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Racing! Del Mar gets ready for its biggest fall meeting ever

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Hello, my name is John Cherwa, welcome back to our horse racing newsletter. I’m on the ground at Del Mar.

One of the crazy things about covering big events such as the Breeders’ Cup is if you are a lazy journalist you get fed enough information that you can fake your way through it without doing much work.

That’s going to be me today, but only today. By the time I made the 14-hour drive from Pasadena to here it was too late. OK, so I exaggerate, only three hours, just felt like 14.

Del Mar opens today with a nine-race card, nothing compared with what’s coming Friday and Saturday. The highlight is the seventh race (about 3:30 p.m.), the $75,000 Let It Ride Stakes for 3-year- olds going a mile on the turf. In some future newsletter we’ll do a deconstruct of the movie Let It Ride, one of the all-time greats.

Back to Del Mar and its $75,000 feature. Do you know what they call a $75,000 race in New York? A dark day. OK, cheap shot.

View from the experts

Remember, if you watch one video today about horse racing, it should be our preview of the Breeders’ Cup, starring Jeff Siegel and Aaron Vercruysse of xbtv. Today’s is your preview of the four races on Friday. (watch here.) And if you want to catch up on some others, here’s one on horses that are under the radar (watch here). And, there’s also one on European horses (watch here), or discussing the pre-entries to the Classic and Turf (watch here), and the popular Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies (watch here) races.

Now, thanks to the wonderful notes team at the Breeders’ Cup, here are some bits and pieces of information.

Classic Notes

Here’s the post positions for Saturday’s big race:

Horse, trainer, odds

1. Arrogate, Bob Baffert, Mike Smith, 2-1

2. War Decree, Aidan O'Brien, Seamie Heffernan, 30-1

3. Win the Space, George Papaprodromou, Joe Talamo, 30-1

4. War Story, Jorge Navarro, Jose Ortiz, 30-1

5. Gun Runner, Steve Asmussen, Florent Geroux, 9-5

6. Mubtaahij (IRE), Bob Baffert, Drayden Van Dyke, 12-1

7. Churchill (IRE), Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore, 15-1

8. West Coast, Bob Baffert, Javier Castellano, 6-1

9. Gunnevera, Antonio Sano, Edgard Zayas, 30-1

10. Pavel, Doug O'Neill, Mario Gutierrez, 20-1

11. Collected, Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia, 6-1

-- Bob Baffert can’t be too happy with the most inside and outside posts. He shipped 16 horses, 11 of which should run in the Breeders’ Cup races, from Santa Anita to Del Mar at 2 a.m. Tuesday morning. They just arrived. Kidding, took a little over two hours.

-- Churchill, the Irish horse — although shouldn’t he be a British horse? — arrived on Monday and is scheduled to get through quarantine on Thursday.

-- Gunnevera, the only horse in the Classic that ran in a Triple Crown race, galloped 1½ miles Tuesday. The exercise rider said he likes the track. “My horse is in 100% condition, very fresh,” said trainer Antonio Sano.

-- Gun Runner had his final breeze on Monday of 49 2/5 for four furlongs. On Tuesday, he just walked.

-- Pavel, who has run only four races, is ready according to Leandro Moro, Doug O’Neill’s chief assistant. “He’s been training well here at Del Mar just as he did this summer before going east to run in some stakes races,” Moro said.

Distaff notes

Here’s the post positions for Friday’s big race:

Horse, trainer, jockey, odds

1. Champagne Room, Peter Eurton, Mario Gutierrez, 15-1

2. Stellar Wind, John Sadler, Victor Espinoza, 5-2

3. Mopotism, Doug O'Neill, Frankie Dettori, 30-1

4. Abel Tasman, Bob Baffert, Mike Smith, 4-1

5. Elate, Bill Mott, Jose Ortiz, 3-1

6. Forever Unbridled, Dallas Stewart, John Velazquez, 4-1

7. Paradise Woods, Richard Mandella, Flavien Prat, 9-2

8. Romantic Vision, Rusty Arnold, Brian Hernandez Jr., 15-1

-- Champaign Room jogged on Tuesday with exercise rider Eddie India. Trainer Peter Eurton was still lamenting his horse drawing the one. “It is what it is,” Eurton said. “[From the one] she can get aggressive when she feels the pressure around her. I would love to switch with Paradise Woods [in the seven] and be able to control things.”

-- Paradise Woods galloped once around the track on Tuesday. “She likes to be on the lead but she can also come from a bit off the pace so we’ll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out,” said trainer Richard Mandella.

-- Stellar Wind, the morning-line favorite, galloped 1¼ on Tuesday. “Going early has been her routine here for three years so I didn’t want to change it, trainer John Sadler said. “We gave her a nice gallop, leaning toward being a strong gallop toward the end.”

