Victor Espinoza | Horse Racing Free Tips

Distaff’s Big Stars Do Battle in Azeri

Saturday's GII Azeri S. at Oaklawn Park features several of the most prominent figures in the Distaff division each lining up to get their first graded stakes win of the 2022 season.

The reigning champion sprinter and winner of the 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) returns to the two-turn distance after spending much of her 2021 season at seven-furlongs. She's been plenty successful at this distance before, including a win the 2020 GI Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park and two third-place efforts in the GII Santa Monica S. and the GI Clement L. Hirsch S. in late summer 2020. Ce Ce has already catalogued career earnings of over $1.7m to date and keeps regular rider Victor Espinoza aboard for trainer Mike McCarthy. Her most recent start was a runner-up finish to the Bob Baffert-trained Merneith (American Pharoah) where she posted a career-high 101 Beyer Speed Figure, her second straight triple-digit figure. She adds Lasix back after nearly a year of racing without it.

Also adding Lasix again for the first time in a year is 2020 GI Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) who returns to the Azeri after a winning it to kick off her four-year-old campaign a year ago. Freshened since a last out sixth after tracking a brutal opening pace in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 6, Shedaresthedevil will surely look to use this race as she did last year to springboard herself into another successful season. That sixth-place effort was her only off-the-board finish in 2021, where she also posted four wins, each in graded stakes company along with a third behind Letruska in the GI Ogden Phipps S. No stranger to the 1 1/16-mile distance, her previous wins include the GIII Locust Grove S., the GI Clement L. Hirsch S. over GI winners Venetian Harbor (Munnings) and As Time Goes By (American Pharoah), and the GI La Troienne S. Jockey Florent Geroux retains the ride for trainer Brad Cox.

Standing in the shadow of both previously mentioned mares but a near millionaire herself is Pauline's Pearl (Tapit). The gray filly comes into the Azeri off of back-to-back wins in the Zia Park Oaks and the GIII Houston Ladies Classic, both at the 1 1/16-mile distance, as well as a second-place in the GIII Remington Park Oaks. As a 3-year-old last season, she took Oaklawn Park's richest race for fillies in the GIII Fantasy S. and spent nearly her entire season in graded stakes company where she only finished out of the money once, finished eighth behind Malathaat (Curlin) in the GI Kentucky Oaks. Joel Rosario rides after piloting her in her most recent start, and she also regains Lasix for trainer Steve Asmussen.

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Weekly Rulings: Mar. 1 -7

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

CALIFORNIA

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/04/2022
Licensee: Kent Desormeaux, jockey
Penalty: Suspension
Violation: Non-appearance for hearing
Explainer: Jockey Kent Desormeaux, having failed to respond to written notice to appear before the Board of Stewards at Santa Anita Park on or before March 3, 2022, is suspended for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1547 (Failure to Appear) pending an appearance at a hearing before a Board of Stewards to answer to charges alleging violation of CHRB rule #1874 (Disorderly Conduct- Causing a disturbance) and #1485(d)(License Subject to Conditions and Agreement – Failure to abide by an agreement with the Winners Foundation). During the term of this suspension, all licenses and license privileges of Kent Desormeaux are suspended and pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1528 (Jurisdiction of Stewards), subject is denied access to all premises in this jurisdiction.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/04/2022
Licensee: Drayden Van Dyke, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who rode Loma Vista in the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on February 27, 2022, is suspended for THREE (3) racing days (March 11, 12 and 13, 2022) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule 1688(b)(4)(d) (Use of Riding crop – Excessive use – third offense within the past sixty days).

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/05/2022
Licensee: Mark Glatt, trainer
Penalty: $500 and assessed ½ point
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Trainer Mark Glatt, who started the horse Beer Can Man, that finished second in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park on January 1, 2022, is fined $500.00 and assessed one half (1/2) point in accordance with California Horse Racing Board rule #1843.4 (Multiple Medication Violations – Expires 01/1/23) pursuant to rule #1887 (Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse) for violation of rule #1843(a)(b)(d) (Medication, Drugs and Other Substances), and rule #1843.1(a) (Prohibited Drug Substance – Dexamethasone [Class 4/C]).

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Edwin Maldonado, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Using whip in overhand position
Explainer: Jockey Edwin Maldonado, who rode See Through It in the first race at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022, is suspended for THREE (3) racing days, (March 13, 18 and 19, 2022) for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(d)(3) (Use of Riding Crop – in the overhanded position – first offense in the last sixty days). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Victor Espinoza, jockey
Penalty: $1,500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Victor Espinoza is fined $1500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times – second offense in the last sixty days) during the eleventh race (Santa Anita Handicap) at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Ricardo Ramirez, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Apprentice Jockey Ricardo Ramirez, who rode Mylittlerunaway in the third race at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022, is suspended for three (3) racing days (March 13, 18 and 19, 2022) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference which resulted in the disqualification of his mount from third to seventh place. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules–Careless Riding). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Brice Blanc, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Brice Blanc is fined $500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times) during the seventh race at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Jamie Spencer, jockey
Penalty: Five-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Jamie Spencer, who rode Space Traveller in the 10th race (Frank E. Kilroe Mile) at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022, is suspended for FIVE (5) racing days (March 13, 18, 19, 20 and 25, 2022) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule 1688(b)(4)(d)(2) (Use of Riding crop – excessive use). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Ricardo Gonzalez, jockey
Penalty: $1,500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Ricardo Gonzalez is fined $1500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times) during the fifth race (Buena Vista Stakes) at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/07/2022
Licensee: Paula Capestro, trainer
Penalty: $400 fine
Violation: Late registration of Lasix
Explainer: Trainer Paula Capestro is fined $400.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1845 (Authorized Bleeder Medication – late registration) of Prince Maior in the third race on March 6, 2022, at Santa Anita Park.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/07/2022
Licensee: Ryan Curatolo, jockey
Penalty: $750 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Ryan Curatolo is fined $750.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times – second offense within the past sixty days) during the first race at Santa Anita Park on March 6, 2022.

KENTUCKY

Track: Turfway Park (for a violation at Churchill Downs)
Date: 02/26/2022
Licensee: James Baker, trainer
Penalty: Thirty-day suspension (15 days stayed) and $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Upon receipt of notification from Industrial Laboratories, the official testing laboratory fol. the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and confirmed at Texas A & M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, sample number E490742 taken from Fed Money, who finished flrst in the tenth race at Churchill Downs on November 4, 2021 contained Metformin in blood (class 8). After a formal hearing before the Board of Stewards James E. Baker is hereby suspended THIRTY (30) days and fined $500. Due to mitigating circumstances (number of violations in relation to overall record), 15 days are to be served from March 1, 2022 through March 15, 2022 (inclusive). The remaining 15 days are stayed on the condition that no Class A or Class 8 medication violation occurs in any racing jurisdiction within 365 days from the date of this ruling. Fed Money is disqualified and all purse money forfeited. Pari-mutuel wagering is not affected by this ruling. During his suspension Mr. Baker is denied the privileges of all facilities under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Entry of all horses owned or trained by Mr. Baker is denied pending transfer to persons acceptable to the stewards. Upon receipt of this ruling. it is required within thirty (30) days to pay any and all fines imposed to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

NEW YORK

Track: Aqueduct
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Suzanne Zelman, trainer
Penalty: $500
Violation: Failure of business conduct, necessitating scratch
Explainer: Fined the sum of five hundred $500 for failing to tend to business in a proper manner necessitating a scratch in the 6th race at Aqueduct Racetrack Mar. 5th 2022.

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Ce Ce: A Princess, Years in the Making

They say that some poker players have a “tell,” a change in their behavior that can give away how they feel about their chances of winning a particular hand. Hall of Fame rider Victor Espinoza says that the 2021 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner, Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) is no different.

“Most of the times I ride her, I know before I get to the gate what kind of a race she's going to run,” he said.

“So, did you know in the Breeders' Cup?” I asked eagerly.

“Oh yes, most definitely,” he replied. “The minute she walked onto the track I was like, 'oh yes,' and I looked at the rest of the horses and thought, `oh, I feel sorry for you guys!'”

The rest, of course is history. Ce Ce took down the Breeders' Cup and was crowned champion female sprinter at Santa Anita's Eclipse Award ceremony Feb. 10, but not before tasting defeat at the hands of Merneith (American Pharoah) in the GII Santa Monica S. just days before she was crowned.

I had interviewed CeCe's owner-breeder Bo Hirsch prior to the Santa Monica and asked him, “win lose or draw, what has she left to prove in her 6-year-old year?”

Hirsch was effusive and simply said, “She has nothing to prove and she owes us nothing. I'm getting old and I love to watch my horses run. You know, I may not live long enough to watch her foals run so why not enjoy her another year now?”

This is something the 72-year-old Hirsch echoed in his Eclipse Award speech, where he said, “I love this business. This is the greatest sport in the world.”

So, to find the key to Ce Ce's longevity, I set off to the Mike McCarthy barn.

Horses love routine, and in that, champion Ce Ce is no different. Training every morning with the sunrise at 6:30, she sets out not to Santa Anita's main track, but to the six-furlong training track nestled inside the turf course.

It's something McCarthy started a couple of years ago and it has stuck.

“It's a good walk to and fro, from the training track. It's something she enjoys and we let her take her time.”

So, off we went with her. I followed Ce Ce down into the tunnel, walking as fast as my oh-too-short legs could to try and keep up.

Once on the training track, Ce Ce took up her customary position next to the outrider Camacho and his pony Justin, enjoying cuddles from her rider Lydio as the early morning sun cast a long shadow across the track.

I'm pretty sure she would have stood there all day!

“Jog one, gallop two.” These were the instructions handed out by McCarthy.

