Racing! A change in Santa Anita’s MTP policy

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we give subscribers a free Rob Henie handicapping report.

The “Gulfstream drag” has landed at Santa Anita. In a policy shift, the track has redefined what post-time means.

Some background. Gulfstream, for the last five or six years, has been famous (infamous?) for horses getting on the track with just a few minutes to post. Then, they are still just roaming around as the minutes-to-post clock strikes zero. Then you wait and wait, especially if you have already bet, for the horses to get to the gate and the race starts. On one of my Gulfstream trips, I counted a six-minute drag but it’s usually closer to about four minutes.

I even asked some locals how they deal with it. They just say they don’t even consider going to the window until the clock strikes zero. That is, those who still use windows.

The Stronach Group owns both Gulfstream and Santa Anita and has the same senior leadership. And it’s no secret the senior managers, especially Tim Ritvo, have the warmies for what goes on at Gulfstream. They’ve shown tremendous growth going from about $850 million in handle to about $2 billion. No doubt, it’s the kind of success story they would like to duplicate at Santa Anita. Where do you think the Rainbow Six came from?

So, starting Friday, Santa Anita is now sending its horses on the track with seven or so minutes before the board says its post-time instead of 11 or so minutes. Then, once the clock strikes zero, you’ve got between three or four minutes before first post.

Now, it needs to be said that there is no more time between races. Nothing about that has changed. What happens is before they may hang 24 minutes to post, but now they may start with 20 minutes, and the extra time on the clock happens after it is stuck on zero.

In order to get an explanation of why TSG thought this was a good idea for Santa Anita, the question was posed to P.J. Campo, who is the VP of racing at TSG, and he used to be the general manager at Gulfstream.

“Horses are on the track the same amount of time,” Campo said, referring to CHRB rule 1695 that says horses can not be on the track longer than 12 minutes unless there are unavoidable delays. “They leave the paddock at the same time, [it’s just the clock says fewer minutes]. It’s just a fact that people like to bet closer to post time [so we give them a longer post time.]

“Whatever they’ve been doing in California has not been working, so we thought we’d try something different.”

Campo points out that while Gulfstream has been growing, the amount of money bet nationally has not.

“There is about $11-12 billion bet annually and that hasn’t changed but it has shifted by tracks going out business and other things,” Campo said. “It’s our job to get that money and lift the handle at Stronach tracks.”

With these squishy post times it could create havoc with tracks running races at the same time.

“We make sure that Santa Anita and Gulfstream are not running on top of each other,” Campo said. “And we also make sure we don’t interfere with the New York signal.”

Of course, the people who really have to deal with this is TVG, which is contractually obligated to show every Santa Anita race live. On Saturday, a race at Aqueduct had to be delayed on TVG so they could show the first race at Santa Anita live.

TVG did not want to get drawn into this issue.

“We have a strong relationship with the Stronach Group and its racing is very important to our customers and our network,” said Kevin Grigsby, TVG’s executive producer. “We work hard on a daily basis to coordinate our telecasts around scheduled post times and expected off times, and to adjust when circumstances warrant.”

TVG is no stranger to dealing with this. Campo let loose with a little secret that really wasn’t a secret.

“We’ve been doing this awhile [at Santa Anita] on races that start the pick four or pick six,” Campo said. “We’ve just taken that philosophy and spread it through the full day.”

A newsletter reader first brought it to my attention on Friday when the first race went off at 1:04 instead of the scheduled 1 p.m. Generally, first races go off on schedule unless there is some late issue. I threw out the second race because of a late gate scratch. So, then I started unofficially clocking the time, realizing that I was doing it off TVG, which may have been showing another track.

Third race: Program time 2:00, actual 2:06, drag 3:59. (I started the clock when the counter goes to zero and ended when the first assistant starter grabs a rein to load the horse.)

Fourth race: 2:30, 2:35, 3:31.

Fifth race: 3:02, 3:06, 3:22.

Sixth race: 3:32, 3:36, 2:59.

Seventh race: 4:02, 4:09, 3:26.

Eighth race: 4:32, 4:38, 3:18.

Saturday was pretty much the same, but a little more difficult to catalog because TVG was showing more races. But, of special note was the 5:23 drag before the start of the Rainbow Six race. But only 3:26 before the featured Palos Verdes Stakes, which looked and proved to be nothing more than a single.

Now, races not going off at program post is not a big deal, after all, things happen. Gate scratches, a horse sadly going down in an earlier race, equipment problems, inquiries, issues with the ITWs or ADWs can cause a delay. Races fall behind schedule and unless daylight is an issue, there really is no need to make up time to meet the program time.

But should the betting public deserve to know when the most immediate race is going to be run and not have to do special math?

Is this a big deal? You decide. I think it’s more of an irritation and something you will eventually get used to, although I’m not used to it yet. And, maybe by writing about this, it is being blown out of proportion and I just wasted a couple minutes of your time when you could be watching horses saunter around before being called to the starting gate with the clock well past zero.

So, what do you think? I want to do a quick survey and publish your short thoughts (maybe two sentences, tops) on Monday, so get it to me early. Just email me at johnacherwa@gmail.com and put “Santa Anita drag” in the subject field. And, as always, first and last names.

Is this something you care about or are we making a hillside turf course out of a regular turf course?

Free WCHR report for you

Rob Henie, who does our weekly handicapping lesson, is in a generous mood today. He’s offering his Santa Anita report for Sunday for free to any newsletter subscribers who would like it. Even if you don’t make a bet it’s great look into how a successful professional handicapper thinks. It’s real easy. Just go to his website by clicking here. Then go to contact us and send an email that you are a subscriber to the L.A. Times newsletter and say you would like a report. Simple as that.

Vote for Horse of Year

Even though the Eclipse Award votes are already cast, we’re asking who you think should be Horse of Year. We’ll reveal the results on Tuesday. It’s Accelerate vs. Justify vs. Monomoy Girl. Don’t worry, all three will win an Eclipse, but only one of them will win two. To vote, just click here.

More on McKinzie

Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed to Santa Anita’s Ed Golden on Saturday that McKinzie will be using the San Pasqual on Feb. 2 as a prep for the Santa Anita Handicap on March 9. (That’s also San Felipe Stakes day.)

“We’re going to run here if all is well,” Baffert told Golden.

So, combining the San Pasqual with the Robert Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds, Feb. 2 should be a circle the calendar day for those who like a great card.

Santa Anita review

Wow. Roy H, at 7-years-old, made us old folks seems as if we can still contribute. He never looked better under a total hand ride from Paco Lopez to win the Grade 2 $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for older horses.

Roy H settled out of the gate in third, made an effortless move entering the far turn, went to the lead and won by four lengths. In short, a paid workout.

Roy H, for trainer Peter Miller, paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10. Kanthaka was second and Conquest Tsunami was third.

“He’s a pro’s pro and you know he’s LeBron James of sprinters,” Miller said. “We’re going to try Dubai again, hopefully we can get it right this time…. he’s an unbelievable horse and I just thank [owner Rockingham Ranch] for allowing me to train him.”

Santa Anita preview

Sunday has a 10-race card starting at noon. Five of the races are for maidens, four races are on the turf, a couple of allowance races and a graded stakes. The average field size is a very nice 8.7.

The feature is the Grade 3 $100,000 Astra Stakes, older fillies and mares going 1 ½ miles on the turf. The entire race is on the main turf track, starting on the backstretch and then going past the finish line twice, the second time really counting. It has a field of 10 and since most of these horses aren’t used to going 12 furlongs, it can be a great betting race.

The favorite, at 3-1, is K P Pergoliscious for trainer Jeff Mullins and jockey Mike Smith. She finished second in her last out in the Grade 1 American Oaks at odds of 90-1. She has only won once in eight lifetime starts, her maiden win on Aug. 25.

India Mantuana is the second favorite, at 7-2, for Thomas Bell II and Tyler Baze. She was claimed three races back by D’Amato for $40,000 and has since finished fourth and won the Red Carpet Handicap. She is six-for-24 lifetime. Baze was riding both these horses and it’s unclear if he picked this this one over the other. But, if you are the connections of K P Pergoliscious picking up Smith to ride ain’t too bad. Post should be around 3:35 p.m. with the clock going to zero several minutes before that.

Big Races review

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

Gulfstream (4): $100,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint, Fla-breds 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Quijote ($48.60)

Gulfstream (6): $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf, Fla-breds 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles turf. Winner: Big Changes ($3.60)

Aqueduct (5): Grade 3 $100,000 Toboggan Stakes, 4 and up, 7 furlongs. Winner: Solid Wager ($12.20)

Tampa Bay (7): $125,000 Pasco Stakes, 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Winner: Win Win Win ($5.20)

Tampa Bay (9): $125,000 Gasparilla Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Winner: Molto Bella ($16.80)

Gulfstream (10): $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf, Fla-bred fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles turf. Winner: Starship Jubilee ($4.20)

Gulfstream (11): $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic, Fla-breds 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Souper Tapit ($5.00)

Fair Grounds (10): $125,000 Col. E.R. Bradley Handicap, 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles turf. Winner: First Premio ($7.20)

Fair Grounds (11): $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile, 70 yards. Winner: Needs Supervision ($7.00)

Fair Grounds (12): Grade 3 $200,000 Lecomte Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 mile, 70 yards. Winner: War of Will ($5.20)

Santa Anita (9): Grade 2 $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes, 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Roy H ($2.60)

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday. All times PDT:

12:58 Aqueduct (7): $100,000 Ladies Handicap, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Sara Street (7-5)

3:34 Santa Anita (8): Grade 3 $100,000 Astra Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Favorite: K P Pergoliscious (3-1)

Bob Ike’s SA pick of the day

TENTH RACE: No. 5 Spy Ring (8-1)

Comebacking mare from the Jim Cassidy barn has been freshened since going off form in June but has shown the ability to fire fresh and run well over this downhill turf course. Her first race in this country (April, 2017) was her best race here and if she can find that form she can spring a mild surprise in this first-level allowance contest.

Saturday’s result: Tigerbeach got a good trip contesting the pace inside the winner but was no match for that one in the final 70 yards and dead-heated for second in the eighth race.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here's a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Ed Burgart LA play of the day

FIFTH RACE: No. 6 Rhemy Marko (4-1)

I will give this gelding a second chance after selecting him in his last sixth-place outing when he was floated in steadily midway from the rail post while never settling into a comfortable stride. He makes his second start for trainer Jorge Farias, who has done well with his limited starters. In addition, the gelding puts the blinkers back on and gets a nice post switch. His main contender is #7 Lds Sue Ellen, who won his last despite breaking one length slow. I suggest a win bet on Rhemy Marko and a 6-7 exacta box.

Final thoughts

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Any thoughts, you can reach me at johnacherwa@gmail.com. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

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

BLITZKRIEG chased outside a rival then between horses past midway on the hill, came out four wide into the stretch to gain the lead, drifted in some and won clear under a crack of the whip and an energetic hand ride then a hold late. RINSE AND REPEAT broke a bit slowly, chased between foes then three deep leaving the hill and into the stretch and gained the place. POINT GUARD settled three deep then off the rail, angled in on the hill, came out leaving the hill and four wide into the stretch and edged a rival late for the show. GEORGE FROM TAHOE dueled between horses then inside leaving the hill, came out a bit into the stretch and was edged late for third. GENTLE PRINCE chased inside then between foes leaving the hill, was in a bit tight into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. ACCORDING TO BUDDY dueled between horses then three deep, continued alongside a rival leaving the hill, came out three deep into the stretch, drifted in through the final furlong and weakened. IMPLICITLY chased outside then alongside a rival or off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. OH MAN had good early speed and dueled inside, fell back some leaving the hill, drifted out a bit in upper stretch and weakened. CAIIFORNIA CLONE pulled four wide early then stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch and also weakened. SUNSET SEVEN a bit slow into stride, saved ground chasing the pace, came out in the stretch and gave way. Rail on hill at 14 feet.

