Racing! McKinzie is back

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as you have to like Galilean in his first start.

Gotta say, it was really good to see McKinzie win easily after a six-month layoff. Now, I have to admit, I’m prejudiced because I knew his namesake Brad McKinzie, the longtime Los Alamitos executive. And, I was pretty skeptical on how well he would do against a strong field in the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby after a six-month layoff.

Here’s how Jimmy Barnes, the longtime assistant trainer for Bob Baffert put it: “We had him ready,” Barnes said. “It was close but Bob got him ready, bottom line. … He gutted it out and pulled it through for us.”

Barnes seemed to see it as a tougher race than it looked on television. McKinzie broke alertly, moved near the front on backstretch and took command in the stretch. Here’s the story, with more detail, that appeared online and in print. Just click here.

Mike Smith, who was Justify’s jockey and also rode McKinzie, had this to say: “If anything can take away the sting of having a Triple Crown horse retiring, it’s a horse like this.”

If McKinzie is pointed to the Breeders’ Cup, his options seem to be the Classic, where he would face Accelerate, or the Mile, where he would go against Catalina Cruiser. Either way, a tall order.

Before we got to normal business, big props to Jay Posner, veteran turf writer who was demoted to sports editor, for telling me I could watch the big Parx races on one of the other NBC sports stations and that I didn’t have to have NBC Sports Philadelphia. Jay is the sports editor of our sister paper, the San Diego Union-Tribune and the best place to find Del Mar coverage.

So, I ended up watching NBC Sports Washington, and that’s the Washington that has the objectionable NFL team name, not the state that can’t beat USC this year.

So, I got to watch the personable Laffit Pincay III and his team, which included a longtime newspaper turf writer Dick Jerardi. For the record, I’m in favor of hiring newspaper horse racing writers for those low-to-medium scale TV jobs. Actually, hiring newspaper folks for any job is a good idea.

Although, I did disagree with Jerardi in that I do think Monomoy Girl should have come down in the Cotillion for her wandering down the stretch in front of Midnight Bisou.

OK, I’m done.

Los Alamitos review

Sometimes you can figure it out based on how much a horse was bought for. Sometimes not. Saturday, it worked. Unraced colt Galilean, purchased for $600,000, seemed to have what it took in the $100,000 Barretts Juvenile Stakes, for 2-year-olds going 6 ½ furlongs. The race was restricted to horses that were sold at a Barretts sale.

Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, he paid $3.80, $2.60 and $2.10. Seven Scents was second and Our Silver Oak was third. The winning margin was a neck.

“I’m happy, he’ll improve off that race,” Hollendorfer said. “I’ve got a lot to work with because he’s got really good size and carries really good weight. Terry Finley (president and chief executive officer of West Point Thoroughbreds) picked this horse and made the decision to buy him. I was lucky enough to get him to train.’’

Van Dyke was also impressed.

“He’s a very classy horse and was well prepared,” Van Dyke said. “He got passed at the head of the stretch, but he dug back in and that was really impressive. That’s a long stretch for a 2-year-old making his first start.”

Los Alamitos preview

It’s closing day and it finishes with a 10-race card starting at 2 p.m. There are six claimers, two allowance/optional claimer, one maiden special weight and one starter allowance. We’ll have to call two races as co-features since they are the same: six furlongs for Cal-breds for a purse of $45,000. One is open and the other for fillies and mares.

The eighth is for colts and geldings with seven starters. The favorite is Ninety Nine Proof at 5-2 for trainer Peter Miller and jockey Heriberto Figueroa. He is four of 11 lifetime with his last two claiming races being claimers. He won two back at that level.

The ninth is for fillies and mares with Princess Kendra the 5-2 favorite. Sound familiar? Well, she’s run 42 times, winning nine. She’s been running at the starter allowance level finishing second the last two races. She won three back in a claimer.

There is no show wagering in the six-horse first race, a maiden special weight for 3-year-old Cal-breds.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 6, 7, 7, 6, 10, 9, 10, 7, 8, 10 (1 also eligible).

Big races review .