Off she went–nothing flashy, just doing her job, three times around before pulling up with a pat. “She's a trainer's dream,” explained McCarthy, later that morning. It has been a huge deal to train a mare like her. She shows up every time, she's all business, she's all racehorse, from breaking her maiden first time out, something the stats say shouldn't happen,” said a deadpan McCarthy, “to winning the GI Beholder.”

“We got a little sidetracked later in the year,” he added. “We had a hard time finding racetracks she likes. She seems to like it a little harder and faster. We've kind of gotten away from that a little bit out here in California, so she's struggled with that a little bit.”

McCarthy went on to elaborate that Ce Ce has got a little picky in her old age, preferring the more glib race tracks of times gone by. When pressed about her Breeders' Cup performance, the ever-reserved trainer perked up.

“Got a perfect set up with Gamine and Bella Sofia in there. Victor asked the question and she responded. I believe that was probably as good a Breeders' Cup performance as you would see on Breeders' Cup day,” he said, with just a bit of pride.

As for what happened in the Santa Monica, McCarthy conceded Baffert led a very good horse over that ran her eyeballs out. Plus, Ce Ce was coming off a brief layoff, with the track against her.

“But I saw what I needed to see and we will go from there,” he added.

But where?

McCarthy did his best dodge-the-question dance, with the usual `keep our options open,' followed by a list of logical choices befitting a champion. “Oaklawn. Keeneland. Could show up in another country. Could stay here.”

“Hold on,” I said. “Another country?”

“Well, we are not the only place that holds racing,” quipped a now-smiling McCarthy. “There are races like the Golden Shaheen in Dubai, or she could even try the grass. We know her likes and dislikes and will try to play to those for the rest of the year.”

Is there added pressure training a six-year-old with seemingly nothing left to prove, I asked?

“There is a little bit of pressure because we want to do right by her, always. I feel like we are responsible for the effort, not the outcome. Sometimes, that's beyond our control.”

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Shirreffs ‘Looking Forward To The Big ‘Cap’ After San Pasqual Win By Express Train

It's full steam ahead for C R K Stable's Express Train as he ran perhaps the best race of his career in winning the Grade 2, $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes for the second year in a row and stamped himself a primary contender for the Grade 1, $650,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 5 at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Trained by John Shirreffs and ridden by Victor Espinoza, Express Train, who was in the thick of a hot early pace duel, powered to a 3 ¼-length victory while covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.99.

With Eight Rings breaking on top, Express Train, along with both American Theorem and Law Professor, were in hot pursuit in the run to the Club House turn. With American Theorem taken back off the dueling leaders at the seven-furlong pole, Express Train settled into a nice rhythm with Law Professor to his outside in the run to the far turn.

John Velazquez, aboard Eight Rings, stepped on the gas three furlongs out, but Express Train was just three quarters of a length back and he enjoyed a one length edge at the quarter pole. At that point, Law Professor loomed ominously turning for home, but Express Train was able to shrug off the challenge approaching the furlong marker in a huge effort.

“It got a little complicated out of the gate because I thought the two horses outside of me were going to go and make the pace,” said Espinoza. “Then the one (longshot Kiss Today Goodbye) decided to take back…So that kind of made my decision to go forward and stay there rather than be stuck on the inside. It's all about the horses too. Express Train, he helped me to move with such confidence at that point that I was not afraid to just let him go.

“I think the last time (a nose victory in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes Dec. 26), he won but he was not 100 percent, because he had a little time off in between that race. But now, he's ready to go. I had the opportunity to come and work him a couple times…Coming into this race I was confident but in the race, anything can happen. Things got a little complicated, but we resolved them quick.”

The 8-5 favorite in a field of six older horses, Express Train, a 5-year-old horse by Union Rags, paid $5.20, $2.80 and $2.10.

Owned by Lee and Susan Searing's C R K Stable, LLC, Express Train, who is out of the Mineshaft mare I'm a Flake, registered his fourth graded stakes win and improved his overall mark to 16-6-4-3. With the winner's take of $120,000, he increased his earnings to $935,800.

“I think this was a little bit more difficult for him,” said Shirreffs, when asked to compare Express Train's win today with his triumph in the 2021 San Pasqual. “There was lot going on early with the fast pace…Nobody got to relax because Mike's horse (Smith, aboard American Theorem) came up on the outside and wanted to force the pace so it was do or die time then. We're looking forward to the Big 'Cap.”

Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Law Professor, who came into the race off a big win in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Mathis Mile Dec. 26, looked as though he'd give the winner all he wanted, but couldn't go with him the final three sixteenths of a mile. Off at 4-1, he paid $4.20 and $2.60 while finishing 2 ½ lengths in front of early leader Eight Rings.

Ridden by John Velazquez, Eight Rings, the 2-1 favorite, paid $2.40 to show while finishing three quarters of a length in front of stablemate Spielberg.

Fractions on the race were 22.72, 47.16, 1:11.75 and 1:37.32.

First post time for a nine-race card, which will include two graded stakes on Sunday, is at 12:30 p.m. Admission gates open at 10:30 a.m.

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