Del Mar | Horse Racing Free Tips

Thanksgiving Brings Trio of Graded Stakes To The Table

Horse racing fans will tuck in to a traditional helping of graded stakes on Thursday at both Churchill Downs and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Coast-to-coast Grade III gatherings include a dirt and turf race in the GIII Falls City S. and the GIII Cardinal S. before swinging out west to the Jimmy Durante Turf Course for the GIII Red Carpet S.

Into Mischief's Played Hard the Favorite in Falls City

With only six drawn for the Falls City under the Twin Spires, there is no question that trainer Phil Bauer has the upper hand with deserving favorite Played Hard (Into Mischief). Once again, the daughter of the Spendthrift super sire commands respect after winning the GIII Locust Grove S. on track Sept. 17, and the 4-year-old filly followed that with a third-place effort against the formidable 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) and consistent Army Wife (Declaration of War) in the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland Oct. 9. If she rates well and gets a fast main track, look for her to overwhelm this bunch. Her bloodline sports a strong sire, but her dam Well Lived (Tiznow) not only has a Horse of the Year in her background, but her full-brother Well Armed was a multiple Grade I winner.

Sodbusters Take to the Matt Winn

The Matt Winn Turf Course is back in action in November after a controversial summer and fall. Is the new grass ready? The question will dog its path. A staple this time of year is the GIII Cardinal S. Not to be missed, this field of 10 includes older females that will be contesting the nine furlongs. The Al Stall, Jr. trainee Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}) is the only millionaire earner in the bunch, and with over 30 starts to her credit, she comes to Churchill from Keeneland after running sixth on Nov. 5. in the one-mile Fall Harvest S., presented by Mint Gaming Hall. Stretching out back out to the nine-furlong distance seems to be in her favor. The last time she took to this course, she won the Aug. 13 GI Beverly D S., rallying past Princess Grace (Karakontie {Jpn}) just before the wire.

Others that will oppose her include the morning-line favorite at 9-5, the Godolphin homebred Adventuring (Pioneerof the Nile). Well-bred for the turf being out of champion Questing (GB) (Hard Spun), the 4-year-old filly was most recently seen in the GI E.P. Taylor S. at Woodbine Oct. 8. where she lost the lead in the stretch and was ultimately moved up a place after the DQ of Moira (Ghostzapper). Controlling the fractions up front will be a key to her success. A longer shot on the board that is worth a look is Eddie Kenneally's 5-year-old mare Curly Ruth (Curlin). Her tactical ability could be an asset in a race like this, especially if the pace falls apart. Out of Rutherienne (Pulpit), she will be looking to improve on a poor showing against the talented Bleecker Street (Quality Road) in the GIII Modesty S. on the May 6 Kentucky Oaks undercard.

Green Rolled Out for the Red Carpet

An 11-furlong turf test will challenge this collection of fillies and one mare. The spinster in this lot is Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners's Sister Otoole (Amira's Prince {Ire}), a 5-year-old out of O' Toole. Trained by Graham Motion, her experience over the course of 18 starts, including running third last time out to Temple City Terror (Temple City) in the GIII Rood and Riddle Dowager S., gives her a distinct advantage over this field as the 5-2 morning-line favorite.

Opposing her is a 4-year-old filly by American Pharoah that has contested races at six different tracks over the past year. Scarabea was under the care of Jack Sisterson, but now the Calumet homebred makes the move to Eoin Harty's barn. Routing on the turf against some solid competition, she will need to take a step forward after running fifth in the GI Rodeo Drive S. at Santa Anita Oct. 8.

One other entry to scrutinize is Mark Glatt's Bellstreet Bridie (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}), a 3-year-old filly who makes her stateside debut here. She has nine starts under her belt this year for trainer Michael Bell, but the major question she has to answer is class. Making her stakes debut, she will have to raise her game significantly for her new outfit.

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Stakeholders Launch California Horse Power Coalition

Equine industry leaders and stakeholders across California announced the launch of the California Horse Power Coalition (CHPC) Tuesday. The new coalition's mission is to preserve and protect the state's vibrant equestrian culture by bringing together equine industry leaders, workers, families and fans of the sport to illustrate its significant benefits.

Founded by Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Santa Anita Park, and Thoroughbred Owners of California, the coalition is creating a space for the public to learn about the significant impacts that the industry has on California's economy, tourism, agricultural sustainability, and culture.

“As one of the oldest and most celebrated sports in the world, horse racing contributes billions to California's economy annually and employs tens of thousands of workers,” said Bill Nader, Thoroughbred Owners of California, President & CEO. “I am proud to be a part of a community that not only brings together family and friends but also continuously challenges itself to be the model of care and best practices for equine communities around the world.”

The equine industry in California contributes $8.3 Billion to state's economy through horse racing annually, including $1.7 Billion that is generated from tourism. It supports a diverse range of skills, and employs 77,000+ workers in the horse racing industry. “Our community strives to create a culture of inclusivity and accessibility to local communities of all ages, genders and economic backgrounds, which has resulted in a long tradition of deep cultural ties to our industry. In fact, over 30% of households in California report having a horse enthusiast in their home,” said Amy Zimmerman, Santa Anita Park, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer. “I look forward to seeing our industry continue to prosper, garner more fans, and foster a sense of belonging.”

To learn more or to become a member, visit: www.californiahorsecoalition.com.

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Velazquez To Winter In California

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez won a pair of races on the opening day of the Bing Crosby meet at Del Mar and his presence is something that Southern California is about to get more used to. The 50-year-old is using his time at Del Mar as a steppingstone to the winter stand at Santa Anita Park, where he plans to ride full time.

“I wanted to get it started here so the trainers and owners know I'm going to be here for the winter,” Velazquez told the Del Mar press office. “Hopefully I'll get the opportunities to ride some real nice horses here and keep me going for the winter.”

Velazquez has ridden with success on the West Coast previously and just last winter, partnered with Bob Baffert to win the GII Sham S. with Newgrange (Violence), the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. with Messier (Empire Maker) and the GIII Las Virgenes S. with Adare Manor (Uncle Mo).

“It's like everything, you have to adjust to wherever you go,” Velazquez says. “Every racetrack has different turns and where the poles are. You have to get used to it and do your homework and hopefully you get some nice horses and they respond to what you like to do. I got lucky [on opening day]; the horses ran really well.”

Velazquez will be aboard Newgate for Baffert in Sunday's GIII Bob Hope S.

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Baffert Has Strong Hand In Bob Hope

Trainer Bob Baffert has accounted for seven of the last 11 winners of the GIII Bob Hope S., including two of the final three renewals when the race was known as the Hollywood Prevue S., and three out of the last four during the Bing Crosby meet capped by 'TDN Rising Star' Messier (Empire Maker) 12 months ago.

It would appear that this year's running also goes through the Baffert shedrow, which sends out three of the seven entrants. Havnameltdown (Uncaptured) is the most accomplished of the trio and is accordingly the 6-5 pick on the morning line. A smooth maiden winner on his five-furlong debut over this strip July 24, the bay overcame the 10 hole to post a popular 2 1/2-length victory in the GIII Best Pal S. Aug. 14 and was last seen completing a Baffert 1-2 behind 'Rising Star' Cave Rock (Arrogate) in the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity over track and distance Sept. 11.

Newgate (Speightstown) was similarly impressive first time out, graduating by a widening 3 1/2-length margin, but stubbed his toe a bit when beaten double digits into fourth in the local Futurity. The $850,000 Keeneland September purchase cuts back to one turn off a weakening fifth in Keeneland's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity–won by next-out GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Forte (Violence)–and gets the blinkers off Sunday.

The third of the Baffert entry is the rail-drawn Hard to Figure (Hard Spun), recent winner of the restricted Capote S. at Los Alamitos Sept. 25 and who gets a major upgrade in the saddle to Flavien Prat.

Three-time maiden Practical Move (Practical Joke) was runner-up in Cave Rock's debut and was third sprinting Sept. 3 before being promoted to the victory going a mile at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

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