Race 6 - # 7 Los Gatos (Final Odds 3.10) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 5 Ghostslayer (6.30) - "B" Selection
Race 8 - # 4 Iancol (2.40) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 2 West Coast Storm (3.40*) - "C" Selection
Fun Fact: West Coast Storm was the only runner in the field of the finale that had no prior turf wins. That ended, of course, when West Coast Storm caught # 5 Belle Et Bete (Ire) (4.30) at the wire to win the last leg of The Late Pick Four by a head, thus turning our big ticket into trash.
Oh well; onto the next race.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the five runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 1 Odisseia (Ire) (5.10) - $335.95 Finish:5th
# 3 Kadesha (Fr) (5.30) - $261.95 Finish: 8th
# 5 Belle Et Bete (Ire) (4.30) - $273.30 Finish: 2nd
# 8 True History (7.80) - $507.75 Finish: 9th
# 9 So Good To Go (8.20) - $437.25 Finish: 6th
But such was not to be.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of 7 / 5 / 4 / 2 were rewarded with a payout of $306.60 for their fifty cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Sunday, February 28, 2016
2/28/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview
Today marks the final day of February racing at Santa Anita this year; just four more months left in the current meet! More pointedly, soon it'll be Spring, and SoCal will be able to say goodbye to this wintry eighty degree weather. And yes, you all were warned some time back that these introductions could get rather strained. But at least this intro is done, so now we can get to examining The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 6 - [S] OC 20k/N1X - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 4 Zip the Monkey (Morning Line 9-2)
# 7 Los Gatos (ML 5-1)
B’s
None
C's
RACE 6 - [S] OC 20k/N1X - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 4 Zip the Monkey (Morning Line 9-2)
# 7 Los Gatos (ML 5-1)
B’s
None
C's
# 3 The Last Express (ML 5-1)
# 11 Durango Flier (ML 7-2)
# 12 Johns Journey (No Line) is a program scratch. Also scratch # 13 Benba (ML 20-1) and # 14 Global Magician (ML 4-1), as neither draws in from the Also Eligible List.
Zip the Monkey graduated in the only prior turf route of his four race career. Zip the Monkey took the Place at this class level last time out, albeit in a contest that was taken off the turf. Los Gatos should improve going second off the layoff.
The Last Express returns from an extended layoff for Trainer Richard Baltas, who tends to do well with such. Durango Flier has proven that he can compete at this level; unfortunately, Durango Flier has also proven a willingness to settle for minor awards.
RACE 7 - (F) MSW - Seven Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 8 Georgia Blue (ML 7-2)
B's
# 5 Ghostslayer (ML 4-1)
# 6 Emmzy (ML 6-1)
C's
# 1 Social Column (ML 5-1)
# 4 Marina Green (ML 6-1)
Scratch # 7 Lily (ML 3-1)
Georgia Blue took the Place in her debut last time out charging down the hill. Not sure why Georgia Blue is being switched to the main track, but her bullet work from the gate earlier this month suggests that she should handle the change in surface.
Emmzy, trained by Bob Baffert, makes her second career start after missing the break in her debut. Ghostslayer, Social Column, and Marina Green are a trio of first time starters in a contest that doesn't appear to have a standout experienced entrant. I give the edge to Ghostslayer over the other two due to Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's success with debut runners.
RACE 8 - Alw 40000s N2L - Eight Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 2 All Star Parade (ML 4-1)
B’s
# 4 Iancol (ML 3-1)
# 9 Visitation (ML 15-1)
C's
# 5 Wrightwood (ML 8-1)
# 6 Ultra Sharp (ML 7-2)
# 8 Pioneerof the West (ML 8-1)
Note for future reference that this one is for horses that have never won two races (N2L), as that information won't be included in future DRF Past Performances (at least, not until they finally fix that flaw).
All Star Parade took the Show at this class level last time out. Iancol made a nice move forward last time out with the return to two turn racing. Visitation took the Show at this class level last time out, albeit on the grass.
Wrightwood goes second off the layoff for Trainer Mike Harrington, who tends to do well with such. Ultra Sharp tries winners for the first time after winning comfortably last time out. Pioneerof the West seemed to wake up in his first drop into the open claiming ranks last time out; this move into company restricted to no more than one Win may the additional class relief that he needs.
RACE 9 - (F) Clm $25k - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 1 Odisseia (Ire) (ML 5-1)
# 3 Kadesha (Fr) (ML 7-2)
B’s
# 5 Belle Et Bete (Ire) (ML 9-2)
# 8 True History (ML 6-1)
# 9 So Good to Go (ML 5-1)
C's
# 2 West Coast Storm (ML 5-1)
# 4 Kristinite (NL) is a program scratch.
Odisseia (Ire) took the Show at this class level last time out, and looks like she could be all alone up front early. Kadesha (Fr) took the Place at this class level last time out against a next out winner.
Belle Et Bete (Ire), trained by Phil D'Amato, gets some much needed class relief. True History took the Show at this class level last time out.
So Good to Go was a winner on the east coast the last time that she competed on the turf at this class level. West Coast Storm should improve with the return to grass.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 4,7 with 8 with 2 with 1,3 $4.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 4,7 with 5,6,8 with 2,4,9 with 1,3,5,8,9 $45.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 3,11 with 8 with 2 with 1,3 $2.00
$0.50 P4: 4,7 with 1,4 with 2 with 1,3 $4.00
$0.50 P4: 4,7 with 8 with 5,6,8 with 1,3 $6.00
$0.50 P4: 4,7 with 8 with 2 with 2 $1.00
Total: $62.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:04 EDT / 3:04 PDT. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Saturday, February 27, 2016
2/27/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results
Race 6 - The Sensational Star - # 9 Boozer (Final Odds 6.00) - No Selection
Race 7 - # 6 Too Fast to Pass (7.70) - No Selection
Race 8 - # 9 Alwazabridesmaid (3.00) - No Selection
Race 9 - # 11 How Unusual (3.90) - "A" Selection
The late charge through the drive by How Unusual in the finale kept this from being a shutout; and while there's no difference between missing one or missing them all, no one wants to get the schneid. And while the third leg was the only one in which we truly whiffed (as we had "B" Selections within a length of the winner in each of the first two legs) this was a day where it's best to just shrug your shoulders and say,
Oh well; onto the next race.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of 9 / 6 / 9 / 11 were rewarded with a payout of $1,174.10 for their fifty cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Race 7 - # 6 Too Fast to Pass (7.70) - No Selection
Race 8 - # 9 Alwazabridesmaid (3.00) - No Selection
Race 9 - # 11 How Unusual (3.90) - "A" Selection
The late charge through the drive by How Unusual in the finale kept this from being a shutout; and while there's no difference between missing one or missing them all, no one wants to get the schneid. And while the third leg was the only one in which we truly whiffed (as we had "B" Selections within a length of the winner in each of the first two legs) this was a day where it's best to just shrug your shoulders and say,
Oh well; onto the next race.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of 9 / 6 / 9 / 11 were rewarded with a payout of $1,174.10 for their fifty cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
2/27/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview
It doesn't look like much of a Saturday card at Santa Anita today, as the truly big events are happening at The Stronarch Group's other race track down in South Florida. But there are some very competitive events on the latter portion of the program, along with a pair of downhill charges, which we'll be looking at as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 6 - [S] The Sensational Star $100k - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 9 Alert Bay (Morning Line 4-1)
B's
# 1 Image of Joplin (ML 30-1)
# 6 McHeat (ML 6-1)
# 7 Forest Chatter (ML 5-2)
# 8 Richard's Boy (ML 6-1)
C's
None
As we're using almost half the field, it's fair to say that this is a contest that I see as being quite competitive. Alert Bay missed winning the Grade 3 Daytona by just a length on Opening Day of this meet two starts back. Image of Joplin tries the hill for the first time after showing the front running style in turf routes that often does well in these events. Also note that Image of Joplin has won three of his last five, all against non-state restricted company.
McHeat was a winner charging down the hill against open OC/N2X company two starts back. Forest Chatter won The California Flag charging down the hill two starts back. Richard's Boy will try to get the jump on Image of Joplin and Forest Chatter in the early going. If he does, Richard's Boy could be crossing the wire before the others hit their best stride.
RACE 7 - Clm $25k - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Basmati (ML 2-1)
B’s
# 5 Apollo Ten (ML 15-1)
C's
# 1 Red Creme (ML 5-1)
# 2 Hadfunlastnight (ML 6-1)
Scratch # 7 Tannersmymuscle (ML 8-1) and # 10 Pray Hard (ML 6-1).
Basmati has finished in the Trifecta in each of his last seven starts, all but one of which was against more expensive stock. Apollo Ten took the Show at this class level two starts back for Trainer Jack Carava, from whom he was claimed in that contest but who re-claimed Apollo Ten last time out.
Red Creme has finished in the Exacta in each of his last two starts at this class level, albeit on the synthetic stuff upstate. Hadfunlastnight moves up in class after earning this field's best last out Beyer Speed Figure last time out.
RACE 8 - [S] (F) OC 20k/C - Six Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 4 Lakia (ML 7-2)
B’s
# 10 Emotional Drive (ML 30-1)
C's
# 7 Madame Mousse (ML 5-1)
# 8 Let's Get Frisky (ML 12-1)
Scratch # 1 Air of Royalty (ML 3-1).
Lakia took the Show at this class level last time out. Emotional Drive could be the speed of the speed here. Madame Mousse looked good graduating charging down the hill last time out. Not sure why she's being moved back to dirt, but if her form holds she could contend here. Let's Get Frisky has finished in the Trifecta six of the eight times that she has competed on this main track.
RACE 9 - (F) MSW - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 6 Audacious Angel (ML 4-1)
# 9 Newcomb (ML 7-2)
# 11 How Unusual (ML 6-1)
B's
# 1 Amber Louise (ML 5-1)
# 5 Proud 'n' Ready (ML 8-1)
C's
# 2 Really a Gem (ML 12-1)
# 12 Lovely Raquel (ML 12-1)
Let the Also Eligibles, # 13 Rebarules Again (ML 6-1) and # 14 Smart Win (ML 6-1), stay in the barn, as neither draws in.
Audacious Angel has finished in the money in her last two starts at this class level, and being out of a Distorted Humor mare should only help her chances on the grass. Newcomb ships in from the east coast after taking the Place at this class level in her debut last time out. How Unusual was outclassed in her debut against stakes competition last time out, but showed good enough form that she should be competitive against the others in this field.
Amber Louise and Proud 'n' Ready were within a length of each other at the wire charging down the hill last time out. Really a Gem tries grass for the mist time after missing graduation by a neck last time out. Lovely Raquel is a first time starter sired by Scat Daddy, whose offspring tend to do well not just in their debuts but also when competing on turf.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 9 with 3 with 4 with 6,9,11 $3.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 1,6,7,8,9 with 3,5 with 4,10 with 1,5,6,9,11 $50.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 9 with 1,2 with 4 with 6,9,11 $3.00
$0.50 P4: 9 with 3 with 7,8 with 6,9,11 $3.00
$0.50 P4: 9 with 3 with 4 with 2,12 $1.00
Total: $60.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:17 EST / 3:17 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
RACE 6 - [S] The Sensational Star $100k - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 9 Alert Bay (Morning Line 4-1)
B's
# 1 Image of Joplin (ML 30-1)
# 6 McHeat (ML 6-1)
# 7 Forest Chatter (ML 5-2)
# 8 Richard's Boy (ML 6-1)
C's
None
As we're using almost half the field, it's fair to say that this is a contest that I see as being quite competitive. Alert Bay missed winning the Grade 3 Daytona by just a length on Opening Day of this meet two starts back. Image of Joplin tries the hill for the first time after showing the front running style in turf routes that often does well in these events. Also note that Image of Joplin has won three of his last five, all against non-state restricted company.
McHeat was a winner charging down the hill against open OC/N2X company two starts back. Forest Chatter won The California Flag charging down the hill two starts back. Richard's Boy will try to get the jump on Image of Joplin and Forest Chatter in the early going. If he does, Richard's Boy could be crossing the wire before the others hit their best stride.
RACE 7 - Clm $25k - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Basmati (ML 2-1)
B’s
# 5 Apollo Ten (ML 15-1)
C's
# 2 Hadfunlastnight (ML 6-1)
Scratch # 7 Tannersmymuscle (ML 8-1) and # 10 Pray Hard (ML 6-1).
Basmati has finished in the Trifecta in each of his last seven starts, all but one of which was against more expensive stock. Apollo Ten took the Show at this class level two starts back for Trainer Jack Carava, from whom he was claimed in that contest but who re-claimed Apollo Ten last time out.
Red Creme has finished in the Exacta in each of his last two starts at this class level, albeit on the synthetic stuff upstate. Hadfunlastnight moves up in class after earning this field's best last out Beyer Speed Figure last time out.
RACE 8 - [S] (F) OC 20k/C - Six Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 4 Lakia (ML 7-2)
B’s
# 10 Emotional Drive (ML 30-1)
C's
# 7 Madame Mousse (ML 5-1)
# 8 Let's Get Frisky (ML 12-1)
Scratch # 1 Air of Royalty (ML 3-1).
Lakia took the Show at this class level last time out. Emotional Drive could be the speed of the speed here. Madame Mousse looked good graduating charging down the hill last time out. Not sure why she's being moved back to dirt, but if her form holds she could contend here. Let's Get Frisky has finished in the Trifecta six of the eight times that she has competed on this main track.
RACE 9 - (F) MSW - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 6 Audacious Angel (ML 4-1)
# 9 Newcomb (ML 7-2)
# 11 How Unusual (ML 6-1)
B's
# 1 Amber Louise (ML 5-1)
# 5 Proud 'n' Ready (ML 8-1)
C's
# 2 Really a Gem (ML 12-1)
# 12 Lovely Raquel (ML 12-1)
Let the Also Eligibles, # 13 Rebarules Again (ML 6-1) and # 14 Smart Win (ML 6-1), stay in the barn, as neither draws in.
Audacious Angel has finished in the money in her last two starts at this class level, and being out of a Distorted Humor mare should only help her chances on the grass. Newcomb ships in from the east coast after taking the Place at this class level in her debut last time out. How Unusual was outclassed in her debut against stakes competition last time out, but showed good enough form that she should be competitive against the others in this field.
Amber Louise and Proud 'n' Ready were within a length of each other at the wire charging down the hill last time out. Really a Gem tries grass for the mist time after missing graduation by a neck last time out. Lovely Raquel is a first time starter sired by Scat Daddy, whose offspring tend to do well not just in their debuts but also when competing on turf.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 9 with 3 with 4 with 6,9,11 $3.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 1,6,7,8,9 with 3,5 with 4,10 with 1,5,6,9,11 $50.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 9 with 1,2 with 4 with 6,9,11 $3.00
$0.50 P4: 9 with 3 with 7,8 with 6,9,11 $3.00
$0.50 P4: 9 with 3 with 4 with 2,12 $1.00
Total: $60.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:17 EST / 3:17 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Sunday, February 21, 2016
2/21/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results
Race 6 - # 3 Giant Ego (Final Odds 2.50) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 3 Blessherheart (5.80) - No Selection
Race 8 - # 6 Diamond Cut (4.40) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 4 Straight N Strong (2.00) - "B" Selection
We went three deep in the second leg of the sequence, only to see our runners finish 2nd, 3rd, and 4th behind the Phil D'Amato trained winner. I had discounted Blessherheart because in her two prior starts on dirt she had failed to get within eight lengths of the winner at the wire; but when she crossed the wire today three quarters of a length in front of both # 8 Paschalitsa (1.50*) and # 7 Casino Fever (2.70) it became a day for us to contribute instead of collect.
Oh well; onto the next race.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of 3 / 3 / 6 / 4 were rewarded with a payout of $354.10 for their fifty cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Race 7 - # 3 Blessherheart (5.80) - No Selection
Race 8 - # 6 Diamond Cut (4.40) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 4 Straight N Strong (2.00) - "B" Selection
We went three deep in the second leg of the sequence, only to see our runners finish 2nd, 3rd, and 4th behind the Phil D'Amato trained winner. I had discounted Blessherheart because in her two prior starts on dirt she had failed to get within eight lengths of the winner at the wire; but when she crossed the wire today three quarters of a length in front of both # 8 Paschalitsa (1.50*) and # 7 Casino Fever (2.70) it became a day for us to contribute instead of collect.
Oh well; onto the next race.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of 3 / 3 / 6 / 4 were rewarded with a payout of $354.10 for their fifty cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
2/21/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview
Fillies and mares dominate the latter portion of today's card at Santa Anita, as three of the final four races have been carded for those on the distaff side. We'll be looking at those below, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 6 - Clm $16k - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Giant Ego (Morning Line 5-2)
B’s
# 2 No Contingency (ML 3-1)
# 6 Gnarly Dude (ML 3-1)
# 7 Hot Lightning (ML 8-1)
C's
None
Scratch # 8 Oh Brother Oh (No Line).
Giant Ego drops in class after having finished in the Trifecta against more expensive stock in each of his last three races. No Contingency and Gnarly Dude move up in class after easy victories last time out. Hot Lightning defeated more expensive last time out.
RACE 7 - (F) OC 40k/Alw 32000s - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 8 Paschalitsa (ML 9-5)
B’s
# 4 Yodelsong (ML 4-1)
# 7 Casino Fever (ML 3-1)
C's
None
Last things first: if you're willing to put your three year old filly up for sale for $32k, you can enter her here. Period. However, if you don't want to say goodbye to your horse to someone willing to give you $32k, then your runner must:
1) Have started for a claiming price of $40k or less (make it $50k or less if the horse is California bred or sired);
AND
2) Have never won two races
Note that the last time Yodelsong ran in one of these (back on January 24) she was in for the tag (on that day it was $40k) because she had never run with a price tag on her head before. However, since that January 24 contest Yodelsong, a California bred, has run in a claiming race for $50k; therefore, Yodelsong does not have to run with a price tag on her head today.
Note that the only runner in this field that is up for sale is # 1 Two Steps of Glory (ML 12-1), and that is truly optional on the part of her connections, as Two Steps of Glory has only one career Win, and has started for a claiming price of under $40k.
Paschalitsa was within a length of the winner at the wire at this approximate class level last time out. Yodelsong took the Show at this approximate class level two starts back, and seemed to move forward last time out in the aforementioned contest against open $50k claimers. Casino Fever, trained by Bob Baffert, tries winners for the first time after graduating with ease last time out.
RACE 8 - [S] (F) OC 20k/C - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 2 Peggy Sue's Loose (ML 5-2)
# 4 Charming Starlet (ML 5-1)
B’s
# 6 Diamond Cut (ML 4-1)
# 7 Lily Kai (ML 9-2)
C's
None
Diamond Cut and Peggy Sue's Loose took the Place and Show, respectively, at this approximate class level last time out. I give the edge today to Peggy Sue's Loose because the shorter distance could make it much more difficult for Diamond Cut to close at the wire.
Charming Starlet defeated open $32k claimers upstate last time out, albeit on the synthetic. Charming Starlet has finished in the Trifecta in half of her eight career starts on the Santa Anita turf. Toss the one start on dirt, and Lily Kai has been showing a steadily improving form in each of her career starts.
RACE 9 - (F) Md $30k - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Black Clover (ML 7-2)
B's
# 4 Straight N Strong (ML 3-1)
# 7 Jersey Chaser (ML 5-2)
C's
# 1 Prowling Around (ML 6-1)
# 5 Sharpest One (ML 8-1)
# 8 Princess Kendra (ML 10-1)
This race can be considered as the other division of yesterday's finale, as it is carded under the same conditions and will be run at the identical distance.
Black Clover took the Place at this class level last time out. Straight N Strong gets the blinkers off today; note that Straight N Strong earned better Beyer Speed Figures in the three races in which she ran with blinkers off compared to her last three contests with the hood on (of course, the change in trainers may have also been a factor in that drop off).
Jersey Chaser and Prowling Around are a pair of first time starters going for connections who tend to do well with such in Maiden Claiming contests. I give the edge to Jersey Chaser based on the better morning works.
Sharpest One threw in a real clunker last time out; but a return to her prior form could make her competitive here. Princess Kendra wanted no part of two turns last time out, and should improve with the cutback in distance.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 3 with 8 with 2,4 with 3 $2.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 2,3,6,7 with 4,7,8 with 2,4,6,7 with 3,4,7 $72.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 3 with 8 with 2,4 with 1,5,8 $3.00
Total: $77.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:09 EST / 3:09 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
RACE 6 - Clm $16k - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Giant Ego (Morning Line 5-2)
B’s
# 2 No Contingency (ML 3-1)
# 6 Gnarly Dude (ML 3-1)
# 7 Hot Lightning (ML 8-1)
C's
None
Scratch # 8 Oh Brother Oh (No Line).
Giant Ego drops in class after having finished in the Trifecta against more expensive stock in each of his last three races. No Contingency and Gnarly Dude move up in class after easy victories last time out. Hot Lightning defeated more expensive last time out.
RACE 7 - (F) OC 40k/Alw 32000s - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 8 Paschalitsa (ML 9-5)
B’s
# 4 Yodelsong (ML 4-1)
# 7 Casino Fever (ML 3-1)
C's
None
Last things first: if you're willing to put your three year old filly up for sale for $32k, you can enter her here. Period. However, if you don't want to say goodbye to your horse to someone willing to give you $32k, then your runner must:
1) Have started for a claiming price of $40k or less (make it $50k or less if the horse is California bred or sired);
AND
2) Have never won two races
Note that the last time Yodelsong ran in one of these (back on January 24) she was in for the tag (on that day it was $40k) because she had never run with a price tag on her head before. However, since that January 24 contest Yodelsong, a California bred, has run in a claiming race for $50k; therefore, Yodelsong does not have to run with a price tag on her head today.
Note that the only runner in this field that is up for sale is # 1 Two Steps of Glory (ML 12-1), and that is truly optional on the part of her connections, as Two Steps of Glory has only one career Win, and has started for a claiming price of under $40k.
Paschalitsa was within a length of the winner at the wire at this approximate class level last time out. Yodelsong took the Show at this approximate class level two starts back, and seemed to move forward last time out in the aforementioned contest against open $50k claimers. Casino Fever, trained by Bob Baffert, tries winners for the first time after graduating with ease last time out.
RACE 8 - [S] (F) OC 20k/C - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 2 Peggy Sue's Loose (ML 5-2)
# 4 Charming Starlet (ML 5-1)
B’s
# 6 Diamond Cut (ML 4-1)
# 7 Lily Kai (ML 9-2)
C's
None
Diamond Cut and Peggy Sue's Loose took the Place and Show, respectively, at this approximate class level last time out. I give the edge today to Peggy Sue's Loose because the shorter distance could make it much more difficult for Diamond Cut to close at the wire.
Charming Starlet defeated open $32k claimers upstate last time out, albeit on the synthetic. Charming Starlet has finished in the Trifecta in half of her eight career starts on the Santa Anita turf. Toss the one start on dirt, and Lily Kai has been showing a steadily improving form in each of her career starts.
RACE 9 - (F) Md $30k - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Black Clover (ML 7-2)
B's
# 4 Straight N Strong (ML 3-1)
# 7 Jersey Chaser (ML 5-2)
C's
# 1 Prowling Around (ML 6-1)
# 5 Sharpest One (ML 8-1)
# 8 Princess Kendra (ML 10-1)
This race can be considered as the other division of yesterday's finale, as it is carded under the same conditions and will be run at the identical distance.
Black Clover took the Place at this class level last time out. Straight N Strong gets the blinkers off today; note that Straight N Strong earned better Beyer Speed Figures in the three races in which she ran with blinkers off compared to her last three contests with the hood on (of course, the change in trainers may have also been a factor in that drop off).
Jersey Chaser and Prowling Around are a pair of first time starters going for connections who tend to do well with such in Maiden Claiming contests. I give the edge to Jersey Chaser based on the better morning works.
Sharpest One threw in a real clunker last time out; but a return to her prior form could make her competitive here. Princess Kendra wanted no part of two turns last time out, and should improve with the cutback in distance.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 3 with 8 with 2,4 with 3 $2.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 2,3,6,7 with 4,7,8 with 2,4,6,7 with 3,4,7 $72.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 3 with 8 with 2,4 with 1,5,8 $3.00
Total: $77.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:09 EST / 3:09 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Saturday, February 20, 2016
2/20/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results
Race 6 - # 6 Guns Loaded (Final Odds 6.80) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 3 Bad Read Sanchez (0.70*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - The Buena Vista - # 11 Paulina's Love (3.80) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 10 Papa's Maggie (1.60*) - "A" Selection
We used six runners in Race 7 and another seven runners in Race 9 just to land on the Post Time Favorite in each contest. Not exactly a stellar bit of handicapping on my part. However, in fairness to us, we weren't the only ones who saw all the red flags surrounding Bad Read Sanchez and got a little nervous, as not a single connection was willing to pony up the $12.5k that would have netted them the Show finisher in last year's Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 2 Valborg Matilda (32.10) - $1792.00 Finish: 8th
# 5 Patience Lady (6.40) - $433.15 Finish: 7th
# 7 Pam’s Joy (5.70) - $553.45 Finish: 3rd
# 11 Nakoma (37.70) - $1606.35 Finish: 5th
But that's what might have been. The actual winning Pick Four sequence of 6 / 3 / 11 / 10 paid $153.05 for a fifty cent wager. That makes for a profit of $74.05 on our $79.00 investment, or approximate odds of 0.93-1.
I hope you all had it with me. May God bless us as we spend our winnings.
Onto the next race!
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Race 7 - # 3 Bad Read Sanchez (0.70*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - The Buena Vista - # 11 Paulina's Love (3.80) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 10 Papa's Maggie (1.60*) - "A" Selection
We used six runners in Race 7 and another seven runners in Race 9 just to land on the Post Time Favorite in each contest. Not exactly a stellar bit of handicapping on my part. However, in fairness to us, we weren't the only ones who saw all the red flags surrounding Bad Read Sanchez and got a little nervous, as not a single connection was willing to pony up the $12.5k that would have netted them the Show finisher in last year's Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 2 Valborg Matilda (32.10) - $1792.00 Finish: 8th
# 5 Patience Lady (6.40) - $433.15 Finish: 7th
# 7 Pam’s Joy (5.70) - $553.45 Finish: 3rd
# 11 Nakoma (37.70) - $1606.35 Finish: 5th
But that's what might have been. The actual winning Pick Four sequence of 6 / 3 / 11 / 10 paid $153.05 for a fifty cent wager. That makes for a profit of $74.05 on our $79.00 investment, or approximate odds of 0.93-1.
I hope you all had it with me. May God bless us as we spend our winnings.
Onto the next race!
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
2/20/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview
On this day in 1847 Major Ben McCulloch's Texas Rangers encountered Santa Anna's forces at Encarnacion. This prompted General Zachary Taylor to withdraw his army from Saltillo to Buena Vista*, setting the stage for The Battle of Buena Vista to be fought on February 22-23, 1847. And now, today, with hopefully a lot less anger and bloodshed, we turn our attention to Santa Anita, where we'll be looking at the Grade 2 Buena Vista as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
* - Actually, Taylor withdrew to Angostura, about a mile and a quarter south of Buena Vista; but there's no Angostura Stakes being run today, so we'll just go with Buena Vista.
RACE 6 - OC 62k/N2X - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt (EDIT - This race has been taken off the turf - selections have been changed)
A’s
# 5 Mr. Sexy (Morning Line 4-1)
# 6 Guns Loaded (ML 8-1)
B’s
# 2 Gotham News (ML 15-1)
# 7 K Thirty Eight (ML 12-1)
C's
# 10 County Lineman (ML 12-1)
# 11 Perfectly Majestic (ML 9-2)
Scratch # 1 Horse Laugh (ML 30-1), # 8 De Treville (GB) (ML 5-2), and # 9 Eighty Three (ML 7-2).
If Mr. Sexy's speed carries over to the main track, then he could be the one leading this field all the way around the track. Guns Loaded was in the Trifecta the last two times that he competed on dirt. Guns Loaded and K Thirty Eight are also the only runners in this field with multiple wins on a fast dirt track.
Gotham News last victory cam on a fast dirt rack, in an OC / N2X contest at Monmouth Park. County Lineman and Perfectly Majestic have done reasonably well when competing on dirt in the past, though their lack of early speed may leave them each with too much to do late.
RACE 7 - Clm $12.5k N2L - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Bad Read Sanchez (ML 2-1)
# 4 Prince Valiant (ML 5-2)
B’s
# 8 Undergroundrailroad (ML 4-1)
C's
# 2 Kenjiislucky (ML 4-1)
# 6 Outthink'em (ML 50-1)
# 9 I'm Zonin (ML 8-1)
Scratch # 7 Coyote Fly (ML 15-1).
Last year saw Bad Read Sanchez win his debut by ten lengths, take the Place in the W. L. Proctor Memorial, and grab the Show in the Grade 2 Best Pal. Bad Read Sanchez competed in the Opening Day of this meet in the Grade 1 Malibu; now today, less than two months later, Bad Read Sanchez is up for sale for just $12.5k.
While the case could be made (based upon his most recent efforts) that Bad Read Sanchez needed to drop into the claiming ranks to get some much needed class relief, seeing him fall all the way to $12.5k as his first ever For Sale price sends up all sorts of red flags. The first thought that comes to mind is that there must be an injury; but Bad Read Sanchez's works on February 7th and 13th seem to indicate that he's still plenty healthy enough to compete. So if it's not his health then the question remains: why sell him so cheap?
Anyway, Bad Read Sanchez is clearly the classiest runner in this field, and on paper should win this contest by the length of the stretch. But I think that there are enough questions here to warrant us spreading a little wide in this race.
Prince Valiant took the Place against classier foes last time out. Undergroundrailroad graduated by daylight last time out; but the effort was such that it put him on the shelf for thirteen months. Kenjiislucky took the Show at this class level last time out.
Outthink'em has been showing good early speed in his more recent contests, and could catch this field napping. I'm Zonin should improve with the return to one turn racing.
RACE 8 - (F) The Buena Vista (Grade 2) - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 9 Her Emmynency (ML 6-1)
B's
# 11 Pauline's Love (ML 12-1)
C's
# 1 Keri Belle (ML 5-1)
# 6 Prize Exhibit (GB) (ML 4-1)
# 10 Stormy Lucy (ML 7-2)
Program scratches are # 5 Chocolatier (Fr) (No Line) and # 14 Minks Aprise (NL). Also scratch # 8 Glory (ML 6-1).
Her Emmynency took the Grade 1 QE II Cup last time out, and was victorious in her only prior try over this turf course. Prize Exhibit (GB) took the Grade 2 Monrovia charging down the hill two starts back, and looked reasonably good in her seven furlong workout on the main track back on January 23.
Pauline's Love just missed in the Grade 3 Autumn Miss two starts back, and could be the one setting all the early fractions. Keri Belle and Stormy Lucy were just a nose apart at the wire in the Grade 3 Megahertz last time out; but they'll need to improve off that effort in order to get the Win here.
RACE 9 - (F) Md $30k - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 10 Papa's Maggie (ML 5-2)
B's
# 2 Valborg Matilda (ML 20-1)
# 5 Patience Lady (ML 7-2)
# 7 Pam's Joy (ML 8-1)
# 11 Nakoma (ML 20-1)
C's
# 4 Zira Gold (ML 7-2)
# 6 One Smart Cat (ML 4-1)
Program scratches are # 1 Prowling Around (NL); # 12 Letmetakeaselfie (NL); # 13 Straight N Strong (NL); and # 14 Sharpest One (NL). Also scratch # 3 Irish Devil (ML 20-1).
Papa's Maggie showed good early speed last time out, as well as marked improvement over her debut. Patience Lady crossed the wire first at this class level two starts back, but a DQ cost her the diploma.
Valborg Matilda, Pam's Joy, and Nakoma are a trio of debut runners by sires whose progeny tend to do well at first asking. Zira Gold drops in for a tag for the first time in her career; but it seems like she'd rather be on grass. One Smart Cat is also first time starter who has been working reasonably well leading up to this contest.
EDIT: Selections have changed since Race 6 was taken off the turf.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 5,6 with 3,4 with 9 with 10 $4.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 2,5,6,7 with 3,4,8 with 9,11 with 2,5,7,10,11 $60.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 10,11 with 3,4 with 9 with 10 $2.00
$0.50 P4: 5,6 with 2,6,9 with 9 with 10 $3.00
$0.50 P4: 5,6 with 3,4 with 1,6,10 with 10 $6.00
$0.50 P4: 5,6 with 3,4 with 9 with 4,6 $4.00
Total: $79.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:09 EST / 3:09 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
* - Actually, Taylor withdrew to Angostura, about a mile and a quarter south of Buena Vista; but there's no Angostura Stakes being run today, so we'll just go with Buena Vista.
RACE 6 - OC 62k/N2X - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt (EDIT - This race has been taken off the turf - selections have been changed)
A’s
# 5 Mr. Sexy (Morning Line 4-1)
# 6 Guns Loaded (ML 8-1)
B’s
# 2 Gotham News (ML 15-1)
# 7 K Thirty Eight (ML 12-1)
C's
# 10 County Lineman (ML 12-1)
# 11 Perfectly Majestic (ML 9-2)
Scratch # 1 Horse Laugh (ML 30-1), # 8 De Treville (GB) (ML 5-2), and # 9 Eighty Three (ML 7-2).
If Mr. Sexy's speed carries over to the main track, then he could be the one leading this field all the way around the track. Guns Loaded was in the Trifecta the last two times that he competed on dirt. Guns Loaded and K Thirty Eight are also the only runners in this field with multiple wins on a fast dirt track.
Gotham News last victory cam on a fast dirt rack, in an OC / N2X contest at Monmouth Park. County Lineman and Perfectly Majestic have done reasonably well when competing on dirt in the past, though their lack of early speed may leave them each with too much to do late.
RACE 7 - Clm $12.5k N2L - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Bad Read Sanchez (ML 2-1)
# 4 Prince Valiant (ML 5-2)
B’s
# 8 Undergroundrailroad (ML 4-1)
C's
# 2 Kenjiislucky (ML 4-1)
# 6 Outthink'em (ML 50-1)
# 9 I'm Zonin (ML 8-1)
Scratch # 7 Coyote Fly (ML 15-1).
Last year saw Bad Read Sanchez win his debut by ten lengths, take the Place in the W. L. Proctor Memorial, and grab the Show in the Grade 2 Best Pal. Bad Read Sanchez competed in the Opening Day of this meet in the Grade 1 Malibu; now today, less than two months later, Bad Read Sanchez is up for sale for just $12.5k.
While the case could be made (based upon his most recent efforts) that Bad Read Sanchez needed to drop into the claiming ranks to get some much needed class relief, seeing him fall all the way to $12.5k as his first ever For Sale price sends up all sorts of red flags. The first thought that comes to mind is that there must be an injury; but Bad Read Sanchez's works on February 7th and 13th seem to indicate that he's still plenty healthy enough to compete. So if it's not his health then the question remains: why sell him so cheap?
Anyway, Bad Read Sanchez is clearly the classiest runner in this field, and on paper should win this contest by the length of the stretch. But I think that there are enough questions here to warrant us spreading a little wide in this race.
Prince Valiant took the Place against classier foes last time out. Undergroundrailroad graduated by daylight last time out; but the effort was such that it put him on the shelf for thirteen months. Kenjiislucky took the Show at this class level last time out.
Outthink'em has been showing good early speed in his more recent contests, and could catch this field napping. I'm Zonin should improve with the return to one turn racing.
RACE 8 - (F) The Buena Vista (Grade 2) - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 9 Her Emmynency (ML 6-1)
B's
# 11 Pauline's Love (ML 12-1)
C's
# 1 Keri Belle (ML 5-1)
# 6 Prize Exhibit (GB) (ML 4-1)
# 10 Stormy Lucy (ML 7-2)
Program scratches are # 5 Chocolatier (Fr) (No Line) and # 14 Minks Aprise (NL). Also scratch # 8 Glory (ML 6-1).
Her Emmynency took the Grade 1 QE II Cup last time out, and was victorious in her only prior try over this turf course. Prize Exhibit (GB) took the Grade 2 Monrovia charging down the hill two starts back, and looked reasonably good in her seven furlong workout on the main track back on January 23.
Pauline's Love just missed in the Grade 3 Autumn Miss two starts back, and could be the one setting all the early fractions. Keri Belle and Stormy Lucy were just a nose apart at the wire in the Grade 3 Megahertz last time out; but they'll need to improve off that effort in order to get the Win here.
RACE 9 - (F) Md $30k - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 10 Papa's Maggie (ML 5-2)
B's
# 2 Valborg Matilda (ML 20-1)
# 5 Patience Lady (ML 7-2)
# 7 Pam's Joy (ML 8-1)
# 11 Nakoma (ML 20-1)
C's
# 4 Zira Gold (ML 7-2)
# 6 One Smart Cat (ML 4-1)
Program scratches are # 1 Prowling Around (NL); # 12 Letmetakeaselfie (NL); # 13 Straight N Strong (NL); and # 14 Sharpest One (NL). Also scratch # 3 Irish Devil (ML 20-1).
Papa's Maggie showed good early speed last time out, as well as marked improvement over her debut. Patience Lady crossed the wire first at this class level two starts back, but a DQ cost her the diploma.
Valborg Matilda, Pam's Joy, and Nakoma are a trio of debut runners by sires whose progeny tend to do well at first asking. Zira Gold drops in for a tag for the first time in her career; but it seems like she'd rather be on grass. One Smart Cat is also first time starter who has been working reasonably well leading up to this contest.
EDIT: Selections have changed since Race 6 was taken off the turf.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 5,6 with 3,4 with 9 with 10 $4.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 2,5,6,7 with 3,4,8 with 9,11 with 2,5,7,10,11 $60.00
$0.50 P4: 10,11 with 3,4 with 9 with 10 $2.00
$0.50 P4: 5,6 with 2,6,9 with 9 with 10 $3.00
$0.50 P4: 5,6 with 3,4 with 1,6,10 with 10 $6.00
$0.50 P4: 5,6 with 3,4 with 9 with 4,6 $4.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:09 EST / 3:09 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Sunday, February 14, 2016
2/14/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results
Race 6 - # 9 Bourbon Soul (Final Odds 6.00) - "B" Selection
Race 7 - # 5 Carlsbad Mountain (18.90) - "C" Selection
Race 8 - The Sweet Life - # 8 Swift Lady (1.10*) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 9 L's Choice (4.40) - "B" Selection
I expressed my concerns in the preview regarding # 1 Perfect Set (1.00*) holding his form in the second leg, as he had twice previously in his last three races failed as the Post Time Favorite in Starter Allowances. Well, today Perfect Set made it three out of his last four races that he has failed as the Post Time Favorite in a Starter Allowance; and while we had the winner of that leg on our tickets, we didn't use him predominately enough; and for that reason, today was our day to contribute instead of cash.
Oh well; onto the next race.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of 9 / 5 / 8 / 9 were rewarded with a payout of $885.90 for their fifty cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Race 7 - # 5 Carlsbad Mountain (18.90) - "C" Selection
Race 8 - The Sweet Life - # 8 Swift Lady (1.10*) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 9 L's Choice (4.40) - "B" Selection
I expressed my concerns in the preview regarding # 1 Perfect Set (1.00*) holding his form in the second leg, as he had twice previously in his last three races failed as the Post Time Favorite in Starter Allowances. Well, today Perfect Set made it three out of his last four races that he has failed as the Post Time Favorite in a Starter Allowance; and while we had the winner of that leg on our tickets, we didn't use him predominately enough; and for that reason, today was our day to contribute instead of cash.
Oh well; onto the next race.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of 9 / 5 / 8 / 9 were rewarded with a payout of $885.90 for their fifty cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
2/14/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” – Charles M. Schulz
Happy Valentine's Day everyone; a special day set aside for showing affection and eating chocolate out of a box. Today's featured race at Santa Anita is, appropriately enough, The Sweet Life; it's Race 8 on the card, so we'll be looking at it below as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 6 - OC 40k/N1X - Twelve Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 5 Tattenham (Morning Line 3-1)
# 7 Lime Rickey (ML 12-1)
# 11 Trifecta (ML 6-1)
B’s
# 2 Dylan Ward (ML 7-2)
# 9 Bourbon Soul (ML 6-1)
C's
# 1 Apostle Paul (ML 12-1)
# 3 Bird E House (ML 10-1)
Tattenham was within two lengths of the winner at the wire two starts back against more expensive stock. Tattenham also has a prior win on his resume at today's distance. Lime Rickey took the Place at this class level two starts back. Trifecta looks to be much improved since adding the blinkers.
Bourbon Soul and Apostle Paul exit the same key race, and both could improve with the added distance. I give a slight edge to Bourbon Soul as he seems the one more likely to move forward.
Dylan Ward tries winners for the first time after taking a dozen tries to graduate; perhaps the light bulb finally went off. Bird E House is by 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, so he should be among those still running as the field approaches the wire.
RACE 7 - Alw 16000s - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 1 Perfect Set (ML 9-5)
B’s
# 10 A Colt Following (ML 4-1)
C's
# 5 Carlsbad Mountain (ML 6-1)
# 6 Muchos Besos (ML 8-1)
Scratch # 7 Doyouknowsomething (No Line).
Note for future reference that there are no lifetime Win restrictions on this contest. This race is open to all runners which have started for a claiming price of $16k or less either this year or last.
Perfect Set, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, defeated $50k open claimers last time out; a repeat of that effort should get Perfect Set into the Winner's Circle again today. A concern is that Perfect Set did disappoint as the Post Time Favorite each of the last two times that he competed in a Starter Allowance.
A Colt Following goes first off the claim for Trainer Peter Miller, who does exceptionally well with such. Carlsbad Mountain and Mucho Besos were within a neck of each other at the wire last time out while filling out the Exacta at the $20k claiming level.
RACE 8 - (F) The Sweet Life $75k - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 8 Swift Lady (ML 5-2)
B's
# 7 Jeremy's Legacy (Ire) (ML 7-2)
C's
# 5 Corps de Ballet (ML 4-1)
# 6 Uptown Twirl (ML 6-1)
# 9 Nodiac (Ire) (ML 5-1)
Swift Lady, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Martin Garcia, looked more like a 2-1 favorite rather than a 22-1 longshot when she defeated OC/N1X company charging down the hill last time out. While she probably won't get things all her own way upfront early again today, Swift Lady looks like a legitimate favorite here.
Jeremy's Legacy (Ire) was gaining on Swift Lady at the wire last time out; perhaps Jeremy's Legacy gets a more favorable pace setup to close into today. Corps de Ballet may improve going second off the layoff.
Uptown Twirl is the only entrant in this field besides Swift Lady with multiple wins; but those came on the dirt, as this will be Uptown Twirl's first try on the grass. Nodiac (Ire) graduated charging down the hill last time out, and could improve going second off the layoff.
RACE 9 - Clm $25k N2L - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 4 Gambler's Roll (ML 6-1)
# 7 Dream Police (ML 5-2)
B’s
# 9 L's Choice (ML 7-2)
# 10 Zim N the Mailman (ML 12-1)
C's
Happy Valentine's Day everyone; a special day set aside for showing affection and eating chocolate out of a box. Today's featured race at Santa Anita is, appropriately enough, The Sweet Life; it's Race 8 on the card, so we'll be looking at it below as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 6 - OC 40k/N1X - Twelve Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 5 Tattenham (Morning Line 3-1)
# 7 Lime Rickey (ML 12-1)
# 11 Trifecta (ML 6-1)
B’s
# 2 Dylan Ward (ML 7-2)
# 9 Bourbon Soul (ML 6-1)
C's
# 1 Apostle Paul (ML 12-1)
# 3 Bird E House (ML 10-1)
Tattenham was within two lengths of the winner at the wire two starts back against more expensive stock. Tattenham also has a prior win on his resume at today's distance. Lime Rickey took the Place at this class level two starts back. Trifecta looks to be much improved since adding the blinkers.
Bourbon Soul and Apostle Paul exit the same key race, and both could improve with the added distance. I give a slight edge to Bourbon Soul as he seems the one more likely to move forward.
Dylan Ward tries winners for the first time after taking a dozen tries to graduate; perhaps the light bulb finally went off. Bird E House is by 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, so he should be among those still running as the field approaches the wire.
RACE 7 - Alw 16000s - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 1 Perfect Set (ML 9-5)
B’s
# 10 A Colt Following (ML 4-1)
# 5 Carlsbad Mountain (ML 6-1)
# 6 Muchos Besos (ML 8-1)
Scratch # 7 Doyouknowsomething (No Line).
Note for future reference that there are no lifetime Win restrictions on this contest. This race is open to all runners which have started for a claiming price of $16k or less either this year or last.
Perfect Set, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, defeated $50k open claimers last time out; a repeat of that effort should get Perfect Set into the Winner's Circle again today. A concern is that Perfect Set did disappoint as the Post Time Favorite each of the last two times that he competed in a Starter Allowance.
A Colt Following goes first off the claim for Trainer Peter Miller, who does exceptionally well with such. Carlsbad Mountain and Mucho Besos were within a neck of each other at the wire last time out while filling out the Exacta at the $20k claiming level.
RACE 8 - (F) The Sweet Life $75k - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 8 Swift Lady (ML 5-2)
B's
# 7 Jeremy's Legacy (Ire) (ML 7-2)
C's
# 5 Corps de Ballet (ML 4-1)
# 6 Uptown Twirl (ML 6-1)
# 9 Nodiac (Ire) (ML 5-1)
Swift Lady, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Martin Garcia, looked more like a 2-1 favorite rather than a 22-1 longshot when she defeated OC/N1X company charging down the hill last time out. While she probably won't get things all her own way upfront early again today, Swift Lady looks like a legitimate favorite here.
Jeremy's Legacy (Ire) was gaining on Swift Lady at the wire last time out; perhaps Jeremy's Legacy gets a more favorable pace setup to close into today. Corps de Ballet may improve going second off the layoff.
Uptown Twirl is the only entrant in this field besides Swift Lady with multiple wins; but those came on the dirt, as this will be Uptown Twirl's first try on the grass. Nodiac (Ire) graduated charging down the hill last time out, and could improve going second off the layoff.
RACE 9 - Clm $25k N2L - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 4 Gambler's Roll (ML 6-1)
# 7 Dream Police (ML 5-2)
B’s
# 9 L's Choice (ML 7-2)
# 10 Zim N the Mailman (ML 12-1)
C's
None
Scratch # 11 Inexcess Time (8-1), who does not draw in off the Also Eligible List.
Gambler's Roll took the Show against open $25k claimers last time out; so this move to N2L company is quite the class drop. Dream Police is also getting some much needed class relief, and could get a nice stalking trip behind Gambler's Roll.
L's Choice took the Place at this class level last time out. Zim N the Mailman cuts back to a much more favorable distance.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 5,7,11 with 1 with 8 with 4,7 $6.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 2,5,7,9,11 with 1,10 with 7,8 with 4,7,9,10 $40.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 1,3 with 1 with 8 with 4,7 $2.00
$0.50 P4: 5,7,11 with 5,6 with 8 with 4,7 $6.00
$0.50 P4: 5,7,11 with 1 with 5,6,9 with 4,7 $9.00
Total: $63.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:09 EST / 3:09 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Saturday, February 13, 2016
2/13/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results
Race 6 - # 11 Atta Boy Pete (Final Odds 5.80) - "B" Selection
Race 7 - # 2 Calculator (1.00*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - The Santa Maria - # 8 Tara's Tango (1.90*) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 7 Lady Valeur (1.10*) - "B" Selection
One of the problems trainers face when prepping a Graded Stakes winner in an Allowance race is that the horse doesn't know that it's just a prep; so when # 7 Fusaichi Samurai (6.10) came on in the stretch Calculator, instead of just going through the motions, fought him hammer and tongs through the drive to secure the win by a neck. Which was good for us, as any other result would have turned our tickets into trash; but thanks in large part to Calculator's victory, this was a day for us to cash rather than contribute.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 3 Lottie (4.50) - $133.25 Finish: 4th
# 6 Award It (7.30) - $278.35 Finish: 3rd
# 10 Tinderella (GB) (6.40) - $152.40 Finish: 5th
# 11 Candy Genovesa (8.90) - $288.05 Finish: 10th
But that's what might have been. The actual winning Pick Four sequence of 11 / 2 / 8 / 7 paid $94.00 for a fifty cent wager. That makes for a profit of $41.50 on our $52.50 investment, or approximate odds of 0.79-1.
I hope you all had it with me. May God bless us as we spend our winnings.
Onto the next race!
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Race 7 - # 2 Calculator (1.00*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - The Santa Maria - # 8 Tara's Tango (1.90*) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 7 Lady Valeur (1.10*) - "B" Selection
One of the problems trainers face when prepping a Graded Stakes winner in an Allowance race is that the horse doesn't know that it's just a prep; so when # 7 Fusaichi Samurai (6.10) came on in the stretch Calculator, instead of just going through the motions, fought him hammer and tongs through the drive to secure the win by a neck. Which was good for us, as any other result would have turned our tickets into trash; but thanks in large part to Calculator's victory, this was a day for us to cash rather than contribute.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 3 Lottie (4.50) - $133.25 Finish: 4th
# 6 Award It (7.30) - $278.35 Finish: 3rd
# 10 Tinderella (GB) (6.40) - $152.40 Finish: 5th
# 11 Candy Genovesa (8.90) - $288.05 Finish: 10th
But that's what might have been. The actual winning Pick Four sequence of 11 / 2 / 8 / 7 paid $94.00 for a fifty cent wager. That makes for a profit of $41.50 on our $52.50 investment, or approximate odds of 0.79-1.
I hope you all had it with me. May God bless us as we spend our winnings.
Onto the next race!
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
2/13/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview
There's a pair of Graded Stakes on the program at Santa Anita Saturday: The Arcadia and The Santa Maria. We'll be taking a look at the latter as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 6 - Clm $25k - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 5 I'll Wrap It Up (Morning Line 5-2)
# 12 Apollo Ten (ML 12-1)
B’s
# 7 Tripski (ML 5-1)
# 11 Atta Boy Pete (ML 6-1)
C's
# 4 Rainbow North (ML 6-1)
Scratch # 3 Downtown C. T. (ML 12-1) and # 9 Ain't No Other (ML 12-1); but don't bring in # 13 Cougar Country (ML 20-1) or # 14 Karma King (ML 15-1) off the Also Eligible List.
I'll Wrap It Up missed winning by just half a length charging down the hill at this class level two starts back. Apollo Ten took the Show at this class level last time out. Apollo Ten is going first off the claim for Trainer Kristin Mulhall, who tends to do well with such.
Tripski was about a length behind I'll Wrap It Up at the wire last time out, and could move forward going second off the layoff. Atta Boy Pete returns from an extended layoff for Trainer Phil D'Amato, who enjoys considerable success with such. You'll know early if Atta Boy Pete is ready, as he should be the one leading the field down the hill. Rainbow North slides over from state bred company, where he has been showing good early speed while routing on the grass.
RACE 7 - OC 40k/C - Seven Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 2 Calculator (ML 5-2)
B’s
None
C's
# 3 Logan's Moon (ML 8-1)
# 7 Fusaichi Samurai (ML 8-1)
# 8 Bronze Star (ML 12-1)
Scratch # 6 Dream Team (ML 12-1) and # 11 Souper Knight (ML 5-1).
If Calculator is ready, then this is an easy race, as Calculator should win easily. However, if Calculator is not ready, then this is a very complicated race, as I could then make a good case for most every other runner in the field besides the three that we are using as backups.
Toss the "effort" two starts back and it's clear that Logan's Moon fits at this class level. Logan's Moon also likes this main track, having finished in the Trifecta four of the five times that he's raced on it.
Fusaichi Samurai closed well in his debut last time out, and could improve with the extra furlong today. Bronze Star, like Calculator, is returning to competition after an extended layoff. Bronze Star took the Place at this class level two starts back, and could be the one leading the field through most of the early going, if not right up to and past the wire.
RACE 8 - (F) The Santa Maria (Grade 2) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Birdatthewire (ML 5-2)
B's
# 7 Yahilwa (ML 7-2)
# 8 Tara's Tango (ML 2-1)
C's
# 4 Big Break (ML 20-1)
# 6 Living The Life (Ire) (ML 6-1)
Birdatthewire took the Place in the Grade 2 La Canada last time out, and could improve with a trip that doesn't involve racing closer to the grandstand than to the rail. Yahilwa certainly fits at this level, but her tendency to tire in the stretch of late is more than a bit concerting.
Tara's Tango missed winning the Grade 2 Santa Monica by just a neck last time out. The added distance should not be a concern, as Tara's Tango misses by just a nose of being two-for-three in her career when going around two turns.
Big Break has been showing a steadily improving form, and could be siting right off Yahilwa's flank when they enter the stretch. Living The Life (Ire) is a two time Graded Stakes winner on the synthetics, and works too well in the morning to be dismissed as being incapable of winning on a fast dirt track.
RACE 9 - (F) MSW - Nine Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 6 Award It (ML 6-1)
B's
# 3 Lottie (ML 7-2)
C's
None
Scratch # 4 Taffeta (ML 20-1). Also remove # 12 Just a Gem (ML 50-1) and # 13 Madam Belle (ML 8-1) as they do not draw in from the Also Eligible List.
Award It took the Place at this class level the last time that she competed in a turf route. Tinderella (GB) (ML 7-2) made a nice move forward last time out; but how much of a role the shorter distance played in that result remains to be seen.
Candy Genovesa took the Show at this class level over this turf course last time out. Candy Genovesa also looks to be the quickest in this field, and could have a sizeable head start over the rest when they reach the stretch.
Lottie missed graduating by a head in her debut two starts back, and should get a better trip than what she experienced last time out. Lady Valeur (Ire) took the Place at this class level charging down the hill last time out.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 5,12 with 2 with 3 with 6,10,11 $6.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 5,7,11,12 with 2 with 3,7,8 with 3,6,7,10,11 $30.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 4 with 2 with 3 with 6,10,11 $1.50
$0.50 P4: 5,12 with 3,7,8 with 3 with 6,10,11 $9.00
$0.50 P4: 5,12 with 2 with 4,6 with 6,10,11 $6.00
Total: $52.50
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:09 EST / 3:09 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
RACE 6 - Clm $25k - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 5 I'll Wrap It Up (Morning Line 5-2)
# 12 Apollo Ten (ML 12-1)
# 7 Tripski (ML 5-1)
# 11 Atta Boy Pete (ML 6-1)
C's
# 4 Rainbow North (ML 6-1)
Scratch # 3 Downtown C. T. (ML 12-1) and # 9 Ain't No Other (ML 12-1); but don't bring in # 13 Cougar Country (ML 20-1) or # 14 Karma King (ML 15-1) off the Also Eligible List.
I'll Wrap It Up missed winning by just half a length charging down the hill at this class level two starts back. Apollo Ten took the Show at this class level last time out. Apollo Ten is going first off the claim for Trainer Kristin Mulhall, who tends to do well with such.
Tripski was about a length behind I'll Wrap It Up at the wire last time out, and could move forward going second off the layoff. Atta Boy Pete returns from an extended layoff for Trainer Phil D'Amato, who enjoys considerable success with such. You'll know early if Atta Boy Pete is ready, as he should be the one leading the field down the hill. Rainbow North slides over from state bred company, where he has been showing good early speed while routing on the grass.
RACE 7 - OC 40k/C - Seven Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 2 Calculator (ML 5-2)
B’s
None
C's
# 3 Logan's Moon (ML 8-1)
# 7 Fusaichi Samurai (ML 8-1)
# 8 Bronze Star (ML 12-1)
Scratch # 6 Dream Team (ML 12-1) and # 11 Souper Knight (ML 5-1).
If Calculator is ready, then this is an easy race, as Calculator should win easily. However, if Calculator is not ready, then this is a very complicated race, as I could then make a good case for most every other runner in the field besides the three that we are using as backups.
Toss the "effort" two starts back and it's clear that Logan's Moon fits at this class level. Logan's Moon also likes this main track, having finished in the Trifecta four of the five times that he's raced on it.
Fusaichi Samurai closed well in his debut last time out, and could improve with the extra furlong today. Bronze Star, like Calculator, is returning to competition after an extended layoff. Bronze Star took the Place at this class level two starts back, and could be the one leading the field through most of the early going, if not right up to and past the wire.
RACE 8 - (F) The Santa Maria (Grade 2) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Birdatthewire (ML 5-2)
B's
# 7 Yahilwa (ML 7-2)
# 8 Tara's Tango (ML 2-1)
C's
# 4 Big Break (ML 20-1)
# 6 Living The Life (Ire) (ML 6-1)
Birdatthewire took the Place in the Grade 2 La Canada last time out, and could improve with a trip that doesn't involve racing closer to the grandstand than to the rail. Yahilwa certainly fits at this level, but her tendency to tire in the stretch of late is more than a bit concerting.
Tara's Tango missed winning the Grade 2 Santa Monica by just a neck last time out. The added distance should not be a concern, as Tara's Tango misses by just a nose of being two-for-three in her career when going around two turns.
Big Break has been showing a steadily improving form, and could be siting right off Yahilwa's flank when they enter the stretch. Living The Life (Ire) is a two time Graded Stakes winner on the synthetics, and works too well in the morning to be dismissed as being incapable of winning on a fast dirt track.
RACE 9 - (F) MSW - Nine Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 6 Award It (ML 6-1)
# 10 Tinderella (GB) (ML 7-2)
# 11 Candy Genovesa (ML 6-1)
B's
# 3 Lottie (ML 7-2)
# 7 Lady Valeur (Ire) (ML 3-1)
None
Scratch # 4 Taffeta (ML 20-1). Also remove # 12 Just a Gem (ML 50-1) and # 13 Madam Belle (ML 8-1) as they do not draw in from the Also Eligible List.
Award It took the Place at this class level the last time that she competed in a turf route. Tinderella (GB) (ML 7-2) made a nice move forward last time out; but how much of a role the shorter distance played in that result remains to be seen.
Candy Genovesa took the Show at this class level over this turf course last time out. Candy Genovesa also looks to be the quickest in this field, and could have a sizeable head start over the rest when they reach the stretch.
Lottie missed graduating by a head in her debut two starts back, and should get a better trip than what she experienced last time out. Lady Valeur (Ire) took the Place at this class level charging down the hill last time out.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 5,12 with 2 with 3 with 6,10,11 $6.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 5,7,11,12 with 2 with 3,7,8 with 3,6,7,10,11 $30.00
$0.50 P4: 4 with 2 with 3 with 6,10,11 $1.50
$0.50 P4: 5,12 with 3,7,8 with 3 with 6,10,11 $9.00
$0.50 P4: 5,12 with 2 with 4,6 with 6,10,11 $6.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:09 EST / 3:09 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Thursday, February 11, 2016
2/11/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results
Race 5 - # 6 Tale of Papa Nick (Final Odds 7.70) - "A" Selection
Race 6 - # 4 Enchanting Lady (1.10*) - "B" Selection
Race 7 - # 4 Nite Delite (4.50) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 2 Luckbox Sam (1.40*) - "A" Selection
When handicapping the second leg of the sequence, I thought that # 2 Finest City (1.30) would be the quickest out of the gate, and that would give her the edge over the rest of field; for that reason, I made Finest City an "A" Selection in that contest. But Finest City was more than a length off the pace after the opening quarter, and kept backing away from the winner as the race wore on. Had I properly projected the pace scenario I might have made Enchanting Lady an "A" Selection in that contest, thus giving us the winning combination three times instead of just once.
But all the above is said to report, not complain; as we are always happy whenever we cash at a profit.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 1 El Nino Terrible (5.00) - $271.35 Finish: 5th
# 4 Celebrity Status (4.50) - $308.95 Finish: 2nd
# 7 Formally Wild (3.50) - $297.55 Finish: 6th
# 8 Saint Dermot (7.00) - $505.45 Finish: 4th
But that's what might have been. The actual winning Pick Four sequence of 6 / 4 / 4 / 2 paid $180.65 for a fifty cent wager. That makes for a profit of $118.65 on our $62.00 investment, or approximate odds of 1.91-1.
I hope you all had it with me. May God bless us as we spend our winnings.
Onto the next race!
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Race 6 - # 4 Enchanting Lady (1.10*) - "B" Selection
Race 7 - # 4 Nite Delite (4.50) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 2 Luckbox Sam (1.40*) - "A" Selection
When handicapping the second leg of the sequence, I thought that # 2 Finest City (1.30) would be the quickest out of the gate, and that would give her the edge over the rest of field; for that reason, I made Finest City an "A" Selection in that contest. But Finest City was more than a length off the pace after the opening quarter, and kept backing away from the winner as the race wore on. Had I properly projected the pace scenario I might have made Enchanting Lady an "A" Selection in that contest, thus giving us the winning combination three times instead of just once.
But all the above is said to report, not complain; as we are always happy whenever we cash at a profit.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 1 El Nino Terrible (5.00) - $271.35 Finish: 5th
# 4 Celebrity Status (4.50) - $308.95 Finish: 2nd
# 7 Formally Wild (3.50) - $297.55 Finish: 6th
# 8 Saint Dermot (7.00) - $505.45 Finish: 4th
But that's what might have been. The actual winning Pick Four sequence of 6 / 4 / 4 / 2 paid $180.65 for a fifty cent wager. That makes for a profit of $118.65 on our $62.00 investment, or approximate odds of 1.91-1.
I hope you all had it with me. May God bless us as we spend our winnings.
Onto the next race!
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
2/11/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview
Fillies and Mares dominate the back half of Thursday's program at Santa Anita, with three of the final four races being carded for those on the distaff side. Indeed, there were so many entries for today's feature that it had to be split. We'll be looking at both divisions below, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 5 - (F) ALW N1X - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A's
# 1 Hundi (Ire) (Morning Line 5-2)
# 6 Tale of Papa Nick (ML 4-1)
B's
None
C's
# 2 Elementar (ML 8-1)
# 3 Entrechat (ML 3-1)
# 7 Hennythelovepenny (ML 8-1)
A pure Allowance race without a claiming option; don't see too many of those in Southern California. Anyway, note that Race 7 below is the other division of this contest.
Hundi (Ire) took the Place charging down the hill last month and seems likely to improve going second off the layoff. Tale of Papa Nick's two career Wins both came charging down the hill. Also note that Trainer Richard Baltas does quite well with runners returning from a vacation approximating the length of time that Tale of Papa Nick has been away.
Elementar gets some class relief, but also switches to a barn with a much lower Winning Percentage. Entrechat took a big step forward last time out after being on the shelf for almost eight months. Hennythelovepenny tries the turf for the first time while regaining the services of Jockey Eddie Maldonado, who was on her back the last time that she got her picture taken.
RACE 6 - (F) OC 62k/N2X - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 2 Finest City (ML 2-1)
B’s
# 4 Enchanting Lady (ML 9-5)
C's
None
El Nino Terrible took the Place at this class level last time out, and took the Place against more expensive the last time that he competed around two turns. Luckbox Sam should improve with the drop in class and the increased distance.
Celebrity Status made a nice move forward last time out, and could get a nice stalking trip today. Formally Wild took the Place after leading most of the way against more expensive last time out. Saint Dermot has finished in the Trifecta four of the five times that he has competed on the Santa Anita main track.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 1,6 with 2 with 4,6 with 1,2 $8.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 1,6 with 2,4 with 2,4,6,7 with 1,2,4,7,8 $40.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 2,3,7 with 2 with 4,6 with 1,2 $6.00
$0.50 P4: 1,6 with 1,6 with 4,6 with 1,2 $8.00
Total: $62.00
Post Time for Race 5 is 6:03 EST / 3:03 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
RACE 5 - (F) ALW N1X - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A's
# 1 Hundi (Ire) (Morning Line 5-2)
# 6 Tale of Papa Nick (ML 4-1)
B's
None
C's
# 2 Elementar (ML 8-1)
# 3 Entrechat (ML 3-1)
# 7 Hennythelovepenny (ML 8-1)
A pure Allowance race without a claiming option; don't see too many of those in Southern California. Anyway, note that Race 7 below is the other division of this contest.
Hundi (Ire) took the Place charging down the hill last month and seems likely to improve going second off the layoff. Tale of Papa Nick's two career Wins both came charging down the hill. Also note that Trainer Richard Baltas does quite well with runners returning from a vacation approximating the length of time that Tale of Papa Nick has been away.
Elementar gets some class relief, but also switches to a barn with a much lower Winning Percentage. Entrechat took a big step forward last time out after being on the shelf for almost eight months. Hennythelovepenny tries the turf for the first time while regaining the services of Jockey Eddie Maldonado, who was on her back the last time that she got her picture taken.
RACE 6 - (F) OC 62k/N2X - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 2 Finest City (ML 2-1)
B’s
# 4 Enchanting Lady (ML 9-5)
C's
# 1 Stealth Drone (ML 6-1)
# 6 Pica (ML 6-1)
Finest City just missed winning the Grade 2 Santa Monica by a head last month; a repeat of that effort could see Finest City winning today by the length of the stretch. Enchanting Lady returns after an extended layoff for Trainer Bob Baffert, and may need a race; but Enchanting Lady is getting some significant class relief after disappointing as the Post Time Favorite in each of her last three starts.
Stealth Drone is a lifetime two-for-three over this main track, and has finished in the Trifecta in seven of her eight career starts on a fast dirt track. Pica won at this class level over this main track two starts back.
RACE 7 - (F) ALW N1X - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A's
# 4 Nite Delite (ML 4-1)
# 6 Perdona (ML 3-1)
B's
# 2 Bert's Melody (ML 4-1)
# 7 So Sweetitiz (ML 15-1)
C's
None
As previously mentioned, this race has the same distance, surface, and conditions as Race 5 above.
Toss the effort on dirt two starts back, and it's clear that Nite Delite is much improved since adding the blinkers. Perdona took the Show in each of her last two starts against Optional Claiming N1X company.
Bert's Melody held her form last time out when moving up from the state bred ranks, but the extended layoff is a concern. So Sweetitiz tries the turf for the first time; if her early speed from the main track carries over, So Sweetitiz could be crossing the wire before many of these get rolling.
RACE 8 - Clm $8k - Eight Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 1 El Nino Terrible (ML 3-1)
# 2 Luckbox Sam (ML 5-2)
B’s
# 4 Celebrity Status (ML 4-1)
# 7 Formally Wild (ML 3-1)
# 8 Saint Dermot (ML 6-1)
C's
None
El Nino Terrible took the Place at this class level last time out, and took the Place against more expensive the last time that he competed around two turns. Luckbox Sam should improve with the drop in class and the increased distance.
Celebrity Status made a nice move forward last time out, and could get a nice stalking trip today. Formally Wild took the Place after leading most of the way against more expensive last time out. Saint Dermot has finished in the Trifecta four of the five times that he has competed on the Santa Anita main track.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 1,6 with 2 with 4,6 with 1,2 $8.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 1,6 with 2,4 with 2,4,6,7 with 1,2,4,7,8 $40.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 2,3,7 with 2 with 4,6 with 1,2 $6.00
$0.50 P4: 1,6 with 1,6 with 4,6 with 1,2 $8.00
Total: $62.00
Post Time for Race 5 is 6:03 EST / 3:03 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Sunday, February 7, 2016
2/7/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results
Race 5 - # 3 China Girl Lover (Final Odds 4.50) - "B" Selection
Race 6 - The Palos Verdes - # 1 Kobe's Back (2.50) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 6 Patentar (Fr) (8.60) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 11 Mad Mango (1.80*) - "A" Selection
We thought that the addition of blinkers would result in Kobe's Back being more forwardly placed in the early going. And we were right, as Kobe's Back was just a mere ten and a half lengths back after the first quarter and eight lengths back at the half; which, while effectively making Kobe's Back sixth in a field of five in the early going, is closer to the leader than Kobe's Back had been at those points in most of his more recent races. Anyway, it's not where you start but where you finish, and Kobe's Back proved himself to be the best in the Palos Verdes, crossing the line a half length in front of Post Time Favorite # 2 Salutos Amigos (1.40*), a result which no doubt helped enrich today's payout.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 3 Dream Navigator (10.00) - $2015.20 Finish: 8th
# 12 Darling Grace (2.40) - $569.30 Finish: 3rd
But that's what might have been. The actual winning Pick Four sequence of 3 / 1 / 6 / 11 paid $396.80 for a fifty cent wager. That makes for a profit of $331.80 on our $65.00 investment, or approximate odds of 5.10-1.
I hope you all had it with me. May God bless us as we spend our winnings.
Onto the next race!
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Race 6 - The Palos Verdes - # 1 Kobe's Back (2.50) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 6 Patentar (Fr) (8.60) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 11 Mad Mango (1.80*) - "A" Selection
We thought that the addition of blinkers would result in Kobe's Back being more forwardly placed in the early going. And we were right, as Kobe's Back was just a mere ten and a half lengths back after the first quarter and eight lengths back at the half; which, while effectively making Kobe's Back sixth in a field of five in the early going, is closer to the leader than Kobe's Back had been at those points in most of his more recent races. Anyway, it's not where you start but where you finish, and Kobe's Back proved himself to be the best in the Palos Verdes, crossing the line a half length in front of Post Time Favorite # 2 Salutos Amigos (1.40*), a result which no doubt helped enrich today's payout.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 3 Dream Navigator (10.00) - $2015.20 Finish: 8th
# 12 Darling Grace (2.40) - $569.30 Finish: 3rd
But that's what might have been. The actual winning Pick Four sequence of 3 / 1 / 6 / 11 paid $396.80 for a fifty cent wager. That makes for a profit of $331.80 on our $65.00 investment, or approximate odds of 5.10-1.
I hope you all had it with me. May God bless us as we spend our winnings.
Onto the next race!
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
2/7/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview
They're playing Super Bowl Half a Hundred today, so the Post Times at Santa Anita have been pushed forward so that all horses can be back in the barn in time to watch the commercials featuring The Budweiser Clydesdales, and to root for The Broncos (surely they won't be rooting for The Panthers against one of their own; right?). As for us, we will be doing some rooting as well, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 5 - Hcp 25000s - Nine Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 6 Hobbits Hero (Morning Line 4-1)
B’s
# 3 China Girl Lover (ML 9-2)
C's
RACE 5 - Hcp 25000s - Nine Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 6 Hobbits Hero (Morning Line 4-1)
B’s
# 3 China Girl Lover (ML 9-2)
C's
# 1 Oligarch (ML 7-2)
# 10 Buymeabond (ML 8-1)
Note that there's no Lifetime Win restrictions in the conditions; any runner that has started for a claiming price of $25k or less this year or last was eligible to enter. Oh, and the winning owner gets an autographed NFL football.
Hobbits Hero is a career four-for-six over the Santa Anita turf course. China Girl Lover won an Optional Claimer over this turf course last time out, but the deceased distance today may make it tough for this deep closer to do his thing.
Oligarch could steal this one on the front end, and the blinkers off could get him to relax in the early going. Buymeabond seems to fit at this class level, but may be left with too much to do late.
RACE 6 - The Palos Verdes (Grade 2) - Six Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 1 Kobe's Back (ML 5-2)
B's
# 2 Salutos Amigos (ML 2-1)
# 5 Rocket Heat (ML 9-2)
C's
None
Scratch # 3 Mystery Train (Arg) (12-1).
Kobe's Back turned in a sharp bullet workout on Jan 24, and with the blinkers being added he should be more forwardly placed today than is his custom. Salutos Amigos disappointed in each of his last two outings as the Post Time Favorite, but could find the competition somewhat softer today (despite moving "up" from a pair of Grade 3's to a Grade 2). Rocket Heat could find himself all alone on the front end for a quite a while in this contest; perhaps all the way to the finish line.
RACE 7 - OC 62k/N2X - Nine Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 6 Patentar (Fr) (ML 12-1)
# 7 Lucky J Lane (ML 4-1)
B’s
# 1 McHeat (ML 7-2)
# 3 Chips All In (ML 8-1)
# 8 Procurement (ML 5-1)
# 10 Slim Shady (GB) (ML 5-1)
C's
# 4 Diamond Bachelor (ML 20-1)
# 11 Generoso (Uru) (ML 20-1)
Needless to say, I think this one is pretty wide open. Patentar (Fr) took the Show at this class level two starts back, and was within two lengths of the winner last time out, again at this class level. Lucky J Lane is three-for-six lifetime over this turf course, and appears to be rounding into top form.
McHeat won at this class level, last time out, albeit charging down the hill, with Chips All In taking the Show less than two lengths behind him. Chips All In looks to be the quickest here, tough the removal of the hood creates some uncertainty in that area.
Procurement has been working well, and Trainer Tom Proctor does rather well with those returning from a few months vacation. Slim Shady (GB) has recent wins at this class level in the slop and on the synthetic; perhaps he can do it again on the turf.
Diamond Bachelor's two career Wins have both come on the grass, and new rider Victor Espinoza may be able to work out a stalking trip off the rail right behind Chips All In. Generoso (Ur) could improve off the freshening.
RACE 8 - (F) Md $20k - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Dream Navigator (ML 12-1)
# 11 Mad Mango (ML 5-2)
B's
# 12 Darling Grace (ML 7-2)
C's
# 4 Maid Easy (ML 6-1)
There are two program scratches: # 2 Amitie Pour La Vie (No Line) and # 6 Ryderroo (NL).
Dream Navigator drops in for a tag for the first time. Mad Mango has finished in the Trifecta in each of her three career starts, all at this class level. Darling Grace gets some class relief after showing good early speed against more expensive; expect Darling Grace to be even quicker today with the blinkers added.
Maid Easy made her debut over a year ago against non-claiming state bred maidens; so the fact that she's up for sale today must be viewed as a red flag. But if Maid Easy is in any kind of shape, then she could challenge here today.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: : 6 with 1 with 6,7 with 3,11 $4.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: $0.50 pick P4: 3,6 with 1,2,5 with 1,3,6,7,8,10 with 3,11,12 $54.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 1,10 with 1 with 6,7 with 3,11 $4.00
$0.50 pick P4: 6 with 1 with 4,11 with 3,11 $2.00
$0.50 pick P4: 6 with 1 with 6,7 with 4 $1.00
Total: $65.00
Post Time for Race 5 is 4:04 EST / 1:04 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Saturday, February 6, 2016
2/6/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results
Race 6 - # 6 Kenjisstorm (Final Odds 8.70) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - The San Antonio - # 5 Hoppertunity (1.90*) - "C" Selection
Race 8 - The San Marcos - # 7 Flamboyant (2.80) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 7 Ten Blessings (3.10) - "B" Selection
We recognized Hoppertunity and # 7 Imperative (3.70) as the two most talented runners in the field; but we also recognized that they had each gotten into the habit of running just well enough to not win. But, unfortunately for us, when they collectively passed # 2 Donworth (4.10) in the final furlong and hit the wire together in The San Antonio only one of them could lose; and while Hopperturnity's win didn't immediately kill our tickets, our failure to use him more prominently made this a day for us to contribute instead of cash.
Oh well; onto the next race.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the two runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 1 Storm the Shore (9.30) - $574.25 Finish: 6th
# 12 Seventh Sense (Tur) (1.10*) - $208.25 Finish: 8th
But such was not to be.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of 6 / 5 / 7 / 7 were rewarded with a payout of $374.30 for their fifty cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Race 7 - The San Antonio - # 5 Hoppertunity (1.90*) - "C" Selection
Race 8 - The San Marcos - # 7 Flamboyant (2.80) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 7 Ten Blessings (3.10) - "B" Selection
We recognized Hoppertunity and # 7 Imperative (3.70) as the two most talented runners in the field; but we also recognized that they had each gotten into the habit of running just well enough to not win. But, unfortunately for us, when they collectively passed # 2 Donworth (4.10) in the final furlong and hit the wire together in The San Antonio only one of them could lose; and while Hopperturnity's win didn't immediately kill our tickets, our failure to use him more prominently made this a day for us to contribute instead of cash.
Oh well; onto the next race.
For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the two runners to which we were alive in the finale:
# 1 Storm the Shore (9.30) - $574.25 Finish: 6th
# 12 Seventh Sense (Tur) (1.10*) - $208.25 Finish: 8th
But such was not to be.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of 6 / 5 / 7 / 7 were rewarded with a payout of $374.30 for their fifty cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
2/6/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview
It's a big day at Santa Anita, with four Graded Stakes on the card. While The Robert B Lewis and The Las Virgenes are beyond our purview, we will be looking at The San Antonio and The San Marcos below, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 6 - OC 40k/C - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 6 Kenjisstorm (Morning Line 5-1)
B’s
# 2 Lovenseek (ML 6-1)
C's
# 7 Grachus the Hunter (ML 8-1)
# 8 Tuco (Ire) (ML 6-1)
# 10 Rock Shandy (ML 6-1)
Scratch # 12 Dylan Ward (ML 10-1), but don't bring in # 13 Little Jerry (ML 8-1) off the Also Eligible List, as these two both get the afternoon off.
Kenjisstorm took the Place at this approximate class level last time out, and should appreciate having to cover less real estate than in his last two efforts. Lovenseek is usually quick out of the gate, and that bullet work on January 30 suggests that he could smoke the grass today.
Grachus the Hunter hasn't won since graduating back in July of 2014; but the talent is there and must be respected. Tuco (Ire) was well placed early in his North American debut last time out, and may improve with the cutback in distance. Rock Shandy has finished in the Trifecta three of the four times that he has competed on some California grass.
RACE 7 - The San Antonio (Grade 2) - Nine Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 1 Cat Burglar (ML 4-1)
# 3 Cyrus Alexander (ML 6-1)
B's
# 2 Donworth (ML 6-1)
# 8 El Kabeir (ML 6-1)
C's
# 5 Hoppertunity (ML 3-1)
# 7 Imperative (ML 5-2)
Cat Burglar and Cyrus Alexander were within a neck of each other at the wire the last time that they competed on this main track, and there's little to suggest that they won't do that again today. Donworth returns from a vacation of over half a year; if he can return to his three year old form, he could be tough to handle here. El Kabeir has been working well leading up to this event.
Hoppertunity manged to run just well enough to lose in each of his last nine races, and hasn't visited the Winner's Circle in over a year. You have to go back even further to find the last time Imperative got his picture taken. The fact is that these two horses have the talent to easily defeat this field; yet they both have shown an absolute aversion to crossing the wire first. If I were a braver man I would just leave them both completely off the ticket.
RACE 8 - The San Marcos (Grade 2) - Ten Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 7 Flamboyant (Fr) (ML 4-1)
# 8 Hay Dude (GB) (ML 5-2)
B's
# 4 Southern Freedom (ML 12-1)
C's
None
Scratch # 6 Ganesh (Brz) (ML 15-1) and # 11 Big Cazanova (Arg) (ML 15-1).
Flayboyant (Fr) won the Grade 2 San Gabriel over this turf course at today's distance last time out, and could improve off that effort going second off the layoff. Hay Dude (GB) could steal this one on the front end. Southern Freedom ran out of gas last time out in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup after having won at today's distance two starts back.
RACE 9 - MSW - Six Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 1 Storm the Shore (ML 6-1)
# 12 Seventh Sense (Tur) (ML 5-2)
B's
# 7 Ten Blessings (ML 4-1)
# 8 Feldini (ML 12-1)
C's
# 2 The Natural (ML 20-1)
# 9 Journey by Sea (ML 10-1)
Storm the Shore flashed good early speed in his debut last time out. Seventh Sense (Tur), Ten Blessings, Feldini, and The Natural are all first time starters by sires whose offspring tend to do well at first asking; rankings are loosely based on how well their respective trainers tend to fare with debuters. Journey by Sea returns to the track from an eight month vacation after having shown good early speed in his debut.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 6 with 1,3 with 7,8 with 1,12 $8.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 2,6 with 1,2,3,8 with 4,7,8 with 1,7,8,12 $48.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 7,8,10 with 1,3 with 7,8 with 1,12 $12.00
$0.50 P4: 6 with 5,7 with 7,8 with 1,12 $4.00
$0.50 P4: 6 with 1,3 with 7,8 with 2,9 $4.00
Total: $76.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:13 EST / 3:13 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
RACE 6 - OC 40k/C - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 6 Kenjisstorm (Morning Line 5-1)
B’s
# 2 Lovenseek (ML 6-1)
C's
# 7 Grachus the Hunter (ML 8-1)
# 8 Tuco (Ire) (ML 6-1)
# 10 Rock Shandy (ML 6-1)
Scratch # 12 Dylan Ward (ML 10-1), but don't bring in # 13 Little Jerry (ML 8-1) off the Also Eligible List, as these two both get the afternoon off.
Kenjisstorm took the Place at this approximate class level last time out, and should appreciate having to cover less real estate than in his last two efforts. Lovenseek is usually quick out of the gate, and that bullet work on January 30 suggests that he could smoke the grass today.
Grachus the Hunter hasn't won since graduating back in July of 2014; but the talent is there and must be respected. Tuco (Ire) was well placed early in his North American debut last time out, and may improve with the cutback in distance. Rock Shandy has finished in the Trifecta three of the four times that he has competed on some California grass.
RACE 7 - The San Antonio (Grade 2) - Nine Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 1 Cat Burglar (ML 4-1)
# 3 Cyrus Alexander (ML 6-1)
B's
# 2 Donworth (ML 6-1)
# 8 El Kabeir (ML 6-1)
C's
# 5 Hoppertunity (ML 3-1)
# 7 Imperative (ML 5-2)
Cat Burglar and Cyrus Alexander were within a neck of each other at the wire the last time that they competed on this main track, and there's little to suggest that they won't do that again today. Donworth returns from a vacation of over half a year; if he can return to his three year old form, he could be tough to handle here. El Kabeir has been working well leading up to this event.
Hoppertunity manged to run just well enough to lose in each of his last nine races, and hasn't visited the Winner's Circle in over a year. You have to go back even further to find the last time Imperative got his picture taken. The fact is that these two horses have the talent to easily defeat this field; yet they both have shown an absolute aversion to crossing the wire first. If I were a braver man I would just leave them both completely off the ticket.
RACE 8 - The San Marcos (Grade 2) - Ten Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 7 Flamboyant (Fr) (ML 4-1)
# 8 Hay Dude (GB) (ML 5-2)
B's
# 4 Southern Freedom (ML 12-1)
C's
Scratch # 6 Ganesh (Brz) (ML 15-1) and # 11 Big Cazanova (Arg) (ML 15-1).
Flayboyant (Fr) won the Grade 2 San Gabriel over this turf course at today's distance last time out, and could improve off that effort going second off the layoff. Hay Dude (GB) could steal this one on the front end. Southern Freedom ran out of gas last time out in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup after having won at today's distance two starts back.
RACE 9 - MSW - Six Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 1 Storm the Shore (ML 6-1)
# 12 Seventh Sense (Tur) (ML 5-2)
B's
# 7 Ten Blessings (ML 4-1)
# 8 Feldini (ML 12-1)
C's
# 2 The Natural (ML 20-1)
# 9 Journey by Sea (ML 10-1)
Storm the Shore flashed good early speed in his debut last time out. Seventh Sense (Tur), Ten Blessings, Feldini, and The Natural are all first time starters by sires whose offspring tend to do well at first asking; rankings are loosely based on how well their respective trainers tend to fare with debuters. Journey by Sea returns to the track from an eight month vacation after having shown good early speed in his debut.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 6 with 1,3 with 7,8 with 1,12 $8.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 2,6 with 1,2,3,8 with 4,7,8 with 1,7,8,12 $48.00
$0.50 P4: 7,8,10 with 1,3 with 7,8 with 1,12 $12.00
$0.50 P4: 6 with 5,7 with 7,8 with 1,12 $4.00
$0.50 P4: 6 with 1,3 with 7,8 with 2,9 $4.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 6:13 EST / 3:13 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
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