1/30/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

"The sky is the limit. You never have the same experience twice." - Frank McCourt

Handicapping a Pick Four sequence where half the contests have a field of five is not exactly the funnest of activities.  However, two of the events in Saturday's sequence are Graded Stakes; so they can be expected to be competitive, if nothing else.  So with that as backdrop let's get to it, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 5 - The San Pasqual (Grade 2) - Nine Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Idol (Morning Line 9-5)

B's

None

C's

# 1 Tizamagician (ML 9-2)

# 3 King Guillermo (ML 2-1)
# 4 Express Train (ML 2-1)
# 5 Zestful (ML 15-1)

If you're going to single, might as well do it in the opening leg and get it over with.  Idol took the Place in the Grade 2 San Antonio on Boxing Day last time out, and looks to be well meant here.  While I certainly don't see this contest as a breeze for Idol, I do think Idol is best here; and with a field this small, singling strikes me as the way to go.  So it's Idol solo on the main ticket, with all others being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 6 - OC 62.5k/N2X - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Loud Mouth (ML 9-5)

B’s

# 1 Speed Pass (ML 5-2)

# 5 Parsimony (ML 2-1)

C's

# 2 Sparky Ville (ML 5-1)

# 4 El Tigre Terrible (ML 6-1)

Loud Mouth had a rough go of it last time out, and should do better with a cleaner trip today.  Speed Pass is coming off a layoff of just under a year; but Bob Baffert trained runners often do well off an extended vacation, and Speed Pass fits well with the contenders here.

Parsimony took the Place at this class level last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - The Robert B Lewis (Grade 3) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Hot Rod Charlie (ML 3-1)

B's

# 1 Medina Spirit (ML 5-2)

# 8 Spielberg (ML 7-2)

C's

# 3 Parnelli (ML 12-1)

# 5 Roman Centurian (ML 8-1)
# 6 Waspirant (ML 20-1)
# 7 Wipe the Slate (ML 4-1)

Scratch # 2 Rombauer (ML 8-1)

Hot Rod Charlie took the Place in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last time out, and Hot Rod Charlie has been working well for this contest.  Median Spirit and Spielberg, both trained by Bob Baffert, have both proven their mettle against Graded Stakes competition.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

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

A’s

# 1 Crash Corrigan (ML 7-2)

B's

# 5 Stone's River (ML 20-1)

# 6 Theluteismine (ML 8-1)

# 9 Sabuda (ML 3-1)

C's

# 2 Seahawk Cody (ML 6-1)
# 3 Cousin Eddie (ML 15-1)
# 4 Robin's Legacy (ML 15-1)
# 7 The Roan Ranger (ML 30-1)

# 8 Little Mischief (ML 30-1)

# 10 J T's Watch (ML 8-1)

# 11 Careless Kitten (ML 30-1)

Scratch # 12 Gabby Hayes (ML 4-1)

Note that first time starter Seahawk Cody is actually a Kentucky bred, not a California bred; but Seahawk Cody is California sired, as he is by Champ Pegasus, who stands at Barton Thoroughbreds in Santa Ynez.

Crash Corrigan took the Place at this class level two starts back, and Crash Corrigan should appreciate the return to one turn racing.  Stone's River has twice finished in the Trifecta against open (non-state bred restricted) company, and Stone's River may have needed that last race off the freshening.

Theluteismine has disappointed as the Post Time Favorite in each of his last two contests; not a good trend.  But Theluteismine is getting the blinkers put back on, and it was with blinkers on that Theluteismine took the Show against state bred non-Claiming Maidens two starts back.

Sabuda took the Show against non-Claiming state bred Maidens last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 2 with 3 with 4 with 1 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 2 with 1,3,5 with 1,4,8 with 1,5,6,9 $18.00

A's with One C

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

$0.50 P4: 2 with 2,4 with 4 with 1 $1.00

$0.50 P4: 2 with 3 with 3,5,6,7 with 1 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 2 with 3 with 4 with 2,3,4,7,8,10,11 $3.50

Total: $27.50

Post Time for Race 5 is 5:33 EST / 2:33 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

1/23/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 5 Shadow Sphinx (Final Odds 4.90) - "B" Selection

