By Dennis Miller | 2024
September 12
It may be mid-September but this Saturday the Road to the Kentucky Derby starts with the running of the Iroquois takes place at Churchill Downs.
This is the first prep race for the 2025 Kentucky Derby that will be run May 3 at Churchill Downs. Saturday at Churchill also features the first Kentucky Oaks prep – the Pocahontas – of the 2025 Oaks trail. The Oaks will be run May 2, also at Churchill Downs.
The Pocahontas is the 8th race on the Churchill card and is set for a 1:25 p.m. PDT post. The Iroquois is the 10th race and will go off at 2:39 p.m.
These races often get overlooked as the horses that run here seldom have an influence on the Derby or the Oaks. The scoring for the races is 10-5-3-2-1 as the horses compete for points in hopes of qualifying for the Derby or Oaks.
Here are the fields in post-position order:
Pocahontas (One mile, 2-year-old fillies, 1:25 p.m.)
1) Chattanooga Crew (Kenneth McPeak trainer, Brian Hernandez Jr., 20/1): ran fifth in her debut, then came back to win in her second start, a $50,000 maiden optional claimer. In the win she went wire to wire, winning by over four lengths as she was ridden out over seven furlongs.
2) Icona Mama (Flint Stites, Florent Geroux, 15/1) won at first asking, then came back and was second in a stake at Saratoga, finishing behind another runner entered here. The first start was a front running score, with the second being more of a stalking trip.
3) La Cara (Mark Casse, Ricardo Santana, 5/1) took until the fourth start before getting her maiden win. That was August 11 in a straight maiden contest at Saratoga where she absolutely crushed the field winning by eight. Has been beaten by another runner here.
4) Empirical Mischief (John Ennis, Edgar Morales, 20/1) was fourth in her debut, then came back in start No. 2 with a win. It was a front running score at Ellis Park on August 3.
5) Hearts United (Kenneth McPeak, Julien Leparoux, 30/1) started on the turf and was last in a field of 11, beaten nine lengths. Came back on the main track at Ellis Park and closed to win by a head August 12.
6) Pretty Sure (Brendan Walsh, Joel Rosario, 12/1) scored a win in her debut, rallying from a poor start to take command and win by over four at Ellis Park on August 25.
7) Quinn’s Promise (10/1, Dale Romans, 10/1) was third in the debut, then came back to score by a neck in a straight maiden July 29 at Ellis Park.
8) Atomic City (Eddie Kenneally, Luan Machado, 15/1) won at first asking in a maiden over the Churchill track. Came back and
was third in the Grade III Adirondack, beaten 12 lengths, never really getting going.
9) Strong State (Albert Stall, Irad Ortiz, 5/1) was second in the debut, then won in a battle where she was never more than head in front. In the Grade I Spinaway at Saratoga she was fourth, beaten nine lengths, never really getting going. That was August 31 and now wheels back here.
10) Lady Kathryn (Riley Mott, Christian Torres, 10/1) has gotten better every start, running third, second, then getting a win, wiring the field to win by over two lengths.
11) West Memorial (George Weaver, Reylu Gutierrez, 15/1) has been running since April and is now with his third barn. She’s been all over the place, as she was second, then first. The last two have been bad as she was fifth in the Astoria at Saratoga in June, then ninth beaten 20 lengths in another stake.
12) Stilettos (Bret Calhoun, Jose Ortiz, 4/1) has two starts and two wins. Won a straight maiden race, then came back to win the Debutante at Ellis Park on August 11. In both races she has been on or near the lead throughout.
13) Kimchi Cat (Thomas Amoss, Tyler Gaffalione, 9/2) will be strong here, having beaten others in the field while winning two of three starts. Was second in her debut, then has come back to win two straight, including a $150,000 stake at Saratoga on August 18.
14) Liam in the Dust (Rodolphe Brisset, Luis Saez, 15/1) won her debut on August 11 at Ellis Park with a front-end win, showing strength at the end when she was ridden out. Now takes on winners for the first time.
The Iroquois (One mile, 2-year-olds, 2:29 p.m.)
1) First Resort (Eion Harty, Rafael Bejarano, 12/1) won his debut at Ellis Park, then came back and was second in the Saratoga Special on August 10. Has speed and wants the lead – got caught late in the last.
2) Giocoso (Keith Desormeaux, James Graham, 10/1) has improved each race. Started with a fifth in the debut, followed by a win in the second start, and finally a win against straight maidens in early August at Ellis Park.
3) Jack’s Time (Kelly Von Hemel, Brian Hernandez Jr., 20/1) just destroyed the field in his debut winning by over 10 lengths against straight maidens at Prairie Meadows on August 10. Obviously a tougher test here.
4) Authentic Strike (Rodolphe Brisset, Luis Saez, 12/1) is another that was successful in his debut, winning by a neck at Ellis Park on August 12. Now in start two gets a big jump in class.
5) Own Almighty (Brian Lynch, Irad Ortiz, 5/2) is your morning line favorite and at this time, justifiably so. Two starts, two wins
with the last coming in the Juvenile at Ellis Park in August when he used a big kick to pull off by four lengths.
6) Strummin (John Hancock, Christian Torres, 12/1) took until the sixth start to get a win but had been close, running second three times and third once. Better than his record but I can’t sign on here.
7) Sandman (Mark Casse, Jose Ortiz, 6/1) had a bad debut when he was fifth, beaten 11 lengths, but then came back with a win in his second start, stalking the pace and closing strong to win on August 10 at Saratoga.
8) Magnitude (Steve Asmussen, Tyler Gaffalione, 8/1) was fourth in his debut but then came back and won by five lengths at Ellis Park in late July. Powerhouse duo looms here.
9) Firmus (Wayne Catalano, Ricardo Santana, 20/1) did win his debut at Ellis Park but this is a big step up for this one. Would have liked to see another race before this spot.
10) Jonathan’s Way (Phillip Bauer, Joel Rosario, 9/2) won by four lengths in a tough straight maiden race at Saratoga in August. Now is here and could be full of run for the stretch.
11) Mesero (Dale Romans, Corey Lanerie, 15/1) came from well back for the straight maiden score at Ellis Park on July 29. Will need to be better early here to compete.
12) Politically Correct (Christopher Davis, Florent Geroux, 6/1) won his first two starts then was second in the Juvenile at Ellis Park, the race where Own Almighty got the win.
Come wager at the Pleasanton OTB!
As always, the Pleasanton Off-Track Betting center will be open where you can watch and wager on races from around the country.
The Churchill card will be available to wager on!
For more information, please visit www.pleasantonotb.com.
September 6
There are a couple of big stakes races at Del Mar on Saturday, highlighted by the Grade I Del Mar Debutante, a 7-fulong sprint for 2-year-old fillies.
Later, on the Del Mar card, the Grade II John C. Mabee will be run at 1-1/8-miles on the turf for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.
Time to run through both races, in post-position order.
Del Mar Debutante (2-year-old fillies, main track, 4th race, 3 p.m.)
1) Proud Starlet (Tim Yakteen, Umberto Rispoli, 15/1) has one career start and it was a win in late July at Del Mar in straight maiden company. She trailed at first call, but then took the lead and drew off, winning by 4-plus lengths. That was at 5.5-furlongs and now gets seven furlongs here, something she may like. Could be a value-play.
2) Nooni (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez, 4/5) has two starts and two convincing wins. The last was in the Grade III Sorrento when she scored as the 1-2 favorite. Likes to get out from the gate and take the lead. She has not trailed at any point of call in her two starts. A very deserving favorite.
3) So There She Was (Doug O’Neill, Antonio Fresu, 15/1) has one win and two seconds in three starts. Was second in a stake at Churchill in her second start, then came to break maiden in straight maiden company in her third start is early August at Del Mar. Prefers to stalk and take a shot in the lane.
4) Vodka With a Twist (Phil D’Amato, Mike Smith, 5/2) finished over a length back of Nooni in the Sorrento. Has won two of four starts, breaking three back in straight maiden, then winning the Churchill stake race where So There She Was second. Chased Nooni all the way around the track in the Sorrento.
Night Beacon (Ryan Hanson, Kyle Frey, 20/1) broke in straight maiden company, then came back and was fourth, beaten 10 lengths in the Sorrento.
Tenma (Bob Baffert, Kazushi Kimura, 4/1) is another Baffert runner, with this one winning her only start, by a neck in late August. She came from well back in the debut but will see much tougher here.
Jack’s Magic Girl (O J Jauregui, Hector Barrios, 8/1) broke slowly in debut but rallied to win by over three lengths. Trained by one of NorCal’s best barns, she debuted at Del Mar.
Grade II John C. Mabee (3-year-old fillies, turf, 1-1/8-miles, 9th race, 5:30 p.m.)
1) Anisette (Leonard Powell, Umberto Rispoli, 7/5) is the second choice on the morning line and comes in as a legitimate threat. She has won six of eight career starts on the turf, and perhaps more importantly, she has won all three starts on the Del Mar turf. Will settle in the middle of the pack until they turn for home.
2) Hang the Moon (Phil D’Amato, Kazushi Kimura, 20/1) has won two of seven turf starts, with the last start coming on the Del Mar grass in the Osunitas where she ran second.
3) Lucky Girl (Phil D’Amato, Mike Smith, 15/1) has yet to hit the board in four starts this year, all on the turf. The last time she finished in the top three was a win in the Swingtime at Santa Anita, almost a year ago.
4) Uncorked (Phil D’Amato, Antonio Fresu, 10/1) finished second in her first start since May, she was second in the Yellow Ribbon in early August, getting caught late by Anisette. Prefers a closing style.
5) Royal Charter (Leonard Powell, Diego Herrera, 20/1) was running in stake races in Europe before coming across the pond and running in a pair of optional claimers, first at Santa Anita, then at Del Mar. She won at Santa Anita in a $50,000 race, then was second for $100,000 at Del Mar.
6) Didia (Ignacio Correas, Hector Berrios, 4/5) is your morning line favorite and is coming off eight straight Grade I or Grade II races. Two back it was the Grade I New York at Saratoga where she crossed the line first. In her last start, the Grade I Diana, also at Saratoga, she was a beaten favorite, finishing fourth.
7) Fuente Ovejuna (Brendan Walsh, Juan Hernandez, 20/1) is coming off a dead heat for second with Uncorked in the Yellow Ribbon, with both getting caught by Anisette. That was at 19-1 and all the connections return here.
Mixto a big winner
Mixto made the trip from Southern California to the Alameda County Fair to run in the Pleasanton Mile on the final weekend of the meet.
There was plenty to like about the horse and the betting public responded, sending him out as the favorite in the signature race for the Fair.
The race didn’t go as planned as he ran second that day.
Fast forward to this past Saturday in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, Mixto left the gate at 22-1 but under a masterful ride from Kyle Frey, sat right off the pace through most of the race, took the lead in mid-stretch, then held on for the win to pay $46.40.
Come wager at the Pleasanton OTB!
As always, the Pleasanton Off-Track Betting center will be open where you can watch and wager on races from around the country.
For more information, please visit www.pleasantonotb.com.
August 31
Last week it was the East Coast and Saratoga with a load of graded stakes races.
This week the focus shifts to Southern California and Del Mar as it is Pacific Classic day, which brings us five graded stakes races, headlined of course, by the Pacific Classic, which will go to post at 6:13 p.m.
Here are the five races with a quick rundown of the favorites and possible value plays for each.
(Grade III Torrey Pines, one mile, 4th race, 3 p.m.)
This one-mile test on the main track is for 3-year-old fillies and features a heavy favorite.
Hope Road (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez, 4/5) ended last year finishing 11th, beaten 21 lengths in the Del Mar Debutante in September. A long break and a new barn have resulted in two wins in two starts this year by a combined 11 lengths. Granted, the two wins came in a straight maiden and an optional claimer, but she sure looks special.
Desert Rhapsody (Doug O’Neill, Antonio Fresu, 4/1) has won her last two starts as well with the wins also coming in a straight maiden and an optional claimer, and while the favorite did it by a combined 11 lengths, this one pulled it off by over 12 combined lengths.
Nothing Like You (Bob Baffert, Kazushi Kimura, 9/2) has seen much tougher races, including four straight graded races. Last out on June 8 she was a badly beaten second, finishing nine lengths back in the Grade II Summer Oaks at Santa Anita. But back in April she was the winner of the Grade II Santa Anita Oaks, crossing the line over seven lengths ahead of the second-place horse.
(Grade II Del Mar Handicap, 1-3/8-miles, 5th race, 3:30 p.m.)
This turf route race sees a field of seven going to post for a purse of $300,000.
Dicey Mo Chara (Leonard Powell, Hector Berrios, 2/1) was second with a closing charge in the Eddie Read back on July 28 over the Del Mar turf course. Is the favorite here but has not crossed the line first since December of 2022 when he won the Grade II San Gabriel at Santa Anita.
Gold Phoenix (Phil D’Amato, Kyle Frey, 5/2) was seventh in the Eddie Read, never getting untracked in the race. Back in May he won the Charlie Whittingham by a head, in a race where the favorite here was seventh. Favors a closing style and my question here is will he get enough of a pace to run at.
Balnikhov (Phil D’Amato, Kazushi Kimura, 3/1) was the third-place finisher in the Eddie Read, closing strong but finishing three lengths back of the winner. Two races back he was a winner on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico in the Grade III Dinner Party.
Master Piece (Richard Dutrow, Juan Hernandez, 3/1) the fourth-place finisher from the Eddie Read as he broke sixth and never really got going. He was a winner two back when he brought home the win in the Grade II Fort Marcy Handicap at Aqueduct.
(Grade III Green Flash, 5 furlongs, 9th race, 5:30 p.m.)
A flat-out sprint on the turf, with 12 horses set to battle in what figures to be to see who gets to the one turn first. It appears to be a wide-open race.
Motorious (Phil D’Amato, Antonio Fresu, 7/2) is the lukewarm favorite and is the defending champion of this race, coming from fourth at the top of the lane and pulling away to win by almost two lengths. After finishing last year with three wins and two seconds in six starts, the form this year has not been good as he ran seventh in the Grade II Turf Sprint at Churchill in the Derby undercard, then was fourth in an allowance event at Santa Anita in June.
Connie Swingle (Phil D’Amato, Kyle Frey, 9/2) is the modest second choice. It’s a mare taking on the boys here and she is coming off a win in the Daiseycutter at Del Mar in late July. She has won 7-of-11 career starts, running second three times and finishing third in the other race. Got to be one to watch here, even taking on the boys.
Turn on the Jets (Phil D’Amato, Kazushi Kimura, 5/1) completes the trifecta for D’Amato as he saddles the top three favorites. This one has four wins in 15 career starts and has not crossed the line first since doing so a year ago in an optional claimer. Has won three of his five starts over the Del Mar turf course.
If you are searching for some value, look at Unconquerable Keen (Phil D’Amato, Hector Berrios, 8/1). Of course, yet another runner from the D’Amato barn, this guy has not seen the strength of races the favorites have but he has hit the board in all five turf starts at Del Mar, including a pair of wins. Did beat Turn on the Jets two times last year.
(Grade I Pacific Classic, 1-1/4-miles, 10th race, 6 p.m.)
This used to be one of the top stakes’ races of the year outside of the Breeders Cup and Triple Crown races. There is no doubt the race has some of its luster as has most in California, but it still packs some punch. This year we have a mare taking on the boys!
Adare Manor (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez, 9/5) is your favorite as she jumps into battle with eight boys. She has won three straight and is coming off an almost three-length win in the Grade I Clement L. Hirsch on August 3 at Del Mar. Will be on the lead or pushing the pace. Has won 10-of-18 career starts and run second five times.
Dr. Venkman (Mark Glatt, Antonio Fresu, 5/2) we talked about last month in the preview for the San Diego Handicap, a race he won on July 27. Named after the Bill Murray character from Ghostbusters he led the San Diego for most of the race, holding on to win by a length in his first effort around two turns. He ran second in his other start this year, the Grade II Triple Bend, a sprint at Santa Anita in early June.
Il Miracolo (Antonio Sano, Mike Smith, 5/1) has hit the board four times in five starts this year and is coming off a second in the Grade III Philip H. Iselin Stakes, August 17 at Monmouth Park.
There are a couple of runners here with a connection to Pleasanton. Katonah (Doug O’Neill, Tiago Pereira, 8/1) was the winner of the first Pleasanton Mile on July 9, 2023. The horse went to the shelf for year and then came back to run second in the San Diego Handicap.
Mixto (Doug O’Neill, Kyle Frey, 20/1) was second in this year’s version of the Pleasanton Mile. He was the favorite in the July 7 race, falling two lengths back of the winner.
(Grade II Del Mar Mile, one mile, 11th race, 6:30 p.m.)
The turf race ends the awesome Del Mar card with 10 horses schedule to go to post.
Du Jour (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez, 8/5) stretched out for the Eddie Read and faded late to finish sixth. Now back to the mile distance where he has won five of 12 starts. Was 10th in the Breeders Cup Mile last year. His last mile race was the Grade I Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita in late May and he was third there.
First Peace (Mark Glatt, Mike Smith, 3/1) has hit the board in 5-of-6 starts this year and is coming off a win in the $103,000 Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar on July 21.
Of local interest is Lammas (Manny Badillo, Abel Cedillo, 12-1) who was the winner of the Pleasanton Mile this year in one of only three dirt starts in his career. He is on a four-race winning streak, notching a win in the Grade III San Francisco Mile back in April at Golden Gate Fields.
Come wager at the Pleasanton OTB!
As always, the Pleasanton Off-Track Betting center will be open where you can watch and wager on races from around the country.
