in Triple Crown Free Picks

Serendipity is when one accidentally discovers something fortunate - for those attempting to make winning horse bets in Southern California, knowing all about Vladimir Cerin will only add to the winning arsenal.

Arcadia is a long way from Zagreb, Yugoslavia, but it’s where Yugoslav native Cerin traditionally plies his trade as a trainer in Southern California. Horse bettors that want to get an edge and get on some big tickets need to pay extra attention to this quality conditioner the rest of the year - especially at the upcoming Fairplex meet. No serendipity will change any outcomes.

How hot was Cerin at the Hollywood meeting? Well, he saddled 59 runners and greeted 14 back in the winner’s circle - another 25 finished in the money.

Born to a farming family, Vladimir’s father directed a large farm in his native land with a variety of animals, including horses.

Cerin moved to Canada in 1968 and 6 years later came to California, earning a graduate degree from UCLA in kinesiology - the study of movement.

His work with athletes like Tracky Austin, Jamaal Wilkes, Bill Walton and Kiki Vandeweghe furthered his expertise in kinesiology and eventually lead him to the racing industry when he partnered with several athletes and bought some horses. Through trainer Rafael Martinez, Cerin started to really learn the intricacies of the thoroughbred and took out his trainer’s license in 1981.

Cerin was the leading trainer at Fairplex for consecutive years starting in 1994. He continues to win at a high percentage year in and year out.

The trainer has a reputation among bettors of being cagey, good with all kinds of runners and dangerous at any level. It is not unusual to see a Cerin horse reach the winner’s circle at a juicy price so don’t ever be swayed that one of his runners is not taking action.

Cerin has had slightly more success on dirt than grass over the years and seldom cashes with 1st time turf runners. It doesn’t make a difference what time frame Cerin brings his horses to the post, as he is excellent off the layoff.

Since he doesn’t punish his horses with quick workouts in the mornings, his first timers seldom bring sizzling works into their first start. But that doesn’t mean they can’t run. His debuting maiden claimers seem more productive at first asking than maiden special weight types; he often pops at a price.

Equally adept at getting horses to win going up and down the claiming ladder, give extra consideration to the horses he stretches out from a sprint to a route, rather than the other way around. When his horses get fresh Lasix, take serious note and for those on-track, pay attention to his horses legs in the paddock. Don’t be discouraged when his stock adds bandages, they still run big most of the time.

One of his most potent trainer moves is off the claim. Watch when he brings a new face into a meeting from a different area of the country and don’t get put off when he jumps his stock up in class off a claim.

Cerin uses old school and new school methods, and the combination works.

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