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)

# 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)

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