10/31/21 Santa Anita Rainbow Pick Six - Results

Race 5 - # 8 Ka'nah (Final Odds 4.70) - "C" Selection

Race 6 - # 8 B'esame Me Mucho (2.80*) - "A" Selection & "C" Selection*

Race 7 - # 5 Mongolian Mission (3.00) - "C" Selection

Race 8 - # 5 Clampett (9.60) - "B" Selection

Race 9 - # 7 Barraza (3.90) - "C" Selection

Race 10 - The Twilight Derby - # 2 Subconscious (2.90) - "B" Selection

* - # 4 Backtoflash, a "C" Selection, was a late scratch from Race 6; I therefore received Post Time Favorite B'esame Me Mucho in her place.

I didn't get my big ticket single home, # 1 Judy With Grace (5.90) in the third leg (Race 7).  In fact, I was only able to get one of my "A" Selections in the sequence home: B'esame Me Mucho in Race 6.  Overall, it quite simply wasn't one of my better handicapping efforts, as half of the winners were nowhere to be found on my primary ticket.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Rainbow Pick Six sequence of  8 / 4,8 / 5 / 5 / 7 / 2  were rewarded with a payout of $12,164.96 for their twenty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

10/31/21 Santa Anita Rainbow Pick Six - Preview

“She used to tell me that a full moon was when mysterious things happen and wishes come true.” - Shannon A. Thompson (November Snow)

Sunday is the final day of the Fall Meeting at Santa Anita, thus making it a mandatory payout day for the Jackpot Pick Six.  And while trying to catch six out of six winners can be a bit scary, especially when half of the sequence is comprised of non-Winners of One, sometimes you just have to roll the old bones and see what happens.  So with that let's just get to it, as I take a run at The Rainbow Pick Six at The Great Race Place.

RACE 5 - Alw 50000s N3L - Six Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 9 Mesut (Morning Line 7-2)

B’s

# 3 Silardi (ML 8-1)

C's

# 1 McWherter (ML 12-1)

# 2 Swiss Swoo (Ire) (ML 12-1)

# 4 Johnny Podres (ML 4-1)

# 5 Sly (ML 20-1)

# 6 Caerulean (ML 10-1)

# 7 Capo Mafioso (ML 12-1)

# 8 Ka'nah (ML 12-1)

# 10 Brix (ML 6-1)

# 11 Liar Liar (Ire) (ML 4-1)

Note for future reference that this contest is for runners which have won fewer than three races in their career; no exceptions.  Also worth noting is that Swiss Swoo (Ire) and Capo Mafioso are both racing above their conditions, as Swiss Swoo and Capo Mafioso have both visited the winner's circle just once in their respective careers.

Mesut is getting significant class relief compared to his more recent outings, and because of that I expect Mesut to be closer to the pace in the early stages.  Silardi fits well here on class; and Trainer Peter Miller tends to do well when moving his runners from the main track to the turf.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 6 - (F) Md $20k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 8 B'esame Me Mucho (ML 3-1)

B's

# 3 Dynamite Queen (ML 8-1)

# 10 Aristeia (ML 7-2)

C's

# 1 Slew South (ML 10-1)

# 2 Dual Reality (ML 20-1)

# 4 Backtoflash (ML 15-1)

# 5 Winter Star (ML 6-1)

# 6 Medusa's Gaze (ML 7-2)

# 7 Portugueseprincess (ML 20-1)

# 9 Queen of Love (ML 8-1)

B'esame Me Mucho took the Show sprinting at this class level last time out.  Being a son of Mucho Macho Man, I expect B'esame Me Mucho should do well in her first try around two turns.

Dynamite Queen took the Show at this class level going around two turns last time out.  Aristeia missed graduation by just a neck last time out while disappointing as the Post Time Favorite.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - (F) Md $50k - Nine Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Judy With Grace (ML 6-1)

B's

None

C's

# 2 Glory of Chrome (ML 30-1)
# 3 Momma Mocca (ML 4-1)
# 5 Mongolian Mission (ML 6-1)
# 6 Whistler's Style (ML 10-1)

# 7 Witch Moon (ML 2-1)

Scratch # 4 Floral Essence (ML 9-5)

Few things in life will cause a late minute mad scramble than seeing that the runner you were planning on using as your big ticket single has been scratched.  Such is the case with the removal of Floral Essence from this contest, as this was the leg where I was planning on going just one deep with the Jeff Mullins trainee.

Actually, to be honest, "mad scramble" my be overstating things a bit.  I'll still be singling in this leg on the main ticket; just with a different runner: Judy With Grace, who took the Show at this class level last time out in her first try for Trainer Dan Blacker.  So here's where I'll be making my stand, as Judy With Grace will be my big ticket single, with all others being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 8 - Md $50k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 8 Town Boy (ML 4-1)

B's

# 5 Clampett (ML 6-1)

# 11 After the Candy (ML 20-1)

# 12 Handy Dandy (ML 7-2)

C's

# 3 Curly Esa (ML 12-1)
# 4 Missing Maurice (ML 20-1)
# 6 Commissioner David (ML 8-1)

# 7 Mad Steven (ML 8-1)
# 9 Con On the Run (ML 4-1)

Scratch # 1 Tribute to Afleet (ML 20-1); # 2 Chasing Alchemy (No Line); and # 10 Big Creek (ML 8-1)

Town Boy looks quickest here, and Town Boy will be going first off the claim for Trainer Doug O'Neill, who tends to do well with such.  Clampett drops into the Maiden Claiming ranks for the first time; trainer Mark Glatt tends to be successful when making that move.

After the Candy is here as a hunch play because of his name.  Handy Dandy is making his second career start for Trainer Peter Miller, who tends to do well with such.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - ALW N1X - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf

A's

# 8 Cotopaxi (Ire) (ML 6-1)

B's

# 1 C Falls (ML 4-1)

# 2 Vantastic (ML 7-2)

# 5 Snazzy Dresser (ML 20-1)

# 6 Mac Daddy Too (ML 3-1)

C's

# 3 Cumberland Avenue (ML 12-1)

# 4 Go On (ML 6-1)

# 7 Barraza (ML 5-1)

# 9 Bedrock (ML 15-1)

Cotopaxi (Ire) fits well here on class, and Cotopaxi looks as if he will benefit from the cutback in distance.  C Falls projects to be a pace factor, and C Falls should be able to handle the rise in class.

Vantastic could do well off the freshening.  Snazzy Dresser may be quickest here.  Mac Daddy Too should do well off the class drop.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 10 - The Twilight Derby (Grade 2) - Nine Furlongs Turf

A's

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

B's

# 2 Subconscious (ML 6-1)

# 8 Rock Your World (ML 5-2)

# 10 Beyond Brilliant (ML 15-1)

C's

# 1 Flashiest (ML 6-1)

# 3 Zoffarelli (Ire) (ML 8-1)

# 4 Hudson Ridge (ML 5-1)

# 6 Wooton Asset (Fr) (ML 12-1)

# 7 Cathkin Peak (Ire) (ML 8-1)

# 9 Jungle Cry (ML 12-1)

None Above the Law, winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby last time out, seems quite capable of making it three wins in a row.  Subconscious has shown steady improvement in each of his career starts.

Rock Your World is two-for-two lifetime over this turf course.  Beyond Brilliant could be the one that they'll have to catch in order to win.  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 P6: 9 with 8 with 1 with 8 with 8 with 5 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.20 P6: 3,9 with 3,8,10 with 1 with 5,8,11,12 with 1,2,5,6,8 with 2,5,8,10 $96.00

A's with One C

$0.20 P6: 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,10,11 with 8 with 1 with 8 with 8 with 5 $1.80

$0.20 P6: 9 with 1,2,4,5,6,7,9 with 1 with 8 with 8 with 5 $1.40

$0.20 P6: 9 with 8 with 2,3,5,6,7 with 8 with 8 with 5 $1.00

$0.20 P6: 9 with 8 with 1 with 3,4,6,7,9 with 8 with 5 $1.00

$0.20 P6: 9 with 8 with 1 with 8 with 3,4,7,9 with 5 $0.80

$0.20 P6: 9 with 8 with 1 with 8 with 8 with 1,3,4,6,7,9 $1.20

Total: $104.20

Post Time for Race 5 is 5:33 EDT / 2:33 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

10/17/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 1 Hapi Hapi (Final Odds 5.50) - "A" Selection

Race 7 - The California Flag - # 9 Indian Peak (16.90) - "C" Selection

Race 8 - # 6 Scream and Shout (4.90) - "B" Selection

Race 9 - # 4 She's So Nice (Ire) (18.00) - "A" Selection

Needless to say, having a pair of longshots as "A" Selections bookend the sequence is a pretty nice feeling.  Of course, it would have been an even nicer feeling if I had made the winner of the third leg, Scream and Shout, an "A" Selection as well.  Or, for that matter, if I had simply covered the Peter Miller trained Indian Peak in the featured race on my main ticket.  Or if my "A" Selection in said featured race, # 4 North County Guy (1.40*), had been just a head quicker in getting under the wire.  But can I really complain about losing a close one when two photos went my way today?  I guess I really can't.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  1 / 9 / 6 / 4  were rewarded with a payout of $6,001.55 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

10/17/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

"Life is inherently risky.  There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing." - Denis Waitley

The California Flag, a six and a half furlong charge down the hill, is Sunday'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 - [S] OC 20k/N1X - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Hapi Hapi (Morning Line 8-1)

B’s

# 4 El Tigre Terrible (ML 5-2)

# 5 Big Story (ML 5-1)

C's

# 2 Burnin Turf (ML 3-1)

# 3 Squalotoro (ML 10-1)

# 6 Betito (ML 3-1)

# 7 Good Bye Putin (ML 6-1)

For those who note such things, El Tigre Terrible and Betito are the only two runners in this field that will be leaving the gate with a price tag on their head.

Hapi Hapi took the Show each of the last two times that he competed at this class level on the dirt going around two turns.  El Tigre Terrible is getting significant class relief in this contest.  Big Story could do better with the return to Santa Anita.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 7 - [S] The California Flag $100k - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf

A’s

# 4 North County Guy (ML 5-2)

B's

# 1 Give Me the Lute (ML 3-1)

C's

# 2 Ground Attack (ML 20-1)
# 3 Tiger Dad (ML 20-1)

# 5 Loud Mouth (ML 8-1)

# 6 Unbridled Ethos (ML 12-1)
# 7 Whooping Jay (ML 4-1)
# 8 Desmond Doss (ML 6-1)
# 9 Indian Peak (ML 6-1)

If North County Guy repeats his effort from last time out, then he should be the one getting his picture taken when this event is over.  Give Me the Lute took the Place in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 8 - (F) Md $20k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Candy Runner (ML 4-1)

B's

# 4 Measureofdevotion (ML 3-1)

# 6 Scream and Shout (ML 5-2)

# 9 Lunatic (ML 2-1)

C's

# 2 Life's Emotions (ML 30-1)
# 3 Mistaka (ML 50-1)
# 7 Return to Harbor (ML 20-1)

# 8 Winter Star (ML 12-1)

# 10 B'esame Me Mucho (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 5 Lookin At Sweetie (No Line)

I'm going to draw a line through Candy Runner's last race at Los Al and instead focus on the contest prior to that, at Oaklawn, when Candy Runner was able to make the early lead against more expensive stock, and then hold on for the Place.

Measureofdevotion missed graduation by just a neck at this class level last time out.  Scream and Shout ran well over this main track against non-claiming maidens in her debut back in June.  Lunatic should benefit from the class relief.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - (F) OC 50k/N1X - Six Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 4 She's So Nice (Ire) (ML 15-1)

B’s

# 1 Xmas Surprise (ML 15-1)

# 2 Isn't She Lovely (ML 6-1)

# 3 Another Eddie (ML 15-1)

# 7 Anonymously (ML 8-1)

# 10 Greg's Diva (ML 3-1)

C's

# 5 September Secret (ML 6-1)

# 6 Miss Carousel (ML 6-1)

# 8 Awesome Drive (ML 15-1)

# 9 Nu Pi Lambda (ML 4-1)

# 11 Frose (ML 30-1)
# 12 Derby Quest (ML 30-1)

Scratch the Also Eligibles, # 13 Fantasy Heat (ML 5-2) and # 14 Storming Lady (ML 10-1)

For the curious among us, with the scratch of the AEs, none of the runners leaving the gate in this field will be doing so with a price tag on their head.

She's So Nice (Ire) didn't show much in her North American debut at Del Mar last time out.  If She's So Nice can return to the form that she showed when competing in Great Britain, then She's So Nice could pull off the upset today.

Xmas Surprise ran well in the Spring over this turf course.  Isn't She Lovely could improve with the added real estate.  Another Eddie could improve with the return to the turf.

Anonymously took the Show at this class level last time out at Del Mar.  Note that I'm not using the Place finisher in that contest, Nu Pi Lambda, on my main ticket, as I feel that Nu Pi Lambda has had enough chances to grab the gold ring at this class level.

Greg's Diva projects to be prominent early; however, the fact that Greg's Diva has disappointed as the Post Time Favorite is each of her last three races has me cautious regarding her chances.  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: 1 with 4 with 1 with 4 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,4,5 with 1,4 with 1,4,6,9 with 1,2,3,4,7,10 $72.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,3,6,7 with 4 with 1 with 4 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 1 with 2,3,5,6,7,8,9 with 1 with 4 $3.50

$0.50 P4: 1 with 4 with 2,3,7,8,10 with 4 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 1 with 4 with 1 with 5,6,8,9,11,12 $3.00

Total: $84.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 6:30 EDT / 3:30 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

10/2/21 Santa Anita All Graded Stakes Pick Four - Results

Race 8 - The Santa Anita Sprint Championship - # 1 Dr. Schivel (Final Odds 1.80*) - "B" Selection

Race 9 - The Rodeo Drive - # 4 Going to Vegas (1.10*) - "A" Selection

Race 10 - The Awesome Again - # 5 Medina Spirit (1.30*) - "C" Selection

Race 11 - The John Henry Turf Classic - # 4 United (1.40*) - "A" Selection

Watching the Post Time Favorite win the Santa Anita Sprint Championship for fun was not what I had in mind when I punched the "ALL" button in that leg.  And I certainly wasn't expecting Medina Spirit to absolutely dominate a field of older runners without having to go all out in the Awesome Again.  So, for those (and other) reasons, Saturday was a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct All Graded Stakes Late Pick Four sequence of  1 / 4 / 5 / 4  were rewarded with a payout of $37.75 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

10/2/21 Santa Anita All Graded Stakes Pick Four - Preview

"The choices you make and the actions you take determine your direction daily." - LeAura Alderson

It's opening weekend in Arcadia, California, and you couldn't ask for a better card for the first Saturday Action of the meet.  So with that as intro let's just get to it, as I take a run at The All Graded Stakes Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 8 - The Santa Anita Sprint Championship (Grade 2) - Six Furlongs Dirt

A's

# 6 Collusion Illusion (Morning Line 4-1)

B's

# 1 Dr. Schivel (ML 2-1)

# 2 Vertical Threat (ML 6-1)

# 3 Colt Fiction (ML 8-1)

# 4 C Z Rocket (ML 5-2)

# 5 Flagstaff (ML 7-2)

C's

None

Yeah, I could probably eliminate Vertical Threat from the main ticket; but no one wants to go "ALL but one" in any leg of a multi-race wager.  I was tempted to make C Z Rocket my top choice, he being the defending champ and all; but the fact that C Z Rocket has disappointed as the Post Time Favorite in each of his last three contests kinda scared me off.

Instead I decided to give Collusion Illusion the top spot.  Toss Collusion Illusion's last race where he was simply proving that he wanted no part of the grass, and factor in that this will be Collusion Illusion's first try with the hood on, and I think Collusion Illusion has a real chance to outrun his odds.

RACE 9 - (F) The Rodeo Drive (Grade 1) - Ten Furlongs Turf

A's

# 4 Going to Vegas (ML 5-2)

B's

# 1 Dogtag (ML 4-1)

# 7 Magic Attitude (GB) (ML 5-1)

C's

# 2 Fast Jet Court (Brz) (ML 10-1)

# 3 Neige Blanche (Fr) (ML 8-1)

# 5 Rideforthecause (ML 15-1)

# 6 Crystalle (ML 20-1)

# 8 Luck (ML 3-1)

# 9 Red Lark (Ire) (ML 10-1)

Going to Vegas projects to be the one that they'll have to catch to win, as this is a field without much early foot.  Dogtag, Place runner behind Going to Vegas last time out in the Grade 2 John C Mabee at Del Mar, may benefit from the additional real estate as well as the change of venue.

Magic Attitude (GB) probably won't have enough pace to chase in order to show off his best; but Magic Attitude is just too classy in my opinion to leave off the main ticket.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 10 - The Awesome Again (Grade 1) - Nine Furlongs Dirt

A's

# 7 Tripoli (ML 3-1)

B's

# 8 Idol (ML 5-1)

C's

# 1 Tizamagician (ML 4-1)

# 2 Midcourt (ML 12-1)

# 3 Express Train (ML 4-1)

# 4 Stilleto Boy (ML 20-1)

# 5 Medina Spirit (ML 5-2)

# 6 Azul Coast (ML 12-1)

Tripoli, winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic last time out, has really upped his game since getting off the lawn.  Idol, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap last time, could be the one running best late in a contest that has more than its fair share of early speed.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 11 - The John Henry Turf Championship (Grade 2) - Ten Furlongs Turf

A's

# 4 United (ML 5-2)

B's

# 5 Ready Soul (ML 12-1)

# 6 Acclimate (ML 9-2)   

# 7 Master Piece (Chi) (ML 5-1)

# 8 Count of Amazonia (Ire) (ML 12-1)

C's

# 1 Award Winner (ML 12-1)

# 2 Camino Del Paraiso (ML 15-1)

# 3 Neptune's Storm (ML 6-1)

# 9 Media Blitz (ML 20-1)

# 10 Red King (ML 15-1)

# 11 Cupid's Claws (ML 12-1)

# 12 Friar's Road (ML 15-1)

Scratch # 13 K P All Systems Go (ML 20-1)

United, last year's winner of this event, could improve going third off the layoff.  Ready Soul and Count of Amazonia (Ire) are two moving up in class that could surprise with a late charge through the drive.

Acclimate projects to be forwardly placed early, and Acclimate could be tough to catch late.  Master Piece (Chi), making his second start for Trainer Mike McCarthy, looks well meant here.  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 4 with 7 with 4 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: ALL with 1,4,7 with 7,8 with 4,5,6,7,8 $90.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 6 with 2,3,5,6,8,9 with 7 with 4 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 4 with 1,2,3,4,5,6 with 4 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 4 with 7 with 1,2,3,9,10,11,12 $3.50

Total: $100.50

Post Time for Race 8 is 7:06 EDT / 4:06 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo