Saturday’s $200k Sham Stakes is a key local nine furlong prep for the April 4th Santa Anita Derby, and many of these need graded earnings if they hope to make it to the starting gate in the Kentucky Derby.

The Pamplemousse, the 9-5 morning line favorite, has won two straight, including the Grade 3 San Rafael at a flat mile here. Alex Solis/Julio Canani are 4-7 together, and the early/pressing type might get brave if able to sneak away early. He gets a stamina test today and will not offer much wagering value.
Mr. Hot Stuff is on the upswing …read more

Wednesday (2-25-09) recap
Edge to early/pressing types (2 wire jobs) on Pro-Ride. Stalkers nabbed the two downhill sprints, and Sunny Peace (Solis-Gallagher) pulled off a wire job at the speed friendly flat mile (turf) distance.
Chantal Sutherland booted home a pair of filly maiden claiming sprinters, and Jeff Mullins saddled two maiden claiming winners on the card.

Thursday (2-26-09) preview
Today’s card features a Pick 6 carryover of $704,945.
Weather: Partly cloudy. High 70.
Race 3: Pick 6 starts here. Vague Notion (5-2) just missed the place in her productive race bow, then came back to rally for 2nd last time. …read more

Weekend recap (Feb 21-22), plus news and notes

Georgie Boy did not disappoint as the heavy fav in Saturday’s San Carlos (G2). Halo Najib ran well to garner the place, and I would not be surprised if the Mike Mitchell runner stretched out in the near future.
On Sunday, Spring House held off Church Service to repeat in San Luis Obispo Hcp (G2). Zambezi Sun finished a disappointing 6th in US bow…he still might be Big Cap bound.
Rail Trip ran his record to 4-4 on Friday, but the promising Ron Ellis runner is not expected for the Big Cap. His …read more

A field of eight is set to contest the flat mile Grade 3 San Rafael (race 7) at Santa Anita on Saturday, and Square Eddie is the one to topple.

Square Eddie made an immediate impact when sent to the US in the fall of 2008, as he rolled to a sharp win over Keeneland’s Polytrack in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity.
The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was next on his dance card, and he ran a big race to land the place behind likely 2yo champ Midshipman.
The son of Smart Strike ran six times last year, so he …read more

Proudinsky ($4.60) got the job done over my two value contenders (Ferneley & Medici Code) in the San Gabriel Handicap (G2) on Sunday, but four upsets earlier in the Pick 6 sequence set up a carryover of $156,069 for the 9-race Monday program.
The Pick 6 begins with the 4th race, which is my racingonthenet free selection of the day, and concludes with the 9th race, my MySpace pick of the day.
The 6th race has a few promising sorts with possible 2009 Kentucky Derby dreams. Mayor Marv is the 9-5 fav for Bob Baffert/Mike Pegram, and he exits a …read more

Travers (G1) hero Colonel John makes his final start as a three-year-old as Santa Anita kicks off their winter meet on December 26th. The Grade 1 Malibu has drawn a field of seven sophomores, led by the Colonel.
Eoin Harty’s charge was last seen finishing a solid 6th in the Breeders’ Cup Classic versus a salty group of older international company. Besides the Travers, Colonel John also won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Sham (G3), both at Santa Anita Park.
2008 Breeders Cup Classic replay
He began his career with a place finish at Del Mar in 2007, and he …read more

Friday (12-19-08) Hollywood Park recap
Edge to stalk and pounce types on Cushion Track.
Hat trick for leading rider Rafael Bejarano. Delgadillo and Solis both booted home a pair.
Miss Singhsix took advantage of a pace battle between Caramel Coffee (2nd best) and Sheza Maneater to post a solid 1-3/4 length tally in the optional claiming feature.

Saturday (12-20-08) Hollywood Park preview
Saturday’s 10-race card is highlighted by the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity (featured below).
The 5th race, the $75k Cat’s Cradle Handicap, is my Myspace free selection of the day.

Hollywood Park race 8 (Grade 1 CashCall Futurity, 2yo, 8.5f)
(1) Azul …read more

Wednesday (12-17-08) Hollywood Park recap
Four wire jobs on Cushion Track. The lone turf sprint was taken off the turf.
Martin Pedroza and Joel Rosario both booted home a pair. Long day for Rafael Bejarano as he lost five times on well-back horses. Doug O’Neill saddled two winners on the card.
One Track Mind (race 7) controlled proceedings throughout in a good looking optional claiming route wire job.
Thursday (12-18-08) Hollywood Park preview
Thursday’s 8-race card includes a Pick 6 carryover of $75,502.
The 5th race (featured below), originally scheduled for turf, will be run at 8.5f on Cushion Track.
Hollywood Park …read more

Sunday (12-14-08) Hollywood Park recap
Early/pressing types dominated on Cushion Track. The lone turf sprint carded was taken by a stalker.
Four-bagger for Rafael Bejarano. Michael Baze booted home a pair.
Star Nicholas (drifted in) outfinished Partywithlarry Z (stretch traffic) to nab to the $75k On Trust Handicap. Post time favorite Dancing In Silks set a pressured pace and finished a solid 3rd.

Wednesday (12-17-08) Hollywood Park preview
Wednesday’s 8-race card looks a bit chalky, but there is some value to be had in a few races.
Race 1: One Vote (7-5) looms the controlling speed at low odds under …read more

Friday (12-12-08) Hollywood Park recap
Edge to early/pressing types on Cushion Track. Turf course favored stalkers.
Hat trick for Rafael Bejarano. Martin Garcia booted home a pair, and Doug O’Neill saddled two winners on the card.
Informed (Gryder/O’Neill) came again to gamely nab the optional claiming Cushion Track feature by 1/12 lengths. The son of Tiznow ran 8.5f in 1:41.53 and paid $7.00 as the 2nd betting choice.

Saturday (12-13-08) Hollywood Park preview
Saturday’s 10-race card features the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $85,503.
Laragh is the one to catch and beat in the …read more