Racing! Catching up on the news

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we go through the penultimate, penultimate weekend at this Santa Anita meeting.

Let’s do some news and notes before we get to the good stuff.

--On Saturday, the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) had a one-hour conference call with membership (and others who listened in.) Greg Avioli, the president and chief executive of the group, ran a smart, quickly moving call, correcting members when they had bad information and trying to push everything forward.

Avioli started the meeting with a stat: since March 31 there have been 121,000 starts, works and gallops and three fatalities. The inclination is to insert the word “only” before three. And, that would be a fair comment based on historical data. But, as the industry says time and again, one fatality is too much.

Another revealing stat Avioli shared was that the horse population is down from 3,200 to 2,600. That’s a 600-horse drop. That’s serious.

Belinda Stronach, and other Stronach execs, were on the call as were executives from Del Mar and the California Thoroughbred Trainers.

There was a lot of talk from owners about the need for a proactive public relations plan, which all the groups said they had an action plan. The thinking is the positive parts of the business are not getting out there.

--Los Alamitos is cutting its upcoming summer meet by two days and starting the meet on Saturday, June 29 instead of Thursday, June 27. After the first week, the track will go to the usual (if there are usuals anymore) Thursday through Sunday for the following two weeks of the three-week meeting.

No explanation was given but you have to figure the vanishing horse population has something to do with it. Also, it’s not like a Thursday opening day does gangbuster attendance. Let’s look at last year’s first week attendance: Thursday (opening day), 1,091; Friday 1,028; Saturday 2,308; Sunday 1,711. Things a little clearer now?

--Who goofed? I’ve got to know. (Official ruling.) In last Monday’s paper I wrote a story about Nick Alexander winning his first ever Grade 2, when his horse won the Monrovia Stakes. What I didn’t know at the time (but veteran turf writers did) was that when a race comes off the turf and goes to the dirt it is automatically dropped a grade, pending a review. So, it was actually a Grade 3.

Well the review is in, and on Friday, I got this note from Tom Robbins, the executive vice president of racing at Del Mar and someone who is on the grading committee: “We just got the results from the Monrovia, and unfortunately, it didn't receive enough votes to return it to a Gr. 2, so will carry Gr. 3 status for its 2019 running.”

Well, can always blame the East Coast bias.

--Dan Eidson, the racing director and No. 2 person in the racing office, was dismissed on Thursday. A Santa Anita spokesman had no comment on the firing. Eidson held together the racing department after his boss, Rick Hammerle, was fired before the start of the meeting. Eidson had a good handle on the horse population and racing in California.

What makes this interesting is the move was made with less than three weeks left in the meeting. I would ask racing secretary Steve Lym, but last time I texted him on a much more benign topic, he didn’t return the message.

--There will be no California horses in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. But, there will be a few California horses on the card. The race I’m most looking forward to is Bob Baffert’s McKinzie, who will be running in the Metropolitan Mile. He’ll also have Much Better in the Woody Stephens, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds.

Peter Miller may have four horses on Saturday’s card. Belvoir Bay, who ran last week in the Monrovia, finishing second, and Om are being considered for the Jaipur Invitational, which is a six-furlong turf race.

Proud Emma is a possibility for the Acorn Stakes, which is a mile race for 3-year-old fillies. And, finally, Spiced Perfection, California horse of the year, is under consideration for the Bed o’ Roses, a seven-furlong race that is on Friday, or the Ogden Phipps, a 1 1/16-mile race on Saturday. My guess, is she goes in the Phipps because Miller would like to stretch her out.

--Finally, services for Roger Stein will be held today (Sunday) at 11 a.m. at Hillside Mortuary, 6001 Centinela Ave., Los Angeles.

Santa Anita review

Clearly, the most interesting of the two stakes races on Saturday was the Grade 2 $200,000 Santa Maria for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles. Paradise Woods was a big favorite but stumbled out of the gate and was never able to reach the forward position she so often wins from. La Force with a strong stretch rally, powered in mid-stretch, to win by 11/4 lengths.

La Force paid $12.80, $2.40 and $2.10. Paradise Woods was second and Just a Smidge was third.

“The filly was in a good spot,” said winning trainer Paddy Gallagher. “The favorite stumbled at the start. I have to watch the replay, but we thought she (Paradise Woods) would be on the lead but it didn’t turn out that way, La Force put it together and we were very happy.

“We finally got the win today after knocking on the door so many times. We’re just glad to get there and win. Winning a graded race is a big help for a broodmare prospect so now, she’s done that. We’re really, really happy with her performance.”

Drayden Van Dyke was the winning jockey.

“It’s very rewarding getting this win with her,” Van Dyke said. “She ran second to Unique Bella so many times so I really believe she deserves this.”

In the first stakes, the Grade 3 $150,000 Honeymoon Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles. Lady Prancealot made a strong stretch rally to win by three-quarters of a length.

Lady Prancealot paid $8.40, $4.00 and $3.00. Hostess was second and Over Emphasize finished third.

“I waited a little longer today,” said winning jockey Joe Talamo. “Last time, I probably moved a touch early. [Saturday], I waited and sure enough turning for home she switched leads and really cut. She’s very handy, very relaxed and she has that ‘turf’ turn of foot…She might be best at a mile and a quarter.”

Richard Baltas was the winning trainer.

Santa Anita preview

This week’s Sunday card has nine races starting at 1 p.m. There are five maiden races, one allowance and one stakes race. The feature is the $150,000 Cinema Stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

The favorite, at 7-5, is Neptune’s Storm for trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Drayden Van Dyke. Baltas picked up the gelding a race back when the California Horse Racing Board filed a complaint against trainer William Morey, alleging one of his employees gave two of his horses a “milkshake,” the nickname for an alkalizing agent. Neptune’s Storm won last out in a minor stake and is three-of-eight lifetime.

The second favorite is Gregorian Chant at 2-1 for Phil D’Amato and Flavien Prat. He is two-for-two, winning his first race in Ireland and then an allowance at Santa Anita. Post is around 3 p.m.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 8, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 10, 5, 10 (1 also eligible).

Big Races review

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

Woodbine (3): $125,000 Greenwood Stakes, 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Pink Lloyd ($2.70)

Woodbine (8): Grade 2 $175,000 Connaught Cup Stakes, 4 and up, 7 furlongs on turf. Winner: El Tormenta ($16.70)

Penn National (6): $100,000 Penn Ladies Dash Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Bronx Beauty ($24.20)

Belmont (8): Grade 3 $200,000 Pennine Ridge, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Demarchelier ($12.40)

Penn National (7): $100,000 Chocolate Town Spring Stakes, 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Midtowncharlybrown ($5.80)

Penn National (8): $100,000 Susquehanna Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Dynatail ($3.00)

Arlington (8): Grade 3 $100,000 Arlington Matron Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Coachwhip ($5.80)

Penn National (9): $100,000 Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup Stakes, 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Pure Sensation ($3.40)

Santa Anita (7): Grade 3 $150,000 Honeymoon Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Lady Prancealot ($8.40)

Penn National (10): $200,000 Penn Oaks, fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Regal Glory ($2.20)

Santa Anita (8): Grade 2 $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: La Force ($12.80)

Penn National (11): Grade 2 $500,000 Penn Mile Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Moon Colony ($21.60)

Big races preview

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

1:55 Woodbine (8): $100,000 Bold Ruckus Stakes, 3-years-old, 6 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Souper Success (9-5)

3:03 Santa Anita (5): $150,000 Cinema Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Neptune’s Storm (7-5)

Ciaran Thornton’s SA pick of the day

RACE SEVEN: No. 10 Heather’s Grey (6-1)

Heathers Grey won last out first-time turf as the lightbulb went off and races back protected today in this optional claiming race on turf. Trainer Sean McCarthy is 25% second time grass. Since that last victory we have two very sharp workouts. This race looks to be the best on the card today. I also like No. 9 Suprema in here from trainer Keith Desormeaux with brother Kent riding. They are winning 24% in the last two months and in the money over half the time. Moving up and class and switching to turf we are getting a great 15-1 morning line price. This is an extremely wide-open race that should offer some nice payouts. My selections are 3,7,10,9.

Saturday’s result: Golden Birthday was bet down to 9-2 and looked the price flying down the stretch. Alas, an 11-1 shot was loose on the lead the entire race and was determined to win leaving us with the second-place showing.

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

Ed Burgart’s LA pick of the day

THIRD RACE: No. 5 Stella’s Princess (2-1)

Lone speed is always a dangerous commodity and I will be surprised if this mare doesn’t have a two-length lead midway down the backstretch of this 4 ½-furlong event. She forced the pace throughout in last runnerup try at 870 yards and is an 11-time lifetime winner. She looks like a single in the Pick 4 and rolling Pick 3s and I would key over the 1,4,6,7 in the trifectas.

Final thoughts

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And now the stars of the show, Saturday’s results and Sunday’s entries.

AUSSIE FOX broke slowly, chased inside then outside a rival on the backstretch and a bit off the rail on the second turn, lacked room off heels in upper stretch, came out and bid three deep in midstretch to gain the advantage a sixteenth out and proved best under steady handling. BORU dueled inside, took a short lead on the second turn, came out a bit and fought back just off the rail in midstretch, could not match the winner in the final sixteenth but held second. THIRD ARMY pulled his way along three deep between foes into the first turn, angled in and stalked inside, came out some in the stretch and bested the others. CONQUEST SMARTEE pulled between horses then dueled outside a rival, was between foes again a half mile out, battled alongside the runner-up on the second turn and between foes in midstretch and weakened in the final sixteenth. SEVEN OXEN pulled four wide into the first turn, stalked outside then bid three deep a half mile out, tracked the leaders outside a foe on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. RIGHTFUL tugged between horses then chased inside, went outside a rival on the backstretch and second turn, angled inward in the stretch and weakened.

TIZ TOFFEE sped to the early lead, set the pace just off the rail, drifted out a bit into the stretch, fought back off the inside through the drive and held on gamely under urging. CIAO LUNA stalked outside a rival, bid outside the winner while being floated out a bit into the stretch, fought back alongside that one through a long drive and continued willingly but was outgamed. PIED N TRUE was in a good position stalking the pace outside a rival then three deep on the turn and into the stretch and held third. RED STICH a step slow to begin, pulled and steadied early, chased a bit off the rail, split horses on the turn, angled to the inside in the stretch and weakened but was edged for the show. CEE SAM'S GIRL saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the turn and in the stretch and gave way.

SNAZZY DRESSER pulled his way to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, kicked clear in the stretch and held on gamely under some urging. PLAY HARD TO GET saved ground stalking the pace, came out some in deep stretch and finished willingly outside the winner. TWENTYTWENTYVISION tossed his head at the start, stalked outside a rival then three deep leaving the second turn and into the stretch and gained the show. BITTER RING HOME stalked inside then a bit off the rail, continued outside a rival leaving the second turn and between horses into and through much of the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. TOUGH IT OUT bobbled some at the start, saved ground, inched forward a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, came out in the stretch and did not rally.

COMICAL GHOST had good early speed and dueled between horses, took a short lead outside a rival on the turn, kicked clear under left handed urging in the stretch and proved best. BELETH a bit slow to begin, chased outside a rival then just off the rail, angled in on the turn and went up the inside in the stretch for the place. OAKLAND MILLS broke in some, pressed the pace three deep between horses then stalked off the rail leaving the backstretch and a bit off the fence on the turn and into the stretch and bested the others. C FALLS prompted the pace four wide then three deep leaving the backstretch, stalked off the rail on the turn and three wide into the stretch and weakened. MIKE OPERATOR broke slowly, settled inside, came out leaving the turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. TILTED TOWERS went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. IRRADIATE a bit slow to begin, chased inside then just off the rail leaving the backstretch, dropped back off the fence on the turn and gave way.

SILVER SUMMER sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, inched away in the stretch and held on gamely under left handed urging. GOLDEN BIRTHDAY broke a bit slowly, chased outside a rival then three deep on the backstretch and second turn, came four wide into the stretch and edged rivals late for the place. UNBRIDLED ETHOS saved ground stalking the pace, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and was edged for second. CONO three deep into the first turn, chased outside a rival or off the rail, went between horses into the second turn, came out into the stretch and again in midstretch and was edged or the show. RINSE AND REPEAT a bit slow into stride, saved ground chasing the pace, was in a bit tight early on the backstretch, continued along the rail into and on the second turn and in the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. MINOSO chased outside a rival then between horses midway on the backstretch and into the second turn, continued alongside a rival, came out into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. FOSTER BOI three deep into the first turn, stalked outside a rival then three wide leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and into the stretch, drifted in some late and did not rally. JUGGLES stalked the winner just off the rail then between horses leaving the second turn, was in a bit tight between foes in midstretch and weakened in the final furlong.