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

Belmont (4): Grade 3 $200,000 Noble Damsel Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Uni ($4.50)

Parx (7): $100,000 Alphabet Soup Stakes, Penn-breds 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Fast and Accurate ($3.80)

Parx (8): $150,000 PA Derby Champion Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Aztec Sense ($9.20)

Parx (9): Grade 3 $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes, 3-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Winner: Firenze Fire ($4.80)

Parx (10): Grade 1 $1 milllion Cotillion Stakes, fillies, 3-years-old, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Monomoy Girl ($10.40)

Woodbine (8): $100,000 Victorian Queen Stakes, Ont-bred fillies 2-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Silet Mistake ($6.00)

Belmont (8): Grade 2 $300,000 Kelso Handicap, 3 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Patternrecognition ($13.20)

Parx (11): Grade 1 $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: McKinzie ($6.00)

Los Alamitos (6): $100,000 Barretts Juvenile Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Galilean ($3.80)

Big races preview

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

12:53 Woodbine (6): $100,000 Bull Page Stakes, Ont-bred 2-years-olds, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Stolen Identity (2-1)

1:46 Belmont (7): $125,000 John Hettinger Stakes, NY-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Fifty Five (6-5)

2:10 Albuquerque: $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Futurity, NM-bred 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Roll on Diabolical (3-1)

2:18 Belmont (8): Grade 2 $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap, fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Lewis Bay (9-5)

2:30 Woodbine (9): Grade 3 $125,000 Durham Cup Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Are You Kidding Me (8-5)

2:50 Belmont (9): $125,000 Ashley T. Cole Stakes, NY-breds 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Call Provision (2-1)

4:48 Emerald Downs: $100,000 Getaway Day Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Sippin Fire (2-1)

Jose Contreras LRC play of the day

SECOND RACE: No 2. Holidayincambodia (5-2)

She settled behind the speed and found her best stride too late in her last effort when finishing a game second against the highest level of open thoroughbred claimers at night. She’s been freshened since that effort and should be well positioned throughout at this five-furlong distance. She does own two wins over this daytime oval.

Saturday’s result: My Mandate went out strong but couldn’t stay on top against this grade and finished sixth.

Jose Contreras is an excellent handicapper and well known on social media and familiar to racing fans watching on TVG. You can follow him on Twitter at @losponies or check him out at his website.

Ed Burgart LA play of the day

FOURTH RACE: No. 4 Croissant (5-2)

He was hopelessly overmatched in a 5 ½-furlong allowance race 16 days ago during the local daytime thoroughbred meet and fits well at this 870-yard distance where he dropped a nose photo two outs ago. He lands the hot-riding Kellie McDaid and should win this non-winners-of-two contest if he repeats either of his two August 870-yard outs.

Final thoughts

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Any thoughts, you can reach me at johnacherwa@gmail.com. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

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

ANDYOUSHALLRECEIVE off a step slowly, moved up between foes then chased a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn, came out into the stretch, angled in again inside the furlong marker and rallied under urging to get up nearing the wire. MADAME VESTAL stalked off the rail, was fanned four wide into the stretch, bid outside the pacesetter to gain the lead in upper stretch, inched away, drifted out some from the whip at the eighth pole and could not hold off the winner. SHES ALL WOMAN saved ground chasing the pace, came out on the turn and three deep into the stretch and gained the show. BEV'S HUMOR chased three deep on the backstretch, continued outside on the turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. DIOSA sped to the early lead, set the pace off the rail, angled in some on the turn, drifted out into the stretch, fought back in upper stretch, then weakened.

JABBER NOW stalked the pace inside, bid along the rail leaving the turn and in the stretch and gamely prevailed under urging. BEDFORD dueled just off the rail then between foes leaving the turn and into the stretch, steadied in tight in midstretch, angled out for room and came back on three deep on the line. CHEYENNE DANCER had good early speed and dueled outside the runner-up then three deep leaving the turn and into the stretch, drifted inward in midstretch, battled back outside the winner in the final furlong and continued willingly between the top pair late. FIFTYEIGHT SPECIAL a bit slow to begin, chased a bit off the rail then inside on the turn, came out a bit into the stretch, continued toward the inside in the drive and could not quite summon the needed late kick. VENICE stalked outside then three deep on the turn and four wide into the stretch, continued three wide through the final furlong and also lacked the necessary late response. GRANDMA GERTRUDE stalked between horses then off the rail leaving the turn, came out into the stretch, continued between horses in the final furlong and also could not offer the needed rally. SHE'S A HOT HEAD hesitated to be away behind the field, saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and was outrun.

HOT ROD GAL had good early speed and dueled off the rail, inched away leaving the backstretch, kicked clear on the turn, drifted out in the stretch but drew off under urging and a long hold late. ROLINGA stalked outside, came three deep into the stretch and was clearly second best. DADDY'S MISTRESS settled outside foes then off the rail, went four wide on the turn and into the stretch and picked up the show. SKY BABE broke a bit slowly, chased just off the rail, split horses into the turn, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. QUEEN CARMELITA had speed outside the winner then stalked off the rail, continued outside a rival leaving the turn and between foes into the stretch and weakened. WIN WIN chased outside then alongside a rival on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a further response. YEP YEP YEP saved ground stalking the pace throughout and gave way in the lane. KATHIA chased along the inside, dropped back on the turn and also gave way.

