Stronger than usual Sunday card, with a couple of stakes horses opening the card in a tough sprint. A NW2X later in the card may have stakes horse of two in it’s midst as well. Looks like we have an extra race, perhaps taking advantage of the Santa Anita closure.
Race 1: 5-3-2
Great race to kick off the card. Two confirmed stakes horses square off. We’re going with Telekinesis to spring the very mild upset over Bobby’s Wicked One. Sits the trip right off Bobby’s flank, needed last, and work on 2/23 – outstanding!! BWO – has some class, (5th in the Gr.1 Malibu) is consistent, and certainly can repeat. Making a Marc – a consistent, hard trier, gets his share.
Race 2: 6-3-4
Really hard to look past Musical America’s consistency. Sits the outside stalking trip, and runs down Gold Label who can clear on the lead and will prove tough to catch. Really like GL’s last work. Graham will be more patient on Drunken Fridays this time, and that may make a big difference.
Race 3: 11-4-7
In a racing rarity, 8 entrants return from the same last race. All finished pretty closely together, so the thinking is best trip won the last. That said, we’re taking the new face, Room to Finish comes off a bang up 2nd in her last, has handled an outside post (though needs to save ground, w/o getting into traffic). 3 works coming in for crafty barn. Spartanburg – best trip winner in last, could repeat. Wanna Snuggle saves ground this time (big difference) closing style is more effective today.
Race 4: 1-4-7
Didn’t think we could escape the $5K claimers for long…Pinch Assault is a consistent sort who will save ground with the rail trip. Cameron Rules, consistent of late, Saez stays, gets the place. Morning Mischief – the total wildcard. The drop is profound, as is the lack of published works. Thinking if he goes, he may finish closer to last than first – but hard not to mention.
Race 5: 1-6-5
Bombs away – thinking Mr. Mike appreciates the cut back, and improves significantly. Think Graham saves ground – and finishes. Like the speed rating earned in his last. Also, really like the work since the last – 3f. for a little speed. Thenextbestthing and The Last Zip – finished close together in their promising debuts – either could move forward today. Thenextbest has a stronger work coming into this.
Race 6: 4-7-2
Watch Out Justin – doesn’t have to be much, like the last work, the 5 week break in works is a little worrisome, as they had been steady, steady for several weeks. Think with any talent this $100K buy, wins this maiden claimer. Wild Road – Carroll is more judicious today and times the move towards the front more wisely. Think the race flow favors his up close style more than Hitthegroundrunnin who closes from further back. These two look like they are the trifecta again, off their last two.
Race 7: 4-5-3
Indian Lover, certainly not the soundest animal, that’s why its encouraging that he comes back in a few weeks. Meets many of the same as last time, where he looks to have had the rough trip. Really nice work coming into this one. Lawton think Lanerie waits a little longer this time, and finishes stronger. Johnny Obvious continues to run ‘tough’ – and turns the tables on Concord Fast.
Race 8: 4-5-9
Rich statebred maiden, anticipating improvement from Tonights Star. Finished behind a couple of these when bet (7-1) in debut. Hot barn, maintenance work between starts, surprises. Chambliss – positive jock switch gets him out of the gate, and laying closer. Nice work last week. Nuggetsofknowledge looks super tough off last couple, will be hard to deny.
Race 9: 6-7-1
Super tough MdSpWt on the grass, going with the comebacker, My Dream. Was just putting it together when put on the shelf last year. Think this Phipps-bred (who was ‘passed’ along) takes this on return. Tringale improves stretching out, sits closer. The inside may not have been the place to be in last turf sprint. Lucky Lukie tries to steal it from the rail, huge improvement in move to grass, perhaps he doesn’t stop….
Race 10: 5-12-8
Closing on the requisite $5K claimer – where all the in form horses want to be on or near the lead. Thinking Cats Beauty will show best ability to wait, and pounce. Born to D’Wild – think Murrill excecises patience and closes from the outside. Diva’s Ransom – hangs on for part.