Racing! What a year in racing can look like

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as get ready for an average weekend at Del Mar.

While going through the big races this weekend, it accentuated the up and down world of a horse owner or trainer. The favorite in the stakes at Albuquerque on Saturday is named Hence. Sound familiar?

Last year, Hence qualified for the Kentucky Derby by winning the Sunland Derby, the race this year that Bob Baffert and Elliott Walden snookered everyone into thinking that Justify was going to run. Then Hence goes to Louisville and finishes 11th in the Kentucky Derby, and on to the Preakness, where he finished ninth.

A trip to Prairie Meadows in Iowa led to a win in the Iowa Derby. That led the connections to send him to the Haskell, where he finished seventh. OK, let’s take a step back and go to Parx, where he’s sixth in the Smarty Jones. Yes, he needed a break so he went away for a little more than six months.

He comes back with a seventh in an allowance at Oaklawn. Still hopeful, they run him in the Alysheba at Churchill Downs, where he finished seventh. Back to his last success at Prairie Meadows where he finished sixth in the Cornhusker Handicap.

All of that brings us up to today, where he is running under the lights in New Mexico as the 2-1 favorite in a $200,000 stakes.

Now, it’s not as if some mom and pop owners have been along for the ride. He’s owned by Calumet Farm and trained by Steve Asmussen. But, it just struck me that’s it’s a long road from the first Saturday in May to the first Saturday in August in Albuquerque.

Del Mar review

Friday’s twilight feature was the $75,000 Daisycutter Handicap for fillies and mares going five furlongs on the turf. The winner was Go On Mary in an upset over the favored Okinawa by ½-length in a hotly contested stretch run. Go On Mary, trained by Doug O’Neill, paid $22.20, $7.20 and $4.60. Mongolian Shopper was third.

Del Mar preview

Del Mar has a 10-race card with two stakes set up for Saturday. It’s not as good as the last two weekends, but it’s still decent.

The big race is the eighth, the Grade 2 $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap for fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/16 on the turf. Post time is about 5:30 p.m. The favorite, and defending champion, is Cambodia, who is 7-2 on the morning line. She’s coming off running in four straight Grade 1s, none of which she won. Previously, she ran two Grade 2s, both of which she won, including this race last year.

The Tom Proctor trained mare is two for four at Del Mar and six of 17 lifetime. Drayden Van Dyke will ride.

The second favorite is Storm the Hill, for Phil D’Amato and Rafael Bejarano, is at 9-2. She is four for 20 lifetime and hasn’t hit the board in two starts at Del Mar.

The second stakes is the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for 2-year-old Cal-breds going 5 ½ furlongs. The favorite in that race is Our Silver Oak, at 2-1. He has won only once at Los Alamitos but it was a winning effort for Bill Morey. Van Dyke picks up the mount from Stewart Elliott. Luck’s Royal Flush is the second choice at 9-2. He’s won his last two starts, at Pleasanton and Santa Anita.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 9, 7, 8, 7, 7, 10 (2 also eligible), 10 (1 AE), 11, 12, 12 (1 AE).

Big races preview

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

12:22 Saratoga: $100,000 Del La Rose Stakes, NY-bred fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Uni (5-2)

1:18 Woodbine: $125,000 Shady Well Stakes, Ontario-bred fillies 2-years-old, 5 ½ furlongs on turf. Favorite: Tiz Breathtaking (2-1)

1:55 Mountaineer: Grade 3 $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Hawaakom (5-2)

2:10 Saratoga: Grade 1 $500,000 Test Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Mia Mischief (3-1)

2:35 Mountaineer: Grade 3 $500,000 West Virginia Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Once on Whiskey (5-2)

2:46 Saratoga: Grade 1 $1.2 million Whitney Handicap, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Mind Your Biscuits (2-1)

3:04 Gulfstream: $100,000 Dr. Fager Stakes, Fla-bred 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Fully Loaded (3-5)

3:22 Saratoga: Grade 3 $200,000 Waya Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Favorite: Santa Monica (2-1)

3:33 Del Mar: $100,000 Graduation Stakes, Cal-bred 2-year-olds, 5 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Our Silver Oak (2-1)

3:37 Gulfstream: $100,000 Desert Vixen Stakes, Fla-bred fillies 2-years-old, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Capture Your Dream (5-2)

3:56 Saratoga: $100,000 Lure Stakes, NY-breds 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Voodoo Song (5-2)

4:22 Penn National: $100,000 Robellino Stakes, Penn-bred 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Fast and Accurate (5-2)

5:33 Del Mar: Grade 2 $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Cambodia (7-2)

7:10 Albuquerque: $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Hence (2-1)

Bob Ike’s DMR pick of the day

NINTH RACE: No. 12 Make It a Triple (20-1)

Hard-knocking Cal-bred sprinter from the Keith Craigmyle barn didn't want to go two turns last time but shortens back up to his preferred distance and looks very live at a big price. His race one back vs. similar was a good runner-up try, he's drawn perfectly outside and has run very well over this track. The four-time winner also worked a bullet at Los Al since his last start.

Friday’s result: Mo See Call got up for second but Sea Sensation finished fifth in the fifth race.

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).

Ed Burgart’s LA play of the day

NINTH RACE: No. 8 Allyson Wonderland (3-1)

This filly joins the barn of leading trainer Paul Jones and looked terrific in 12.2 local gate drill since last runner-up futurity try at Energy Downs in Wyoming. In her 12.2 drill, she broke fast, lugged in to the 1/16-pole and glided over the ground with big strides under a hand ride while finishing nearly two lengths ahead of her workmate. I also liked the 12.1 gate drill on Utah invader Kr Hi Five, who displayed big strides under hand ride during final 1/16. I suggest a win bet on Allyson Wonderland and make an 8-5 exacta box.

Final thought

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

LUCKY STAXX stalked the pace inside, bid along the rail on the turn to gain the advantage, inched away leaving the turn, came a bit off the fence into the stretch, kicked clear under urging then had the rider lose the whip past the eighth pole and drew off. WHISKEY GINGER dueled outside a rival then stalked between foes on the turn, angled in a bit entering the stretch and held second. WE GO NOW saved ground stalking the pace, came a bit off the rail in deep stretch and bested the others. R CHA CHA hopped slightly in a bit of a slow start, stalked just off the rail then between foes, went three deep on the turn and four wide into the stretch and weakened. WILL TELL stumbled badly at the start, chased off the rail then three deep on the backstretch, went four wide on the turn and into the stretch and also weakened. AWESOME HEIGHTS had good early speed and dueled a bit off the rail then outside the winner midway on the turn, dropped back between horses into the stretch and gave way.

FAMILY GIRL stalked the pace inside, bid along thee rail into the stretch and in midstretch, gained the lead under urging in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. DISCATSONTHESQUARE between horses stalking the early pace, continued off the rail on the turn, swung five wide into the stretch, put a head in front five wide past the eighth pole and battled outside the winner to the wire. POWDER stalked early then bid three deep to vie for the lead, was fanned out four wide into the stretch, took a short lead between foes in midstretch, drifted in late and held third. CHOCOLATE GODDESS saved ground stalking the early pace then bid inside to duel for the lead, gained the advantage on the turn, drifted out some into the stretch, was between horses in midstretch and weakened late. MISS UNUSUAL sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace a bit off the rail then dueled between horses, fought back on the turn, was carried out a bit into the stretch, battled between rivals in midstretch and also weakened late. PIED N TRUE settled outside then three deep, continued outside on the turn and four wide into the stretch and did not rally. SILVERSPUN PICKUP stalked outside a rival then angled in a bit off the rail on the turn and weakened. CHLOE BELLE broke a bit slowly, settled inside, came out into the stretch and lacked a further response, was eased up late then unsaddled a pole from the wire and vanned off. TRIBAL DANCE bobbled then bumped a foe at the start, pulled her way along outside to stalk three deep, dropped back off the rail on the turn and three wide into the stretch and gave way.

SUNDAY PROPHET angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch, bid four wide in midstretch, gained the advantage past the eighth pole and won clear under urging. ROOM TO FINISH between horses into the first turn, angled in and saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and again in upper stretch and closed with a rush outside late. HIMMAH (IRE) saved ground stalking the pace, bid along the rail in the stretch, fought back in deep stretch and edged a rival for the show. TEMPLE PRINCESS steadied in tight inside into the first turn, went outside a rival leaving the backstretch and three deep on the second turn, came five wide into the stretch and finished well but was edged for third. CONFORMATION stalked inside, split horses on the backstretch, continued outside a rival on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch, bid between foes in the stretch and was outfinished. TURING MACHINE chased outside a rival, came out into the stretch and also was outfinished. TROPHY BRIDLE three deep into the first turn, settled outside a rival then a bit off the rail, angled to the inside in the stretch and continued along the fence to the end. POINT TO POINT broke a bit slowly, settled outside a rival chasing the pace, came four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. ROSES AND CANDY angled in outside a rival then inched away and set the pace inside, dueled leaving the second turn, fought back between foes in midstretch and weakened. INTO GLAMOUR also angled in and stalked inside, bid outside the pacesetter leaving the second turn and between foes into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. GAMEZAPPER pulled early and stalked outside a rival then three deep on the backstretch, dropped back between foes on the second turn and gave way.

PERFECT WAGER bobbled in a bit of a slow start, settled inside, came out into the stretch and again in upper stretch and rallied under urging to get up three deep on the line. CAPTIVATE stalked outside then four wide into the turn, continued three deep then five wide into the stretch, bid outside to gain a short lead and was edged late. CARAY angled in and stalked outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch, bid off the rail, fought back in the final furlong and continued gamely. SEQUENTIALLY chased a bit off the rail then inside, split rivals in the stretch and was outfinished. INVASION LOOMING chased off the rail, hopped nearing midway on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. HAYLORD settled between horses chasing the pace then off the rail into and on the turn and five wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. GIDDYMEISTER raced unhurried just off the inside to the stretch and did not rally. LUCKY ROMANO sent inside to stalk the pace, came off the rail on the turn and three deep into the stretch and weakened. HONEYMOONZ OVER dueled outside a rival, was between horses in upper stretch and weakened in the final furlong. FROM THE DISTANCE had good early speed and angled in, dueled inside, fought back on the turn and into the stretch and also weakened.

TELL ME MORE saved ground stalking the pace, came out in upper stretch and rallied under urging to gain the lead late and gamely prevailed.2wd. MO SEE CAL angled in and dueled outside a rival, took the lead into the stretch, inched clear inside in the drive and held on well but was caught late. SUPER PATRIOT stalked three deep between foes then outside a rival leaving the backstretch, went three wide leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and finished well for the show. FOXTAIL broke a bit slowly, settled inside, swung three deep into the stretch, split rivals in the drive and finished with interest. SEA SENSATION four wide on the first turn, stalked three deep, went four wide on the second turn and into the stretch and was outfinished. MONGOLIAN HUMOR angled in and dueled inside, fought back on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened late. QUINNIE settled outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and five wide into the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. ROAD TEST pulled and angled in early, chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail, went between horses on the second turn and into the stretch and also could not quite generate the necessary late response. OUR SLICK CHICK tugged early and was in tight into the first turn, saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch then angled back to the inside and lacked the needed rally. LADY BEWARE (IRE) chased between horses, steadied in tight midway on the second turn, came out four wide into the stretch and did not rally. SPECTACULAR MOVE stalked off the rail then three deep between foes leaving the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened.

SILKEN PRINCE hesitated to be away behind the field, settled inside, moved up along the rail on the turn and into the stretch, came out in midstretch and rallied between foes under urging to prove best. OFFSHORE AFFAIR had speed outside and dueled alongside a rival, took the lead while drifted out into the stretch, kicked clear, fought back three wide in deep stretch and just held second. IRISH HEATWAVE stalked inside, came out into the stretch, went around a rival then bid inside in the drive and was edged for the place. MOBOU had speed between horses then stalked outside a rival, continued three wide between foes on the turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. ITS FIVE SOMEWHERE chased off the rail then four wide on the turn and five wide into the stretch and could not summon the necessary late response. STARRING JOHN WAIN stalked outside then four wide on the turn and five wide into the stretch and weakened. FIG a bit slow to begin, chased inside then between foes on the turn, came out into the stretch and also weakened. THREE AY EM dueled a bit off the rail then inside, fought back on the turn and had little left for the stretch. LEADVILLE stalked between horses then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. MY LIL CHAMP broke a bit slowly, dropped back inside, came out into the stretch and was outrun.

GO ON MARY sped to the early lead and angled in, set the pace inside, came a bit off the rail into the stretch and held on gamely under urging. OKINAWA close up stalking the pace between horses then a bit off the rail leaving the turn, bid outside the winner in the stretch and continued willingly but could not get by. MONGOLIAN SHOPPER saved ground stalking the pace, came off the rail in the stretch and held third. SYMPOSIUM (GB) stalked the pace inside, came out some into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. DESERT STEEL chased between horses then outside a rival on the turn, came out into the stretch and was outfinished. PHANTOM PROTON saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside in the stretch and could not summon the needed late kick. OUT OF THE FLAMES (GB) four wide early, stalked outside, came three deep into the stretch and also lacked the necessary rally. SPELLKER chased between horses, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and did not rally. BERRYESSA (IRE) bobbled at the start, was rank and steadied early, pulled hard on the backstretch, chased three deep to the stretch and weakened.

MAJESTIC AUTHORITY dueled between horses, inched away a bit off the rail on the turn and drew clear in the stretch under urging. GIA LULA prompted the pace three deep between horses, stalked off the rail on the turn, continued off the inside into the stretch and held second. COPPER COWGIRL chased between horses then off the rail on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and was edged for the place. TRAPPIZA bumped at the start, saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. BABY ICE pressed the pace four wide then stalked outside on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and weakened. PEACHY bumped and squeezed back at the start, chased a bit off the rail, came out into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. GRECIAN FORT chased between horses then off the rail, angled to the inside entering the stretch and weakened. CHAPIS broke in and bumped a rival, settled between foes chasing the pace then fell back off the rail leaving the backstretch, continued outside a rival into the stretch and did not rally. TRUE MARTHA had a shoe repaired in the paddock, broke a bit slowly and bobbled, was sent inside to press the pace, stalked along the rail on the turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. SCURRY bumped and forced in at the start, was between horses early, stalked off the rail, dropped back leaving the turn and weakened. BREATHLESS CHARM chased five wide on the backstretch and into the turn, continued outside, came three deep into the stretch and had little left for the drive. SPACERIKA between horses chasing the pace on the backstretch, angled in outside a rival on the turn and also had little left for the stretch.