3/24/18 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

Santa Anita's Saturday card features a pair of Graded Stakes; one a dirt sprint for fillies and mares (the Grade 2 Santa Monica) and the other a turf marathon for open company (the Grade 2 San Luis Rey).  I'll be taking a look at the latter of those two contests below, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 7 - Alw 50000s N2L - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Quick Finish (Morning Line 9-5)

B’s

None

C's

# 3 Caray (ML 6-1)
# 7 Bad Boy Leroy (ML 3-1)

Scratch # 5 Treasure Hunter (ML 6-1)

Note for future reference that this contest is for runners which have not won two races in their career; a tidbit of information which for some reason never seems to find its way into the running lines of the Past Performances.

Quick Finish took the Place at this class level last time out, and could benefit from having to cover less real estate.  Caray could move up with a quicker break today.  Bad Boy Leroy tries winners for the first time after defeating state bred company by the length of the stretch last time out.

RACE 8 - (F) Md $30k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Wampus (ML 3-1)

B's

# 1 Calimonco Action (ML 30-1)
# 2 Mongolian Humor (ML 10-1)
# 5 Ride Lady Ride (ML 6-1)
# 6 Venice (ML 5-2)
# 7 Heather's Wish (ML 15-1)
# 8 My Princess Taylor (ML 4-1)
# 9 Dee Way to Go (ML 5-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 3 Oh My Soul (ML 12-1)

Wampus, out of Peppers Pride, took the Show at this class level last time out.  The "B" Selections are everyone else.  Yes, I'm going "ALL" on the big ticket for this leg.  There doesn't appear to be any true standout in this field, in my opinion.  In addition, many of the runners here have most recently competed over something other than a Fast dirt track, thus complicating any attempts to discern their current form.  So, since I'm already going light in a couple of the other legs, there's no reason for me to force an opinion upon this contest, which I think could be a true chaos race.

RACE 9 - The San Luis Rey (Grade 2) - Twelve Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 2 Itsinthepost (Fr) (ML 6-5)
# 9 Hayabusa One (Fr) (ML 5-2)

B's

None

C's

# 4 Saltini (ML 10-1)
# 6 Aquaphobia (ML 10-1)

Scratch # 10 Frank Conversation (ML 12-1)

Itsinthepost (Fr) and Hayabusa One (Fr) were separated by just a nose at the wire last time out in the Grade 2 San Marcos.  Perhaps the added distance today will give Hayabusa One the edge over the defending champ of this event.  Saltini could move up with the additional real estate to be covered.  Aquaphobia appears to be well meant here.

RACE 10 - (F) Clm $12.5k N2L - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Anita G. (ML 5-1)

B’s

# 6 Reckless Charm (ML 5-1)
# 7 Velvet Jones (ML 9-5)
# 9 Pray Anyway (ML 15-1)

C's

None

Anita G. returns from an extended leave for Trainer Steve Miyadi, who tends to do well with such.  Reckless Charm seems to settle for too many minor awards; perhaps the rider switch will make the difference today.

Velvet Jones took the Place at this class level last time out, albeit over a muddy track.  Pray Anyway ships in from upstate, dons the hood, and cuts back to one turn racing; perhaps one or more of those changes will get Pray Anyway to the Winner's Circle Saturday.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 4 with 4 with 2,9 with 2 $2.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 4 with ALL with 2,9 with 2,6,7,9 $32.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 3,7 with 4 with 2,9 with 2 $2.00
$0.50 P4: 4 with 4 with 4,6 with 2 $1.00

Total: $37.00

Post Time for Race 7 is 6:14 EDT / 3:14 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo