Racing! Magnum Moon wins Rebel Stakes as Solomini finishes second

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as one more horse qualifies for the Kentucky Derby.

The latest colt to qualify for the Kentucky Derby is Magnum Moon, who won the $900,000 Rebel Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. The win gave him 50 Derby qualifying points, which is more than enough to make the field of 20.

He has the same storyline as Justify, in that he was unraced as a 2 year old. No horse who was unraced at 2 has won the Derby since 1882. It’s a stat you’ll hear a lot of as the first Saturday in May approaches.

Magnum Moon is trained by Todd Pletcher and Luis Saez had the mount.

Second in the Rebel was Solomini, who ran a good race but got trapped down on the rail and Magnum Moon was just too strong in the stretch, winning by 3 ½ lengths. It was Magnum Moon’s third win in three starts.

Solomini has 34 Derby points, which may be enough to get in, or may not. A fourth or better in his last prep will advance the colt to the Derby for sure, likely joining McKinzie and Justify (if he’s as good as he looks) for trainer Bob Baffert. Last year, Baffert didn’t have a horse in the Derby. This year he could have three.

There was a second Kentucky Derby prep on Saturday, but it wasn’t worth near as much, 20-8-4-2 points. It’s called the Jeff Ruby Steaks and no that’s not a typo. Jeff Ruby, as you’ve seen advertised on the pants of many a jockey, runs a collection of steak houses in the Midwest.

Now, I’m in a quandary about what to think about corrupting the name of the race to allow them to call it a “steaks” instead of “stakes.” On one hand, I hate to see the commercialization of any sports event, realizing that if you have enough money you can buy the name of anything. Plus, there is the idea that race horses are sometimes sold for meat and this homophone is a little too sensitive a topic to be amusing.

And then there is the idea that Turfway Park should be applauded for having a sense of humor. Let’s face it, it’s clever. You know I like a good joke or play on words. We shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously.

So, what do you think? If I get enough responses, I’ll put some in the Monday newsletter. If not, I’ll pretend I never wrote about it, rather than thinking no one is reading this. Just email me with Jeff Ruby in the subject line. And if you want your name used, you need to give it to me, not have me guess from whatever handle you are using.

By the way, Blended Citizen, was the winner of that race.

Handicapping lesson

Here’s our weekly contribution from Rob Henie of the WCHR (West Coast Handicapping Report) and the ECHR (East Coast Handicapping Report). The thinking is if you can know and understand the strategies, it will make you a better handicapper.

Today, he looks at the fourth race at Santa Anita.

It’s yours, Rob.

“This is a starter allowance race at a mile on the turf. A couple of lessons with both the top pick AND the second choice. Top selection is RISKY PROPOSITION (#7), not offering a ton of value, but a good example of a horse moving from 6 ½ to this flat mile distance. Coming down the hill here, things are a bit more frantic, especially for those on the front end, where a contentious pace often ends with a swarm of closing types progressing the final ⅛. Going longer today, it’s pretty likely Flavien Prat will be able to turn those sprint splits of :21.3 and :44, into :22.4 and :45.4, which can make all the difference down the lane. Many like to reason “if he couldn’t wire ‘em going 6 1/2 , how can he do so going longer?” The answer is simple, when going two turns, the ability to relax into a better breathing rhythm is much easier, allowing for slower splits early and thus a better response late. So yes, he’s never gone this long, but he’s also never been able to go this slow either. Also note that recent slow work? That’s actually a good sign, telling us they needed nothing from this guy, simply giving an outing on the track while awaiting this next race. Remember, a work on the track means more than the actual “time” of a workout. SHIFTY DANCER (#2) comes off a debut maiden win, but we really like the placement. They don’t offer up in a cheap N2L condition, instead, they enter in a starter allowance condition, now giving the turf, more ground, confidently placed with changes in place, with every right to move forward with the experience under him, from the crowded paddock for the first time, to breaking next to multiple runners.

“Hot / Cold Race Trends: none

“Win Contenders (order of preference): 7-2

“X Out Runners (eliminating on the win end): 8

“Positive Notes:

“4 Zippy Groom - Roman’s been riding often for Hess, almost exclusively with well meant runners.

“Negative Notes:

“8 Shackalov - Beat a weak field last time out and we’ll look to beat here.

“TOP PICK: RISKY PROPOSITION (#7 2-1 Prat)

“SECOND CHOICE: SHIFTY DANCER (#2 12-1 Maragh)”

^{The West Coast Handicapping Report can be found at https://www.westcoasthorseracing.com It has been endorsed by leading trainers, handicappers and industry sources.}

Santa Anita review

In the day’s big feature, Fault won the Grade 1 $400,000 Santa Margarita Stakes over 1 1/8 miles. The race was for older fillies and mares but lost the star power when Eclipse Award-winning Unique Bella did not enter because of a cough. Fault, for trainer Phil D’Amato, swept from the outside entering the stretch and then put plenty of daylight between her and the field, winning by 6 1/2 lengths.

It was the first Grade 1 win for the horse and jockey Geovanni Franco. She paid $9.00, $5.60 and $3.40.

“A lot of jockeys dream to win a Grade I, this means a lot,” Franco said. “We know we have a nice filly and I was just hoping she would run good on the dirt [after previously running on turf]. …Coming into the far turn, I had a lot of filly and when I asked her to run, I didn’t want to get her stopped. A lot of jockeys dream about coming to Santa Anita and winning races and we are doing it.”

River Boyne won the $200,000 Pasadena Stakes over a mile on the turf. It was the only race to stay on the turf on Saturday. Trained by Jeff Mullins, he swept four wide into the stretch to run down Inscom by a length. La La Land was third I the seven horse field.

Pubilius Syrus, the likely favorite, and Ax Man scratched from the race.

“[Jockey] Joel [Rosario] kind of rode him the way he appeared to arrive,” Mullins said. “He didn’t get here until about 15, 20 minutes before post time. … When we found out [Flavien] Prat had to travel [to ride Solomini in the Rebel] and everybody here had already taken a mount [for the race], the [owners] offered to fly someone in, so I … got Joel to come ride him.”

River Boyne paid $4.80, $3.00 and $2.20.

The first stakes of the day was the $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes, which was moved off the downhill 6 ½ furlong turf course to the main track. Miss Sunset was pretty much the whole story breezing to a 7-length win under a hand ride by Mike Smith. Jeff Bonde was the winning trainer in this Cal-bred race. Miss Sunset paid $3.60, $3.00 and $2.60.

“She’s so quick and I basically just stayed out of her way,” Smith said. “She runs the turn so well, she got a little separation there and was able to take a breather. It makes my job easy.”

Santa Anita preview

Remember, 11:30 a.m. post on Sundays. I suggested to one of the Santa Anita big-shots last week that as an inducement to get people there, they should offer a free Mimosa to anyone who gets to the track before the first race. He suggested to me that it wouldn’t go over big with the Food & Beverage Department. Or maybe they could surprise everyone that shows up at Tom Quigley’s handicapping session with an appropriate Sunday brunch drink.

Truth be told, I’m never sure if those kind of promotions or giveaways actually work. Would you drive to the track just for a free drink? Doesn’t seem like a great ROI.

I’m prattling on about this because the Sunday card is not very exciting. There is a decent stakes—the Grade 2 $200,000 Santa Ana Stakes—but the rest of the nine-race card is a bit thin. Four of the races only have six starters. Five of the nine races are claimers. Only two races on the turf.

The stakes is for fillies and mares 4 and up going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. It should go about 3:30 p.m. The favorite is Madam Dancealot, who has been running in some heavy company. She last won on July 23, when she took the San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar, a Grade 2. Since then, she’s finished second once and third twice in three Grade 1s. She was fifth last time out as the favorite in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes. Richard Baltas is the trainer and Corey Nakatani is the jockey.

The second favorite, at 7-2, is Sassy Little Lila for Flavien Prat and Richard Mandella. She has a mostly front-running style and hasn’t won since May 20 at Churchill Downs.

