Steve Kornacki | Saturday Stakes 11/22/25

Invite in Our friend Steve Kornacki from NBC Sports joins

us here on the program. Do some handicapping with him.

Steve. I just had a World Series winner

on. How about that?

Not a bad start to a Friday. How about that?

Well, that's really cool. But Louis, I mean, I thought

she'd be off living on an island now or something with all those

ethical diamond winnings from the Breeders Cup.

It wasn't bad. That was a good day for me.

But I will say I, you know the you read about the CAW stuff,

Steve, and then it happens to you because that horse was 45 to

1 going to the gate, 25 to one at the.

Oh, I didn't now see, I didn't know that.

Part Yeah, so 25. Someone's a disappointment, huh?

How about that? Yeah, no kidding.

But yes, it was a great call. The thing that really paid was

that I had the gestat double and I think that was 87 to one

there. So that was actually the thing

that really played. So there you go.

Well, skateboard acting from NBC Sports.

Did you have a nice score at at Breeders' Cup?

It was nice to see you of course, but but did you have any

good scores at at Breeders' Cup? I will tell you I was building

something big horizontally, but I absolutely had to have Rebels

romance in that race. So as your horse.

Charge I tried to tell. You my ticket.

Oh, man, I can only say that name 15 times during the week

and then have all of my friends. Like, I never heard you mention

that horse. It's like, come on, people, I

have video evidence of these things.

Come on. All right, we'll see.

Kornacki with us from NBC this time of year as we get, you

know, post, you know, post Breeders' Cup, post claiming

crown, even here locally. What do you, what do you, what

do you find yourself watching on Saturdays?

Are you just kind of still picking out the Aqueduct

Churchill kind of stuff? Yeah, I'll tell you what I I've

been doing. I'm kind of loyal to Naira.

I'm up here. I have it.

It's it's good timing for our segment.

I've gotten into Laurel this fall and it's, you know, I've

kind of been guilty of ignoring the Maryland circuit a bit over

the years. And it's if, if folks aren't,

you know, doing it week to week, it's, they got some good fields.

They got, you know, full fields. You know, the turf racing has

been good there. I I've just enjoyed it this

fall. Yeah, they've gotten, and look,

I'm not putting down anything they're doing because they're

doing a great job, but they've also gotten pretty lucky with

weather. You're right.

So they've been on the grass a huge number of times.

And so if you want, you know, dirt and turf alongside and a

pick four or something like that, Maryland's been able to

offer it. Steve and I will go through

their three stakes races at the end here.

But let's get into that Commonwealth turf, Steve, here

at Churchill Downs tomorrow. Mile and a 16th on the turf.

It will be race 10 on the card, $300,000 on the line and it

closes the three-year old turf series here at Churchill as

well, which does include the American turf on Derby week.

Just had Flying Mohawks connections on.

What do you think about him in this race, Steve?

Yeah, look, I, I mean the layoff is the big question.

It it's not where I'm going to go in this one.

I'm actually going to land Montador, the number three horse

here is going to be my top pick, you know, for Michael Stidham

coming off of that, you know, first level allowance win.

I like the inside post here. I like the fact that, you know,

2 back he was running with tenacious leader, nearly beat

him, you know, basically just lost on a Bob at the wire.

Tenacious leader, you know, almost ran down.

Troubleshooting is going to be the favorite in this race.

The number 2, you know, I think troubleshooting looms really

large. Maybe a little bit of a question

on the stretch out there. So I don't know.

I see 5 to 1 if if something like that holds.

I think Montador is going to be my top pick here.

I went 2-3 in here because I look troubleshooting just

getting very consistent is always near the front of the

pace Steve and so whenever I can get a horse like that only

question there is really does the horse want to go a mile in a

16th. Now obviously Greg Foley thinks

that a little bit of added distance here won't be too much

of a problem. But if it happens to be I think

it will be monitor that gets it done.

This is they run a very similar style, but I mean, frankly,

Louis size so far in this meet has not missed when he gets a

chance to be near the front or on the front.

And so I I agree with you. Only collection question for me

there with Monodore, I think is going off of Lasix.

Does that matter for this horse in particular?

But they ran this horse as a 2 year old, a colonial without it

and seem to be just fine. Is Joe Koso interesting to you

here for Kent or excuse me for Keith Dsormo?

Jose Ortiz gets them out, comes in at 4 to 1.

Only one win this year. Yeah, no, I mean, I've looked

long and hard here. I, I, you know, and it's I, I

wouldn't be surprised at all. I think in that last race in

the, in the Bryan station was just too far back.

Maybe maybe gets a little closer, you know, to the pace

here, which would probably help. You know, I'm, I'll probably

include on some tickets and I would mention the other one,

just that I, I don't know, this could be a total, total disaster

finish up the track. But I'm a little curious about

California burrito on the inside there.

You know, was killing it on the synth earlier this year was

right there, you know, in the Jeff Ruby Stakes.

And then it seemed to just take a bad step or something.

You know, it kind of tossed that Pat Day mile.

I don't know. Brian Hernandez inside post a 92

buyer speed figure earlier this year.

I had 20 to 1 morning line. I'm going to do something with

him too, definitely. You know my colleague Sean

Collins from Over a Blood Horse, He got to try the the California

Burrito, for which California Burrito was named in San Diego.

How about that? What was what was the verdict?

Good. Very good, apparently.

Yes, very, very good. The Haberman's Haberman's a very

nice family. Been good fun with us around the

Jeff Ruby Stakes and all that. We had a deal, Steve, if, if he

won the Jeff Ruby Stakes, he, the Haberman's and I were going

to go swimming at Turfway in March.

And that would have been a horrific decision because it

was, it was very cold and very windy.

That would have been a bad decision for me.

See, running 7th that that race was OK for me.

Yeah, it was one of those races though.

He had the lead and he just stopped.

He just stopped. I felt, oh man, it's so weird.

But yeah, it was one of those. And obviously aforementioned

Flying Mohawk came in second in that race.

But yeah, I, I, I agree with you.

He is a fascinating runner here. And it, what's really

fascinating to me, Steve, is they could just wait.

Like you said, he's great on synthetic.

The synthetic championships are in like 3 weeks at Turfway.

He could run for 1/4 million bucks in in a couple of weeks,

but they're deciding to bring him back now.

And if you look at the works, I mean they've been really good on

dirt. They get him outside on the turf

last work. And so I think they just think

he's in such good form that they can't not run him at this point.

Yeah, I mean if you look at those, you know, everything up

until the the home stretch in the in the Ruby basically was

just better and better, you know, the winds of the

Battaglia. It's I don't know if it takes to

the surface inside post that he's like he was before that

homestretch in the in the Ruby, I have 20 to 1.

I think that's a great, you know, great value there.

There you go. All right, Steve Kornacki with

us from NBC Sports. We head to the West Coast now

for the Grade 3 native diver. It'll be Race 8 on the Del Mar

card there, a mile and an eighth on the dirt.

It is for three and up $100,000 in the grade threes in

California, Steve. And this is an interesting one

because Nevada Beach is back already and an unusual move from

from Bob Baffert to run a horseback this quickly.

But hey, he obviously thinks because this horse went right

back to the work tab, right back to the work tab after the the

Breeders Cup. So obviously came back in good

form after that 7th place finish in the Breeders Cup Classic is I

mean, obviously the horse to beat as far as class.

Is there another one in here, Steve?

Yeah, I mean, I, I, I wanted to. This is a race, right?

I'm unfortunately not that creative.

I was trying to find, you know, somewhere to beat him.

I think indispensable on the rail, you know, is going to have

the best shot right there. You know, I, I was thinking the

way I'm looking at this race was more, you know, if I'm betting

in Nevada Beach to win and, you know, can I do something with an

exact or a try vertically? I, I'm a little interested in,

you know, Crusoe, the number 5 horse, just maybe to, you know,

handle the mile and 8th on turf at least.

So I think the distance, you know, could be OK.

I think it's been in better form with the the change to, you

know, George Papadromo, the trainer there who's who's like

hitting at, you know, 40% or something so far at Del Mar.

So, you know, maybe something to me with Nevada Beach over, you

know, over Cluso. Try to hit the exacto that way.

Yeah, I think the one indispensable is a worthy second

favorite in the race, but I am interested in Westwood.

The two for John Sheriffs. It's just kind of a stayer.

Steve just is going to sit right off of Nevada Beach.

Why imagine we'll inherit the lead just cuz he's the fastest

horse in the field, right? I I think he's just the most

talented. So he's going to get the lead

kid. Westwood, son of Authentic, by

the way, a three-year old one that we haven't seen too much of

at this kind of level. They tried him in the Santa

Anita Derby in the spring, finished third behind Journalism

and by Aza shame in that one. And so I do wonder, you know, is

is he one that can take a step forward?

They've been running him at that two turn mile distance there in

California, whether at Del Mar or at Santa Anita.

The two runs of Del Mar, by the way, never been out of the

exacta. So interesting to see if that

one can at least hit the board there.

But yes, I think we both agreed Nevada Beach, the one to beat.

They're moving to Steve's new favorite track, Laurel Park

there in Maryland. Hey, man, hey, we all got to

have favorites. It's all right.

We'll go to race 6 here. This is the Willa on the move.

I have a a second cousin named Willa.

Steve. How about that?

Do you like that? You like that name Willa?

Well, you got a personal connection to the race then.

There you go. No hunch plays in here at all.

It is race 6/6 and 1/2 furlongs on the dirt at Laurel Park,

$100,000 on the line, Phillies and Mares 3 and up here, Steve

and A. This is a fun race.

I think frankly of of the five races we're going to look at

this one in the Commonwealth Turf, I think the most difficult

to figure out. Yeah, I, I had fun here and I,

I, I mean, we'll talk about some horizontal plays.

Maybe I, this is a race where I'd, I'd use a bunch of them

doing that. But I'll tell you, I've been

following Laurel, as I said and I for folks you haven't, they

have the coolest jockey story of the year going on at that track

this year. A 17 year old, I believe you

pronounce his name yet Zeet the Hazelwood is the last name.

He's like the leading rider. He's starting to win stakes

there. The guy has been like magic and

he's on the inside horse in this race.

Onyx 10 has been on him. You know, the last had been on

her. Excuse me, the last two starts,

the horses really move forward and I, you know, I just think

coming off the pace with the way this, you know, Hazelwood has

been riding, I think there's going to be some speed in here.

And I think there's an opportunity there to kind of,

you know, sit inside, angle out and, and maybe do what she did

in that Maryland million stake, you know, a couple weeks ago,

just, you know, come down the middle and, and and win it.

So I don't know. I I I'm taking the Hazelwood

Magic Onyx 10 is is my pick here.

Good pick and frankly he has been as good as anyone in that

circuit and as you mentioned 17 years old so can get a lot

better. The ceiling apparently very high

from one on the ground in Maryland and Onyx tend to her

credit as well, whether Tori Alba or Hazelwood aboard, if

it's less than a mile, she's going to be competitive, right?

And certainly you bring up the Maryland million dis staff,

Stephen, I think that's a great point by you because Shereana

gets older horses there, right? And and when we get to this time

of year, 3 year olds are going to have to run against those

older horses. We'll talk about Barbadian

runner in a minute. A really good year for

three-year olds as well in Maryland, Steve, that, you know,

we're watching horses like an Onyx 10A, Barbadian runner,

etcetera, come through those ranks.

I was also interested because believe it or not, you and I

have the same horse on top. I don't know which of the Mike

Moore horses is going to run here, but if the 12 stays in in

Aulani, I'm fascinated by this horse on the outside has been

running at parks in Delaware most recently, but three for

four lifetime at Laurel Park. And I think getting back to the

surface and getting to this 6 1/2 distance will be really,

really good for this one. Nine runs in the exact of this

year with five wins and 11 starts.

And so just one at a good price, Steve, on the outside that I

think would be really interesting.

Who else is interesting in here for you?

Yeah, I I I Alani definitely, I think sitting outside to speed

like that and the horse right inside Alani is the one I also

kind of like here passage E, you know, a three-year old who has

just sort of been, you know, getting better through

throughout the year. Just ran with Grammy girl,

another horse, you know, in this race who I think is going to get

some play. Not quite good enough in the

last one was a weird race, 4 horse race.

Not a lot of, you know, a lot of pace here.

I think, you know, switching riders here I I think might

help. I think they're being more

horses, more speed in this race might help and I think maybe

being a little bit more prominent could help here.

So I see a lot of upside here, you know, with a horse who's

just kind of been moving up the ranks steadily through the year,

got a taste of, you know, one of the the heavy hitters in this

race last out in kind of a weird race.

I I take a shot here 8 to 1. Take the money Honey in this

race, by the way, the four horse is a is is a daughter of good

one Honey, who is a Maryland bred who won the Weber City

Miss, which is the last race before the Black Eyed Susan.

Steve, how about that? So there you go.

Well inside Maryland when you when you come on this show,

Steve, you get Maryland knowledge.

You understand me? That's how this works.

Race 7 is the go ahead. No, no, I was just going to say

with the Maryland Standing Club here today, it's great.

Dave's friend is raised seven. Another $100,000 race here, 6

furlongs on the dirt. This is on the male side, 3 and

up here, Steve, I landed on the inside horse again in Subergate,

5 to 1. Love that number.

Love the Jorge Duarte they're getting, getting hot in that

barn. Where'd you land in this one?

Oh man, Louie, I got some real bad news for you.

I like Subergate too. Terrible news.

All right, play against everybody.

There you go. Look at the two of us just

destroying each others chances here.

Yeah, I just, I think this is the opportunity.

I mean, you know, I think he's been in some weird races this

year again, you know, just a four horse field.

You know, look, the big favorite here, you know who I'll use in

some, you know, horizontal, you know, plays Prince of Jericho,

Prince of Jericho last out, which was, you know, like 6

months ago. You know, one of the horses that

beat him was Celtic Contender, who Subrogate was able to beat

in one of these stakes here at Laurel, you know, earlier this

year in a four horse field. You know, when that last out,

you know, the Bold Ruler, which is up in New York.

I thought Subrogate just was slow starting.

Still only lost to three really good horses who'd all be favored

here. Damon's Mound, you know,

Bucarino, Full Moon Madness. So yeah, I think sprinting is

what this horse does. I think a better trip here can

win it. What?

We give you edzine a chance here, right?

The two horse Ting is twin. He jumps, he jumps aboard and

the the buyer jumps 16 points. Listen 11 pick three I'm playing

are just his three horses for like 5 bucks you know?

I, I don't blame you. Yeah, no, it's, it stands out

for sure. I, I, so just so people know, I

landed 18 and two because I look, if I see Hazelwood's name

next to a horse that's got a nice number, I'm going to use

them. So that's how that goes.

Race 8 is the Richard W Small. We're going a mile and 8th on

the dirt. If you were unfamiliar with the

figure configuration, excuse me, at Laurel Park, that is one trip

around the track, same size as Aqueduct and and Frank Ellis

Park here in Kentucky, $100,000 on the line 3 year olds and up

here, Steve, the aforementioned Barbadian runner in here as the

favorite and I think a deserving favorite.

Yeah, I, I think, you know, of the races we're talking about,

this is going to be the shortest price should win this race.

And I, I mean, I, I like this horse.

I like that they've they've just run him all year consistently.

They've run him all over the place and he's won all over the

place. I love that last, you know, that

last race being post time. So they're definitely going to

be tickets where I'm using Barbadian Runner, but my top

pick here is going to be the 6th Hazelwood Magic on Secret

Zipper. And I'm the shot I'm taking here

is sort of twofold. Obviously it's Hazelwood we're

talking about here. But the second is I'm just

looking at the race and I just don't see much speed.

And you know, I think this horse, if he can get a

comfortable lead, could be really dangerous.

And so I think the possibility of getting a comfortable lead,

having a jockey who I have some some confidence in to try to get

that trip if it's available, I'm going to take a shot on Secret

Zipper as my top choice, the six horse.

I'm fascinated by the inclusion of Hard Spun Reason in here by

Grand Motion. This horse has been on the turf

since a run in May of 2023 at Pimlico, and he's throwing this

one back on the turf. And by the way, his turf to Derf

turf to Derf drummer, excuse me, is 50%.

His last 16 or excuse me, 60 races he's booked.

He's booked Ruiz for this one as well.

I'm Steve. I'm just fascinated by it.

I think once in a while these trainers just know that their

their horse has been training properly or something like that

and can pick up the pieces. I'm going to lean harder into

Barbadian runner than it sounds like you are going to.

I agree with you about Secret Zipper though, where he's going

to get the lead and frankly, if he's just able to wire the field

then good for them, especially with Yazzie Daiserwood and Gary

Capuano winning 48% of their races at Laurel Park.

Steve, 40. 848. So I'm not going to argue with

you on that, but the grant motion angle, I just once in a

while I see trainers doing something like this and I it

always piques my interest. I'll just say that.

Yeah, no, I can't faulty on that one at all.

And I think part of my thinking here too is just you see six to

five on the morning line for Barbadian Runner.

I have a feeling it's going to be shorter than that.

So I think there could be even bigger price.

You see 7:00 to 2:00 on the morning line for years.

I think you might do a little better and I think I might do

better than nine to two on Secret Zipper.

All right, so are you going to try and pick 3 here?

What are we doing? Yeah, so I mean, look, I this is

where I'm going to, I say Barbadian runners the most

likely winner, but I'm going to try in the pick three.

Well, I'll do it this way. I'll start in the sixth race.

Why don't I do that? I'm going to go with four in the

sixth race. Okay, 141112 try to get things

started and then I'm going to go in the with the one and the 8:00

that's going to be subrogate and Prince of Jericho the favorite.

And then I'm going to land on Secret Zipper the 6th and just

try to really make a score that way.

So that's 8 total sequences there.

So that's 40. It's 4 bucks per $0.50 to play

Steve's. Steve's pick three there at

Laurel Park, his new favorite track on Saturday.

Well, Steve, we appreciate you jumping on.

So your your post election season, are you still having a

like name counties in New Hampshire at this point?

What's going on? Only the counties where they got

race tracks. Steve Kornacki, NBC and NBC

Sports. Appreciate you, man.

Have a great weekend. All right, Louis, good luck.

There you go. Thanks, Steve Kornacki joining

us here. Honorable Co on ESPN 680 and

10571 of the horses we didn't mention is named Saint

Benedict's Prep. She will be in the sixth race at

Laurel Park. She used to be owned by our next

guest. His name is Danis when we talk

to him then.