May, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Monday’s Insights: Pricey Fillies Square Off at Santa Anita

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

5th-SA, $61k, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2fT, 6:14p.m.
LNJ Foxwoods' SPEEDCUBER (War Front), a $525,000 KEENOV weanling, makes her debut for trainer Richard Baltas. She is a daughter of Drifting Cube (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), a full-sister to multiple group winner Rubick (Aus). Also debuting is Tommy Town Thoroughbreds' What a Feeling (Medaglia d'Oro). The $700,000 KEESEP yearling is trained by Jonathan Wong, who also saddles fellow Tommy Town firster The Pharoah's Girl (American Pharoah), a $330,000 KEESEP yearling purchase. TJCIS PPs

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Vercruysse, Lugo To Host Paddock Show During Arizona Downs Meet

The return of horse racing at Arizona Downs gets an added dose of excitement with longtime racing analyst Aaron Vercruysse agreeing to serve as paddock host during the 2021 summer race season.

Vercruysse hosts the nationally syndicated “Post Time Radio” show and previously served as the on-air host and race analyst at Santa Anita Park in California. The University of Arizona graduate will be joined as the track's paddock host by current U of A student and Arizona Downs intern Giselle Lugo.

“I am such a big fan of Arizona Downs and what this track means for the future of Arizona horse racing, I was ecstatic when I was asked to do this,” Vercruysse said. “I'm very happy and excited to be part of the return of racing here.”

Vercruysse, who began his horse racing career as an intern with the Stronach Group and rose to the executive ranks, said he was also drawn to the position thanks to the role of track general manager Mike Weiss, a longtime supporter of the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program. That relationship resulted in Lugo landing an internship with the track. An Arizona native, she is an animal science and law major who is on the Dean's List and previously served in an internship at Rillito Park in Tucson.

“The work Mike does with the school is such a positive influence and this is a way to give back,” he said. “It's important for these students to get hands-on experience and learn the industry as they find what it is they want to do.”

Verycruysse will provide analysis of races every Tuesday and Wednesday for the race season which lasts through September. His radio show can be heard locally at 8 a.m. Saturdays on Fox Sports 910.

Arizona Downs is being managed this season by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E), a leader in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry.

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Mandella: United Exits Dull Whittingham Effort With Throat Irritation

United, a disappointing fourth and last beaten almost five lengths as the 3-10 favorite in Saturday's Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., came out of the race well except for “a little bit of a sore throat,” Richard Mandella said Sunday morning.

“That's all we could really find,” the trainer said. “Other than that, he looks good. The horse was never in the race like he usually is.”

Comments in the Equibase chart noted United “never responded.”

“I'm hoping he's not getting sick,” Mandella said, “but he looks fine this morning, although he does have some irritation in his throat.”

Mandella was understandably proud of the 8-year-old War Front gelding Bombard winning the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes Saturday by 1 ¼ lengths as the 7-10 favorite, but had no immediate plans for his next race.

“We're shopping, trying to figure the next one out,” he said.

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Norm Casse Has Pair Of Promising Juveniles For Tepin Connections

Trainer Norm Casse's promising 2-year-old maiden winners Glacial and Ontheonesandtwos are both targeting the Grade 3, $150,000 Bashford Manor and $150,000 Debutante, respectively, following their impressive debut victories at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

“Both horses have really touted themselves in the morning so we were expecting them to run well in their debuts,” Casse said. “After winning the way they did, I think it's reasonable to point them to the stakes races at the end of the meet.”

Glacial, a 2-year-old colt by Frosted who is owned by Robert Masterson, cruised to a rail-skimming 2 ½-length win Saturday in a $100,000 maiden special weight contest. Casse and Masterson have a long relationship outside of Glacial. Masterson campaigned two-time champion grass mare Tepin while Casse was the assistant to his father, Mark.

Tepin was purchased as a yearling by Masterson for $140,000 at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton August Sale with the help of bloodstock agent Deuce Greathouse.

Fast forward nine years, Greathouse was the agent who purchased Masterson's colt Glacial for $140,000 at the 2021 OBS March Sale and is the co-owner, along with Cindy Hutson, of 1 ¾-length debut winner Ontheonesandtwos.

Ontheonesandtwos, a chestnut filly by Jimmy Creed, bested five rivals in a $100,000 maiden special weight event on May 13.

“(Masterson and Greathouse) have supported me from the beginning,” Casse said. “We had a great relationship when I was the assistant to my dad. It's very special to now have two very quality 2-year-olds for them.”

The Bashford Manor and Debutante are two of seven stakes events on the undercard of the $600,000 Stephen Foster (GII). Nominations for all seven races close Saturday, June 12.

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