Horse racing newsletter: Mike Tierney is back with a TV critique

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter, as we also welcome back Rob Henie, who gives us a handicapping lesson.

The big race on Saturday was the Blue Grass Stakes, normally a big-time Kentucky Derby prep. But, with everything topsy turvy this year, who knows what we should make of it. The winner was Art Collector, who ran to an impressive 3 ½-length win. All eyes were on the filly Swiss Skydiver, who ran second.

OK, onto the good stuff.

Tierney’s take on TV

We’re back with another contribution from Mike Tierney, our newly anointed horse racing TV critic. I figured with about 99% of people experiencing racing through television, this is a must-cover area. Mike has done just about everything in the journalism business and at a high level. He was even a sports-on-TV critic at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Mike, let us have it.

“For a five-day mini-meet unfolding more than 2,000 miles from its home base, TVG impressively poured considerable resources into the Keeneland races in Lexington, Ky., that conclude Sunday. About half of the on-air crew was dispatched, and canned feature pieces on the track and its surrounding horse country were whipped up.

“The coverage has been thorough, the competition captivating. Bonus: What a treat to hear the highly informed Caleb Keller, who seems mostly relegated to the night shift or presumably to the limited-access TVG2.

“If only we had not been subjected to occasionally over-caffeinated host Todd Schrupp and, early in the week, his shilling for a restaurant that must have supplied endless food and drink to the staff during their stay.

“For months in the TVG studio, Schrupp had craftily operated as anchor for the scattered, remote analysts during the pandemic. It is no easy task to coordinate in such unprecedented circumstances, and he has largely pulled it off.

“This past week must have felt like a get-out-of-jail assignment. Keeneland is a lovely place, but the gushing Schrupp has elevated it to eighth wonder of the world.

“He once effusively praised Keller for picking a winner, saying, ‘Caleb, you are dialed in.’

“Uh, the horse went off at 2-to-1. Let’s withhold the huzzahs for higher odds.

“Though more sedate on Saturday, Schrupp nearly burst into song over a horse’s name.

“While those elements have been tolerable, the infomercials for the eatery were not. The nadir was an extended interview with the joint’s proprietor about the safety precautions supposedly in effect, plus footage of the TVGers dining. Puh-leeze.

“Credit to Schrupp for displaying some self-awareness on Thursday when he alerted viewers to an upcoming lunch break and alluded to those who had mashed the mute button on their remote controls.

“ ‘So some of you can now turn the volume back on,’ he advised just before going off-duty.

“Mixed into the telecasts was news that TVG will soon upgrade its relatively fuzzy picture to high-definition on Charter’s Spectrum system, allowing it to pull even with other networks that carry horse racing.

“That is a welcome development. HD beats the heck out of standard definition — especially when the audio is muted.”

Thanks, Mike. If you want to send him any thoughts, he can be reached at tierneymike@yahoo.com.

Weekly handicapping lesson

It’s time for our weekly handicapping lesson from Rob Henie of the WCHR (West Coast Handicapping Report) and the ECHR (East Coast Handicapping Report). Today’s analysis comes from the fourth race at Del Mar and incorporates some handicapping angles into the mix. Rob, take it away.

“This is a maiden special Weight at five furlongs on the turf. And when it comes to very short distances such as this one, or, let’s say much longer races such as 1 1/16 miles or longer, we need to ask ourselves, ‘Is the placement in question the result of (1) needing the race (2) utilizing the distance to his or her advantage, or (3) the connections throwing up their hands and trying something new off lackluster efforts? Those three questions are a great way to view all races, with the bottom line looking for the objective of each barn. Let’s look at some examples.

“No. 3 FOOTHILL has shown little going two turns on the turf, thus the cutback in distance looking for a spark, but we’d much rather prefer to make him come beat us. No. 4 BONA FORTUNA has shown nothing at Golden Gate, yet, the connections likely wanna watch him run at Del Mar, thus Mike Puype is going this short distance knowing there’s a better chance he can stay within reason of the field going five-eighths on the turf as opposed to say 6 ½ on the main track. We’ll defeat him as well.

“Let’s now take a look at horses who we believe are headed the right direction. Top selection is CAERULEAN (#2). First off, we can establish he’s finding some good health right now, which is a great indication of improving health, and with better health, the door is open to better efforts. Let’s also take notice of the improvement that came when moved to the turf, which also coincided with the addition of blinkers, meaning, some new variables were introduced and he responded. There’s no reason to believe he can’t move forward with an even better effort here Sunday.

“STIR THE POT (#10) was given his debut back in January and then improved when given the turf. Two months later he again was given the dirt and then the turf followed, meaning, they’re confident he wants the sod, and now, he strings three races together for the first time ever, even adding blinkers, telling us the good health is creeping back into the picture. It at least opens the door for a good effort and some positive things going on here.

“Hot / Cold Race Trends: none

“Win Contenders (order of preference): 2-10-5

“X Out Runners (eliminating on the win end): 3,4

“Positive Notes:

“5 Cal’s Gem - Mendez could easily run in a softer spot without a claim off the long layoff, but instead, they return off 13-month layoff at this MSW level, with ‘go to’ jock Fuentes up, working fantastic since returning from Dixie Downs in Utah.

“First Timers:

“11 Spud - Did show some speed in his most recent drill, but this is tough eleven hole for a debut runner going ⅝, and we’re more inclined to make him come beat us.

“Morning Line Underlays / Overlays:

“2 Caerulean - Morning Line 10-1 / WCHR Line 6-1

“TOP PICK: CAERULEAN (#2 10-1 Gutierrez)

“SECOND CHOICE: STIR THE POT (#10 12-1 Hernandez)”

The West Coast Handicapping Report can be found at www.westcoasthorseracing.com. It has been endorsed by leading trainers, handicappers and industry sources.

Del Mar review

Saturday’s feature was a minor stakes, the $65,000 Wickerr Stakes (not the Wickker Stakes as I wrote on Saturday) for horses going a mile on the turf. The winner was Bob and Jackie, who worked his way smartly through the stretch to win by a neck. (See Bob Ike’s results below.)

Bob and Jackie paid $18.40, $9.60 and $7.00. Kiwi’s Dream was second, and Murah Khan finished third.

Here’s what the winning connections had to say.

Richard Baltas (winning trainer): “I told [jockey Heriberto Figueroa], ‘Don’t strangle him, let him go.’ He can be a little headstrong, but he’s a free-running horse. Credit to [Figueroa]. He did a good job. He [Bob and Jackie] has had some issues and it’s been a long time [between races], but he’s sound now and it’s good to see him win.”

Heriberto Figueroa (winning jockey): “He came back running. He ran really well. When he changed leads, he dug in. He was running hard at the finish and I knew I was going to win. One time last year when he was training, he hurt himself a little bit as he was changing leads. And since, he’s still a little shy about it. But once we get him to do that, he comes on. I’ve ridden this horse every time (seven for seven) and I really like him.”

Del Mar preview

Sunday’s Del Mar card is 10 races starting at 2 p.m. with one very minor stakes race to head it. There are three allowance/optional claimers and half of the races are on the turf. The feature is the $65,000 Osunitas Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile on the turf.

Super Patriot is the 8-5 favorite for trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Flavien Prat. She has won six-of-28 starts lifetime and is coming off a win in the Fran’s Valentine, arguably a better race, at Santa Anita. She has won three of her seven races at Del Mar.

The second favorite, at 7-2, is Sedamar for Shelby Ruis and Brice Blanc. She has won four of 13 and is coming off a second to Super Patriot in the Fran’s Valentine. This horse was bred by Mick Ruis, Shelby’s dad.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 7, 8, 6, 11 (2 also eligible), 7, 7, 7, 10, 7, 12.

Victor Espinoza update

Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza tested positive for the coronavirus and will be out of action for at least a couple weeks. We hinted at this possibility in Saturday’s newsletter but word didn’t come down until after the newsletter went to editing. However, we did post a story online and got something in the print edition. For the web story, just click here.

And now Los Alamitos gets hit

Credit to Jeremy Balan, of BetAmerica, for translating the tweet by Los Alamitos jockey Eduard Kennis Rojas Fernandez for saying that he, too, has tested positive for the coronavirus. There is a lot of heat on Los Al at the moment. Not what it needed.

Sad to report

Del Mar had its first fatality of its summer season when a 3-year-old filly suffered a catastrophic injury after completing a four-furlong work on Saturday morning. Lovely Lilia was pulled up at the completion of the workout on the main track and vanned off. Veterinarians determined that she could not recover from the unnamed injury and was euthanized. The injury occurred shortly before 5 a.m. Vladimir Cerin was the trainer of the New York bred. For more on this, just click here.

Bob Ike’s DM pick of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 4 California Kook (4-1)

This improving filly from the Peter Miller stable comes off a runner-up effort versus the boys when going nine furlongs in the Snow Chief (Cal-bred stakes). She defeated older Cal-breds one race back and should act with these open company allowance fillies under top turf rider Flavien Prat.

Saturday’s result: Bob and Jackie ($18.40) surged late to run down the leader near the wire as one of my two suggested price horses.

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).

Ciaran Thornton’s DM pick of the day

RACE THREE: No.1 Dorita’s Lemon (8-1)

Dorita’s Lemon is ridden by Umberto Rispoli and anything he rides this summer I am using. I expect a big meet for this jockey. Rispoli rode this horse to a victory in the debut and then again on the restarting of racing in May. They tried turf next out with Mike Smith for a third-place finish and today moves back to the winning jockey and distance and surface. The 8-1 value is very attractive in this small field. This race from 11 tries has been won by horses over 5-1 six times and horses over 10-1 have won four times. The Brad Cox favorite, Jewel Thief, ridden by Flavien Prat, should ensure we get this nice morning line price.

Saturday’s result: Rowangoeshollywood tried to take them gate to wire and any other jockey would have. Make a note of this horse especially on a jockey upgrade. Umberto Rispoli would have won on that horse, hint, hint, trainer for next out.

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

Note on big race reviews

Have to say I’ve been surprised at how many emails I’ve gotten on running the Woodbine races given their inflated purses. First, yes, I know the Canadian dollar is weaker than a Thursday race card. And, yes, I know the conversion is about three-quarters. But since I say “races worth $100,000 or more” instead of “races worth $100,000 (USD) or more,” I figured what’s the harm? Some of you find harm in it, so, here’s a suggestion: Just skip over them. (Also, don’t rule out the possibility that at some point I might get tired of adding them.)

Big races review

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

Woodbine (4): $123,200 maiden special weight, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Mighty Heart ($29.60)

Keeneland (4): $150,000 Appalachian Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Enola Gay ($12.60)

Belmont (4): Grade 2 $150,000 Ruffian Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Monomoy Girl ($2.30)

Woodbine (5): $126,800 maiden special weight, fillies 2-years-old, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Designed by Kitten ($5.90)

Keeneland (5): Grade 1 $250,000 Madison Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 7 furlongs. Winner: Guarana ($3.00)

Woodbine (6): $108,700 allowance optional claimer, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Bold Script ($3.60)

Keeneland (6): Grade 2 $150,000 Shakertown Stakes, 3 and up, 5 ½ furlongs on turf. Winner: Leinster ($22.40)

Delaware (7): Grade 3 $125,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 3/8 miles on turf. Winner: Gentle Ruler ($2.40)

Woodbine (7): Grade 2 $175,000 Connaught Cup Stakes, 3 and up, 7 furlongs on turf. Winner: Silent Poet ($4.90)

Keeneland (7): Grade 1 $400,000 Ashland Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Speech ($10.00)

Delaware (8): Grade 2 $400,000 Delaware Handicap, 3 and up, 1 ¼ miles. Winner: Dunbar Road ($2.40)

Keeneland (8): Grade 1 $350,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Rushing Fall ($3.60)

Woodbine (9): $101,200 allowance, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Encierro ($28.10)

Keeneland (9): Grade 2 $600,000 Blue Grass Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Art Collector ($6.60)

Big races preview

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

10:59 Woodbine (3): $126,800 maiden special weight, 2-year-olds, 5 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Copley (2-1)

12:06 Woodbine (5): $123,200 maiden special weight, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Sport’n Forty (5-2)

1:24 Keeneland (7): Grade 3 $100,000 Transylvania Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Field Pass (2-1)

2:10 Woodbine (9): $108,700 allowance optional claimer, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Dream Maker (2-1)

2:30 Keeneland (9): Grade 2 $175,000 Elkhorn Stakes, 4 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Favorite: Zulu Alpha (8-5)

2:42 Woodbine (10): $101,200 allowance, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: I Wonder (3-1)

Chris Wade’s LA pick of the day

RACE EIGHT: No. 2 Close To It (8-1)

He has a solid effort 57 nights ago against stakes winner John Carter Cash to earn a career best figure on my charts with everything factored in (trouble @ track variant). In that race, Close To It got fractious in the gate prior to leaving more than a length slow at the getaway to lose valuable ground and early racing momentum. From there, he finished beautifully to finish second and now returns for a solid jockey/trainer/owner combo.

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