Racing! Congratulations to Rafael Bejarano on his 4,000th win

Hello, my name is John Cherwa, and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter, as we have another handicapping lesson from Rob Henie.

First off, let’s start off with some good news for a change. Rafael Bejarano won his 4,000th race when he was aboard Portal Creek for the win in the third race.

Rather than trying to paraphrase what he had to say, let’s turn the floor over to Rafael.

“First of all, I would like to thank all the trainers and the owners for always trusting me and giving me support all these years here at Santa Anita and in California. Also want to thank my agent and my team that I’ve had all these years. I’m really happy right now, I’ve rode 4,000 winners, and I can’t express myself.

“This track has always been so special for me. My first day I started here, I won six races in one day (April 8, 2006) and it was very special. All these years have gone by and I’ve been having a lot of hard times and accidents, but I really enjoy riding, especially here at Santa Anita. It’s such a beautiful place, I’ll always enjoy it.

“I love horse racing. It’s part of my home and part of my life — we spend a lot of time here from the early morning to sometimes evening. All the riders, the groomers, the trainers, the owners, they spend so much time working so hard, putting all they have, all the love they have. It’s very good for us, everybody enjoys everything every day. We love horse racing.”

Congratulations, Rafael.

Horses ruled off

We complained that the horses that the super panel ruled ineligible to run were not disclosed to the public. Well, the California Horse Racing Board stepped up and gave them to us.

Here they are.

Three horses scratched by the panel for Friday:

Fourth race: Northrndancrsghost

Sixth race: Lombo

Sixth race: The Hardest Way

Four horses scratched by the panel for Saturday:

First race: Finallygotabentley

Sixth race: Thalia

Seventh race: Mason Dixon

Ninth race: Clever One

Horses declined entry for Sunday:

Unbroken Star

Acadia Fleet

Weekly handicapping lesson

It’s time for our weekly handicapping lesson from Rob Henie of the WCHR (West Coast Handicapping Report) and the ECHR (East Coast Handicapping Report). The thinking is if you can know and understand the strategies, it will make you a better handicapper.

Today’s lesson is from fifth race at Santa Anita. Rob, take it away.

“This is an optional claimer at a mile on the turf. Much of handicapping is understanding not only the intentions of a barn, but correctly identifying pace scenarios that may not be easy to find. Top selection is VELVET QUEEN (#7). First, she strings races together for the first time since November, telling us she’s regaining some good health, which in turn, at least opens the door for a good effort. When most handicappers look at this race, they’ll be staring at a plethora of early speed types, and that in turn is likely gonna lead to seeking a closing type, but hold on. As we often preach in the reports, the winner in races seemingly full of speed, is the speed of the speed, the horse who can hit the front end, which then turns the other speed types in ‘chasers,’ and oftentimes those runners aren’t accustomed or wanting to race in behind others, resulting in spitting the bit, just not trying anymore, basically done for the day. With our top selection, Velvet Queen exits a 5½ furlong race, yet, is sent a mile today, a pretty confident sign from Richard Baltas, and if they can get to the front into the first turn, Agapito Delgadillo will then look to slow things down, a jockey who has one way to go, and that’s showing speed, but he’s also pretty darn good at reserving a runner’s energy as well, has been for years. Last time out when sprinting they personally went :21.3 and :45.4, but today, if they can slow things down to let’s say :23.3 and :47.3, that’s gonna allow for a better response the final ¼, working super at San Luis Rey, and again, stretched back out two turns for a reason. We’re gonna look for this one to either control things up front, or take others down with her, if trying to go with her; thus, we’ll look for a runner from off the pace with the second choice in ALL STAR CAST (#5). She’s stringing together three races off the layoff, also just her third start here in the U.S., and notice the difference when placed more realistically last time out, not to mention the effort coincided with Desormeaux hopping aboard, back yet again. That slow recent work from Jim Cassidy tells us they needed little from her while awaiting this next start, and with the good health, often comes more versatility, meaning they might be able to lay a bit closer up if needed or hang even further back, but either way, her good health is key. Two different styles here to capture this event, always a nice angle.

“Hot / Cold Race Trends: none

“Win Contenders (order of preference): 7-5-6

“X Out Runners (eliminating on the win end): none

“Positive Notes:

“2 Ellie Arroway - Didn’t beat much, then again, responded so well when trying a distance for the first time, as well as the sod.

“6 Strike at Dawn - Likely fits just fine coming in from Tampa.

“Negative Notes:

“8 Ladymidtown - Hard for us to find her early, or late, not a good combination.

“TOP PICK: VELVET QUEEN (#7 8-1 Delgadillo)

“SECOND CHOICE: ALL STAR CAST (#5 6-1 Desormeaux)”

^{The West Coast Handicapping Report can be found at www.westcoasthorseracing.com It has been endorsed by leading trainers, handicappers and industry sources.}

Santa Anita review

Desert Law was clearly the best in the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes, winning the six-furlong Cal-bred race by 6¼ lengths. He tracked in second until the quarter pole, where he just took over in a dominating performance.

“He has been training fantastic, he loves the track,” winning trainer Carla Gaines said. “He’s one of those that just glides over this deeper racetrack. His works have been phenomenal and he’s run out of conditions.… The Cal-bred program is great because you are restricted to Cal-breds, so it’s all good.”

Desert Law paid $5.40, $2.60 and $2.20. Coil Me Home was second and Smiling Angelo finished third.

“I’ve been working him the last three weeks and he’s been training amazing,” said winning jockey Bejarano. “I told Carla, anything, six or 6½ (furlongs) and he’ll be tough. I thought the speed would go [Saturday] and it worked out good for us.”

Santa Anita preview

Sunday’s nine-race card starts at 1 p.m. and the field size is pretty good considering the new protocols. There are two stakes races and five turf races.

The first stakes is the $75,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes for fillies and mares going 1¼ miles on the turf. The favorite at 2-1 is Pantsonfire for trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Flavien Prat. She is four-of-20 lifetime and won the 1½-mile Astra Stakes by 5¼ lengths last out.

Zaffinah is the 5-2 second choice for Jack Carava and Norberto Arroyo Jr. She has no stakes wins but is coming off two second-place finishes. It goes off around 4:35 p.m.

The featured stakes, the Grade 3 $100,000 Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles. The two favorites are from the Bob Baffert barn. Roadster, coming off his lackluster 16th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, is the 6-5 favorite. He is three-of-five lifetime and last year was the “A” horse in the Baffert barn. Mike Smith will ride.

Much Gusto is the “other Baffert” in this race at 2-1. He’s coming off a win in the Laz Barrera Stakes and has won four of six starts. Joe Talamo is the jockey.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 8, 8 (1 also eligible), 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 6, 11.

Big Races review

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

Woodbine (3): $100,000 Steady Growth Stakes, Ont-breds 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Kingsport ($3.70)

Gulfstream (5): $100,000 Ginger Punch Stakes, Fla-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Supercommittee ($9.40)

Delaware (7): $100,000 Obeah Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Gotham Gala ($17.40)

Belmont (9): $100,000 Dancin Renee Stakes, NY-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Holiday Disguise ($5.60)

Santa Anita (8): $100,000 Thor’s Echo Handicap, Cal-breds 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Desert Law ($5.40)

Churchill Downs (5): Grade 3 $150,000 Matt Winn Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Mr. Money ($3.20)

Churchill Downs (6): Grade 2 $250,000 Wise Dan Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: March to the Arch ($23.00)

Churchill Downs (7): Grade 2 $250,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Elate ($3.80)

Churchill Downs (8): Grade 2 $600,000 Stephen Foster Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Seeking the Soul ($11.20)

Big races preview

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

11:40 Laurel (4): $100,000 Alma North Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Please Flatter Me (6-5)

12:10 Laurel (5): $100,000 Polynesian Stakes, 3 and up, 7 furlongs. Favorite: No Dozing (9-5)

12:40 Laurel: $100,000 Prince George’s County Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Divisidero (5-2)

1:10 Laurel (7): $100,000 Big Dreyfus Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Andina Del Sur (4-1)

1:55 Woodbine (8): Grade 3 $125,000 Trillium Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: She’s the Berries (3-1)

2:00 Monmouth (10): $150,000 Pegasus Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Maximum Security (1-2)

2:18 Belmont (8): Grade 3 $300,000 Poker Stakes, 4 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Dr. Edgar (3-1)

5:09 Santa Anita (8): Grade 3 $100,000 Affirmed Stakes, 3-year-old, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Roadster (6-5)

Ciaran Thornton’s SA pick of the day

RACE FOUR: No. 6 Giddymeister (5-1)

Giddymeister has won two in a row for trainer Genaro Vallejo with jockey Edwin Maldonado riding. The trainer is 21% in sprint races. First start since April and racing protected today in this allowance race we are getting 5-1 morning line and should see higher come race time. Excellent value here today.

Saturday’s result: Charmingslew didn’t show much entering the stretch and had to settle for a ninth-place finish in a 10-horse race.

Ciaran Thornton is the handicapper for Californiapick4.com, which offers daily full card picks, longshots of the day, best bets of the day.

Ed Burgart’s LA pick of the day

THIRD RACE: No. 4 Halo Girl (3-1)

Since 8-5 favorite Charming Alexis and 5-2 second choice Whatyouciswhatuget look vulnerable, I like the chances of Halo Girl to tag the tiring speed. While only making her second start in three months two weeks ago, Halo Girl unleashed a solid ground-saving rally to finish second at the same $5,000 claiming level. She was third in her prior outing versus repeat $5,000 winner As a Rule and has plenty of upside while retaining leading distance rider Edgar Payeras. Charming Alexis has speed but has trouble surviving pace pressure while Whatyouciswhatuget beat an extremely weak maiden field in last deceiving win.

Final thoughts

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

BIG SHANTY dueled three deep between horses then between foes on the turn, put a head back in front into the stretch, battled outside a rival in midstretch, drifted in a bit from the whip in deep stretch and edged away late. BABY BEAR'S SOUP five wide early, stalked off the rail then outside a rival on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and finished well to edge rivals for the place. BOY HOWDY prompted the pace four wide then three deep leaving the turn and into the stretch, was between foes in deep stretch and was edged for second. PAPA TURF dueled between horses then inside on the turn, fought back along the rail into and in the stretch, steadied in a bit tight along the fence in deep stretch and was edged for the show. TIZ LOVE pressed the pace inside, was shuffled back some into the turn, came out a bit into the stretch and was outfinished.

DR. TROUTMAN took the early lead and angled in, set the pace inside, fought back when challenged on the backstretch and second turn, drifted out into the stretch, drifted in some past midstretch, inched away under urging in deep stretch and held gamely. THE STREET FIGHTER a bit crowded at the start, stalked between horses, steadied in tight into the second turn, found the rail on that bend, cut the corner into the stretch and finished well inside. EROTIC pulled between horses then stalked inside, came a bit off the rail on the second turn, split horses in deep stretch and was edged for the place. KENJISSTORM stalked off the rail, bid outside the winner on the backstretch and second turn, was fanned four wide into the stretch, fought back to deep stretch and was outfinished. TROJAN SPIRIT pulled between horses then chased outside a rival or just off the rail, came out some in the stretch and finished with some interest. INSCOM angled in and stalked the pace inside, came out leaving the second turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. HARDBOOT stalked three deep then outside a rival on the second turn, came out five wide into the stretch and did not rally. PUSH THROUGH close up three wide early, stalked outside a rival, came four wide into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. BEAT THE HEAT settled off the pace inside and saved ground throughout to no avail.

PORTAL CREEK had speed between horses then dueled outside a rival, put a head back in front into the stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch, drifted out some then drifted in a bit late to win clear for Bejarano's 4000th victory. ALL TEA ALL SHADE settled off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn and went up the fence in the stretch for the place. TIME FOR SUZZIE had speed three wide then stalked off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and edged a rival for the show. BAM BAMS LIL RIVER sped to the early lead, dueled inside, took the advantage into the turn, fought back into the stretch, drifted a bit off the rail in the drive and weakened in the final furlong.

HIT THE SEAM had good early speed and dueled inside, drifted out into the stretch, fought back under urging and drifted in some in the final furlong and gamely prevailed. GIVE ME THE LUTE dueled between horses then outside the winner, was fanned out some into the stretch, fought back alongside that rival through the final furlong and continued willingly to the end. MASTER RYAN stalked off the rail then outside a rival into and on the turn, came out four wide into the stretch and bested the others. TWISTED PLOT pressed the pace three deep then stalked off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened some. FUNUSUAL chased four wide then angled in leaving the backstretch, found the rail on the turn, split horses in midstretch and lacked the needed rally. TIGER ON YOUR SIX sent between horses then pulled outside a foe and steadied nearing the half mile pole, continued just off the rail or alongside a foe on the turn and could not offer the necessary late kick. CLAIM OF PASSION broke in and bumped a rival, was between horses three deep then steadied in tight off heels a half mile out, fell back off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally. FREDRIKSTAD chased off the rail then angled in on the backstretch, saved ground thereafter and weakened. L'ENGINEER bumped and steadied when squeezed between foes at the break, chased between rivals and was in tight a half mile out, continued outside a rival on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. ULTIMATE SHILO broke out a bit and was bumped and steadied, angled in and saved ground off the pace, continued inside on the turn and into the stretch and weakened.

DRAFT PICK stalked the pace off the rail, bid four wide on the second turn and into the stretch, battled four wide in the drive and gamely prevailed late under left handed urging. ROUTE SIX SIX dueled outside a rival, drifted out a bit on the backstretch, battled three deep a half mile out then three wide between horses on the second turn and into the stretch, put a head in front between foes in midstretch and fought back gamely to the wire. KING ABNER bobbled slightly but broke on top, had good early speed and dueled inside, battled along the rail into and on the second turn and into the stretch, fought back along the fence in the drive and edged a rival for the show. FOR THE TOP (ARG) a bit crowded early, chased just off the rail, pulled his way along to bid between foes a half mile out, dueled between horses on the second turn and in the stretch and was edged for third.

A WALK IN THE PARK had speed just off the rail then stalked a bit off the fence, bid outside the pacesetter into the stretch to gain the lead, inched away under urging in midstretch and held sway. PETER'S KITTEN chased inside then split horses leaving the backstretch, continued outside a rival on the second turn, swung four wide into the stretch and gained the place. MONGOLIAN WINDOW angled in and chased outside a rival, came out three wide into the stretch, drifted in some and held third between foes late. MOONLESS SKY saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and was edged for the show three deep on the line. NICE ICE had speed outside then alongside the winner, angled in and set the pace inside, fought back into the stretch, could not match the winner in the final furlong and weakened some late to lose a minor share. SMOOVIE angled in and chased outside a rival then inside into and on the second turn and into the stretch, came a bit off the rail in the drive and lacked the needed late kick. AUNT LUBIE settled off the pace inside, continued along the fence into and through the stretch, waited off heels through the final sixteenth and could not offer the necessary response. POINT HOPE (IRE) three deep early, chased outside a rival then three wide a half mile out, continued alongside a foe on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. CHARMINGSLEW angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, came out leaving the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. THOUSAND OAKS (FR) settled outside a rival chasing the pace, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked a further response.

SATORI had good early speed and dueled between horses then inside leaving the turn and into the stretch, fought back along the rail under left handed urging in the final furlong to regain the lead nearing the wire and gamely prevailed. MO DINERO had speed four wide to press the pace on the backstretch and into the turn, dueled three deep leaving the turn and into the stretch, put a head in front nearing midstretch, fought back outside foes through the final furlong and was edged late. SENDITLIKECHILLY angled in and prompted the pace between foes three deep on the backstretch and into the turn, battled between the top pair leaving the turn and through the stretch and continued willingly to the end. SURFSIDE SUNSET stalked the pace a bit off the rail on the backstretch and turn, came out into the stretch and also went on willingly late. POLITY stalked outside then three deep, continued outside on the turn and four wide into the stretch and was outfinished. SERGIO went up inside to press the pace, fell back some leaving the turn and weakened in the final furlong. RMANIE'S GREY SUIT stalked outside a rival then between horses on the backstretch, continued alongside a foe on the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the drive. KIDMON angled in early and saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside on the turn and into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

DESERT LAW stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter leaving the turn to gain the lead into the stretch, inched away in the drive and drew off under some left handed urging and steady handling then a hold late. COIL ME HOME chased inside then a bit off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, drifted inward in the final furlong and was clearly second best. SMILING ANGELO hopped slightly at the start, had speed between horses then inched away and set the pace inside, fought back along the rail on the turn and into the stretch and just held third. SMOKEY IMAGE stalked outside a rival, continued between horses into the stretch and was edged for the show three deep on the line. FIRE WHEN READY close up stalking the pace three deep, angled in a bit off the rail leaving the turn, drifted in some in the stretch and was edged for a minor award between foes late. TAP THE WIRE bobbled slightly at the break, stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the backstretch and turn, continued along the fence in the drive and weakened.

SHANGHAI TRUFFLES angled in and chased inside, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch, took the lead outside a rival in midstretch, inched away under urging and proved best. BOLDEST VOW chased outside a rival then between foes a half mile out, continued inside on the second turn and into the stretch, split horses in midstretch and gained the place inside. FIELD BET angled in and stalked just off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter into the stretch, gained the advantage in upper stretch, fought back off the rail in midstretch and held third between rivals late. CALENTITA (IRE) chased three deep then outside a rival, went three wide leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, came out five wide into the stretch and was edged for the show four wide on the line. DULVERTON DARLING three wide on the first turn, chased outside a rival, went up three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch, lugged in some and steadied briefly off heels in midstretch and was edged for a minor award between horses late. SUNRISER angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came some on the second turn, steadied between foes a quarter mile out and lacked the needed rally. SO MUCH HAPPY sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, dueled along the rail into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DECORATED FOR GOLD angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, steadied in a bit tight into the second turn, continued inside into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. MONGOLIAN MIDNIGHT settled off the pace inside, came out on the second turn then angled back in and could not offer the necessary response. DARPA dropped back and chased along the inside, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. FUEGA stalked three deep then outside a rival, continued just off the inside leaving the second turn and weakened. HILLTOP HARMONY tugged between horses then chased a bit off the rail, was in tight between rivals into the second turn, drifted out and steadied between foes leaving that turn, came three wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive.