Racing! Eclipse Awards are around the corner

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard Bricks and Mortar #9 wins the Breeders' Cup Turf race at Santa Anita just ahead of Flavien Prat and United.

By John CherwaSpecial Contributor

Jan. 2, 2020 4 AM PT

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as Santa Anita suffers its first race fatality of the meeting.

The Eclipse Awards are going to be announced in a few days and the voting ends today. Of course, I waited to almost the last minute to vote. It was actually more difficult to come up with the third-place vote in many of the categories than it was the first-place choice. In fact, third was much more difficult.

There were only a couple of categories where it was difficult to come up with a winner—2-year-old male and turf female. Everything else was pretty easy.

So, here’s a look at how I see the Eclipse Awards.

2-year-old Male: 1. Storm the Court, 2. Dennis’ Moment, 3. Tiz the Law. This is one of the few really difficult categories. I went with the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Storm the Court even though I think Dennis’ Moment is the best horse. If Dennis had come back for one other race, and won, I might have gone with him. But draw a line through his BC Juvenile after a very compromised start. Holding my nose on Tiz the Law, who would have been my choice if he had won the Kentucky Jockey Cup, but he didn’t. You get penalized for skipping the BC.

2-year-old Female: 1. British Idiom, 2. Sharing, 3. Bast. British Idiom won the BC Juvenile Fillies and Sharing won the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. Bast has won three Grade 1s and was third in the BC Juvenile Fillies. Donna Veloce was on the outside looking on.

3-year-old male: 1. Maximum Security, 2. Omaha Beach, 3. Code of Honor. If only Omaha Beach had won the BC Dirt Mile, he would have been my choice. But he didn’t. Maximum Security did everything he needed to do to earn this. Code of Honor over-reached by running in the Classic.

3-year-old female: 1. Covfefe, 2. Serengeti Empress, 3. Dunbar Road. This was easy to pick as Covfefe had five wins in six starts including a win in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint. Serengeti Empress and Dunbar Road held their own against older horses in the BC Distaff.

Older dirt male: 1. Mitole, 2. Vino Rosso, 3. McKinzie. Tough choice among the top two picks. Do you go for the route horse or the sprinter? It was close but in the end I went with six of seven wins and a BC win. McKinzie is a tough choice but second in the BC Classic was the difference.

Older dirt female: 1. Midnight Bisou, 2. Blue Prize, 3. Elate. The tough part of this category is figuring who to vote third. Midnight Bisou, even though she didn’t win the Distaff, won every other race. She was second to Blue Prize. Elate didn’t have a Grade 1 win but some tough losses to ones in front of her. Ran against the boys in the Classic.

Male sprint: 1. Mitole, 2. Imperial Hint, 3. World of Trouble. Mitole is the easy winner here. Imperial Hint and World of Trouble skipped the BC but both have two Grade 1 wins.

Female sprint: 1. Covfefe, 2. Belvoir Bay, 3. Come Dancing. Covfefe is the easy winner here, especially taking the BC Filly and Mare Sprint. Belvoir Bay won the BC Turf Sprint and Come Dancing had four graded stakes wins.

Male turf: 1. Bricks and Mortar, 2. Mo Forza, 3. Desert Encounter. Bricks and Mortar should win every category he’s eligible. Six of six including a troubled-trip win in the BC Turf is all you need to know. Mo Forza has two Grade 1 wins in a row including the Mathis Brothers Mile at opening day of Santa Anita. Desert Encounter has four wins in a row including a Grade 1.

Female turf: 1. Sistercharlie, 2. Uni, 3. Got Stormy. This is the other really difficult one to figure out the best horse. Uni won the BC Mile while Sistercharlie was third in the BC Filly and Mare Turf. But Sistercharlie has three Grade 1 wins and Uni only two. Can’t go wrong either way. Got Stormy was second in the BC Mile.

Steeplechase: 1. Winston C, 2. Brain Power, 3. Scorpiancer. I’ve got to say there are few categories I care less about. Winston C won five races this year, three of them in Britain. He did not run in the Grand National, though. Brain Power did win the Grand National by 15 lengths over Scorpiancer.

Apprentice jockey: 1. Angel Diaz, 2. Kazushi Kimura, 3. Julio Correa. This is a category that may be time to send packing. Diaz has way more wins than anyone else but he’s been running at a lower level. Kimura and Correa have about the same statistics.

Jockey: 1. Irad Ortiz, Jr., 2. Jose Ortiz, 3. Joel Rosario. Irad Ortiz has the most wins and most money won, a fairly easy choice. He also rides Bricks and Mortar. Jose Ortiz also wins big on New York circuit. Joel Rosario was hurt when he lost weeks racing when Santa Anita closed in the Spring.

Owner: 1. Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence, 2. Gary Barber, 3. Hronis Racing. Klaravich and Lawrence made more than $8 million and won an amazing 41% of the time without a lot of starters. Of course, they had Bricks and Mortar. Barber, owner of War of Will, had a good year with 53% of starts in the money. Hronis Racing won last year but didn’t have an Accelerate this year.

Breeder: 1. George Strawbridge Jr., 2. Edward Cox Jr., 3. Alexander-Groves Thoroughbreds. I’m going to come clean on this and admit I sought advice from Jay Privman of the Daily Racing Form in this category. He didn’t tell me who to vote for but how to look deeper than starts and wins. So, I went with Strawbridge just because he’ll have horse of the year Bricks and Mortar. Cox bred Mitole and Alexander-Groves had Covfefe. All are smaller breeders rather than the mega-farms. I like that.

