Post-Race Review
Johnny Eves broke so quickly from the starting gate in the $150,000 Palos Verdes Handicap (gr. II) that the son of Skimming had a length on the field in the first two strides. That lead was never relinquished, despite the rest of the field lining up across the track into the stretch to take aim on the race favorite, and Johnny Eves bounded home to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Devoted Magic finished second, and Halo Najib ran third after being extremely wide on the turn headed for home.
Jockey Garrett Gomez rode Johnny Eves to victory for trainer Jay Robbins, finishing six furlongs in 1:08.56. Johnny Eves, a son of Skimming, has now won seven of twenty lifetime starts.
Pre-Race Analysis
Sunday’s feature at Santa Anita is the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Handicap, worth $150,000 and run over six furlongs. A light field of seven is led by the inconsistent but sometimes brilliant Johnny Eves, the 5-2 favorite on the morning line who won impressively on November 22nd but was eased in a Grade 3 on New Year’s Day. When “right,” Johnny Eves runs fantastic CASE numbers, such as a 94 for Endurance in that January 1st victory, but the gelded son of Skimming has only six wins in nineteen starts. This field is so light, however, that it is still Johnny Eves’ race to lose.
Talkin to Mom Roo is the second choice, but this is the six-year-old gelding’s first start in stakes company. Last out, Talkin to Mom Roo was second in a blisteringly fast allowance behind top racehorse Gayego. On March 1st, the son of You and I finished second in an allowance optional claimer, earning a 104 for Aerobic Efficiency, but a long layoff followed that effort, and Talkin to Mom Roo didn’t start again until September. Clinton Potts will ride.
Halo Najib was forced onto the Kentucky Derby trail last year, despite having suspect credentials for the race, but the Halo’s Image colt did finish second in the Lane’s End Stakes (gr. II), and would have run in the Derby if not forced out by oversubscription to the race. Since then, Halo Najib hasn’t won in four starts, in fact, Halo Najib last won in February of 2008, but this will be the chestnut’s first start since August 1st at Saratoga.
Big Bad Leroybrown can never be ignored, especially exiting a fifth-place finish that earned an 81 Coordination rating, an 83 for Aerobic Efficiency, two 88’s for both Stride Quality and Endurance, and an 85 average. Martin Garcia will pilot the California-bred five-year-old horse for trainer Donald Warren.
Principle Secret should not be ignored, even at 15 – 1 odds. A Kentucky Derby hopeful from 2007, Principle Secret is finally back to winning ways after taking an allowance race at Hollywood Park on December 21st by a nose. That race earned a strong 94 for Stride Quality, the highest of any horse in the field in their last start.
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Emily Shields s a regular contributor to Case the Race. She has written for California Thoroughbred, Churchill Downs media, and international racing magazines.
