded stakes from what I saw.

First post for the 14-race card is 11:30 a.m. ET.

The more I look at the FOY the more I would imagine Saffie Joseph is unhappy about drawing the outside post. There will be many eyes on Dennis' Moment (Dale Romans). A failure here will be cause for concern but a win will propel the colt to the top of many Derby lists. There is much speed in this race and there is little room for error coming out of the gate. I would imagine the outside horses want to gun it from the start.

FASIG-TIPTON FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH STAKES

What: A Kentucky Derby prep. The top four finishers are awarded 50-20-10-5 points, respectively, towards entry into the Kentucky Derby.
Where: Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, FL
When: Saturday, February 29, 2020
Time: 6:04 pm ET
Who: 3-year-olds
Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $400,000
TV: TVG and Fox Sports 2
History: First held in 1945. Past winners include Orb, Quality Road, Pulpit and Thunder Gulch. And someone named Spectacular Bid.
Kentucky Derby preps schedule: Kentucky Derby Prep Races​

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Candy Tycoon (KY)	Manuel Franco	118	Todd A. Pletcher	15-1
2	Makabim (KY)	Miguel Angel Vasquez	118	Daniel C. Hurtak	50-1
3	Masterday (KY)	Cristian A. Torres	118	Gilberto Zerpa	30-1
4	The Falcon (KY)	Marcos Meneses	118	Anthony T. Quartarolo	50-1
5	Dennis' Moment (KY)	Flavien Prat	124	Dale L. Romans	2-1
6	As Seen On Tv (FL)	Paco Lopez	122	Kelly J. Breen	9-2
7	Country Grammer (KY)	Javier Castellano	118	Chad C. Brown	15-1
8	Gear Jockey (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	118	George R. Arnold, II	20-1
9	Liam's Lucky Charm (FL)	Edgard J. Zayas	122	Ralph E. Nicks	15-1
10	Shotski (KY)	John R. Velazquez	124	Jeremiah O'Dwyer	10-1
11	Ete Indien (KY)	Florent Geroux	120	Patrick L. Biancone	8-1
12	Chance It (FL)	Tyler Gaffalione	122	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	7-2

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Race #	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post (ET)
Race 1	$28,000	Claiming	1 Mile	Turf	13	11:30 AM
Race 2	$50,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 Furlongs	Dirt	10	11:59 AM
Race 3	$100,000	Hutcheson S.	6 Furlongs	Dirt	7	12:28 PM
Race 4	$150,000	Palm Beach S. (Gr. 3)	1 1/16 Miles	Turf	12	12:57 PM
Race 5	$150,000	Honey Fox S. (3)	1 Mile	Turf	11	1:27 PM
Race 6	$52,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	8	1:57 PM
Race 7	$150,000	The Very One S. (3)	1 3/16 Miles	Turf	12	2:27 PM
Race 8	$50,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 Mile	Dirt	14	2:57 PM
Race 9	$150,000	Herecomesthebride S. (3)	1 1/16 Miles	Turf	12	3:28 PM
Race 10	$200,000	Davona Dale S. (2)	1 Mile	Dirt	9	3:59 PM
Race 11	$150,000	Canadian Turf S. (3)	1 Mile	Turf	14	4:30 PM
Race 12	$300,000	Gulfstream Park Mile S. (2)	1 Mile	Dirt	11	5:01 PM
Race 13	$200,000	Mac Diarmida S. (2)	1 3/8 Miles	Turf	10	5:32 PM
Race 14	$400,000	Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. (2)	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	12	6:04 PM

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

February 27, 2020

Aqueduct (New York):

• Canceled: High winds.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Carol Cedeno was sent out three times and returned with three victories. Can't do much better than that.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 6: Tropicality (Edgar Prado/Susan Ditter) won for the 3rd time in 24 career starts. The 52-year-old jockey won for the 7,053rd time and moved to within four victories of Angel Cordero in 8th place all-time in North America history. The trainer? She won for the 2nd time in her life and first time since 2002. The wonders of horse racing.

​

• Race 10: Pink Lemonade (Kazushi Kimura/John Mattine), an Ontario-bred, wired the field and broke his maiden in his 9th lifetime start but more importantly the victory handed someone over $468,000 in the $.20 Rainbow Six bet. The 20-year-old jockey, who is from Japan, was named the Apprentice of the Year for 2019 in North America for his riding prowess at Woodbine (Ontario). The jockey and trainer, both from Woodbine, were winless in 2020 with few starts since their home track is dark for the winter. A winless horse lifetime and a trainer and jockey who hadn't won since 2019. Today was their day in the sun. The $.50 Pick 5 wasn't exactly chump change either at $25,000+.

​

• Michael Maker and Todd Pletcher lead all trainers at the meet with 33 victories.
• Chris Landeros is scheduled to ride in graded stakes on Saturday. He is winless this meet (89 starts) and if I searched correctly has not won with his past 98 rides. He last won on December 1 at Churchill Downs. That is a tough stretch and he is a competent rider.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Ricardo Santana, Jr. had a 2-win day and snapped a tie atop the rider's standings with David Cohen.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, February 28, 2020

Aqueduct (New York):

• Junior Alvarado and Manny Franco each won twice.

Race 9:

• Classy Lynn (Antonio Gallardo/Kathleen O'Connell) won the finale by more than 12 lengths.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Handle: More than $10,000,000 bet.
• Pick 3: The first two Pick 3 paid over $1,000 each.
• Race 5: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $28,000.
• Race 6 Tyler Gaffalione was tossed at the gate then off his mounts the rest of the day; however, a TVG report said he is without injury and resting for tomorrow's massive card. Here is an excellent job by the outrider:

​

• Chris Landeros is scheduled to ride in graded stakes on Saturday. He is winless this meet (90 starts) and if I searched correctly has not won with his past 99 rides. He last won on December 1 at Churchill Downs. That is a tough stretch and he is a competent rider.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Adam Beschizza and the Hernandez brothers - Brian and Colby -- all won twice.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Race 1: Chel-c Bailey, a former MMA participant, won for the first time with her 22nd mount.

​

• Race 2: Ronald Richard, who rides mostly at Remington (Oklahoma) in my recollection and who had 4 wins with 132 starts last year. won for the first time this year.
• Ricardo Santana, Jr./Steve Asmussen won twice.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

One step closer to holding a future Breeders' Cup.

Plans for Pimlico, Laurel Earn Panel Approval

Plans for Pimlico, Laurel Earn Panel Approval - BloodHorse

A $389 million plan to overhaul Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park cleared a key hurdle in the Maryland General Assembly Feb. 28.

According to the Baltimore Sun, the plan won approval by the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on a unanimous vote, sending the measure to the full Senate for consideration next week. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Guy Guzzone, was introduced Feb. 4, and a reading on the bill took place Feb. 25.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Maximum Security won the $20 million Saudi Cup. That should soothe some of the sting from being removed from the Kentucky Derby win.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

February 29, 2020

• John Velazquez and longtime agent Angel Cordero have separated. Ron Anderson, who books for Joel Rosario and up-and-coming Umberto Rispoli, will represent the Hall of Famer. That is fairly significant news.
• Steve Asmussen, who won four times at Oaklawn (Arkansas) had six wins totals including at tracks in Louisiana and Texas. He was a finalist for Trainer of the Year in North America in 2019 and has the most wins in 2020 with 74.
• Karl Broberg, who has the second most wins among all trainers in North America with 69, had five victories covering three tracks in Louisiana and Texas.
• Bob Baffert has lost with his last 12 starters in North America. A rare slump as he is 31% this year.
• Godolphin, LLC, a highly respected breeding-ownership outfit, sent out five horses across four tracks in the U.S. and finished 5 3-2-0. The group is on a 7 4-3-0 tear.

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia):

• Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Luis Saez were the only two U.S. jockeys to win on Saturday. Mike Smith won twice on Friday. Jason Servis was the lone U.S. based trainer to win either day. There were eight races each day.
• Race 2: Frankie Dettori, hailed by some as the best rider in the world, won on Dark Power at 66-to-1, for British trainer Allan Smith. The value in the U.S. was only $57.40. International payouts vary from the U.S.
• Race 8: Maximum Security (Luis Saez/Jason Servis) won the inaugural $20,000,000 Saudi Cup and collected $10,000,000 for the victory. He held off Midnight Bisou (Mike Smith/Steve Asmussen), a mare, in what was a strong race for the U.S. runners though the rider on the latter was later suspended for whip usage rules. Maximum Security is now 11 8-1-0 lifetime -- or 11 9-1-0 to the many who feel he was unjustly DQ'd in the Kentucky Derby -- and has earned $11.8 million lifetime. One note to the Saudis: if you are going to use a similar saddle cloth color, at least show the numbers on the screen to assist the viewing public. And a great call "A horse remembered for a race he lost will now be remembered for a race he won."

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 8: Adventist (John Bisono/Uriah St. Lewis) won the $100,000 feature. The rider doesn't ride too often at the Big A.
• Race 7: One of the most exciting finishes of the day.

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• Race 4: The $50 Pick 4 paid over $11,000.

Gulfstream (Florida):

FEBRUARY 29: If the weather cooperates, the handle at Gulfstream on Saturday could be a record-breaker for the card. There are nine graded stakes races on the card -- no other track in the country has a graded stakes from what I saw.

The more I look at the FOY the more I would imagine Saffie Joseph is unhappy about drawing the outside post. There will be many eyes on Dennis' Moment (Dale Romans). A failure here will be cause for concern but a win will propel the colt to the top of many Derby lists. There is much speed in this race and there is little room for error coming out of the gate. I would imagine the outside horses want to gun it from the start.​

• Handle: Above, I predicted a record-handle if the weather cooperated. As it turned out, Gulfstream did establish an all-time figure for this card with a handle of $36,500,000+ bet on the 14-race card -- including nine graded stakes. The massive card was among the best at any track in North America this year. The complete replay show:

​

• Fountain of Youth prediction: Above, I mentioned the #12 not being a desirable post position and how the trainer could be less than thrilled. He scratched the #12 after all. Also, mentioned the outside horse would have to gun it to be competitive it and so he did. He wired the field. Too much speed in the race not to do exactly that! and as far as Dale Romans and Dennis' Moment

Mike Welsch on Twitter

An obviously dejected Dale Romans said of Dennis' Moment after FOY "the jock told me he grabbed a quarter. I want to go back and see it if I can. It sure is disappointing. Getting beat is one thing. To get beat like that, something has to be bothering him."​

• Race 14: Ete Indien (Florent Geroux/Patrick Biancone), the jockey-trainer who have a relationship back when both were in France, won the important Grade 2 Fountain of Youth stakes and its $400,000 purse but perhaps more significantly the 50 points awarded towards entry into the Kentucky Derby. The jockey replaced the injured Luca Panici. Candy Tycoon (Manny Franco/Todd Pletcher) finished second and busted my exacta. As Seen on Tv (Paco Lopez/Kelly Breen) finished third.

​

• Race 13: Zulu Alpha (Tyler Gaffalione/Michael Maker) won the Grade 2 $200,000 Mac Diarmida as the even money favorite. The 7-year-old gelding won for the 11th time in 32 starts and enjoys the Gulf turf with a 5 4-0-0 career mark. He earned a 106 Beyer for the race which I believe is the second highest issued for this racing day.
• Race 12: Mr. Freeze (Manny Franco/Dale Romans) won the Grade 2 $300,000 Gulfstream Park Mile as the 5-to-2 favorite. The winner earned a 107 Beyer for the race which I believe is the highest issued for this racing day.
• Race 11: Sombeyay (Flavien Prat/Todd Pletcher) closed nicely to win the $150,000 Grade 3 Canadian Turf.
• Race 10: Tonalist's Shape (Tyler Gaffalione/Saffie Joseph) won the $200,000 Grade 2 Davona Dale for 3-year-old fillies. She is now 5 5-0-0 all-time, 4 4-0-0 at Gulfstream --winning for five different riders.
• Race 9: Cheermeister (Emisael Jaramillo/Armando De La Cerda) won the Grade 3 $150,000 Hercomesthebride Stakes at 9-to-1. She is 5 4-0-0 lifetime.
• Race 8: Mister Candy Ride (Corey Lanerie/Kenny McPeek) broke plenty of hearts in nipping the lead horse under Tyler Gaffalione at 116-to-1. The Dale Romans-trained runner up paid $77.60 in the middle. Incredible!
• Race 7: Elizabeth Way (Paco Lopez/Roger Attfield) wired the field at 14-to-1 in the Grade 3 $150,000 Very One Stakes for older females. The British-born trainer is 80 years of age and in the Halls of Fame in both Canada and the US. Two Godolphin horses -- one of the world's most successful breeders -- finished 1-2 and the exacta paid $368.80. The $.50 Pick 3 paid over $3,300.
• Race 6: Harvey Wallbanger (Corey Lanerie/Kenny McPeek) won at 15-to-1, the longest shot on the board. Drinks all around!
• Race 5: Getmotherarose (Junior Alvarado/Thomas Bush) picked up a new jockey in her 14th race and won the $150,000 Grade 3 Honey Fox for older females at 11-to-1..
• Race 4: Vitalogy (Javier Castellano/Brendan Walsh) won the $150,000 Grade 3 Palm Beach for 3-year-olds.
• Race 3: Edgar Prado rode a winner for the 7,054th time and is now four victories away from surpassing Angel Cordero into 8th place all-time in North America history.
• Race 2: I'll Fight Dempsey (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) won as a first time starter. A $300,000 purchase in August 2018 at Saratoga, owned by Florida Panthers' exec Vinny Viola who looked dapper in the winner's circle.
• Tyler Gaffalione, Corey Lanerie and Paco Lopez each won twice.
• Tyler Gaffalione was 11 2-3-2 -- seven times in the money on a loaded card -- and one of his place spots was with a 116-to-1 who nearly won.
• Javier Castellano placed four times with 11 mounts. That could be rarer than winning four times.
• Corey Lanerie, who doesn't ride at Gulfstream often, won twice for Kenny McPeek's two starters.
• Chris Landeros is winless in 96 starts this meet and his past 105 rides. He last won on December 1 at Churchill Downs. There was one race today in which he appeared to be in prime position and making a move but the horse was without any needed pep.
• There is a good battle for top trainer at the meet between Todd Pletcher and Michael Maker who have nearly identical numbers:

[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]Trainer[/TD][TD]Starts[/TD][TD]1st[/TD][TD]2nd[/TD][TD]3rd[/TD][TD]Win%[/TD][TD]$$$%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Todd Pletcher[/TD][TD]149[/TD][TD]36[/TD][TD]23[/TD][TD]23[/TD][TD]24%[/TD][TD]55%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Michael Maker[/TD][TD]149[/TD][TD]34[/TD][TD]24[/TD][TD]21[/TD][TD]23%[/TD][TD]53%[/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]
Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Crowd: 20,000 and over $5,000,000 bet. Good show! The place is jammed on Saturdays. This is quickly becoming one of the most desired destinations on the racing map.
• California dreamin': A good day for some of the Californians who moved to Arkansas.
• Ricardo Santana, Jr. (4 wins), Martin Garcia (3 wins), Tyler Baze (2 wins) and Joe Talamo (1 win) combined to win all 10 races. The latter three were based in California.
• Ricardo Santana, Jr.-Steve Asmussen, one of the most successful tandems in North America, teamed eight times and won four races.
• Martin Garcia won three times including twice for Joe Sharp who had just those two horses entered.
• McLean Robertson had two tough beats in races 8 and 9. His horses couldn't complete the deal but both were entertaining races including the latter which was the $125,000 feature.

Golden Gate (California):

• Juan Hernandez, who is second in victories to Irad Ortiz, Jr., among all riders this year in North America, is 11 5-4-2 (45%/100%) the past two days.

Santa Anita (California):

• Umberto Rispoli won three times. The Italian jockey is white hot in his first attempt in America.
• Jeff Mullins trained three winners with four starters, two ridden by Umberto Rispoli.
• Abel Cedillo rode two winners, both for Peter Miller, and is now just one victory behind Joel Rosario among all riders at the meet.

 

[Preds Partisan]

What do you think about Ortiz's "drift" against Max Security?

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

What do you think about Ortiz's "drift" against Max Security?

Irad is competitive and aggressive. That is his nature. This being Saudi Arabia, perhaps his tactics were unfamiliar to the hosts. Is there a reciprocal arrangement here? Not likely. If the stewards felt compelled to allow the race to stand today then I don't think we will see any further resolution here. We have not heard the last of this. In a sentence, his ride today was rough.

What did you think?

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Well now...

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/...an-fine-for-saudi-cup-ride-on-midnight-bisou/

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, winner of the International Jockeys Challenge in Saudi Arabia on Friday, will head back to the United States with an eight-day ban handed down for his ride aboard runner up Midnight Bisou in Saturday's $20 million Saudi Cup.

According to Racing Post journalist Jonathan Harding on Twitter, Smith was “given an eight-day whip ban and forfeits 60 percent of share of $3.5 million second prize-money.”

Freelance racing reporter Jon Lees Tweeted the news as well, adding that Smith was given another two-day ban for missing a weigh-in after an earlier race.​

 

[Preds Partisan]

We were watching and said to each other "must be NYRA stewards!".

That was pretty bad, but on brand for Ortiz. As I've said, he adds to the excitement and entertainment value, but it's outside what should be allowed. If Saez and MaxSec hadn't finished strong, I can't imagine the level of blowback and embarrassment to the Saudis with everything they're trying to do with this race.

Hope we get a rematch in the Dubai Cup.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

We were watching and said to each other "must be NYRA stewards!".

That was pretty bad, but on brand for Ortiz. As I've said, he adds to the excitement and entertainment value, but it's outside what should be allowed. If Saez and MaxSec hadn't finished strong, I can't imagine the level of blowback and embarrassment to the Saudis with everything they're trying to do with this race.

Hope we get a rematch in the Dubai Cup.

Did you see this scene in the previous race with Irad winning for the locals?

 

[Preds Partisan]

Also, what's that all about with Smith?

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Also, what's that all about with Smith?

I spoke too soon. I guess there is a reciprocal arrangement. Something similar to what happened to John Velazquez last year in England. Different rules in different lands and the jocks were perhaps unfamiliar. They broke the local rule but since they don't ride overseas much, the U.S./North America is where the suspensions will be administered.

 

[Preds Partisan]

Eight days? What is this, NHL Department of Player Safety Wheel of Justice?

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Eight days? What is this, NHL Department of Player Safety Wheel of Justice?

Eight days is different than eight racing days. The report states the former. If so, what does eight days entail for Mike Smith? 2-3 racing days? And how many scheduled starts? Normally, during suspensions, jockeys can ride in stakes races.

Once again, the handicapper is robbed Those of us who bet exactas and finished 1st and 3rd need vindication. The runner up had purse money removed because of the violation yet that doesn't help us!

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

We were watching and said to each other "must be NYRA stewards!".

That was pretty bad, but on brand for Ortiz. As I've said, he adds to the excitement and entertainment value, but it's outside what should be allowed. If Saez and MaxSec hadn't finished strong, I can't imagine the level of blowback and embarrassment to the Saudis with everything they're trying to do with this race.

Hope we get a rematch in the Dubai Cup.

That doesn't appear likely based on the comments of Jason Servis today. Max. Sec. ran an exhaustive race. Keep an eye on Benbatl the third place finisher who I used in my exactas. He came on strongly towards the end and paid $9 to show.



Trainer Jason Servis told broadcaster Nick Luck on RacingTV's Luck on Sunday that the 4-year-old son of New Year's Day lost a bit of weight and didn't finish his dinner after defeating Midnight Bisou by three-quarters of a length.
“I'm feeling he may need some more time,” Servis told Luck. “I may not get his 'A' race. But nothing's been finalized. Right now it's doubtful we'll make Dubai.”

 

[Preds Partisan]

So, I guess Smith and Ortiz are both in the same boat now.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

@Preds Partisan


That'll have a ripple effect.

Report: Smith Hit With Severe Penalties for Saudi Cup Whip Overuse

Santa Anita steward Kim Sawyer said they are awaiting more information from Saudi racing officials. She said the Saudi suspension is set to begin Mar. 6, the next time there is racing in that country. Smith will no doubt try to find a way to ride on Mar. 7, a day at Santa Anita that includes several stakes races.

“As we understand it, we have the wiggle room to have the suspension start some time after the seventh,” Sawyer said.

Prior to the races, a notice was given to all jockeys participating in the two-day event that read: “You all have a responsibility to ride in a professional manner in order to promote in the best way The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world who will be watching very closely.”

“All riders, including Mike, were spoken to at a briefing on Friday and Saturday, and reminded of the relevant rules and penalties,” Phil Tuck, stipendiary steward for the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, told the Racing Post. “A guide to all relevant rules was emailed to visiting riders before their arrival and copies were pinned up in the changing rooms. We are protecting the welfare of the horse and all riders were informed of this.”

Midnight Bisou was last early before making her run in the stretch. Inside the final furlong, Smith struck her several time with the right-handed whip.
In addition, Smith was given an additional suspension of two days for failing to weigh in after the fifth race.

He fared far better Friday when he won an international jockeys’ challenge, which netted him a $30,000 bonus.

According to the Racing Post report, Irad Ortiz, Jr. was also suspended for over use of the whip. He was given eight days for his usage of the whip during a race Friday and another two days for excessive whipping aboard Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man) in the Saudi Cup. Ortiz was fined 10% of his earnings. The stewards also penalized European-based rider Oisin Murphy for excessive use of the whip during Saturday’s card.​