Saturday Wrap-up

In the Furl Sail, Autobahn Girl didn’t show up, finishing ninth. My Three Sisters ($9.40 place) finished just a head in front of Shytoe Lafeet ($10.60 show); unfortunately, both were beaten by longshot Swingit ($32.80 win). Sweetdownthelane dropped late from contention to finish eighth.

As suspected, Spring Awakening ($3.00 win) was best in the CA Breeders Champion Stakes, with my other two picks, Onebadkitty ($4.60 place) and Lovehi ($7.60 show) completing the trifecta. Hunch pick Testify to Love finished sixth, while Treadmill faded to last after contending early—as if being previously vanned off (for a cut to a rear leg) wasn’t bad enough, I should have noticed that she’s out of E Dubai, one of my least favorite sires.

My three picks in the Eddie Logan sucked (for lack of a better word); Ghetto finished fourth, while early leader Manningtoharrison faded to sixth and Southwest was last. Second-time starter Yankee Bravo ($8.20) got the win for Paddy Gallagher, with Sky Cape ($6.00 place) and Nistle’s Crunch ($4.80 show) rounding out the tri.

Bravo for recent claimer Dearest Trickski ($10.80) getting the vaunted G1 victory in the La Brea, winning nearly wire-to-wire. Unspoken Word ($9.80 place) and Glorified ($4.00) fleshed out a $1 tri which paid a generous $348.70. My Swiss Diva stayed on for fifth, followed by Ashley’s Kitty in sixth. Dawn After Dawn was held out of the La Brea in favor of the G2 El Encino (8.5 furlongs) on January 13.

I didn’t handicap the Calder card, but some interesting results considering my recent comments about entries. In the Pete Axthelm Stakes, Birdbirdistheword came on late, but could only manage sixth place; Storm in May was an even more disappointing last in the 12-horse field. Mysterious Peintre ($7.20 show) did get up for third; Imawildandcrazyguy was not entered. In the Frances Genter Stakes, Rutherienne ($4.60) rallied late for the win; Sweet Ransom ($2.60 place) and Pretoria Light ($5.20 place) finished in a dead-heat for second. No word on what’s next for Queen Joanne or Jennie R. who weren't entered this weekend.

In seventh race at Philly, old warrior Danthebluegrassman trailed from start to finish in his first race since July 31. Here’s hoping the soon-to-be nine-year-old comes back sound and ready to run again—or finally gets a nice retirement home.