Juvenile notes

Here’s the post positions for Saturday’s race that wil establish the early favorite to win the Kentucky Derby:

Horse, trainer, jockey, odds

1. U S Navy Flag, Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore, 8-1

2. Solomini, Bob Baffert, Flavien Prat, 6-1

3. Firenze Fire, Jason Servis, Irad Ortiz Jr., 6-1

4. Givemeaminit, Dallas Stewart, Javier Castellano, 20-1

5. Free Drop Billy, Dale Romans, Robby Albarado, 5-1

6. Good Magic, Chad Brown, Jose Ortiz, 8-1

7. The Tabulator, Larry Rivelli, Jose Valdivia Jr., 20-1

8. Bahamian, Simon Callaghan, Mario Gutierrez, 30-1

9. Hazit, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 20-1

10. Golden Dragon, Mikhail Yanakov, Evin Roman, 30-1

11. Bolt d'Oro, Mick Ruis, Corey Nakatani, 9-5

12. Hollywood Star, Dale Romans, Joel Rosario, 15-1

-- It was travel day for favored Bolt d’Oro as he left the barn at 3 a.m. and came down to Del Mar. “He relaxed in the stall here for a couple hours and then went to the track,” owner and trainer Mick Ruis said. “Nothing bothers him and he’s just a 2-year-old. It’s pretty cool.”

-- Free Drop Billy is the better of two 2-year-olds that trainer Dale Romans has brought to Del Mar. “He’s a push button horse,” Romans said. “He’s one of the horses that you know you have to deal with the least. He’s sound. He’s smart. He always does everything right.”

Jeff Nahill’s DM spot play

NINTH RACE: No. 1 Channel Crossing (8-1)

The circuit moves to Del Mar and the turf course rails will be at 30 feet the first two days of the meet waiting for Friday and Saturday's Breeders' Cup races. When the rails are that far out speed seems to do well. Channel Crossing has that and comes out of a key Santa Anita maiden race where four of the first five to run back have won. Good stat. However, No. 4 Martin Riggs and No. 8 Arch Anthem also come out of that race. I recommend an exacta box of 1-4-8. I also recommend an exacta of 10 with 1-4-8. No. 10 Kazan gets the great Frankie Dettori to ride and I might have picked on top but that post is tough in this race. But just in case, I recommend the aforementioned exacta as a saver.

Sunday’s result: Midnight Swinger finished second in Sunday's third race

Jeff Nahill is a quality editor for the San Diego Union-Tribune. He can be reached at jeff.nahill@sduniontribune.com. For other selections go to his blog: fromthewinnerscircle.me

Final thought

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

Now, the star of the show, Wednesday’s entries.

Del Mar Entries for Wednesday, November 1.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. $2 Win, Place and Show; $1 Exacta, $2 Quinella, 50-cent Trifecta, $2 Rolling Double, 50-cent rolling Pick 3; 10-cent Superfecta; 50-cent Pick 4 last 4 races; 50-cent Players Pick 5 first 5 races; $2 Pick 6 last 6 races; $1 Place Pick All; $1 Super High Five last race. Trifecta needs 4 betting interests; Superfecta needs 6. 1st day of a 16-day meet.

FIRST RACE.

5 Furlongs Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000.

PPHorseJockeyWtTrainerM-LClaim $
1Rocket HeatEvin Roman119Vann Belvoir2-140,000
2Student Body LeftDrayden Van Dyke121Scott Hansen15-1
3Green With EddieMario Gutierrez122Doug F. O'Neill6-1
4IncensedPaco Lopez121Peter Miller4-1
5BrandothebartenderTyler Baze124Blake R. Heap7-2
6Mr VargasJoseph Talamo119Brian J. Koriner5-2

SECOND RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $24,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $20,000-$18,000.

PPHorseJockeyWtTrainerM-LClaim $
1Pioneerof the WestStewart Elliott120Vladimir Cerin12-120,000
2BeaumarchaisEvin Roman115Dan Blacker4-120,000
3CannesDrayden Van Dyke120Jerry Hollendorfer8-120,000
4Tribal JewelMartin Pedroza120William Spawr5-220,000
5Out of PatienceJoseph Talamo120Jerry Hollendorfer3-120,000
6GunslingerBrayan Pena118Antonio Garcia30-118,000
7Muchos BesosSaul Arias120Javier Jose Sierra20-120,000
8KristoKyle Frey120John W. Sadler4-120,000

THIRD RACE.

5½ Furlongs. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. 3 year olds and up.

PPHorseJockeyWtTrainerM-LClaim $
1InsubordinationTyler Baze124Kenneth D. Black4-1
2Wild LandoEvin Roman117Philip D'Amato2-1
3Hollywood SquareMario Gutierrez122Doug F. O'Neill7-2
4Eighty and SunnyCorey Nakatani122Edward R. Freeman20-1
5Unnamed SourceBrayan Pena122Antonio Garcia20-1
6Duke of FallbrookNorberto Arroyo, Jr.122Antonio Garcia12-1
7Hardcore TroubadorRuben Fuentes115Edward R. Freeman5-2
8Dream On BrotherIgnacio Puglisi122Paul G. Aguirre12-1

FOURTH RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $18,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $16,000-$14,000.

PPHorseJockeyWtTrainerM-LClaim $
1Handful of StripesPaco Lopez124Peter Miller7-216,000
2ExcavationMartin Garcia122Philip D'Amato3-116,000
3My Golden OneRuben Fuentes115Edward R. Freeman15-114,000
4Alpha UnoBrayan Pena120Gerard Piccioni20-114,000
5Special StoryTyler Conner124Mark Glatt4-116,000
6HarrovianTyler Baze122Simon Callaghan6-116,000
7Rings of JupiterDrayden Van Dyke122Richard Baltas6-116,000
8I Crushed ItEdwin Maldonado122Tim Yakteen20-116,000
9Pick OneTiago Pereira122Daniel Azcarate20-116,000
10Bow and ArrowEvin Roman117Doug F. O'Neill6-116,000

FIFTH RACE.

1 1/16 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000.

PPHorseJockeyWtTrainerM-LClaim $
1Dominating WomanFlavien Prat119Peter Miller6-1
2West Coast BiasDrayden Van Dyke121Thomas F. Proctor5-2
3La Premiere EtoileMario Gutierrez124Doug F. O'Neill6-1
4Mrs. NorrisWilliam Buick121Eoin G. Harty8-1
5SugarySantiago Gonzalez121Martin F. Jones8-1
6Phantom OpeningJulien Leparoux119Brian A. Lynch6-1
7TweetingGary Stevens119William Spawr3-1
8Cash PrizeJoseph Talamo119Brian J. Koriner20-1
9UtanaTyler Baze121John A. Shirreffs20-1

SIXTH RACE.

6½ Furlongs. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. 3 year olds and up.

PPHorseJockeyWtTrainerM-LClaim $
1Sigur RosTyler Baze120Carla Gaines8-1
2Pure PursuitVictor Espinoza120John W. Sadler5-2
3DodgertownMartin Garcia122Scott Hansen12-1
4Momma's Baby BoyJoel Rosario120Jerry Hollendorfer4-1
5EmphaticFlavien Prat122Peter Eurton3-1
6BoogaluteDrayden Van Dyke120Mike Puype20-1
7Lighthouse PointKent Desormeaux120Robert B. Hess, Jr.6-1
8Steely ResolveMario Gutierrez120Doug F. O'Neill9-2

SEVENTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $75,000. 'Let It Ride Stakes'. 3 year olds.

PPHorseJockeyWtTrainerM-LClaim $
1Van CortlandtStewart Elliott118Vladimir Cerin10-1
2Holiday StoneFlavien Prat118George Weaver3-1
3Kitten's CatJulien Leparoux120Michael J. Maker7-2
4DangerfieldKyle Frey118Doug F. O'Neill15-1
5Harbour Master Kent Desormeaux118James M. Cassidy7-2
6Master MerionJohn Velazquez122Wesley A. Ward5-2
7MonydontspenitselfRafael Bejarano118Mark Glatt10-1
8Curly's WaterfrontEdwin Maldonado118Reed Saldana20-1

EIGHTH RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000.

PPHorseJockeyWtTrainerM-LClaim $
1Candy RulerDrayden Van Dyke119Mark Glatt20-1
2Meet and GreetEvin Roman114Philip D'Amato3-1
3Be a LadyBrayan Pena124Antonio Garcia20-120,000
4Dreamy GalTyler Baze119Jeff Mullins7-2
5Jenna's FaithFlavien Prat124William E. Morey6-120,000
6Red StichJoseph Talamo121Kristin Mulhall8-1
7Haveiture WayMartin Pedroza124J. Eric Kruljac15-120,000
8Princess KendraEdwin Maldonado124Reed Saldana12-120,000
9Pied N TrueTiago Pereira121Matthew Chew8-1
10Gotham DesireRafael Bejarano119Ed Moger, Jr.5-1

NINTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. 2 year olds.

PPHorseJockeyWtTrainerM-LClaim $
1Channel CrossingDrayden Van Dyke120Jerry Hollendorfer8-1
2Formal DudeJoseph Talamo120Philip D'Amato8-1
3Choo ChooFlavien Prat120Jerry Hollendorfer6-1
4Martin RiggsGary Stevens120Mark Glatt8-1
5Knight DisruptorEvin Roman115Neil D. Drysdale8-1
6Big BuzzCorey Nakatani120Tim Yakteen9-2
7SandbedNorberto Arroyo, Jr.120Clifford W. Sise, Jr.12-1
8Arch AnthemTyler Baze120Richard E. Mandella6-1
9Dark VaderRafael Bejarano120Peter Eurton12-1
10Kazan Lanfranco Dettori120Simon Callaghan7-2
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