I'M READY TO ROLL chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival into the turn, came out in midstretch and rallied under urging to get up three wide late. MASON B stalked off the rail, came three deep into the stretch, angled in and bid inside the pacesetter in the drive, put a head in front in deep stretch and held second between foes late. JAY MAKES US LAUGH saved ground chasing the pace, came out in upper stretch, split horses a sixteenth out and finished willingly inside. THANKFUL EVERY DAY sped to the early lead, set the pace just off the rail, drifted out into the stretch, drifted in some in the drive, was between horses in deep stretch and weakened late. ALWAYS NEVER stalked outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and was outfinished. KALUHLA angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside in the stretch and weakened.

PLAN B dueled inside, inched away on the turn, kicked clear under urging in the stretch then was under a long hold late. AWEPOLLONIA bumped at the start, chased between foes then a bit off the rail, continued inside on the turn, came out into the stretch and outfinished rivals for the place. PRINCESS BECKY between rivals early, chased a bit off the rail, angled to the inside leaving the turn and edged foes for third. SHARP IMAGE broke in, hopped and bumped a rival, chased between horses then a bit off the rail into and on the turn and into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award between foes late. LITTLE LILLY stalked a bit off the rail, bid between horses into the turn, came out some in the stretch and also was outfinished for a minor share. TIZ WILLOW chased outside then alongside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. GEE CEE CEE dueled outside the winner then three deep into the turn, stalked off the inside leaving the turn, drifted five wide into the stretch and weakened. MAYCAUSEMIRACLES broke a bit slowly, chased off the rail, swung four wide into the stretch and did not rally. HALF MILE SPLIT HAND TIMED.

GALILEAN broke in a bit and bumped with a rival, had speed between horses then dueled outside a rival, battled between foes on the turn, took a short lead into the stretch, inched away under urging, kicked clear then drifted in through the drive and just held. SEVEN SCENTS stalked outside, bid three deep on the turn and into the stretch, continued outside in the drive and came back on late. OUR SILVER OAK chased outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and finished willingly. KID KOIL between horses early, chased a bit off the rail to the stretch and weakened. BIG IMPRESSION bumped at the start, settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch and was not a threat. MY MANDATE broke out and bumped with the winner then with the rival to the inside, dueled just off the rail then inside into and on the turn, dropped back in the stretch, drifted out late and gave way.

RED WINE AND DINE dueled a bit off the rail on the backstretch and inside on the turn, came off the fence into the stretch, inched clear under urging and held gamely. RULE HE WILL had good early speed and dueled between horses then outside the winner on the turn, was fanned out a bit into the stretch and continued willingly to hold the place. ST. RENO pressed the pace outside the top pair then stalked off the rail leaving the turn, came four wide into the stretch and was edged for second. TOMASINO saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch, angled back to the inside in the drive and was outfinished for a minor award. LOUDEN'S GRAY chased outside on the backstretch and turn, came four wide into the stretch and could not summon the needed late kick. DEMONSLAYER settled off the pace inside to the stretch and did not rally.

JUST KIDDING chased off the rail then between horses, continued off the inside on the second turn and three deep into the stretch, rallied under urging to wear down the runner-up late. AVANTI BELLO sent to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, fought back in the stretch, inched away again a sixteenth out but could not hold off the winner. KRISTI'S COPILOT stalked the pace off the rail, bid outside the runner-up into the stretch, could not match the top pair in the final sixteenth but bested the others. MY FARMER saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, had the rider lose the whip in upper stretch and lacked a rally. SENATOR ROBERT four wide into the first turn, chased outside a rival then between foes on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and could not summon the necessary response. ABERDEEN ISLAND also four wide into the first turn, stalked three deep, fell back some and angled in off the rail leaving the second turn and gave way in the drive. AIR POCKET broke a bit slowly, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and had nothing left for the drive.

COPPER COWGIRL dueled outside a rival, took a short lead in the stretch and held on gamely under urging between foes through the final furlong. CHAPIS stalked five wide then off the rail on the second turn and into the stretch, bid three deep in the final furlong and continued willingly. TRAPPIZA hopped slightly at the start, had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back along the rail through the stretch and went gamely to the wire. MIDNIGHT CROSSING four wide into the first turn, stalked four wide between foes then off the rail on the second turn and three deep into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. HELOISE off a bit slowly, drifted five wide into the first turn, angled in and chased a bit off the rail, swung four wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late response. PRINCESS NICOLE stalked the pace between horses then outside a rival on the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. GRECIAN FORT washy at the gate, settled off the rail then angled to the inside on the first turn, came off the rail leaving the backstretch, went outside on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. SOLAR CORONA saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the second turn and weakened. BAHAMA MAMA a bit slow to begin, stalked between horses, also dropped back on the second turn and gave way.