Racing! Stewards’ rulings are back

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we wonder if Santa Anita executives are sleeping well at night.

We’ve got some catching up to do on the stewards’ rulings at Del Mar. So, let’s get right to them.

--Jockey Ricardo Jaime was fined $100 for using his riding crop three times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond. Now, here’s where it gets tricky. The stewards’ minutes and the ruling said the offense took place in the sixth race on Sun., Nov. 11, but Jaime did not ride in that race. So, here’s guessing the infraction took place on Mon., Nov. 12, where he rode Monterey Shale to a third-place finish in the sixth race. Who goofed, I’ve got to know? (Done for effect, really don’t need to know.)

--Jockey agent Richard Silverstein was fined $200 for failure to conduct business in a proper manner. In this case, he said he forgot to alert the stewards that his jockey Martin Pedroza would not be riding on Nov. 14. He only had one mount that day.

--Jockey agent Nelson Arroyo was fined $200 for failure to conduct business in a proper manner. Arroyo said he “spun” owner Nick Hines that his jockey would ride Empress of Joy in the fourth race on Nov. 17, according to the stewards’ minutes. The stewards did not identify which jockey was supposed to ride the horse but Arroyo represents Kent Desormeaux and Norberto Arroyo, Jr. Desormeaux was on another horse in that race. Now, there also was no horse in the race called Empress of Joy, but we are assuming it was Empress of Lov, who finished fourth with Luis Fuentes aboard. (See first ruling.)

--Owner Michael Martin was suspended starting Nov. 23 for failure to appear at a hearing at which it was alleged that he owed the Equine Medical and Surgical Group $2,016.60. He is barred from the all areas of the track until the suspension is lifted.

--Owner/trainer Lance Hellum was suspended for failure to fulfill a 2016 financial agreement that resulted in a debt of $1,159.61 to vendor Matt Unamuno of Angels’ Feed. The suspension went into effect on Nov. 25 and Hellum is barred from all areas of the track until the suspension is lifted.

--Owner Samantha Siegel of Jay Em Ess Stable and jockey Joe Talamo were ordered to return all purse money after Mr. Vargas, who won the seventh race on Aug. 18 at Del Mar, tested positive for procaine, an antibiotic. The stewards’ minutes said the level was 2,932 ng/ml, the ruling said it was in excess of that. It was further ruled that Mr. Vargas be disqualified and ruled unplaced in the race. Gato Del Oro is the new winner, however, the ruling does not change any of the pari-mutuel payouts. It cost Jay Em Ess Stable $34,843 and Talamo has to return $3,900. The monies are due by Dec. 18. Brian Koriner is the trainer of Mr. Vargas and was not named in the ruling.

--Trainer Mike Machowsky was fined $400 for a late declaration to not run his horse, Ria Munk in the second race on Nov. 22. The stewards ruled the trainer did not have a valid reason for scratching his horse.

Del Mar review

The feature on Saturday was the Grade 1 $300,000 Hollywood Derby for horses going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The race lived up to its billing with the two favorites battling down the stretch. In the end, shipper Raging Bull for trainer Chad Brown, rallied from the back of the pack, entered the stretch wide and won by a half-length over a game River Boyne. Joel Rosario, who is relocated to Southern California, flew in to ride the colt.

“I thought I was on the best horse, so I rode him that way,” Rosario said. “With him, he has a powerful quarter-mile kick at the end. Terrific acceleration. So, I just needed to keep him outside, keep him in the clear where I could ride him at the finish. It worked out just the way I’d hoped.”

Raging Bull paid $5.80, $3.40 and $2.80. Instilled Regard, running his first race on the turf, finished third.

Brown was back at his stable in New York, and assistant Jose Hernandez came in to manage the shippers.

“I expected him to be a little closer in the first part,” Hernandez said. “The speed had been holding in the earlier turf races. But he came from off the pace very well. Rosario is a good rider and he knows what he’s doing, especially here in California. One [race] down, three [horses the Matriarch] to go.”

A few days ago, we put up the stats on 2-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert. In Saturday’s eighth race, Kingly won another one for the Hall of Fame trainer. His record with young horses seems incredible so far this year.

In sad news, Tribal Ann, a 4-year-old Cal-bred filly, broke down in the second race on the far turn. She was euthanized back at the barn.

Del Mar preview

This is it for the fall meeting at Del Mar, which except for a day or rain on Thursday, has had a seemingly very successful meeting. The closing day card is none-races starting at 12:30 p.m. There are four turf races including the Grade 1 $300,000 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile.

We rarely root for a horse but can’t help but love the story line on the favorite in the race, Vasilika at 7-2. I know I’ve told the story before, but I’ll tell it again. She was claimed 10 races back by Jerry Hollendorfer for $40,000. Since then she’s won nine of 10, including eight in a row. She’s won three graded stakes. Flavien Prat gets the ride. We’ve probably had a time in our life where we finally figure something out and, while not even Hollendorfer could have expected these kinds of results, it seems like this filly has figured it out, whatever “it” is.

Reminds us of the movie “City Slickers” where Jack Palance and Billy Crystal discuss the secret of life and try and figure out what’s the “one thing.” Classic scene, contains bad words, but if you want to watch it, here it is. Oh, and there are horses in it, too.

Back to our regularly scheduled newsletter. The second favorite is another Brown shipper from New York called Uni. She is three for three this year with two graded stakes wins. Brown also has Quidura (8-1) and Rymska (5-1) in the 14-horse race. Rosario will be riding Uni.

It goes as the seventh race at about 3:30 p.m.

Here are the field sizes on a mandatory payout last day, in order: 7, 7, 8, 10, 10, 10, 14, 7, 11.

Big Races review

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

Gulfstream (2): $110,000 Claiming Crown Rapid Transit Stakes, 3 and up, 7 furlongs. Winner: Uno Mas Modelo ($3.80)

Aqueduct (4) Grade 2 $250,000 Demoiselle Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Positive Spirit ($24.40)

Gulfstream (4): $110,000 Claiming Crown Express Stakes, 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Appealing Future ($7.80)

Tampa Bay (3): $100,000 Turf Dash Stakes, 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Vision Perfect ($3.20)

Gulfstream (5): $110,000 Claiming Crown Distaff Dash Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Oxford Comma ($4.80)

Aqueduct (6) Grade 3 $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Marley’s Freedom ($3.10)

Gulfstream (6): $110,000 Claiming Crown Iron Horse Stakes, Fla-breds 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Salsa’s Return ($35.60)

Gulfstream (7): $110,000 Claiming Crown Tiara Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Peru ($7.60)

Aqueduct (8): Grade 2 $250,000 Remsen Stakes, 2-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Maximus Mischief ($4.80)

Gulfstream (8): $110,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slippers Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Misschief Maas ($30.20)

Parx (8): $100,000 Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes, Penn-bred 2-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Winner: Call Paul ($2.40)

Aqueduct (9): Grade 1 $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap, 3 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Patternrecognition ($12.80)

Gulfstream (9): $110,000 Claiming Crown Canterbury Stakes, 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Rocket Heat ($14.00)

Gulfstream (10): $125,000 Claiming Crown Emerald Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Uncle B ($74.60)

Woodbine (8): $100,000 Kingarvie Stakes, Ont-bred 2-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Dun Drum ($12.50)

Tampa Bay (5): $100,000 Lightning City Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Miz Mayhem ($19.00)

Gulfstream (11): $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes, Fla-breds 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Aztec Sense ($5.00)

Del Mar (7): Grade 1 $300,000 Hollywood Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Raging Bull ($5.80)

Big races preview

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

1:38 Woodbine (8): $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes, Ont-breds 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Kingsport (8-5)

3:30 Del Mar (7): Grade 1 $300,000 Matriarch Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Vasilika (7-2)

Bob Ike’s DMR play of the day

SECOND RACE: Exacta Box 3-4

I like two 6-1 shots in here, Twisted Rosie and Brookes All Mine. Twisted Rosie tired after contesting the pace last time but is better with a target at which to run, and Brookes All Mine returns from Golden Gate and gets back on dirt, which is her preferred surface (she won here during the summer at 5-1). Box these two in the exacta and call it a meet at Del Mar.

Saturday’s result: Tapitha Bonita (9-1) dueled on the early lead from down inside and hung on as best she could before tiring late and settling for third.

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

EIGHTH RACE: No. 9 First To The Moon V (5-2)

Most eyes will be on CM Whatta About Me, dropping back to the maiden ranks after a solid fourth-place finish in the Wild West Futurity five weeks ago. But I loved the works on debut runner First To The Moon V, whose dam Your First Moon is a multiple Grade I winner. First To The Moon V was very quick early in both of her local 12.1 and 12.2 gate drills and was geared down with big strides in latest work. Also, her trainer Jaime Gomez is exceptional with 2-year-olds.

Final thoughts

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And now the stars of the show, Saturday’s results and Sunday’s entries.

SWAMP SOUFFLE angled in and pressed the pace outside a rival then stalked just off the rail, re-bid between foes leaving the second turn to gain the lead nearing the stretch, drifted out a bit into the lane, drifted in some in the stretch and held on gamely under urging. MAYAN WARRIOR also angled in early and stalked a bit off the rail, bid three deep leaving the second turn, drifted out some into the stretch, fought back alongside the winner in the drive, also drifted in some and continued willingly. SALTARIN pulled along the inside and was in tight past the wire the first time, saved ground chasing the pace, went outside a rival on the second turn and into the stretch, split horses past midstretch and finished with interest. HONCHO taken off the rail and outside a rival early, went three deep into the backstretch, chased alongside a foe then off the rail leaving the second turn, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. I BELONG TO BECKY took the early lead and angled in, set a pressured pace inside then inched away on the backstretch, fought back leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DADDY JONES chased outside a rival then between foes into the backstretch, continued alongside a foe, angled in leaving the second turn, came out in the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick. LEAD STAR saved ground chasing the pace throughout and did not rally.

SPEND SPEND SPEND had speed between foes then dueled alongside a rival, took the lead just past midway on the turn, inched away nearing the stretch and drew clear under a left handed crack of the whip inside the eighth pole and steady handling. LOVELY FINISH stalked between horses then outside a rival, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and held second. CONFIDENTIALLY broke in and slowly, settled inside, went around a rival on the turn, came out in the stretch and bested the others. JOHANSSON saved ground stalking the pace, came a bit off the rail on the turn and between foes into the stretch and weakened. GRACIOUS ME had good early speed and dueled inside, dropped back in the stretch, gave way and was eased in the final furlong. TRIBAL ANN had speed outside then stalked three deep, dropped back off the rail on the backstretch, angled in on the turn, took a bad step and was pulled up in distress midway on the turn and was vanned off.

EDDIE HASKELL stalked between horses then outside a rival on the turn, came out in the stretch, bid three deep in midstretch, gained the advantage approaching the sixteenth pole and proved best under a moderate hand ride and a snug hold late. CALCULATOR a half step slow into stride, stalked inside, waited off heel from upper stretch to midstretch, came out and got up for the place three deep on the line. CISTRON sent between horses early, angled in and dueled inside, fought back in the stretch and just held third. GO ON MARY had speed three deep then dueled outside the runner-up, battled between horses in midstretch and was edged for third between foes late. ALLABOUTACTION stalked outside a rival then three deep into and on the turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally.

PLACIDO had speed off the rail then between foes, inched away nearing the turn, angled in on the turn, was shaken up to widen in the stretch then drew away under a couple cracks of the whip and a hold late. ISEE IT IN HISEYES a step slow to begin, went up inside to press then stalk the pace, came out into the stretch and held second. SCHULACE had speed outside foes then stalked alongside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and edged a foe for third. GIDDYMEISTER saved ground chasing the pace throughout and was edged for the show. BUILDER five wide early, chased outside then alongside a rival on the backstretch and turn and was outfinished for a minor award. POWERFUL THIRST dropped back off the rail early, went three deep on the turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. DRIZZY between foes early, chased a bit off the rail to the stretch and weakened. DEMONSLAYER between horses early, chased outside a rival then between foes leaving the turn, came out some in the stretch and also weakened.

GIZA GODDESS angled in and stalked off the rail then bid outside a rival on the backstretch, took the lead a half mile out, inched away and angled in on the second turn and drew off in the stretch under a late left handed tap of the whip and steady handling. MY SWEET BABOO stalked three deep to the stretch, split rivals in deep stretch and edged a foe for the place. HELLO BUBBLES angled in and chased outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for second. NOMIZAR sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, stalked on the second turn, came out into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. SHES ALL WOMAN angled in on the first turn and stalked inside, went between foes on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. LANDON three deep on the first turn, stalked off the rail then a bit off the fence on the second turn, found the inside in the drive and weakened. QUEEN RYKER (IRE) broke slowly, went three deep on the first turn and backstretch and into the second turn, swung five wide into the stretch and also lacked the necessary response. SUPER KLAUS settled between horses chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and did not rally. WOODFIN broke a bit slowly, saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and was not a threat. OPUS WON close up stalking the pace along the inside, fell back leaving the second turn and weakened. ENAMORED stalked between horses, dropped back between foes into the stretch, gave way and was eased in the final furlong.

SAUCE ON SIDE settled off the pace inside, came out leaving the turn and into the stretch and again in upper stretch and rallied under left handed urging to get up nearing the wire. TIZ TOFFEE dueled between horses then outside a rival leaving the turn and in the stretch, inched away in deep stretch and was caught late. TAPITHA BONITA angled in and dueled inside, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and held third. PIED N TRUE broke a bit slowly, settled outside a rival then inside on the turn and in the stretch and finished with some interest. MONGOLIAN HUMOR settled outside a rival then a bit off the rail, swung out into the stretch and also finished with some interest. GYPSY BLU pressed the pace three deep between foes most of the way to the turn, stalked between foes on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and weakened. TIZ WONDERFULLY stalked just off the rail on the backstretch and turn, swung out into the stretch and also weakened. VALLESTINA prompted the pace four wide then stalked three deep on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

RAGING BULL (FR) angled in and settled inside then a bit off the rail, went up three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and rallied under left handed urging to collar the runner-up nearing the wire. RIVER BOYNE (IRE) stalked inside then between horses, continued off the rail on the second turn, bid three wide into the stretch to gain the lead, inched away in the stretch and held on well but could not contain the winner late. INSTILLED REGARD stalked off the rail then bid between foes on the backstretch, tracked just off the rail on the second turn, split horses in the stretch and came back for the show. PRINCE EARL five wide leaving the chute, stalked three deep then four wide into the second turn and three wide into the stretch, drifted in some and was edged for third. CARRICK stalked outside, went up four wide to the lead on the backstretch, dueled outside a rival into and on the second urn and was outfinished in the drive. FIGHT ON saved ground off the pace, came out in upper stretch and improved position. RISKY PROPOSITION broke a bit slowly, settled inside then between foes on the second turn, swung four wide into the stretch and could not summon the needed late kick. DESERT STONE (IRE) angled in and stalked inside, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and also lacked the necessary late response. KAZAN (IRE) broke a bit slowly, settled inside then outside a rival, went up four wide on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. PLATINUM WARRIOR (IRE) chased outside then three deep, came four wide into the stretch and also lacked a rally. WAY EARLY three deep leaving the chute, stalked outside a rival then between foes, steadied in tight leaving the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. HAVE AT IT sped to the early lead, set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, fought back into and on the second turn and weakened in the stretch. PUBILIUS SYRUS four wide leaving the chute, stalked three deep then between foes, steadied in tight into the second turn, dropped back and gave way in the drive.

KINGLY dueled inside, fought back under urging in the stretch to regain the lead past midstretch and gamely prevailed. STRETFORD END pressed the pace four wide then three deep on the turn and in the stretch and was outgamed late. MY MANDATE dueled three deep between horses then between foes on the turn, put a head in front in the stretch, fought back between foes in the drive but could not quite match the top pair late. MUTINEER saved ground stalking the pace, came out a bit into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. NOLO CONTESTO bumped after the start and had the rider lose an iron briefly, settled inside, came out on the turn and four wide into the stretch and bested the others. NOLDE chased outside then alongside a rival, went three deep on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. MO RESERVE dueled between horses, fell back and stalked a bit off the rail on the turn and weakened. AMERICAN CAMP chased between horses then outside a rival, continued a bit off the rail on the turn and also weakened. MOONOVERTHEBAYOU settled off the rail then a bit off the fence on the turn and did not rally. GREEN FLEET bumped with a rival after the start, chased a bit off the inside, came out into the turn and four wide into the stretch and was not a threat.

SUPER PATRIOT chased three deep then between foes leaving the backstretch, continued four wide on the second turn and five wide into the stretch, drifted in some but rallied under urging to get up in the final stride. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT angled in early then stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter on the second turn to gain the advantage into the stretch, inched away from that one in deep stretch and just failed to hold off the winner. EMMY AND I had speed outside the runner-up then angled in and set the pace inside, dueled on the second turn, fought back in the stretch and to deep stretch, could not match the top pair late but held third. SAPPHIRE KID chased between rivals, split horses three deep leaving the second turn, angled in entering the stretch, went between foes in deep stretch and was outfinished. QUINNIE stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch and could not summon the needed late kick between foes. TENTHOUSANDREASONS broke slowly, settled inside, split horses into the second turn, came out five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late response. THALIA was in a good position stalking the pace three deep then between horses into the stretch and could not summon the necessary rally. DROP THE MIC stalked between horses to the stretch and did not rally. SPEAKERS saved ground chasing the pace, split horses leaving the second turn, angled back in and also lacked a rally. KENNEDIE SKY settled outside a rival then went up four wide on the backstretch, continued outside on the second turn and six wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. MARJORIE E saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened.