Hello Racing fans and welcome to the beginning of the weekend of Memorial Day Racing from Santa Anita! This is my first column covering the Southern California circuit for The Daily Gallop, however I’ve handicapped the circuit for years, so honestly it feels pretty good getting to write about it again. We have an 8 race card scheduled for today, so let’s get right into it!
RACE 1: 3-5-2
We start off with a $50K Maiden Claimer going 9 furlongs on the turf , and there’s no real standout in here. 5-Kittyhawk Lass has the highest BRIS Speed last race, posting a solid 2nd place finish in her claiming debut last out and possibly will go off a slight favorite here because of that race. There’s just no way I can gave any confidence however with Alonso Quinonez riding today. One win in 109 starts at the meet and 0-45 on turf in 2019, I’ll let him beat me here. 3-DULVERTON DARLING is making her second career start for Neil Drysdale, who hits 19% from a limited amount of horses their 2nd race. Gets a big jock upgrade to Mario Gutierrez today after a 3rd place of 12 in debut with Bug Boy Diaz aboard. Did finish behind the 5 in that race but has more room to improve than her rival today. Also had a disadvantageous post that day breaking from the 12 hole. 2-Sybil’s Kitty makes 2nd career start and turf debut for Richard Baltas, who’s a solid 15% first turf. Also in for the tag today after MSW in debut. 26% turf rider Flavian Prat is aboard.
RACE 2: 2-5
2-CONTAGION goes turf to dirt as well as route to sprint (21%) for Doug O’Neill, and also adds Blinkers for a horse that has shown an affinity for being up front earning. The last time he was on conventional dirt was at today’s 6.5 furlong distance where he broke his maiden. Does have a win at today’s level but is in for the $50K tag. 5-Toothless Wonder is coming off a win at the $25K level and was claimed, ironically enough, from O’Neill. Ran 3rd vs this level 2 back and should be stalking behind the early pace. Is also in for the tag today, ironic my top two picks in here are the only two in for the tag.
RACE 3: 8-1-2
Only two in here have raced, and believe me I tried to find an alternative on top to the probable heavy favorite, but can’t come up with a Filly on paper that beats 8-VEGAN today. Ran 2nd at today’s level in debut, stalking most of the way before tiring but still holding on to 2nd. Gets Lasix today. O’Neill is 24% with beaten favorites. 1-Popular Appeal is a FTS for Jeff Bonde and has Edwin Maldonado aboard. Sire Twice the Appeal has gotten off to a nice start, 2 for 9 so far with runners. 2-Cholula Lips is a first timer for Mike Harrington and gets Bejarano on her.
RACE 4: 5-6
5-TIKKUN OLAM ran 3rd vs OC $80K level last out but two back was 2nd beaten half a length to Contagion, who is our top pick in Race 2. Trainer Eric Kruljac is 24% this year so far and jockey Norberto Arroyo should know the horse better after riding him in his prey race. 6-Of Good Report broke his maiden last out at Golden Gate on the Tapeta and now goes back to turf which he tried two starts back, resulting in a decent 3rd in which he made up 4 lengths in the end. Gets Prat for first time but one concern is will there be enough pace for him to close into?
RACE 5: 4-6-3
RACE 6: 5-3-8
5-PRIDE’S GOLD makes U.S. debut today for Eoin Harty, who is an incredible 48% with horses making first start for him out of the last 21 opportunities. Coming off a win on synthetic in Great Britain, this 4 year old daughter of Animal Kingdom has been on turf 3 times, with best efforts a 2nd and a 3rd. Getting Lasix for the first time. 3-Confidentially faces winners for the first time last out vs similar to today, finishing a respectable 4th of 9. Has not had a poor run in her 3 turf starts. 8-Nonna Gianna comes in from Golden Gate off an entry level allowance win on the synthetic but has ran on the Southern California circuit in the past, the last time a solid 3rd place effort vs $75k OC’s. Bejarano was on her then and again today for Paddy Gallagher, who has really struggled at this meet.
RACE 7: 8-7-2
8-EL HUERFANO won at this level last and was 2nd 2 back vs level. In a race with a lot of horses coming in off layoffs, he seems to have an edge on form in here. Imagine he will employ similar tactics as to his last race, going to the lead or not more than a length off early. 7-Two Thirty Five is coming in off a 7 month layoff so will probably need one today. Off the board his last 3 efforts before the layoff, he did crush this level last June here and Santa Anita is his favorite track (5-3-0-1 here vs 9-1-2-1 other tracks). 2-Dark Vader was on the TC trail for a little bit early last year but hasn’t been seen since the Indiana Derby last July. His last start at Santa Anita resulted in a 3/4 length win.
RACE 8: 10-1-9
10-DURANGA cuts back a furlong today and takes a slight drop in class for Peter Miller. Was the beaten favorite last time out but with 1-Powder in here I doubt DURANGA will be the betting choice today. Concerned that she may be placed too far off it early to be in contention late but I think new jock Jorge Velez will have her in the right spot early on. 1-Powder takes Blinkers off and drops to lowest level today in career. Beaten favorite last 4 starts and will probably go off favored again today. Does have early speed but will have to be sent from rail and the risk here is far greater than the reward.