Diplo hopes to shine on Belmont Day on the opposite side of the country as he takes on seven others in another $40,000 claiming race at Hollywood Park. Diplo surprised many jumping up in class and finishing a strong second at this level in his first try over the turf. He isn't likely to be 40-1 again tomorrow and we will see if turf is truly his favored surface.
Here is the field:
1. Tis (Quinonez) - Broke his maiden over the main track at Santa Anita in a $32,000 Maiden Claiming race. Came back and finished 5th in a turf allowance here at Hollywood. Dropping in here to try and get things going again.
2. Summer at Del Mar (Talamo) - Broke his maiden over Diplo two starts back but Diplo fought him off in his last to beat him by 3/4 for second. Ready for the rubber match but has not worked well since that last start.
3. DIPLO
4. Siete Machos (Santiago Reyes) - Weakened last out finishing a last placed 7th in the race Diplo and Summers at Del Mar finished 2nd and 3rd. Adds a 16th of a mile...probably not.
5. Really Uptown (Bejerano) -After six weeks off, he's back on the turf dropping back into the claiming ranks. He's been more effective at lower levels, but the Beyers fit here.
6. Saravas Wild Again (Baze) - Only three starts at three he's been steadily improving in MSW company up north at Golden Gate. In for $40,000 here and going longer than he ever has and trying the turf for the first time.
7. Brother Louie (Valdez) - New Mexico bred broke his maiden at two at this distance over this turf course. Since then he has had a steady diet of 4th place finishes in New Mexico bred restricted races at Sunland Park. Looks to b a cut below.
8. Came Aboard (Espinoza) - DIPLO's stablemate looks tough in here. Claimed off a win at this level two back with a fourth in an $80,000 Optional Claimer last week.
Siete Machos and Really Uptown should press the pace early on. The other six entries all look to stalk from just off the pace and there is only going to be so much room to be able to do that. Breaking from the three hole should give Diplo a bit of an advantage early, but could get him trapped down on the rail late as the pack moves. Pedroza has done a great job since taking over as pilot in keeping Diplo out of trouble and should that continue tomorrow we're going to have a real chance. It looks to be a cavalry charge finish and we'll need some racing luck to nail it. We'll know tomorrow afternoon if Diplo is growing into a turf specialist.
Showing posts with label Martin Pedroza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Martin Pedroza. Show all posts
Friday, June 4, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Diplo Steps It Up
When Diplo broke his maiden on May 1 you could hear a collective sigh across the country as his partners finally exhaled. All the near misses were a thing of the past and he was now a winner. It was time for us to savor the moment and bask in the afterglow of a well-earned victory.
He came back from his win in fine fettle. So well, in fact, that trainer Doug O'Neil brought him back after only 11 days to give the turf course a try. The gelding was sound and tearing it up - like he finally knew what winning was all about. Whether it was the jock switch to Martin Pedroza or just having the light switch on upstairs, Diplo acted the part of a winner and was ready to go.
In the effort to promote full disclosure here, this is how I thought his next race would set up:
He finally broke his maiden after several tries and dropping down through the ranks, settling at the $25,000 claiming level. In my years of watching races it's rare to see a maiden step up beyond the class they broke through. It happens, of course, but for the most part the best a Maiden Claiming $25,000 could hope to do against winners is score against $16,000 claimers. Perhaps even drop as low as $12,500. That was the direction I thought we'd end up going in and I would have had no problem with the decision.
In his first spot over the turf, O'Neil picked out a $50,000 claiming race going a mile over the Hollywood Park turf course. When Diplo went off at odds of 40-1, I can't say that I was surprised. Quite honestly I was hoping he'd be able to sneak up for third and pick up a decent check. There were no fairy tale endings here with our boy swooping down the stretch and on to victory, but something interesting did happen. Our boy ran like he knew what he was doing.
Diplo broke well and Pedroza had him in good position mid-pack down the back side. Between the quarter and half mile poles he slid from third to fourth and I though, "well, he gave it a brave run". But Diplo was not through. Far from it. He made up ground through the bend and by the time they straightened out for home he was in second, only a length and a half from the front. He gained steadily through the lane to finish second by 3/4 of a length, though in fairness to the winner, Camp Victory, it wasn't like the winner was ridden all out to hang on at the wire either.
The second was a spot better than I had hoped, It it was more than that. The way Diplo ran was important. He obviously enjoyed the grass and his run through the stretch was aggressive and characteristic of a race horse with a lot of grit and heart. He showed he not only belonged with "better" horses, but could be a force to be reckoned with as well.
I don't know what's next, but this race opened up all kinds of possibilities.
He came back from his win in fine fettle. So well, in fact, that trainer Doug O'Neil brought him back after only 11 days to give the turf course a try. The gelding was sound and tearing it up - like he finally knew what winning was all about. Whether it was the jock switch to Martin Pedroza or just having the light switch on upstairs, Diplo acted the part of a winner and was ready to go.
In the effort to promote full disclosure here, this is how I thought his next race would set up:
He finally broke his maiden after several tries and dropping down through the ranks, settling at the $25,000 claiming level. In my years of watching races it's rare to see a maiden step up beyond the class they broke through. It happens, of course, but for the most part the best a Maiden Claiming $25,000 could hope to do against winners is score against $16,000 claimers. Perhaps even drop as low as $12,500. That was the direction I thought we'd end up going in and I would have had no problem with the decision.
In his first spot over the turf, O'Neil picked out a $50,000 claiming race going a mile over the Hollywood Park turf course. When Diplo went off at odds of 40-1, I can't say that I was surprised. Quite honestly I was hoping he'd be able to sneak up for third and pick up a decent check. There were no fairy tale endings here with our boy swooping down the stretch and on to victory, but something interesting did happen. Our boy ran like he knew what he was doing.
Diplo broke well and Pedroza had him in good position mid-pack down the back side. Between the quarter and half mile poles he slid from third to fourth and I though, "well, he gave it a brave run". But Diplo was not through. Far from it. He made up ground through the bend and by the time they straightened out for home he was in second, only a length and a half from the front. He gained steadily through the lane to finish second by 3/4 of a length, though in fairness to the winner, Camp Victory, it wasn't like the winner was ridden all out to hang on at the wire either.
The second was a spot better than I had hoped, It it was more than that. The way Diplo ran was important. He obviously enjoyed the grass and his run through the stretch was aggressive and characteristic of a race horse with a lot of grit and heart. He showed he not only belonged with "better" horses, but could be a force to be reckoned with as well.
I don't know what's next, but this race opened up all kinds of possibilities.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Diplo Scores First Lifetime Win
I know I didn’t go so far as to say it was now or never for Diplo, but I also knew that it was close. Thankfully on Derby Day now came before never and Diplo scored his first lifetime victory and overcame his “close but no cigar” pattern of 2010.
Under Martin Pedroza – regular rider Rafael Bejerano had a previous commitment in Kentucky this past weekend – Diplo broke smoothly in the middle of the pack and was guided to the rail in the $25,000 Maiden Claiming race at Hollywood Park. Chasing fractions of :22.19 and :45.62, Diplo began making up ground at the half mile pole. Through the turn and into the stretch he seemed to be a bit pinned down inside and I was not sure if he have the running room to get through, even if he had the kick to do it. Pedroza stayed patient and when the front two horses slid out a bit he had his opening and sent Diplo through. I’d like to say he went through the hole like a shot, but under strong urging Diplo gained through the stretch and came eyeball to eyeball with Big Wags. For a few strides it looked as if the last head bob would determine the outcome, but then Diplo pulled ahead and, eventually winning by a half length.
It felt great to get Diplo off the snide. He had been paying his way, which is always nice, but I was happy for him to break through and get that first win. Now that it’s finally out the way, you wonder if a light was just switched on in a previously dark room – “Ohhhh….I’m supposed to be the FIRST one to be done!” I’m not saying that Diplo can carry us to the Breeder’s Cup, obviously, but let’s take a look at our very own Tabby Lane. Since she finally broke her maiden at the $10,000 level after 6 failed attempts at lower levels has had five starts, winning three and coming in second in another and earning $29,106 racing competitively as high as $32,000 Optional Claiming. Sometimes all it takes is that first win to pull it all together for a horse and I’m hoping that’s the case for Diplo. Right now he’ll rest up and we’ll see what’s next for him when he’s ready.
Under Martin Pedroza – regular rider Rafael Bejerano had a previous commitment in Kentucky this past weekend – Diplo broke smoothly in the middle of the pack and was guided to the rail in the $25,000 Maiden Claiming race at Hollywood Park. Chasing fractions of :22.19 and :45.62, Diplo began making up ground at the half mile pole. Through the turn and into the stretch he seemed to be a bit pinned down inside and I was not sure if he have the running room to get through, even if he had the kick to do it. Pedroza stayed patient and when the front two horses slid out a bit he had his opening and sent Diplo through. I’d like to say he went through the hole like a shot, but under strong urging Diplo gained through the stretch and came eyeball to eyeball with Big Wags. For a few strides it looked as if the last head bob would determine the outcome, but then Diplo pulled ahead and, eventually winning by a half length.
It felt great to get Diplo off the snide. He had been paying his way, which is always nice, but I was happy for him to break through and get that first win. Now that it’s finally out the way, you wonder if a light was just switched on in a previously dark room – “Ohhhh….I’m supposed to be the FIRST one to be done!” I’m not saying that Diplo can carry us to the Breeder’s Cup, obviously, but let’s take a look at our very own Tabby Lane. Since she finally broke her maiden at the $10,000 level after 6 failed attempts at lower levels has had five starts, winning three and coming in second in another and earning $29,106 racing competitively as high as $32,000 Optional Claiming. Sometimes all it takes is that first win to pull it all together for a horse and I’m hoping that’s the case for Diplo. Right now he’ll rest up and we’ll see what’s next for him when he’s ready.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Diplo Giving it His All on Derby Day at Hollywood
I’ve spoken to several folks about Diplo (Pleasant Tap – Blackjack Angel – Polish Numbers) over the past few days and my take on him is that the poor bugger has run into a hot horse every time he’s been on the racetrack. He’s tried hard and nearly gotten there, but can’t seem to make it happen. On Kentucky Derby Day out at Hollywood Park, Diplo will take on 11 other maidens and try to finally break through and be called a winner. He’s dropping in class from $32,000 to $25,000 and I’m hoping that this drop and the change in scenery from Santa Anita will make our boy the buzz saw this time rather than the wood.
Here is the field in the 6.5 furlong sprint:
1. Tea Party Time – second time out and is also dropping in from $32,000. Raced wide and green in debut so there is room for improvement.
2. Big Steven – Has not raced since early August of his two year old year in a non-descript 3.5 furlong dash. It’s going to take a lot of improvement to race with these.
3. Warren’s Peanut – Like Diplo, he’s 0 – 8, but he has never been close while our boy has hit the board 5 of 8 starts with 3 fourths.
4. Big Wags – Improved nicely on the drop last out and he dips a bit again. Should be a real tough one.
5. DIPLO
6. Unusual Justin – Back in under a week and hasn’t shown much for a while. Abrams must see something the rest of us don’t.
7. Burciaga – Stepping up in his 3-year old debut. Probably needs at least one.
8. Roos on the Loose – Like Diplo, one that’s in the money more times than not. Would like to stalk the pace, but there doesn’t seem to be any pace in here!
9. Tizexchange – A slight drop in his second lifetime start. Showed some early speed before fading in debut. Certainly needed the race and post race works have been decent.
10. Who U Foolin – Another with a slight drop after a speed then fade debut. Tizexchange looks like the better of the two, but vast improvement is necessary.
11. Eminent Honor – 0-22 with no a sniff of the tote board on his PPs.
12. Big Jay – Had a bit of a breather and comes back at this level again. Consistent Beyers that are better than most of the field, he just has not been able to hit the top of the board. Adds Tyler Baze and cutting back in distance. Looms largest.
With Rafael Bejerano taking some time to sightsee in Kentucky this weekend, Diplo gets a new pilot, Martin Pedroza who has been no slouch this year winning at a 16% clip. With no real pace in the race it’s going to be a cavalry charge at the end and Diplo will need to dig in and show some heart in order to prevail. He belongs with the best in here, I’m hoping the racing gods (and you too Russ) are smiling down on him Saturday!
Here is the field in the 6.5 furlong sprint:
1. Tea Party Time – second time out and is also dropping in from $32,000. Raced wide and green in debut so there is room for improvement.
2. Big Steven – Has not raced since early August of his two year old year in a non-descript 3.5 furlong dash. It’s going to take a lot of improvement to race with these.
3. Warren’s Peanut – Like Diplo, he’s 0 – 8, but he has never been close while our boy has hit the board 5 of 8 starts with 3 fourths.
4. Big Wags – Improved nicely on the drop last out and he dips a bit again. Should be a real tough one.
5. DIPLO
6. Unusual Justin – Back in under a week and hasn’t shown much for a while. Abrams must see something the rest of us don’t.
7. Burciaga – Stepping up in his 3-year old debut. Probably needs at least one.
8. Roos on the Loose – Like Diplo, one that’s in the money more times than not. Would like to stalk the pace, but there doesn’t seem to be any pace in here!
9. Tizexchange – A slight drop in his second lifetime start. Showed some early speed before fading in debut. Certainly needed the race and post race works have been decent.
10. Who U Foolin – Another with a slight drop after a speed then fade debut. Tizexchange looks like the better of the two, but vast improvement is necessary.
11. Eminent Honor – 0-22 with no a sniff of the tote board on his PPs.
12. Big Jay – Had a bit of a breather and comes back at this level again. Consistent Beyers that are better than most of the field, he just has not been able to hit the top of the board. Adds Tyler Baze and cutting back in distance. Looms largest.
With Rafael Bejerano taking some time to sightsee in Kentucky this weekend, Diplo gets a new pilot, Martin Pedroza who has been no slouch this year winning at a 16% clip. With no real pace in the race it’s going to be a cavalry charge at the end and Diplo will need to dig in and show some heart in order to prevail. He belongs with the best in here, I’m hoping the racing gods (and you too Russ) are smiling down on him Saturday!
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