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QUIGLEY'S CORNER
Daily Del Mar Diary and Analysis
By HorsePlayer owner/publisher Tom Quigley
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Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - Day 43 of 43
- Closing day - feelings of sadness quickly tempered by a two-day pick six carryover of almost $1 million with a mandatory payout. Look for the total pool to be between $4 - $5 million. What's gotten lost in all the excitement is that there has been only one winning pick six ticket sold since last Friday (on Saturday, when it got hit for more than $231,000 on a $144 ticket). As the meet comes to a close, full fields and wacky results have made the bet quite challenging to say the least!
- Is it just me, but doesn't it seem Polytrack was favoring early speed runners way more the last few days (when the weather was extremely hot) compared to the rest of the meet? Take note, however, that today is back to normal from a temperature standpoint in the Del Mar area so pay close attention to how the earlier races are being run.
- Sorry for my absence on Sunday & Monday, but I've been on a whirlwind promotional tour. Prior to the last race on Saturday, Ken Rudolph from TVG stopped by unexpectedly to broadcast live from the Corner as part of his Fandicapping Show, then on Sunday, I was a guest on the Race & Sports Radio Show hosted by Felix Taverna, as well as that afternoon being the featured guest for the DMTC Surfside Terrace handicapping seminar, hosted by Jon Lindo, followed up by a appearance on Monday just prior to the races on the Del Mar simulcast feed handicapping show, hosted by John Lies. And all you thought I did was drink Tecate's all day long?
- Other visitors at the Corner over the Labor Day weekend included Michael "Roxy" Roxborough, former owner of Las Vegas Sports Consultants who revolutionized sports wagering by using mathematical formulas and computer models to help compute accurate odds, Steve ("I've dunked once in my life") Young, Mike "Comrade" Hobart, Eric (from Beverly Hills) Weinsheink and Stanley Bavlish, the 2007 DRF/NTRA Handicapper of the Year.
Week #7 Horses To Watch
Foggy Haze - 8/31, Race 5: First time starter from the Chuck Perry barn won the beauty pageant in the paddock, but never picked up her hooves on the track. Hard to believe she has no talent based on her looks; give her one more chance to redeem herself.
Mostbeautifulstorm - 9/02, Race 7: As predicted by Dave Gutfreund at the beginning of the meet, trainer Dale Romans is 0 for Del Mar. Not sure what his purpose was in shipping a string out here, but his barn was a non factor, highly unusual for such a high percentage barn. Give this three-year-old filly another "shot" when she resurfaces in the liberal medication state of Kentucky.
Wednesday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll - Last chance for romance - here's how I'll construct my Pick 6 ticket:
Race 5: #2 Gallardo, #4 Denied and #9 City Stormer
Race 6: #5 Kalookan Event and #9 Hy Temp
Race 7: #1 Selvatica, #8 Theverythoughtof U and #13 Candy Jo
(#1 comes out of the best race; #8 & #13 last raced under the lights on a Friday night at Hollywood Park).
Race 8: #7 Phoebe's Song
(Been racing against the bias in her last two; gets a real jockey to ride her for the first time in her career).
Race 9: #4 Drill Down, #7 Leonides and #13 Dixie Chatter
Race 10: #6 Really Indian
(Welcome back to Cali, Go-Go. Let's have a drink in the party in the paddock afterwards to celebrate).
Ticket Cost (3x2x3x1x3x1) x $2 = $108
Monday & Sunday's Results: No Diary; No Play
Saturday's Result: (-$100)
Meet Result: (-$368.88) If you've had 1/100th the fun that I've had communicating with you during the past seven weeks, then we both should consider ourselves lucky. Win or lose, there's only one Del Mar & it holds a very special place in my heart, as I'm sure it does yours. God willing, we'll get to have more fun in 2008 where the turf meets the surf. Until then, best of luck and thank you for interest and support! - TQ Saturday, September 1, 2007 - Day 40 of 43 - Damian Roncevich, direct from Honolulu, Hawaii, was at the Corner on Friday as was JB Daines, VP of Sales & Marketing for Ostendo Technologies and Mark Leib, ticket broker & thoroughbred owner.
- Congrats to "the Del Mar Boys", a group of local San Diego guys who took down the Pick 6 yesterday on a $900 ticket.
