Horse racing newsletter: Charlatan smokes ‘em in Malibu

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we congratulate Santa Anita on a record-breaking opening day.

Everyone came talking about the horse Nashville, but everyone left with Charlatan on their mind. In Saturday’s fan-less opening day at Santa Anita, there was a good mixture of stars in the making, good betting fields, and longshots to make it interesting.

The feature was the Grade 1 $300,000 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs. All the talk was about Nashville, an undefeated shipper for Steve Asmussen. He wowed everyone in an undercard race on Breeders’ Cup day and most were expecting to see his greatness on Saturday.

But instead, Charlatan ran a smart race on the outside of front-running Nashville, moved on the far turn and won by a widening 4 ½ lengths.

We’ll let trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith relive the race for you.

Baffert: “I told Mike, ‘You know I can only get him so ready. I didn’t want to overdo it with him. It is early in the year and all, so I’m counting on his class to get him there. He’s probably going to need this race.’ You know those really good ones like him, they just make my job a whole lot easier. You get them ready to a certain point and then he just took over. That was just pure, pure brilliance that we witnessed today. They were rolling early, there was a really good horse he was chasing. With what this horse has been through I’m just happy for the whole team and everybody involved, to show he is a really special horse. Hopefully we will have a good year with him.”

Smith: “First of all my hat’s off to Bob and his whole crew to get this horse ready off an eight-month layoff. To run against these types of horses was a feat itself, but I always thought he was a special horse. I’ve had the opportunity to watch him, California is his home base, so I’ve seen a lot of him and always wanted a chance to ride him. When Bob told me I got the call, man, I’ve been kind of on cloud nine ever since. He is extremely special.”

If you check out the longer story I wrote for online and print, there is little more context as to Charlatan’s year. Just click here.

Santa Anita review

Before we get to the other stakes races, it should be noted that Santa Anita had a record opening day handle of $23,003,159, which broke the record of $20,491,016 on Dec. 26, 2018. That year, there were 41,373 in attendance.

On to the races.

Grade 2 $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile: This race is for 3-year-olds going a mile on the turf. The winner was the favorite Smooth Like Strait who won by three-quarters of a length from a stalking position. But the second-place finisher Storm the Court deserves some attention for running his best race since winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year. He went to lead and ran strong through the stretch before surrendering the lead at the end.

Smooth Like Strait paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.20. Storm the Court was second, followed by Whisper Not, Field Pass, Scarto, Strongconstitution and Heywoods Beach.

Michael McCarthy (winning trainer): “I was surprised at how well he came out of the Hollywood Derby [on Nov. 28]. He put in a couple of works that were, I thought, maintenance-type works, but everything he was showing me in the morning, and the way he was acting around the barn. I thought about it for a couple of days whether we should go or wait until March, give him a little bit of a break over the winter. But he acted like he had his mind on running [Saturday] and I’m glad we got him over here. We have two Grade 1’s back to back here in the spring, the Kilroe Mile and the Shoemaker. Those would probably be his immediate plans for right now. Who knows? We will see what happens after that. He has earned himself a little bit of a break here and he’s going to enjoy himself for a week or two.”

Umberto Rispoli (winning jockey): “We knew that Storm the Court would be going for the lead, so I just wanted to sit back of him. We got the perfect trip. There were a lot of great horses in this race, so when it came time to ask him in the stretch, he was ready to go. I went out earlier today to examine the turf course because it was our first day of the meet. I looked at all the paths and knew exactly what path to take in the stretch. And that’s the one I took to get home. I have to give Michael McCarthy all the credit. We got beat by a very short margin in the last race, the Hollywood Derby, and one month later Michael had the horse ready to go.”

Grade 2 $200,000 San Antonio Stakes: All the attention before this 1 1/16-mile race was on Mucho Gusto, who was prepping for the Saudi Cup, and Sharp Samurai, who scratched early in the day. While Mucho Gusto was in a position to contend, he didn’t have it in the stretch and longshot Kiss Today Goodbye rallied effortlessly on the outside to win by a half-length under hall of famer Mike Smith.

Kiss Today Goodbye paid $33.60, $10.60 and $6.60. Idol was second, followed by Take the One O One, Mucho Gusto, Midcourt and Extra Hope.

Eric Kruljac (winning trainer): “He was always very immature early on. It just took him longer to get to where he is, and I think he is really just beginning to mature. About four races back, he got absolutely sandblasted and was basically eased in the race. I basically told [Mike Smith], ‘he’s better with the kickback but it was a factor that day.’ As you can see when Mike came back, he ate the dirt, the colt has put it all together, and Mike gave him an absolutely perfect ride. The pace gods were on our side.”

Mike Smith (winning jockey): “I was impressed with his last race and I wasn’t even riding him. He ran by me in that last race. I thank Eric Kruljac for the opportunity of riding him and for his great training job. The race was shaping up for him with the speed up front and when it came time to run, he took off. I just guided him around the track.”

Grade 1 $300,000 La Brea Stakes: This is the female equivalent to the Malibu with 3-year-olds going seven furlongs. Once again, it was a race for a longshot to come out on top. She had never won a graded stakes in seven starts but stayed patient mid-pack before sweeping wide in the stretch and taking the lead mid-stretch to win by 2 ¼ lengths.

Fair Maiden paid $43.20, $18.60 and $10.00. Golden Principal was second, followed by Merneith, Finite, Secret Keeper, Provocation, Himiko, Biddy Duke, Motivated Seller and Princess Mo. It was jockey Ricky Gonzalez first Grade 1 win.

Ricky Gonzalez (winning jockey): “Eoin [Harty] said she was doing really, really well, to just put her in the race. There were quite a few speeds. ‘Just put her in the race, get her clear and get her to the outside.’ We hit the stretch and as soon as we hit the stretch she went on the outside and was just full of run.

Eoin Harty (winning trainer): “It’s just the way the things pan out when you get to that No. 2 level. It’s hard to find a race against really competitive company. I didn’t want to keep taking her up to Woodbine so I found a spot in Churchhill and that was a big question mark as to whether she would handle it there and she did. She was super professional that day and gave me a lot of confidence in bringing her out here for this.

“I’ve been watching Ricky ride since he came down here, and I think he’s the next superstar. He’s brave and he puts his horse in a spot to win. I grab him in every time I can because I think he’s a world-class rider, and today was his first Grade 1 win.”

Grade 1 $300,000 American Oaks: This was a 1 ¼-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies. Of course, when you say “turf” you think Chad Brown, who shipped in the winner Duopoly. She broke on top and held that position all the way around to win by two lengths.

Duopoly paid $14.00, $7.60 and $4.60. Going to Vegas was second followed by Sharing, Red Lark, Capital Structure, Luck Money, Miss Addie Pray, Neige Blanche, California Kook and Guitty.

Jose Hernandez (assistant to trainer Chad Brown): “She has been training really well, and she has been doing everything right. You cannot come from behind here; you have to be up close to the front. She used to run a mile and sixteenth, but now against fillies she wants to take the lead easily with her ears pinned back.”

Flavien Prat (winning jockey): “I thought on the backside someone was going to hook up with me but lucky enough nobody did. We had a pretty nice trip. She was full of herself and traveling perfect. When I asked her, she really kicked in. She never really ran the distance, but I guess Chad Brown doesn’t come down here just to race.”

$75,000 Lady Shamrock Stakes: This one mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies was won by Nasty, who also went gate to wire to win by a diminishing head. Nasty paid $15.80, $7.20 and $4.40 for trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Ricky Gonzalez. Counterparty Risk was second and Warren’s Showtime finished third.

Santa Anita preview

Santa Anita’s second card of the meeting doesn’t have the firepower of the first day but there are 10 races and some decent-sized fields. First post is 11:30 a.m. There are five turf races but only one that uses the new chute. Also, there are two stakes races, one graded.

The first stakes of the day is the $75,000 Eddie Logan for 2-year-olds going a mile on the turf. Logan ran a shoeshine stand at Santa Anita for 75 years and was a regular stop for a lot of trainers. The favorite is Beer Can Man, at 5-2, for trainer Mark Glatt and jockey Juan Hernandez. He has won three in a row including the Grade 3 Cecille B. DeMille at Del Mar. He has won three of five races, the first four of his starts were at Indiana Grand. The second favorite, at 7-2, is Commander Khai for Richard Baltas and John Velazquez, who stuck around after riding a few horses on Saturday. Commander Khai was third last out in the Cecille B. DeMille. He has won one of his four starts. Post is around 12:36 p.m.

The big stakes on the day is the Grade 3 $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Mucho Unusual is the 5-2 favorite for Tim Yakteen and John Velazquez. She has won five-of-17 lifetime, running at a high level. She won the Grade 1 Rodeo two back and finished 12th last out in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Rideforthecause is the second choice at 3-1 for Michael McCarthy and Umberto Rispoli. She has won four-of-11 lifetime and is making her debut for McCarthy after running mostly at Woodbine and also Gulfstream. She finished fourth last out in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor after winning the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes, both at Woodbine. Post is listed as 3:51 p.m.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 10, 5, 7, 8, 8, 7, 11, 10, 9, 10.

Ciaran Thornton’s LRC pick of the day

SEVENTH RACE: No.5 Master Ryan (5-1)

Master Ryan finally won after 10 tries last out under Umberto Rispoli, who rode for the first time. Trainer Phil D’Amato, who also owns the horse, moves ‘Ryan up in class and adds another half furlong. Previous races going 5 ½ furlongs suggest Sunday’s distance should be no issue. Rispoli has won three of nine for D’Amato, who wins 21% maiden winner last race. For a horse that has finished nine of 10 in the money and a possible lightbulb “Rispoli won last out” angle the 5-1 price we are getting is excellent value today.

Saturday’s result: Bam Bam Again fought the entire race at the front but ran out of steam deep stretch. I would bet this horse if Jessica Pyfer rides again going shorter.

Ciaran Thornton is the handicapper for Californiapick4.com, which offers daily full card picks, longshots of the day, best bets of the day.

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth $100,000 or more on Saturday.

Laurel (1): $100,000 Heft Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Winner: No Cents ($3.40)

Laurel (2): $100,000 Gin Talking Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 6 furlongs. Winner: Street Lute ($2.80)

Laurel (3): $100,000 Anne Arundel County Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Miss Leslie ($7.00)

Laurel (4): $100,000 Howard County Stakes, 2-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Shackqueenking ($6.40)

Laurel (5): Willa On the Moves Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 7 furlongs. Winner: Dontletsweetfoolya ($4.20)

Laurel (6): $100,000 Dave’s Friend Stakes, 3 and up, 7 furlongs. Winner: Whereshetoldmetogo ($6.00)

Laurel (7): $100,000 Native Dancer Stakes, 3 and up 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Harpers First Ride ($2.40)

Santa Anita (4): Grade 2 $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile, 3-year-olds, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Smooth Like Strait ($3.60)

Laurel (8): Grade 3 $150,000 Allaire Dupont, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Eres Tu ($3.40)

Santa Anita (7): Grade 2 $200,000 San Antonio Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Kiss Today Goodbye ($33.60)

Santa Anita (8): Grade 1 $300,000 La Brea Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Winner: Fair Maiden ($43.20)

Santa Anita (9); Grade 1 $300,000 American Oaks, fillies 3-years-old, 1 ¼ miles on turf. Winner: Duopoly ($14.00)

Santa Anita (10): Grade 1 $300,000 Malibu Stakes, 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Winner: Charlatan ($5.20)

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth $100,000 or more on Sunday. All times PST.

3:51 Santa Anita (9): Grade 3 $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Mucho Unusual (5-2)

Chris Wade’s LA pick of the day

SIXTH RACE: No. 3 Pour Corona (8-1)

She is a trouble-prone runner deluxe who has many a competitive figure in her holster for Sunday’s endeavor with everything factored (trouble @ track variant). With that said, she finds a field full of runners with question marks of their own. In her most recent effort 30 nights ago, Pour Corona was fractious in the gate prior to breaking slow and getting bumped back at the start to lose almost two lengths of ground right from the start. After the tough beginning, she was able to put forth a big run past the gap and down the lane to garner the runner-up position versus a solid winner. The figure earned that evening puts this runner right there at the finish at a nice price if she can repeat tonight.

And now the stars of the show, Saturday’s results and Sunday’s entries.