STAKES COMPETITOR IL CAPITANO RECEIVES CLASS RELIEF ON FRIDAY
Fans who followed racing last fall will remember 3-year-old colt Il Capitano. The son of Air Force Blue raced twice during the 2021 fall meet, with two very different results for Southern California based trainer Simon Callaghan
In his last Northern California start on December 4, Il Capitano competed in the Gold Rush Stakes for 2-year-olds of 2021. Sent off at odds of 7-2, Il Capitano ran off from the rest of the pack in the early stages and set a blistering pace of 46 and 4/5 seconds for the first half mile. He was passed by the top four finishers down the stretch and held fifth, only losing by 3 lengths while fighting hard to hold an in-the-money position. Although he was unable to fend off the top four finishers, it was a better-than-looked effort.
One race before an undesirable trip in the Gold Rush, Il Capitano set the pace in a first level allowance race and went gate to wire, hitting the wire a length in front of the second-place finisher.
In the co-featured sixth race this Friday, a first level allowance for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf, Il Capitano returns to the Bay Area. He races on the legal race day medication Lasix for the first time and is expected to show early speed under jockey Evin Roman, who was aboard in his last victory in November. Il Capitano is entered with a $50,000 claiming tag. If Il Capitano were to win this race, his connections would likely consider running in the California Derby on April 30.
A second Southern California invader, Tofino Bay, won on debut for Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale in a six-furlong turf sprint at Santa Anita and makes his first start against winners on Friday. Sent off at odds of 35-1 in his career debut, the son of Giant’s Causeway stallion Irish Surf sat off the pace before unleashing a powerful rally down the stretch and finishing with a heap of energy. He won the maiden special weight contest by a neck. Drysdale employs leading Golden Gate jockey Pedro Terrero to ride Tofino Bay, who routes for the first time in the Friday co-feature.
One local contender who appears as a legit player is Midnight Mammoth. Two races ago, the Steve Sherman trainee won a maiden special weight by 9 lengths-a convincing win that impressed race watchers. He returned to finish as the runner up behind California Derby contender Il Bellator last month. Regular rider Armando Ayuso is back aboard for Midnight Mammoth’s first career turf race.
Royal ‘n Rando may be a “wild card” in Friday’s sixth race. The Steve Specht trainee has decisively scored victories in a pair of starter allowance races and steps up to the first level allowance condition while also racing over turf for the first time. His sire, Grade I winner Tamarando, was winless on the grass as was the dam of Royal ‘n Rando, the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam.
Two longshots complete out the field. Egomania broke his maiden for a $20,000 tag at Golden Gate before returning in his first start against winners at Santa Anita, a badly beaten fourth against starter allowance company that day. Lying Ghost comes off a double-digit length loss on March 6. Both horses will need to improve significantly to be a factor.
An 8-race card kicks off the racing week, with a “late” first post of 1:50 PM.
Race 6 on Friday (First level allowance for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf)
#1 Lying Ghost (Jockey Alejandro Gomez…trainer Faith Taylor…morning line odds of 20-1)
#2 Royal ‘n Rando (Frank Alvarado…Steve Specht…3-1)
#3 Midnight Mammoth (Armando Ayuso…Steve Sherman…9-5)
#4 Egomania (Brayan Pena…Rafael DeLeon…15-1)
#5 Il Capitano (Evin Roman…Simon Callaghan…2-1)
#6 Tofino Bay (Pedro Terrero…Neil Drysdale…4-1)
DOMINANT MAIDEN WINNER VIVA LA FIESTA FACES TOUGHER ON FRIDAY
Viva Le Fiesta was quick to impress with a 6 and ¾ length romp in a maiden special weight for California-bred 3-year-old fillies on March 4. Fast forward to this Friday, when the dark bay or brown filly by Curlin to Mischief is set to face open company and proven winners in Race 7, a first level allowance for 3-year-olds fillies voyaging six furlongs.
In her most recent afternoon appearance, Viva La Fiesta stalked the pace and drew off down the stretch to win by open lengths under jockey Pedro Terrero. Terrero opts to ride 8-5 morning line favorite Dulce Emma, a 2-length winner at the first level allowance condition on March 11. Being a California-bred, Dulce Emma is eligible to win at the first-level condition one more time, making her the clear standout to beat in Friday’s penultimate race.
Viva La Fiesta had raced twice before earning her maiden diploma. In her first start, she was only defeated a half-length in a respectable effort. Viva La Fiesta did not fare as well in her second lifetime start three weeks later, stalking the pace before winding up fourth behind Tamara Mine, also entered in Race 7 on Friday. Of course, Viva La Fiesta put it all together in “third time’s the charm” fashion.
Trainer Miguel Ramirez, a longtime assistant to Bob Hess Sr., has employed jockey Armando Ayuso to ride. Ramirez began training his own stable last year and is off to a fine start at the current Winter/Spring meet, posting an 18%-win percentage in the first half of the meeting.
Looking at the projected pace scenario in Friday’s seventh race, Miss Union and O’Neills Legacy are likely to insure a swift and contentious tempo early. The former filly finished third behind Dulce Emma on March 11 and looks to turn the tables. The latter returns in three weeks after a gate to wire victory against starter allowance company. That day, she inherited a clear, comfortable lead and took advantage.
Tamara Mine, always well-liked by her connections, was a convincing winner of a California-bred maiden special weight race in February. She returned in the March 11 allowance race and weakened to fourth as the favorite, pressing a quick early pace. The reliable jockey-trainer combination of Frank Alvarado and Steve Specht team up with an Idaho-bred who looks to rebound.
A trio of longshots complete the field. Tyche Awaits You makes her three-year-old debut. She was last seen winning a maiden special weight over dirt at Emerald Downs in September. Slack Tide won the Angie C Stakes at Emerald over the summer but returned off a vacation on March 11 and finished over a dozen lengths behind Dulce Emma. Lion’s Lair, like Tyche Awaits You, also makes her first start off a layoff. She broke her maiden over Pleasanton’s dirt surface last June and was last seen finishing well behind stakes placed Code Ribbon and Miss Union at this level on September 19.
Race 7 on Friday (First level allowance for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs on Tapeta)
#1 Tamara Mine (Jockey Frank Alvarado…trainer Steve Specht…morning line odds of 9-2)
#2 Slack Tide (Evin Roman…Blaine Wright…20-1)
#3 Viva La Fiesta (Pedro Terrero…Miguel Ramirez…8-1)
#4 Tyche Awaits You (Adrian Martinez…Dan Markle…30-1)
#5 Miss Union (William Antongeorgi III…Isidro Tamayo…5-1)
#6 Dulce Emma (Pedro Terrero…Jesus Ramos …8-5)
#7 O’Neills Legacy (Assael Espinoza…Andy Mathis…2-1)
#8 Lion’s Lair (Silvio Amador…Ed Moger Jr…15-1)
SOUTH AMERICAN STAKES WINNER OCTANE TRIES NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Team Valor International’s Octane seeks class relief in hopes of a win this Saturday. She competes in Race 7, a first level allowance race at one mile and a sixteenth on turf for fillies and mares. Octane, a 5-year-old mare trained by Neil Drysdale, has run twice in North America since moving from South America to Drysdale’s Santa Anita base in November.
Octane began her career in her native Brazil and broke her maiden in June of 2020. Following her first career victory, Octane won a minor stakes race. Since then, Octane has lost eight consecutive races, including a pair of first level allowance routes at Santa Anita. Most recently, Octane was a well beaten fifth at 9 furlongs.
Facing an easier field than what she has seen in Southern California, Octane ships north, where Drysdale hopes she can be competitive. Armando Ayuso has the call atop the daughter of Put It Back.
Among the local contenders looking to spoil the party for the out-of-town player is the Steve Sherman trained pair of Assignation and Rev Ree. Assignation finished at the back of the field as the favorite in her most recent start at the first level allowance condition. Her last race on turf, against maiden special weight company in December, resulted in a four-length runaway win. Rev Ree earned the silver medal in her last two races, both which came at the first level allowance condition, and looks to pick up a victory at the aforesaid condition on Saturday.
Also likely to get play is Seems Logical, who suffered an undesirable trip in her lone try routing. She makes her second career start at two turns for trainer Sheldon Paldanius, who employs jockey Evin Roman to ride. Most recently, the California-bred by Grazen was the runner up in a first level allowance race for sprinters.
One final notable in Saturday’s seventh race is Momma Mocca, who boasts a perfect 2 for 2 record since moving to the Jonathan Wong stable. She faces her toughest test yet, taking a hike up in class from starter allowance company. She is bred to enjoy the turf: her dam produced four siblings who won on grass, including Grade I placed Mensa Heat and multiple stakes winner Majestic Heat, the latter winning the Solana Beach Handicap on grass in 2016.
A 9-race program on Saturday at Golden Gate commences at 1:15 PM.
Race 7 on Saturday (First level allowance for fillies a& mares four-year-olds and upward one mile and a sixteenth on turf)
#1 Seems Logical (Jockey Evin Roman…trainer Sheldon Paldanius …morning line odds of 7-2)
#2 Assignation (William Antongeorgi III…Steve Sherman…4-1)
#3 Rev Ree (Pedro Terrero…Steve Sherman…5-2)
#4 Momma Mocca (Frank Alvarado…Jonathan Wong …8-1)
#5 Gea (Assael Espinoza…Tim McCanna…6-1)
#6 Octane (Armando Ayuso…Neil Drysdale…3-1)
#7 Rose Princess (Francisco Monroy…Quentin Miller…15-1)
AMERICAN FARMER VS. FREEPORT JOE IN SAN FRANCISCO MILE PREP ON SUNDAY
Top older routers American Farmer and Freeport Joe face off for the third consecutive time in the signature race of the day at Golden Gate on Sunday, an open allowance race for four-year-olds and upward at one mile on turf.
A rivalry is brewing.
The score reads 1-1. Freeport Joe, who won the Grade 3 Berkley Handicap in November, defeated American Farmer in their first matchup on January 23. One month later, American Farmer turned the tables and beat Freeport Joe on the square.
Trainer Gloria Haley has noted in past editions of the News and Notes that she feels Freeport Joe thrives over the Golden Gate main track Tapeta. From five starts on turf, Freeport Joe has won once and hit the board in three other races. Although the record indicates at first glance that he may be a synthetic specialist, Freeport Joe has improved significantly since the last time we saw him race on grass. He also has a pilot, jockey Assael Espinoza, who fits ‘Joe like a glove. From eight rides, Espinoza has guided Freeport Joe to the winner’s circle five times. In the three losses, Freeport Joe hit the board every time and was within a length of the winner at the finish.
American Farmer appears very effective on Tapeta or turf. His form is like Freeport Joe’s because he has run his very best races in 2022 and has yet to compete on turf since a third-place finish off a layoff in November. Two years ago, American Farmer-then 3-years-old-won the Robert Dupret Derby on grass. Regular rider Pedro Terrero is back aboard this Sunday for trainer Steve Sherman.
A quartet entered to run against the two heavy hitters. Harmon stalked the pace and finished three-quarters of a length behind race winner American Farmer and runner up Freeport Joe on February 26. Harmon has won six races on Tapeta but is 0 for 5 on turf. He is undoubtedly best over Tapeta.
Avenue ships in from Southern California for trainer Michael McCarthy. If he competes on Sunday, he will be running out of his conditions. The last time he raced, he won a maiden special weight by open lengths at Keeneland about a year ago while under the care of East Coast based trainer Todd Pletcher. Purchased for $450,000 as a yearling, Avenue is a half sibling to multiple Grade 3 winner Tizamagician.
The Cliff DeLima trained pair of Manila Mischief and Nowhere Man exit easier company on Tapeta and round out the field.
Nine races end the racing week on Sunday. 200 horses entered to run in races week, averaging out to about 7.7 horses per race. With that, let’s go racing!
Race 4 on Sunday (Allowance for four-year-olds and upward one mile on turf)
#1 Manila Mischief (Jockey Silvio Amador…trainer Cliff DeLima)
#2 Harmon (Julien Couton…Monty Meier)
#3 Avenue (Armando Ayuso…Michael McCarthy)
#4 Nowhere Man (Francisco Duran…Cliff DeLima)
#5 Freeport Joe (Assael Espinoza…Gloria Haley)
#6 American Farmer (Pedro Terrero…Steve Sherman)
CLAIMS REPORT
FRIDAY
Race 1: Glitter Lake (New trainer Guillermo Preciado…new owner Oscar Prieto Casillas)
Race 1: Mommy Rose (D. Wayne Baker…Richard Barton)
Race 1: This is the One (D. Wayne Baker…Richard and Kate Barton)
Race 6: Love of the Sport (Marcelino Trujillo…Nancy Salas-Ibarra and Floriberta Trujillo)
Race 6: Maybe Sometime (Reid France…Hat Trick Racing)
Race 6: Rich Warrior (Victor Trujillo…Fred Montini)
SATURDAY
Race 4: Desert Dude (Tim McCanna…Horseplayers Racing Club and Pat LePley)
Race 4: Upo (Jonathan Wong…MJVET Stables, Hon Cheung Kum and Hsui Mei Tsai)
Race 7: Styledome (D. Wayne Baker…Richard and Kate Barton)
Race 8: Hot Rageous (Isidro Tamayo…Frankly Speaking LLC)
Race 8: Queen of the Track (O.J. Jauregui…Danny Eplin, Charles Gerson and Angel Valadez)
SUNDAY
Race 2: Filly Pelli (Owner/Trainer Dan Franko)
Race 5: Memo Daddy (Tim Bellasis…Bellasis, Donna Smartt and Cassandra Tschanz)
FINISH LINES: Along with the two Friday races featured above, there is a third co-feature: a first level allowance for filly and mare sprinters. 10 runners made the entry box for Race 8, the nightcap, also the last leg of the Golden Hour wagers on Friday…Aside from the American Farmer vs. Freeport Joe matchup on Sunday, another intriguing event is Race 6: a first level allowance at one mile on turf for 3-year-olds fillies. Among the leading contenders: 2021 Pike Place Dancer stakes winner Vaping Angel, maiden special weight winner Distorted Queen, the Larry and Marianne Williams homebreds Lady’s Sermon and Tam’s Little Angel, and comebacker Irish Wahine…2019 Del Mar Derby winner Nolde is now in the barn of Steve Sherman and has three published workouts in his quest for a comeback campaign….Also back on track is multiple Golden Gate stakes placed router Kiwi’s Dream, who has posted six morning drills so far for trainer Victor Trujillo…The Golden Pick Six jackpot wager has a carryover of $7,385 heading into Friday…$6,762 is carried over into the Rolling Super High Five bet for Race 2 on Friday…Race 3 on Friday is Leg E (the last leg) of the Stronach 5 bet…Happy birthday to trainers Monty Meier and Ed Moger Jr., both who celebrate their birthdays this week.