ELKTON, Md. – For the third consecutive year, tracks and racing venues will participate in a
Kentucky Derby Day Silent Auction to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund (PDJF) on
Saturday, May 6.

Proceeds from the collaborative effort by the Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA), PDJF,
JockeyTalk360, and the Jockeys’ Guild will provide aid for permanently disabled jockeys’ health
care and living expenses.

Each track will hold a silent auction with three beautifully framed photos, including Arrogate
winning the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic (autographed by jockey Mike Smith), “3 for the Ages” of
Triple Crown winners Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed (signed by jockeys Ron Turcotte, Jean
Cruget, and Steve Cauthen), and Secretariat “Flying” to victory in the 1973 Kentucky Derby (signed
by jockey Ron Turcotte). Fans who contribute to PDJF during the auction will be offered a racing
souvenir such as a gold-plated replica Secretariat horse shoe, classic photos from the Tony Leonard
Collection, or Kentucky Derby lapel pins.

“The Derby Day Silent Auction continues to build momentum in its third year as an important
fundraiser for the PDJF,” said PDJF President Nancy Lasala. “It gives horse racing fans an
opportunity to collect priceless memorabilia while supporting a worthwhile cause. We would like to
thank the Tony Leonard Collection, Reed Palmer Photography, Skip Dickstein, Penny Chenery,
Secretariat.com, Mike Smith, Ron Turcotte, Jean Cruget, Steve Cauthen and all the tracks. Without
their generous support, this would not be possible.”

Auctions will be held at the following locations: Arlington Park, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs,
Ellis Park, Finger Lakes, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town
Races, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race
Course, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Laurel Park, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, Louisiana Downs,
Parx Racing, Prairie Meadows, Remington Park, Sam Houston Race Park, Santa Anita Park, Tampa Bay
Downs, Turfway Park, Wyoming Horse Racing, and Zia Park.

Those who wish to contribute to the fundraising effort for disabled jockeys may do so by sending
checks payable to: PDJF, P.O. Box 803, Elmhurst, IL 60126 or visit www.pdjf.org. PDJF is a
501(c)(3) public charity providing financial assistance to 60 former jockeys who have suffered
catastrophic on-track injuries. Since its founding in 2006, the fund has disbursed approximately $8
million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or brain injuries.

Through the years, the TRA has played a leading role in the establishment of many programs
beneficial to the member associations conducting racing at 40 racetracks in the United States and
Canada. Visit www.tra-online.com for more information about the TRA.

 

THE WORLD’S RICHEST THOROUGHBRED HORSE RACE COMES BACK TO MIAMI

Miami, Florida, April 5, 2017  – Fresh off the heels of the inaugural running of the $12 million USD Pegasus World Cup Invitational, The Stronach Group announced today that the world’s richest Thoroughbred horse race is about to get even richer. On January 27^th, 2018, the world will again turn its attention to South Florida in anticipation of an extraordinary, new record-setting $16 million USD purse.

The 2018 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, to be held at The Stronach Group owned Gulfstream Park, is open to twelve domestic and international owners who will put in $1 million USD each for a spot in the starting gate.  The additional $4 million USD will be contributed by The Stronach Group.

“The 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational surpassed our expectations and we believe took the sport of Thoroughbred racing to an exciting new level”, said Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President, The Stronach Group.  “Our company is committed to building on the momentum that was inspired by our Founder and Honorary Chairman, Frank Stronach. In 2018, we will bring an even bigger, more modern and unforgettable entertainment experience to a global audience.”

With the commitment to an enhanced purse, The Stronach Group aims to attract the attention of an international audience marking the resurgence of North American Thoroughbred racing.

Follow all of the excitement and details of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational at pegasusworldcup.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @pegasusworldcup.

####

The Stronach Group

The Stronach Group (TSG) is an industry leader in world-class horse racing, entertainment and pari-mutuel wagering technology. Within our portfolio of racing and gaming businesses, the Company holds some of the greatest brands in the industry including; Santa Anita Park, “The Great Race Place”; Pimlico Race Course, home of the legendary Preakness Stakes; Gulfstream Park, one of Florida’s newest entertainment destination centers, and home to the $16-million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the world’s richest Thoroughbred horse race; Laurel Park; Golden Gate Fields; Portland Meadows; and Rosecroft Raceway.  TSG is an industry leader in pari-mutuel technology through its subsidiaries AmTote and Xpressbet and is a major distributor of horse racing content to a global audience through Monarch Content Management. The award winning Adena Springs is the breeding and training facility of The Stronach Group with stables in Kentucky, Florida and Ontario.  For more on The Stronach Group, visit www.stronachgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Dave Joseph, Gulfstream Park, david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com

Tiffani Steer, The Stronach Group, tiffani.steer@stronachgroup.com

Albany, Calif. (March 18, 2017) — Fast and Foxy, trained by Holly Evans and ridden by Catalino Martinez, broke clean and set the pace on the rail to take the victory in the $50,000 Camilla Urso stakes. Turkish Tabby, saved ground in the stretch, but wasn’t able to get there in time, taking second. Code Warrior ridden by Anne Sanguinetti, was forced four wide, but also rallied in the stretch to finish third. Today’s race was for fillies and mares four years old and upward and was completed in a time of 1:09.20. Fast and Foxy, the betting favorite, paid $4.40 for today’s efforts.

Trainer Holly Evans: “I was just hoping she would hold on. She’s easy to handle she does what you want. She really is. She just never stops she just keeps going. They hook her she keeps going, they finish she keeps going she’s just tough. I don’t know. One time I was going to sell her because there weren’t any races. I’ll take those ones any day. I hope she didn’t get claimed because I like her personally. But Joe said it’s a lot of money. We needed to run. Absolutely incredible. I’m so lucky to have a horse like that. So many horse people never get a good horse and I get one dropped in my lap.”

Jockey Catalino Martinez: “I know the two horse showed a lot of speed in her races so my only choice was to go to the lead. I sent her and I knew the other horses didn’t have the speed to go with me, so I got her to relax and by the 3/16 pole, I knew the race was over. It was close, but we hung on to win.”

Tomorrow, March 19, is Dollar Day; enjoy a  $1 Mimosa, $1 Beer, $1 Hot Dog, $1 General Admission, $1 General Parking, and $1 Program all day long. The $100,000 San Francisco Mile is April 29th. All paid admissions will receive a SF Mile themed ball cap.

$50,000 Camilla Urso Stakes
Race 7 at Golden Gate Fields
Saturday, March 18, 2017 (Post time: 3:45 PM Pacific Standard Time)

Analysis by Matt Dinerman

The feature race on Saturday’s program, the $50,000 Camilla Urso Stakes, features the best filly and mare sprinters in The Bay Area. Let’s take a look at each contender.

On February 24, #1 PRECIOUS TIME came off an eight and a-half month layoff and scored an 11-1 upset, sitting off the pace before making one run from the back of the field. It’s a whole new ballgame now, as this gal is facing much tougher company. The good news is she’s 6 for 11 over this track, so at least she’ll be making her stakes debut over a footing she really enjoys. Whether she has the class to compete for the win is a question mark though. I’ll side with others in this spot.

#2 B C Z MIDDLETON has won two stakes races in her career: The Washington State Legislators Stakes at Emerald Downs and The Princess of Palms Stakes at Turf Paradise, both stakes on dirt. In her most recent race, coming off a three-month vacation, she took a starter allowance field gate to wire at Turf Paradise. Second start off the layoff, she’ll probably be even more fit, but the best rivals signed on here look more intriguing. She always gives an honest effort, so we can expect her to try hard again, but I have a feeling she’s another that may be a bit outclassed.

#3 TURKISH TABBY has finished behind (likely favorite) #5 Fast and Foxy in her past two starts. In both races, she attempted to pressure the aforementioned rival on the front end, but was put away both times. In her most recent effort, she ran gallantly to hold on for second after going at a fast pace with ‘Foxy, but ‘Tabby still has to figure out a way to finish in front of ‘Foxy this time. If she runs back to her last race, she has a big chance to hit the board, but she’ll need to run an all-time best to have a shot at winning this. One of two runners from the Jerry and Janet Hollendorfer stable.

#4 CASTELLANI hasn’t been seen since November 18^th and she has never sprinted six furlongs before. The vast majority of her races have been going a route of ground and her four most recent races have resulted in off-the-board finishes; not the greatest recent form. It would be a surprise if she won.

#5 FAST AND FOXY certainly is fast. All 14 career wins have come over this track and she holds terrific recent form. She has run five times since a six-month break from May to November, with four of those races resulting in wire-to-wire victories. Her only loss was a third place finish behind Quick and Silver, one of the best male sprinters at Golden Gate. This mare has one way of going: to the lead. Nobody is quick enough to go with her unless they want to be a rabbit and it sure looks like she’s clearly the one to beat in this race.

#6 CONIAH moves back to the barn of Bill Morey after a short stint with Carla Gaines in Southern California. This gal has been under the care of four different trainers, but she’s been the most consistent with Morey, who conditioned her twice: once in 2015 and again in 2016. In 5 starts for The Morey barn, she holds a 2-1-1 record. Highlights of her career include a third place finish in The Rancho Bernardo (G3) at Del Mar and another third in The Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland, so she has back class, and even though her two most recent races have been poor, she gets a three month freshening for this start (her last race was in December.) It’s also worth noting this one sports a nice work tab for trainer Morey, who wins at a 27% clip with his trainees making their first start off a layoff between 61-180 days. A sneaky contender if she runs back to her best races.

#7 CODE WARRIOR has been a consistent filly for The Manny Badilla stable since her career debut, when she won by seven lengths. This gal actually finished in front of #5 Fast and Foxy on January 7^th, in the allowance race that Quick and Silver won, but ‘Foxy was able to turn the tables on #7 Code Warrior when she beat her by 2 and a half lengths in their most recent battle on January 29. ‘Warrior will need to rebound, but note she is the only one entered in this race that has finished in front of #5 Fast and Foxy, and she holds two stakes wins and a Grade 2 placing on her resume. Must be respected.

#8 CALM THE SEA is the second Hollendorfer runner signed on. Like the runner to her inside, this gal won her very first start (on February 5, 2016), but was given 11 months off after the maiden breaker. She returned in 2017 to run third in two allowance races at Santa Anita and most recently finished fourth in an allowance at Golden Gate. She has shown front running speed in past starts, including in that last race at Golden Gate, so this ‘capper wouldn’t be all that surprised if she ends up being a rabbit for her stablemate (#3 Turkish Tabby). Could impact the race significantly, from a pace scenario standpoint, if she does indeed go out with #5 Fast And Foxy.

THE PACE: We all know what #5 Fast and Foxy is going to do. Two questions to try and answer:

• Is anybody going to go out with #5 Fast and Foxy?
• Is anybody even quick enough to go to the lead with #5 Fast and Foxy?

 

This handicapper thinks #8 Calm The Sea could be the rabbit to pressure #5 Fast and Foxy. She has shown front running speed before and sometimes one Jerry Hollendorfer runner will go out with a projected lone leader to help the other entrant out.  We have seen this scenario before. #6 Coniah has some early gas as well, but she has been effective stalking the pace before pouncing on the leaders down the lane, so I’d have to imagine that will be her strategy with a speedster like #5 Fast and Foxy signed on.

THE CLASS: #5 Fast and Foxy won a stake in December and runners #6 Coniah and #7 Code Warrior placed in two separate Grade 2 stakes last year (though it’s worth mentioning both Grade 2’s were restricted to three-year-olds fillies.)

Selections:

Top pick: #5 Fast And Foxy– She might just be too quick for this bunch

Second choice: #7 Code Warrior– Quality filly puts up a good fight every race

Third choice: #3 Turkish Tabby-Finished second to the top pick last month

Longshot To Consider: #6 Coniah- Grade 2 placed filly’s best race makes her a logical contender

Albany, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2017) — Quick and Silver, trained by William Delia, ran gate to wire in today’s $50,000 Lost in The Fog stakes. Breaking from the rail under jockey William Antongeorgi III, Quick and Silver, the betting favorite, set the pace early and no one caught him as he won by ¾ lengths. Star Student came from the back of the pack to take second with a driving effort on the stretch. The race was for four year olds and upwards going six furlongs and was completed in a time of 1:09.18.  Quick and Silver paid $4.40.

Named for the legendary sprinter–who touched the hearts of the nation–the featured Lost in the Fog marked the 11^th win for Quick and Silver. Trainer Greg Gilchrist, who did a masterful job conditioning Lost in the Fog was on hand to make the presentation.

William Delia: “The horse is awful sharp right now.  He loves this track and he’s got tremendous amount of speed and that’s dangerous at any time. He’s kind if you’ve got a carrot in your hand, but if you just go up and pet him he’ll nip at you. He’s kind of aggressive. He loves to train. He goes out there and gallops nice. He’s not easy. He’s got a personality, he’s getting better and faster and faster. I could probably take him down south but he is just so much better on this track that I don’t want to move. He’s running so good we just want to keep him up there for now. He’s kind of really coming into his own now. He knows his business, when he runs he runs.”

William Antongeorgi III: “We were the speed on paper. There really wasn’t much thinking to do. Just get him out of there and on his way. He’s a free running horse. When he gets that easy lead, he is tough to run down and that’s exactly what happened today.”

Live racing will resume Friday, February 24. Don’t forget ever Sunday is Dollar Day; enjoy a  $1 Mimosa, $1 Beer, $1 Hot Dog, $1 General Admission, $1 General Parking, and $1 Program all day long.

 

$50,000 Lost In The Fog Stakes
Race 7 at Golden Gate Fields
Monday, February 20, 2017 (Post time: 3:45 PM Pacific Standard Time)

Analysis by Matt Dinerman

Golden Gate Fields has a special race card this Monday: Presidents Day! Our feature race is the $50,000 Lost In The Fog Stakes, named after the legendary Bay Area based sprinter. Let’s take a look at the seven contenders entered in the 2017 Lost In The Fog and come up with a winner!

#1 QUICK AND SILVER is exactly what his name indicates. The grey gelding by Dunkirk is clearly the fastest horse signed on here and with the inside post position, we can expect jockey Billy Antongeorgi III to send hard out of the gate and try to take this field gate to wire. His best races have been on the lead but he showed a new dimension last time out, when he sat off a blazing fast leader, made a move, took the lead at the quarter pole, and drew off to win nicely. That race was against a salty bunch of allowance/stakes winning runners and it’s worth noting the third place finisher (Fast and Foxy) has since come back to win. Two starts ago ‘Silver finished sixth in The Oakland Stakes behind a few runners entered back in this spot, though he got pace pressure that day and he may be able to have the lead to himself this time around. Dangerous, especially if he gets loose on the lead.

 #2 INDIAN BRUT cuts back in distance after a fifth place finish going a route of ground. He finished behind three multiple stakes winners that day (Bronze Star, G.G. Ryder and Stryker PHD) and routing isn’t ‘Brut’s best game, so you can probably toss the race. If anything, that afternoon appearance helped him stay super fit for this. #2 Indian Brut’s last win came sprinting five furlongs over this track in October, and he ran huge to finish second two starts ago in The Oakland Stakes, finishing behind #4 Star Student. Worth a second look.

 #3 CHIPS ALL IN freshens up for this run after a sharp victory over #4 Star Student in an allowance race last December. This guy has a great record over synthetic surfaces; 3 wins from 5 starts, with 2 of those victories coming here at Golden Gate. He has shown versatility throughout his career, too, and looks to still have plenty left in the tank at the ripe age of 8. Yet another horse that shouldn’t be ignored.

 #4 STAR STUDENT is another that has a great record on synthetic tracks. In fact, all 7 career wins have been on this Golden Gate Tapeta. His effort in The Oakland Stakes three starts ago was terrific, when he beat #1 Quick and Silver, #2 Indian Brut, and #6 Mah Gellin in a game effort. Since then, however, he has regressed and finished second and fourth, respectively, in two separate allowance races. A nice horse, no doubt, but his form isn’t trending upward. Playing against.

 #5 MALIBU ALEX  broke the maiden impressively in his career debut on January 31, 2016. After a fifth place finish going a route of ground against winners, he was given a 10-month layoff. Obviously something happened after that allowance try, but no need to worry, as the son of Afleet Alex came back and easily won an allowance last month, sprinting this six-furlong distance. The second place runner in that race came back to run second in a starter allowance and the third place finisher is 2 for 24, so you can make a case that the allowance group ‘Alex faced off the layoff wasn’t the strongest bunch. That said, he could be more fit in start #2 off the lengthy vacation and it looks like this guy has talent. May run well at a price.

 #6 MAH GELLIN ran three times this fall and finished behind either #1 Quick and Silver, #3 Chips All In, #4 Star Student or #8 Indian Brut in that trio of starts. All 7-career victories have come over this track and he was only ¾ of a length away from winning The Oakland Stakes in November. At the end of the day, though, this ‘capper thinks he might be best used in exotics, if anywhere.

 #7 PURE COMEDY has always been well regarded by his connections. After a few unlucky situations in past starts, he finally put it all together and scored big at 14-1, defeating five others runners in a second level allowance race. This is a whole new ballgame, however, as the runners he faces here are much better than what he’s been seeing. Siding with others, though another big effort wouldn’t be a total surprise.

THE PACE: #1 Quick and Silver looks like the quickest horse in the race and may be able to get a loose lead. If anyone decides to take it to ‘Silver from the get go, it might be #7 Pure Comedy, who went head and head for the lead while going at a solid clip two starts ago. This is a stakes sprint with some fast horses…so of course the pace will be rapid. The question really becomes: is anybody going to go out and pressure #1 Quick and Silver? I’m just not sure anyone is quick enough.

 THE CLASS: #3 Chips All In and #4 Star Student are the only stakes winners in the field, so they look like the class of the race.

Top Pick: #1 Quick and Silver-From a pace scenario standpoint, he looks to have a big advantage

 Second choice: #3 Chips All In-Loves this track

 Third choice: #2 Indian Brut– His last two sprints have been awesome and the cutback from a “route to a sprint” angle can be a very profitable one.

 Longshot to consider: #5 Malibu Alex- Certainly has talent; could be ready for a peak performance here.

Albany, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2017) — Zakaroff, trained by Steve Specht, ran them down in the stretch to win the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby by half a length. Settling in at the half mile pole, Zakaroff drove determinedly down the stretch to become the second highest paying winner in Northern California’s premier Kentucky Derby prep race, paying $99.60, second only to Autism Awareness, who paid $126.00 in 2008. Zakaroff was just one horse in a string of upsets today, resulting in a .20¢ Pick 6 jackpot payout of a cool $240,030. And a late .50¢ Pick 4 payout of $33,018.

Zakaroff, with jockey Kyle Frey aboard, beat the shippers, including even money favorite Ann Arbor Eddie. Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mario Gutierrez, Ann Arbor Eddie stalked the pace until the second turn then dueled in the stretch before being caught. More Power To Him, trained by local trainer Faith Taylor, ran third, but was fanned four wide before closing nicely in the stretch. The second betting favorite, Sheer Flattery (5/2), was a no-show in today’s race, giving way in the final furlong. The El Camino Real Derby was for three year olds, at a distance of 1 and 1/8 miles and was completed in 1:51.34.

Steve Specht: “They didn’t give me much credit even though I didn’t finish that far behind some of these horses the last two times. I really thought this race was too far, that 1 mile or 1 1/16 miles was his limit. When he got to the stretch he showed a little extra that I didn’t think he had. I actually entered him in a first-level allowance sprint but the race didn’t go so I got stuck running here. Not a bad stick. I wasn’t out of my league but somebody has to be favored and somebody has to not be. That last race he was inside all the way and when it rains the inside is the deepest part of the track. He was kind of spinning his wheels. He’s turned out to be a little better than I thought he was going to be.”

Jockey Kyle Frey: “I’m kind of star struck. I’ve never been on the horse before, a complete pick up mount. I think we picked it up at the draw if I’m not mistaken. Everything happens for a reason. So thank God. We sat uncomfortably and I honestly thought we were going to be sitting a little further off, but they were walking at the front, so we were kind of just sitting right there pretty comfortable. I just tried not to mess it up. Steve did all the work. With how easy the fractions were and how calm the horse was. We were able to get out so smoothly and swiftly right at the perfect time. I almost thought I might have caught Ann Arbor sleeping, but when we got up to him our momentum was really moving and we got there.”

Tomorrow, February 19, is Dollar Day; enjoy a  $1 Mimosa, $1 Beer, $1 Hot Dog, $1 General Admission, $1 General Parking, and $1 Program all day long. Monday, Presidents’ Day will feature special Holiday Racing with a usual first post time of 12:45 PM.

$200,000 Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby (run at one mile and an eighth)
Race 7 at Golden Gate Fields
Saturday, February 18, 2017 (Post time: 3:45 Pacific Standard Time)

Analysis by Matt Dinerman

Ten Kentucky Derby points are awarded to the winner of Northern California’s most prestigious race, The El Camino Real Derby. Racing greats like Bobby Frankel, D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert, Laffit Pincay, Gary Stevens and Mike Smith have won this event, which was first run in 1982.

Let’s dissect the 2017 El Camino Real Derby field.

#1 ZAKAROFF is a son of Slew’s Tiznow that was purchased for just $25,000 as a yearling. After winning his third career start sprinting five and one half furlongs, this Steve Specht trainee stretched out to a route of ground for his debut try against winners. That day, he ran third to #2 More Power To Him, and then finished behind that rival, as well as #6 Colonel Samson, in his most recent start, The California Derby. It looks like he’ll need to pick up the pace to hit the board in this race.

#2 MORE POWER TO HIM finished off the board in the first two starts of his career, which were both sprint races. This colt has significantly improved since racing a route of ground though, so clearly running long is what he wants to do. He broke his maiden at a mile and a sixteenth in career start number three, ran third behind #6 Colonel Samson in the Gold Rush Stakes (while facing winners for the first time), and then rebounded with a sharp win against allowance company. In his most recent race, The California Derby, this guy had the lead in deep stretch but was eventually gunned down late by Southern California three-year-old (and Risen Star Stakes contender) So Conflated. He’s a contender, not a pretender.

#3 ANN ARBOR EDDIE has three wins in four starts. You have to like the fact that the only race he lost was The Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes, a race where he ran third behind Mastery, one of the top three-year-olds on The West Coast. That day he raced seven furlongs too, and since stretching out to a route of ground, this son of Square Eddie has thrived, winning two Cal-Bred Stakes races (The King Glorious Stakes and Cal Cup Derby.) In fact, he beat California Diamond in both stakes, and that rival finished second in the Bob Hope. Now ‘Eddie faces open company again, though there are certainly no Mastery’s in this field. Mario Gutierrez rides for trainer Doug O’Neill and Reddam Racing. They won this race last year with Frank Conversation.

#4 TRIBAL STORM was victorious (and impressive) in his career debut. That day, he sprinted five furlongs on this Golden Gate Fields turf course and won with plenty of verve. The ridgling proved that nice maiden score was no fluke, as he shipped down to Del Mar and went on to win an allowance race on dirt. After taking two months off, he came back to the races and ran third behind #3 Ann Arbor Eddie in The Cal Cup Derby, which was his first start in two months and also his first try going a route of ground. He’ll probably be a little more fit in his second start going long, but I have a feeling he’s best used underneath in exotics, if anywhere.

#5 SHEER FLATTERY is the 7-5 morning line favorite for Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, who has won The El Camino Real Derby a record six times. This guy wheels back in just two weeks after a third place finish in The Robert Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita. He didn’t get the most desirable trip that day, losing plenty of ground on the first turn and making a pretty early move on the backstretch. He tried hard to the wire and only finished a half-length behind the second place finisher, so he ran a better than looked third. This ‘capper thinks he was probably the second best horse in that race. The winner of The Robert Lewis (Royal Mo) would be odds if he were to run in this race, so ‘Flattery faces a little bit easier company here while also making his first start over a synthetic track. By Flatter is out of a Grand Slam mare, Sheer Flattery’s pedigree says he will love going this mile and an eighth distance.

#6 COLONEL SAMSON has the most experience out of anyone in this field. He’s been all over the map too: he ran in Philadelphia and Kentucky early on in his career but broke his maiden at Del Mar, where he defeated #7 Kona Dreams on turf in November. After the maiden triumph, he shipped up to Golden Gate and took home the gold medal in The Gold Rush Stakes. Even though he lost by over 20 lengths in his next start, The Grade 3 Sham Stakes, you can excuse that effort as the race was run over a sloppy track, something ‘The Colonel’ probably didn’t like, and he was also facing some major players on The Kentucky Derby trail (Gormley and American Anthem) that day. He came back to the races in just two weeks after the poor Sham Stakes showing and ran a respectable third behind So Conflated and #3 More Power To Him in The Cal Derby. So, you’re looking at a horse that has run two solid races over this track and now gets a little more time in between races. I could see ‘Samson being competitive once again.

#7 KONA DREAMS, another Southern California shipper, looks to break his maiden in this Grade 3 race. All four career starts for this gelding have come on turf; usually turf runners transfer their form to the synthetics pretty nicely. He only lost by a nose in his career debut in October and finished a length and a half behind #6 Colonel Samson the following month, when that aforementioned rival broke his maiden. #7 Kona Dreams adds blinkers for this race and maybe that’ll help him take a step forward. Sure it’d be a surprise if the maiden won this race, but you have to give Southern California shippers a second look. If he improves and runs a big race, an in-the-money finish wouldn’t be totally crazy…would it?

THE PACE: There is no confirmed front-runner in this race, though a few of the runners signed on here have tactical speed. #3 Ann Arbor Eddie has shown front running speed before; two starts ago he was dueling on the lead in a one-mile race. That said, he has shown the ability to rate, so Mario Gutierrez has options. #4 Tribal Storm was dueling on the lead in a six and a half furlong sprint, though he stalked the pace in his last start, which was a route race. Another one where the rider has options. #7 Kona Dreams will wear blinkers for the first time in this race. Sometimes when horses add ‘the hood’, they show more speed, so maybe he’ll be a little closer than in past starts.

I expect the pace to be contentious but not necessarily fast.

THE CLASS: Shipping up from Southern California and having faced legit stakes company down South, #3 Ann Arbor Eddie and #5 Sheer Flattery look to have the most class in this field. #2 More Power To Him and #6 Colonel Samson have proven they have legit stakes talent too though, and either runner winning this race wouldn’t be a total surprise.

Top Pick: #3 Ann Arbor Eddie- Another nice three-year-old from the O’Neill stable

Second choice: #5 Sheer Flattery- Fits in well with this group. Projected to go off at a low price, so we will try to beat him.

Third choice: #2 More Power To Him- Just getting better with racing experience. Expecting another big effort.

 Longshot to consider: #6 Colonel Samson- Two solid efforts over this track

Let’s get lucky!

Albany, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2017) — Trainer Doug O’Neil, assisted by Leandro Mora, picked up his second stakes victory of the Winter/Spring Meet with Tap It All in the $50,000 California Oaks stakes. Ridden by Kyle Frey, Tap It All went to the lead and stayed there for this 1 mile and 1/16 race. Setting all the pace, Tap It All, was able to hold off betting favorite, Tapped, ridden by Hall of Fame jockey, Alex Solis, and trained by Hall of Fame trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer. Tap It All paid $12.40 and completed the two turner in 1:45.12.

Assistant trainer Leandro Mora: “The race was exactly what I thought all day long. I was kind of worried about Hollendorfer’s horse that he might take the lead and our filly likes to be a little feisty. But once Kyle was so far out, he just went and did the right thing all the way to the wire.”

Jockey Kyle Frey: “I spoke to Doug, he was very confident the horse likes to be forwardly placed, as it shows on the form.  I agree, but I honestly thought that the 3 horse was going to show more speed. And bounce out and we could sit right off him, but when we popped out of there real easy and I just moved a little off the rail and I figured anything that had to go around would have to go real wide. And we just slowed it down from there and galloped on home. It was fun.”

Tomorrow, February 12, will be Dollar Day with $1 Mimosas $1 Beers, $1 Hot Dogs, $1 General Admission, $1 General Parking, and $1 Programs. Join us Feb 18, next Saturday, for the El Camino Real Derby, Bay Area’s Kentucky Derby prep race and the richest race in Northern California.

$50,000 California Oaks (run at one mile and a sixteenth)
Race 8 at Golden Gate Fields
Saturday, February 11, 2017 (Post time: 4:15 Pacific Standard Time)

Analysis by Matt Dinerman

This Saturday at Golden Gate Fields, 10 three-year-old fillies battle it out in the 2017 edition of The $50,000 California Oaks, the feature event on the 9-race program. Let’s dissect this field, beginning with a filly breaking from the rail. 

#1 TAP IT ALL was purchased for a whopping $800,000 as a two-year-old, so expectations have always been high. She broke her maiden by over 13 lengths while routing on the lawn at Turf Paradise two starts ago, and then faced winners in The Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita, where she lost by a head at 28-1. It was a big effort. She ran over this Tapeta surface once and even though she finished third behind two runners signed on here (#2 Smiling Ann and #4 Peaked), her last race shows it’s possible the light bulb is finally turning on. One of two runners for trainer Doug O’Neill that should be considered a contender.

#2 SMILING ANN took eight tries to break her maiden but finally got the job done on January 2, when she beat #5 Solana Wind by a little over a length. She wheeled back in just 14 days and beat allowance company in game fashion, finishing in front of #4 Peaked, #6 War Mocassin, #7 Shari and Everybody Does It, who ran third in a starter allowance race last week. Now ‘Ann will be facing a few new shooters from Southern California while making her third start in five and a half weeks.

#3 TAPPED went off at 1-5 in The Pike Place Dancer Stakes over this surface three starts ago. That day, she raced wide on both turns and was eventually outfinished by #9 Simmy’s Temple, losing by three-quarters of a length. Since then, she has run a respectable fourth in The Starlet (G1) at Los Alamitos and won an allowance race sprinting on the dirt at Santa Anita. Expect her to be ready to roll for the Hall of Fame tag team of Jerry Hollendorfer, who won this race last year with Kiss N Scat, and Alex Solis, who’s up from Southern California to ride this daughter of top North American sire Tapit.

#4 PEAKED broke her maiden at 22-1 three starts ago and proved that race was no fluke with solid in-the-money finishes against allowance company in her two most recent races. That said, she’ll need to turn the tables on #1 Smiling Ann, who beat this gal by a head last time out, and will probably need to run the best race of her life to have a chance of winning.

#5 SOLANA WIND finished right behind #2 Smiling Ann on January 2, her second career start, before coming back four weeks later and beating five fillies in a two-turn event while making her first start under the conditioning of trainer Blaine Wright. This certainly isn’t an easy spot to be facing winners for the first time and even though this ‘capper thinks she’s got some talent, I’m looking elsewhere in this race.

#6 WAR MOCCASIN was super impressive beating #2 Smiling Ann two races ago in a maiden special weight, coming home in quick time while galloping out full of energy. She ran in an allowance race won by the aforementioned rival on January 16, though it’s worth noting ‘Moccasin had to take up in the stretch, while making her move in a tight spot. This ‘capper thinks she didn’t get a chance to show her best that day and with a better trip, there’s reason to believe she might have won. Could do some damage at a price.

#7 SHARI broke her maiden all the way back in July, sprinting five furlongs on dirt. Since that victory, she has finished off the board in three of four races against winners. Looks like one of the runners that will need to pick up the pace to be competitive for an in-the-money placing.

#8 SHEEZA SASSY GIRL won her most recent afternoon appearance, though that race was sprinting five and one-half furlongs against starter allowance company. She’s never raced farther than five and one-half panels and now she faces a significantly tougher level of competition at a longer distance. Her pedigree suggests she’ll be okay going a route of ground, but whether she has the class to compete here is a major question mark.

#9 SIMMY’S TEMPLE is the second runner trained by Doug O’Neill. She was the victor of The Pike Place Dancer Stakes in October, defeating likely race favorite #3 Tapped that afternoon. #9 Simmy’s Temple has finished off the board in two starts since that win, but both efforts came in Southern California against a little bit tougher company. Who knows…maybe this gal is a runner that just really likes to race over synthetic surfaces. She should be taken seriously.

THE PACE: #8 Sheeza Sassy Girl just might be the pacesetter.  She showed some sprint speed in her last start and is also stretching out to two turns for the first time here; these types are typically forwardly placed in their first route race. #3 Tapped has tactical speed; she has been the front-runner in a couple of races but has also shown the ability to rate if need-be. #1 Tap It All is another with tactical speed, but with her inside post position, we can expect her rider, Kyle Frey, to be aggressive and put her close to the pace, if not on the lead.

THE CLASS: Two Southern California invaders, #3 Tapped and #9 Simmy’s Temple, have the most class in this field. #9 Simmy’s Temple is the only stakes winner in the field and #3 Tapped finished fourth in a two-turn Grade 1 race earlier in the winter.

Top Pick: #9 Simmy’s Temple- Pace scenario should shape up well for her

Second Choice: #3 Tapped- The one to beat again

Third Choice: #2 Smiling Ann- Has hit the board in her past 7 starts

Longshot To Consider: #6 War Moccasin- Ran better than looked against our third choice last month

Win bet: #9 Simmy’s Temple

Exacta Box: #3 Tapped and #6 War Moccasin and #9 Simmy’s Temple

Let’s get lucky!