11/28/21 Del Mar Rainbow Pick Six - Results

Race 4 - # 5 Newgrange (Final Odds 2.40) - "C" Selection

Race 5 - # 7 Handy Dandy (25.60) - "C" Selection

Race 6 - # 2 Solo Animo (4.20) - "C" Selection

Race 7 - The Matriarch - # 6 Regal Glory (1.60) - "B" Selection

Race 8 - # 4 Fowler (3.20) - "A" Selection

Race 9 - # 7 Tony Ann (2.70) - "A" Selection

The good news Sunday was that my play finished well.  Indeed, I got my "A" Selections home in each of the last two legs; and neither one was the Post Time Favorite.  But there was no overcoming the putrid beginning; and therefore Sunday was a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Jackpot Pick Six sequence of  5 / 7 / 2 / 6 / 4 / 7  were rewarded with a payout of $10,142.82 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

11/28/21 Del Mar Rainbow Pick Six - Preview

"Success doesn't come to you, you go to it." - Marva Collins

Along with being the final day of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in the USA, Sunday is also the final day of the Fall Meeting at Del Mar, thus making it a mandatory payout day for the Jackpot Pick Six.  So with that let's just get to it, as I take a run at The Rainbow Pick Six at the place Where The Turf Meets The Surf.

RACE 4 - MSW - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Godsend (Morning Line 5-1)

B's

None

C's

# 1 Sense of Dominance (ML 4-1)

# 2 Mo Them Down (ML 3-1)
# 3 Got Thunder (ML 5-2)

# 4 Blue Dog (ML 20-1)

# 5 Newgrange (ML 3-1)

# 6 Moment of Peace (ML 10-1)

These are juveniles, and Godsend is the lone entrant with experience.  Godsend broke well in his debut last time out, and Godsend's workout on November 7 over this main track suggests that Godsend came out of that race well.

And that's it for this leg.  If you're going to single, might as well do it in the opening leg.  So I'm going one deep here, with the backup "C" Selections being everyone else.

RACE 5 - MSW - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 3 Shut Up Michael (Ire) (ML 4-1)

B's

# 1 Dancing Rinca (ML 4-1)

# 11 Breakfast Ride (ML 7-2)

C's

# 2 Wall Street Trader (ML 15-1)

# 4 Sundown Warren (ML 15-1)
# 5 Yogi Boy (ML 15-1)
# 6 Lookout Point (ML 12-1)
# 7 Handy Dandy (ML 15-1)

# 8 Crosby Beach (ML 8-1)

# 9 Torajiro (ML 20-1)

# 10 Facetious (ML 5-1)

# 12 Malibu Mayhem (ML 20-1)

Scratch the Also Eligibles, # 13 La'och Aloysius (ML 6-1) and # 14 Egomania (ML 12-1)

Like the previous contest, these are juveniles; however, there is only one entrant in this field, Torajiro, who is making his debut.

Shut Up Michael (Ire) took the Show in his debut overseas last time out.  Shut Up Michael is out of a Nayef mare, so I doubt that today's distance will create any problems for him.

Dancing Rinca took the Show at this class level last time out while disappointing as the Post Time Favorite.  Breakfast Ride likewise took the Show at this class level last time out, albeit while competing on the dirt.  As Breakfast Ride was sired by Distorted Humor, I expect him to do well on the turf.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 6 - Alw 50000s N2L - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Big Scott Daddy (ML 3-1)

B’s

# 3 Cosmo (ML 5-2)

# 4 No Hang Charlie (ML 5-1)

C's

# 1 Me B Bubba T (ML 8-1)

# 2 Solo Animo (ML 4-1)

# 6 Perfecto Amor (ML 6-1)

# 7 Holden the Lute (ML 6-1)

Note for future reference that this contest is for runners which have won fewer than two races in their career; no exceptions.  For some reason, that information is often not including in the running lines of the Past Performances.

Big Scott Daddy took the Show at this class level last time out while disappointing as the Post Time Favorite.  Cosmo goes first off the claim for Trainer Doug O'Neill, who tends to do well with such.

