|
|
Del Mar
Aug 18, 2016 7:23:45 GMT -5
Post by Gooba on Aug 18, 2016 7:23:45 GMT -5
Catch the highly anticipated showdown between Beholder and California Chrome this Saturday at Del Mar. Bet the Pacific Classic (G1) and the entire weekend's stakes action with Keeneland Select.
SATURDAY
Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar
Del Mar Oaks (G1) at Del Mar
Del Mar H. (G2) at Del Mar
Alabama S. (G1) at Saratoga
Fourstardave S. (G1) at Saratoga
Monmouth Oaks (G3) at Monmouth
SUNDAY
Maker's Mark Lake Placid (G2) at Saratoga
Del Mar Mile (G2) at Del Mar
Cliff Hanger S. (G3) at Monmouth
|
|
|
|
Del Mar
Aug 18, 2016 7:28:00 GMT -5
Post by Gooba on Aug 18, 2016 7:28:00 GMT -5
Beholder will attempt to defend her title in Saturday's Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Beholder, the defending race winner of the Pacific Classic, will need to be at her best to face the likes of California Chrome and Dortmund in this year's Pacific Classic on Saturday at Del Mar, but she gave off every indication Tuesday morning that she's ready for a top effort in the Grade 1, $1 million race when she polished off a half-mile in 47 seconds without any appreciable effort.
It was a foggy morning at Del Mar, and when Beholder emerged from the fog at 6:30 a.m. under exercise rider Janeen Painter she was breezing. Clockers high above the grandstand worked in tandem with their spotter on the backside to properly time the work from the start. Beholder looked as though she was going in about 50 seconds; she made 47 look that easy.
"Oh boy, oh man," Painter said, breaking into a wide grin, as she greeted trainer Richard Mandella back at the barn.
"I couldn't clock it so you're not in trouble," Mandella said, laughing.
After observing the way Beholder came back from the drill, Mandella remarked, "She's pretty content with herself."
"She looked good to me," Mandella said. "She didn't need to do much. The one thing I told Janeen was to make sure no one was buzzing off around her. If she started the work at the half, or the three-eighth's, or the quarter, I didn't care. It all worked out. She found a spot by herself. She had her serious work the other day. She didn't need anything more serious than this.
"The last four or five days leading to the race we just want her mellowed out, into that groove we had before," Mandella said.
Entries for the Pacific Classic were due Tuesday morning, and posts were to be drawn early Tuesday evening at a party at a local restaurant
|
|
|
|
Del Mar
Aug 19, 2016 5:29:09 GMT -5
Post by Gooba on Aug 19, 2016 5:29:09 GMT -5
With fingers crossed seemingly all across the country from fans hoping for a clash of West Coast superstars Aug. 20 in the TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I), the stage is finally set.
California Chrome , Beholder, and Dortmund are all entered in Del Mar's summer feature.
Outside of the Breeders' Cup, there's not much more to ask for from the standpoint of an elite matchup. The trio features 17 grade/group I wins, five Eclipse Awards, and more than $19.2 million in earnings combined from 38 overall victories between them.
All three have been dominant for stretches of time in California, but each enters the race uniquely positioned following their last race.
For California Chrome and Dortmund, both could turn in an improved effort—although that might be hard to imagine—in the 1 1/4-mile Classic following a one-two finish in the July 23 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) that featured a stretch duel to remember.
|
|
|
|
Del Mar
Aug 20, 2016 8:00:33 GMT -5
Post by Makers on Aug 20, 2016 8:00:33 GMT -5
Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Saturday, August 20, 2016
3rd race – (7) Itsinthepost (C) was bet down from 4-1 to 5-2 then had a tough, inside trip. Breaks from the outside in a smaller field and should make amends today. (1) Perfectly Majestic launched a wide rally for second last time and should be the main competition from the rail this time around. (2) Boozer has been racing in state-bred stakes and fits in well against these. (5) Willing to Travel gained conditioning in a longer race and should be primed for a good effort. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7. Exactas: 1-7 over 2-5 and 2-5 over 1-7. Doubles: 1-2-5-7 with 1-2-5-7.
4th race - (2) Tough It Out (A) launched a sharp 6-wide rally to grab second in a state-bred stakes after falling 10 lengths behind. Usually stays closer to the pace than that and could atone for that setback with a better trip. (5) Forest Blue (C) dropped from 4-1 to 3-1 but weakened in the final furlong and finished third. A 7-furlong trip here should be beneficial to his chances. (1) Horse Greedy should move forward while back to dirt. (7) Foxtrot Romeo might improve off a jockey switch to Prat. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-7.
6th race – (8) Cheekaboo (B) lacked room early then closed well to finish in a dead-heat for second last time. She’s in great form and can prevail in a very competitive field. (9) Mrs. Norris (C) took a big drop from 21-1 to 15-1 and finished in a dead-heat with the top choice. Offers nice value here at her morning-line odds. (3) Mokat closed strongly to win a Grade 2 stakes and should appreciate the added distance here. (10) Stays in Vegas rallied for third behind Mokat and cannot be ignored in this spot. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-8-9-10.
9th race – The Pacific Classic - (1) California Chrome (A) prevailed narrowly over Dortmund in a great duel that was the perfect tightener after the Dubai World Cup. Drawing the rail complicates matters, but he’s the best horse and can prevail in classic showdown. (9) Dalmore (B) took a big step forward in winning the Affirmed. He’s an improving 3-year-old who has a stalking style that can benefit from a pace scenario in which the three favorites will be on or near the lead. (7) Beholder probably wasn’t cranked up 100 percent for her last start and was upset. Look for an improved effort here as she attempts to defend her title in the Grade 1 stakes. (8) Dortmund turned in a big effort against “Chrome” in his first start in eight months, but the top choice gets a 5-pound weight shift over him and the presence of Beholder will make it very difficult for him on the front end. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7-8-9.
11th race – (10) Gunslinger (C) tumbled on the oddsboard from 9-5 to 7-5 and won powerfully against limited winners. Figures to be able to handle straight claimers here. (1) Ladies Man cannot be ignored while moving up after a claim. (9) J Serino drops in class and might be the one to catch. (2) Carlsbad Mountain merits attention off the win and Miller claim. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-9-10.
|
|
|
|
Del Mar
Aug 21, 2016 8:24:04 GMT -5
Post by Makers on Aug 21, 2016 8:24:04 GMT -5
Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
5th race – (2) Daphne’s Day (D) took a big drop from 5-1 to 5-2 and then had a rough trip. She bobbled at the start, went 4 wide on the first turn, made a 3 wide move on the final turn and then weakened late to finish fourth. Let’s give her one more chance here as she returns to her more customary spot in a sprint. (6) Warren’s Super Cat rallied wide for third but might work out a better trip here. (3) Stand by for News comes off a big maiden win and merits respect. (5) Late n’ Left takes a big drop after a weak effort in her first try against maidens. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-6. Doubles: 2-3-5-6 with 1-2-5-6. Pick 3: 2-3-5-6 with 1-2-5-6 with 6-8-9-11.
6th race - (5) Sky Preacher (A) ran well despite trouble as he launched a strong rally from way back but steadied in the stretch and had to settle for third. Can work out a better trip here against slightly better competition. (6) Street Moxie is an uncoupled stablemate of the top choice who is eligible to rebound off the Baltas claim after a poor effort. (1) Comes the Dream was claimed by Hartman last time and could be tough to catch from the rail. (2) Hay Dude won nicely against cheaper but has enough speed to be a main threat for new connections. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-6. Doubles: 1-2-5-6 with 6-8-9-11. Pick 3: 1-2-5-6 with 6-8-9-11 with 2-3-4-6.
7th race – (6) Dangerfield (A) was a solid second last time after a dull debut and should get the respect he deserves whole making amends for his last setback in this spot. (11) What’sontheagenda (C) dropped from 5-1 to 7-2 but was second best to a rival who returned to finish second in a stakes. Looks like the one to fear if he draws into the race. (8) Royal Mo has put in sharp works for the people who gave us Zenyatta and cannot be ignored. (9) Irish Freedom is a firster from Baffert’s barn who is sporting solid works for his debut. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-8-9-11. Doubles: 6-8-9-11 with 2-3-4-6. Pick 3: 6-8-9-11 with 2-3-4-6 with 8-9-10-11.
8th race – (2) Texas Two Step (B) showed little in a turf route and should rebound with a top effort in a sprint on the main track. (6) Kentuckian (B) was well bet while trying turf for the first time in his first start in a little more than year. Faded abruptly in that one, but sharp recent main track works indicate he’ll perk up here in this spot. (4) Navy Hymn didn’t fire at an odds-on price last time, but could rebound today. (3) Well Measured hasn’t raced since a win at Del Mar last September but would be a major player if ready. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-6. Exactas: 2-6 over 3-4 and 3-4 over 2-6. Doubles: 2-3-4-6 with 8-9-10-11.
9th race – (8) Eric the Trojan (A) languished in last after steadying at the start but then flew home to finish second by a half-length in his turf. The experience gained in that race should make him a winner today. (11) My Samurai Warrior (C) will need a scratch to run, but after dropping from 7-2 to 9-5 while taking his last start, he could be poised for a strong effort while moving to turf. (9) Love My Bud tired in the final furlong of a 6 ½-furlong turf sprint and will appreciate the five furlong distance here. (10) Tiz a Billy is worth a look despite being unraced since February. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 8-9-10-11.
|
|
|
|
Del Mar
Aug 21, 2016 9:16:27 GMT -5
Post by Makers on Aug 21, 2016 9:16:27 GMT -5
What was supposed to be a showdown between California Chrome, Beholder and Dortmund in the Pacific Classic (G1) turned into a one man show.
Victor Espinoza sent the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner to the early lead and he did not look back, cruising to a five length victory as the 6-5 favorite to remain perfect in 2016.
The brilliant mare Beholder suffered her second loss in a row, chasing the winner throughout and landing second, while Dortmund had to settle for third while his stablemate Hoppertunity finished fourth.
It was a big day at Del Mar, the track smashing it’s all time record for betting handle. Total handle for the day from all sources was $25,060,204, which topped the previous high of $24,667,351 established on Pacific Classic Day in 2007.
California Chrome earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 113 for his victory, matching his career best which he earned in his third place finish in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
The five-year-old is perfect in five starts this year including the Dubai World Cup (G1) and is well on his way to earning his second Horse of the Year honors.
Frosted could have a say in the final results for the Eclipse Award. The Met Mile (G1) and Whitney (G1) winner will be standing in Chrome’s way when they meet up at Santa Anita in November for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
|
|
