2013 A Gleam Handicap Picks

HorseFlyOnaWall Sez…

2013 A Gleam Picks: The A Gleam Handicap is a seven furlong race on synthetic and is set to take place Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Betfair Hollywood Park with a purse of $200,000. This is a “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, offering a guaranteed spot for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint this November with the winner getting a $10,000 travel allowance. The A Gleam Handicap is the 8th race of the day and post time is 4:35 PM PDT.

First, let’s touch on a little history of the A Gleam. The A Gleam was run for the first time at Hollywood Park in 1941 and was originally called the Sequoia but renamed for the filly A Gleam in 1979. A Gleam, a daughter out of Twilight Tear, won five stakes races at Hollywood Park and she even beat the colts in what was then called the Westerner Stakes, now titled the Hollywood Derby. The 2013 running will be the last at Hollywood Park as it’s scheduled to close at the end of the year. Another tidbit, jockey Gary Stevens has won seven runnings of the A Gleam from 1986 to 2005.

This next dash for the cash race is fully loaded and should be a great race. I’ll start with Reneesgotzip out of City Zip and trained by Peter Miller. She has finished in the money in nine out of her ten races. After that third place finish in the Breeders’ Cup last year, behind Mizdirection who won and against the boys, she was first in the Skillful Joy Stakes December 1, 2012 and followed that with a second place finish in the La Brea Stakes (GI) on December 26, 2012. After a six month layoff, she’s back.

Byrama is a British bred 4-year-old from sire Byron and trained by Simon Callaghan. On June 16th, Byrama snapped a 6 race losing streak to win her first G1 under Gary Stevens in the Vanity Handicap (G1) on this track. She has done most of her racing in turf sprints but handled this track well and the distance.

Trainer Carla Gaines is sending in the 4-year-old mare Winding Way out of sire Malibu Moon who is a full sister to Kauai Katie. Last out she came in fifth in the Desert Stormer and fourth in the L.A. Woman on October 7, 2012. Prior to that Winding Way won her first three races last year, one being a G3.

Rumor from sire Indian Charlie and Mini Chat by Deputy Minister is being sent by trainer Richard Mandella. Last out, Rumor ran fifth in the Humana Distaff (GI) on May 4, 2013 and prior to that she won the Las Flores Hcp (GIII) on March 3 of this year, beating Teddy’s Promise who came in second.

My top picks in this race are Reneesgotzip, Byrama, Rumor and Winding Way. Reneesgotzip is my favorite as she was one of my picks in the Breeders’ Cup last year. I know its usually a bet against after a long layoff but for me, this time it’s not. She has been training like a monster and if she gets back to her old form, she could hit the board. Byrama could be on a roll here after that G1 win last out and getting Gary Stevens up again (note above paragraph on the history off this race), so I really like her in this spot. For long shots, I really like Winding Way and Rumor. Winding Way’s sire Malibu Moon has produced some big runners this year and we’ll see if she returns to her previous form. I also feel her last race was a prep to see where she’s at after the layoff. Rumor was another favorite of mine in her Breeders’ Cup race last year so I hope she runs well here.

I hope all of these girls run safe Saturday. Remember, always check your tickets before you leave the betting window and never second guess yourself or change your mind at the last minute. One small mistake can cost you a fortune.

“HorseFlyOnaWall” is a new series of predictions from weekend warrior handicapper Kari Ward. Lady and The Track is excited to feature HorseFlyOnaWall picks and predictions every week. Please welcome Kari by leaving her a comment below!

Related Links:
Breeders’ Cup Challenge Schedule

2013 A GLEAM HANDICAP POST POSITIONS & ODDS
1. Reneesgotzip 7/2 G.Gomze/P.Miller
2. Byrama 3/1 (GB) G.Stevens/S.Callaghan
3. Conkate 20/1 E. Maldonado/D.O’Neill
4. Winding Way 12/1 M.Garcia/C.Gaines
5. Teddy’s Promise 5/2 V.Espinoza/R.Ellis
6. Rumor 6/1 M.Smith/R.Mandella
7. Book Review 4/1 R. Bejarano/B.Baffert
8. Maker Or Breaker 12/ 1 C.Nakatani/B.Baffert

Updated Results:
7, 5, 2, 6, 4