Del Mar - Monday
DiscreetCat
Moderator
Race 2
#6 Medzendeekron (7/2 ml)
Brad Free says in his Racing Form analysis that Medzendeekron "wanted no part of Cushion Track" in his recent loss. That's bullshit. The truth is, Medzendeekron had been training brilliantly on Cushion Track heading into his turf-sprint win on June 10. What happened last time is that he stumbled badly leaving the gate (the Form says "bobbled", don't believe it), causing him to lose a good bit of ground, compounding matters because he was already breaking from the far outside. He made a sharp run to to advance on the leaders approaching the turn, then was challenging for the lead into the lane. It looked like he might win anyway. Unfortunately he flattened out thereafter, most likely due to the gate incident and his increased exertion to make up the lost ground. Anyway, he switches back to a turf-sprint here (which can't hurt), and has continued to train very well (on the main track, Brad). Should be very tough in here; his turf-sprint win @ Hollywood was flat-out huge. A repeat should get it done, with room to spare.
Race 3
#6 Our Storm (8/1 ml)
First-timer for Mullins (who also owns this horse) has been training very well for this one, and looks to have some talent. Main concern is the lack of polytrack drills, but Mulins has already struck with one of his personally-owned horses at the meet. Should be very live here.
Race 5
#12 Heyore (6/1 ml)
Kinda the same angle here, and the same angle that produced Owen Roe O'Neill last week. This horse was claimed out of his last start by Hollendorfer, who claimed him for HIMSELF. That's huge. Also huge is the fact that he claimed the horse out of his DEBUT. That's always a great sign, because it indicates that the horse is a "good thing". I mean, why else would you claim a horse who's never run before? Chances are he was tipped off by Talamo, who rode the horse in that debut, and gets the call again here (the Hollendorfer/Talamo combo have been successful at the meet). As for the horse himself, he broke from the far outside posy last time going 5 1/2 furlongs, and was very wide down the backstretch before easing back and cutting over to the inside approaching the turn (basically trying to circle the field in reverse). He was being whipped at one point in early stretch, which is never a good sign, but he responded very well and started making up good ground. He was checked between horses in early stretch, but split them and made a very rally up the inside. He draws the far outside post again, but there are a couple of scratches here (moving him a bit closer in), and there's a very long run into the turn at 7 furlongs. Should be okay. He looks like he may appreciate the added distance, too.
#6 Medzendeekron (7/2 ml)
Brad Free says in his Racing Form analysis that Medzendeekron "wanted no part of Cushion Track" in his recent loss. That's bullshit. The truth is, Medzendeekron had been training brilliantly on Cushion Track heading into his turf-sprint win on June 10. What happened last time is that he stumbled badly leaving the gate (the Form says "bobbled", don't believe it), causing him to lose a good bit of ground, compounding matters because he was already breaking from the far outside. He made a sharp run to to advance on the leaders approaching the turn, then was challenging for the lead into the lane. It looked like he might win anyway. Unfortunately he flattened out thereafter, most likely due to the gate incident and his increased exertion to make up the lost ground. Anyway, he switches back to a turf-sprint here (which can't hurt), and has continued to train very well (on the main track, Brad). Should be very tough in here; his turf-sprint win @ Hollywood was flat-out huge. A repeat should get it done, with room to spare.
Race 3
#6 Our Storm (8/1 ml)
First-timer for Mullins (who also owns this horse) has been training very well for this one, and looks to have some talent. Main concern is the lack of polytrack drills, but Mulins has already struck with one of his personally-owned horses at the meet. Should be very live here.
Race 5
#12 Heyore (6/1 ml)
Kinda the same angle here, and the same angle that produced Owen Roe O'Neill last week. This horse was claimed out of his last start by Hollendorfer, who claimed him for HIMSELF. That's huge. Also huge is the fact that he claimed the horse out of his DEBUT. That's always a great sign, because it indicates that the horse is a "good thing". I mean, why else would you claim a horse who's never run before? Chances are he was tipped off by Talamo, who rode the horse in that debut, and gets the call again here (the Hollendorfer/Talamo combo have been successful at the meet). As for the horse himself, he broke from the far outside posy last time going 5 1/2 furlongs, and was very wide down the backstretch before easing back and cutting over to the inside approaching the turn (basically trying to circle the field in reverse). He was being whipped at one point in early stretch, which is never a good sign, but he responded very well and started making up good ground. He was checked between horses in early stretch, but split them and made a very rally up the inside. He draws the far outside post again, but there are a couple of scratches here (moving him a bit closer in), and there's a very long run into the turn at 7 furlongs. Should be okay. He looks like he may appreciate the added distance, too.
Comments
I forgot to post my record, also...
HRT record:
7 for 30 (23%)
$55.80 mutuels ($7.97 avg)
If it's cool with you, I may post a few thoughts in this thread as well. If you would rather me start my own thread, I'll be glad to.
r2> # 4 Bash
r5> #9 James the
glTu
Big C
Big C
I'm trying to find it, but can't.
The #5 was clearly the best, unfortunately.
Thanks again for the picks DC. Keep'em coming.
You're right about the photo on Medzendeekron though. I thought he had missed second for sure. Glad i was wrong.
Nice pick DC!!
Our Storm went off @ 7/1 and ran out.
Heyore won @ $10.60