It was an It's Tricky weekend

The weekend of racing or no racing has passed, and glad to see the sweltering heat leave us behind. For me the race of the weekend was, It’s Tricky winning the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks. She has shown us in two consecutive races that she is one tough horse. In the Acorn, she beat the favorite Turbulent Descent and then Saturday knocked off another highly regarded filly, Plum Pretty. What makes these races exceptional for It’s Tricky, is that her competition had no excuses. They both tackled her down the stretch and she beat them back each time. The Alabama is next, and she has to be taken seriously this time. The Alabama could end up being the race of the year if all the fillies come. Right now the lineup is It’s Tricky, Zazu, St. John’s River, Inglorious, Royal Delta, Plum Pretty and Kinda of Spicy. I would like to see some of the sharp west coast fillies head to Saratoga, but thinking most will stay home. If you missed the CCA Oaks or the Acorn I have them below, and yes I’m a huge It’s Tricky fan.






A quick recap of the Survival At The Shore tournament at Monmouth Park. The track postponed Friday’s card till Monday (yesterday), cancelled Saturday’s card entirely. So there were only two days for the tournament. Sunday finished with one winner, Pinch Pie and on Monday, a second with Pasta Lover and Omega Mine came in third. Then on Sunday I participated in the NHC Summer Challenge, 1300+ participants and a 10 race card. The tracks composed of Woodbine, Saratoga, Monmouth and finished at Del Mar. Good races chosen by the organizers and felt my handicapping was much better than the last BC Qualifier. What you learn if you handicap long enough is how humbling this sport can be. First seven races I was shut out, and sitting like 1200 and something. The only saving grace was that they ranked us zeros alphabetically and saved me further humiliation.

Then Del Mar, where the turf meets the surf, back to one of my home tracks. 6th race Maiden Claiming, my selection Basic Logic goes off at 10-1, the longest play of my entire card. Like my dad said, the “early foot” wins more than their fair and Basic Logic goes wire to wire and brings home a nice $32.40 (Win-Place). Finally, a breakthrough! I knew the leaders would try to ride it through for the three qualify spots, so I expected to move into the top 500. No, my new best friend, Basic Logic shot me to 319 spot, and then looking at the leaders it would take more than one “balloon” to get me there. Two races to go and the next up was the Californian Dreamin Handicap with Tamarack Smarty the favorite. I had Norvsky picked and thought maybe a decent price would get me up the food chain. He did win but got knocked down on the tote a bit too much and ended up with an $8.40 ticket. I moved up to 295th position.

One race to go and sitting at $40.40 with the top three at $70. The last race was the San Clemente, Sarah’s Secret was undefeated and looked ready to take make it five in a row. I liked Mizdirection , but she would be bet down as the second favorite. The only other horse I considered was Up In Time, and it was an instinct play but my over analysis said next time not here. They cap the tournament at 20-1 so odds of me scoring with a bomber were not there. I stayed with Mizdirection and she finished second to …. You know who? Up In Time! Up In Time paid $35.00, which would have given me a $75.40 day, but not enough to qualify (but a top 10). With Mizdirection’s second money of $4.20, I finished the day at $44.60 and 275 out of over 1300. What blew me away is that the top three on the leader board got knocked out on that last race. So congrats to the folks that took Up In Time and copped those precious seats in Las Vegas.

Sarah Secret 5 in a row?

8th race at Del Mar, 43rd running of the San Clemente Handicap (G2) over a mile on grass.

What isn't there to like about #5 Sarah Secret. 4 for 4, cutting back in distance, front runner that wired her last race, the Honeymoon (G2) at a mile and sixteenth. David Flores is back in the irons and two consecutive bullet workouts. From a fan perspective, I would like to see her win and then ship back to Saratoga, and enter the Alabama. What a match up, with Zazu, St. John's River, Inglorious and Its Tricky.

Now that I have touted her to be one of the best, is she vulnerable? Well, yes. She is a 3 year old and sometimes you never know what can go wrong. Yes, she is the speed in the race and will get clear of this large field. Interesting is that in the Honeymoon she did not run away from the field and right in the pack at the line was #1 Up In Time (GB) beaten by 1 1/4 lengths. Bejarano (who rode Sarah Secret in the Honeymoon now rides her). This will be her 5th start in the states and she is rounding into form. The other filly that pressed Sarah Secret last out was #4 Bonita Star (GB), she finished 6th and 3 3/4 out. This will be Bonita Star(GB), 5th start, as well, not quite showing the speed or form as Up In Time, but you have to wonder could either one or both be coming into their own?

For me, when looking for the upset, I fall to #9 Mizdirection. A Mike Puype lightly race three year old. Last out finished 2nd in the Manhattan Beach stakes. What intrigues me with her, is the Manhattan Beach was her first race after breaking her maiden, she raced forwardly, got bumped at the sixteenth and did'nt pack it in. In fact, there is a little "come and go" set up here, she ran evenly at 1 1/2 off the pace, dropped to 3 back and rallied to finish off by 1 1/2. Her speed figures are there with Sarah Secret, breeding is solid, Puype is 21% on the sprint to route angle (her breeding says the distance is no problem), and a nice workout over the Del Mar turf. Lastly, Garrett Gomez is riding and he has been hot of late.

Will take Mizdirection to upset but will be just as happy if Sarah Secret takes her 5th in a row.