
Santa Anita for Saturday 8 October 2011
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Not too bad of a Saturday card. At first glance the card for Sunday looks even better.
race 1 average clarity
6 Midnight Transfer Carla Gaines has been firing on all cylinders to start the SA meet.......solid MSW debut for this runner somewhat hidden by a poor trip
1 Frenemy Baffert charge sure looks ready off of a solid series of drills......mom has tossed 3 winners from 3 starters and they all won at 2
3 Castaway bad trip in 2nd lifetime start after a nice 2nd in MSW debut.....new jock today in Sutherland who has done a nice job for Baffert with her limited opportunities
5 Blacky The Bull 2 decent lifetime races but we most likely to see a little more and we might get it with a rider upgrade
race 2 average clarity
4 Fire Break very consistent sort should get a good ground saving near the front position....right up her alley
3 Winsome Charm shipped to GG and didn't fire her best.......back home and has worked like a rebound can occur.....solid grass figs most of this summer
1 Porfido nine year old seems to be on the rebound.....good post and P Val is 2 for 2 on the old man
8 Stoneside ultra consistent sort will need a clever ride from the outer-most post in a one mile affair
race 3 slightly below average clarity
2 Distinctly on the improve....sure liked conventional dirt at Fpx.....should be prominent from the opening bell
7 Gregor 2 straight bad trips hides form.......best ever was lone effort on the SA main track.....sharp recent 6F drill....all systems go
1 Private Bounty 4 straight 2nd's at today's level all since O'Neill claimed.......very impressive bullet drill on the SA surface......dent shot to see more horse today
5 Imperial Pride runs decent fresh and is fresh today.....Mike Smith appears to be waking up some
race 4 slightly above average clarity
1 The Factor appears to be lone speed in this spot.....wins going eye to eye (with big pace) with his competition......so he will have to toss a clunker or catch a bad speed day not to put in a big effort
5 Amazombie very consistent animal appears to love the SA conventional dirt course
3 Square Eddie needed last and has worked strongly since.......1 for 1 on the new SA dirt track....poised for top effort
race 5 average clarity
3 Rock This Way improving sort's 1st on the grass but is bred to handle.....trainer seems to be ready with his stock at the new meeting...should be on or near the lead from the get go
12 Rauschenberg best grass horse in the race but a nasty post......might still be a factor for the win with a so so trip
6 Silver Spur AUS import has been away since May but Drysdale is solid with 3 to 6 month layoffs and if this invader is ready for his U S of A debut he should fit
9 Bailouttheminister 1 for 1 on the sod.....only bad race in last 5 was his lone run on conventional dirt....vet scratch 3 Sept but has worked nicely since
Possible Longshot: 8 El Mirage King 1 for 1 down the SA hill and it was his 2nd lifetime start......so 2nd out after a layoff sure seems like a good spot for another solid run down the grassy hilltop
race 6 slightly below average clarity
6 Moonlighting caught 3 wide stalking a solid pace and only got beat by 1 1/2 lengths in MSW debut....solid effort.....gelding was trained at GG and shipped to Mitchell for the aforementioned debut....now Mitchell is training him.......yikes
8 Getting lucky very wide trip in layoff last hides another solid MSW effort for this gelding who is quite a bit better than appears in print
11 Johnny Be Mine 1st timer is very nicely bred for a Cal-bred and is training solidly showing both speed and endurance in his work regiment
7 Troy Story sure is on the right end of the learning......fits well if the trend continues....comes from a nice family
Possible longshot: 9 Broadway Nika small but very dangerous outfit.....MSW debut last sure looks like a gimme....works since his 1st start are better.....rather sure we will see more animal today
race 7 slightly above average clarity
5 Victoryasecret terrific history for this mare when loose on the lead or chasing......sure looks loose here.....Krigger is 3 for 3 on the mare
3 Andina should sit 2nd, 3rd, or 4th saving ground which will leave something in tank for her challenge in the stretch
4 Whisper Louie horrendous trip in last or would have gotten her 2nd straight placing in a Grade 2.....ran in sprints in GB so I doubt shortening in distance 1/8 is a bad thing
7 All Star Heart last 3 races fit well fig/effort wise.....but it doesn't look like the race sets too well for her late running style
race 8 average clarity
7 Mona Storm has been running solid figs for this level all summer long.....low % trainer but not when he drops....1 for 1 on conventional dirt
8 Siempre Esperanza 3 of 4 lifetime efforts are solid at today's level......reassuring solid recent drill....."dirt is a ? mark but bred fine for it
5 Teenage Dancer most of career fits fairly well at today's 12,5000nw2 claiming level....1st on conventional dirt is a ? mark....more so than our 2nd selection
2 Forty Ninth Galaxy last 4F maiden breaking win at Fpx wasn't too bad and may get overlooked by many.......Vergara sure is showing he can ride with the big boys
race 9 average clarity
3 John Johny Jak can get a beautiful trip chasing the speed and saving some ground......excellent history at today's distance....very sharp in the a.m.
6 Mr. Commons never better....does tend to run wide or would have been top pick-a-roo
9 Monterey Jazz decent move forward in last and working solidly since......big back numbers when loose on the lead and he has a decent shot to get clear versus these
7 Crown Of Thorns very solid Grade 1 and Grade 2 runner on the main track tries the grass with average at best grass pedigree
race 10 average clarity
12 Warren's Wanna Be two fairly solid lifetime races under her belt but more importantly training sharper on the SA dirt surface....believe best ever today
7 Punch Drunk both lifetime efforts/energy are slightly better then par for today's lower level.......positive rider switch
4 Sea Of Beauty 6 to 1 in a 5 horse field at Fpx and for a hot hot trainer says the race was needed and more can be expected this afternoon
2 Bulletgirl solid wake up in latest both pace and final time wise......MSW races run in late Spring fit and the horse seems to be back in form....can be prominent from the get go
10 Hanserella has shown life in both lifetime races....positive rider change
6 Just Delish bad trip in MSW debut just 2 weeks ago over at Fpx.....trainer is decent with 2nd timers
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