At this writing, it’s freezing outside. Technically, I suppose, it’s below freezing. Way below. Been that way for a while, too. What’s that line, ‘everyone complains about the weather but nobody ever does anything about it.’ Word! In times like these there’s temptation to look past the current climate and ahead, toward spring and what […]
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Below is the late Pick 4 ticket at Santa Anita Park on January 6th, 2018. As always the ticket is $20 or less. Race 6 Whatyouciswhatuget (#6, 6-1)Â showed nice improvement in her second start and drops in for a tag for the first time. The freshening should help this newly turned three-year-old, as should the […]
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The twinkling golden tree in the dining room stares at me in anticipation of deconstruction. Stockings above the fireplace hang–awkward, empty and fated so for another year. Additional assorted holiday decorations dot my cozy living spaces. Their shining moments, too, have come and gone; banished by the arrival of a New Year to dreary hiding […]
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Below is the late Pick 4 ticket at Santa Anita Park on December 30th, 2017. This Saturday’s ticket centers around strong opinions in the two middle legs of the sequence. As always the ticket is $20 or less. Race 6 Kristi’s Copilot (#6, 6-1)Â leads a wide-open allowance race that is short on reliable contenders. He […]
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Leverage Plays by Padraic Manocchio Below is the Early Pick 5 ticket at Santa Anita Park on Opening Day, December 26th, 2017. As always the ticket is $20 or less. Race 1 River Boyne (#1, 3-1) ran exceptionally well in his United States debut after showing improving form in Europe. He is strictly the horse to beat […]
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Bob Ehalt recently conducted polls for Thoroughbred Racing Commentary that asked various people involved in the sport who they believed to be the best horses, jockeys and trainers to compete in North America over the last 50 years. The results were announced last week. Participants in the three polls included a wide range of people […]
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Know how everyone complains that the holiday season is too busy? They’re right. My plate’s so full it looks like I just circled a Las Vegas buffet. Yesterday my in-box quit displaying the number of unread e-mails and now reads, ‘Enough already.’ Santa’s not the only one making lists. Except I don’t have time to […]
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I’m not surprised that brush fires recently ravaged hundreds of thousands of acres in Southern California. In fact, at this writing, with more warm, windy, dry, low-humidity days in the forecast, thousands more acres may burn before fires are completely contained. Having lived in the Pasadena area for 30 years, I comprehend the ferocity and […]
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Hall of Famer Bob Baffert has become such a force these days that sometimes he manages to win a Grade I race even when he loses. For instance, in the Grade I, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 19, Baffert sent out Arrogate, the 3-5 favorite. Arrogate lost. He finished second. But […]
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I love Thanksgiving. And not just because I’m a staunch turkey advocate. As a meal, that is. Live turkeys are mostly unattractive–so homely they’re cute—like pugs. Appearance aside, I maintain that the turkey is a vastly underrated bird. A clear-cut culinary first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. Turkey brings it’s ‘A’ game 365 days a year. It’s as comfortable […]
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As painful as it sometimes is, after a day at the races it’s important for a horseplayer to compare predictions and wagers to results and payoffs. It’s an instructive exercise that identifies a player’s strengths and weaknesses—ultimately permitting the player to rely on the former and to improve on the latter. Below is a recap […]
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VENUE: Del Mar on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 Main Track: dirt, fast Friday and Saturday; Turf Course: firm Friday and Saturday. $6 MILLION CLASSIC (NOV. 4) Results: (1) Gun Runner, who paid $6.80, (2) Collected, (3) West Coast. Winner: Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds & Three Chimneys Farm; trained by Steve Asmussen; ridden by Florent […]
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Stellar Wind (#2, 5/2) is tough as they come and should be right there on the wire in this year’s Distaff after a disastrous start last year. Prior to last year’s Breeders’ Cup, she beat Beholder twice and contrary to the belief of many, I think she is just as good this year as last. She […]
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Europe has dominated the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in recent years and 2017 should be no exception. The improving Masar (#6, 9/2) looks to be the best of a large contingent of Euros in this year’s race. He is proven to be effective going one mile and appears to favor firm turf, which he will […]
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This year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile has more questions than answers. Is Mor Spirit (#6, 3-1) in the same form he was in when winning the Met Mile following a layoff and sketchy work pattern? Are Sharp Azteca (#3, 9/2), Practical Joke (#10, 6-1) and Awesome Slew (#5, 12-1) capable of winning a major race around two […]
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