Originally Posted by DiscreetCat

Captain Cherokee (11/22 @ CD, Race 10)

Half-brother to Midnight Lute got bet down to 8/5 for his debut (from a 7/2 ml), and ran extremely well despite breaking sideways and being off very slowly. Made a strong sustained run to gain a striking position on the turn, but lost some more ground while angling wide into the stretch and then flattened out just a bit from his early efforts. Likely would've won the race with a clean break, i think.

No fluke either, as this was the sale-topping colt from the March Barrett's sale, bringing $650k despite coming from a sire with only a $7,500 stud fee (Arkansas Derby winner Sir Cherokee). Obviously, the female side (i.e. Midnight Lute) played a large part in that price, but Captain Cherokee had breezed a furlong in 10.1 at the under-tack show, and clearly made quite an impression at the sale.

Bump.

Originally Posted by DiscreetCat

Ashton Girl (11/26 @ HOL, Race 5)

Fine turf sprinter for Gallagher was at a bit of a disadvantage here with the race being transferred to the main track, yet showed good early speed along the inside while being steadied repeatedly behind the leader while racing down the backstretch. Encountered even more traffic into the lane, and appeared to have some horse left though she never got into the clear. Should improve next time out when turf-sprinting over a firm surface.

Ashton Girl returned to run a good second down the hill yesterday @ 7/2.

The Horse That I Wrote About The Other Day Who Had A Trouble Trip And Ran Behind A Nice Horse"another Dance" Is Entered Saturday At Fairgrounds In The 1st Race At 6-1 With P Val Aboard.

Thanks Ray.

Captain Cherokee wins easily @ $4.40

Very Easy Couldnt Believe The Exacta Pd That Much 32.00 Both Asmussen Horses The Other One May Be Better Down The Rd.very Nice Exacta.

Looks to me like they worked head-up from the gate together on Dec 22.

Yea I Had A 40 Dollar Exacta Couldnt Believe It Pd 32.00

Nuclear Wayne Is A Very Nice Horse And Ought To Stretchout Very Nice Horse.

Brought It (1/22 @ SA, Race 4)

Very speedy low-level claimer was projected to take the early lead here, and had gotten absolutely hammered on the toteboard, 7/2 on the morning line but off @ 6/5 odds. Appeared to lose all chance at the break when rearing badly and spotting the field several lengths, which found her running dead-last as opposed to being right up on the pace where she should've been. So in addition to the lost ground, which was substantial, she was also taken way out of her comfort zone. She refused to give up though and started making an eye-catching rally up the backside, going widest of all around the turn and losing even more ground in the process. She just kept on coming regardless, and looked for a few moments like she was actually gonna pull it off, but she ended up just missing by a head at the wire. Absolutely ten miles the best here.

Originally Posted by DiscreetCat

Deputy Flyer (12/28 @ SA, Race 5)

3yo firster for Ellis hopped a bit at the break and was well off the pace despite having shown high speed in morning workouts. Moved up well along the inside to gain a striking position in the stretch, but found himself blocked behind a wall of horses while obviously full of run. Finally found a seam late and exploded from between horses to win going away, really lengthening his stride once out into the clear. Looks like another big-time prospect for Ellis, who already has Rail Trip in the barn. Deputy Flyer seems more like a route prospect though, particularly being a son of Benchmark.

Heads-up.

Deputy Flyer ran poorly on Thursday and failed to hit the board.

Captain Cherokee, however, just won again on the step up to allowance company. Would be quite surprised if he isn't pointed at one of the major Derby preps now.

Total Gentleman (2/5 @ FG, Race 10)

First time starter for Asmussen debuted around two turns vs. heavily favored barnmate Omniscient, quite similar to Asmussen barnmate Fierce Thunder who debuted around two turns when running a fine second to heavily favored barnmate Captain Cherokee. In fact, Total Gentleman had worked in company two straight times with Fierce Thunder prior to that one's debut run. More recently, Total Gentleman had worked in company twice in a row with Soul Warrior, yet another two-turn maiden winner from the Asmussen barn. Adding to the intrigue here was the fact that Asmussen's top rider Bridgmohan was getting off the favored Omniscient (whom he had ridden previously) in order to ride Total Gentleman here.

In the race itself, Total Gentle broke well but took back along the rail into the first turn, and was pretty much buried in traffic along the rail all the way down the backstretch. He was clearly well in hand, and at one point began to move up noticeably but simply had nowhere to go and ended up getting shuffled back again. Entering the far turn he was still under a snug hold while waiting for room, then he attempted to come out for some racing room into the lane and challenge the leader but was still in tight and ended up bumping with another horse pretty hard while Omniscient was taking command of the race from the outside. Once finally out into the clear, Total Gentleman continued to rally while going clear for second, but Omniscient was already gone at that point and the race was over. Not sure if he would've wo with a clean trip, but it ceratinly would've been much closer. Very fine performance here from a first-time starter attempting two turns, and it's definitely worth noting that ALL of the barnmates mentioned above (Fierce Thunder, Captain Cherokee, and Omniscient) broke their maidens in a two-turn race at Fair Grounds in start #2. No doubt that Total Gentleman will be extremely live next time out.

Starlarks (2/25 @ SA, Race 7)

European import for Gallagher was staliing the pace from close up along the inside while noticeably rank in the early going, and maintained a striking position into the stretch while appearing to have some run left, but just got buried behind horses as a hole never really opened up for her. She was getting shuffled back thru the lane and even had to check slightly at one point. Her effort seems much better-than-looked, and as mentioned she also seemed a little too fresh down the backside, so hopefully the race took some edge off and she'll be set for a top effort next time out.

