Racing! Happy Memorial Day

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we head into the last really big day at Santa Anita.

First off, Santa Anita suffered it’s 26^th death since Dec. 26 when Kochees was euthanized on Sunday after sustaining an injury in Saturday’s sixth race. To read more about it, just click here.

As for Monday’s Memorial Day card, let’s take a spin through the field of the (what used to be Hollywood) Gold Cup. In my book, it’s the last huge race of the meeting.

1. Blitzkrieg (trainer Doug O’Neill, jockey Rafael Bejarano, morning-line odds 6-1). This 4-year-old gelding needed seven tries to break his maiden. He was bought four races ago for $25,000 and won that race and the next three. His only graded stakes start was last out in the San Francisco Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

2. Mongolian Groom (Enebish Ganbat, Martin Garcia, 20-1). The 4-year-old gelding has won two-of-10 lifetime starts. Probably his best start was a third in this year’s Santa Anita Handicap behind Gift Box and McKinzie. He was fifth in the Charlestown Classic.

3. Higher Power (John Sadler, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 20-1). This 4-year-old colt has won three-of-nine lifetime, but not at a high level. His only stakes races were an eighth in last year’s Rebel Stakes and a third in Northern Spur Stakes. He won last out in an allowance at the Fair Grounds. This is his first race in Southern California.

4. Lone Sailor (Tom Amoss, Flavien Prat, 4-1) This 4-year-old colt has a ton of big time experience. He is running in his 12^th-straight graded stakes, including the Kentucky Derby (eighth), Preakness (fifth), Haskell (third) and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (sixth). He’s only won two-of-18 lifetime, a maiden and the Oklahoma Derby.

5. Gift Box (Sadler, Joel Rosario, 8-5) This lightly race 6-year-old colt has won three in a row, including the Santa Anita Handicap, last out. It will be only his third race with Sadler, having previously been trained by Chad Brown. After winning by 8 ¾ at Aqueduct on March 24, he was moved to Sadler’s barn in the fall and debuted with a win on opening day in the San Antonio. His next race was the Big ‘Cap on April 6.

6. Core Beliefs (Peter Eurton, Florent Geroux, 4-1) This 4-year-old colt is coming off a win in the New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds. He started out his career at Santa Anita in the first four of a nine-race career. After a second in the Peter Pan last year, he won the Ohio Derby, followed by the Haskell (fourth), Pennsylvania Derby (fifth) and then the New Orleans Handicap.

7. Vino Rosso (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 5-2) This 4-year-old colt was in the thick of the Triple Crown talk last year after winning the Wood Memorial. But, there was this horse named Justify also running. Vino Rosso finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Belmont Stakes. He’s only run once this year, a fourth in the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct on April 6.

So, there you have it, the field for the Gold Cup, an intriguing race, and the last really big race of the meeting.

Santa Anita review

There is also a story on the two Sunday stakes races, although in a rare instance, I actually talk to the owner and make him the centerpiece. So, if you want to read that, all you have to do is just click here.

So, like the Sunday newsletter, if you just want the bare facts and quotes. We’ll offer up this recap.

Grade 2 $200,000 Summertime Oaks: My Majestic Rose had a game battle with Sneaking Out down the stretch and in the end was able to pull of a half-length win in the 1 1/16 mile race for 3-year-old fillies. She paid $13.80, $4.60 and $2.80. Colonial Creed was third.

Winning jockey Flavien Prat: “We had a good trip. She relaxed very well and she was going real easy up the backside. At the three-eighths, I asked her and she was right there for me. When she made the lead, she waited on that other filly a bit, but then she got back to business.”

Winning trainer Rodolphe Brisset: “The way she hit the front today is one of the reasons we decided to put the blinkers on. She can lose focus pretty quick. The first time she ran, she ran a beautiful race without them. When I stretched her out to a mile and a sixteenth at the Fair Grounds, it was the worst race ever. She acted like she’s never been on a racetrack before. So, she really seemed to need them and as soon as we added them, she’s changed.”

Grade 2 $200,000 Monrovia Stakes: S Y Sky also had a tough fight down the stretch but was able to pull out a three-quarters length win in the fillies and mares five-furlong dirt race that was originally scheduled for the turf. She paid $6.20, $2.60 and $2.10. Belvoir Bay was second and Lady Suebee finished third.

Winning jockey Drayden Van Dyke: “[Trainer] Phil [D’Amato] told me she’s fast, but she can be tactical also. We broke sharp, but I was able to take her back and she finished really well.”

Winning trainer D’Amato: “I thought she was doing well, but I’ve got to give the credit to Drayden Van Dyke. She popped on top and she was in control, but Drayden realized the top two were really smoking so he eased her back and that was the winning move. We’re looking forward to campaigning her the rest of the year.”

Santa Anita preview

As we’ve said, the last really big day at Santa Anita this meeting with three $500,000 Grade 1 stakes. Everything you could ever want to know about the Gold Cup is up higher in the newsletter. Everything, that is, except the post time, and that’s around 4:30 p.m. as the eighth race.

You’ve also got the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Vasilika is the 8-5 favorite. We’ve told her story time and again, but she turned out to be pretty darn good claim for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. She’s won 11 of her last 12 races, the only bobble being a fourth in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes. Flavien Prat rides.

Rymska, a Chad Brown shipper, is the second favorite at 5-2. She also fits the rules that the names of the first two favorites have to end in “ka.” She is coming off a second in the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland and a win in the Hillsborough Stakes. She is seven-for-14 lifetime.

The final Grade 1 of the meeting is the Shoemaker Mile, for horses 3 and older going, well, you figure it out. It’s on the turf. Delta Prince, a shipper for Jim Jerkens, is the 5-2 favorite. Rosario will ride. He’s coming off a win in the Maker’s 46 Mile and a third in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.

Catapult is the 3-1 second choice for Sadler and Drayden Van Dyke. He’s coming off a second in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile and he was second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He’s won six-of-18 lifetime races. He’s another horse that was previously trained by Brown that was moved to Sadler. Post is about 5 p.m.

Big races review

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

Woodbine (8): Grade 2 $175,000 Nassau Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Secret Message ($6.60)

Santa Anita (6): Grade 2 $200,000 Summertime Oaks, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: My Majestic Rose ($13.80)

Santa Anita (7): Grade 2 $200,000 Monrovia Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: S Y Sky ($6.20)

Big races preview

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

12:08 Belmont (4): $125,000 Bouwerie Stakes, NY-bred fillies, 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Newly Minted (8-5)

12:40 Belmont (5): $125,000 Mount Vernon Stakes, NY-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Fifty Five (1-1)

1:45 Belmont (7): $200,000 Critical Eye Stakes, NY-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Still There (7-5)

2:18 Belmont (8): $125,000 Kingston Stakes, NY-breds 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Offering Plan (6-5)

2:51 Belmont (9): $125,000 Mike Lee Stakes, NY-bred 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Blindwillie McTell (7-2)

3:09 Lone Star (8): $100,000 Lone Star Park Turf Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Sensitive (1-1)

3:24 Belmont (10): $200,000 Commentator Stakes, NY-bred 3 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Pat On the Back (5-2)

4:03 Santa Anita (7): Grade 1 $500,000 Gamely Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Vasilika (8-5)

4:18 Golden Gate (8): Grade 3 $100,000 All American Stakes, 3 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Choo Choo (5-2)

4:33 Santa Anita (8): Grade 1 $500,000 Gold Cup, 3 and up, 1 ¼ miles. Favorite: Gift Box (8-5)

5:03 Santa Anita (9): Grade 1 $500,000 Shoemaker Mile, 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Delta Prince (5-2)

Ciaran Thornton’s SA pick of the day

THIRD RACE: No. 1 Power Down (12-1)

Power Down has as much speed as the top choices here and the best closing kick in a race that should suit this style very well. Second U.S. start for this Joe Talamo/Ron Ellis horse. The debut was a five-furlong exercise run and if you look at the race replays this horse should love the stretch to a mile. A ground saving inside post that is winning 20% the morning line price of 12-1 is great

Sunday’s result: Vander Kellen was off a step slow and finished third in the three-horse race.

Ciaran Thornton is the handicapper for Californiapick4.com, which offers daily full card picks, longshots of the day, best bets of the day.

Final thought

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

LITTLE NO WAY angled in on the first turn and stalked inside, came out into the stretch, took the lead alongside the pacesetter in midstretch, kicked away under urging and held. BIG SKY LOGAN in a bit tight between foes early, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came out in midstretch, split rivals past the eighth pole and finished willingly toward the inside. MR. MAGICO chased inside, came out leaving the second turn and three wide into the stretch, drifted in a bit in midstretch and also finished with interest. DIAMOND BLITZ between horses early, inched away and angled in, set the pace inside, fought back in midstretch and weakened late. SALTARIN chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival midway on the backstretch, went three deep midway on the turn then between horses into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. FORTUNE OF WAR (GB) broke out a bit, settled inside, went up three wide leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and also lacked the needed late kick. SERGIO had speed outside then stalked three deep, continued outside a rival into and on the second turn and between foes into the stretch and weakened. ARMED WALL a step slow to begin, chased outside a rival then three deep into the stretch and also weakened. FRANKIE MACHINE had speed between rivals then stalked between horses, dropped back between foes on the second turn and gave way.

BEYOND PLEASURE prompted the pace between horses, took the lead early on the second turn, kicked clear just off the rail, was mildly hand ridden to widen then drew off without further encouragement and was under a long hold late. CAT'S DESIRE had speed toward the inside then angled in on the first turn, dueled along the rail, stalked inside on the second turn, was no match for the winner thereafter but clearly second best. PERFECT PORTRAIT went up to press the pace three deep, stalked off the rail on the second turn, angled in some into the stretch and lacked a further response. TEMPESTUOUS GAL saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back into and on the second turn, drifted out into the stretch, gave way and was eased through the drive.

POINTED tugged between foes then stalked between horses or outside a rival, bid alongside the pacesetter to take the lead and inched away leaving the second turn, remained clear under urging in the stretch and proved best, then did not return to be unsaddled and was vanned off. GOOD BYE PUTIN off a bit slowly, went between foes early then chased outside a rival, continued three deep on the second turn and into the stretch and bested the others. RESIDENT LIBERAL chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival, continued alongside a foe on the second turn and into the stretch and held third. TEQUILA BLANCO three deep into the first turn, chased outside a rival or just off the rail, came out on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. BUD KNIGHT saved ground chasing the pace, split horses into the second turn, continued inside, came out in midstretch and did not rally. M TOWN GEM had speed between foes then dueled outside a rival, inched away and angled in on the backstretch, battled briefly along the fence nearing the quarter pole and weakened in the drive. INDY JONES had speed inside to duel for the lead then stalked along the rail, cut the corner into the stretch and also weakened. SILENT MUSKETIER four wide early, stalked three deep then outside a rival to the stretch and also weakened. SUPER CLASSIC bobbled at the start, settled off the rail, angled in some for the second turn, came out into the stretch and was not a threat. BENNY THE JET angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the second turn and had little left for the drive.

COMICAL sped to the early lead and angled in, dueled inside, inched away under urging in midstretch and drew off under steady handling and a long hold late. GOLDEN STAR LADY stalked outside then bid alongside the winner into the turn to duel for the lead, could not match that one in the stretch but was clearly second best. GO BIG BLUE NATION between horses early stalking the pace, continued off the rail on the turn and three wide into the stretch and held third. SENORA POWER chased outside a rival, angled in on the turn, saved ground thereafter and lacked the needed response. FRENCH ROSE broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail, went around a rival on the turn and was not a threat. MARGO WITH A T saved ground chasing the pace, was in a bit tight into the turn, dropped back along the rail and gave way.

TAPWATER tugged between horses then stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the runner-up to gain a short lead in the stretch and held on gamely under left handed urging. LADYMIDTOWN sped to the early lead, inched away and set the pace inside, fought back along the rail through the drive and continued gamely to the end. ALL STAR CAST (IRE) chased outside a rival, split horses into the stretch and finished willingly. GALLOVIE (GB) bobbled at the start, pulled and steadied early, chased a bit off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. OUT OF BALANCE hopped in a bit of a slow start, chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival leaving the backstretch, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. ENCANTA hopped slightly at the break, pulled between horses then chase outside a rival, went three deep on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened. FLOWER POINT pulled hard along the inside, inched forward leaving the backstretch, had the saddle slip forward into and on the second turn and fell back in the drive. RED BUNTING (IRE) three deep early, chased outside a rival then inside into and on the second turn and weakened. SENORADIABLO settled inside, fell back into the second turn, came out in the stretch and gave way.

MY MAJESTIC ROSE saved ground stalking the pace, bid outside the runner-up on the second turn and through the drive, put a head in front a sixteenth out and gamely prevailed under urging. SNEAKING OUT had good early speed a bit off the rail then dueled inside, inched away into the second turn, fought back along the fence on that turn and in the stretch, drifted out some in the final sixteenth and continued gamely to the wire. COLONIAL CREED stalked outside a rival then three deep into the second turn, continued off the inside on that turn and into the stretch, drifted inward in the drive and lacked a rally. BIZWHACKS bobbled slightly at the start, saved ground chasing the pace, dropped back on the second turn and into the stretch and gave way. FLOR DE LA MAR angled in and dueled outside the runner-up, dropped back between horses on the second turn and also gave way.

S Y SKY dueled inside then stalked on the turn, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch, re-bid three wide to gain the lead in midstretch and held under left handed urging. BELVOIR BAY (GB) bobbled slightly at the start, dueled between horses then stalked a bit off the rail on the turn, re-bid between foes in the stretch, fought back inside the winner in the final sixteenth and continued willingly late. LADY SUEBEE had good early speed and dueled three deep, inched away and angled in on the turn, fought back inside in midstretch, could not match the top pair in the final sixteenth but bested the rest. SPECTATOR stalked outside on the backstretch and turn, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. FLAMMETTA chased off the rail then outside a rival, came out into the stretch and did not rally. ROCKY POLICY stalked a bit off the inside, angled to the rail on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. PAINTING CORNERS chased just off the rail then inside on the turn, came out into the stretch and weakened, then returned bleeding from the nostrils and walked off.

MAKE IT A TRIPLE stalked early then bid between horses on the backstretch and into the turn, dueled outside the runner-up leaving the turn and on the stretch, took a short advantage under left handed urging a sixteenth out and inched away late. TOUGH BUT NICE sped to the early lead off the rail, angled in and set a pressured pace inside, fought back along the fence in the stretch, could not quite match the winner late and held second. VANDER KELEN a step slow to begin, came off the rail and went up three wide to press the pace on the backstretch and most of the turn, was roused while falling back a bit leaving the turn, came three deep into the stretch and was edged for the place.

APPRECIATED stalked a bit off the rail then inside, bid along the fence to gain the lead leaving the second turn, inched away in the stretch, came out from the whip in midstretch then drew clear under urging. PEEDIE stalked inside then between foes leaving the backstretch, came out into the stretch, was in tight off heels in midstretch, angled in and gained the place. LOADED JOE pulled his way to the early lead, set the pace inside, dueled outside the winner leaving the second turn, steadied behind that one in midstretch and held third. GENERAL MO broke out, saved ground chasing the pace, steadied in tight into the first turn, came out in the stretch and was edged for third between horses on the line. NO PARKING HERE pulled between horses then chased outside a rival, steadied twice between foes into the second turn, came out three wide on that turn and into the stretch and put in a late bid at a minor award. ETTERBAY UCKLAY squeezed back at the start, settled off the pace inside, came out in the stretch and improved position. ASARO three deep into the first turn, stalked outside a rival, lugged in some in midstretch and weakened. DELTA FORUM pulled between foes early, chased just off the rail then inside to the stretch and lacked a rally. MALIBU MOONLIGHT four wide into the first turn, settled outside chasing the pace, was in a bit tight four wide into the second turn, continued four wide to the stretch and did not rally. ULTIMATE SHILO wide early, settled outside then off the rail, angled in on the second turn and was not a threat. ELUSIVE FLAME tugged between foes then stalked outside a rival, dropped back between horses on the second turn and gave way. Following a stewards' inquiry into the midstretch run of the top three and a claim of foul by the rider of the runner-up against the winner for alleged interference in midstretch, no change was made when the stewards ruled the incident did not alter the original order of finish.