Racing! Checking in on Lebron J

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we start to get excited about all the good 2-year-olds.

It’s never too early to start thinking who might be on next year’s Derby trail, although it is too early to be confident about anything.

On Labor Day, the Del Mar Futurity will be run and it’s a good indicator of which horses are going to be talked about. Three of the last four winners were Bolt d’Oro, Nyquist and American Pharoah. The other 2-year-old races in Southern California I like to look at are the FrontRunner (now the American Pharoah Stakes) at Santa Anita and the Los Alamitos Futurity, which used to be the Hollywood Futurity.

All the current buzz is around Instagrand, who has won both his races by about 10 lengths.

But, remember at this point last year, Justify hadn’t run a race. So, it seemed like a good time to check in on a horse who will get a lot of attention, not necessarily because of equine reasons. A couple months ago, I wrote about Lebron J, the horse. (You can read the story here.)

Besides the name, the $1.2 million purchase price by Phoenix Thoroughbreds probably makes him a player. Trainer Doug O’Neill was hoping to run him at Del Mar, but that’s not going to happen. Lebron J has worked a few times at Santa Anita and four times at Del Mar, all at three furlongs.

“He’s such a big boy, so talented and I keep working him 3/8ths,” O’Neill said in his office at Del Mar. “I want him to just scream at us that he’s ready to go a half-mile and beyond. So, I’m just taking my time. The owners have been so patient. Hopefully sometime around Santa Anita. But he’s a very special horse.”

O’Neill is certainly thinking about the Derby trail for this horse, when he’s ready to run.

“When you see his pedigree, his physique, his stride, his mind,” O’Neill said. “When you pay the kind of money the owner paid for him, you’re going to think he’s the next big-time 3-year-old.”

All he has to do is run.

Del Mar review

Thursday’s feature was a $67,000 allowance for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. It turned out to be a good longshot race as Beau Recall, who I made a pronoun slip on in Thursday’s newsletter, was so far back she could never get close when the running counted.

The winner was Sheeze Milky Way drew away in the stretch to win over Poster Girl. Barleysugar was third. Sheeza Milky Way paid $20.60, $8.80 and $6.00 for trainer Peter Eurton and jockey Gary Stevens.

Del Mar preview

As I say every Friday, it’s time for night-time racing during the daylight at Del Mar. But, it’s a 3:30 p.m. post because there is less sunlight. In fact, last week’s Friday night racing ended in the dark. Not good. Friday’s eight-race card has three turf races and a minor stakes race.

The feature is seventh race, about 6:30 p.m., with the $75,000 Tranquility Lakes Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile. The favorite, at 2-1, is Way to Versailles, who is making her first U.S. start having run all her races at Woodbine. She’s won four of 10 lifetime and won her last race, a Grade 2, by a mile. Peter Miller is the trainer and Flavien Prat will ride.

The second favorite is very interesting in that she won 10 races in a row last year, most of them at Golden Gate. Her last four races, all this year, were stakes where she has finished second three times and third once. She was second in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita. John Martin is the trainer and Ricardo Gonzalez the jockey.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 8, 8, 8, 9, 8 (2 also eligible), 9, 7, 10 (3 AE).

Bob Ike’s DMR pick of the day

SIXTH RACE: No. 2 Vallestina (7-2)

Lukewarm morning line choice from the Michael McCarthy stable turned in a solid third-place effort off the bench despite breaking from the far outside post going 5 furlongs on turf. She moves back to dirt (two-for-two on main track), is drawn much better inside and reunites with Flavien Prat, who rode her to a local victory here last summer.

Thursday’s result: Come On Cat (10-1) sat behind the early leaders in a good spot but came up empty around the 1/4-pole.

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).

Los Alamitos weekend preview

This weekly segment is in the hands of Orlando Gutierrez, marketing and media maven at Los Al. So, the floor is yours, Orlando.

“The thoroughbred mare Miss Loujean will take on quarter horses in a 550-yard straightaway race in the featured event on Friday’s card at Los Alamitos. It’s a field of six in the $11,825 allowance dash, which also sees stakes placed quarter horse runners Well Good and Thats A Good Reason in action. First post for the eight-race card is 7:30 p.m.

“Miss Loujean has four wins at 870 yards at Los Alamitos since May of 2017 and was second in an allowance optional claiming race at Del Mar in July of 2017. Bred to the quarter-horse stallion Kiddy Up in the spring of 2018, Miss Loujean returned with a third-place finish at 550 yards on July 7. She was fourth at the start, but made up ground in the final 100 yards. She figures to chase the quicker quarter horses during the early stages once again, but she could become the first thoroughbred to win at this distance here in 2018.

