
Santa Anita for Sunday 1 January 2012
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Welcome to 2012!
race 1 average clarity
1 You Can Dream appreciates the SA main track and gets a positive rider change.....laid up since August but training sharply for his new trainer
5 Five Star Dave Hollendorfer is usually all business with laid up drop downs....sharp work tab and won his only race on conventional dirt by 10 lengths..........albeit at a much weaker circuit
7 Mona Storm likes 4 to 5 weeks between starts and gets it.......2 for 3 on conventional dirt and just fired best AW race ever....might be sitting on a good effort
6 Real Housewife small drop can help here....1st ever on the "dirt".....most likely will need a small move forward or a perfect trip to compete for the top prize
race 2 average clarity
10 D'wildbunch last 2 of 3 races are solid efforts......might have been back a little too quick in a somewhat dull race 2 back.......gets ample rest this time
9 Sheriff Hutton the always dangerous laid up maiden special weight drop down here
2 Rio Good consistent sort adds blinkers....good history for Sherlock 1st time blinkers......cut back of 1/2 furlong looks like a good thing
11 Papa P B good work tab for this O'Neill 1st timer....sure seems well meant and ready to roll
Long-shot Possibilities: 1 Royal Alexander owns solid early speed and Miller has been on fire in 5 1/2 furlong maiden claimers
race 3 average clarity
6 Macias fires fresh......prefers firm turf.......seldom has faced easier....and seemingly owns the controlling speed here....good trainer/rider combo
2 Muny impressive consistency and well proven on the SA hill turf course
7 My Summer Slew laid up since Feb since he bled over lasix......rest can do this kind wonders and the works suggest he is ready.......1 for 2 on the SA hill turf course
4 Striking Spirit strange to see a 7 year old GB invader.....but he has only been off since October and the works looks good......might be dangerous....tough call
race 4 average clarity
6 Jim's Decision seems to have tailed off some but might awaken back on the SA dirt where he fired his best lifetime effort by quite a lot........off pace runner seemingly gets plenty of heat front
8 Indian Knight might see a big turn around with this Baffert runner that has lacked staying power as he is using a different tactic with gelding training him for endurance instead of speed with a series of solid 5 & 6 furlong drills instead of repeated 4F works....Baffert is such an incredibly sharp trainer
5 Absolutcat last looks like the gimme to drop and go go go.........best ever was his lone run on the SA main track
12 Jack Reacher needs time between starts and Spawr shows patience and gives it to him......hot trainer/ rider combo.....so far this gelding is a lead type only but he might be speed of the speed and Smith can get them flying early
race 5 average clarity
5 Equitana terrific BRZ invader is training fabulously for Avila.......he is usually one tough conditioner when he works his horse's so powerfully
6 Rumor the epitome of consistency (6-3-3-0) with few reasons not to believe she will be competing for the win once again
7 Saint Isabelle Puype sure could use a pick me up after a tough day yesterday....as could we.....this mare is 2 for 2 at the distance...runs well fresh....and 1 for 1 on the SA dirt track
2 A Jealous Woman decent move forward in last and will need the trend to continue.....1st ever on conventional dirt but bred fine for it
race 6 below average clarity
2 Born Flirt good forward move in last........1st on the sod but good breeding for it.......sharp work tab......trainer is oh so tough 3rd out after layoffs
5 Bench Glory has had many bad trips in her 5 race career on the main track....1st on the turf but nicely bred for it.....last chance for Blanc to get the job done before he gets booted?
9 Princess Suances speed type who lacks endurance sure has been fortunate with pace scenarios lately.....enters another affair lacking in speed types
3 There Is Limit pace scenario doesn't seem too favorable for this late runner but Berrios sure does a nice job with late running grass sprinters
Long-shot Possibilities: 8 True Way Of Grace dangerous rider/trainer team so far this SA meeting......figs in last 2 turf endeavors are par like.....failed in lone race down the hill but it was on a turf course rated good
race 7 below average clarity
7 Tales Of Tiger very solid efforts considering today's lower level in races from 5 to 6 furlongs....6F today
4 Mentidoso good move forward in last and now drops a couple of notches....great shot to win if still the same horse as 3 weeks ago....Carava could use a win
5 Bryan Daniel improving sort should appreciate the cut back in distant... .Eswan Flores is is finally becoming a good apprentice rider.....so the 7 lbs off sure can be a significant advantage
6 Zilver dangerous Kitchingham speed-ball invader fired 3 strong fast track efforts in California and then failed in 2 consecutive off tracks out east......back to sunny Cal for today
race 8 above average clarity
1 Baubble Queen positive rider switch.....should get the trip sitting fairly close up.....looks as if the 1 1/8 mile distance will be a good fit
3 City To City does her best running at today's 1 1/8 mile distance.....closer can fly late especially if there is more pace up front than yours truly envisions
2 Celestial Kitten race totally lacks speed......can sit on or near the front and Smith most likely will be able to save plenty for the stretch
race 9 average clarity
13 Have A Cigar blinkers off to slow down in the early stages some and save something in the tank for the stretch....7F looks like a good fit and it won't be for many in here
6 Sabe oddly mostly the same as above...... blinkers off to slow down in the early stages some and save something in the tank for the stretch....7F looks like a good fit and it won't be for many in here....trainer is stellar sprint-route-sprint
5 Buds Pal trainer popped for a 7 to 1 winner in 114 flat for 6 1/2 furlongs in a conditioned claimer yesterday......yikes......debut last looks like a tune-up....drills since his debut indicate the pedal will be to the medal this afternoon
2 Officer Bavette improving horse continues to train like a healthy horse for a low % trainer
7 On A Burner 48 to 1 strongly suggests the maiden debut was needed....tighter horse for today
4 Push Button Magic tough call with this Ellis 1st timer......good foundation but not much speed applied.....might be a late running 1st timer
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