Top Choice Season Statistics :
36 selections – 10 wins (27.8%) $2.00 Win bet ROI $2.09 (+$0.09)
Best Bet: Cupid’s Claws in race 4.
Race 1 – 12:45pm (PST) 4yr old & up Mcl 5000 5 furlongs All-Weather (Selections: 4-5)
General Comments: Kick off the card with bottom level, older maiden claimers. This is a below average group, so seems ripe for a new face to win it.
Top Choice: (4) North Cross resumes after nearly a year away from the races and finds as soft a spot as one could imagine in this bottom level maiden claimer. Steady set of slow workouts in tow and has shown some ability to close ground. Breeding suggests an all-weather sprint should be right up his alley.
Backup: (5) Marinos Law sure looks like a ‘pack animal’ to me. His effort back on September 7th where he chased Flynn around the track and ended up 6 lengths clear of 3rd was more than quick enough to win at this level, yet he has stacked up 2 more runner up efforts and 3 third place efforts since then. Definitely seems to have the ability to win, just needs to stop loving the crowd.
Race 2 – 1:15pm (PST) 4yr old & up Clm 4000n2L 1 mile All-Weather (Selections: 3-6)
General Comments: Bottom level non-winners of 2 claimers where 5 out of the 6 all faced each other last out (When Jesus Walked being the exception).
Top Choice: (3) Louie the Gambler was beat by Classic Champ last out but that was his first race in nearly a year. He had to need that one and with any improvement likely turns the tables on his rival and scores the second lifetime win. Like the jockey change to Monroy as well.
Backup: (6) Zippin Wine looks like the lone speed here and also puts the blinkers back on. Last time he saw a daylight lead he pulled away to win by 11 lengths (EmD Sept 7th). Effort 3 races back where he was up front would also give him a winning chance. Live.
Race 3 – 1:45pm (PST) 3yr olds Mcl 8000 5-1/2 furlongs All-Weather (Selections: 8-7)
General Comments: Nice competitive field of 8 with many directions to go. Looking for some prices here.
Top Choice: (8) Run Heat showed significant improvement last out leading into the stretch going 6 furlongs and now shortens up and drops in class. Draws to the outside which gives Herrera many options. Live at a good price.
Backup: (7) Texas Bob must have had some gate issues given the 5 successive gate works, but the breeding suggests he will have some ability. His mom (Charisma Matters) has produced solid runners Charisma Code ($58k) and Matter of Luck ($114k). This one’s sire (Smiling Tiger) is significantly better than his siblings’ which all point to this guy having some talent. Could be there if he can overcome his fear of the starting gate.
Race 4 – 2:15pm (PST) 4yr old & up AOC 62500 1-1/16 miles All-Weather (Selections: 4-5)
General Comments: Nice small field of 5 top level claimers meet up here. Some interesting angles to consider. Arch Prince will garner most of the money based on his speed figures, but he has had trouble winning races 1/12 since 2019, so we’ll look to beat him.
Top Choice: (4) Cupid’s Claws steps up after clearing first level allowance types in impressive fashion. Just take a look at that final closing split of 23 and change. That was his first run over the GGF tapeta and should improve further based on his experience. Nice 4 furlong drill in preparation and has had sufficient time between races.
Backup: (5) Bam Bam Bryan steps way up off the claim for Pablo De Jesus and Tim Bankers, both of whom were very successful last year at Emerald Downs. Only a matter of time before De Jesus horses start showing up in the winner’s circle. This race sets up perfectly for Bam Bam to get another easy lead and his speed figures are not that far off. Horse loves to win. Dangerous.
Race 5 – 2:45pm (PST) 4yr old & up F&M Clm 20000n2x 1 mile All-Weather (Selections: 2-3)
General Comments: This race could go many ways. Nonna Gianna drops down from $62500 claimers after walking off the track last August, Splashing was a veterinarian scratch on Jan 11th and shows no workouts and Marjorie E returns with a sparse worktab, which have us looking in some other directions.
Top Choice: (2) Mulhima ships in from SA after some failed dirt and turf races, but a look back to her GB form last year on synthetic and you can see the surface switch might be what the doctor ordered. Her lone win and two placings came on the synthetic and Antongeorgi takes the mount. Anna Meah 0/8 at GGF, but she had 4 seconds. Big shot to reverse form.
Backup: (3) Pure Perfection jumps way up in class for McLean after the strong second place effort last out. Like the confidence shown in spotting her here which says maybe she’s feeling pretty good these days. On the rise, when others are dropping. Longshot special.
Race 6 – 3:15pm (PST) 4yr old & up Clm 32000 6 furlongs All-Weather (Selections: 2-1)
General Comments: Hat Trick racing have two in this field (Rush, Awesome Silver), the latter claimed for $20000 as a 10 year old. Don’t see that too often. Both are entered, but I believe the intention was to fill the race for Rush.
Top Choice: (2) Rush drops into a softer spot after facing high claimers and allowance types. He has an affinity for the synthetic here at GGF. Should find a nice spot stalking the leaders. Couple of nice workouts in tow. Live
Backup: (1) Midnight Destiny got caught up dueling with Whatwasithinking last out and went way faster than he is comfortable doing. Now making his third start off a 6 month layoff, he should be primed for action. Love the sharp workouts and his GGF synthetic track record 11/42. Big chance.
Race 7 – 3:45pm (PST) 4yr old & up Clm 20000n2x 1 mile All-Weather (Selections: 3-6)
General Comments: Another competitive field of 7 here. Arch Anthem (2nd), Jimmy G (3rd) and Unlawful Act (4th) all exit the last race at this level on Jan 4th.
Top Choice: (3) Friday’s At Shady has run two very good recent route races on the synthetic in his last three efforts. Sharp recent 5 furlong drill signals readiness and he seems to fire every time. Trainer Herbertson horses (34% win rate) must always be considered.
Backup: (6) Unlawful Act cut some blazing fractions while getting pressed every step of the way last out by Sunny Spot who ended up fading 3 lengths behind this guy in the stretch, so the old ‘won the battle, but lost the war’ applies. Pace figures to be softer today, so we’ll see how far he can go. Chance to upset.
Race 8 – 4:15pm (PST) 4yr old & up Alw 31000n1x 1-1/16 miles All-Weather (Selections: 5-9)
General Comments: Best betting race on the program. Lots of tough horses entered in this first level allowance. You should be able to get value on any of your choices.
Top Choice: (5) No Name Fred figures to get a similar set up as his last win with lots of speed signed on. He can let the speed go and turn it on late. Hernandez choses this guy over Upo and On Raglan Road. Last race time would take this race. Solid.
Backup: (9) Upo might be one more race away from his best, but that last effort was better than looked being his first since race after 4 months off and he couldn’t make up ground with the fast closing fractions. Breeding suggests he is placed on the right surface and right distance. Take a look at that bullet 5 furlong drill on Jan 18th. Could be bombs away.
Race 9 – 4:45pm (PST) 4yr old & up F&M MdnSpWt 5-1/2 furlongs All-Weather (Selections: 4-5)
General Comments: Race features a West Point Thoroughbreds first time starter in from Southern CA stable John Sadler. This filly will be heavily bet, but dam side pedigree is weak and two veterinarian scratches (12/30/2018 and 9/19/2019) means she has issues. We’ll try to beat her.
Top Choice: (4) St. Annie’s Indy was one of our backup choices three weeks ago and she showed some ability in her debut only missing second by a length and a quarter. Breeding is solid on this filly and that final fraction closing time of 24 and change was sharp. Specht with 2nd starting MSW types is 16.9%. Gonzales re-rides and nice 5 furlong drill to top off the tank. Good chance at great odds.
Backup: (5) She’s So Pretty got started late in life at age 5 and now makes her second start at age 6. Pretty solid effort versus MSW types at SA and sports a couple works over the synthetic here at GGF. Antongeorgi rides and she should also improve second out.