1/25/14 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

It's Sunshine Millions California Cup Day at Santa Anita today.  Since we're running a little behind here, let's just get right to it.

RACE 7 - [S](F) The California Cup Oaks $200k - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 7 Kukaluka (Morning Line 12-1)
# 14 Anniversary Kitty (ML 8-1)

C’s

# 4 Alasharchy (ML 6-1)
# 8 Sprague River (ML 9-2)
# 13 Swiss Lake Yodeler (ML 7-2)

Alasharchy and Kukaluka ran one-two at this distance up at Golden Gate Fields in November.  I give the nod to Kukaluka today because I think this one goes to a horse coming off the pace.  Anniversary Kitty is making just her second career start; but the debut win was solid and the pedigree is there.  Sprague River looks to improve with the added distance.  Swiss Lake Yodeler is a two-time stakes winner, but this will be her grass debut.

RACE 8 - [S] The California Cup Sprint $125k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Cyclometer (ML 2-1)

C’s

# 1 Follini (ML 12-1)
# 8 Kate's Event (ML 6-1)
# 10 Big Macher (ML 3-1)

Cyclometer won an open company stakes sprinting over this track earlier this month.  Mike Smith rode that day and will be in Cyclometer's saddle again today.  Expect Big Macher and Follini to be in front early, with Cyclometer not too far behind.  If it all falls apart Kate's Event, who likes to win here, will pick up the pieces late.

RACE 9 - [S] The California Cup Turf Classic $250k - Nine Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Summer Hit (ML 7-2)
# 8 Tiz a Minister (ML 6-1)
# 11 Stoney Fleece (ML 8-1)

C’s

# 9 China Prince (ML 12-1)
# 14 Maybe Tuesday (ML 8-1)

Summer Hit has an impressive resume of stake wins, but the majority of those have come off the grass.  Tiz a Minister has the pedigree to shine here despite being a turf maiden.  Stoney Fleece is a tough competitor that should be in the mix at the end.

RACE 10 - [S] The California Cup Derby $250k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Life Is a Joy (ML 8-1)
# 4 Tamarando (ML 9-5)

C’s

# 7 California Chrome (ML 5-2)
# 11 Better Bet (ML 20-1)

Life Is a Joy is a stakes winner against open company on dirt.  Tamarando is a Grade 1 winner, but on plastic.  California Chrome has won two state restricted stakes, but both were on plastic.  Better Bet has a stakes win over this track.

That's the analysis.  Play it Crist style and the tickets should look like this:

All A Entries 

$1.00 P4: 7,14 with 6 with 1,8,11 with 2,4 $12.00

A's with One C 

$0.50 P4: 4,8,13 with 6 with 1,8,11 with 2,4 $9.00
$0.50 P4: 7,14 with 1,8,10 with 1,8,11 with 2,4 $18.00
$0.50 P4: 7,14 with 6 with 9,14 with 2,4 $4.00
$0.50 P4: 7,14 with 6 with 1,8,11 with 7,11 $6.00

Total: $49.00

Post Time for Race 7 is 6:04 EST / 3:04 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo