Racing! Finishing out a strong Del Mar weekend

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we debate Accelerate vs. Justify.

On Saturday, Jeremy Balan of the Bloodhorse asked a question at the post-race news conference that I certainly hadn’t thought about. If Accelerate wins out convincingly, should he be considered for horse of the year?

On the surface, how can you not give it to the only undefeated Triple Crown winner in history? But Justify packed it in after the Belmont and never faced older horses, like American Pharoah did. To be honest, I’m not sure Justify could have beaten Accelerate in Saturday’s Pacific Classic. Accelerate was that good. But on how much rest for Justify? I would have loved to have seen them on equal hooves.

Kosta Hronis, Accelerate’s co-owner, tackled the question. Now, I need to state up front that Kosta and Pete Hronis are as humble as any rich folks in the business. If you were his neighbor, you would expect them to invite you over to a bar-b-que and see them at the grill with “Kiss the Chef” aprons. They’re good folk.

So, here’s how he answered that question.

“With all due respect to Justify, who’s a really good horse that did something no one has ever done,” Kosta said. “He didn’t race as a 2-year-old, started in February, he was just fantastic. But that is 3-year-olds restricted [races]. It’s kind of a narrow lane compared with what this level of racing is. I guess I consider the Breeders’ Cup as the Super Bowl, not the 3-year-old races.

“All due respect to what Justify did is fantastic. Being in the same conversation with him is wonderful. So, we’ll just let it play out. We’d love to be in the conversation. I think he is very deserving to be in the conversation at this point. Now, we’ll just see if he can finish it up.”

Now, any of you who see this as hubris by Kosta are wrong. How would you answer a question about your kid?

But, it brings up a good question. Accelerate, at his current state with visions of greatness, against Justify, who would you favor?

Now, I’ll say up front that it’s difficult to see my Eclipse Award vote going to anyone but Justify. (But, hey, Kosta and Pete as owners of the year?)

So, here’s the deal. If this debate is of any interest—Accelerate vs. Justify—in a mythical race (knowing, of course it can’t happen) who would you pick?

If you have a succinct thought on this send it to my email with the subject: “Justify vs. Accelerate.” And, yes, I know Accelerate has two more races before his legacy is cemented. If I get enough diversity of thought, I’ll publish your thoughts next Monday. Please include your real name, and, again, succinct.

Telling Espinoza you care

Again, like I said yesterday, Bill Plaschke did a fantastic job on Victor Espinoza’s recovery after an accident where his horse had a heart attack under him. If you haven’t read Bill’s story, just click here.

Some of you have asked about sending a get well card to Victor. That’s a great idea and I’m sure he would appreciate it. So, if you are so inclined, here’s his address. (Stalkers beware this is a business address.)

Victor Espinoza

143 W. Colorado Blvd.

Monrovia, CA., 91016

Del Mar review

Normally, we would focus on the feature, but Drayden Van Dyke took the spotlight by winning seven races on Sunday. Included among those was the Grade 2 $200,000 Del Mar Mile, for horses going a mile on the turf.

In that race, Catapult came charging in the stretch to win over Fly By Mars by a half-length.

“I had a day up at Santa Anita recently where I won the first four races, including a Grade I, and that was the best,” Van Dyke said. “But I think [Sunday] goes past it. I had a good trip and the right horse.”

Catapult, who won the Del Mar Mile, paid $12.20, $6.00 and $3.60. Sharp Samurai was second and Fly to Mars was third.

Big races review

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

Saratoga: $100,000 Summer Colony Stakes, NY-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Moonlit Garden ($6.30)

Woodbine: Grade 2 $175,000 Sky Classic Stakes, 3 and up, 1 3/8 miles on turf. Winner: Utmost ($5.60)

Del Mar: Grade 2 $200,000 Del Mar Mile, 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Catapult ($12.20)

Final thought

Always looking to add more subscribers to this newsletter. Can’t beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you don’t like it, then you’re probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more.

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

Now, here is the star of the show, Sunday’s results. See you on Wednesday.

MERCER ISLAND three deep into the first turn, stalked outside a rival or off the rail, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch to gain the lead, battled outside the runner-up under urging in deep stretch and inched away again late. POINT PIPER angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, split horses into the stretch and again in midstretch, bid along the rail past midstretch but could not quite match the winner late. PERFECT COME BACK sent between horses to the early lead, dueled outside a rival, came out three deep into the stretch and bested the others. BEANTOWN BOYS tugged some along the inside and was in a bit tight on the first turn then bid inside leaving that turn, dueled along rail, fought back into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. GROUND RULES angled in and saved ground off the pace, came out a bit in the stretch and did not rally. AVANTI BELLO four wide into the first turn, stalked outside a rival then off the rail, dropped back off the inside on the second turn and also weakened.

NEIGHBORHOOD BULLY chased off the rail then outside on the turn, came four wide into the stretch, rallied under urging and got up three deep on the line. TREASURE HUNTER stalked a bit off the rail then inside, came out in upper stretch and rallied between foes late. HEARTFULLOFSTARS broke awkwardly, came off the rail early, chased off the inside then went up four wide on the turn, bid three deep into the stretch and in midstretch, gained the advantage a sixteenth out and was edged late. ROYAL CREED stalked between foes then off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter leaving the turn, took a short lead in upper stretch, fought back between horses in midstretch to deep stretch and could not match the top trio late. GRAY GEM chased off the rail then outside leaving the turn, came out some in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CANDY CREW sent along early, set the pace inside, dueled leaving the turn, fought back in the stretch and weakened in the final sixteenth. HOSS CARTWRIGHT bobbled when the ground broke out behind in a slow start, stalked three deep then between foes midway on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

QUEBEC chased outside a rival or just off the rail, came three deep into the stretch, bid three wide under urging to gain the lead in deep stretch and proved best. PRICEDTOPERFECTION a bit slow to begin, angled in and settled outside a rival, went three deep into the second turn then continued outside a foe into the stretch, angled to the inside past midstretch and finished well along the rail. A LITTLE BIT ME dueled outside a rival then kicked clear and angled in entering the backstretch, set the pace inside, fought back on the second turn and in the stretch and was edged late for second. DOMINATING WOMAN stalked inside then outside a rival, bid between foes leaving the backstretch and outside a foe on the second turn and in the stretch, was between horses again past midstretch and was outfinished. HELEN HILLARY saved ground chasing the pace, went outside a rival into the second turn then continued a bit off the rail into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. MISS SUGARS (GB) settled inside chasing the pace, split horses into the second turn then angled back in and also lacked the needed late kick. NINE POINT NINE stalked outside a rival then three deep midway on the backstretch, continued outside on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and weakened. MAY GIRL (GB) broke in and bumped a rival, angled in and dueled inside, stalked on the backstretch, dropped back into and on the second turn, gave way and was eased in the stretch.

TRIPLE SHOT had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away leaving the turn, kicked clear in the stretch and proved best under urging. OLDER BROTHER stalked off the rail then between foes, bid three wide between horses on the turn and into the stretch and held second. PERFECT WAGER settled off the pace inside, saved ground on the turn, came out in upper stretch and got up four wide late for the show. KING ABNER stumbled at the start, stalked between horses then bid four wide on the turn and into the stretch and was edged for third. TERRIBLE TED dueled outside the winner, stalked a bit off the rail leaving the turn and into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. SURFING STAR broke a bit splay legged and a step slow then bobbled after the start, saved ground stalking the pace throughout and was outfinished for a minor share. THE STREET FIGHTER stalked four wide then off the rail into the turn, angled in outside a rival leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened.

TANTARA forced out some at the start, settled off the rail then angled in some leaving the backstretch, came out four wide into the stretch and rallied under left handed urging to get up late. SHE BE STRIKING (GB) angled in and stalked inside, awaited room along the fence in midstretch then got through inside to put a head in front in deep stretch and was edged nearing the wire. MAGICAL GRAY broke in a bit, had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away in midstretch and came a bit off the rail then held third. MIDNIGHT IN DIXIE between foes early, chased off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and was edged for the show. SECOND FIDDLE broke outward, stalked outside then three deep on the turn and into the stretch and was edged for a minor share between foes late. GREAT MA NERI pressed the pace between horses then stalked outside leaving the turn, came three deep into the stretch and also split foes late. SHAKEN MEMORIES chased between horses, steadied in tight leaving the turn, angled to the inside in the stretch and was outfinished. FIFTYEIGHT SPECIAL pressed the pace four wide then stalked off the rail, angled in some on the turn and weakened some in the final furlong. ORAGEUSE dueled between horses then outside a rival on the turn and also weakened in the final furlong. STROLL TO THE BEAT broke slowly, settled off the rail, went outside a rival on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. SPEAK BRILEY broke slowly, saved ground off the pace to the stretch and was not a threat.

BEST TWO MINUTES broke out a bit, chased outside, came three deep into the stretch and rallied under left handed urging to get up three wide in late stretch and proved best. ALLABOUTACTION stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter in the stretch, battled between foes in deep stretch and edged the pacesetter for the place. ARISTOCRATIC sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, fought back along the rail in the stretch and was edged for second. RINSE AND REPEAT stalked between foes then a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn and lacked the needed rally. BOY HOWDY stalked inside then a bit off the rail into and on the turn, came out into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick. CLEAR THE MINE was in a good position stalking the pace between horses then outside a rival into and on the turn and did not rally. QUALITY LINE between horses early, chased off the rail, angled to the inside leaving the backstretch, saved ground thereafter and lacked the needed response.

