1/8/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

Don't have much in the way of an introduction today, other than to note that the final four races on the card are all for runners on the distaff side.  So with that, let's see if we can get a nice head start to the weekend by taking a run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 5 - (F) Clm $12.5k N2L - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Stellata (ML 5-1)
# 7 Sayitright Kat (ML 7-2)

B’s

# 1 Unusual Storm (ML 8-1)
# 2 Annisquam (ML 15-1)
# 4 Warren's Cracker (ML 6-1)
# 5 Summer Veil (ML 4-1)
# 6 Flowinwiththebreez (ML 4-1)
# 8 Kelbaker (ML 4-1)

C's

None

This one looks pretty wide open, at least to me; so everyone gets used in some form.

Stellata gets some much needed class relief after making the early lead against more expensive stock last time out.  Sayitright Kat has been getting improved results with each drop down the class ladder.  Unusual Storm took the Show against more expensive last time out.

Annisquam took the Show at this class level last time out and appears to be rounding into form. Warren's Cracker and Summer Veil both fit well at this class level; the concern with both is that they each seem to settle for too many minor awards.  Flowinwiththebreez and Kelbaker both graduated last time out, and are each conditioned by a trainer (Philip D'Amato and Peter Miller, respectively) who does well placing their last out winners.

RACE 6 - (F) Clm $25k - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Sweetrayofsunshine (ML 9-5)

B’s

None

C's

# 3 Sky Forever (ML 6-1)

# 7 Vocalist (ML 9-2)

Sweetrayofsunshine, a convincing winner last time out against cheaper, has hit the board against more expensive in her recent form.  Sweetrayofsunshine has finished in the Exacta in seven of her eight career starts over the Santa Anita main track.  If there is a concern, it's that Sweetrayofsunshine does not show a public work since her last out win.  

Sky Forever, as a daughter of Vronsky, probably prefers the grass; but she seems capable of holding her form when competing on the main track.  Vocalist was outclassed last time out, and should improve with this move back to lesser company.

RACE 7 - (F) OC 80k/C - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Right There (ML 6-1)

B’s

# 3 Daring Darling (ML 6-1)

# 4 Mokat (ML 9-5)

# 6 Annie's Curls (ML 5-1)

C's

# 1 Mrs. Norris (ML 6-1)

Rather than list all the conditions, I'll just note that all seven entrants in this contest have one career Win apiece, and that none of them will be running for the $80k tag.

Right There is the only entrant is this field to have defeated winners, having graduated by winning The Landaluce Stakes in her second career start.  Right There should appreciate competing in a field that does not include Songbird.

Daring Darling, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, won her debut last time out, and could improve with the increased distance.  Mokart has finished in the Exacta in each of her last two races; but both of those were on the grass.  On the other hand, Trainer Richard Baltas does rather well when moving his runners from turf to dirt, and he's been doing everything else right so far this meet.

Annie's Curls made a nice move forward last time out in her first start after joining Trainer Kristin Mulhall's barn.  Mrs. Norris rode the rail to victory last time out; perhaps she can do that again today.

RACE 8 - (F) Md $20k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Sweeter Thancandy (ML 2-1)

B's

# 1 Mad Mango (ML 3-1)

# 10 Jazzed (ML 5-1)

C's

# 2 Miss Napper Tandy (ML 20-1)

# 6 Secret Chords (ML 5-2) and # 8 Wired for Fun (ML 30-1) have been scratched.

Sweeter Thancandy attempts to prove today that the twelfth time's the charms.  This is the cheapest tag that Sweeter Thancandy has run for, and she did take the Show last time out against more expensive.

Mad Mango runs for her third different trainer in her third career start.  In addition to being popular at the claim box, Mad Mango has also been popular with the public, having left the gate as the Post Time Favorite in each of her two career starts.  

Jazzed took the Place at this class level last time out.  Jazzed may move forward today; but it's starting to appear that she is quite content with settling for minor awards.  Miss Napper Tandy is a first time starter that is a complete dark horse.  I have no idea what to expect from this horse; but at this class level, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 3,7 with 1 with 2 with 7 $2.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: ALL with 1 with 2,3,4,6 with 1,7,10 $48.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 3,7 with 3,7 with 2 with 7 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 3,7 with 1 with 1 with 7 $1.00

$0.50 P4: 3,7 with 1 with 2 with 2 $1.00

Total: $54.00

Post Time for Race 5 is 6:03 EST / 3:03 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo