Racing! Readers hate Santa Anita’s new MTP policy

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we congratulate the Rams on making it to the Super Bowl. (It’s like the Kentucky Derby but even bigger.)

Well, you readers have spoken and you don’t like the “Santa Anita drag.” On Sunday, we reported on Santa Anita’s new plan to take the minutes-to-post clock to zero and then wait three to four minutes before actually starting to load the horses. This is what they do at sister track Gulfstream.

The thinking was that bettors like to wager when the clock is close to zero, so why not give them a longer ride at zero? Santa Anita bettors are saying, “Hey, we see what you are doing and we don’t like being deceived.”

I got a lot of responses, so thanks to all of you. I couldn’t use them all and tended to pick the ones that came in earliest. Plus, those of you decided to write more than the two sentences, which I asked for, also didn’t get used.

So, without further ado, here’s what you folks think.

Can’t stand it at Gulfstream. Annoying when I’m switching to TVG from other sports.

--Paul Sartori

As with most things, the way to respond to things you like or not is to vote with your wallet. We in Arizona have to use an antiquated phone system to make our wagers with the ADW’s so the drag actually helps us to not get shut out. But, I personally like things to be on time.

--Steven Wells

Mostly an irritant. The fans will get used to it. It’s not like the program issue.

--Dick Bushey

As usual, change is not always good. The MTP is most irritating thing in the world at Gulfstream if you are a broken-down horseplayer. Give me New York or Kentucky racing any day over Stronach-fabricated extended posts.

--Larry Kelly

If post time is 3:30 I’d like to see the horses at least at the gate and loading at 3:30. If they want a 3:34 post then list it as 3:34. Just because accuracy should matter!

--John O'Sullivan

This post drag reminds me of something I witnessed several years ago at a racecourse in Bangkok. The horses would load in the gate and the gate would not open until literally the betting lines disappeared. Why even post MTP and post times if they are not going to adhere to it.

--Frank Palacios

I think it is terrible. I always considered this a trait of smaller tracks trying to get every last dollar into the pools.

--Tim Robertson

I don’t like the drag because I usually play multiple tracks. I do my best to bet early, so I know where my money is going, but also want to see the result of one race before deciding on my wager in another race.

--Bill Strobl

The Santa Anita drag is rude and shows a disregard for customers, so we know it’s here to stay!

--Robert Libby

As most are late for everything now, it makes sense. Punctuality went out with pay phones.

--Gary D. Gress

I am annoyed by the delay. I feel manipulated.

--Guy Kelly

If I watch on the computer and the races don't go on time I just cancel my bet. I guess I will be only be watching New York and using NYRA bets. This is not Florida.

--Steven Turner

The MTP drag is quite annoying at Gulfstream and Santa Anita especially when I’m betting at home and trying to multi-task.

--Michael Smith

Being a punctual person, I find the drag really annoying. Also, sometimes I’ll see a horse looking really good on track but I’ll pass on going to the window thinking there’s not enough time left, then get really annoyed as I sit and wait and wait for race to begin and the horse wins.

--Sally Cruikshank

To me, the real reason that tracks like Gulfstream, and now Santa Anita do this is to assist the Algorithm Boys. Giving them more time to dump tons of cash into a race without the general public knowledge.

--Dennis McGarry

Races should go off the listed post times, same as in Europe.

--Debra Gilbert

I love New York starting at assigned post time. Everyone gets used to it and that's it. Tim Ritvo just does what he wants and does not really care about the betting fan.

--Pennie Woolf

It's deceptive business practices. They need to set post times and stick to them (except for special circumstances). The whole country should coordinate post times. It's done in England.

--Joe Sullivan

Hate it and because I bet most major tracks, had not noticed the Santa Anita drag yet. Even though I have missed a few posts, NYRA does things right: 1 p.m. is supposed to mean 1 p.m.

--Patrick Quinn

Post time should mean post time, first workers show up late, now the horses are running late.

--Steve Zolotas

Perhaps this business concept could stabilize the Stock Exchange as well?

--Sandy Snider

It’s not a big deal. I always wait for the five-minute mark, so now I can wait for zero.

--Bill Haley

One more thought

Got this from respected turf writer Robert Kieckhefer, who is an expert in international racing. And remember, just when you think it can’t be any worse …

“Have a look sometime at the pre-race program in Japanese Grade 1 races. It's almost like you could get out of bed when they're led into the parade ring, shower, shave, catch a quick breakfast and take the train to the track before they're put into the gate. Nothing wrong with that — at least for the Japanese horses! Different countries, different customs.”