SUNRISE ROYALE stalked outside then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, rallied under urging to tag the runner-up late. COCO KISSES had good early speed and dueled between horses then outside a rival on the turn, took the lead into the stretch, kicked clear and held on well but was caught nearing the wire. I'M SASSY stalked outside then five wide into the turn, came four wide into the stretch and edged a rival for the show. PAPRIKA bumped early, chased three deep then a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn, split rivals in deep stretch and was edged for third. LEONILLA chased a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. DESIRED EDGE went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back on the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. ZILLINDA chased between horses then just off the rail on the turn, split foes into the stretch and did not rally. SMILING ANNIE bumped at the start and again in the early stages. chased outside a rival then three deep on the turn and into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. JABBER NOW dueled three deep then stalked on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. MINISTER'SMISTRESS bumped and squeezed back at the start, settled inside to the stretch and was not a threat. SPIRITED GIRL broke out and bumped a rival, saved ground chasing the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and weakened.

CATAPULT saved ground chasing the pace, awaited room leaving the second turn, swung out into the stretch, came out again in upper stretch and rallied under urging to get up nearing the wire. FLY TO MARS stalked off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter on the second turn, took the lead into the stretch, inched away, drifted in past the eighth pole then came out from the whip inside the sixteenth marker and was caught late. SHARP SAMURAI stalked outside a rival then a bit off the rail, went between foes into and on the second turn, came out into the stretch, steadied off heels inside the sixteenth marker and edged a rival for third. BIG SCORE settled outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and five wide into the stretch and finished well. B SQUARED chased between horses, came three deep into the stretch, angled in some in the drive and steadied off heels late. HUNT (IRE) angled in and settled outside a rival to the stretch, split foes in midstretch and deep stretch and was outfinished. CARIBOU CLUB angled in and settled just off the rail or outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. LE KEN (ARG) angled in and saved ground chasing the pace throughout and did not rally. WHAT A VIEW sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, dueled along the rail on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. TRUE VALOUR (IRE) saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. BOWIES HERO angled in and settled off the pace inside, came out a bit into the stretch and did not rally. NEXT SHARES stalked the pace three deep, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. OM close up stalking the pace off the rail or outside a rival, continued between horses on the second turn, came out into the stretch and also weakened. Following a stewards' inquiry, FLY TO MARS was disqualified and placed third for interference in deep stretch.

POLICY chased between horses then off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch, bid three deep under urging in midstretch to gain the lead nearing the sixteenth pole and held gamely. FEELING STRONG stalked three deep then outside on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and finished willingly. TIGER DAD had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back along the rail in the stretch and held third. TWISTED PLOT dueled outside a rival, fought back between horses in the stretch and was outfinished for a minor share. THREE AY EM stalked between horses then a bit off the rail on the turn, angled to the inside in the stretch and weakened. ANNIVERSARY SALE tugged between horses then a bit off the rail and steadied midway on the backstretch, angled in and was in a bit tight into the turn, came outside a rival leaving the turn and did not rally. HALF PAST TIME chased three deep, dropped back outside leaving the turn and weakened. TRIBAL WAR CHANT angled in and stalked inside, dropped back on the turn, gave way and was eased in the stretch.

OHIO (BRZ) pulled along the inside and steadied into the first turn, settled outside a rival, moved up on the second turn, came out in upper stretch and rallied under an energetic hand ride to gain the lead in deep stretch and won clear. CIMPL MAN four wide into the first turn, chased outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and gained the place. SECRETO PRIMERO saved ground chasing the pace, came out leaving the second turn, took the lead outside the pacesetter into the stretch, kicked clear, could not hold off the top pair but bested the rest. RAPID RED settled a bit off the rail then outside a rival, swung four wide into the stretch and improved position. TIZ A BILLY had speed outside then angled in, set the pace a bit off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch, drifted inward in the drive and weakened. STREET MOXIE chased three deep, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. OFFSHORE settled into a good position chasing the pace between horses, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. VENDING MACHINE chased three deep then a bit off the rail into the stretch and could not offer the needed late kick. DANO'S DREAM angled in and settled off the pace inside, went outside a rival on the second turn and lacked a further response. LOVE MY BUD chased between horses then inside into the stretch and weakened. DEDICATED TO YOU saved ground chasing the pace, fell back leaving the second turn and gave way in the stretch.