GGF Recap- Babe Didrikson Flashes Potential in Maiden Win- 1/31/2019

Babe Didrikson was a filly that was always thought highly of. In her first 2 career starts she was bet down to favoritism in full 12 horse fields. Today was no different, as she went off as the even-money favorite. She was put on the ‘Horses to Watch’ list after a rough trip in her last start. In both prior starts, she broke slow and showed some greenness. She stepped up in company and trip today, as she ran in an open Maiden Special Weight going 1m over the main track. The added distance seemed to do the trick for this daughter of Grazen– she was able to relax and get into a comfortable stride early. Jockey Juan Hernandez got away fine from the gate and angled to the outside on the backstretch. On the turn, she made a big eye-catching move to the lead and was able to hold on gamely in the lane. She was very green in the stretch, but was able to win this one off her raw ability. There is a lot of upside here, she just turned 3 years old and is still improving. If anybody can straighten her mind out, it’s her trainer William Morey. I look forward to seeing how she progresses, and being a cal-bred gives her more options for the future. Rounding out 2nd and 3rd in this race were the William Delia runners Queen Del Prado and Karsavina.

The 2nd race on the card was won emphatically by the Hollendorfer trainee, Wish You Were Mine. She had previously won at this Starter 50k level, and was bet down to 3/5 in today’s outing. She took control of the race early on and would open up impressively in the stretch to win by 5 lengths. She has really improved since running in a 5k maiden claimer over the summer.

Also, the 3rd race on the card was won nicely by the dropper, Of Note. The Ari Herbertson trainee ran some strong races in 2018, but just couldn’t seem to find her form in her last start. The drop to 20k today seemed to do the trick and also a perfect ride from William Antongeorgi didn’t hurt. She went to the lead and ran them all off their feet to score by a measured 5 lengths. Trainer Ari Herbertson did a nice training job with this daughter of First Samurai– since being claimed for 12.5k in May, she won 3 races and had 2 seconds from 8 starts. After today’s race, she was claimed for the 20k tag by Larry Rivelli.

Jockeys: The top 2 jockeys in the standings each had 2 wins on this 7-race card. Abel Cedillo won races 1 and 4, while Juan Hernandez won races 2 and 5.

1. Cedillo *36* 2. Hernandez *26* 3. Martinez *16*

Trainers: All 7 races were won by different trainers today. Jerry Hollendorfer made up the exacta in race 2 with Wish You Were Mine and Our Slick Chick. Also, trainer Guillermo Preciado had the exacta in Race 6 with 30/1 Ur Not Our Presidnt and Lil Awecim.

1. Wong *22* 2. Wright *10* T-3. Hollendorfer, Delia *9*

The Late P5 pool reached a total of $182,935 and paid $5,744.60 for .50. Congrats to everyone that hit it! Also, the .20 Golden Pick 6 Jackpot has a carryover of $82,800 and the Super High 5 has a carryover of $3230.

Racing resumes tomorrow with an 8-race card. First post is at 12:45pm.

Results:

Race 1:

1. English Royality T: Badilla J: Cedillo $4.00 $2.80 $2.10
2. Priest Lake T: Specht J: Alvarado $8.00 $3.20
3. Heavenly Holiday T: Wong J: Ocasio $2.10

Race 2:

1. Wish You Were Mine T: Hollendorfer J: Hernandez $3.40 $2.20 $2.10
2. Our Slick Chick T: Hollendorfer J: Cedillo $2.80 $2.40
3. Still a Funny Girl T: Gallagher J: Couton $4.80

Race 3:

1. Of Note T: Herbertson J: Antongeorgi III $3.60 $2.60 $2.20
2. Sparkle Shine T: Psarras J: Couton $6.20 $4.20
3. Neon Gypsy T: McCanna J: Alvarado $4.60

Race 4:

1. Awesome Silver T: Perez J: Cedillo $7.00 $3.60 $2.40
2. Could Be the One T: Steiner J: Hernandez $8.20 $3.40
3. Plate Side T: Herbertson J: Antongeorgi III $3.00

Race 5:

1. Babe Didrikson T: Morey J: Hernandez $4.20 $2.80 $2.20
2. Queen Del Prado T: Delia J: Martinez $6.00 $3.60
3. Karsavina T: Delia J: Solis $2.60

Race 6:

1. Ur Not My Presidnt T: Preciado J: Amador $68.60 $23.20 $8.60
2. Lil Awecim T: Preciado J: Terrero $7.80 $4.20
3. War Union T: Mathis J: Hernandez $3.00

Race 7:

1. Daddy’s Mistress T: Sherman J: Solis $12.80 $7.60 $5.00
2. Princess Run It T: Thomas J: Ocasio $19.40 $13.00
3. Twice as Windy T: Bonde J: A. Cedillo $7.20