Santa Anita for Sunday 4 January 2015
Decent card today. On the 1 to 10 scale let's call it a 7. Best "single" of the day is in the 7th. Our top pick should win unless the last race took it's toll.
Best of luck as always!
race 1 Â Â average clarity
3 Oligarch  impressive (hidden last) wide up near the pace.....very sharp in the a.m.......Stra is very reliable when she's on a good horse
7 No Contingency  better since blinkers on.....might snatch the lead again and with the red hot Desormeaux remaining up
5 When We Met  good history at the distance and at SA.......late running threat......dangerous if hot pace develops
6Â Hadfunlastnight
race 2 Â Â average clarity
6 Wade  seemingly best early gas which is hidden to some degree and a good spot for it.......trainer has been firing on all cylinders
1 Logan's Moon  very strong effort in latest.....would have been top choice with a better post at 6 1/2F
8 War Destiny  bet very hard in MSW debut and ran a strong effort.....might need to show a little more early speed here as the race lacks it
4Â Twentytwentyvision
race 3 Â Â average clarity
3 Miss Mandate  might be lead type only.......but....might have lead here.......danger city as route speed usually does well at SA
6 All Star Bob  good 1st at a route in last......private buy since......very dangerous considering the stout new connections
4 Olivia's Garden  game smooth runner......improved last.....likely to improve again.....fits if she does
7Â Devil's Beauty
race 4 Â Â average clarity
7 Metaboss  major league rider upgrade......sharp recent work....best ever likely today
10 Pretentious  big turf route 2 back.....recent drills hint at a rebound to that impressively strong effort
12 Air Nashoba  decent debut last......trainer Carla Gaines is often much better with 2nd timers
3Â Stuffed AnimalÂ
14 AEÂ Harmonic
race 5 Â average clarity
6 Kill Shot  very consistent.......strong hidden last.......bit wide up on a strong set of fractions
3 Willie B Awesome  layoff runner is working up a storm.......solid early speed.....good speed jock aboard
1 Misty'sviewthegold  last is better than appears in print.....deservedly steps up in class today
7Â Memphis
race 6 Â Â below average clarity
6 Doctor Glynis  strong race down the SA hill turf course 3 back.....switch to Bejarano hints she might be up to similar today
7 Acategoryfivestorm  improving sort......fits fine here unless the 6 1/2F is too far for her.....pedigree says it isn't
4 Faith Hope Love  likely leader......but can she stick the 6 1/2F.......might with a reasonable or (of course) slow pace
9Â Nero's Pleasure
Long-shot consideration:  5 Sweetest Secret   low % trainer but not 3rd after layoffs....rider upgrade.....decent somewhat disguised back numbers on the hill
race 7 Â Â above average clarity
4 Rainbow North  seems long gone here as tons the best speed if he has remained in relatively good form
8 Cole Cole   big awakening in last.......not too hot running decent back to back efforts but a big factor in this spot if that changes today
2 Ballard Ruler  some signs of life in last.....new trainer might be an upgrade.......trouble if this gelding is in rebound mode
3Â Unusual Lover
race 8 Â Â average clarity
5 Gender Agenda  has really gotten good of late.....and lone race on the hill is solid ..........and.........a touch hidden
12 Velvet Mesquite  hard to argue with 5 for 6 on the SA hill and seems to be improving to boot
7 Wishing Gate  solid rider upgrade.......OK in 2014.....a monster in 2013......runs well with 2 months between starts and gets it
4Â Heat TrapÂ
Long-shot consideration: 2 Tiz My Valentine  invader loves firm turf and is training great on the firm turf at SA.......super trainer with turf sprinters in Wesley Ward
race 9Â Â above average clarity
6 Miz Graycee  nice move forward in latest........1st on the SA main track......drops......solid if repeats last at today's softer level
9 Lady Danger  also drops and sure is sharp in the a.m. of late........good sign of health that Desormeaux sticks around
3 Won't Be Shaken  another dropping......1st long but dangerous speed and Bejarano up......should be in the hunt from the get go
7Â Honey Nugget
5Â Caymus Kat
11 AEÂ Mama's TrashedÂ
4Â Albany Candy