12/26/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 8 - The La Brea - # 3 Kalypso (Final Odds 8.80) - "C" Selection

Race 9 - # 2 Super Game (1.70*) - "B" Selection

Race 10 - The Malibu - # 5 Flightline (0.40*) - "A" Selection

Race 11 - The American Oaks - # 9 Queen Goddess (14.60) - "B" Selection

The big story Sunday was that Flightline proved that he is indeed the real deal, winning the Grade 1 Malibu by as many as he wanted just as easy as you please.  As regards my play, I didn't make room for the "other" Baffert in the opening leg on my main ticket, and that was the difference between collecting and contributing.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  3 / 2 / 5 / 9  were rewarded with a payout of $401.50 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/26/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

"If you don't set goals high, you're not trying.  Always push yourself and go after your dreams." - Todd Helton

I hope all of you who celebrate had a very merry Christmas; and I hope all of you who don't celebrate had a super Saturday.  And just as sun follows moon and moon follows sun, so too does Boxing Day follow Christmas Day.  And as is traditional, Boxing Day brings with it Opening Day at Santa Anita, which is always a joyful occasion.  However, there is a cloud attached to this silver lining, as along with all his other gifts Santa brought Arcadia, California a whole lot of rain water; so all races that had been carded for the grass Sunday have been moved off the turf, including the three Graded Stakes.  So while the card won't be what we had hoped it would be, I'm not going to let circumstances rain on my parade; as I take a run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 8 - (F) The La Brea (Grade 1) - Seven Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Livingmybestlife (Morning Line 7-2)

B's

# 4 Private Mission (ML 8-5)

# 5 Missy P. (ML 5-2)

# 6 Brilliant Cut (ML 12-1)

C's

# 1 Canoodling (ML 8-1)

# 2 Eddie's New Dream (ML 15-1)

# 3 Kalypso (ML 5-1)

Note that the connections of Eddie's New Dream, who was cross-entered in the Grade 1 American Oaks (Race 11 below) have chosen to run her here instead; a decision that was made prior to the American Oaks being moved off the turf.

Livingmybestlife appears to be in top form, and Livingmybestlife should not be disadvantaged by the turnback in distance.  Private Mission should benefit from the class relief, though seven furlongs may not be Private Mission's best distance.

Missy P. looks to improve with the return to the main track.  Brilliant Cut could do well off the freshening.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

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

THIS RACE HAS BEEN MOVED OFF THE TURF

A's

# 1 Fantail (GB) (ML 5-2)

B's

# 2 Super Game (ML 5-1)

# 6 Kalon (ML 8-1)

C's

# 4 Rapid Transit (ML 15-1)

# 8 Another Eddie (ML 5-1)

Scratch # 3 Ultimate Hy (ML 4-1); # 5 Glesga Gal (Ire) (ML 10-1); # 7 Inner Beauty (Ire) (ML 8-1); and # 9 Xmas Surprise (ML 8-1)

Even with the move to the main track, in my opinion Fantail (GB) looks best in this field, as Fantail's breeding and dirt works suggest that she will run just fine over the main track.  Super Game took the Place the last time she competed on dirt despite taking the scenic route to the wire.

Kalon, a daughter of Bernardini, should experience no problems with the surface switch.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 10 - The Malibu (Grade 1) - Seven Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Flightline (ML 4-5)

B's

# 4 Dr. Schivel (ML 5-2)

C's

# 1 Baby Yoda (ML 6-1)
# 2 Timeless Bounty (ML 20-1)
# 3 Stilleto Boy (ML 12-1)

# 6 Team Merchants (ML 20-1)
# 7 Triple Tap (ML 5-1)

If Flightline repeats the runs that he had in his first two career starts, then Flightline will get his picture taken again today.  But sometimes horses don't run as fast against stronger competition as they do against weaker opponents; so for that reason I've decided to include Dr. Schivel on my main ticket for this leg.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 11 - (F) The American Oaks (Grade 1) - Ten Furlongs Turf

THIS RACE HAS BEEN MOVED OFF THE TURF

A's

# 6 Charges Dropped (ML 20-1)

B's

# 1 Fluffy Socks (ML 3-1)

# 4 Nicest (Ire) (ML 8-1)

# 5 Going Global (Ire) (ML 9-5)

# 7 Burgoo Alley (Ire) (ML 6-1)

# 9 Queen Goddess (ML 8-1)

# 11 Single Soul (GB) (ML 12-1)

C's

# 2 Core Values (ML 30-1)

# 3 Closing Remarks (ML 6-1)

# 8 Ivy League (ML 20-1)

Scratch # 10 Eddie's New Dream (No Line), who was cross-entered in Race 8 (above)

Charges Dropped is a daughter of 1999 Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid, and Charges Dropped had a sharp four furlong bullet workout over this main track a week ago today; so why not?  Fluffy Socks had a nice workout over this main track last week as well, suggesting that Fluffy Socks should run well today.

