Racing! Competitionofideas goes worst to first in American Oaks

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we get ready for more racing at Santa Anita and elsewhere.

I know we usually start the newsletter with something that isn’t a race, but because we are in the midst of eight of these in a row, we thought we would highlight the Grade 1 $300,000 Ameircan Oaks for 2-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf.

But first, a couple of you took exception to my idea that the Pegasus is too short at 1 1/8 miles because of the layout at Gulfstream, which penalizes horses on the far outside because of the short run to the first turn. Well, yes, Gun Runner won last year’s race from the 10, so that buys it a few more years.

And, another reason, you say, is that the 1 1/8-mile distance can attract milers looking to stretch out and the fact that the distance wouldn’t be a problem for 1 ¼-mile horses. Well, how about 1 3/16 miles, which, at one time, Stronach big shot Tim Ritvo said was under consideration?

Well, a change didn’t happen. Here’s what could work, rotate the race, along with the accompanying turf race which I’m not sure anyone cares about just yet, between Gulfstream, Santa Anita and Laurel. Yes, I know the giant Pegasus hood ornament sits in the Gulfstream parking lot but I write about Southern California racing and I think Santa Anita deserves the chance to host it and Laurel needs some practice hosting a big event before the Preakness and Breeders’ Cup go there. (No, nothing has been decided on those issues.)

Now, back to our regularly scheduled race coverage.

Competitionofideas went from last to first, all in the stretch, to win by a widening 2 ¾ lengths. She paid $12.20, $8.00 and $4.60. K P Pergoliscious was second and Amandine was third.

Competitionofideas, for East Coast trainer Chad Brown, went five wide entering the stretch and then rolled past everyone for the win.

Brown didn’t come to Santa Anita but sent assistant trainer Jose Hernandez.

“It’s great to finish out the year like this,” Hernandez said. “This filly had settled in real good here at Santa Anita and she was doing good coming into this race. She finished up really strong today.”

Winning jockey, Joel Rosario, has settled in nicely after only a couple days as a full-time rider at Santa Anita.

“She broke well, we saved ground, and we took one shot,” Rosario said of Competitionofideas. “I thought we would be closer but everybody wanted their spot so I just let her settle. I always have to thank everybody for giving me the chance to ride here again and I really appreciate everybody.”

Henie’s handicapping lesson

Now, Rob Henie didn’t ask me to mention this, but I wanted to anyway. Those of you who soaked in his Saturday lesson were treated to a $17.00 winner in Truffalino. And, if you read his explanation, hours in advance, understand why it happened. So, the way I see it, the $17.00 or more you won more than pays for your year’s subscription to our newsletter. Oh, that’s right, it’s free. Talk about value, which I know I always bring down, but my stellar list of contributors always elevate the product. Thanks to all who make this worth reading.

Santa Anita review

We talked about the big Grade 1 up top, so we’ll cover the other stakes race right here. Fahan Mura went gate to wire in winning the Grade 3 $150,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The 4-year-old filly had little trouble going to the lead and kept a comfortable pace all the way around and held on for a yielding ¾-length win.

As the favorite, Fahan Mura paid $5.40, $3.40 and $2.80 for trainer Vladimir Cerin and jockey Edwin Maldonado. Excellent Sunset was second and Escape Clause was third.

“The fractions were good for her, but they were good for her last time, too [when she ran 12^th in Grade 1 Matriarch],” Cerin said. “For some reason she just didn’t fire. I leave it in Edwin’s hands. He’s improved her by letting her be herself. He never interferes with her. He’s a big reason why she’s doing well.”

Maldonado seems to have it all in hand.

“She’s a really fun horse to ride,” Maldonado said. “She’s become so much more professional. She used to pull quite a bit, but now, she relaxes so nice…I want to thank Vladimir and the owners for putting me on her. [Saturday], she made the lead easy and then she did all the work.”

Santa Anita preview

Sunday’s 10-race card isn’t that great unless you really like to watch 2-year-old fillies. Four of the races are written for those horses that will turn 3 in a couple days. Four of the races are on the turf.

