Classy field in the Pinto Handicap
Who will win thr Grade II Pinto Handicap being run at seven furlongs over a fast dirt track? A full field of fourteen three years old and up will being running for a share of $250,000.
PP Horse (Odds) Trainer Jockey
1. Big Man’s Bridge(10/1) northdance N Mills(5%)
This seven year old out of Storm Cat is ranked 17 in dirt sprints. Triple digit speed in his last four races and late closing kick may help out today. Winner of a grade I on northern cali. circuit.
2. Mountain Ted(21/1) highclaim L Allen(13%)
Ships back in from New York after running fifth in the Due North Stakes-Gr. II. Last time we saw him here he ran a miserable and tiring eleventh. Speed figures too low.
3. Puddle Gulch(9/1) letitride H D Hicks(9%)
Recent form suggests this six year old by Conquistador Cielo will regress off last. Usually can run huge back to back, but the third time won’t be a charm.
4. Kung Fu(16/1) siama T Bates(8%)
Very big effort two back in the Gary Carter Handicap-Gr.I. Another in here that dosen’t seem to like the west coast dirt.
5. Salmon Hater(9/1) manager B Jungnitsch(9%)
Four year old by Deputy Commander ended ’05 with a bang, hasn’t won since. Any improvement off last can help cause here.
6. Pulling Strings(4/1) danknight J Dekeyser(3%)
If it wasn’t for the low percent jock you’d get a lot shorter of a price on this one. he has beaten a couple of these in his last two while running 109 and 111. Winner of 6 of his last 8 and 4 of his last 5 to start off ’06. The only fault I can find is in the rider.
7. Da Dentist(9/1) doctahg F Gossett(23%)
Nice late turn of foot in this five year old out of Sadler’s Wells. Starting to come into form and Gossett jumps aboard. Winner of this race last year could repeat. Watch out!
8. Bag O Tricks(9/1) trotnirish F Allen(14%)
Tries the west coast for the first time. Triple digit speed last four races. Will this be another who doesn’t like the California dirt? Time will tell.
9. Huge Glacken(22/1) lele K Murano(2%)
Lele figures to give it a shot and enters Huge Glacken in here. Can’t blame the stable, but the race comes up a bit tough and the jockey doesn’t help.
10. Seeking The Cause(13/1)connection M Staples(21%)
Has just one win on the year. Showed something last race running 107, but I don’t think that can be duplicated here. 21% jock see’s fit to ride, so who knows, I’ve been wrong before.
11. Biting Insects(10/1) mcjonny4 B Rahill(10%)
Won his first two races this year before trying Gr.I company. If Rahill can get him back to those two performances he can prove tough in here. Nice race last time around this oval in the California Derby-Gr. I.
12. Gallop Fritz(8/1) fritzieqk A Lewis(7%)
Should come with late speed. Son of Victory Gallop is yet to be grade placed, A Lewis will try to change that today.
13. Cheap Wine(11/1) coldchisel T Steinlicht(11/1)
Will probably be up front early and pushing the pace. Will Steilicht have any gas left in the tank when they get into deep stretch?
14. Silver Victory(15/1) arterra F Ford(5%)
Hasn’t won a sprint race since October of ’03. Not sure if he wants this distance or even this class of horses. In too deep.
It’s tough to single out just one horse in a big race like this, so I won’t do it here.
THE BET: $20 exacta 6,7/ 1,6,7,10,11
Goodluck to all and happy betting