Like Taking Candy From a Baby

One of the most interesting angles in the handicapping of thoroughbred horse racing is when a horse tries turf for the first time. Seeing a runner that figures to improve from the switch to grass going in, can be an exciting proposition. When that first-time turfer does just that, and steps up his game to win on the lawn, you tend to dream about how good a turf horse he may become. If that horse was already a grade 1 winner, the dreams get raised to a whole new level. Such was the case on Saturday for one of the top sophomores in the nation, as Sidney’s Candy made his turf debut in the feature at Del Mar. Trainer John Sadler never lost faith in his charge despite having lost his last two races following his Santa Anita Derby romp in April. Sadler also was confident that Sidney’s Candy would take to the grass, and expected a big performance from him on Saturday. He got just that, and then some. ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here

Where the Turf Meets the Surf

Today I point my gaze westward to beautiful Del Mar, as they take things to the turf this weekend. Exciting editions of the La Jolla today and the John C. Mabee tomorrow, make the track where the turf meets the surf, the place to be the next few days. The two graded stakes offer different handicapping challenges, as the La Jolla will have a clear favorite, while the Mabee should offer a more wide open affair on the oddsboard. ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here

Here's What I Saw

As far as the big two, Zenyatta won and Rachel did not. While the Zenyatta juggernaut continues to roll on and on, to the tune of an amazing record of 15 wins in 15 starts, Rachel came back from a long layoff to finish 2nd by ¾ of a length to another John Shirreffs trained runner, Zardana. It was not what everyone expected for last year’s Horse of the Year. Rachel was clearly short after six months off and was not pushed too hard by rider Calvin Borel. I have little doubt that she will get a lot out of the loss, and will be much improved for her next race. Unfortunately, that will not come in the Apple Blossom on April 9. Zenyatta will be there after her typical awesome performance, but the connections of Rachel Alexandra feel she is not quite ready for the meeting. Hopefully the two superstars will get a chance to settle things on the track sometime soon. ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here

Juveniles of High Intrigue

No Virginia, racing is far more than the feature race on Saturday. The early races at Santa Anita on Wednesday are the ones peaking my interest. Two-year-olds of limitless potential hit the racetrack today in races number two and three. You never know when a champion will appear, but these races offer more chance than most. Horses like these, replace the staleness of Winter with a refreshing, optimistic air. Today’s second contest marks the return of Sidney’s Candy. For those who may not know of this juvenile colt, I feel he was the most impressive youngster at Del Mar this Summer, with all due respect to Lookin at Lucky. After a very promising second place finish in his debut, he returned August 22 at the shore-side oval. In that race, Sidney's Candy was super impressive as he romped by four lengths. He moved to the top of my juvenile list off the win in which he earned an almost unheard of 99 Beyer in the maiden race. He would miss out on all the following juvenile stakes races though, due to sore shins. Owned by the Craig family trust, trained by John Sadler, and ridden by Joe Talamo, Sidney’s Candy looks primed for his return at Santa Anita. Away from the races for over four months, the son of the undefeated star Candy Ride has been firing bullets in the Southern Californian mornings. At his best, I do not see anyone in the field that will beat him, but make no mistake, this is a strong six furlong allowance field. Bob Baffert will try to sour the candy with two horses coming off losses in stakes races. The speedy Tiny Woods and the improving Indian Firewater both have the talent to force Sidney’s Candy to run a big one to get the win. I fully expect him to run a big one. In the third race, we see the much anticipated debut of Take Control. A $7.7 million dollar buyback as a yearling, much is expected from the chestnut colt. The son of the regal mating of champions A.P. Indy and Azeri, Take Control is the first foal from his marvelous mom, and has the looks to go along with the pedigree. After not reaching his unbelievable minimum asking price as a yearling, he was sold as a two-year-old in training for $1.9 million at Keeneland’s select sale in April to his current owner Kaleem Shah. He is trained by Bob Baffert, who has been red hot with his band of juveniles of late, and word out of California is that this one is a runner. Take Control has drawn the rail in the one mile affair for maidens and is listed as the 4-1 third choice behind a couple of colts who have already run effectively without winning. There have not been many better racemares than Azeri, so his debut will be watched by many fans with great interest. Watch the early races from Santa Anita this Wednesday afternoon and maybe, just maybe, you will be watching the colt who wins the 2010 Kentucky Derby.