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High notes and low notes from the last weekend of the year

US Racing RSS / / 04 January 2008 /

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Nick Shiambouros delivers his verdict on the racing that just took place on the other side of the pond

The very last weekend of 2007 finished with some high notes and unfortunately some very low ones. For now let us focus on some of the more positive aspects at the end of the year's racing that took place in America. The Grade 1 La Brea at Santa Anita went to Dearest Trickski who held on grimly for the victory from Unspoken Word and our long shot selection Glorified back in third. The race did cut up due to the absence of Dawn After Dawn who was scratched from this event and probably would have been sent off quite short in this hot contest. This story really is quite remarkable because this filly was claimed for just $32,000 at Del Mar in August by trainer John Sadler for his owner Tom Mankiewicz.With this victory under her belt she is worth a fortune and I wonder how her previous owners are feeling now after her success.

Over at Turfway Park our selection for The Holiday Cheer Stakes Sweetsouthernsaint proved bitterly disappointing when he could only manage sixth behind Junior College.Frankly in my opinion this horse is clearly going the wrong way and should be left alone until he shows some of the smart form he has shown in the past.

The 2008 flat racing season got underway on Tuesday and Santa Anita hosted The El Conejo Handicap and Idiot Proof yet another horse that ran in the Breeders Cup was beaten at heavy odds on by Inn Summation who was superbly ridden by Cory Nakatani to take this Grade 3 event.

With Gulfstream Park opening its doors on Thursday we can look forward to some superb racing in the coming months from coast to coast. If you have never visited Gulfstream Park in South Florida then I suggest you jump on a plane as soon as you can for this meeting as it is the finest racing on the east coast of America for the next few months. In addition to the wonderful weather, the tasty Stonecrab claws and the fine beaches you can rub shoulders with the rich and famous for a few Dollars entry fee.
This Saturday features The Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes over seven furlongs for three year olds at Gulfstream and I like the look of Smooth Air and Halo Najib in this quality event. I think they will be both around 5.0 for the win and I will split my stakes for this race. This is one race I recommend you record as it always throws up plenty of winners for the future

Over on the West coast Santa Anita features The San Pasqual Handicap for older horses over a mile and one sixteenth on the Cushion Track surface. This one is wide open but I am taking Molengano for the victory. He has been trading punches with Lava Man in Grade 1 company last Summer. He is coming off a injury so I would watch the market carefully and I will try to back him at around 5 for the win. Both Heatseeker and Racketeer look like the main dangers in what looks a cracking contest. Just one piece of information to pass on is that this race may be cut up by withdrawals due to the persistent drainage problems Santa Anita are having at the track.

At the end of this meeting the track may even have to be replaced due to these problems
I did mention some low points that ended 2007 and I am sorry to have to announce that jockey Patrick Valenzuela has had his license revoked by the California Horse Racing Board after an arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. This was a direct violation of his conditional license and it seems that this could signal the end of his riding career after this incident. Even his agent Tom Knust has suggested it is time for Patrick to retire.

I have supported him as regular readers will know and I find it hard to believe that this has happened. He has battled this disease for many years now and all I will say on this matter that I hope he gets the right help and tries to rebuild his life and look after his family in these difficult times but maybe he has had his last chance as a rider.

On a final note I have just received the news that Curlin brilliant winner of the Breeders Cup Classic is to stay in training as a 4 year old. He has nothing to prove and it is a brave decision by his owners to resist the temptation of retiring him to stud and losing a great deal of revenue. I wish them and the great Curlin all the best for a 2008 along with all my readers. Lets hope we can match the fantastic season we had in 2007.

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