No Hang Charlie graduated last time out by a wide enough margin to suggest that he can handle the class jump.  In addition, No Hang Charlie is trained by Richard Baltas, who tends to do well when placing his last out maiden winners.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - (F) The Matriarch (Grade 1) - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 3 Viadera (GB) (ML 5-2)

B's

# 1 Princess Grace (ML 8-5)

# 5 Zofelle (Ire) (ML 5-1)

# 6 Regal Glory (ML 9-5)

C's

# 2 Bodhicitta (GB) (ML 12-1)

# 4 Fast Jet Court (Brz) (ML 20-1)

Viadera (GB) and Regal Glory are the Chad Brown trained entrants.  I give the edge to Viadera as she is the defending champ, having won the 2020 running of this event.  

Zofelle (Ire) and Princess Grace filled out the bottom two rungs of the Trifecta in the Grade 2 Goldikova last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 8 - [S] Md $50k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Fowler Blue (ML 2-1)

B's

None

C's

# 1 Vanisky (ML 15-1)

# 3 Mr Bug Z (ML 15-1)

# 5 Dadstar (ML 12-1)

# 6 Heaven's Music (ML 5-2)

# 8 Indio Mo Mo (ML 5-1)

# 9 Tribute to Afleet (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 2 Eye Candy Randy (ML 20-1) and # 7 Blessed Brother (ML 6-1)

More juveniles!  Though, with the scratch of Blessed Brother, all runners that will be leaving the gate in this contest have done so before.

Fowler Blue drops in for a tag for the first time, and Fowler Blue should benefit from the return to one turn racing.  And that's it for me in this leg. The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - (F) OC 40k/N1X - Nine Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 7 Tony Ann (ML 7-2)

B’s

# 2 Hollywood Girl (ML 6-1)

# 5 Zydeco Mama (ML 6-1)

# 8 Kleen Karma (ML 10-1)

# 10 So Much Happy (ML 8-1)

# 11 Rose's Crystal (ML 8-1)

# 13 Unicorn (ML 6-1)

C's

# 1 Met in Miami  (ML 8-1)

# 3 Charges Dropped (ML 6-1)

# 6 Frose (ML 30-1)

# 9 Resarcio (ML 30-1)

# 12 Jimmyssmokedcarrot (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 4 Lady Noguez (ML 30-1)

For those curious, Unicorn, who drew in off the Also Eligible List, will be the only runner leaving the gate in this field with a price tag on her head.

Tony Ann competes against winners for the first time in her career; but Tony Ann graduated in a convincing manner last time out, and Trainer Phil D'Amato tends to do well when placing his last out maiden winners.

Hollywood Girl missed the winner's circle by just a nose the last time that she competed at today's distance at this class level.  Kleen Karma missed victory by just a neck at this approximate class level last time out, with Zydeco Mama taking the Show just a half length behind her.

So Much Happy goes first off the claim for Trainer Howey Quinn, who tends to do well with such.  Expect So Much Happy to be prominent early.

Rose's Crystal took the Show at this class level last time out.  Unicorn was a winner at this class level two starts back.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P6: 7 with 3 with 5 with 3 with 4 with 7 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P6: 7 with 1,3,11 with 3,4,5 with 1,3,5,6 with 4 with 2,5,7,8,10,11,13 $50.40

A's with One C

$0.20 P6: 1,2,3,4,5,6 with 3 with 5 with 3 with 4 with 7 $1.20

$0.20 P6: 7 with 2,4,5,6,7,8,9.10,12 with 5 with 3 with 4 with 7 $1.80

$0.20 P6: 7 with 3 with 1,2,6,7 with 3 with 4 with 7 $0.80

$0.20 P6: 7 with 3 with 5 with 2,4 with 4 with 7 $0.40

$0.20 P6: 7 with 3 with 5 with 3 with 1,3,5,6,8,9 with 7 $1.20

$0.20 P6: 7 with 3 with 5 with 3 with 4 with 1,3,6,9,12 $1.00

Total: $57.80

Post Time for Race 4 is 5:02 EST / 2:02 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

