Twitter: @HorseAnalystWW
Best bet of the day: LYMEBYRD (Race 6)
Race 1 – 12:45pm (PST) 4yr old &up Clm 8000n2x 1 mile All-Weather (7-4)
Top Choice: (7) Drizzy looks well positioned here second up after the Tamayo claim. He was outsprinted at the top of the stretch after a slow pace to fall behind by over 6 lengths but then finished on to miss by a little over 2 lengths. Hernandez/Tamayo have been a lethal combo scoring 16/33 (48.5%) in 2019. Like to see the string of recent wins at this trip and believe he is very well spotted here.
Backup: (4) Zedekiah surely will run better after an awful trip last out. Never really was comfortable and the pace was at a crawl. Second start off the claim for Trujillo. Martinez/Trujillo fire at 15% as a combo. Previous efforts at the $5k level put him in the mix.
Race 2 – 1:15pm (PST) 4yr old &up Clm 16000 6 furlongs All-Weather (4-2)
Top Choice: (4) Gray Gem Looks well spotted here, second start after a layoff. Two super sharp 4 furlong drills in prep for this. Drops down to his lowest level in a while and I believe he just might be best sprinting. Top pick in a very competitive heat.
Backup: (2) Mal Verde has made a career out of sprinting on the tapeta having won 9/29 here at GG. He’s 9 years old now, but I believe he still has something in the tank and speed figures would agree. Drops to his lowest level, 3rd up after a layoff. Should be firing late.
Race 3 – 1:45pm (PST) 3yr old F MdnSpWt 1 mile All-Weather (6-4)
Top Choice: (6) Red Lark really improved on the synthetic at Dundalk in Ireland last October. She’s been freshed up and brought to the USA. Pat Gallagher has put a steady string of works into this gal and was an amazing 6/12 (50%) running MSW types on the GG tapeta in 2019.
Backup: (4) Foggy Bottom had a nightmare of a trip last out, when checked hard going into the backstretch going back 8 lengths last, then ran into a tight spot on the turn and in the stretch. With all that she still closed hard to miss by only 2 lengths.
Race 4 – 2:15pm (PST) 4yr old &up OC 62500n2x 6 furlongs All-Weather (3-6)
Top Choice: (3) Passionate Reward looks like he can stalk what looks to be a torrid pace. He is 3/3 on the GG tapeta and really stepped his game up last time when betting first condition allowance company. Eagle Song (3rd) returned to win the very same condition validating his win. The aforementioned Hernandez/Tamayo combo (48.5% in 2019) are in his corner. Big time chance.
Backup: (6) Skidoo draws outside the other speed and can push as fast as he pleases. He was caught up in a 3-way speed dual last out and managed to win the battle with those other two foes, but was overtaken by the closers and faded to fifth only 3 lengths back. Will push Sigur Ros for everything he has.
Race 5 – 2:45pm (PST) 4yr old &up Clm 4000n2L 1 mile All-Weather (9-4)
Top Choice: (9) Temple View fresh off the maiden score when going with Lasix and blinkers for the first time gets our backing here. Miyadi claimed this one in that effort and has historically been very good off the claim. Miyadi/Flores combo hit 2/5 (40%) in 2019. Good value should be in store with the presence of Refractometer who is crashing down in class. Solid.
Backup: (4) Nizamdcarchy is now going 3rd start for Calvario off the private purchase. Last effort was a rough one as Martinez had to steady him twice in the stretch. Martinez re-rides for a barn that can turn them around, which I expect will happen today. Live shot at long odds.
Race 6 – 3:15pm (PST) 4yr old &up Alw 33000nc 1-1/16 miles All-Weather (2-1)
Top Choice: (2) Lymebyrd didn’t fire in the Gr 3 Berkeley on Thanksgiving weekend, but has been logging sharp, steady works since. This guy was a terror going long on the tapeta last year scoring 4 wins. Second start after a short layoff, means he’s fresh and primed. Big, big chance here.
Backup: (1) Brave Nation placed 3rd in the Gr 3 Berkeley after trailing most of the way around, now he finds a softer spot after running in 7 straight stakes races. Two solid efforts on the GG tapeta, including the win back on May 24th against Lymebyrd. Now a 5 yr old, which is the peak year. Looks tough.
Race 7 – 3:45pm (PST) 4yr old &up Clm 20000n2x 1-1/16 miles All-Weather (3-2)
Top Choice: (3) Sunny Spot is going very well for Wong. Should find him stalking Unlawful Act early in what appears to be a race lacking speed. Race he exits on Nov 29th has since seen Mr Q (2nd) and Alleycat (6th) come back to run 1-2 in a 12500n2x race. Couple of nice works in prep. Big chance to keep it going.
Backup: (2) Unlawful Act is a very consistent sort. Found himself off the pace last out and he’d prefer to be up on the engine. Gets Antongeorgi back, who piloted him to a nose loss on Oct 25th. Troy/Antongeorgi have combined for a 13/70 (18.6%) win rate since 2017. Jockey change and better positioning early will make him tough at a decent price.
Race 8 – 4:15pm (PST) 4yr old &up Alw 31000n1x 1 mile All-Weather (9-3)
Top Choice: (9) Cupid’s Claws makes his tapeta debut after facing tougher first allowance condition types in S. California. Making his 3rd start off the layoff after a steady string of works over today’s course. The race two back saw him steadying in the stretch behind Wound Tight and Musawaat who both eventually won at the level. Sherman/Gonzalez 14/63 (22.2%) since 2017. Breeding suggest surface should not be an issue. Big chance.
Backup: (3) Sarni goes for the 3rd time after a long layoff and now stretches out to what should be a very favorable distance based on the Gio Ponti/Lemon Drop Kid mare breeding. Martinez sticks with this guy and Bautista/Martinez scored 10x in 2019 10/33 (30.3%). Likely will be sent for the lead and will take them as far as he can. Surprise package.
Race 9 – 4:45pm (PST) 4yr old &up F&M MdnSpWt 6 furlongs All-Weather (4-9)
Top Choice: (4) Nardini has been nursed back to competition with steady workouts since Oct 26th. Legacy Ranch bought her for $160k back in 2017 so they have a lot invested. One race on the record as an early two year old where she ran 3rd to a couple of horses that came back to win. The sharp 5 furlong works on her tab and the care the ownership has shown in slowly bringing her back tell me this one has some talent.
Backup: (9) St. Annie’s Indy has been slowly working up to her debut today. She is a half sister to Miss Super Saint a 2x winner on this course. Dam Saintly Spirit comes from a solid second dam who produced 8/8 winners/starters. Trainer Specht has proven well with older first time starters in the past 3/16 (18.8%). Live first time starter.