Racing! Bolt d’Oro retires; handicapping lesson from Rob Henie

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we say goodbye to Bolt d’Oro’s racing career.

No reason to dawdle, let’s get right to the good stuff.

Weekly handicapping lesson

Here’s our weekly contribution from Rob Henie of the WCHR (West Coast Handicapping Report) and the ECHR (East Coast Handicapping Report). The thinking is if you can know and understand the strategies, it will make you a better handicapper. And, let’s not forget, he gave you the cold exacta last week.

Today’s lesson is from the fifth race at Del Mar. Take it away, Rob.

“A maiden special weight at a mile on the turf. As many of you know, the WCHR is known for many things, including our handicapping lessons, but in particular, our winning debut runners. Did you know we’ve now had 17 of the last 18 debut winners on the circuit between Del Mar and Santa Anita? Many ask, how? What always is interesting/shocking to people, is, I’ve never looked at a work report (or have I ever looked at a speed figure, Beyer, but we can discuss that another day). Years ago, I started clipping winning pp’s and pasting them in a notebook. Over the years I discovered the tendencies and patterns is truly what matters in finding debut winners. Some horses are well meant, others are not, and deciphering which runners fits into which column, is, I believe, the most valuable tool when looking at first timers. Remember, a quick or slow work on paper, is only a small fragment to the puzzle of finding debut winners. Top selection here is TRUFFALINO (#2), debuting for Richard Mandella. So when we look closer at this one, we find a runner who began her career working at San Luis Rey before being sent to Del Mar for the final couple weeks, likely arriving around Aug. 17th or 18th, acclimating to the new huge surroundings for about 10 days, before actually working there, twice. From there, on to Santa Anita where she didn’t miss a beat, until mid-October when either they missed her work, or, she had a minor hiccup, but this placement Saturday, tells us all we need to know. She’s sent not only long, but also on the turf, with excellent turf rider Joe Talamo up. Notice, as well, the pair of recent slow drills? Those are actually a great sign, telling Richard he didn’t need much from her while awaiting this first try, and if she really was that slow, not on edge, she wouldn’t be sent a mile, nor in a maiden special weight. After all, would Mandella risk being embarrassed with this Calumet runner? Expecting very little speed early before finishing down the lane. MY SWEET BABOO (#1) is from another realistic trainer in Simon Callaghan, so the fact he sent this filly long on the sod towards the end of the Summer meet, was a good sign, well meant that day just as we thought, simply coming up a bit short. Remember, just because a horse is well meant, it doesn’t mean they’re a lock to run well, it means the intentions are there, and without those, finding firsters becomes a futile chase. The works here are slow as well, again, a good thing, not asked for much, likely longer gallops with emphasis on finishing down the lane.

“Hot / Cold Race Trends: none

“WCHR Maiden Power Rating: +4.50 (weak for this level)

“Win Contenders (order of preference): 2-1-3

“X Out Runners (eliminating on the win end): 4,8,10

“First Timers:

“3 Fashion Island - From Churchill, to the west coast, with Drayden up, sent long on the turf. WELL MEANT.

“TOP PICK: TRUFFALINO (#2 8-1 Talamo) Debut

“SECOND CHOICE: MY SWEET BABOO (#1 5-2 Prat)”

^{The West Coast Handicapping Report can be found at https://www.westcoasthorseracing.com It has been endorsed by leading trainers, handicappers and industry sources.}

Bolt d’Oro officially retires

Bolt d’Oro, who was the Kentucky Derby favorite as a 2-year-old, was officially retired this week after failing to fire in the Kentucky Derby and Metropolitan Handicap. Bolt was red-hot as a 2-year-old, running away with the FrontRunner Stakes. But, he was beaten in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on a wide ride that jockey Corey Nakatani could never overcome.

He was then taken off the path to recover from a minor injury and came back to a strong performance in the San Felipe Stakes, in which he was awarded first after McKinzie was ruled to have interfered. He then finished second in the Santa Anita Derby to Justify.

Trainer and owner Mick Ruis had high hopes in the Derby but he just ran out of gas and finished 12^th. Then, he ran last in the Metropolitan. Ruis send Bolt east to run for trainer Steve Asmussen but he never ran again.

He will now stand at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Ky.

“We felt like the best thing is, it was time to time to move on to his next career,” Ned Toffey, general manager of Spendthrift told the Bloodhorse. “There was certainly discussion of the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill and Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup. That would have been the ideal scenario. But we felt like it was best to make sure Bolt d’Oro was in good shape and ready to start career No. 2.”

Who goofed, I’ve got to know?

Me, who else? In my Del Mar feature preview I listed Gary Barber as the trainer. Of course, he’s the owner, Peter Miller is the trainer. … And, I said the Thanksgiving start time is 11:30 a.m., it’s actually 11:00 a.m.

Del Mar review

It took awhile, but Escape Clause was eventually awarded first place in the $75,000 (actually $83,170 when all is told) Kathryn Crosby Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile on the turf. Escape Clause and Excellent Sunset battled down the stretch but at one point, according to the stewards, she came in and cost Escape Clause a placing. So, first and second were switched.

Escape Clause, a Canadian-bred, was a $3,200 purchase as a yearling. Her sire’s stud fee was $990. So I guess this turned out to be a good purchase. It was her ninth straight win and 18^th of 25. The filly was trained and owned by Don Schnell and ridden by Ruben Fuentes. She paid $39.40, $16.40 and $10.20. Excellent Sunset was second and Sweet Charity was third.

“I wasn’t sure at all that they would put us up,” Schnell said. “But the rider told me he thought he would have won it if he didn’t have to stop on her. The right people (stewards) agreed with him.

“She’s a win machine. She does nothing but run. The idea here was to try her on the grass. I didn’t think this race would come up too tough. … But she proved me wrong. It’s not the first time she’s done that.”

Del Mar preview

It’s a nine-race card starting at 12:30 p.m. There are five turf races and a minor stakes race. The average field size is 8.44, which is just about where they want to be at 8.5.

The feature is the $75,000 Let It Ride Stakes for 3-year-olds going a mile on the turf. Now, before we get to this. If you have never seen the movie “Let It Ride,” rent it on either Amazon Prime or I-Tunes. We’ll even return the $3.99 from your newsletter subscription to pay for it. Oh, that’s right, you don’t pay for this. Anyway, it is the best ever movie about how horse players think. It stars Richard Dreyfuss and is a bit wacky, but if you haven’t seen it, do so.

OK, back to the race. The favorite, at 5-2, is Prince Earl, undefeated in two starts. He’s won by a total of four lengths. Phil D’Amato is the trainer and Drayden Van Dyke takes over the ride from Martin Garcia. Afleet Ascent is the second favorite at 3-1. He is two for eight this year and is coming off a win in an allowance. He finished second in the Oceanside. Jerry Hollendorfer trains and Kent Desormeaux rides.

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Saturday. All times PST.

10:00 Laurel (3): $100,000 Smart Halo Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Congrats Gal (8-5)

11:00 Laurel (5): $100,000 Safely Kept Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Estilo Femenino (7-2)

11:47 Aqueduct (6): $100,000 Atlantic Beach Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Backtohisroots (8-5)

12:00 Laurel (7): $100,000 James F. Lewis III Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Passcode (5-2)

12:30 Laurel (8): $100,000 City of Laurel Stakes, 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Rugbyman (2-1)

12:47 Aqueduct (8): $150,000 Artie Schiller Stakes, 3 and up, 1 mile on turf. Favorite: Exulting (7-5)

1:00 Laurel (9): $100,000 Richard W. Small Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Something Awesome (4-1)

1:42: Woodbine (8): $100,000 La Prevoyante Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Line of Vision (5-2)

2:36 Churchill (10): Grade 3 $100,000 Commonwealth Turf, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Hot Springs (2-1)

Bob Ike’s SA play of the day

FIFTH RACE: No. 6 Mercy Mercy (7-2)

We liked this Bob Hess-trained filly last time but she was victimized by a poor trip/ride and settled for fourth while showing good improvement in first start on turf. After begin grabbed at start, daughter of Mucho Macho Man was blocked badly in the lane before finding room late and finishing full of run. Main threat is probably Colonial Creed, who tries to make amends after disappointing at odds-on last time.