Race 7 - The Palos Verdes - # 2 Wildman Jack (5.60) - "B" Selection

Race 8 - # 5 Sassyserb (6.20) - "C" Selection

Race 9 - # 9 Shanghai Sunrise (1.20*) - "B" Selection

Here is where I would normally give you the reason why I didn't include my one miss, in this case Sassyserb, on my tickets.  But to be completely honest, after doing a post mortem on my Past Performances, I don't see a good reason why I omitted Sassyserb from my main ticket.  Sassyserb had taken the Place at this class level last time out; an angle which I absolutely love.  Sassyserb had also shown an affinity for Saturday's distance of eight furlongs, as both of Sassyserb's prior career victories had come at that interval.  This was just an unfortunate oversight on my part; and it cost me, as it made Saturday a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  5 / 2 / 5 / 9  were rewarded with a payout of $421.25 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

1/23/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

“My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.” - Hank Aaron

The Grade 3 Palos Verdes, a one turn sprint over the main track, is Saturday's featured Race in Arcadia.  I'll be taking a look at that contest below, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 6 - Alw 40000s - Nine Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 6 Vegas Kitten (ML 7-2)

B’s

# 2 Kiwi's Dream (Aus) (ML 5-2)

# 5 Shadow Sphinx (ML 4-1)

C's

# 1 Lure Him In (ML 5-1)

# 3 The Stiff (ML 15-1)

# 4 Noble Thought (ML 4-1)

# 7 New Year (ML 30-1)
# 8 Tartini (ML 6-1)
# 9 Kazan (Ire) (ML 12-1)

This is a pretty straight forward Starter Allowance, as far as conditions go, as any runner that has started for a claiming price of $40k or less, this year or last, or the year before last, is eligible to run here.  As an added bonus, the winner of this race will receive a free entry into either the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham on May 29, or the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano on June 19.

Vegas Kitten looked sharp in his first try over this turf course earlier this month, and Trainer Peter Miller tends to do well when placing his last out winners.  Kiwi's Dream (Aus) projects to be forwardly placed early; though it is a concern as to whether or not Kiwi's Dream can keep it going for all nine furlongs.

Shadow Sphinx, four-for-eight lifetime over this turf course, goes first off the claim for Trainer Kristin Mulhall, who tends to do well with such.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - The Palos Verdes (Grade 3) - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Captain Scotty (ML 8-1)

B's

# 2 Wildman Jack (ML 6-1)

# 6 Ax Man (ML 3-1)

# 8 Kneedeepinsnow (ML 10-1)

C's

# 1 Pyron (ML 6-1)

# 3 Shooters Shoot (ML 12-1)

# 5 Shashashakemeup (ML 4-1)

# 7 Take the One O One (ML 5-2)

Captain Scotty, trained by Peter Miller, looks well meant here, and Captain Scotty could do well off the freshening.  Wildman Jack should appreciate the surface switch, as well as the class relief.

Ax Man, trained by Bob Baffert, could move up with the cutback in distance.  Kneedeepinsnow always run well over this main track, having finished in the Exacta in each of his four prior career tries.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 8 - (F) ALW N1X - Eight Furlongs Turf

A's

# 8 Escape The City (GB) (ML 8-1)

B's

# 9 Shanghai Truffles (ML 7-2)

# 10 Applecross (Ire) (ML 3-1)

C's

# 1 Hollywood Girl (ML 10-1)

# 2 Cassie Belle (ML 6-1)

# 4 Nu Pi Lambda (ML 10-1)
# 5 Sassyserb (ML 4-1)
# 6 Clearly Gone (ML 6-1)
# 7 Good On Paper (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 3 Noble Hearted (No Line)

Escape The City (GB) makes her North American debut for Trainer Manny Badilla, who tends to do well with such.  Shanghai Truffles could move up with the cutback in distance.

Applecross (Ire) is getting some class relief here.  Applecross is also lightly raced, so she may still be on the improve.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - (F) Md $30k - Six and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 8 Smart Lola (ML 5-1)

B's

# 5 Best of Show (ML 5-2)

# 9 Shanghai Sunrise (ML 2-1)

C's

# 1 Backtoflash (ML 30-1)
# 2 Here Comes Ralphie (ML 8-1)
# 3 Nurse Hardbody (ML 5-1)

# 4 Felicidad Legada (ML 30-1)

# 6 Lulu D' Oro (ML 8-1)

# 7 Big Al's Princess (ML 12-1)

Smart Lola and Best of Show each took the Show at this class level in separate contests last time out.  Shanghai Sunrise is dropping in for a tag for the first time.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 6 with 4 with 8 with 8 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 2,5,6 with 2,4,6,8 with 8,9,10 with 5,8,9 $54.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1,3,4,7,8,9 with 4 with 8 with 8 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 1,3,5,7 with 8 with 8 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 4 with 1,2,4,5,6,7 with 8 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 4 with 8 with 1,2,3,4,6,7 $3.00

Total: $66.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 6:28 EST / 3:28 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

1/16/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 7 - The California Cup Derby - # 3 Big Fish (Final Odds 4.00) - "C" Selection

Race 8 - The Unusual Heat Turf Classic - # 6 North County Guy (4.20) - "B" Selection

Race 9 - The California Cup Sprint - # 8 Brickyard Ride (4.90) - "B" Selection

Race 10 - # 1 Squared Shady (7.60) - "B" Selection

While Big Fish did have two career victories in seven tries entering Saturday's main track contest, both Wins had come in turf starts.  Big Fish was a lifetime oh-for-two on the dirt, finishing more than four lengths off the winner in each contest.  Big Fish had also finished out of the Trifecta in each of his most recent three starts.  It was therefore my opinion Saturday that Big Fish was both off form and on the wrong surface; an opinion which was proven wrong, thereby making Saturday a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  3 / 6 / 8 / 1  were rewarded with a payout of $735.40 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

1/16/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

Saturday is Cal Cup Day at Santa Anita, with an entire ten race card (including five stakes) restricted to California bred runners.  So with that let's get to it, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 7 - [S] The California Cup Derby $200k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Play Chicken (Morning Line 4-1)

B's

# 6 None Above the Law (ML 15-1)

# 8 Warrens Candy Man (ML 10-1)

C's

# 2 Mischievous Path (ML 12-1)
# 3 Big Fish (ML 5-1)

# 4 Good With People (ML 7-2)

# 7 Positivity (ML 10-1)

# 9 Cozy Bear (ML 50-1)

Scratch # 1 The Chosen Vron (ML 8-5)

Needless to say, the scratch of Morning Line Favorite The Chosen Vron changes the entire complexion of this event; not to mention the makeup of my tickets.

King Glorious winner Play Chicken is the only runner in this field with a Win going around two turns over a Fast dirt track.  Note also that Play Chicken won his debut going around two turns on the grass; so Play Chicken can certainly handle the distance.

Good With People is the Peter Miller trained runner that will undoubtedly receive solid backing.  But I don't think Good With People is suited to today's distance.  However, I do think the other Peter Miller, None Above the Law, could be a contender in his first try around two turns on the main track.

Warrens Candy Man, while still a Maiden, is another that in my opinion deserves consideration in his first try around two turns.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 8 - [S] The Turf Classic $200k - Nine Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 8 Acclimate (ML 5-2)

B's

# 2 Ward 'n Jerry (ML 4-1)

# 5 Marckie's Water (ML 15-1)

# 6 North County Guy (ML 5-1)

C's

# 1 Brandothebartender (ML 6-1)

# 3 Fly to Mars (ML 15-1)
# 4 Indian Peak (ML 8-1)

# 7 Heck Yeah (ML 12-1)

# 9 Tropical Terror (ML 30-1)

# 10 Margot's Boy (ML 8-1)

# 11 Cono (ML 15-1)

Acclimate and Ward 'n Jerry are two that could move up with the drop in class and the cutback in distance.  Marckie's Water could be the one running best late.

North County Guy was victorious in a second level Optional Claimer over this turf course against open company two starts back.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - [S] The California Cup Sprint $150k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Fashionably Fast (ML 5-2)

B's

# 1 Tigre Di Slugo (ML 5-1)

# 6 Loud Mouth (ML 3-1)

# 8 Brickyard Ride (ML 6-1)

C's

# 2 Royal Trump (ML 15-1)

# 4 Bettor Trip Nick (ML 20-1)
# 5 Psycho Dar (ML 12-1)

# 7 Club Aspen (ML 20-1)

# 9 Oliver (ML 20-1)

# 10 Jamming Eddy (ML 6-1)

# 11 Rookie Mistake (ML 15-1)

Fashionably Fast took the Place in the Grade 2 Triple Bend two starts back, and Fashionably Fast should appreciate the return to Santa Anita.  Tigre Di Slugo could pull the upset with a repeat of his effort against open company last time out.

Loud Mouth enters this event with a two race winning streak, including a victory last time out in the state restricted $100k Cary Grant.  Brickyard Ride could be the speed of the speed in this field.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

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

A’s

# 6 Another Eddie (ML 4-1)

B's

# 1 Squared Shady (ML 5-1)

# 7 Omg It's Jessica (ML 7-2)

# 10 Annietown (ML 4-1)

C's

# 2 Pistachio Princess (ML 12-1)
# 3 Curious Inji (ML 10-1)
# 4 Warrior Lady (ML 30-1)

# 5 Miss Baylee (ML 5-1)

# 8 Race Judicata (ML 20-1)

# 11 Galarina (ML 20-1)
# 12 Sugar Kisses (ML 20-1)

Scratch # 9 Love the Dance (ML 30-1); but don't bring in either of the Also Eligibles, # 13 Big Clare (ML 5-1) nor # 14 Our Little Tiger (ML 5-1), because they're scratched too.

Omg It's Jessica and Another Eddie filled out the Exacta at this class level last time out; and while it was Omg It's Jessica in front of Another Eddie in that contest, I think the surface switch favors Another Eddie today.

Squared Shady finished in the Trifecta in each of her prior contests on the turf.  Annietown looks to be best among the debut runners in this field.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 5 with 8 with 3 with 6 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 5,6,8 with 2,5,6,8 with 1,3,6,8 with 1,6,7,10 $96.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,3,4,7,9 with 8 with 3 with 6 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 5 with 1,3,4,7,9,10,11 with 3 with 6 $3.50

$0.50 P4: 5 with 8 with 2,4,5,7,9,10,11 with 6 $3.50

$0.50 P4: 5 with 8 with 3 with 2,3,4,5,8,11,12 $3.50

Total: $110.00

Post Time for Race 7 is 6:05 EST / 3:05 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

1/9/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 7 - # 1 Earls Rock (Ire) (Final Odds 1.80*) - "B" Selection

Race 8 - The La Canada - # 5 Sanenus (Chi) (7.50) - "C" Selection

Race 9 - The Las Cienegas - # 2 Charmaine's Mia (16.70) - "C" Selection

Race 10 - # 4 Great Power (1.80*) - "B" Selection

The good news is that I was correct to not use # 6 Oleksandra (Aus) (2.70) on my main ticket in Race 9, the Las Cienegas.  By the way, it's also good news that Joel Rosario, the rider of Oleksandra, is okay after being unseated in the mess that was the opening of that contest.

In not so good news, it's not good handicapping that the only two winners to be found on my main ticket were the two winning Post Time Favorites.  Even worse news was that I had to five deep in one leg and six deep in the other just to land on those two well backed victors.  Overall not a good showing Saturday, which was a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  1 / 5 / 2 / 4  were rewarded with a payout of $975.20 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

1/9/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

“Don’t be scared if you don’t do things in the right order. I didn’t think I’d have dessert before breakfast today, but hey, it turned out that way and I wouldn’t change a thing.” - Mindy Kaling

Half of Saturday's Late Pick Four in Arcadia is comprised of Graded Stakes; creating an interesting balance in the class levels among the runners in each of the four contests.  And as I have nothing else to add by way of introduction, let's just get to it; as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 7 - MSW - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 6 Airman (Morning Line 3-1)

B's

# 1 Earls Rock (Ire) (ML 5-2)

# 4 Man Friday (ML 20-1)

# 7 North Pole (ML 7-2)

# 10 Enough Nonsense (ML 4-1)

C's

# 2 Achilleus (ML 15-1)

# 3 Endless Sunset (ML 8-1)

# 5 Daniel's Magic (ML 30-1)

# 8 Ivory Sky (ML 30-1)

# 9 Exalted Joy (ML 15-1)

Airman took the Show behind a next out winner at this class level last time out.  Earls Rock (Ire) took the Place in his debut last time out behind a next out winner in his native Ireland.

Man Friday could move up with the surface switch.  North Pole is another that could improve by getting on the grass.  Note that Man Friday was sired by American Pharoah, while North Pole was sired by American Pharoah's sire, Pioneerof the Nile.  Progeny of both American Pharoah and Pioneerof the Nile tend to do well when trying the turf for the first time.

