September 2006 Archives

I think I'm going to bet the early pick three at Oak Tree today. I believe I have a good single in the third.

Three big Breeders' Cup preps today at Oak Tree. This is sorta like the Final Four leading up to the big NCAA hoops championship game.

Patrick Valenzuela has until 10 a.m. tomorrow, which is scratch time for Friday's card, to provide medical documents during the time of his absence or he will not be allowed to ride his four horses on Friday. The CHRB now says the P-Val situation is day to day. The only day he is presently cleared to ride is Thursday when he is named on four horses.

We've just started the Oak Tree meeting and already Patrick Valenzuela is overshadowing what should be a great weekend of Breeders' Cup prep races. Given the OK by the CHRB to ride four horses on Thursday, he's named on four more Friday but still needs to provide medical documentation during his absence since July 16 before the board will let him fulfill those commitments.

I'm looking at three races today with interest. One of my horses will go off at decent odds, but I'm afraid two others will go postward too low for me to bet.

Patrick Valenzuela, one of the most talented riders around when he's on the track, hopes to return to action Thursday during the second day of the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita. Valenzuela has not ridden in Southern California since July 16, when his agent Tom Knust, reported that the 43-year-old veteran had a bad back that was most likely going to require surgery.

On a day like today, with a near-$1 million pick six carryover at Fairplex Park, there will be big players from all over the country trying for a piece of the prize. The every-day bettor can't compete against those big spenders who ante up thousands of dollars during big carryovers like this.

Roman Commander, trained by the son of Fairplex Park's all-time leading conditioner, Mel Stute, pulled a 30-1 shocker in the Barretts Juvenile on Sunday, getting up to beat 3-5 favorite Chief's Magic in the final strides. Gary Stute is having the best year of his career in 2006. He had a solid Santa Anita meet and scored his first Fairplex victory with Sunday's shocker.

Is there a more underrated jockey around than the hustling Martin Pedroza, who is running away with the Fairplex Park riding title after the first week?

Oak Tree racing fans will have the opportunity to watch at least three strong Breeders' Cup contenders the first weekend of the meeting, Oak Tree opens on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

Victor Espinoza, riding high these days after winning a track record seven races at Del Mar on Labor Day, will be taking it easy the next couple weeks until Oak Tree opens on Wednesday, Sept. 27. At that time, he'll shoot for his third consecutive SoCal riding title after winning the Hollywood Park summer and Del Mar meets.

Wow, it seems like this 43-day Del Mar meet went by way too fast. But let's try to close it out with a couple of nice winners.

Two solid stakes races today at Del Mar, including one of the toughest races of the meet to dissect -- the Grade II Palomar Handicap for fillies and mares. Good luck picking a winner in that race. I really think six of the 12 horses have a chance, including my selection -- the Bobby Frankel-trained Amorama. But it would not surprise me to see one of five other distaffers -- Three Degrees, Island Fashion, Sharp Lisa, Shining Energy or Mea Domina -- find the winner's circle. I like Brother Derek in the El Cajon. Dan Hendricks can have him ready to fire off a near four-month layoff. If he's ready to go, which I think he will be, there's no horse in the race as good as the Benchmark colt. Alex Solis will have Brother Derek sitting just off the pace-setting Da Stoops and then take charge in the stretch.

Brother Derek returns to the races Saturday in the El Cajon Stakes for 3-year-olds at Del Mar. Once atop the sophomore division, Brother Derek has since been passed by Preakness and Travers winner Bernardini and Belmont winner Jazil.