Alameda County Fair Horse Racing Picks
Thursday, July 4
First race (300 yards, quarter-horse maiden, 1:45 p.m.)
Sgl Prime Time (Juan Hernandez, Luis Miguel Jimenez Aburto, 8/1) is listed as having one start this year, a sixth in a maiden race on Jun)e 9. She had a bad start and in a 300-yard race that’s all it takes. Morgan Hill On Fire (Isauro Guillen, Pablo Flores, 15/1) will be making her first official start. Noon It Is (Adan Garcia, Cerapio Figuero, 3/1) had four starts at Los Alamitos last summer and had one second. Luna Special (Isauro Guillen, Alfredo Bautista, 12/1) is also making a debut. Has had a couple of works over the track. La Cokena (Juan Hernandez, Damian Cruz, 8/1) has a pair of starts this year producing a fourth and a seventh. All Thru (Adan Garcia, Irving Orozco, 5/1) had four starts last year at Los Al and finished no better than fourth. Thirty Six Express (Adolfo Ortiz, Epifanio Garcia, 2/1) has the best past form, running second three times in four starts last year. Did have a couple of works over the track. Reina Ismar (Jose Aguila, Hugo Herrera, 5/1) had a decent 2023, hitting the board in three of five starts.
Second race (300 yards, Quarter-Horse Stake, 2:15 p.m.)
Ima Sixty Man (Emilio Guerrero, Epifanio Garcia, 5/2) has won two races in a row at Los Alamitos, with the last being a dead-heat. Ran in six stakes races last year. Jo Lee (Isauro Guillen, Federico Borgas, 10/1) ships up from Los Al, bringing her jockey along as well. Has a win and a place in four starts this year.
Jess Dream (Jose Aguila, Hugo Herrera, 9/2) had a win in his only start last year. Had a troubled trip but was still the best. Two Timin Taylor (Adolfo Ortiz, Cerapio Figueroa, 8/1) has 25 career that has seen two wins and seven seconds. Was fourth in this race last year at 12/1. CDs Its Only Money (Juan Hernandez, Luis Miguel Jimenez Aburto, 6/1) has hit the board in nine of 10 career starts. He has a pair of wins to go with four places, and three shows. Dollys Talent (Isauro Guillen, Alfredo Bautista, 8/5) was third in this race last year at 8/1. She ended 2023 with seven starts, hitting the board. Has plenty of stake’s experience.
Third race (6 furlongs, claiming, 2:45 p.m.)
Hollywood Rumor (Samuel Calvario, Catalino Martinez, 9/5) was fourth beaten six lengths here the second week of the meet. Looks like he needed some more room and now gets a half-furlong longer and takes a small drop. Will need to show a little more speed here and has done that in the past. Airkita (Steve Miyadi, Adrian Castellanos, 4/1) has two starts this year – a third on the synthetic, and a fifth on the turf. Has only one career start on the dirt and was seventh, beaten 23 lengths. Most successful on synthetics so we will see how that transfers. Smooth as Silk (Gary Greiner, Santos Rivera, 8/1) was fifth here at the same level on opening weekend and has two wins in 25 career starts. Daddys Nina (Marcelino Trujillo, Cristobal Herrera, 5/1) has hit the board in three of six starts this year. Does have a pair of starts in Pleasanton but has yet to hit the board. Has flashed speed in the past and will need that today. Mistical Surprise (Isidro Tamayo, Hugo Herrera, 10/1) has hit the board in three of four starts this year and those all came in a row. Back on May 27 she showed speed then went backwards, finishing seventh at GGF in a race won by the rail horse. Had a seven-week break before that race so very possibly needed a race. Guide My Steps (Blaine Wright, Alexander Chavez, 5/2) started here opening weekend and got the perfect stalking trips, drawing off in the lane. Front end speed here will hold better today so may want to stay in contact.
My play: I think Mistical Surprise needed the last race and expect better here. If he can get clear of the field, he will be tough to catch in the lane. If there is any meltdown out front, Guide My Steps will be there to pick up the pieces. Not sure how much Hollywood Runner likes the dirt. 5-6-1.
Fourth race (6 furlongs, claiming, 3:15 p.m.)
Drive By (Felix Rodan, Alfredo Bautista, 4/1) started here the second weekend and led for half the race before fading to fourth. Has shown plenty of speed and should get a speed favoring track today. Park Road Cowboy (Jamey Thomas, Assael Espinoza,5/1) has been off over a year now but has shown some good works over the track. Last year showed speed in every start so if fit, there’s a shot. Golf Drama (Jef Bonde, Adrian Castellanos, 7/2) was third here opening weekend on a return from a two-month break. Has seen a lot tougher and keeps dropping down the claiming ladder. Still searching. R Heart of Gold (Jose Puentes, Santos Rivera, 2/1) was second here opening weekend, leading half of the race before getting caught in the lane. It was the first start vs. winners and the speed will be better here. Hot Journey (Jorge Maravilla, Hugo Herrera, 10/1) has been off since late April and comes back at the lowest level in some time. Has two starts in Pleasanton and has done nothing. Did show speed three, four, and five back. Could make a difference here. Big Stick (Isaidro Tamayo, Alexander Chavez, 6/1) had a start here opening weekend and helped push the pace before falling off. The track was not speed friendly at that point but will be much more friendly today. The Fuss (D Wayne Baker, Epifanio Garcia, 10/1) was fifth here opening weekend, not showing much that day. Was beaten by two others in that field who are entered here.
My play: If Park Road Cowboy is ready to run, that is your winner. Every barn knows when the weather gets hot at Pleasanton it’s usually go time. There may be a hot pace to run at here, so look at a closer as well. 2-1-4.
Fifth race (6 furlongs, claiming, 3:45 p.m.)
Elcondor (Jesus Ramos, Alexander Chavez, 6/1) was fifth here opening weekend, setting the pace through the first half before fading and finishing fifth. Takes the blinkers off here and if the rail is fair, will get a good trip here. Titos With a Twist (Arnold Torres, Adrian Castellanos, 5/1) had a good stalking trip here opening weekend and ended up a closing second. Gets an extra half furlong here and should get a pace to chase. Artemus Gordon (Tim McCanna, Luis Miguel Jimenez Aburto, 4/1) finished fourth here opening weekend. Flashed some speed then dropped back. Goes to the blinkers for this start and solid barn gets the services of one of the leading riders. Catchme At Thelake (Blaine Wright, William Antongeorgi, 6/1) started the first week and led the race, dropping back to fifth. Track was not speed favoring that weekend and will be this week. Can the speed hold? Magicisthemoonlite (Jose Bautista, Cristobal Herrera, 5/2) has run third three times this year in seven starts, including opening day here. Finished right behind the No. 2 horse here. Count Asher (Samuel Calvario, Epifanio Garcia,8/1) ran third here opening weekend, finishing behind two that are entered here. Too Much Info (Bill McLean, Irving Orozco, 7/2) was sixth here opening weekend, now take a decent class drop into this spot. Has not shown speed at all and is 2-for-16 career wise, but this is the lowest spot the horse has run.
My play: Catchme At Thelake I feel has the best shot here even though he was beaten by the horse to his inside opening day. Two back he won at this level at Golden Gate Fields, then took a jump up in last. He has shown speed the last two and that’s the winning formula here. 4-2-3.
Sixth race (One mile-70 yards, claiming, )
Kiki Krazy (Leobardo Rivera, Luis Miguel Jimenez Aburto, 12/1) stumbled out of the gate here on the second weekend and pretty much ran last the entire. Has shown speed so it will be interesting to see how she runs if she gets out clean. Stateforest (Samuel Calvario, Catalino Martinez, 10/1) gave the barn a wire to wire winner opening weekend when was seldom holding. Will see a much more favorable track here and the barn does connect at 36 percent in coming off a win. Shanghai Mist (Faith Taylor, Frank Alvarado, 6/1) likes to be on or near the lead which she tried here the second weekend but weakened. Takes a big drop in class and the softer spot may make a difference. Dorine’s Wild Cat (Reid France, Alexander Chavez, 6/1) has been off since late February when the horse won her second straight race. Has had two works on the surface, the last of which was a quick one. Closes with a flourish and will get a pace to run at in this route race. Shezarunaway (Tim McCanna, William Antongeorgi, 3/1) has one start at Pleasanton and it was a win. Has had three works over the track, the last being strong. Another that will be coming late. Westward Breeze (Bill McLean, Santos Rivera, 4/1) was last seen April 26 when she wired the field on the turf at GGF. Comes back to the same level with only one work over the track. Could be a pace factor. Gea (Tim McCanna, Assael Espinoza, 5/1) is coming off two turf races at Golden Gate Fields, neither of which was impressive. This is the lowest she has started and with the solid barn, could be a big player. Hollywood Mistress (Isidro Tamayo, Irving Orozco, 9/2) has hit the board four times in seven starts this year. The last three starts have been on the turf but the horse has extensive dirt experience with 24 career starts. Those combine for five wins, five seconds, and six thirds. Had a boring work over the track.
My play: It would be easy to with Stateforest after wiring the field here on a day when the track was not speed favoring but I am taking a shot with Shanghai Mist as the horse is taking a substantial drop and I like the jockey change. Has been battling back and forth with Hollywood Mistress. 3-8-2.
Seventh race (6 furlongs, optional claiming, 4:45 p.m.)
Swift Nonni (Marcia Stortz, Luis Miguel Jimenez Aburto, 10/1) was last in a race May 1 at Golden Gate Fields, set the pace through the first two calls, then faded. The horse has worked three times over the track and if she shows speed again, she has a shot. Iconic Sky (Andy Mathis, Frank Alvarado, 3/1) won here in a $25,000 optional claimer with a wonderful stalking trip. No one knows the track better than this jockey so count on the horse being put in the right place as they turn for home. Smile Baby Smile (Andy Mathis, Assael Espinoza, 6/1) broke maiden April 27 and has been off since. Has had three works over the track and the barn is solid at spotting their horses. Appears to like to be near the pace. Elegant Sway (Monte Meier, Alexander Chavez, 8/1) was third here in the race Iconic Sky won here. Tried coming from off the pace that day and now probably needs to be closer to the pace. Sunglasses (Manny Badilla, Irving Orozco, 8/1) was last seen on the turf at GGF on May 25 and the horse came away with a win. The horse came to the United States from Great Britain around the first of the year. Ran one race at Santa Anita on the turf, then went to GGF. Does not have a start on dirt but did have a bullet work over the track on June 29. Check the tote for clues. Draw Me (Terri Eaton, Hugo Herrera, 4/1) had one start this year – April 26 – where she was third. Has a work over the track but I think this may be too much of an ask. Baby Kristen (D Wayne Baker, Epifanio Garcia, 9/5) set the pace June 9 at GGF but got caught late. Did win a similar race here last year wiring at field at 4/5. Always has speed and looks like a player here.
My play: Iconic Sky by virtue of the win over the track opening weekend is my pick. Was 6/1 that day and I do not think you will see those odds again. Baby Kristen should be strong in here and despite being in for the first time against winners, do not overlook Smile Baby Smile. 2-7-3
Eighth race (6 furlongs, straight maiden, 5:15 p.m.)
Catch a Breeze (Jorge Bautista, Frank Alvarado, 12/1) had his lone start April 21 and ran fifth all around the track, beaten 23 lengths. Works since have been very pedestrian. Elegant Boy (Sergio Perez, Alexander Chavez, 10/1) has been off since the end of the year after a completing a first year of two seconds and two thirds in seven starts. The last start prompted the break as he ran a well back seventh. He did hit the board in all three starts on the dirt. Had three easy works over the track. Nightbirdie It’s Ok (Victor Trujillo, Luis Miguel Jimenez Aburto, 5/1) was third here on the second weekend, finishing behind a horse entered here. Looks like he was outkicked and the fact that this is his third race in a month, curious if he’s tad bit tired. Blazing Peme (Clifford Delima, William Antongeorgi, 10/1) is making his debut, with his last work a blazer, clocking the first out of 53 on June 23. Gets Lasix and I will look for this one to set the pace, or least be pushing it. I Am Amadeo (Jesus Ramos, Assael Espinoza, 8/1) was fourth behind two others here on June 21. Wheels right back here but will have to show more speed today if interested. Drinks At the Club (Samuel Calvario, Catalino Martinez, 9/2) was third two back, then got here and ran second in that race on June 21 with others entered here. His start got better each race and it looked like there was gas in the tank still in the tank. A player here. Begin Again (D Wayne Baker, Epifanio Garcia, 6/1) last started May 26 in a turf race where he was the first one away, then went backwards, finishing last. Had a couple nice works over the track to prepare for the mini-come back. Sark (Gloria Haley, Santos Rivera, 7/1) ran a very nice third on May 12 on the turf, leading most of the way before getting caught late. It’s a small sample size but the barn does well on the turf to dirt move. Now Then (Miguel Ramirez, Hugo Herrera, 8/1) made his debut here June 21 and it was a lackluster fifth with a few that are entered here. The reason to find improvement but I will have to see one. Mio Bambino (Andy Mathis, Alejandro Gomez, 15/1) is making the debut for a barn, that is good everywhere else, but comes in 0-for-44 with first timers. Huge work on June 16 over the track. Probably want this on your ticket, but not on the win end.
My play: This is a tough one has no horse jumps off the page saying “pick me.” Drinks At the Club gets my attention here off that big run over the track. I am going to have Mio Bambino on my ticket and I actually wouldn’t be surprised if he snapped the 0-for run for first timers for the barn. 6-10-8.