Enough Nonsense did his best running two starts back, which was also Enough Nonsense's only prior start on the lawn.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 8 - (F) The La Canada (Grade 3) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Fighting Mad (ML 9-5)

B's

# 2 Hard Not to Love (ML 2-1)

C's

# 1 Proud Emma (ML 6-1)

# 4 Message (ML 6-1)

# 5 Sanenus (Chi) (ML 6-1)

# 6 Miss Stormy (ML 8-1)
# 7 Never Be Enough (GB) (ML 12-1)

Hard Not to Love and Fighting Mad, Place and Show finishers (respectively) behind Harvest Moon in the Grade 2 Zenyatta back in September, look to me to be clear best here over the rest of the field.  While Hard Not to Love had the better finish in the aforementioned Zenyatta, if was Fighting Mad who did all the heavy lifting in that event; which is why I'm making Fighting Made my top selection here.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - (F) The La Cienegas (Grade 3) - Six Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 7 Jolie Olimpica (Brz) (ML 8-5)

B's

None

C's

# 1 Bohemian Bourbon (ML 15-1)

# 2 Charmaine's Mia (ML 15-1)

# 4 Lighthouse (ML 5-2)

# 5 Superstition (ML 6-1)

# 6 Oleksandra (Aus) (ML 9-5)

Scratch # 3 Acting Out (No Line) who has been entered to run in Sunday's Kalookan Queen Stakes

Jolie Olimpica (Brz) early or Oleksandra (Aus) late; that's how I see it.  It would be much safer to use both Jolie Olimpica and Oleksandra on the main ticket; but I'm of the opinion that Jolie Olimpica has a clear enough edge over Oleksandra to justify using Jolie Olimpica solo in this leg.  So that's how I'm going to play it: Jolie Olimpica as a single on the main ticket in this leg, with all others, including Oleksandra, being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 10 - Clm $16k N2L - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Defense Wins (ML 6-1)

B’s

# 3 Uncaptured Hero (ML 4-1)

# 4 Great Power (ML 5-2)

# 5 Astrologer (ML 3-1)

# 6 Bob's Sniper (ML 15-1)

# 9 Dapper (ML 12-1)

C's

# 2 Ecologist (ML 12-1)

# 7 Squalotoro (ML 12-1)

# 8 Malakai Moxie (ML 8-1)

# 10 Dynamic Duo (ML 30-1)

Defense Wins goes first off the claim for Trainer Ryan Hanson, who tends to do well with such.  Uncaptured Hero is getting some class relief here, and Uncaptured Hero just might be quickest out of the gate.

Great Power took the Place at this class level last time out, albeit for a different barn.  Astrologer is making a big class drop off an extended layoff; not a good sign, but Astrologer has been working well for this contest; and Astrologer must be respected on class.

Bob's Sniper took the Place at this class level last time out, albeit for a different trainer.  Dapper could improve with the class drop coupled with the surface switch.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 6 with 3 with 7 with 1 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,4,6,7,10 with 2,3 with 7 with 1,3,4,5,6,9 $30.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,3,5,8,9 with 3 with 7 with 1 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 6 with 1,4,5,6,7 with 7 with 1 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 6 with 3 with 1,2,4,5,6 with 1 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 6 with 3 with 7 with 2,7,8,10 $2.00

Total: $40.50

Post Time for Race 7 is 6:05 EST / 3:05 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

1/2/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 3 Tizamagician (Final Odds 4.30) - "C" Selection

Race 7 - The San Gabriel - # 6 Anothertwistafate (2.80) - "C" Selection

Race 8 - The Sham - # 5 Life Is Good (0.20*) - "A" Selection

Race 9 - # 2 Ghoul (Brz) (8.80) - "C" Selection

The good news is that I got my main ticket single home; as the very well backed Life Is Good won the Grade 3 Sham without trying all that hard.  The bad news is that Life Is Good is the only winner in the sequence that I had on my main ticket, thus making Saturday a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  3 / 6 / 5 / 2  were rewarded with a payout of $93.75 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

1/2/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” - George Eliot

Happy not-quite-so New Year everyone.  It's good to be back, after having been knocked offline last week by the Nashville bombing.  By the way, for those in a position to do so, here's how you can help those affected by the Nashville Christmas Day bombing.  And with that, let's get to it, as I take a run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 6 - OC 62.5k/N2X - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Kershaw (Morning Line 7-2)

B’s

# 5 Potantico (ML 8-1)

# 8 Paladar (ML 3-1)

# 10 King Abner (ML 10-1)

C's

# 1 Fortune Ticket (ML 30-1)
# 2 Bold Endeavor (ML 12-1)

# 3 Tizamagician (ML 7-2)

# 4 Ekklesia (ML 6-1)

# 9 Shooters Shoot (ML 8-1)

Scratch # 7 Kanderel (ML 20-1)

Kershaw, going first off the claim for Trainer Victor Garcia, has run well over the Santa Anita main track in the past, garnering two Wins and six In the Money finishes in eight tries.  Kershaw also took the Show at this class level over this main track two starts back, prior to winning last time out off a class drop.

Potantico took the Place at this class level last time out while disappointing as the Post Time Favorite; perhaps the cutback in distance will help Potantico move up today.  Paladar was a convincing winner off the bench last time out, in his first start after having been sidelined for over a year.  

King Abner could wake up with the drop in class.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - The San Gabriel (Grade 2) - Nine Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 5 Count Again (ML 2-1)

B's

# 2 Next Shares (ML 4-1)

# 3 Bob and Jackie (ML 4-1)

C's

# 1 Cleopatra's Strike (ML 15-1)
# 4 Multiplier (ML 12-1)

# 6 Anothertwistafate (ML 5-2)
# 7 Bowie's Hero (ML 6-1)

Keep in mind that this stakes, as well as the Sham which follows, will be run Lasix free; an additional factor for handicappers to consider, as we must now attempt to determine which runners will be most affected by being denied their anti-bleeding medication.

Count Again, winner of the Grade 2 Seabiscuit over the Del Mar grass last time out, looks best here, and perhaps should be a main ticket single.  However, as this will be Count Again's first try over the Santa Anita turf, I though it best to spread a bit here.

Next Shares, Show finisher behind Count Again in the Seabiscuit last time out, won this event back in 2019.  Bob and Jackie, Show finisher in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile last time out, could make every call a winning one.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 8 - The Sham (Grade 3) - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Life Is Good (ML 2-5)

B's

None

C's

# 1 Medina Spirit (ML 6-1)
# 2 Waspirant (ML 15-1)
# 3 Parnelli (ML 5-2)
# 4 Uncle Boogie (ML 12-1)

Median Spirit is the "other" Baffert in this contest, being conditioned, like the Morning Line Favorite Life Is Good, by Trainer Bob Baffert.  Waspirant and Parnelli are the only two is this field with Wins going around two turns.  Uncle Boogie is the only runner in here who is Graded Stakes-placed.  So if I decided not to single Life Is Good, I would probably have to go "ALL" in this leg; and I just don't see any way to justify such a decision.  So Life Is Good will be solo on my main ticket, with the rest of the field being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 9 - OC 62.5k/N2X - Six Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 4 Mesut (ML 3-1)

B’s

# 5 Brandothebartender (ML 8-1)

# 6 Prodigal Son (ML 20-1)

# 7 Sparky Ville (ML 4-1)

# 10 Encoder (ML 8-1)

C's

# 1 El Tigre Terrible (ML 6-1)

# 2 Ghoul (Brz) (ML 6-1)

# 3 Ultimate Bango (ML 5-1)

# 8 Lincoln City (ML 12-1)

# 9 Oiseau de Guerre (ML 15-1)

Mesut took the Place at this class level last time out.  Brandothebartender fits well here on class, and Brandothebartender has run well in the past sprinting on the turf.

Prodigal Son could improve with a return to the turf.  Sparky Ville last victory came with today's rider, Jockey Mike Smith, on his back.  Encoder could move up with the surface switch along with the class drop.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 6 with 5 with 5 with 4 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 5,6,8,10 with 2,3,5 with 5 with 4,5,6,7,10 $30.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1,2,3,4,9 with 5 with 5 with 4 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 6 with 1,4,6,7 with 5 with 4 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 5 with 1,2,3,4 with 4 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 5 with 5 with 1,2,3,8,9 $2.50

Total: $40.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 6:05 EST / 3:05 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo