Santa Anita for Saturday 26 September 2015
In celebration of the return of major league racing to Southern California we are offering both days of the Breeders Cup at Keeneland (one of my favorite racetracks) Oct 30th and 31st for $33.95 The 53% savings ends Sept 30th.
Sure like today's card both in exceptional quality and handicapping wise. So I sure hope the track plays fair with the upper 90's heat that the surface needs to cope with. Not to mention how tough the scorching temps can be on some of the thoroughbreds.
Best of luck as always!
race 1 Â Â average clarity
8  Sorcerer's Wildcat  solid forward move in 2nd lifetime start and 1st with the blinkers on........two very impressive (for the given level) drills since.........likely to show even better today
7  Redneck Crazy  last would likely take this race......but.......his only run off of short rest (like today) might not even hit the board......tough call
6  Hopelessly in Love  tightly spaced drills every 5 or 6 days and then finished things off with 3 straight gate works.......leaning towards this fellow being ready for his maiden debut
1  Aeon  likely benefited from his MSW debut as his recent work since his 1st start is quite a bit improved.....expect more today and vs. easier
race 2 Â Â average clarity
2  C. C. Zipp  last might do the trick.........race 2 back is exceptionally strong.......both in final time and pace......big 6F work just 4 days ago......feeling great
6  Sudden Fame  last 4 drills for this Mandella 1ster indicate she is sharp for her MSW debut.......mom has tossed 2 winners from 2 starters both of which were able to win at two
3  Mrs. Norris   19 to 1 in MSW debut hints this Harty 1st timer wasn't all that cranked up for her MSW and yet she showed some ability.........likely to move forward today.....to what degree seems to be the question
5  Forever Darling  looked like a public work-out in MSW debut........should show what she has today
race 3Â Â average clarity
2  Curlin's Fox  3 of 4 lifetime grass races are very strong for this Carla Gaines turf runner.......and the three-year old filly is two for two down the majestic SA hill turf course......Mike Smith knows her well having been aboard for all 6 of her lifetime starts
3  Finest City  both lifetime dirt races are very solid and she is well-bred to handle the green carpet......retains strong turf rider Corey Nakatani
7  Singing Kitty  nicely improved since Chew snatched for $32K late last year.......2 wins and a 2nd in last 3 non-Graded Stakes races (all of which were on the grass) like today
5  Moons Over Broadway  best ever and a fit versus these was her lone race down the SA hill grass course.....and the effort is somewhat hidden by a poor trip
race 4 Â Â average clarity
6  Sunbeamsfromheaven  on the improve with every start.....claimed by Pender (from Hollendorfer) and working well.......trend can continue even with a much lower % trainer now at the helm
8  Swiss Cheese  both lifetime races fit......should be a major player if he holds form
1  Kenjisstorm  been racing above his head.......back to a level he can compete.....blinkers on and a powerful 2/101 5F drill at SA.....very dangerous even from a tough post
2  Next Book  very dangerous early gas and handles the SA dirt.......would have rated even higher if this race was less than 6 1/2F
race 5 Â Â average clarity
4  Nyquist  very impressive in all three lifetime starts......held together despite a 21:90 2nd 1/4 (YIKES) in a 7F affair in latest.......two turns seems to be the only ? mark
5  Hollywood Don  improving in every lifetime start albeit all on the grass........fits fine if he can handle the dirt as well......pedigree for it is fine......all three lifetime races are routes so he might have an endurance advantage
2  On Fire  nice move forward in 2nd lifetime start and 1st at a route............needs the learning process to continue this afternoon.....retains Stevens
8  Mt Veeder  2 for 2 lifetime.......but needs more today..........but Baffert trained........not impossible
race 6 Â Â below average clarity
5  Contemplate   seems likely to sit in a great position as he owns some early gas in a field that lacks it and he has broken cleanly from the gate in all 4 lifetime starts......trainer has done well from limited  starters in 2015
8  Mischief Clem  finished full of run in his 1st race in over 6 months (and 1st ever on the sod) in an abbreviated 5F turf sprint at Dmr.........should welcome 3/16's more ground to put that late pop to better use
2  Native Treasure  another with some early speed and seemingly in a good spot to utilize it........good consistency in 2015......race 2 back at 5F on the turf in better than appears in print
4  Mal Verde  good history down the SA hill and likely to move forward 2nd out following the layoff......not out of this by any means
race 7 Â Â above average clarity
9  Beholder  crushed the guys in a Grade 1 in her latest and appeared to do it very easily.......the great Zenyatta (maybe greatest female of all time) would have had more than one career loss if this (close to Zenyatta's greatness) lady had been around
3  My Monat by far at her best at SA and never has worked any faster.......shot to get loose and attempt to hold off the Calvary charge
7  Wild in the Saddle  nice stalking style.......last might be her best ever and the works hint she is up for the same or better today
5  Kyriaki  two for two with the blinkers on running on the dirt......exits a fast allowance race.........won the race despite not the best of trips......deserves this shot at the big time
race 8 Â Â above average clarity
5  Songbird  powerful wins in both lifetime races.....ultra impressive 7F effort/fig earned in her last.....would have to really dislike two turns not to be a major factor in this Grade 1
8  Jade Princess  broke her maiden at a route in her 2nd lifetime start despite a wide trip......better trip and a move forward and she has a shot........expensive Baffert trainee owns a pedigree to be a good one
1  Pretty N Cool  was put away by our top pick in her latest but still hung on for distant 2nd.......if she turns out to be a better runner at a route and the #5 turns out to only be a sprinter....... she .....has a shot
6  Sheeza Milky Way  seems to have an advantage endurance wise coming off of two straight turf route races.......the last of which is a strong wide run
race 9 Â Â below average clarity
6  Elektrum   filly has really gotten good winning a Grade 2 in latest and in her prior race she was blocked badly in the stretch or could have taken down a Grade 1......works as if she has retained her good form
8  Hard Not to Like  3 for 3 on firm rated turf since Clement took over the training duties ..........comes in with back to back Grade 1 wins.......that'll do
11  Fanticola  consistent and seems loose in this spot........might have to be used early too much from a difficult post (starting on the last turn of hill) or would have rated higher
3  Photo Call  seems likely to get a nice ground saving stalk position which might be a big plus in this affair lacking speed
Long-shot consideration:  5  Three Hearts  look-out if she gets a better trip than her last two races as she likes firm turf and seems likely to get a nice stalk position which she usually responds to......jock is coming off the best meeting of his life
race 10 Â Â above average clarity
8  Bayern  a ton when he shakes free and that sure appears likely today.........brilliant one mile work put in.........one of the better distance drills in S Cal in many a moon
5  Hoppertunity  double barrel action from Baffert also appears razor-sharp in the a.m.......very dangerous with Mike Smith aboard if the 8 horse falters
7  Smooth Roller  bad news trip in last (8L of trip adjustment and only was beaten by 1 1/4L)......funky looking ride by a Hall of Fame jock.......back to T C Baze who is 2 for 2 on the four year old gelding
4  Global View  1st on the conventional dirt in latest and it was the best effort of his 15 race life........sizzling 4F bullet work since.........lifetime best might occur today
race 11 Â average clarity Â
(AE 14 Â Dressed in Hermes is our top pick if he draws in)
1  Recalibrating  both lifetime races fit well and they are at one mile on the grass.....best credentials in the race......and........seemingly a soft field of MSW runners
9  Canada  exits an exceptionally fast heat of MSW grass runners where getting beat by 10 was a fairly decent debut.........should be tough if he builds off of the race which you would think he would
4  William Crotty  37 to 1 in MSW debut says gimme........vastly improved drills since......go today 1st on the grass which he is bred nicely to handle
6  Unapologetic  Eurton is a solid trainer but not much with 1st time starters.....so expect more today in 2nd lifetime start especially as a 1st time gelding and 1st time blinkers......and an improved recent 4F work-out
3 Â Coach Q. Â Baffert two-year old built up his endurance debuting in a dirt route race........should be in good shape endurance wise for his 2nd lifetime start and 1st on the turf
7  Strong Values  55 to 1 route turf MSW debut says........gimme (and not bad of one)........go today in 2nd lifetime start