Fairplex Park wrapped up their meet on Monday, and my Pick 9 ticket ended up with four winners. Nobody correctly tabbed nine winners during the 15-day fair stand, and tickets with seven on the final day were rewarded with $51k.

Winners' circle at Santa Anita Park

Back to Oak Tree, and the opening day feature race is the Grade 3 Morvich Handicap, which is the local prep for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Desert Code finished 7th in this race last year before winning the BC Turf Sprint at 36-1. He has not been seen since April, and he is looking to get back on the beam following a pair of disappointing efforts earlier this year. He reunites with winning BC pilot Richard Migliore.

California Flag looks like the one to catch and beat. He won the ‘08 Morvich and exits a determined win in the Green Flash at Del Mar. This is my Horse Racing Nation free selection of the day.

If you are interested in the Pick 6, I will be covering the daily action on my pick six blog, and you can view the opening day ticket here.

In addition, we will be all over the Breeder’s Cup on Horse Racing Nation, and I will be posting many blogs about the big event in the coming days and weeks.

For those interested in my Louisiana Downs analysis, note that our ‘09 meet ends on Sunday, Oct. 4th. I have completed my Thursday (Oct 1st) analysis, and you can view it here. Just click on the Thursday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Newscom

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The aforementioned morning line favorite finished 2nd in this event last year, and he began his campaign with a graded tally at Fair Grounds before his current string of bad luck. He does like the local green, but note that he seems to do his best work with some give in the ground.

Monmouth Stakes replay – Big Brown, Proudinsky

Medici Code landed the show in this event last year, and he has only race three times since. Consistent, versatile turf perfomer lands the cozy rail and could be sitting on a top effort in his 3rd race off a layoff. He figures to offer nice value at 8-1 on the line.

Medici Code wins 2007 Del Mar Derby

Becrux has run two solid races since moving to the John Sadler barn. Flat mile specialist packs a nice late kick and has the class to run past them all. He is 0-4 over the local green, and distance/race shape are the biggest hurdles for this one.

Ferneley has failed to threaten in a trio of graded turf tries and might be better at a flat mile. He owns competitive speed ratings and is not without a chance.

Obrigado frequently sneaks into the exotics in this type of race, and the Neil Drysdale runner has fired from 9-12 furlongs.

Porfido is a long distance specialist for Robert Frankel, and he makes his first start since July. He has been a purse nibbler in this country, and maybe he grabs a share today.

Swift Winds has won three straight at a flat mile and is a solid California bred performer, but this company and distance will likely put an end to his current streak.

Sartorial is probably the one to catch for Richard Mandella, but he sports the look of an optional claiming type, and he has never run this far.

Silent Soul exits a wire job win at this distance in a race originally scheduled for the turf. Two-time grass winner will probably find this company too salty.

It was a wild and wacky day at the Great Race Place on Saturday. Garrett Gomez ended up in the hospital when his mount Back At You ducked into the rail in the Eddie Logan Stakes. Note that he is scheduled to ride Proudinsky on Sunday.

Fleet filly Indyanne fractured her left front sesamoid in the stretch of the La Brea (G1), a race won by heavy fav Indian Blessing. Indyanne has a realistic chance to be saved for broodmare duties.

Juvenile filly Saucey Evening stormed from off the pace to impressively nab the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes for Graham Motion, and Flashmans Papers once again held off Kelly Leak in the aformentioned Eddie Logan.

Rafael Bejarano, Garrett Gomez, and Mike Smith each booted home a pair on Saturday.

Sunday’s card also includes the Blue Norther for grassy juvenile fillies, and Bob Baffert’s Internallyflawless is strictly the one to beat.

Sunday’s 5th race is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Sunday’s 6th race is my racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

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2008 Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint replay

Bob Baffert’s gem of consistency has been part of the exacta in all eleven lifetime starts, and she projects a decent tracking trip in this spot.

Indian Blessing passes Test

Bsharpsonata is the now horse exiting a sharp six furlong victory in a minor stakes event at Hollywood Park. She was making her first start for Todd Pletcher that day, and the versatile miss should enjoy seven panels.

Talented daughter of Pulpit won a pair of graded races around one turn (7-8 furlongs) earlier in the year, and fine jockey Garrett Gomez got to know her last time. Win type appears primed to knock off the aforementioned fav.

Indyanne is the one to catch for the formidable NoCal connections of Russell Baze and Greg Gilchrist. Like the fav, she is out of Indian Charlie, but the fleet miss might find seven furlongs a bit too far.

Foxy Danseur has found graded company hard to handle in her previous two tries. She has won a few non-graded events and enjoys this Pro-Ride surface, and I would not be shocked if she snuck into the exotics at a price.

Never Retreat got the job done for me in a turf stakes event at the Big A in November. She has been competitive from 6.5 furlongs to a mile and a sixteenth on dirt/turf, and she’s an underneath threat if able to handle synthetic ground.

Country Star won a pair of synthetic grade one races as a juvenile, but she has only raced three times since, and the rail is not the best place to be at this distance. Bejarano rides the Frankel runner well, and check out that strong local six furlong bullet on Dec 12th.

Accopela Choir packs a decent late kick but probably wants an easier spot.

Laureldean Gale is still eligible for an entry level spot, and Eoin Harty/Darley Stable runner is ambitiously placed today.

Ginger Pop is a turf specialist retuning from a vacation, and seems over her head in this salty spot.

In addition to the La Brea, there are a pair of non-graded events to be run on Saturday. The 5th race is the female counterpart to Friday’s California Breeders’ Champion Stakes, and Graham Motion’s Saucey Evening is the solid 2-1 morning line choice.

The $70k Eddie Logan for two-year-olds traveling a flat mile on the turf has attracted Best Pal (G2) winner (disqualified) Kelly Leak, who should have won his turf bow at Hollywood last time.

Note that there is a Pick 6 carryover of $171,220, and the opening leg of the Pick 6 (Race 4) is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Photo credit: newscom.com

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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 won his 2nd career race at the Malibu seven furlong distance. Garrett Gomez, his Travers and Sham pilot, climbs back aboard. He is expected to try the Strub and Big Cap, both routes at Santa Anita Park, following his after Christmas extended sprint run.

Colonel John wins Travers

Into Mischief is supposed to head to the breeding shed following his Malibu engagement. The lightly raced son of Harlan’s Holiday has been part of the exacta in all five career outings, and he must work out a trip from the tricky rail post. Richard Mandella will give regular pilot Victor Espinoza a leg up.

Three-time sprint winner Bob Black Jack is the one to catch, and he exits a needed 5th place finish versus older graded foes.

Golden Spikes invades from Florida for the high percentage Marty Wolfson. The stalk and pounce type has the talent to compete with these, but he has never tried synthetic ground. He did work over the Pro-Ride surface on Dec 19th.

Nownownow has struggled in five starts this year. His last win occurred over yielding ground in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park, and his lack of any speed puts him at a huge disadvantage versus this salty crew.

Guns On The Table is getting better for Bob Baffert, but this is a tough spot to try graded company. Rafael Bejarano ends up here, and I can see him sneaking into the trifecta at nice odds.

3-time graded winner Georgie Boy rounds out the field. He was 4th behind Into Mischief when last seen on the Breeders’ Cup undercard. He should improve following that needed outing, but he might not be as sharp right now.

The Malibu is the 8th race on a 9 race card, which also includes the Grade 3 Sir Beaufort (race 7) for three-year-olds traveling a flat mile on the turf. Gio Ponti (post 12) is the 2-1 morning line favorite.

The 6th race, the $125k California Breeders’ Champion Stakes, is a state bred juvenile event, and the speedy Lordgivemealift is the tepid 7-2 morning line choice in a seemingly wide open event.

The 3rd race, a maiden special weight sprint, is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Photo Credit: Newscom

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Undefeated filly sensation Zenyatta made her case for Horse of the Year with a powerful performance in the Ladies’ Classic. She remains in light training until a decision is made regarding her future. I would like to see her race next year and possibly take on males at some point.

Ginger Punch finished 6th in her Ladies’ Classic title defense, and the Robert Frankel trainee has been retired. The five-year-old mare won six Grade 1 races and amassed over $3 million in career earnings.

Carriage Trail, 4th in the Ladies’ Classic, has been retired.

Curlin, 4th in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, returned to Churchill Downs on Monday, and his future will be decided by majority owner Jess Jackson. It would be great to see him return to race another season, but he has nothing left to prove on the track and is a valuable commodity at stud. The future is also uncertain for surprise Classic winner Raven’s Pass.

Classic runners Henrythenavigator (2nd) and Duke of Marmalade (9th) have both been retired to stud. Fairbanks (10th) and Student Council (11th) also reportedly ended their racing days on Saturday.

Colonel John, a more than respectable 6th in the Classic, will be back for a four-year-old campaign. I always liked this son of Tiznow, and he should continue to improve next year.

BC Filly & Mare Turf winner Forever Together will receive a much needed vacation. She will return to race in 2009.

Visit, a solid 4th in the BC F&M Turf, will remain in Southern California while moving to the Robert Frankel barn. I expect good things out of her next year.

Impressive Juvenile Fillies winner Stardom Bound is expected to be sold in Kentucky on Nov. 2nd as her 85-year-old owner Charles Cono gets out of the game.

Juvenile Fillies runner-up Dream Empress is expected to race next in the Golden Rod at Churchill on Nov. 29th.

Filly and Mare Sprint winner Ventura will race next year for Robert Frankel, who mentioned that Precious Kitten, 4th in the BC Mile, will make her final career start in the Nov. 30th Matriarch at Hollywood Park.

Filly and Mare Sprint favorite and runner-up Indian Blessing is seemingly better on conventional dirt, and trainer Bob Baffert would like to send her to Dubai in March.

2007 BC Mile hero Kip Deville, 2nd behind the sensational Goldikova in the 2008 edition, is scheduled to make his next start in the Hong Kong Mile on December 14th.

Mile show finisher Whatsthescript is likely to run in the Citation at Hollywood Park on Nov. 28th.

The aforementioned Goldikova has returned to her French base, and the three-year-old filly will race again next year. It would be great to see her in the 2009 Cup, also held at Santa Anita Park.

Donativum, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner under a heady ride by Frankie Dettori, has now won three straight since being gelded earlier this year. The John Gosden trainee could shoot for the 2009 Kentucky Derby.

BC Turf winner Conduit could race next in the Japan Cup on Nov. 30th. Place finisher Eagle Mountain will run in Hong Kong on Dec. 14th.

Turf 7th place finisher Winchester will contest the Hollywood Derby on Nov. 30th at Hollywood Park.

In other thoroughbred racing news, the fall meet at Santa Anita Park concluded on Sunday, and racing switches to Hollywood Park on October 29th. Belmont Park also wrapped up its fall meet, and Aqueduct opens on Oct. 29th as well.

Zenyatta Photo Credit: Newscom

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Curlin, fresh off a sharp five furlong drill over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface in between races on October 13th, has been pre-entered for a Breeders’ Cup Classic title defense on Oct. 25th. His five furlong work on Monday (pictured above) was completed in :59.11 while in company with Hawaii Calls.

Steve Asmussen also sent out Classic contender Student Council on Monday, and he drilled six furlongs in 1:12.40 under Shaun Bridgmohan.

Kentucky Derby hero Big Brown’s Classic hopes were dashed with a career ending injury to his right front heel following a turf work at Aqueduct on Oct. 13th. The fragile feet finally gave out as he worked without front shoes in company with defending BC Mile winner Kip Deville.

Casino Drive was an easy winner of an optional claiming event at Santa Anita on Oct. 13th (video replay below), and he earned a BSF of 92 for his efforts. The 3-3 Japanese sensation is definitely on target for the Classic. Victor Espinoza rode on Monday, and he will be aboard for his next start as well.

Grade 1 winning synthetic specialist Go Between worked with a purpose at Churchill Downs on Oct. 14th, logging seven panels in an impressive 1:23.60. He is scheduled to work once more before departing for SoCal on Oct. 21st.

In other BC Classic developments, last year’s 3rd place finisher Awesome Gem was pre-entered for the 2008 edition following the retirement of Big Brown. He worked five furlongs in :59 and change on Sunday.

Tiago drilled a strong six furlongs in 1:12 and change in preparation for the Classic last Saturday, and he reportedly galloped out strongly under Mike Smith as well. He is coming off a rallying place finish in the nine furlong Goodwood. He finished 5th as a three-year-old in the 2007 edition.

Smooth Air went a mile in 1:42 and change at Calder, and the ambitiously spotted sophomore is expected to work again on Friday before heading to Santa Anita the next day.

Travers hero Colonel John continues to work strongly, as he turned in a best of 11 six furlong move in 1:11.40 on Oct. 14th.

Photo credit: Newscom

Below is a replay of Casino Drive’s effortless Classic prep, courtesy of YouTube.

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Albertus Maximus (shown above), 3rd in the Grade 1 Goodwood at nine furlongs in his last start, drilled a solid four furlongs in :48.80 as he prepares for a possible October date in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

The four-year-old son of Albert the Great moved to the Vladimir Cerin barn at Del Mar, and he promptly nabbed the flat mile Windy Sails Handicap in impressive fashion (1:35.37).

In other Dirt Mile news, Well Armed, the winner of the San Diego and Goodwood Handicaps, recently worked a sharp three furlongs in :35.20, and his connections (Eoin Harty-WinStar Farms) are leaning toward the BC Dirt Mile over the BC Classic, with the latter the target race for his stablemate Colonel John.

Bruce Headley’s Surf Cat, winner of the 7f San Carlos and 8.5f Mervyn Leroy, was a respectable 4th in the Goodwood, his final Dirt Mile prep.

Recent Jerome Handicap winner Tale of Ekati is possible for the Mile. Also gearing up for the Dirt Mile is Pat O’Brien hero Lewis Michael.

Below is a replay of the 2008 Goodwood, courtesy of YouTube.

Photo courtesy of Newscom.

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Big Brown worked six furlongs over a good Aqueduct turf course in 1:14.64 on Oc. 7th. The move was in company with stablemate Salute the Count, a possible entrant in the newly formed Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The dogs were up, about 12 feet out, and the Richard Dutrow runner completed his final two furlongs in :23.85 while galloping out seven panels in 1:29.26. The 2008 Kentucky Derby hero is expected to have two more works before heading to Santa Anita on Oct. 21st.

Curlin had his first activity over Santa Anita’s new Pro-Ride synthetic surface, getting four furlongs in a pedestrian :52.80 on Oct. 6th.

The Steve Asmussen trainee will work in company on Oct. 13th, and we should get a better gauge of his ability to handle synthetic ground next week.

Curlin’s stablemate Student Council, also gearing up for the Classic, breezed six furlongs in 1:15.60

In other Classic developments, Smooth Air is being pointed to the big race. The Hutcheson and Ohio Derby winner was last seen taking the Needles Stakes over the Calder grass, and note that trainer Bernie Stutts also nominated him to the Oak Tree Derby for grassy three-year-olds on the Breeders’ Cup undercard. He will head to SoCal on Oct. 18th. Below is a replay of the 2008 Ohio Derby, courtesty of YouTube.

Whitney and Mass Cap hero Commentator will not participate in the BC Classic, and the Nick Zito trainee is likely done for the year. He will remain in training to shoot for a third Whitney title in 2009.

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Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship

You Got Me Rocking set a fast pace, but after a mile he was overtaken by Out of Control, then Red Giant entered the fray, and the latter two battled gamely to the wire. In the end, Red Giant headed Out of Control, and it was six lengths back to Transduction Gold in 3rd. Marathon specialist Spring House was a flat 4th at a distance shorter than his best, but he needed to show much more to be considered for the BC Turf.

The Grade 1 Lady’s Secret

If Hystericalady was ever going to win a synthetic race, this looked like the spot. She loomed the controlling speed and went straight to the front, but the powerful strides of underfeated Zenyatta proved way too much for the Hollendorfer trainee. Zenyatta won as Mike Smith pleased, with Hystericalady holding the place. The winner ran her record to 8-8 and will be hard to handle in the Ladies Classic on October 24th. Below is a replay of the 2008 Lady’s Secret, courtesy of YouTube.

The Grade 1 Ancient Title

Outside stalk and pounce winner Cost of Freedom was coming off a 110 BSF in an entry level win at Del Mar, and that was also 1st off the claim for Sadler. Consistent early/pressing gelding ran his record to 5-5 at six furlongs and 3-3 at Santa Anita on Saturday. Place finisher Street Boss rallied to miss by a 1/2 length, and he should be primed for a big race in the BC sprint. The Headley trainee had won 5 straight before today. In Summation was a troubled 3rd, and this marks the 2nd time in three races that the Clement stalker has found trouble.

The Grade 1 Oak Leaf

Stardom Bound was kicked by a pony on Friday, and she had to prove she was more than a late running sprinter. She erased any doubts with another powerful geared down late running victory. It is going to take a super effort to beat her in the BC Juvenile Fillies. Mike Smith rode this miss too, and he is obviously sitting on a pair filly engines. Empressive Lady (Empire Maker-AP Indy) has failed to reproduce her sharp 6f maiden breaking wire job. She was wide from post 12 in the Del Mar Debutante, and she offered little resistance around two turns in this spot. Below is a replay of the 2008 Oak Leaf, courtesy of YouTube.

The Grade 1 Yellow Ribbon

Wait A While ran her Santa Anita turf record to 3-3 in a solid outside stalking win. Win type Vacare tried hard to the end by came up 3/4’s of a length short. Black Mamba rallied for the show. The winner, trained by Todd Pletcher, is 3-4 at ten furlongs and has the talent to hang with the euros.

The Grade 1 Goodwood

Well Armed flattered Go Between in a smart stalk and pounce tally, giving WinStar and Eoin Harty a possible one-two BC Classic punch along with Travers winner Colonel John. Tiago rallied from last to garner the place, giving him seven 1-2 finishes in as many 9f starts. Note that he is 0-4 in Grade 1 races at ten furlongs, so he does not figure to move up the the Classic. Albertus Maximus was a wide menace in the stretch, but he could not quite match strides with the top two. He has improved for new trainer Vlad Cerin, and he could make some noise in the Handicap Division next year. Surf Cat finished an okay 4th at a distance a bit beyond his scope. He is expected to cut back in distance and shoot for the BC Dirt Mile.

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Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch – Ten furlongs (Turf)

Spring House might find this distance too short as the marathon specialist preps for the twelve furlong BC Turf. I am sure Julio Canani would be happy with a strong finish underneath.

Grade 1 Lady’s Secret – Nine furlongs (Pro-Ride)

An interesting matchup between the versatile dirt specialist Hystericalady and the undefeated synthetic loving Zenyatta. The former has a pace advantage while the latter figures to relish the footing.

Grade 1 Ancient Title – Six furlongs (Pro-Ride)

Street Boss has won 5 consecutive races and will be rallying in the lane. Interesting that David Flores opts for Street Boss over 2007 BC Sprint runner-up Idiot Proof. Mr. Flores also went to Dubai to ride the latter, so it could not have been an easy decision.

Grade 1 Oak Leaf – Eight and one-half furlongs (Pro-Ride)

Stardom Bound has been the talk of the juvenile filly world since her powerful off the pace maiden breaking tally in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante. $375k daughter of Tapit has been an impressive late running sprinter, and we’ll see if her potent stretch kick can be as effective over a route of ground. Note that she was kicked by a pony on Friday, so her status for Saturday’s race is not known at this time.

Grade 1 Yellow Ribbon – Ten furlongs (Turf)

Wait A While has been impressive in two wins over this turf course, and she won the 2006 edition of this race. She looked good in latest win, and Todd Pletcher looks like a genius shipping out of the Belmont bog, because this miss clearly enjoys firm footing.

Grade 1 Goodwood – Nine furlongs (Pro-Ride)

Well Armed figures all over the pace, and 9f specialist Tiago will be closing. Spirit One won the Arlington Million and will give us a gauge on the overseas contingent. Surf Cat is reportedly using this as a prep for the BC Dirt Mile.

Below is a replay of the 2008 Pacific Classic, featuring several runners from the Goodwood, courtesy of YouTube.

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