Pacific Halo (2/26 @ SA, Race 8)

Maiden-claimer for Periban was under a tight hold just off the lead while covered up in traffic, clearly full of run but simply had nowhere to go as he turned into the lane with a wall of horses fanned out in front of him. He attempted to swing out for room, but found only a tiny opening, and was tried to force his way through by leaning on the horse to his outside. He wasn't able to make it through, lost some momentum with the bumping incident and ended up getting steadied after that. Finally found a tiny bity of room late and was able to close the gap despite never being able to extend his stride, and ended up just a length or so behind at the wire. Cleary was much the best in here, and figures very tough vs. any kind of similar group next time.

Originally Posted by DiscreetCat

Total Gentleman (2/5 @ FG, Race 10)

First time starter for Asmussen debuted around two turns vs. heavily favored barnmate Omniscient, quite similar to Asmussen barnmate Fierce Thunder who debuted around two turns when running a fine second to heavily favored barnmate Captain Cherokee. In fact, Total Gentleman had worked in company two straight times with Fierce Thunder prior to that one's debut run. More recently, Total Gentleman had worked in company twice in a row with Soul Warrior, yet another two-turn maiden winner from the Asmussen barn. Adding to the intrigue here was the fact that Asmussen's top rider Bridgmohan was getting off the favored Omniscient (whom he had ridden previously) in order to ride Total Gentleman here.

In the race itself, Total Gentle broke well but took back along the rail into the first turn, and was pretty much buried in traffic along the rail all the way down the backstretch. He was clearly well in hand, and at one point began to move up noticeably but simply had nowhere to go and ended up getting shuffled back again. Entering the far turn he was still under a snug hold while waiting for room, then he attempted to come out for some racing room into the lane and challenge the leader but was still in tight and ended up bumping with another horse pretty hard while Omniscient was taking command of the race from the outside. Once finally out into the clear, Total Gentleman continued to rally while going clear for second, but Omniscient was already gone at that point and the race was over. Not sure if he would've wo with a clean trip, but it ceratinly would've been much closer. Very fine performance here from a first-time starter attempting two turns, and it's definitely worth noting that ALL of the barnmates mentioned above (Fierce Thunder, Captain Cherokee, and Omniscient) broke their maidens in a two-turn race at Fair Grounds in start #2. No doubt that Total Gentleman will be extremely live next time out.

Total Gentleman is entered @ Fair Grounds today, main-track-only. Might get in, as they're expecting rain today.

Originally Posted by DiscreetCat

Starlarks (2/25 @ SA, Race 7)

European import for Gallagher was staliing the pace from close up along the inside while noticeably rank in the early going, and maintained a striking position into the stretch while appearing to have some run left, but just got buried behind horses as a hole never really opened up for her. She was getting shuffled back thru the lane and even had to check slightly at one point. Her effort seems much better-than-looked, and as mentioned she also seemed a little too fresh down the backside, so hopefully the race took some edge off and she'll be set for a top effort next time out.

Starlarks is entered tomorrow, Race 4 @ Santa Anita. Down the hill, as hoped.

Correction, make that Race 5.

Worth noting that Starlarks is entered back today. She ran into even more traffic last time than she had in the debut, and could improve dramatically with a clear run.

Horse In Race 7...........

DC or Gambler, could you verify that Starlarks is the #6 horse?
Im at work, so only had phone access to equibase to check. Don't see any matching trainers or owners in the race either, just wanted to verify.

My 3 wagers of the day:
SA R1-WP #2 Pluginthejug
SA R5-Win #7 Jen's New Chapter
SA R7-Win #6 Starlarks

flyinlate..................yes he is the # 6 horse in race 7 at santaanita.............dont no if your going in the infield on oaks or derby day but i was reading churchill web site and they are allowing fans to bring in coolers loaded with beer/food this year.......

Originally Posted by gambler911

flyinlate..................yes he is the # 6 horse in race 7 at santaanita.............dont no if your going in the infield on oaks or derby day but i was reading churchill web site and they are allowing fans to bring in coolers loaded with beer/food this year.......

Yes I will in fact be in the infield. Last year they allowed food to be brought in. Is it really true they are allowing alcohol in this year? That would save me about $200 off my trip

P.S. Thanks for verifying the entry. Do you have a link for the news about alcohol allowed in?

Flyinlate...............sorry Pal I Just Went Back To Churchill Web Site Your Right No Alcoholic Bevareges Allowed In Coolers..........nothing With Glass Allowed In Either In Coolers......sorry Better Hit A Early Exacta Or Double To Cover The Beer Money....thats Why I Go To Vegas Sit In The A/c Free Alcohol You Cant Beat It..lol.lol...

Originally Posted by gambler911

Flyinlate...............sorry Pal I Just Went Back To Churchill Web Site Your Right No Alcoholic Bevareges Allowed In Coolers..........nothing With Glass Allowed In Either In Coolers......sorry Better Hit A Early Exacta Or Double To Cover The Beer Money....thats Why I Go To Vegas Sit In The A/c Free Alcohol You Cant Beat It..lol.lol...

It's ok, I have a plan. Last year some lady taught us her trick. She sneaks mini shooter bottles inside her sandwiches and plastic wraps the crap out of them. Should cover a couple drinks for myself. Then its back to $10 mint juleps