Twitter: @owenstaylor10
Race 1: Maiden Claiming 5,000 for 4yo & up. 1 mile. All-Weather. Picks: 2-3-6.
2. Include Eddy – This horse was up close to the finish two starts back at this distance and was placed 2nd through a DQ. He has had two 4 furlong works to prepare for this race; this same move got him a third place finish two starts back. Along with the jockey change to Hernandez, this horse is coming in poised for a strong run.
3. Secret Mania – This is a horse I had to show last week and he ran fifth. Now my pick to place, I think his post position sets him up to be the speed in this race. He went wide last time out so I think being closer to the rail will change the game this time around. Having run last week it’s a quick turnaround, but I trust the trainers confidence. This is Secret Mania’s third consecutive class drop.
6. Hold Me Close – Has been off the board in his last two starts but don’t count that against him because he made up ground late last time out. Going back to his start going a 1 1/16 mile, he was outrun by higher company than he’s facing here. The added distance going a mile might suit him.
Race 2: Maiden Special Weight $30k. 4yo & up. 1 mile. All-Weather. Picks: 4-5
4. Boyson – He’s had some really good efforts since transferring to Leobardo’s barn. He stepped it up from a Md5000 to run a close second in a Md20000 to a next out winner.
5. Major Kong – He was a close third last out going 1 1/16 mile and has had two 5 furlong drills that should set him up well here. He has been running higher than some of those he’s facing here, but his form doesn’t suggest he’s unbeatable. Hopefully the early speed he showed last time helps him get a good early position.
Race 3: Claiming $4,000 for Fillies and Mares 4yo & up That Have Never Won 2 Races. 6 furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 4-6-3-5
4. Hopscotchy – Returns to sprinting after getting beat by the same horses in her last two starts. I like the cut in distance, since her win and on-the-board finishes came at sprints.
6. Gothic Girl – She drew the outside post, but with a long stretch and a short field of 6 she should have time to get a good position into the turn. She doesn’t always hit but her lone will and most of her on-the-board finishes are all from this track.
3. Circulodeganadoras – Steps up to face winners for the first time after breaking her maiden last out. She has some early speed that may make her a factor in this race.
Race 4: Allowance 50000s. 4yo & up. 5 ½ furlong. All-Weather. Picks: 5-2-1
5. Smokin Blackjack – This lightly raced horse had a tough loss last out at this level. In his second race off a layoff, his speed figures are continuously improving and are on average the best of the field.
2. Stormy Charmant – Lost this same condition by a neck last out. His form continues to improve, and while some may suspect a bounce off the last effort he’s had two solid 5 furlong works since his last start, which suggest otherwise.
1. Irrefutable – I expect to see this horse on the lead again. He returned off a layoff to win in wire-to-wire fashion with some left in the tank. I don’t think he can beat the other two and have him for show.
Race 5: Claiming $3,200. 4yo & up That Have Not Won 2 Races 2019-2020. 5 ½ furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 7-6-4-5
7. Smoked too Many – At first glance you notice he’s 4-0-0-0 at the distance, but he’s cutting back for the first time in two years. Looking at his works he’s been getting some speed put into him.
6. Fast Sale – Looking past last out, this horse has been pretty consistent at this level. May come back from that effort and be a factor.
4. Tanker – Has shown early speed before. Cutting back in distance after his mile effort is a popular move and an angle I like to play; this same move earned him a win at Fresno in October.
Race 6: Allowance 8000s. 4yo & up. 1 1/16 mile. All-Weather. Picks: 6-4-2.
6. Friday’s At Shady – This horse showed zero signs of speed last out and returns to route. Trainer Ari Herbertson has plenty of success with route training in the past. Friday’s At Shady has recently faced tougher company and may find relief here.
4. Shot of a Lifetime – Won this condition on December 8th. If he can settle the distance shouldn’t be a problem. Gomez aboard over Herrera.
2. Speed Saver – This horse has been super with Gonzalez aboard and trainer Tamayo, but hasn’t won for them yet. I still expect a game finish from him today.
Race 7: Claiming 8,000 for Fillies and Mares 4yo & up Which Have Never Won Two Races. 6 furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 5-2-1
5. Felony One – This horse went wide last out and only lost by three lengths. Two bullet works going 4 furlongs recently will sharpen her up for this sprint. She also gets the highest weight allowance by 7 pounds (carrying 116), compared to the rest of the field.
2. Rolinga – She’s been very consistent as of late and should improve off her last start. She’s been successful racing against tougher company, though, which makes it interesting she’s been dropping.
1. Sierra Sunrise – This is a horse I wanted to put higher but couldn’t bring myself to. She has the running style of a closer, which is how I predict this race will est up, and this is her second start off a layoff. I didn’t put her higher because she has a long history of not running straight and angling or drifting a lot.
Race 8: Maiden Special Weight $30k. 3yo. 1 mile. All-Weather. Picks: 2-6-8.
2. Successful Command – A horse that hasn’t gotten an on-the-board finish, he’s been pushed wide in all of his starts but was game in his last effort. We haven’t seen early speed from him so hopefully he doesn’t get crowded going into the first turn, but he has very good works heading into this race.
6. Doctrinaire – This horse hasn’t had any works at Golden Gate since shipping north from Santa Anita, and 9/10 times this is a no-no for me. However, he finished an honest 4th last out to Azul Coast, who just ran 2nd in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes. Doctrinaire is working good, but he’s going to have to run hard to overcome his position or settle off the pace.
8. A.P. Pharoah – He comes off the turf again and has had 4 works since his last start, including a solid 5 furlong work on December 29. I think he will learn from his last start and look to improve here.
Race 9: Claiming $20,000. 4yo & up Which Have Never Won Two Races. 6 furlongs. All-Weather. Picks: 6-4-9-1-5.
6. Argosy Fleet – This is a horse that has been relatively consistent at Golden Gate. The speed he showed in his last two starts saw him run some of his best races and I will look for him to repeat that here.
4. Manila Mischief – He sprints for the first time in over a year. At first glance it would look like he needed the running room he had in his last few starts, but he’s proven to be competitive at this distance too.
9. Tivan – Tivan is coming off a short layoff since his stakes start. He returns here in a spot that should offer him some class relief. He has in the past shown to appreciate this surface, having won his maiden and a stakes race here in the past.