Racing! The Answer Man is back in the house

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we delve into clockers and the coupling rules.

We can close the book on this Los Alamitos Fair meeting, so all of you can hold on to your complaints about the higher takeout for another year. Next time we see Los Alamitos it will be the Winter meeting anchored by the Los Alamitos Futurity, which has been a good springboard for a lot of horses.

Santa Anita is up next, but not until Friday. There is no Thursday racing this week. But, the track will get that day back on Monday, Oct. 8, known in some places, as Columbus Day, or around these parts, we call it Indigenous Peoples Day. This is the first year it’s the official holiday in Los Angeles.

We’re always trying to keep the newsletter fresh, as we can see our one-year anniversary in our headlights, so we’re going back to the popular answer man feature. So, (I love to use “So” because one reader told me I use it too much.) if you have a horse racing question, mostly about how stuff is done or things you don’t understand, send me an email at johnacherwa@gmail.com. Not looking for history type questions, but more of things you’ve always wondered but never had anyone to ask.

I’ll try and do two each week for a while.

We’ll start with this one from reader Chris Hunkins: How do clockers accurately identify the horse they are timing and how do they get an accurate start on their watches since the horses are not often leaving from a gate?

No better person to answer that than Russell Hudak, who is the morning-line maker at Del Mar and Los Alamitos. He’s also an experienced clocker and timer and also served in those capacities at Hollywood Park.

“Trainers are required to notify the Clockers by supplying the name and distance of the horses they intend to work. This is done either by a phone call to the Clockers Booth or by giving the names to the Clocker on the ground posted near the entrance to the race track. The Clocker on the ground can get a close look at the horses which often is very helpful.

“All clockers keep an identification book (actually a lap top computer) which contains a description of the horses obtained from their foal certificates. The horses are listed under the registered trainer’s name. The description of the horse includes color and white markings on the face and legs. When timing the workouts these markings are used to separate the horses when working in teams and also to confirm the horses’ identity against the names which were reported to work.

“Clockers timing workouts are located in a position with a full view of the race track allowing them to start timing a horse from the marker poles posted every sixteenth of a mile. All quarter-mile markers are red and white, all eighth poles are green and white and the sixteenth markers are black and white. With the trainers reporting both the distance along with the name of the horse to work, clockers can watch designated poles or in some cases locate the horse on the track and following him to the pole.

“Southern California and NYRA area tracks can be very busy with a high volume of workers following renovation breaks. During these times, clockers need to coordinate their activities, take notes and put the information together after the action lets down. With cooperation from the trainers confirming their activity an accurate accounting of the workouts can be maintained.”

Thanks Russell. Personally, I never thought about the marker polls being different colors. Duh.

Next question comes from Curtis Kalleward: How do they determine the rules for when to couple/uncouple entries? If multiple entries have the same exact owner(s) and trainer, who/what determines whether they race as coupled or uncoupled? Example: multiple times this year, John Sadler has entered multiple Hronis-owned horses, yet they were never coupled.

For this, I went to regular contributor Mike Marten, who is the media czar at the California Horse Racing Board and a guy who probably regrets me having his email.

In short, Mike said there is no coupling rule in California and hasn’t been since 2011. He forwarded the release making that announcement.

“The Board repealed the provision of the coupling rule requiring any horses to race as a single wagering interest. Along with this elimination of coupling in California, the Board requires racing associations to adequately inform the public when horses with common ownership are racing uncoupled.”

Now, Mike can’t say it (or maybe he would) that the reason for the elimination of the coupling rule is so there are more betting interests, which benefits the track, state and allows for maximum wagering in short fields.

In 2015, New York slimmed down its coupling rules to allow two or more horses to be decoupled in any stakes race of $50,000 or more. It used to be $1 million. Kentucky has the same threshold. Florida, as you might expect, has no rule, like California.

Those who favor coupling believe that it doesn’t serve the bettors to have two different entries because one of them could be “sacrificed” to help the other one win. What that means is you could engage a favorite in a speed duel hoping to benefit one of your closers. If they were coupled, it would be one betting interest.

Well, guess what? That rationale is out the window in an era of shorter fields and declining interest in the sport. Hope that helps.

Who goofed? I’ve got to know

On the big races review in Sunday’s newsletter, I failed to replace Monomoy Girl with Midnight Bisou after the DQ. So, as I wrote in the top of the newsletter, Midnight Bisou was the race winner. The price was correct.

Los Alamitos review

Sunday’s closing day gave us two almost identical features, six furlong allowance/optional claimers for Cal-breds, one for colts and geldings and one for fillies and mares. The purses were $45,000. Also consistent were the winning trainer and jockey.

The one for open competition (code for colts and geldings) was won by Ninety Nine Proof, who ran a smart race just off the front and put the race away as the leader tired on the long Los Alamitos stretch. He paid $5.00, $2.60 and $2.40 for trainer Peter Miller and jockey Heriberto Figueroa. King Abner was second and Tough But Nice was third.

In the filly and mare race, Wonderful Lie held on through the endless stretch to beat the veteran Princess Kendra (43 races). Wonderful Lie paid $4.40, $2.60 and $2.40 for, well, just check the previous paragraph. Princess Kendra’s rally from another zip code was impressive but not enough. Funny Bean was third.

Figueroa won the meet’s riding title with 15 wins.

Big races review

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

Woodbine (6): $100,000 Bull Page Stakes, Ont-bred 2-years-olds, 6 furlongs. Winner: Bourbon Stritta ($8.40)

Belmont (7): $125,000 John Hettinger Stakes, NY-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Fifty Five ($3.80)

Albuquerque (5): $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Futurity, NM-bred 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Winner: Roll on Diabolical ($5.80)

Belmont (8): Grade 2 $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap, fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Union Strike ($14.40)

Woodbine (9): Grade 3 $125,000 Durham Cup Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Lookin for Eight ($26.50)

Belmont (9): $125,000 Ashley T. Cole Stakes, NY-breds 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Black Tide ($59.50)

Emerald Downs (7): $100,000 Getaway Day Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Yulong Warrior ($14.80)

Final thought

Always looking to add more subscribers to this newsletter. Can’t beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you don’t like it, then you’re probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more.

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

Now, here is the star of the show, Sunday’s results. See you on Friday.

SATRAPA dueled three deep, was fanned out a bit into the stretch, took as short lead outside the runner-up in the drive, drifted in through the final furlong and gamely prevailed under left handed urging. GOLDIE'S HILLS had good early speed and dueled between horses, put a head in front on the turn, fought back while drifting in through the final furlong and continued gamely to the wire. CAYATE dueled inside, came a bit off the rail and fought back into the stretch, weakened some in the final furlong but held third. BLESS HIS HEART a bit slow to begin, chased outside a rival then off the rail, came four wide into the stretch, drifted in and lacked a rally. BLACK STORM also broke a bit slowly, saved ground stalking the pace and weakened in the drive. DYNAMIC DUO chased outside then off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and lacked a further response.

HOLIDAYINCAMBODIA stalked between horses, came out into the stretch, bid between rivals to take a short lead in the drive and gamely prevailed under urging. ANAMONTANA close up stalking the pace three deep, came four wide into the stretch, bid three wide then outside the winner and continued willingly but was outgamed. SCATHING chased off the rail, swung out four wide into the stretch, drifted in through the drive but gained the show. FAMILY RULES sped to a clear early lead, set the pace inside, came a bit off the rail into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. BLOOMING HANNAH saved ground stalking the pace throughout and also weakened. ALPHA PEGASUS chased outside on the backstretch and turn, came four wide into the stretch and did not rally. ROCKANTHAROS broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail, also came out four wide into the stretch and lacked a further response.

TIZ LOVE stalked off the rail, came three deep into the stretch, rallied under left handed urging to gain the lead in deep stretch to prove best. REVEREND AL a bit slow to begin, saved ground stalking the pace, came a bit off the rail and bid inside the pacesetter to gain the lead in the drive, fought back inside the winner late but could not contain that one. I'LL WRAP IT UP chased off the inside, came three wide into the stretch and edged a rival late for the show. TOWARDS THE LIGHT sped to the early lead, set a pressured pace a bit off the rail, fought back outside the runner-up in midstretch and was edged late for third. KENNY BENNY pressed thee pace outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. STERLING WAGER settled off the rail, angled in on the turn and lacked a response in the stretch, then returned bleeding from the nostrils but walked off.

VERY VERY STELLA came off the rail into the backstretch to bid between foes, dueled outside a rival, took the lead on the second turn, inched away into the stretch, kicked clear and held under urging. CROWN THE KITTEN chased off the rail then outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch and gained the place. ARCH PRINCE chased a bit off the rail then inside on the second turn, came out into the stretch, angled in again and got up for third toward the inside. MUCHOS BESOS stalked just off the rail to the stretch, split horses a furlong out and was edged late for the show. MR. OPPORTUNIST bid three wide into the backstretch then stalked off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and weakened. LA WAUN sped to the early lead, set a pressured pace inside, fought back on the second turn and weakened in the stretch.

