SUNDAY AT SANTA ANITA

                                  SANTA ANITA


SPRING STYLE BY D. MORANT


Great to get back to dirt but who knew that asphalt was going to be the new surface. Speed since Opening Day has ruled!


Race 1        Seven Furlongs Maiden 20K

Yesterday Patricia Valenzuela wired two races with speed horses. This field of maidens has no speed except Real Rockport.  Her odds will have no betting value except in the rolling Pick Three or Pick Four. Officewasispeedin has shown speed in her last two starts but then faded badly. She takes off the blinkers today which might make her more relax down the backstretch. She has a shot. The rail horse trained by Kathy Walsh did not break her last race. The additional distance will help. She will pick up the pieces late.  Dear Marie goes from route to semi sprint. She pulled her last race which tells me she might show speed here.

   1. Rockport 


Race 2        Monrovia Stakes Turf  Hill

The class of the race is Evening Jewel a two time Grade winner 1 winner. She should relish the downhill turf. I can see her right off the pace at the quarter pole and by the time the horses hit the dirt she will put her talented closing kick down the lane. She is the girl to beat if you can. Her main rival I think is Unzip Me. She is the speed of the race and you have to catch her to win this race. She ran a great race against males in the Breeders' Cup race.......Reba Is Tops is a pro who wins and she is going for her third straight win....... lot's to like about her she is tough! I have followed Gilded Gem out of the stable of Bob Baffert. Do not just dismiss her...... she has talent!

   1.  Unzip Me  2. Evening Jewel 3. Gilded Gem


Race 3        Six Furlongs Maiden Special Weight 

A great betting race with many contenders and few pretenders......... I expect running on the dirt the speed might just be Finish Rich In NYC with Joel Rosario re-riding makes this filly scary on the front end. Remember yesterday with speed type horses. Red Baron's Barn filly looks live and with a race under her belt Suances Flower is the filly to fear. She needs help clearing from the rail. Ever Ask Me Again exits the same race as Suances Flower. She is a filly I expect will improve big time. I like Give Me One Reason....... with her racing experience is now or never.... She has run races that puts her over the top in the winner's circle. The X Factor is the first time starter for Victor Garcia and Bejarano....... beware she looks live...Meltarib the daughter of Gone West which has the win early pedigree!

   1. Givemeonereason  2. Suances Flower 3. Meltarib


Race 4        Six Half Turf Allowance

Red Defense is the horse to beat and catches a favorable pace scenario......hard to single here because I like Blue Jay Attack in this spot.....He can make up ground late and has a killer kick down the lane. Sterling Outlook faced Lookin At Lucky.... He has been working up a storm.... so beware a player that can win. My bomb in Today's card is Killer Bear......... if the speed melts down He can win this high price down the hill turf sprint race.

   1. Blue Jay Attack 2. Sterling Outlook  3. Killer Bear

   Long lay-off but has talent Ace Of Aces

Race 5        Six Half Claimer 10K

All 4 year old fillies running in there own age group. Primed dropping after winning a 25K dollar non winners of two. She beat Candy's Pleasure who won yesterday...... If sound and fit she scary.... She's Not Lion takes the biggest drop in class..... from Cal Bred Allowance to the bottom claiming ranks. Tommy's Pick has run with some talented horses like Hot Citizen and Come Home Quick at the high price 50K dollar level. Joel Rosario rides! Cruzin Topless claimed for 25K for AC..... looks to make a rebound..... She has the speed figures and class to win this. This race might be the hardest race of the day to handicapp. Do not just dismiss the cheap horse from up North trained by Frank Lucarelli and Joe Talmo has been red hot lately at this meet......... Raebella has four wins out of Nine races....


Race 6        One Mile Turf Maiden Special

    1. Lula Talullah 2. Mrs. Rosa 3. Highly Composed

    The Proctor and Gomez team hook up with the first time starter....... Remember yesterdays feature race in the 8th....


Race 7        Six Half Claimer 18K

Rummysecretwar looked good beating up on 16K dollar claimers at Hollywood.......He is fit and sharp...... if he can put back to back races together he looks scary for Jack and Martin....... The outside lightly raced seven yes seven year olds has gas........... and runs almost every race tough.. Mike Chambers and Gomez hook up with Positive Force. I like Devils Afleet

   1. Devils Afleet

Race 8        One Mile Optional Claimer

Accerlant speed figures fit if he like the dirt. Do not dismiss him. Lodi Red  is a better horse when he rans off the pace and not on the lead...... He is a late contender to win this. Mcmurtry trained by a cagey excellent guy Kent Molinaro comes down from up North.......He has speed and might just wire this field if he takes to the real dirt. Valiant Effort the 8 year old has won at a higher condition price 32K three races back. He will sit off the speed .......then put his closing kick down the stretch. If there is a horse that goes with Mcmurtry and the speed fades then Valiant Effort with Lodi Red will show up.

  1. Mcmurtry  2. Lori Red  3. Accerlant


Race 9        One Mile Maiden 30K

   Viva Macho looks to wire this field of late closers....... The distance is ideal for Viva Macho!

       1. Viva Macho