
Santa Anita for Saturday 1 October 2011
[private]
Way to go Southern California racing. Nice size-able fields and plenty of quality. Good luck to all!
race 1 average clarity
4 Kvetch compromised by a bad trip and a lack of pace to close into in mc debut last.....same energy with a smoother journey and she will be tough in this spot
8 Believe Me trainer has won 16 of the last 48 with 2nd time starters and this filly went off at 62 to 1 in her debut and ran a close 3rd.......that strongly suggests she wasn't all that meant or cranked up for her debut
6 Jessakar blinkers off to help staying power for this filly who can fly early but has trouble lasting
5 Silver Street drop in claiming price to lowest level ever should make this filly more competitive today
race 2 average clarity
2 Mental Giant needed MSW debut which was on the sod......good forward move on the AW in last......ready for best today back on the turf which her pedigree suggests should be her preferred surface
1 Big Bad Barry proven she can get out quickly from the 1 hole at 1 mile on the turf......should be prominent from the get go.....positive rider change
6 Silentio prolonged work series topped off by an impressive 6F bullet work seemingly has this 1st timer ready to roll....new sire but mon has tossed 1 grass winner from 1 starter
7 May Weather just claimed off of 2 decent lifetime sprints...1st on the sod but bred OK for it.....jockey upgrade
race 3 slightly above average clarity
7 Hot Ride solid win on conventional dirt in his debut which was run at Crc......last on the AW was fairly decent......big drill since and back to the "dirt"....think will will see lifetime best today
3 Warren's Clyde 2 impressive late runs into soft pace in both lifetime races.....seemingly gets enough heat up front today....might really fly late
6 Forest Souvenir major wake-up in last 1st ever on conventional dirt over at Fpx....very strung out race at the wire for a 4 furlong affair......reassuring drill since
2 Endless Cruise won going away wire to wire in mc debut last and was claimed by Sadler.......would have rated higher if it wasn't for all the speed types in this affair and the lack of success numerous Sadler runners had on opening day
race 4 slightly below average clarity
10 Visual Intensity solid move forward 1st time in the Jones barn in last....tough post at 1 mile on the sod but owns good tactical speed in this spot and has a good speed turf rider aboard
4 Absolutlypositivly consistent grass runner at the distance and consistent on the SA sod......much improved speed in last...might feel real good.......does tend to hang
8 Royal Heat improving sort tries the grass again....only route race on the grass is better than it appears in print
2 Special Kid just claimed but Palma who is good 1st out after the claim and the 2 works under his guidance are solid hints that he has improved this horse
Longshot possibilities: 7 Warrens Wild Thing Alicea seems like a good fit for this mare.....switches to the grass and is bred well enough to handle it...toss out lone grass run because this horse wasn't very developed when she gave it a whirl
race 5 above average clarity
5 Drill improving by leaps and bounds....last was a solid 7F for a two year old...very strong 7F drill since.......fit and ready for 1st at a route of ground...bred to handle it
4 Creative Cause done little wrong it 3 lifetime races......very well bred to get the 1 1/16 at 2
6 Basmati improving sort is not impossible but his pedigree has plenty to prove as far as running long is concerned
race 6 average clarity
3 Ask The Moon shipper has won 2 consecutive Grade 1's at Saratoga wire to wire and looks like lone speed in this spot.....trainer knows how to ship
1 Blind Luck incredible consistency no matter where she runs......has had to deal with a lace of pace setters on numerous occasions......seems likely she will have to once again
7 Zazu should be able to settle into a nice 2nd or 3rd position down the back-side and get 1st crack at our top pick
6 Ultra Blend 3 for 4 at today's distance and could easily be 4 for 4 if it wasn't for a wide 1/2 beaten 3rd at SA....another very special horse in this solid Grade 1 field
race 7 slightly above average clarity
2 Coil only 2 speed types in this race and both are conditioned by Baffert....should be on or near the lead in what may be a slow pace
8 Game On Dude doubt liked the AW at Dmr......can rebound back on conventional dirt......2 for 2 at SA.......same pace scenario as our top choice
4 Preamble last spring: sprint-1 mile-big run at 1 1/16 in a very key group.......this fall: sprint-1 mile- 1/1/8 affair today....believe we will see lifetime best today
7 Awesome Gem 5 wins and 5 seconds in 15 conventional dirt "fast" tracks....will be motoring late
race 8 average clarity
5 Mr. Make Believe works are super so I believe that is why Mandella wants to race now and is willing to run this fellow in a nw2 when he is eligible for a nw....race 2 back is a very bad trip effort....last is quite good too
6 Romeo Royale greatly appreciates the 1 mile distance on the turf....gets a major jockey upgrade especially for the turf....race lacks speed and he seemingly can get a good chase position here
2 Oak Kye Why dangerous speed horse is 1 for 1 at a mile and sharp in the a.m.
8 Anakin strong late runner will be hoping for more pace than anticipated
race 9 slightly below average clarity
6 Final Vindication bred to be a nice sprinter and trains as if he is one.....even his name sounds like a sprinter type horse.....O'Neal 1ster seems ready
4 Coach Sickie 1st timer has one heck of a mother....7 winners from 7 starters and they all won at 2
1 Blueskiesnrainbows Baffert 1ster has training well enough to possibly be ready for his MSW debut
3 Adonis D N A another training up to snuff to possibly be a dangerous 1st time starter
race 10 average clarity
3 Dubawi Heights smooth runner ran a solid 2nd at AP versus better in last.....usually sits close to the pace and that looks advantageous here
2 Cozi Rosie ultra consistent late runner gets Gomez once again who I believe is as good as anyone on late running grass horses...it sure showed in this fillies last race/win/Gomez
4 Malibu Pier loves to sit mid pace and sure looks like she will in this spot........2 wins in 3 starts on the SA grass course and 2 for 2 at today's distance
7 Harmonious big late stretch run in last in a race where she sat too far out of it....sharp works since.....believe she will sit in better striking distance today
Longshot possibilities: 6 Private Affair good looking win versus less but it was her 1st ever in the USA and 1st in 5 months......big 16 to 1 2nd in prestigious Grade 1 in (ARG) last March
race 11 average clarity
11 Sweet Pleasure owns enough tactical speed to overcome a difficult post....last was decent....debut 3 back is quite good
2 Pat's Dream both sprint races including one on the SA surface from off the pace are quite good at today's level.....so blinkers off to take back today...sharp recent drill a plus
8 Game Changer drops a couple of levels and the trainer has won 3 of the last 8 when dropping 2 or more claiming levels
6 Nana Beach horse fits fine but likes to hang in the stretch when it counts the most
10 Once In Awhile works suggest this mare is ready fresh off of the bench today.......not much showing last Jan. but debut race in summer of 2010 is decent
14 Street Rat Crazy shuffled back badly in debut and that's not a good thing in a 4 furlong race....bet to fave in the race.......nasty post but not totally impossible
[/private]