3/20/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 7 Little Curlin (Final Odds 47.00) - No Selection
Race 7 - # 8 Opportunistic (2.80) - "B" Selection
Race 8 - The San Pedro - # 3 Iron Rob (9.90) - "C" Selection
Race 9 - # 2 Seedsandstemsagain (3.60) - "B" Selection

On the one hand, there was nothing in Little Curlin's two prior starts on the grass that would have led you to believe that he could defeat the turf runners that he was competing against in this field.  On the other hand, not having any part of a Jerry Hollendorfer trained horse sired by a Breeders' Cup Champion that pays $96 to Win does leave one feeling more than a little bit foolish.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of  7 / 8 / 3 / 2  were rewarded with a payout of $10,754.55 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/20/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." - Anne Bradstreet

There are a pair of stakes on the program today at Santa Anita.  The Grade 3 Las Flores is carded as Race 3; so it won't be a part of our play.  But we will be looking below at The San Pedro, a dirt sprint for three year olds, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 6 - OC 62k/N2X - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 De Treville (GB) (Morning Line 5-2)
# 3 Boozer (ML 4-1)

B’s

# 5 Perfectly Majestic (ML 7-2)

C's

# 6 Yes Yes Yes (ML 10-1)

# 9 McHeat (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 8 Alfa Bird (15-1); but neither Also Eligible, # 11 Slim Shady (GB) (ML 5-1) nor # 12 Tribal Tribute (ML 5-1), draw in.

De Treville (GB) is Group Stakes placed in France, so he should fit well here on class.  De Treville has shown good early speed in his races in Europe; those who do tend to adjust well to the American style of running.  Boozer took the Place at this class level the last time that he competed at today's distance over this turf course.

Perfectly Majestic certainly fits with the contenders at this class level; the concern is that Perfectly Majestic tends to settle for minor awards.  Yes Yes Yes looked sharp taking the Place against cheaper stock two starts back.  McHeat seems to prefer charging down the hill to racing on the flats; but McHeat did find the Winner's Circle earlier this meet while competing at today's distance.

RACE 7 - Md $75k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Latest Craze (ML 7-2)

B's

# 1 Pete's Play Call (ML 6-1)

# 4 Fashionly Handsome (ML 3-1)

# 5 Trinitas Soldier (ML 6-1)

# 8 Opportunistic (ML 7-2)

C's

# 3 It's Just Bob (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 7 Quality Line (ML 12-1)

Latest Craze, trained by Bob Baffert, makes his second career start after showing good early speed in his debut against non-claiming maidens.  Fashionly Handsome and Pete's Play Call raced each other around the track last time out before settling for the Place and Show, respectively.  Trinitas Soldier removers the hood while dropping in for a tag for the first time; Trainer Jorge Periban tends to do well with runners making those moves.

Opportunistic, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, took a nice step forward last time out in his first contest around two turns.  It's Just Bob demonstrated an ability to rate two starts back; that's a trait that may prove helpful today, as this contest looks to have exceeded its quota of early speed.

RACE 8 - The San Pedro $75k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Denman's Call (ML 2-1)

B's

None

C's

# 1 Mt. Veeder (ML 4-1)

# 3 Iron Rob (ML 5-1)

Scratch # 6 Toews On Ice (ML 5-2)

Denman's Call, vanquisher of Rebel Stakes winner Cupid two starts back, took the Show in the Grade 2 San Vicente last time out, and should improve with the cutback in distance.  Mt. Veeder, trained by Bob Baffert, could be the quickest in this field.  Iron Rob had to be vanned off after winning the off-the-turf Baffle last time out; but Iron Rob has worked since that contest, and should be ready to run today.

RACE 9 - Alw 40000s N2L - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 4 Fishel (ML 3-1)

# 8 Village Kitten (ML 12-1)

B’s

# 1 Larry Birdstone (ML 4-1)

# 2 Seedsandstemsagain (ML 5-1)

# 3 Aren Vaugh (ML 5-1)

# 9 Bronzino (Fr) (ML 5-1)

C's

# 7 Broken Up (ML 8-1)

None of the Also Eligibles (# 11 Visitation (ML 12-1); # 12 All Star Parade (No Line); # 13 Dynamite Ride (NL); # 14 Madikwe (ML 20-1)) draw in.

Note for future reference that this one is for horses that have never won two races (N2L), as that information won't be found in the running lines of future DRF Past Performances (at least not until they finally fix that flaw).

Fishel has finished in the Trifecta in each of his last two starts on the turf at this class level.  Village Kitten took the Place at this class level two starts back, and may have just needed that last race off the layoff.

Larry Birdstone, Seedsandstemsagain, and Aren Vaugh all graduated by daylight last time out.  Bronzino (Fr) showed good early speed while competing in his native France; such horses tend to adjust well to the American style of racing.  Broken Up could improve with the reduction in real estate that he needs to cover.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1,3 with 6 with 5 with 4,8 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,3,5 with 1,4,5,6,8 with 5 with 1,2,3,4,8,9 $45.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 6,9 with 6 with 5 with 4,8 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 1,3 with 3 with 5 with 4,8 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 1,3 with 6 with 1,3 with 4,8 $4.00

$0.50 P4: 1,3 with 6 with 5 with 7 $1.00

Total: $58.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 6:09 EDT / 3:09 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/19/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 8 - # 8 Hunt (Ire) (Final Odds 3.50) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - The Santa Margarita - # 2 Tara's Tango (2.60) - "C" Selection
Race 10 - # 7 Tuscany Beauty (5.60) - "A" Selection
Race 11 - # 5 Cardiac (16.10) - "B" Selection

# 7 Taris (0.90*) had the lead in the stretch in The Santa Margarita, but she couldn't hold on 'til the wire, and wound up finishing a length behind Tara's Tango.  Meanwhile, Small Town Cop made a great effort late in the finale, closing to get within a length of Cardiac; but Small Town Cop could get no closer, crossing the wire still a length behind.  Flip either of those results and we cash our tickets instead of having to trash them.

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:

# 4 Small Town Cop (3.70) - $239.00 Finish: 2nd
# 12 Buymeabond (3.20*) - $262.60 Finish: 4th

But such was not to be.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of  8 / 2 / 7 / 5  were rewarded with a payout of $1,736.55 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/19/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

The Grade 1 Santa Margarita is the featured race Saturday at Santa Anita.  It's Race 9 on a bountiful eleven race card, and we'll be looking at it below as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 8 - OC 62k/C - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf

A’s

# 6 Stormy Liberal (Morning Line 7-2)
# 8 Hunt (Ire) (ML 5-2)

B's

# 4 Bench Warrant (ML 6-1)
# 5 Bluegrass Bronco (ML 12-1)
# 7 Fueled by Bourbon (ML 6-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 1 Chips All In (ML 8-1).

Stormy Liberal has taken the Place at this approximate class level in each of his last two races.  Both of Stormy Liberal's career victories have come when charging down the hill.  Hunt (Ire) has finished in the Trifecta in each of his two career races charging down the hill.  

Bench Warrant has been on the down swing since missing victory in the Grade 3 Daytona by less than a length, but could improve with the break from stakes company.  Bluegrass Bronco could be the early leader in what looks to be a rather paceless affair.  Fueled by Bourbon is three-for-four lifetime when charging down the hill.

RACE 9 - (F) The Santa Margarita (Grade 1) - Nine Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Taris (ML 8-5)

B's

None

C's

# 2 Tara's Tango (ML 5-2)

# 3 Penwith (ML 5-2)

Scratch # 4 Lavender Chrissie (ML 10-1) and # 6 All Star Bub (ML 15-1).

Taris won the Grade 2 La Canada last time out by as many as she wanted; in her start prior to that she won the Grade 3 Go For Wand on the other side of the continent by over two lengths.  If Taris runs her race again today, she wins.  If Taris runs somewhat less than her best today, she probably still wins.

Tara's Tango won the Grade 2 Santa Maria last time out.  Penwith won the Grade 2 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park for Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin last time out comfortably, and could improve with this being her third start off the layoff.

RACE 10 - [S] (F) MSW - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Ready to Hula Lula (ML 7-2)

# 7 Tuscany Beauty (ML 5-1)

B's

None

C's

# 8 Watch Me Now (ML 4-1)

# 11 Correlation (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 9 Journeytothestars (ML 12-1).

Ready to Hula Lula, one of just three experienced runners in this field, led most of the way in her debut last time out before fading and disappointing as the Post Time Favorite.  Tuscany Beauty is a first time starter by Cyclotron, whose progeny have been doing well in their debuts.

Watch Me Now took the Show against lesser company in her debut last time out.  Correlation shows a solid workout pattern leading into this, her debut.  Correlation is by Forestry, so it's reasonable to expect her to flash some good early speed.

RACE 11 - Clm $40k - Nine Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 4 Small Town Cop (ML 5-1)

# 12 Buymeabond (ML 7-2)

B’s

# 1 Royal Banker (GB) (ML 5-1)

# 3 Press Baraon (ML 15-1)

# 5 Cardiac (ML 12-1)

# 6 Sweet Daddy (ML 20-1)

# 7 It Is Living Water (ML 6-1)

# 11 Tattenham (ML 4-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 10 Dive Down (ML 15-1).

Small Town Cop took the Place at today's distance over this turf course last time out.  Buymeabond should improve going second off the layoff for Trainer Jonathan Wong.  Royal Banker (GB) won at this class level over this turf course last time out, albeit at a distance one furlong less than today's contest.  

Press Baron (GB) and Sweet Daddy have both been showing steady improvement over their last several races, and either or both could contend today if they can continue that pattern.  Cardiac is getting some much needed class relief.

It Is Living Water could get a nice stalking trip behind Cardiac and Royal Banker.  Tattenham was victorious the last time she competed at this class level.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 6,8 with 7 with 2,7 with 4,12 $8.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 4,5,6,7,8 with 7 with 2,7 with 1,3,4,5,6,7,11,12 $40.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 6,8 with 2,3 with 2,7 with 4,12 $8.00

$0.50 P4: 6,8 with 7 with 8,11 with 4,12 $4.00

Total: $60.00

Post Time for Race 8 is 7:10 EDT / 4:10 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/13/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 6 Distinctive B (Final Odds 11.20) - No Selection
Race 7 - # 6 My Ole Bud (3.90) - "C" Selection
Race 8 - The San Luis Rey - # 9 Generosidade (Uru) (71.40) - No Selection
Race 9 - # 7 Navy Hymn (1.30*) - "A" Selection

If you found either Distinctive B or Generosidade (Uru) you deserve every penny you won, and then some.  And if you found them both, te salut.  As for me, all I can say is,

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of  6 / 6 / 9 / 7  were rewarded with a payout of $9,750.70 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/13/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

Daylight Savings Time began early this morning, so hopefully you weren't left at the gate while (most of) the rest of the country sprang forward.  The feature today at Santa Anita (he said without segue) is the Grade 2 San Luis Rey.  We'll be looking at it below, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 6 - Clm $32k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Oligarch (Morning Line 9-5)

B’s

# 1 Serbian Syclone (ML 6-1)
# 7 Apollo Ten (ML 6-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 8 Door's Open (ML 3-1).

Oligarch drops in for a tag and returns to the main track, over which Oligarch has finished in the Trifecta seven times in nine tries.  Serbian Syclone, winner of two of his first three career starts and none since, drops in for the lowest tag of his career to date.  Apollo Ten is moving up the class ladder, but Apollo Ten's late running style may suit him well today in this field full of early speed.

RACE 7 - Clm $12.5k N2L - Seven Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Inexcess Time (ML 5-2)

B’s

# 3 Wrightwood (ML 3-1)

C's

# 4 Rolo Tamaci (ML 4-1)
# 6 My Ole Bud (ML 5-1)

Inexcess Time took the Show against more expensive at today's distance two starts back.  Wrightwood drops in for the lowest tag of his career while making his first start for Trainer Vlad Cerin, who wins quite frequently with such.

Rolo Tamaci should improve now that the one race experiment with the blinkers is over.  My Ole Bud graduated last time out; Trainer Mike Machowsky is often successful spotting his last out winners.

RACE 8 - The San Luis Rey (Grade 2) - Twelve Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 2 Quick Casablanca (Chi) (ML 6-1)
# 10 Gaga A (Uru) (ML 4-1)
# 11 Big John B (ML 3-1)

B's

# 1 Southern Freedom (ML 12-1)
# 3 Power Foot (ML 8-1)

C's

# 4 Going Somewhere (Brz) (ML 5-1)
# 7 Havanna Belle (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 12 Patentar (Fr) (No Line) before printing the programs.  Also scratch # 5 Life's Journey (ML 50-1).

Gaga A (Uru) and Quick Casablanca (Chi) took the Place and Show, respectively, in the Grade 2 San Marcos last time out.  Big John B regains the services of Jockey Rafael Bejarano, who was on Big John B's back the last three times that he got his picture taken.

Southern Freedom could steal this one on the front end, especially with the scratch of Life's Journey.  Power Foot took the Show just a half length behind Big John B the last time that he competed at today's distance.

Going Somewhere (Brz) could get a nice stalking trip behind Southern Freedom.  Havanna Belle was a Listed Stakes winner over this turf course at today's distance last time out.

RACE 9 - Md $30k - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Navy Hymn (ML 7-2)

B's

# 9 Mountain Hero (ML 6-1)
# 11 Gone With It (ML 4-1)

C's

# 1 El Koreano (ML 8-1)

# 3 I Am the Colonel (ML 8-1)

# 4 Six S Street (ML 8-1)

Give the Also Eligibles, # 13 Frijoles Negro (ML 30-1) and # 14 Calvert Street (ML 6-1), the afternoon off.

Navy Hymn missed graduation by half a length against more expensive last time out.  Mountain Hero took the Show at this class level last time out.  Gone With It has finished in the Trifecta in three of his four career starts at this class level.

El Koreano and Six S Street are a pair of first time starters by sires whose progeny tend to do well at first asking.  I Am the Colonel flashed brief speed in his debut against non-claiming maidens last time out.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4:  3 with 7 with 2,10,11 with 7 $3.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,3,7 with 3,7 with 1,2,3,10,11 with 7,9,11 $45.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 3 with 4,6 with 2,10,11 with 7 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 3 with 7 with 4,7 with 7 $1.00

$0.50 P4: 3 with 7 with 2,10,11 with 1,3,4 $4.50

Total: $56.50

Post Time for Race 6 is 6:04 EDT / 3:04 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/12/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 8 - # 7 Beach Patrol (Final Odds 1.70*) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - The San Carlos - # 8 Kobe's Back (2.00*) - "A" Selection
Race 10 - The Santa Anita Handicap - # 2 Melatonin (16.30) - No Selection
Race 11 - The China Doll - # 11 Mirage (Ire) (27.10) - "C" Selection

Once upon a time, (what seems like) a long, long time ago, there were no publicly published speed figures available to all in the Past Performances; no Timeform; no Equibase; no Brisnet; no Beyers.  All there was in that dark and unenlightened time was the Daily Racing Form's Speed Rating and Track Variant.  They really weren't very reliable; nothing at all like the numbers that we have at our fingertips today.  But some players, realizing that you make the best of the tools that you have, would add those two figures together, the DRF Speed Rating and Track Variant, to get a number for each runner that they could compare to the rest of the field.

To show you how that would work, let's look at each entrant in the field of Saturday's Santa Anita Handicap, specifically at each runner's last race on a fast dirt track, add together the DRF Speed Rating and Track Variant for each, and see how they rank:

# 2 Melatonin - 110
# 9 Class Leader - 109
# 5 Effinex - 105
# 8 Imperative 105
# 3 Donworth - 104
# 1 Point Piper - 104
# 7 Hard Aces - 101
# 6 Cyrus Alexander - 100
# 4 General a Rod - 96

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of  7 / 8 / 2 / 11  were rewarded with a payout of $5,596.15 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/12/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

It's Big 'Cap Day at Santa Anita today, with a card full of quality stakes.  We'll be looking at three of them below, including The Big 'Cap itself, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 8 - (F) MSW - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 7 Beach Patrol (ML 7-2)
# 11 Sixes (ML 4-1)

B's

# 3 Sunset Arch (ML 15-1)
# 9 Tristan's Trilogy (ML 12-1)

C's

# 2 Blyde River (ML 20-1)
# 12 Decisive Triumph (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 6 All the Marbles (ML 12-1) and # 13 Mr.Roary (ML 10-1).  # 14 Prince of Arabia (ML 10-1) draws in off the Also Eligible List.

Beach Patrol transfers in from Louisiana to the barn of Trainer Phil D'Amato after having finished in the Trifecta in each of his other two career starts.  Sixes took the Show charging down the hill in his career debut last time out.  Note that Trainer Richard Baltas does quite well with runners making their second career start.

Sunset Arch is a first time starter going for Trainer Simon Callaghan, who wins over a fifth of the time with such.  Tristan's Trilogy missed graduation by just half a length two starts back at today's distance over this turf course.

Blyde River makes his second career start for Trainer John Sadler, who wins with nearly a quarter of such.  Decisive Triumph took the Show at this class level last time out.

RACE 9 - The San Carlos (Grade 2) - Seven Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 8 Kobe's Back (ML 2-1)

B's

# 3 Wild Dude (ML 5-2)
# 4 San Onofre (ML 6-1)

C's

# 2 Coastline (ML 12-1)

Kobe's Back looks to be the best in this eight horse field; but a concern is that there might not be enough pace for him to chase.  Wild Dude may need a race, having not competed since finishing out of the money last Halloween in The Breeders' Cup Sprint; but Wild Dude definitely loves this main track, and the class edge that he holds over most of this field could be enough to get the job done.

If San Onofre can repeat his effort from two starts back when he won the Grade 3 Midnight Lute he just might get his picture taken today.  Coastline has been showing steady improvement over his last several races.  Perhaps the credit for that belongs to the shift to grass; but if Coastline can transfer that form back over to the main track, he could pull the upset today.

RACE 10 - The Santa Anita Handicap (Grade 1) - Ten Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Effinex (ML 2-1)

B's

# 3 Donworth (ML 3-1)
# 6 Cyrus Alexander (ML 20-1)

C's

None

Effinex ships in from the east for his first start since winning the Grade 1 Clark Handicap last November.  Trainer Jimmy Jerkens does very well when bringing back runners from an extended layoff, and Effinex's bullet work on Tuesday shows he should handle this track just fine.

Donworth missed winning the Grade 2 San Antonio by just half a length last time out.  Any forward movement off that effort could place him in the Winner's Circle today.  Cyrus Alexander has been showing steady improvement over  his last few races, and his last two workouts over this main track indicate that Cyrus Alexander is ready to give a peak performance.

RACE 11 - (F) The China Doll $75k - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 5 Kiss N Scat (ML 8-1)
# 7 Nodiac (Ire) (ML 9-2)
# 9 Pacific Heat (ML 5-2)

B's

# 2 Sutton's Smile (ML 6-1)

C's

# 3 Jeremy's Legacy (Ire)
# 4 Decked Out (ML 10-1)
# 11 Mirage (Ire) (ML 15-1)

Scratch # 6 Nine Point Nine (ML 30-1) and # 10 Sheeza Milky Way (ML 15-1)

Kiss N Scat won the California Oaks on the synthetic stuff upstate last time out; Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer tends to do well when moving his runners from the plastic to the grass.  Nodiac (Ire) took the Place charging down the hill in The Sweet Life last time out.  Pacific Heat won The California Cup Oaks over this turf course by as many as she wanted last time out.

Sutton's Smile, trained by Phil D'Amato, gets some class relief from the Graded Stakes company that she has been facing.  Jeremy's Legacy (Ire) could improve with the return to the flat turf course.

Decked Out took the Show behind Nodiac in The Sweet Life last time out; perhaps Decked Out will improve with the move to the flat course.  Mirage (Ire) seems to run well when the grass has some give to it, as it is expect to today.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 7,11 with 8 with 5 with 5,7,9 $6.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 3,7,9,11 with 3,4,8 with 3,5,6 with 2,5,7,9 $72.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,12 with 8 with 5 with 5,7,9 $3.00
$0.50 P4: 7,11 with 2 with 5 with 5,7,9 $3.00
$0.50 P4: 7,11 with 8 with 5 with 3,4,11 $3.00

Total: $87.00

Post Time for Race 8 is 6:36 EST / 3:36 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/6/16 Turf Paradise Pick Five - Results

Race 4 - # 2 Bruno's Wager (Final Odds 2.80) - "C" Selection
Race 5 - # 7 Kahuna Cat (7.50) - "B" Selection
Race 6 - # 5 Sherry Cagan (2.60) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 8 Blum Blim (1.70*) - No Selection
Race 8 - # 5 G T El Gato (0.70*) - "A" Selection

The public proved themselves much smarter than I in Race 7, betting as they did Blum Blim down to the Post Time Favorite from her Morning Line Odds of 9-2, while I couldn't find room for her anywhere on our tickets.  But it was a moot point anyway, as we were already eliminated by that point due to my decision to use Bruno's Wager in the opening leg as a "C" Selection rather than as a "B" or an "A".

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Five sequence of  2 / 7 / 5 / 8 / 5  were rewarded with a payout of $921.10 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/6/16 Turf Paradise Pick Five - Preview

Long story short: rather than deal with the potential California rain storms Sunday, I thought I'd do something a little different and move my action a bit to the east and ride the excitement by taking a run at The Pick Five at Turf Paradise.

RACE 4 - Alw 3000s - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Sorullo (Morning Line 5-2)

B’s

# 4 Zooks (ML 4-1)

C's

# 2 Bruno's Wager (ML 2-1)

Scratch # 3 Crown King (ML 9-2).

Note that there are no restrictions on this contest regarding career Wins; therefore, any horse who has started for $3k or less either this year or last is eligible to enter.

Sorullo missed the Winner's Circle at this class level last time out by just a head.  Zooks enters this contest having won  three of his last four starts, and Zooks' speed figures show a steadily increasing form.  Bruno's Wager was victorious at this approximate class level two starts back. 

RACE 5 - Md $5k - Five Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Aperitif (ML 8-1)
# 3 Tulsa Thunder (ML 5-2)

B's

# 2 Storm Survivor (ML 8-1)
# 6 Conspirator (ML 8-5)
# 7 Kahuna Cat (ML 8-1)

C's

None

Aperitif is a first time starter sired by Interactif, who won his debut back in July, 2009.  Tulsa Thunder missed victory by less than two lengths at this class level back in January.

Storm Survivor is a first time starter who shows a steady workout pattern leading into this contest.  Conspirator has the superior speed figures in this field, but a concern is that Conspirator has already had quite a few chances at this class level without getting the job done.  Kahuna Cat showed good early speed last time out, and may benefit by having to cover less real estate today.

RACE 6 - (F) MOC 30k - Seven and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 4 Foreststone (ML 5-2)
# 5 Sherry Cagan (ML 5-1)

B’s

# 7 Cruz'n Free (ML 12-1)
# 8 Suddenly Single (ML 10-1)

C's

# 2 Chelokee's Gem (ML 2-1)

Scratch # 1 Our Lady of Knock (ML 8-1) and # 6 Petra's Bolt (ML 6-1).

Foreststone took the Place at this class level in her turf debut last time out.  Sherry Cagan took the Show in each of her last two starts, both against non-claiming maidens.

Cruz'n Free showed good early speed on the turf last time out, and may benefit from today's shortened distance.  Suddenly Single took the Show at this class level in her only prior turf start.  Chelokee's Gem has proven to be competitive at this class level, but has also shown a propensity for settling for minor awards.

RACE 7 - (F) Clm $3k N2Y - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Worthy Grapes (ML 5-2)

B’s

None

C's

# 3 Faith Under Fire (ML 5-1)

# 6 A P Pepper (ML 8-1)

# 7 Nervous Teller (ML 10-1)

This contest is for fillies and mares which have not won two races since September 6, 2015.

Worthy Grapes won by daylight the last time that she competed on a fast dirt track.  Worthy Grapes has finished in the Exacta six of the ten times that she has competed on this main track.

Faith Under Fire took the Show at this class level last time out.  A P Pepper may benefit from a nice stalking trip behind the early leaders.  Nervous Teller projects to be the speed of the speed in this contest.

RACE 8 - Clm $8.5k N2L - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 G T El Gato (ML 5-2)

B’s

# 3 Funny Boy (ML 9-2)

C's

# 2 Rincon (ML 15-1)

# 4 Sondrio (ML 4-1)

# 6 Awesome Auggie (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 7 Wannablikegrandpa (ML 7-2)

G  T El Gato took the Place at this class level last time out.  Funny Boy returns to a more realistic class level.  Rincon took the Place the last time that he competed at this class level.

Sondrio took the Show against more expensive two starts back.  Awesome Auggie gets some much needed class relief.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P5: 7 with 1,3 with 4,5 with 2 with 5 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P5: 4,7 with 1,2,3,6,7 with 4,5,7,8 with 2 with 3,5 $40.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P5: 2 with 1,3 with 4,5 with 2 with 5 $2.00

$0.50 P5: 7 with 1,3 with 2 with 2 with 5 $1.00

$0.50 P5: 7 with 1,3 with 4,5 with 3,6,7 with 5 $6.00

$0.50 P5: 7 with 1,3 with 4,5 with 2 with 2,4,6 $6.00

Total: $59.00

Post Time for Race 4 is 4:54 EST / 1:54 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/5/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 1 Two Taps (Final Odds 2.10*) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 6 Ohio (Brz) (11.00) - No Selection
Race 8 - # 1 Songforjohnmichael (21.20) - "C" Selection
Race 9 - # 8 Lucky Shoes to Win (3.10) - "A" Selection

It would be easy to say that Ohio (Brz) simply stole Race 7 with his wire to wire win, with the rider putting them to sleep on the front end and then cruising to victory in the stretch.  But while Jockey Gary Stevens did give Ohio an excellent ride, there was nothing soft about those early fractions of 22.68 and 47.09.  So while pace was certainly a factor in the contest, the fact is that Ohio was simply much the best in this field today, and our failure to include him on our tickets made this 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  1 / 6 / 1 / 8  were rewarded with a payout of $1,651.70 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

3/5/16 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

The big news at Santa Anita today is that Songbird is scheduled to have a workout over the main track sometime between Race 4 and Race 6.  We'll just be spectators for that event, as we focus out attention on taking another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 6 - (F) OC 40k/N1X - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Two Taps (Morning Line 3-1)
# 10 Swissarella (ML 5-1)

B’s

None

C's

# 8 Sheer Pleasure (ML 4-1)

Swissarella won last time out over this main track under these same conditions, with Two Taps taking the Show just a half length behind.  I see no reason why these two can't be that close together again at the wire ahead of the rest of the field.  Sheer Pleasure could improve with the stretchout to two turns.

RACE 7 - OC 40k/N1X - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 3 Dreaming of Gold (ML 7-2)

B’s

# 7 Royal Albert Hall (GB) (ML 3-1)
# 11 John's Success (ML 9-2)

C's

# 1 Seve's Road (ML 10-1)
# 8 Spring Up (ML 12-1)

# 10 Film Freak (No Line) is a program scratch.

Dreaming of Gold has finished in the Trifecta at this class level in each of his last two races, and should appreciate the cutback in real estate.  Royal Albert Hall (GB) has yet to find the Winner's Circle since coming to North America, but must be respected with the drop in class.  John's Success has been showing a steadily improving form, and could steal this one on the front end.

Seve's Road returns after being on vacation for over half a year; Trainer Phil D'Amato tends to do well with such.  Spring Up should improve with the drop in class and the return to grass.

RACE 8 - OC 62k/N2X - Seven Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 8 Seattle Serenade (ML 5-2)

B’s

# 2 Avanti Bello (ML 6-1)
# 9 Souper Knight (ML 6-1)
# 12 American Pride (ML 5-1)

C's

# 1 Songforjohnmichael (ML 8-1)
# 5 Glacken Too (ML 8-1)
# 10 Texas Two Step (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 7 Solid Wager (ML 12-1).  # 13 Whiskey Ticket (NL) was a program scratch.

The Jerry Hollendorfer trained Seattle Serenade has won his first two career starts, and the way Seattle Serenade has been working for this one suggests that he should collect his third victory coming off the three month freshening.  Avanti Bello has been showing a steadily improving form, and could move forward with the cutback to one turn racing.

Souper Knight took the Show at this class level last time out.  American Pride missed the Winner's Circle by just a half length at this class level last time out.

Songforjohnmichael returns from a seventeen month vacation; but if he can return to the form that he was displaying before going on the shelf, then he can contend here.  Glacken Too could improve with the return to real dirt.  Texas Two Step was within a length of the winner at the wire the last time that he competed at today's distance.

RACE 9 - Clm $12.5k N2L - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 8 Lucky Shoes to Win (ML 3-1)

B’s

# 4 Zim N the Mailman (ML 6-1)
# 9 Ladies Man (ML 8-1)

# 10 Upbeat Tempo (ML 12-1)

C's

# 5 Yoked (ML 10-1)

# 11 Undergroundrailroad (NL) is a program scratch.

Lucky Shoes to Win missed victory by less than a length at this class level last time out.  Zim N the Mailman gets some much needed class relief, as does Ladies Man.  Upbeat Tempo graduated last time out; perhaps the light bulb finally clicked on.  Yoked drops into company against which he should be more competitive.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1,10 with 3 with 8 with 8 $2.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,10 with 3,7,11 with 2,8,9,12 with 4,8,9,10 $48.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 8 with 3 with 8 with 8 $0.50

$0.50 P4: 1,10 with 1,8 with 8 with 8 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 1,10 with 3 with 1,5,10 with 8 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 1,10 with 3 with 8 with 5 $1.00

Total: $56.50

Post Time for Race 6 is 6:17 EST / 3:17 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo