THURSDAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

                      
                         SANTA ANITA PARK

SWITCH BY DAVID MORANT

Race 1      Five Half Claimer 8K

After three days with no racing at Santa Anita coupled with the great history this track in the past has produced.... we have this suspect group of horses. Martin Pedroza who last week heated up with 4 winners climbs aboard Two Vioins off the claim for Jack Carava. On past performance he looks to wire this field at low odds. If Raingear after taking a one year lay off is fit and his works suggest he might be.....He has a touch of back class that can win this race. I like this dude but the question is one of fitness. Brinson gets a upgrade in jockeys and he is a stone cold closer and at this short distance ....closers has won in the past at this distance and at this meet.  A Cat Named Snipe has been off since May but he has the speed numbers to win this wide open affair. Brave Justice switches barn and he might be the upsetter in this group..... Beware of Brave Justice!


Race 2      One Mile Eighth Turf Allowance

The pace should have Bar Rock Omama on the lone lead relaxing up front. She might just try to steal this long distance turf affair. All Star Heart looked great winning her maiden race. She has the pedigree and speed number to win this semi weak allowance race. Bellini Bliss should relish the added distance and both she and First Settler should try to reel in Bar Rock Omama and All Star Heart at the wire..... it might be a little too late!


Race 3      Six Furlongs Claimer 20K

I pick Stormin Proud Papa his last race with Devour in which he lost at the wire. Jeff Bonde has put two morning works after his last heart breaker at the wire. Any slight improvement will put him at the winners circle. Devour gets the cosy outside post position and will reel in the speed at the wire. P-Val has Da Boomer who drops in class and has the class and speed number to wire this group. I expect Da Boomer will shoot to the led. You might want to look at the new face from Turf Paradise Montellano who gets Go Go and adds the hood for Kory Owens...who has in the past won at this track........ interesting longshot.


Race 4      Six Half Maiden 40K

The pace scenario has Fleet Continental the speed of the race. Magic Instinct drops in class and should love the switch in surface for Joel Rosario. I pick Handride in his first race in which he walked out of the gate and then was steadied taking him out of the race. Martin Pedorza a great gate jockey will need to have him clear from the rail to give his best performance at double digit odds. The main reason I liked Handride was his pedigree and more importantly was his strong workout tab in the morning time. I expect more from him Today. Rentless Heat has been working up a storm in the morning. How many times have we seen this trick by Dan Hendricks and Paul Atkinson who hook up with a live longshot Twoatten Tenattwo......... looks like a runner with that Jan bullet gate drill!

   1. Twoattten Tenattwo  2. Rentless Heat  3. Handride



Race 5      Six Furlongs Claimer 32K

The pace looks fast and contested for the front end. I like a closer who has in his career faced much better company. Gallant Gent should have won last time out and should be fitter this time around. A slight drop in class from 40K to 32K should put him in the winners circle Today. Time For Atonement has the back class with the speed numbers to win this. He takes the blinkers off and shortens up....... Joel re-rides!

   1. Gallant Gent/ Time For Atonement  3. Bradium


Race 6      One Mile Sixteenth Maiden Special

On paper is race is wide open to me......Cook Inlet goes from sprint to route and gets a new jockey as Joel Rosario climbs aboard. Houston Harbor ran into a buzz saw as The Factor smoked his maiden race. Houston Harbor looks to be the controlling speed of this route race. He might get loose and relax on a easy lead. Special Kid should improve a ton after pulling hard his last race with GoGo in the irons. Bejarano jumps aboard so Beware because he has been red hot at this meet. Special Kid ran into a buzz saw as Uncle Sam smoked this field of maidens.


    1. Houston Harbor 2. Special Kid  3. Cook Inlet

    Live look at Go Go's horse Fusa Code great pedigree!


Race 7      Six Half Turf Allowance

Cee Tizz Run Beyers speed number are climbing higher each and every race...... He got beat by Hot Damon who is no monster and he finished 4th last week in a fast allowance race. He's A Dance Star was in the same race and finished 6th....... He gets the rail again is my main concern coupled with the fact that his last race I see no valid excuse why he was flat and dull! Pacific Avenue was in the same race...... Pass! Papa Lev goes from route to sprint and has some gas to clear........ interesting but I will pass! Kate's Event did not beat much but has a right to improve off his maiden race........ maybe and Joel Rosario re-rides but I will pass! Mark The Bench is my top choice in this scrambler!!

    1. Mark The Bench  2. Sammartino


Race 8      Five Half Maiden

A wide open scramble and the Smarty Jones gelding looks live with a series of fast hot workouts to make him my top pick in this race.      Genuis Level owned by Golden Eagle farms and bred by the Mabee's coupled with the fact that
Bruce Headley trains and my favorite longshot jockey rides.....

1. Genuis Level 2. Cat In The Forest  3. Zion Of Thunder