KING JACK prompted the pace three deep, took the lead in upper stretch, inched away and drifted in some in midstretch and won clear under a left handed tap of the whip and steady handling. MORNING SNOW sped to the early lead, set a pressured pace inside, fought back leaving the turn and into the stretch and was clearly second best. MUSIC TO MY EARS pressed the pace between horses on the backstretch and turn, came out some in midstretch and held third. CANADIAN LUCK broke in the air and slowly, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace throughout and bested the others. ON EASY STREET settled off the rail, split horses on the turn, came out into the stretch and did not rally. MOANA LUNA broke in and a bit slowly, stalked just off the rail, continued outside a rival into the stretch and weakened. DINESEN chased between horses then off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn and also weakened. ALFONSO C settled outside then chased outside or off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

LADY PRANCEALOT (IRE) chased inside then outside a rival leaving the backstretch and a bit off the rail on the second turn, swung three deep into the stretch, came out in upper stretch and rallied under left handed urging to wear down the runner-up in deep stretch. HOSTESS (GB) broke out a bit, angled in and chased outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch, bid outside foes in midstretch to gain the advantage past the eighth pole, inched away in deep stretch but could not hold off the winner. OVER EMPHASIZE stalked just off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch, bid between foes in a bit tight in midstretch, got through then angled in a sixteenth out and finished with interest inside. SERANITSA stalked a bit off the inside, bid between horses leaving the backstretch and outside the pacesetter on the second turn, took a short lead into the stretch, fought back between rivals in midstretch and was outfinished late for the show. MAXIM RATE stalked off the rail, went three deep leaving the backstretch and again into the stretch, bid between horses in midstretch and was outkicked in the final furlong. HOLLY HUNDY sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, dueled leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, fought back in midstretch, steadied when a rival went past a sixteenth out and weakened. DR WYSONG angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and lacked a rally.

LA FORCE (GER) three deep into the first turn, stalked outside, came out four wide into the stretch to gain the lead in upper stretch, inched clear nearing midstretch, drifted in a bit under urging then drifted out some in deep stretch but held gamely. PARADISE WOODS bobbled as the ground broke out behind in a slow start, stalked the pace inside, awaited room behind rivals from midway until leaving the turn, came out four wide into the stretch for a path and continued willingly but could not catch the winner. JUST A SMIDGE broke alertly and took the early lead, set a pressured pace inside, fought back on the second turn and into the stretch and bested the others. EXUBERANCE pressed the pace outside a rival then between foes on the second turn and into the stretch, drifted in a bit while between horses in midstretch and weakened in the final furlong. TAPPED three deep into the first turn, stalked outside a rival or off the rail, bid three wide on the second turn and three deep between foes into the stretch and also weakened.

JACCAT stalked off the rail then outside on the turn, came four wide into the stretch, angled in and rallied under urging then strong handling between foes to get up nearing the wire. QUEEN OF MEAN a bit slow to begin, chased just off the rail or outside a rival, angled to the inside in the stretch, came out in deep stretch, bid between horses and briefly put a head in front and was edged late. APPLES ARCH had speed between horses the stalked inside leaving the backstretch and on the turn, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch, bid four wide in deep stretch and continued willingly. CHERISHED dueled between horses then stalked between foes leaving the backstretch and a bit off the rail on the turn, went between rivals again in deep stretch and was outfinished. PRICING had speed five wide then angled in leaving the backstretch, inched clear inside on the turn, continued clear in midstretch and weakened late. CHAMPAGNE HONEY pressed the pace six wide then outside three deep or outside a rival leaving the backstretch and into the turn, stalked off the inside on the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. TELL IT AGAIN forced then stalked the pace between rivals angled in on the turn, came out in midstretch and weakened in the drive. MONGOLIAN MIDNIGHT broke slowly, settled inside, came out into the stretch and lacked a rally. STOP ANALYZING pressed then stalked the pace inside, steadied in tight into the turn, continued inside on the bend and weakened. MALIBU MINX had good early speed and dueled four wide between foes then stalked three deep leaving the backstretch, continued outside a rival on the turn and three wide into the stretch and also weakened.