Horseplayers Tour Contest Races – Friday, June 13, 2025
By Nick Tammaro | @NTamm1215
Click here to enter this week’s Horseplayers Tour contest and play for a chance to earn a seat in the 2025 BCBC!
SANTA ANITA RACE 1: 2-1-6-7
#2 GEM MINE is interesting from a contest perspective as a potential 4-1 shot given her pace advantage and massive class drop. While it may not seem significant to be moving from 32k to 30k, the reality is she’s going from an open company event to this restricted affair. That will help her chances a great deal, as will her ability to race forwardly in an event that lacks speed.
SANTA ANITA RACE 4: 6-2-1-3
The public puts an incredible amount of stock into a horse’s last race, and that’s the case with #6 MOMO’S KIDDO. He missed by a nose two starts back at this level then failed against tougher and should improve on the cutback in distance. The price should be right here as well, which helps from a contest perspective.
SANTA ANITA RACE 5: 7-9-4-8
This race appears chalky, with #7 TIGHT SQUEEZE a likely winner in her second try against winners. She was victorious on debut coming from deep in the pack to get things done. Jockey Hector Berrios was too aggressive with her in the opening stages last time out and that left her wanting late. There should be enough pace in here to set the table.
SANTA ANITA RACE 6: 2-4-7-3
#2 TOULOUSE DETRAC goes 3rd off a layoff and looks like the main speed on paper for George Papaprodromou. She looked to have bounced back last time out when 4th at 6-1 and now gets a massive jockey switch to Antonio Fresu off of Abel Lezcano. The rival immediately to her outside can put up some resistance early, but this daughter of Tapiture is quicker off the mark and should be well in front early.
SANTA ANITA RACE 7: 2-6-7-1
The potential that #2 HELICITY showed early in his career is finally being realized, as he looks like the main speed on the stretchout in distance for trainer Tim Yakteen. This son of The Factor has improved by leaps and bounds since switching barns and arrives in top form and should be a major threat to go the distance if left alone up top.
GULFSTREAM PARK RACE 7: 7-2-4-6
#7 OF A REVOLUTION looks like the main speed from the outside today as he drops in class following a series of tries against stakes company. This is the right spot for him class-wise and he gets Lasix on the drop. All signs point to him bouncing back in a big way and the competition he meets is loaded with question marks, including layoff returnee Nautical Star.
GULFSTREAM PARK RACE 9: 6-4-7-8
#6 BOMB SQUAD goes 2nd off a layoff for trainer Javier Negrete and ran the best race by a mile in his last start. He was wide to the first turn chasing the pace, reached the front in upper stretch as the pace collapsed, and ultimately fought all the way to the wire. He can improve in here with a good trip stalking the pace and should be a fair price in a competitive heat.
BAQ RACE 7: 8-5-2-6
#8 DADS GOOD RUNNER is interesting at a price given the improvement he’s shown of late. This is a major rider switch and he should be able to get involved early from a pace perspective. That increases his chances of making noise start to finish. Look for him to take a bit more money today as these connections have reached out to top tier riders in the past with success.
BAQ RACE 8: 2-3-4-6
The drop in class and return to getting Lasix will help #2 SHERIFF BIANCO. He was last seen against NY bred stakes company when he fared poorly on a wet track. He will bounce back here on the cutback in distance and jockey switch to Irad Ortiz, Jr. His best races make him a major threat, and his price will be right as well.
BAQ RACE 9: 6-1-4-8
#6 BACKTRACK takes the biggest class drop in racing after two tries against MSW company. This should be a better fit for her and new trainer Miguel Clement is looking to get things started quickly as he takes over for his late father.
