Alameda County Fair Horse Racing Picks
Saturday, July 6
First race (One mile-70 yards, straight maiden, 1:45 p.m.)
Pippa Philipa (Andy Mathis, Luis Miguel Jimenez Aburto, 5/2) has four career starts, all on turf. Has shown no speed ā in fact has shown the opposite. The works are average over the track. Needs to wake up on the dirt. Will have to see one. Carson Jen (Steve Sherman, William Antongeorgi, 6/1) has been running down in Southern California and has shown nothing but one third in 11 starts. Now ships to Steve Sherman barn ā seen this move before? Has sizzled in the morning since moving up here, including a big move June 9 at GGF, then two works over this track. Still protected but does cuts the level over half of what she was running for. Castagna (Doug OāNeill, Adrian Castellanos, 3/1) has hit the board in two of six starts, including a second in her debut in Northern California in her last start. Pressed the speed on the turf at GGF now takes a big jump up for this start. Connections must have liked what they saw. Ā Lemon Haze (Samuel Calvario, Frank Alvarado, 5/1) has two starts, both on the turf at GGF, the last of which was a second on June 1. Had maintenance work over the track here. Sparkle Sweetly (D Wayne Baker, Epifanio Garcia, 9/5) was second here June 14 but was beaten 14 lengths in the process. Has hit the board in the last four starts and showed speed in all four races. Could be a threat here.
My play: One of my favorite plays will be with Carson Jen. The difference is when the SoCal shippers that are underwhelming get shipped north to Sherman, they usually appear in lower claiming races. They protect this one still, but the level is cut over 50 percent. 2-3-5.
Second race (6 furlongs, claiming, 2:15 p.m.)
Alpine Sermon (Steve Specht, Frank Alvarado, 6/1) started here June 14 and ran fourth most of the race, then passed a horse late to finish third. It was the first dirt start and the barn actually is moving the horse up in class. Would like to see some speed here. Ramathorn (Bill McLean, Luis Muigel Jimenez Aburto, 9/5) beat the rail horse here with a nice stalking/front end trip to get the win as the favorite. The speed should be playing well here today. Bertacchi (Victor Trujillo, Santos Rivera, 6/1) broke maiden here June 22, drawing clear by over 4-lengths in the lane. Takes a decent jump up to face winners in this spot. Love the confidence from the barn. Showes speed last two races. Rollin Dice (Blaine Wright, Francisco Duran, 5/2) ran here the second weekend and walked off.Ā Had maintenance work here since then and wheels back for a strong barn. Clever Clover (Victor Trujillo, Epifanio Garcia, 3/1) has been running some decent races at GGF, including some against better than he will face here. Shows tactical speed.
My play: I think the edge must go to Ramathorn for the effort over the track as the betting favorite. Bertacchi took to the track but did so against maidens. Donāt give up on Alpine Sermon as the connections are too solid. 2-3-1.
Third race (5-1/2 furlongs, straight maiden, 2:45 p.m.)
Ann Loves Mark (Alberto Ruvalcaba, Cristobal Herrera, 9/5) chased the pace for a while here on June 22 but faded in the lane and finished fourth. Comes back at the same level and thereās not a lot to inspire confidence. Cestrand (Gloria Haley, William Antongeorgi, 8/1) makes her debut for a barn that struggles with first timers (0-for-16). Gets Lasix for the debut but the works have been decent. Ā Maniae (Andy Mathis, Irving Orozco, 5/2) is also making a debut here. The barn, one of the top barns in NorCal, came into the weekend 0-44 on first timers. That has to end at some point. The works over the track have been okay. Clarina (Gloria Haley, Frank Alvarado, 4/1) has hit the board four of five starts this year, coming off two consecutive second place runs, including one here the second weekend. I love the jock switch and should be a factor here. Candy Litz (Samuel Calvario, Luis Miguel Jimemez Aburto, 6/1) has yet to hit the board in seven career starts. In fact, she has yet to finish better than fifth. If she shows nothing here, might be time for open company. Palace Mischief (Jorge Bautista, Santos Rivera, 8/1) had her first in early June and was fourth, beaten 10 lengths. There was a nice work over the track on June 22 but still needs a lot of improvement to compete here.
My play: There are a lot of things to like about Clarina including the addition of the jockey. She has hit the board in four of five starts and has shown speed every start. 4-3-6.
Fourth race (5-1/2 furlongs, claiming, 3:15 p.m.)
Little Liliana (Isidro Tamayo, Alexander Chavez, 5/1) was third here at the same level on June 21, putting out a spirited effort, falling back after the start and fighting back to get the third. Bourbon Glaze (Victor Trujillo, Irving Orozco, 8/1) has shown the ability to get out and lead the race, a tactic that would widely be advised here. Cut the tag in half for this start. Bacalar (Efrain Miranda, Cristobal Herrera, 4/1) led the race for three-quarters before getting caught and passed here on June 21. The track was getting faster but still wasnāt as it is now. Almost always show speed. Topanticipation (Jorge Maravilla, William Antongeorgi,10/1) had a start here on June 21 that was a disaster with the horse finishing seventh, beaten 22 lengths. That was a route and now cuts back to a sprint, a distance the horse has not run in some time. This is a hard pass. Lionās Lair (Arnold Torres, Adrian Castellanos, 6/1) ran fifth and was beaten by three others who entered here. Took some action at the window but never showed anything. Not a lot of positive vibes here. Black Zabat (Manny Badilla, Santos Rivera, 5/2) shows early speed but itās not been held since September of last year. Came out okay on June 23 here but then went backwards, beating one horse in the field. Roses R Blue (Isidro Tamayo, Assael Espinoza, 7/2) got it done over this surface, coming from last at the start and circled the field to blow by everyone and get the win as the favorite. In last three starts and has two seconds, then the win. Goes to a new barn now and wheels back at the same level.
My plays: Ā Bacalar is my play is she gets the same trip as the front-end speed should hold better today. Roses R Blue goes to that new barn that hits 25 percent on the dirt. 3-7-1.
Fifth race (5-1/2 furlongs, claiming, 3:45 p.m.)
My Dominator (Sergio Perez, Adrian Castellanos, 5/2) set the pace here last weekend, dug in down the lane, and just got nosed for the win. Also broke from the rail that day and ran fine, and wheels right back at the same level. A major player. Grazen Sun (Blaine Wright, Assael Espinoza, 6/1) looks like he wants to come from off the pace and will get some speed to run at here. Was third at the same level in the last start on June 9. Ā Good work over the track on June 9 and will want to get spot just off the lead. Stretch Run (Jorge Maravilla, Cristobal Herrera, 6/1) will be one of the speed options here as he broke second in his last start, then took the lead half-way through and held it the rest of the way on opening day here. The barn has hit with 1-of-4 starters coming off a win. Driverās Ed (Gary Greiner, William Antongeorgi, 12/1 ) has shown every single start and did so here on June 22 before weakening and finishing fifth. Takes a big drop here back to level where the last two starts were a second and a first. Consider. Hay Juan (Jesus Ramos, Frank Alvarado, 5/2) won here on June 15 with a wire-to-wire trip, the lone horse to do that opening weekend. Takes a slight step but a return to the last race probably wins here as well. Gross Profit (Arnold Torres, Irving Orozco, 10/1) showed speed the last two starts and it didnāt hold in either. Comes back and the same level and has one third in six starts this year. Missed Call (Michael Lenzini, Alexander Chavez, 5/1) went off as the favorite here on June 15 and was fourth, beaten by two others entered here. Expect a lot more here but needs to sit closer to the lead.
My play: Hey Juan was solid here opening weekend, doing something no other horse that weekend. Now gets more favorable track conditions. Missed Call will be better here but can he catch Hey Juan? 5-7-1
Sixth race (5-1/2 furlongs, claiming, 4:15 p.m.)
Honorable Gal (Manny Badilla, Santon Rivera, 7/2) tracked the speed here on opening day and seemed to be in a good spot as they turned for home. He got passed by two others in the lane the lane that day. Takes a substantial drop here but appears to be lone speed here so may not have the speed to chase he needs. Tessa (Bill McLean, William Antongeorgi, 5/2) had not won a race this year but has hit the board three times in six starts. Was last seen June 8 at GGF, running second on a strong rally down the lane. Finds her lowest spot in some time. Irish Prancer (Steve Specht, Frank Alvarado, 8/1) had a great ride over the track on June 16, tracking the speed early, taking the lead heading into the lane and then holding on for the tight win. A Rousing Babe (Victor Trujillo, Assael Espinoza, 5/1) got away slow here June 23 but then kicked it into gear, taking the lead at the top of the lane, then racing home to win by three. That came off a break and has every reason to run strong here, even take a step up the claiming level. Was confident with the work over the track and it showed with the win. Canam Gal (Bill McLean, Assael Espinoza, 6/1) been off since March 9 for a barn that is average for coming off the break. The works have not been special, so I am going to have to see one. Tiger Queen (Isidro Tamayo, Irving Orozco, 2/1) has won two of the last three starts and has also won three of four starts on the dirt. Sure, seems like a good bet here as she drops into open claiming. Always is on or near the front.
My play: Tiger King seems like the right horse for the right spot, but I also like what A Rousing Babe brings to the table. Tessa is firing off the claim for the top barn. 6-2-4.
Seventh race (5 furlongs, maiden claiming, 4:45 p.m.)
Beskar (Samuel Calvario, Santos Rivera, 2/1) was last seen March 24 at Santa Anita when he was running in a $20,000 maiden claimer. He was 5th day, beaten 10 lengths and went to the shelf. Shipped north and has fives works between GGF and Pleasanton with not one standing out. Riolo (Gloria Haley, Cristobal Herrera, 4/1) started in straight maiden in May and was last in a field of eight. Then dropped to this level and was fifth out of seven June 7. Now comes to the dirt here with an average work over the track. No dāOro (Victor Trujillo, Assael Espinoza, 12/1) makes his debut for a barn that had four winners in 20 debuts. Works over the track were mild. Elmer John (Sergio Ledezma, Frank Alvarado, 5/2) was second here over the track, chasing the speed over throughout on June 16. Had a maintenance over the track and since and take a slight jump up. One to watch. Cantilever (Gloria Haley, William Antongeorgi, 9/2) ran third on June 1 now comes here and takes a jump up the claiming ladder. He is 0-for-11 career and has hit the board three times. Bear Encounter (Bill McLean, Luis Miguel Jimenez Aburto, 15/1) debuts for a barn, that is leading the meet, is 0-17 in debuts. Two extremely slow works over the track. Frank the Cat (Victor Trujillo, Epifanio Garcia, 10/1) had his debut on June 9 where he was fourth after chasing the speed. Barn has done okay with second starts.
My play: Elmer John looks like the easy play here, even with the class jump. Should get the benefit of a speed favoring track here. 4-5-2.