- Bumped into owner Jim (JR) Robinson (a medical marvel if I've ever met one) after the races last night at Red Tracton's & he reminded me of a very special charity event he'll be a part of on Monday. It's another example of how great the racing community can be during a tiime of need. Here's the press release on it:
Owners Bob Bone, Scott Guenther, Pablo Suarez, Ron Brewer and Jim Robinson will play host to 150 Marines from Camp Pendleton on Labor Day, Monday, September 3 in the track�s Seabiscuit Skybox. The owners will provide food, refreshments and transportation. They have asked camp officials to give preference to the wounded and others recently back from the war fronts in the Middle East. Bone said he decided on doing this after hosting a smaller group last year. �They expressed to me how great it was to go from the worst place on earth to one of the best, in referring to Del Mar.�
Saturday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll - So far, I'm one for four with horses running back off my Horses to Watch list. Let's try to make it two for five today as Yario, who I wrote about after his perforfance during opening week, is finally entered back in today's sixth race. Granted, he's running against older today, but he's got the best turf rider in the colony on his back, so let's just treat his morning line odds of 7/2 as a gift.
Race 6: #6 Yario $100 Win
Friday's Result: (-$96)
Meet Result: (-$268.88) Best of luck today & don't forget you've got two chances on Sunday to hear me via streaming audio over the Internet where I'll discuss my thoughts on the 10 race Del Mar card. Read Friday's Diary for more information. - TQ Friday, August 31, 2007 - Day 39 of 43 - Super agent Nick Cosato & well respected private clocker Gary Young spent a few minutes on Thursday entertaining the Corner in their own unique way.
- For those of you who care, you'll have two opportunities this Sunday to hear me babble about the Del Mar ten race card that day. First chance will be from 9-10 AM (Pacific) when I join host Felix Taverna on his Race & Sports Radio Show, heard live in Southern California on 1090AM. And if you're not in the Southern California area, you can still listen live by clicking here. Second chance will be from 12:30 - 1:15 PM when I'll appear at a FREE handicapping seminar at the top of the strech at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. The audio from that seminar will also be streamed live over the Internet and can be heard by clicking here, compliments of youbet.com and Daily Racing Form.
Friday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll - It would be very un-American for me on the start of this three day holiday period not to put in a Pick 6 ticket with a two-day carryover of $654,880, wouldn't it? Here goes - I'm bringing my water pistol to the gun battle.
Race 3: #6 Obabytalkdirtytome, #8 Adarlyn Cat and #9 Glitterman's Fancy
Race 4: #6 Rush With Thunder and #10 Cobalt Blue
Race 5: #1 In Daddy's Honor, #3 Touch Luck, #7 Spanish Heat and #9 Foggy Haze
Race 6: #4 Onida and #8 Wondrous Event
Race 7: #9 Noble Court (Only Graded Stakes winner in field & beat older last time).
Race 8: #8 Blake's Passion (Goes 1st time turf for best grass trainer in North America - Dam already has thrown 5 turf winners from 11 starters).
Ticket Cost = $96 (3x2x4x2x1x1) x $2
Thursday's Result: (-$100)
Meet Result: (-$172.88) Full fields dominate the entry box over the next three days as trainers try to get one more race for their runners over the polytrack surface. Good luck in the Pick Six & I'll speak with you on Saturday. - TQ Thursday, August 30, 2007 - Day 38 of 43 - Stopping by the Corner to say hi on Wednesday were pro player Kevin (Duke) Matties, Rich Nash, visiting from Indiana and Dennis Yokum, Racing Manager for Moody Creek Farms. Interestingly, Dennis pinhooked J Be K, the impressive two-year-old debut winner at Saratoga yesterday who set a new track record (1:03.13 for 5 1/2 furlongs).
- Amazing athletic feat by horse & jockey to avoid injury in the sixth race when Valiant Effort, ridden by MC Baze, suddenly ducked in and jumped the temporary rail midway through the strech on the turf course.
- There were no winners in the Pick 6 yesterday so we have a carryover today of $147,092. Surprisingly, there were also no tickets with five, so the consolation payoff ($1,432.60) was paid to those with four winners.
Thursday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll - Brahms Tudor in today's sixth race is another runner from the Quigley's Corner Horses to Watch list. Here's what I wrote a few weeks ago about his last performance: Brahms Tudor - 8/17, Race 6: Put in a strong late run over the Polytrack surface in his first career race routing, something most horses have not not able to do this meet. I expect this lightly raced three-year-old to continue improving under the care of very capable trainer Mike Puype.
It's a little surprising that he's entered back just 13 days since his last performance & that he's trying turf for the first time, but I'm going to consider both of those moves a vote of confidence from his trainer.
Race 6: #8 Brahms Tudor $100 Win
Wednesday's Result: (-$100)
Meet Result: (-$72.88) See you tomorrow for the final Friday card of the meet - Don't forget, first post is 3:30 pm (Pacific). - TQ Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - Day 37 of 43 - Jay Privman, national correspondent for the Daily Racing Form, Chris Bahr, Promotions Director for Del Mar, Joe Boyle, handicapper extraordinare from New Jersey and Mike from Colts Neck Data were just some of the friendly faces to stop by the Corner on Monday.
