Racing! Victor Espinoza’s comeback on hold

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as Santa Anita sees how many turf races it can run after a wet morning.

A week ago, we had an extensive sit down with Victor Espinoza about his comeback plans and reflections on what happened to him since his injury in the summer. If you missed it, you can read it here. In the story, the plan was for Victor to work horses on Saturday. Well, if the weather didn’t put a hold on that, then his doctors did. Victor is going to stand down until he can get clarity from his doctors.

Ed Golden, of Santa Anita, caught up with Brian Beach, who is Espinoza’s agent.

“[Victor has] gotten drastically different opinions from two different doctors,” Beach told Golden. “So, rather than choosing the one we want, we’ll seek another opinion and hopefully get that done this week and go from there.

“But for right now, he won’t work any horses [Saturday], which could be a moot point since the weather might not allow works anyway if it rains tonight. We’re in a bit of holding pattern, but there was no race or horse we had been targeting.

“There was a disagreement among doctors as to whether he could ride in races or just exercise horses, two different interpretations of a scan that was taken. You can’t ignore the opinion you don’t want to believe and go with the opinion you want to believe.

“You’ve got to do the right thing and get an independent, third evaluation, and go from there, but Victor feels great. He’s back doing more work with his physical therapist at Del Mar and he came out of his breeze last Saturday in good shape.

“He has no pain and he’s fitter than he thought he was, all positive signs. We just have to make sure he’s doing the right thing at the right time.”

So, that’s the report. And, Ed, thanks for writing the top of today’s newsletter.

Santa Anita review

Everything pointed to the favorite, Mo See Cal, winning Friday’s feature when she poked her head in front early in the stretch. But Danuska’s My Girl showed a lot of grit to come back on the favorite to win the one-mile allowance for older fillies and mares.

The winning margin was ¾ of a length. Danuska’s My Girl paid $12.00, $4.00 and $2.60. Jazaalah finished third.

“It looked like she was beat, but she just kept fighting,” winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer told Mike Willman of Santa Anita.

It was the second straight win for Franco about the mare.

“We just kept trying,” said jockey Geovanni Franco. “She’s got a big heart and that’s why she won.”

Sad to report …

Derby Treasure broke down in mid-stretch during the first race at Santa Anita and suffered a life-ending injury. She was at the back of the pack and clear of other horses when she went down, Jockey Edgar Payeras went to the dirt but immediately got back up. Payeras was clearly uninjured and rode in the second race, which he won.

Santa Anita preview

Saturday’s nine-race card could be under some revision because of the rain expected overnight and in the morning. There are four races slated to go 6 ½ furlongs down the hill, one of them a stakes, the Grade 3 $100,000 Las Cienegas. So, track officials will make a determination of how many races to keep on the turf by post time, with the goal to at least have the stakes race run down the hill. However, they will not do it if it is deemed unsafe.

The Las Cienegas is for older fillies and mares. Selcourt, at 2-1, is the favorite for trainer John Sadler and jockey Tyler Baze. She is coming off a disappointing 12 in the Breeders’ Cup Fillies & Mares Sprint. She had won her previous three races. She is four of six lifetime at Santa Anita.

Belvoir Bay is the second favorite at 5-2 for Peter Miller and Flavien Prat. She is five of eight at Santa Anita and eight of 21 lifetime on the turf. She had a stretch of three straight wins at Santa Anita during last year’s winter/spring meeting. Post will be around 3:05 p.m.

The other stakes, is the Grade 3 $100,000 La Canada Stakes for older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. Escape Clause is the 5-2 favorite for owner/trainer Don Schnell. Baze will ride. Last year, she reeled off nine wins in a row, although at lower-level tracks. Her last three races have been on the turf at Del Mar and Santa Anita.

True Royalty is the 3-1 second choice for Sadler and Joel Rosario. Post is around 4:05 p.m.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 9, 5, 8, 8, 8, 9, 11, 7, 11 (2 also eligible).

Big races preview

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

10:30 Laurel (3): $100,000 What A Summer Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Late Night Pow Wow (4-5)

11:30 Laurel (5): $100,000 Native Dancer Stakes, 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Stan the Man (2-1)

12:30 Laurel (7): $100,000 Fire Plug Stakes, 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Cautious Giant (2-1)

12:45 Gulfstream (9): Grade 3 $100,000 Tropical Turf stakes, 4 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Heart to Heart (2-1)

12:58 Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Say Florida Sandy Stakes, Fla-breds 4 and up, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Gold for the King (6-5)

1:00 Laurel (8): $100,000 Nellie Morse Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Face It (7-5)

1:47 Gulfstream (11): Grade 3 $150,000 Marshula’s River Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: La Signare (3-1)

3:04 Santa Anita (6): Grade 3 $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 6 ½ furlongs on turf. Favorite: Selcourt (2-1)

4:04 Santa Anita (8): Grade 3 $100,000 La Canada Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Escape Clause (5-2)

Bob Ike’s SA pick of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 4 True Royalty (3-1)

If the anticipated rain shows up, the four downhill races figure to be moved to the main track with plenty of scratches, which will hurt the most attractive wagering races on the card. So, let's opt for the second favorite in today's La Canada Stakes, the John Sadler-trained True Royalty. She won her only other start going long on dirt and is capable of firing fresh and has shown tactical speed on occasion.

Friday’s result: After three scratches (two vet scratches right before post time) in the seventh race, my choice Vantastic was sent off at odds-on and settled for second behind Seven Scents.

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’s LA play of the day

SECOND RACE: No. 2 Under Live Fire (2-1)

This filly has a solid foundation for debut, having posted eight drills since Oct. 16 with the last four coming at a longer distance of five furlongs. She is also bred to win early as evidenced by the success of her dam Jimbos Fire Ant, who posted a 5 ½-length debut victory at Portland Meadows 11 years ago. Sure Proof, the 6-5 morning-line favorite, disappointed when third at 1-2 odds only two weeks ago.

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

And now the stars of the show, Friday’s results and Saturday’s entries.

GIA LULA had speed four wide then stalked outside, continued three deep on the turn and into the stretch, drifted in some in midstretch and rallied under urging to get up on the line. WHATA FLIRT stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside a rival leaving the turn to gain the lead in the stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch and held on well but was edged late. ENCOUNTRESS chased just off the inside, came out in the stretch and got up late for the show. CRACKLING BREAD a step slow to begin, saved ground chasing the pace, went around a rival in deep stretch and was edged for third. BIG BASE also broke a bit slowly, settled inside, cut the corner into the stretch, split rivals in deep stretch and was edged for a minor award between foes late. SECRET OFFER had speed between horses then stalked off the rail, continued between foes into and on the turn and lacked the needed rally. CHEYENNE DANCER sped to the early lead, inched away and set the pace inside, fought back leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DERBY TREASURE chased outside then off the rail, dropped back and angled in on the turn, took a bad step when seriously injured and fell in midstretch and was vanned off.

SEA GLASS stalked between foes then outside a rival, split horses on the second turn, bid between foes into the stretch to gain the lead, kicked clear under urging and held. CEE SAM'S GIRL a bit reluctant to load, angled in and settled just off the rail, went up three deep then four wide leaving the second turn and five wide into the stretch and finished with interest to be second best. PROPER DRINK stalked off the rail then bid outside a rival leaving the first turn and between foes on the backstretch and most of the second turn, was fanned four wide into the stretch and held third. REINAHERMOSA saved ground stalking the pace, bid inside into the stretch but could not sustain that bid in the final furlong. ANNITASHEAVEN washy at the gate, sped to the early lead, set a pressured pace inside, drifted three deep between foes into the stretch, drifted in some in the drive and weakened. LOOKINGFORTHEWIRE four wide into the first turn, stalked then bid three deep on the backstretch and into the second turn, was four wide leaving that turn and fanned five wide into the stretch and also weakened.

CALF MOON BAY three deep into the first turn, pressed the pace three wide, was fanned four wide into the stretch, battled four wide in midstretch, drifted in despite left handed urging in the final sixteenth and gamely prevailed. KOOKIE GAL pulled between foes then angled in and stalked inside, bid along the rail into the stretch to put a head in front, fought back along the inside and continued gamely to the wire. BOUJIE GIRL had speed inside and set a pressured pace along the rail, drifted out into the stretch, fought back between foes to deep stretch, drifted in late and held third. NOBLE CONTESSA four wide into the first turn, stalked outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. QAHIRA stalked early then bid between horses to prompt the pace, was fanned three deep into the stretch, fought back between foes in midstretch and weakened in the final sixteenth.

SUTRO hopped then was bumped at the start, chased outside a rival, then three deep on the second turn and into the stretch, bid four wide past midstretch and just got up late under urging. CONFIDENTIALLY pulled and chased a bit off the rail, swung out three wide into the stretch, bid between foes past midstretch to gain the lead, fought back inside the winner and was edged late. DECORATING also chased just off the inside then outside a rival on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch and gained the show. SEE THAT KAT stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter into and on the second turn and in the stretch, was between foes past midstretch and was outfinished. THE NINE O bobbled at the start, angled in and set the pace inside, dueled into and on the second turn and into the stretch, fought back to deep stretch and weakened some late. WAZE READY saved ground stalking the pace, came out some in midstretch and was outfinished three deep on the line. VEGAS PALM angled in and chased outside a rival then off the rail on the second turn, came out some in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. KAYDETRE three deep early, chased outside a rival then between foes on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. MORE SMORES stumbled at the start, angled in and settled inside to the stretch, came out some in the drive and did not rally.

CONQUEROR stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter to gain the lead on the second turn, inched away leaving that turn and drew off under urging then a long hold late. MONYDONTSPENITSELF chased outside a rival then off the rail on the second turn, went around a foe leaving that turn and three wide into the stretch and was clearly second best. CROWN THE KITTEN chased a bit off the rail then inside, came out on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and picked up the show. MUCHOS BESOS sent inside, saved ground chasing the pace, split rivals past midstretch and lacked the needed rally inside. KAWARA (BRZ) four wide into the first turn, angled in and chased outside a rival, continued alongside a foe leaving the second turn and did not rally. LITTLE SCOTTY sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, dueled briefly on the second turn, dropped back in the stretch, gave way and was eased late.

ASANO pulled and dueled outside a rival, drifted in a bit from the whip while taking the lead nearing midstretch, inched clear under urging past midstretch and held. MOONOVERTHEBAYOU tossed his head in a bit of an awkward start, stalked outside then three deep on the backstretch and alongside a rival on the turn, came out four wide into the stretch, drifted in through the final furlong but finished gamely to just miss. BLAME IT ON RIO stalked inside, came out leaving the turn and three wide into the stretch, also drifted inward in the final furlong and edged a rival for third. PALALEO had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back in midstretch and weakened late to be edged for the show. RED VALOR pulled his way along off the rail then between foes on the backstretch and was in a bit tight a half mile out, dropped back just off the fence on the turn and had little left for the stretch.

SEVEN SCENTS dueled three deep, took the lead alongside a rival into the stretch, inched away while drifting out then in from the whip in the final furlong and held gamely. VANTASTIC stalked outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch, angled in some in midstretch and edged a rival for the place. NEPTUNE'S STORM had good early speed and dueled between horses then inside into the stretch, could not match the winner in the drive and was edged for second. EAGLE SONG (IRE) broke a bit slowly, settled just off the rail, came out leaving the hill and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. DAMIANO had speed inside to duel for the lead, dropped back nearing the stretch and weakened. BOA NOVA (IRE) stalked a bit off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch and also weakened. Rail on hill at 7 feet.

DANUSKA'S MY GIRL had speed three deep then dueled outside a rival, battled between foes leaving the backstretch and into the second turn then along the inside leaving that turn, fought back under urging to regain the advantage past the eighth pole and gamely prevailed. MO SEE CAL flashed speed inside then stalked a bit off the rail, bid three deep leaving the backstretch, took the lead outside the winner on the second turn, battled outside that one through the drive and was outgamed. JAZAALAH chased off the rail then outside a rival, on the backstretch, came a bit wide into the stretch, drifted in some and edged a rival for the show. FOOL'S PARADISE saved ground chasing the pace, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for third. JUST A SMIDGE pulled between horses then angled in and dueled inside, fell back some leaving the second turn and was outfinished for a minor award. BLAZINBEAUTY angled in and saved ground off the pace, came out a bit in the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick outside a rival at the wire.

SHE'S A BREWER hopped slightly at the start, had good early speed and dueled inside, responded when headed in the stretch, fought under urging to regain the advantage past midstretch and gamely prevailed. BELLA CHICA dueled outside the winner, put a head in front in the stretch, battled outside that one in deep stretch and was outgamed. SCARLET HEAT chased outside a rival then off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and edged foes for the show. SETTLE IT stalked off the rail then a bit off the fence, came three deep into the stretch and was edged for third between foes. SPANISH CHANNEL broke in a bit, chased just off the inside, was between foes into the stretch, angled in and was outfinished for a minor award inside. PERFECT ICE STORM was away a bit slowly and steadied when crowded, settled off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. LUCKIEST LADY EVER pulled under hold early, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and did not rally. WINTERBREAK stalked outside a rival, continued three wide leaving the hill, drifted six wide into the stretch and weakened. Rail on hill at 7 feet.