At the Gate - Friday
There was good news coming out of California on Thursday afternoon, as jockey Rafael Bejarano apparently came out of his surgery with flying colors and might even be back in the saddle before the end of the Del Mar meeting.
For anyone that saw the horrific spill on opening day, that is indeed surprising and good news.
Bejarano was aboard Mi Rey, who broke down in the stretch. A trailing horse clipped Bejarano in the head and face, leaving him bloody and dazed on the track.
The leading jockey at last year?s Del Mar meeting had surgery on Thursday morning at Scripps Memorial Hospital, repairing his cheek and jaw.
Initial reports also said he may have suffered a collarbone or shoulder injury, but x-rays were negative.
His agent Joe Ferrer told the Daily Racing Form that he likely would be released form the hospital on Friday, and he could be cleared to ride again as soon as the pain and swelling subsides.
Doctors are recommending he wears a mask to protect the area if he does make a quick comeback.
I just finished handicapping Saturday?s Claiming Crown races at Canterbury Downs, and I am really looking forward to watching and wagering on the races.
I?ll have selections for several of the races in tomorrow?s column.
Don?t forget we have late post times at Belmont Park (3:00 ET) and Del Mar (3:00 PT) today.
Here is today's opener from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:
BEL Race 1 Clm $12,500N1Y (3:00 ET)
#4 Prince of Iron 9/2
#5 Bushmills Best 4/1
#3 Rogue Agent 2/1
#1 Benlayla 7/2
Analysis: #4 Prince of Iron came with a wide bid and finished up well for third last out behind a gate to wire winner taking advantage of an inside speed favoring racing strip. Two back the gelding was an even third against open $17.5K foes, a race won by Hurricane Heat, who came back to beat $50K starter allowance company in his next outing on July 1. Ramon sticks here for a sharp barn and this guy gets the call despite having nearly twice as many runner up finishes as wins.
#5 Bushmills Best exits the same race as our top pick and was second in that race, also caught outside over the inside speed favoring racing strip. The six year old was making his first start off a 14-month layoff. He does not need to move forward much off his last effort to get the job done here. He has not seen the winners circle since taking a Alw-3 optional claimer at Calder in '07.
Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 4,5 / 1,3,4,5
TRI: 4,5 / 1,3,4,5 / 1,3,4,5,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:
BEL Race 8 OClm $30,000N2X (6:36 ET)
#7 Offhand Remark 3/1
#2 Boxitup / #2b Ambidaxtrous 2/1
#5 Higher Incentive 7/2
#6 Baroness 15/1
Analysis: #7 Offhand Remark raced wide much of the trip and tired to finish sixth last out over yielding footing. The filly was a game second two back when coming back off a six-month layoff. Johnny V sticks and this gal figures to bounce back with a better effort third off the bench and with some firmer footing. She showed some promise last year, beating Alw-1 state breds last summer at the Spa.
#2b Ambidaxtrous was the beaten chalk last out when she was making her first start off a 11-month break. She came up just 3/4 of a length shy in a good effort and was nearly five lengths clear of the rest of the field in the outing. She was in the mix last June in NY bred stakes company. She can turn the tables on #5 Higher Incentive here but once again the price figures to be on the light side.
Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 2,7 / 2,5,6,7
TRI: 2,7 / 2,5,6,7 / 2,4,5,6,7
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Belmont Park
R7: #4 Pax 10/1
R8: #6 Baroness 15/1
R9: #6 Sweet On Bernice 10/1
R9: #5 Smarty Karakorum 12/1
Good luck today!
There was good news coming out of California on Thursday afternoon, as jockey Rafael Bejarano apparently came out of his surgery with flying colors and might even be back in the saddle before the end of the Del Mar meeting.
For anyone that saw the horrific spill on opening day, that is indeed surprising and good news.
Bejarano was aboard Mi Rey, who broke down in the stretch. A trailing horse clipped Bejarano in the head and face, leaving him bloody and dazed on the track.
The leading jockey at last year?s Del Mar meeting had surgery on Thursday morning at Scripps Memorial Hospital, repairing his cheek and jaw.
Initial reports also said he may have suffered a collarbone or shoulder injury, but x-rays were negative.
His agent Joe Ferrer told the Daily Racing Form that he likely would be released form the hospital on Friday, and he could be cleared to ride again as soon as the pain and swelling subsides.
Doctors are recommending he wears a mask to protect the area if he does make a quick comeback.
I just finished handicapping Saturday?s Claiming Crown races at Canterbury Downs, and I am really looking forward to watching and wagering on the races.
I?ll have selections for several of the races in tomorrow?s column.
Don?t forget we have late post times at Belmont Park (3:00 ET) and Del Mar (3:00 PT) today.
Here is today's opener from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:
BEL Race 1 Clm $12,500N1Y (3:00 ET)
#4 Prince of Iron 9/2
#5 Bushmills Best 4/1
#3 Rogue Agent 2/1
#1 Benlayla 7/2
Analysis: #4 Prince of Iron came with a wide bid and finished up well for third last out behind a gate to wire winner taking advantage of an inside speed favoring racing strip. Two back the gelding was an even third against open $17.5K foes, a race won by Hurricane Heat, who came back to beat $50K starter allowance company in his next outing on July 1. Ramon sticks here for a sharp barn and this guy gets the call despite having nearly twice as many runner up finishes as wins.
#5 Bushmills Best exits the same race as our top pick and was second in that race, also caught outside over the inside speed favoring racing strip. The six year old was making his first start off a 14-month layoff. He does not need to move forward much off his last effort to get the job done here. He has not seen the winners circle since taking a Alw-3 optional claimer at Calder in '07.
Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 4,5 / 1,3,4,5
TRI: 4,5 / 1,3,4,5 / 1,3,4,5,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:
BEL Race 8 OClm $30,000N2X (6:36 ET)
#7 Offhand Remark 3/1
#2 Boxitup / #2b Ambidaxtrous 2/1
#5 Higher Incentive 7/2
#6 Baroness 15/1
Analysis: #7 Offhand Remark raced wide much of the trip and tired to finish sixth last out over yielding footing. The filly was a game second two back when coming back off a six-month layoff. Johnny V sticks and this gal figures to bounce back with a better effort third off the bench and with some firmer footing. She showed some promise last year, beating Alw-1 state breds last summer at the Spa.
#2b Ambidaxtrous was the beaten chalk last out when she was making her first start off a 11-month break. She came up just 3/4 of a length shy in a good effort and was nearly five lengths clear of the rest of the field in the outing. She was in the mix last June in NY bred stakes company. She can turn the tables on #5 Higher Incentive here but once again the price figures to be on the light side.
Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 2,7 / 2,5,6,7
TRI: 2,7 / 2,5,6,7 / 2,4,5,6,7
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Belmont Park
R7: #4 Pax 10/1
R8: #6 Baroness 15/1
R9: #6 Sweet On Bernice 10/1
R9: #5 Smarty Karakorum 12/1
Good luck today!
