Horse racing newsletter: Cal Cup day at Santa Anita

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we remember the life of Bruce Headley.

It’s a pretty big day for Cal-breds (and whenever I use that term, I also mean Cal-sired) with Saturday’s Cal Cup at Santa Anita. I believe I just set a personal record for most uses of the word “Cal” in one sentence. But before we get to that, let’s get to some good news for California racing.

Led by TVG, a couple of the ADWs have come to an agreement whereby more purse money will be put into California race purses. A Wednesday news release by the Thoroughbred Owners of California, which was long on self-congratulatory quotes but short on facts, said that $15 million will be put into California purses this year and next.

TVG, Xpressbet, NYRA Bets and some other smaller ADWs agreed to alter its hub fees and have that money funnel into purses.

TVG seemed to be the major player in forging this new agreement. The one big ADW that didn’t want to participate ... well, do you need to ask? Of course, it was TwinSpires, otherwise known as Churchill Downs.

Those fees are going to arbitration. Interestingly, CDI (Churchill Downs Inc.) has most of its contracts with receiving entities expire near the end of April. Wonder why?

Kip Levin, CEO of TVG, had the smartest and most on-point quote in the release saying, “California racing has always been very important to TVG.… We feel the right strategy is to partner with the stakeholders to further strengthen what has always been a premier racing circuit in the United States.”

In fact, TVG takes in 60% to 65% of the ADW handle in California, according to a TVG spokesman.

The quotes by Craig Fravel, of the Stronach Group, and Josh Rubinstein, of Del Mar, were so obviously written by people who don’t understand what the point of the release was but instead were more interested in selling the brand. No doubt, both executives are red-faced about these shameless self-promotional quotes, at least after reading this, if they do. You can read the release here.

(Yes, I know you don’t care about these things. But, for 15 years, I taught a graduate-level class at the University of Central Florida where future sports executives were taught how to manage and manipulate the media. If I hadn’t retired last year, this would be worth a lesson, and I don’t mean that in a good way.)

Now, I’m getting lost in the overall message, which I should be criticized for. Bottom line, this move is good for California racing.

Bruce Headley, RIP

Veteran trainer Bruce Headley died on Friday morning in Arcadia. He was 86. Perhaps his best horse was Kona Gold, who won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He had many other good horses and gained a reputation as one of those trainers who could get the most out of a horse. To learn more about Headley, check out this obituary by Mike Willman of Santa Anita. Just click here.

Santa Anita review

The feature race on Friday was an allowance/optional claimer for horses going a mile on the turf. Sombeyay, the heavy favorite, went gate-to-wire in winning by 1 ¼ lengths.

If I were teaching a class in race calling, I would pull up this one by Frank Mirahmadi on how to take a race where nothing happens and little changes and make it sound interesting. You’ve heard about diagramming sentences — well, Frank broke this race up into parts and made each part sound interesting, and if you listen in total, it all fits together like a jigsaw puzzle. I’m guessing he didn’t notice the call as anything special and didn’t give it a second thought, because it is just instinctual. But he made an incredibly boring race worth watching. Go back and watch.

Sombeyay paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.20. Tiz Plus was second, followed by Ohio, the Black Album, Musawaat and Manhattan Up. Peter Miller was the winning trainer and Flavien Prat was the jockey.

Santa Anita preview

It’s a 10-race card starting at noon with five stakes races on this Cal Cup day. Four of the 10 races are on the turf. And — did we mention? — all the races involve Cal-breds, so we won’t mention that again. There are five stakes races, all ungraded. Let’s preview.

$150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare turf sprint: This one goes six furlongs on the turf. Warren’s Showtime is the 5-2 favorite for trainer Craig Lewis and jockey Juan Hernandez. She has won six-of-15 lifetime and is coming off a third in the Lady Shamrock on Dec. 26. Mo See Call is the 3-1 second choice for Peter Miller and Umberto Rispoli. She won the Betty Grable at Del Mar on Nov. 8. Post is around 1:30 p.m.

$200,000 Cal Cup Oaks: The name tells you all you need to know except the distance, which is a mile on the turf. Closing Remarks is the 5-2 choice in this one-mile turf race for Carla Gaines and Rispoli. She won her first race and finished 10th last out in the Jimmy Durante, her third race. Stablemate Sensible Cat is the 3-1 second choice with Mike Smith as the jockey. She has won two of three including the Soviet Problem at Los Alamitos last out. Post is scheduled for 2:33 p.m.

$200,000 Cal Cup Derby: This is the colt and gelding version of the Oaks except it is 1 1/16 on the dirt. The Chosen Vron is the 8-5 favorite for Eric Kruljac and Joel Rosario. He won his only race by 6 ¾ lengths. Good With People is the 7-2 second choice for Miller and Ricardo Gonzalez. He has won three of six races including two minor stakes. Post is set for 3:05 p.m.

$200 Unusual Heat Turf Classic: Acclimate is the 5-2 favorite in this 1 1/8 mile turf race. He has won six of 19 races and is running for Phil D’Amato and Tyler Baze. He only raced once in 2020 after finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2019. He has won six-of-19 lifetime. The second choice, at 4-1, is Ward ‘n Jerry for Mike Puype and Flavien Prat. He won the Grade 3 San Luis Rey in March of last year but didn’t win in four races. The race is set for 3:37 p.m.

$150,000 California Cup Sprint: This one is for older horses going six furlongs on the dirt. Fashionable Fast is the 5-2 favorite for Dean Pederson and Tiago Pereira. He has won seven of 18 and won six in a row from Aug., 2019 until March, 2020. Loud Mouth is the 3-1 second choice for Steve Knapp and Abel Cedillo. He has won six of 22 and has won two in a row including the Cary Grant at Del Mar. It’s got a 4:09 post.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 11, 8, 9, 9, 13, 10, 9, 11, 11,12 (2 also eligible).

Ciaran Thornton’s SA pick of the day

FIRST RACE: No. 4 Afternoon Heat (12-1)

Afternoon Heat, at 12-1, looks like a great value play to start the Saturday card off with. This horse has the top back speed rating and the best closing kick off all in here. Last out first off the bench jockey Tyle Baze came too late to run third, missing by three lengths. Before this horse hit the bench in March, his previous six races saw a 2-2-2 record. Second start off the layoff ‘Heat may be ready to return to those winning ways!

Friday’s result: Bang for Your Buck was exactly that going off at 10-1 and paying $23.60 for the win. Buck sat at the back of the pack and into the turn, Victor Espinoza timed it perfect and let Buck free to win on the line.

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

I don’t know about you, but I’ve missed Matt Dinerman. Well, he’s back and we’ve got him. We resume our weekly look at the best racing going on at Golden Gate Fields. The genial race caller is the host for our weekly previews and other musings. So, take it away, Matt.

“Live racing returned to Golden Gate Fields on Friday afternoon and now we have Saturday’s 10-race program beginning at 12:15 p.m., while the Sunday and Monday cards kick off at the usual 12:45 p.m.

“Saturday’s feature is the ninth, an allowance, which is also the second leg of the Golden Hour Pick 4. Square Peggy, who has terrific recent form since joining the Quinn Howey barn, figures to get the most support in the wagering. The Jamey Thomas-trained Galileta, ridden by Golden Gate newcomer Assael Espinoza, has always been well regarded and makes her first start off a 4 ½-month layoff. She’s likely to be forwardly placed with the wicked quick Lotsa Pepper, who has won at this level once before. Impressive maiden winner Perfect Stories, consistent mare Sing in The Wind and the hard-knocking Dr. Wysong all should be tabbed as major contenders in what appears as a contentious race.

“Sunday’s feature is an allowance for colts and geldings. The well-regarded Piston has been training sharply in preparation for his return to the races. The Kentucky-bred is a half sibling to multiple Grade 3 winner Mr. Bowling and broke his maiden in his career debut. After taking some time off, the son of Istan is well spotted for a competitive run and may be one to watch for as 2021 progresses. Others that appear as major players in the race: synthetic specialist Ready For a Fight, Emerald Downs stakes horse Makah Lane and the newly turned 4-year-old Slam Dunk Sermon.

“The winter/spring meet runs through Sunday, June 13. There are 12 stakes on the schedule this meet, including six on Saturday, April 24 and another two on Sunday, April 25. The headliner on the 24th is also the marquee event of the meet, the Grade 3 $250,000 San Francisco Mile. The El Camino Real Derby, a $100,000 race for 3-year-olds on Tapeta, will be run on Saturday, Feb. 13. The winner of the El Camino Real earns 10 Kentucky Derby points and a free berth into the Preakness.”

Big races preview

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

10:53 Laurel (4): $100,000 Fire Plug Stakes, 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Share the Ride (9-5)

11:00 Fair Grounds (3): $100,000 Duncan F. Kenner Stakes, 4 and up, 5 ½ furlongs on turf. Favorite: Archidust (7-2)

11:36 Tampa Bay (6): $125,000 Gasparilla Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Feeling Mischief (2-1)

11:53 Laurel (6): $100,000 What a Summer Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Hello Beautiful (1-1)

12:07 Tampa Bay (7): $125,000 Pasco Stakes, 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Nova Rags (2-1)

12:23 Laurel (7): $100,000 Xtra Heat Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Street Lute (1-1)

12:50 Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Franklin Square Stakes, NY-bred fillies 3-years-old, 6 ½ furlongs. Favorite: Laobanonaprayer (6-5)

12:53 Laurel (8): $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes, 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Maythehorsebwithu (3-1)

1:30 Santa Anita (4): $150,000 Sunshine Millions Fillies and Mares Turf Sprint, Cal-bred fillies and mares 4 and up, 6 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Warren’s Showtime (5-2)

1:54 Fair Grounds (9): $100,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Dalika (2-1)

2:23 Fair Grounds (10): Grade 3 $125,000 Louisiana Stakes, 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Wells Bayou (3-1)

2:33 Santa Anita (6): $200,000 California Cup Oaks, Cal-bred fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Closing Remarks (5-2)

2:52 Fair Grounds (11): $125,000 Colonel E.R. Bradley Stakes, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Spectacular Gem (7-2)

3:05 Santa Anita (7): $200,000 California Cup Derby, Cal-bred 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: The Chosen Vron (8-5)

3:20 Fair Grounds (12): $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile and 70 yards. Favorite: Sun Path (2-1)

3:37 Santa Anita (8): $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes, Cal-breds 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Acclimate (5-2)

3:49 Fair Grounds (13): Grade 3 $200,000 Lecompte Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Mandaloun (3-1)

4:09 Santa Anita (9): $150,000 California Cup Sprint Stakes, Cal-breds 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Fashionably Fast (5-2)

Chris Wade’s LA pick of the day

FOURTH RACE: No. 1 Copper Cowgirl (7-2)

She finished a solid second 28 nights ago when beaten by a nose despite a tough journey along the way. In said effort, the 6-year-old leaned back at the start to lose multiple lengths of ground and any semblance of early momentum. After the tough getaway, the hard knocker settled into a nice stride down the backstretch while saving ground throughout when finally angling out for clearance inside the 1/16th pole and flying late for the barely beaten runner-up position. The figure earned from that affair is very competitive for Saturday’s endeavor and there is at least three opponents that need the lead, which should set up the race nicely for Copper Cowgirl’s late running style.

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