
Santa Anita for Wednesday 3 March 2010
Handicappers Corner
After 2 straight good looking and successful cards in a row this one seems to be a lot more challenging. It's kind of ironic but I usually take quite a bit more time trying to decipher bad cards. Good races jump out at me and the handicapping process is quick. Anyway I did my best, I just hope it's good enough.
Take note the the morning line odds on our top selection in the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 8th are 6, 5, 12 and 4 to 1 respectively.
Race 1 average clarity
2 Akeela strong move forward in 2nd lifetime race and seeing that Mitchell trains another move forward is highly likely
5 Miss Olivia K wide trip in maiden debut and still only beat by a length....decent fig......positive rider switch...somewhat concerned about only 3 works in 2 months since that debut
3 Ava's Charm 26 to 1 in MSW debut has tune-up written all over that race....drops and is probably pointed for today's endeavor
Race 2 below average clarity
4 Right To Work barn sure has been getting it done back in 5 or 6 days.....that and the drop makes her the filly to beat
3 Bye Bye Hollywood good history fresh....positive rider switch...jock won his last mount he got from the barn...takes a small drop
6 Such Fortune only win came from drop out of a non-claiming event to a claiming event....same scenario to today
Race 3 slightly below average clarity
7 Oui Say Oui has a work series from Sadlerthatsuggests this filly might rebound and if she does she would be very tough
4 Rosey De Megeve very solid against as good or better in in France.....may have needed USA start especially seeing that the barn used a low % apprentice rider...Talamo up today a big plus especially considering the race is on the hill
5 Silver Games first time in the good old U S of A and training up to snuff to be considering ready...good rider / trainer team
Race 4 below average clarity
2 Letsgetitright solid debut and it's a good sign that he steps up in claiming price and doesn't take the 4 lb weight break as he did at the 32K level....inotherwords now in for 40K versus 28K before
5 Duke Of Aspen both races run on the AW when this colt wore blinkers fit in this spot
3 Tis bombed in MSW debut in early Dec but that was a route...on the turf....with odds of 76 to 1...last couple of drills say ready for the Maiden 40K level
race 5 slighty below average clarity
8 Sandy Cheeks stepping up seemingly is a good sign considering how strong the recent drills (blinkers on) are.....especially for a guy like Abrams who doesn't push then too hard in the morning
2 Siberian Heat filly has been back in very short rest 3 times and won 2 of those races....last run on the AW 3 back wasn't too bad especially considering a low % rider was aboard....Espinoza is up today
7 Neeko may have needed last and the fact that Gomez sticks around supports that....small but capable barn
3 Dinner With Nikki C consistent sort keeps stepping up the ladder with success....gets a nice 5 lb break from all others with a good apprentice in the irons
race 6 above average clarity
5 Bulldogger very powerful run in career start last August at the prestigious Saratoga meeting....best set of drills for a laid up runner from the Baffert barn in quite some time.....should be prominent from the start
2 Mr. Saturdaynight colt has done all his running on the SA Pro-ride surface....solid return off of a 7 week layoff in last and has an improved work since....high likelihood this fellow moves forward
8 Thomas Baines not the best of trips this Winter for this gelding who has been facing somewhat better.....switch to Bejarano who has been getting it done for O'Neil the last 2 months or so
6 Timbavati last time this colt worked a bullet prior to his race he won....he has once again.......new barn keeps surprising and may once again.......colt is bred nicely to handle the middle distances
race 7 average clarity
4 Victoryasecret sharp AW runner....sharp GG trainer....very sharp (I mean business) work tab......only grass race is a toss out because this mare broke tardy and then got pushed out very wide in a totally pace-less race....her pedigree for the sod is good enough
8 Century Park out of nowhere this sporadic filly is popping significant bullet drills.....big race 3 back which was at SA on the turf and at today's distance........it was very strong for this level
1 Skedee highly consistent grass cutter sits on or close to the pace in 90 % of her races and should once again breaking from the 1 post....really digs in in the stretch
7 Exquisite very consistent sort on firm turf which should be today's grass condition....good chance Espinoza can get over and save some ground on turn 1 because horses seem to be either fast or slow early and she is usually a mid pack type
race 8 average clarity
1 Figeac love speed horse's that learn to rate and that's the case here with the 1 horse......picked him on top in his last race and he didn't disappoint not only winning but popping a big fig......drop is a small concern but seems logical to me
10 No Grande likes the 7F distance and many do not......can sit in a nice stalking position.....Rivera my finally get a win
5 Lardog exits a very key race with both the 1st and 2nd place winners coming back to score in their next out and score impressively
13 Saint Chocolate last 6 or 7 races all fit fine for the 10K claiming level
11 Sea Rascal only win came in 2nd lifetime start....similar today in that this is the 2nd out after a 7 month layoff