Despite all attempts appealling to the weather gods, Saturday indeed fell victim to the elements when Santa Anita's card, and hence the Magna 5, cancelled. The x-out of yet another important Saturday further interupts Derby Trail preparations for West Coast outfits as the Sham will now run March 6, just a week before the March 13 San Felipe. There apparently is no certainty that today is going to go either. And speaking of March 13, what happens if the drainage issue plaguing Santa Anita results in that Saturday being cancelled? In addition to the major Santa Anita Derby prep, Zenyatta is scheduled to run in the Santa Margarita as her prep for the Apple Blossom that day.
Down in Florida Saturday, Gulfstream had their own kind of weather-related disaster, but this one was pretty much man made. The jockey colony, legendary as paragons of good judgement, decided the grass course wasn't fit for riding in the nightcap after the rock hard surface took some moisture. Gulfstream management reportedly emplored the jocks to ride the $35k Maiden Claiming event, but ultimately were forced to move the race to the main track less than 10 minutes to post and while the horses were in the paddock.
This fiasco, the moving of a race off the turf minutes before post time, has happened at least twice before at Gulfstream in the past three years. Because of arcane Florida wagering law, bettors with P6, P4, P3 and Daily Double plays in this circumstance are forced to live with their tickets and receive no consolation payment. This is felonious and beyond insulting to horseplayers. I was knocked out of the P4 in the second leg when I left Amen Hallelujah off in the Davona Dale, but those that had live P4 tickets going into the 10th were looking at payouts of $1,500 and much, much more for the turf closer and should be rightfully incensed at what subsequently transpired.
In New York, NYRA worked years ago with the Racing and Wagering Board to change similar egregious inequities of ignorant legislative parameters, and the collective managenments at Gulfstream, Calder and Tampa Bay need to immediately make a priority of doing the same in Tallahassee. However, that reality doesn't let the riders or Gulfstream off the hook for the amatuerish finale Saturday.
On the racing and wagering side Saturday, it was a very good afternoon overall with lots of logical outcomes and solid returns off most of the day's tabs. The "Sophomore P3" (2nd-4th) produced credible or better performances from Game On Dude, Radiohead and Miner's Reserve, and big number 'Best Value' Goolagong's runner up effort behind Atrea in the 5th produced a terrific $129 ($2) exacta. Nick Tammaro delivered Sabin winner Aurora Lights to ATR listeners on a plate Friday, and the $23.00 'Best Value' second choice keyed surprising bonus exotics ($38 Exacta; $113 Trifecta; $271 Superfecta) in the 6 horse field. Amazing Joanie's Catch was second in a stake at a big price for the 4th straight time, but I wasn't stirred enough by Amen Hallelujah to use the winner prominantly in the Davona Dale to take advantage. The deep and difficult Very One went to Mott-Desormeaux with Changing Skies, who was comparitively bet like iron in the group of 14.
Other than the ridiculous coda that followed the stakes trio, it was a good day. Hope you did well! Second half of the GP card tabbed below, but have to admit that this afternoon's viewing priority will be the
US-Canada Gold Medal hockey tilt that starts at 3:30pm EST. I frequently say that racing provides the best unscripted drama in sports, but this particular matchup is guaranteed in advance to be legend-making and unforgettable based on the backdrop of the game. It is the 50th and 30th anniversaries of the improbable U.S. gold medal efforts at
Squaw Valley and
Lake Placid, and today offers American Hockey another opportunity to build greater fascination with the great sport in a new generation.
GULFSTREAM
POST-SCRATCHES
5th: OC-$150k/C, F&M-4+, 6f (P6, P3, DD, Super)
Virtually a G3 stakes race..
Most Likely: #6 D'wild Ride 2-1 WON ($4.80)
Best Value: #4 Casanova Killer 5-1
6th
Next Best: #1 Pious Ashley 4-1
3rd
Super Add: #2 Flying Dixie 3-1
5th
6th: ALW/N1X, 3yo-F, 9f (P3, DD, Super)
The 5-2 on Christine Daae is perhaps the most humorous ML yet this winter from Gulfstream. She's more likely to be 2-5..
Most Likely: #8 CHRISTINE DAAE 5-2 WON ($2.80)
Best Value: #2 Jackie's Express 6-1
3rd
Next Best: #7 Protesting 3-1
4th
Super Add: #5 The Isabella Angel 6-1
6th
7th: CLM/N2L, 4+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)
Best Value: #6 Fastus Cactus 4-1 WON ($8.80)
Most Likely: #9 Pentecost 5-2
2nd
Next Best: #2 Distant Strike 3-1
4th
Super Add: #11 Giant Move 12-1
8th
8th: CLM, 3yo, 5f-T (P3, DD, Super)
Uggh... Very challenging turf sprint with many formless players..
Most Likely: #9 Zip in Time 3-1
4th
Next Best: #3 Bernard Terrace 5-1
10th
Best Value: #6 Phil the Thrill 8-1
11th
Super Add: #8 Sure Success 4-1
9th
9th: 15th Mac Diarmida (G2), 4+, 11f-T (DD, Super)
Today's Mac Diarmida gives us all another chance to remember the wonderful man that trained him, Scotty Schulhofer. He was a special guy and spending an evening with he and wife Stephanie will always be a fond memory for me. Here is a link to my thoughts at the time of Schulhofer's passing in 2006.
Best Value: #8 Expansion 5-1
5th
Most Likely: #4 Precious Passion 5-2 WON ($5.20)
Next Best: #2 Winchester 3-1
2nd
Super Add: #7 Feels All Right 6-1
3rd
10th: MSW, 3yo, 5f-T (Super)
Note that SCR of #12 She's Packin Heat has allowed AE #13 Assorted Colors to get into the field; Must use..
Most Likely: #4 Morethanatale 4-1
2nd
Best Value: #5 Top Yank 8-1
3rd
Next Best: #13 Assorted Colors 3-1
7th
Super Add: #6 St Expedite 15-1
11th
<$75 P4 Play:
7: 2-
6-9-11
8: 3-6-9
9:
2-4-7-8
10: 4-5-13
4x3x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72
Good luck!
Steve