HORSE RACING

[Lumi]

HORSE RACING
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Maiden claiming $100,000, 3-year-olds

Drink At Last Call - Second time out from Jeff Mullins; Michael Baze had choices and opted to ride this colt.

Cape Finistrerre - OK debut at 41/1 odds; not much class drop from MSW to $100K claimer, that's expensive meat loaf.

Long Shot - Format V.

Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds

A Royal Tizzy - Never been around 2-turns, but has show grit and determination; Rafael Bejarano gives him a shot.

Candy Arches - Upset winner in last, can be right there again with a repeat effort; has speed to lead early on.

Long Shot - Outside Shot

Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up

Indianapolis - KY invader from Ken McPeek appears better suited for synthetics; like that Garrett Gomez takes the call.

Quarter Given - Richard Mandella adds blinkers on to get this colt to focus late; straight straight tough beats.

Long Shot - Valkyrie Missile

Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Tamerin - Has won 2 straight, now is dropped in class; I like to think when Mike Mitchell gets them good, they stay good.

Life by R R - Chance to be lone early speed with the turf rail out 15 feet; unclaimed for $20K in last victory.

Long Shot - Birdie Birdie

Race 5 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $10,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Stormy Racer - Been away 7-months, returns fresh and fit; likes SA, synthetics and returns facing her friends.

Warren's R Ready - Steep class drop gives this one a big shot; broke his maiden in Arcadia and likes the Pro Ride.

Long Shot - Suziqcutie

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

Suit Yourself - Garrett Gomez has won 3 times on him; claimed by Matt Chew who must have told Ron Anderson a story.

Vaundell - Been away 9-months since spitting the bit going a mile; sprint and state-breds should be to his liking.

Long Shot - Smoke Cat

Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $56,000, Optional claiming $100,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Bootleg Annie - She is lone speedy today, catch her to win; suspect Rafael Bejarano can set a modest early pace.

Dreamt - Juddmonte horses are now in the care of Bill Mott; suspect he doesn't want the first one to be a clunker.

Long Shot - Dance to My Tune

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Minister d'Oro - Leap of faith that Garrett Gomez wouldn't ride a dead piece FTS; Tom Bell is a good trainer.

Favre N Away - Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; you'll have and edge of seeing the action on all the FTS.

Long Shot - Gold Country

Best Bet - Indianapolis (race 3)

Santa Anita Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$37.00; Long Shots, 8/2/$19.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 163/42/$285.40; Long Shots, 83/10/$100.40; Best Bets, 10/5/$19.40

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #3 Snowy Elegance (5/2) in race 10 at Philadelphia Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Matai won at Tampa Bay paying $3.80 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. Stats - 10/8/$47.20

 

[Lumi]

At the Gate - Friday

At the Gate - Friday

At the Gate - Friday
January 7, 2010

I wrote last week that I had started to hear some rumblings about Zenyatta racing in 2010, and the speculation is on the increase, including a front page article in Friday?s Daily Racing Form.

The mare put in her third workout in the last six weeks on Jan. 6, going four furlongs in :48.00. She put in works on Dec. 21 and Dec. 7.

If Rachel Alexandra happens to win Horse of the Year on Jan. 18, would that be enough incentive for owner Jerry Moss and trainer John Shirreffs to bring the undefeated mare back for more?

That is a possibility, which means we could see the Rachel Alexandra-Zenyatta showdown everyone is clamoring for.

The most logical spot for a meeting might be a stake at Gulfstream Park in February, or perhaps in April at Oaklawn Park.



I?m thinking right now it is a longshot, but if Zenyatta comes up short at the Eclipse Awards on Jan. 18, the odds of seeing her return to the track would go up.

With the Kentucky Derby still four months away, a showdown between the two most well known thoroughbreds would certainly be a good way to start the year.

We got off to a good start in 2010 at the Big A, but for the first time this year, I failed to turn a profit with my top picks on Thursday.

A new streak starts today.




Here is today's opening race from Aqueduct to get our day off to a good start:

AQU Race 1 Clm $12,500 (12:58 ET)
#7 Stungbythestorm 3/1
#2 Missing Blue / #2b Angelic Aura 6/1
#5 Quip 5/2
#6 Fuhrever Dancing 9/2

Analysis: #7 Stungbythestorm dropped down the class ladder pretty quick considering he won an Alw-3 optional claimer back in July. Last out he was jammed in for a $7.5K tag and he had no trouble winning at that level, his first trip on the inner. The gelding should get a good trip sitting just off what likely is going to be a lively early pace. Ramon is back and this gelding looks capable of winning right back for the Asmussen barn that has been sending out live runners at the meet.

#2 Missing Blue makes his first start for the Jacobson barn that is 15% winners first off the claim. The gelding was taken for $16K out of a turf race and has not been on the main track since May of '08 where he was third for a $12K tag in a race taken off the turf. The gelding seldom runs a bad one and the trainer is 27% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from turf to dirt. Entry mate #2b Angelic Aura beat $12.5K non winners of a race in six months last out. He makes his third start off the bench and I like the jock switch to Chuckie as Cohen continues to be poison to our bankroll at this meet.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 2,7 / 2,5,6,7
TRI: 2,7 / 2,5,6,7 / 2,3,5,6,7

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 8 OClm $50,000N2X (3:49 ET)
#1 Cape Cod Girl 3/1
#3 Salt Water Reign 5/1
#9 Starship Angel 7/2
#6 McVictory 9/2

Analysis: #1 Cape Cod Girl was beaten at 4/5 last out, setting the early fractions and handling on gamely, beaten 3/4 of a length for the top spot in the mud versus Alw-3 optional claimers. The five year old mare drops a notch in class and won at this condition three back in NJ. She owns the edge in early and mid pace numbers and fits well in this spot.

#3 Salt Water Reign made a mild late rally to finish third last out at this condition in her first go off a five month layoff. She has done her best work sprinting but looks capable at least pedigree wise to handle a mile. She has run well on the inner (9-4-1-3) and should be tighter for her second start off the bench.

Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 1,3 / 1,3,6,9
TRI: 1,3 / 1,3,6,9 / 1,3,5,6,9

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Aqueduct
R6: #7 Caldron 8/1
R7: #5 Royal Valentine 15/1
R9: #9 Remorse 15/1

Good luck today!

 

[Another Steve]

Thanks for this Winner

AQU Race 1 Clm $12,500 (12:58 ET)
#7 Stungbythestorm 3/1
#2 Missing Blue / #2b Angelic Aura 6/1
#5 Quip 5/2
#6 Fuhrever Dancing 9/2

Analysis: #7 Stungbythestorm dropped down the class ladder pretty quick considering he won an Alw-3 optional claimer back in July. Last out he was jammed in for a $7.5K tag and he had no trouble winning at that level, his first trip on the inner. The gelding should get a good trip sitting just off what likely is going to be a lively early pace. Ramon is back and this gelding looks capable of winning right back for the Asmussen barn that has been sending out live runners at the meet.

#2 Missing Blue makes his first start for the Jacobson barn that is 15% winners first off the claim. The gelding was taken for $16K out of a turf race and has not been on the main track since May of '08 where he was third for a $12K tag in a race taken off the turf. The gelding seldom runs a bad one and the trainer is 27% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from turf to dirt. Entry mate #2b Angelic Aura beat $12.5K non winners of a race in six months last out. He makes his third start off the bench and I like the jock switch to Chuckie as Cohen continues to be poison to our bankroll at this meet.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 2,7 / 2,5,6,7
TRI: 2,7 / 2,5,6,7 / 2,3,5,6,7

 

[Lumi]

what did you win ? 12,500 ?

 

[Another Steve]

Noooo, just hit the exacta and the tri.

 

[Another Steve]

Anyone see the two Jocks fighting at Philly...funny