Racing! Battle of Midway, RIP

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we explore the huge rise in horse deaths at Santa Anita.

I enjoy writing about horse racing most of the time, and then there is today. Santa Anita suffered three horse fatalities over a 16-hour period, including the death of Battle of Midway, a top flight, Grade 1 winning horse that just picked up a win in the San Pasqual.

On Friday, Hot American broke down leaving the backstretch in a 1 1/8-mile turf race. On Saturday morning, Battle of Midway suffered a fracture of his hind pastern during a timed workout. Just Forget It, an unraced 4-year-old gelding, was also vanned off and euthanized after a training breakdown. The incidents occurred at different places on the track.

None of the jockeys suffered any serious injuries.

Santa Anita has a problem this racing season. More horses are dying than last year. That’s not to say the track is to blame, in fact, I can say with 100% certainty that Santa Anita, and every other track, feels its share of pain when a horse goes down. It’s the part of the business that everyone hates.

I was actually doing some research for a story for later this week on the increase of fatalities at Santa Anita, more than double, when I learned of the death of Battle of Midway. And, as I and others have said so many times, the death of a top-notch Grade 1 winner such as Battle of Midway is no more or less tragic than the deaths of Hot American or Just Forget It, who also died during this span of a day.

Santa Anita plans to bring in Mick Peterson, a track safety expert from the University of Kentucky to consult on this issue. The CHRB plans an emergency call with Santa Anita management on Sunday to discuss the problem.

As Dr. Rick Arthur, equine director at both the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the California Horse Racing Board, said in a story I did for The Times web and print editions: “One horse [dying] is too a large number,” Arthur said. You can read the story here.

Tim Ritvo, Stronach boss, also said the same thing about any horse loss is one too many. He also said nothing different has been done to the track but the weather has been a mitigating factor. He also mentioned the track has spent more money this year on maintaining the track.

“When you float [seal] the track, it makes it hard,” Ritvo said. “And then you have to train and race over it. The only other option is to not train or race and that’s not a good option, either.”

Ritvo was quick to get back to The Times on this issue even though he was in Maryland. So, you know it is of major concern. And the CHRB has its share of concerns, as no doubt most other organizations that are touched by this issue have been.

It’s tough to get all these groups on the same page (and even impossible in the same room), but I can’t think of any better issue to be pushing for a common goal than horse safety. We can all agree on that.

Santa Anita review

It’s doubtful it took away the sting of losing Battle of Midway in the morning, but trainer Jerry Hollendorfer won the Grade 2 $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes for older fillies and mares going a mile on the turf.

The amazing Vasilika bided her time near the back, started to make a move on the far turn and motored down the center of the track to win by 1 ½ lengths. It was a confident ride by Flavien Prat to allow her to win her 10^th race in her last 11 starts.

Vasilika paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.20. Streak of Luck was second and Ms Bad Behavoir was third.

“By the three eighths pole, I could see we were making ground and probably would be able to catch the leader, Fahan Mura,” Prat told Mike Willman of Santa Anita. “I did have to ask her in the stretch, but as soon as I switched my stick to my left hand, she made a very nice move.”

Hollendorfer picked up Vasilika for $40,000 before her win streak started 11 races ago.

“I don’t know if there’s anything this horse can’t do, if there is, we haven’t found out yet,” Hollendorfer said. “I thought going down the backside, Flavien had a good idea of how fast they were going, so he started moving a little earlier than he usually does, then she kicked in her last eighth like she always does and ran very well. … If I could answer why she is so consistent and so special, I wouldn’t have to work.”

Santa Anita preview

Santa Anita has a nine-race card starting at 1 p.m. There are four turf races, one Cal-bred stakes race and two maiden specials. In other words, an OK but not great card. But, it’s a Sunday and, let’s be honest, not a great weekend of racing nationally. It’ll get better.

The feature is the $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes for Cal-bred fillies and mares going six furlongs. It’s a small field of five and should go about 4:55 p.m. as the penultimate race.

Show It N Moe It is the even money favorite for trainer Gary Sherlock and jockey Rafael Bejarano. He is five-of-18 lifetime and won his last race, an allowance by 3 ¼, in which he beat S Y Sky. He is four-of-10 at Santa Anita.

The second favorite is S Y Sky for Phil D’Amato and Joe Talamo. He won his last race on Jan. 26, an ungraded stakes at Santa Anita, where he has raced seven times, won four and finished second three times. He’s five-of-nine lifetime.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 5, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 5, 10.

Big Races review

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

Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Franklin Square Stakes, NY-bred fillies 3-years-old, 6 furlongs. Winner: Stonesintheroad ($5.90)

Gulfstream (11): Grade 3 $100,000 Hal’s Hope Stakes, 4 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Prince Lucky ($17.60)

Oaklawn (8): $100,000 Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stakes, Ark-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Usual Suspect ($54.40)

Santa Anita (8): Grade 2 $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Vasilika ($3.60)

Big races preview

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

3:18 Sunland (9): $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Wicked Indeed (9-5)

4:54 Santa Anita (8): $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes, Cal-bred fillies and mares, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Show It N Moe It (1-1)

Bob Ike’s SA pick of the day

NINTH RACE: No. 6 Honor Guard (6-1)

In the only race on the card with more than seven entrants, let's try this 4-year-old colt from the Phil D'Amato barn as the abbreviated week closes out with $50,000 maiden claimers going one mile on turf (rails at 20 feet). He improved when switched to grass when running third to similar and has an improving pattern on numbers. Looks as good as any in an open contest.

Saturday’s result: Longshot Qafilah hesitated at the start, raced wide throughout, then was all done by the 1/4-pole.

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).

Chris Wade’s LA pick of the day

RACE SIX: No. 1 Private Terrace (4-1)

Needed the race when making first start at this oval on Feb. 1 while dropping down in distance and class. In that event 23 nights ago, the veteran mare drifted back steadily versus much quicker rivals and trailed the leader by almost 10 lengths in mid-backstretch. However, she did put together a solid run through the turn and down the lane before moving best of all past the wire and around the clubhouse turn. With that speed sharpening start out of the way, I'll gamble on this 10-time winner being closer to leader tonight while remaining the late threat with a good chance to return a nice payout.

(No worries, Ed Burgart hasn’t gone away, he’s just on vacation. Chris Wade has been the racing analyst and host of the Los Alamitos night simulcast broadcast for nearly two decades. While Ed is on vacation, Chris also fills in as the nighttime morning-line maker.)

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.

UNBRIDLED ETHOS stalked outside then three deep on the hill, was fanned five wide into the stretch, bid outside, drifted inward in midstretch and through the final furlong and gamely prevailed under left handed urging. SIR EDDIE stalked between horses then outside a rival leaving the hill, bid between foes in upper stretch, took a short lead, fought back inside the winner through the final furlong and continued gamely to the end. HIT THE SEAM had good early speed and dueled a bit off the rail then inside, drifted out on the dirt crossing, drifted in a bit between foes nearing midstretch and held third. ATONARUN stalked the pace a bit off the rail then briefly between foes, angled in midway on the hill, bid inside into the stretch and was outfinished. DUBNATION dueled outside a rival, was fanned four wide between foes into the stretch, was in tight off heels in midstretch, came out some and weakened late. ACCESS GRANTED broke a bit slowly, pulled his way along inside and was shuffled back in a bit tight midway on the hill, came out leaving the hill and into the stretch and had little left for the drive. Rail on hill at zero.

PLATINUM NIGHTS had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away on the turn, kicked clear and proved best under a moderate hand ride. BULLION sped to the early lead a bit off the rail, dueled outside the winner, stalked just off the inside leaving the turn and was clearly second best. SALAH chased off the rail then inside leaving the backstretch and on the turn, swung out leaving the turn and into the stretch was bested the others. RIVER GOD settled off the rail then outside a rival on the turn, had the rider lose the whip leaving the turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. HIGH FIVE broke in the air then bobbled in a slow start, settled outside a rival then off the rail on the turn, came a bit wide into the stretch and lacked a further response.

COME ON KAT had speed outside then inched away and set the pace a bit off the rail, continued inside leaving the backstretch and on the turn and drew off under some urging in the stretch then was under steady handling late. PIED N TRUE saved ground chasing the pace, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and bested the others. MAGICALCHIC stalked between horses, dropped back on the turn, angled to the inside entering the stretch, came out in midstretch and got up for third three deep on the line. RIZZI'S HONORS hopped slightly at the start, was between horse early then chased inside, came out into the stretch and was edged for the show between foes late. FRACAS had speed between rivals then stalked a bit off the rail, continued just off the fence in the stretch and was edged for a minor award late. MI PAJARITO bobbled at the start, was four wide early then stalked three deep to the stretch and gave way. MAMA'S KID pulled and steadied in tight early, chased outside, came three wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

WHAT'SONTHEAGENDA went up inside to gain the lead, set the pace along the rail, kicked clear on the hill and held on gamely under left handed urging. RUMPUS CAT chased outside then alongside a rival, came four wide into the stretch and surged between foes late. EXTRORDINARY JERRY settled off the pace inside, came out on the dirt crossing and four wide into the stretch and also found his best stride late outside the top pair on the line. CASTLE had speed between foes then stalked outside a rival, continued a bit off the inside into the stretch and lacked a rally. PASSIONATE REWARD stalked outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. ACCLIMATE pulled some and chased a bit off the rail, steadied in a bit tight between foes onto the dirt crossing, came out three wide into the stretch and also lacked the needed late kick. FLIP THE COIN JAN angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, cut the corner into the stretch, continued inside and did not rally. KIWI'S DREAM (AUS) had speed a bit off the rail then stalked just off the inside, angled in leaving the hill, came out some into the stretch and weakened. Rail on hill at zero.

GRAN MARTILLO had speed between horses to duel for the lead, battled outside the runner-up on the turn and into the stretch, took a short lead in midstretch and gamely prevailed under left handed urging. JACK'S A DIVA angled in and dueled inside, fought back along the rail in the drive but could not quite match the winner late. GOLDEN IMAGE saved ground stalking the pace, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and bested the others. FRIGHT NIGHT broke a bit slowly and steadied briefly when crowded, chased outside or off the rail, continued three deep on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. BLUE SKYE JADE sent between horses early, stalked a bit off the rail to the stretch, drifted in some in midstretch and did not rally. TEMPLE VIEW chased outside a rival then off the rail, angled in approaching the turn and weakened. LU CAT broke out a bit, pressed the pace t here deep then stalked off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. TIZ ME NOW chased three deep, angled in outside a rival into the turn, drifted to the inside in the stretch and gave way.

GALLOPING MISCHIEF settled a bit off the rail then outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch and finished strongly under some urging and energetic handling to gain the lead in deep stretch and won clear. ALLEVA had good early speed and angled in, dueled inside, drifted out into the stretch, inched away in midstretch, drifted in under right handed urging in deep stretch, bumped with MOUNTAIN SPIRIT late and gamely edged that one. MOUNTAIN SPIRIT stalked a bit off the rail then inside, bid along the fence past midstretch, drifted out a bit and bumped with the runner-up in deep stretch and was edged for the place. MONTANA MOON chased a bit off the rail, swung out four wide into the stretch and continued willingly but was outfinished. TAOS dueled outside the runner-up, was fanned out some into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. WHITEHOUSE ROAD broke in and a bit slowly, settled inside, came out leaving the hill and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. VOLUBILE stalked three deep down the hill and into the stretch and also weakened in the final furlong. LACAZETTE close up stalking the pace between horses to the stretch, also weakened. CAECILIUS bobbled slightly at the start, chased just off the rail then inside down the hill and into the stretch and lacked a rally. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the late stretch run between the second and third finishers but made no change when they ruled both runners contributed to the contact between them. Rail on hill at zero.

JIMMY THE JUICE chased outside a rival then between foes, angled to the inside entering the stretch, moved up under urging along the rail then steadied off heels in midstretch, came out and rallied between rivals late. CROISSANT stalked a bit off the rail then angled in on the turn, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch, bid outside to gain a short lead in deep stretch but could not hold off the winner. PAPA TURF bobbled at the start, was sent between horses to duel for the lead, battled outside a rival into and on the turn, fell back some in midstretch then came on to edge that foe for the show. TOUGH BUT NICE had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away into the stretch, drifted in a bit in midstretch, fought back in deep stretch and was edged for third. BURN ME TWICE six wide early, settled off the rail, angled in on the turn, moved up toward the inside past midstretch, came out in deep stretch and finished willingly. BOY HOWDY had speed five wide then stalked outside, went four wide on the turn and into the stretch and was outfinished. BARGAINING stalked between horses then three deep on the turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. MARKET SENTIMENT forced the pace three deep then stalked off the rail, continued outside a rival on the turn and three wide into the stretch and weakened.

VASILIKA settled outside a rival chasing the pace, continued three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch, rallied under urging to the front in deep stretch and proved best. STREAK OF LUCK angled in and settled inside then a bit off the rail, came out leaving the second turn and five wide into the stretch and closed willingly. MS BAD BEHAVIOR stalked inside then just off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter to gain the lead in midstretch and just held third. TAKE THESE CHAINS (IRE) pulled inside then chased outside a rival or a bit off the inside, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. AMANDINE (GB) angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and went on willingly with a late bid at a minor award. ELYSEA'S WORLD (IRE) a step slow to begin, angled in and raced unhurried along the inside, came out into the stretch and again in upper stretch and was outfinished. ENGLISH DANCER bobbled at the start, stalked outside a rival then between horses on the second turn and in the stretch and lacked the necessary late kick. COMPELLED angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came a bit for room in the stretch, continued between horses in deep stretch and could not quite summon the needed response. FAHAN MURA sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, opened up on the backstretch and second turn, fought back in midstretch and weakened in the final furlong.

KENZOU'S RHYTHM steadied between foes early, angled in and chased inside, came out into the stretch, bid five wide under urging past the eighth pole to gain the lead and won clear. CURLIN ROAD chased outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch, bid four wide in midstretch, put a head in front past the eighth pole and held second. PIONEEROF THE WEST three deep early, stalked outside a rival or just off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, bid between foes in midstretch and held third. BEDEVILED angled in and chased inside then a bit off the rail, came out into the stretch and was edged for the show. IMPRESSION sent inside early, saved ground stalking the pace, bid inside in the stretch and was outfinished. HOLLAND ROAD chased outside a rival or a bit off the fence, continued just off the rail in the stretch and could not summon the needed late kick. LITTLE SCOTTY bobbled at the start, had speed outside then kicked clear on the first turn, set the pace off the rail, was between foes in midstretch and weakened in the final furlong. CLEAR THE MINE broke slowly, settled outside a rival, came out into the stretch and lacked a further response.

MIRTH chased three deep, came four wide into the stretch, rallied under urging to gain the lead outside foes in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. STRADELLA ROAD stalked outside a rival, bid between horses past midstretch and continued willingly. LADY MAMBA had speed outside rivals then inched away and angled in, set the pace along the rail, fought back in deep stretch and held third. TAMMY'S WINDOW saved ground off the pace, came around a rival into the stretch, split horses in the drive and bested the others. SUTRO settled inside chasing the pace, came out a bit for room in the stretch, went between foes in deep stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. DRIFT AWAY three deep on the first turn, stalked off the rail then pulled some on the backstretch, went between foes on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. K P PERGOLISCIOUS (IRE) stalked off the rail then three deep, came out five wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. ZUSHA bobbled at the start, saved ground stalking the pace and weakened. COPPER FEVER broke a bit slowly, settled outside a rival, came out on the second turn and six wide into the stretch and could not offer the needed late response. SUPER PATRIOT chased between horses, came out five wide into the stretch and did not rally. QAFILAH (IRE) bobbled and broke out a bit, pulled her way along four wide on the first turn, stalked outside a rival, continued three deep into the stretch and also weakened.