Racing! A free offer from Ciaran Thornton

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we ponder how a failed Orlando Magic coach could be the new Lakers coach. (And, yes, we know it has nothing to do with horse racing.)

I don’t know about you, but I’m growing weary of the continued discussion of who won the Kentucky Derby. It’s time to move along and if it gets settled in the courts in a couple of years, so be it. Let’s face it, it’s a less than satisfying win regardless of the outcome.

It’s a close call and someone had the make the decision. Everyone has their opinion on if the right call was made. And you can guaran-darn-tee it if the stewards had ruled the other way, it would still be an issue and the almost 50-50 voting sample would be the same. The narrative, however, would be if the Kentucky Derby should be exempted from regular rules. (We’ll call the exemption the “last two minutes NBA rule.”)

The latest salvo was from jockey Luis Saez, who put out a video (which you can watch here) that he used with his presentation with stewards. It’s actually nicely done and worth a watch. Now, any time there is a horse disqualification there is going to be a hearing to see if the jockey should get any suspension days.

In this case, I think that would be the wrong call. I don’t think Saez did anything wrong or urged his horse in an unsafe way. It was all the horse.

But, here’s my problem with the video:

--It’s not “indisputable” evidence as he and Gary and Mary West proclaim. There is a lot “disputable” in everything connected to this decision. There will never be a beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard on this case.

--The video is more an argument for why the horse shouldn’t have been taken down, rather than his Saez’s role in it.

--It blames War of Will. It’s the “I may have done this but you won’t believe what that other guy did” defense.

--And using the words from the TV call and track call as evidence would be like using this newsletter as evidence.

So, here’s how we move on. First, we can all admit that Maximum Security was the best horse in that race on that day. OK, next, let’s run him in the Belmont Stakes, so he gets that Triple Crown race win under his saddle.

Next, point him to the Haskell, then the Travers, then the Breeders’ Cup Classic. I don’t see any older horses that are crying out to be declared unbeatable or even occasionally unbeatable. Along, the way, you have to face Omaha Beach, and beat him too or it’s all in exercise of being the best of the rest.

Now, if I’m Del Mar, I float the idea that there could be some extra cash if we get a Maximum Security-Omaha Beach match up in the Pacific Classic, since, well, the Wests live real close to Del Mar. You up for that Gary and Mary?

OK, I know I’m painting a picture of what could make this an exciting summer, but, since it’s racing, it’s got no shot of happening. C’mon, prove me wrong. I’d like nothing better.

Preakness in Louisville

There are seven possible Preakness runners cooling their hooves at Churchill Downs. The following report from Saturday comes courtesy of the Churchill Downs publicity department. And, as an added bonus, we’ve got video from the incomparable Jennie Rees, of JR Communications.

--Owendale scored a bullet five-furlong work going in 59.20 as the fastest of 31 who tried that distance. “The track was really good this morning,” said trainer Brad Cox. “Owendale has been doing phenomenal following the Lexington. He has that built in foundation from the race that will suit him well in the Preakness. Here’s a video clip.

--Warrior’s Charge, also trained by Cox, did five furlongs in 1:00.80. “Warrior’s Charge should be able to handle the extra distance and is showing he’s on an upward trend,” Cox said. “That’s why we decided to supplement him. he didn’t run in any of the Derby preps so he had some time to develop and grow into himself.”

--Signalman breezed a half-mile in in :47.60, the fifth fastest of 49 on the work tab. He is trained by Kenny McPeek. Here’s a video clip.

--The other Preakness possibles biding time in Louisville are Improbable (video clip), War of Will (video clip) and Bodexpress (video clip).

Santa Anita review

For the first time since the death of Arms Runner on March 31, horses went down the hill, this time in the Grade 3 $100,000 Santa Barbara Stakes. The race was for fillies and mares going 1 ½ miles. What made this different is when they came down the hill it was very early in the race and there was not the intensity of the 6 ½ furlongs races. The reason the race was run on the hillside course was because it wasn’t a sprint.

I have to admit to holding my breath when they crossed over the dirt. It was not pleasant. Later, it looked as if Victor Espinoza was pulling up his mount, but that wasn’t the case. Watching races is very much not as enjoyable as before all the breakdowns. But, watching them come down the hill and crossing over the dirt is just plain difficult, regardless of what the stats say.

The Santa Barbara was won by Causeforcommotion in a runaway by nine lengths. She took the lead entering the far turn and the rest was easy. She paid $4.40, $2.60 and $2.10. Lynne’s Legacy was second and Guiliana was third.

“She was getting really good a year ago, and then she had to be turned out also complimented te effo a little vacation, so we’ve been waiting a long time,” said winning jockey Geovanni Franco. “Eric was confident she would run well because of the way she’s been training. She’s still improving from what she showed last year. As you saw, she just galloped through the stretch.”

Trainer Eric Kruljac also complimented the victory.

“She makes it easier to get up in the morning,” Kruljac said. “We had to give her a little time, she had a little injury/mishap, an issue with a suspensory, but we caught it early at Del Mar and instead of giving her three months off we gave her six or seven. She has come back a monster. Before she would not leave the horses, hopefully that is all behind her.

Santa Anita preview

The Sunday card is nine races starting at 1 p.m. Four of the races are on the turf. The feature is the $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes, for Cal-bred fillies and mares going a mile on the turf. It’s an OK card, not exceptional, not disastrous. Give the racing office with every card it fills given the huge reduction (about 400) of the horse population.

The favorite in the stakes race is Gypsy Blu, at 5-2, for trainer Mark Glatt and Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Flavien Prat. Glatt claimed her from Brian Koriner three races back, which she won, and then has rolled off two more victories. She’s five-of-eight lifetime, not too shabby.

The second favorite is Cordiality, at 3-1, who was once in Glatt’s barn as well as Peter Miller. Now, she runs for Tim Yakteen. All switches were through claims. Joe Talamo will be the rider. She is nine-of-28 lifetime with her last win coming on Aug. 10.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 5, 8, 5, 6, 9 (2 also eligible), 10, 9, 7, 10.

Big Races review

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

Belmont (1): Grade 3 $200,000 Vagrancy Handicap, fillies and mares 4 and up, 6 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Heavenhasmynikki ($10.40)

Belmont (4): Grade 3 $300,000 Peter Pan Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Global Campaign ($6.00)

Percy Warner (3): $100,000 Marcellus Frost Champion Hurdle, 4 and up, 2 ¼-mile hurdle on turf. Favorite: City Dreamer (no wagering)

Belmont (7): Grade 3 $200,000 Beaugay Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Homerique ($3.70)

Woodbine (8): $100,000 Ballade Stakes, Ont-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Summer Sunday ($7.80)

Churchill Downs (10): $100,000 Mamzelle Overnight Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Change of Control ($73.80)

Gulfstream (10): $100,000 Big Drama Stakes, Fla-breds 3 and up, 7 furlongs. Winner: Royal Squeeze ($8.00)

Arlington (7): $100,000 Hanshin Cup Stakes, 3 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Lanier ($13.20)

Percy Warner (7): Grade 1 $150,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquios, 4 and up, 3 mile hurdle on turf. Winner: Scorpiancer (no betting)

Belmont (9): $150,000 Run Happy Stakes, 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Firenze Fire ($5.80)

Santa Anita (5): Grade 3 $100,000 Santa Barbara Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Winner: Causeforcommotion ($4.40)

Belmont (10): Grade 1 $700,000 Man o’ War Stakes, 4 and up, 1 3/8 miles on turf. Winner: Channel Maker ($15.60)

Big races preview

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

1:55 Woodbine (8): $125,000 Fury Stakes, Ont-bred fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Intanga Rose (2-1)

2:18 Belmont (8): $100,000 Gold Fever Stakes, 3-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Much Better (4-5)

4:03 Santa Anita (7): $125,000 Fran Valentine Stakes, Cal-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Gypsy Blu (5-2)

Ciaran Thornton’s SA pick of the day

(And a special free offer)

RACE SIX: No. 2 Mr Classical (8-1)

Mr Classical is a Doug O’Neill 8-1 price with Martin Garcia riding. This duo has won three of the last six starts together on longshots. Third start off the layoff they add blinkers for even more early speed. O’Neill cuts the horse back from a route last out so he should be super fit. The distance looks ideal and the price of 8-1 or more is great value. Click here to get my full Sunday race card for free. Happy Mother’s Day!

Saturday’s result: Fourth was all Mongolian Greywolf could manage but the chance on value was worth it.

Ciaran Thornton is the handicapper for Californiapick4.com, which offers daily full card picks, longshots of the day, best bets of the day.

Ed Burgart’s LA pick of the day

SIXTH RACE: No. 2 Terra Fire (7-2)

She hails from the strong Christopher O'Dell barn and is out of the very productive mare Terrific Energy, who dropped 17-1 debut winner Geothermal in last Friday's seventh race. Terra Fire was never used in her first 12.8 second gate drill and ran hard when outworked by less than one length in her last 12.3 work.

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.

FANTASY HEAT wide early, chased outside then alongside a rival, continued a bit off the rail on the turn, came out nearing midstretch and rallied under urging to get up late. SUCCESSFUL RULER stalked between horses then off the rail leaving the turn, came three wide into the stretch, took the lead in upper stretch, inched away in midstretch and held on well but was caught nearing the wire. SPANISH CHANNEL saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, drifted in and bumped a rival approaching midstretch, continued inside and edged a foe for third. STYLIN OCEAN stalked the pace three deep, came four wide into the stretch, drifted in some and was edged for third. OUR ROMANCE chased between horses then inside on the turn and into the stretch, was bumped and steadied along the rail nearing midstretch and lacked a rally. LAKER JET chased four wide on the backstretch and outside a rival on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. LUCKY MS JONES broke slowly, angled in and settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch and improved position some. STYLE AWARD also away slowly, settled outside a rival then just off the rail to the stretch and did not rally. DERBY LADY chased between foes then off the rail early, angled in on the backstretch and saved ground thereafter to no avail. ROSEY SKY had speed between foes then kicked clear, set the pace a bit off the rail, bore out badly into the stretch and weakened. Following a stewards' inquiry, SPANISH CHANNEL was disqualified and placed fifth for interference nearing midstretch.

THE RULE OF KING'S saved ground stalking the pace, came out leaving the turn and into the stretch and again in upper stretch, took the lead three deep in midstretch and won clear under a couple left handed cracks of the whip. VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD settled off the rail then outside a rival on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and outfinished rivals late for the place. REBEL WAR had speed five wide then angled in and dueled outside a rival, put a head in front leaving the turn, fought back between foes in midstretch and just held third. SENDITLIKECHILLY also had good early speed between foes then angled in, dueled inside, fought back along the rail on the turn and in the stretch and was edged for the show. AMERICAN ALL STAR stalked three deep early then outside a rival on the backstretch and turn, came out in the stretch and weakened. I BELONG TO BECKY pulled her way between horses and steadied early, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace and also weakened in the drive.

CURLIN'S JOURNEY prompted the pace outside a rival, put a head in front leaving the second turn, inched away in midstretch and won clear under urging. MERCY MERCY saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and gained the place. SCATTERING MINK angled in and settled inside then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and got up three deep late for third. SURFACE pulled her way between horses early, stalked between foes then outside a rival on the second turn, came out into the stretch and was edged for the show between horses late. MAGICAL GRAY had early speed and set a pressured pace inside, fought back on the second turn and into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award late. COLDWATER tugged some early, stalked three deep then outside a rival leaving the backstretch and off the rail on the second turn and weakened. PAIGE RUNNER wide early, angled in and settled outside a rival then inside on the backstretch and second turn, cut the corner into the stretch, came out some in the drive and also weakened.

ALWAYS FORGIVEN bobbled some and bumped a rival at the start, stalked outside then bid three deep leaving the first turn, tracked the leaders off the rail then outside a rival on the backstretch, re-bid three wide leaving the second turn to gain the lead in upper stretch, inched away under urging and won clear under a hold late. STILL IN THE GAME dueled outside a rival then between foes leaving the first turn, battled outside a foe on the backstretch, gained the advantage between horses leaving the second turn, bumped with the winner in upper stretch, could not match that one in the final furlong but was clearly second best. COMMANDING CHIEF saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and edged a rival for the show. MICA BAY settled off the rail then chased outside a rival, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for third. TIME IS NOW hopped some but broke on top, had speed inside and set a pressured pace along the rail, fought back on the second turn and weakened in the stretch.

CAUSEFORCOMMOTION stalked off the rail, bid outside a rival on the backstretch, took the lead into the final turn, came in some and kicked clear, then drew off in the stretch under a left handed crack of the whip inside the eighth pole while drifting out under steady handling. LYNNE'S LEGACY steadied between horses on the hill, angled in and chased inside, went up three deep on the last turn and into the stretch, drifted to the inside in the final furlong and bested the others. GUILIANA (FR) three deep early, stalked outside a rival, was between horses into the stretch and just held third. ANIMOSITY took the early lead inside then came off the rail leaving the hill, set the pace just off the inside then dueled on the backstretch, lugged out a bit and steadied into the final turn, dropped back between horses, came three deep into the stretch and was edged for the show. KODIAK WEST (IRE) pulled along the inside early, saved ground stalking the pace, was in a bit tight along the rail into the stretch and lacked a rally.

LADY NINJA had speed three deep then dueled outside the runner-up throughout and gamely and narrowly bested that one late under urging. CE CE sped to the early lead, angled in and dueled inside, fought back along the rail through a long drive and continued gamely to the wire. TAPITHA BONITA stalked off the rail then outside a rival, came out some into the stretch and bested the others. ZUSHA saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, drifted inward in the final furlong and weakened. COCO KISSES threw her head a bit at the start, chased off the rail or outside a rival, continued off the inside into the stretch and lacked a further response. HEART OF THE NILE chased inside, dropped back on the turn, came out into the stretch, then drifted in, gave way and was eased in the drive.

FORAY sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, came off the rail into the stretch, had the rider lose the whip nearing midstretch, drifted out in the final furlong and held gamely under a strong hand ride. NORTH COUNTY GUY broke a bit slowly, stalked outside a rival then three deep leaving the backstretch, continued off the rail on the second turn, bid three wide into 0the stretch and continued willingly but could not catch the winner. ACCLIMATE pulled along the inside, saved ground stalking the pace then went between horses into and on the second turn, angled back to the inside in the stretch and was edged for the place. MONGOLIAN GREYWOLF angled in outside the winner then stalked that one a bit off the rail to the stretch and could not offer the needed late kick. LITTLE NO WAY three deep early, chased outside a rival, went three wide on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. HOLY GHOST settled off the pace inside, went up three deep into the second turn, continued outside a rival leaving that turn and had a mild bid in the drive. EROTIC chased outside a rival, split horses into the second turn, continued a bit off the rail leaving that turn and also lacked a rally. CHOSEN VESSEL saved ground off the pace, went outside a rival leaving the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. SALTARIN angled in and settled a bit off the rail then inside on the backstretch and second turn and failed to menace. QUICK FINISH also angled in early and saved ground chasing the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and weakened in the drive.

HOT SEAN hustled along inside to stalk the early pace, bid along the rail on the turn, came out from a bit of tight quarters into the stretch, re-bid under urging outside the runner-up a sixteenth out, gained the advantage in deep stretch and inched away late. CALEXMAN had good early speed and dueled a bit off the rail then between foes on the turn, edged away from foes leaving the turn and in the stretch, fought back just off the rail in deep stretch but could not quite match the winner late. ONCE ON WHISKEY dropped back off the rail then angled in on the backstretch and saved ground off the pace, continued inside on the turn and through the stretch and edged a rival late for the show. DESERT LAW stalked outside the winner then bid three deep on the turn, continued three wide into the stretch and was edged for third. CURLIN RULES dueled outside the runner-up, fell back and stalked off the rail on the turn and weakened in the drive.

NESBITT stalked outside then bid five wide into the turn and four wide on the bend, continued three deep leaving the turn and into the stretch, drifted in outside the pacesetter in midstretch, gained a slim advantage under left handed urging late and gamely prevailed between foes on the line. MUSIC TO MY EARS had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back along the rail through the stretch and continued gamely to the end. SEEKING REFUGE saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside into the stretch, came out for room a sixteenth out and went on willingly three deep on the line. SNAPPISH (GB) steadied when squeezed at the start, angled in and chased inside, was in tight into the turn, came out for room in midstretch and finished with interest. LACAZETTE dueled between horses, fought back on the turn and into the stretch and weakened late. BABAEL stalked between horses then outside a rival, continued a bit off the rail on the turn, came out leaving the turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. RAYRAY dueled three deep between horses then stalked outside a rival on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. GATE SPEED pressed the pace four wide on the backstretch then three deep between horses on the turn, angled in and stalked outside a rival leaving the turn and also weakened. BOBS DESPERADO broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail then outside a rival leaving the backstretch, continued off the inside into the stretch and did not rally.