Racing! Congratulations to Sir Winston

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we run down the Belmont and offer subscribers another free offer.

You have to admit that the Belmont Stakes card is among the best of the year. In fact, it’s probably third behind the two Breeders’ Cup days. On Saturday, there were 10 stakes races, with eight of them being Grade 1s.

We’ve got a summary of some of them, with emphasis on how the Southern California horses did. Just click here.

And while we’re sending you away from the site, here’s a news story that broke after the newsletter was closed about a trainer gets a 30-day suspension for violating animal welfare rules. Just click here.

Of course you want to read about Sir Winston winning the 151^st Belmont on Saturday. So, here’s the game story I wrote from web and print. Just click here.

So, what’s left to say? How about we relive the Belmont through the quotes of the top finishers:

Mark Casse (trainer of winner Sir Winston): “He's an amazing little horse. If at this time last year, if you had asked me to rate our top-20 2-year-olds, he would have been about 16th or 17th. But I'm very proud of him because he's kind of what our operation represents, and that is I feel like we develop horses. I have this philosophy. I start every horse out thinking that they are going to win the Kentucky Derby, or the Oaks. That's what I do. And I will try different surfaces. I will try different methods. With a horse like Sir Winston, you know, it paid off there.”

Joel Rosario (jockey of winner Sir Winston): “He’s a very nice horse and you have to let him do his thing. I’m really happy. It seemed like he didn’t mind [being] inside. I just took my time with him. For the distance, he broke very good. He was a little closer so I let him be where he was comfortable.”

Bill Mott (trainer of second-place Tacitus): “I thought he was moving well enough at the quarter-pole that he was going to get there, and then when he switched leads, he kind of ducked in a little bit and then he had to come back out. He didn’t really keep a straight line all the way through the lane. He kind of veered a little bit, which doesn’t help. I can’t give any other excuses other than we’ll see how much ground we lost.”

Jose Ortiz (jockey of second-place Tacitus): “He broke fine. I followed War of Will. I think War of Will had a little bit, Sir Winston would have never come out of there, but unfortunately War of Will was a little flat on the turn. I think I was following the right horse.”

Gregg Sacco (trainer of third-place Joevia): “That was quite a thrill. He’s really talented colt. We knew the Wood wasn’t any indication of his ability. He’s a 3-year-old improving at the right time of year. … We knew he had to improve. We thought he would. Of course, training is one thing, but he put it all together last time in the Long Brach. It was in lesser company but he did it effortlessly. He had to step up to the plate [Saturday] and he did.”

Jose Lezcano (jockey of third-place Joevia): My horse broke very well. I let him go to the lead because the inside felt very good to me, especially [Saturday]. He tried hard. I think he’s become a very nice colt. He’s coming around.”

Danny Gargan (trainer of fourth-place Tax): “I’m real proud of him. He ran big. He’ll move forward off this race. Obviously, when you run fourth in the Belmont, the Travers is in the back of your mind. This horse does his best running when he has eight weeks between starts, so we’ll see where we’re at.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr. (jockey of fourth-place Tax): “I had a perfect trip. We sat second. He ran huge [Saturday], everything came out perfect. He’s a nice horse. I got beat by a nice horse, too. Congrats to Mark Casse.”

Santa Anita review

Saturday’s card really wasn’t very good, especially if you are watching New York and you see eight Grade 1 races. So, instead of recapping a couple of allowance races, let’s turn our attention to a very serious occurrence in the 10^th and final race when Formal Dude, the 6-5 favorite, took a bad step in deep stretch and was pulled up by jockey Tiago Pereira. The horse was vanned off the course with what was believed to be hind leg injury. At the time this newsletter had to go to its destination, there was still no word to the gelding’s fate. We’ll let you know when we do.

Santa Anita preview

Sunday’s card is nine races beginning at 1 p.m. There are four turf races and five races involving maidens. There is a minor stakes race, the $75,000 Desert Code Stakes for 3-year-olds going five furlongs on the turf.

The favorite, at 5-2, is Ginger Nut for trainer John Sadler and jockey Drayden Van Dyke. He’s pretty well seasoned for a 3-year-old having run 10 races and winning four of them. He won the Limestone Turf Sprint Stakes last out at Keeneland. He spent his first eight races running in the UK.

The second favorite is a very lightly raced colt for Bob Baffert and Joe Talamo. The colt is 3-1 on the morning line despite having run just two races, winning one of them.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 9, 6, 7, 7, 7, 6, 8, 9, 8.

Big Races review

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

Belmont (3): $150,000 Easy Goer Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Majid ($12.60)

Belmont (4): Grade 1 $700,000 Just a Game Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Rushing Fall ($3.40)

Churchill (3): $101,000 allowance optional claiming, fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Maybe Wicked ($6.40)

Belmont (5): Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Midnight Bisou ($5.40)

Belmont (6): Grade 1 $400,000 Jaipur Invitational, 3 and up, 6 furlongs on turf. Winner: World of Trouble ($2.80)

Belmont (7): Grade 1 $700,000 Acorn Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile. Winner: Guarana ($5.80)

Belmont (8): Grade 1 $400,000 Woody Stephens, 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Winner: Hog Creek Hustle ($39.80)

Woodbine (6): $100,000 William D. Graham Memorial, 3-year-olds, 6 ½ furlongs on turf. Winner: Sister Peacock ($7.20)

Belmont (9): Grade 1 $1.2 million Metropolitan Handicap, 3 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Mitole ($9.00)

Woodbine (8): $125,000 Plate Trial Stakes, Ont-bred 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Pay for Peace ($41.90)

Gulfstream (10): $100,000 Soldier’s Dancer Stakes, Fla-breds 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Second Mate ($7.40)

Belmont (10): Grade 1 $1 million Manhattan Stakes, 4 and up, 1 ¼ miles on turf. Winner: Bricks and Mortar ($3.30)

Woodbine (9): $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, Can-bred fillies 3-years-old, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Desert Ride ($18.50)

Belmont (11): Grade 1 $1.5 million Belmont Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 ½ miles. Winner: Sir Winston ($22.40)

Belmont (13): Grade 2 $400,000 Woodford Reserve Stakes, 4 and up, 1 ½ miles. Winner: Winner: Marconi ($10.40)

Big races preview

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

11:34 Belmont (3): $150,000 Jersey Girl Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Break Even (3-5)

12:00 Penn National (5): $100,000 Lyphard Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Imply (8-5)

1:06 Penn National (7): $100,000 Robellino Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Fast and Accurate (5-2)

2:28 Woodbine (9): Grade 3 $125,000 Hendrie Stakes, 4 and up, 6 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Summer Sunday (2-1)

Programing note (and free stuff)

Our own Ciaran Thornton will be a guest with Tom Quigley on his inter-track handicapping show at 11:50 a.m. Just to temp you even more, he gave you the winner of race one on Saturday. And you know how much you pay for this newsletter. And, to double-tempt you, Ciaran is giving you his full card for free on Sunday. You can click on this link https://californiapick4.com/handicapping-products/ to get to his card. If that doesn’t work you can always copy and paste in to the browser. Once there, click on LA Times Free Play. Now remember, it may not be there when you go there. That’s because he hasn’t posted it yet. But he will. I promise. Just be patient.

Ciaran Thornton’s SA pick of the day

RACE EIGHT: No. 6 Pammi Desert (12-1)

Pammi Desert is 12-1 morning line but Flavian Prat is riding for trainer Gary Mandella. Debut race today and Mandella is 0 for 10 in turf debuts thus far as a well-known patient trainer but this is the kind of horse these two win with. Debut winner in bloodlines. Prat chose this horse over the second favorite.

Saturday’s result: Fool's Paradise was bet down to 3-1 and looked every bit of it winning with a battle down the stretch by a nose. The race played out exactly as we thought it would.

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. 5 Favoriteladymelania (7-2)

This Chris O’Dell-trained filly should relish 350 yards and is a full sister to Favorite Wise Lady, runnerup in last year’s Governor’s Cup Futurity. In her third-place debut, she lugged in to the 1/8-pole and didn’t level until the closing yards before galloping out with big strides. For the exotics, No. 1 Max My Bullets and No. 6 Leonel Bugatti looms the main contenders. Max My Bullets was bumped hard at the start when rallying for second in her last and Leonel Bugatti exits the Kindergarten Futurity.

Final thoughts

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, Saturday’s results and Sunday’s entries.

FOOL'S PARADISE stalked between horses then bid between foes on the backstretch, battled outside the pacesetter on the second turn, took a slim lead into the stretch, fought back through the drive and held on gamely under urging. SUPER PATRIOT stalked inside then a bit off the rail, continued inside on the second turn, came out into the stretch, bid four wide in midstretch then outside the winner in deep stretch and went on gamely to the wire to just miss. TAMMY'S WINDOW settled outside a rival then chased inside, cut the corner into the stretch, bid along the rail in the drive and was outfinished late. CANDY SWIRLS took the early lead and came off the rail, angled in on the first turn, set the pace inside, fought back on the backstretch and second turn and between horses in midstretch and weakened late. SHEHASTHERITESTUFF broke in a bit, stalked three deep then bid three wide on the backstretch, continued outside on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. INDYPENDENT DEPUTY chased inside then a bit off the rail, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. KENNEDIE SKY a step slow into stride, settled outside a rival then a bit off the rail to the stretch and did not rally.

MISS THAT KAT sent inside to a clear early lead, drifted out and took some awkward steps then steadied nearing the half mile pole, was in tight into the turn, continued just off the rail then outside a rival leaving the turn and three wide into the stretch, re-bid three deep in midstretch and gamely prevailed late under left handed urging. JACK'S A DIVA stalked the early pace then took the lead three deep a half mile out when the winner fell back, inched away just off the inside on the turn, fought back between horses through the final furlong and continued gamely to the end. I BELONG TO BECKY saved ground stalking the pace, bid inside a half mile out then tracked the leader along the rail on the turn, re-bid from the fence in the stretch and also went on willingly to the wire. DRILL TIME chased outside then three deep on the turn and off the rail into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. HANDSOME JOHN stalked off the rail then between horses into the turn, angled in a bit off the fence leaving the turn, drifted to the inside in the stretch and weakened.

DUKES UP saved ground stalking the pace, cut the corner into the stretch, bid inside in upper stretch then steadied in tight a furlong out, came out for room, rallied under urging to gain the lead three wide in deep stretch to prove best under a hold as the rider stood up in the final strides. VERY VERY STELLA stalked between horses, bid outside the pacesetter leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch, took a short lead in midstretch, fought back between foes in deep stretch and was edged late. OH MAN sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, came a bit off the rail into the stretch, drifted in slightly nearing midstretch, fought back toward the inside in the final furlong and went willingly to the end. MONGOLIAN HUMOR stalked off the rail then between foes, fell back leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and weakened. EXCAVATION chased off the inside, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. TOP OF THE GAME stalked three deep then four wide midway on the backstretch, continued three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch, drifted inward in the final furlong and weakened.

DESMOND DOSS crowded some at the break, chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch, took the lead outside a rival in midstretch, kicked clear under left handed urging and held. NO PARKING HERE angled in and settled off the pace inside, came a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, swung four wide into the stretch and finished well. BUD KNIGHT stalked three deep then outside a rival, was between horses into the stretch and edged a rival for the show. JAMMING EDDY broke out a bit, pulled hard along the inside to press the stalk the pace, came out and bid alongside a rival on the backstretch, gained the lead into the second turn, kicked clear a bit off the rail, battled inside the winner in midstretch and was outfinished late for third. FLICFLAC saved ground stalking the pace, came out leaving the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. UNUSUALLY HANDSOME chased between horses then inside on the backstretch, came out on the second turn and three deep into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. MY JOURNEY pulled outside a rival to gain the lead, inched away on the first turn, dueled just off the rail on the backstretch, was trying to get out and was in a bit tight into the second turn, angled to the inside leaving that turn and gave way in the drive.

CONVINCE stalked a bit off the rail, bid between horses into the turn then outside a rival, took a short lead leaving the turn, inched away in the stretch and won clear under urging. HELOISE chased off the rail then outside a rival leaving the turn, came three wide into the stretch and finished with interest to be second best. MISS BENNET had speed outside a rival then stalked outside the winner, bid three deep into the turn, continued outside, came three wide into the stretch and bested the others. A DIME FOR ME unseated the rider when fractious in the gate and was reloaded, was sent between horses then inched away a bit off the rail a half mile out, angled in and dueled inside on the turn and weakened in the final furlong. TIME FOR KISSES saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and also weakened.

DON'T SELL a bit slow to begin, chased between horses then outside a rival, continued inside into and on the turn, came out into the stretch and again in midstretch, bid alongside the pacesetter under urging in deep stretch and gamely prevailed between foes on the line. GREAT RETURN also broke a bit slowly, chased just off the rail, angled in on the turn, came out in the stretch and finished willingly to edged the pacesetter for second three deep on the line. G Q COVERGIRL sped to the early lead, set the pace along the inside, fought back in deep stretch, could not quite match the winner late and just lost the place. FIERY LADY settled outside a rival, angled to the inside on the turn, continued along the rail in the stretch and bested the others. RED LIVY (IRE) had speed three deep then stalked outside a rival, went three wide on the turn, drifted four wide into the stretch and weakened. GIVE ME A HINT reluctant to load, broke a bit slowly, angled in and chased inside, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed response. TIZANILLUSION close up stalking the pace a bit off the rail then outside a rival on the turn, was between horses into the stretch and weakened.

RICK'S DREAM had good early speed then dueled outside a rival, put a head in front leaving the turn and drew off under urging in the stretch. UNION REBEL stalked off the rail then between foes on the turn, continued just off the inside into the stretch, angled to the fence in the drive and edged rivals for the place. HOLLYWOOD DANCER pulled and chased outside a rival then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for second. FOR THE HUSTLE stalked between horses then three deep between foes into and on the turn and into the stretch and was outfinished for the show. SMOKIN B settled off the pace inside, came out on the turn and three wide into the stretch and put in a late bid at a minor award. MARKET SENTIMENT bobbled some at the start, was sent along inside to duel for the lead, fought back on the turn and weakened some in the final furlong. NOVA close up stalking the pace outside then four wide into and on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. FOR HIM stalked a bit off the rail then inside leaving the backstretch and on the turn, dropped back nearing the stretch and weakened.

ULTIMATE BANGO saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, bid outside the pacesetter in upper stretch to gain the lead, inched away under urging in midstretch and won clear. OVERDUE pulled some three deep early then stalked between horses to the stretch, came out in midstretch and gained the place. NESBITT chased between horses then inside on the backstretch and second turn, cut the corner into the stretch and went up the rail for third. GROUND ATTACK angled in and settled just off the rail then outside a rival leaving the backstretch, came out on the second turn and six wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. CONTINENTAL DIVIDE dropped back inside and saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and improved position. OCEAN FURY four wide into the first turn, stalked three deep, came out five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. FACTORIAL had speed outside a rival then angled in and set the pace inside, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. BELLERIN close up stalking the pace just off the rail then outside a rival leaving the second turn, came out three deep into the stretch and also weakened. HOOTIE pulled between horses then went three deep into the first turn, stalked outside a rival then three wide on the second turn and four wide into the stretch, drifted in some in the drive and also weakened.

WICKEN FEN had speed three deep then pressed the pace outside a rival, was floated out a bit into the stretch, took command in upper stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch and won clear. ELITE MOTION between horses early, angled in and stalked inside, continued along the rail in the stretch and bested the others. RED VALOR broke in a bit, was sent inside then set a pressured pace along the rail, came out a bit into the stretch and held third. VICTOR'S SHOW stalked off the rail then outside a rival on the turn, came out into the stretch and was edged for the show. WINDING broke a bit slowly, was wide early then angled in off the rail, went outside a rival on the turn and a bit off the fence into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. BULL FIGHTER chased off the rail then between foes leaving the backstretch and into the turn, angled in some leaving the turn and did not rally. SAN GIORGIO wide early, angled in and chased between horses then just off the rail on the turn, came out into the stretch and lacked a further response. CHECKS IN THE MAIL chased outside then five wide into the turn, dropped back on the bend, angled in three wide into the stretch and weakened. ROYAL BLUE GRASS had speed four wide then chased off the rail or between horses, dropped back and angled in some leaving the turn and gave way. CONTRATTO hopped and broke behind the field, settled just off the rail then inside on the turn and was outrun. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the start before ruling CONTRATTO was the cause of his own trouble.

MR CLASSICAL chased three deep, went up four wide into the second turn, bid three wide leaving that turn to take the lead and drew clear under urging then steady handling late. DRINK three wide into the first turn, stalked off the rail then bid outside the pacesetter to duel for the lead, battled between horses leaving the second turn and held the place. DAWOOD three deep early, chased between horses then just off the rail on the second turn and into the stretch and was edged for second. SPECTATOR'S DREAM sped to the early lead, set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, came a bit off the fence in the stretch and was outfinished for a minor share. SUPER CLASSIC four wide into the first turn, chased three deep to the stretch and did not rally. TAK'IN THE RED EYE three wide into the first turn, angled in and chased between horses then inside leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened. UNION STATION chased inside then a bit off the rail, was between horses into the stretch and also weakened. PALACE SAGE angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, gave way in the stretch and was eased in the final furlong. SCRAMBLED broke slowly, settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch, also gave way and was eased through the drive. FORMAL DUDE stalked three deep then outside a rival on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch, took a bad step nearing midstretch, was pulled up and vanned off.