Trainer: 1. Chad Brown, 2. Steve Asmussen, 3. Brad Cox. This one falls pretty much like my breeders picks except all these trainers have big operations, although Asmussen’s is by far the biggest. And they’ve all had success with more than one horse. Brown trained Bricks and Mortar and Sistercharlie, Asmussen had Mitole and Midnight Bisou and Cox had Covfefe and British Idiom.

Horse of Year: 1. Bricks and Mortar, 2. Mitole, 3. Vino Rosso. No explanation needed.

Last race tragedy

Santa Anita had its first race fatality of the three-day old meeting when Golden Birthday was pulled up in the stretch by jockey Victor Espinoza, who was unseated. The 4-year-gelding was running his 10^th race. He had won two races and was running in a 1 1/8-mile turf allowance for a purse of $57,000. Jim Cassidy was his trainer. For more just click here.

Who goofed, I’ve got to know?

It was me. In my 2020 predictions in the Wednesday newsletter, I said there will be two CHRB vacancies if Alex Solis leaves the board after getting his trainer’s license. There would actually be three: the Fred Maas and Madeline Auerbach openings.

Santa Anita review

Wednesday’s 10-race card was highlighted by the Grade 2 $200,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes for horses going 5 ½ furlongs on the turf. Texas Wedge stayed in the middle, started to move up on the turn and went three-wide in the stretch to win by ¾ length.

Texas Wedge paid $6.20, $4.00 and $3.20. Double Touch was second and Bay Muzik finished third. Joe Hernandez was the initial race caller at Santa Anita and worked from Dec. 25, 1934 until Jan. 27, 1972, when he collapsed calling a race.

Here’s what the winning connections in the race said.

Peter Miller (winning trainer): “When turf racing stopped in Kentucky, it was either turn him out or bring him home and we wanted to bring him home. That horse (Bay Muzik) has a lot of speed and he showed it. My other horse Captain Scotty tracked him and I thought for a second he was going to win it but then Texas Wedge got jostled around, he broke super sharp and we didn’t want him that close. Flavien did a great job as always and got him to settle and made that run.”

Flavien Prat (winning jockey): “This is a good way to start off the New Year. It’s nice to win a race like this for Peter. We broke sharp and he was a little tough with me on the backside, but once I got him covered up, he dropped the bit and relaxed beautifully. He’s a very consistent horse and at this distance, he’s really tough.”

Golden Gate weekend preview

Here’s our weekly look at the best racing going on at Golden Gate Fields. As with the last meeting, we’re delighted to have race caller and all-around good guy Matt Dinerman as our host for previews and other musings. So, take it away, Matt.

“Happy New Year, folks. We hope all of the newsletter readers have a prosperous 2020. With a new year comes all of our equine athletes turning a year older as well. So, happy birthday colts, geldings, fillies and mares.

“Golden Gate Fields kicked off our new year on Wednesday with a nine-race card. The feature, an allowance for 3-year-old fillies, was won by the Reina Gonzalez trained Smokin Hot Bobbie. Each one of our nine winners received a carrot gift basket to enjoy while back in the stables.

“Three more racing days this week (Friday-Sunday) with first post each day at 12:45 p.m. Leg C of the Stronach 5 wager goes as the third race at Golden Gate on Friday. The morning-line favorite is No. 5 Kiana’s Love, who broke her maiden in her first race at Santa Anita. Since the maiden win she has failed to win in four straight races. She moves to the barn of Jonathan Wong, who freshened her for four months and puts her in a starter allowance to kick off her Northern California racing career. My top pick is recent seven-length maiden winner No. 4 Morning Cynn, who appears to really like the Tapeta and has been working well since her maiden triumph. No. 2 Starza, cutting back from a route to a sprint, and No. 3 Moonshine Annie also merit consideration.

“Our Saturday program is strong with nine races, with a pair of maiden special weights and a trio of allowance races. The feature is the sixth, an allowance for 4-year-olds and up to start the late Pick 4. Brave Nation comes off a respectable third in the Grade 3 Berkley Handicap and is arguably the one to beat.

“Synthetic specialists Arch Prince, Harmon and Lymebird also possess appeal. Camino Del Paraiso didn’t fire his best shot in the Berkeley Handicap and returns in this spot, but his best effort makes him very competitive. More Power to Him is an Emerald Downs stakes winner that has run well on the Tapeta before. He merits a look with his “A” race. Another allowance on Saturday features the Mark Glatt conditioned Eldrich and Cupid’s Claws, who makes his first start for Steve Sherman after racing against allowance company in Southern California for Brian Koriner. Bay Area locals who figure to get support
include On Raglan Road, the Blaine Wright trained Upo and recent winner Gobsmack.

“Jockey Juan Hernandez had a terrific first week of racing at this meeting and leads the jockey standings over Catalino Martinez. In the trainer standings, Quinn Howey leads all trainers with four wins.”

Final thought

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter you can click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more. Tell your friends, or even people you don’t like that much.

Any thoughts, you can reach me at [email protected]. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa.

Now, the star of the show, Wednesday’s results.

Santa Anita Charts Results for Wednesday, January 1.

FIRST RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $55,000. Maiden Special Weight. 3 year olds. Time 22.91 47.15 1:11.45 1:23.74 1:36.06


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	½	¾	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

12	Governance	122	11	2	2–1	2–1	2–1	1–1½	1–¾	Cedillo	5.70
1	Goalie	122	1	7	5–½	5–½	5–hd	7–3	2–nk	Prat	4.20
4	War Path	117	3	3	4–2	4–1	4–1	3–hd	3–hd	Diaz, Jr.	25.80
5	Jurgen	122	4	11	7–½	7–½	7–2	6–hd	4–hd	Rosario	2.10
2	Frasard	122	2	6	3–hd	3–½	3–hd	4–½	5–1	Bejarano	8.70
9	K P All Systems Go	122	8	4	8–1½	8–1	6–hd	5–hd	6–½	T Baze	5.80
11	Forever Poe	122	10	9	11	11	10–2	10–6	7–2¾	Smith	8.80
7	DH–Dominant Soul	122	6	5	6–1	6–1	8–hd	9–hd	8–¾	Pereira	89.00
10	DH–Spanish Count	122	9	10	10–2½	9–hd	9–1½	8–hd	8–¾	Rispoli	47.10
8	Too Late	122	7	1	1–1	1–1	1–½	2–½	10–15	Gutierrez	9.20
6	Above the Rainbow	122	5	8	9–1	10–4	11	11	11	Valdivia, Jr.	84.50

12	GOVERNANCE	13.40	6.40	4.80
1	GOALIE		5.20	3.60
4	WAR PATH			13.20

$1 EXACTA (12-1)	$41.30
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (12-1-4-5)	$482.41
50-CENT TRIFECTA (12-1-4)	$395.55
10-CENT X-5 SUPER HIGH FIVE (12-1-4-5-2)		Carryover $792

Winner–Governance Dbb.g.3 by Fed Biz out of Confessa, by Repent. Bred by WinStar Farm, LLC (KY). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: CYBT, Nentwig, Michael, Newman, Roger H. and Pagano, Ray. Mutuel Pool $241,061 Exacta Pool $141,470 Superfecta Pool $58,824 Trifecta Pool $84,955 X-5 Super High Five Pool $1,037. Scratched–Ekklesia, Fredericktown, Pure Carmine.

GOVERNANCE angled in and stalked outside a rival then just off the rail, bid alongside the pacesetter leaving the second turn, took a short lead in upper stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch, drifted out a bit late and held gamely. GOALIE saved ground stalking the pace, went outside a rival then between horses on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch and got up for the place four wide late. WAR PATH stalked outside a rival, came out into the stretch, was between foes through the final furlong and was in a bit close behind the winner at the wire. JURGEN broke a bit slowly, saved ground stalking the pace, waited off heels in midstretch then got through inside past midstretch and continued willingly. FRASARD (GB) stalked inside, came out in upper stretch, waited off heels in midstretch, continued between rivals through the final furlong and was edged for a minor award. K P ALL SYSTEMS GO chased outside a rival then three deep into and on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was outfinished. FOREVER POE angled in and saved ground off the pace, went outside a rival on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and also was outkicked late. DOMINANT SOUL stalked outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SPANISH COUNT off a bit slowly, settled outside a rival then inside on the second turn, came out a bit into the stretch then lacked the necessary response inside. TOO LATE sped to the early lead and angled in, set the pace inside, dueled leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. ABOVE THE RAINBOW angled in and settled off the pace inside, continued along the rail on the second turn and into the stretch and gave way.

SECOND RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $23,000. Maiden Claiming. 3 year olds. Claiming Price $30,000. Time 22.65 46.80 59.10 1:11.45


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	½	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

5	Shootin Money	122	5	1	1–1	1–1½	1–3	1–6¾	Pereira	2.20
1	Taco Waco	122	1	4	6–½	5–1	5–4	2–1	Rosario	2.20
2	Golden Victory	122	2	6	5–hd	4–½	4–hd	3–hd	Delgadillo	28.00
6	Lizzario	117	6	5	2–hd	2–hd	2–½	4–1¾	Bejarano	7.60
3	Handsome Michael	122	3	3	3–1	3–1	3–1	5–4¼	Maldonado	1.60
4	Affirmracer	122	4	7	7	7	7	6–2¼	Flores	38.10
7	Code Gray	122	7	2	4–hd	6–2	6–½	7	Ochoa	82.50

5	SHOOTIN MONEY	6.40	3.20	2.80
1	TACO WACO		3.60	3.00
2	GOLDEN VICTORY			5.40

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (12-5)	$58.80
$1 EXACTA (5-1)	$9.50
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (5-1-2-6)	$23.84
$1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (5-1-2-6-3)	$655.20
50-CENT TRIFECTA (5-1-2)	$34.80

Winner–Shootin Money Dbb.c.3 by Archarcharch out of Pennymoney, by Forestry. Bred by Joanne R. Mummert (KY). Trainer: Philip A. Oviedo. Owner: Kleczka, Kevin O. and Warren, John P.. Mutuel Pool $168,909 Daily Double Pool $48,346 Exacta Pool $87,788 Superfecta Pool $38,163 Super High Five Pool $4,972 Trifecta Pool $60,877. Scratched–none.

SHOOTIN MONEY had good early speed and angled in, set the pace a bit off the rail then inside and drew off in the stretch under a steady hand ride. TACO WACO saved ground stalking the pace, came out in upper stretch, split horses past midstretch and gained the place. GOLDEN VICTORY broke a bit slowly, went up between horses to stalk the winner, continued outside a rival on the turn and three deep into the stretch and held third. LIZZARIO close up stalking the pace outside a rival, was between horses in deep stretch, drifted in late and was edged for the show. HANDSOME MICHAEL pulled some and saved ground stalking the winner, continued inside in the stretch and lacked the needed response. AFFIRMRACER broke a bit slowly, went up outside a rival then four wide leaving the backstretch, continued off the rail then angled in a bit off the fence leaving the turn and weakened. CODE GRAY stalked three deep then outside on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened.

THIRD RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $59,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $62,500. Time 23.19 47.26 1:11.99 1:24.80 1:37.93


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	½	¾	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

3	Justinian	122	3	6	1–½	1–hd	1–1	1–1½	1–nk	Van Dyke	2.40
1	California Street	122	1	2	6	6	4–hd	2–hd	2–1¼	Prat	3.00
6	Instagrand	122	6	5	2–1½	2–½	2–1	3–2	3–5¼	Rosario	1.80
2	Platinum Equity	122	2	1	5–2	3–1	3–hd	4–2	4–½	Pereira	3.80
4	Federal Case	122	4	3	4–1½	4–hd	5–2	5–4	5–10¼	Cedillo	13.30
5	Potantico	117	5	4	3–hd	5–½	6	6	6	Diaz, Jr.	31.90

3	JUSTINIAN	6.80	3.60	2.80
1	CALIFORNIA STREET		3.60	2.60
6	INSTAGRAND			2.80

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (5-3)	$20.80
$1 EXACTA (3-1)	$10.50
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (3-1-6-2)	$7.03
50-CENT TRIFECTA (3-1-6)	$17.45

Winner–Justinian Ch.c.4 by Justin Phillip out of Miss Wined Up, by Roman Ruler. Bred by Jamie Frost (KY). Trainer: Bob Baffert. Owner: Williford, Roberta, Williford, Ward and Winner, Charles N.. Mutuel Pool $194,739 Daily Double Pool $23,691 Exacta Pool $88,315 Superfecta Pool $35,005 Trifecta Pool $56,034. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (12-5-3) paid $48.55. Pick Three Pool $79,433.

JUSTINIAN broke a step slowly, had speed between horses then angled in and set a pressured pace inside, inched away leaving the second turn, edged clear under urging in the stretch and held on gamely. CALIFORNIA STREET stalked inside then between foes into and on the second turn, angled back to the rail into the stretch, came out in midstretch and finished willingly to just miss. INSTAGRAND four wide into the first turn, angled in and pressed the pace outside the winner, stalked leaving the second turn and into the stretch and bested the others. PLATINUM EQUITY came out nearing the first turn then drifted out into that turn, chased off the rail, bid three deep a half mile out, continued outside on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and weakened. FEDERAL CASE between foes early, angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, steadied in tight behind the runner-up into the stretch and also weakened. POTANTICO three deep between foes early, steadied in tight into the first turn, stalked outside a rival then three wide leaving the backstretch, dropped back on the second turn and gave way.

FOURTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $36,000. Maiden Claiming. 3 year olds. Claiming Price $75,000. Time 22.79 46.62 1:10.99 1:22.99 1:35.34


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	½	¾	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

5	Rip City	124	5	1	3–2½	3–hd	1–3	1–9	1–10¼	Gutierrez	3.90
6	Drasario	124	6	11	8–1½	8–½	6–hd	2–hd	2–½	Rosario	5.10
4	Champers	124	4	3	6–1½	6–1½	8–1	7–1½	3–ns	Cedillo	2.20
2	Time to Testify	124	2	9	9–hd	10–hd	9–hd	6–hd	4–2½	Meche	53.10
10	Kadesh	124	10	5	5–hd	5–1½	3–hd	5–hd	5–1¼	Franco	25.40
3	Royal Suspect	124	3	10	11	9–1	7–hd	4–hd	6–½	Talamo	21.20
7	Big Hoof Dynamite	124	7	4	1–hd	1–hd	2–1	3–1½	7–3¼	Blanc	5.80
11	Extremely Wicked	124	11	7	7–hd	7–hd	10–1½	9–1½	8–¾	Prat	9.10
1	Landaa	124	1	8	10–hd	11	11	10–½	9–hd	Van Dyke	30.40
8	Jamason	124	8	2	4–hd	4–hd	4–hd	8–½	10–5¼	Roman	73.40
9	Mr. Unusual	124	9	6	2–hd	2–½	5–½	11	11	Rispoli	7.10

5	RIP CITY	9.80	5.80	3.40
6	DRASARIO (IRE)		6.60	4.20
4	CHAMPERS			2.60

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (3-5)	$32.00
$1 EXACTA (5-6)	$32.50
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (5-6-4-2)	$135.31
$1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (5-6-4-2-10)	$1,445.70
50-CENT TRIFECTA (5-6-4)	$32.45

Winner–Rip City Grr.g.3 by City Zip out of Sikara (IRE), by Aussie Rules. Bred by Darwin Krenz (KY). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: Little Red Feather Racing and Sterling Stables, LLC. Mutuel Pool $240,747 Daily Double Pool $30,258 Exacta Pool $139,542 Superfecta Pool $62,845 Super High Five Pool $1,894 Trifecta Pool $90,892. Scratched–Blues Rapper, Brother Reid.

50-Cent Pick Three (5-3-5) paid $25.50. Pick Three Pool $35,309.

RIP CITY angled in and dueled inside then stalked a bit off the rail, re-bid three deep between horses leaving the backstretch, kicked clear and angled in some on the second turn and drew off under urging in the drive then a hold late. DRASARIO (IRE) a step slow to begin, angled in and stalked inside, came out in upper stretch and held second. CHAMPERS saved ground chasing the pace, went outside a rival on the second turn, came out four wide into the stretch, drifted in and edged a rival for the show. TIME TO TESTIFY settled between horses then outside a rival on the backstretch, came out on the second turn and five wide into the stretch, drifted in and was edged for third. KADESH stalked three deep, bid five wide a half mile out, continued four wide on the second turn and into the stretch, in and weakened. ROYAL SUSPECT chased three wide, came out on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. BIG HOOF DYNAMITE dueled between horses then inside on the backstretch and into the second turn, continued along the rail into the stretch and weakened. EXTREMELY WICKED angled in and chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail leaving the second turn, came out in upper stretch and did not rally. LANDAA settled off the pace inside, cut the corner into the stretch and lacked a response in the drive. JAMASON stalked between horses, bid four wide between foes on the backstretch and into the second turn, continued three deep between rivals on that turn and weakened. MR. UNUSUAL dueled three deep then outside a rival, stalked between horses on the second turn and had little left for the stretch.

FIFTH RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $33,000. Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $25,000. Time 22.39 45.68 57.94 1:10.73


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	½	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

4	Love a Honeybadger	122	4	1	1–½	1–1½	1–1½	1–1	Rosario	2.20
7	Nomizar	124	7	4	5–1	4–2½	2–2	2–4¼	T Baze	2.30
5	Time for Ebby	122	5	3	4–hd	5–1	5–1	3–1¼	Espinoza	16.70
2	No Wine Untasted	122	2	2	3–hd	3–hd	3–½	4–½	Talamo	12.40
1	Tapitha Bonita	122	1	5	6–4½	6–½	7	5–1½	Pereira	3.60
3	Drift Away	124	3	7	7	7	6–hd	6–¾	Prat	6.80
6	South Boot Shirley	122	6	6	2–1	2–½	4–2	7	Maldonado	8.80

4	LOVE A HONEYBADGER	6.40	4.00	2.80
7	NOMIZAR		3.40	2.60
5	TIME FOR EBBY			5.80

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (5-4)	$40.40
$1 EXACTA (4-7)	$11.40
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (4-7-5-2)	$64.02
$1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (4-7-5-2-1)	$1,555.40
50-CENT TRIFECTA (4-7-5)	$35.40

Winner–Love a Honeybadger Dbb.m.6 by Bushwacker out of Angela's Love, by Not For Love. Bred by Terry C. Lovingier (CA). Trainer: Peter Miller. Owner: Rockingham Ranch. Mutuel Pool $315,040 Daily Double Pool $25,151 Exacta Pool $170,531 Superfecta Pool $74,673 Super High Five Pool $4,076 Trifecta Pool $118,771. Claimed–Love a Honeybadger by John Thomas. Trainer: Brian Koriner. Claimed–Nomizar by Granja Mexico and Palma, Hector. Trainer: Hector Palma. Claimed–Tapitha Bonita by Heck, William L. and Miyadi, Steven. Trainer: Steven Miyadi. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (3-5-4) paid $28.20. Pick Three Pool $67,582. 50-Cent Pick Four (5-3-5-4) 1385 tickets with 4 correct paid $120.35. Pick Four Pool $218,460. 50-Cent Pick Five (12-5-3-5-4) 437 tickets with 5 correct paid $1,144.00. Pick Five Pool $581,043.

LOVE A HONEYBADGER went up inside to duel for the lead, inched away on the turn, came a bit off the rail into the stretch, drifted in some late and held under urging. NOMIZAR stalked three deep to the stretch, drifted in a bit and went on willingly late. TIME FOR EBBY was close up stalking the pace between horses then a bit off the rail on the turn, came out into the stretch and bested the others. NO WINE UNTASTED saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. TAPITHA BONITA stalked inside then a bit off the rail into the turn, came out leaving the turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. DRIFT AWAY dropped back a bit off the rail on the backstretch, angled in on the turn, came out some past midstretch and did not rally. SOUTH BOOT SHIRLEY sped to the early lead off the rail, dueled outside the winner then stalked between horses leaving the turn and weakened in the drive.

SIXTH RACE.

1 1/8 Mile Turf. Purse: $57,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 23.73 47.80 1:11.64 1:36.56 1:48.50


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	½	¾	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

7	Opus Won	124	6	1	3–hd	3–1	3–2	1–1½	1–3½	Gutierrez	5.00
9	Out of Balance	124	8	2	7–1	7–1	7–1½	5–½	2–½	Franco	5.40
1	Courteous	122	1	4	1–½	1–1	1–1	2–1½	3–ns	Talamo	1.60
6	Kittyhawk Lass	122	5	9	9–1½	8–1	8–1	7–hd	4–nk	Van Dyke	17.30
10	Prima Valentina	124	9	5	4–1	4–hd	4–hd	4–1	5–½	Blanc	39.60
3	Peter's Kitten	124	3	7	8–½	9–1	9–½	9–2	6–nk	Rosario	5.50
11	Doc Yco Cheeks	124	10	8	5–hd	6–1½	6–½	8–½	7–nk	Bejarano	9.90
8	Mulhima	124	7	6	6–1	5–2	5–1½	3–hd	8–1	Prat	24.80
5	Coldwater	122	4	10	10	10	10	10	9–7½	Smith	31.10
2	Seaside Dancer	122	2	3	2–1	2–3	2–3	6–½	10	Cedillo	10.10

7	OPUS WON	12.00	6.00	3.40
9	OUT OF BALANCE		5.40	3.20
1	COURTEOUS			2.80

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (4-7)	$42.60
$1 EXACTA (7-9)	$30.40
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (7-9-1-6)	$70.65
50-CENT TRIFECTA (7-9-1)	$58.85
10-CENT X-5 SUPER HIGH FIVE (7-9-1-6-10)		Carryover $1,566

Winner–Opus Won B.f.4 by Eddington out of Russian River, by Stravinsky. Bred by Frank Mermenstein & Tom McCrocklin (CA). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: Little Red Feather Racing. Mutuel Pool $380,382 Daily Double Pool $37,027 Exacta Pool $232,855 Superfecta Pool $95,451 Trifecta Pool $147,455 X-5 Super High Five Pool $2,052. Scratched–Legend Emma (IRE).

50-Cent Pick Three (5-4-7) paid $57.45. Pick Three Pool $57,305.

OPUS WON stalked off the rail, bid three wide into the stretch to gain the lead, inched away in midstretch and won clear under urging. OUT OF BALANCE chased outside a rival then inside on the backstretch and second turn, came out into the stretch and again in midstretch and got up for the place three deep on the line. COURTEOUS sped to the early lead, set a pressured pace inside then inched away on the first turn, showed the way along the fence to the stretch, fought back into the lane and was edged late for second but held third. KITTYHAWK LASS chased outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. PRIMA VALENTINA pulled three deep early and into the first turn, stalked outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for a minor award between foes late. PETER'S KITTEN saved ground off the pace, came a bit off the rail in the stretch, split rivals past midstretch and also was outfinished for a minor share. DOC YCO CHEEKS four wide early, angled in and chased outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. MULHIMA (IRE) crossed to the inside and saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and also could not quite offer the necessary late response. COLDWATER settled inside then outside a rival, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SEASIDE DANCER prompted the pace outside a rival then stalked just off the rail and weakened in the final furlong.

SEVENTH RACE.

1 1/16 Mile. Purse: $38,000. Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 23.65 47.77 1:12.17 1:38.41 1:45.11


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	½	¾	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

3	Royal Insider	122	3	4	4–3	4–hd	5–2	3–hd	1–1½	Pereira	21.80
6	Winning Element	122	6	3	2–1	2–½	1–hd	1–1	2–1¾	Bejarano	0.90
2	Boogalute	122	2	7	6–hd	6–hd	6–½	6–3	3–½	Prat	3.70
4	Secret Touch	122	4	2	1–½	1–1	2–½	2–hd	4–¾	Cedillo	12.20
1	Kenzou's Rhythm	122	1	5	5–1	5–2	4–½	4–1½	5–1½	Figueroa	12.80
7	Cabin John	122	7	1	3–2½	3–2½	3–1½	5–hd	6–2¼	Rosario	5.50
5	Full of Luck	122	5	6	7	7	7	7	7	Flores	8.50

3	ROYAL INSIDER	45.60	13.20	5.80
6	WINNING ELEMENT		2.80	2.40
2	BOOGALUTE			3.20

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (7-3)	$470.60
$1 EXACTA (3-6)	$78.20
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (3-6-2-4)	$127.75
50-CENT TRIFECTA (3-6-2)	$135.95
10-CENT X-5 SUPER HIGH FIVE (3-6-2-4-1)		Carryover $8,670

Winner–Royal Insider B.g.4 by Divine Park out of Quality Included, by Include. Bred by Brereton C. Jones (KY). Trainer: Steve Knapp. Owner: Knapp, Steve and Sardo, Tony. Mutuel Pool $301,641 Daily Double Pool $32,661 Exacta Pool $174,197 Superfecta Pool $75,716 Trifecta Pool $122,290 X-5 Super High Five Pool $9,307. Claimed–Winning Element by Eric Homme. Trainer: Andrew Lerner. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (4-7-3) paid $232.90. Pick Three Pool $57,983.

ROYAL INSIDER saved ground stalking the pace, came out in upper stretch, bid between horses past the eighth pole to gain the lead under urging nearing the sixteenth marker and proved best. WINNING ELEMENT had speed between horses then pressed the pace outside a rival, stalked a bit off the rail midway on the backstretch, re-bid between horses nearing the second turn, put a head in front on that turn, inched away in midstretch, fought back past the eighth pole and held second. BOOGALUTE broke in the air and slowly, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch and gained the show. SECRET TOUCH angled in and dueled inside then inched away on the backstretch, fought back along the rail into and on the second turn and into the stretch was edged for third. KENZOU'S RHYTHM came off the rail entering the first turn, chased outside a rival, came four wide into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. CABIN JOHN had speed three deep then stalked off the rail, bid again three wide leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. FULL OF LUCK (CHI) three wide early, chased outside then alongside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally.

EIGHTH RACE.

5½ Furlongs Turf. Purse: $200,000. 'Joe Hernandez Stakes'. 4 year olds and up. Time 22.09 44.60 56.36 1:02.47


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	3/8	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

4	Texas Wedge	120	4	2	5–½	4–hd	3–2	1–¾	Prat	2.10
2	Double Touch	120	2	8	8–hd	9–½	8–1	2–hd	Espinoza	15.40
11	Bay Muzik	120	10	1	1–1	1–2	1–1	3–½	T Baze	27.70
9	Blitzkrieg	122	8	4	7–1½	6–hd	6–½	4–½	Bejarano	7.70
7	Captain Scotty	120	6	6	2–1	2–1½	2–½	5–nk	Rosario	4.90
3	Grinning Tiger	120	3	5	3–hd	5–1	4–hd	6–1½	Valdivia, Jr.	17.20
1	Tribalist	120	1	9	9–hd	8–hd	7–½	7–½	Fuentes	12.30
6	True Valour	124	5	7	4–hd	3–½	5–1	8–1¼	Van Dyke	2.90
8	Legends of War	122	7	10	10	10	10	9–ns	Cedillo	13.30
10	Carnivorous	120	9	3	6–½	7–1½	9–1	10	Gutierrez	32.10

4	TEXAS WEDGE	6.20	4.00	3.20
2	DOUBLE TOUCH (GB)		11.40	6.60
11	BAY MUZIK			11.00

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (3-4)	$391.60
$1 EXACTA (4-2)	$27.10
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (4-2-11-9)	$448.99
$1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (4-2-11-9-7)	$19,028.20
50-CENT TRIFECTA (4-2-11)	$198.80

Winner–Texas Wedge B.g.5 by Colonel John out of Callmenancy, by Political Force. Bred by Nancy Shuford (KY). Trainer: Peter Miller. Owner: Altamira Racing Stable, Rafter JR Ranch LLC, STD Racing Stable and Miller, A.. Mutuel Pool $470,764 Daily Double Pool $46,290 Exacta Pool $265,467 Superfecta Pool $102,774 Super High Five Pool $13,572 Trifecta Pool $170,333. Scratched–Oiseau de Guerre.

50-Cent Pick Three (7-3-4) paid $288.70. Pick Three Pool $72,252.

TEXAS WEDGE steadied between horses midway on the backstretch then stalked between foes, continued a bit off the rail into the stretch, came out in upper stretch, rallied under urging to the front three wide in deep stretch and held gamely. DOUBLE TOUCH (GB) broke a bit slowly, chased outside a rival then between horses leaving the backstretch and on the turn, came out into the stretch and finished well. BAY MUZIK sped to the early lead and angled in, set the pace inside, fought back along the rail in deep stretch and held third. BLITZKRIEG stalked the pace off the rail, went between foes on the turn, came out into the stretch and rallied between horses late. CAPTAIN SCOTTY stalked just off the rail to the stretch, bid between horses past midstretch and continued willingly but was outfinished. GRINNING TIGER pulled and saved ground stalking the pace, drifted out a bit in midstretch then drifted in some late and also was outfinished. TRIBALIST broke slowly then chased inside, came out into the stretch, steadied off heels in midstretch, angled in late and could not quite offer the necessary response. TRUE VALOUR (IRE) bobbled at the start, stalked three deep to the stretch and also lacked the needed late kick. LEGENDS OF WAR broke a bit slowly, chased off the rail then three deep into and on the turn, was four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CARNIVOROUS chased outside then three deep on the turn and four wide into the stretch and did not rally, then was unsaddled on the clubhouse turn and vanned off. A claim of foul by the rider of TRIBALIST against GRINNING TIGER for alleged interference in midstretch was not allowed by the stewards, who ruled the incident did not alter the original order of finish.

NINTH RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $55,000. Maiden Special Weight. 3 year olds. Time 23.37 47.47 1:12.23 1:24.90 1:37.91


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	½	¾	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

5	Tizamagician	122	4	1	2–½	2–½	1–½	1–3	1–2½	Espinoza	2.20
6	Divine Armor	122	5	7	8	7–½	5–½	5–hd	2–¾	Rosario	2.30
1	Kiss Today Goodbye	122	1	5	6–3½	6–1	6–2	6–12	3–1¼	Pereira	31.40
8	Blue Jays	122	7	6	5–hd	4–hd	4–2½	3–½	4–3¾	Valdivia, Jr.	42.80
4	Snap Chap	122	3	3	1–1	1–½	2–hd	2–hd	5–5	Smith	3.00
9	Much More Halo	122	8	4	4–1½	3–1	3–2½	4–1½	6–21¼	Van Dyke	4.50
3	Don V.	117	2	2	3–hd	5–1½	7–9	7–14	7–25¼	Diaz, Jr.	42.60
7	Midnight Luck	122	6	8	7–hd	8	8	8	8	Franco	12.50

5	TIZAMAGICIAN	6.40	3.20	2.40
6	DIVINE ARMOR		3.20	2.60
1	KISS TODAY GOODBYE			6.80

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (4-5)	$13.60
$1 EXACTA (5-6)	$7.80
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (5-6-1-8)	$67.49
$1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (5-6-1-8-4)	$6,105.10
50-CENT TRIFECTA (5-6-1)	$44.45

Winner–Tizamagician Dbb.c.3 by Tiznow out of Magic Union, by Dixie Union. Bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds (KY). Trainer: Richard E. Mandella. Owner: MyRacehorse.com and Spendthrift Farm LLC. Mutuel Pool $345,409 Daily Double Pool $54,168 Exacta Pool $179,781 Superfecta Pool $95,638 Super High Five Pool $7,999 Trifecta Pool $133,076. Scratched–Opus Equus.

50-Cent Pick Three (3-4-5) paid $179.55. Pick Three Pool $66,190.

TIZAMAGICIAN had speed three deep then stalked off the rail, bid between horses on the backstretch and second turn, took the lead leaving that turn, inched away under urging in the stretch, kicked clear and held. DIVINE ARMOR saved ground stalking the pace, split horses on the second turn, continued off the rail into the stretch and gained the place. KISS TODAY GOODBYE came off the rail into the first turn, chased outside a rival leaving the backstretch and three wide on the second turn and into the stretch and was edged for second. BLUE JAYS three deep into the first turn, chased off the rail then a bit off the fence on the second turn and into the stretch, was between foes in midstretch and was outfinished for a minor share. SNAP CHAP had speed between foes then angled in and set the pace inside, dueled on the backstretch, fought back on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. MUCH MORE HALO stalked outside then bid three deep on the backstretch and second turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. DON V. had speed inside then saved ground stalking the pace, dropped on the second turn, gave way and was eased in the stretch. MIDNIGHT LUCK settled off the rail then outside a rival on thee backstretch, dropped back into and on the second turn and also was eased through the drive.

TENTH RACE.

1 1/8 Mile Turf. Purse: $57,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 24.03 49.26 1:12.86 1:37.01 1:48.99


Pgm	Horse	Wt	PP	St	¼	½	¾	Str	Fin	Jockey	$1

1	Musawaat	122	1	4	3–1	3–1	3–hd	1–½	1–½	Rispoli	4.20
7	Southern King	124	7	2	5–1	5–1	4–hd	3–hd	2–1¼	Rosario	2.70
3	Farquhar	119	3	3	4–½	4–½	5–1	2–1	3–ns	Velez	16.80
9	Red King	122	9	10	7–hd	6–hd	7–1	6–1½	4–¾	Gryder	5.10
6	Crystal Tribe	124	6	11	2–½	2–½	2–½	4–½	5–hd	Cedillo	27.90
8	Storm the Bastille	122	8	9	9–½	10–hd	10–1½	7–2	6–1½	Pereira	12.90
5	Shining Through	124	5	6	8–1	7–½	8–hd	5–1½	7–2¼	Prat	7.20
10	M Town Gem	122	10	8	6–hd	8–2	6–hd	8–½	8–½	Bejarano	10.00
2	Soberano	124	2	5	11	9–hd	11	10	9–2½	T Baze	50.90
12	Real Master	124	11	7	10–1½	11	9–1½	9–2	10	Blanc	33.30
4	Golden Birthday	124	4	1	1–1	1–1	1–1		dnf	Espinoza	5.90

1	MUSAWAAT (GB)	10.40	5.40	4.00
7	SOUTHERN KING		4.40	3.40
3	FARQUHAR			6.60

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (5-1)	$36.60
$1 EXACTA (1-7)	$23.70
10-CENT SUPERFECTA (1-7-3-9)	$152.29
10-CENT SUPER HIGH FIVE (1-7-3-9-6)		Carryover $7,482
50-CENT TRIFECTA (1-7-3)	$122.60

Winner–Musawaat (GB) B.g.6 by Equiano (FR) out of Starry Sky (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB). Bred by Lark Copse Ltd (GB). Trainer: Mike Puype. Owner: Bassim, LLC. Mutuel Pool $447,178 Daily Double Pool $138,805 Exacta Pool $256,457 Superfecta Pool $126,167 Super High Five Pool $9,804 Trifecta Pool $181,830. Scratched–French Getaway.

50-Cent Pick Three (4-5-1) paid $18.80. Pick Three Pool $315,988. 50-Cent Pick Four (3-4/5-2/5-1) 584 tickets with 4 correct paid $942.85. Pick Four Pool $720,859. 50-Cent Pick Five (7-3-4/5-2/5-1) 92 tickets with 5 correct paid $5,055.50. Pick Five Pool $609,420. 20-Cent Pick Six Jackpot (4-7-3-4/5-2/5-1) 15 tickets with 6 correct paid $6,819.48. Pick Six Jackpot Pool $191,479. Pick Six Jackpot Carryover $161,456.

MUSAWAAT (GB) saved ground stalking the pace, came out leaving the second turn then steadied while being fanned out into the stretch but gained the lead, drifted in and battled outside a rival in midstretch and held on gamely under urging. SOUTHERN KING chased outside then three deep on the second turn, came out four wide into the stretch and steadied when crowded in upper stretch, angled in and bid three wide in deep stretch and continued willingly. FARQUHAR stalked a bit off the rail then between horses into the second turn, angled to the inside into the stretch, bid along the fence in midstretch and just held third. RED KING bumped at the start, angled in and chased inside then outside a rival on the second turn, came out some in the stretch, was crowded in upper stretch and edged for the show. CRYSTAL TRIBE (IRE) stalked outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch, was fanned out four wide in upper stretch, continued between foes in the drive and was outfinished. STORM THE BASTILLE (FR) pulled between horses then chased between foes, found the inside on the second turn, came out past the eighth pole and put in a late bid between foes. SHINING THROUGH chased between horses then a bit off the rail leaving the second turn and in the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. M TOWN GEM stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. SOBERANO (FR) saved ground off the pace, continued inside into the stretch and did not rally. REAL MASTER (FR) four wide into the first turn, chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail leaving the second turn, came out and steadied when crowded in upper stretch and lacked the needed response. GOLDEN BIRTHDAY sped to the early lead and angled in, set the pace along the inside, inched away again on the second turn, took a bad step then drifted out while being pulled up into the stretch with an injury behind, then lost the rider and was vanned off.