Here are my thoughts on the seven stakes races from Santa Anita, which include 5 Breeder’s Cup Win and You’re In races. Good luck!
Race 1 – The Unzip Me, Non-Graded (5 ½ furlongs, turf) for three year old fillies
#8 Merneith has been absent from the winners circle since the maiden win, however showed promise on turf last out. Turf is by no means Baffert’s specialty however a turf sprint may be right up her alley as she is working great. #1 Blue Sky Baby will be sitting just off the pacemaker and should have an opportunity to make a late run. #5 Biddy Duke is a true sprinter with lots of early speed. While she hasn’t had this trip yet, the Tomlinson looks great.
Selections: 8-1-5
Race 3 – The Chandelier, Grade 2 (1 1/16 miles, dirt) for two year old fillies
#1 Princess Noor is an anchor selection, but will likely be 1/9 when this one goes off. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of Baffert’s three entries scratched making a four horse race. Her sire is proving to be a nice first crop surprise and this filly has been spectacular in both races including a G1 win last out. She will be tough. #2 Make Mischief has two graded placings but will need improve figure wise to have a legitimate shot. #4 Illumination is still a maiden, but comes off a nice work and gets Saez on the mount.
Selections: 1-2-4
Race 5 – The Speakeasy, Non-Graded 1 (5 ½ furlongs, turf) for two year olds
#5 Amanzi Yimpilo has fantasic pedigree as well as the 2YO guru Ward on her side as she faces the boys. Blinkers will be off, which is a 23% move and one that can help her maintain the needed focus. Her numbers add up to get the job done. #4 Commander Khai is going to be step for step with #5 and will aim to wear her down. #7 Wyfire moves to Peter Miller, 22% 1st time with trainer, and has shown speed. Prat should help this horse improve.
Selections: 5-4-7
Race 7 – The Rodeo Drive, Grade 1 (1 ¼ miles, turf) for fillies and mares three year old and upward
#3 Bodhicitta is off a G2 win after a G1 placing. She has the late turn of foot to make that big surge up at the wire. This filly has improved figures each race and looks to be in peak form. #6 Lady Prancealot is a multiple Graded Stakes winner with that same kind of late kick. It may come down to which of these two can get the cleanest path to run through. #1 Tonahutu makes her second graded stakes attempt. She is off a win and primed for a big race.
Selections: 3-6-1
Race 8 – The American Pharoah ,Grade 1 (1 1/16 miles, dirt) for two year olds
There are no American Pharoah progeny here, which is a little disappointing. #5 Spielberg is getting a lot of hype, deservedly so as a maiden for Baffert in a Grade 1. He has lost to the same horse (Dr. Schivel) twice, and he isn’t in this race so that immediately improves his odds. It won’t be an easy task, but I think he gets his picture taken today in a big way. #6 Get Her Number will flash early speed and try to hang on. A win here would certainly get him some numbers for the breeding shed. An interesting option here is #2 Rombauer who is improving and switches to dirt. Makes me curioius what McCrthy sees that could warrant the switch, and I’m nobody to question a 20% trainer on this angle. #1 Touchdown Brown actually boasts the best Beyer of the group last out as a runner up. Stretching out for the first time is the biggest question mark.
Selections: 5-4-2-1
Race 9 – The John Henry, Grade 2 (1 ¼ miles, downhill turf) for three year olds and upward
Maybe it’s my bias for attending United High School in Laredo, Texas; or maybe it’s the fact that #3 United is just an outstanding horse that has him as an anchor selection for me in this spot. Couldn’t quite get there last out and burned up a lot of money, but this seems like a set up where he will be involved earlier which should help his cause. His speed should be tough to match up against down the stretch. #7 Next Shares may be seeing a more aggressive strategy here and getting out to the lead in a race where it seems nobody wants it. Could pay off. #2 Originaire should be running late and will try to weave a perfect trip home late.
Selections: 3-7-2
Race 10 – The Awesome Again, Grade 1 (1 1/8 miles, dirt) for three year olds and upward
I find myself wanting to try and beat #5 Maximum Security, but its just not going to be easy. Even off the Servis juice he has still proven to be an exceptional runner, and he gets his old friend Luis Saez back. This is shaping up to be a big day for Baffert and Saez. It looks like all of these horses want to go which should make for a great race and I’ll be curious who sits off and tries to make a late run. #2 Improbable is capable of such a trip and I have to admit is a nice back up plan to Max. His speed in undeniable and he has redeemed himself from disappointing finishes in the past with back to back G1 wins. #3 Sleepy Eyes Todd seems to wake up in big moments. While I don’t think he can last in a duel with the group, if he sits off he could make a late move.
Selections: 5-2-3