Racing! Where has Asa Espinoza gone?

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we ask if you regret not betting Bob Ike’s pick on Wednesday?

Let’s get started with a couple of interesting items.

Jeff Nahill of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports on the name change of Asa Espinoza. If you noticed Asa Espinoza now appears in the program as Assael Espinoza. Here’s why.

“When he first started riding, I got him into the Jerry Hollendorfer barn,” Espinoza’s agent, Brian Beach, told Nahill. “People couldn’t remember his name, so I just decided to come up with something short and Snappy like Asa. He was never fully on board with it, but he went along with it.

“Then people started pronouncing it all kinds of different ways. Even [track announcer] Trevor Denman pronounced it three or four different ways in one day.”

So, Beach, who also represents Assael’s uncle, Victor Espinoza, had him go back to his given name.

“He’s getting better every day,” Beach said. “The sky is the limit for him. He has the talent and desire.”

Assael is making a mark as an apprentice, taking over where Eclipse Award winning Evin Roman left off when he lost his bug.

And speaking of Victor Espinoza, Beach tweeted on Wednesday that Victor “has been strong in rehab and is scheduled to be released from the Rehabilitation Center” on Thursday. He fractured a vertebrae when he was thrown from a horse that had a fatal heart attack during training.

Good wishes to Lava Man

Trainer Doug O’Neill reported that Lava Man, the unofficial coach in his stable, was doing well after colic surgery.

“Lava Man underwent colic surgery to correct a large colon displacement,” O’Neill said. “He stood beautifully and is back in his stall to begin the recovery process. We want to thank the veterinarians and staff for their quick assessment and treatment. Thanks to all for the good wishes.”

The 17-year-old Lava Man won more than $5 million in his career before retiring to O’Neill’s barn where he aids in moving other horses around the stable and track.

Justify to Kentucky

Here’s a video of Justify arriving in Kentucky by plane, including the annoying plane engine sounds, and then the van arriving at WinStar Farm in Versailles. Finally, David Hanley, the general manager of WinStar, talks about the horse. This comes courtesy of WinStar Farm and PM Advertising. Just click here and watch.

Del Mar review

Del Mar likes to put a stakes race on Wednesday and this week it was the $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn. for 2-year-old fillies going 5 ½ furlongs. The mild upset winner was Naughty Tiger, who moved past a tiring Lippy to win by 1 ¼-lengths.

Naughty Tiger, trained by Edward Freeman and ridden by Ruben Fuentes, paid $12.40, $5.60 and $3.20. Accomplishedsister was second and Lippy finished third.

“She didn’t break very well and Ruben used his head and just let her settle,” Freeman said. “I had told him ‘I don’t care where you are on the backside, the horses to worry about are probably going to be coming from behind.’ It didn’t work out all that well, she went five wide on the turn, but she went into the race so fit and she was good enough today.”

It was Fuentes first stakes win at Del Mar.

“She broke a little slow, but I could tell they were going fast up front and she was comfortable,” Fuentes said. “So I just sat there and waited. Then when I asked her to go, she sure did. Nice kick. She was best today.”

Del Mar preview

There’s not a lot special about Thursday’s eight-race card starting at 2 p.m. There are four turf races, a larger percentage than normal. The field sizes remain strong.

The feature is a five-furlong turf allowance for 3-year-olds and up. The favorite is Eric the Trojan, who has won five of 26 lifetime and five of his last six races have been at the allowance level. Flavien Prat gets the ride for trainer Jack Carava. The second favorite, at 4-1, is My Man Chuckles, who is four of 18 lifetime and won an allowance at Santa Anita.

Of course, my favorite, only because of the name, is Eddie Haskell, for whom the Haskell Stakes was named. (If you believe that then please do yourself a favor, unsubscribe from the newsletter and never bet again.) Actually, you’ve got be of a certain age to understand: “My you’re looking nice today, Mrs. Cleaver.” He was one of television’s first anti-heroes. Loved that show.

Bob Ike’s DMR pick of the day

FIFTH RACE: No. 4 Mithqaal (5-1)

Sharp Bay Area invader from the high-percentage Johathan Wong stable won two straight at Golden Gate and should fit very well in this starter allowance event going nine furlongs on turf. He figures to sit a perfect trip behind the speed and be in the right spot turning for home if good enough.

Wednesday’s result: Ransomed ($26.60) kept the Bill Spawr “first off the claim” angle alive and well with a decisive win from off the pace in race 2.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here's a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Final thought

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If you have any thoughts, you can reach me at [email protected]. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

And now the stars of the show, Wednesday’s results and Thursday’s entries.

LORD GUINNESS bumped and forced out at the break, angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, tugged his way up inside on the backstretch, continued inside on the second turn, came out some into the stretch then again in midstretch, rallied under urging to the front three wide in deep stretch and won clear. PLEASANT D'ORO broke out and bumped a rival, prompted the pace four wide between foes then four wide leaving the backstretch and three deep into the stretch, took the lead outside a rival in midstretch, fought back between horses in deep stretch and held second. CARIBBEAN (AUS) dueled between rivals, put a head in front between foes into the stretch, fought back just off the rail in midstretch and bested the others. TROJAN SPIRIT forced the pace three deep between horses, dropped back some between foes into the stretch and weakened. STONEGATE bobbled some then was bumped and forced into the winner at the start, pressed the pace five wide, continued outside leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and also weakened. JUSTIN'S QUEST broke in a bit, had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong.

RANSOMED stalked outside a rival then between foes on the backstretch, continued outside on the turn and four wide into the stretch, rallied under urging then steady handling to collar the runner-up in deep stretch and proved best. TIME AND CHANCE sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail, met a pair of bids leaving the backstretch and into the turn, battled outside a rival past midway on the turn, inched away into the stretch, kicked clear but could not hold off the winner. PRINCESS DORIAN stalked outside then four wide on the backstretch and turn, came three deep into the stretch and bested the others. WONDERFUL LIE close up stalking the pace between horses, bid between rivals leaving the backstretch, tracked again between foes leaving the turn and weakened. LI'L GRAZEN saved ground stalking the pace, bid inside leaving the turn and also weakened in the drive. SKEETER DAVIS stalked a bit off the rail then between foes, angled in on the turn and also weakened. IB PROSPECTING broke a bit slowly, chased off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn and lacked a response in the drive. BE A LADY well placed stalking the leader between foes, bid three deep leaving the backstretch and into the turn, fell back some leaving the turn, came three wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

CREATIVE INSTINCT sent along inside to the early, lead, inched away and set the pace inside, came a bit off the rail into the stretch and drew off under urging and steady handling late. GOTTA BE LUCKY chased a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and in the stretch and bested the others. MZ BROWN saved ground off the pace, continued inside on the turn and through the stretch and got up for the show. DON'T SELL stalked four wide then outside foes on the turn and three deep into the stretch and was edged late for third. NATURALBORN SINGER stalked a bit off the rail then between foes past midway on the turn, continued off the rail into the stretch and weakened. STYLIN OCEAN close up stalking the winner between foes, dropped back between rivals on the turn, came out into the stretch and had little left for the drive. ZO LO'S LOV was in a good position stalking the pace three deep between rivals, dropped back and angled in some on the turn and gave way.

BRANDOTHEBARTENDER chased between horses then outside a rival leaving the turn, came three wide into the stretch and rallied under urging to get up five wide on the line. REGAL BORN had speed three deep then stalked off the rail, continued outside a rival leaving the turn, came three wide into the stretch, bid four wide in midstretch, put a head in front past the eighth pole and was edged between foes late. PURIANO stalked outside a rival, came out in upper stretch and rallied between horses late. FOREST CHATTER saved ground stalking the pace, came out in midstretch and also rallied between rivals late. COASTLINE had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back along the rail in the stretch and was outfinished. KRSTO SKYE stalked a bit off the rail then inside into and on the turn, came out into the stretch, bid between foes in the drive and also was outfinished late. OUR INDEPENDENCE had speed between foes then dueled outside a rival, fought back between horses in the drive and steadied in tight a sixteenth out. MR CRUZE chased three deep then off the rail leaving the turn, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally.

TANIKO chased inside, came out leaving the backstretch, ranged up five wide into the stretch to gain the lead, inched away under left handed urging and won clear. ROLLS ROYCE DEAL angled in and stalked inside, cut the corner into the stretch, came off the rail with a bit in the drive and was clearly second best. GRAY ADMIRAL kept five wide into the first turn, angled in and dueled outside a rival, inched away leaving the second turn, drifted out some into the stretch and held third. HARD ARCH kept six wide by the riderless horse into the first turn, stalked three wide, steadied in tight four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. KATZUMOTO kept off the rail into the first turn , angled and dueled a bit off the fence, stalked leaving the second turn and weakened. SUPER ECHELON kept five wide and in a bit tight into the first turn, angled in and stalked between foes, dropped back on the second turn and had nothing left for the stretch. WISE CURLIN bobbled at the start and lost the rider. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the run into the stretch between the first and fourth finishers but made no change when they ruled thee videotape inconclusive.

MARCKIE'S WATER chased a bit off the rail then between foes, continued outside a rival on the final turn, came four wide into the stretch, rallied under urging to gain the lead in deep stretch and proved best. OSCAR DOMINGUEZ (IRE) stalked outside a rival, bid three deep leaving the last turn and into the stretch, kicked clear and drifted inward in the drive and just held second. HOT AMERICAN chased three deep then outside a rival, came out three wide into the stretch and just missed the place. OVER THINKING saved ground stalking the pace, went between horses on the final turn and three wide into the stretch, also drifted in and lacked the needed late kick. TARTINI chased a bit off the rail, bid between horses on the backstretch, angled in and stalked inside on the final turn, came out into the stretch and was outfinished. UBER STAR saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside in the drive, steadied when crowded in midstretch, came out for room and lacked the needed rally. HOOTIE pulled and stalked outside then bid three deep on the backstretch, battled outside a rival and took a short lead into the final turn, dueled between foes leaving that turn and weakened in the drive. ACKER dueled outside a rival then between foes early on the backstretch, battled inside on the final turn, came out some in the stretch then drifted inward in midstretch and weakened. KITTEN'S ROYAL pulled along the inside and dueled for the lead, was in a bit tight early on the backstretch, came out approaching the second turn and gave way.

NAUGHTY TIGER chased outside, advanced five wide into and on the turn, angled in and bid outside a rival, took the lead into the stretch, drifted in and inched away under urging and held. ACCOMPLISHEDSISTER stalked five wide then outside leaving the backstretch and on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and edged a rival for the place. LIPPY dueled four wide, took the lead on the turn, angled in a bit off the rail, fought back into the stretch and lost second late. TIME FOR SUZZIE saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside on the turn and into the stretch and improved position. SIX PACK GAL had good early speed and dueled inside, stalked on the turn and weakened in the stretch. MONTANA SUNSET chased between horses then off the rail on the turn, came out four wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive. SCATAPULP dueled between rivals then stalked on the turn, came out three deep into the stretch and gave way. COZZE KID also dueled between horses then stalked between foes on the turn, dropped back in the stretch and also gave way.

GIRL DRAMA dueled between horses then outside a rival leaving the first turn, inched away and angled in, battled inside, edged clear on the second turn and proved best under urging. IRISH LASSIE four wide on the first turn, stalked outside then bid outside the winner on the backstretch and into the second turn and held the place. EYE OF THE RIVER pulled between horses and was in a bit tight into the first turn, stalked between foes, came out in the stretch and got up three deep for the show. ROYAL C stalked three deep to the stretch, drifted in and was edged for the show between foes late. FLUORESCENT three deep early, stalked between foes, came under urging three wide on the second turn and weakened. GRAY DIVA angled in outside a rival then chased off the rail to the stretch and did not rally. QUIZLET saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the backstretch and second turn and lacked a further response. PRINCESS NICOLE chased outside a rival, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and did not rally. DEV MO a bit slow to begin, settled inside, went around a rival on the backstretch, found the rail again for the second turn and weakened. QUEEN DREAMER had speed between horses then dueled inside, stalked leaving the backstretch and into the second turn and gave way.