SIERRA SUNRISE stalked a bit off the rail, angled in early on the turn then split foes midway on the turn, bid three deep into the stretch to gain the lead, kicked clear under left handed urging, drifted to the inside and proved best. BOOLICIOUS chased inside then just off the rail, came out on the turn and again into the stretch and gained the place. WINTERBREAK had speed inside and saved ground stalking the pace to the stretch, came out some past midstretch and went outside the pacesetter late for third. COMEGOWITHME between horses early, inched clear and angled in on the backstretch, set the pace inside, fought back some into the stretch and was edged for the show. DADDYS REAL DIVA chased outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and was outfinished for third. STELLAR WAY settled outside a rival then dropped back and angled in on the backstretch and saved ground to no avail. DERBY LUCK stalked outside a rival, bid outside the pacesetter leaving the turn, dropped back in the stretch and gave way.

PRINCESS LEIA a bit slow to begin, went up to press the pace three deep, took the lead leaving the second turn and drew clear in the stretch under urging. MISTRESSOFTHENIGHT had good early speed and dueled between horses then a bit off the rail leaving the second turn, continued just off the fence in the stretch and outfinished a rival for the place. TENTHOUSANDREASONS stalked a bit off the rail then between foes leaving the backstretch and into the second turn, ranged up three deep leaving that turn and into the stretch and was outfinished for second. AWARD IT chased outside a rival then three deep leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and into the stretch and was edged for the show. SWEET TREAT dueled inside, dropped back in a bit tight leaving the second turn and weakened. IPRAY settled inside, came off the rail on the second turn, swung out into the stretch and did not rally.

STRINGENT stalked four wide on the backstretch, continued outside on the turn, bid three deep into the stretch, gained a short lead, drifted in some late and held on gamely under urging. PAPA TURF dueled outside a rival, took the advantage leaving the turn, fought back off the rail in midstretch, also drifted in late and continued willingly. CROISSANT stalked between horses, bid inside into the turn, continued along the rail into the stretch, came out in upper stretch and held third. JIMMY THE JUICE was in a good position stalking the pace between horses then a bit off the rail, continued outside a rival on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. TWIRLING TIGER saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, angled back to the inside in deep stretch and put in a late bid at a minor award. TAVASCO ROAD sent along outside foes then angled in and dueled off the rail, found the inside and fought back leaving the turn, dropped back and came out some in the stretch, gave way in the final furlong and was eased late.

SHINING THROUGH stalked the pace inside, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch, took the lead four wide in midstretch, drifted in some and held on gamely under left handed urging. MURALIST hopped in a bit of a slow start, saved ground chasing the pace, bid inside in the stretch and continued willingly along the rail. STORMS RIVER chased outside a rival, swung four wide into the stretch and finished well. MOBOU had speed three deep then outside a rival into the first turn, inched away and angled in, set the pace inside, dueled on the second turn, came out into the stretch, fought back between foes in midstretch and was outfinished. THIEF OF JOY (IRE) between horses early, angled in and stalked inside, bid between foes into the second turn then outside the pacesetter, was fanned out some into the stretch, battled between foes in midstretch and weakened late. MUSKOKA chased outside a rival then three deep, bid four wide into the second turn, dropped back three deep leaving that turn, angled in entering the stretch and weakened. MYSTICAL MOON stalked inside then a bit off the rail, bid three deep between foes into the second turn, fell back and angled in leaving that turn and also weakened. EMOTIONAL WRECK broke slowly, settled just off the rail then inside, dropped back on the backstretch and second turn and failed to menace.

MO SOUL had good early speed and dueled inside, put a head in front leaving the backstretch, came a bit off the rail into the stretch, inched away and drifted back to the inside in midstretch and held on gamely under urging. IRON ALEX dueled outside the winner, was fanned out a bit into the stretch and came back on in the final sixteenth. ZIPPY GROOM stalked between horses then a bit off the rail early on the turn, angled to the inside leaving the turn and outfinished a rival for the show. FACTS MATTER saved ground stalking the pace, came out midway on the turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. NEIGHBORHOOD BULLY stalked three deep on the backstretch, continued outside a rival on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and could not summon the necessary response.

