Horse racing newsletter: We’ll miss you, Arlington Park

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

Before we get to our regular features, there was a completely predictable but nonetheless important news story. Churchill Downs Inc. announced plans to close Arlington Park near Chicago later this year and sell the land. The presumption is it becomes mixed use, although some are floating the idea of it being the new home to the Chicago Bears. Don’t hold your breath. The chances of it staying a racetrack are pretty much next to nothing.

Anyone who has ever been to Arlington Park since it was rebuilt after a 1985 fire will agree it is a beautiful place to be. Nothing like it in Chicago or anywhere else for that matter. It doesn’t have the scenic views of Santa Anita or Del Mar, but it’s got everything else.

I was sports editor of the Chicago Tribune from 1995 until 2002 and during that time we had five horse racing tracks. Arlington was the crown jewel, but there were also Sportsman’s Park and Hawthorne for thoroughbreds and Maywood and Balmoral for harness racing. Next year, there will only be one — Hawthorne.

The reason for the sale is simple economics and to protect CDI’s favorite child, casino gaming. The Stronach Group takes its share of criticism, but if it were strictly about maximizing profits, there would be no Santa Anita. You can’t deny the value of that land in Arcadia. Racing fans should be very happy that TSG is not a public company answering to stockholders.

So, Arlington Park joins Hollywood Park, Bay Meadows, Fairplex and Calder (among scores of others) as tracks we remember but can no longer see.

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). Today’s analysis comes from the first race at Santa Anita and incorporates some handicapping angles into the mix. Rob, take it away.

“The opener is an optional claimer at a mile on the turf, and we’re looking at a couple of runners returning in quick fashion, including our top selection HOCKEY DAD (#2). We recently addressed horses returning quickly such as a horse who was back in 13 days (finished second on Friday), and we’ll again touch on the issue. In general, many handicappers question quick turnarounds, but we’re opposite, we love ‘em. I’ve shared this before, from 2011 to 2018, in addition to my normal duties with the WCHR and ECHR, over a four-day span in July, I also wrote the program commentary for a small ‘bush track’ in Oregon, the Crooked River Roundup in Prineville, only a four-day meet (usually falling right before Del Mar and Saratoga’s opening days) which followed the small Grants Pass Meet. It’s as fun of a night at the races as you’ll ever come across. A fair-like atmosphere, volunteer mutuel tellers, the Prineville Elks Club serving funnel cakes, and half the time in the grandstand. Anyway, I would write the commentary on Wednesday about a horse, and then, just two days later, on multiple occasions, I was writing about the same horse. That’s right, two races in three days. Granted, these were $4,000 claimers, but the reality is, many horses are pretty sturdy, including multiple runners I just mentioned who actually won twice in a three-day span. Today, Doug O’Neill returns in only seven days, now moving from a six-furlong dirt sprint to this mile turf assignment, with Mario Gutierrez, of course, stringing along. BIG TALKER (#5) is another returning quickly, breaking his maiden just 13 days ago, back quickly, healthy right now, stringing three races together off the four-month-plus layoff, and as we often remind everyone, good health opens the door to a good effort. One other note, these Mr. Big runners are really starting to assert themselves of late, which tells us they’re likely better late in their 2-year-old year into their 3-year-old year, as opposed to what we saw last spring with his young 2-year-olds. In the end, a formful offering here.

“Hot / Cold Race Trends: Through two months of racing here, the turf course is playing very fair to all types.

“Win Contenders (order of preference): 2-5

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

“Negative Notes:

“3 Seattle Bold — Despite Umberto Rispoli up, that Golden Gate synthetic track debut win doesn’t translate well to this turf route here at Santa Anita.

“4 Crossword — That :26.1 final quarter last time out isn’t the type of prelude we’d like to see heading into this flat-mile assignment.

“TOP PICK: HOCKEY DAD (#2 9-5 Gutierrez)

“SECOND CHOICE: BIG TALKER (#5 5-2 Prat)”

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

There were four $61,000 races Friday, and we picked the only non-Cal-bred race, a six-furlong maiden special for 3-year-old fillies. (Mike Willman, the media guru at the track, did not do a story on a feature race but instead pushed the Rainbow Pick Six Jackpot. But since we think the Rainbow Six is a scam except on payoff days, we’re skipping it.) OK, the maiden special was won by Soothsay by 1 ½ lengths for trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Flavien Prat. She paid $8.40, $3.80 and $2.80. Just Distorted was second and Stressed finished third.

Santa Anita preview

It’s a nine-race card starting at 12:30 p.m. It’s got a few more claimers than normal, five, but does have one allowance, maiden special and stakes. The stakes is the $100,000 Pasadena for 3-year-olds going a mile on the turf. The favorite, at 8-5, is Cathkin Peak for trainer Phil D’Amato and jockey Prat. He’s won two in a row since coming to the D’Amato barn after starting his career in Ireland. Last out he won the Eddie Logan, also a mile on the turf. Rock Your World is the 2-1 second choice for John Sadler and Rispoli. He won his only start on Jan. 1 at Santa Anita. Post is around 4:26 p.m.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 6, 5, 5, 7, 5, 10, 9, 6, 10.

Ciaran Thornton’s SA pick of the day

FIRST RACE: No. 3 Seattle Bold (6-1)

Seattle Bold ships down from Golden Gate Fields for trainer Jamey Thomas and for the second career race he tries this horse on turf, a move he is winning 27%. Rispoli rides this horse who in the debut race had a great closing kick. In a race of early speed and with this jockey riding, that is a big advantage. 6-1 is great value in this very competitive small field.

Friday’s result: Sophie Antoinette went to the lead but had nothing left in the stretch and finished sixth of seven.

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

Golden Gate preview

Matt Dinerman is back for another week of Golden Gate Fields racing. The genial race caller is the host for our weekly previews and other musings. So, take it away, Matt.

“The feature on Saturday’s nine-race program is the seventh, a first-level allowance for filly and mare sprinters. Golden Star Lady, making her first start for Peter Miller, is the morning-line favorite. Golden Star Lady, previously trained by Wesley Ward, broke her maiden at Belterra Park in Ohio and won an allowance at Mountaineer. Most recently, she finished third in a second-level allowance over Turfway Park’s synthetic surface.

“The strongest Northern California contender may be Pentewan, making her first start off an 11-month layoff for trainer Manny Badilla. The daughter of Havana Gold won her U.S. debut in February 2020. In her next start less than a month later, she completed the exacta in an allowance restricted to 3-year-old fillies, finishing behind lightning-quick stakes winner Bulletproof One. Hey Wilmaaa, also entering this race off a vacation, sports fast workouts leading up to her 2021 debut for trainer Jacqui Navarre. After finishing third to next-out Santa Anita allowance winner Loud Loud Music, Hey Wilmaaa broke her maiden at Pleasanton on dirt.

“Trainer Cliff DeLima will saddle Perfect Stories and Smiling Spirit. Smiling Spirit easily defeated a group of maiden special weight horses on Jan. 18. Perfect Stories was a maiden winner in October but has since finished off-the-board in two starts at this first-level condition. Recent Los Alamitos winner Ana Lisa and comebacker I’m A Rockette complete the lineup.

“Sunday’s program — especially the second half of the card — is particularly attractive: two maiden special weights, an allowance and a claimer with 37 total horses. The marquee eighth has 11 allowance runners going 5 ½ furlongs. Jonathan Wong saddles a pair in I Am Allthatyouare and first-off-the-claim acquisition Tom’s Surprise. Trainer Steve Specht, off to an outstanding start, saddles stakes winner Square Deal. In Our A comes from the Ellen Jackson barn and has been a picture of consistency in his career, while Los Alamitos shipper Oh Jerry returns to the Bay Area for conditioner Adriana Vallejo, sporting terrific recent form against good company. Loafers Boy, previously in the barn of Andrew Lerner down South, makes his first start for trainer Leanna Ekstrom. Recent maiden victor Star Racer faces winners for the first time, and allowance winner Wine and Whisky returns to sprinting after a failed attempt going two turns.

“The seventh is a maiden special for fillies and mares also worth a mention. This Is The One and Shezarunaway make their second lifetime starts after respectable runs in their career debuts. Both were highly regarded heading into the first career race and both figure to take a step forward on Sunday. First-time starter Lagatha has some sharp works for trainer Cliff DeLima and Vegas Palm makes her second start on the Tapeta for Southern California trainer Gary Mandella.”

Big races preview

A look at thoroughbred graded stakes or races worth $100,000 or more Saturday. All times PST.

9:26 Gulfstream (3): Grade 3 $100,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes, fillies 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Spanish Loveaffair (2-1)

9:55 Gulfstream (4): Grade 2 Mac Diarmida Stakes, 4 and up, 1 3/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Tide Of The Sea (5-2)

10:53 Gulfstream (6): Grade 3 $100,000 Palm Beach Sakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Scarlett Sky (5-2)

11:03 Aqueduct (3): $125,000 Stymie Stakes, 4 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Mr. Buff (3-5)

11:53 Gulfstream (8): Grade 3 $125,000 Canadian Turf Stakes, 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Olympic Runner (3-1)

12:27 Gulfstream (9): Grade 2 $200,000 Gulfstream Park Mile, 4 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Performer (2-1)

1:20 Oaklawn (7): Grade 3 $600,000 Razorback Handicap, 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Mystic Guide (9-5)

1:29 Gulfstream (11): Grade 3 $125,000 Honey Fox Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Got Stormy (7-5)

1:52 Oaklawn (8): $200,000 Spring Fever Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 5 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Kimari (2-1)

2:04 Gulfstream (12): Grade 2 $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile. Favorite: Vequist (7-5)

2:36 Gulfstream (13): Grade 3 $125,000 The Very One Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 3/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Kalifornia Queen (4-1)

2:58 Oaklawn (10): Grade 3 $750,000 Southwest Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Essential Quality (3-2)

3:10 Gulfstream (14): Grade 2 $300,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Greatest Honour (9-5)

4:26 Santa Anita (8): $100,000 Pasadena Sakes, 3-year-olds, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Cathkin Peak (8-5)

Chris Wade’s LA pick of the day

SECOND RACE: No. 2 Dabzilla (4-1)

She is an improving runner who now has to be considered one of the most consistent thoroughbreds on the grounds. Always gives it her all and exits a solid and easier-than-it-looked win against a quality cast of rivals for the level. In that outing, Dabzilla left the gate nicely and dueled harshly inside the second choice down the backstretch and through the turn until putting that rival away on the turn for home. With the speed rival in the dust, Dabzilla held sway over the heavy chalk inside the 16th pole while appearing to have much run left in the tank. With a quality figure earned that compares favorably in here right back for a top-notch shed-row, we’ll push this runner steadily for all the board placings.

And now the star of the show, Friday’s results and Saturday’s entries.