Racing! Things you wanted to know about Santa Anita’s turf

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we wonder if it’s too early to make Instagrand the Kentucky Derby favorite.

We’re in the second half of the Del Mar meeting, which will be followed by Los Alamitos before we return for a short meeting at Santa Anita. In order to get ready, Santa Anita has put in a lot of new grass on its turf course.

The track has put down new turf on the downhill course and in the stretch, which continues to about midway into the first turn. The thinking is that’s the most heavily used part of the course. Yup, every race goes through the stretch.

Santa Anita announced they put in about four acres of Bandera-Bermuda grass, which was grown near La Quinta, the city not the hotel.

The announcement was a good excuse to check in with the personable Rick Hammerle, the racing secretary and VP at Santa Anita. We wondered if he had any idea how many turf races are scheduled for the next meeting.

“I do not know the exact number of turf races we will run, but I kind of have a ballpark idea,” Hammerle said. “I never have an end number that I shoot for. I generally try to card two or three on weekdays, four-ish on Saturdays and three-ish on Sundays. It all depends how each day goes and what type of races they are as I have to watch the purse account as well.”

Santa Anita doesn’t have a second turf course around the oval like some tracks but they do have the hillside course, which has the only right turn in U.S. racing. But managing it can be challenging.

“I try and be careful not to write too many hill races per week as it can get a little cut up up there on the hill without a break,” Hammerle said. “We do have a temp rail we will use when necessary.”

That leads me to the one question I get asked a lot. What does it mean when they say the rail is at 30 feet, or 20, or 10 or 0? We’ve discussed it before but a refresher is good, especially for new readers.

When you think about it, the part of the turf course next to rail gets a real pounding because that’s where most of the horses are running because it’s the shortest way around the track. So, in order to keep that one area from a constant pounding the rail can be moved, usually in increments of 10 feet up to 30 feet.

“Besides having the best turf crew in the country, the best thing we did was get the lightweight temporary rail [three years ago] that we now use for the turf course,” Hammerle said. “It allows us to move the rail daily [sometimes even during the races]. If the fields are smaller we can keep the rail out and preserve the inside for the bigger fields and the stakes. It’s generally outside on the weekdays and inside during the weekend when the better races are run.”

There you have it, a quick primer on why and how turf races are written.

Who goofed, I’ve got to know

While typing in Bob Ike’s winning pick of Cordiality in Saturday’s newsletter, I accidentally sent the horse through gender reassignment. She’s a mare. I did get it right in the Del Mar Review. So, my goof, not Bob’s.

Del Mar review

Wow. That’s all you can say about Instagrand’s win in the Grade 2 $200,000 Best Pal Stakes over six furlongs. He’s two for two but the owners did pay $1.2 million for the colt. He won by 10 1/4 lengths under a total hand ride by Drayden Van Dyke. He won his first race by 10 lengths.

It was a small field of five but it was clear this horse is something special. The Best Pal is often a prep for the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Labor Day.

“We’ll look at the Futurity for him, for sure,” said winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

There was no money to be made on Instagrand as he paid $2.20, $2.10 and $2.10. There was a $572 minus place pool and a $76,911 minus show pool, although the damage to the track is never even close to that.

Sparky Ville was second and Synthesis was third.

“I haven’t been getting on him in the morning but they told me he was ready,” Van Dyke said. “I just threw a couple of crosses at him today. That’s all. Cadillac. I wanted to see if he’d change leads on his own, but in the end I just gave it a little weight shift and he made a perfect change. He’s got the mind of a 4- or 5-year-old. Professional.”

Del Mar preview

The racing starts at 2 p.m. for Sunday’s nine-race card. The feature is moved once again up in the card, no doubt because of the six-horse field. But, the Grade 3 $100,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap, for fillies and mares going 6 ½ furlongs, is a pretty strong race.

The slight favorite, at 8-5, is Anonymity for trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Flavien Prat. She has won three of four races and the last race, an allowance, by 8 ¼ lengths. This is a big step up in class for her, running against horses that have run in the Breeders’ Cup.

Skye Diamonds is 9-5 for Bill Spawr and Tiago Pereira. She is nine for 21 lifetime and is two of three at Del Mar. She ran fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

“She’s training well and her last race was the best she’s run this year,” Spawr told Hank Wesch of Del Mar. “She was hooked on the lead and put away a couple and fought down the stretch before [Marley’s Freedom] got past her late.”

The 3-1 third choice is Moonshine Memories for Simon Callaghan and Mike Smith. She is four of seven lifetime including wins in the Del Mar Debutante and Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita. She was seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Big Races review

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

Woodbine: $100,000 Duchess Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Winner: Win the War ($3.00)

Saratoga: Grade 2 $200,000 Adirondack Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Sue’s Fortune ($9.10)

Woodbine: $100,000 Flaming Page Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Winner: Daring Duchess ($9.10)

Canterbury: $100,000 Minnesota Oaks, Minn-bred fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile and 70 yards. Winner: Firstmate ($6.00)

Canterbury: $100,000 Minnesota Derby, Minn-bred 3-year-olds, 1mile and 70 yards. Winner: Mr. Jagermeister ($3.20)

Woodbine: $100,000 Victoriana Stakes, Ont-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Red Cabernet ($15.80)

Saratoga: Grade 1 $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap, 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Voodoo Song ($15.40)

Arlington: $100,000 Bruce D. Memorial Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 mile. Winner: Sir Anthony ($72.20)

Arlington: Grade 1 $400,000 Secretariat Stakes, 3 and up, 1 ¼ miles on turf. Winner: Carrick ($78.20)

Del Mar: Grade 2 $200,000 Best Pal Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Winner: Instagrand ($2.20)

Saratoga: $100,000 Lure Stakes, 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Inspector Lynley ($8.60)

Arlington: Grade 1 $600,000 Beverly D., fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 3/16 miles on turf. Winner: Sistercharlie ($5.20)

Arlington: Grade 1 $1 million Arlington Million, 3 and up, 1 ¼ miles on turf. Winner: Robert Bruce ($7.20)

Arlington: Grade 3 $100,000 Pucker Up Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Secret Message ($14.40)

Prairie Meadows: $100,000 Iowa Breeders’ Oaks, Iowa-bred fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile and 70 yards. Winner: Tracy Racy ($6.80)

Prairie Meadows: $100,000 Iowa Breeders’ Derby, Iowa-bred 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Tin Badge ($3.60)

Prairie Meadows: $100,000 Governor Terry E. Branstad Stakes, Iowa-breds 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: One Fine Dream ($5.20)

Prairie Meadows: $100,000 Donna Reed Stakes, Iowa-breds 4 and up, 1 mile and 70 yards. Winner: Mywomanfromtokyo ($2.60)

Big races preview

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

12:40 Woodbine: Grade 3 $125,000 Seagram Cup Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Are You Kidding Me (8-5)

2:02 Saratoga: Grade 2 $200,000 Saratoga Special Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Tight Ten (5-2)

2:25 Woodbine: $225,000 Wonder Where Stakes, Ont-bred fillies 3-years-old, 1 ¼ miles on turf. Favorite: Dixie Moon (1-5)

2:40 Ellis Park: Grade 3 $100,000 Groupie Doll, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Pinch Hit (2-1)

3:03 Del Mar: Grade 3 $100,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap, fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Anonymity (8-5)

5:53 Emerald Downs: Grade 3 $200,000 Longacres Mile, 3 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Alert Bay (9-5)

Bob Ike’s DMR pick of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 3 Flip the Coin Jan (4-1)

Sophomore colt from the Doug O'Neill stable had no chance last time when marooned in the 12 post and racing wide throughout when facing stronger allowance foes. He shortens up to a mile, drops in class and has drawn much better, so expect a top effort today.

Saturday’s result: Meal Ticket ($4.60) was bet down from her 3-1 morning line and won like a 1/9 shot, dominating her opponents to win by open lengths.

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).

Ed Burgart LA play of the day

THIRD RACE: No. 4 Tenille (2-1)

She is a 14-time winner who can flash much early speed when she doesn’t break slow as she did in her last third-place try in which she was only beaten one-half length. I liked the progress she made from between horses midway on the far turn of last outing and her versatility to win from on/off the pace is a plus. In addition, she retains the services of high-percentage distance rider Vinnie Bednar.

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.

DON'T STALK ME saved ground stalking the pace, slipped through along the fence into the stretch to gain the lead in upper stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch and won clear. MEMORABLE ELECTION a bit fractious in the gate, dueled four wide then five wide into the stretch, drifted in some in the drive and clearly bested the others. MICHAEL MUNDO chased off the rail then outside the winner, continued off the inside on the turn, came out into the stretch and again in upper stretch and picked up the show. COLORMEMONEY dueled three deep between horses then four wide into the stretch, drifted in and weakened. QUAD dueled a bit off the rail then inside, came out a bit to be between foes into the stretch, also drifted in and weakened. GHOSTLY WHO had good early speed and dueled between horses, was fanned out three deep into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

RED SHELBY sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, drifted out some in the stretch despite right handed urging and held gamely between foes late. DIS SMART CAT stalked three deep between foes then outside a rival on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and finished willingly. HOLY MOSEY saved ground chasing the pace to the stretch, split horses in deep stretch and rallied inside. LORI'S ATTITUDE stalked the pace inside, continued along the rail on the turn and in the stretch and was outfinished. JEWELED settled outside a rival to the stretch, came out some in the drive and split horses on the wire. LAYNEE stalked four wide on the backstretch and outside a rival on the turn, came out four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. EMMY AND I close up stalking the pace between horses on the backstretch and a bit off the rail on the turn, was between foes again in midstretch and did not rally.

INSTAGRAND quickly sprinted to the front, dueled a bit off the rail then inside, inched away leaving the turn and drew off in the stretch under a brisk hand ride and a hold late. SPARKY VILLE stalked the pace off the rail, went outside a rival in midstretch and was clearly second best. SYNTHESIS reluctant to load, was a bit awkwardly into stride, chased off the rail then angled in for the turn, continued along the inside in the stretch and edged a rival for the show. OWNING dueled outside the winner then stalked a bit off the rail leaving the turn and into the stretch and was edged for third late. MASON DIXON a bit reluctant to load, turned his head and was straightened then broke a bit slowly, chased outside a rival, went three deep on the turn and into the stretch and weakened.

K P'S SMOKIN had speed inside then stalked along the rail or a bit off the fence, bid outside the pacesetter on the second turn to gain the lead, inched away leaving that turn and drew off in the stretch under urging then a long hold late. TENGS RHYTHM pulled a bit off the rail then chased inside, went outside a rival leaving the second turn, came out into the stretch and just got the place. VEILED HEAT saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and was edged late for second. STELLA SWEEPER three deep into the first turn, chased outside a rival, was between foes into the stretch and lacked a rally. EURASIA had speed outside then alongside the winner, kicked away and angled in on the first turn, set the pace inside, offered little resistance when that one challenged again on the second turn and weakened in the stretch. DIANKA pulled her way between horses then a bit off the rail, angled in and chased inside on the backstretch and second turn and into the stretch and also weakened. STAR OF KOBOL three deep early, chased outside a rival, dropped back on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

MEAL TICKET stalked outside a rival, bid three deep on the second turn, took the lead into the stretch and drew off under a crack of the whip inside the eighth pole and steady handling while drifting in through the final furlong. SIBERIAN IRIS (IRE) bumped at the start, angled in and settled a bit off the rail then three deep into and on the second turn and into the stretch and edged a rival for the place. WIND TARTARE (FR) stalked inside then between foes leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, continued a bit off the rail in the stretch and was edged for second. JAZAALAH broke out and bumped a rival then pulled and stalked outside a foe, bid between horses on the second turn and nearing the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. GOSEECAL pulled her way along to stalk the pace inside, continued inside on the second turn and into the stretch and also weakened. BEAUTIFUL BECCA had speed outside then inched away and angled in, set the pace inside, dueled from the rail on the second turn, dropped back into the stretch and also weakened.

THE AURELIA FACTOR had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away past midstretch and just held under urging. CLAUDELLE a bit crowded behind the winner early, stalked inside then a bit off the rail leaving the turn, came out into the stretch and surged late to just miss. VANGOGO sped to the early lead off the rail, angled in and dueled outside the winner, fought back in the stretch then held third. LESLEY'S SONG between horses early, stalked a bit off the rail, continued toward the inside in the stretch and was outfinished for the show. SHES ALL WOMAN stalked outside a rival then three deep on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and put in a late bid at a minor award. CALF MOON BAY between horses early, stalked outside a rival, came out into the stretch, was between foes through much of the drive and lacked the needed late kick. BE A SHERO settled off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn, continued along the fence in the drive and also lacked the necessary response. BEV'S HUMOR allowed to settle off the inside, came four wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. DISCRETE STEVIE B chased off the inside, dropped back and angled in some on the turn and also lacked a response in the stretch.

PULPIT RIDER settled outside a rival, went up three wide leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch, rallied under urging to get up in the final strides. CAMINO SONG (IRE) chased outside a rival then between foes on the second turn, came out into the stretch and rallied between horses late. LUMINOSO saved ground chasing the pace, waited for room leaving the second turn, came out some in the stretch, split rivals in midstretch and rallied inside. HEY NEGRITA stalked three deep, bid three wide to gain the lead on the second turn, kicked clear in the stretch and was caught late. LADYBUG chased between horses, came three deep into the stretch, continued between foes in the stretch and was outfinished. WHIRLING hopped slightly then bobbled some in a bit of a slow start, stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch and also was outfinished. KODIAK WEST (IRE) saved ground, awaited room inside leaving the second turn to just past the eighth pole, split rivals past midstretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. SMILING TIGRESS angled in and stalked inside, came out into the stretch, steadied in traffic in midstretch and lacked the needed rally. SILKEN SPY stalked off the rail then between foes leaving the backstretch, bid between horses on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. CLASSY ATLANTIC sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, fought back on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong.

NINETY NINE PROOF sped to the early lead, angled in and set thee pace a bit off the rail then inside, drew away under urging in the stretch and proved best. BOW AND ARROW chased outside a rival then off the rail on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and gained the place. PAPA TURF stalked inside then pulled and steadied off heels and came out a bit into the turn, entered the stretch three deep and just held third. BABY BEAR'S SOUP saved ground stalking the pace throughout and was edged for the show. BURN ME TWICE stalked three deep then outside a rival into the stretch and was edged for a minor award between foes late. BRADDOCK close up stalking the pace between horses, dropped back a bit off the rail into the stretch and weakened. RATE FOR ME settled off the rail on the backstretch and turn, came four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. TWIRLING TIGER chased inside then a bit off the rail, came out into the stretch and weakened. BERNIN SENSATION chased outside a rival then off the rail leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and also weakened.

ONE FAST BROAD chased inside then a bit off the rail, split rivals on the second turn, came out four wide into the stretch, rallied under some urging to the lead in deep stretch and won clear. NICE ICE angled in and dueled outside a rival then inched away and set the pace inside, kicked clear on the second turn, held well to deep stretch and saved the place. DULCE RIDE stalked the pace outside a rival to the stretch and held third between foes late. MIRACULOUSLY saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and again nearing midstretch and was edged for the show. NONNA GIANNA (IRE) close up stalking the pace along the inside, came out a bit for room into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SAPPHO (IRE) pulled between foes and was in tight into the first turn, stalked between rivals, came three deep into the stretch and did not rally. PACIFIC STRIKE chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival on the backstretch, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch and could not summon the necessary late kick. KLOSTERS (IRE) angled in and dueled inside then stalked along the rail to the stretch and weakened. HIGHLAND LASS stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch, drifted in and weakened. SUM REWARD angled in outside a rival then found the rail on the backstretch and second turn, came out into the stretch and lacked a further response.

HEY SAL dueled three deep then outside a rival leaving the turn, continued a bit wide into the stretch, inched away under urging and held. IRISH TERRIER stalked inside, came out in upper stretch, split rivals in midstretch bid inside the winner in deep stretch and just missed. HANDSOME JOHN broke in a bit, stalked outside a rival then three deep leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and bested the others. SILENT ALARM went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back leaving the turn and weakened in the final furlong. RED CLEM saved ground chasing the pace, came out some on the turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SMALL TOWN BOY chased a bit off the rail, angled to the inside into the stretch and weakened. LUCKY GENERAL broke a bit slowly, settled just off the rail to the stretch and did not rally. WARRENSDIRTYDANCER had good early speed and dueled between horses, stalked between foes leaving the turn and weakened in the drive. EMPIRICAL DATA settled off the inside to the stretch, gave way and was eased. CYPRUS SOULJAH briefly loose during the post parade, bobbled in a slow start, chased three deep then outside a rival, dropped back on the turn, also gave way and was eased in the stretch.