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To sooth the disappointment of yet another year without a Triple Crown winner, enjoy the final leg of the Affirmed's Triple Crown triumph, the June 10, 1978 Belmont Stakes. 

SUNDAY SELECTIONS NOW AVAILABLE

SUPERSTEIN WINS TITLE
     The Racing Edition's Mike Superstein led all public handicappers during the 2008 Del Mar meeting, which concluded Wednesday.  Superstein tabbed 110 winners through the 43-day season, edging out syndicated handicapper Bob Ike by one victory.
     The title gave Superstein his second straight, having prevailed during the Hollywood Park summer stand.
     Terry Terrell also had a stellar meeting, showing a flat-bet profit on all his selections.


IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
During the Fairplex meeting Jerry Antonucci
will be the only handicapper in the paper.  The Consensus Box will return during the Oak Tree session.

(Fairplex entries are posted at the bottom of this page)

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Each day, THE RACING EDITION provides comments for every horse on the card, complete with longshots and best bets. Also included in the subscription is a race-by-race analysis and consensus box to keep score how we're doing.  NOTHING ELSE TO BUY, NO 900 NUMBER TO CALL. Just the best racing information available anywhere in one great package and one great price. Subscribers receive a personal user name and password which allows complete access to the members area. For more information, click the "Subscribe Now!" link on the left.

Selections will be posted for each racing card at approximately 5:00 p.m.(pst) the day before.


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FREESGOOD WINS PHIL D. SHEPHERD STAKES
     Pomona, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2008) - Freesgood, ridden by Martin Garcia, got up in the final strides to win Saturday's $61,750 Phil D. Shepherd Stakes at Fairplex Park, beating pacesetting Tice by a half-length in 1:44.22 for the 1 1/16 miles.
     Tice, handled by Martin Pedroza, immediately went for the lead, carving out solid fractions of 23.82, 47.88, 1:12.60 and 1:37.38. He still had a length advantage into the stretch, but Freesgood, who stalked the leader throughout, was able to collar him in the final 50 yards for the victory.
     "At the three-eighths pole, I thought I was done," said Garcia. "On the turns he would lose ground, but then he really ran down the stretch. The trainer (Bill Currin) told me to ride him with confidence and I did."
      For Freesgood the Shepherd victory was his fourth in 21 starts and he has now banked more than $275,000.
     Freesgood returned $8.60 for the upset.
     Gregorian Bay finished third, while the 3-2 favorite Frank The Barber was fourth and Norway House fifth.
*     Jockeys Tyler Baze and Michael Martinez, both thrown from their mounts on opening day in the fourth race, will be out of action for awhile
     "Tyler jammed his neck pretty good when he hit the ground head first after falling off his horse (Yoursmynanours)," said his agent Ron Ebanks. "He's really stiff and sore, so I told him to take the next 10 days off and go relax.
     "Tyler may ride the final weekend of Fairplex (Sept. 20-21) in the stakes races if he feels well enough. We thought we could make a run at Martin Pedroza (for the jockey title), but it wasn't to be."
     Martinez is extremely body sore after falling off his mount, Just Miss.
     "Nothing was broken, but Michael was complaining of pain in his upper and lower back," explained his agent Alex Procel Crowley. "He'll be off for about week and must be cleared by the doctor before he can resume riding."
*     In Saturday's fourth race jockeys Martin Garcia and Matt Garcia, also were tossed from their mounts in a horrific looking spill.
Russian Liquor, handled by Martin Garcia, was on the lead entering the stretch when he suddenly fell, sending Garcia heavily to the main track.
     A trailing Dawn's Day, ridden by Martin Pedroza, literally jumped over the fallen Russian Liquor, avoiding a further calamity, but Cotati with Matt Garcia aboard couldn't avoid the prone Russian Liquor and plowed right into him.
     Martin Garcia came back to ride the very next race while Matt Garcia was taken to nearby Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, but was later released with minor facial lacerations.
*     Those backing 1-5 favorite Dash Dot Dash, ridden confidently by Martin Pedroza, never worried as the 2-year-old filly won Saturday's $65,000 Bustles and Bows Stakes wire to wire in 1:18.54 for the 6   furlongs.
     Chilliwack, who chased the winner throughout, was second with Amina third.
     "She's a pretty good filly," said winning trainer Vladimir Cerin. "When you have Martin riding (at Fairplex), you don't have to worry. He doesn't make any mistakes.
     "We want to run her long, so we might come back in the Black Swan Stakes (Sept.17). I wouldn't be afraid to run her in the (Grade I $250,000) Oak Leaf Stakes (on Sept. 27) at Santa Anita."


FAIRPLEX PARK STABLE NOTES
FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

BAI AND BAI RETURNS IN E.B. JOHNSTON
     Pomona, Calif. (Sept. 6) - Bai and Bai, winner of the prestigious $100,000 Las Madrinas Handicap in 2007 at Fairplex Park, begins the second half of her 2008 season in Sunday's $65,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes, a 1 1/16 mile jaunt for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up.
     Sidelined since winning the Foster City Handicap at Bay Meadows in early March, the multiple stakes winning mare is the most accomplished runner in the six horse field, compiling a race record of 23-9-7-3 while earning $631,868.
     Trained by Craig Dollase and ridden by Aaron Gryder, Bai and Bai has trained forwardly for her comeback, working 1:12 4/5 and 1:11 2/5 at Del Mar in recent weeks.
     With the pace scenario up for grabs in the E.B. Johnston, trainer Clifford Sise is hoping his Lochinvar's Gold will be comfortably positioned early. The 5-year-old daughter of Seeking The Gold is trying to negotiate a distance of ground for the first time in her 10 race career.
      Lochinvar's Gold exits a trouble filled trip in a five furlong turf sprint at Del Mar.
      "She got away a little slow, then checked on the far turn and raced really wide," said Sise. "Toss that race out. She's got natural early speed and we'll see if she can handle routing."
     Also set to start in the E.B. Johnston are Purrfectly Fitting, Petite Cherie, Dona Amelia and Chocolate Lava.
       
BAZE, MARTINEZ OFF ALL MOUNTS
     Jockeys Tyler Baze and Michael Martinez, involved in a freak accident in Friday's fourth race when both riders were thrown from their mounts, will not ride today and have taken off all of their mounts on Sunday.
     "I talked with Ron Ebanks (Baze's agent) this morning and Tyler's very body sore," said Fairplex Park steward Randy Winick. "It will be day-to-day with him."
     Martinez, an apprentice riding the Pomona oval for the first time, may be out a bit longer.
     "He's quite sore this morning," said his agent, Alex Procel Crowley. "Nothing was broken, but he was complaining of pain in his upper and lower back, and the doctor gave him some pills to ease the pain. He'll be off about week and must be cleared by the doctor before he can resume riding."

TOPPER SHOPPER QUICKEST IN FOOTHILL?
     Topper Shopper, third in the $148,000 Barretts Juvenile at Fairplex last season,  will be the one to catch in Sunday's supporting feature, the $65,000 Foothill Stakes for 3-year-olds at 6   furlongs, which drew a field of six.
     The gelded son of Old Topper, who is trained by Bill Spawr and will be ridden by Martin Pedroza, drew the rail and likely will have to fend off Winsome Charm, conditioned by Jeff Mullins and handled by Tyler Baze.
     Winsome Charm most recently pressed the early pace in the Grade I $300,000 Big Crosby Handicap at Del Mar before fading to ninth.
     The one-two finishers in the Bing Crosby 'Cap---Street Boss and In Summation---have Breeder's Cup Sprint aspirations.
     Also taking a shot at the brass ring are Fire Break, Ford Island, Slokkie and In The Forecast.


FAIRPLEX REMAINS "PEDROZA PARK"
     Jockey Martin Pedroza had a historic day at Fairplex on opening day Friday when he not only won his 3,000th career race, but also visited the winner's circle a record seven times.
     The seven bagger ties the California record, held jointly by Laffit Pincay and Victor Espinoza, for most winners on a single program. It also eclipsed the Pomona record of six victories on a single card, set by David Flores on Sept. 20, 1992.
      Pedroza, 43, has earned nearly $79 million in purses throughout his 25-year career. His personal best day before Friday came on Oct. 31, 1992, Breeders' Cup Day, when he rode six consecutive winners at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting.
     His most prolific season at Fairplex was in 2004 when the Panama City, Panama, native registered a record 51 winners in 17 days for a 3-a-day average. His purse earnings for that meet topped $1 million.
     The seven winners were: Airplane Attendant ($7.60), Ghosttrapper ($3.80), Kula Girl ($3), Mandate Habit ($7.20), One Track Mind ($3.60), Bad Boy ($7.20) and Trevor's Clever ($6.40), the winner of the featured $65,000 Jim Kostoff Stakes for 3-year-olds.

FAIRWELLS: KALOOKAN DANCER, winner of the $65,000 Pio Pico Stakes in 2007, was on the Fairplex track Saturday morning. She worked a leisurely five furlongs in 1:03 4/5...MARTIN PEDROZA'S purse earnings on opening day were $119,310...Lost in all the Pedroza hoopla was the fact that apprentice PEDRO ARAMBULA, who is riding the five-eighths mile track for the first time, won two races, scoring with Warren's Wild One ($13.40) and Clarence Beeks ($10.20)....Every one of the 13 winners on opening day was saddled by a different trainer...Seven betting favorites reported home first on Friday for a 53.85 percent win quotient...No one selected all the winners in the $1 win pick nine on Friday, so there is a $2,742 carryover for Saturday's 13-race card...

PEDROZA WINS SEVEN ON OPENING DAY
     Pomona, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2008) - Jockey Martin Pedroza won a record seven races on the opening day of Fairplex Park's 70th racing season.
     The seven bagger ties the California record for most victories on a single program, held jointly by Laffit Pincay, Jr., and Victor Espinoza.
     Pedroza's seven triumphs also eclipsed the former Pomona mark held by David Flores who won six races on Sept. 20, 1992.
     The Panamanian-born Pedroza came to Fairplex one winner shy of a personal milestone of 3,000 career winners, and got that on his first ride of the meet, guiding Airplane Attendant ($7.60) to a neck victory in the second race.
     He proceeded to visit the charmed circle six more times with Ghosttrapper ($3.80), Kula Girl ($3), Mandate Habit ($7.20), One Track Mind ($3.60), Bad Boy ($7.20) and Trevor's Clever ($6.40).
     On reaching 3,000 winners Pedroza said, "Winning at Fairplex is very special to me. I wanted to do it at Del Mar because of the all the competition, but I don't mind winning here. Fairplex has been special to me."
      Jockeys Tyler Baze and Michael Martinez escaped serious injury in Friday's fourth race when both were unseated shortly after the start of the seven furlong race.
     After running about a furlong ,Just Miss, ridden by Martinez, suddenly swerved inward. Martinez lost his balance and fell.
     Yoursmynanours, handled by Baze, spooked when Just Miss veered inward, and made a left turn, crashing through the temporary rail and unseating Baze.
     The 2-year-old filly continued running toward the inside rail at full speed, and jumped the fence. She wound up running loose in the infield, while a riderless Just Miss ran after the field on the main track.
     Both riders were taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and were released were later in the afternoon.
     Trevor's Clever rallied from seventh and last to win the $65,000 Jim Kostoff Stakes for 3-year-olds by a nose over pacesetting Wink At The Girls in 1:45.27 for the 1 1/16 miles.
     Trained by Ted H. West, Trevor's Clever, winner of the Alydar Stakes at Hollywood Park, was Pedroza's seventh and final winner on the 13-race program.
     "He really kicked it in the final furlong," said Pedroza.
     Trevor's Clevor may be seen next in the $100,000 Pomona Derby on Sept. 20.
     "That's been the plan all along," explained West. "I was a little worried about the short stretch today. I told Martin to not be afraid to move early with him because he needs to get some momentum going. He doesn't accelerate quickly."



FAIRPLEX PARK STABLE NOTES
FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

STAKES DOUBLEHEADER FOR SATURDAY
     Pomona, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2008) - In an effort this season to showcase the best horses on the grounds on the weekends when the biggest crowds are in attendance, Fairplex Park will offer a stakes doubleheader on Saturday, the $65,000 Bustles and Bows Stakes at 6   furlongs for 2-year-old fillies and the $65,000 Phil D. Shepherd Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up.
     The 47th edition of the Bustles and Bows, carded as the fifth race on the 13-race program, drew a small field of five, including Dash Dot Dash, Amina, Chilliwack, Beaudacious Lady and Steam Iron.
     On the strength of a solid effort in Del Mar's Sorrento Stakes early last month, Dash Dot Dash, who drew the rail, will rate as the horse to beat.
     After defeating a strong maiden field at Hollywood Park in July, trainer Vladimir Cerin wheeled Dash Dot Dash back against some of the best 2-year-old fillies competing at the seaside track, including eventual Del Mar Debutante winner Stardom Bound.
     "Her maiden victory was very professional," said Cerin, who is stabled at Santa Anita, "so we thought we would try tougher horses."
     In the Sorrento Stakes Dash Dot Dash pressed a contested early pace into the stretch before tiring to sixth, beaten less than three lengths.
     "She made a good move in the race and seems to be moving forward," explained Cerin.
      Jockey Martin Pedroza will ride Dash Dot Dash, the 4-5 morning line favorite, for the first time in the Bustles and Bows. "Martin was on her for her last work (1:02 2/5 at Del Mar on Aug. 30)," said Cerin. "She seems to be doing fine. There are only five horses in the race, but five horse fields can be unpredictable, so I'll leave the strategy up to Martin."
     After defeating maidens at Hollywood Park in June Amina also tried the Sorrento Stakes, but finished a distant eighth, while Chilliwack dominated $40,000 maiden claiming California breds wire to wire in her latest outing.
     Steam Iron has been plying her trade in the claiming ranks and most recently finished a solid third in a $50,000 claiming dash at six furlongs.
     Beaudacious Lady, who is co-owned, co-bred and trained by George Barr, has never raced, so she'll be making her debut in a stakes race. However, the daughter of Beau Genius is very familiar with the tight turns of Fairplex. She has been trained exclusively over the oval since last May.
      The Phil D. Shepherd drew a field of six, including Austie, Frank The Barber, Norway House, Gregorian Bay, Freesgood and Tice.
     Frank The Barber, winner of the 2007 Pomona Derby over a sloppy track, is the most accomplished entrant in the race, also having won the Garden State Handicap at Monmouth Park last October.
     Benched from February of this year until August, Frank The Barber tuned up for the Shepherd Stakes with an also-ran effort in the Green Flash Handicap at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar. The one-two finishers in the Green Flash were multiple stakes winners Get Funky and Idiot Proof, who both have Breeders' Cup aspirations.
     Gregorian Bay and Freesgood have both been facing solid competition in the optional claiming ranks at Del Mar, while Tice was claimed from his last start for $50,000 by trainer Jeff Mullins on Aug. 3. Tice finished last in the field of eight that afternoon, his first outing in 15 months.
     Austie whipped $20,000 claimers sprinting in his most recent start, while the veteran 7-year-old Norway House has been working his way up the class ladder this year. A winner 10 times in 47 races, Norway House has banked $213,400 during his career.


PEDROZA ONE SHY OF 3,000 WINNERS
     Martin Pedroza, the all-time winningest jockey at Fairplex Park with 519 victories, won the Del Mar's final race last Wednesday with Inspired Storm ($24.40) to move within one winner of a personal milestone---3,000 career victories.
     Pedroza, who is seeking his 10th consecutive riding championship in Pomona, and 11th overall, has 11 mounts on today's 13-race program. Seven of his horses are morning line favorites, including Trevor's Clever at 3-1 in the featured $65,000 Jim Kostoff Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds.
      The Kostoff Stakes, formerly the Derby Trial Stakes, was renamed this season for Jim Kostoff, director emeritus since 2001, and chairman of the board of the L.A. County Fair Association for an unprecedented 18 years.

STAKES DOUBLEHEADER ON SUNDAY TOO
     Six 3-year-olds will vie in Sunday's $65,000 Foothill Stakes at 6   furlongs, while seven fillies and mares will go to the post in the $65,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.
     The ultra quick Topper Shopper, third in last year's $148,000 Barretts Juvenile behind Nene and Guns On The Table, drew the rail in the Foothill Stakes. A winner of four of 11 career races with $219,926 in earnings, Topper Shopper, trained by Bill Spawr and ridden by Martin Pedroza, will vie for favoritism with Winsome Charm, who pressed the pace in the Grade I Bing Crosby Handicap at Del Mar in July before tiring to ninth. The one-two finishers in the Bing Crosby 'Cap, Street Boss and In Summation, are pointing to the Breeders' Cup Sprint at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting in late October.
     Also entered in the Foothill Stakes are Fire Break, Ford Island, Slokkie and In The Forecast.
     Bai And Bai, victorious in last year's $100,000 Las Madrinas Handicap at Fairplex, heads the cast in the $65,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes. Trained by Craig Dollase and ridden by Aaron Gryder, Bai And Bai will be making her first start since winning the Foster City Handicap at Bay Meadows last March 1. The multiple stakes winning 5-year-old mare has amassed $631,868 in earnings, and recently drilled 1:12 4/5 and 1:11 2/5 at Del Mar for her comeback.
     Also set to go in the E.B. Johnston are Purrfectly Fitting, Lochinvar's Gold, Petite Cherie, Wickednwackyingrid, Dona Amelia and Chocolate Lava.


FAIRWELLS - All 13 races on Saturday's program are thoroughbred events. In fact, 37 races have been drawn by the Fairplex racing department for the first three days of the Fairplex meet and only one, the first race on opening day for mixed breeds at 870 yards, has not been a thoroughbred event...A total of 5,000 baseball caps will be given away on both Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 6 and 7) to fans in attendance on-track at Fairplex. The caps, presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, will be different each day, so fans attending both afternoons will receive two different caps...