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We thought you – our valued IdaBet.com players would want to know on his first-ever try in graded stakes competition on the main track, longshot Melatonin made it look easy in taking Saturday’s 79^th running of the Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Handicap presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in gate to wire fashion under Joe Talamo.  Owned by Tarabilla Farms and trained by David Hofmans, the 5-year-old gelding by Kodiak Kowboy won the Big ’Cap by 4 ¼ lengths while covering the mile and a quarter distance in 2:02.01.

Fresh off a 3 ¾ length allowance win going a mile and a sixteenth on Feb. 5, Talamo and his agent, Scott McClellan, lobbied forcefully for a chance to try the deep waters of “The Granddaddy of Them All” on Saturday.

“Joe was instrumental in running in this race,” said Hofmans, who, along with Talamo, won his first career Big ’Cap.  “Joe and his agent were insistent that we go.  After his last race, he said we have to run here.  Joe was convinced after his last race.  He said he loves this track, he’s so strong and he had so much horse left, I think he wants to run even farther, and I was convinced he was a miler.

“I breezed him seven eighths the other day with Joe and was convinced to go here.  Without California Chrome (who is committed to run later in the month in the Dubai World Cup), it opened up.  We expected to be on the lead.”

Off at 16-1, Melatonin paid $34.60, $13.80 and $6.00.  The Big ’Cap represented his fourth win from 11 career starts and with the winner’s share of $600,000, he increased his earnings to $768,552.

“What a tremendous effort,” said Talamo.  “I think I need some Melatonin right now to calm down from it…We had a great trip and he broke real sharp.  I just put him up there and fortunately he was going so easily.  When I got to the first turn, they backed off him a bit so I was able to give him a breather and he...

Thanks for checking in with IdaBet.com’s Player News Blog…we wanted you to know that positioned last with a quarter mile to run, Kobe’s Back came rolling through the lane to take Saturday’s Grade II, $300,000 San Carlos Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths under Gary Stevens.  Owned by Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable and trained by Peter Eurton, favored Kobe’s Back covered the seven furlong San Carlos in 1:22.20.

Saturday’s win by the 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Flatter followed another last to first thriller in the Grade II, six furlong Palos Verdes Stakes on Feb. 7 and thus represented his first back-to-back stakes triumph in his 18^th overall start.

“It’s the best he’s ever broken (from the starting gate),” said Stevens.  I’ve been aboard him in a couple of workouts in the mornings before his last race and again last week, and there have been a few times that he’s wanted to go after horses in front of him and I’ve let him.  What I found out is that he’s not only a great stretch runner, but he’s a good turn runner.

“And that wasn’t the case last year.  With a little time off and the addition of blinkers, it’s made him a lot more focused…I knew at the half mile pole that they were all in deep water and that’s a pretty good feeling.”

Breaking from the far outside in a field of eight older horses, Kobe’s back was off at 2-1 and paid $6.00, $3.60 and $2.60.  With the winner’s share of $180,000, he increased his earnings to $952,250.

“Did you see how he came out of the gate?” said Eurton.  “He broke too fresh, and that was good.  He’s just good right now.  He’s the best he’s been in so long.  Gary hustled him a little bit and then he kind of let him fall back.  He’ll probably run next at Churchill Downs on Derby Day (May 7, in the Churchill Downs Stakes at seven furlongs).”

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Coastline rallied gamely for the place,...

We thought you would like to know that Halo Farms’ front-running Danzing Candy cruised to an impressive two length win under Mike Smith in Saturday’s Grade II, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.  Trained by Clifford Sise, the lightly raced Kentucky-bred colt by Twirling Candy got 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.04 and picked up 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, assuring him of a berth in the Run for the Roses on May 7.

“He warmed up great, he was on his toes,” said Smith.  “Our game plan was to put him on the lead unless he didn’t jump out of there well.  We didn’t want to experiment…I left there very aggressive and he didn’t get away with anything (slow fractions).  If you go 22 on this track today, you’re smokin’.  And for him to hold off the caliber of horses he held off, was very impressive.”

Bred by Ted Aroney’s Halo Farms and owned by Halo Farms and Jim and Diane Bashor, Danzing Candy paid $13.00, $5.20 and $3.40.  A maiden special weight winner two starts back on Dec. 26, Danzing Candy was a 5 ¾ length allowance winner here on Feb. 4 and thus picked up his third win from four starts.  With the winner’s share of $240,000, he increased his earnings to $308,650.

“I expected him to be on the lead,” said Sise.  “We didn’t want to experiment in this race.  Mike just said, ‘I’ll let him come out the first few jumps and if he’s there, he’s there.  If somebody sends, he’ll sit second.

“He (broke) much better today.  He’s good now.  We’ll stay for the Santa Anita Derby (Grade I, $1 million at 1 1/8 miles April 9).  He’s three for three on this track.  Why would we change now?  I don’t see any reason to, but you never know.  You’ve got to leave that up to the owners.”

Ridden by Gary Stevens, favored Mor Spirit appeared to get a bit rank around the Club House turn, but settled readily down the backside when next to last going past the half mile pole.  With...

Charles Town is giving back to the industry and their support is helping retrain and rehabilitate races horses with a chance at second careers.  IdaBet.com supports local charities and the Horse Council to also give back to the racing industry and community but that’s not all!  IdaBet Players can earn an additional $50 in bonus cash on IdaMatch Wednesdays if eligible while playing on Charles Town and can earn up to $500 total by playing all select tracks.  Details here.

CANTER MID-ATLANTIC AND CHARLES TOWN CONTINUE PARTERNSHIP IN FURTHERANCE OF RACE HORSE REHABILITATION & SUPPORT

CANTER Mid-Atlantic Race Horse Rehabilitation & Retraining Program Strengthened by the Ongoing Support From Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races To Rehabilitate Unwanted Race Horses

Charles Town Ex-Race Horses Shine in Show Ring and Serve Wounded Veterans

Rockville, MD (March 14, 2016) – While the $1,250,000 Charles Town Classic (G2) has been able to attract some of the stars of the handicap division since its inception in 2009, there has also been another hallmark of the day for just as long as CANTER Mid-Atlantic has been an integral part of the card over the event’s first seven years.  2016 will be no different as CANTER Mid-Atlantic will receive grant funding from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races for the eighth consecutive year.  The $10,000 donation will be made in a check presentation during the Charles Town Classic card and will assist CANTER in furthering its ongoing programs and mission to help transition former race horses into their new careers off the racetrack. In addition to supporting CANTER Mid-Atlantic’s free horse listing service, the renewed funding and commitment by Charles Town will allow CANTER to be a provider of emergency care...

Hey IdaBet.com players – hope your work week and been a good one and your weekend is off to a great start!  If you are thinking about playing the horses tonight…one way to start your wagering off is to take a look at Pompano’s card tonight.  This 10 card race is shaping up nicely and our man John Berry has been up late compiling his Berry Pickin’s report for your wagering consideration. Remember to Play Pompano on Wednesday, and earn up to $500 more on select tracks with our IdaMatch Wednesday Promotion!

Please note that, because of possible late changes, numbers shown here may NOT correspond with program numbers. When wagering, always use the horse’s number listed in your official track program.

Have a great week everyone and thanks for choosing IdaBet.com!

RACE ONE EARLY DOUBLE- 1-4 PICK-5 – 1 w 4 w 3,6,8 w 1,3 w 1,2,4,5,8 1-MR WIZARD…(Jaime Bassa-130 life wins). In a bit easier, has the rail. Liked backside brush in last. Bassa won here 2015. 2-WITTY’S WINNER…(Dein Spriggs-412). Hampered by posts last two starts. Showed strong trot final 3/8s of mile in last. 6-VACATION DAY…(Johann Preinling-27). Lolly-gagged early in last, showed :29.1 backside trot in quick mile for the class.

RACE TWO 4-MIGHTY NICE…(Michael Gutsche-235). Been giving hints lately with strong closing kick. Second over trip dangerous here. 7-COUNTRY FRESH…(Andrea Fazekas-135). Ms Fazekas driving a warrior with 51 life wins. Can rattle cages in the stretch. 3-HEAD FIRST…(Danny Blakemore-32). Comes into the action off of strong winning performance. Won at Cal-Expo in 2011.

RACE THREE 3-CHIP CHIP PAGE…comparatively, fits this event like a glove. Showed some backside spunk two races ago (:28.4). Edge. 6-RUN AROUND SUE S…comes up with a monster effort once in a while. Will be on the bullet train when gate leaves. 8-FAMILY COURT…went up in...

Yonkers IdaBet.com players!  Free PPs from Yonkers Raceway for March 12th as you make your wagering considerations.

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Yonkers PPs March 12