Racing! McKinzie returns to action today

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we ready for Pennsylvania’s best day of racing.

Since we started this newsletter almost a year ago, the one horse that I would get the most questions regarding his return is McKinzie.

Well, the answer is today. He returns in the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby against a strong field that includes horses who finished second in the Preakness (Bravazo), third in the Belmont (Hofburg) and fourth in the Kentucky Derby (Instilled Regard).

We have a different version of this topic in a story I did for online and print. You can read it here.

“He’s been working pretty well,� trainer Bob Baffert said. “It’s tough to fly off a layoff and run off the bench like that. But, I feel good about him. He’s a good horse but it’s not an easy race.�

So, what’s next for McKinzie, providing he runs up to his potential in the Penn Derby?

“I haven’t really decided,� Baffert said. “If it were the Breeders’ Cup, it would have to be either the Classic or the Mile. Those would be his only two options. Then, maybe it could be the Clark Handicap [in late November at Churchill Downs.]

“Then, maybe after that the Pegasus could be something.�

Of course, all of this only if McKinzie returns to the form when he was the star of the Baffert barn before Justify came along.

Now, the good news, with all the appropriate caveats, is that McKinzie will return to race as a 4-year-old.

McKinzie is the latest in a series of talented Baffert runners, who for one reason or another missed the Triple Crown races. Two years ago, it was Arrogate and last year it was West Coast.

“The Triple Crown is all about a certain window and you have to hit that window,� Baffert said.

Baffert also has Collected back in Pennsylvania to run in the Pa Derby Champion Stakes. Mike Smith will ride both Collected and McKinzie for Baffert and Midnight Bisou for Steve Asmussen.

The Pennsylvania Derby will be on about 2:45 p.m. You’ll have to watch on TVG unless you get NBC Sports Philadelphia, which has a 90-minute show anchored by Laffit Pincay III. But what does it matter? I can’t find NBC Sports Philadelphia on DirecTV. So, here’s hoping Mr. Annoying isn’t at Parx.

Santa Anita betting menu

Santa Anita announced its betting menu on Friday and there was really nothing you didn’t know about. Stronach racing boss Tim Ritvo figures if it can work at Gulfstream, maybe it can work at Santa Anita. So, we now have a 20-cent Rainbow Pick Six, which brought about a gazillion dollar mandatory payout on the last day at Gulfstream. (Conversion table: a gazillion = about $19 million.)

It’s a bet that works because at its base it’s only 20 cents, so your ability to load up on horses in each race is less expensive. Each day 70% of the pool is returned to the bettors with the most winners, unless there is a single ticket, in which case you would get the whole pool (minus takeout, of course) and what the jackpot had grown to. The old $2 pick six goes bye-bye.

There is also a new Stronach Five, a five-race sequence that contains races from Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Gulfstream and Laurel. Now, Golden Gate will be off for two weeks coinciding with the second week of the Santa Anita meeting so there won’t be a lot of GGF races. It’s a dollar bet with a 12% takeout. Not too bad.

There’s also a couple of pick fives, one with good takeout (14%) and one without (23.68%). More on all this in coming weeks.

Los Alamitos review

The feature on Friday was a $45,000 allowance for horses going a mile. All Out Blitz ran a smart race from near the front as Show Me Da Lute faded in the stretch and heavily raced Solid Wager (45 starts) couldn’t rally enough from midpack. All Out Blitz won by 2 1/2 lengths.

All Out Blitz paid $13.60, $6.20 and $4.00 for trainer Simon Callaghan and rider Martin Garcia. Solid Wager was second and Fight On was third. It was All Out Blitz’s first win in six races, the last time his only other race at Los Alamitos. He is two of nine lifetime.

Los Alamitos preview

It’s the penultimate day of the Los Al fair meet with nine races starting at 2 p.m. There are four maiden claimers, three starter allowance races (essentially claiming races where the horse can’t be claimed), one maiden special weight and one stakes race, the last of the meet.

The feature is the $100,000 Barretts Juvenile Stakes, a 6 ½ furlong race for 2-year-olds who were bought at a Barretts sale. A filly version of this race was held last weekend. Saturday’s race will be at about 4:30 p.m. and is the sixth race.

The favorite at 2-1 is Galilean, who is a big purchase unraced colt. He was bought for $600,000 and has worked out on a weekly basis for eight weeks. Jerry Hollendorfer is the trainer and Drayden Van Dyke is the jockey. Van Dyke has been riding at this meet very sparingly, instead opting to be at Kentucky Downs and Churchill Downs.

Seven Scents is the second choice at 5-2. He’s won one of three races, his last, and is coming back on only two weeks rest. He won last time out at Los Al in a maiden special weight. Craig Lewis trains and Geovanni Franco rides.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 6, 8, 8, 6, 9, 6, 7, 9, 9.

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Saturday. All times PST.

12:07 Belmont (4): Grade 3 $200,000 Noble Damsel Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Uni (7-5)

12:12 Parx (7): $100,000 Alphabet Soup Stakes, Penn-breds 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Fast and Accurate (5-2)

12:41 Parx (8): $150,000 PA Derby Champion Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Collected (6-5)

1:14 Parx (9): Grade 3 $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes, 3-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Firenze Fire (2-1)

1:55 Parx (10): Grade 1 $1 milllion Cotillion Stakes, fillies, 3-years-old, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Monomoy Girl (3-5)

1:58 Woodbine (8): $100,000 Victorian Queen Stakes, Ont-bred fillies 2-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Notice Me (2-1)

2:18 Belmont (8): Grade 2 $300,000 Kelso Handicap, 3 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Battle of Midway (2-1)

2:45 Parx (11): Grade 1 $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: McKinzie (5-2)

4:28 Los Alamitos (6): $100,000 Barretts Juvenile Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Galilean (2-1)

7:15 Charles Town (11): Grade 3 $300,000 Charles Town Oaks, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Alter Moon (7-2)

Jose Contreras LRC play of the day

SIXTH RACE: No.2 My Mandate (3-1)

He broke good coming out of the gate, pressed the leaders about five lanes wide down the backstretch and continued to to duel while making a wide move around the turn. He won the duel against the horses he was battling with but had to settle for second as the eventual winner Spin Lightning closed from the back of the pack. It was a very good debut effort. He now adds the blinkers and has four workouts since that last race. His dam won 4-of-11 starts while adding a restricted sprint stakes to her resume. His sire won the GI Hopeful and retired with over $529,000 in earnings.

Friday’s result: Sharona Sunset tried to hold on from the front but was run down in deep stretch by the favorite to finish second.

Jose Contreras is an excellent handicapper and well known on social media and familiar to racing fans watching on TVG. You can follow him on Twitter at @losponies or check him out at his website.

Ed Burgart’s LA play of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 1 Ynot Dash (3-1)

She was better-than-looked third from the far outside post in her last outing when hard to ride when lugging out solidly past the 1/16-pole. The race was flattered when first-place finisher Estelline since posted the fastest qualifying time for PCQHRA Breeders Futurity. She has gate speed to open nice lead from rail post draw in this race.

Final thought

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And now the stars of the show, Friday’s results and Saturday’s entries.

COLORMEMONEY dueled three deep, took a short lead in upper stretch, inched away nearing the furlong marker and held under urging. GRINGO STAR had speed outside a rival then stalked a bit off the rail, was in a bit tight into the turn, swung four wide into the stretch and finished willingly late. ZIPPY GROOM broke in a bit, settled off the rail, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and edged a rival late for the show. LOLLY EXPRESS pulled early and stalked off the rail then a bit off the fence leaving the turn, came out in the stretch and was edged late for third. JOEJOE'S KINGDOM hopped at the start, went up inside to duel for the lead, gained a short advantage on the turn, fought back in upper stretch and weakened in the final furlong. RHETTBUTLER broke out a bit, dueled between horses, fought back into the stretch and also weakened in the final furlong. ROCINANTE broke a bit slowly and was squeezed, chased between horses then outside on the turn, came three deep into the stretch, gave way in the drive and was eased late.

ABOVE BOARD four wide into the first turn, chased off the rail, bid three deep leaving the second turn and into the stretch, took a short lead past midstretch and inched away late under urging. PREACHER ROE stalked three deep then off the rail, bid between foes leaving the second turn, fought back between horses in the drive and edged a rival for the place. SENSE OF GLORY had good early speed and set the pace off the rail, turned back a bid nearing the half mile pole, continued inside on the second turn, fought back inside the top pair in the stretch and was edged for second. STORMIN MONARCHO stalked inside then outside a rival on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened. SOUTH AMERICAIN bobbled slightly and had the right stirrup break at the start, drifted out and lost the left iron on the first turn, continued off the inside and three wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. PAPPOU stalked between horses then bid inside midway on the backstretch, fell back some a half mile out, dropped back on the second turn and weakened.

ORACLE OF OMAHA dueled four wide on the backstretch and three deep on the turn, took the lead into the stretch and drew off under urging. JUST HIT PLAY had good early speed and dueled inside, dropped back and drifted out on the turn, entered the stretch three deep and came back for the place. RUNNINGWSCISSORS dueled between horses then inside on the turn, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and held third. JONATHANTOQUICK chased outside then alongside a rival on the turn, swung four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. LAUCALA ISLAND chased a bit off the rail then inside on the turn, came out a bit into the stretch then angled to the inside in the drive and did not rally. YOU MUST CHILL dueled three deep between horses on the backstretch and between foes on the turn and weakened in the stretch. SPECTATOR'S DREAM broke a bit slowly, settled just off the rail then inside into and on the turn and in the stretch and was not a threat.

MAJESTIC DIVA chased between foes then outside a rival on the turn, came three deep into the stretch, rallied under urging to run past the pacesetter in deep stretch and was under a long hold late. COMPLETE DISCREET sped to the early lead, set the pace off the rail, remained clear past the furlong marker then could not hold off the winner. SUNSET MELODY stalked the pace inside, came out a bit into the stretch and bested the others. CHEESE chased outside then five wide into the turn, continued four wide on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. THAMES VALLEY stalked between horses then outside a rival or a bit off the rail on the turn and could not summon the necessary response. MY EBONY STAR close up stalking the pace well off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. PAPA'S LADY stalked between horses then four wide into the turn, continued outside then three deep into the stretch and also weakened. NAUGHTY HAUGHTY chased a bit off the rail then inside into and on the turn and gave way.

COALINGA HILLS broke a bit slowly, chased just off the rail, came out three deep into the stretch, rallied under urging then a strong hand ride to gain the lead in deep stretch and proved best. SHARONA SUNSET dueled between horses then outside a rival on the turn, inched away in midstretch, could not hold off the winner but clearly held second. DASHIN ASHEN dueled between horses then stalked off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and bested the others. CREATIVE SPARK had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back on the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. MONGOLIAN RAHY pressed the pace four wide between horses then stalked between foes on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. ANNITASHEAVEN prompted the pace five wide on the backstretch, stalked outside on the turn, continued five wide into the stretch and also weakened.

ANGELINA'S HEAVEN stalked between horses then fell back inside on the second turn, came out three wide into the stretch, rallied under urging, bid three deep in late stretch and got up nearing the wire. LETHAL LEGACY four wide into the first turn, stalked outside a rival, bid three wide into the stretch, took a short lead outside a foe, fought back between horses in deep stretch and was edged late. SWEET TREAT five wide into the first turn, moved up four wide then dueled outside a rival, took a short lead on the second turn, drifted out some into the stretch, fought back off the rail in the drive and continued gamely to the end. INLAND EMPIRE stalked three deep then outside a rival on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch, angled inward in midstretch and lacked the needed lo ate kick. MY AUDUBON had speed between foes then dueled inside, stalked along the rail on the backstretch and second turn, continued inside and could not offer t he necessary late response. FELLINA dueled between horses then a bit off the rail, fought back inside on the second turn, came out some into the stretch and weakened. MISTY SLEW saved ground chasing the pace, fell back some leaving the backstretch, came out on the second turn, swung out into the stretch and also weakened.

ALL OUT BLITZ four wide into the first turn, angled in and dueled outside a rival, lugged in some on the backstretch, took the lead on the second turn, fought back off the rail in the stretch, inched away under urging nearing the eighth pole and won clear. SOLID WAGER pulled along the inside then came out on the first turn, stalked three deep, bid three wide on the second turn then outside the winner, could not match that one in the final furlong but bested the others. FIGHT ON saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and held third. MERCER ISLAND stalked outside a rival then between foes on the backstretch and just off the rail on the second turn and lacked a rally. GAIN GROUND chased inside then a bit off the rail, went three deep on the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. SHOW ME DA LUTE washy at the gate, was sent between horses early, angled in and dueled inside, fell back on the second turn and weakened.

COILETTE had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away on the turn, drifted out into the stretch and drew off under left handed urging. GRACIE BELLE sped to the early lead, dueled three deep then outside the winner, stalked on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and was clearly second best. DISCO TALE saved ground stalking the pace throughout and bested the others. IN THE SPOTLIGHT settled off the rail chasing the pace, came four wide into the stretch and improved position. BLEW BY YOU stalked outside a rival then between foes on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. TINY TAP dueled between horses then stalked off the rail on the turn, came out into the stretch and also weakened. BRANJAMMAS CINCO had speed outside then stalked off the rail, continued three deep on the turn and into the stretch, drifted in through the drive and gave way.