11/25/21 Del Mar Late Pick Four - Results

Race 5 - # 7 Win Often (Final Odds 4.40) - "B" Selection

Race 6 - The Red Carpet - # 3 Neige Blanche (Fr) (11.40) - "C" Selection

Race 7 - # 5 Con On The Run (2.10*) - "B" Selection

Race 8 - # 6 Offlee Naughty (3.40) - "C" Selection

I suspected that # 2 Luck (0.30*) was a vulnerable favorite in the Red Carpet, Thursday's feature race at Del Mar.  Indeed, I suspected it enough that I went three deep on my main ticket in that leg.  Unfortunately for me, three deep wasn't deep enough, as Neige Blance (Fr) was not among my chosen trio; thus making Thursday a day for me to contribute instead of cash.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  7 / 3 / 5 / 6  were rewarded with a payout of $903.10 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

11/25/21 Del Mar Late Pick Four - Preview

“If we magnified blessings as much as we magnify disappointments, we’d all be much happier.” - John Wooden

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  And to those outside the United States, Happy Thursday!  No matter where you are, hopefully today you will make time to count your blessings; and, when the final race is over, hopefully you'll find yourself counting your winnings as well.  So with that let's get to it, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at the place Where The Turf Meets The Surf.

RACE 5 - (F) Clm $20k N3L - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Morning Addiction (Morning Line 8-1)

B’s

# 3 Flat Out Joy (ML 3-1)

# 7 Win Often (ML 6-1)

C's

# 2 Majestic Gigi (ML 3-1)

# 4 Royal Blend (ML 8-1)

# 5 Elgofranco (ML 5-2)

# 6 Bella Renella (ML 6-1)

For those who note such things, Royal Blend is racing above her conditions in this contest, as Royal Blend has visited the winner's circle just once in her ten race career.

Morning Addiction should benefit from the class relief as well as the turnback in distance.  Flat Out Joy has run well in the past over this main track, and Flat Out Joy will again have the services of Jockey Abel Cedillo, who rode Flat Out Joy the last time that she got her picture taken.

Win Often took the Show at this class level over this main track back in August, and Win Often just might be the one running best late.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 6 - (F) The Red Carpet (Grade 3) - Eleven Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 2 Luck (ML 4-5)

B's

# 4 Single Soul (GB) (ML 10-1)

# 5 Nicest (Ire) (ML 8-1)

C's

# 1 England's Rose (ML 5-2)

# 3 Neige Blanche (Fr) (ML 7-2)

Luck missed victory by just a head in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive last time out, and Luck could benefit from the added real estate here.  Single Soul (GB) could be the one leading the pack through most of the early running, as there really isn't much speed to be found in this field.

Nicest (Ire) may run more to her overseas form now that she'll be competing on firmer turf than that which was under her hooves in her North American debut.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - Md $50k - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Katonah (ML 2-1)

B's

# 5 Con On the Run (ML 5-2)
# 7 El Potente (ML 12-1)

C's

# 1 Big Swede (ML 6-1)

# 2 King Apollo (ML 6-1)
# 3 The Key Is Unity (ML 5-1)

# 6 Explain This Audit (ML 10-1)

# 8 Hannigan (ML 12-1)

Katonah drops into the claiming ranks for the first time in his career.  Katonah should also benefit from the return to one turn racing.  Con On the Run took the Show at this class level last time out.

El Potente showed good early foot on the grass against non-Claiming Maidens in his debut last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 8 - OC 40k/N1X - Eleven Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 K P All Systems Go (ML 8-1)

B’s

# 2 Cleopatra's Strike (ML 7-2)

# 5 Jimmy P (ML 6-1)

# 11 First Premio (ML 6-1)

C's

# 3 Tropical Terror (ML 12-1)

# 6 Offlee Naughty (ML 6-1)

# 7 Berolijean (Fr) (ML 15-1)

# 8 Burnin Turf (ML 6-1)

# 12 Big Buzz (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 4 Mongolian Wind (ML 30-1); # 9 Never Seen Before (Ire) (ML 30-1); and # 10 Levluv (ML 5-1)

For those who wish to know, K P All Systems Go, Cleopatra's Strike, First Premio, and Big Buzz are the runners in this field that will be leaving the gate with the $40k price tag on their head.

K P All Systems Go should benefit from the class drop.  Cleopatra's Strike took the Place at this approximate class level last time out.  Jimmy P looks overmatched; but, you gotta figure that Trainer Graham Motion had a reason for shipping him here from the east coast.

First Premio could benefit from a cleaner trip.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1 with 2 with 4 with 1 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,3,7 with 2,4,5 with 4,5,7 with 1,2,5,11 $54.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,4,5,6 with 2 with 4 with 1 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 1 with 1,3 with 4 with 1 $1.00

$0.50 P4: 1 with 2 with 1,2,3,6,8 with 1 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 1 with 2 with 4 with 3,6,7,8,12 $2.50

Total: $63.00

Post Time for Race 5 is 4:02 EST / 1:02 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

11/6/21 Del Mar All BC Late Pick Four - Results

Race 9 - The BC Mile - # 3 Space Blues (Ire) (Final Odds 2.10*) - "A" Selection

Race 10 - The BC Distaff - # 10 Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (49.90) - "C" Selection

Race 11 - The BC Turf - # 10 Yibir (GB) (8.50) - "C" Selection

Race 12 - The BC Classic - # 5 Knicks Go (3.20) - "B" Selection

My play certainly started well enough.  And I can't complain about how it ended.  But in-between?  Not much good that I can say.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct All Breeders' Cup Late Pick Four sequence of  3 / 10 / 10 / 5  were rewarded with a payout of $4,403.95 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

11/6/21 Del Mar All BC Late Pick Four - Preview

"Expect problems and eat them for breakfast." - Alfred A. Montapert

Breathe.  Relax.  And remember what I wrote yesterday: HAVE FUN!  So with those instructions to guide us as we head into Day 2 of the Breeders' Cup let's get to it, as I take another run at an all Breeders' Cup Late Pick Four at Del Mar.

RACE 9 - The Breeders' Cup Mile (Grade 1) - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 3 Space Blues (Ire) (Morning Line 3-1)

B's

# 2 Smooth Like Strait (ML 10-1)

# 6 Mo Forza (ML 5-1)

# 9 Mother Earth (Ire) (ML 8-1)

# 12 Pearls Galore (Fr) (ML 12-1)

C's

# 1 Master of The Seas (Ire) (ML 12-1)

# 4 Raging Bull (Fr) (ML 15-1)

# 5 Vin de Garde (Jpn) (ML 20-1)

# 7 In Love (ML 8-1)

# 10 Blowout (GB) (ML 8-1)

# 11 Got Stormy (ML 10-1)

# 13 Casa Creed (ML 15-1)

# 14 Ivar (Brz) (ML 12-1)

# 15 Real Appeal (Ger) (ML 15-1)

Scratch # 8 Hit the Road (ML 15-1) and # 16 Queen Supreme (Ire) (ML 30-1)

Space Blues (Ire) appears to be in top form, defeating high quality competition in each of his last two contests overseas.  Smooth Like Strait projects to be up on the pace early, and will almost certainly be doing so with a rail trip.

Mo Forza, winner of eight of his last nine contests, has shown a definite affinity for this turf course.  Mother Earth (Ire) could benefit from the firmer sod here in the States, and Mother Earth just might be the one running best late.

Pearls Galore (Fr), two back of Space Blues at the wire last time out, could move up with the increase in distance.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 10 - (F) The Breeders' Cup Distaff (Grade 1) - Nine Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Letruska (ML 8-5)

B's

# 2 Royal Flag (ML 8-1)

# 8 Shedaresthedevil (ML 4-1)

C's

# 1 Private Mission (ML 8-1)

# 3 Malathaat (ML 4-1)

# 4 Blue Stripe (Arg) (ML 30-1)

# 5 Clairiere (ML 12-1)

# 7 Horologist (ML 30-1)

# 9 As Time Goes By (ML 15-1)

# 10 Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (ML 30-1)

# 11 Dunbar Road (ML 15-1)

A strong case could be made for making Letruska a big ticket single in this leg.  But I'm not totally convinced that Letruska will be in top form today considering the workload that she has shouldered this year.  Mind you, I think she will; but not to the point where I will be using Letruska solo in this contest.

If you want to look at this event as a pace contest, I expect Letruska to be among the frontrunners, Shedaresthedevil to be pressing the leaders, and Royal Flag to be the one running best late.  In my opinion, whichever one of those three does the best job of running true to their style will be the one getting their picture taken when this race is over.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 11 - The Breeders' Cup Turf (Grade 1) - Twelve Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 13 Tarnawa (Ire) (ML 9-5)

B's

# 7 Walton Street (GB) (ML 8-1)

# 8 Broome (Ire) (ML 20-1)

C's

# 1 Rockemperor (Ire) (ML 15-1)

# 4 Astronaut (ML 20-1)

# 5 Tribhuvan (Fr) (ML 20-1)

# 6 Acclimate (ML 20-1)

# 9 Sisfahan (Fr) (ML 12-1)

# 10 Yibir (GB) (ML 12-1)

# 11 Gufo (ML 8-1)

# 12 Teona (Ire) (ML 6-1)

# 14 Japan (GB) (ML 20-1)

# 15 Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (ML 15-1)

# 16 Channel Maker (ML 20-1)

Scratch # 2 United (ML 20-1); # 3 Domestic Spending (GB) (ML 4-1); # 17 Mogul (GB) (ML 30-1); and # 18 Friar's Road (ML 30-1)

Tarnawa (Ire) is the defending champ for this event, and Tarnawa looks to be best yet again.  The only concern I have with Tarnawa is that she managed to miss the winner's circle in each of her last two contests, suggesting that Tarnawa may not be in top form.

Walton Street (GB) was such a convincing winner of the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine last time out that I believe Walton Street deserves consideration here.  Toss out Broome's (Ire) last race; I expect a much better effort today.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 12 - The Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) - Ten Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Essential Quality (ML 3-1)

B's

# 3 Hot Rod Charlie (ML 4-1)

# 5 Knicks Go (ML 5-2)

# 8 Medina Spirit (ML 4-1)

C's

# 1 Tripoli (ML 15-1)

# 6 Art Collector (ML 8-1)
# 7 Stilleto Boy (ML 30-1)

# 9 Max Player (ML 8-1)

Scratch # 2 Express Train (ML 20-1)

I don't think there's much of anything that I can tell you about any of these runners that you don't already know.  Were it not for the equipment change, Hot Rod Charlie would be my top pick here.  Indeed, if I were a braver man, I would probably make Hot Rod Charlie a backup "C" Selection, as I am most definitely not a huge fan of trainers adding or removing blinkers right before the biggest race of the year.  But Hot Rod Charlie has won in the past with the hood on, so we'll see.

Turn back the distance to nine furlongs and Knicks Go would be my "A" Selection for this leg.  Yeah, Knicks Go should be able to handle a mile and a quarter; but, then again, maybe not.

Medina Spirit is the only horse to have ever beaten Essential Quality, having done so in the Kentucky Derby; for which, incidentally, Medina Spirit has yet to be disqualified.  So of these four main contenders I've put Essential Quality on top; the other three as "B" Selections; and all others as backup "C" Selections.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 3 with 6 with 13 with 4 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 2,3,6,9,12 with 2,6,8 with 7,8,13 with 3,4,5,8 $90.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1,4,5,7,10,11,13,14,15 with 6 with 13 with 4 $4.50

$0.50 P4: 3 with 1,3,4,5,7,9,10,11 with 13 with 4 $4.00

$0.50 P4: 3 with 6 with 1,4,5,6,9,10,11,12,14,15,16 with 4 $5.50

$0.50 P4: 3 with 6 with 13 with 1,6,7,9 $2.00

Total: $107.00

Post Time for Race 9 is 6:20 EDT / 3:20 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

11/5/21 Del Mar All BC Late Pick Four - Results

Race 7 - The BC Juvenile Fillies - # 6 Echo Zulu (Final Odds 0.80*) - "A" Selection

Race 8 - The BC Juvenile Fillies Turf - # 1 Pizza Bianca (9.90) - "B" Selection

Race 9 - The BC Juvenile - # 12 Corniche (1.40*) - "A" Selection

Race 10 - The BC Juvenile Turf - # 4 Tiz the Bomb (7.80) - "C" Selection

In was can only be described as (bad) racing luck, prior to the start of the nightcap, # 2 Albahr (GB) flailed about in the starting gate; so much so that Albahr wound up getting himself caught under the gate.  Thank the good Lord, both Albahr and Jockey Frankie Dettori are okay; and while an assistant starter was injured during the rumpus, the assistant starter was able to walk off the track to the ambulance to receive medical treatment (as I type this there has been no further update on the assistant starter's condition).

During the hullabaloo, my "A" Selection for Race 10, # 1 Modern Games (GB) was inadvertently scratched by the stewards.  Since this year's Breeders' Cup races are being run at Del Mar, they are subject to the rules of the California Horse Racing Board.  CHRB Rule 1974 B states: “If a horse is removed from the wagering pool due to a totalizator error, or due to any other error, and neither the trainer nor the owner is at fault, the horse shall start in the race as a non-wagering interest for the purse only and shall be disregarded for pari-mutuel purposes.”

So because he was scratched in error, my "A" Selection Modern Games ran for purse money only.  And because he was much the best, Modern Games easily won the BC Juvenile Turf.  Which, unfortunately, was of no matter to my play; because, as far as wagering was concerned, Modern Games was scratched.  In place of Modern Games (and Albahr, who had also been on my ticket) I received the Post Time Favorite # 3 Dakota Gold (2.70*), who crossed under the wire fifth (officially fourth in the wagering, as, again, Modern Games was running for purse money only).

Had Modern Games not been inadvertently scratched, I hit the Late Pick Four.  For that matter, had my "A" Selection in Race 8, # 12 Malavanth (Ire) (17.70) been a half length quicker in getting under the wire, I would have hit the Late Pick Four.

And so it goes.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct All BC Late Pick Four sequence of  6 / 1 / 12 / 4  were rewarded with a payout of $419.25 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

11/5/21 Del Mar All BC Late Pick Four - Preview

“That’s what makes [horse racing] so special, what you’ve done previously doesn’t do anything for you on race day.  You have to do it again and you've got to be ready to do it again and I think that’s what makes it so exciting and gives everybody a chance.” - Steve Asmussen

It's that time of year, again; it's The Breeders' Cup, the horse player's Super Bowl, the handicapper's World Series; and it kicks off today, with Future Stars Friday.  So before I give any of my selections, allow me please to give you the most important tip of all: HAVE FUN.  These are ours days; so let's enjoy them.

As to any general handicapping tips: keep in mind that these are the best horses in each of their respective categories.  So no matter which runner(s) you land on in any specific event, you're landing on a good horse.  Conversely, unless you plan on going "ALL" in each leg, you're going to have to eliminate good horses from your tickets.  So with all that let's get to it, as I take a run at an all Breeders' Cup Pick Four at Del Mar.

RACE 7 - (F) The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Echo Zulo (Morning Line 4-5)

B's

# 5 Juju's Map (ML 5-2)

C's

# 1 Desert Dawn (ML 20-1)
# 2 Hidden Connection (ML 5-2)

# 3 Sequist (ML 15-1)

# 4 Tarabi (ML 12-1)

Echo Zulo has done pretty much anything she wanted in each of her three career starts, including a pair of Grade 1 victories.  I may later regret not making Echo Zulo a big ticket single in this leg; but I chose to double to cost of my main ticket by including Juju's Map.

Juju's Map has a Grade 1 victory of her own, and Juju's Map has already proven that she can win going around two turns.  Finally, Juju's Map has shown that she can win without getting the early lead.  So it's two deep for me in this contest, with the rest of the field being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 8 - (F) The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 1) - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 12 Malvath (Ire) (ML 8-1)

B's

# 1 Pizza Bianca (ML 5-1)

# 5 Bubble Rock (ML 8-1)

# 6 Hello You (Ire) (ML 10-1)

# 9 Koala Princess (ML 6-1)

# 13 Mise En Scene (GB) (ML 6-1)

C's

# 2 Cairo Memories (ML 12-1)

# 3 Cachet (Ire) (ML 12-1)

# 4 Turnerloose (ML 12-1)

# 7 Consumer Spending (ML 8-1)

# 8 Sail By (ML 20-1)

# 10 Helens Well (Ire) (ML 30-1)

# 11 Haughty (ML 10-1)

# 14 California Angel (ML 8-1)

They're fillies, they're juveniles, and they're on the grass; so, yeah, pretty much anything can happen here.

Malvath (Ire), a Group Stakes winner in France, has shown steady improvement in each of her four career starts.  I think Malvath has the breeding to get the distance, and I think Malvath has the tactical speed to extract herself from any traffic jams that she might find herself in.  But, again, this is a race where chaos could reign, so I'm going pretty deep in this leg.

Pizza Bianca could be the one running best late; and, with the rail drawn, it's fair to presume that Pizza Bianca will be getting a ground saving trip.  Bubble Rock is one that I was on the fence about using; but ultimately I decided to put this Brad Cox trainee on the main ticket because I like using runners on the Del Mar grass that have Giant's Causeway in their bloodlines.

Hello You (Ire) should handle the stretch out well.  Koala Princess fits well here with the contenders, though I would not be surprised to see Koala Princess having greater success competing on the main track in her three year old season.

Mise En Scene (GB) moved too soon last time out; perhaps having Oisin Murphy back in the saddle will help Mise En Scene improve over that performance.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - The Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade 1) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 12 Corniche (ML 5-2)

B's

# 2 Jasper Great (ML 15-1)

# 4 Pappacap (ML 15-1)

C's

# 3 Oviatt Class (ML 20-1)

# 5 Double Thunder (ML 20-1)
# 6 American Sanctuary (ML 30-1)
# 7 Giant Game (ML 30-1)

# 8 Barossa (ML 10-1)
# 9 Pinehurst (ML 8-1)

# 10 Commandperformance (ML 5-1)
# 11 Tough to Tame (ML 30-1)

Scratch # 1 Jack's Christopher (ML 9-5)

Needless to say, the analysis of a race changes significantly when the Morning Line Favorite is scratched.  This is one that is especially disappointing to me, as I was looking forward to playing against Jack Christopher.  Conversely, it may be for the best that I now know for certain that Jack Christopher can't beat me today.

Corniche, trained by Bob Baffert, has done nothing wrong so far in his two race career.  Corniche should probably be a big ticket single here; but the far outside draw has made me more than just a little bit wary.

Jasper Great was a convincing winner in his debut, and at a price to boot.  Jasper Great is out of a Wild Again mare, a bit of breeding that just might give Jasper Great the edge here.

Pappacap took the Place being Corniche in the Grade 1 American Pharoah last time out.  Perhaps the better draw as well as the change in venue will give Pappacap the edge today.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 10 - The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1) - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Modern Games (Ire) (ML 5-1)

B's

# 2 Albahr (GB) (ML 6-1)

# 3 Dakota Gold (ML 8-1)

# 8 Glounthaune (Ire) (ML 12-1)

# 10 Portfolio Company (ML 6-1)

# 14 Dubawi Legend (Ire) (ML 4-1)

C's

# 4 Tiz the Bomb (ML 8-1)

# 5 Slipstream (ML 12-1)

# 6 Mackinnon (ML 8-1)

# 7 Great Max (Ire) (ML 20-1)

# 9 Stolen Bases (ML 20-1)

# 11 Grafton Street (ML 15-1)

# 12 Credibility (ML 30-1)
# 13 Coinage (ML 15-1)

Scratch the Also Eligibles; # 15 Ready to Purrform (ML 20-1) and # 16 Detroit City (ML 30-1)

Modern Games (Ire) misses by less than a length of entering this contest with a four race winning streak.  I expect Modern Games to be prominent early, and make good use of the rail draw.

Albahr (GB) did quite well for himself in his North American debut last time out, easily winning the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine.  By the way, and this is just my opinion, of course, but it's long overdue for Woodbine to be the host track for the Breeders' Cup again.  Dakota Gold did well enough in his turf debut last time out that I think Dakota Gold can handle the more distinguished competition that he will be facing here.

Glounthaune (Ire) should do well with the additional real estate.  Portfolio Company can be expected to be close up to the pace early.  Dubawi Legend (Ire) has handled himself well against high quality competition.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 6 with 12 with 12 with 1 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 5,6 with 1,5,6,9,12,13 with 2,4,12 with 1,2,3,8,10,14 $108.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1,2,3,4 with 12 with 12 with 1 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 2,3,4,7,8,10,11,14 with 12 with 1 $4.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 12 with 3,5,6,7,8,910,11 with 1 $4.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 12 with 12 with 4,5,6,7,9,11,12,13 $4.00

Total: $123.00

Post Time for Race 7 is 6:30 EDT / 3:30 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo