Racing! Time to say goodbye to roulette

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we hope things stay dry the next few days, but …

OK, hate to say it, but it’s time to pull the plug on Santa Anita’s new roulette bet. Hey, standing “O” for trying something different. You never know if it’s going to work until you try it.

Last year, Santa Anita tried a new early Sunday post. Fans didn’t like it. It went away. In the fall, Santa Anita tried a new large format program. Fans hated it. It’s still around. Go figure.

Too many racing fans are overly negative, yeah, you know if I’m talking about you. And, honestly, that grousing doesn’t help a bit unless you have solutions. So, how about not relishing in what turned out to be a dumb idea, but instead applauding someone trying something different. Not everything works. Regular newsletter readers know that about my writing all too well.

The experiment may have failed but the thinking behind it was a success. Oh, no, it hasn’t been killed yet. It’s just I think it’s time and we know how the track listens to me.

So, here’s the evidence I would present--the pool sizes for the past week. (Note: Not every race had a roulette option because of a short fields.)

Thursday: Race 1-$596; R2-$251; R3-$356; 4-$342; R5-$345; R6-$604; R7-$276; R8-$1080; R9-$739.

Friday: R1-$627; R2-$446; R4-$652; R5-$375; R7-$527; R8-$303; R9-$484.

Saturday: R3-$816; R5-$1,048; R7-$815; R8-$698; R9-$647.

Sunday: R1-$941; R2-$592; R3-$956; R5-$958; R6-$960; R7-$810; R8-$936; R9-$953.

These are dog track pool numbers.

By comparison, let’s look at the pools in Thursday’s second race, which had a roulette pool of $251, or less than it costs to take a family of four to a professional sports event in Los Angeles, with or without concessions.

Here are the numbers, which are also pretty tiny, compared to some races: WPS-$127,682; Exacta-$72,906; Trifecta-$54,283; Superfecta-$34,583; Daily double-$35,032.

‘Enuf said.

Mirahmadi’s SA start

There was some pressure, I thought, when Frank Mirahmadi stepped in as the new voice of Santa Anita. He was replacing the popular Michael Wrona, who went in for what he thought was contract renewal but turned out to be a contract non-renewal. Mirahmadi was immediately hired.

Before the meet opened, Frank said that he needed to step up his game to be in the company of those that came before him, including Wrona. Well, guess what, he has. He has been brilliant these first couple of weeks. His calls have been crisp, accurate and exciting. To be honest, he’s called some photo finishes that I thought were too tight to call, but he’s been right every time. That’s confidence or skill, likely both.

If you want to see an easy-to-overlook call of an important race, check out the Sham Stakes, where he spotted Gunmetal Gray’s move even before Jerry Hollendorfer. OK, maybe not before Jerry, but ahead of most everyone else. You can watch it here.

Now, I will absolutely not get into a Frank vs. Michael question because it’s like choosing between a well-aged filet mignon and fresh-caught Maine lobster, with lots of butter. Can’t go wrong either way. Both are great but they are different tastes.

Or, put another way, how do you choose best actress between Glenn Close in “The Wife” (just saw this weekend, fantastic), Emily Blunt in “Mary Poppins Returns” or Lady Gaga in “A Star Is Born”? Lots and lots of talent.

The point of this is Frank is hitting it out of the park and he’ll continue to do that. But Michael’s contributions at Santa Anita should not be forgotten, either. Here’s hoping Michael gets a job that he really wants and is appreciated. It would make a lot of people happy.

Horse sale on Wednesday

With the Barrett’s sale now in our rear-view mirror, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn. has stepped up and will hold one on Wednesday at Fairplex Park. Remember when they used to race there? It will be in the Hinds Pavilion and start about noon. You can find the catalog online at www.ctba.com. And, remember, that California Chrome was a Cal-bred.

Must-get newsletter

The Times is re-booting its daily sports newsletter, which, to be honest, has been automated for the last few years. Instead, we’ve installed the second-best newsletter writer at the Times, and my boss, to bring it to life. Houston Mitchell has taken the Dodgers newsletter from a germ of an idea to a genuine piece of high-quality, can’t-miss, fan journalism (and those terms are not in conflict with other, and the journalism is in charge.) He’ll certainly make the general sports newsletter a huge hit. So, give it a try. Sign up here.

Santa Anita review

In what was probably the biggest upset of the week, Spring Lily beat the heavily favored Selcourt in the $75,000 Kalookan Queen Stakes, for older fillies and mares going 6 ½ furlongs. Selcourt broke awkwardly but still moved up side-by-side with Spring Lily midway through the far turn. Then, when everyone thought Selcourt would storm to the front, she flattened out with a very unimpressive run. The winning margin was 2 ¼ lengths.

Spring Lily paid $34.80, $6.20 and $3.80 for trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Evin Roman. Selcourt was second and Tyfosha finished third.

“This filly likes to be head to head,” Shirreffs told Mike Willman of Santa Anita. “She battles back. She doesn’t give it up. … I could see down the backside that it looked like Evin ad her into he bridle, which was encouraging.”

Big races review

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

Aqueduct (7): $100,000 Rego Park Stakes, NY-bred 3-year-olds, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Blindwillie McTell ($4.20)

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 are the star of the show, Sunday’s results. See you on Thursday.

DIAMOND BLITZ had speed three deep then angled in and pulled his way to a clear lead, set all the pace along the inside and won clear under urging. SEA OF LIBERTY chased outside a rival then inside on the backstretch, went outside a foe on the second turn, drifted out from the whip in midstretch but gained the place. FROZEN MONEY stalked inside then a bit off the rail to the stretch and just held third between foes late. INDY JONES angled in and settled inside then a bit off the rail, found the fence again on the second turn and through the stretch and was edged for the show. BLAME IT ON KITTY a step slow into stride, also angled to the inside and saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and was edged for a minor award three deep on the line. ROCKANDAHARDPLACE pulled between foes then chased inside or outside a rival, continued just off the rail on the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. CARBON ZERO chased outside a rival then between foes leaving the backstretch, continued a bit off the fence on the second turn and lacked a rally. ANVIL ROCK settled outside a foe then three deep leaving the backstretch and into the second turn, angled in off the rail leaving that turn and lacked a response in the stretch.

PRINCESS KENDRA angled in and dueled outside a rival, took a short advantage while being floated out a bit into the stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch and held gamely. MAJESTIC DIVA stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and into the stretch and finished willingly along the fence. DURANGA hopped some at the start, stalked outside a rival, came out leaving the turn and into the stretch and edged a rival for the show. IPRAY chased outside a rival then off the rail on the turn and a bit wide into the stretch and was edged for third. TWISTED ROSIE angled in and dueled inside, came a bit off the rail into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. BREAKAWAY DIXIE saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back inside leaving the backstretch and on the turn and had little left for the stretch.

BIG SCORE saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch, angled out off heels nearing midstretch and again past the eighth pole and rallied under urging while drifting in to get up three wide approaching the wire. LE KEN (ARG) settled just off the inside then chased outside a rival leaving the backstretch, swung four wide into the stretch, also rallied while drifting in to put a head in front between foes in deep stretch but could not hold off the winner. TRUE VALOUR (IRE) angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, bid along the rail into the stretch to gain the lead, inched away in midstretch and fought back along the fence to the end. KENJISSTORM chased inside then a bit off the rail, came out three deep leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch, was between horses in midstretch and was outfinished. LAW ABIDIN CITIZEN pulled early and came out off heels nearing and into the first turn, angled in and stalked just off the rail, was between foes leaving the second turn and three wide into the stretch, continued in close between horses in midstretch and lacked the necessary late kick. CALCULATOR had speed outside then angled in approaching and into the first turn, set the pace along the rail, came out a bit into the stretch, was between foes in upper stretch and weakened in the final furlong.

SPRING LILY dueled between horses then inside leaving the turn and into the stretch, took the advantage in upper stretch, inched away past the eighth pole and won clear under urging. SELCOURT bobbled at the start when the ground broke out behind, dueled three deep, took a short lead early on the turn, battled outside the winner leaving the turn and to midstretch then could not match that one while clearly best of the rest. TYFOSHA between foes early, stalked a bit off the rail then outside a rival leaving the turn and into the stretch and held third. LAKE TIME bobbled at the start, went up inside to duel for the lead, battled inside to midway on the turn, fell back leaving the turn and weakened. WAY TO VERSAILLES chased off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn, came out into the stretch and again in upper stretch and lacked a rally.

CASTLE sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail and won clear under urging and steady handling late. CIMPL MAN chased between horses then off the rail leaving the hill, came out five wide into the stretch, drifted in some and edged a rival late for the place. MY MAN CHUCKLES pulled his way between horses to chase the pace, came out three deep into the stretch and was edged late for second. BEAUMARCHAIS between horses early, stalked a bit off the rail then inside down the hill, came out a bit into the stretch and lacked a rally. FOREST CHATTER saved ground stalking the pace throughout and lacked the necessary response in the drive. BUCKYS PICK stalked three deep then four wide leaving the hill and into the stretch and weakened. SPITFIRE dropped back off the inside then settled a bit off the rail to the stretch and did not rally. CROISSANT pulled early, stalked three wide then three deep between foes leaving the hill, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. Rail on hill at 14 feet.

FORESTATION bobbled at the start, dueled outside the runner-up throughout and gamely prevailed under urging. BOLD MONGOLIAN had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back along the rail through the stretch and continued gamely to the end. SOONER BETTER stalked four wide then three deep into the stretch, continued three wide to the end and edged foes for the show. NATIONS HOPE saved ground stalking the pace throughout and was edged for third. MAGIC BRO had speed three deep then stalked off the rail, continued between horses leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and through the stretch and was edged for a minor award. R B EYE chased between horses then just off the rail, came out five wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. JONATHANTOQUICK four wide into the first turn, chased outside or off the rail, angled in some on the second turn and lacked a further response. FORTNITE DANCE stalked between foes then three deep between rivals, came out four wide into the stretch and weakened. EMPIRICAL DATA four wide into the first turn, settled off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and failed to menace. MAD AT MONEY steadied when squeezed at the start, angled in and saved ground off the pace, continued inside into the stretch and failed to menace.

TRAPALANDA dueled three deep then outside a rival leaving the turn, inched away into the stretch, kicked clear under left handed urging and drifted in late. HARROVIAN stalked between horses then outside a rival on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and gained the place. TOMASINO had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back on the turn and just held third. I'LL WRAP IT UP chased between horses early then off the rail, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. ROYAL SEEKER settled off the rail then angled in on the turn and lacked the needed rally. MASTER RULER bobbled at the start, had speed off the rail then dueled between foes, fell back some leaving the turn and weakened. DOC CURLIN chased between horses then three deep between foes, angled in outside a rival into the stretch and weakened. LOUDEN'S GRAY saved ground chasing the pace throughout and also weakened. WINNING ROAD stalked four wide on the backstretch and turn, continued three deep into the stretch and also weakened. CELEBRATE LIFE pulled and stalked a bit off the rail, steadied into the turn, came three deep into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

PALLADIUM chased between horses then a bit off the rail, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch, bid three deep in midstretch and gamely prevailed late under urging. KNIGHT'S CROSS four wide into the first turn, pressed the pace three deep then stalked off the rail, re-bid three wide leaving the second turn and into the stretch, took a short lead, fought back between horses in midstretch then off the rail and continued willingly to the wire. BEA'S BOY saved ground stalking the pace, was between horses into the stretch, came out in the drive and just got the show. MAYAN WARRIOR stalked the pace inside, waited some leaving the second turn then steadied off heels past the quarter pole, came out in upper stretch, split horses in midstretch and deep stretch and was edged for third. POPPY'S C NOTE pulled and steadied three deep into the first turn, chased outside a rival on the backstretch and into the second turn, came four wide into the stretch and was edged for a minor award. MAD MIKE dueled between horses then outside a rival, took a short lead between foes leaving the second turn, fought back inside in midstretch and weakened. IRISH POLO had speed outside foes then angled in and dueled inside, fought back leaving the second turn and weakened in the drive. SALTARIN bobbled at the start, angled in and saved ground off the pace, dropped back on the backstretch and second turn and was done early.

LIEUTENANT DAN had speed outside then stalked off the rail, bid four wide leaving the turn and into the stretch to gain the lead and drew off under a couple left handed cracks of the whip and steady handling. GRANDPA LOUIE dueled three deep then between foes leaving the turn, came in a bit in upper stretch, drifted in late and held second. SATCHEL PAIGE hopped in a slow start, settled off the rail, came out into the stretch and just got the show. POSTERIZE chased outside a rival then between foes on the turn and into the stretch and was edged for third between horses late. WILD BEAN stalked three deep on the backstretch and turn, came four wide into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. PRODIGAL SON had speed a bit off the rail then dueled between horses, steadied in tight in upper stretch and weakened. ABUSIVE GARY saved ground chasing the pace, came out a bit past midstretch and weakened. LOUD MOUTH broke a bit slowly, went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back leaving the turn and weakened in the drive. TOBY TIME settled off the rail, came out four wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive. A claim of foul by the rider of PRODIGAL SON against the runner-up for alleged interference in upper stretch was not allowed by the stewards, who ruled the incident did not alter the original order of finish.