Alameda County Fair Horse Racing Picks
Sunday, June 23
First race (6 furlongs, claiming, 1:45 p.m.)
Altruist (Andy Mathis, Santos Rivera, 9/5) has two starts this year and has third both times. Has a bit of a closing style but also sits near the lead. That can be a great style here. Last Baby (Marcia Stortz, William Antongeorgi, 6/1) has hit three of six starts this year with a win, a place, and a show. Has speed and has shown it can hold. Was second here opening weekend at the same level. Could be a serious runner. Runnin Ute (D Wayne Baker, Epifanio Garcia, 7/2) broke in straight maiden company three back. Protected in the last starts he ran in the middle of the pack. Now drops into open company and should look for a better performance. Mr. Fighter (Terry Johnson, Cristobal Herrera, 5/1) has put together a solid year finishing second three times and third once in six starts. Another runner in here that likes to come from off the pace. Chelsiesdanziglite (Marcia Stortz, Frank Alvarado, 2/1) is a runner in this spot. Coming off a decent turf race and now comes to the Pleasanton dirt. Had a pair of starts over the surface but has yet to hit the board. Part of the Pastime Racing team so look for a crowd in the paddock and the Winnersā Circle if they get it done.
My play: I am going to stake a shot with Last Baby. In the start here week one, he almost stole the race at 17-1 on the front end before getting caught. Letās see if it can hold this time. Chelsiesdanziglite will be right there. 2-5-1.
Secord race (5 furlongs, maiden, 2:15 p.m.)
Big Bad Bert (Sergio Perez, William Antongeorgi, 5/1) had one start in May and did nothing after breaking poorly and not improving throughout the race. Should improve in second start. Pole to Pole (Isidro Tamayo, Adrian Castellanos, 6/1) is a first time starter for a barn that scores at 18 percent in debuts. The works have been good and consistent. Prowling Cat (Victor Trujillo, Epifanio Garcia, 3/1) ran a strong debut, getting the early lead before tiring late and running third. Was bet well in debut and should be again today. Winsome Love (Manuel Badilla, Francisco Duran, 4/1) makes a debut for a barn that has three wins from 12 who have had their debut this year. One work over the track was pedestrian but at least she he got out on the track. Big Crowd (Andy Mathis, Santos Rivera, 9/2) is tough to endorse on the win end as barn is 0-for-41 with debuts this year. Might be one to add to your virtual stable as may be tough in second start. Nephele (O J Jauregui, Alexander Chavez, 5/2) debuted June at GGF and set the pace until they turned for home where he weakened and finished fourth. Every reason to expect a step forward.
My play: I think I will go with Nephele over Prowling Cat in a battle of horses making their second start. Both showed speed and both are coming to a speed favoring track. 6-3-5.
Third race (6 furlongs, maiden, 2:45 p.m.)
Darlin Clementine (Terri Eaton, Hugo Herrera, 12/1) had a horrible debut effort, breaking last and finishing last by 23 lengths. There is no way to go but up. Pineapple Cruise (Doug OāNeill, Luis Manuel Jimenez, Aburto, 9/2) debuted May 31 at Santa Anita and she beat one horse, finishing 20-lengths off the pace. Ships north and takes a massive drop. Really not sure what to think. Will she be better up here or continue to not be good. Silver Flirt (D Wayne Baker, Adrian Castellanos, 9/2) has gone 0-for-17, hitting the board three times. Takes a big drop from straight maiden to an $12,500 open claimer. Has shown no speed and no ability to close. Ridināthestormout (D Wayne Baker, Epifanio Garcia, 2/1) has shown way more than his stablemate. Six starts this year has produced two places, and a show. Has shown speed in every start and if he has some staying power here could be in the mix. Princess Luc (Samuel Calvario, Santos Rivera, 5/1) has one start and it was uneventful. Barn has not been great with second starts. Tomās Treasure (Jorge Maravilla, William Antongeorgi, 3/1) tried turf and the synthetic surfaces at GGF and did nothing on either. Gives the dirt a shot and if she can find some speed, she might be able to get a piece.
My play: I think the REO fans will be happy here when Ridināthestormout gets it done. She has shown more potential than any of those that have made a start. 4-2-5.
Fourth race (5 furlongs, straight maidens, 3:15 p.m.)
Nijinsky Halo (Wendall McDaniel, Frank Alvarado, 3/1) has two starts and improved. In the first was fifth, then came back to set the pace before getting caught and finishing third. Thirsty Vision (Jesus Ramos, Santos Rivera, 5/1) debuts for a barn that is 0-for-13 in first time starts. Does have a work over the track but it was fairly pedestrian. El Maga (Felix Rondan, Adrian Castellanos, 10/1) had not the worst debut, starting slowly but getting up for a third. Barn is 0-for-12 with second starts. Jeffrey On the Run (Marcia Stortz, Luis Manuel Jimenez Aburto, 10/1) is making the debut for a barn at .06 with success on debuts. Has worked over the track and should show speed here. California Dreamin (Wendall McDaniel, Cristobal Herrera, 8/1) is debuting for a barn with only three first time runners, none of which hit the board. Bodemeister is in the bloodlines so there may be some speed here. Jazzy Bull Horn (Alberto Ruvalcaba, Epifanio Garcia, 8/1) hails from a barn that is 14 percent with first-time starters. Has had a consistent work tab with some nice moves during the stretch. Got Soul (Andy Mathis, Irving Orozco, 6/1) runs for a barn not great at debuts but does have some nice works.
My play: Nijinsky Halo and El Maga have both had a start and both ran good efforts, so they must be given the advantage. Check the tote for clues on the rest. Might be able to find a value play. 3-1-6.
Fifth race (5-1/2 furlongs, claiming, 3:45 p.m.)
Amanofmystature (Michael Lenzini, William Antongeorgi, 3/1) has hit the board three times in seven starts this year. Has shown speed a number of times and that would be best here. Implicity (Eduardo Rich, Luis Manuel Jimenez Aburto, 5/2) has a win and two seconds in five starts this year. Has 22 career starts on dirt, including four at Pleasanton that included a win and a show. The win came at this level last year. Big Donās Smiling (Bill McLean, Alexander Chavez, 5/1) is named for the late jockey room cook. He has three wins and two shows in seven starts this year. He is coming off a win in last at the distance. A slight step up here but will be a factor.Ā Thunder of Zion (Isidro Tamayo, Assael Espinoza, 5/2) has been decent against better with a pair of places in five starts this year. He is cutting the tag in half and has shown speed on multiple occasions. Continental Union (Isidro Tamayo, Hugo Herrera, 10/1) does have a pair of wins this year but is stepping up the class ladder here.Ā Refi Now (Samuel Calvario, Catalino Martinez, 6/1) has his lone win come five back and there hasnāt been much since. Drops back into open claiming so will be facing easier here. Does have a win and a second over the Pleasanton track. Last ran April 13 and barn hits at 10 percent with that move. Jerry Jeff Walker (Reid France, Irving Orozco, 10/1) was third last out, beaten by a horse entered here. Has shown some front-end speed so might be in the mix early.
My play: Thereās no doubt Big Donās Smiling is the horse to beat and thatās where my money is going. 3-4-2
Sixth race (6 furlongs, claiming, 4:15 p.m.)
Pretty Thirsty (Efrain Miranda, Adrian Castellanos, 4/1) has shown speed in the last seven starts and has hit the board four of those times. Hit the board both starts over the Pleasanton surface. Kittenās Kid (Marcelino Trujillo, Cristobal Herrera, 10/1) is another with speed and has hit the board in five of eight starts this year, with most coming against better. Has to be a player here. A Rousing Babe (Victor Trujillo, Luis Miguel Jimenez Aburto, 9/2) did run second last time out but it was the first time she had hit the board this year. Looks to run off the pace and there looks like their will be some speed to run at here. Hot Rageous (Samuel Calvario, Catalino Martinez, 5/2) has been off since November, coming back on a Pleasanton surface where he hit the board once in three starts. Has seen much better in the past so if ready to run could be tough. Small sample size for coming off the break that length but the barn has been successful in two of six starts. Yoderando (Gary Greiner, William Antongeorgi, 8/1) was claimed off a win in her last start. New barn hits at only .08 off the claim. She does have speed so look for a front-end effort here. Black Zabat (Manny Badilla, Irving Orozco, 5/1) has been off since mid-January and it looked like the horse needed a break after running seventh and ninth in her last two starts. Has speed and did win three times last year against better. Barn does click 24 percent for the move. Contender. Mo Town Girl (Bill McLean, Assael Espinoza, 6/1) has hit the board in five of seven starts this year, but in four of the last five starts, that has been in third place. Looks great to have on the ticket, but not sure about the win end. Cry Me a Runner (Manny Badilla, Alexander Chavez, 5/1) has two wins and two shows this year in seven starts. Has run well over the track with a place and a show in two starts. Came from off the pace in early May to get the win. Does have a quick work over the track.
My play: I think I will take a shot with Black Zabat coming off the break. Before he got tired last year, he was running with speed and was in the mix. If she is ready, will be tough. 6-4-7.
Seventh race (5-1/2 furlongs, claiming, 4:45 p.m.)
Keepyourpranceon (Miguel Ramirez, Frank Alvarado, 5/1) has seen better the last two races, running sixth, then fourth. Easier spot here but needs to show more interest on the front end. Happy Chappy (Isidro Tamayo, Hugo Herrera, 8/1) broke maiden two back at the $8,000 level, then came back against winners, set the pace early but then faded to sixth, beaten 12 lengths by two others entered in this spot. Takes slight jump up here. Outer Sunset (Bill McLean, Assael Espinoza, 5/2) has two wins and a third this year from seven starts. In the last start had a nice stalking trip early, then took control at the top of the lane. If sheās not right on the lead, will need to be close. Galway Shawl (Isidro Tamayo, Irving Orozco, 6/1) opened with a $25,000 maiden claimer and was fifth. Took a free-fall to a maiden $8,000 and graduated. Now first time against winners in what looks to be a good spot. Little Lady Lou (Steve Sherman, William Antongeorgi, 9/5) broke back in November then went to the shelf. A couple nice works for the return, including a good work on June 9. Connections fully capable of putting this one in contention. Ceeās the Image (Felix Rodan, Adrian Castellanos, 9/2) has hit the board in four of six starts this year. Ran third in last to another horse entered here. Has shown speed before and may need it here.
My play: I am going to take a shot with Galway Shawl in this one. Normally a tough play for first time vs. winners but I like the progression. Solid fourth in debut against much tougher, then takes a drop and gets a score. Now the third start and I expect another step forward, especially if she brings the speed she did in the last start. 4-3-5.
Eighth race (One mile-70 yards, claiming, 5:15 p.m.)
Herecomegeorieboy (Steve Specht, Frank Alvarado, 6/1) has one of the most consistent teams for me over the last 10 years. The horse shipped up here after underperforming in SoCal, got into the new barn then went out and won. Favors a closing style which might okay if they donāt the leaders get away. Fantastic Dream (Jose Puentas, Catalino Martinez, 8/1) has had a decent year at the same level with a win and two thirds from six career starts. Has speed that will allow for good positioning throught the race. Wild Wager (Jorge Bautista, Santos Rivera, 9/2) had been off for almost a year when he returned in early June at GGF where he was fourth. The last start of last year was here and he ran third. Reasonable to expect improvement this time out. Might need to show a little more interest early. Ruler of Angels (Marcelino Trujillo, Cristobal Herrera, 8/1 came back after almost a year off and was fifth at GGF. Cuts the price more than half here and this is th lowest level heās been in some time. That alone should mean to check the tote for clues. Precedent Luke (Isidro Tamayo, Irving Orozco, 10/1) last start was on the turf and that experiment failed miserably as he was last by 10 lengths. Has speed so getting on to the Pleasanton surface may be a blessing. Chickenfingerfriday (Bill McLean, Hugo Herrera, 12/1) has only hit the board once this year in five starts and that came in the last start. That was the lowest spot he had run against winners, but now drops more. Has shown speed a couple of times in 21 starts and will need that here. Oh Great (Leobarda Rivera, Ajejandro Gomez, 3/1) is one I canāt give much cred to as he stands 0-for-9 on hitting the board this year and has two wins in 39 career starts. Danz Till Ten (Terri Eaton, William Antongeorgi, 15/1) is 1-for-19 in his career and has hit the board once in starts here. The last two were turf races that were disasters. Gets to the dirt and does have speed. Stay Lit (Terry Johnson, Adrian Castellanos, 5/1) does have two board hitting efforts in four starts, including a win two back at a similar level. Still, I think this is a big ask. Big Difference (Wendall McDaniel, Epifanio Garcia, 10/1) is 1-for-20 on the win end career wise. He did run third last time, so there is that. Thereās just a lot to hang your hat on here.
My play: Well, someone has to win this. I have no choice but to go in for the rail horse Herecomegeorgieboy. The horse is 1-for-1 since coming up north and to these connections. Not a lot else here. 1-2-6.