Big Races review

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

Santa Anita: $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes, Cal-breds, fillies and mares 4 and up, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Miss Sunset ($3.60 to win)

Laurel: $100,000 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Something Awesome ($6.60)

Turfway Park: $100,000 Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes, 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Camelot Kitten ($12.80)

Laurel: $100,000 Beyond the Wire Stakes, fillies 3 years old, 1 mile. Winner: Smokinpaddylassie ($7.40)

Aqueduct: $100,000 Correction Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Sounds Delicious ($11.60)

Gulfstream: Grade 2 $200,000 Inside Information Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 7 furlongs. Winner: Ivy Bell ($4.00)

Turfway Park: Grade 3 $100,000 Bourbonette Oaks, fillies 3 years old, 1 mile. Winner: Go Noni Go ($9.60)

Laurel: $100,000 Private Terms Stakes, 3 year olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: V.I.P. Code ($74.40)

Oaklawn: $300,000 Essex Handicap, 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Hedge Fund ($7.00)

Turfway Park: Grade 3 $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, 3 year olds, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Blended Citizen ($14.40)

Oaklawn: Grade 2 $350,000 Azeri Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Martini Glass ($8.80)

Santa Anita: $200,000 Pasadena Stakes, 3 year olds, 1 mile on the turf. Winner: River Boyne ($4.80)

Oaklawn: Grade 2 $900,000 Rebel Stakes, 3 year olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Magnum Moon ($8.00)

Santa Anita: Grade 1 $400,000 Santa Margarita Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Fault ($9.00)

Big races preview

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

3:00 Santa Anita: Grade 2 $200,000 Santa Ana Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Madam Dancealot (5-2)

Bob Ike’s SA play of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 8 Midnight Crossing (9-2)

Good turf stakes and this mare from the Richard Baltas barn may be able to take this field gate to wire. There isn't a whole lot of pace (Sassy Little Lila to her outside can stay close), so perhaps she will get brave on the lead like she did when winning the Robert Frankel over this course one back.

Saturday Result: Mended ran a strong race but wasn’t in the same class as Fault, and finished second.

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).

Ed Burgart’s LA play of the day

FIFTH RACE: No. 2 Hollywood Cartel (5-2)

He easily outran his 37-1 odds in last improved runner-up try while having a rough trip. He was bumped around solidly after veering in at the start, lugged in to get bumped again at the 1/8-pole and finished running hard. The fourth-place finisher, Southern Special, returned to win for maiden $5,000 Friday night and the winner, Tres On First, finished third in a $5,000 claimer the same night.

Final thoughts

Still looking to jump the circulation of this newsletter. Can’t beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you don’t like it, then you’re probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more.

Any thoughts, drop me an email at johnacherwa@gmail.com or feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

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

JUNGLE WARFARE three deep into the first turn, stalked off the rail then outside a rival, bid outside the pacesetter on the second turn and into the stretch, took the lead in upper stretch and drew clear under a tap of the whip a sixteenth out, steady handling and a hold late. NEGRO LUCERO saved ground chasing the pace, split horses on the second turn, continued inside into and through the stretch and gained the place. BIG BAD GARY pulled his way to the front outside, angled in and dueled alongside a rival, inched away a bit off the rail on the backstretch, fought back inside the winner but a bit off the fence on the second turn, was not a match for that one in the final furlong and lost second late. ENGLANDER broke slowly, settled inside, went outside a rival into and on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. ONDE AH MO tugged his way along inside, dueled along the rail, stalked on the backstretch and into the second turn, dropped back on that turn, unseated the rider while being pulled up nearing the quarter pole and was vanned off. ENGLANDER wore calks.

LUCKY VAL hopped slightly and broke slowly, settled inside, moved up a bit off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch, angled out in upper stretch, rallied under left handed urging to the front in deep stretch and won clear. COW DOG sent inside early, dueled along the rail, came out into the stretch, kicked clear approaching midstretch, could not hold off the winner but saved the place. MONGOLIAN RAHY between horses early, stalked a bit off the rail, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and bested the others. MI PAJARITO three deep early, stalked outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SWALLOWS INN GAL stalked four wide on the backstretch and three deep on the turn, came out five wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick. GO GIRL GONE had speed between horses then dueled outside the runner-up, was carried out some into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. COMPLETE DISCREET stalked three deep between horses then outside a rival on the turn and into the stretch and also weakened. TENGS WONDER broke a bit slowly, chased a bit off the rail then inside, saved ground on the turn and into the stretch and also weakened. MISS BARTON chased between horses then dropped back off the rail on the backstretch and turn and gave way. COW DOG wore calks.

MISS SUNSET had good early speed and set the pace off the rail then drew away through the stretch under a moderate hand ride. CUDDLE ALERT stalked three deep then outside on the turn, came three wide into the stretch, drifted in through the drive and got up late between foes for the place. DESERT STEEL saved ground stalking the winner throughout and was edged late for second. BARBARA BEATRICE settled inside then a bit off the rail, came out into the stretch and was edged for a minor award three wide on the line. HOW ABOUT ZERO stalked between horses on the backstretch and off the rail on the turn, drifted to the inside in the stretch and weakened. STARLITE STYLE settled outside a rival then off the rail, dropped well back and gave way. BARBARA BEATRICE wore calks.

HERE AND THERE a step slow to begin, stalked four wide between horses leaving the backstretch, split rivals to gain the lead into the turn, angled in a bit off the rail on the bend, kicked clear and proved best under some urging. HEIR OF STORM saved ground chasing the pace, split horses leaving the turn and into the stretch, came out in the drive and got up for the place. CHROMIUM stalked three deep early then between foes leaving the backstretch and into the turn, angled in between foes on the bend and was edged late for second. LIMITED RESPONSE bobbled some at the start, settled off the rail then inside, came out leaving the turn and into the stretch and was edged for a minor award. FULL ACCESS stalked off the rail then between horses, steadied off heels early on the turn, came out three wide leaving the turn and into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor share. FINALLYGOTABENTLEY went up inside to press the pace, steadied in tight early on the turn and dropped back, went around a rival in deep stretch but lacked the necessary late response. OMDURMAN stalked outside then five wide leaving the backstretch, continued outside on the turn and three wide into the stretch, drifted in and weakened. DRUMMER (GER) dueled outside a rival, was between foes into the turn, angled in on the turn and weakened in the drive. DRUMMER wore calks.

SAGITTARI had speed three deep then dueled outside a rival, took a short lead three wide leaving the second turn, fought back off the rail in the stretch to regain the advantage under left handed urging in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. MINER'S LIGHT chased inside then off the rail, went up four wide leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and into the stretch, took a short lead outside the winner, battled outside that one through the final furlong and was outgamed. CURLY'S WATERFRONT stalked between horses, came out into the stretch and edged a rival for the show. BACOLI saved ground stalking the pace, bid along the rail leaving the second turn and into the stretch and was edged for third. PAMPERS N' BOOTS in tight between horses early, stalked three wide then three deep between foes into and on the second turn, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. MR. TWINERY angled in on the first turn and dueled a bit off the rail, battled between foes leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. RUN LIKE RHETT dropped back inside then off the rail to the stretch and failed to menace.

MAKE IT A TRIPLE stalked off the rail, awaited room leaving the turn, continued outside a rival into the stretch, bid toward the inside in midstretch to gain the lead under urging nearing the sixteenth pole and inched clear under a long hold late. SWISS MINISTER stalked outside then three deep, bid four wide into the stretch to gain the lead outside foes, fought back outside the winner in deep stretch, could not match that one late but bested the others. JUNIOR GILLIAM broke out some and a bit slowly, settled off the rail then three deep on the turn and into the stretch and picked up the show. TRICKONOMICS had good early speed and dueled three deep then between horses leaving the turn and into the stretch, fought back between foes in midstretch and weakened. JAY MAKES US LAUGH sped to the early lead off the rail, dueled between horses, also fought back between foes in midstretch and weakened in the final furlong. NATIVE TREASURE settled inside then a bit off the rail, split horses leaving the turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. EASTER MORN saved ground chasing the pace, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and did not rally. WILL TELL had speed between horses then pressed the pace inside, fell back leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened. JAY MAKES US LAUGH and JUNIOR GILLIAM wore calks.