The feature is a minor stakes, the $75,000 Blue Norther Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf. Actually, if you look at the national schedule, you’ll only find one race worth at least $100,000 on Sunday. The favorite is the heavily raced Lady Prancealot at 5-2. She runs for Richard Baltas and Joel Rosario. She is one-for-eight lifetime with only her last three races in the U.S. She finished 14^th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

The second favorite is Courteous, at 3-1, for Richard Mandella and Joe Talamo. She is one-for-four lifetime and finished second last out in the Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 10 (2 also eligible), 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 11, 10, 10, 10 (1 ae).

Big Races review

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

Laurel (3): $100,000 Heft Stakes, 2-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Winner: Alwaysmining ($7.20)

Gulfstream (4): $100,000 Janus Stakes, 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Vision Perfect ($4.60)

Laurel (6): $100,000 Gin Talking Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 7 furlongs. Winner: Please Flatter Me ($5.40)

Gulfstream (6): $100,000 Abundantia Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Girls Know Best ($8.00)

Aqueduct (6): $100,000 East View Stakes, NY-bred fillies 2-years-old, 1 mile. Winner: Espresso Shot ($6.80)

Laurel (7): $100,000 Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Isotope ($14.40)

Laurel (8): $100,000 Dave’s Friend Stakes, 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Colonel Sharp ($12.80)

Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Alex M. Robb Stakes, NY-breds 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Mr. Buff ($7.40)

Santa Anita (4): Grade 3 $150,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Farhan Mura ($5.40)

Gulfstream (10): $100,000 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes, 3 and up, 2 miles on turf. Winner: Red Knight ($13.00)

Santa Anita (8): Grade 1 $300,000 American Oaks Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 ¼ miles on turf. Winner: Competitionofideas ($12.20)

Big races preview

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

12:47 Aqueduct (7): $100,000 Bay Ridge Stakes, NY-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Bonita Bianca (2-1)

Bob Ike’s SA pick of the day

FIRST RACE: No. 5 Flip the Coin Jan (4-1)

Hard-knocking sophomore colt moves up a notch off the Alfredo Marquez claim (trainer hitting at 20% this year) and cuts back in distance after settling for second going a mile at Del Mar. He has won two of three starts down the hill and has good tactical speed, which is a big asset over this layout.

Saturday’s result: Violent Behavior was crushed to odds-on favoritism but again settled for second in the seventh 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

THIRD RACE: No. 4 R Valiant Hero (2-1)

He was third in a much-stronger-than-normal maiden $4,000 field in last when facing winner dropping down from a maiden $12,500 claimer. His new trainer, Jorge Farias, does well with first-out claims and gives the gelding a positive class hike boost. Either one of his prior two races makes him a major threat in this field.

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.

TRUFFALINO broke a bit slowly, settled off the pace inside, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch, rallied under left handed urging to the front in deep stretch and proved best. OUT OF BALANCE stalked three deep to the stretch and finished with interest to get up for second three wide on the line. MERCY MERCY saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch, split rivals past midstretch and was edged for second between foes on the wire. SPEEDETTE had speed between horses then dueled inside, came a bit off the rail to stalk on the first turn and backstretch, bid again outside the pacesetter on the second turn, took the lead into the stretch, inched away past midstretch and was edged for a minor award late. HELLO BUBBLES stalked between horses, came out in upper stretch and was outfinished. STYLIN OCEAN pulled and tossed her head early, saved ground stalking the pace, came out for room in midstretch, split rivals in deep stretch and also was outfinished. MY SWEET BABOO three deep early, dueled outside a rival then inched away and angled in on the first turn, set the pace inside, dueled along the rail on the second turn and to midstretch and weakened late. FASHION ISLAND broke a bit slowly and was squeezed just after the start, chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival, came out three deep into the stretch, was crowded off heels in upper stretch and weakened in the final furlong.

FACTS MATTER stalked a bit off the rail, bid three deep into the stretch to gain the lead and drew clear under some urging and strong handling then a hold late. BLAME JOE chased just off the inside, angled in on the turn, swung three wide into the stretch and gained the place. CAIIFORNIA CLONE dueled three deep, angled in between horses into the stretch and held third. JUNE TWO FOUR chased off the inside, came out four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. LUCKY PATRICK broke a bit slowly and steadied, chased inside, came out leaving the turn and into the stretch and could not summon the necessary response. ROLLS ROYCE DEAL also broke a bit slowly, settled outside a rival, angled to the inside into the stretch and did not rally. CELEBRATE LIFE went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. OPTIMUM had good early speed and dueled between horses, dropped back into the stretch and also weakened.

NAOMI FRALEY went up to duel between horses then outside a rival on the turn, took a short lead in the stretch, inched clear past midstretch and held under urging. MERITOCRACY stalked a bit off the rail, angled out three deep into the stretch and edged a rival for the place. SIERRA SUNRISE chased between horses then three deep on the turn and into the stretch, drifted inward in midstretch and again late and was edged for second. TWIRLING DIAMOND had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back in the stretch and weakened late. A DIME FOR ME bumped just after the start, was between horses early then chased off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. ATHLEISURE saved ground chasing the pace, went around a rival in the stretch, drifted in a bit and could not offer the needed late kick. STARSHIP SKY broke a bit slowly, settled between foes then off the rail, angled in leaving the turn and improved position in the drive. JELLYBEANKRISTINE chased four wide then outside or off the rail, angled in on the turn and did not rally. PRINCESS LILI B chased outside on the backstretch and turn, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. MISS BOISTEROUS a bit slow into stride, settled between foes on the backstretch and turn and outside a rival into the stretch and was not a threat. COMEGOWITHME broke in and bumped a rival, angled in off the rail on the backstretch, found the inside on the turn and weakened in the drive. RON'S CAT sped to the early lead off the rail, dueled three deep, angled in some and stalked on the turn and weakened in the stretch.

FAHAN MURA sped to the early lead, angled in and set all the pace along the inside and held on gamely under urging. EXCELLENT SUNSET (IRE) broke a bit slowly, chased three deep then outside a rival on the backstretch and second turn, came three wide into the stretch and finished well. QUEBEC angled in and stalked inside, came out in midstretch and went on willingly to the wire. ESCAPE CLAUSE a bit crowded at the start, tugged and steadied briefly between foes early, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, was in tight off heels midway on the second turn, came out for room leaving that turn and three wide into the stretch, split rivals in the drive and finished with some interest. AMBOSELI angled in and settled inside then outside a rival on the backstretch, went three wide into and on the second turn and into the stretch and could not quite summon the necessary late kick. LUCY DE broke out a bit, saved ground stalking the pace throughout and lacked the needed rally. GLIDING BY pulled some and chased between horses then outside a rival, went between foes again on the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. SWEET CHARITY (FR) close up stalking the pace outside a rival or a bit off the rail, continued alongside a foe leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, came out some in the stretch and weakened in the final furlong.

PAPA TURF sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail then inside on the turn, inched clear in the stretch and held on gamely under urging. BOY HOWDY angled in early and stalked inside, came out leaving the turn and into the stretch and finished willingly to just miss. MATRICULATE chased outside a rival then off the rail on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and gained the show. TOMASINO close up stalking the winner outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch the stretch and lost third late. WILL TELL saved ground chasing the pace throughout and lacked the needed late kick. MONTEREY SHALE four wide early, chased outside a rival, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. WHISKEY GINGER in a bit tight along the inside early, chased just off the rail, came out into the stretch, drifted inward in the drive and weakened.

J T'S A. T. M. dueled outside a rival, regained the lead leaving the turn, kicked clear in the stretch, drifted out some past midstretch and held under urging. SARATOGA MORNING stalked a bit off the rail then inside, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and continued willingly but could not catch the winner. GEORGE FROM TAHOE angled in and stalked inside, came out on the turn and four wide into the stretch and edged a rival for the show. OH MAN dueled inside the winner but a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn, came out a bit in the stretch and was edged for third. MADARNAS chased outside a rival then off the rail on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and lacked the needed rally, then did not return to be unsaddled and was vanned off. MY HEART AWAKENS saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick. NEIGHBORHOOD BULLY dropped back a bit off the rail, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and went between foes on the line. TREASURE HUNTER stalked outside then alongside a rival, came out leaving the turn and five wide into the stretch and weakened. C R BULLITT saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside on the turn and in the stretch and also weakened.

GLEYBER dueled four wide then stalked outside on the turn, re-bid three deep into the stretch to gain the lead, inched away under urging in midstretch and held gamely. VIOLENT BEHAVIOR chased outside then four wide on the turn and into the stretch and finished well. SILENT ALARM between horses early, chased off the rail then inside, came out some in the stretch, went around a rival under urging past midstretch then had the rider lose the whip late but bested the rest. SHAKE N FRIES dueled between horses then outside a rival on the turn, put a head in front nearing the stretch, drifted inward in the drive and weakened. BULL FIGHTER stalked outside then four wide into the turn and three deep into the stretch and lacked a rally. ANVIL ROCK dropped back just off the rail early, came out three wide into the stretch and improved position. SAMURAI JACK settled off the rail, split horses leaving the turn, came three deep into the stretch and lacked a rally. REDROCK TRAIL chased outside then four wide on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. TANKER broke out a bit, went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DO SOMETHING EASY chased off the rail then inside, came out past midway on the turn and clipped heels to drop back, angled in again and lacked a response in the drive. BACHCHAN dueled between horses, dropped back and angled in some on the turn and had little left for the stretch. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the run leaving the turn before ruling DO SOMETHING EASY was the cause his own trouble.

COMPETITIONOFIDEAS four wide early, angled in leaving the hill, saved ground off the pace, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch, rallied under left handed urging to the front in deep stretch and won clear. K P PERGOLISCIOUS (IRE) took the early lead and inched away, set the pace inside, fought back along the fence on the second turn and through the stretch, was not a match for the winner in deep stretch but gamely held second. AMANDINE (GB) stalked just off the rail, bid outside the runner-up into and on the second turn and through the stretch and was edged for the place. COLONIA (FR) saved ground stalking the pace, came out a bit into the stretch, went around a rival nearing midstretch and lacked the needed late kick. PAVED was in a good position chasing the pace between horses, continued between foes through much of the stretch and could not quite summon the necessary response. PRINCESS WARRIOR three deep on the hill, angled in and stalked outside a rival, continued off the rail into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CALIFORNIAGOLDRUSH four wide on the hill, stalked three deep to the stretch and could not summon the necessary late response. RETRO between foes early, angled in through the stretch the first time, stalked inside, dropped back in the lane and had little left for the drive.

MACWINNON had speed between foes then dueled just off the rail, angled in and battled inside on the turn and into the stretch, kicked clear under left handed urging in the drive and held. KID CANTINA chased outside a rival, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and edged a foe for the place. MAYAN WARRIOR settled inside chasing the pace, moved up on the turn, steadied off heels a quarter mile out, came out and split foes into the stretch and was edged for second. ORACLE OF OMAHA had speed off the rail then four wide, dueled outside the winner on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DAMIANO was sent along inside then pulled under a hold and was in a bit tight a half mile out, saved ground stalking the pace and weakened in the drive. RUNNINGWSCISSORS pulled between horses pressing the pace then was in a bit tight a half mile out, stalked outside a rival, came three deep between foes into the stretch and also weakened. MAD MIKE bobbled some at the start, settled three deep then off the rail to the stretch and lacked a response in the drive.

MADAKET SUNSET sped to the early lead, angled in off the rail, dueled outside a rival on the hill, inched away into the stretch, kicked clear under urging and proved best. STORMING LADY hopped at the start, pulled her way up a bit off then briefly stalked between foes, continued just off the inside leaving the hill, came out three deep into the stretch and was clearly second best. BREEZY BEE chased between foes early then off the rail, angled to the inside on the hill, continued inside in the stretch and outfinished foes for the show. STRENGTHINNUMBERS stalked outside then alongside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch and lost third late. CAT'S DESIRE broke a bit slowly, settled just off the rail then outside a rival, came out five wide into the stretch and put in a late bid at a minor award. BEYOND PLEASURE stalked between horses down the hill, came out three deep into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. BALADERA pulled between horses to stalk the early pace, angled to the inside midway on the hill, came out some into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick. WEATHER MARKET stalked outside then four wide on the hill, was fanned five wide into the stretch and weakened. ETCHING chased between horses then outside a rival leaving the hill, came out four wide into the stretch, angled in through the drive and lacked a rally. FUEGA stalked inside then bid along the rail to duel for the lead, came a bit off the fence in the stretch and weakened. GREY TSUNAMI bumped at the start, settled just off the rail, angled in on the hill, came out some into the stretch and lacked a response in the drive. Rail on hill at zero.