Racing! Happy Presidents Day

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we wish Victor Espinoza well in his first race back.

If you are a fan of racing, and you probably wouldn’t be getting this newsletter if you weren’t, you need to check out the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. It’s a weekly conversation with some of the personalities and movers and shakers in the business. It’s one of the few racing products that can be longer than this newsletter. And, like this, it’s free.

This past week, Ron, who works at VSiN, published a lengthy podcast interview with Tim Ritvo, the big dog at Santa Anita and The Stronach Group. Ron asked all the right questions and it is definitely worth a listen. Hey, it’s a holiday, you’ve got time. Listen to it here.

There are a lot of national topics and I’ve cherry-picked some of the highlights. So, thanks Ron for making my job easier today.

The quotes, all from Ritvo, are edited for clarity and brevity.

--(On the post-time drag) “I’m reading [the complaints] too and I don’t want to upset the customers. We started this [at Gulfstream] a few years ago, where we made sure we weren’t shutting anybody out. That was the real premise in the beginning. We started to watch all of the money pouring in later and later. When we got closer to the Amtote click—the seven seconds update of the pools—we weren’t seeing so much of that late money coming in and the odds changing when the horses were leaving.

“I understand what people want. I’ve actually participated in a program with the Jockey Club on how to coordinate post times, not just with the Stronach Group, but also within the industry. The problem is we’re dealing with animals. We’re dealing with circumstances. We’re dealing with weather at every jurisdiction.

“We try and [coordinate times] among ourselves and we try and incorporate the big signals that are out there. … I know it’s frustrating to the customer because they see the time on the board. … Sometimes [the horses] hit the track at 4 or 5 [minutes] and we have to give them some time to warm up. We have to give the customers time to see them on the track. … But we are conscious of the complaints. The idea is if we have more technology, better real-time odds and trifecta probables and all these things we’re thinking about that would give the customer more comfort. Maybe [it would help them] get their bets in earlier.”

--(On lower takeout) “Some of the players are a little hypocritical because they are getting rebates already that drove the takeout below what the current takeout is. … If the takeout were lowered, whether it’s on a roulette bet or across the board and the rebates were to go away then everyone would be on more of an even playing field. I don’t know if those sophisticated players would be happy getting their rebates taken away to level the playing field for everybody else.”

--(On the roulette bet) “It’s not the market to target the sophisticated wagerers. We’re looking for the new customer. ... We thought we were looking for something that could make it easier or simpler to follow but it hasn’t taken off. We’re a little disappointed with the pools but we’re in test mode right now. … We would like to lower the takeout but in California you can’t go below the win number. I understand the horseman’s perspective that if you do this [lower takeout] they aren’t betting win, place and show so they’re losing out on the revenue.”

--(On building new stalls at Santa Anita) “We’re looking at a permit date of somewhere around June or July and hope to break ground. The plans have been submitted. The people on the ground have worked really well with the City of Arcadia and the county. People want that race track to stay there. And one of the things about building 850 stalls for $35 million [shows] the true commitment that racing is going to be there for a long time.”

--(On firing of announcer Michael Wrona) “Michael Wrona did a great job. Frank Mirahmadi had been one of the finalists at that time. Mike got the job but I think Frank does a little bit more in what we were looking for. … Frank has a big-volume attitude, he’s bouncy, he’s a horse player. We thought they were both great callers. It was not easy. I felt really bad for Mike and how he took it.

“Listen, I think I do a good job and I come out here and work hard every day. Someday my number will be up and I’ll get the phone call to go to the office and I’ll feel horrible too. But I’ll understand that sometimes different people think different and change is always on the horizon.”

There’s lots more in Ron’s podcast including talk about sports gambling, the Preakness and even the Pegasus race. Check it out.

Must read on Jay Cohen

Some of you have asked about the status of Santa Anita bugler Jay Cohen and his struggle with Bell’s palsy. Bill Plaschke visits him at his home in this tremendous story and Jay talks about his future. You can read it here.

Santa Anita review

Risky Proposition, it turns out, was anything but on Sunday, winning the $59,000 allowance feature for older horses going a mile on the turf. Saving ground of the rail, Risky Proposition came late to beat favorite Keep Quiet by half-a-length.

He paid $26.00, $9.60 and $6.60 for trainer Bill Spawr. Fight On was third.

“I knew they were cutting out a decent pace up front and my horse was travelling real well,” winning jockey Joe Talamo told Mike Willman of Santa Anita. “When we angled out, he pinned his ears and really got after it. Full credit to Bill and his team, he was ready.”

Santa Anita preview

There is no rain in the forecast. The beers and sodas are a buck. Hot dogs are two. And, most importantly, Victor Espinoza makes his return to riding. Victor will be riding in the first race aboard Gallantlystreaming for John Sadler in a 6 ½ furlong race down the hillside turf course. He’s the 5-2 morning-line favorite.

Victor is returning after a seven-month absence when he was seriously injured in a workout. Initially he had some paralysis but worked his way through months of physical therapy and is back to ride. Everyone wishes him the best.

Besides that, it’s a pretty decent card with a couple of big money Cal-bred races. Five of the nine races are on the turf. First post is 12:30 p.m. The field sizes are real good with an average of 8.7. Four races have 10 starters and three have nine.

They’ve got the two stakes up in the card as the fourth and fifth races. The $200,000 California Cup Derby is for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles. Galilean is the heavy favorite at 2-5. He’ll be making his fourth start, coming off a 9-length win in the King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos. This is his first race of the year and an impressive win could force trainer Jerry Hollendorfer to look at some of the remaining Kentucky Derby preps. Flavien Prat gets the ride.

Irish Heatwave is the second choice at 3-1 for trainer Keith and jockey Kent Desormeaux. He has won two-of-five lifetime and won two of the last three. Post is about 2:05 p.m.

The other stakes is the $200,000 California Cup Oaks for 3-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf. Apache Princess is the 9-5 favorite for the Desormeauxs. She has won two-of-five including her last two races. Her last race was an allowance, which she won by 3 ½ lengths. Lakerball, for Doug O’Neill and Rafael Bejarano, is the 5-2 second choice. She has won the Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita and a minor stakes at Golden Gate. She was sixth in the Jimmy Durante at Del Mar last out. Post is about 2:35 p.m.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 10 (1 also eligble), 9, 6, 5, 9, 9, 10, 10 (1 also eligible), 10 (3 also eligible).

Big races review

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

Aqueduct (7): $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes, NY-breds 4 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Honor Up ($6.80)

Big races preview

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

11:30 Laurel (5): $100,000 Maryland Racing Media Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Timeless Curls (5-2)

1:27 Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Hollie Hughes Stakes, NY-breds 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Build to Suit (5-2)

2:04 Santa Anita (4): $200,000 California Cup Derby, Cal-bred 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Galilean (2-5)

2:09 Oaklawn (7): Grade 3 $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: She’s a Julie (9-5)

2:34 Santa Anita (5): $200,000 California Cup Oaks, Cal-bred fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Apache Princess (9-5)

2:38 Oaklawn (8): Grade 3 $500,000 Razorback Handicap, 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Coal Front (5-2)

3:09 Oaklawn (9): Grade 3 $500,000 Southwest Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Cutting Humor (3-1)

Bob Ike’s SA pick of the day

SEVENTH RACE: No. 10 Lexington Grace (10-1)

Good, competitive downhill turf sprint and I will try a price horse who goes route to sprint for trainer Leo Powell. This 4-year-old mare probably needed her last when tiring to fourth going long, now cuts back in distance, is drawn favorably outside and goes to Desormeaux. Have a hunch she might be a late-running sprinter, so let's find out at nice odds.

Sunday’s result: Broke out of a prolonged slump with a nice winner as Risky Proposition ($26.00) rallied nicely under a perfect Joe Talamo ride to run down the favorite near the wire in the seventh 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).

Final thought

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Any thoughts, you can reach me at [email protected]. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

Now, here are the star of the show, Sunday’s results and Monday’s entries.

BLITZKRIEG stalked inside, came out leaving the hill and three deep into the stretch, swept to the front in upper stretch and drew off under a brisk hand ride and a long hold late. JIMMY CHILA was in a good position stalking the pace between horses, came out in the drive and gained the place. CATS BLAME chased three deep, came out five wide into the stretch and edged foes for the show four wide on the line. SWISS MINISTER had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away down the hill, came off the rail and fought back in upper stretch and was edged for third late. CHILL dueled outside a rival then stalked alongside the winner leaving the hill, re-bid between horses in upper stretch and was edged for a minor share between foes late. CHOSEN VESSEL saved ground chasing the pace and put in a late bid at a minor award along the rail. FALCONE a bit slow to begin, settled off the rail, angled in some leaving the hill, found the fence in the stretch and lacked a rally. MORE HONOR stalked outside a rival, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. Rail on hill at zero.

STURDY ONE four wide early, pressed the pace outside a rival, took a short lead into the stretch, inched away nearing midstretch and drew clear under a left handed crack of the whip and steady handling. CINNAMON TWIST between horses early, saved ground stalking the pace and continued up the rail in the stretch for the place. CONQUEST FLATTERME sent inside early, dueled along the rail, came off the fence into the stretch and bested the others. LADY KRISHNA stalked between horses then outside the runner-up on the turn and into the stretch, drifted in some late and weakened. PRINCESS KENDRA between rivals early, stalked three deep, dropped back off the rail on the turn and had little left for the drive.

ANGEL ALESSANDRA chased a bit off the rail, came out leaving the hill and four wide into the stretch, gained the lead outside the runner-up and drew clear under a late tap of the whip and steady handling. DEVILS DANCE stalked outside a rival then off the rail, came three deep into the stretch, bid between foes then inside the winner but off the rail and was clearly second best. GALLOVIE (GB) stalked a bit off the rail then inside, came out a bit nearing the stretch then steadied off heels into the lane, came out and bested the others. CEDARS OF LEBANON (IRE) sped to the early lead, set the pace off the rail, dueled outside a rival on the hill, was between foes into the stretch, drifted out late and gave way. LADY LUCY saved ground stalking the pace, bid inside on the hill to take a short lead, dueled along the rail leaving the hill and into the stretch, also drifted out late and gave way. Rail on hill at zero.

NICE WORK had good early speed and set the pace a bit off the rail, dueled inside into and on the turn, came out into the stretch, fought back under urging while drifting inward in deep stretch to regain the advantage and gamely prevailed. OWNING stalked between horses then just off the rail, bid between horses leaving the backstretch and outside the winner on the turn, was carried out a bit into the stretch, gained a short lead in midstretch, also drifted in late and was outgamed. I BELONG TO BECKY a step slow to begin, was between foes early then pulled along the inside to stalk the pace, continued on the rail on the turn and in the stretch and bested the others. ORACLE OF OMAHA drifted in some at the gap and was straightened, also pulled and chased a bit off the rail, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. ITS FIVE SOMEWHERE chased off the rail, angled in entering the stretch, came a bit off the inside in the drive and could not summon the necessary response. HANDSOME JOHN had speed outside then stalked outside a rival or three deep, fell back on the turn, came a bit wide into the stretch and weakened.

ANATOLIAN HEAT chased outside a rival, angled in and moved up inside on the turn, swung four wide into the stretch, gained the lead three deep nearing midstretch and won clear under urging. NEW KARMA a bit slow to begin, chased inside, split horses leaving the turn and into the stretch, came out past midstretch and gained the place. ST. RENO had speed between horses then dueled inside, fought back in midstretch a bit off the rail and just held third. ROCKY ROGUE four wide early, angled in and dueled outside a rival, battled between horses in midstretch and was edged for the show. ISEE IT IN HISEYES stalked outside then off the rail, came out four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. RULE HE WILL a bit slow to begin, went up inside to stalk the pace, continued along the rail on the turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. INCENSED between rivals early, chased just off the rail then inside, steadied along the rail early on the turn, continued inside and did not rally. EXECUTIVE CAT broke a bit slowly, chased outside a rival, went three deep leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. BILLY THE HOTT had speed between horses then stalked outside a rival, continued between foes leaving the turn and three wide into the stretch, drifted to the inside and gave way.

WILD BEAN had speed between foes then dueled inside, inched away on the turn, kicked clear off the rail into the stretch and drew off under a tap with the whip turned down and a strong hand ride then a hold late. BOB'S SNIPER chased outside then three deep, continued off the rail leaving the turn and into the stretch and edged a rival for the place. TRANSLUCENT had good early speed and dueled outside the winner, stalked leaving the turn and into the stretch and was edged for second. KING PARKER saved ground stalking then chasing the pace and lacked a rally in the drive. JOHN'S INTUITION had speed off the rail then stalked between horses, continued outside a rival on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. FAIR CHALLENGE chased off the rail then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally. HE BE MOJO RISIN chased inside then a bit off the rail, went outside a rival on the turn and three deep into the stretch and weakened.

RISKY PROPOSITION saved ground chasing the pace, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch,, rallied under left handed urging to gain the lead in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. KEEP QUIET (FR) stalked a bit off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, bid three deep past midstretch, put a head in front in deep stretch but could not hold off the winner. FIGHT ON saved ground stalking the pace, came out in midstretch, bid between foes past midstretch and held third. MAESTRO DEARTE angled in and settled outside a rival then a bit off the rail, went around a foe into the stretch, came out in the drive and had a mild late bid. DREAMS OF VALOR sped to the early lead, angled in and set a pressured pace inside, inched clear on the second turn, fought back past midstretch and weakened late. KAZAN (IRE) unhurried and angled in outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. MORSE CODE chased between horses then outside a rival or a bit off the rail, split horses on the second turn, came four wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. LAZZAM (GB) saved ground off the pace, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and did not rally. ARTIE B GOOD chased three deep then outside a rival, angled in for the second turn and into the stretch and also lacked a rally. PINCHECK (IRE) angled in and pressed the pace outside a rival, stalked leaving the second turn, was between foes into the stretch and weakened. ACCOUNTABILITY chased three deep then outside a rival, continued three wide on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and also weakened.

BITTER RING HOME had speed between foes, dueled outside a rival then briefly three deep on the backstretch, took a short lead outside the runner-up on the second turn, battled outside that one under urging through the drive and inched away late. BARTLETT HALL pulled along the inside then tugged his way up between horses on the backstretch to take a short lead, dueled inside, fought back along the rail in the stretch and could not quite match the winner late. CAUSEIDIDITMYWAY stalked a bit off the rail, split horses on the backstretch, came out into the stretch and edged rivals for the show. NORMANDY BEACH four wide into and on the first turn, stalked outside then three deep to the stretch and was edged for third. PAUL'S DIVA also went four wide on the first turn, chased outside a rival then three deep, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. PASTORELLI chased a bit off the rail then inside into and on the second turn, came out into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. MALIBU MAGIC three deep into the first turn, chased between foes or outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally. SKAGIT RIVER three deep into the first turn, stalked between horses, fell back outside on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. SANTA FE BLAZE dueled inside, stalked along the rail leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and also weakened. CASUAL REPLY broke slowly, dropped back off the rail, fell farther behind on the backstretch and was not a threat.

RINSE AND REPEAT chased outside a rival, split horses on the hill, came out some in the stretch, rallied under left handed urging to collar the leader while lugging in some approaching the sixteenth pole and drew off. UNION REBEL saved ground chasing the pace, came out a bit into the stretch and split horses late for the place. ACCORDING TO BUDDY had good early speed and dueled outside a rival, drifted out into the stretch, angled in some and held third between foes. KRIS' WILD KAT sped to the early lead, dueled inside, inched clear into the stretch and was edged for the show. FORTUNE OF WAR (GB) chased outside a rival then three deep leaving the hill and into the stretch and was edged for a minor award four wide on the line. GRAY ADMIRAL settled outside a rival chasing the pace, came out in the stretch and also put in a late bid at a minor share five wide on the wire. VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD a bit slow to begin, saved ground off the pace, came out a bit past midstretch and lacked the needed rally. FORAY stalked outside a rival then chased a bit off the rail, angled to the inside nearing the stretch and weakened. Rail on hill at zero.