Santa Anita for Friday 4 June 2021
Our special full card publication for Belmont Stakes Day (13 races with four Grade 1's, one Grade 2 and one Grade 3) on June 5th is now available for purchase.
20 cent pick 6 carryover now stands at $354K at SA. Note that there is a SHF carryover in race 8 today.
Saturday's Santa Anita selections will be posted by 6 AM Pacific to help accommodate those wanting to play the Belmont card as well.
Best of luck as always!
race 1 above average clarity
5 Seven Charms poor trip in her latest run way back in Feb. as she checked and was rank and also wide somewhat........away since but training as if Mike (hot of late) McCarthy has his colt ready to put forth the same energy as he did in the Feb version of today's 9F MC50K turf race.......hopefully with a decent trip.......jock upgrade should help accomplish that task
2 Lemonade Stand latest race is an improvement and now this Yakteen four year old gets to race another furlong of sod which his pedigree suggests should be a plus.......race lacks speed and he has a enough to grab one of the 1st two slots in the early stages of this 9F affair
1 My Indy
race 2 average clarity
5 Wild Arch last three efforts/figs sure stand out here and the series of 5 works since her latest suggests Saavedra has her ready following a 7 week break........good to see Baze stay put as all four of his dirt rides on this filly were smooth trips
3 Exchange Vows race lacks speed and this three year old filly appears to have the most........that and she is training awfully well considering the low level of racing.......inside route speed does well at SA
1 Nicole Grace
race 3 average clarity
1 Miss O'Brien three year old filly should get the lead if she handles her 1st ever endeavor on the sod.......and if she does she should be in the drivers seat because with the rails out 30 feet like they are today has favored horses sitting 1st or 2nd ........they have won at a very high rate over the last month......and we get a speed jock in Maldonado to boot
5 Unusual Dancer tough to measure the Tup turf invaders (dirt runners are just the opposite) but this mare does have speed so if she fits ability wise she should benefit from the rails out 30 feet like they are today as the horses sitting 1st or 2nd out of turn one have won at a very high rate over the past month or so
3 Sunshine Babe
race 4 below average clarity
5 Ruby Ray MSW 1st time starter sure appears "well meant" in her debut as O'Neill finished off her 8 work series with 3 straight gate solid drills and the last two put in were on the SA surface
1 Precious Insight price shot showed little in her MSW debut but her a.m. work since is quite impressive........apprentice rider Pyfer gets the call and she does a great job of breaking from the one hole........believe this two year old has some speed and hopefully uses it here
6 Harddiane
race 5 average clarity
4 Lucky Peridot Miller's five year old mare drops multiple levels but that doesn't concern me much as Peter has raced her for today's $25K tag in the past.......that and I like the route-sprint-route maneuver for a Miller turf horse
3 Zabava filly does well 2nd out following a layoff and that is the case today.......and she won her layoff race which was 7 May version of this one mile turf race with a 25K tag........Prat (out of town) rode in the race but Desormeaux gets the mount from his brother and the way Kent is riding these days suggests the switch in jocks is no big deal
5 Sabinos Pride
race 6 above average clarity
1 Illumination Baffert filly finally gets back to a MSW affair for her 5th career start following 3 consecutive races in Stakes races.......she has been absent since Oct. but her a.m. work suggest it is graduation day today
3 Zydeco Mama very solid work tab for this Keith Desormeaux filly MSW 1ster and Keith doesn't push his stock in the mornings too hard........and mom has tossed 3 winners from 3 starters with one Stakes winner
2 Flipping Fast
race 7 average clarity
5 A New Peace seems like a very good claim by Steve Knapp and his new mare seems to have benefitted (muscled up) from her layoff turf run on April 30th.......Valdivia remains put and he has ridden this five year old quite well in her last two racing endeavors
1 Miss Flawless five year old mare stepped up a level in her latest and she would won for fun if not for a tuff trip as she shuffled back 2L early and was in tight 4L in the stretch........like that Powell steps her up again as it hints this mare continues do well.......so does the fact that Rispoli rides for the 1st time and it is his only mount on the card
6 Nice Ice
race 8 average clarity
($18K SHF for this race)
3 Stir the Pot good spot for a speed type as this MC20K lacks it.......positive jock switch especially for this Knapp colt who will need to be "held together" in late stretch as 6 1/2F is a bit farther than this guy wants to compete at
8 U. S. Cee Gee solid move forward for this three year old last summer at Emd with 1st time blinkers.......then he was hurt in his next start.......new trainer trainer in Hoffmans and returns as a 1st time gelding and 1st time Lasix user.......and with works that say he is ready to roll
5 Twirling Derby
4 Moon Mischief
6 Philly Cheese
In: Free Information, Selections
Santa Anita for Saturday 15 May 2021
Our special publication for Belmont Stakes Day (usually with four Grade 1's, one Grade 2 and one Grade 3) on June 5th will soon be available for purchase at a bargain price of $30.39 for a limited time.
So so card today but Sunday's looks good and has the excitement of a mandatory payoff.
Best of luck as always!
race 1 average clarity
4 Barraza on the improve with each and every start so this might be a good 100K claim by Cerin and company........last race fits at today's higher level........and I like that the trainer doesn't put him in for the optional 100K tag as it supports the idea he made a good acquisition........1st on the sod and also 1st around two turns but he owns a strong pedigree to handle both
2 Back Ring Luck good spot for a runner who likes to stalk the lead as there should be a lively pace in this race.....solid effort/fig two back at OP........1st time Lasix.......works are improved.......plenty to like
7 Man Friday
3 Flashiest
race 2 below average clarity
2 Truth Seeker lone deep closer in the race and with only 4 foes to negotiate in front of him.........1st out after the Lorenzo Ruiz claim is often a good thing..........solid route dirt jock up in Abel Cedillo
1 Synthesis very strong efforts/figs in his last 4 route races three of which were at Santa Anita and all with T C Baze up........mostly not placed on top because he likes the front end of things and he has multiple speed challengers in this spot
3 House Limit
race 3 average clarity
2 Laurel River quite the layoff run for this Baffert colt in his 2nd lifetime start.......his fig is quite a bit better than par when you adjust for a sizzling pace.......note that he only ran .14 of a second faster than our 2nd choice in a different 6 1/2F race on 3 April but he coped with a hotter pace
3 The Chosen Vron both lifetime 6 1/2 furlong races were impressive wins and both were at Santa Anita........and Umberto Rispoli has options as this Eric Kruljac youngster won one of his 6 1/2F races on the lead and the other from mid pack
race 4 below average clarity
1 Angel of Freedom two of trainer's better stats are off of layoffs of more of 3 months and also 1st time he sends a horse at a route.........both are the case today and John Shirreffs is working his 3rd time starter as if is meant and ready fresh off of the bench
6 Witch Moon look for this filly to fly late if she handles her 1st ever on a fast dirt surface as she is coming off of two longer races than today's one mile affair........one at 10F and one at 9F........jock has been hot of late and the D'A can do no wrong these days so my guess is this filly will handle the dirt
3 Mongolian Mission
race 5 average clarity
4 Heywoods Beach colt just popped his lifetime best Santucci fig in start number 13 and it was his 1st ever on a fast rated dirt......it was also disguised in it's strength.........3 works since the 10 April race........seems poised for a repeat effort
3 Bold Endeavor gelding likes to ride outside of horses so a small field should help him run where he likes and not lose so much ground........rider Kent Desormeaux is hot
2 Sash
race 6 average clarity
6 Ox Bridge blinkers off in his latest racing endeavor and it led to graduation day........away since his 28 March win but his a.m. work hints this O'Neill gelding hasn't lost a step.......Rispoli wisely stays put and he should have this four year old in the mix from the opening bell
1 Liar Liar consistent grass cutter but he sure likes to hang in the stretch.......J J Hernandez should get a good mid pack position and save ground most the way but can he get this colt to pass the last horse in front of him if he runs his race.......we shall see
2 Absolute Unit
race 7 average clarity
4 Big Andy trainer Blake Heap is quietly having a very nice 2021 and one of his best moves over the years is when he removes the blinkers on a given horse which is doing today with his three year old filly......and take note that the last two times when he has legged up Umberto Rispoli he won both races
10 Half Hoping very significant five lengths better than par Santucci fig when you adjust for a wide trip for this filly........1st time blinkers today and that is one of the trainer's better moves.......filly has flattened out in her two 6 1/2F races but I doubt she does today coming off a route race
6 So Very Smart
8 Sassy Chasey SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE
5 Psitachio Princess
1 Supersonic Flyer
race 8 average clarity
6 Goldini three year old races as a 1st time gelding and also 1st time with Lasix......and just what you want to see as in improved a.m. work.........and Phil D'Amato sure has been making all the right moves in 2021
7 Chasing Fame toss out last as O'Neill tried to wheel this colt back off of 8 days rest.........trainer used to be much more successful than most with the move but not the last few years........very sharp preparatory works......rebound seems likely
4 Mucho Del Oro
1 Titrate
3 Reckoning Day
race 9 average clarity
8 Good With People colt likes the front end of things and he has only one other speed horse to cope with in our 3rd selection.......Miller's three year old has been stellar in dirt sprint races with 3 wins and 2 seconds in 5 starts........hard not to like
1 I Will Not par like efforts for today's nw alw level in this fellows last 5 races........recent a.m. preparation hints at a breakout this afternoon.......should be tough if he produces one
5 Tap Back
4 Howbeit
6 Whiskey My God
race 10 below average clarity
2 Harbored Memories Mike Puype colt ran 2nd in his MSW debut to the Santa Anita Derby winner in a 6F turf race.........fig earned for this colt was quite strong for a New Years Day three year old.......next two races on the dirt weren't too shabby either........decent rider/trainer team in Valdivia and Puype
6 Hollywoodhellraisr not the best of trips for this D'Amato 4th time starter in all 3 of his lifetime starts which were on the turf.......Rispoli gets the call for the 1st time and he should fit this off pace runner well
10 Subconscious
3 Lincoln Hawk
1 Eagle Chief
In: Free Information, Selections
Santa Anita for Friday 14 May 2021
Not crazy about today's card but Sunday's looks much better.
Best of luck as always!
race 1 below average clarity
4 French Getaway tepid top selection has run two straight improved final times and also showed more "pace".........eight year old seldom gets to race at today's 9F on the turf but he owns a couple of strong efforts at the distance
2 Cleopatra's Strike double barrel action from the Hess barn as he also trains our top selection........significant drop down in class for this elder statesman makes sense to yours truly as he has not found the winners circle since September of 2019
3 Seeking Refuge
race 2 average clarity
4 Your Royal Coil nice layoff run in her latest which was the 6F version of this 20K cond. claiming race.......6 1/2 furlongs to travel today seems likely to be within his distance capabilities.........five year old mare has only gotten to run off of short rest twice in her career and both were moves forward.........34 days qualifies for short rest.......trainer Lerner is solid 2nd out after long breaks
2 Cowboys Daughter SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE Tyler Baze should get a nice stalk position behind our top selection in what should be a reasonable pace.........smart move by Tom Bell to work this filly a quick 4F to help her adjust to a sprint following a nice 5L win at one mile.......four year old should finish up well in this extended sprint distance coming off of 4 consecutive route races
1 Saving Sophie
race 3 average clarity
5 Exultation both efforts at 6 1/2 furlongs on the new turf configuration which were his last two races are solid for today's level and arguably his best two lifetime races......Rispoli wisely stays put for a 4th straight time.......gelding has been stalking the lead with success and it appears Umberto will get the position again today
3 One Flew South last three grass races that this Gus Headley five year old ran have been 6F or 6 1/2F affairs at SA and all fit fine at todays level.......and like our top selection Kent Desormeaux should get a nice stalk position behind a suspect lead horse in #2
4 Rager
race 4 average clarity
4 Feeling Grazeful solid work tab for Bill Spawr for this MSW 1st time starter........especially noteworthy are the two gate works of 4F the 2nd of which was put in at SA only 6 days ago........rather sure this filly Cal-bred 1ster is ready to compete at a high level
6 Omg It's Jessica Dollase filly likes the front end of things but she has faded in the late stages of all three of her lifetime dirt sprints......but two remedies for that - first time blinkers to help her focus and 1st time with an apprentice rider up to lessen her load
2 Aristeia SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE
race 5 average clarity
1 Prince Magician both dirt races since the blinkers were taken off fit solidly at today's higher level......but of course this is a grass race and this Palma colt has failed to do any better than 5th in 3 turf races......but.......he was hurt in his 1st one - caught a good turf in his 2nd one - and he was in a route in his 3rd one.......3 excuses for a colt with a good turf pedigree.......firm turf sprint today.......hot jock stays up on the only four year old in the field
3 Enough Nonsense good time to drop into MC for the 1st time following two consecutive off the board finishes........and back to Gutierrez making for a turf rider upgrade........trainer Doug O'Neill is 24% win with his last 94 making the MSW to MC move
4 Epidemic
6 K P Silver Bullet
race 6 average clarity
1 Itsthattime bug boy has a good post to send this O'Neill runner hard to hold the rail and be on the lead or 2nd behind our 5th choice ridden by a bug girl.......unless they duel each other into oblivion our top choice seems likely to be tough from start to finish at the speed friendly one mile dirt distance at Santa Anita
4 California Street last win was 22 June 2019 so the drop down to 20K makes sense especially after a dull race off of a layoff where this gelding was up for a 40K tag.......that and the trainer and rider are 3 for 4 over the last two months and 3 for 6 prior to that
5 Question Authority
race 7 average clarity
3 Big Talker three year old gelding has been absent since Feb but his a.m. work suggests he is ready fresh off of the bench for Yakteen and company........(3 1 2 0) since this youngster went on Laisx........he is quite the late runner putting in some visually impressive late kicks and today he gets for the 1st time one strong turf jock in Risploi with off the pace turf types
2 Play Chicken seems like a good claim by Steve Knapp and with the claim comes a significant turf rider upgrade.........a.m. work is improved with the trainer change hinting Steve might have the trump card for this colt......we shall see if that is so about 4PM Pacific
1 Found My Ball
5 Cargo
6 Standing O
race 8 average clarity
5 Chollima four year old Lorenzo Ruiz filly is (5 3 1 0) at 5 1/2F or 6F and might be best at today's 5 1/2F distance.........and make it perfect 3 for 3 when today's rider Abel Cedillo has been up at 5 1/2 or 6F.......trainer is willing to drop to win and why not as many claiming spots are not filling and 5 1/2F races are not often carded
6 Kirsch Truffle brutal trip in this gal's last race breaking very badly and then racing wide......worked out to be a par like adjusted for trip Santucci fig for today's $10K level.......Periban changes jocks to Baze who just won for the trainer with a 1ster (by 7L) on Friday as our top pick.......start means a lot as this mare has left the metal monster poorly in 4 of her last 10 races......should be a price
7 Empressive Cat
4 Brilliant Bird
In: Free Information, Selections
Belmont Day Special Publication for Saturday 5 June 2021
Hope you enjoy this fabulous day of quality racing at Belmont!
Best of luck as always!
race 1 average clarity
4 Wit expensive baby has the right trainer in Todd Peltcher to get his two year old colt to the winners circle in his MSW debut......and most owners love to get to the circle of joy on the "big days" and there is no bigger day at the big oval than Belmont Day
2 Keepcomecarryon double barrel action from Pletcher as he also trains our top choice........this colt went for 1/8th the cost of Todd's other baby but he training well and gets Johnny V who is 3 for 6 with 2 others on the board for Pletcher over the last 60 days
1, 1A Entry no support at the windows for these Nevin two year old runners in their debut where they raced as an Entry like today........trainer is solid with 2nd time starters and might have two bullets in the holster here
3 Hagler
8 Too Much Action
race 2 below average clarity
4 Migrate Bill Mott has a well bred MSW 1st time starter who should like the lawn and seems cranked up to make 7F of turf quite doable in his debut........good rider/trainer combo in Alvardo & Mott......mom has tossed 7 winners from 8 starters including 2 Stakes winners
1 Soft Power another dangerous MSW 1st time starter especially considering that trainer Brown is a stellar 20% win with horses debuting on the grass.......good pedigree to handle a turf course with some give to it.........note that Irad Ortiz will need to be replaced as he is hurt.......Prat or Geroux would be nice
5 Charleston Strong price shot is training as if she is returning off of a 6+ month layoff as an improved individual........that and she gets Lasix for the 1st time
10 Mach One
8 Ranger Fox
race 3 below average clarity
2 Drain the Clock three year old colt is a perfect 5 for 5 in one turn races when the jock doesn't get thrown off and two of the five were at today's 7F distance.......trainer has been live with almost everything he has started at the Belmont meet......this colt is capable of running well without the lead and that should help as this race should yield a brutal set of fractions
3 Jackies Warrior Asmussen colt is a perfect 5 for 5 in one trn races and he has won at Belmont and the G1 5L win was very impressive and run off of 33 days rest.......35 days since his G2 win at CD......sharp jock Rosario stays put
5 Tulane Twist on the improve with each and every start and his two works since his last race hint he can move forward again.......still he will need the anticipated fast pace up front to aid his late run.......colt should leave the gate as the highest price on the board
race 4 average clarity
9 Lone Rock Diodoro claim back sure has found a niche in marathon races as he has 2 wins and 2nd (by a neck) in three 12 furlongs races.......and today he gets to carry less weight as in 2 lbs - 4 lbs - 3lbs less that his 3 lifetime 12F races......at 12F that is a significant weight break
8 Tizamagician unimpressive 12F winning time at SA but he won so easily that he likely feels good following such a stree free run.......and his a.m. prowess supports the notion that his last race took little out of this Richard Mandella colt
7 Ajaaweed sure like the rider change for this Pletcher colt who appeared to love his 1st marathon race at the 11F distance........and the extra furlong to travel today sure appears to be a plus
4 Rocketry
6 Moretti
race 5 average clarity
1 Travel Column believe this Cox three year old filly needs a target to run at and that sharp trainer and rider Florent Geroux might realize that now........I will personally be rooting for this fellow as I am friends with the jockey's agent Doug Bredar who has held many high level jobs in the racing industry including Director of Racing and Racing Secretary at Churchill Downs and he played 2nd & 3rd on a back stretch baseball team that I sponsored - LOL........jockey Florent Geroux and Bredar are making waves in the industry and are a force nationally.......the young man can ride and Doug is hard working and knows the game inside out including as a handicapper
6 Search Results Chad Brown filly has done little wrong in 4 lifetime races.......would have been top choice if regular rider Irad Ortiz had been in the saddle but he got hurt and somebody else will ride
3 Miss Brazil trainer has done amazingly well with limited starters winning at a 40% clip.......and his filly is (4 3 1 0) lifetime on the dirt with the only loss to the ML favorite in this race and in was by only 1/2 length
race 6 average clarity
6 Bound for Nowhere not much speed for a 6F Garde 1 on the grass and he owns some.......and with the turf likely to come up good or yielding he might have a distinct advantage over many of his foes in the race as he is very well proven on a sod that has some give in it
8 Gregorian Chant trainer D'Amato has had a stellar year with his turf stock.......his five year old gelding is a perfect 3 for 3 since becoming a turf sprint following a steady diet of turf routes......gelding has moved forward with each 6F race
4 Fast Boat another who might benefit from a course that has some give to it has he just won a G2 on a good turf course at CD......Irad Ortiz was up in the race and wisely stays put following a solid 3 works since the 30 April race
2 Casa Creed
1 Chewing Gum
race 7 average clarity
3 Letruska mare is ultra consistent on the dirt as in 13 for 17 lifetime.......and the five year old is (4 3 1 0) since her trainer Gutierrez removed the blinkers.........she has run well in one turn distance races which is the case today........good sign that I Ortiz and his agent wanted the mount back and she sure has been sharp in the a.m........Irad unfortunately will not ride as he got hurt in a spill on Thursday
5 Shedaresthedevil ultra consistent Brad Cox filly has never missed the board on the dirt in 12 lifetime starts (12 7 2 3)........believe Geroux will not elect to take the lead but rather stalk our top choice......like his chances better if he does
7 Bonny South double barrel action from the Cox barn as he also conditions our 2nd choice........seems best of the off pace runners......loves the 1 1/16th distance
race 8 average clarity
6 Pocket Square jock had his choice of many in this race and yet took this Chad Brown runner who has never won a race higher than a G3......but she won her 1st out with Chad as the trainer in style as her late kick was impressive......and she handles a turf with some give to it
11 Blowout ultra consistent turf runner as in (12 4 7 1) lifetime including (3 2 1 0) at Belmont.......lone speed in this spot and for the 3rd straight time she gets Prat on her back.........and if the grass has some give in it she has shown she can handle it
8 Althiqa trainer Charles Appleby has won with 3 of his last 7 shipping to the U S of A.........filly has run fresh 3 times in her career and all three were wins.......likely ready and gets Mike Smith
4 Regal Glory
10 Tamahere
race 9 average clarity
1 Mischevious Alex crushing his competition since Saffie took over the training duties.......four year old has a nice mid pack or stalking way of going........believe he will stalk our 2nd pick so that he doesn't get away with too slow of a set of fractions
6 Knicks Go Brad Cox five year old sure looks loose here and he is capable of rating........if this was a two turn race he would have been top choice.......but it is a one turn mile where he has something to prove......still hard to split top two picks
3 Silver Slate coming off of his 1st Graded win and it was a Grade 2 to boot.......he is two for two at 7F winning the two races by an average of 5 lengths.......and another furlong to work with should be a big plus.......might come flying late for the upset
race 10 average clarity
8 Tribhuvan after upsetting the apple cart at 10 to 1 (big odds for a 5 horse field) by sending early and opening up a big lead you can count on Cancel demanding the lead.........handles a firm or yielding turf.......pedigree hints the longer the better........seems as if Chad Brown's gelding has a shot to upset again
4 Domestic Spending 5 for 6 lifetime with the only blemish for this Chad Brown gelding coming when he sat too far off of a slow pace and yet still only lost by 1 1/4L at the wire........that and his pedigree and running lines suggest the longer the race the better
10 Colonel Liam Pletcher colt could be a perfect 6 for 6 on the grass if not for a bad trip in the Saratoga Derby which was the only time Irad Ortiz wasn't up on him in his turf races and he won't be today because of an injury.........two best lifetime races were without Lasix so he answers that question.......tough post but lets hope we get a good turf jock to ride who is capable of dealing with a difficult draw and still giving a decent enough trip
9 Gufo
2 Bye Bye Melvin
race 11 average clarity
7 Rock Your World here is my comment prior to the Kentucky Derby for this colt, "over the past decade or so horses that win the Santa Anita Derby who set and overcome strong fractions have been very formidable in the Kentucky Derby.........this Sadler colt did just that and since the race he has trained as if the very big effort did not take its toll........that and in his other 2 lifetime starts which were on the grass he won from off of the pace so he does not necessarily need the lead to win this historic race"......totally toss out the Derby as he had a trip from you know where starting right out of the gate........stout drills since.......should be loose on the lead
2 Essential Quality difficult to argue about anything this colt has accomplished to date........works are fine......pedigree is decent to get the 12F.........Saez knows his mount inside and out.......hard not to like
4 Hot Rod Charlie impressive in his last three "fast track" dirt routes.......trainer knows what it takes to win Triple Crown races.....distance might suite Doug O'Neill's colt as his pedigree is decent for the 12F marathon distance and his running lines also hint he might get a 1/4 mile further than the Ky Derby distance
6 Known Agenda has a shot at the winners circle but Irad Ortiz is injured and not riding and that hurts this colt's chances some
3 Rombauer has a shot at the winners circle but Flavien Prat elected to ride Hot Rod Charlie which seems like a negative
race 12 average clarity
3 Spungie graduated in style in a MSW taken off of the grass and run on a sloppy main track......Mott filly took it very easy late and still won for fun........solid improved 4 work series since the race.......believe this three year old filly is doing great and will show it today
9 Pandamom nice efforts in her races run on turf with some give to it........like the cut back in distance 2nd out after a long break.......trainer Clement is having a stellar Belmont meeting as in 28% win and 29 for 64 in the exacta
11 My Lips Are Sealed plenty of early speed in this filly four year old to possibly overcome the post and get on over and grab the lead by the turn.......like her chances if jockey Eric Cancel can accomplish the task
5 English Breeze
1,1A Entry
2 Runaway Rumour
race 13 average clarity
2, 2B Entry definitely prefer the 2 Hard Love but if the 2B gets in as well it would be a bonus.........Hard Love has done little wrong in 3 lifetime starts all of which were grass routes and he gets Lasix for the 1st time this afternoon........trainer does extremely well with limited starts as in 34% win in 2021.......three year old needs ample time between starts and gets it once again today in the form of 7 weeks off
1, 1A Entry both the 1 and 1A have shots at the winners circle........Price Talk should sit mid pace while Value Engineering should come from the back of the pack........both runners have been very consistent
3 Microsecond three year old gelding should get great position saving ground either on the lead or stalking it.......hard not to like this Todd Pletcher four year old
4 Kentucky Pharoah
7 Desert Peace
In: Free Information, Selections
Santa Anita for Sunday 9 May 2021
Sure like today's race card. Be Back with you on Friday for more fun and games.
Best of luck as always!
race 1 above average clarity
3 Wishtheyallcouldbe brutal trip in latest hides an effort that was quite good when you account for a slightly tardy start and a very wide journey........race totally lacks speed and this Puype filly has some.......1st time Rispoli is a plus especially in a long distance turf race which 9F is for Cal-bred FM maidens
5 Keep Dancing lifetime best in latest which was the only race that this four filly ran with Lasix and without blinkers.......no changes for today.......trainer Mulhall is quietly having a very nice SA meeting
2 Slew South
race 2 average clarity
4 Street Art Keith Desormeaux MSW 1st time starter finished up his work tab with two impressive gate drills........one was a 4F best of 69 bullet and the other was a solid 5F gate work......always like when a baby works further than he has to run on race day........Keith goes to his brother Kent who sure is rejuvenated and then some
6 Bochombo year in and year out trainer Luis Mendez is very formidable in the early two year old races and he appears to have another very cranked up and ready to compete at a high level
2 Finneus
race 3 average clarity
3 Respectfully after a dull maiden debut this Ryan Hanson filly has put in 5 straight competitive races........3 lbs less to carry today and the last three races for this three year old are par or better........last two efforts were ridden by today's jock J J Hernandez who is coming off a 3 bagger yesterday.......J J should be on the lead or just off of it.......hard not to like
1 Li'l Grazen last five races for this mare with Peter Miller as the trainer (5 3 2 0) and four of those races were with Prat up......like our top selection she should be in the mix from the get go.......seven year old should be a major factor in the outcome of this 6F dirt sprint
4 Eddie's New Dream
race 4 average clarity
3 Tiz Wonderfully by far at her best racing at SA at today's one mile distance.......six year old is more than deserving of today's step up in claiming.......mare should be in the mix from the get go which has been dynamite in these one mile dirt races at SA unless of course you are wide
1 Storm Ranger seems like a gimme/go situation for this mare who races 2nd out after a layoff and drops for her 1st ever around two turns.......believe Maldonado will be pedal to the metal to hold the inside and get the front end which should help this sprinter get the distance at a very speed friendly distance at The Great Race Place
6 Gotta Be Lucky
race 5 average clarity
(NOTE that there is a SHF carryover for this race of $12K)
1 Royal Trump six year old owns a good turf pedigree and it showed in her 1st race on it only getting beat by 2 1/4 at the wire in a Cal-bred Stakes race........positive rider change for a grass race to the hot Desormeaux who can get a nice stalk position in a race that seemingly favors those close up early.......should go off a decent price
2 Commander 2 for 3 for this Miller four year old since he saw fit to remove the blinkers on his gelding........Prat should have his mount sitting mid pack saving ground setting him up for a strong late kick
7 Speedy Justice
3 Fight On
race 6 above average clarity
5 Defense Wins quite the improvement 1st out following the Peter Eurton claim and the strength of the effort is hidden by a tardy start and wide trip.......solid a.m. work since the race hints the big effort didn't take its toll.......Rispoli gets the call and he is 2 for 3 and a 2nd with 3 mounts for Eurton over the last two months
7 Took Charge Peter Miller four year old is racing as a 1st time gelding today........he has only raced twice on fast dirt where he owns a win and a 2nd.........he shows signs of being a "lead type only" but he has a decent chance of getting the front end in this spot......and with the meets runaway leader at the helm
2 Holden the Lute
3 Towing
8 I Got No Munny
race 7 average clarity
5 Warren's Showtime this filly has run 134:1 or better in her last 5 one mile turf races and that sure stands out vs. today's competition.......regular rider J J Hernandez is likely licking his chops in this spot
4 Bella Vita SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE Rispoli has a good chance of getting a nice ground saving stalk position behind two speed sprinters attempting to get the two turns on the front end of things........and then of course hold off our top choice who should be flying late
1 Leggs Galore
race 8 average clarity
5 Palace Coup four year old gelding sure appears to be the lone speed in this race and that spells trouble for the competition as speed does awfully well these days at the one mile dirt distance at Santa Anita.......that and D'Amato is often at his most dangerous 2nd out after a layoff which is the case today
1 Contagion stepped up 3 claiming levels and nearly won running an effort that is better than par for today's higher level.......and today he gets quite the rider upgrade today for new trainer Peter Miller who may have made a very good claim.....we shall see if that is the case about 4:30 PM Pacific
3 Law Professor
6 Royal Insider
8 Waspirant
race 9 average clarity
(AE 11 Whooping Jay is dangerous if he draws into the field from the AE list)
3 Uncle Addouma moved into the pace while being caught wide and yet still ran an impressive turf stretch run.......in my notes I wrote "loved the turf"........still this colt likely will need a better journey and/or a move forward.......not sure about a trip but my guess is this colt is more fit coming off of a muscled him up grass race.......would love to get the ML
10 City Rage difficult post for this gelding who just missed winning the 3 April 6F version of this race but he retains Prat who is (2 1 1 0) on his back racing at today's 6 1/2F turf distance.......that and he owns some speed in a race that outside of the 7 horse lacks it and Prat jumps off our 5th pick to ride this fellow
1 Ka'nah
4 Best Chance
7 Fratelli
In: Free Information, Selections
