Thursday:
(Race 6: Claiming 16k 3yoUP 6f ) The speedy Lawaun took them gate-to-wire on the class drop. Jockey Kevin Orozco did a great job sending the 4yo The Pamplemousse gelding to the lead and making sure there was enough in the tank for the stretch. Lawaun dug in gamely to take this 16k claimer by a head for trainer Frank Lucarelli. It was a strong run as he had not been seen since running 4th in a 25k Optional Claimer at Turf Paradise. He had some decent showings on the fair circuit last year, and I would imagine today’s effort helped prime him up for another run at it. Finishing a close 2nd was Incensed, and 3rd went to Synnin. The final time was 1:10.44.
(Race 7: Claiming 20kN2x 3yoUP F&M 1m) The 8yo Mare Chapter Ten was able to claim her 4th victory in her 24th career start. She sat a few lengths off the leader in 3rd behind Just Be Held and made a nice move under Catalino Martinez to grab the lead in the stretch. The William Delia trainee was very game in the stretch and was able to hold off a late-running Tizno’s Dilemma by a diminishing neck. It was a break of 4 more lengths back to Pure Perfection in 3rd. The daughter of Ten Most Wanted was going sprint to route in her 2nd start off an 8-month layoff, and was also coming off a 4f bullet work in 47.2 on March 22nd (best of 33 that day). The final time was 1:38.75.
Jockeys: William Antongeorgi got off to a slow start this meet, but has managed to flip the switch quite nicely. He led the way on Thursday with 2 wins– they came in races 3 and 5.
Trainers: All 7 races on the card were won by different trainers.
Full Results/Charts for Thursday: https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/GG040419USA.pdf
Friday
(Race 1: MCL 8k 3yo F 5f) In the Friday opener, we saw a stylish debut win from the Harris Farms homebred Little Tomato. The Lakerville filly showed a lot of speed early and began to put some distance between herself and the rest of the field on the turn– she would cruise to an easy 5 length win under jockey Heribert Martinez. Trainer John Martin would complete the exacta in this race, as the favorite Two Bears was able to hold on for 2nd. Little Tomato stopped the clock in 59.05.
(Race 3: MSW 3yo CA 1 1/16m) While No Name Fred did run a close 2nd to Shadrack 2 starts back, he had failed to show the ability successfully sit off the pace. Trainer Bob Hess Sr did a great job getting him ready off the 2 1/2 month layoff. After veering in a bit at the start, jockey Abel Cedillo did a great job getting him to relax and was able to save a lot of ground sitting off the pace on the rail. On the turn he made a strong move in-hand but had absolutely nowhere to run. In the stretch, Cedillo had to swing the son of Ultimate Eagle out into the 3-path after being boxed in– he found a clear lane and kicked on very strongly to score by an easy 3 lengths. It seemed like the lightbulb turned on here, and it will be interesting to see how he runs in his next start out of this. He has a lot of options being a Cal-bred, and has shown good form on the main track and the turf course. Finishing 2nd and 3rd were a pair of SoCal shippers in No Parking Here and Scrappy Deville. The final time was 1:45.38.
(Race 6: CLM 20kN2x 3yoUP 1m) While it looked like a competitive 9-horse race on paper, trainer Ari Herbertson was able to finish with the exacta. Jockey Luis Ocasio had to be patient on the turn, but once he found a seem in the 4-path, he was able to kick home strongly aboard Premium Forest and run down stablemate Katie’s Cowboy. The son of Forest Command improved in his first start off-the-claim, and Ari Herbertson must have had some confidence in him because he stepped him up from the 12.5k claiming level to the 20k level. 3rd place went to Invertigo. The final time was 1:38.37.
Jockeys: Abel Cedillo had 2 wins on the day– he had the double in races 2 and 3.
Trainers: All 7 races were won by different trainers.
Full Results/Charts for Friday: https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/GG040519USA.pdf
Saturday
(Race 8: ALW 3yoUP F 5.5f) Stakes winner Ima Happy Cat was able to claim her 2nd win of the winter/spring meet. Jockey Ricky Gonzalez put her on the lead from the 2 post and did a great job rationing her energy in the early parts of the race. The Smiling Tiger filly was able to hold in the stretch and won by 3/4 of a length. She earned this win today against a strong field as she set fractions of 21.66 for the 1/4 and 44.87 for the 1/2. Trainer Dan Markle has kept this 4yo filly in great form and she is continuing to improve. Finishing 2nd was Claudia Mae. 3rd went to the favorite Alliford Bay who was running on well late– it was her first start since her Zia Park Distaff win from back in November. The final time was 1:03.29.
(Race 9: CLM 20kN2x 3yoUP 5.5f) The drop in class from Allowance company seemed to do the trick for the Jonathan Wong trained El Chavo Del Ocho. Breaking from post 1, he did not get away the most alertly and would find himself sitting in last of this field of 7 heading into the far turn. Jockey Catalino Martinez did not panic and began to make a strong move up the inside. The son of Tannersmyman was left with a lot of work in the stretch but would level off nicely to get up by a perfectly timed 1/2 length over the favorite American Currency. 3rd went to other Wong trainee, Kerri’s Choice. El Chavo Del Ocho stopped the clock in 1:03.72.
Jockeys: Juan Hernandez led the way with 2 wins.
Trainers: Leading trainer Jonathan Wong took 2 wins. He won race 6 with Kona Coast and race 9 with El Chavo Del Ocho.
Full Results/Charts for Saturday: https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/GG040619USA.pdf
Sunday
(Race 3: ALW/OC 62kN2x 3yoUP 5.5f) Sequentially was able to make it 2 straight wins for trainer John Martin after his win in the 3rd race on Sunday. This was his 3rd race since being claimed for 20k– he has proved to be a strong claim as he now has 2 Allowance victories. Frank Alvarado got him to sit in a perfect trip in 3rd behind the dueling leaders Kiwi’s Dream and Sunset Dragunn. He showed a strong late kick and went on to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Kiwi’s Dream crossed the line in 2nd, but he would ultimately be placed 3rd after the stewards ruled he interfered with Sunset Dragunn late in the stretch. Kiwi’s Dream ran well off the layoff, and it should set him up well for a turf sprint race next out. The final time was 1:03.88.
(Race 4: MSW 3yoUP 1m) Trainer Doug O’Neill continued a nice week up North with a win in the 4th. His 3yo Twirling Candy gelding was able to break his maiden on the surface switch. William Antongeorgi did a great job keeping Of Good Report relaxed on the outside in the clear. In the stretch he did drift inward a bit, but he accelerated really nicely to win by a 1/2 length over a stubborn On Raglan Road. It was a break of 2 1/2 lengths to Minister’s Glory in 3rd. The final time was 1:39.12.
(Race 7: MSW 3yoUP F 6f) Keeper Ofthe Stars was making her first start since November. Her 3 lifetime races were in SoCal and she ran against some very strong competition– she ran against the likes of Bellafina, Vibrance, and Der Lu. The public turned this 5-horse race into basically a 2-horse race. Keeper Ofthe Stars would go off at 4/5 as the slight favorite over Starza who was even money. The Jerry Hollendorfer trained filly Keeper Ofthe Stars would go to the lead under Frank Alvarado. On the turn, Starza and Tizzy would make strong moves at the leader– but they would ultimately get turned away. The daughter of Midnight Lute would win by 4-lengths going away. She had a series of stamina-building works, and they seemed to give her enough bottom in the lane. She looks like a nice filly and can definitely build off Sunday’s effort. Starza and Tizzy would run 2nd and 3rd respectively. The final time was 1:10.53.
Jockeys: Frank Alvarado had a strong day with 3 wins on the card. He won races 3, 5, and 7. Also, William Antongeorgi was able to score 2 wins.
Trainers: Doug O’Neill had 2 wins on the day. He won races 4 and 6.
Full Results/Charts for Sunday: https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/GG040719USA.pdf
Standings
Jockeys:
- Cedillo *89* 2. Hernadez *68* 3. Martinez *50*
Trainers:
- Wong *61* 2. Hollendorfer *24* 3. Trujillo *22*
News and Notes
El Camino Real Derby winner Antothertwistafate is scheduled to run in the Lexington Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland. If he wins, it will give him enough points to get into the Kentucky Derby. If he runs 2nd it will be close but he will still be on the outside looking in. You can catch his latest work below.
Turf racing is scheduled to return this Friday! It is going to be great to have the turf course back as we edge closer to Gold Rush Weekend. Also, the first 2yo is in the condition book for this Sunday! Live racing resumes this Friday with an 8-race program. First post is at 12:45pm.
NorCal Horse Racing News 