Friday’s result: Tonahutu took up sharply into the first turn and raced in traffic much of the way but lacked a rally through the lane in seventh race.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here's a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Ed Burgart’s LA play of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 4 Secret Famous Lady (5-2)

This filly broke nicely when fifth in last Golden State Million trial outing in a race where the first three finishers qualified for the futurity finals. She is back with maidens now and was a solid third two outs ago vs. My Favorite Legacy, who returned to defeat allowance company. I also fear Long Distance Call, who displayed a big stride when outworked by a head in solid 12.1 gate drill two weeks ago. I suggest a win wager on Secret Famous Lady along with a 4-6 exacta box.

Final thought

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And now the stars of the show, Friday’s results and Saturday’s entries.

CLEAR THE MINE three deep into the first turn, angled in and chased just off the rail went outside a rival on the backstretch, split horses on the second turn, bid three deep into the stretch, took the lead then inched away under urging in midstretch and won clear. ELWOOD J stalked off the rail, bid outside a rival on the second turn, put a head in front a quarter mile out, was between foes into the stretch, could not match the winner in the final furlong but held second. TWIRLING TIGER stalked three deep then outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for the place. MY FARMER saved ground stalking the pace, came out leaving the second turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. PAPA TURF sped between horses to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, dueled on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DEDICATED TO YOU saved ground chasing the pace, dropped back into and on the second turn, came out into the stretch, gave way and was eased in the drive. PLUM DANDY chased outside a rival, lugged out leaving the second turn, was pulled up into the stretch and walked off.

ESKENFORADRINK bobbled and broke outward onto foes, sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, opened up leaving the backstretch, drifted out into the stretch and won clear under urging. HELOISE broke a bit slowly and was squeezed back, chased off the rail then a bit off the fence on the turn and into the stretch and edged a rival for the place. TRAPPIZA squeezed a bit at the start, angled in early then came out and chased outside a rival, went four wide on the turn and three deep into the stretch and was edged for second. PRINCESS NICOLE three deep early, stalked off the rail then a bit off the fence, angled in on the turn and lacked a response in the drive. SWEET CONGRATS bobbled then steadied when squeezed back at the start, chased outside then three deep to the stretch and weakened. IRISH LASSIE broke in and was bumped, stalked three deep early then between foes on the backstretch and turn and also weakened. SPECTACULAR STORM stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the backstretch and turn and also weakened in the drive. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the start involving the winner and several others but made no change when they ruled HELOISE, SWEET CONCRATS and IRISH LASSIE contributed to their own trouble.

X S GOLD pulled and chased outside a rival, advanced three deep on the second turn to gain the lead, angled in some into the stretch and drew off under a tap of the whip inside the eighth pole and steady handling. SAPPHIRE KID chased outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and edged a rival for second. MARJORIE E four wide early, angled in and dueled outside a rival then stalked a bit off the rail, re-bid between foes on the second turn then inside the winner leaving that turn and was edged for the place. SUPER PATRIOT stalked inside then a bit off the rail, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SPEAKERS settled inside chasing the pace, came out on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and also lacked the needed late kick. TAPITHA BONITA angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and could not summon the necessary late response. TENTHOUSANDREASONS unhurried just off the rail then inside leaving the backstretch, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch and was not a threat. SCATHING pulled and angled in to duel for the lead, inched away on the backstretch, offered little resistance when challenged again on the second turn and weakened.

MANHATTAN UP dueled between horses then a bit off the rail leaving the turn, took a short lead, drew clear while drifting out from the whip in the stretch and proved best under a hold late. EASY SHOT chased inside then a bit off the rail, came three deep into the stretch, drifted to the inside and edged a rival for the place. PLATINUM NIGHTS pressed the pace four wide then three deep early on the turn, battled outside the winner leaving the turn and into the stretch and was edged for second. MONTANA MOON dueled three deep between foes, stalked off the rail on the turn, drifted to the inside in the stretch and also weakened. MUSKOKA settled off the rail then a bit off the inside on the turn and lacked a rally. TROJAN MAGIC bobbled in a bit of a slow start, went up inside to duel for the lead, dropped back on the turn an gave way in the stretch.

MONGOLIAN WINDOW sped to the early lead, angled in and set all the pace along the inside and held on gamely under urging. TAKE A LEAP stalked outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and into and through the stretch and held second. FOXTAIL saved ground stalking the winner throughout and was edged for the place. LUCKY KNICKERS came out and bumped a rival in the opening strides, chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for third. TRUST FUND KITTY angled in and stalked outside a rival then between foes on the second turn and through the stretch and was edged for a minor award. EZPZYLEMONSQUEEZY chased three deep then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch and inside on the second turn and in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. TAKE CHARGE GAL saved ground chasing the pace, came out some into the stretch and did not rally. CHALKY (IRE) chased between horses then outside a rival on the second turn and could not offer the necessary response in the drive. SUNDAY PROPHET chased three deep then outside a rival, went three wide again nearing the second turn, angled in outside a rival into the stretch and lacked a further response. LIL BIT DANGEROUS a half step slow to begin then steadied when bumped, angled in and saved ground to the stretch to no avail.

CLYDE'S PRIDE had good early speed and angled in, set all the pace a bit off the rail, drifted from the whip some in midstretch but drew off under urging. DUBNATION stalked three deep to the stretch, came under urging in the drive then had the rider lose the whip a sixteenth out and edged a rival for the place. RED ENVELOPE broke out and bumped a rival, stalked between horses, continued a bit off the rail in the final furlong and was edged for second. SIDEPOCKET ACTION saved ground stalking the pace and weakened in the final furlong. LEROY PEGASUS chased outside a rival then off the rail on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. CHAMPSACHAMP steadied when squeezed back at the start, chased inside, gave way in the stretch and was eased in the final furlong. BIG BARREL stumbled badly after the start and lost the rider. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the opening strides before ruling BIG BARREL was the cause of his own trouble.

EXCELLENT SUNSET (IRE) broke a bit slowly, steadied in tight into the first turn, stalked between horses, bid three deep on the second turn to gain the lead in the stretch, inched away under urging, drifted in a sixteenth out and held on gamely. ESCAPE CLAUSE angled in and stalked off the rail then between foes on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch, angled inward in the drive, steadied in tight a sixteenth out and finished willingly. SWEET CHARITY (FR) broke a bit slowly, settled inside, split horses into the stretch, came out in the drive and gained the show. WAY TO VERSAILLES angled in and set the pace inside then stalked, re-bid along the rail to take a short lead on the second turn and was outfinished. QUEBEC three deep early, chased off the rail or between foes, continued between rivals on the second turn, came out four wide into the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. TONAHUTU (IRE) steadied in tight off heels early on the first turn, chased between horses, came out four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. GLIDING BY pulled along the inside chasing the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late response. SHEHASTHERITESTUFF chased inside then a bit off the rail, came out on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and also could not quite summon the needed late kick. LAST PROMISE KEPT four wide early, stalked three deep, went four wide again on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. BIRDIE GOLD stalked three deep, bid outside a rival to take the lead on the backstretch, battled between horses on the second turn, dropped back in the stretch, had the rider lose the whip in midstretch and weakened. MISS SOUTHERN MISS stalked inside then a bit off the rail, went between horses into the second turn, steadied in tight midway on that turn, came three deep into the stretch and also weakened. Following a stewards' inquiry into the run in deep stretch and a claim of foul by the rider of the runner-up against EXCELLENT SUNSET the latter was disqualified and placed second for interference a sixteenth out.

QUEEN CARMELITA dueled between horses, inched away into the stretch, kicked clear under urging and held. EQUAL MEASURE forced out at the start, chased outside then three deep on the turn, angled in outside a rival into the stretch, came out in the drive and just got the place. KATE'S PRINCESS broke slowly, settled inside, came out into the stretch, split horse a sixteenth out and was edged for second. TIZ A MASTER went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back on the turn, weakened some in the final furlong and was edged for a minor award late. RON'S CAT had speed off the rail then dueled three deep to the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DEPENDE DE TI broke a bit slowly, stalked just off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. MORNING PRESS forced out at the start, settled off the rail, angled in on the turn and lacked the necessary response. ORCA broke outward, chased off the rail, went four wide on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. HININI forced out start, chased off the rail then a bit off the fence, angled in on the turn and weakened. NORWEGIAN broke out onto a rival, stalked outside a foe, came three deep into the stretch and also weakened.