
Santa Anita for Saturday 1 Jan 2011
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Happy New Year
Hope you feel better than I do. Good thing I studied this New Years Day card last night.
race 1 average clarity
7 Warren's Dove last 2 endeavors are very solid for this level.....proven on conventional dirt...1 start....1 win
2 Thrice The Vice wide trip in last hides a small forward move.....much better on the "real dirt surfaces"
1a Mark Of A Warrior bit of a clunker in last.....needs rebound to strong effort 2 races back
race 2 average clarity
4 Time For Atonement in good form....stellar rider/trainer combo...and a significant series of 4 drills...good albeit limited history on the dirt
2 Summers At Del Mar has fired every time out in 2010....few reasons to think that he can't keep it going in 2011
1 Coo Cachoo dangerous speed if he can manage to break from a difficult post at 7F at SA....Bejarano (hot hot hot) is aboard to try an accomplish the task
race 3 average clarity
3 Eclair De Lune crushed and out ran the 5 horse in the B C Cup as I thought he would and he can beat her again here...good speed in a race that lacks it....1 1/8 mile seems like a good fit
1 Go Forth North strong finish versus a stellar field in a Grade 1 in latest....trainer is heating up....should fly late again
race 4 average clarity
4 Warren's Tommy Too seemingly best ever was in lone run on conventional dirt....improvement in last and 7 lbs off today...appears to be sitting on a good race
2 Wild Hombre smartly freshened up and the last drill in preparation for today says all systems go....best ever was 1st career start so I believe being a fresh horse today is a positive
8 Secret Jackpot fairly consistent in sprints....dirt fits....7F fits...some shot at a win
9 Oh Mighty Dollar long layoff but a major drop....formidable if he is the same animal....tough call
race 5 below average clarity
6 Tamerin turf figs sure fit but this is a dirt race....1 of 3 AW races fits but this is a dirt race.....breeding not bad to handle classic dirt
7 Butch Marino consistent sort ran well in last with zero listed works between races...this time she has 2 drills hinting that she is doing better
2 River Glow not much running lately for better trainer (Gaines)...claimed by West who hasn't done much the last couple of years .....but he has always been good 1st after the claim and horse is proven on the dirt
4 Grand Mischief not much in last 2 races so Salder gives this fellow some time off to get things together....stop...train...and go
race 6 average clarity
2 Shred The Secrets top selection by us in MSW debut and sadly just missed getting caught in a 3 wide duel...solid fig and decent shot to move forward
7 Bev N Bud this debuting MSW is out of a consistent (producing runners) broodmare and training as if he is all set to roll 1st out of the box
10 Classy Lion decent run way back in April....training like a much improved animal on his new surface...draws the red hot Bejarano
3 Shelter Cove consistent efforts....but seemingly needs a couple of lengths of improvement...has the right kind of trainer to accomplish the task
race 7 average clarity
3 Solar Rocket appropriately named....very fast early.....proven on dirt with a strong 2nd place finish at CD...and Mr Baffert trained
6 Irrefutable 2 of 3 lifetime starts are good figs for this level....1st on the new surface but bred fine to handle it
10 Derrick Do hard trying consistent sort ran a strong effort in lone "classic dirt" race
2 Catalan dirt proven and has flashed some strong drills on the SA surface...dangerous if fully ready off of the layoff
race 8 average clarity
1 Dance With Gable not much more to say than a smooth runner and 3 for 3 on the SA hill course....proving yourself on the SA hihh is 1/2 the battle
6 Quick Enough has also run well on the SA hill and has blossomed into a nice Stakes horse since O'Neill took over
2 Afleet Ruler remains very sharp (works are super) the sharpest of career......can come flying if he handles his 1st run down the hill.....sure appears like and extra 1/2 furlong is a major plus
race 9 average clarity
14 Two Violins Tupinvader greatly prefers the real thing (as in dirt)....Gomez sticks around to ride an 8K claimer !!
13 Beyond Loaded decent with time between races and has 3 straight races that fig/effort wise make him a solid contender here....great name for all of you that feel a little hung over
7 Capt. Sparrow logical drop for laid up gelding........2 wins and 2 3rds in 4 starts on convential dirt
4 Figeac price shot exits a very fast and talented 8K claimer and he ran creditably considering the 9 month layoff and lack of work......useful drill since and a positive rider switch
3 Cafe Con Leche seemingly a logical drop versus a health issue drop....1 for 1 on the real thing
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