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Santa Anita for Saturday 31 December 2011
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Decent card today and tomorrow's isn't too shabby either. I already studied the Jan 1 card because I plan on a little partying tonight and I really am not much of a drinker and I kind of count on being a little brain dead New Years morning. I just need to post the selections and comments which I think I can handle. Hope you all have a terrific and safe New Years Eve.
race 1Â Â Â above average clarity
3 Amelia Rose  on the right end of the learning curve....owns a small touch of early speed in a race lacking it
2 Miss Bold Topper  low % rider but not when he rides for today's trainer.......vastly improved works since a move forward in latest engagement.....also has a little speed in a race that lacks that commodity
7 Tiabelle  bad trip in last hides what appears to be a move in the wrong direction.......great spot to rebound with a clean break and a some ground saving position near the lead here
5 Be Brave Be Lucky  another with a bad trip and it was his lone lifetime race.......showed good speed after a poor start....new trainer has put in some good drills.....trouble if meant today in her 1st run after a 4 month hiatus from the track
race 2Â Â Â average clarity
5 Stoneside  uncanny consistency especially at today's distance....shot for a solid mid pack position biding his time and poncing in the stretch
7 Crossing The Line  what took you so long John Sadler.....4 wins 1 2nd 1 3rd at today's distance on the grass
4 Violon Scare  trainer sure could use a S Cal winner.....takes the plunge in class with this horse to finally get a possible trip to the circle of joy
2 Hidden Blessing  don't ever remember this horse training so sharply.....should get the lead here and might be a big surprise at how long he is able to keep it....fresh speed is often dangerous speed
race 3Â Â Â Â above average clarity
4 Princess Arabella  outstanding works for this 1ster even by Bob Baffert standards......mom has tossed some nice runners
7 Hidinginplainsight  very impressive debut back in mid Nov on the grass........bred fine to handle conventional dirt....training up to snuff.....Puype is often more dangerous with 2nd time starters
3 Love My Way  best ever was his lone race at SA.......never headed in 4 lifetime races thru the 1st 3 points of call.......better shot to last longer on SA's "real dirt" surface
2 My Sweet Candy  turf debut race 2 back was solid....tossed a clunker in last......works hint of a rebound in form....1st on the main track but bred OK to handle it
race 4Â Â Â below average clarity
3 Big Hands Al   doubt we will get 15 to 1 on this price shot who broke bad and ran wide and still only got defeated by 3L in a vastly improved effort.......weight off with the app up who has a decent recent history with Palma....lone lifetime score was on the SA main track
6 Call Me Kelly  2 of 3 lifetime races fit fine........sharp recent drills.....should be in the hunt from the get go
2 Pop The Cork  how can you be nothing but all out with this aptly named horse on New Years Eve.....not much more to be said
9 Bwana Be Gone  relatively cold start to the SA meeting for the likes of Mitchell but this horse is a fresh newbie to his barn....and that is a dangerous thing
race 5Â Â Â average clarity
8 Chickie Charms  2 consecutive powerful efforts/figs on the grass and now we get a very positive jockey change
7 Late Night Sky  best ever grass race was his lone opportunity to run on firm turf......should be nice and firm today....very sharp drills and more than capable trainer in Walsh
9 Unusual Heatwave  consistent sort will need lifetime best most likely here to upset our top 2 selections.....Barba/Smith have made for a good combo of late
11 Spit Ball  on the right end of the learning curve.....1st on the sod but bred to handle it and his trainer has a decent history 1st time on the sod
race 6Â Â Â average clarity
7 Quintons Destiny  has been facing significantly better.....all 4 races since Mitchell took over look fairly strong in this spot......draws top Kentucky jock
1 Delta Fix  chased a suicidal pace in last and rightfully tired....blinkers on for today and a good speed rider aboard gives this gelding a shot to clear even from a difficult post at 6 1/2F
10 Boychik  long hiatus from the track and a so so work tab but the drop from alw racing makes this Armstrong charge dangerous.....trainer could use a win
9 Gothics Peak  positive rider change.....best ever was an effort run on conventional dirt...works on SA's dirt are good......forward move (which is necessary here) back on "real" dirt might move forward
race 7   above average clarity
1 Sheer Talent  3 of 4 races on the AW are very nice and this youngster is bred to handle the switch to the sod just fine......excellent work tab since his last and he retains Mr Gomez
8 Daddy Nose Best  crushed foes in last at CD.....rotten trip in BC in previous or had a shot at the circle of joy......seems very advantageous that regular rider Leparoux is aboard
4 Champions Gate  seems like a great spot for a horse whose both lifetime wins are the 2 times he got loose....sure looks like a good chance to be loose here....bonus is he is not one dimensional and can chase if need be
5 Stoney Fleece  decent 2 for 2 on lawn but horse is back in 5 days......yikes.....Sadler is one sharp guy so if he doesn't scratch him my guess is he can handle the stress
race 8Â Â Â above average clarity
2 Turbulent Descent   not the best of trips as fave in the BC.....training great and loves the 7F distance which many do not.....average trip and her "A" game and she wins it
1 Home Sweet Aspen  turf tightener in last......before that was definitely on the right end of the learning curve.....both lifetime races/wins at SA are quite impressive
7 Great Hot  hello SA....easily best two runs are her 2 races on the SA dirt track....training like all systems are go....Sutherland knows this filly well
8 California Nectar price shot has a very good history on conventional dirt in fast track sprints.....2 for 2 at the distance.....can handle significant early pace
race 9Â Â Â below average clarity
12 Jim's No Preacher   owns blistering early pace and will try to use it here to clear and get over and dominate things from start to finish
13 Batti Man  very impressive credentials for this shipper from ARG.........and four very stout drills since he arrived for Puype suggests he shipped a very fit horse......we shall see
1 Leaving New York  best race for this gelding was the last time this fellow was able to run fresh off of the bench.....fresh once again and working up to snuff
3 Capital Account  2 impressive wins on the AW to start his career then bombed in the slop last March......works say ready.....1st time on a fast SA surface....deserves another shot
9 Indian Winter  better animal on dirt.....last looks like a gimme to tighten up and go today....late runner gets ample pace to flatter his late run
14 Lunada Bay  laid up but training as if ready to roll....proven on the SA main track.....will need a very clever ride from the far outside....Smith is having a good 1st week at this meeting
Possible Long-shot: 4 Sirocco Strike  a few lengths short fig wise but is training exceptionally well at of nowhere.....the trainer might have drawn the trump card for this horse
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