Racing! A look into the mind of Drayden Van Dyke

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. And remember, your betting should not define your year.

As we sit here wondering when the CHRB will ever post its stewards’ minutes from the long-forgotten Los Alamitos thoroughbred meeting, we thought we would bring back our occasional feature on personalities in racing.

There is no doubt that Drayden Van Dyke has, along with Flavien Prat, taken over as the top young jockeys at Santa Anita. At 24, he gets a lot of the best mounts and has emerged as the first call for trainer Bob Baffert, when Mike Smith isn’t riding a Baffert horse. In fact, Drayden was Justify’s original jockey.

As we do every once in a while, we thought we would ask him seven questions not about horse racing. For those of you who complain there are no horse racing questions you can read what we did just before the Breeders’ Cup. (Just click here.)

So, here’s our Q and A with Drayden.

What’s your favorite TV show that you are currently watching?

Every new movie that comes out, I like to go see it. But, like a TV show, they have so many new series nowadays that you can get hooked on. There is a new one called “Snowfall” [about the drug trade in Los Angeles.] I kind of like that one. It’s pretty interesting but I’m a big movie guy.

If you weren’t a jockey, what would you be?

I wanted to be a basketball player. If I had the height and talent that’s what I would have done.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or book?

“Seabiscuit” was my favorite movie. Growing up I had it on DVD and I watched it so many times I could recite the words. It was really cool that when I eventually came out here, I saw all the stuff I saw on Seabiscuit from the mountains and even to the quarter pole. I go across the quarter pole every day now and see it in person and it’s really cool. In the jock’s room, Gary Stevens was the first one to help me shave and there is a scene in Seabiscuit where he’s shaving.

If you could have lunch or dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

I’d like to have my father for one last dinner. My dad committed suicide when I was in Del Mar as an apprentice. So, his life was taken from me like that. He’s the reason I’m doing what I’m doing and I am where I am. It was really tough on me and still is. I’d really like to have him back. He was in Kentucky and he would gallop in the morning and was a valet in the afternoon. He was very involved with the horse racing industry. I lived with my mother in Arkansas and I would visit my father in the summertime at Churchill. That’s how I got in to horse racing through my dad.

What’s No. 1 on your bucket list?

I really don’t have a bucket list but something I think every jockey wants to do in their career is win the Kentucky Derby. That’s something I really, really want to do.

What’s your favorite food?

I love salmon. Of course, it’s super healthy for you. I’m not a big steak eater because I have trouble chewing it. The only kind of steak I can eat is a Wagyu type of steak. At a nice restraint, my go to thing is a really nice piece of salmon.

What’s your favorite type of music?

I’m a big music fan no matter what genre. But my go to is hip hop and R&B because I work out a lot to it. It keeps me going. I like Drake, Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick Lamar. I’m a big music lover no matter what it is.

Who goofed, I’ve got to know?

Who else? My apologies for giving Brice Blanc a more European looking first name of Bryce after his win on Giza Goddess in the Blue Norther Stakes on Sunday.

Santa Anita review

We picked the third race, a $67,000 allowance for Cal-bred’s going a mile on the turf as the feature. And, well, it was pure genius. There was a you-can’t pick-‘em-with-the naked eye photo for first between Brandothebartender and King Abner. Brando got the nod by a nostril.

Brandothebartender paid $9.80, $4.00 and $3.40 to win for trainer Craig Dollase and jockey Joe Talamo. Accountability was third. Brando was rallying late to catch the leader, although very late.

And, given the fact it was the high purse today, maybe it does pay to earn a Cal-bred. You decide.

Santa Anita preview

The 10-race New Year’s Day card has a first post of 12 p.m. It’s mostly an unremarkable card except for the featured Grade 3 $100,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes for horses 4 and older going down the 6 ½ furlong hillside course. I remember standing in the winner’s circle with trainer Peter Miller after the Eddie D as he tried to explain that he was happy finishing one-two in the race but that it didn’t matter which horse won and who finished second. Ah, Stormy Liberal won by a head over Conquest Tsunami.

Well, Tuesday’s race could be déjà vu all over again. (Yes, I know.) Stormy Liberal, winner of his last four, is the 8-5 favorite. Among those four races was the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. The 6-year-old gelding was four for seven last year and five of seven the year before. Van Dyke rides.

Conquest Tsunami is listed at 3-1 and has a jockey change to Joel Rosario. Conquest hasn’t won since Feb. 24 when he took the Daytona Stakes, down the hill at Santa Anita. Stormy Liberal was second a Calculator was third. And speaking of Calculator, also trained by Miller, he’s picked up Flavien Prat as the jockey, who used to ride Conquest Tsunami.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 8, 7, 7, 7, 12 (2 also eligible), 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 (2 ae).

Bob Ike’s SA pick of the day

FIRST RACE: No. 4 Acclimate (6-1)

Very competitive race to kick off 2019 but this 5-year-old gelding from the Phil D'Amato stable looks as good as any in tough starter allowance heat going one mile on turf. He has improved since joining this barn and comes off a solid runner-up try to The Hunted in a Cal-bred allowance spot. He should get a good trip behind the speed and be in the right spot turning for home.

Monday’s result: North County Guy was bet heavily but didn't run his best race, finishing up only evenly after a wide trip.

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

Looking to jump the circulation of 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, drop me an email at johnacherwa@gmail.com or feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

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

OFFSHORE angled in and stalked outside a rival, bid three deep on the second turn, took the lead nearing the stretch and drew clear under urging and steady handling late. ALL I CAN SAY saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch, split horses in midstretch and gained the place toward the inside. HOOVER TOWER chased inside, was in tight into the second turn, also split horses in the drive and edged a rival for third along the fence. FRIENDLY STEVE stalked outside a rival then briefly between foes on the second turn, came out into the stretch and was edged for the show. HOT AMERICAN settled inside then came off the rail on the backstretch, went three deep into and on the second turn and into the stretch, was in tight off heels in midstretch and again past midstretch, came out and lacked the needed rally. ROARING FORK angled in and settled outside a rival chasing the pace, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and could not summon the necessary late kick. SMOKIN B saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch, was in tight between and behind rivals in midstretch and lacked the needed rally. AYACARA (GB) broke a bit slowly, settled outside a rival, steadied in tight between foes into the second turn, came out into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick. BUCK DUANE three deep early, stalked outside a rival then pulled his way up three deep on the backstretch, bid outside the leader to duel for command, was between foes leaving the second turn and weakened in the drive. GRAY ADMIRAL chased outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked a rally, then was unsaddled on the clubhouse turn and walked off. PLATINUM EQUITY had speed inside then inched away, drifted out into the backstretch, angled in and dueled inside, fought back on the second turn and weakened in the stretch.

TRAPPIZA chased outside then five wide into the turn, bid four wide into the stretch, took the lead past the eighth pole under left handed urging and inched clear late. CRACKLING BREAD stalked three deep then went up four wide on the turn, bid three wide into the stretch, fought back between foes in midstretch and deep stretch and held second. SECOND FIDDLE close up stalking the pace between horses, bid three deep on the turn and between foes into the drive, drifted late and was edged for the place. HELOISE settled off the rail, came out into the stretch and was edged for third. VENICE was sent to the early lead inside, set the pace along the rail, dueled leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened. HERE'SLOOKINATYA close up stalking the pace a bit off the rail, angled to the inside into the stretch and had little left for the drive. TELL MY FORTUNE chased a bit off the rail then inside on the backstretch and turn and gave way. BRITE RIVERS settled outside chasing the pace, dropped back leaving the backstretch and on the turn, gave way then was pulled up and walked off.

BRANDOTHEBARTENDER chased outside a rival or off the rail, went three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch, bid outside the runner-up under urging past midstretch and gamely but narrowly prevailed. KING ABNER three deep into the first turn, stalked outside a rival then bid alongside the pacesetter leaving the second turn, took the lead into the stretch, inched away in the drive and held on gamely but was edged on the line. ACCOUNTABILITY chased inside then outside a rival, went three wide into the stretch, was between foes in midstretch and finished willingly. HE WILL came off the rail early, settled off the inside, angled out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. FASHIONABLY FAST pulled between foes early then stalked a bit off the rail to the stretch and weakened. START A RUNNIN sped to the early lead, inched away on the first turn, set the pace inside, dueled along the rail leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. MORE POWER TO HIM angled in and chased inside, dropped back on the second turn, came out into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

ROUTE SIX SIX had speed between foes then dueled outside a rival, battled three deep leaving the backstretch and into the second turn, continued alongside the winner leaving that turn and into the stretch, put a head in front in midstretch and gamely prevailed under left handed urging. JUSTIN'S QUEST sped to the early lead, dueled inside, fought back through the stretch, drifted out a bit late and continued gamely to the end. CARIBBEAN (AUS) four wide into the first turn, chased outside a rival then off the rail leaving the second turn, came out in the stretch and gained the show. ACED pulled along the inside and was in tight into the first turn, stalked along the rail then bid between foes leaving the backstretch and into the second turn, fell back leaving that turn and weakened. HOLLY BLAME chased off the rail then inside on the backstretch and second turn and into the stretch and also weakened. PERSUASIVE CAT four wide into the first turn, chased outside a rival on the backstretch, dropped back on the second turn and gave way.

COUNT ALEXANDER dueled outside a rival, took a short lead in the stretch, inched away under urging past midstretch and held gamely. JUNGLE WARFARE chased outside then alongside a rival, came out into the stretch and again in upper stretch and finished well. PADDOCK PICK had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back in the stretch and held third. MESUT hopped some in a bit of a slow start, settled outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch and was edged for the show. NORTH COUNTY GUY stalked outside then alongside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch, drifted in some and was outfinished. LUKE'S ON FIRE settled a bit off the rail then inside, swung out into the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. WAR CHEST chased just off the inside then along the rail down the hill and into the stretch, came out in the drive and lacked the needed rally. QUICK FINISH stalked outside a rival then a bit off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and did not rally. MANTRACKER (IRE) broke a bit slowly, went up inside to stalk the pace, continued along the rail down the hill and in the stretch and lacked the needed response. Rail on hill at 7 feet.

TIZ A MASTER stalked off the rail, bid outside the runner-up on the turn, bid again under left handed urging past midstretch to gain the lead in deep stretch and inched away. DIOSA sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, responded when challenged into and on the turn, inched away in the stretch but could not hold off the winner in deep stretch. BE LIFTED UP saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and again in midstretch and gained the show late. KATE'S PRINCESS was in a good position stalking the pace off the rail, came three wide into the stretch to loom a threat and lost third late. SASS MACHINE chased off the rail then three deep, continued outside a rival on the turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. DIVINE DHARMA bobbled at the start, chased outside a rival then between foes leaving the backstretch, angled to the inside leaving the turn and weakened. BLEW BY YOU settled off the rail chasing the pace, continued outside a foe on the turn and between horses into the stretch and also weakened.

TELL ME MORE saved ground stalking the pace, came out and brushed a rival in midstretch, bid outside the pacesetter past midstretch to gain the lead under urging in deep stretch and proved best. CATOCA angled in and pulled inside, saved ground stalking the pace, went outside a rival on the second turn and three deep into the stretch and edged the pacesetter for second. MONGOLIAN WINDOW stumbled at the start, had speed outside then dueled between foes then outside a rival on the first turn, inched away and angled in on the backstretch, set the pace inside, fought back along the rail in the stretch and was edged for the place. SUPER PATRIOT chased outside a rival then between horses on the second turn, came out in the stretch and found her best stride late. DON'T BLAME JUDY angled in and dueled inside then stalked along the rail, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. TIG TOG (IRE) settled outside a rival then off the rail on the second turn, came five wide into the stretch and had a mild late bid. BELIEVE INDEED angled in and chased outside a rival, went up four wide into and on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SCREENSHOT between horses early, tugged along the inside, went between foes again on the second turn and could not offer the necessary response. DANCING BELLE pulled early and came out for room, chased outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. KATHERINE broke a bit slowly, pulled while wide then dueled three deep, bolted into the first turn and raced far back.

UNLEASH THE TIGER pressed the pace three deep between foes then stalked outside on the turn, came three wide into the stretch, re-bid outside the runner-up past midstretch under left handed urging, gained a slim advantage nearing the wire and held between foes. JOHN'S INTUITION dueled between horses then outside a rival on the turn and into the stretch, inched away in midstretch, fought back in deep stretch and continued gamely to the wire. STARRING JOHN WAIN squeezed a bit at the start, settled off the rail, circled five wide into the stretch and closed willingly. HANDSOME JOHN saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, went around a rival in upper stretch and was outfinished along the inside. SCRAPPY DEVILLE chased off the rail then three deep, angled in and split horses on the turn, continued just off the fence into the stretch and bested the others. MULZOFF had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back on the turn and weakened in the drive. M C BURKEY pressed the pace four wide between foes then stalked outside on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and also weakened. BOB'S SNIPER chased between horses then three deep, angled in and split foes on the turn and lacked a rally. CALDER VALE settled a bit off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch and did not rally. C J MY BOY chased between horses then inside on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. JACK'S REIGN pressed the pace five wide on the backstretch, fell back and stalked on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and also weakened. DUAL ACCOUNT settled off the rail, angled in leaving the backstretch, found the inside on the turn and lacked a further response.