Three Stars of the Week
– 1st Star: Beholder (KY) – The Champion is back in FULL force. Saturday’s dominating win in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes may have been her best race yet. After stalking the pace for much of the race she smoothly made a devastating move at the top of the stretch and put away her competition easily without being asked at all. This horse is easily the best in the division, and we all need to just hope she stays healthy long enough to prove it the Breeders Cup Distaff.
– 2nd Star: Gimme Da Lute (CA) – While the “big horse” was up to his usual ways at Monmouth Park, Bob Baffert’s other nice developing three year old was dominating the Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar. This horse simply was too much for this field, and has now won three races in a row. He’s the type you’d love to own as he’s a California Bred, and he can run at almost any distance you throw at him. I would expect to see him back against open company next time out considering the fact he’s already a Grade 2 winner.
– 3rd Star: Blameitonthelaw (KY) – Del Mar and Saratoga is all about the 2 year olds, and this Blame colt looks to be a future star! After stalking the leaders in third, Blameitonthelaw made a nice move at the top of the stretch inside horses on the rail and galloped to an easy four length win. The rail move was impressive for a first time starter as there wasn’t a ton of room, and jockey Tyler Baze didn’t have to ride him much once he got clear. Looks to be a clear candidate for stakes company next time out.
Flop of the Week
– Warren’s Veneda (CA) – It’s not that she ran badly, but she just hasn’t lived up to the hope/hype that she received earlier in the year. The champion Beholder has returned and put this one in her place which is understandable, however she didn’t even finish second last Saturday, and lost last time when Beholder wasn’t in the race.
Trainer Standings
Rank |
Trainer Name |
Sts |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Total $ |
Win% |
Top3 |
Top3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doug F. O’Neill | 39 | 9 | 8 | 4 | $460,010 | 23% | 21 | 54% |
| 2 | Jerry Hollendorfer | 35 | 7 | 5 | 2 | $524,492 | 20% | 14 | 40% |
| 3 | Peter Miller | 56 | 6 | 7 | 6 | $465,896 | 11% | 19 | 34% |
| 3 | Richard Baltas | 29 | 6 | 3 | 7 | $294,700 | 21% | 16 | 55% |
| 5 | Philip D’Amato | 24 | 5 | 4 | 2 | $337,970 | 21% | 11 | 46% |
| 5 | Mike Puype | 33 | 5 | 2 | 7 | $273,930 | 15% | 14 | 42% |
| 5 | John W. Sadler | 22 | 5 | 2 | 4 | $151,620 | 23% | 11 | 50% |
| 8 | Richard E. Mandella | 16 | 4 | 3 | 4 | $556,610 | 25% | 11 | 69% |
| 8 | Jeff Mullins | 14 | 4 | 2 | 2 | $420,842 | 29% | 8 | 57% |
Jockey Standings
| Rank |
Jockey Name |
Sts |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Total $ |
Win% |
Top3 |
Top3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Baze | 86 | 14 | 15 | 12 | $847,048 | 16% | 41 | 48% |
| 1 | Rafael Bejarano | 72 | 14 | 10 | 11 | $837,132 | 19% | 35 | 49% |
| 3 | Joseph Talamo | 76 | 13 | 8 | 5 | $725,200 | 17% | 26 | 34% |
| 4 | Flavien Prat | 80 | 12 | 7 | 13 | $893,882 | 15% | 32 | 40% |
| 5 | Santiago Gonzalez | 58 | 11 | 4 | 6 | $575,894 | 19% | 21 | 36% |
| 6 | Mario Gutierrez | 41 | 10 | 6 | 1 | $465,126 | 24% | 17 | 41% |
| 7 | Mike E. Smith | 31 | 5 | 6 | 4 | $590,280 | 16% | 15 | 48% |
| 7 | Tiago Josue Pereira | 39 | 5 | 2 | 1 | $196,670 | 13% | 8 | 21% |
Preview to Next Week
| Wed. Aug. 5th | GRADUATION STAKES Two-year-olds, bred in CA |
$100,000 Guaranteed 5 1/2 Furlongs |
| Fri. Aug. 7th | Daisycutter Handicap Fillies and Mares, three years old and upward |
$80,000 Added Five Furlongs (Turf) |
| Sat. Aug. 8th | JOHN C. MABEE STAKES (Gr. II) Fillies and mares, three years old and upward |
$250,000 Guaranteed 1 1/8 Miles (Turf) |
| Sat. Aug. 8th | BEST PAL STAKES (Gr. II) Two-year-olds |
$200,000 Guaranteed 6 1/2 Furlongs |
| Sun. Aug. 9th | LA JOLLA HANDICAP (Gr. III) Three-year-olds |
$150,000 Guaranteed 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) |
