Racing! Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as the Answer Man goes international on us today.

The Answer Man is back with a couple of pretty good questions. The first came from Tim Robertson and I’ve got to say it was something I’ve never thought of.

“When US bettors wager on races at Woodbine how is the currency evaluation handled? If the US dollar = $1.29 Canadian does Woodbine place $1.29 into the pool for each US dollar wagered? The payouts are in Canadian dollars, does that mean that winning US bettors are being shorted 29 cents for each dollar returned?”

I consulted veteran race track executive Chip Tuttle, who also works with TVG. He was stumped, too, but knew where to find the answer. He found this article by Derek Simon of U.S. Racing. You can read it here.

I’ll try and summarize. The answer is something called Net Pool Pricing, which was created when the Breeders’ Cup was at Woodbine in 1996. In short, the price is determined only after takeout and currency differences have been taken into account. It’s now used at every track in America, no doubt because of the effect that ADWs have had on the betting pools.

OK, the next question comes from Kelley Sample.

“I understand switching to the right lead in the stretch is important. I have seen horses suddenly pick up speed when their lead is switched. It all makes sense until you come upon a race run clockwise. Is the correct lead now the left lead? Assuming the same horse and running on a straightaway (the stretch), why wouldn't the correct lead be the right?”

Another good question and for this, we went to Flavien Prat, who started his career in France before becoming one of the top jockeys in this country.

“They don’t need to switch leads,” Flavien said. “You don’t really care about this because the race track is a lot bigger. Nobody really cares about that. You try and make him go to the right lead when he goes into the turn but after that it doesn’t matter. There’s a long stretch. Most of them are 2 ½-3 furlongs. If your horse switched leads in the stretch it wouldn’t really matter.”

Thanks, Flavien.

Santa Anita review

In a bit of a surprise, Skye Diamonds won the $100,000 L.A. Woman Stakes for fillies and mares going 6 ½ furlongs. She looked strong in the stretch and beat favorite Anonymity by 1 ¼ lengths.

“My plan was to let Yuvetsi and Anonymity go because they’re fast and were clearly the speed,” said winning jockey Tiago Pereira. “But when I saw Show It N Moe It go too, I loved it because that was good for me too. I let them all go and was able to easily duck out to the outside. By the three-eighths, she was pulling me, ready to go so I let her. I just kept her focused down the lane but she was full of run. It couldn’t have set up better for us.”

Skye Diamonds paid $11.20, $3.40 and $2.80 for trainer Bill Spwar. Show It N Moe It was third.

As for her future, Jon Lindo, one of the owners offered this up.

“We’ve got her entered in the Fasig-Tipton Sale right after the Breeders’ Cup, so we’ll have to talk to everyone and see what we’re going to do,” Lindo said. “The way everything developed [Sunday], it was just perfect. We sent her last time and that was a mistake. Tiago knows her so well and today he let her get into a rhythm and then went after them. Turning for home, I felt really confident because she just wants to beat you. As an owner, that’s an indescribable feeling.”

The other stakes was the $70,000 Swingtime Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile on the turf. Fahan Mura went gate to wire holding on to a 3/4-length win for trainer Vladimir Cerin and jockey Edwin Maldonado.

Fahan Mura paid $7.60, $4.20 and $2.80. Quebec was second and Way to Versailles finished third.

Santa Anita preview

Santa Anita’s special Monday card is 10 races beginning at 12:30 p.m. There are four turf races and, interestingly, none of them are down the hill. There are two stakes races, both for 2-year-olds going a mile on the turf. The most important thing? Beers and soda are a buck and hot dogs are two.

The first stake, the $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes, is for fillies. Summering is the 6-5 favorite but don’t be surprised if she goes off even lower. She’s won both her starts as the favorite, both races at Del Mar. Tom Proctor is the trainer and Drayden Van Dyke will ride.

The second favorite is Lady Prancealot at 7-2 She made five starts in England before coming over to the U.S. and finishing second to Summering down at Del Mar. Richard Baltas trains and Joe Talamo rides. Post time is about 2:40 p.m.

The second stakes, the $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes, is the same as the first except for colts and geldings. Much Better is the 7-2 morning-line favorite. He’s run only once, winning by 3 ¼ lengths for trainer Bob Baffert and Van Dyke. Rijeka, Spin Lightning and King of Speed are all 4-1.

Big races review

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

Keeneland (6): $200,000 Indian Summer Stakes, 2-year-olds, 5 ½ furlongs. Winner: Strike Silver ($13.00)

Belmont (6): $150,000 Futurity Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs on turf. Winner: Uncle Benny ($12.60)

Belmont (7): Grade 1 $400,000 Frizette Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 1 mile. Winner: Jaywalk ($15.20)

Woodbine (8): $225,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes, Ont-bred 2-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Avie’s Flatter ($5.60)

Keeneland (8): Grade 3 $250,000 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes, 2-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Current ($11.80)

Belmont (8): Grade 1 $500,000 Flower Bowl Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 ¼ miles on turf. Winner: Fourstar Crook ($3.60)

Santa Anita (5): Grade 3 $100,000 L.A. Woman Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Skye Diamonds ($11.20)

Keeneland (9): Grade 1 $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Blue Prize ($11.00)

Big races preview

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

11:08 Belmont (3): Grade 2 $200,000 Knickerbocker Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Hi Happy (7-5)

1:25 Woodbine (7): $100,000 Bunty Lawless Stakes, 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Kingsport (5-2)

2:32 Belmont (9): $150,000 Matron Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 6 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Entirely (7-2)

2:42 Santa Anita (5): $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Summering (6-5)

3:50 Hastings (5): Grade 3 $100,000 Ballerina Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Reginella (2-1)

4:14 Santa Anita (8): $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes, 2-year-olds, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Much Better (7-2)

4:15 Century (9): $100,000 Harvest Plate, 3 and up, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Sir Bronx (3-1)

4:50 Hastings (7): Grade 3 $100,000 British Columbia Premier’s Handicap, 3 and up, 1 3/8 miles. Favorite: Absolutely Stylish

Bob Ike’s SA play of the day

NINTH RACE: No. 3 Lord Guinness (8-1)

Sophomore colt from the Billy Morey barn got good when stretched out around two turns at Del Mar, following up his maiden win with a sharp second at this level. Although he will have to take another step forward to beat impressive winner Air Strike, he offers the best value in the race. Make a win bet and exacta box with 'Strike.

Sunday’s result: Cordiality was in a good spot all the way around but lacked punch and finished off the board in the 10th race.

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).

Final thought

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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

Now, here are the stars of the show, Sunday’s results and Monday’s entries.

JAZAALAH took the lead and angled to the inside in the run to the first turn, set the pace along the rail, came out a bit into the stretch and held on gamely under left handed urging between foes late. SIBERIAN IRIS (IRE) stalked outside a rival then just off the rail, went up three deep on the second turn and into the stretch, bid three wide in deep stretch and continued willingly to the end.ire. K P PERGOLISCIOUS (IRE) pulled and was in a bit tight between foes early, saved ground stalking the pace, bid inside past midstretch and continued gamely to the wire. LYNNE'S LEGACY chased along the inside, came out into the stretch and again in upper stretch and finished willingly four wide on the line. MISS BOOM BOOM stalked a bit off the rail then outside a rival leaving the backstretch and between foes on the second turn and in the stretch and weakened late. WAR MOCCASIN chased outside a rival, came out in the stretch and lacked the needed rally.

PLUM DANDY sent to the early lead, set the pace inside, came a bit off the rail into the stretch and drew off under urging. TYPHOON HARRY stalked three deep then outside a rival into the second turn, continued off the rail into the stretch and gained the place. GIDDYMEISTER close up stalking the pace between horses then off the rail on the second turn, drifted in late and bested the others. MIDNIGHT SOOT broke alertly then dropped back off the rail, went outside a rival leaving the second turn, came out into the stretch and lacked a rally. WE GO NOW saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the second turn, came out in the stretch, gave way and was eased in the final furlong.

ST. RENO sped to a clear early lead, set the pace off the rail, responded when challenged in midstretch, drifted out a bit from the whip a sixteenth out and held on gamely under urging. REVEREND AL stalked a bit off the rail then between horses and outside a rival on the turn, came out into the stretch, bid three deep past midstretch and was outgamed. GO GHETTO stumbled badly at the start, went up inside to stalk the pace, saved ground on the turn and into the stretch, bid inside in deep stretch and bested the others. BITTE stalked the pace off the rail, came out into the stretch, bid outside the winner in midstretch, was in a bit tight between foes a sixteenth out and weakened late. PRIVATE JOKE chased four wide on the backstretch then off the rail on the turn, angled to the inside entering the stretch and did not rally. ROYAL SEEKER five wide chasing the pace on the backstretch, continued off the inside into the turn, angled in on the bend lacked a response in the drive. BOURQUE stalked three deep between foes then three wide or off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened.

OPERANDI sped to a clear early lead, dueled three deep then outside a rival, led again into the stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch and held gamely. TWIRLING APPLES pressed the pace inside then stalked along the rail, came out in upper stretch and came on again between foes late. VALLESTINA stalked a bit off the rail then between horses, was in a bit tight midway on the hill, continued outside a rival into the stretch, came out in upper stretch and went on willingly three deep late. HALO DARLIN saved ground stalking the pace, came out in upper stretch and bested the others. BUNNY YOGURT chased off the rail then a bit off the fence leaving the hill, came out some in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CLASSY ATLANTIC went up between horses to duel for the lead, angled in and battled inside leaving the hill and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. WIND TARTARE (FR) stalked outside a rival then three deep on the hill and into the stretch and lacked a rally. HOLY DIVER settled off the rail then angled to the inside on the hill, came out leaving the hill and four wide into the stretch, drifted in through the drive and lacked the necessary response. Rail on hill at 7 feet.

SKYE DIAMONDS stalked a bit off the rail then outside a rival on the turn, ranged up three deep into the stretch, took the lead outside the runner-up nearing midstretch, inched away under some urging and proved best. ANONYMITY dueled three deep then outside a rival, put a head in front midway on the turn, fought back a bit off the rail into the stretch and in midstretch, could not match the winner but was clearly second best. SHOW IT N MOE IT had speed between horses then stalked a bit off the rail on the backstretch and turn, came out some in midstretch and bested the others. CLASSY TUNE settled off the rail, came a bit wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. YUVETSI had speed a bit off the rail then angled in and dueled inside, fought back on the turn, dropped back into the stretch and weakened.

TODOS SANTOS chased outside on the backstretch and turn, came five wide into the stretch, rallied under urging to the front in deep stretch and won clear. GEMINI JOURNEY pressed the pace four wide then stalked off the rail on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and got up for the place three deep late. KRISTIE'S HEART chased off the rail then a bit off the fence on the turn and into the stretch, angled in past the eighth pole and edged a rival for third inside. LUCKY STUDENT had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away a bit off the rail a sixteenth out and was edged for the show between horses. CHRISTY JACKSON dueled between horses, fought back in the stretch and was outkicked for a minor award late. HERO FOR HIRE had good early speed and dueled three deep between horses then three wide on the turn and in the stretch and also was outfinished for a minor share. SHE'SLUCKYTHATWAY broke a bit slowly, settled just off the rail then inside, continued along the rail on the turn and in the stretch and did not rally. CIOPPINO PASADINO pressed the pace five wide then stalked outside on the turn, came five wide into the stretch and weakened.

NEVERMISSESABEAT broke a bit slowly and was bumped, angled in and settled inside, split horses nearing the stretch, came out in midstretch and rallied under urging to get up three deep on the line. RED ENVELOPE had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away in deep stretch but was caught on the wire. COOL YOUR JETS stalked between horses then outside a rival, continued a bit off the rail leaving the hill and rallied between the top pair late. SIR EDDIE dueled between horses early then outside the runner-up, fought back in the stretch and weakened some late. CAPTAIN BUZZKILL chased off the rail then briefly between horses on the hill and outside a rival nearing the stretch, came out in upper stretch and was outfinished. OSTINI in a bit tight between foes at the right hand curve, stalked between rivals or outside, came three deep into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. RECKLESS GRAVITY steadied in tight at the right hand curve, chased four wide to the stretch and did not rally. VALIANT pulled between horses and steadied early, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace and weakened. DYNAMIC DUO had speed four wide then stalked three deep down the hill, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. THOMAS HENRY broke a bit slowly, settled just off the rail to the stretch and lacked a further response. RAISE THE GAMBLE stalked between horses, dropped back between foes on the hill then angled in and gave way. Rail on hill at 7 feet.

I BELONG TO BECKY had speed a bit off the rail then dueled inside, inched away just off the fence on the turn, drew off in the stretch under a crack of the whip and steady handling while drifting in. STARRING JOHN WAIN broke a bit slowly, chased outside then four wide on the turn and into the stretch and gained the place. POPPY'S C NOTE bobbled in a bit of a slow start, saved ground chasing the pace, came out on the turn and three deep into the stretch and bested the others. CONCORD JET dueled between horses then stalked between foes on the turn, continued a bit off the rail into the stretch and weakened. STAY IN YO LANE stalked outside a rival then inside on the turn and weakened in the drive. CALDER VALE chased outside a rival, split horses into the stretch and did not rally. UNPLAYABLE stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and into the stretch, came out off heels in midstretch and weakened. S ON MY CHEST dueled three deep then stalked three wide on the turn and into the stretch and also weakened.

SECRET SPICE stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter on the second turn to gain the lead, kicked clear then drew off toward the inside in the stretch under a tap of the whip and a vigorous hand ride then a long hold late. JUST GRAZED ME stalked inside, went around the pacesetter leaving the second turn and into the stretch and bested the others. STARR OF QUALITY between horses early, chased just off the rail or between foes, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch and picked up the show. RANSOMED three deep on the first turn, stalked outside a rival three wide midway on the backstretch and on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. JEST A PRINCESS also went three deep on the first turn, stalked outside a rival on the backstretch and second turn and weakened. DANUSKA'S MY GIRL sped to the early lead and angled in, set the pace inside, dueled briefly along the rail on the second turn and weakened in the drive. WHIRLING settled inside then outside a rival leaving the backstretch, continued off the rail leaving the second turn and a bit wide into the stretch and also weakened.

FAHAN MURA sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, remained clear past midstretch and held on gamely under urging. QUEBEC stalked the pace inside, came out in upper stretch and finished willingly between foes late. WAY TO VERSAILLES saved ground stalking the winner, came out a bit into the stretch and edged foes for third between horses at the wire. TONAHUTU (IRE) angled in and chased outside a rival, swung five wide into the stretch and just missed the show four wide on the line. THE TULIP (IRE) chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail, was in a bit tight off heels leaving the second turn t hen angled to the inside and finished with interest along the fence. CORDIALITY angled in and stalked outside a rival, came out some in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. BARLEYSUGAR (IRE) chased between horses then inside, came out a bit into the stretch then angled back in and could not offer the necessary response. ACHIRA four wide into and on the first turn, stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch and also lacked the needed late kick. IMPASSE a step slow to begin, settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch then angled back in and also could not offer the necessary response. OKINAWA drifted out into the first turn, angled in and stalked outside a rival, drifted out again into the stretch and weakened. MELISSA JANE (GB) three deep on the first turn, chased between horses on the backstretch and second turn, came out three wide into the stretch and had nothing left for the drive.