While several things happened that we were expecting, the final results were most certainly not what we were hoping for.
RACE 8
Our single in this one, # 6 Sir Bond (Final Odds 5.1-1) ran reasonably well, tracking the pace, always within three lengths of the lead. But in the end he just didn't have enough for the drive, finishing fourth, two and three quarter lengths behind the winner, the Bob Baffert trained # 7 Patriot's Voyage (6.0-1).
RACE 9 - The Kilroe Mile
Our other single, # 8 Mr. Commons (2.7-1) broke last, hanging out at the back of the pack. Which was a pretty decent place to be in the early stages of this one, as the two longest shots on the board, # 4 Vagabond Shoes (Ire) (21.3-1) and # 6 Forest Mouse (34.7-1) were frantically dueling for the lead, setting fractions of 46.64 for the half and 1.09.97 for the first six furlongs.
However, having stayed out of the early fray, Mr. Common's rider, Corey Nakatani, encountered traffic issues while making his move in the stretch; first finding himself behind a wall of horses while attempting to go inside, then being forced to wait off heels before going to the outside, and then fighting between horses, only to lose the photo for Show and finish fourth, a length and a quarter behind the winner, # 3 Suggestive Boy (Arg) (1.5-1).
RACE 10 - The Santa Anita Handicap
In the preview, I mentioned my reasons for not singling # 9 Game On Dude (1.3-1). My primary reason was my belief that, when Game On Dude went for the early lead, he would find # 2 Handsome Mike (30.1-1) already there, and thus would not have things all his own way in the early going. Well, I was right in that, when Game On Dude went for the early lead, Handsome Mike was already there. However, what I didn't factor in was The Dude's determination Saturday, as he virtually ran over Handsome Mike in order to secure the early advantage. The chart caller writes that Handsome Mike was "steadied when crowded by the winner in the run in the stretch the first time"; which is a polite way of saying that Game On Dude nearly knocked Handsome Mike over the rail in his quest to be the front runner entering the first turn.
And that was the race; because once The Dude got loose on the lead, it was all over but the shouting, as the Bob Baffert trained gelding cruised to an easy victory, crossing the wire nearly eight lengths in front of the rest of the field. As for our other selections in this contest, # 4 Called to Serve (4.1-1) lost the photo for Place to # 5 Clubhouse Ride (27.6-1) and had to settle for the Show, while # 1 Ron the Greek (2.7-1) rounded out the Superfecta, finishing fourth.
RACE 11
When you hit the "ALL" button for a race, this is what you are hoping will happen: a complete train wreck. The final odds for the top five finishers in Race 11 were 8.1-1; 17.8-1; 26.7-1; 26.5-1; and 20.5-1, with # 12 Summer Exclusive topping the chart. Can you imagine, with those odds, what the Super High Five must have paid? Well, you'll have to imagine it, as no one had the winning combo Saturday, making for a carryover of $92,038 for Sunday's pool.
Congratulations to all those who had the winning sequence of 7 / 3 / 9 / 12, as they were rewarded with $295.45 for every fifty cents wagered; not too bad for a combination that included two Post Time Favorites. As for our play, we correctly chose two out of four winners; which, as I'm sure you all already know, pays absolutely nothing. Oh well; onto the next race.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
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