Iron Fist one to watch for 2016; Eurton sends out a couple of nice winners
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November 3rd, 2015
DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
There was a single graded race during opening week at Del Mar.
Goldikova S. (G2): James and Tammy McKenney’s homebred UZZIEL (Harlington) took the lead soon after the start and was never headed en route to a 2 ¼-length win under Kent Desormeaux. The four-year-old filly got one mile on the firm turf in 1:34 3/5 for conditioner Keith Desormeaux.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the seaside racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 44 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 62 percent of the wins. From 21 frays contested on the dirt oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (43 percent), while one of the 13 grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (8 percent).
The main oval was good for early types this week and those breaking from inner post slots. A total of nine runners led at every call on the main oval and 12 of the 21 dirt races were won by those breaking from the three innermost post slots.
With that said, favorites came home at a very good rate so it may not have been as much of a bias as it appears on paper. Seven of the wire jobs came in sprints, with the other pair occurring at two turns.
Meet Totals
|
Races: |
|
34 |
|
Dirt: |
|
21 |
|
Turf: |
|
13 |
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Favorites: |
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15 (44%) |
|
2nd Choices: |
|
6 (18%) |
|
Turf Wire: |
|
1 (8%) |
|
Dirt Wire: |
|
9 (43%) |
|
|
|
|
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (10/29)
4TH – NEWFOUND GOLD (Newfoundland) stalked the pace while well placed and took over when called upon, posting an easy tally in this dash. The incredibly sharp eight-year-old continues to fire big and should be a nice claim for Javier Sierra.
6TH – Peter Eurton’s PACIFIC HEAT (Unusual Heat) made it two-for-two with a convincing 5 ¼-length romp under Joe Talamo. The juvenile filly was always ready to roll and really could be any type for a trainer who is not known for his prowess with juveniles.
Friday (10/30)
2ND – Steve Miyadi’s TURN YOUR EYES (Kafwain) took the lead early and left no doubt in this one with a superb 14 ½-length maiden romp. The two-year-old colt came home in :24 flat with little urging and should be stakes bound very soon.
Saturday (10/31)
5TH – MOKAT (Uncle Mo) swept to the front in early stretch and powered home a fine 5 ½-length maiden winner for trainer Richard Baltas. The two-year-old filly surely improved off her debut and earned a nice BRIS Late Pace number for the strong finish under Corey Nakatani.
9TH – Eurton had another nice two-year-old winner this week when SHEEZA MILKY WAY (Sidney’s Candy) made a big move into and through the lane to come home a nice winner beneath Alonso Quinonez. The Kentucky-bred could be a player with winners next time in her return.
Sunday (11/1)
1ST – SUGAR SPICE (Tavasco) never gave this field a chance with a fast start, cruising home a facile winner for conditioner Kristin Mulhall. The seven-year-old mare looks well spotted at this level and will surely be tough right back with a similar showing.
2ND – IRON FIST (Tapit) took the lead in the lane and inched home to a solid 2 ¼-length score in his first run with blinkers on. The talented sophomore colt has really improved in the second half of this year and is an interesting prospect as he heads into 2016 for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer.
4TH – COPPA (Yesbyjimminy) broke slowest but quickly grabbed the lead shortly thereafter, striding home a convincing 3 ¼-length winner for trainer Phil d’Amato. The first-time starter may not have beaten a great field but did so in a sharp time with a poor break, and he could evolve into a stakes-caliber sprinter with a bit of seasoning.
A Look Ahead
The $100,000 Bob Hope S. (G2) on Saturday is the lone graded race upcoming at Del Mar.
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