Michael R. Bloomberg has reserved a huge block of television advertising across the nation next week in another sign that the former New York mayor is on the verge of announcing a run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The billionaire finance and media mogul is spending at least $31 million on a week of TV commercials starting Monday, according to Advertising Analytics, an ad tracking firm. It is the most money ever spent by any candidate for one week of advertising, breaking the $25-million record set by President Obama at the end of his 2012 reelection campaign, the firm said.

“Mike is prepared to spend what it takes to defeat Donald Trump,” Bloomberg spokesman Jason Schechter said.

The breadth of Bloomberg’s ad buy is unusual for a presidential primary. He reserved ad time in dozens of media markets, including some of the most expensive in the country: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, Denver, Cleveland, Phoenix and Detroit.

The ad buy is the clearest sign yet that Bloomberg, whose fortune Forbes pegs at $54 billion, will far outspend more than a dozen rivals if he joins the race for his party’s nomination to challenge President Trump.

It’s also a signal that Bloomberg, 77, would be using his vast resources to run a national campaign on a scale far beyond what any other White House candidate can afford. At the end of September, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was the only one with more than $31 million in the bank, according to the most recent finance reports.

For the most part, the Democratic contenders lack the means — at least for now — to advertise beyond the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

One of the exceptions is the other billionaire in the race: former hedge-fund chief Tom Steyer of San Francisco, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $1.6 billion. Despite his heavy TV advertising across the country, Steyer is stuck near the bottom of the field in national polls of likely primary voters, hitting just 1%.

Indeed, Bloomberg’s lavish spending could backfire in a contest against candidates who bash billionaires while promoting plans to reduce wealth and income inequality.

“I’m disgusted by the idea that Michael Bloomberg or any billionaire thinks they can circumvent the political process and spend tens of millions of dollars to buy elections,” Sanders said Friday on Twitter. “If you can’t build grass-roots support for your candidacy, you have no business running for president.”

Bloomberg has filed papers to get on the Democratic primary ballots in Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan, Georgia and Texas. He filed a statement of candidacy on Thursday with the Federal Election Commission, but a spokesman said it was a procedural step that did not mean Bloomberg had made a final decision to run.

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WASHINGTON — 

FBI surveillance of a former campaign advisor to then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2016 was marred by bureaucratic mistakes but wasn’t illegal or driven by bias within the bureau’s leadership, according to people familiar with the findings of an internal investigation.

FBI officials made some sloppy but relatively minor errors when it came to seeking court approval for a surveillance warrant against former Trump advisor Carter Page. The issues cited included one lower-level lawyer who altered an email related to the warrant application, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the findings haven’t been made public.

Overall, though, the surveillance was legally sound and justified and wasn’t the product of political bias against Trump from FBI leaders such as then-Director James B. Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the people said.

The findings, made in a draft report from Inspector General Michael Horowitz, undercut a number of claims made by the president and top allies about alleged “spying” on his campaign and the origins of the investigation that eventually became part of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.

The findings were first reported Friday by the New York Times. Some of the report’s conclusions have been confirmed by Bloomberg, which hasn’t seen the draft.

Horowitz has told lawmakers he plans to release the report Dec. 9 and cautioned that some of the findings could change by then.

In addition to clarifying whether officials from the FBI or other agencies acted improperly — as Trump and his supporters have long contended — the report is expected to address whether any current or former officials should be criminally prosecuted for their actions.

Regardless of the report’s conclusion, it will arrive as the president and his political allies are engaged in a ferocious political battle against House Democrats over an impeachment inquiry in the House.

Both Republicans and Democrats are likely to seize on aspects of the report they think will bolster their cases.

Controversy over the origins of the Russia investigation is partly at the core of the impeachment proceedings. House Democrats began their inquiry following allegations that Trump tried to pressure the president of Ukraine to investigate an unsubstantiated theory that a previous government meddled in the 2016 U.S. election, as well as announce a probe into one of the president’s chief Democratic rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden.

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The FBI, the inspector general’s office and the Justice Department all declined to comment.

Horowitz’s report did find that a low-level lawyer, Kevin Clinesmith, altered an email that was used in a package of material to seek court approval to renew the wiretap against Page, according to the New York Times. Clinesmith’s lawyer declined to comment to the Times.

Page had previously been flagged by intelligence agencies as a target of Russian interest. The warrant was obtained in October 2016, after Page left the campaign. The surveillance continued into 2017, after Trump took office.

The New York Times also reported that the draft doesn’t corroborate conspiracy theories and insinuations offered by Trump and his allies about the early stages of the Russia investigation. For example, none of the evidence used to open the investigation came from the CIA or from a salacious but unverified dossier compiled by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence officer, according to the Times.

Republicans have argued that the surveillance applications relied heavily on the so-called Steele dossier.

Separately, Atty. Gen. William Barr is conducting his own investigation into what he’s called “spying” on Trump’s campaign. That investigation, led by U.S. Atty. John Durham, isn’t expected to be completed soon.

Horowitz said in a June letter to congressional leaders that his office “received and reviewed over 1 million records” and has “conducted over 100 interviews, including current and former DOJ and FBI personnel.”

The Justice Department released a redacted version of the Page surveillance applications last year.

Referring to Trump as “Candidate #1,” the initial application said “the FBI believes that the Russian government’s efforts are being coordinated with Page and perhaps other individuals associated with Candidate #1’s campaign.”

WASHINGTON — 

Documents released late Friday show President Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, was in contact with Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in the months before the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine was abruptly recalled.

The State Department released the documents to the group American Oversight in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. They show that Pompeo talked with Giuliani on March 26 and March 29.

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Austin Evers, executive director of American Oversight, said the documents reveal “a clear paper trail from Rudy Giuliani to the Oval Office to Secretary Pompeo to facilitate Giuliani’s smear campaign against a U.S. ambassador.”

Last week, former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch told House impeachment investigators she felt “kneecapped” by a “smear campaign” Giuliani led against her. She was withdrawn from her post in Ukraine in May.

The documents released Friday also include a report, which appears with Trump hotel stationery, that appears to summarize a Jan. 23, 2019, interview with Ukraine’s former prosecutor general, Victor Shokin. The summary says Giuliani and two business associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, were present.

Parnas and Fruman were arrested last month on a four-count indictment that includes charges of conspiracy, making false statements to the Federal Election Commission and falsification of records. The men had key roles in Giuliani’s efforts to launch a Ukrainian corruption investigation against Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

In the document, Shokin claims he was removed from his position under pressure from Biden.

A second memo appears to be a summary of an interview with Yuri Lutsenko, also a former prosecutor general of Ukraine, conducted in the presence of Giuliani, Parnas and Fruman. Lutsenko is quoted raising questions about compensation that Hunter Biden received from the Ukrainian oil company Burisma.

In the first half, Corona del Mar High quarterback Ethan Garbers used his feet to find the end zone.

In the second half, Garbers used his arm.

Either was effective for the Sea Kings, who also shut down a high-powered Alemany offense. There was a reason why Corona del Mar coach Dan O’ Shea called it one of the best wins in program history in his postgame speech to his team.

A complete effort propelled the top-seeded Sea Kings to their third CIF championship game in four years, after a 48-21 win over host No. 4 Mission Hills Bishop Alemany in a CIF Southern Section Division 3 semifinal game Friday night.

Corona del Mar will host No. 2 Simi Valley Grace Brethren, a 49-45 winner over No. 3 La Habra, at Newport Harbor High. It’s a rematch of last year’s Division 4 final, won by Grace Brethren.

Garbers, bound for Washington, had three rushing touchdowns in the first half and four passing touchdowns in the second half. He finished 22 of 32 passing for 357 yards, with the four touchdowns and no interceptions.

The offense keeps rolling for the Sea Kings (13-0), who have scored 42 or more points in all but one game this season.

Stanford-bound receiver John Humphreys had seven catches for 124 yards and a touchdown, while Washington-bound tight end Mark Redman had six catches for 48 yards and Bradley Schlom added two receiving touchdowns. Redman also contributed two sacks on defense.

“What can you say about our offense?” O’Shea said. “I mean, holy smokes, they were flawless. … Going on the road, late in the playoffs in foreign territory, and our kids responded so well. You hope to just play normal, and I think short of the first two drives on defense we played normal thereafter.”

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Cornerback Chandler Fincher had two interceptions for Corona del Mar, which limited Alemany (9-4) to one touchdown after the first quarter ended tied 14-14.

Alemany opened the scoring as quarterback Miller Moss found receiver DJ Justice on a six-yard touchdown pass.

Corona del Mar came right back, as Garbers found running room right for a seven-yard score.

Warriors junior Jaylin Smith got loose on a 43-yard touchdown run, before Garbers had another one-yard scamper for six.

The defenses tightened, until Corona del Mar put together a big touchdown drive that spanned nearly five minutes late in the half.

It wasn’t easy, as the Sea Kings converted two fourth downs, with Garbers completing a nine-yard pass to Redman on fourth and eight.

To put it bluntly, high school football in Southern California at the highest level has become a two-team affair, with Santa Ana Mater Dei and Bellflower St. John Bosco leaving everyone else far behind. If you’re one of their fans, you love it. If not, there’s really no alternative. It’s getting to be like Northern California, where Concord De La Salle has won 27 consecutive North Coast Section titles.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Monarchs (12-0) and the Braves (11-1) will square off next Saturday at Cerritos College for the Southern Section Division 1 championship after blowing out their semifinal opponents. There’s no real competition for the two programs right now.

On Friday night at Corona Centennial, the Huskies were supposed to offer St. John Bosco a strong battle. It didn’t happen. The Braves cruised to a 52-14 victory that included a running clock in the fourth quarter.

At Mission Viejo, Mater Dei rolled to a 49-24 victory over the Diablos.

St. John Bosco’s offensive line provided enough protection for quarterback DJ Uiagalelei to throw three touchdown passes in the first half as the Braves opened a 31-14 lead at the break. Jode McDuffie caught a 42-yard touchdown pass, and Beaux Collins had scoring receptions of 11 and 41 yards.

The Braves’ receiving group is as good as they come, and Centennial couldn’t prevent the big play despite having junior defensive end standout Korey Foreman doing his best to apply pressure to Uiagalelei.

Uiagalelei completed 11 of 19 passes for 192 yards and four touchdowns.

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Under coach Jason Negro, St. John Bosco has become the standard for excellence. St. John Bosco has practiced during Thanksgiving for every season since 2010. That usually means it has reached the semifinals or final. This will be the seventh consecutive final for the Braves. But they still must figure out how to beat the Monarchs, who handed them their only defeat, 38-24 on Oct. 25, and have beaten them in the final in 2017 and 2018.

St. John Bosco’s defense was effective in denying the big play. Defensive backs Josh Alford and JonJon Vaughns each had interceptions. Lineman Kobe Pepe was a disrupter in the middle, making sure running back Nicholas Floyd had to work for every yard.

For Centennial, Foreman kept asserting himself. He sacked Uiagalelei twice and had another tackle for a loss. But St. John Bosco was able to get its running game in high gear.

Nathaniel Jones rushed for 90 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown. Sophomore Rayshon Luke added 92 yards, including a 55-yard score. Sophomore Jabari Bates had a 51-yard touchdown run and finished with 95 yards on the ground.

“Our defense has stopped the run all season and they’re the only team to do that,” Foreman said.

The Braves’ ability to have balance on offense will be key next week in their rematch against Mater Dei.

“I feel good about it,” Jones said.

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as Roadster returns to race today at Del Mar. And, we have another handicapping lesson from Rob Henie.

So, I go to one of my doctors (having more than one doc is code for being old) on Friday and she says, “Man, you look tired.” I say, “Well I stayed from the very beginning of the meeting to the end of the public comment period at Thursday’s CHRB meeting.” She referred me to a mental-health specialist. (The only true part of that is I went to the doctor.)

Near the end of the 248-minute meeting (not including lunch), Aidan Butler, acting executive director of California racing for the Stronach Group, who was also still there, texts me. “You’re a trouper,” he says. (That is true.)

After the meeting, I see Fred Maas, a soon to be ex-board member at his last meeting, with a big smile, clicking his heels as he walked out of the room knowing he doesn’t have to go to another meeting this long. (OK, made up that, too.)

Here’s the deal. Love them or hate them, the members of the board are essentially volunteers, earning a whopping $100 a month, or about a penny an hour. They make good decisions, they make bad decisions.

It got me thinking as I made my long drive back to the Los Angeles area about one of their decisions—the one to delay the vote on a new whip rule. There were people who came a long way to speak on that issue, including Terry Meyocks, who lives in Lexington, Ky., and is chief executive of the Jockey’s Guild.

Oscar Gonzales, the new vice-chair, made a motion to postpone the decision so it could possibly align with the new Thoroughbred Safety Coalition. Maas, the only board member to vote against Gonzales for vice chair, said it was good idea. Wendy Mitchell, one of Gonzales’ closest allies, voted no.

Now, here’s why Gonzales’ motion was really smart.

First of all, the two proposals, especially the second one, were badly written. If you bought into the second one, which allows use of the riding crop in a very limited fashion from the reins or neck, it did not take into account the safety aspects of the first proposal, which has been amended to include horse disqualification. I purposely have not taken a stand on the whip rule but I know I would hate to be the owner of a disqualified horse because the jockey went to the whip, intentionally or by instinct.

But here’s the brilliance of Gonzales putting a hold on things. California has been losing horses, trainers, owners and jockeys for a variety of reasons. You know the reasons, or to borrow a much-used phrase from the Stronach Group, multi-factorial.

In the past few weeks, Southern California has or is losing Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, veteran Martin Garcia and now popular mainstay Joe Talamo.

Their reasons seem to be valid. A horse population shortage, a non-equivalent purse structure and fear of the future seem to be enough. But, if you add in jockeys not being able to use every riding tool they believe should be available to them, it could be another reason to leave.

So, how do you combat that? How about if every other jurisdiction has the exact same rules as California. Hmmm. That would take at least one reason off the table. Maybe that was Gonzales’ end game, to stop the bleeding or at least take an excuse for leaving off the table.

And, from what we hear, the TSC is eager to get moving on what to do about this issue.

We’ll see how it all turns out.

Weekly handicapping lesson

Here’s our weekly contribution from Rob Henie of the WCHR (West Coast Handicapping Report) and the ECHR (East Coast Handicapping Report). Today’s analysis comes from the fifth race at Del Mar and incorporates some handicapping angles into the mix. Rob, take it away.

“This is a $40,000 claimer at a mile on the turf. We’ve addressed the significance of field size previously, but you can never emphasize a worthy point too much. We’ve got a large field of 10, which may seem like a side note, but in reality, field size, especially on the turf, is so important. In a small field, runners accustomed to the front end, hold an advantage, doing what they do best, leading others, often at a leisurely pace, forcing the hand of the other riders to stay close up, not wanting the front runner to get away. In a large field, there’s more often than not, multiple runners at all points, on the front end, just off the lead, mid-pack, as well as deeper closers. With this in mind, we’ll assume a fair look for all, and top selection is POSH HOLLY (#10). She’s faced some decent types this year, but is still not overworked, making only her fifth start since June, which is actually encouraging considering her past inability in stringing more than a couple races together. Last time out, her running line looks mediocre, but the reality is, it was a good try, even coming home in 23.1 seconds. Notice the effort prior to her last? She raced close up, despite the slower splits, meaning, she showed an upfront tendency when things were quick up front, and tried to close from off the pace when things were slower, both mentalities/strategies were a bit backwards. Saturday, she’s likely gonna get a fair pace up front, with a jockey in Giovanni Franco, who’s simply stronger running on late compared to Tyler Baze and Aaron Gryder. She fits well class-wise here, and a good effort seems well within reason, if not, we’ll look to beat next time out. SWING THOUGHTS (#1) won here on Aug. 10th at 7-2, and again on Aug. 29th at 9-2, both times as our top pick and Saturday she enters this offering in good order. Bob Hess claimed her and, rather than rest her while waiting for Santa Anita, he wanted to get another race into her down here, moving back out in distance, adding the turf, along with Drayden Van Dyke to the equation. He could easily have waited seven or eight weeks before returning considering she’s run 12 times this year, but instead, he shows up here with the mentioned changes in place.

“Hot / Cold Race Trends: none

“Win Contenders (order of preference): 10-1-4-5

“X Out Runners (eliminating on the win end): 3

“Positive Notes:

“4 Seaside Dancer – Back on the west coast where she had nice success up at Santa Anita last Spring, she’s been freshened and pointed to this effort, with Abel Cedillo riding live horses for so many barns right now.

“5 Querelle – Good level, and whenever Victor Espinoza rides for Jim Cassidy, it’s a good thing.

“7 Clockstrikestwelve – Freshened, west coast debut, Mike Smith riding for Paddy Gallagher, interesting.

“Negative Notes:

“3 Italia – Gryder on the turf going long does nothing for us, and really, never has.

“TOP PICK: POSH HOLLY (#10 5-1 Franco)

“SECOND CHOICE: SWING THOUGHTS (#1 4-1 Van Dyke)”

^{The West Coast Handicapping Report can be found at http://www.westcoasthorseracing.com It has been endorsed by leading trainers, handicappers and industry sources.}

Del Mar review

Friday’s feature was an allowance/optional claimer for fillies and mares going a mile and it was a runaway for Carressa, who took the lead at the start of the backstretch and won by 8 ¼ lengths. Jockey Victor Espinoza hand-rode the horse in the stretch and could have won by whatever distance wanted.

It was he second win in five starts for the John Shirreffs trained filly. She paid $6.40, $2.80 and $2.40. Persepolis was second and Meso finished third.

Del Mar preview

Racing returns to the turf at Del Mar on Saturday with four of the nine races on the grass. First post is 12:30 p.m. The feature is pretty good in that we get to see Roadster run in the Grade 3 Native Diver for horses going 1 1/8 miles.

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Now earlier this year, or even late last year, if you had told trainer Bob Baffert that Roadster would be running in the Native Diver, I’m guessing he would be disappointed. Roadster was the “A” horse as a 2-year-old in Baffert’s barn. But then, in last year’s Del Mar Debutante, Roadster finished a disappointing third to Baffert’s Game Winner, who became the new “A” horse. A throat issue was discovered and Baffert sent him away to get better. He came back strong, real strong, even winning the Santa Anita Derby.

Game Winner was still the choice for the Kentucky Derby but Roadster was lurking nearby in pre-race discussion. Roadster finished 16^th. Since then he’s finished second in the Damascus and Affirmed Stakes. So, here the $525,000 purchase is the 5-2 favorite in this, shall we say nice but not prestigious race. Drayden Van Dyke is the jockey.

The second favorite, at 3-1, is Two Thirty Five for Richard Baltas and Abel Cedillo. This 5-year-old gelding has won five-of-19 lifetime races. His last race was a second in the Comma to the Top at Santa Anita and he won the Harry F. Brubaker at Del Mar. Both are ungraded stakes. In 2018, he finished seventh in the Pacific Classic and then ran fifth at Fresno. So, what do make of these two horses? It’s up to you. It’s a five-horse race that goes off about 4:05 p.m.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 6, 5, 10, 6, 10, 9, 9, 5, 10.

Bob Ike’s Dmr pick of the day

FIFTH RACE: No. 4 Seaside Dancer (7-2)

Very competitive $40,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies going one mile on turf and I like the chances of this Doug O’Neill trainee who returns to SoCal after a three-race Eastern swing. She’s a five-time winner (four for six on turf and three for three at this distance) with good tactical speed and a fine rider in Abel Cedillo. Don’t see any knocks on this one.

Friday’s result: Catoca raced mid-pack early, angled wide into stretch, closed well but couldn’t get to the winner while settling for second as the favorite.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here’s a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth $100,000 or more on Saturday. All times PST.

12:47 Aqueduct (9): Grade 3 $200,000 Red Smith Stakes, 3 and up, 1 3/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Sadler’s Joy (8-5)

1:41 Woodbine (8): Grade 2 $175,000 Kennedy Road Stakes, 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Pink Lloyd (1-1)

2:13 Woodbine (9): $225,000 Coronation Futurity, Ont-bred 2-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Muskoka Gold (7-5)

4:05 Del Mar (8): Grade 3 $100,000 Native Diver Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Roadster (5-2)

6:11 Delta Downs (8): $100,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes, 2-year-olds, 1 mile. Favorite: Sir Winsalot (5-2)

Ed Burgart’s LA pick of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 3 Fenian Faith (6-1)

This mare exits a powerful Grade I race vs. males in her last seventh-place outing when showing energy crossing the wire. The sixth-place finisher, Hotstepper and the eighth-place finisher, Jesstacartel, both won Z Wayne Griffin Directors trials last weekend. She was bumped back sharply at the start of prior ninth-place Mildred Vessels outing vs. top mares and is upset contender with clean break. I suggest keying Fenian Faith in exotics with #1 Conquering Marie, #8 Thermonuclear Energy and #9 Matilda Czech.

Final thought

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Any thoughts, you can reach me at [email protected]. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

And now the stars of the show, Friday’s results and Saturday’s entries.

Del Mar Charts Results for Friday, November 22.

Copyright 2019 by Equibase Company. Reproduction prohibited. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. All finishes confirmed by Plusmic USA. Official program numbers may not correspond with post position. 8th day of a 15-day meet. Clear & Fast

FIRST RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $17,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $8,000-$7,000. Time 23.37 47.78 1:12.08 1:24.53 1:37.05

Winner–Miracle March B.g.5 by Unusual Heat out of Logical Single, by Singletary. Bred by Harris Farms (CA). Trainer: John W. Sadler. Owner: Hronis Racing LLC. Mutuel Pool $97,305 Exacta Pool $52,957 Quinella Pool $1,886 Superfecta Pool $17,233 Trifecta Pool $31,122. Scratched–none.

MIRACLE MARCH bobbled slightly at the start, saved ground stalking the pace, came out leaving the second turn, bid three deep into the stretch, took the lead under a left handed crack of the whip nearing midstretch and pulled clear while drifting in some under steady handling and a long hold late. AUTUMN DAY sped between horses to the early lead, set the pace inside, fought back into and on the second turn and into the stretch, could not match the winner in the final furlong but was clearly second best. RMANIE’S GREY SUIT stalked between horses then a bit off the rail on the second turn, angled to the inside in the stretch and edged rivals for the show. SHORT OF EZ stalked three deep, bid outside the runner-up leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and between foes into the stretch and weakened but was edged for third late between foes. FOR HIM pulled his way along and was in a bit tight leaving the first turn, stalked just off the rail, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for a minor award three deep on the line. PURIANO four wide into the first turn, stalked outside then three deep on the second turn and into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

SECOND RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $33,000. Maiden Claiming. 2 year olds. Claiming Prices $80,000-$70,000. Time 22.62 46.69 1:12.00 1:25.16 1:38.06

Winner–The Stiff Ch.c.2 by Danza out of Betterlethergo, by Hold Me Back. Bred by Daniell, McCarthy & McNamara (KY). Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy. Owner: Michael McCarthy Racing Stable, Inc., Daniell, Donna, Daniell, Jim and McCarthy, Terrence. Mutuel Pool $98,483 Daily Double Pool $27,012 Exacta Pool $49,400 Quinella Pool $1,951 Superfecta Pool $18,717 Trifecta Pool $38,497. Scratched–Blues Rapper, Jamason, Mulholland Highway (IRE).

THE STIFF saved ground stalking the pace, bid inside under urging past the eighth pole to gain the lead and won clear. BIG HOOF DYNAMITE five wide into the first turn, angled in outside a rival then chased a bit off the rail, came out leaving the second turn and three wide into the stretch, bid outside foes past midstretch and bested the others. BEST CHANCE prompted the pace between horses then outside a rival into the second turn, stalked on that turn and into the stretch, was between foes again in midstretch and held third. HANDSOME MICHAEL sped to the early lead, set a pressured pace inside, inched away a bit off the rail leaving the second turn, was between foes past the eighth pole, drifted in late and weakened. KADESH four wide into the first turn, stalked outside then bid four wide a half mile out, stalked again on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch and weakened. BAMBOOZLER pressed the pace three deep then dueled three wide between horses a half mile out, dropped back between foes on the second turn and gave way in the drive.

THIRD RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 23.90 48.98 1:14.20 1:26.26 1:38.87

Winner–Rare Find B.f.2 by Bernardini out of Tracings, by Indian Charlie. Bred by Godolphin (KY). Trainer: Richard E. Mandella. Owner: Godolphin, LLC. Mutuel Pool $116,764 Daily Double Pool $11,515 Exacta Pool $42,239 Quinella Pool $3,674 Superfecta Pool $8,309 Trifecta Pool $21,132. Scratched–Go Big Blue Nation, Saralin.

50-Cent Pick Three (1-3-1) paid $26.00. Pick Three Pool $40,447.

RARE FIND had good early speed and set a pressured pace inside, inched away on the second turn, kicked clear in the stretch and held under a late crack of the whip and steady handling. STORIE BLUE four wide early, stalked outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and gained the place. COSMIC COWGIRL had speed three deep then pressed the pace outside the winner, was between horses leaving the second turn and in midstretch and just held third. LAST FIRST KISS also flashed early speed between horses then angled in and stalked inside, continued along the rail on the second turn and in the stretch and was edged for the show.

FOURTH RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $30,000. Starter Optional Claiming. 2 year olds. Claiming Price $50,000. Time 23.05 47.55 1:12.57 1:25.21 1:38.32

Winner–Govenor Cinch Dbb.c.2 by Govenor Charlie out of Ghostly, by Ghostzapper. Bred by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman (CA). Trainer: Tim Yakteen. Owner: Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul. Mutuel Pool $116,322 Daily Double Pool $16,531 Exacta Pool $41,339 Quinella Pool $1,760 Superfecta Pool $7,950 Trifecta Pool $17,459. Scratched–Commander (FR), Go Time, Gorky Park.

50-Cent Pick Three (3-1-7) paid $12.45. Pick Three Pool $13,292.

GOVENOR CINCH stalked outside a rival then bid outside the pacesetter to press the pace, took a short lead leaving the second turn, inched away under left handed urging past midstretch and held. FLY THE SKY chased off the rail then outside a rival on the backstretch and second turn, came out a bit into the stretch and gained the place. DELP had speed inside then saved ground stalking the pace, angled out some in midstretch and went outside the pacesetter late for the show. MAINFRAME JUDY sped to the early lead outside a rival, inched away and angled in on the first turn, set a pressured pace inside, jumped a shadow approaching the half mile pole, fought back leaving the second turn and to midstretch and weakened some but lost third late.

FIFTH RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $29,000. Maiden Claiming. 2 year olds. Claiming Price $50,000. Time 22.53 46.46 59.04 1:11.68

Winner–Carnelian Hero B.g.2 by Old Topper out of Cherokee Kiss, by Cherokee Run. Bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, LLC (CA). Trainer: Jeff Bonde. Owner: Del Secco DCS Racing. Mutuel Pool $206,549 Daily Double Pool $20,026 Exacta Pool $120,212 Quinella Pool $3,908 Superfecta Pool $74,322 Trifecta Pool $93,315. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (1-7-3) paid $5.85. Pick Three Pool $49,771. 50-Cent Pick Four (3/4-1-3/5/6/7-3) 4 correct paid $27.10. Pick Four Pool $93,021. 50-Cent Pick Five (1-3/4-1-3/5/6/7-3) 5 correct paid $111.30. Pick Five Pool $322,291.

CARNELIAN HERO broke a bit slowly, was sent between horses then dueled inside rivals but a bit off the rail, was between horses into the stretch, fought back outside the runner-up under urging in the final furlong and gamely prevailed. BALTIMORE BEECHO had speed inside then saved ground stalking the pace, bid along the rail into the stretch, battled inside the winner in the final furlong and was outgamed. PAPA TONY dueled between horses then outside the winner, was three deep into the stretch and weakened but held third. BEYOND PRECHER had speed between rivals then steadied in tight five eighths out, chased off the rail or outside a rival, came out in upper stretch and lacked a rally. EXTRACTOR dueled between foes then stalked off the rail on the turn, angled in some nearing the stretch and weakened. SLEWBURY PARK had speed six wide then dueled four wide, stalked outside on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. ISLA’S TOY chased a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a further response. RADIO TIM had speed five wide between horses then stalked outside a rival, dropped back on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and gave way.

SIXTH RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 23.08 47.29 1:12.11 1:24.70 1:36.90

Winner–Carressa B.f.3 by Uncle Mo out of Iplaytricks, by Desert God. Bred by Michael C. Stinson (KY). Trainer: John A. Shirreffs. Owner: Mercedes Stables LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Dilworth, Scott, Ingordo, Dorothy, Ingordo, David an. Mutuel Pool $212,975 Daily Double Pool $19,132 Exacta Pool $110,904 Quinella Pool $3,645 Superfecta Pool $33,649 Trifecta Pool $63,500. Claimed–Kynance (IRE) by Jose Arellano. Trainer: Jorge Periban. Scratched–Kookie Gal.

50-Cent Pick Three (7-3-6) paid $5.25. Pick Three Pool $29,977.

CARRESSA four wide into the first turn, pulled her way alongside a rival to press the pace then took the lead and inched away on the backstretch, set the pace inside, came off the rail on the second turn and into the stretch and drew off under a moderate hand ride and a long hold late while drifting in some. PERSEPOLIS had good early speed and angled in, dueled inside then stalked on the backstretch, came off the rail under urging on the second turn and bested the others. MESO saved ground chasing the pace, came off the rail then outside on the backstretch, angled in alongside a rival into the stretch and was along for the show. CYRIELLE stalked between horses then a bit off the rail on the backstretch and inside on the second turn and had little left for the drive. KYNANCE (IRE) three deep on the first turn, stalked outside then alongside a rival, dropped back on the second turn and gave way.

SEVENTH RACE.

7 Furlongs. Purse: $30,000. Starter Allowance. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $50,000. Time 22.74 45.86 1:10.94 1:24.21

Winner–Velvet Queen Ch.f.3 by Animal Kingdom out of Tippy Tapit, by Tapit. Bred by Calumet Farm (KY). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: BG Stables and Little Red Feather Racing. Mutuel Pool $231,391 Daily Double Pool $27,217 Exacta Pool $112,381 Quinella Pool $3,616 Superfecta Pool $68,643 Trifecta Pool $70,133. Scratched–Whoa Nessie.

50-Cent Pick Three (3-6-2) paid $18.10. Pick Three Pool $33,344. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (3-6-6) paid $2.15.

VELVET QUEEN went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back into and on the turn, inched clear under urging past midstretch and held. CATOCA between horses early, stalked off the rail then outside on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and finished willingly. MONGOLIAN EMPIRE chased a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn, and rallied along the rail in the final furlong. SHEZA FACTOR saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and was edged for the show. CLAUDELLE dueled between horses then outside the winner, was fanned out some into the stretch, fought back in midstretch and weakened late. DEARBORN bobbled and broke out a bit, pulled her way along to press the pace three deep then stalked outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. INCREDIBLY LUCKY stalked outside, dropped back and angled in some on the turn and also weakened. SO GUCCI hesitated and was held up briefly then reared to be away well behind the field, pulled her way along outside on the backstretch, continued outside a rival into the turn, dropped back and had little left for the drive. Following a stewards’ inquiry, SO GUCCI was declared a nonstarter.

EIGHTH RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 24.73 49.75 1:15.11 1:27.45 1:39.94

Winner–California Kook Dbb.f.2 by Boisterous out of Kukaluka, by Comic Strip. Bred by Wachtel Stable & Gary Barber (CA). Trainer: Peter Miller. Owner: Wachtel Stable and Barber, Gary. Mutuel Pool $223,566 Daily Double Pool $64,016 Exacta Pool $108,831 Quinella Pool $4,173 Superfecta Pool $44,383 Trifecta Pool $62,885. Scratched–Big Time Grammy, Lakaya, Phoenix Tears, Sassyserb, Slew’s Screen Star, Too Much Smoke, Via Alpina.

$2 Pick Six Jackpot (1-3/5/6/7-3-6-2-3) . Pick Six Jackpot Carryover $96,562. 50-Cent Pick Three (6-2-3) paid $50.85. Pick Three Pool $98,693. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (6-6-3) paid $6.45. 50-Cent Pick Four (3-6-2-3) 4 correct paid $90.90. Pick Four Pool $370,310. 50-Cent Pick Five (3/5/6/7-3-6-2-3) 5 correct paid $179.30. Pick Five Pool $221,441. $2 Pick Six (1-3/5/6/7-3-6-2-3) 5 out of 6 paid $25.40. $2 Pick Six (1-3/5/6/7-3-6-2-3) 6 correct paid $2,067.00. Pick Six Pool $81,254. $1 Place Pick All 8 correct paid $54.10. Place Pick All Pool $15,925.

CALIFORNIA KOOK in tight at the start, chased outside, moved up four wide on the turn then bid three deep, took the lead and came in a bit into the stretch, kicked clear under left handed urging, drifted in some and proved best. NOCHERYLIKEMYCHERY broke outward, saved ground stalking the pace, was in a bit tight into the stretch, got through inside in midstretch and was clearly second best. RIDE SALLY RIDE pulled and stalked between foes then bid between rivals on the backstretch, tracked a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch and between horses again on the second turn, also was in a bit tight into the stretch and bested the others. MAMAS GOT CASH sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, responded when rivals bid on the backstretch, inched away again on the second turn, battled into the stretch, came a bit off the rail in upper stretch and weakened in the final furlong. CREER stalked three deep then off the rail, was between rivals a half mile out, angled in some leaving the second turn and weakened. KISSABLE U angled in and stalked outside a rival, bid three deep early on the backstretch, tracked again approaching the second turn, fell back some on that turn and into the stretch and gave way.

Del Mar Entries for Saturday, November 23.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. $2 Win, Place and Show; $1 Exacta, $2 Quinella, 50-cent Trifecta, $2 Rolling Double, 50-cent rolling Pick 3; 10-cent Superfecta; 50-cent Pick 4 last 4 races; 50-cent Players Pick 5 first 5 races; $2 Pick 6 last 6 races; $1 Place Pick All; $1 Super High Five last race. Trifecta needs 4 betting interests; Superfecta needs 6. 9th day of a 15-day meet.

FIRST RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $30,000. Claiming. 3 year olds. Claiming Prices $25,000-$22,500.

SECOND RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $29,000. Maiden Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $50,000-$40,000.

THIRD RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $33,000. Maiden Claiming. Fillies. 2 year olds. Claiming Prices $80,000-$70,000.

FOURTH RACE.

6½ Furlongs. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000.

FIFTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $36,000. Claiming. Fillies. 3 year olds. Claiming Prices $40,000-$35,000.

SIXTH RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. 2 year olds.

SEVENTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds. Claiming Price $80,000.

EIGHTH RACE.

1 1/8 Mile. Purse: $100,000. ‘Native Diver Stakes’. 3 year olds and up.

NINTH RACE.

1 1/16 Mile Turf. Purse: $32,000. Maiden Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $62,500-$55,000.

California is increasing business tax rates on legal marijuana, a move that stunned struggling companies that have been pleading with the state to do just the opposite.

Hefty marijuana taxes that can approach 50% in some communities have been blamed for pushing shoppers into California’s illegal market, which is thriving. Industry analysts estimate that $3 is spent in the illegal market for every $1 in the legal one.

The California Cannabis Industry Assn. said in a statement that its members are “stunned and outraged.”

The group said the higher taxes that will take effect Jan. 1 will make it even worse for a legal industry struggling under heavy regulation and fees, local bans on pot sales and growing, and a booming underground marketplace.

“Widening the price … gap between illicit and regulated products will further drive consumers to the illicit market at a time when illicit products are demonstrably putting people’s lives at risk,” the group said, referring to the national vaping health crisis.

The changes involve taxes paid by legal businesses, which ultimately get passed along to consumers at the retail counter.

Josh Drayton of the cannabis association predicted that an eighth-ounce purchase of marijuana buds, typically priced around $40 to $45, would be pushed up to $50 or more in the new year.

For consumers, “ultimately, they’ll feel that at the register,” Drayton said.

A major change involves what’s known as the markup rate, which is used when calculating taxes in certain business transactions, such as when a retailer purchases wholesale cannabis that will in turn be sold to consumers. The markup rate is being pushed up over 30% from its current mark.

Casey Wells, a spokesman for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, said in a statement that the new rate was determined after the agency analyzed thousands of transactions in California’s computerized marijuana-tracking system.

Separately, cultivation tax rates are being increased by inflation, as required by law. For example, the tax on an ounce of dry buds will climb to $9.65 from $9.25, an increase of just over 4%.

Last week, the state’s top cannabis regulator, Lori Ajax, told an industry conference that the legal marketplace can expect more strain and turbulence for at least a couple of years as it deals with sustained competition from illegal sales, industry layoffs and fallout from a national vaping crisis.

California Assemblyman Rob Bonta said in a statement that the state should be cutting marijuana taxes to encourage more businesses to move into the regulated market.

“This short-sighted move ignores the realities that licensed businesses are at the breaking point, with many struggling to survive,” the Oakland Democrat said.

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Two people have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into a shooting at a Halloween party in Orinda, Calif., that killed five people last month, authorities said.

The arrests were a result of warrants that were obtained by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and executed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Thursday, said Alexandria Corneiro, a public information officer with the ATF’s San Francisco Field Division.

Taken into custody were Domico Dones, 29, of Martinez, Calif., and Frederick Johnson, 29, of Vallejo. Both are being held on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Johnson was also charged with child endangerment.

Agents seized a firearm while serving the warrants, and investigators used the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network to link the gun to multiple shootings in the Bay Area, the agency said.

The ATF is also offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the shooting, which took place during a party at an Airbnb rental on Halloween night.

According to police, more than 100 people from around the Bay Area had descended on the home in the East Bay suburb. The gathering had been widely advertised on social media, authorities said. Officers responding to a noise complaint at the residence arrived to find a “highly chaotic scene” with multiple gunshot victims and revelers fleeing.

Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and another died at the hospital that night. They were identified as Tiyon Farley, 22, of Antioch; Omar Taylor, 24, of Pittsburg; Ramon Hill Jr., 23, of San Francisco and Oakland; and Javin County, a 29-year-old from Sausalito and Richmond.

A fifth victim, 19-year-old Oshiana Tompkins, was pronounced dead at a hospital the next day, according to a police statement.

Five other men were arrested in connection with the shooting last week, but the Contra Costa County district attorney’s office declined to file charges against them.

Three of the men — Shamron Joshua Mitchell, 30, of Antioch; Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney and Jason D. Iles, both 20 and of Marin City — had been arrested on suspicion of murder and conspiracy. The fourth, Devin Isiah Williamson, 21, of Vallejo, who authorities described as the promoter of the event, had been arrested on suspicion of acting as an accessory.

All four were released from jail Monday.

The fifth man, Lebraun Tyree Wallace, 28, of San Mateo, who was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and conspiracy, remains jailed on a probation violation, according to investigators. He has not been charged in connection with the shooting.

Scott Alonso, a spokesman for the Contra Costa County district attorney’s office, said earlier in the week that prosecutors met with sheriff’s investigators on Monday to review the case, but felt they needed more information in order to file charges.

He said that charges can still be filed later as new evidence emerges, and called for anyone who witnessed the shooting to contact investigators.

In the wake of the shooting, Airbnb announced that it would take steps to crack down on “party houses” on its platform, and the Orinda City Council adopted an interim ordinance imposing a temporary ban on short-term rentals in the city unless the host lives on the property and is present when guests are staying there.

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SAN DIEGO — 

Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said Friday that SEAL Chief Edward Gallagher should face a planned “trident review board” that could lead to his ouster from the elite force, despite President Trump’s tweet Thursday that Gallagher should remain a SEAL.

Spencer told Reuters at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada, that he supports the hearing into whether Gallagher can keep his trident pin, a symbol of the SEALs, in light of Gallagher’s conviction at a general court-martial in San Diego in July.

“I believe the process matters for good order and discipline,” Spencer said.

On Tuesday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the decision by Rear Adm. Collin Green to review the SEAL qualifications of Gallagher and three other service members connected to his war crimes case was made with the support of Navy leadership, including the chief of naval operations, Adm. Mike Gilday. Green is the commander of Naval Special Warfare Command.

Gallagher’s legal team said the decision to hold the review boards was a challenge to Trump’s authority as commander in chief.

Trump has intervened several times on Gallagher’s behalf. On Thursday, about an hour after one of Gallagher’s lawyers appeared on “Fox & Friends” decrying the review board, Trump took to Twitter to express his disapproval.

“The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin. This case was handled very badly from the beginning. Get back to business!”

Rear Adm. Charlie Brown, the Navy’s chief of information, told the Union-Tribune on Thursday that the Navy was waiting for Trump to issue more specific orders before officially canceling the review.

“The Navy follows the lawful orders of the president,” Brown said in a statement. “We will do so in case of an order to stop the administrative review of SOC Gallagher’s professional qualification. We are aware of the president’s tweet and we are awaiting further guidance.”

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A senior Navy official told the Union-Tribune late Thursday that all four review boards have been halted pending further guidance from Trump.

Gallagher was charged with killing a wounded Islamic State captive and shooting civilians during his time in Iraq in 2017. At the end of his court-martial, a jury acquitted him of the most serious allegations but convicted him of the relatively minor offense of posing for photos with the body of the dead fighter.

A military jury sentenced Gallagher to four months’ confinement, which he served before trial, and reduced his rank to petty officer 1st class, or E-6.

On Nov. 15, Trump restored Gallagher’s rank to E-7, or chief petty officer. The same day, Trump pardoned two Army service members accused of war crimes. His action on Gallagher’s behalf was not a pardon or an exoneration.

Dyer writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It is Saturday, Nov. 23.

Here’s a look at the top stories of the last week:

Top stories

8,000 vulnerable buildings. An earthquake safety revolution is spreading in Los Angeles, as steel frames and strong walls are added to the first-story parking garages of thousands of wood-frame apartment buildings at risk of collapsing. The work aims to fix one of the city’s most dangerous earthquake risks, but while the city has identified about 11,400 buildings in need of retrofitting, only a quarter have done the work. See if yours is ready.

Homeless in Hollywood. Columnist Steve Lopez explored how the homelessness crisis has hit Hollywood, talking with housed residents who feel they’ve lost their neighborhood and homeless ones who have no better options, and concluded nobody is in charge. Meanwhile, two thirds of Angelenos say police should play a bigger role in dealing with encampments, despite court rulings limiting their involvement, a new poll for The Times found.

Saugus “ghost gun.” The gun used in last week’s shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita was assembled from parts and lacked a registration number, officials said Thursday. The violence was the second tragedy to strike the community in a month, after October’s Tick fire. “It seems like we just got through one tragedy with families losing their homes in the fire,” the mayor said. “And then this?”

59th victim. More than two years after the gun massacre at a country music festival in Las Vegas, a Mira Loma woman it left paralyzed has died, authorities said, raising the death toll of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history to 59. After the attack, Kimberly Gervais, 57, had said the gunman “took a part of me that I can’t get back.”

“A big screw you.” State lawmakers hammered PG&E Monday for botching planned power outages that have left millions in the dark and blamed the utility for failing to upgrade its infrastructure. Sen. Bill Dodd of Napa asked: “Who in the hell designed your system?” On Wednesday, the lights went off again for hundreds of thousands of its customers in Northern California amid dry, windy weather.

College admissions scandal. Lawyers for the 15 parents who have pleaded not guilty — including actress Lori Loughlin and financier Bill McGlashan — are looking for insight into how the judge overseeing their cases might view the fraud and bribery allegations their clients face. His recent sentencing of a Del Mar executive might not bode well for them.

Season’s first storm. It brought hail to downtown L.A. and flash floods to the Inland Empire on Wednesday. Its lightning closed beaches, and it washed out part of a mountain highway. And after a weekend of record high temperatures, it dumped a thin layer of snow in the mountains.

Fresno shooting. Police say the gunmen who shot 10 people, four fatally, at a backyard party had targeted the home and are searching for at least two suspects. The killings have brought sudden, unwanted attention to one of the nation’s largest Hmong communities. As its members grieve and search for explanations, they’re also reacting to police suggestions the violence was gang-related.

Cracking down on fracking. In a victory for critics of California’s oil drilling industry, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on approvals of new fracking projects, pending an independent review, and on steam-injected oil drilling, which was linked to a massive spill in Kern County.

“Hell no, it’s not fair.” That’s what former Gov. Pete Wilson said when The Times’ Gustavo Arellano asked him how he felt about being forever tied to Proposition 187, the 1994 ballot initiative that sought to deny public services to immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Wilson, now 86, still defends the measure, denies that it was racist and wants a better place in California history.

San Diego murder-suicide. A man shot his estranged wife and three young children, then turned the gun on himself, police say, killing all but one son who is in critical condition. For months he had subjected his wife to increasingly extreme harassment and threats, court records show. She was granted a restraining order the day before he killed her.

This week’s most popular stories in Essential California

1. What’s a “soft-story” building, and how can it better withstand an earthquake? Our interactive graphic explains. Los Angeles Times

2. Where PG&E may shut off power. Los Angeles Times

3. L.A. ups its bagel game. Tablet

4. Hearst Castle is decked out in all its holiday finery. Here’s how you can see it. San Luis Obispo Tribune

5. Remembering Sammy Davis Jr.’s car accident in San Bernardino, 65 years later. Daily Bulletin

ICYMI, here are this week’s great reads

The democracy doomsayers consider 2020: America’s uncertain political moment has brought a boom for scholars in the academic field of comparative politics. Their subject matter has gone from relatively arcane to a topic that gets people booked on cable news shows. New York Times

Inside the bloody cartel war for Mexico’s multibillion-dollar avocado industry. “The newcomers, members of a criminal group called the Viagras, were almost certainly clearing the forest to set up a grow operation. They wouldn’t be planting marijuana or other crops long favored by Mexican cartels, but something potentially even more profitable: avocados.” Los Angeles Times

Suzy Batiz’s empire of odor: A profile of the Poo-Pourri creator. New Yorker

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints, ideas and unrelated book recommendations to Julia Wick. Follow her on Twitter @Sherlyholmes. (And a giant thanks to the legendary Diya Chacko for all her help on the Saturday edition.)

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