
Santa Anita for Thursday 29 March 2012
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Fairly decent card for a Thursday.
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race 1Â Â Â slightly below average clarity
1 So Tempted   rebounded in last and and returns with much shorter rest.....gets Gomez who is riding just a couple each day since his rehab for injury ......and........ his horse's all seem to be live mountsÂ
3 Asabu  claimed way back in August by Deleon and has been laid up since....but...she sure trains as if she is meant and ready fresh off of the bench for her new connections
4 A Natural  away from the races for 13 months and returns with a new conditioner in M Pender.........works seem decent and I doubt this is a tune-up because Pender would likely have used a non-claiming event for a tune-upÂ
race 2Â Â Â average clarity
4 Sister Esperanza   nice forward move in 2nd lifetime start both final time and pace wise......solid recent 5F drill....and finally receives a better post after 2 consecutive 1 post draws
6 Endless Fancy  also made a major improvement in 2nd lifetime start and it was off a 1 year hiatus from the track.......decent shot for horse today 2nd out off of an extended layoff
3 Rock And Glory  bet hard in MSW debut on the grass especially for a Yakteen 1st timer.........decent run after a poor start down the hill.....just drilled a blistering 2 of70 5/8ths work on the SA dirt......all systems go for 2nd lifetime start
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race 3Â Â Â slightly above average clarity
7 Anna You're Up  2 consecutive sharp races on the dirt (race was taken off the turf in last).......and Mitchell still wants the grass for this 3 year old.......good enough for me
6 Huntington Harbour  toss out her last her lone turf race because she appears to have gotten injured to some degree in that race which was run last Oct......work tab strongly suggests she is returning ready to roll for another attempt to handle the sod
5 Lika  moved forward in last........Farma turns to Stra who has done well for the trainer lately......another forward move seems likely but it might need to be a significant one.........unless our 1st and 2nd picks don't end up appreciating grass racing
8 Fluxx  won despite a significant fall off figure wise in last......needs a rebound and maybe the turf will provide the catalyst for one
 Possible Longshot:  4 Stormy Anna  not too bad of a layoff run in last.........might be in the hunt here if this mare builds upon the effort......very low % jock but he seems best on the turf
race 4Â Â Â slightly above average clarity
2 Plazarita  very wide trip in last and checked a couple of lengths on the 2nd turn and still won going away at the wire in her latest racing endeavor.....decent work tab since.......well spotted to win
5 Warren's Hopeful  positive trainer and rider switch.....work tab suggests the horse is responding to his new more capable connections
4 Negra Tomasa  layoff sprint prep was better than appears in print.....horrid check after the start.......showed life after that....only lifetime route race (albeit on the AW) is quite good.......and bullet work since....sure seems ready for best
1 Belle Gallantey  route races fit but they really aren't any better than our top 3 selections so the favorite best bring her "A game" or she is beatable
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race 5Â Â Â average clarity
3 Perfecta  solid MSW debut down the hill in early Jan.........love the tight interval training for this filly put into her by Mitchell.......wound up and ready to roll off of the 81 day layoff
5 Sydney's Darling  on the right end of the learning curve and few reasons not to believe the this filly won't improve once again
9 Swingaway  impressive MSW turf debut in that this filly put in a solid stretch run from far back with a semi-soft pace being set up front
7 Nihilist  has gone backwards a little each time in 2 starts since her lifetime debut.......needs a wake-up and maybe her 1st run ever on the sod can provide it.....good sign Rosario sticks with the filly for a 4th straight race
race 6Â Â Â average clarity
6 Nifty Dream  solid forward move in last........solid work since her last.......solid rider upgrade =  top pick
1 Flashy Rae  caught wide in both lifetime starts........cut back of 1/2 furlong appears to be a plus.......and should be able to save some ground this time starting from the 1 hole
9 Arinyes Love  another who should appreciate the abbreviated sprint distance of 5 1/2 F......trainer is historically good back with short rest and dropping down a level....that is the case today
10 Vegas Rules  debut fits fine......last does not......rebound likely today but she will need a clever ride or a few scratches to overcome a difficult outer-most 10 post
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race 7Â Â Â average clarity
4 Holladay Road  back to Gomez who gets the most out of this 7 year old.....and so does Julio Canani......best ever on the sod was his effort/figure at today's distance of 1 1/8
2 Fire With Fire  great past weekend for Hall of Fame trainer Drysdale.......trainers often win in bunches and this laid up 1st ever in the Drysdale barn runner is training sharply
6 Massone  fell of some in last....race 2 back is solid.......likes today's distance.......seems as good as anyone if we get the effort 2 back combined of course with a good trip
5 Hurricane Lake  will need lifetime best but Victor Garcia is firing with just about everything he sends out.....dangerous
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race 8Â Â Â slightly below average clarity
8 Bay Street  1st timer is training as if ready for his debut and his trainer Dean Pederson has a good recent track record with his 1st timers in S Cal.......good spot for a 1st starter as this looks like a very soft group
4 Uncle Dennys Gift  another 1st trainer working fairly well and hoping to take advantage of this soft bunch of Cal-breds
2 New Hire  repeat of lone lifetime start back in Nov. at RP seemingly would fit here.....drills are solid in preparation for today's race......low % trainer is a negative that has to be overcome
1 Alworth  debut 2 back was decent.......last was poor......his 1st out after the claim by Lewis who is stout 1st out after the claim.....so......that makes for a big ? mark for today as far as a rebound is concerned
11 Spensive's Image  refused to break in lone start back in Nov........good conditioner has had 4+ months to teach the gelding some better habits
5 Chittagong  showed nothing in MSW debut 3 weeks ago........but does take that ever dangerous drop out of MSW racing
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