“The condition book for the upcoming Los Angeles County Fair thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos is now online at losalamitos.com. The 12-day season will begin Thur., Sept. 6 and continue through Sun., Sept. 23. Racing will be conducted on a Thursday-Sunday basis with post time 1 p.m.

“A new stakes race has also been added to the stakes schedule. The addition is the $100,000-guaranteed Los Alamitos Special. The race is for 3-year-olds and up at 1 ¼ miles. It will be on Sun., Sept. 16. The holdovers on the schedule are the $75,000 Beverly J. Lewis for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs (Sat., Sept. 8), the $75,000 E.B. Johnston for 3-year-olds and up – bred or sired in California – at one mile (Sat., Sept. 8), the $100,000 Barretts Debutante for 2-year-old fillies offered at any Barretts sale at 6 ½ furlongs (Sat., Sept. 15) and the $100,000 Barretts Juvenile for 2-year-old colts and geldings offered at any Barretts sale at 6 ½ furlongs (Sat., Sept. 22).”

Ed Burgart’s LA play of the day

SIXTH RACE: No. 1 Favorite Motions (2-1)

This 2-year-old colt debuts with a terrific 12.1 gate drill on August 7 when doing everything right. He broke very fast, was allowed to drift in under an easy hand ride during the final 1/16 and reached out with big strides while dusting his workmate, who was timed in 12.9. I also liked the trouble he overcame in prior 12.4 drill when getting bumped in after a sluggish start to outwork his rival by ½ length. I would single Favorite Motions in the Pick 4 and rolling Pick 3’s and make exactas of 1-3 and 1-4.

Final thought

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SPECTACULAR MOVE reluctant to load, stalked off the rail then outside, swung five wide into the stretch, bid four wide under urging in midstretch to gain the lead past the eighth pole and won clear. TWISTED ROSIE chased outside a rival then off the rail, angled in some on the turn, lacked room behind foes from upper stretch to past the eighth pole, angled in and split horses in deep stretch to get the place. TAPITHA BONITA bobbled at the start, dueled off the rail then three deep between foes into and on the turn and into the stretch, fought back between horses in the stretch, could not match the winner and was edged for second. MISS UNUSUAL dueled outside a rival then four wide into and on the turn and into the stretch, battled between horses in midstretch and was outfinished for the show. LUCKY VAL broke in, bumped a rival and steadied at the start, stalked a bit off the rail, bid between horses into and on the turn, fought back just off the rail into the stretch and in midstretch and was outfinished for a minor award. BONNEVILLE FLATS steadied at the start, saved ground stalking the pace then bid inside into and on the turn, fell back a bit into the stretch, was momentarily in a bit tight nearing midstretch, went up inside again in deep stretch and also was outfinished for a minor share. CROWN KITTEN stalked outside a rival then between horses a half mile out, continued off the rail on the turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally.

BROOKES ALL MINE chased off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, rallied under a strong then steady hand ride to gain the lead outside the runner-up in deep stretch and proved best. LUCKY STUDENT dueled three deep, inched away on the turn, continued off the rail in the stretch, could not match the winner late but was clearly second best. GEMINI JOURNEY close up stalking the pace off the rail on the backstretch and turn, came three deep into the stretch to loom behind the runner-up in midstretch and held third. ROCKANTHAROS settled off the rail then inside leaving the backstretch and on the turn, came out into the stretch and again in midstretch and put in a late bid at a minor award. SCATHING settled outside then off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and lacked a rally. FORTHENINETEEN dueled between horses then stalked outside a rival leaving the turn, found the inside in the stretch and weakened. CIOPPINO PASADINO sent along inside early, dueled along the rail, stalked leaving the turn, dropped back in the stretch, came out in midstretch then drifted out late and also weakened.

SUSPICIOUS SPOUSE had speed inside to set a pressured pace, inched away on the turn, came a bit off the rail into the stretch and held gamely under some left handed urging and good handling. STRADELLA ROAD a step slow to begin, stalked between horses then inside on the turn, continued along the rail in the stretch and went on willingly late. STORMING LADY pressed the pace outside the winner then stalked off the rail on the turn and in the stretch and was edged for the place. SCREENSHOT a bit slow to begin, saved ground chasing the pace throughout and shared fourth. LUCKY KNICKERS chased outside then between horses into and on the turn, came out into the stretch and lacked a rally. TOKEN VOW saved ground stalking the pace, came out a bit into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. COME ON KAT close up stalking the pace outside then off the rail on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and weakened. VARANASI broke a bit slowly, chased off the rail then three deep into and on the turn and into the stretch and also weakened.

RICKEY B pressed the pace three deep then stalked into the turn, re-bid three wide leaving the turn to take the lead into the stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch and proved best. POPPY'S C NOTE pulled between horses then stalked a bit off the rail, came out in the stretch, was three wide in midstretch and edged a rival for the place. AGRONOMO dueled between horses then outside a rival, battled between foes again leaving the turn, continued between horses through much of the stretch and was edged for second. SHAKE N FRIES had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened late. SMOKEY PIRATE chased outside then three deep, ranged up four wide leaving the turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. RED CLEM bobbled slightly at the start, chased inside, came out some into the stretch then angled back in and lacked a rally inside. BAJA WARRIOR settled inside then chased outside a rival leaving the backstretch and on the turn and a bit off the rail into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

ULTIMATE BANGO stalked off the rail, angled in some leaving the turn, came out and bid between horses past midstretch under urging, gained a slim advantage in late stretch and gamely prevailed. HARDCORE TROUBADOR close up stalking the pace outside and five wide on the turn, came four wide into the stretch, bid outside past midstretch and continued gamely four wide on the line. ROCKY ROGUE had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away and drifted out a bit despite right handed urging in midstretch, was between foes in deep stretch and continued willingly. JOE JACKSON stalked outside then four wide on the turn and three deep into the stretch, came out some in the drive and was edged for third four wide on the line. FROM THE DISTANCE broke a bit slowly, saved ground chasing the pace, bid along the rail in the drive and also was edged for a minor award inside. UNPOSSIBLE squeezed a bit at the start, chased outside a rival or off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. HOLLYWOOD SQUARE dueled outside a rival, fought back leaving the turn and weakened in the final furlong. BEAR DOWN CATS broke a bit slowly, settled off the pace inside, saved ground on the turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. HAND TIMED.

ROAD TEST five wide early, pressed the pace three deep, took a short lead leaving the second turn, inched away into the stretch and held on gamely under urging. MIDNIGHT LILLY came off the rail into the first turn, chased outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and finished willingly to just miss. WARRIOR VIXEN pulled early, stalked between horses then a bit off the rail, continued between foes on the second turn, came out into the stretch and outfinished rivals for the show. ANGELINA'S HEAVEN angled in on the first turn and settled inside then a bit off the rail, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for third. LOOKING AT THELAKE had good early speed and set a pressured pace between horses, fought back leaving the second turn and weakened in the final furlong. CEE SAM'S GIRL prompted the pace inside, also fought back leaving the second turn and weakened in the final furlong. LETHAL LEGACY saved ground chasing the pace, came out in the stretch and had little left for the drive.

SHEEZA MILKY WAY angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, bid outside the runner-up under urging in midstretch, gained the lead a sixteenth out and gamely prevailed. POSTER GIRL (GB) sped to the early lead, set the pace along the inside, fought back when challenged in the stretch and went willingly to the wire. BARLEYSUGAR (IRE) three deep early, stalked outside the winner, angled three wide into the stretch and bested the others. PANTSONFIRE (IRE) stalked the pace outside a rival, went up three deep leaving the backstretch and outside a foe again on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and was outfinished. SHEHASTHERITESTUFF was a bit slow to begin, pulled and was in a bit tight early, angled in then came out and tugged three deep into the first turn, chased outside a rival to the stretch and could not summon the necessary late kick. BEAU RECALL (IRE) allowed to settle off the pace and angled in, saved ground to the stretch, came out in upper stretch and found her best stride late. BERNINA STAR a bit slow to begin, settled inside then hit the rail leaving the chute, saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. MELISSA JANE (GB) angled in after the chute and saved ground chasing the pace, dropped back in the stretch and weakened.

VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD broke out and bumped a rival then was bumped by another foe early, stalked a bit off the rail, came three deep into the stretch, rallied under urging to the lead three wide in late stretch and proved best. I AM THE DANGER stalked between horses, bid three deep leaving the turn to gain the advantage in the stretch, fought back between foes late and held second. ALL I CAN SAY squeezed some at the start then in tight early, chased off the rail, angled in nearing the stretch and finished well along the inside. WILD VERSE angled in and dueled a bit off the rail then inside on the turn, came a bit off the fence in the stretch and was outfinished. PASTORELLI settled outside a rival then just off the rail, came out in the stretch and found his best stride late. CAUSEIDIDITMYWAY stalked between horses then outside a rival into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SMOKIN B stalked outside then five wide into the turn, continued four wide on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. DUDE'S DUDE chased between foes then three wide between horses on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. SNAZZY DRESSER dueled outside a rival, battled between foes on the turn as the rider lost the whip midway on the bend and weakened in the drive. STAY GOLDEN came out and bumped the winner just after the start, saved ground chasing the pace, dropped back on the turn and gave way.