7/20-21 (DMR): Oceanside S.; Cal T.B.A. S.
 

8th (5:30) Oceanside S.

1 Mile (Turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $100,000
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1 Akkadian Talamo J 121 Blk-On L
2 Burns Valenzuela P A 121 L
3 Mr. Commons Smith M E 121 L
4 Fort Hastings (IRE) Rosario J 119
5 Moment of Weakness (IRE) Flores D R 119 L
6 Temple's Door Sutherland C 121 L
7 Robbie's War Espinoza V 117 L
8 Extensive Gomez G K 121 L
9 Macho Dorado Gryder A T 119 L
10 Chosen Miracle Bejarano R 119 Blk-On L
AE Saddleranch Bejarano R 117 L
AE Anakin Flores D R 117
AE Every Ego Baze T C 117 L
AE Dr Green (IRE) Smith M E 117 L

Been waiting for Mr. Commons to make it back to the turf. Hilarious that there was just a single turf stakes the whole Hollywood meet (won by fellow Preakness also-ran, Midnight Interlude).

Nevertheless, he'll probably be way overbet. Akkadian had his own wall of hype during the Santa Anita meet, and his pointless loss in the Affirmed on the main track last out may make his odds enticing.

Huge fan of Chosen Miracle, saw his turf work two back and it was IMO very good. Final 1/4 in 11.3 under hold....

His pedigree seems interesting for the turf and his CA-bred dam was a very good Grade 2 racemare. Seems like the outside post coupled with the horrendous effort in his only route try will be too much to overcome, though.

Are you sure there was only a single turf stake the whole HP meet? I assume you mean for three year old males, but did they do away with that series of 2-3 3yo turf races for males?

I remember that fast Calbred Something Lucky. He won the Cinema and Will Rogers, if my memory serves me right. When did they do away with those races?

Chosen Miracle looked pretty darn good (for this crop) in his first two starts.

Did anyone see his third start? Did something happen to him?

His second dam was Her Royalty, a vastly underrated Calbred from 25 years ago or so.

The last couple of years I think they flip flopped between the Will Rogers and the Cinema. But neither was run this year as far as I know.

Manila, Majestic Light, Bien Bien, Johar, Singletary, Itsallgreektome, Vaudville, Jovial, etc. got some of their initial stakes experience in those races.

He was dead last in the Iowa Derby, behind Astrology.

To say he backed up gamely is understating it. I thought he was going to pull up at the 1/4 pole. And he wasn't even on the pace.

What the F*** happened in that Iowa race, anyways? I was high on Astrology and Chosen Miracle and they both flopped. Not sure what to think of Astrology heading into the Haskell, but his odds will also be enhanced.

FRIDAY 2nd (4:30) California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association S.

5 1/2 Furlongs (All Weather Track) | Fillies | 2 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $100,000

1 Gogi Garcia M 120 L
2 Willa B Awesome Gomez G K 120 L
3 Heleonor Rugby Santiago Reyes C 120 L
4 Roar Baby Roar Bejarano R 120 L
5 Evelyn Trouble Baze T C 118 L

I realize there isn't a huge difference in State Bred MSW and open 40 maidens out west, but shouldn't Evelyn Trouble have shown just a little more than speed for a 1/2 mile before entering her here? Or is the $2000 for last place appealing enough for Polanco?

How does a $100k Statey only draw 5 entries?

They were all saving their mares for Square Eddie

It's California, how does it not?