Radio Review 4-17-10

Outside Cali:

1. Deal Breaker (Keeneland, Saturday) - Mitchell shipper had turned in a productive series of drills. He figured to run his race, and he did. His result was a troubled second. Not convinced he would have won without the trouble on the final turn but it certainly did not help. It was a solid effort nonetheless.

2. Awesome Gem (Charles Town, Saturday) - Dollase veteran shipped for the big money race Charles Town Classic. His morning activity has remained constant for the last year. Grinding along in that blue collar style. I did not see the race. All I know is he ran second.

Santa Anita:

Race 7 (Saturday) - Thoughts going in: This race was a head scratcher for me. Handicapping the race told me that Dewey had found a great spot for his return because of the probable soft pace. But I was not enamored with his workout series. Monzante was training fine but was clearly not the same horse. Add to that the pace scenario looked unfriendly for a deep closer like him.

Results:

1. Dewey's Special - My quote on him was that I had seen him train better in the past. Well, I don't think I have seen him run a bigger race than he did on Saturday. Absolutely re-broke after setting the pace at a respectable tempo. It was a monster effort. I was not surprised to see him win. As I said on the show, a horse like that can win despite not being at his best if he gets a comfortable pace scenario. I was blown away by the style in which he won. Explosive victory. I did not think he had that kind of race in him off the series he turned in.

2. Monzante - Is not the same horse and did not get the right pace set-up. When a winner goes gate to wire and comes home the final quarter in 23.00 it is going to be tough for a deep closer like Monzante to make an impact.

Race 9 (Saturday) - Thoughts going in: Could only see two possible outcomes. Either Mr Gruff or Ever a Friend. Results:

1. Ever a Friend - For some reason he has been unable to get back to his form from 2008. He did not get the best of trips but it would not have mattered if he had the dream trip. He was not going to beat Mr Gruff on this day.

2. Mr Gruff - He dominated. Not much else to say. He loves the downhill.

Race 10

1. Tiz Golden (Scratched Race 10) - A Ron Ellis first timer that is worth keeping an eye on. Has made a positive impression in his debut series. Imposing looker sticks out when he is on the track.

Baby results:

Spark City ran a strange race for Team Kitchingman. Pedroza rode her carefully. It appeared he was having a tough time keeping her in a straight line. I have to think there is something amiss with her physically because it was not the same filly I saw explode from the blocks in mid-March. She ended up losing by a head.

Cabo San Lucas ran an honest second. He was a bit green and goofy like I had expected. He ended up coming in about five lanes during the running of the race. But all things considered he behaved rather well. He also ended up finishing second.