Race 1-
#2 Mr. Magico is a consistent, hard trying gelding. His recent fourth-place finishes were tough races and he didn’t lose by much- so don’t discount those efforts if handicapping him. It’s hard looking at his performances thinking he’s only won one race with all the good efforts.
2nd #1 Fortune of War (GB) had finished a little behind my top pick last out and improved on his last race as well. I have a feeling he will be on the board.
3rd #3 Big Sky Logan is now in a better spot. I think his race last out was a little tough, coming off of the maiden-breaking win against a more experienced bunch.
Race 2-
1st #5 Beyond Pleasure is the 6/5 favorite. Blinkers on, dipping in for half of the price as her last race. I’d be surprised to see her lose, to be honest as she is set up well for this spot.
2nd #4 K P Satellite is bred solid. Her first race wasn’t good- at all. The class drop should be a help to her, and maybe she’ll like the dirt.
3rd #6 Perfect Portrait has done a lot of flipping around in terms of surfaces and distances. I think it’s a little tough for her at Santa Anita, she just hasn’t shown much this far.
Race 3-
1st #10 Pointed is a horse that is running better than the horses that cost $450,000 and $390,000 in this race. Crazy, right? $16,000 purchase. He’s coming down a little in class which I like. The mile distance is a little better.
2nd #7 Conquest Smartlee has appeared to be asking for distance for quite some time. He will get it here which could benefit him.
3rd #9 Tequila Blanco finished a lot closer last out than two back. That was a poor finish at LRC, just wasn’t his thing.
Race 4-
1st #5 Comical has rocket quick works and is making her debut for Doug O’Neill. The Into Mischief baby girl could have a bright future.
2nd #6 Go Big Blue Nation is the chalk because she’s already running, and ran second in it. I used to watch her dam race and she has a good family. Good chance here.
3rd #7 Golden Star Lady was a $300,000 purchase. The pedigree says it was worth it. She’s by Candy Ride out of an Empire Maker dam. Wow.
Race 5-
1st #2 Lady Midtown ran third in a grade three last out. Only lost by a length and a quarter. It’s crazy how she went from breaking her maiden at GG to running third in a graded stakes race two races later.
2nd #5 Out of Balance’s dam, Balance, is Zenyatta’s champion older sister. It did take her a while to break her maiden but that’s ok.
3rd #3 Tapwater is hard to trust with these sketchy layoffs. Something doesn’t seem right. But Mandella is one of the best in the business so this makes me feel safer sticking this lightly raced but talented filly here.
Race 6-
1st #3 Sneaking Out is an impressive homebred filly. She’s kicking butt against California company, but it would be nice to see her take another step against open company. She’s just a dream with Drayden Van Dyke- they make a great team.
2nd #2 Bizwhacks has been against some tough, tough fields in her recent races to the pursuit of the Ky Oaks. Now she’s back at her home track after some traveling across the south, but for where she was in her career, she handled those fields well.
3rd #4 Colonial Creed ran a really good race last out, winning by about a length. She usually puts in a good effort. I’d like to see how her career progresses.
Race 7-
1st #8 Belvoir Boy (GB) ran a huge race at Meydan back at the end of March. Over a million in earnings, unlike most mares who age and lose interest, at six years old, this gal is at the peak of her career. She will be a heck of a broodmare when she’s done.
2nd #4 Painting Corners probably couldn’t beat BB, but she’s run some good races and I see her hitting the board here. She’s done well in California, running second in a graded race.
3rd #2 S Y Sky is hard not to like. Over the winter I had chosen her several times, and she hasn’t let me down. A Cal-bred mare who’s made over half a million with twelve starts. She could really continue to succeed here.
Race 8-
1st #3 Make It a Triple hasn’t won since March of last year, but still managed to make over $73K by racking in some decent performances.
2nd #4 Tough But Nice and Geovanni Franco get along great, with a first and second with their two efforts. One of the couples of claiming horses we see that can go up in class and win. Good to see.
3rd #1 Italiano just won last out by a nose. I think he’s capable of running third, and I don’t put him on top because I think the other two will just run better.
Race 9-
1st #8 Delta Forum works good, blinkers on, and didn’t lose by much but needs some experience.
2nd #9 Malibu Moonlight is trained by Anna Meah- always good to see a female trainer succeed. He ran a very good first race for her despite the slow break.
3rd #3 Etterbay Ucklay was also off slow last out. Ran exactly a month ago, which is the perfect time for a horse who’s just starting their career. Ron Ellis trains and Joe Talamo rides.