Nicest (Ire) is a daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, so the main track breeding is certainly there.  Going Global (Ire) will be the one to beat if her turf form carries over to the main track; but it's fair to wonder if Going Global's lack of early speed will leave her with too much to do in the latter stages of this contest.

Burgoo Alley (Ire) had a nice workout over the Del Mar main track back in September, suggesting that Burgoo Alley can contend on the dirt.  Queen Goddess is a daughter of 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker and is out of a Lemon Drop Kid mare.

Single Soul (GB) can certainly handle today's distance; if Single Soul can also handle the surface switch, then Single Soul could be the one still going strong while others are slowing down.  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: 7 with 1 with 5 with 6 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 4,5,6,7 with 1,2,6 with 4,5 with 1,4,5,6,7,9,11 $84.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1,2,3 with 1 with 5 with 6 $1.50

$0.50 P4: 7 with 4,8 with 5 with 6 $1.00

$0.50 P4: 7 with 1 with 1,2,3,6,7 with 6 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 7 with 1 with 5 with 2,3,8 $1.50

Total: $91.50

Post Time for Race 8 is 5:44 EST / 2:44 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

Merry Christmas!

“Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.” - G.K. Chesterton

Here's hoping that Santa brought you plenty of sure things that you'll be cashing throughout the New Year.  Merry Christmas!

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/17/21 Remington Park Primetime Pick Four - Results

Race 10 - The She's All In - # 6 Casual (Final Odds 2.40) - "C" Selection

Race 11 - The Trapeze - # 12 Optionality (2.10) - "B" Selection

Race 12 - The Springboard Mile - # 2 Make It Big (1.30*) - "B" Selection

Race 13 - # 3 Seeing Double (3.80) - "B" Selection

As I wrote in the preview to this sequence, my attitude was, if Casual beats me in the She's All In, she beats me.  Well, Casual beat me; oh boy, did she beat me, crossing under the wire over five lengths in front of Place runner (and my big ticket single) # 7 Marion Francis (1.90*).  And that was the difference between me collecting and contributing, as the other three winners all had a spot on the big ticket.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Primetime Pick Four sequence of  6 / 12 / 2 / 3  were rewarded with a payout of $161.40 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/17/21 Remington Park Primetime Pick Four - Preview

"Our imagination is the only limit to what we can hope to have in the future." - Charles F. Kettering

It's Springboard Mile Day at Remington Park, and the fine folks in Oklahoma City have put together a wonderful program containing five stakes, featured among them the juvenile contest with Road to the Kentucky Derby points on the line.  So with that let's get to it, as I take a run at The Primetime Pick Four at Remington Park.

RACE 10 - (F) The She's All In $100k - Eight and a Third Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Marion Francis (Morning Line 9-5)

B's

None

C's

# 1 My Bets (ML 12-1)

# 2 Lady Gwen (ML 20-1)

# 3 Island Hideaway (GB) (ML 12-1)

# 4 She's All Wolfe (ML 6-1)

# 5 Paige Anne (ML 5-1)

# 6 Casual (ML 2-1)
# 8 Content (ML 15-1)

Marion Francis ships in from Keeneland off a two month freshening for Trainer Brad Cox; and Marion Francis looks well meant here.  Well enough, in fact, that I'll be making Marion Francis my main ticket single.

For those without my confidence in Marion Francis, or who may just be shopping for a price, Island Hideaway (GB) is one that you may wish to consider.  Island Hideaway is making her first career start on real dirt in this contest; and while that would typically be a cause for concern, Island Hideaway does boast some solid main track workouts, and Trainer Karl Broberg tends to do well when moving his runners from turf to dirt.

Conversely, one that I personally would not put much faith in is the Steve Asmussen trained Casual.  Casual has disappointed in each of her last two contests as the Post Time Favorite.  Casual has also not visited the winner's circle since January 29 at Oaklawn, eight starts ago.  Finally, the last time Casual tried to go beyond seven furlongs was in last year's running of this event, when Casual ran out of gas before the wire and had to settle for fourth.  Mind you, I'm not saying that Casual can't win here; but at the low odds that Casual is expected to leave the gate, I'd just as soon let her beat me if she can.

So there you have it.  In this leg I'll be going one deep, with all others being used as backup "C" Selections.

RACE 11 - (F) The Trapeze $100k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 9 Golden Sights (ML 7-2)

B's

# 5 Ring Me Darling (ML 10-1)

# 7 Hits Pricey Legacy (ML 8-1)

# 12 Optionality (ML 5-1)

C's

# 1 Lilly's Bidness (ML 30-1)

# 2 Brodie Baby (ML 15-1)

# 4 Rollin Chrome (ML 20-1)

# 10 Morning Twilight (ML 10-1)

# 11 Diamonds N Aces (ML 20-1)

Scratch # 3 Point Two (ML 12-1); # 6 Park On the Nile (ML 3-1); and # 8 Holy Justice (ML 12-1)

Golden Sights graduated convincingly last time out at Keeneland, and Golden Sights is now part of the barn of Trainer Brad Cox.  Ring Me Darling was claimed for $50k last time out at Churchill Downs in a contest which saw Ring Me Darling win by daylight.  Ring Me Darling will be getting race day Lasix for the first time today, and that may help give her an extra boost.

Hits Pricey Legacy was a convincing winner over this main track at today's distance last time out.  Optionality, trained by Steve Asmussen, won the $60k Zia Park Princess by as many as she wanted last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 12 - The Springboard Mile $400k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Concept (ML 5-1)

B's

# 2 Make It Big (ML 7-2)

# 3 Bye Bye Bobby (ML 4-1)

# 5 Classic Moment (ML 4-1)

# 6 Rowdy Rascal (ML 12-1)

# 8 Revenir (ML 12-1)

# 9 Osbourne (ML 6-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 4 Shamayim (ML 20-1) and # 7 Rich Strike (ML 8-1)

Note that, in addition to the Road to the Kentucky Derby points that are on the line in this contest, this event is also a "Win and You're In" for the 2022 running of the Oklahoma Derby.

So, yeah, I'm just gonna cop out and take the safe way home in this leg.  Concept and Classic Moment, the two Steve Asmussen runners, both look speedy and strong.  I gave the edge to Concept because of the rail draw.  Make it Big, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. was a solid winner last time out despite not getting a clean trip.

Bye Bye Bobby ran well in his debut last time out once he realized that there was a race going on and that he was in it.  Rowdy Rascal and Revenir are the only two runners in this field to have won beyond seven furlongs, and they both accomplished that feat over this main track.  Osbourne's only defeat was to a next out Listed Stakes winner.

So, yeah, that's the field.  You can feel free to toss whom you will; but, as for me, I'll be punching the "ALL" button this leg.

RACE 13 - (F) [S] ALW N1X - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A's

# 5 Tasmin (ML 5-2)

B's

# 3 Seeing Double (ML 10-1)

# 6 Pearly (ML 5-1)

# 9 Beyound Dreams (ML 10-1)

C's

# 1 Magic Mindy (ML 12-1)
# 2 Gp's Amazing Grace (ML 15-1)
# 4 River Liberty (ML 20-1)

# 7 Wild Prospect (ML 7-2)

# 8 Heighten (ML 30-1)

# 10 The One for Fun (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 11 Reba Country (ML 6-1)

Tasmin is undefeated since joining the barn of Trainer Mindy Willis, with both victories coming in convincing fashion.  Seeing Double defeated open (non-state bred restricted) Claimers last time out, and Trainer Brent Davidson tends to do well when placing his last out winners.

Draw a line through Pearly's last start (where she lost the rider) and it's clear that she fits well here with the contenders.  Beyound Dreams appears to have enough tactical speed to overcome the outside draw.  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: 7 with 9 with 1 with 5 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 7 with 5,7,9,12 with ALL with 3,5,6,9 $56.00

A's with One C

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

$0.50 P4: 7 with 1,2,4,10,11 with 1 with 5 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 7 with 9 with 1 with 1,2,4,7,8,10 $3.00

Total: $66.00

Post Time for Race 10 is 10:25 EST / 7:25 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo