Santa Anita for Friday 25 March 2016
Less than 4 days to take advantage of the early bird sign-up for Kentucky Derby Day full card selections (or save a bundle and purchase all 5 special pubs for 2016) and save 5 dollars.
So so card this afternoon. Not what I was hoping for following a lackluster day yesterday.
Best of luck as always!
race 1 Â Â average clarity
4  Mc Boomer  dynamite record at one mile on the grass (8 5 1 1)......sprint race down the hill at one claiming level higher should set her up nicely for today's one mile grass race........Glatt has won with 4 of the last 12 when he sends out a horse for the 2nd time when taking over the training duties which is the case here
5  Swiss Skimmer  sure appears loose on the lead and you have to like that the more than capable Frank Alvarado comes on down to S Cal to ride......sky high percentage trainer Jonathan Wong at the helm (34% in 2015/16 with 157 starters)
2  Toppers Sunshine  last time this mare ran off of an extended layoff like today she won for fun.......and Robert Diodoro has had a good SA meeting.......dangerous fresh runner
race 2 Â Â average clarity
1  Kafister  fired one of the most powerful sprints we have seen at the SA meeting 2 races back on New Years Day.......he was caught 3 wide up on a strong set of fractions and still ran 108:3.....yikes......that race was run 55 days rest.........57 days rest today
3  Raised a Secret  by far at his best at 6F.....very solid when competing in allowance or non Graded Stakes races......conditioned alw race today
4  Spirit Rules  might be the speed of the speed here......laid up since mid August but one of racing's handicapping axioms fits here.....that is that fresh speed is often dangerous speed
race 3 Â Â average clarity
5  Pulmarack  seems pointed for this race off of a very impressive work regiment in his 1st race on his favorite surface for quite some time......and Hollendorfer is not messing around getting Bejarano to ride his four-year old for the very 1st time
6  Real Big Deal  lead type only seemingly gets what he needs here and with 5 lbs off using a good bug boy in Lopez
2  Matriculate  very strong sprint races in his 1st two lifetime races which were run last year......tough trips since especially his layoff run in last ( broke 3 slow and ran way too wide).......trained great prior to that race.....and has trained great since......1st at a route but owns a pedigree that is OK (as in not great but OK) to handle one
race 4 Â Â below average clarity
7  Dalmore  solid layoff run in his last at 7 panels should set this colt up well for his 1st ever at a route of ground on the dirt.......and he might own the most ES in the field.......believe Desormeaux will sit 1st or 2nd down the back stretch in a reasonable pace....should be tough if that occurs
6  Inhibition  only one lifetime race fits well and it was the only time he ran at today's 8 1/2 furlong distance.......that race was run off of short rest as is today's.....seems meant and dangerous
5  Ya Antabttsy  work tab hints this 1ster is ready to rock n roll for Baltas and company and he sure is bred to appreciate a route of ground......dangerous looking first timer
4 Â Uninvited
race 5 Â Â below average clarity
5  Dreaming of Gold  seems better with the blinkers off and they come off today following 8 straight races with them on......not the best of trips in last two races......seems to fire to some degree every outing
2  Malko  solid 12 furlong effort on the grass in last......and the cut back of 2 furlongs today seems to be a plus......should have plenty in the tank when push comes to shove in late stretch
6  Excessive Kid  last which was run off of a 2 yr layoff was nothing more than a public work-out to gear up and be fully fit for today's race.......and why not as he graduated in his 2nd lifetime start
3 Â Trifecta
race 6 Â Â average clarity
6  Dinner at Trani's  just missed his diploma 26 days ago at today's same level and also at a route......two very reassuring works since and 1st time with the man........as in Mr Bejarano.......seems likely to get a nice stalk or mid pack position behind questionable front-runners
10  Speed Saver  last sure fits solidly and believe he is up for a similar effort today but he has drawn a somewhat difficult post.......or........would have been top pick-a-roooo
7  Viewfromthepulpit  very wide trip in last or could have graduated.......like the way he finished in the race with the blinkers taken off for the 1st time.....they remain off for today......shot to take this affair with a smarter ride
4 Ubettereconizeson
race 7 Â Â above average clarity
1  Mr. Cartagena  speed type has been unlucky with the number of speed challengers he usually has had to face.....but not today......seems loose and dangerous in this spot
6  Ain't Misbehavin  last 4 races sure fit at today's lower level........multi-level drop is slightly suspicious but he did work a decent 5/8ths drill a week ago........let's call it 60/40 that his good health has remained intact
8  Foolhardy  very consistent sort and seemingly on any surface........that is rather unusual........not out of this race by any means
7 Â Deputy's Command
race 8 Â Â average clarity
5  Fooled Again  racing for the lowest claiming level of his career......wanted a 32K race on 6 March but the race was taken off of the turf......so willing to risk him for 25K as the connections want a race on the hill which he owns a good pedigree to handle......kind of dull in last couple of dirt races but his work tab strongly suggests a rebound
6  I'll Wrap It Up  (4 0 3 1) down the hill and his off pace style sure fits this affair loaded with speed especially for a 25K race down the hill......does tend to hang though......thus .........2nd selection (only 1 win in 22 races on the grass).....should be flying late
1  Mr. Sexy   speed of the speed (maybe) but at what cost......rail is out to the 30 ft position which is a plus if he does manage snatching the front end
3 Â Rangi
7 Â Zuri Chop
2 Â Second Proposal