Santa Anita for Thursday 2 April 2015
Not much of a card today but I have accomplished more advance studying than I usually do (Santucci's are hosting Easter Sunday) and Friday and Saturday look very good.
Best of luck as always!
race 1 Â Â average clarity
4  Prettypreciousheir  strong race in last nearly winning despite dueling on a dead rail........claimed by Sadler in the race and if he gets this filly to repeat her last she should be very very tough in this spot......but I don't like the fact he puts her in for $40K instead of $50K......makes me leery that she has remained in good health.........seems like a 50/50 proposition
5 Â Jackie K Â woke up some in 2nd lifetime start.........been away since that mid Jan race but hasn't missed a beat in the a.m. since.......training much better these days.........rather sure she makes a solid (likely necessary) move forward this afternoon
1  Miz Penelope  back to the level Baltas claimed her for and it was at today's same 6F distance on the dirt.......and the 6F race was a very key race........danger cityÂ
race 2 Â Â below average clarity
5  Warren's Sallyized  decent efforts when "fresh" (and that is somewhat hidden) .......trainer appears to want this four year old ready with the history he has shown when "fresh".......5 straight gate works supports the notion
1  Senor Pegasus  by far a different (better) individual when racing at 5 1/2 furlongs or less......bug boy is only 7% win in 2014/15 but he has looked good on this fellow
2  Spirited Jacob  works for this Miller 1st timer might be good enough to compete in this bottom level mc
6  Somethingaboutnick   good early speed but no staying power.....maybe blinkers on for today helps
race 3 Â Â below average clarity
2  Sheer Talent  whole career basically fits at today's racing level...........just claimed by Mulhall and she has put a nice reassuring 4F work into her new shooter........six year old has a shot at paying some dividends right off the bat
6  Cousin Ricky  decent history running at SA with the blinkers on.......away since August but working very well considering today's level of racing......like the small step up in claiming......believe this four year old gelding is doing quite well and is ready to roll
5  Endless Cruise  poor journey in latest hides a race that fits well at today's lower level.......health is a ? mark as this is only his 9th race in 4 years
7  Shane On Alex  one or two races and usually done......the kind you would have ready fresh off of the bench like today
race 4 Â Â average clarity
2  Badasmywifeletsmbe  definitely on the right end of the learning curve and now drops........should be a factor from the get go on or near the lead which is often a good thing with the turf rail out 30 feet
3  Advisory  Deja Vu?????........8 Feb 2014 sprint (went off at odds of 19 to 1) to 5 April 2014 route led to a strong one mile grass race........last ran on 8 Feb 2015 in a  sprint at odds of 24 to 1.......April 2nd one mile grass race today........hmmmm
7  Smart Journey  better at a route ......like the switch in riders to Gonzalez who has hit the board 8 of his last 9 for Glatt with 3 wins
4  Misdeed  needs to be ready as this gelding seems to need 6 to 8 weeks between starts.......bad news trip in last hides him someÂ
Long-shot consideration:  5  Warren's Nicholas  blinkers on and some recent decent speed drills.......likely to sit closer today........small drop helps
race 5 Â below average clarity
8  Valley Cat  significant somewhat alarming drop......but......why not as this Hollendorfer runner hasn't won for the stout conditioner since he claimed him back in April of last year.........and if he doesn't lose him he has a runner eligible for some low level starter hcp races in the futureÂ
4  Old Man Lake  seems to appreciate the SA dirt surface and it showed in a 21 to 1 upset sprint win in last........and the effort was produced following a long layoff........like the step up of two claiming levels......likely muscled up off of the race......one mile seems within his range......hot trainerÂ
2  Take A Risk  so so in last......but solid races hidden by goofy trips in two previous races.......rebound/good trip needed
5  Two Is To Many   dangerous fresh speed type......can't be claimed........plenty of work.......possibly ready
race 6 Â Â average clarity
2  Little Curlin  first at the mini-marathon distance of 1 1/4 but bred to run all day long...........seems likely to get a good trip and with Bejarano at the controls who is 6 for his last 17 for Hollendorfer over the last two months
3  Wanstead Gardens  1st time gelding + a strong 6F bullet work = operation successful.......bred to run all day long even though he really hasn't shown that too much to date......beleive this four year old will now following his surgery
6  Cervaro  20 to 1 in layoff last for a Sadler alw horse hints the race was needed and more will occur today
5  Crucero  interesting pedigree for longer distances like 1 1/4 miles.......stout brother team
race 7 Â Â average clarity
2  Chester B  exits a fast heat versus older where his effort in this spot works out to be better than par.......trainer seldom gives much away but that might be the case here........owner appears to have a pocket full of cash........claiming and buying privately copious thoroughbreds
3  Visitation  improving sort takes a small drop in claiming and gets 1st time Bejarano......trainer sure could use a win......might get his 1st of the meet here thus earning a visitation to the winners circle
9  Empowering Force  been in the mix in all 4 lifetime route races.......small drop and decent recent works.........should fit here if jock can overcome the outer-most 9 post
5  Papa Kade  faced way too tough in last.......back to reality today
race 8 Â Â average clarity
3  War Destiny  trains super......bet hard in each race and he has run well but not up to the impressive works........switch to the turf today with a good pedigree for it..........sometimes "morning glory's" fire big when switching to the sod (no dirt flying around?)
2  Bellamy Concerto  on the improve.......retains Stevens (only mount of the day)......and he has shown he can handle the unique SA hill grass course........seems poised for a good one
6  Architop  1st timer flashed 3 straight solid gate works in a row......since then some nice endurance building maintenance works.........stout connections often go off at a price with their successful 1st timers
4  Hauler  new trainer with limited history has won with 2 of his last 3 2nd out after a layoff (and the other hit the board)
8  Barbary Coast  wanted turf in debut (still went off at 5 to 1) but the race was moved to the dirt.....gets turf today.....big recent speed drill
9  Miraglo   away 15 months but returns training quite well for Cliff Sise who has been rather dangerous since returning to the thoroughbred trainer profession