Baffert extends Futurity record with Mor Spirit; inside posts not good in final week at Los Alamitos
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December 22nd, 2015
LOS ALAMITOS NOTEBOOK
There was Grade 1 test for two-year-old boys on Saturday at Los Alamitos.
Los Alamitos Futurity (G1): Michael Lund Petersen’s MOR SPIRIT (Eskendereya) got into contention in early stretch and wore down front-running stablemate Toews on Ice (Archarcharch) late in posting a half-length victory for Bob Baffert, who extended his mark with a record eighth win in the 1 1/16-mile race. The juvenile stopped the teletimer in 1:43 2/5 with Gary Stevens.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held over the Southern California racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 50 percent of the wins. Six races were won in wire-to-wire fashion (18 percent).
The oval seemed to play heavily to horses tracking the pace, and those who were a few paths off the rail for the duration of the week. A total of 30 of 34 (88 percent) winners broke from outside the innermost three post positions and many of those were within striking range early. We’ve seen this quite a bit at this venue and we will keep it in mind when racing returns here.
Of the six wire jobs this past week, five came in sprint offerings.
Meet Totals
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Races: |
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102 |
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Dirt: |
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102 |
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Favorites: |
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42 (41%) |
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2ND Choices: |
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24 (23%) |
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Dirt Wire: |
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21 (20%) |
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|
|
|
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (12/17)
4TH – Baffert unveiled a nice prospect in FUSAICHI SAMURAI (Street Cry) who rallied from off the pace to win at first asking. The well-bred gelding is cut out to run longer and might be a nice one with improvement for sure.
The Mark Glatt-trained SILENT BIRD (Summer Bird) was always in the mix and stayed on late in posting a nice runner-up finish in this event. The first timer will be very tough in his comeback if he builds upon this showing.
8TH – SECRET ROOM (Gone Astray) came out for the stretch run and got up on the wire in a nice debut tally for conditioner Peter Eurton. The two-year-old colt might be a big time presence in his next one for a trainer who is not great with debuting runners.
Friday (12/18)
6TH – HURRICANE CALLIE (Comic Strip) took the lead nearing the top of the lane and came home with very good energy en route to a daylight victory under Santiago Gonzalez. The Peter Miller-trained filly beat a decent foe in our view and could progress nicely for a conditioner who has put together a fine second half of the year.
7TH – ROCKIN DORITA (Rockport Harbor) chased a clear one, took over readily in the lane, then cruised home a very professional allowance winner in this spot under Mario Gutierrez. The sophomore filly could be headed for a solid four-year-old campaign.
Saturday (12/19)
2ND – SWEETRAYOFSUNSHINE (Benchmark) broke well before dropping far back to last and then swooped past the field, posting a facile score for conditioner Bill Spawr. The six-year-old was bet like a good one affair and surely delivered on the class drop.
4TH – DARING DARLING (Tiz Wonderful) fought off a pair of challenges in the lane to secure a very nice maiden win for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The two-year-old filly toppled experienced runners and could have a very bright future if she continues to rise.
ADIOS PRINCESS (Adios Charlie) did just about everything right but win this race and the Mike Puype pupil should not be a maiden for long.
A Look Ahead
The action shifts to Santa Anita on Saturday.
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