Racing! Victor Espinoza suffers a fractured vertebra

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we see what doubles the readers suggested would be fun.

It was a tragic morning at Del Mar during training on Sunday. Stakes winner Bobby Abu Dhabi suffered a fatal heart attack near the end of his run and while falling threw jockey Victor Espinoza, whose injuries included a fracture of his C-3 vertebra.

The outlook for Espinoza is very good and he should return to racing sooner than we would.

“He has regained about 50% of the feeling already,” Brian Beach, Espinoza’s agent, told Del Mar’s media relations department. “Doctors are optimistic he’ll fully recover fairly quickly. It’s the kind of thing that football players get all the time.”

When Espinoza, 46, was transported by ambulance to Scripps La Jolla Hospital he was complaining of shoulder pain and numbness.

Beach said Espinzoa is “day to day” and was to stay overnight in the hospital as a precaution.

“It’s all good for now,” Beach said. “It looks like we dodged a bullet.”

Bobby Abu Dhabi was four of nine lifetime, including a win in the Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita. The 4-year-old was training for next week’s Bing Crosby Stakes.

Doubles you want to see

If you remember, the other day as I was learning about a double bet between stakes races on Saturday at Saratoga thoroughbred and Saratoga harness tracks, I asked you folks for your suggestions for non-conventional doubles. Of course, government regulation would keep almost all of these bets from happening except in Nevada and New Jersey. At least for now.

So, here’s a good sampling of your responses, remembering, of course, that if you didn’t supply your name, you didn’t make the cut. I also weeded out the political ones, even though they made me smile.

Jim Favors really got into things suggesting:

--The most obvious would be the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am golf tournament (previously the Bing Crosby) and the Bing Crosby Stakes.

--Soccer World Cup - Dubai World Cup

--College Football Champion (always Alabama) - Alabama Stakes

--Indy 500 - Indiana Derby

--Rose Bowl - Run For The Roses

--The Black Eyed Susan - The next UFC fight

Larry Goldman offered: Winner of the Pacific Classic and whether a horse shipping in from Golden Gate will win a race at Del Mar this season.

Rey Hernandez thought: A daily double linking the winner of the Pacific Classic with the combined age of the jockeys that win the six races that make up the Pick-6 on that card. Call it the Pick-6 Classic Double.

This from Joen Mitchell: The winner of the World Series with the winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Spence Beard thought: A feature race at Del Mar with a feature quarter-horse race at Los Alamitos the same day. This might create a little more interest in quarter-horse racing.

Dave Brooks offered this: How about tying action on the major July 4 races (NYRA's, e.g.) with the Nathan's hot dog eating contest at Coney Island. Probably more integrity and tougher to fix at Coney Island Downs. What would a Hoppertunity/Joey Chestnut DD pay?

This from William Prieti: Since they are close together as far as dates are concerned, how about the winner of the Pegasus with the winner of the Super Bowl. That way people won’t have to wait long to see who wins.

David Simoni came up with this one: How about a “Mayly Double?” The winners of the Kentucky Derby and the Indy 500.

Fred Hoyt has this head swizzler: How about a trainer/jockey DD? If you can beat O’Neil/Prat it would pay big bucks. Another wager would be a superfecta or trifecta on top trainers, and jockeys that is payable on closing day.

Rob Gerstley had this suggestion: How about a double of the number of Laker playoff series wins and number of Baffert triple crown victories in 2019?

This from Steve Strange: The Coaster Double--The last stakes race of the Santa Anita season (Wilshire) with the first stakes at Del Mar (Oceanside).

Thanks to everyone who took time out of their day to offer a suggestion. Best of all, my favorite newsletter are the ones you folks write, not me.

Burgart goes above and beyond

Ed Burgart, the world’s best quarter-horse announcer, was called in to duty on Saturday night at Los Alamitos and had to call the weiner-dog races, one of the biggest promotions the track does. Ed, who also does our Los Alamitos nighttime pick, had the public in mind when he identified Willie the Weanie as a first-time gelding.

Here’s what he had to say on Thoroughbred Los Angeles with Bob Ike, who also makes picks for us.

“I had no choice when I saw that name,” Burgart said. “It was not in the program so I had to let the public know before the race, otherwise we might have a disqualification should Willie the Weanie win. We know what the CHRB rules are so I decided I should make that announcement. Of course, he did not win so it made no difference.”

Ike and Burgart continued the conversation with mock seriousness because the winner was a repeat champion, who Burgart pointed out was only a 3-year-old. Burgart riffed that the wiener dog had put on some weight and the owners were thinking of bringing him back as a 4-year-old. You can listen to the show right here. This comes at about the 37-minute mark.

Del Mar review

Up top, we talked about doubles you would like to see. How about a stone-cold trainer double for John Sadler winning the San Diego Handicap on Saturday with Catalina Cruiser and the Grade 2 $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes on Sunday with Catapult. The Eddie Read was for older horses going 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Catapult, ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, was able to get in front of Sharp Samurai to win by a neck. Catapult paid $44.00, $14.40 and $8.60.

“This is a nice horse,” Sadler said. “He comes from the East Coast where he had good form last year. The owners gave him a little time off at the end of last year and decided to try him here in California. There’s a lot of good grass opportunities back east, but I think they wanted to send one out here. … We thought he’d run a good race today and he did.”

In a minor stakes, the $75,000 Wickerr saw longshot Double Touch survive an inquiry to beat Bombard by a neck. He paid $60.80 to win for older horses going a mile on the turf. Now some of you who signed up for Rob Henie’s free Saratoga plays today also got his West Coast report from Del Mar as a bonus. Rob called it. He had Double Touch as well as some other winners. It’s Rob’s success but this newsletter is not above coat-tailing every once in a while. Good ($60.80) call, Rob.

Oh yeah, good job by trainer Dan Blacker and jockey Gary Stevens, too.

Big races review

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

Woodbine: Grade 2 $175,000 Nijinsky Stakes, 3 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Winner: Tiz a Slam ($22.70)

Saratoga: Grade 1 $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks, fillies 3-years-old, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Monomoy Girl ($3.00)

Del Mar: Grade 2 $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/18 miles on turf. Winner: Double Touch ($60.80)

Final thought

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.

Now, here is the star of the show, Sunday’s results. See you on Wednesday.

PADDOCK PICK between horses early, stalked a bit off the rail, eased out three deep into the stretch, bid outside the runner-up in midstretch, gained the lead past the eighth pole, drifted in some and gamely prevailed under left handed urging. DEPUTY BERNARDINI had good early speed and dueled inside, took a short lead nearing the turn, fought back along the rail through the stretch and continued willingly to the wire. TOWN CHAMP sped to the early lead off the rail, angled in and dueled between horses then outside the runner-up, was between foes in upper stretch and bested the others. AGGRESSIVITY hopped slightly in a slow start, settled inside, came out into the stretch and again in upper stretch and lacked the needed rally. CROATIAN prompted the pace four wide, stalked outside then off the rail on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. I AM THE DANGER pressed the pace three deep between rivals then stalked off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. NORTHRNDANCRSGHOST broke a bit slowly, chased inside, came out in the stretch and had little left for the drive.

SECRETO PRIMERO chased three deep into the first turn then outside a rival to the stretch, bid three wide in the drive, gained the advantage past midstretch and won clear under some urging. MONGOLIAN GREYWOLF pressed the pace three deep then outside a rival, battled between horses in midstretch and held second. TRIFECTA chased outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and edged foes late for the show. GAIN GROUND stalked off the rail then outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. CIMPL MAN had speed between horses then angled in and dueled inside, fought back in the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award late. BROKEN UP saved ground chasing the pace, came out in upper stretch, was in tight between horses a sixteenth out, continued between foes and was outfinished. STRINGENT pressed then stalked the pace inside, came a bit off the rail leaving the second turn, angled out into the stretch, was between rivals through much of the drive and was outkicked. RATE FOR ME angled in and saved ground stalking the pace throughout and lacked the needed rally.

ITALIANO pressed the pace three deep then outside a rival on the turn, took the lead into the stretch, drifted out a bit past midstretch and held on gamely under urging. GOODWILLAMBASSADOR broke a bit slowly, chased between foes then outside a rival, went three deep on the turn and four wide into the stretch, bid outside the winner in deep stretch and continued willingly but could not get by. SARATOGA MORNING pressed the pace four wide then stalked outside, came three deep into the stretch, angled in past midstretch and gained the show along the rail. STOP THE VIOLENCE stumbled at the start, had speed between horses to duel for the lead, battled inside on the turn and into the stretch, fought back and drifted out some from the whip in the drive and weakened late. PLATINUM EQUITY stalked between rivals then outside a foe, continued between horses on the turn and into the stretch, drifted to the inside in the drive and lacked a rally. RISKY PROPOSITION prompted the pace inside, dropped back on the turn and gave way. LOLLY EXPRESS broke a bit slowly, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside on the turn and into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

KENTAN ROAD had speed outside foes then angled in and dueled alongside a rival, inched away leaving the turn, kicked clear in the stretch and held under left handed urging. TONAHUTU (IRE) chased between horses then inside, came out in the drive, split horses in midstretch and deep stretch and surged late. VALLESTINA had speed four wide then stalked three deep, continued outside on the turn and three wide into the stretch and finished with interest. TIZANILLUSION saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and was outfinished. QUEEN BEE TO YOU chased inside, was in tight midway on the turn, came out for room into the stretch and also was outfinished. SILKEN SPY stalked between horses then outside a rival leaving the turn, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. RUBY TRUST was reluctant to load then broke through the gate before the start, steadied early, stalked between horses on the backstretch and turn and could not offer the necessary response in the drive. LATE 'N LEFT stalked three wide between horses, was shuffled back in tight on the turn, steadied off heels leaving the turn, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SMILING TIGRESS between horses early, dropped back off the rail, angled in for the turn, came out some in the stretch and split foes late. CUTE KNOWS CUTE broke out a bit, stalked four wide between horses then outside on the turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the necessary rally. BERRYESSA (IRE) squeezed at the start, stalked five wide then three deep on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. CLASSY ATLANTIC had speed between foes then dueled inside, stalked leaving the turn and weakened in the drive.

SWING THOUGHTS bobbled some at the start, had speed inside then stalked along the rail, bid from the fence in the lane to gain the lead and won clear under urging. DISCO TALE chased outside then alongside a rival, angled to the inside on the turn and gained the place along the rail. LAKERBALL also chased outside then off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and was edged for second. STORMS A BREWN had speed outside, dueled three deep then outside a rival to the stretch and weakened some in the final furlong. ROLINGA dueled between horses then off the rail, battled a bit off the fence on the turn and weakened in the final furlong. SHE'S A DIME chased a bit off the inside, came out on the turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SPICY CURRY broke a bit slowly, settled inside, came out into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. GEE CEE CEE dueled between horses then off the rail, fell back on the turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. LADY SUZZETT broke slowly, settled just off the rail to the stretch and was not a threat. TIZBUDS PRINCESS between foes early, settled inside chasing the pace, saved ground on the turn and gave way in the stretch.

DOUBLE TOUCH (GB) chased outside a rival, moved up inside then went around the pacesetter leaving the second turn, bid along the fence into the stretch to gain the lead, inched away nearing midstretch, drifted out despite right handed urging in the final furlong, bumped with the runner-up in the final strides and held gamely. BOMBARD angled in and chased outside a rival then between horses on the second turn, came four wide into the stretch and finished well then bumped with the winner late. PERFECTLY MAJESTIC also angled in and chased alongside a foe, came out three deep into the stretch and rallied for the show. BIG SCORE broke a bit slowly, angled in and settled inside, came out on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and found his best stride late. COLONIST settled off the pace outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch and finished willingly. ISOTHERM saved ground stalking the pace, continued between horses on the second turn, angled to the inside in the stretch and was outfinished. CISTRON stalked inside, came a bit off the rail on the second turn, bid three wide leaving that turn and into the stretch but weakened in the final furlong. GIANT PAYDAY settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch then angled back to the inside and lacked the needed rally. TULE FOG pulled and angled in to press the early pace then stalked inside, re-bid alongside a rival then between foes on the second turn to take the lead, fought back in upper stretch and weakened in the final furlong. GOLD RUSH DANCER saved ground stalking the pace, split horses in midstretch and lacked a rally. FOREVER JUANITO stalked outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and weakened. CONQUEST TSUNAMI angled in and dueled outside a rival then inched away and set the pace inside, battled along the rail leaving the second turn and gave way in the stretch. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the late stretch run by the top pair but made no change when they ruled the late bumping did not alter the original order of finish.

MOTHER MOTHER dueled between horses then outside a rival, inched away on the turn and drew clear in the stretch under some urging. TAPWATER chased off the rail on the backstretch and turn, came four wide into the stretch and gained the place. OVER EMPHASIZE stalked outside a rival then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, drifted to the inside and bested the others. CALM DOWN LADY went up inside to duel for the lead, stalked along the rail leaving the turn and weakened din the stretch. CREATIVE ROMANCE dropped back a bit off the rail early, continued just off the inside to the stretch and failed to menace. QUEEN OF THE TRACK had speed three deep then stalked a bit off the rail to the stretch and gave way.

CATAPULT chased outside a rival, came out in the stretch and rallied under urging to get up three wide late. SHARP SAMURAI had speed between foes then dueled then stalked inside, re-bid between foes leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, battled outside a rival in the stretch and was caught between foes late. PRIME ATTRACTION four wide in the chute, dueled three deep then outside a rival, inched away and angled in on the first turn, set the pace inside, fought back along the rail on the second turn and through the stretch and continued gamely. BOWIES HERO saved ground chasing the pace, came out in midstretch and was in tight off heels nearing the wire. MULTIPLIER four wide in the chute, dueled then stalked outside a rival, re-bid three deep into and on the second turn and into the stretch and was outfinished. NEXT SHARES saved ground off the pace, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and also was outfinished. TRUE VALOUR (IRE) stalked the pace inside, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. FASHION BUSINESS (GB) angled in outside a rival then a bit off the rail, continued inside on the second turn and could not offer the necessary late response. ITSINTHEPOST (FR) stalked three deep, dropped back leaving the second turn and three wide into the stretch and weakened. HUNT (IRE) was in a good position stalking the pace between horses then outside a rival leaving the second turn and also weakened.

IF YOU LIKE IT stalked between horses then bid between foes to duel for the lead, inched away leaving the second turn and won clear under urging. IPRAY chased outside a rival then between horses on the backstretch and three wide on the second turn, came four wide into the stretch and gained the place. RYDER'S STARLIGHT stalked four wide then bid four wide between foes, came three wide into the stretch and just held third. BROOKES ALL MINE stalked between horses then bid between foes to vie for command, angled in entering the stretch and was edged for the show inside. SCATHING sped to the early lead, set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, fell back leaving the second turn, came out into the stretch then drifted in and weakened. JERSEY BUNS five wide into the first turn, bid five wide on the backstretch then four wide leaving the second turn and into the stretch and also weakened. RESKY BUSINESS saved ground stalking the pace, came out some in the stretch and also weakened. VERONICA BAY four wide into the first turn, chased three deep then dropped back off the rail on the second turn, came four wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. DETAIL stalked inside, went between horses into the second turn, angled back to the inside into the stretch and gave way.