One last chance to vote

If you vote early, it might get counted. But polling closes Monday morning for our Horse of the Year poll. We’ll reveal the results on Tuesday. It’s Accelerate vs. Justify vs. Monomoy Girl. Don’t worry, all three will win an Eclipse, but only one of them will win two. To vote, just click here.

Santa Anita review

The Grade 3 $100,000 Astra Stakes turned tragic when Amboseli, the second favorite, suffered a catastrophic injury coming down the hill and was pulled up by jockey Kent Desormeaux in the 1 ½-mile turf race. Because the horses had to go around the turf course a second time, Amboseli was pulled over to the outside rail for the race to finish before the equine ambulance took her off. She was euthanized.

Pants on Fire won the race after patiently waiting through the early stages of the race, took the lead on the far turn and won by 5 ¼ lengths. She paid $6.20, $3.40 and $3.00. K P Pergoliscious was second and Lynn’s Legacy finished third.

“The race kinda set up for her and she’d been training really well,” said winning trainer Richard Baltas. “And, getting Flavien [Prat] sure helps. She loves Santa Anita, she got a good ride from Flavien, a lot of speed in the race and she got the job done.”

Prat echoed that sentiment.

“We had a good pace to run at,” Prat said. “She rated kind and she was travelling well the whole way. I thought Mike Smith’s filly (K P Pergoliscious) would be tough, but my filly gave me a good kick turning for home.”

Santa Anita preview

Santa Anita has its third straight 10-race card on a special Monday performance on Martin Luther King, Jr. day. There are four turf races, four races for 3-year-old fillies, four claiming races and a graded stakes. The average field size is eight.

The feature is the Grade 3 $100,000 Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile on the turf. The obvious favorite, at 6-5, is Vasilika for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and Prat. She won eight in a row before finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar. She was 9-of-11 last year and 13-of-28 lifetime. Hollendorfer claimed her for $40,000 last year on Feb. 11 and then she seemed unbeatable.

The second favorite, at 3-1, is Amandine, who is looking for her first win in the U.S. after failing in three races. She was third in the Grade 1 American Oaks. She is 3-of-14 lifetime. She is trained by Jeff Mullins and ridden by Drayden Van Dyke.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 8, 7, 7, 9, 8, 8, 9, 7, 7, 10.

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday.

Aqueduct (7): $100,000 Ladies Handicap, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Forever Liesl ($6.10)

Santa Anita (8): Grade 3 $100,000 Astra Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Winner: Pants on Fire ($6.20)

Bob Ike’s SA pick of the day

SIXTH RACE: No. 7 Creative Instinct (6-1)

Extremely competitive first-level allowance race for 3-year-old fillies coming down the hillside course (rails at 20 feet) and I will take a shot with Creative Instinct. There are a few angles to like: Peter Miller-trained horses excel in turf sprints; leading rider Flavien Prat takes over; blinkers are removed, an angle which hits at 44% for Miller; tactical speed with an outside draw and back sprinting.

Sunday’s result: Spy Ring (6-1 ) was loaded behind horses but had to wait for room, went inside through a very tight spot, then wound up a close third while likely best.

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

Now, here are the star of the show, Sunday’s results and Monday’s entries.

KEEP QUIET (FR) prompted the pace outside the runner-up then between foes, continued outside that rival on the second turn, was fanned out a bit into the stretch, fought back alongside that rival through a stiff drive and gamely prevailed late under urging. COUNT ALEXANDER took the early lead outside foes, angled in on the first turn and dueled inside, came off the rail into the stretch, fought back through the lane and continued gamely between foes late. KAZAN (IRE) saved ground off the pace, came outside a rival into the stretch and continued willingly between foes in the final furlong. MORSE CODE pulled early, stalked a bit off the rail, continued between rivals through the drive and was edged for the show. MOVE OVER (GB) saved ground chasing the pace, bid inside through the drive and was edged for a minor award. PINCHECK (IRE) stalked a bit off the rail then outside a rival leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, came four wide into the stretch and continued willingly but was outfinished. CHOO CHOO bobbled slightly at the start, stalked off the rail then bid three deep on the backstretch and most of the second turn, fell back a bit leaving that turn, came three deep into the stretch and weakened late.

MOON JUICE stalked three deep then bid outside the runner-up to duel for the lead, was fanned out a bit into the stretch, took a short lead nearing midstretch and inched clear late under urging. SHANGHAI BILLY had speed outside foes then angled in and dueled off the rail, fought back in the stretch, drifted in late and held second. PIG IRON stalked between horses then outside a rival, continued off the rail leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for the place three deep on the line. VICTOR'S SHOW chased inside then a bit off the rail, went up three deep on the turn, came out into the stretch, angled in some in midstretch and was edged for third between foes late. PASTORELLI settled three deep then off the rail, angled in and saved ground to the stretch, split rivals in the drive and finished with some interest. CASUAL REPLY settled a bit off the rail then inside to the stretch, came out past midstretch and lacked the needed rally. JIMMY THE BULL chased off the rail then angled in and saved ground, went around a rival into the stretch and also lacked a rally. SILVER BADGE close up stalking the pace inside, fell back some on the turn and weakened in the drive.

KENZOU'S RHYTHM angled in and set the pace inside then dueled a bit off the rail on the backstretch, battled along the fence on the second turn and into the stretch, inched away under urging in midstretch, drifted out some from the whip in the final furlong and won clear. BANZE NO OESTE (BRZ) between horses early, stalked off the rail then bid outside the winner to duel for the lead, fought back into the stretch, could not match that one in the final furlong but was clearly second best. LINDANTE three deep into the first turn, stalked off the rail then outside a rival, continued just off the inside on the second turn, came out into the stretch and bested the others. HARD ARCH came off the inside into the backstretch, stalked off the rail or outside a rival, angled out into the stretch and weakened. SHIRL'S READY saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back leaving the second turn, continued inside into the stretch and also weakened. MONTEREY SHALE four wide into the first turn, stalked three deep, dropped back off the rail on the second turn and gave way.

BLESS HIS HEART sped between horses to the early lead, set the pace inside, then fought back on the turn, came out a bit into the stretch, drifted in and held on gamely along the rail under urging. CAPTAIN N. BARRON stalked between horses then outside a rival, bid alongside the winner on the turn and through the stretch and continued willingly to the wire. BARTLETT HALL hesitated to be away behind the field, moved up between horses then chased off the rail, went around a rival in upper stretch and bested the others. DOHENY BEACH settled off the rail then angled in on the backstretch, came out a bit into the stretch and again in midstretch and lacked the needed rally. EMOTIONAL RIDE saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside in the stretch and weakened. RAGGY ROCKS reluctant to load, broke a bit slowly, settled outside then off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and had little left for the drive. CENTAURUS RULE stalked three deep then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and gave way. SCORPIO broke a bit slowly, angled in and settled inside, dropped back on the turn, came out into the stretch and gave way.

FLOR DE LA MAR dueled three deep, drifted in and took the lead outside the runner-up into the stretch, inched away while ridden along in midstretch and won clear under a crack of the whip a sixteenth out and steady handling then a long hold late. BLUE MOONRISE had speed between foes then angled in and dueled inside, fought back on the turn and into the stretch and was clearly second best. FLAT OUT JOY had good early speed and dueled between horses, drifted out into the stretch and bested the others. LIVE THE MOMENT broke slowly, settled outside a rival then a bit off the rail on the turn and lacked a response in the drive. CHOCOLATE SPEIGHTS chased outside a rival then off the rail, angled in on the turn and weakened. RUN'N DOWN A DREAM stalked inside then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, came out three deep into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

THIN LINE stalked a bit off the rail then inside, bid along the fence in the stretch to gain the lead and won clear under urging and a hold late. YOU MUST CHILL had speed between horses then dueled three deep, battled outside a rival leaving the hill, came out into the stretch, fought back outside the winner in midstretch and held second. VIOLENT BEHAVIOR also had speed between foes then stalked between horses, came three deep into the stretch and gained the show. RAILMAN stalked outside then three deep on the hill, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. RED CLEM saved ground chasing the pace, came out leaving the hill and four wide into the stretch and bested the others. LIL SYDNEY settled outside then off the rail, angled in a bit off the fence leaving the hill and lacked the necessary response. SHARED between foes early, dueled inside, came off the rail into the stretch, was between horses in upper stretch and weakened. LAKE SHOW settled off the rail, angled to the inside leaving the hill and did not rally. TRIAL BY FIRE dueled between horses then stalked a bit off the rail leaving the hill and gave way in the stretch. LOYALTY REWARDED broke a bit slowly, dropped back and angled in just off the rail, fell farther back on the hill and was pulled up into the stretch but walked off. Rail on hill at zero.

SHAKE N FRIES had speed inside then inched away leaving the backstretch, opened up on the turn and in the stretch and just held under left handed urging. FRIDAY'S AT SHADY broke a bit slowly and was bumped, dropped well back just off the rail, came out on the turn and seven wide into the stretch, drifted in through the drive but finished well. CONTAGION stalked between horses then outside a rival leaving the turn, waited off heels a quarter mile out then swung out six wide into the stretch, also drifted inward in the drive and bested the others. ROYAL ASPIRATIONS had speed six wide then stalked four wide, continued outside on the turn and four wide into the stretch, also drifted in and lacked a further response. SMALL TOWN BOY stalked three deep, came out five wide into the stretch, angled in some in upper stretch then also drifted in and weakened. TANKER saved ground chasing the pace, came out on the turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. WARRENSDIRTYDANCER had speed wide between horses then dropped back off the rail, angled in outside a rival, split horses into the turn and did not rally. SILENT ALARM between rivals early, stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and weakened in the drive. REDROCK TRAIL also between horses early, stalked just off the rail, angled in on the turn and weakened in the stretch. A SALUTE TO LT DAN was in a good position stalking the pace between rivals on the backstretch and turn, dropped back and gave way in the stretch.

PANTSONFIRE (IRE) three deep early, chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail, came out on the final turn and three deep into the stretch, took the lead outside a foe in upper stretch and won clear under left handed urging and good handling late. K P PERGOLISCIOUS (IRE) stalked outside a rival then off the rail, was between horses into the stretch and edged foes for the place. LYNNE'S LEGACY settled inside then split horses into the last turn, came out in the stretch and was edged for second. PLEIN AIR (IRE) between horses early, stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter on the final turn to gain the lead, inched away and angled in, fought back in upper stretch and was edged late for the show. TRUST FUND KITTY forced well wide in the stretch the first time, angled in and saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and bested the others. ARCTIC ROLL (GB) saved ground off the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and lacked a rally. COPPER FEVER angled in and settled inside, came out leaving the last turn and into the stretch and did not rally. INDIA MANTUANA three deep early, inched away and angled in, set the pace inside, stalked on the final turn and weakened in the stretch. AMBOSELI chased a bit off the rail, suffered a catastrophic injury behind into the stretch the first time, was pulled up and vanned off. Rail on hill at zero.

DON'TEATMYCOOKIES a step slow to begin, went up inside to the early lead, set the pace along the rail, kicked clear under urging in the stretch and held. LONDON HOTEL chased off the rail, split horses leaving the backstretch, continued outside a rival then three deep into the stretch and finished with interest. MI PAJARITO stalked off the rail then outside a rival, drifted inward in the stretch and held third. LUCKY VAL chased outside then three deep into and on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. K P'S SMOKIN broke a bit slowly, settled inside, went outside a rival into the turn then angled back in and could not offer the necessary response. MAJESTIC AUTHORITY stalked between horses then a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn and weakened in the stretch. TIZ MI HAINA chased outside then off the rail, angled in a bit off the fence on the turn and also weakened. BLISSFUL LADY was in a good position stalking the pace a bit off the rail then inside, dropped back along the fence on the turn and had little left for the stretch.

OLEKSANDRA (AUS) chased outside then alongside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch, bid three deep in midstretch, gained the lead under left handed urging in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. HELEN'S TIGER pressed the pace three deep, battled between foes in midstretch, put a head in front in deep stretch and was edged late. SPY RING (IRE) stalked between horses, waited off heels crossing the dirt, angled in and was in a bit tight inside in midstretch then got through and finished willingly. BATIQUITOS had speed inside to duel for the lead, fought back a bit off the rail in midstretch then between foes in deep stretch and was outkicked for the show. DRIFT AWAY chased just off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch and was outfinished. SPECIAL PURPOSE (IRE) broke a bit slowly, settled just off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and found her best stride late. HAPPINESS stalked three deep to the stretch, angled in some and lacked the needed late kick. GLEEFULY saved ground chasing the pace throughout and weakened in the drive. WE ALL HAVE DREAMS had good early speed and dueled between horses, dropped back in the stretch and had little left for the drive. Rail on hill at zero.