Santa Anita for Sunday 27 December 2020

Here is the line-up for our special publications in 2021 which will be available for purchase soon at a cost of $144.95.

Purchase selections for all 7 great race days and save $45.00. As in the past the selections will be sent in your email the night before at approximately 6 p.m. central

The Stakes races run on Pegasus World Cup Day (about 9) at Gulfstream Park. 

Florida Derby Day Stakes races (only) at Gulfstream Park. There should be about 8 fabulous Stakes races carded.

Full card selections (usually 13 races) for Kentucky Derby Day.

Full card selections (usually 12 or 13 races) for Belmont Day.

Full card selections for Travers Day at (about 12 races) Saratoga.

Full card selections for the 2 days of the Breeders Cups at Del Mar 

 

OK card today. Be back with you Thursday for 4 straight days of racing.

Best of luck as always!

 

race 1    below average clarity

8  Reiwa  three year old filly is a perfect 2 for 2 on the lawn and both races were at today's one mile turf distance..........and it sure seems noteworthy the Mr Smith shows up for only one race on the card and take in mind that he seldom rides for Wong

5  Pushing Sixty   SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE  decent turf routes in 2 of her 3 that she has run to date and the latest one is disguised by a brutal trip losing about 9L to trip........like the cut back is distance especially to one mile where she won her only attempt at the distance

1  New Heat   on the right end of the learning curve and solid a.m. work since this filly last ran on Nov. 7th........and for a trainer in Saavedra who doesn't usually push them too hard in the mornings.......good post.......OK turf rider

3  Cassie Belle

6  Scarlet Heat

 

race 2    above average clarity

4  Exaulted   both lifetime races are much better than par and his 2nd one is disguised as he dueled in fast fractions on a day the rail was dull at Dmr.....and note that he beat our 2nd pick that day......away since that 22 Feb race but training sharply and should be ready to roll

3  Mastering   nice move forward in his 2nd lifetime start which way back on 22 Feb where he lost to our top choice by 1/4 of a length.......and like our top pick he didn't get the best of trips......and you know he's coming back ready with Baffert at the helm and with strong preparatory works showing.

2  Mongolian Kingdom  lookout if the pace gets hot up front which will aid this off pace runner especially if inside speed is like it was yesterday.......as in not the place to be

 

race 3    below average clarity

2  Commander Khai   quite the jockey upgrade especially for a turf route speed type........seems like about a 75% chance that Johnny V will get the lead........Baltas colt won her 2nd lifetime start (and also with a jock upgrade) so 2nd out after a layoff seems like a good thing

4  Beer Can Man    smooth running sort who just won a Grade 3 and beat our top pick doing so........he does carry 4 more lbs but he should get the same staking trip behind the "Commander" and might improve 2nd out following 2 month break.......hard not to like this turf runner going after his 4th straight win

1  Big Fish   improved in his latest racing with the blinkers off for the 1st time ...........2nd out after a layoff today......better post......and a strong grass rider in Rispoli who knows this gelding well

7  Ebeko

 

race 4    below average clarity

5  Sky Navigator  here is our comment for this 2nd time starter prior to his debut, "copious drills for this Dean Pederson MC 1st timer and his last preparatory drill (which was put in 6 days ago out of the gate at SA) hint he is sharp when it counts the most as in right before his debut.........the trainer is decent with MC 1sters and in general has had one of his better years albeit with limited starters"........he ran just fine after getting bumped at the start......and he continues to train like a happy healthy youngster.....J J Hernandez wisely stays put

4  Alexander's Dream   bet hard in his MSW debut and ran fairly well especially for today's lower level.......not so hot in his 2nd start......drops and gets a telltale jock change as in quite the upgrade.......believe the barn means business today

1  Cashling's   solid looking work tab for this Miller MC40K 1st time starter......and Peter M. is one of the more dangerous S Cal trainers with debuting MC's.......as in 24% with his last 41

7  Cross Indian SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE 

2  Love My Jimmy

 

race 5    above average clarity

2  Honos Man   good post - good figs - top trainer - good distance - good rider and a small drop in claiming for a gelding who nearly won his latest despite a wide trip

3  Street Behavior   on the improve with each and every start since Mulhall took over and removed the blinkers......last is very strong and if this gelding can handle the turf as well as he just ran on the dirt he will be a major factor in the outcome of this 9F turf race......should be a price

4  Armour Pete   (3 1 0 1) on the SA turf and (9 0 1 1) on all other turf courses.......Miller gets Rosario to ride......1st ever racing 9F but it seems doable for this gelding especially with Rosario in the irons

5  Turn the Switch

1  Railsplitter

 

race 6    above average clarity

3  Turntheclocktozero   Mark Glatt is so very good at getting laid up sprinters with speed to fire a big race fresh off of the bench.........and this Washington invader sure is training like Glatt is at it again

2  Octopus   last two races fit solidly in this spot but can he handle the stress of a 9 day turnaround........seems like Rosario and his agent think he can

5  Natural History   the 3 strongest races for this Hess three year old since he claimed him 7 races back are the 3 times he was up for tag.......in for a tag today and back to Espinoza who has up for the 3 races that were claiming affairs......hmm

4  Lobo Paniolo

 

race 7    average clarity

8  Jetovator   solid 5 1/2 furlong turf sprints at SA and he acts likes the new 6F distance will be right up his alley as the extra 1/16 should flatter his off pace style........that and Pratt stays up and he knows this four year old quite well being up for 6 of his last 10 races

5  Master Ryan   this D'Amato four year old is very similar to our top choice as the extra distance that the new Santa Anita turf chute provides (6 and also 6 1/2 furlongs) should aid his finish

1  Brix   Baltas four year old turf sprinter appears to be crying out for a little more ground to cover and the new SA turf chute provides that with 6F instead of the 5 and 5 1/2 turf furlongs he has had to deal with........and his recent a.m. work is improved

4  Caerulean

6  Mr Brownstone

 

 

race 8    average clarity

10  Big Story   coming off of a route turf race where this two year old set some very fast fractions and still was only one length behind the winner at the wire......like the turf to dirt move and the cut back in distance especially for a 6 1/2 furlong dirt race where sprint endurance becomes more of a factor

5  The Chosen Vron   Eric Kruljac usually gives his 1st timers a race and his youngsters fire much better in their 2nd start but I believe he is breaking the mold today with this MSW 1st time starter who is working too good to ignore......and look who gets the ride.......Mr. John Velazquez

4  Warren's Candy Man   1st on the dirt but bred just fine for it.......should have plenty of endurance at the extended 6 1/2F sprint distance coming off of 4 one mile grass races to begin his career.......and Prat stays put for a 3rd straight time

6  Hockey Dad

9  Hail Freedom

 

race 9    average clarity

1  Rideforthecause   quite the pick-up for Michael McCarthy as this filly has really gotten good........good post and rider and for a filly who won a Grade 2 at today's 9F distance at WO by 4L......and she also didn't run too shabby in a G1 at WO in her next start.....facing easier today.......good post and rider

4  Miss Teheran   significant rider upgrade for this Chad brown filly who ships x-country for this Grade 3 9F grass Grade 3.........following 2 straight 1 1/16 grass races she should love the extra 1/2 furlong to cover today as she like so many Chad Brown runners has a powerful late kick

5  Altea   double barrel action from the Mike McCarthy barn who picks up a five year old who has raced on the turf at 1/16 less than today's 9F distance and like our 2nd pick the extra 1/16 to run today should be to her advantage

2  She's Our Charm

3  Never Be Enough

 

race 10    average clarity

3  Fabozzi   might be a very good claim by Mulhall of a seven year old who really popped a strong one mile race with the addition of the blinkers.........that and he seems at his best racing on the SA surface.......J J Hernandez rides thru the claim and once again he should have this gelding near the front from the get go

4  Wilshire Dude   last race looks like a dirty him up run to get away with today's significant drop in claiming........trainer Steve Knapp  is 4 for his last 14 with multiple level drops

9  Jan's Reserve   solid layoff race for this Rosemary Trela seven year old.......trainer does extremely well with her limited starters and hardly ever can be ignored

8  Impression

7  Pepe Tono

 

 

 

Santa Anita for Saturday 26 December 2020

Always a great card on opening day at Santa Anita but this race card is exceptionally strong. It was a pleasure to handicap especially following the low level racing at Los Alamitos. Early post time today of 11 AM.

 

Here is the line-up for our special publications in 2021 which will be available for purchase soon at a cost of $144.95.

Purchase selections for all 7 great race days and save $45.00. As in the past the selections will be sent in your email the night before at approximately 6 p.m. central

The Stakes races run on Pegasus World Cup Day (about 9) at Gulfstream Park. 

Florida Derby Day Stakes races (only) at Gulfstream Park. There should be about 8 fabulous Stakes races carded.

Full card selections (usually 13 races) for Kentucky Derby Day.

Full card selections (usually 12 or 13 races) for Belmont Day.

Full card selections for Travers Day at (about 12 races) Saratoga.

Full card selections for the 2 days of the Breeders Cups at Del Mar 

Best of luck as always!

 

race 1    average clarity

8  Rocking Redhead   SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE quite the awakening in her 3rd lifetime start which was her 1st turf route......number earned both "real" and "adjusted" fit well at today nw alw level.........3 reassuring works since.......leading rider and trainer at the Del Mar meeting team up seeking to start off where they left off

3  Aunt Lubie   9 furlongs of turf appears to be a good distance for this R Mandella mare and her endurance should be strong today cutting but from 11F to 9F......she usually breaks well and if she does she should get a nice stalk position saving some ground......race two back was solid and was the 25 Oct version of this 9F turf alw affair

5  Cover Version   solid race in latest to graduate and screaming out for more ground to cover........pedigree supports that as does her last race before exiting France which was run at about at 1 7/16 on the turf

4  Avenue de France

10  Hermaphrodite

 

race 2    average clarity

2  Affable   nice MSW debut back on 8 November.......here is our comment for his debut as our top choice, "Glatt two year old colt went for $600K last Spring so the connections got a good idea of what they were getting......works are strong and when Mark puts in strong drills into his MSW runners you best take note".........and sharp a.m. work since.........same or better seems likely this afternoon

1  Barrarza   like our top pick this Baffert colt also had a nice debut in the same race as our top choice........his Santucci fig is only a couple lengths less than our top pick despite being 5L behind him at the wire because of some trip trouble......but he does have to cope with a difficult post at the 7F distance

6  Wipe the Slate   nothing like catching a foe who runs a 1:15:2 at two in a MSW race........O'Neill colt did just fine to finish a 9 1/2 beaten lengths 2nd.......blinkers on and a nice reassuring 3 work series since......not out of the win picture by any means

5  Deservedly

 

race 3    average clarity

4  Alvaaro   last 5 races run all fit well here and 3 of them were run at today's one mile dirt distance........and his last race which was the 14 Nov. version of this race is hidden in its strength as this gelding broke slow and ran wide......Ryan Hanson might have made a good claim........we shall find out about 12 noon pacific

2  Hapi Hapi   all three races since Peter Eurton took over the training duties of this gelding are better than par for the 16K nw2 level.......good to see Pereira stay put for a 4th straight time as after two not so hot rides he gave this gelding a good ride in his latest

8  Zorich   drop doesn't concern me much as this gelding was claimed for 25K four races back and has yet to win.....that and he had no action on the board in his latest in a protected race so call it a no go to get away with today's drop and not get snatched up at the claiming box......and he gets a jock upgrade for today to boot

1  Defense Wins

9  Bam Bam Again

 

race 4    average clarity

1  Whisper Not   solid 1st in the U S of A in his latest and the race was run off of a 4 month layoff......two strong drills since hints he exited the race in great shape.......needs about a 3 or 4 length move forward and that kind of improvement seems very doable especially since he won by 20L the last time he raced 2nd out following a layoff.......Rosario remains up

5  Smooth Like Straight   ML favorite shows up to work almost every time out and he seems likely to get a nice ground saving trip on or just off of the lead.......solid grass rider Umberto Rispoli wisely stays put

6  Field Pass   colt ships all over the place and seldom runs a uncompetitive race.......strong rider/trainer combo in Santana and Maker at the controls........dangerous sort

2  Strongconstitution

 

race 5    below average clarity

5  Half Hoping   prolonged work tab for this MC50K 1st time starter and the a.m. work has steadily improved........Mike Puype is much better than average with debuting MC's and he seemingly catches a soft looking field for his two year old filly 1ster

11  Warren's Memorable   on the right end of the learning curve and continues to train like a happy healthy horse for Craig Lewis.......would have been top selection if not for starting so far outside

8  Watchful Eye   solid N Cal trainer in Isidro Tamayo and he puts up J J Hernandez who is 4 for his last 6 over the last two months riding for the trainer........Tamayo is often at his most dangerous when he steps up a given horse multiple levels like he is here

7  Here Comes Ralphie

3  Medusa's Gaze

 

race 6    average clarity 

(1st race on the new turf chute which will handle turf races at 6F and 6 1/2F. Seems like a terrific addition.)

8  Preaching Trainer   very sharp recent a.m. work hints this four year old gelding is sitting on his best.........last time on the SA turf (which was four races back) is solid........Gaines is able to get Rosario to ride

12  Anacona   very strong grass races in both lifetime starts one at 5F and the other at 1 1/16.......so 6 1/2 should be a good distance for this Mandella colt.........and he should have plenty of time to get on over and from his far outside post

2  Rayray   lone race on the grass is dull but it was his MSW debut and run with the blinkers on.........ran poorly in his next start on the dirt also with blinkers........since then with the blinkers off he is (5 1 2 1) sprinting on the dirt........so it might have been the blinkers on that caused a dull turf race.......1st time Prat

10  Mecklenburg

6  Quick Finish

 

race 7    above average clarity

8  Mucho Gusto   fabulous work tab even by Bob Baffert's lofty standards......3 for 3 racing at SA and his two races run on a fast SA main track are much better than par and each disguised some by 6L of trip adjustment......easy to put on top

4  Sharp Samurai  SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE nice 3rd in the B C Dirt Mile as our 3rd pick........3 works since and the last drill is a sizzling best of 83 5F bullet at SA one week ago........good post should lead to a nice mid pack trip for Prat......additional 1/16 of a mile should be a plus

6  Midcourt   number wise he has been at his best racing at SA and when he brings his "A game" he can compete with anyone......regular rider V Esiponza remains up

7  Idol

3  Extra Hope

 

race 8    average clarity

5  Finite   good move by Asmussen to ship his three year old filly to SA as the local group of three year old female sprinters is weak for a Grade 1........ filly really appreciates extended one turn races of 7F or 8F........that and she is an off pace runner in a race that should yield some fast fraction up front

3  Himiko  Baffert's got four going in this prestigious Grade 1 and it is kind of cool that I like his 2nd highest ML of the four at 8 to 1.........filly has steadily progressed especially since Baffert removed the blinkers......and his filly sure seems well suited to today's 7F right now with the way she just finished up her latest race which was at 6 1/2F

2  Merneith  nothing against Van Dyke but this Baffert filly is (4 3 1 0) when he has hasn't been the rider on this three year old........that and Johnny V. has been making the most of the mounts he gets from Baffert over the last 3 months

8  Motivated Seller

7  Provocation

 

race 9    average clarity

9  Sharing   very consistent three year old filly nearly beat older (and better) in her latest........for me the only question mark is the 10F of turf to cover but her pedigree is solid to handle the mini-marathon distance

8  Duoplay   3 for 3 when she has been on the lead and she sure appears as if she can get it today......she does have to run 3/16 further than she ever has but she is trained by the USA's best grass trainer and she owns a pedigree that should get the 10F

3  Capital Structure   big move up for this filly but with a grass horse nobody seems more dangerous when he steps up a grass horse multiple levels than Chad Brown.........her preparatory works which have been on the grass are outstanding and her pedigree screams "the longer the better"

1  Red Lark

4  Going to Vegas

 

race 10    average clarity

6  Independence Hall   4 for 4 in extended one turn races handling 6 1/2F, 7F, and 8F ........that and even though he has more to prove than the 3 and especially the 4 the race seems to set up for someone who can lay back off of what should be a sizzling set of fractions

4  Charlatan   no better trainer on the planet than Bob Baffert especially with three year old runners.......colt has the best figs in the race........ impressive a.m work and maybe more importantly his colt has a beautiful stride/action.........he does need to put away one marvelous speed horse in Nashville

3  Nashville   trains and runs like a superstar and he owns an abundance of early speed but will be pushed by our 2nd choice today......1st in a Graded race and it is a Grade 1.......giant test today and if he wins this race he might be one of the better speed fillies since "Beholder" who tied John Henry's record of winning a Grade 1 five years in a row

 

race 11    average clarity

7  Nasty   race lacks speed and this filly appears to have the most......that and she is capable of rating so this race should have some soft fractions.......only race on the SA turf was a G3 where she ran a very close 3rd and that was chasing a hot pace.......good reliable grass trainer in Richard Baltas

9  Warren's Showtime   very nice consistent Cal-bred filly who is at her best on the Santa Anita turf where she owns 4 wins and a 3rd in 5 starts......would have been top choice if she had drawn a better post

8  Counterparty   beautifully bred turf filly who just graduated at Aqu and makes a big step up into non Graded Stakes race.......but her trainer Chad Brown is ever so dangerous when he ships an unproven but developing young turf horse especially x-country......and her preparatory works hint she is doing awfully well

2  Miss Extra

4  On Mars

 

 

Los Alamitos for Sunday 20 December 2020

Last day of minor league racing and then on to big leagues at Santa Anita which opens on 26 December for racing 6 of the next 9 days. Turf sprint races at SA have a new turf chute and the hill course has been improved. They now will have turf sprints of 5 1/2, 6, and 6 1/2 furlongs. Super cool.

Mandatory payoffs today at Lrc because of closing day. Pick 6 carryover is $22K.

Best of luck as always!

 

race 1    average clarity

4  Top Gunner  useful MSW turf sprint debut and now drops into MC ........blinkers on today and just what you want to see as in better a.m. work

6  Holden the Lute   repeat of either of his two dirt sprint races at SA would be very tough for his foes to handle........but his lone effort at Lrc would not......but then again it was his maiden debut

3  Full Draw  both lifetime dirt races with blinkers on are solid especially the first one......trainer is having a strong meeting.......dangerous

5  Crankin

 

race 2    average clarity

6  Canadian Ginger   trainer shows hints of heating up and makes a logically drop with his speed filly......that and the cut back in distance looks like a plus

8  Lady On Ice   outside speed has been dynamite at the goofy Lrc oval and so has apprentice Jessica Pyfer........(4 2 0 1) lifetime filly has handled both SA & Dmr so her chances of taking to the Lrc surface are good

1  Flying Business   filly has shot to sit mid pack behind plenty of speed.......if a hot pace develops her 8 to 1 ML odds would be a bargain

4  Stradari

7  Mischievous Curlin

 

race 3    average clarity

10  Cocoa Cents   MC50K sprint turf debut was a par like effort for today's MC20K level......toss out next on the dirt as she had a troubled start and she was not pursed with which should help her cope with only 8 days rest

6  Flashy Pass   no action whatsoever in her MSW debut.......back in only 9 days in a MC20K......seems like a possible gimme/go go go for this filly from the hot Miyadi barn

9  Kiss of Congrats   rider upgrade especially considering the weight break.....steps up in MC but she runs 2nd out after a layoff today.......1st on dirt but her pedigree for it is good

7  Rocketann

8  Jaydann

 

race 4    average clarity

4  You Wanna Ear Rip   sharp a.m. work at GG and drops down for her 1st ever at Lrc......only time she was up for a tag she won........jock needs a win and might get one here

7  Tim's Sweet Girl   GG invader owns very good speed in this spot if she handles the conventional dirt.......trainer has sent out only one at the meet and the horse put in a solid effort.......good speed jock up in Baze

6  Chollima   trainer won both his starts (as of 17 Dec) and might keep the ball rolling here with this filly who has run 4 lifetime dirt races that fit OK here if like our top two choices she can handle her 1st on the Lrc dirt

1  Go Smile Go

 

race 5    below average clarity

3  Musically   stout rider/trainer combo as in 41% win with their last 17.......filly improved 1st out following the Cunningham claim and she has worked well since her win at LA on 4 Dec......(3 1 2 0) at Lrc......5F fits her well

2  Girona   (4 2 1 0) in dirt sprints and considering how well bug girl Pyfer is riding you have to love the 7 lbs off for today

7  Star Sundae   outside speed has done awfully well at the meeting and that is what we have here......and her last effort at Lrc is better than it appears on paper as this filly was near the rail on a dullish inside

1  Sharona Sunset

5  Coalinga Hills

 

race 6    average clarity

7  Daring Cat  trainer has woken up from the doldrums in the 4th quarter of 2020 and he might keep the better times coming here with this filly who should get a very nice outside stalking trip

4  Disko Fever   only cost $6K at sale but she is not training like it.......last 4 works are quite good for this Sadler 1st timer......seems like a dangerous MC 1ster

10  Dontmesswithtess   another 1ster training like she can run some.....we shall see if that is so about 2:28 p.m. pacific

2  Night Games

5  Backtoflash

 

race 7    below average clarity

4  Causeididitmyway   best race of his career in his latest both in pace and final time.......dynamite eye popping works since......20 to 1 ML.......and trainer Sal Gonzalez is often at his most dangerous 2nd out following a layoff

8  Big Hoof Dynamite   impressive win in latest overcoming a very wide trip and sitting dead last in a race that yielded a pedestrian pace.......gelding is (9 3 2 3) at the distance.......Hess puts up his go to guy 1st following the claim

10  Signofthecross  SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE  (3 2 1 0) at today's one mile dirt distance.......and one significant jock upgrade from the jock who rode the 3 one mile races (Diaz to Prat)

6  Sly

2  Race Home

 

race 8    average clarity

4  Vantastic  colt may have spent too much time racing on the grass as his two dirt races are good and one of them was at Lrc......and Prat gets the call and the only time he rode this gelding he ran 3rd in a Grade 3 on the dirt at SA

7  Go Daddy Go   plenty of speed signed up which could set things up nicely for this Koriner gelding who handled his 1st dirt endeavor rather well in his last race.....should be motoring late

3  Mystery Man   stumbled and then was given a brutal ride by Smith as he was wide both turns and pressing a strong set of fractions.....not good to say the least......blinkers on......very strong works.......ageless Hall of Fame jock will be out to make amends

5  Margot's Boy

8  Royal Act

 

race 9    average clarity

10  Play Chicken   trainer is on fire the last few days (and most seemingly running way over the their heads) and he seems to have this colt well prepared in the a.m. for today's Cal-bred Stakes......tossing his last as he likely returned too quickly following his winning turf route MSW debut

8  Good With People   colt has done little wrong in 4 lifetime dirt races (4 3 1 0) and 3 of the races were Stakes races.......mostly placed as 2nd pick for three reasons.......1st around two turns - 1st at Lrc - Miller has had a dull meeting at Lrc

4  Positivity  SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE  solid two year old Cal-bred (3 2 1 0 with earnings of $115K) owns a good pedigree for a route......not out of the win picture by any means......pun intended

6  Mister Bold

1  Club Cal

 

race 10    below average clarity

11  Princess Sadie   lone route race albeit on the turf stands out here at today's lower level if of course she can run as well on the dirt.......her pedigree hints taht she will

6  Martique Miss  SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE  Hollendorfer has only run 2 at the meeting one of which won and the other ran so so........might be a useful sprint debut which might set her up well for today's route race......we shall see about 4:28 pm pacific time

8  Lady Mo   trainer is a surprising 2 for his last 10 with the sprint-sprint-route maneuver which is the case today for this Ruben Gomez filly.........and she has some early speed and gets a 7 lbs bug......look for the apprentice to go after the lead.....should be a big number

12  Mama Superior

4  Redemption Code

3  Sideways Suances

Los Alamitos for Saturday 19 December 2020

Two more days of minor league racing and then on to big leagues as Santa Anita opens on 26 December for racing 6 of the next 9 days.

Mandatory payoffs for tomorrow on closing day.

Best of luck as always!

 

race 1    below average clarity

7  Sweet Rafaela   solid history at 5 1/2 furlongs turf or dirt........away for 8 weeks but training as if she is returning as good as new

1  Dr Wysong   one hole can be tough post at Lrc but Prat rides and he owns both lifetime wins for this filly who is (3 2 1 0) in her last 3 dirt sprints

3  Uno Trouble Maker   dangerous speed and she should appreciate the 1/2 furlong cut back in distance

6  Premiere lady

2  Enternal Endeavour

 

race 2    average clarity

4  Active Pass   last three races on the AW at GG sure look good here........needs to handle the real thing today.......OK pedigree for it

7  Carpe Victoriam   Sadler seldom gives much away but I believe he is breaking the mold today with this colt cutting his claiming price in half..........his a.m. work is too good to ignore

2  See Through It   dangerous step up in class from the Metz barn........gelding in (8 3 3 2) in his last 8 dirt sprints and two of them were at Lrc

5  Bedrock

1  Hydrogen

 

race 3    average clarity

9  My Man Bags   a.m. work sure appears very good vs. today's competition........and a solid rider with debut maidens in J J Hernandez.......usually a good post in these 5 1/2F races at Lrc

1  Va Va Vegas   decent work regiment for this Baffert colt......would have been top selection if not for a tough post at Lrc at 5 1/2F especially for a two year old 1st timer

10  Bob Daniels   another 1ster training well enough to be ready at 1st asking........and he acts like he has some early speed

3  Playing Hardball

7  Gallant Guy

 

race 4    average clarity

1  Red Flag   quite the improvement to crush a G3 field winning by 7L despite racing a bit wide pressing a decent pace.........pedigree for a two turn race is questionable but the way he finished up at 7F hints this two year old with handle his new challenge

6  Spielberg   last was dismal finishing 10L behind our top choice but Baffert changes riders to shake things up.......races 2 and 4 back fit well

2  Petruchio  improving with each and every race but he still will need a solid move forward to take down this race.......it is very encouraging that Smith shows up to ride

 

race 5    average clarity

5  Kate Boss   decent race dropping into claiming and for a new trainer in Mathis........blinkers on and good works.......1st on conventional dirt but her works on it last summer hint she likes it more than the AW at GG

9  Respectfully   bad trip hides his MSW debut's strength.....that and her race was likely need as she went off 33 to 1.......believe she was always pointed her 2nd start in a maiden claiming race like today

8  Best of Show  trainer is decent getting MC 1ster's ready to run well at 1st asking and often doesn't show much in the a.m. with them.......and.......when he legs up a top tier rider they are often "live".........Cedillo up

12 AE  Disko Fever SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE  

7  Nurse Hardbody

2  Olbia

 

race 6    average clarity

8  Gov From Above   big awakening in last earning a legitimate fig for a MC20K........Cedillo took our 2nd pick but Prat gets the mount.......only mount Mr Prat had from Sherman over the last 3 months or so was a win

1  Lugia   cost $540K but starts for MC20K.......ouch-a-rama.......likely has a big hole but his works hint he should run well today.......he seems like the kind you can back at the windows but you wouldn't want to claim as he likely only has a few races in him before having to be laid up

6  Lucky Ryan Seven   consistent sort needs to overcome his lack of finish late......like his chances if Fuentes takes back quite a bit early which will help his finish late

3  Battling Gervinho

2  Tiger's Song

 

race 7    below average clarity

11 AE  Boonesboro Beauty   bet to favorite in latest but caught a runaway winner who ran a final time equivalent to about 5 levels higher.........and take note the Kruljac has won 7 of his last 20 with beaten favorites

10  Laker Jet  SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE   last is better than appears in print.....but more importantly this gal's lifetime best and a solid fit here was run in a one mile race at Lrc......should be a big big number

4  Free My Soul   brutal trip in her layoff run hides a race that is not as bad as it looks......and trainer Metz is (6 1 3 1) at the Lrc meeting........filly is (5 1 2 0) at the distance.......another who should get ignored at the windows

2  Aries

8  Miss You Mom

6  Majestic Diva

 

race 8    average clarity

2  Ruthies Racer   solid race vs. the boys despite being 8L behind the winner at the wire as it was a very fast heat......not to shabby in her race two back either.........Prat stays put......would love to get the ML price

5  Yellow Dress   bad trip (6 or 7 lengths of trip adjustment) hides a par like effort.......V Espinoza is being extremely selective at the meeting yet takes this mount hinting this Hess filly is doing well

10  Big Mama Sue   boxed badly on the 2nd turn in her last or could have won today's level and do so at the tough Del Mar meeting.........should be flying late

6  Dancing Dana

1  Risen lady

 

race 9    below average clarity

9  Short Rib   debut was better than it appears as this gelding raced inside on a day the rail was dull at Del Mar..............handling a route is a ? mark but that is the case for almost everyone in the race

7  Twice the Price   takes the MSW to MC30K plunge........showed some life in his debut which was on the AW at GG........like the 6 works since his 17 Oct race.......and his last 4 drills are decent and that is somewhat subtle

3  Smoke Stack   sprint-sprint-route and takes that magical drop from MSW racing to MC......and he owns a pedigree that is outstanding for a route race

5  Stalking Windows

2  Father O'Flaherty

 

race 10    average clarity

4  Master Recovery   exits a very fast heat where being beat by 8 1/2L still worked out to be a par like fig and he didn't have the best of trips.....3 of his 4 lifetime one mile races fit well here

5  Seiche   last two races would not get the job done......but his 1st two would crush today's MC20K field.......seems like the kind you can back at the windows but you wouldn't want to claim as he likely only has a few races in him before having to be laid up

6  Noble Pursuit   not much in his return to the race wars......but he appears better in routes and that is what he gets today.....deserves another shot

8  Question Authority

9  Twirling Derby

11 AE  Luck Is My Name  SCRATCHED OUT OF THE RACE  

Los Alamitos for Friday 18 December 2020

Monster carryovers in both the pick 6 (race 4) and the SHR (race 9). 

Best of luck as always!

 

race 1    above average clarity

10  Handr'sdream  MC 1ster has a prolonged work regiment with some strong gate works early on.......despite no wins Bonde runners have been "live" at the meeting

1  Lovesick Blues   SCRATCHED big awakening in 2nd lifetime start.......powerful work since.......Miyadi who has been hot the last couple of days steps this guy way up........two year old is improving fast

3  Reckoning Day   great name for a 1st timer......new sire but mom has tossed 2 winners from 2 starters including a Stakes winner.......seems well meant in his MC debut

5  Big Endeavor

8  Hot Pursuit

 

race 2    below average clarity

11 AE  Unstoppable Guy  SCRATCHED crying out for more distance and gets it today.......won his only race at today's 5 1/2F distance......best rider this gelding has ever had on his back.....1st on conventional dirt is a ? mark

6  Shanghai Curly   improving at LA and like our top pick he is one for one at today's 5 1/2 furlong distance........two nice preparatory works on the SA training track........good out of the gate.......gelding should get a nice stalk position

5  Rineshaft   seems at his most dangerous racing off of short rest and gets it today.......drops one level......believe this four year old is a "go' today

4  Satanta

3  Jedi Knight

8  No More Fireball

 

race 3    below average clarity

10  Rest Easy Two Four   solid 2nd in his MC8K debut at GG where the winner came right back to score again..........claimed in the race and for a trainer in Dan Markle who is often at his best 1st out following a claim and especially when he steps up a given horse.......good pedigree to handle "real" dirt

8  Freerunning   Maldonado is coming off a nice day yesterday and he seems to love the outside posts at Lrc when he has a horse with some early gas like this colt has

7  Royal Orb SCRATCHED  trainer thru the years is usually an automatic toss out but not these days as he has really has woken up in the 2nd half of 2020..........colt went off 143 to 1 in his MSW debut so call it an educational experience........take the plunges to MC30K.......should be in the mix from the get go

6  Walking With Dino

2  Mr. Artistic

 

race 4    average clarity   

5  Awhitesportscoat   gelding won the 6 December version of this race at Lrc albeit at 1/2 furlong further........back in short rest and the last time this gelding raced off of short rest (7 Sept) he won and won with a strong fig.......Maldonado is shooting for 3 in a row on this six year old

6  Rickey B   trainer is hot and he is 40% win 2nd after a claim with last 15..........colt is 3 for 3 at the distance on main track surfaces........gets 1st time Cedillo........all systems go

1  Roman Rush   sharp recent work (best of 101 working at GG at 4F on 6 December) and a decent history for the trainer 2nd out after a claim.......and he seems like a slightly better runner on the conventional dirt than the AW

2  Castle Gate

 

race 5    average clarity

6  Midnight Diva   McCarthy MSW 1st time starter appears to be meant and ready to roll and draws a good post and rider........trainer is only 5% win with MSW 1sters but I believe that is by design.......hope that is not the case here

5  Philly Lishes   MSW sprint debut turf race is just short of par for the MSW ranks and disguised in it's strength some........fell off a little in her 2nd start which was also a turf sprint.........1st time blinkers on for his 1st on the dirt......good dirt pedigree and an improved speed work showing.......that suggests the blinkers on improved this filly.......hot apprentice rider up

1  Donna Bush   another 1st timer that appears well meant in his MSW debut........trainer Callaghan is very solid at getting his two year old runners ready at 1st asking......mostly placed as 3rd choice because of the post

2  Empire House

3  Dorita's Happy

 

race 6    way below average clarity

8  Fire When Ready   believe this Hess gelding came out of his very low level claiming race a great shape for Bob to step this claimer up multiple levels 2nd out after a layoff.....and look who wants the mount......leading rider J J Hernandez

7  Tiz Love   won opening day and this gelding is at his best at Lrc and at today's 5 1/2 furlong distance......Pat Harrington likely will pull out all stops to have this gelding at his best because Lrc won't open again until next summer......jock upgrade to boot

4  Tribal Storm   better on conventional dirt than the GG AW and drops multiple levels......it has been a long time since this gelding has won a race but that might change today

5  J T's A. T. M.

11 AE  Cannon Ball Coming SCRATCHED

12  AE  Malibu Alex SCRATCHED

2  Royal Seeker

 

race 7    average clarity

6  No Longer Silent  SCRATCHED  one half of his career races look very solid here if of course he can run as well on the conventional dirt as he has on the GG AW.......pedigree suggests that he will.......should sit pretty stalking the lead

1  Handsome Cat   very consistent racing at 6F or less on the dirt......toss last as he owns a dismal record on the sod which says that the one mile turf race was a muscle him up endurance building race.....should be motoring late

8  Bronn   consistent sort on the dirt (7 2 0 2 3) and the lone time he was up for a tag (also was at 50K like today) he won.......would have consider higher if this Baffert colt wasn't a vet scratch on 8 Nov.

5  Antithetical SCRATCHED

2  Octopus

 

race 8    average clarity

3  Fratelli  great spot to be a speed horse as this gelding has plenty of it in a race that lacks it........and for the 1st time in his career he won without having the lead in his last racing endeavor

6  Johnny Podres   1st on conventional dirt in his latest and the 4th place (beaten only 1 1/2L for the win) is better than it appears in print as he was inside on an outside bias at Lrc on 5 Dec.......extra 1/16 to run should be a plus.....seems like a player

2  I Will Not   usually ultra dangerous owner/trainer/rider trio has been in a funk........due to get their mojo back any day now

7  Perfect Wager

4  Rinse and Repeat

 

race 9    average clarity

5  Zahra   0 for 22 and counting......but......finally gets her fanny out of MSW racing and drops all the way to the bottom MC level.......she should love the class relief but still needs to overcome her tendency to hang

4  Little Miss Belle   moved forward in her 2nd lifetime start and the race was at Lrc........hard not to like

7  Anatolia   all three lifetime races are decent but a little short of par for the MC20K level......but.......Prat is up for the 1st time  hinting there is a good chance she should fire her best to date

10  Princess Tale

6  Slew's Screen Star

2  Our Bonnie Lass

 

 

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