2/1/18 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

And so we say goodbye to January, a month seemingly filled with Mondays, and enter into February, with the promise that Springtime is soon approaching.  Yeah, that's pretty much all I have by way of introduction, other than to note that it's great to have some spare time in the middle of the week; and what better way is there to spend such time other than by watching horses run around in circles?  So with that let's get to it, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 5 - Clm $25k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Rocket Heat (Morning Line 3-1)

B’s

# 1 Papa Turf (ML 6-1)
# 3 Beantown Boys (ML 8-1)
# 4 True Valor (ML 6-1)
# 5 Well Measured (ML 5-2)

C's

None

Rocket Heat looks to be the speed of the speed here, and Rocket Heat could move up with the return to the main track.  Papa Turf also can be quick early when motivated, and having the blinkers put back on combined with the rail draw could help get him going right out of the gate.

Beantown Boys, one of the few non-class droppers in this field, took the Place at this class level last time out.  True Valor may move up with the quick turn around, having last competed just six days ago.  Well Measured has disappointed as the Post Time Favorite in five of his last seven starts; but Well Measured has also been within a length of the winner in four of his last five starts, all against more expensive stock; so Well Measured is not easily dismissed.

RACE 6 - (F) Clm $25k N2L - Seven Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 C. C. Zipp (ML 5-2)

B’s

None

C's

# 4 Christy Jackson (ML 8-1)
# 5 Tiki Bar Logic (ML 6-1)
# 6 Princess Dorian (ML 8-1)
# 8 Fly Far Away (ML 7-2)
# 9 Road Test (ML 4-1)

Scratch # 1 Chay Up and Away (ML 12-1)

C. C. Zipp runs for the first time with a price tag on her head, and she looks to be quickest here.  C. C. Zipp is also going third off the layoff for Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, which adds to the appeal.

Christy Jackson took the Show at this class level last time out.  Tiki Bar Logic will be tough to catch if she can grab the early lead.  Princess Dorian goes first off the claim for Trainer Reed Saldana, who tends to do well with such.  Fly Far Away and Road Test have taken turns finishing in front of each other in the Trifecta at this class level recently; perhaps one will motivate the other to find the winner's circle today.

RACE 7 - (F) OC 40k/N1X - Nine Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 4 Scandal (ML 7-2)
# 5 Pantsonfire (Ire) (ML 3-1)
# 11 Causeforcommotion (ML 5-1)

B’s

# 2 Bombilate (ML 7-2)
# 7 The Tulip (Ire) (ML 7-2)
# 8 Night Time Inc (Arg) (ML 20-1)
# 9 Pistol Packin Rose (ML 8-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 1 Proud 'n' Ready (ML 15-1).  Bring in # 11 Causeforcommotion (ML 5-1) off the Also Eligible list to take her place; but leave # 12 Siberian Iris (Ire) (ML 4-1) and # 13 Lynne's Legacy (ML 12-1) in the barn, as those two do not draw in.

Scandal was victorious at this class level last time out.  Pantsonfire (Ire) could move up with the cutback in distance.  Causeforcommotion hit the wire a length in front of Scandal three starts back.

Bombilate seems to always be good enough to win without ever getting her picture taken; still, Bombilate is too talented to leave off the big ticket.  The Tulip (Ire) could be the one running best late.  Night Time Inc (Arg), Graded Stakes placed in her native Argentina, could pull the upset in a field lacking a true standout.  Pistol Packin Rose looks to be quickest, and should thus avoid any traffic issues that may arise late.

RACE 8 - (F) [S] Md $50k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Impecunious (ML 6-5)

B's

# 3 Lucky Lula (ML 5-2)

C's

# 8 My Claw (ML 6-1)
# 9 Dee Way to Go (ML 12-1)

Impecunious took the Place at this class level while disappointing as the Post Time Favorite last time out.  Lucky Lula goes first time for a tag, and should benefit from the return to the main track.

My Claw could move up with the added distance.  Dee Way to Go may get a nice stalking trip with the outside draw.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 6 with 2 with 4,5,11 with 6 $3.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,3,4,5,6 with 2 with 2,4,5,7,8,9,11 with 3,6 $35.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 6 with 4,5,6,8,9 with 4,5,11 with 6 $7.50

$0.50 P4: 6 with 2 with 4,5,11 with 8,9 $3.00

Total: $48.50

Post Time for Race 5 is 6:06 EST / 3:06 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo