Santa Anita for Friday 21 April 2017
Not the easiest of cards to decipher as you can see by the "clarity ratings". Saturday's card looks quite the opposite.
Only a couple of day's left to save some coin on the purchase of our special pub for Churchill Downs on Derby Day which is not only my favorite day of racing every year but the card that I enjoy handicapping more than any all year.
Best of luck as always!
race 1 Â Â average clarity
1  On Draft  enough time off to "right the ship"......decent works......solid turf jock......and drops into easier.......and Eurton and friends likely are well aware of the fact that they might lose the horse this afternoon ......so.......they likely have him primed to run a strong effort
7  County Lineman  nasty duel in latest and at a distance of 9F that is further than this gelding wants to travel......cut back of one furlong.......blinkers off to curb his early speed.....drops a notch......positive rider change especially for a turf race.....seems poised for a strong bid at the winners circle
5  I'malreadythere  rather consistent racing at one mile turf or dirt.......deservedly steps up multiple levels following a strong win where he was caught wide up on the pace.....hardly ever a good place to be unless there is an outside bias which there was not........red hot rider/trainer combo in Prat/Hollendorfer
8 Â Tribal Tribute
race 2 Â Â average clarity
5  She Rules You  Ellis has upped his game the last year or so when it comes to having 1st time starters ready and especially MC 1sters......work tab seems adequate and shows some hints that this youngster has early speed
1  Sapodilla  one post you say.......no problem here as she has drawn it for the 4th straight time today......cut back of one furlong should be a plus.....should be a factor from the opening bell
8  Avaudrey  speed has been solid the last 4 race cards but that is because the wood is the place to be.....so.....Pedroza has do go hard early and get in the 1 or 2 path to have a shot if the track remains the same......he is the right kind of rider for the job
4 Â Seaquet
race 3 Â Â average clarity
5  Fancy Shoes  rather consistent sort but seemingly in need of a drop to hit pay dirt and gets it.......trainer Hendricks appears to be awakening from the doldrums......and the last four times Hendricks dropped multiple levels he won 2 and hit the board in another
6  Kiss Limit  layoff turf sprint in latest sure appears to have muscled up this gelding for D'Amato as his a.m. prowess since is vastly better......owns some solid back numbers and might be up for similar today
7  Hot Paris Night  nice history since switching to route racing.........last fits at today's higher level.....retains Prat who should be able to get on over by turn 1 and sit close to the lead with the tactical speed that this four-year old possesses
3 Â Midnight Rumble
race 4 Â Â below average clarity
7  Where Y'at Joe Joe  blinkers on experiment is over after two attempts with them on........most of his career at today's 6F distance on a fast rated track with them off fit
3  Bolitar  Knapp to Miller off of the claim......Miller has scored with 7 of his last 11 off of the claim......four year old is competing for the 1st time as a gelding........obviously the potential is there for better from this fellow this afternoon
6  Finallygotabentley  predictably failed versus better in his last.......back to facing some foes that he fits just fine against.......seems best competing at today's six panels
2 Â Louden's Grey
race 5 Â Â average clarity
9  Buster Douglas  beaten by 7L at today's 12 furlongs of turf in a Grade 2 and did so with an uncomfortable action for the 1st half of the race.....facing tons softer today.....has shot even if he ist rank once again.....should be very tough if he settles down
5  Oscar Dominquez  sure has appreciated 10 and 11 furlong races....and the way he has been able to finish in those races sure suggest the 12 furlongs of sod will be even more advantageous for him....we shall see
1  Klondike Creek   par like grass race in his latest at 1 1/4 on the sod....that race fits fine here.... but..... his pedigree and the way in which he was flat in the stretch in that 10F race hint 12 furlongs might be stretching things some
8 Â French Getaway
Long-shot consideration:   2  Chewy Round Town  not much in his four lifetime grass races (3 at 1 mile and 1 at 1 1/16) except for the fact he finished decently in all 4.........that and the fact he has a good pedigree to take to marathon racing suggest that he could surprise here
race 6 Â Â average clarity
2  Full of Hope   Ellis is very stout stat wise both 2nd time Laisx and 2nd time at a route.....and drop to maiden 75K seems safe as I don't see anyone paying that amount by the way of a claim for this four-year old colt
4  Orion's Belt  trainer has been dismal dropping from MSW racing into maiden claiming having not won with the move for the last 25 times or maybe even more than that.......but I don't recall too many where the drop was into high-priced MC75K or higher.....and this guy is a five-year old.......race 2 back sure fits and it was run turf to dirt......turf in last.......Desormeaux sticks around
7  Sagittari  horrid trip in MSW debut.....toss it out......acted up some prior to the race in his next start and still managed a decent close to par effort for today's slightly lower MC level............due for something to go right
1 Â Quiet Dude
Long-shot consideration:  5  Dare to Believe  trainer can be quite sneaky and is more than capable of scoring at big prices......here's the story:  3 lifetime starts all bad.....slop in first and then 2 grass races.....might have disliked both surfaces.......been away over a year.....works sure were sharp in late winter.....since than they have been dull .....but every week......1st ever on fast dirt........great name for a long-shot.......hmmmm
race 7 Â Â below average clarity
2  Tangled Up in Ju  good history racing on a fast rated SA main track.......good history with speed rider Maldonado up.........and this lady is a speed horse but she has also won without it......such as deal
1  Miz Strawberry Dee  trainer is at her best turf to dirt and not too bad shipping.......Theriot might be able to work out a nice ground saving mid pack trip......seems dangerous if he does
5  Zulu Petals  rather consistent on fast tracks and Knapp has been dynamite 1st following a claim the last 6 months or so.....I am leery that this one will flatten at 7F some.....but then again if our top and 4th picks press each other hard early she still can run on by even if she is a little gassed
7 Â Swissarella
race 8 Â Â below average clarity
12 AE  Kenda  solid 1st on the SA hill in her latest......3 reassuring works since......retains Baze.....the D'A is deadly with these kind
1  Chocolate Coated  decent MSW debut at today's 6 1/2 furlongs down the majestic SA hill turf course......good work since......and Gary Stevens sticks with the filly for his lone mount of the day.........likely needs a small forward move and seems likely to provide one
7  Upfront  on the improve with every start and retains Prat once again.........should be in the mix from the get go and might find the winners circle if her progress continues today
4 Â Te Amo Mamo
10 Â Tammy's Window
3 Â Moon Kitty