BOURQUE chased between horses and three deep on the turn, came four wide into the stretch, angled in and rallied up the inside under some left handed urging to get up late and held. CHRISISCOOKIN settled outside, advanced four wide on the turn and five wide into the stretch and finished well. LOVE YOUR LIFE dueled inside, came off the rail in the stretch, fought back between foes late and continued willingly. QUANTUM FORCE dueled outside a rival, came out in the stretch, fought back three deep in late stretch and was outfinished. HEDOESITINSTYLE settled off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and improved position. PARTICLE OF ENERGY stalked a bit off the rail, continued outside a rival into the stretch and weakened. MANY TREATS saved ground chasing the pace throughout and did not rally. ROCKIN MY MOJO chased along the inside, came off the rail in the stretch and weakened. ROCK N DOC hopped in a slow start, tugged his way along outside a rival, drifted out on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. HIDDEN CROOK stalked outside then off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

SPIRIT MISSION sped to the early lead, set a pressured pace inside, inched away on the second turn, came off the rail into the stretch, drifted out in the drive but held under urging. SPEND IT saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and edged rivals for the place. JUNE TWO FOUR pressed the pace outside the winner then stalked off the rail on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch and was edged for second. ALPHADAR stalked between horses then three deep on the second turn, came four wide into the stretch, was between rivals in the drive and was edged for the show. SKAGIT RIVER angled in and saved ground off the pace and improved position inside in the stretch. VIOLENT AFFAIR chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival on the second turn and lacked a further response. WELLDIDYOUGETIT chased three deep then five wide leaving the backstretch, dropped back on the second turn, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. GRAND MINISTER stalked three deep, went four wide on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and also weakened. INDY'S OUTLAW settled outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch and gave way.

LUCKY STUDENT stalked between horses then off the rail on the turn, came out into the stretch, rallied under an energetic hand ride while being shown the whip to gain the lead in deep stretch and proved best. KRISTIE'S HEART chased off the rail then a bit off the fence on the turn, continued between foes through much of the stretch and got up late for the place. ASEM stalked between horses then outside a rival on the turn, came out into the stretch and was edged for second. PROPHETINPARADISE sped to the early lead, set the pace off the rail then inside, held on well in the drive but was overtaken in deep stretch then lost a minor award late. PARASAIL stalked four wide on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch and was outfinished. ADIOS CALI settled outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late response. GYPSY'S RULE saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside in the stretch and also lacked the needed rally. BELLIGERENT stalked five wide on the backstretch, dropped back on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and weakened.

NINETY NINE PROOF stalked off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, bid outside the pacesetter under urging to gain the lead nearing the furlong marker, inched away in deep stretch and held. KING ABNER came off the rail to chase the pace on the backstretch and turn, also came three wide into the stretch and finished willingly. TOUGH BUT NICE sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace a bit off the rail, fought back in the stretch and held third. LOVE MY BUD chased between horses then outside a rival on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and was edged for third. FIRE WHEN READY stalked just off the inside, angled in on the turn, came out into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. SHAYMIN chased three deep then off the rail on the turn, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. PERFECT WAGER angled in and saved ground throughout to no avail.

WONDERFUL LIE chased off the rail then between foes, moved up between horses on the turn, bid three deep into the stretch to take the lead outside the pacesetter, kicked clear and held under urging. PRINCESS KENDRA dropped back inside then a bit off the rail, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and finished well. FUNNY BEAN stalked outside then four wide, continued outside on the turn and four wide into the stretch and held third. CIAO LUNA dueled inside, inched away on the turn, fought back in upper stretch and was edged for the show. MAGICALCHIC stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. HAPPY ISSUE pressed the pace three deep then stalked on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. EMMY AND I dueled between horses, stalked a bit off the rail leaving the turn, was between foes again in upper stretch and also weakened.

SNAZZY DRESSER dueled inside, inched away leaving the turn, came off the rail into the stretch and kicked clear under urging. CAPTAIN N. BARRON chased between horses then outside on the turn and four wide into the stretch and gained the place. FRIENDLY STEVE stalked five wide then four wide on the turn, came out five wide into the stretch, drifted in and just held third. IRON CURTAIN close up stalking the pace four wide then three deep between foes on the turn, came four wide into the stretch, drifted to the inside and was edged for the show. JONAS stalked between horses, came three deep into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. JOHNNY RAY saved ground stalking the pace throughout and weakened in the stretch. SCORPIO dueled outside the winner, stalked leaving the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. CALIE VIEW broke slowly, settled off the rail, angled in some on the turn and lacked a rally. TANDY'S BIG SKY chased between horses, angled in outside a rival on the turn and gave way. HEAD OF THE LINE stalked between horses then inside on the turn and had nothing left for the stretch.