Week #6 Horses To Watch
Guns On the Table - 8/25, Race 7: Bet down to the 9/5 favorite, this Bob Baffert two-year-old maiden, who looked very fit in the paddock, lost all chance at the break when he lept in the air to be off very slow. Despite that trouble, he put in a powerful run to get back into contention before understandably tiring late to finish a close third. Won't be a maiden for much longer.
Stage Sensation - 8/26, Race 6: Another two-year-old maiden, this one a filly from the Eric Guillot barn, also made a favorable impression in the paddock but drew the inside post for this, her debut performance. Shuffled back early, she made a move along the rail (not the place to be this past Sunday if you wanted to win a race) past the 3/8 pole to get on even terms in mid-strech with impressive winner Czechers before weakening late. Trust me when I tell you this filly could make some noise in her division. Wednesday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll - I can easily summarize the feelings I had when I finally cashed a bet on Monday to what Joey Harrington recently said when asked how he felt being named the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons - "Every dog has his day!"
- We've got two horses entered today off the Quigley's Corner Horses to Watch list and both are in the Pick Four (Unusual Treasure in Race 6 and Expect Valkyr in Race 7). Here's what I previously wrote about both of them:
Unusual Treasure - 8/05, Race 7: Looked like dynamite in the paddock, floated up to 12/1 off a 5/1 morning line and looked to be in the perfect "pocket" position as the horses entered the far turn. That's when his jockey's inability to make the right decision at the most critical time of the race cost this horse any chance of winning. Nevertheless, the horse still overcame his weak ride by finishing a close-up fourth. Tab for next time on the turf with a rider upgrade.
Expect Valkyr - 7/20, Race 7: Lightly raced three-year-old, off a bit slow, never got a chance to run as she was trapped down inside, no where close to what appeared to be the favorable outside lanes of polytrack during Week #1. She'll outrun her odds in her next start as she looked extremely fit in the paddock. Let's strike while the iron is hot & single both in the Pick 4, structuring the ticket as follows:
Race 5: All
Race 6: Single # 7 Unusual Treasure
Race 7: Single # 4 Expect Valkyr
Race 8: All
Ticket cost = $100 (10x1x1x10) Monday's Result: (+ $1,830)
Meet Result: (+ $27.12) Best of luck today - Another Quigley's Corner Horse to Watch is entered on Thursday - Check in with you then. - TQ Monday, August 27, 2007 - Day 36 of 43 - Just like Charlie Whittingham once said, close only counts when you're using hand grenades! My doom and gloom weather forecast for Del Mar on Sunday (that I predicted on Wednesday) missed by 10 miles. Click here to read what the front page of the San Diego Union Tribune said this morning.
Monday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- For the next three racing days, we've got four horses entered back off my Horses To Watch list. One of them, Optimier, runs in today's 7th race. Here's what I wrote after his last performance: "Just a victim of bad racing luck as he had to wait for room before getting through late to finish a very close second. Beware, however, as this five-year-old horse has alot of "hang" in him as he's now finished second or third in eight of his 14 lifetime starts."
OK, let's make the "safe" play (BTW, no such thing in horseracing) and wager a $100 Quinella with #3 Wooden Ticket, who has been working heads up with After Market, the winner of yesterday's Grade II Del Mar Handicap.
Race 7: $100 Quinella - #3 Wooden Ticket with #4 Optimer
Sunday's Result: (-$100)
Meet Result: (-$1,712.80) Hard to believe only 7 more days of live racing left at Del Mar this meet after today - Speak with you on Wednesday as we enter closing week. - TQ Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Day 35 of 43 - As expected, former HorsePlayer Editor Clinton Smith visited the Corner on Saturday. What wasn't expected is that he is good friends with the tour manager for Ziggy Marley, who performed at Del Mar after the races. Trust me, the clothes I wore last night need a GOOD dry cleaning, mon!
Other visitors stopping by the Corner were Youbet executive Mike Knapp, HorsePlayer contributor Gibson Carothers, and 2001 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Tournament Champion Judy Wagner.
- Granted, it's still early with a small sample size, but keep your eye on the progeny of El Corredor on Polytrack surfaces. He not only sired first-out winner Dodgen Bullets in the sixth race yesterday, but is also the sire of likely Del Mar Futurity favorite Drill Down & Grade 1 Blue Grass winner Dominican.
Sunday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- Firing fresh is not something I'll be able to do after last night's concert, but let's just hope my top selection can. In fact, both of her career wins have come off the bench, so there is precedent for a solid perforfance today despite the layoff. Obscure trainer/jockey connections will only help the morning line of 20/1 drift up.
Race 2: #2 Kalookan Lessie $100 Win
Saturday's Result: (-$100)
Meet Result: (-$1,612.80) "And Away They Go" - Legendary Los Al track announcer Ed Burgart is planning to visit the Corner on Monday. I'll definitely need the day off on Tuesday after his visit! - TQ Saturday, August 25, 2007 - Day 34 of 43 - It was a "Good Friday" yesterday at the Corner as Mohegan Sun Racebook Manager Zach Montoya stopped by to have some fun. Joining him throughout the day were Chris Quinn, Director of Group Sales at Santa Anita, Dr. Robert McNamara from San Marino, CA, Peter McLaughlin, breeder of recent allowance winner Logan Avenue Linda and Dawn Whelan, whose family owned numerous horses trained by Eddie Gregson, including Super Diamond.
- Great 10 race card "on tap" today at Del Mar, highlighted by a one day carryover in the Pick 6 of $170,432, plus a $500,000 guaranteed Pick 4.
- In another troubling sign of not only the overall economy, but also of a person who has been extremely supportive of the game, the LA Times on Thursday portrayed the struggles the company Cash Call is enduring, which is owned by prominent thoroughbred owner J. Paul Reddam. Click here to read the full story.
Saturday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- Northern California based trainer Terry Knight always does a great job no matter where he runs. In Race 6, he's got a mare entered named Marathon Mom, whom he claimed last time out. He's victorious 38% of the time first off the claim and the race she exits has been validated with three next out winners (Yearly Attitude, Toppers Gold & Carries A Jewel), plus I love that he shortens her up from a route to a sprint. If she wins, somebody please draw me a map to the cashiers window!
Race 6: #1 Marathon Mom $100 Win
Friday's Result: (-$100)
Meet Result: (-$1,512.80) The Company's CFO (Terri Kato) will make a very rare appearance at the Corner on Sunday - better be on my best behavior when the chief bean counter shows up! Speak with you then. - TQ Friday, August 24, 2007 - Day 33 of 43 Fun time at the Corner on an otherwise quiet Thursday as Jim Kostas, General Manager of Daily Racing Form was in town, along with former KNX radio race result announcer Jeff Munson and thoroughbred owner Bob Veratti. Also spotted off in the distance was former Chicago Cubs pitcher & current ESPN broadcaster Rick Sutcliffe.
- Most of you are probably already aware of the site I'm about to recommend, but just in case you haven't seen it, visit www.indiancharlie.com, whose slogan is "We Never Let The Truth Get In The Way Of A Good Story." It's ALWAYS a fun read!
Friday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- No truth to the rumor that I am renaming this section "The Automatic Toss of the Day." Nevetheless, let's forge ahead and take a look at the seventh race on the card. Looking at the race, there just doesn't appear to be a whole lot of early pace, which could play out favorably for #4, Potential. Obviously, a better horse on turf than dirt, this four-year-old is running just his third race off a January '07 layoff. I like the nice gate work on August 9th to get him on his toes, so now all we have to do is sweat Mr. Pedroza dictating the tempo on the front end, never an easy task for a 10% rider on the turf to do. But his morning line of 10/1 is just too enticing to worry about such minor details.
Race 7: #4 Potential $100 to Win
Thursday's Result: (-$100)
Meet Result: (-$1,412.80) Big day planned for tomorrow as not only is it Travers day at Saratoga, but the person most responsible for helping me launch HorsePlayer Magazine, Clinton Smith, joins the Corner as we celebrate our General Manager's (Jeff Sotman) 50th birthday. Welcome to the club, Jeff! - TQ Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Day 32 of 43 - Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani was at Del Mar on Wednesday. Courtesy of the San Diego Union Tribune, here's what he had to say when asked how Del Mar compares to Saratoga: "This is absolutely beautiful. It's different. This is much bigger. Saratoga is more out in the country, more countrylike. They have different appeal.� Notice no words uttered by Rudy similar to what Bob Baffert said last week in upstate New York when he was asked to compare Saratoga to Del Mar and said "You guys have some serious fans here. Your horses are appreciated here. At Del Mar, everybody's just getting drunk and going to the beach." Then again, Rudy didn't visit Quigley's Corner.
- Some who WERE brave enough to visit the Corner yesterday included Las Vegas residents Patrick McQuiggan, former Sam's Town Racebook Director Norm Kelley & Northwestern alumn John Kelly, who co-hosts The Leroy's Sports Hour Radio Show with legendary oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccarro every weekday from 2pm-3pm (Pacific) on Fox Sports Radio 1460AM in Las Vegas.
- Many fans in the paddock were verbally upset by the non-call by the stewards in the third race. Personally, I thought they made the right call by making no change to the original order of finish.
Thursday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- Trainer Juan Garcia has had a solid meet so far, so let's look at his filly in the second race, #3 Precious. Adding Lasix, getting off the rail, switching from Vergara to Flores and dropping from Maiden 40 into Maiden 25 all look like a winning receipe to me.
Race 2: #3 Precious $100 Win
Wednesday's Result: (-$72 - #10 Scratched in Race 6) Meet Result: (-$1,312.80) Don't forget first post on Friday is 3:30pm (Pacific) - speak with you then - TQ Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - Day 31 of 43 - From the you heard it here first department: Look for the remnants of Hurricane Dean to have an impact on the Sunday races at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Week #5 Horses To Watch
Double Action - 8/15, Race 7: Looked a little heavy in the paddock, then on the turf course, missed the break from his rail post, rushed up, checked, tried to lug out on the turn and still just missed winning by less than two lengths. His trouble in the race was way more severe than the trouble line that will appear in his past performance line. Look for trainer "King Jerry" to be in the winners circle with this three-year-old colt next time out.
Brahms Tudor - 8/17, Race 6: Put in a stong late run over the Polytrack surface in his first career race routing, something most horses have not not able to do this meet. I expect this lightly raced three-year-old to continue improving under the care of very capable trainer Mike Puype.
Cavalry Charge - 8/18, Race 6: Made a fantastic appearance in the paddock considering that this was his first race since July 1, 2006! Battled for the lead until the top of the strech, then understandably tired to finish eighth. Granted, he's a five-year-old maiden, but he's in the barn of Richard Mandella, who is no butcher. Look for him (the horse, not the trainer) to be much tighter next time out. Wednesday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll - The Pick 4 today looks like it could pay enough for a lifetime supply of a bucket of Coronas. Here's how I'll attack the sequence:
Race 5: #1 Tribal Chief, #4 Two Tone Roan and #8 Crimson Cowboy
Race 6: #6 I Beat The Fire, #8 Tom West, #10 Dee Rain and #11 Noble Tradition.
Race 7: #2 Dancing Sky and #3 Logan Avenue Linda
Race 8: #1 Free Susita, #5 Hi Lily Hi Lo, #6 Sunset Tijuana and #7 Queen of the I.E.
Total Cost (3x4x2x4) = $96
Monday's Result: No Play Meet Result: (-$1,240.80) Excuse me now as I've got to rejoin the riveting programming on the Weather Channel - see you Thursday! - TQ Monday, August 20, 2007 - Day 30 of 43 - Darren Rogers from Lone Star Park & Jeremy Clemons from Twinspires.com were taking in the sights and sounds of Pacific Classic day on Sunday. - Right idea, wrong horse for me in the big race. As my good buddy Frank Tate said before the Grade 1 field loaded, the oddsboard represented a "buffet of value." Congrats to those who beat the chalk!
- No doubt the best turf miler on the West Coast is Crossing The Line, a New Zealand-bred gelding. But it will be interesting to see if his connections put up the necessary money to make him Breeders' Cup eligible. Moral to the story - don't be fooled by the new slogan "Win and You're In." Ah, not exactly.
Monday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll - No play for me today - I'm too busy eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts, listening to "Cold As Ice" by Foreigner. Yesterday's Result: (-$100.00) Meet Result: (-$1,240.80) The second to the last week of the meet begins on Wednesday - speak with you then. - TQ Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Day 29 of 43 - Stopping by the Corner on Saturday to say hi & share a few laughs were photographers LA Williams, Shig Kikkawa & Tom Baker, Coast Resort Racebook Director Randi Muniz with Lisa from the Gold Coast, former San Diego State football star "Touchdown" Casey Brown (with his family), former jockey agent Bill ("Bear") Barisoff, the owner of the 100-1 bar in Arcadia, Bryan Carney and thoroughbred owners Mike Herbert (with his dad, Dick), Ken Berryman & Chris Fosselman (with his family). - Today's Pacific Classic day will begin a little earlier than the usual Sunday program, with post time for the first race being 1 p.m. instead of the normal 2 p.m. There are three stakes races on the card: the Grade II, $300,000 Pat O'Brien Handicap will be run as the third race, the Grade II, $400,000 Del Mar Mile as the seventh and the Grade I, $1-million Pacific Classic as the eighth race, with post time at 4:45. The Mile and the Pacific Classic will be carried live on ESPN2 during a 4-5 p.m. (Pacific time) show. And don't forget there is a guaranteed $1-million Pick Six on races 5-10, with a (somewhat meaningless) carryover of $223,000 from Saturday. Sunday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- The Pacific Classic is a great betting race if you think Lava Man can get beat, which I believe is likely to happen today. And Big Booster owes me absolutely nothing as he's been responsible in earning over $150,000 in tournament earnings for me the past few years. So while I have a soft spot in my heart for this six-year-old gelding, if you objectively watch the replay of the Hollywood Gold Cup, I think you'll agree he was best that day. And while I love jockey Michael Baze, the switch today to "Go-Go" could be just the extra difference this friend of mine needs to jump into the national spotlight. Race 8 #10 Big Booster $100 to win Yesterday's Result: (-$100.00) Meet Result: (-$1,240.80) It wouldn't surprise me if we had a double carryover in the Pick 6 waiting for us on Monday - Chat with you then. - TQ Saturday, August 18, 2007 - Day 28 of 43 - The Corner has been bustling with activity the last 48 hours. Among the many dignitaries dropping by were Josh Tepper with TVG, Ken Kirchner from the Breeders' Cup, NTRA exec Carter Carnegie, John & Joann Bozak, Mary West (who is on the Forbes "500" List), restraunter Dan Sbicca, thoroughbred owner (and former IU hoops star) Bobby Wilkerson, workout analyst Bruno de Julio, Mark Koepsell, visiting from Northern Virginia, (First Place!) Chicago Cubs fan Bill Leuzinger, proprietor Steve Goldberg of Belly Up Tavern in Solano Beach and his mom, the dam of Goldberg The Wrestler. An eclectic group to say the least! - The charity poker tournament on Thursday night for Noe Garcia, the injured groom of Lava Man, was a smashing success. Over 300 people from the local racing community turned out for the event & more than $125,000 was raised on his behalf. Yours truly made it to one of the final three tables, but was knocked out after three hours of playing (and drinking). During that time period, jockey Corey Nakatani sat down next to me & shared that he will be a-ok physically for the big race tomorrow.
- By far, the worst looking horse to parade past Quigley's Corner this meet occurred prior to yesterday's last race. How Pace to Burn made it past the watchful eye of the state vet remains a mystery to me.
Saturday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- We've got a "Quigley's Corner Horse to Watch" running today. Here's what I wrote a few weeks ago: Peace Accord - 8/06, Race 8: Could not have looked any better in the paddock and got the job done in braking his maiden after seven prior unsuccessful attempts. Will be interesting to see where his new barn places him (he was claimed out of this race), but should be definitely considered a threat at the starter allowance level.
I'm all in!
Race 5: #12 Peace Accord $100 to win Yesterday's Result: No Play Meet Result: (-$1,140.80) Don't forget the $1 million Guaranteed Pick Six on Sunday for Pacific Classic day - speak with you in the morning. - TQ Thursday, August 16, 2007 - Day 26 of 43 - Debra Giglio stopped by the Corner on Wednesday. It's a safe bet you won't meet another woman in racing who is more passionate about the game than her. - A good time was had by all at the Pacific Classic Post Position party last night. John Lies did an excellent job with his Q&A interviews with the connections of the leading contenders and it would be hard to find a funnier guy at a cocktail party than Bob Feld, leader of Bongo Racing Stable.
Thursday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- Let's keep it simple as we've got five Graded Stake races to focus on between Friday & Sunday.Today, trainer Mike Mitchell goes first off the claim with Sting'n Inthe Rain in Race 5, a move he's successful with 23% of the time. Race 5: $100 Win #1 Sting'n Inthe Rain
Yesterday's Result: (-100.00) Meet Result: (-$1,140.80) The social scene "bender" continues tonight with a charity poker tournament for the groom of Lava Man, who tragically lost his arm last month in a road rage incident. If you're not familiar with the story, click here to read. It will make you appreciate what you have in life. - TQ Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Day 25 of 43 - Visitors to the Corner on Monday included Kurt Hoover, personable simulcast host at Santa Anita & Hollywood Park, legendary baseball coach Don Zimmer, David Hulkewicz, the owner of 2003 Bing Crosby winner, Beau's Town, and former securities trader Chris Mann. Week #4 Horses To Watch
Just in case you might not be aware of a FREE Website that offers access to video replays for all (Northern & Southern) California tracks, visit www.CalRacing.com. It takes one minute to register, then you can watch the trips for the horses I've identified below. If you follow California racing as closely as I do, I guarantee you this site will be part of your handicapping arsenal.
Tough Contender - 8/10, Race 4: Was absolutely wiped out at the start and still ran a credible third. Give this two-year-old maiden another shot or two at this level.
Leesider - 8/10, Race 7: One of at least two horrific rides put up by Alex Solis the past few days (See 8/09, Race 7, Daytona). Why was he part of the early pace in both of these races? At a time when Alex should be the patriach of the jocks room, he's become an automatic toss for most serious handicappers.
My Little Margie - 8/11, Race 5: It's no mistake why Aaron Gryder is a 5% jock on the turf if you watch this ride. Sitting on much the best horse, he's got no clue where to go as the horses turn for home, with his indeciveness readily apparent to even a casual observer. On a side note, word on the street is that the jocks room at the upcoming Oak Tree meet is going to be occupied by at least four well established East Coast riders. THAT will be a welcome relief.
Whatwerewethinking - 8/12, Race 7: This $32,000 Cal-Bred claimer got the lead mid-strech at 12/1, then hung badly to finish third. Whati'mthinking is that this horse changing barns from McFarlane to Mitchell (via the claim box) is like me changing girlfriends from Rosie O'Donnell to Vanessa Minnillo. Watch for significant improvement next time out.
Wednesday Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- Trainer Ron Ellis is starting to heat up after a slow start. I believe one of the reasons is that he is now working his runners over the Del Mar Polytrack surface, something he wasn't doing at the start of the meet (see Buzzard's Bay in the San Diego Handicap). Race 1: #5 - Arroyo Trabuco $100 Win Parlay to:
Race 3: #2 - Celtic Way
Yesterday's Result: (-100.00) Meet Result: (-$1,040.80) After the races today, I'll be attending the Pacific Classic Post Position draw, more widely known in media circles as "The Cocktail Challenge" - I better set two alarms for Thursday morning.
A group of San Diego second, third, and fourth graders, accompanied by two female teachers, went on a field trip to Del Mar to see and learn about thoroughbred horses.
When it was time to take the children to the bathroom, it was decided that the girls would go with one teacher and the boys would go with the other. The teacher assigned to the boys was waiting outside the men's room when one of the boys came out and told her that none of them could reach the urinal. Having no choice, she went inside, helped the boys with their pants, and began hoisting the boys up, one by one, holding onto their "wee-wees" to direct the flow away from their clothes. As she lifted one, she couldn't help but notice that he was unusually well endowed. Trying not to show that she was staring, the teacher said, "You must be in the fourth grade." He replied, "No, ma'am, I'm riding Lightning Flash in the 7th race today." - TQ Monday, August 13, 2007 - Day 24 of 43 - Failed to mention when I was in Vegas this past weekend that I bumped into Dave Tuley, whose writings now only occassionally appear in the Daily Racing Form. If you enjoy Dave's writings about the Vegas scene, check out his brand new Website (www.viewfromvegas.com). - OK, I've got the names of the top three finishers from the Wynn handicapping tournament. First place went to Robert Scannell with a point total of 215.60, good enough to capture the first place prize of $59,500. In second place was HorsePlayer contributor Mike Labriola with a point total of 177.50 (prize money of $25,500 plus an additional $8,500 for having the second highest point total on day two), followed in third by Mitchell Schuman with 172.50 points ($12,750). Congratulations to all!
Monday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- "Get The Money" is what this diary has been trying to do since the start of the meet, with as you can see by our bottom line, very limited success. Trainer Jeff Mullins is "back on the beam" once again, so expect this new acquisition of his to show significant improvement. Race 1: #1 - Get The Money $100 Win
Yesterday's Result: (-100.00) Meet Result: (-$940.80) Time to get some rest on Tuesday as The Corner will be a busy place this week as numerous visitors will be arriving as we approach the biggest day of the meet this Sunday - speak with you on Wednesday! - TQ Sunday, August 12, 2007 - Day 23 of 43 - Breaking News - Legendary entertainer & horse racing enthisiast Merv Griffin passed away this morning at the age of 82. Unfortunately, he joins a growing list of business titans (Bob Lewis, Allen Paulson, etc) that our sport has lost that it so desperately needs. I've often said the two most important aspects to our game, both often times taken for granted by the racing executives who manage our sport, are the owners and the players. Both make the game go - without one, the other doesn't exist. - Huge day today where the turf meets the surf as we've got a one day Pick Six carryover of $239,832 and a guaranteed Pick 4 pool of $500,000. Both pools should be massive when everything is said & done.
- No luck for yours truly at the Wynn handicapping tournament in Las Vegas but player #112 turned his mythical starting bankroll of $128 into an ending bankroll of $215.60 to capture first place prize money of $59,500. I had to scoot as soon as the last race was run at Del Mar yesterday in order to catch my flight back to San Diego, but I'll report back tomorrow on who player #112 is!
Sunday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
- Big day today for the Great Friends Stable, which is an ownership group anchored by local 1090 AM sports talk hosts Scott Kaplan & former NFL player Billy Ray (BR) Smith. Their group dipped in last time & claimed Darkness Night for $25,000 off a winning effort & now bring him back at the mandatory one level class hike to $32,000. Additionally, they lure Victor Espinoza into the saddle. What a scene it would be if this one got to the winners circle today. Race 7: $40 Win #4 Darkness Night
Race 7: $10 Exacta Box #4 Darkness Night, #10 Feel The Rush and #11 Karlee's Kitten
Yesterday's Result: (-100.00) Meet Result: (-$840.80) Good luck - see you Monday! Saturday, August 11, 2007 - Day 22 of 43 - Viva Las Vegas! As Elvis so perfectly sang, don't we all wish there were more than 24 hours in a day while visiting Sin City? - Of course, my "business" pupose for relocating the Corner to Vegas yesterday & today is to participate in the Wynn Handicapping tournament, which wound up with 85 entrants and a veritable Who''s Who of top notch tournament players like Gallo, Shuman, Bertolucci, Labriola, Gutfreund, Downs, Gilberg, Boyle and Hinson to name just a few. Unfortunately, if you're looking for the name Quigley on the Wynn leaderboard after Day One, you'd have to start near the bottom of the list & work your way up!
Saturday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll - The eyes of the racing world will be on "Sweet Home Chicago" for the Arlington Million card, so let's piggyback on someone who has a wealth of European racing knowledge and make #2 Admiralofthefleet in the seventh race at Arlington Park our best bet of the day since Dave (Don't call me "The Maven") Gutfreund says this three-year-old colt can't lose. Arlington Park - Race 7 - #2 Admiralofthefleet $100 Win Yesterday's Result: (-100.00) Meet Result: (-$740.80) The Corner moves back to its comfort zone on Sunday when I return to the great outdoor sunshine in the Del Mar paddock - speak with you then! - TQ Friday, August 10, 2007 - Day 21 of 43 -Visitors to the Corner on Thursday included the one & only Muggsy Muniz, the former Racebook Director at Coast Resorts, Allan Gutterman, VP of Marketing at Santa Anita, former Santa Anita Marketing executive Greg Bettenelli (along with his father, Bill), Steve Rittenour, Racing Manager at Fairplex Park & Betfair executives Greg Nichols & Christian Hellmers. - Hard to believe, but the fifth race on Friday will mark the halfway point of the meet. - Happy Birthday to M. Scott McMannis, a true teacher of the game and the man most responsible for cultivating my interest in horseracing. - Condolences to the Stute family on the passing of Warren on Thursday morning at the age of 85. My lasting memory of Warren is that he was truly a man's man. - The Corner is shifting tack 320 miles east of Del Mar for the next 48 hours. I'll be participating in the Wynn tournament with my (handicapping) partner, Stephen Franklin, trying to take down a prize pool estimated at $140,000. Friday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll - As the boys in my old neighborhood back in Chicago used to say, "Where there's dope, there's hope!" So let's use that axiom for our play of the day in the first race, where #2 Floricultora is adding Lasix for her North American debut. Granted, she's coming off a two-year layoff but her trainer has a positive ROI when "the dope" is administered. Race 1 : $20 Exacta #2 Floricultora with All Yesterday's Result: (-100.00) Meet Result: (-$640.80) Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Hopefully, I'll be sober enough to remember to write my diary for Saturday - speak with you then! - TQ Thursday, August 9, 2007 - Day 20 of 43 - Visitors to the Corner on Wednesday included Dan Dalfiume from Allegro Air Charters (because you never know when you might need a private jet), DRF advertising honchos Jeff Burch & Jon Lindo, HTR Disciple Mike Mayo with his wife Marsha, and Rick Herron, former Las Vegas Racebook Director & now co-host of the Raceday Las Vegas Radio Show with Ralph Siraco. - Juicy, one-day carryover in the pick six of $146,045. Not only are the field sizes nice, but the contention runs deep, so don't be surprised if it turns into a two-day carryover for Friday. Wouldn't that be sweet? Thursday Play of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll The John Sadler barn is red-hot right now, having won five races the last week. Likewise, jockey Corey Nakatani is the leading percentage rider at the meet & is arguably one of the best turf riders in the world. Couple that with our clocker, Toby Turrell, (who provides his morning workout information exclusively every day online on our Website with the Morning Works), absolutely loving the way my play of the day is training up to today's race off a November layoff and you've got all the ingredients for a possible pick six single. Race 7: $100 Win #2 Warning Zone Yesterday's Result: (-100.00) Meet Result: (-$540.80) Don't forget, first post on Friday is 4pm Pacific! - TQ Wednesday, August 8, 2007 - Day 19 of 43 - Many, many thanks to all of you who have wished a speedy recovery for my Mom. For those of you who don't know me personally, my Mom has been in poor health for the past five years or so. Just to give you an idea, her ailments include congestive heart failure, COPD, Vascular Disease, loss of hearing in both ears, a current weight of 83 lbs, a broken left knee which occurred on Memorial Day night, and a husband (my Stepdad) who is on 24-hour oxygen. And as if that's not enough, the reason for the absence of my Del Mar diary the last 11 days is that her oxygen level suddenly dropped to 80 a week ago Friday night, requiring us to call 911, which resulted in her being re-admitted to the hospital for what her doctors termed a "mild" heart attack. She's now back home, released in fair condition according to the discharge report. Please keep her in your prayers. - Since today is Wednesday, it's time for my weekly Horses to Watch report. Quigley's Corner might have been closed during the last week, but you can trust I've still been diligently watching the races at Del Mar any way I can. And as I've mentioned before, any time any of the horses on this list run back, I'll alert you in this diary. As a matter of fact, we've got our first returnee from | ||
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