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Horse Racing: BELMONT dates move to AQUEDUCT; SARATOGA opens July 11

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December 14, 2018

Tampa Bay (Florida):
  • Race 1: A 104-to-1 shot finished second and helped an exacta reach $1,246.80. The filly paid over $50 in the middle.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Bombs away. An 83-to-1 shot won the finale and paid $169.20 with a rider who was on a mount for the third time (per Equibase). The $2 Pick 5 paid a massive $414,401. The $2 Pick 4 paid over $50,000. The $2 Pick 3 returned over $5,000.
 
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December 15, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Race 7: Syndergaard, who was a hot New York 2-year-old with some talk about Kentucky Derby aspirations, won for the third time in nine career starts and first time since that rookie campaign. Back-to-back wins for Rajiv Maragh, who by the way, had one of the best rides of the day in race 6.
  • Race 5: Junior Alvarado won consecutive races. Let me see if I have this straight. If I played a $.50 Pick 5 all/all/Luzzi/Alvarado/Alvarado, I would have hit over $4,000 (that is $16,000+ for $2). My two jockeys won three straight races. :D
  • Race 3: Mike Luzzi won for the first time at the young meet, by 5 1/2 lengths with the aptly named Forgotten Hero (tr. John Toscano), who is now 2 2-0-0 after winning the $150,000 New York Stallion Series for 2-year-old fillies. Apparently Mike Smith called afterwards loooking for riding instructions. The power of Luzzi has no boundaries. You can tell this was a fun day for some of us. They are coming out of the woodwork and jumping on Luzzi's bandwagon: :laugh:
The popular Luzzi was full of praise for the speedy Forgotten Hero.
"I had a perfect trip. She broke good. We knew Linda's horse was very fast, but my filly's really fast," said Luzzi. "She breezes fast in the morning, so I broke, and I just stayed away from Junior, and we just bided our time and let the race spread out. I had a lot left heading for home. She's still a little bit green; she looks around a little bit still. She's got some improving to do. She's well-trained." Source: Bloodhorse
DufufRdXgAAaiUg.jpg
  • Junior Alvarado leads the meet with a 10-7-4 mark. Once again, Junior Alvarado leads the meet! Alvarado was 8 2-2-1 today. Why does it seem Junior is always professionally content or teed off at the world after a win? I laugh! A good rider. He is one of my all-time favorites. Keep it going, Junior.
Mahoning Valley (Ohio):
  • Race 8: A $179.20 winner. $1,967 for the exacta. $34,000+ for the $2 trifecta. Over $114,000+ for the $1 superfecta.
Tampa Bay Downs (Florida):

  • Race 7: World of Trouble (Antonio Gallardo/Jason Servis) improved to 9 5-2-1 and set a record for the 7 furlongs at 1:22.50. He achieved a Beyer Speed Figure of 109, the highest in Tampa Bay Downs history. World of Trouble's winning margin of 13 ¾ lengths duplicated his advantage in the Jan. 20 Pasco Stakes
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Sir Anthony (Brian Hernandez, Jr./Anthony Mitchell), an Illinois bred who ran exclusively at the two tracks in his home state, won the Grade 3 $100,000 Harlan's Holiday in an absolute stunner at 25-to-1. He is now 14 5-2-2 but with 4 straight wins and a mark of 4 3-0-0 on wet surfaces. Audible, who had earned over $1.2 million, prepped for the Pegasus, but failed at 1-to-9 in what was not the best of rides by Javier Castellano. The New York bred and Florida Derby winner was shocked but those who tempted fate and played the all/1 exacta reaped the benefits.

​

  • Joel Rosario, in his first ride since December 2, won the Grade 3 $100,000 My Charmer Stakes. He picked up the mount originally scheduled for Joe Bravo. Um, if he isn't a finalist for the Eclipse Award I will be peeved. Mike Smith will get the votes based on a Triple Crown winner and that is understandable but Rosario is my pick as the best rider this year.
  • Edgar Prado is probably 500 years old but the winner of over 7,000 races embarrassed all pretenders in a gate-to-wire victory in what was supposed to be a tough Fort Lauderdale Stakes.
​


Fair Grounds (Louisiana):
  • Aubrie Green, a 31-year-old mother of three from Idaho, who has ridden at tracks from California to Louisiana and places in between such as Wyoming and her home state, won the finale with the longest shot on the board at 43-to-1. The $88.20 winner helped a $.50 Pick 3 pay over $4,800.
 