TWO HAIL MARYS stalked off the rail, came three deep into the stretch, rallied under urging then had the rider lose the whip a sixteenth out, gained the advantage in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. JERRY'S THUNDER angled in and dueled outside a rival, took a short lead leaving the turn, kicked clear in the stretch, fought back off the rail in the final sixteenth and continued willingly. JOHNNY RAY stalked between horses, angled in nearing the stretch, came out in the drive and gained the show. DUKE OF FALLBROOK stalked outside then three deep, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. LIL MILO broke a bit slowly, dropped back off the rail, went up four wide into and on the turn and into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick. WRITE ME A SONG saved ground chasing the pace, steadied when crowded a quarter mile out, continued inside and did not rally. GIT ON YOUR PULPIT broke a bit slowly, chased off the rail then three deep between foes into the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also lacked a rally. SCHOOLEY also a bit slow to begin, settled just off the rail to the stretch and was not a threat. YES I'M READY stalked outside then three deep between foes into and on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. KING DARIUS had speed off the rail then angled in, dueled inside, fought back leaving the turn and weakened in the drive.

RIVER BOYNE (IRE) chased inside then outside a rival on the second turn and three wide into the stretch, bid four wide under left handed urging in the drive, collared the runner-up in deep stretch and proved best. INSCOM angled in on the first turn and stalked inside, bid along the rail in the stretch to gain the lead, inched away past the eighth pole, fought back in deep stretch and continued willingly. LA LA LAND (IRE) broke a bit slowly, was angled to the inside and saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch, split horses in midstretch then got up for the show between foes late. BUCKSTOPPER KIT a bit slow to begin, settled outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for third four wide on the line. HECK YEAH stalked early then pressed the pace three deep, tracked outside a rival into the second turn, re-bid three wide into the stretch and between foes in midstretch and was outfinished for a minor share. AFLEET ASCENT sped to the early lead, dueled inside, came off the rail into the stretch, fought back between foes in midstretch and weakened some in the final furlong. PLATINUM EQUITY dueled outside a rival then between foes, fought back outside a foe into and on the second turn and weakened in the drive.

FAULT fanned five wide into the first turn, angled in and chased outside a rival, advanced five wide midway on the second turn, bid three deep into the stretch to gain the lead, kicked clear under left handed urging and proved best. MENDED had speed between horses then dueled outside a rival, inched away leaving the second turn, battled inside the winner into the stretch, could not match that one in the final furlong but was clearly second best. MOPOTISM fanned four wide into the first turn, angled in and chased a bit off the rail then inside into and on the second turn, came out into the stretch and just held third. LA FORCE (GER) settled inside then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. MAJESTIC HEAT three deep into the first turn, stalked outside, went up four wide on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and weakened in the drive. TURKISH TABBY had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back on the second turn and weakened in the lane. DALSAROS broke a bit in the air and slowly, settled outside a rival then just off the rail, found the inside on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. ECCENTRIC SPINSTER angled in and settled off the rail, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and did not rally. MISTRESSOFTHENIGHT stalked the pace a bit off the inside then between horses on the second turn, fell back leaving that turn and weakened. BISHOP'S POND had speed three deep then stalked off the rail, went three wide between horses on the second turn, also dropped back leaving that turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened.

COIL ME HOME dueled between horses then three deep leaving the turn, took a short lead under urging out side the runner-up in the stretch and gamely but narrowly prevailed. BABY GRONK had good early speed and dueled inside, battled between horses leaving the turn, fought back inside in the final furlong and continued gamely to the end. ULTIMATE BANGO stalked off the rail, angled in on the turn, bid inside leaving the turn and into the stretch and bested the others. YOUR GRACE broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail then inside, saved ground on the turn and into the stretch and improved position in the drive. PERFECT WAGER off a bit slowly, saved ground chasing the pace, came off the rail in the stretch and weakened. FASHIONABLY FAST stalked outside on the backstretch and turn, came four wide into the stretch and also weakened, then was unsaddled a pole from the wire and vanned off. SOUL OWNER off a bit slowly, chased inside, went outside a rival on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. GRINGO STAR chased between horses then outside a rival or three deep on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. FAMOUS ROCK STAR prompted the pace three deep on the backstretch and into the turn, fell back some leaving the turn, continued three wide into the stretch and also weakened. GOLDEN GLADIATOR broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail then outside a rival on the turn and was not a threat. DYNAMIC DUO between horses early, dropped back off the rail, angled in on the turn and had little left for the stretch.