San Marcos & Tuzla Stakes
January 18, 2008
San Marcos Stakes, Grade 2 (Santa Anita), $150,000 for four year olds and upwards, 10 furlongs on the Cushion Track
I can see a few horses winning this one. However I am going to opt with Decado. He ran against some very stellar horses in Europe. Among these was Excellent Art, the favorite and second place finisher in this year’s Breeders Cup Mile. In the same race was another Breeders Cup contender, Jeremy, and the UAE Derby winner Asiatic Boy. The list goes on. He presents good value at 6-1. The 6-5 morning line favorite is Champs Elysees. In his only U.S. start he was second to Sunriver. I like him second to run second again. For third I like Medici Code at 7/2 who is running very well lately.
1st- Decado
2nd- Champs Elysees
3rd- Medici Code
Tuzla Stakes, Grade 3 (Santa Anita) $100,000 for fillies and mares four years old and upwards, 8 furlongs on the turf
David Flores has a great chance in this one aboard Live Life. She is running very well lately. She was fourth two back in the Grade 1 Matriarch, and second by a nose last out in an optional claimer. Doug O’Neil’s mare Trick’s Pick stalked Citronnade before fading last out. She performs well at this distance. I’m going with her for second. Audacious Chloe with Garret Gomez aboard can pick up third.
1st- Live Life
2nd- Trick’s Pick
3rd- Audacious Chloe
Tragedy Strikes
January 18, 2008
Tragedy struck the barn of Nick Zito Wednesday morning when Grade 3 winner and Grade 1 placed Hesanoldsalt was euthanized due to a freak accident. The 5 year old son of Broad Brush escaped from the barn and was running down a dirt road at a very high speed. He soon hit a tree which broke his shoulder and forearm resulting in his immediate euthanization.
Hesanoldsalt raced against some of the greatest horses of recent memory. Among these horses are Bernardini whom he was fourth to in the Travers, and Invasor whom Hesanoldsalt was second to in the Donn Handicap. He also finished second to Flashy Bull. Hesanoldsalt loved to run second, posting a record of 8 0-6-0 in 2007. It is a shame to see him go because I believe he could’ve had a great run this year. Below are two of his best runs in 2007. The first being his best which was a desperately close second place finish to Corinthian who won this year’s inaugural Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. The second video is another second place finish to Dubai World Cup and Breeders Cup Classic winner Invasor.