DESSMAN had speed outside to press the pace then stalked outside a rival, bid alongside the pacesetter on the turn, took the lead into the stretch and drew off under a couple cracks of the whip and steady handling. NORSKI angled in and stalked inside, split horses leaving the turn and into the stretch and gained the place. SCALPER bumped at the start, stalked outside, then off the rail leaving the turn, came three deep into the stretch and bested the others. OF GOOD REPORT pulled along the inside then between horses and steadied in tight midway on the backstretch, continued outside a foe then three deep leaving the turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. TAOS broke out and bumped a rival, angled in and pulled along the inside to bid on the backstretch then stalked along the rail, was in a bit tight into the stretch and weakened. JUMPIN THRU HOOPS sprinted clear a bit off the rail then was between foes briefly on the backstretch, inched away and angled in a half mile out, set the pace inside, dueled on the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong.

LIL MILO sped to the early lead just off the rail, dueled outside a rival down the hill and into the stretch, regained the advantage nearing midstretch and inched away late under urging. TIGERBEACH stalked between horses then bid inside the winner to duel for the lead, came off the rail into the stretch, fought back in the drive, could not quite match that one late but held for a share of the place. JIMMY CHILA between rivals early, chased just off the rail or outside a foe, came out in the stretch and finished well. LAUREN'S LADD stalked outside then alongside a rival leaving the hill, came out four wide into the stretch, lugged inward in midstretch and could not quite summon the necessary late kick. CATS BLAME saved ground stalking the pace throughout and lacked the needed late response. FORTUNE OF WAR (GB) chased a bit off the rail then inside on the hill, came out around a rival into the stretch, split horses in midstretch and could not offer the necessary rally. STREET TO INDY settled just off the rail then inside, came out in upper stretch and lacked the needed rally. MORE HONOR stalked between horses then outside a rival or off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. BEDEVILED angled in and settled outside a rival, found the inside in upper stretch, split foes late and did not rally. HOT PERFECTION settled a bit off the rail then inside, saved ground to the stretch and also lacked a rally. Rail on hill at 14 feet.

ROY H stalked off the rail, bid outside the leader leaving the turn, took the advantage into the stretch, inched away nearing midstretch and drew clear under a long hold. KANTHAKA saved ground chasing the pace, came out in midstretch and gained the place. CONQUEST TSUNAMI dueled outside a rival then inched away into the turn, angled in and fought back along the fence leaving the turn and into the stretch and held third. AWESOME ANYWHERE in a bit tight early, chased off the rail, came a bit wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. ST. JOE BAY had good early speed and dueled inside, stalked along the fence on the turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. TOUCHED BY AUTISM lunged in a bit of a slow start, settled inside then just off the rail, came out into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

DEARBORN stalked the pace off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter into the stretch to gain the lead and gamely prevailed under an energetic hand ride and steady handling late. MELA JONES sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail then inside, fought back along the rail in the stretch and continued gamely to the end. CAT'S DESIRE saved ground stalking the pace throughout and bested the others. STRENGTHINNUMBERS pulled outside at the right hand curve, angled in and chased outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and was outfinished. FUEGA stalked just off the rail then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. COLDWATER broke a bit slowly, settled inside, came out in upper stretch and made up some ground but could not offer the necessary late kick. GATTAIA stalked the pace inside, came out leaving the hill and into the stretch and did not rally. DAYBREAK (GB) bobbled slightly in a bit of a slow start, saved ground off the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and also could not offer the necessary response. BALADERA angled in and settled outside a rival, split horses three deep into the stretch and did not rally. SENSIBLE THOUGHTS settled off the rail, came out four wide into the stretch and lacked a further response, then did not return to be unsaddled and was vanned off. Rail on hill at 14 feet.