WEDNESDAY SANTA ANITA

                      

                           SANTA ANITA PARK

                        

SWITCH BY DAVID MORANT



Race 1        Six Furlongs Maiden 50K

Schuykill Punch trained by Kristin Mulhall has been freshen up for 46 days. He showed speed his first race at this claiming price. His speed figures makes him a threat. On paper he is the fastest out of the blocks.  My top pick!Polished Nickel claimed out of his last race for $40K by Kathy Walsh adds the blinkers and shortens up in distance. He has tactical speed and the speed numbers to make him a threat too! Bill Spawr trains Just Jump In who drops in class after showing speed in his first race. Tab the switch in jockey as Bejarano takes over the mount. He exits a key maiden race where Arresting Officer smoked the field. Shelter Cove came back and won out of this maiden race. Phone Trick babies show speed early and have the pedigree to win early in there career. As for first time starters tab the tote board for any clues about Jeff Blonde colt Preferred Mandate.........looks live to me!


  1. Schuylkill Punch  2. Polished Nickel 3. Just Jump In



Race 2        Six Furlongs Starter Allowance

Marcy's Woods exits a fast race with Derrick Do and beat Lucky Fitz by two lengths who ran Monday and finished third again at this condition. His last two workouts at San Luis Rey Downs is solid. Ed Freeman trains and Brice Blanc re-rides. He will not be 25 to 1 today! Lone Justice has speed and a hint of back class to fear. His last race he got beat by Lucky Fitz but a caveat....... He shortens up in distance to a sprint. He has three sharp blazing fast morning workouts to prepared him for this race. Speed was excellent in sprints the first two days at Santa Anita. Cynical Wager adds speed to the mix. Make It A Cougar beat a weak field of maidens. But she looked good drawing away from the field.      

    1. Lone Justice 2.Macy's Woods 3. Make It A Cougar



Race 3        One Mile Turf Allowance

The pace scenario might have Ruby Lane trying to go gate to wire on this group. None of theses horses have won two races. Bar Rock Omama looks to be the horse to fear. The jockey has been a pleasant surprise on this circuit. She looks to have the lead on the front end with Ruby Lane. Secret Oath scratch yesterday and I pick that horse to win. She gets a easier field...... I like her in this spot. Her odds will be low. Ascot's Highflyer stretches out and tries the turf again. She will be closing late and she has a right to step up and win. Lilly's Perfect smoked at weak field at Golden Gate....... but has run well in maiden special weight races before. She looks spotted for action and I expect she might just outrun her odds for Dean Greenman. If the track is wet .........then Bar Rock Omama is my pick............this race might be taken off the turf because of rain!

 1. Bar Rock Omama 2. Lilly's Perfect 3. Ascot's Highflyer


Race 4        One Mile Allowance

A two year old allowance route race has Riveting Reason who if he runs back to form in the Grade 1 Norfork or Del Mar F. his is the colt to fear. Gomez takes the call and he is back after running in the Cashcall December 18th. He has run with the best the west has to offer. Comma To The Top won the Cashcall. He has run with Uncle Mo and J.P's Gusto......... looks like this guy is spotted for action. Awesome Patriot looks to be his main rival. Bejarano takes over for Victor Espinoza who goes to Bob Baffert's stable with the maiden breaker Free Pourin. Anthony's Gross a new face in the group and ships in from Kentucky for red hot trainer Eoin Harty. He exits a fast key race. Awesome Patriot is bred to go long so this distance is ideal for him.

   1.Riveting Reason 2. Awesome Patriot 3.Anthony's Gross



Race 5        Seven Furlongs Claimer 12K

If class dropper Lit'sgoodlookngray is sound his race three starts back would put him in the winners circle at this level. This race lacks one thing and that is speed! Self Insured has been running with Bad Boy the King of the low level claimers. Self Insured is starting to look like a classic hanger and it looks like the pace will not be fast and contested. He will be closing late. Gold Star Status has been facing better. Joel Rosario jumps off and goes to Self Insured. Gold Star like Self Insured are plodders down the lane. Both have a chance to win at this level. Warren's Gidlock might be sent to the lead with P-Val in the irons. He looked good winning at Fairplex. He shortens up in distance and drops in class after facing much better company his last two races. Tab the jockey switch! Flashman's Papers is another horse I expect will show speed from the outside post position.

   1.Warren's Gidlock 2. Lit'sgoodlookngray 3.Flash Papers


Race 6        One Mile Sixteenth Claimer 12K

A tough wide open salty field of foes routing for a low level claiming price. Ranger Heartley drops in class big time which suggest that something is not sound with this horse.  He was claimed for 62K and descends to the bottom level after running for 32K...... Not a good sign...... but will be overbet and He is likely the favorite when the gate opens today! I like Jack Carava horse Luv Dragon which I have followed in his short career. He is a stone cold closer with plenty of speed signed up in this race. I think the horse on the front end who will be tough is Courtside Action. A interesting longshot with blinkers on for the first time is My Last Tycoon. He is training in the morning time with excellent solid drills.......if he could put those workouts together in the afternoon he has a shot to win. Do not just dismiss this horse from your bets. I will include him in my Pick Three.

   1. Courtside Action  2. Luv Dragon 3. Camicory

   Blinkers go on My Last Tycoon! Excellent Works!!


Race 7        One Mile Optional Claimer

The pace might have Roman Guitar and Cee's Pryme on the lead. Cee's Pryme ran into a buzz saw when Alcindor wired the field. A wide open race with many unknown questions about pace and class. Low Gear Power has won twice at this level. He comes back after a lay off and has a closing kick to win if the pace is fast and contested on the lead. The Florida shipper Gladding is a new face and if he repeats his dirt race at Calder then he is the one to fear. He earned a big speed number and has been transferred to John Sadler this fall. He has the right style of pure speed and tactical speed to win this race.

   1. Gladding  2. Cee's Pryme 3. Low Gear Power


Race 8        Seven Furlongs Maiden 30K

 Minutesandtouches adds blinkers for the first time. This 2 year old Rockport Harbour gelding has both speed and tactical speed to get his diploma. Corey Nakatini will have Captain Shawn D on the lead but I expect maybe Mike Smith and Gomez will have something to say down the stretch ......... Twice The Appeal shortens up in distance and with the drop in class and his speed figures makes him a top contender. He ran a good looking race at Fairplex then shipped up north to Golden Gate to break his maiden. Check out how Mr. Candy Bar did in the 5th race....The son of Benchmark Visual Intensity trained by Clifford Sise needs a clean break with Joel Rosario in the irons will improve big time with a race under his belt. Sise is excellent with second time starters....... Beware! Joel re-rides and he was well bet in his debut.

  1. Visual Intensity  2. Twice The Appeal  3. M and T's

   First Time Starter with good pedigree Mayfever