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Due to limited space, this race wasn't posted above. It deserves to be shown because of Rosario's ride. Smart and confident, not flashy. Just follow the #8.

 
As far as Audible goes, I'll throw this race out since it was a sealed track. Crossing my fingers better odds will be the end result when he runs the Pegasus (and fast and dry).
 
December 16, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Manny Franco (3), Junior Alvarado (2) and Dylan Davis (2) combined to win 7 of 9 races. Davis excelled on board Testosterone who at 24-to-1 was all out at the end.
  • Linda Rice won twice which extends her roll by winning with 5 of her last 13 starters here.
  • Race 9: Junior Alvarado's $23 winner helped a $2 Pick 4 pay over $26,000. The $2 Pick 3 paid over $4,300.
Laurel (Maryland):
  • Weston Hamilton. one of North America's top bugs, won twice for the second straight day.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Bridge jumpers alert: Place prices paid $6.00 and $8.80. Show price paid $9.80, $12.00 and $6.40. The favorite missed the board. The winner was victorious by over 11 lengths.
Fair Grounds (Louisiana):
  • Race 6: The winner paid $136.00. The exacta returned $1,127.20. The tri paid more than $7,400.
  • Race 7: The $2 Pick 4 paid over $18,000.
Remington (Oklahoma):
  • Steve Asmussen sent out 18 runners in the 12-race card. He won five of the nine races in which he entered. He had a record of 18 5-2-1.
  • Race 11: Long Range Toddy (Richard Eramia/Steve Asmussen) at 19-to-1 won the $400,000 Springboard Mile. The colt is 4 3-0-0 and a perfect 3 3-0-0 under this rider. Asmussen had five horses in the field and finished 1st and 2nd with his runner up, Bankit charging but couldn't close the deal. The top three finishers get nominated to the 2019 Oklahoma Derby.
​

  • Race 5: One of the best hits of the day was the all-Steve Asmussen $.50 Pick 3 which paid $22.60.
  • Steve Asmussen set a meet record at the track for most wins by a trainer.

​

Woodbine (Ontario):
  • Closing day: Today closed the meet.
  • Eurico da Silva, the meet's top rider who had three wins today, won the meet title by 69 victories. His 237 wins set a Woodbine mark.
  • Norm McKnight set a meet mark. His 128 wins was most by a trainer and 23 more than Mark Casse.
  • 2019 Racing Dates: Will have 133 dates from April 20 through December 15.
 
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It's nice to be right for a change. Something I suggested and felt more than a year ago, Rosario should go back to California. He was in adequate form at the time, now he just may be in the top five riders in the country. We'll see what happens but Rosario is my pick for Jockey of the Year in 2018.

Rosario, Anderson Take On Santa Anita ‘Just Looking For A Change’ - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report

Joel Rosario was a superstar waiting to happen before Ron Anderson took his book.

Since the jockey and agent joined forces in August of 2012, it's been a match made in heaven, a rocket ship ride that has catapulted the 33-year-old Dominican Republic native and his 63-year-old mentor among racing's elite.

Rosario's career likely will one day be culminated with a place in the Hall of Fame.

Anderson's agenda has Rosario riding full time at Santa Anita this meet, which makes sense, considering he is the regular rider of Horse of the Year contender Accelerate, bound for the $9 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park Jan. 26, and undefeated Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and early Kentucky Derby favorite Game Winner, both based at Santa Anita.​
 
Maybe this can lead to better purses in New Jersey. Monmouth racing needs a boost.

Monmouth Park, New Jersey Horsemen Secure Deal For Mobile Sportsbook - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report

TheScore, Inc. (TSX Venture: SCR) (“theScore” or the “Company”) today announced plans to launch a mobile sportsbook in the United States in 2019 after securing market access through an official licensing partnership with Darby Development LLC (Darby), the operator of the Monmouth Park Racetrack in New Jersey and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NJTHA).

This agreement paves the way for theScore to offer online and mobile sports betting across New Jersey, subject to receiving all required approvals and licenses from the State of New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC). Subject to receipt of these approvals, theScore anticipates rolling out its sports betting platform in New Jersey in mid-2019. Sports fans can sign-up to receive updates on theScore's launch plans at www.theScore.bet.

“This is a significant moment for theScore, becoming the first media company in North America to announce its plans to launch online and mobile sports betting in the United States,” said John Levy, Founder and CEO of theScore. “Sports betting has long been part of our company DNA in how we've delivered content to fans. Providing the ability to actually bet on games is the natural next phase for theScore.​
 
^ New Jersey is in need of being revitalized and this is another step towards that.

New Jersey Purse Subsidy Bill Approved - BloodHorse

A week after the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously advanced a bill that would provide purse supplements to the state's racetracks, it was unanimously approved by the full Senate Dec. 17.

The bill would see $20 million a year committed to Thoroughbred and Standardbred purses for the next five years. Monmouth Park would receive $10 million for each of the next five years for purses to be allocated at its meet and the short Monmouth at Meadowlands turf meet.

The bill's sponsors include Sens. Vin Gopal, Paul Sarlo, Steven Oroho, and Richard Cody. During the Dec. 10 committee hearing, Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association reported that lawmakers noted the horse racing and breeding industry contributes about $1 billion in economic development for New Jersey as well as thousands of jobs as part of a $4 billion equine industry in the state.
 
December 19, 2018

Tampa Bay Downs (Florida):
  • One of the few tracks running on a Wednesday.
  • Samy Camacho, mentioned a few times for his breakout year, became the 19th rider in North America to win 200 races in 2018. He had four wins including two back-to-back sets.
  • Jorge L. Vargas entered the day 0-for-9 in 2018. He won with an 18-to-1 shot in a perfectly timed ride. What adds to the storyline is that his 61st birthday is Friday.
 
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December 20, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Pick 6: The Aqueduct pick six was hit for $50,449.
Fair Grounds (Louisiana):
  • Race 2: Karl Broberg won a race for the 500th time this year. He joined Steve Asmussen (four times) and Scott Lake (2006) as one of three trainers to accomplish the feat in North America history.
Delta Downs (Louisiana):
  • Race 1: $71.00 winner. The $2 tri paid over $7,100.
  • Race 2: Won by a 14-to-1 shot.
  • Race 3: The $2 Pick 3 paid over $8,200.
  • Race 4: The $2 Pick 4 paid more than $51,000.
  • Race 10: The $2 Pick 5 paid over $36,000.
 
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December 21, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Weather: Just ugly. The track announcer, without the benefit of perfect visuals, said during the 8th race "Let's see what we can see here...I can't see much of anything." Amusing as was his description in the third race when he said "In the rain... in the fog....in the slop..."
  • Junior Alvarado, Eric Cancel and Manny Franco each rode two winners.
  • Junior Alvarado, who rode a bomb home in the opener, leads the meet with 14 wins.
  • Jose Lezcano was released from the hospital after a broken nose and other injuries in the area following a spill on Thursday. Lezcano has the reputation for being a humble rider, skilled more so on turf than dirt. He decided earlier this month to make New York and not south Florida his winter tack which surprised some.
Laurel (Maryland):
  • Weather: Sloppy with the occasional hint of sun.
  • Weston Hamilton, a bug, won twice. He escaped injury yesterday in a rare ride at Aqueduct. He is my pick for Apprentice of the Year. He may not get one of the three nominations but the kid has been steadily good throughout the year. He has won 6 of his last 11 rides at the track and has the most wins among bugs; hopefully, Laurel not being one of the higher profile tracks won't hurt his chances. He deserves at least a nomination.
  • Race 7: Jorge Ruiz made a strong bold move to win the race, splitting horses on each side and finding a hole. Rides like that go a long way to successful handicappers.
  • Race 6: A good race in which the winner led in the stretch, faded to second and then recovered for victory. It doesn't happen often but it did in this race.
  • Race 5: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $15,000.
Tampa Bay (Florida):
  • Canceled: The entire card was canceled due to excessive rain and wind.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Race 8: Perhaps the best race of the day.

​

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):
  • Race 5: Mitchell Murrill won with a first-time starter that paid $61.00.
 
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This is what some consider to be an unofficial Kentucky Derby prep race. Larry Jones has a possible Derby contender. Hopefully, the colt can draw off his last effort. The far outside could be a factor but that can be used to his advantage, too.

SUGAR BOWL STAKES
What: Stakes
Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Saturday, December 22, 2018, Race 11
Post time: 5:20 pm Central Time
Who: 2-year-olds
Distance: 6 furlongs
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $75,000
Television: TVG

[TR][TH]PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
1Uncapped (KY)Florent Geroux116Brendan P. Walsh12/1
2Sovereign Impact (KY)Adam Beschizza118William J. Denzik, Jr.12/1
3Gray Attempt (KY)Shaun Bridgmohan116William H. Fires6/1
4Cajun Firecracker (FL)Ricardo Santana, Jr.122Steven M. Asmussen9/2
5Hog Creek Hustle (KY)Corey J. Lanerie122Vickie L. Foley7/2
6Sambucca (KY)Joseph Rocco, Jr.116Steve Margolis15/1
7Manny Wah (KY)Channing Hill122Wayne M. Catalano9/2
8Assemblyman (KY)Joe Bravo116Michael Stidham6/1
9Super Steed (KY)Gabriel Saez122J. Larry Jones4/1
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What an awesome picture from Barbara Livington's collection. The boy turned gray as he aged. One of my faves.



"Mike Smith in hand all the way." Too bad the Derby didn't go that way.

 
December 22, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Track: Muddy and sealed.
  • Manny Franco had three winners.
  • Race 8: Name Changer (David Cohen/Alan Goldberg) won the $125,000 feature race. Cohen picked up the mount for the injured Jose Lezcano.
  • Race 7: A three way photo for place. That is Mike Luzzi riding his heart out for second place.
AQU_20181222_7_2.jpg
`​
Laurel (Maryland):
  • Track: Sloppy.
  • Race 2: A very unnecessary DQ of the winner. These decisions can be tough and often met with criticism but this change cannot be applauded or supported.
​

Tampa Bay (Florida):
  • Track: Resumed racing after a canceled day, but remained off the turf.
  • Antonio Gallardo won four times.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Race 11: Elizabeth Dobles trained the winner in the finale and at 15-to-1, she has won 4 of her past 12 with her few starters. :thumbu: Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode his third winner of the day. He will get plenty of support for Jockey of the Year.
  • Race 10: Coal Front (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) won for the first time since September 2017 but improved to 7 5-0-0 and got a 103 Beyer after winning the Grade III Mr. Prospector. He could run next on the Pegasus card in January.
  • Race 8: A $75 winner topped a $.50 tri that returned $1,125.75. The $2 Pick 3 paid over $4,800.
  • Race 4: The $.50 tri paid over $1,200.
Fair Grounds (Louisiana):
  • Highlight: Great day for two-year-olds.
  • Race 4: Gun It, who was purchased for $2,600,000, won as the favorite as a second-time starter. Look out for him. He is a son to Tapit.
  • Race 11: Gray Attempt (Shaun Bridgmohan/Jinks Fires) scored a 5-to-1 winner in the $75,000 Sugar Bowl. Some of those who ran will be pointed towards Kentucky Derby prep races.
Hawthorne (Illinois):
  • Elizabeth Thurman rode a winner for the second time in her career which comprises 92 starts, a romp of nearly 10 lengths and at 42-to-1. I don't know anything about the rider. The only two first-time starters finished 1st and 2nd. Always play the unknown!
 
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December 23, 2018
  • Not many tracks operating, the Sunday before Christmas. Wednesday is busier than normal.
Aqueduct (New York):
  • Leaders: Junior Alvarado (15) among riders and Linda Rice (8) among trainers. The pair teamed for a chalky but not easy win late in race 7.
  • Race 3: One of the best races of the day. Joe's Smoking Gun (Dylan Davis/Timothy Hills) caught the lead horse by a flared nostril. Davis is turning into a good, young rider.
AQU_20181223_3_1.jpg
​
  • Race 6: Joel Rosario picked up the mount and won with She Takes Charge, a first-time starter for former Chad Brown assistant Dermot Magner. Rosario is moving his tack to California which tells me he may think this mount has ability. Rosario had four mounts and hit the board with three. He has not ridden in New York since November. The timing around Christmas could be a reason why he rode today.
  • Races 8 and 9: Eric Cancel won the final two races on the card.
Laurel (Maryland):
  • Race 5: The $2 Pick 5 paid $38,000+.
Tampa Bay Downs (Florida):
  • Samy Camacho, oft-mentioned as having a breakout year, was 8 2-5-1 today. He had three consecutive second place finishes before winning race 6 in which his brother, in his lone ride of the day, ended second. Camacho, with 23 victories, leads the meet's rider standings. Perpetual Tampa Bay stalwart Antonio Gallardo is a distant second with 13 wins.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Leaders: Luis Saez (22) is the leading rider. Jorge Navarro (11) has a one-win lead over Todd Pletcher among trainers.
  • John Velazquez had his second consecutive 2-win day. He has won 8 of his last 16 starts dating back to mid-December.
  • Race 9: A close finish, horses that close and win are almost always a thrill at least when a lost wager is not involved.

​
 
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Among the highlights on Santa Anita's opening day is whether Dream Tree can extend her perfect record to 6-for-6.

labrea18.jpg


The Malibu Stakes is loaded. The feature race on Santa Anita's opening day card on Wednesday, December 26.

MALIBU STAKES
What: Grade I
Where: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California
When: Wednesday, December 26, 2018, Race 9
Post time: 4:00 pm Pacific Time; 7:00 pm Eastern Time
Who: 3-year-olds
Distance: 7 furlongs
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $300,000
Television: TVG​

[TR][TH]PPHorseJockeyWgtTrainerM/L
1Calexman (KY)Geovanni Franco120Vladimir Cerin30/1
2Majestic Dunhill (KY)Manuel Franco120George Weaver30/1
3Copper Bullet (KY)Jose L. Ortiz120Steven M. Asmussen6/1
4Still Having Fun (MD)Kent J. Desormeaux122Timothy L. Keefe20/1
5Identity Politics (KY)Irad Ortiz, Jr.120Chad C. Brown12/1
6Axelrod (FL)John R. Velazquez122Michael W. McCarthy10/1
7Seven Trumpets (KY)Robby Albarado120Dale L. Romans12/1
8Nero (KY)Joseph Talamo120Bob Baffert12/1
9Ax Man (KY)Drayden Van Dyke120Bob Baffert5/1
10Bobby's Wicked One (KY)Tyler Gaffalione120Albert M. Stall, Jr.10/1
11Greyvitos (VA)Evin A. Roman120Adam Kitchingman20/1
12Kanthaka (KY)Flavien Prat122Jerry Hollendorfer6/1
13McKinzie (KY)Mike E. Smith124Bob Baffert7/2
14Solomini (KY)Joel Rosario120Bob Baffert10/1
15Super Sol (KY)Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.120Bob Baffert20/1
16Cool Bobby (KY)Rafael Bejarano120Peter Eurton20/1
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Santa Anita: Wednesday, December 26. Entries can be reached by clicking on the race number.
Race #PurseRace TypeDistanceSurfaceStartersEst. Post (Pacific Time)
Race 1$33,000 Claiming 1 1/8 MilesTurf911:30 AM
Race 2$33,000 Claiming 6 FurlongsDirt812:03 PM
Race 3$33,000 Starter Allowance 7 FurlongsDirt912:35 PM
Race 4$75,000 Lady of Shamrock S. 1 MileTurf81:07 PM
Race 5$55,000 Maiden Special Weight 6 1/2 FurlongsDirt111:40 PM
Race 6$300,000 La Brea S. 7 FurlongsDirt92:15 PM
Race 7$200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile S. 1 MileTurf112:50 PM
Race 8$300,000 San Antonio S. 1 1/16 MilesDirt93:25 PM
Race 9$300,000 Malibu S. 7 FurlongsDirt164:00 PM
Race 10$57,000 Allowance 1 1/8 MilesTurf124:35 PM
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December 26, 2018
  • Today was supposed to be all about Santa Anita but there were three doubles that paid over $1,000 at Gulf and FG combined.
Laurel (Maryland):
  • Sheldon Russell, who may have as many broken bones as any rider in North America, rode three winners.
Tampa Bay Downs (Florida):
  • Antonio Gallardo, second at the meet in victories, won three times. The meet's leading rider Samy Camacho won twice.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Bombs: Remarkable payouts throughout the day. Favorites failed to win 10 of the 11 races.
  • Race 1: Set the tone with a $66.00 winner.
  • Race 7: Elizabeth Dobles has now trained five winners with her last 13 starters after being sent off at 9-to-2. Gulfstream rewrote the book with delayed posts but with 1 MTP the horse was 9-to-1. Once again, she trained a winner for Imaginary Stables (south Philly, New Jersey owned). :naughty:
  • Race 8: The winner paid $133.80. The $2 Pick 3 paid over $11,000. The $2 double returned $1,049.
  • Race 9: The $2 Pick 3 returned more than $10,900. The $2 double was close to $2,000. It has been a while since I saw consecutive races pay $1,000+ doubles.
  • Race 10: The $2 Pick 3 paid over $28,000 which is extraordinarily high.
  • Race 11: A $50 winner, with a rider change, and a $1 super which returned over $30,000. No live tickets remained in the Rainbow Six entering the finale which was indicative of the difficulty in continuity. The return for 5 out of 6 was over $19,000.
  • Paco Lopez rode three winners.
  • Edgard Zayas rode two winners, 32-to-1 and 10-to-1.
Fair Grounds (Louisiana):
  • Race 8: The $.50 tri returned over $2,700. A $1 super returned over $38,000.
  • Race 9: The $2 double paid $1,107. The $2 Pick 3 returned over $3,700.
  • Race 10: The $2 Pick 3 paid over $9,000.
  • Race 11: The $.50 Pick 4 paid over $4,800 and that was with the favorite winning this race.
  • Colby Hernandez, brother to Brian, won three times on eight mounts.
Golden Gate (California):
  • Opening day: The winter/spring meet opened.
Santa Anita (California):
  • Opening day: The winter/spring meet opened with an incredible card.
  • Handle: Total wagering on the opening day program was $20,491,016. That surpasses the previous winter/spring opening day record of $19 million+ set in 2005.
  • Attendance: Over 41,000.
  • Roulette bet: The track debuted a new type of bet. Basically fields of six or more had horses with colors red, green or black and bettors could choose a color. I suppose newcomers and those who throw caution to the wind would be intrigued by such a gimmick. Then again, it all adds to the handle.
  • Turf: What a visually appealing turf course.
  • Stakes: Five of the ten races were stakes including three with $300,000 purses.
  • Riders: Many of the top riders in the U.S. were on the card. Mike Smith, Flavien Prat and Joel Rosario (a perfect 2-for-2 riding for trainer John Sadler) each won twice.
  • Bob Baffert had a mostly forgettable day going 9 1-0-2 but the flip side was he won the feature race and lost just three of the four races in which he entered. His top two riders Drayden Van Dyke and Joe Talamo rode seven times combined for him.
  • Race 1: Joel Rosario won the opener. My theory about him repeating had a higher degree of achievement than normal since he had nine mounts.
  • Race 5: A race with mostly first time and second time starters. Mike Smith rode Big Scott Daddy (trainer Mike Puype), a first time starter, to victory from the far outside #10 post at 8-to-1. Bob Baffert had two entered and was a non-factor, a rarity for him this year in California with 2-year-olds.
  • Race 6: Spiced Perfection (Flavien Prat/Brian Koriner) won the $300,000 Grade I La Brea at 5-to-1. Bob Baffert's biggest flop of the day as Dream Tree finished last in losing for the first time in six starts and as the expected prohibitive favorite. Baffert's other entered runner finished third at 10-to-1.
​

  • Race 7: River Boyne (Flavien Prat/Jeff Mullins), an Irish-bred, won the $200,000 Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile.
  • Race 8: Gift Box (Joel Rosario/John Sadler) won the $300,000 Grade II San Antonio. This was, excuse the pun, a gift as a $15.00 winner. The 5-year-old horse had been training exceptionally with some stellar works. He ran for the first time for Sadler; prior, his trainer was Chad Brown on the east coast. Same owners as Accelerate who recently purchased the horse in a private sale.
​

  • Race 9: McKinzie (Mike Smith/Bob Baffert) shortened to 7 furlongs and romped in the $300,000 Grade I Malibu Stakes. The 5-length win was the second largest victory in the history of the race. The colt was racing for the first time since flopping in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
​
 
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This is a chart of the leading riders in North America based on graded stakes wins in 2018. The Eclipse Award eventually comes down to three nominees. There are many choices and unlike last year in which I thought Jose Ortiz was the best rider, this year is more open. There are probably five riders to consider at least among the obvious choices:

Mike Smith will get attention for riding Justify to a Triple Crown but his overall body is just 52 wins in 242 starts and $12.1 million earned. If the voters emphasize the Triple Crown, then the debate ends here.

Jose Ortiz is the defending champ and certainly has the numbers to be nominated. However, he has not shown the same consistency the last few weeks of this year (he has won 9 of his last 100 starts, if my numbers are correct) and ended the Keeneland meet in a slump. But he does have 35 wins in graded stakes and that is tough to overlook. His 261 wins is fourth most in North America. He is second with $26m+ earned.

Irad Ortiz, Jr., Jose's brother, leads all riders in North America with 340 wins. His $27m+ is also tops. He also has strong numbers in graded stakes.

Joel Rosario is 5th in money earned with $21.2m earned. His second half of the year has propelled him into the conversation. It may be a stretch to some, but he would be my pick.

Javier Castellano won the prior four Eclipse Awards before being dethroned last year. He has earned over $22 million which is third highest in North America. He likely doesn't have the numbers to win, but does for a nomination.

[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]Jockey [/TD][TD]Starts[/TD][TD]Wins [/TD][TD]Total (millions) [/TD][TD]Win%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Jose Ortiz [/TD][TD]209[/TD][TD]35[/TD][TD]$13.1[/TD][TD]17%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Irad Ortiz, Jr.[/TD][TD]163[/TD][TD]30[/TD][TD]$11.9[/TD][TD]18%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Flavien Prat[/TD][TD]124[/TD][TD]28[/TD][TD]$5.7[/TD][TD]23%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Joel Rosario[/TD][TD]125[/TD][TD]25[/TD][TD]$12.7[/TD][TD]20%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Javier Castellano[/TD][TD]158 [/TD][TD]23 [/TD][TD]$10.9[/TD][TD]15%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Florent Geroux[/TD][TD]115 [/TD][TD]22 [/TD][TD]$14.1[/TD][TD]19% [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Mike Smith [/TD][TD] 93[/TD][TD]22[/TD][TD]$9.8 [/TD][TD]24% [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Drayden Van Dyke[/TD][TD] 97[/TD][TD]19 [/TD][TD]$5.0[/TD][TD]20% [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Joe Bravo[/TD][TD] 66[/TD][TD]17 [/TD][TD]$3,5 [/TD][TD]26%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]John Velazquez[/TD][TD]152 [/TD][TD]16 [/TD][TD]$9.3 [/TD][TD]11%[/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]
 
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December 27, 2018
  • Most tracks were dark today, taking advantage of the holidays by running on normally off days (Mondays and Tuesdays).
  • Bombs continued from yesterday.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Race 10: There were three horses singled in the finale and alas someone walked off nailing the $.20 Rainbow 6 for $288,350.74 when the chalky favorite, of all things, won. The winning handicapper endured an objection/inquiry ruling though not to his pick. Connections: John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher. The $2 Pick 5 was over $47,000.
  • Race 9: Sarah Nagle, who had trained just 18 times prior to this year, improved to an exceptional 29 11-2-3 (38%) for this year after a 30-to-1 bomber, who broke awkwardly, won.
  • Race 5: The $2 Pick 5 paid over $117,000. The $2 Pick 4 paid over $50,000. The $2 Pick 3 returned more than $32,000. The double was $1,851.40.
  • Race 4: Jorge Urdaneta rode a winner for the first time in North America, the 14th start in his career. It was the longest shot on the board at 49-to-1 and the victory paid $101.20.
Fair Grounds (Louisiana):
  • Adam Beschizza won three times with four starts. The last two days, he is 9 5-2-0.
  • Race 9: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $98,000.
Hawthorne (Illinois):
  • Christopher Emigh won three of his six starts including bringing home both ends of the early double.
  • Race 4: Kim Cecil won for the first time this meet and ended the day with a mark of 66 1-9-6.
 
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December 28, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Junior Alvarado stole the show by winning all four of his races including a natural hat trick to begin the day. The $1 all-Alvarado Pick 3 returned $50. I am not sure the last rider to go a perfect 4-for-4 at a New York track. All his horses were playable but he delivered in his usual style, culminating with one in which he avoided being trapped inside and went the long route. In the opener, the horse veered with the lead on a sloppy surface but the rider straightened his mount. He is the winningest rider at the meet.
​

  • Race 6: Jose Lezcano, who broke his nose a few days ago, returned to riding today and won this race. Arguably the best timed race of the day.
​

  • Race 5: Mike Luzzi won for the 3,500th time. Congrats to him.
​


Tampa Bay (Florida):
  • Antonio Gallardo, a perennial top rider at the track, was 4 3-1-0. He has won 6 of his past 11 starts.
  • Kathleen O'Connell had three winners with four starters combined at Gulfstream and Tampa Bay. The two wins at Tampa Bay were with Antonio Gallardo riding.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Luis Saez, the meet's leading rider, had three wins.
  • Race 11: A 24-to-1 shot capped the day.
Santa Anita (California):
  • Race 4: A 132-to-1 shot finished second and paid $80.20 in the middle.
Stronach Five hit:
Four bettors had all five winners in Friday's Stronach 5, resulting in a payout for each of $29,068.30. Friday's Stronach 5 sequence
● Leg One – Gulfstream Park 10th Race – Blasphemy $6.40
● Leg Two – Gulfstream Park 11th Race – Oblio's Wish $51.20
● Leg Three – Golden Gate Park 4th Race – Wyoming Chief $16.60
● Leg Four – Golden Gate Park 5th Race – Mr. Twinery $3.80
● Leg Five – Santa Anita Park 6th Race – Epical $10.60​
 
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December 29, 2018

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Race 1: Mike Luzzi won for the 3,501st time.
  • Race 8: One of the best races of the day, the $100,000 feature at the track, in which David Cohen held off Junior Alvarado.
​

Laurel (Maryland):
  • Race 1: Weston Hamilton, who no longer possesses his bug, finished with a tremendous rally to win the opener at 9-to-1.
  • Stakes: A good day of stakes racing. One of them, the 9th, was won by a 35-to-1 shot.
  • Lacey Gaudet has won just twice with her last 27 starters. She was sizzling prior to this skid.
Mahoning Valley (Ohio):
  • Trainer Jay Bernardini: Had a tough beat in the opener when the favorite nipped his bomb at 23-to-1 in the slimmest of margins. I am not sure there was ample evidence in the photo finish. Bernardini had one other horse on the card and that won comfortably at 5-to-1, perhaps a little retribution.
Tampa Bay (Florida):
  • Samy Camacho won three times. Camacho entered this year with 170 career wins. He surpassed that total with his stellar 2018 campaign earlier this year.
  • Race 8: The fifth place horse claimed a foul against the winner. The claim was denied.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Handle: Exceeded $14,000,000.
  • Irad Ortiz, Jr. won four times. He could be among the three finalists for Jockey of the Year.
  • Race 10: A rare 2 mile race. Near midway, the track announcer amused some with a "There is half a mile between first and last and I am not exaggerating." Red Knight (Luis Saez/Bill Mott), a 15-to-1 morning line, won at 5-to-1.
​


Santa Anita (California):
  • Race 8: Competitionofideas (Joel Rosario/Chad Brown), owned by powerhouse Klaravich Stables, trounced the field with an impressive stretch run to win the $300,000 Grade I American Oaks. At 5-to-1, the odds were a gift with the powerful east coast connections on turf. However, exactas were destroyed -- unless of course the resourceful types played 8-all -- when a 90-to-1 bomber came in second on the longest shot on the board for a $232 $1 exacta. The owners could be finalists for an Eclipse Award. Brown is likely the Trainer of the Year emphasized by his 20th Grade I win this year. Rosario is simply on fire!
​
 
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I guess my month(s)-long pushes for Weston Hamilton (bug rider) and Joel Rosario (jockey) have company. based on the list below.

I do not believe Evin Roman (he won last year) is eligible to be nominated for Apprentice of the Year, however. Edit: The writer supports his claim with replies on Twitter.

 
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A couple of scenarios previously discussed for New York's 2019 schedule:

NYRA not producing 2019 calendar | Daily Racing Form

NYRA has yet to announce its 2019 racing schedule beyond Aqueduct’s winter and spring meetings. Belmont Park’s spring meet is expected to open on April 26.

NYRA is hoping to begin renovations of Belmont Park at some point in 2019, but it’s unclear when that would start and if it would prompt officials to open Saratoga a week earlier than usual and spread out its 40-day meet over eight weeks, with five days of racing during six of those weeks. Also, it’s possible that if Belmont is under construction by mid-to-late summer, Belmont Park’s fall meet will have to be conducted at Aqueduct.​
 
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