Tag: horse-racing

Life’s Not Fair

When You Say Nothing at All

Everything written below if for entertainment purposes only and should not be misconstrued as investment or financial advice.

I did not buy a racing form today. I did not handicap the EMD card.

I like one horse today and I love another.

R3 – Verdi – closed well last time for third with a strong run-out.

R7 – He’s Not Talking – – –

I was a fan of and made a lot of money on this horse’s mom.

When I saw him on the track for the first time on the track – I loved him.

The first time he competed, he ran last, but I loved his stride and the way he finished. After that race I walked up to his trainer Bonnie Jenne and said, “I know you are not happy with the result today, but I really like the way he ran”, and she said “I can’t believe he ran last!” I reiterated that I really liked him and his last place finish did not diminish my feeling and she said “yeah. I think he’ll be alright.

He should have won his second out, but I won’t dwell on that ride today. He did break his maiden in his third out. He was entered in the Gottstein Futurity last year (the top stakes-race for 2 yr-olds at EMD) and he got away from his handlers just yards away from the starting gate and ran off and had to be scratched. I am convinced he would have won that race. Last Sunday, after finishing second twice in as many attempts, has was again entered in a stakes race and this time he got away again during the post parade (halter broke I am told) ran all over the track again and had to be scratched. As heartbreaking as his scratches were for me, a racing fan, I cannot imagine what it must have felt like for Bonnie.

Bonnie Jenne passed away on Thursday at the age of 76. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones and friends.

If He’s Not Talking wins this race today, it will be emotional – for me – and for many others. Life is not fair, but sometimes it is poetic. I am hoping for a poem for Bonne today.

See you at the track.

DB

My Best Friend’s Girl

You’ve got your nuclear boots

And your drip dry glove

Ooh when you bite your lip

It’s a reaction to love

*Everything written below is for entertainment purposes only and is not financial or investment advice.*

Race 3

1 – Vivacious Tribute – last raced Oct 13, 2024. Has been working well. Track record holder at 4.5f should be dueling for the lead with Da Smoke. Won a stakes race here last year and should be ready to fire for Blaine. Dangerous. Second pick.

2 – He’s Not Talking – solid second place finish in his May 11 return. He was very hard to handle in the paddock that day. If he can stay calm and keep his head together today, I think he wins this. The Pick.

3 – Checkered Flag – was bumped hard at the start and showed nothing is his season debut, in the May 11 race. Expect an improved performance for Blaine today.

4 – Da Smoke – super quick runner also exits the May 11 tilt. Will have to deal with the rail horse but does hold a fitness edge over that rival. Jockey F. T. Alvarado is overdue for a win.

5 – Tiz’s Harbor – ran third in the May 11 race which was his local debut after winning a restricted AlwN2X at Santa Anita on March 17 where he bested four foes. Third pick.

Race 4

1 – Chai – first out since Sept 14, 2024 for this consistent daughter of Race Day. Has been working extremely well for trainer Kay. Second pick.

2 – Let’s Declare Peace – on the advice of counsel, I am not commenting on this horse.

3 – Lapush – won 3 of 5 here last year. Has not run since August 11 2024 but has been training very well for her return. Has good early foot but stablemate next door has more and speed does not catch speed. Third pick.

4 Aloha Breeze – speedster exits a pair of wins at TuP the latter of which was run on Jan. 1, 2025. She has won fresh in the past and likely takes this group wire to wire. The Pick.

5 – Daffodil Sweet – might be my youngest son’s favorite horse. She is an 8 year-old now and was not able to visit the winners circle in 2024.

See you at the track!

Jealous by Gene Loves Jezebel

I watch the sun

It breaks through the cloudy skies

It heals these wounds

And makes me glad to be alive

Race 8 (aka the Kay Cooper Allowance for 3 yr-old fillies)

1 – Beauty Bark – one of three Kay Cooper entries, broke her maiden impressively last year before losing to her stablemate by a nose in the stake race. Veteren jockey Alvarado doesn’t have a win yet at this meet. I think he gets one here. The pick.

2 – Riverside Rose – finished last in a $15,000 claiming race nine days ago. I’d fall off my stool if this horse won this race.

3 – Kir Royale – the second Cooper entry, broke her maiden impressively in wire to wire fashion here three weeks ago. If she beats her stable mates today, she could be special.

4 – Precise Timing – the third Cooper entry, the undefeated 2 yr-old champion returns. Showed big heart to come back on to best her stablemate in the WACpJuvF last Aug. Likely favorite will be hard to beat. Second pick.

5 – Recycleyourheart – Southern Cal invader broke her maiden for $20,000 in April. Was twice favored last year at Del Mar for Md$50,000. Has a shot if the locals aren’t ready.

6 – Ima Margarita Girl – also broke her maiden in April. Did run a nice second to Beauty Bark here last year. She has never missed the trifecta in 6 starts. Prefer others.

7 – Saleen G T – ran third to Precise Timing in her debut here last year and has picked up two come from behind victories in as many tries at Tup this year. Has a fitness edge over many of these and if they all go crazy gunning for the lead, look for her late. Third pick.

8 – Hera’s Hope – broke her maiden at Pln last Dec vs 5 rivals and has been running evenly ON THE TURF at SA for OC50K/n1x-N without cracking the tri since. Wild card.

*Please note – you might want to keep an eye on jockey A. Tomita. He has not won a race in N. America yet, but my sources tell me this guy can ride.*

See you at the track!

DB

Crank by Catherine Wheel

Love my superstitious games

Running circles round my brain

When I’m left smiling

I love to steal this living steam

My head in someone’s dream

I’m tired of sleeping

*Everything written below is for entertainment purposes only and should not be misconstrued as financial or investment advice.*

RACE 4

1 – Empirical – firster for Kay Cooper. Sire connect with 15% of first time starters. Dam made over $200,000. The 1 hole can be a tough spot for a debut runner, unless you have speed and it looks like this one has some. Third pick.

2 – Cantputapriceonfun – everything went wrong upon debut. She was very nervous in the paddock, was off slowly, looked out of sorts while trying to play catch-up and only beat two. Drops in for a tag today and I am willing to forgive the ugly first out. The pick.

3 – Ruby Rendezvou – just so you know, I love the word rendezvou and have an affinity towards the name Ruby with the alternate spelling Rube. This one flashed 22.0, 45.6 speed upon her seasonal debut and now steps up in class. Not completely out of the question.

4 – Delayed Not Denied – took action and ran a nice 2nd upon debut in Sept of 2024. Dam Great Mom has thrown some runners so it is interesting to me this one only brought $5,500 at the WASSEP23 sale. First time lasix today. Cannot rule out.

5 – Dynamic Dee Dee – three even efforts last year in good company but did not show much speed. This trainer knows what he is doing. First time Lasix today. Cannot dismiss but prefer to see an out.

6 – Nephele – has hit the board 9 of 12 lifetime starts in CA. Had the lead in deep stretch twice at SA in 2025. Almost always gets bet. Another with a chance.

7 – Above the Ordinary – favored in EMD debut, showed speed and finished a nice 2nd at today’s claiming price. If this horse improves at all she could be right in the mix. I’m not sure I am in love with that last race though and I suspect :46 flat won’t get the lead here. Contender.

8 – Orting Mist – showed speed in nice debut effort but exits the same race as Above the Ordinary which I have questions about. Can’t fault those that fancy this filly.

9 – Coconut Dreams – again – full disclosure – I am a coconut freak so… I lean towards almost anything coconut. This horse had a very unremarkable 2025 debut but drops in for a tag today and gets Cruz to pilot. I cannot get away from the second-place finish last year in the Angie C and I think there is talent here. Second pick.

10 – Bella Ciao Ciao – Decent first out in the same race as the 7 and 8 horse. I am a fan of the dam Reginella. Don’t love the 10 hole today but I would not be surprised if this horse gives an improved effort today.

See you at the track!

DB

Mr. Speed

Well you know, I got the kinda lovin’ that you need
I’m so fast, that’s why the ladies call me Mr. Speed

RACE 7
1 – Whiskey Jack (OR) – last raced Oct. 6, 2024. 2 wins in seven lifetime starts. Has only finished off the board once. This horse is fast yet has never received the first call. Did win fresh off of a break here last year when he blew the start, benefitted from a very fast pace and ran them down on 1:09. Has been training very well. Not impossible but prefer others.

2- Papa’s Golden Boy (WA) – 9 yr-old last raced Sept. 10, 2024. Mr. Speed has 9 wins in 30 lifetime starts earning $254,371 in the process. Fired fresh here last year after more than a year and a half off. Has been training great. Americano a-go-go. Third Pick

3 – Whiskey Harbor (OR) – last raced March 22, 2025 after a year and a half break. Same owner / trainer combo as Whiskey Jack. In the old days, these two would have been coupled, as 1 and 1A. Was a stakes winner here in 2023. Did not show much in his lone 2025 start at TuP, but has fired fresh and does have a fitness edge over all but one of these.
I’ll watch one before endorsing.

4 – Town Performer (Cal) – last raced Oct 11, 2025. Consistent sort has 4 wins from 19 lifetime starts. Won 3 races in 2024 and only missed the trifecta once. Does possess speed but does not need the lead to win. Gets bet every time and has been training well. Side note: He is 2 for 4 on TURF. I’m not sure what to make of his last two races at Fresno as
he was only facing 3 rivals in each of those heats. Has a shot.

5 – Perfect Dude – (WA) – last raced March 22, 2025. Has 7 wins in 28 starts. This 9 yr-old used to have some good early foot but has not shown it recently. He has not finished better than fifth in more than a year. I respect the $206,086 earnings but it looks like he’ll be
chasing the other 9 yr-old.

6 – Naval Escort – (WA) – last raced Sept. 15, 2024. Has 4 wins in 27 starts. Had a productive 2024 going 2 for 4. Broke my heart when he won fresh last May. I did catch him when he won in Sept. Cruz is due to start winning races in bunches, but I don’t think he wins this one.

7 – Executive Chef – (VA) – last raced Sept. 15, 2024. Has 7 wins in 20 lifetime starts. In 2024: 5 starts, 3 wins and two seconds. Trainer Blaine is on fire currently hitting at 38%. Has been training well and can fire fresh. Regular rider aboard seeking first win of the meet. The Pick.

8 – Slew’s Tiz Whiz – (WA) – last raced Aug 31, 2024. Has 9 wins in 24 lifetime starts and has made $321,722. Has only missed the trifecta once in his last 10 races. He is my favorite type of racehorse, an honest closer that wants to win. Was only able to finish first once in 2024. Has the 2022 LGA Mile winner lost a step? – maybe, but if these others aren’t ready, he will trounce them. Second Pick

See you at EMD.

DB