Pimlico | Horse Racing Free Tips

Mychel Sanchez Hoping To Make His Presence Felt At Monmouth Park This Summer

Though jockey Mychel Sanchez has been a proven commodity at Parx, where he has won the past two riding titles, the 25-year-old is trying to make his presence felt at Monmouth Park this summer as well.

“I was always at Parx, and I think I am built for more than just one track,” said Sanchez. “I think I am more of a jockey than just Parx, and I think I can do better by going to New York, here at Monmouth, and other places on the East Coast.”

During his career Sanchez has raced primarily at Parx, where he has posted 52 wins and is winning at a 14 percent clip in 2021. This summer he has had the opportunity to ride in stakes races at Monmouth Park, Pimlico, Delaware Park (where he is 11-for-34 overall this year) and Belmont Park.

The native of Venezuela is on pace to ride the most he ever has in his career, which started in 2013, with 439 mounts this year alone. The most mounts he has in a single season was 859 in 2019.

He is just beginning to get a foothold at the Monmouth meet too, with a 3-2-4 line from 29 mounts. Overall he has 67 wins entering the day.

“I think it is time for me to go out there, get to know more people and get bigger opportunities,” said Sanchez. “I want to be a jockey who travels around and competes in big races.”

Sanchez has one career graded stakes victory, which came in 2018 when he rode Dixie Serenade to a victory at Belmont Park in the Grade 3 Victory Rides Stakes. The winning ticket had a payout of $97.50. He has been clamoring for more opportunities to ride in bigger races ever since.

“I think I can do better in stake races. I think I am built for it,” he said. “I believe I can ride against anybody if I have the right horse.”

Sanchez' first stakes win of the Monmouth Park meet happened June 27, when he rode Groovy Surprise to victory the Smart N' Classy Handicap. The jockey has had mounts in two grade 3 stakes races at Monmouth Park so far this summer — the Salvator Mile and the Eatontown Stakes — but a second graded stakes career victory has eluded him so far.

“Most of the time it's all about the horse, but you still have to go out there and do the job, and do the right thing as a jockey,” said Sanchez. “I think I can do anything, and if I have the right horse, I will win.”

Besides winning graded stakes races, he has aspirations of being the top rider at Monmouth Park and reaching the 1,000-win mark. He currently has 843 career wins.

“I am hoping to accomplish a lot of things in my career, like (winning) graded stakes, and hopefully winning more riding titles at tracks other than Parx — like Monmouth,” said Sanchez. “Getting 1,000 wins would be great. I work hard and I try hard, and I could do anything that a trainer needs me to do. I just need the opportunity.”

With Scott Silver as his agent, and given an opportunity with top trainers, Sanchez feels his name can spread throughout the Eastern seaboard.

“Just give me the chance. Like I told my agent, just put my name out there and I will open the doors,” he said. “More people are starting to notice.”

Coming from a family where his father, uncle and brother were all riders, Sanchez hopes to carry on his family's name, and leave a legacy that aspiring riders will hope to replicate.

“I want my career to end with my name in the history books,” he said.

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Yaupon, Mrs. Orb Take MATCH Races At Pimlico; Series Resumes July 31

Yaupon and Mrs. Orb took their respective Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships Series (MATCH) stakes July 4 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., and the usually contentious 3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint—Dirt division is again shaping up as one to watch

The two MATCH Series stakes joined two other stakes on an 11-race holiday program that generated $10.06 million in pari-mutuel handle that included a mandatory Pick 6 payout wager with a $5.1 million pool and a $1.43 million carryover.

In the $100,000 Lite the Fuse Stakes, the second of six legs in the 3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint—Dirt division this year, Yaupon, owned by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, got back on the winning track after eighth-place finishes in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint in November 2020 and the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March. The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred by Uncle Mo had been training this spring at Churchill Downs and previously had won his first four races, including the Grade 3 Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico in October 2020.

With Ricardo Santana Jr. riding for trainer Steve Asmussen, Yaupon stalked front-running Chateau for about a half-mile before taking over in upper stretch in the six-furlong event. He gradually pulled away to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Laki, who bid between those two on the far turn and ran on well for second. Chateau checked in third.

Yaupon, the heavy favorite, paid $2.80 to win and covered the distance in 1:09.43 on a track rated fast.

”He broke really sharp,” said Santana, who rode Yaupon for the first time. “He came in the race from the layoff and I wanted to give him a little break. He put me in a good position, so I let him take a second deep breath and at the three-eighths pole when my horse felt the other horse, he took off back.”

The other horse was Laki, who rated in third early and made his bid on the far turn. Laki, owned by Hillside Equestrian Meadows and trained by Damon Dilodovico, finished fifth in the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Stakes—the first race in the division—but rebounded nicely in the Lite the Fuse.

“He ran really well,” Dilovodico said. “I thought he may be able to get outside down the backstretch because it looked like Yaupon (wasn't gaining on the leader). But there's no shame in running second to him. We're really blessed to have this horse.”

Yaupon and Special Reserve, winner of the Maryland Sprint, each have 10 points to top the division. Maryland-bred Laki now has 9 points thanks to having started in both stakes in the division thus far.

Mrs. Orb, a New York-bred owned by Ruggeri Stable, Richard Coburn, Script R Farm and trainer Mike Miceli, went over the $500,000 mark in earnings in the 1 1/16-mile Caesar's Wish, the second of six legs in the Filly and Mare Long—Dirt division. Ridden by Horacio Karamanos, who also rode Laki, Mrs. Orb rated in fourth through quick fractions before taking over in mid-stretch and holding off a late rally by Trolley Ride. Sweet Sami D. finished an even third.

Mrs. Orb, a 6-year-old mare by Orb, has been a fixture in New York-bred stakes company but last November was second in a Grade 3 stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. She has been first, second or third in 13 of 15 starts.

“She's a tough gal—she's not easy to train, but you don't mind when they can run,” Miceli said. “She's a little temperamental. You pretty much have to cater to her.”

Mrs. Orb, a slight favorite, paid $6.20 to win and covered the distance in 1:44.17 on a track rated fast. She collected 10 MATCH Series points to tie Spice Is Nice at the top of the division.

The 2021 MATCH Series continues July 31 at Pimlico with three stakes in the 3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint—Dirt division, Filly and Mare Sprint—Dirt division and 3-Year-Olds and Up Long—Dirt division. Undefeated Chub Wagon, owned by George Chestnut and Daniel Lopez, leads the Filly and Mare Sprint—Dirt division and the overall series with 20 points.

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Naomi Tukker Handicaps Friday’s Rainbow 6 At Pimlico

Historic Pimlico Race Course launches its July schedule Friday with an Independence Day holiday weekend of live racing featuring four stakes worth $375,000 in purses and a Maryland state record carryover jackpot of $1,351,928.63 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6.

The Rainbow 6 went unsolved for the 25th consecutive racing day following the last live action June 27. The popular multi-race wager was last hit for a $23,346.70 payout May 7.

A mandatory payout of the Rainbow 6 is scheduled for Sunday's Independence Day card that includes the $100,000 Concern for 3-year-olds and $100,000 Lite the Fuse for 3-year-olds and up, both sprinting six furlongs; $100,000 Caesar's Wish for fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/16 miles and $75,000 Jameela for Maryland-bred/sired females 3 and older scheduled for five furlongs on the grass.

The Lite the Fuse and Caesar's Wish are both part of the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship (MATCH) Series.

In the Rainbow 6, the jackpot is paid out only when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 60 percent of that day's pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners while 40 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

Introduced in Maryland April 2, 2015 on opening day of Pimlico's spring meet, the Rainbow 6 has far surpassed its previous state record carryover of $345,898.33 spanning 31 racing programs before being solved by one lucky bettor for a life-changing $399,545.94 payout April 15, 2018 at Laurel Park. The winning ticket was purchased through Maine off-track betting.

Friday's Rainbow 6 begins in Race 3, a five-furlong claiming sprint for 2-year-old filly maidens that attracted a field of nine led by second-time starter R B's Star from the barn of meet-leading trainer Claudio Gonzalez. R B's Star was second, beaten a half-length, in a June 21 maiden special weight at Delaware Park in debut.

Maryland Jockey Club host and analyst Naomi Tukker's price play comes in Race 4, one of two horses in the Rainbow 6 sequence scheduled for the grass, a one-mile claimer for 3-year-olds and up. Cark will break from Post 6 against 11 rivals after running fourth by 2 ½ lengths behind next-out winner Mr. Tito's in a June 5 claimer at Gulfstream Park for trainer Sarah Nagle.

“He did not get a trip at all,” Tukker said. “Multiple times he had to get to checked because of traffic issues, but in the latter stages he still showed a rally that makes me think if he uses that turn of foot he might just get the win.”

Claimers 3 and up will travel 1 1/16 miles in Race 5 with Miami Mumbles favored at 9-5 on the morning line. Trained by Horacio DePaz, the 5-year-old Hard Spun mare closed to be fifth but was elevated to fourth following the disqualification of Wicked Prankster for interference May 13 at Pimlico. The winner of that race, Johng, came back to win June 18.

Race 6 is a 5 ½-furlong claiming sprint for 3-year-olds and up which have never won three races, or 3-year-olds. Cooke Brothers breaks from Post 3 having run second in four of his last five races including three in a row, beaten a total of five lengths in those starts. The most recent came in the slop May 29 at Pimlico under jockey Grant Whitacre, who rides back for trainer Mario Serey Jr.

Tukker's must-use horse comes in Sunday's featured Race 7, a second-level optional claiming allowance for fillies and mares 3 and up at six furlongs. Rather Nosy will be making her first start for trainer Jane Cibelli after being campaigned on the West Coast, exiting back-to-back wins going seven furlongs at Santa Anita March 12 and May 8.

“The Cibelli stable is very strong when sending horses out for the first time after a trainer change,” Tukker said. “[Last time] she won on the lead, on the rail, with a fair few runners pressuring her early, but that didn't seem to deter her at all. She was very relaxed and still showed a great kick in the latter stages.”

The sequence closes with the Race 8 finale, a one-mile claimer for 3-year-olds scheduled for one mile on the turf. An overflow field of 15 was entered including Leave 'Em Loaded, third May 28 at Pimlico in his second start off a layoff, and Jestful, shortening up after being beaten a neck when second in an off-the-turf maiden claimer at Pimlico June 12.

Post time Friday is 12:40 p.m.

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MATCH Series: Veteran Artful Splatter Seeks Fortune Reversal In Caesar’s Wish

James Wolf's durable Artful Splatter, an eight-time career winner from 29 lifetime starts, will attempt to reverse her recent fortunes and become a stakes winner for the third time in Sunday's $100,000 Caesar's Wish at historic Pimlico Race Course.

The 1 1/16-mile Caesar's Wish for fillies and mares 3 and up is among four stakes worth $375,000 in purses on an 11-race Independence Day holiday program. It and the $100,000 Lite the Fuse for 3-year-olds and up sprinting six furlongs are part of the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship (MATCH) Series.

Other stakes are the $100,000 Concern for 3-year-olds going six furlongs and $75,000 Jameela for Maryland-bred/sired fillies and mares 3 and up scheduled for five furlongs on the grass. Sunday's program, which begins at 12:40 p.m., also includes a mandatory payout of the Rainbow 6, which carries a Maryland state record carryover jackpot of $1.351 million into the return of live racing Friday.

Post time Sunday is 12:40 p.m.

Artful Splatter made her first six career starts on the main track before being moved to the grass for five straight when she was claimed by trainer Kieron Magee out of a runner-up finish Sept. 7, 2019. The 5-year-old daughter of 2014 General George (G3) winner Bandbox reeled off five straight wins including the Geisha over 11-time stakes winner Anna's Bandit to open 2020.

“We claimed her toward the end of grass season,” Magee said. “We claimed her thinking she'd run on the dirt, but she hadn't been getting the chance.”

Since her streak ended, Artful Splatter has won two of 13 starts including a 10 ¼-length romp in an off-the-turf George Rosenberger Memorial last fall at Delaware Park and placed in three others, among them a second in the 2020 Twixt and third in the Feb. 20 Nellie Morse, both at Laurel Park.

“We claimed her for [$16,000] and she's done very well. She won five in a row off that and she's done everything we've asked of her,” Magee said. “Anytime you have a girl that goes long it's tough to find spots.

“She always runs her race. She always tries hard,” he added. “We've put her in some spots that we shouldn't have put her in, but she still shows up.”

Maryland's overall leading trainer from 2014-16, the 60-year-old Magee is currently tied for second in the extended Preakness Meet standings with 12 wins at Pimlico, where the Ireland native and one-time exercise rider for fellow trainer Dale Capuano is based year-round.

“I've been around Pimlico most of my life. I love Pimlico. Absolutely,” he said. “Off all the tracks, Pimlico is home for me. I'm hoping we're here for a few more months.”

Charlie Marquez rides Artful Splatter from Post 3 of eight at co-topweight of 126 pounds.

Bred in Pennsylvania by Kim Eshleman and campaigned in the name of her husband, James, Trolley Ride enters the Caesar's Wish off a gutsy half-length victory in the Lyphard against fellow state-breds May 28 at Penn National. Originally scheduled for the turf, it was run over a sloppy track at 1 1/16 miles.

It was the second win in three starts for the 6-year-old Flashy Bull mare, who capped 2020 with an optional claiming allowance win and opened 2021 running fourth to undefeated Chub Wagon in the Unique Bella April 27, both sprinting seven furlongs at Parx.

“We were just kind of getting her ready the first time back. I do think she wants to go two turns because she has that kick at the end as long as she's steady the first part,” trainer Bernie Houghton said. “She needs the backside to get her stride. That was a tough filly that won.

“She's doing very good,” he added. “She had a good breeze [Tuesday]. She worked great, galloped out good and she's doing good. I have a race picked out at the end of July so this works from a timing standpoint. It's a good spot.”

Houghton has had Trolley Ride throughout a 26-race career that includes nine wins, two seconds, four thirds and $323,654 in purse earnings. She was born on his family's Sylmar Farm, which also foaled and raised multiple Grade 1 winner Princess of Sylmar, named for the 300-acre spread founded by his parents.

“She's done very well,” he said. “Kim has been our assistant at the farm for 40 years. She came in when she was real young and stayed with us. It's very special for her.”

Inoel Beato, aboard for her stakes win, gets a return call from Post 2.

“She doesn't mind the slop. She loves it. We'll see what happens Sunday,” Houghton said. “I'm sure it's going to be tougher than her last spot, for sure.”

Haymarket Farm's Gracetown will be making her stakes debut in the Caesar's Wish. The 5-year-old Into Mischief mare has two wins and two seconds in her last four starts dating back to a one-mile allowance triumph last November at Laurel. Runner-up in her next two races, she exits a 1 ¾-length victory in a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance May 7 at Pimlico.

“She's doing well for us as we've stretched her out. She's been going around two turns very well,” trainer Jerry O'Dwyer said. “She's a lovely, big mare with a nice pedigree. The owner wanted to breed her at the end of this year so we're trying to pick up a little bit of black type for her along the line to enhance her value for the breeding shed.

“She's been working well. I had her up at Delaware. I was going to run her in a stake or two up there but I'm not sure that she's quite in love with the deep surface up there,” he added. “She's won at the distance on the track, so that's in her favor. She's going to have to take a step up again, numbers-wise.”

Sheldon Russell gets the assignment from Post 1.

Mrs. Orb, a two-time New York-bred stakes winner and runner-up in the 2020 Turnback the Alarm (G3); multiple stakes-placed Landing Zone, most recently third in the Lady's Secret June 6 at Monmouth Park; Suggestive Honor, Group 3-placed in her native Argentina last winter; His Glory and Sweet Sami D, third in the 2019 Monmouth Oaks (G3) and fifth in the Lady's Secret, round out the field.

The Caesar's Wish debuted in 1978 at old Bowie Race Course and was held at both Pimlico and Laurel before it was renamed the Beyond the Wire for 2018. It honors the Maryland-bred mare that won 11 of 16 starts over two seasons including the 1978 Mother Goose (G1) and Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and 1977 Demoiselle (G2) and Villager (G3). Her winning time in the Mother Goose broke Hall of Famer Ruffian's stakes record and stood until 1994.

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