Saturday is California Cup Day at Santa Anita, and in addition to a card featuring five stakes, the good folks running the show in Arcadia have also decided to have a mandatory payout of the Pick Six pool. So with that as introduction let's just get to it, as I take a run at The Rainbow Pick Six at The Great Race Place.
RACE 5 - [S] Md $50k - Six Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 2 Big Gun (Morning Line 4-1)
B's
# 3 Make Mine Wine (ML 7-2)
# 5 Smiling Goodbye (ML 5-2)
C's
# 1 Big Event (ML 10-1)
# 4 Stay Lit (ML 6-1)
# 6 Real Pouch (ML 30-1)
# 7 Don Daniel (ML 12-1)
# 8 Arthur Spooner (ML 3-1)
In my opinion, the question in this leg is what to do with Arthur Spooner. Arthur Spooner took the Show twice at this class level back in the Fall of 2021. However, in his two most recent races Arthur Spooner was taken off the main track and ran (so to speak) on the turf; each time finishing well back of the winner. Note also that you have to go back to Sept 12 to find a main track workout for Arthur Spooner.
So while it's easy to see that moving Arthur Spooner to the turf didn't produce positive results, it's not so easy to see why Arthur Spooner was moved to the turf in the first place. Judging by the Final Odds in those two turf contests, even the public knew that Arthur Spooner on the grass wasn't going to work out.
So, while I may be overthinking this, I'm going to presume that Arthur Spooner was moved to the grass because his connections didn't like what they saw of him on dirt. And while a return to the dirt form that he showed in the Fall of 2021, coupled with the normal growth that you would expect from a horse going from freshman to sophomore, would certainly put Arthur Spooner in the winner's circle Saturday, I'm going to play against Arthur Spooner getting his picture taken after this race is over.
So with that, I'll be using the top three (in my opinion) of the debut runners in this field; putting Big Gun (who is a full brother to Big Returns, winner of the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar back in 2019) on top; with all others in the field being used as backup "C" Selections.
RACE 6 - [S] The Unusual Heat Turf Classic $200k - Nine Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 8 Indian Peak (ML 3-1)
B's
None
C's
# 1 Whooping Jay (ML 6-1)
# 3 Aligato (ML 7-2)
# 4 Luvluv (ML 12-1)
# 5 Camino Del Paraiso (ML 7-2)
# 6 Big Fish (ML 8-1)
# 7 Ferrariano (ML 12-1)
Scratch # 2 Margot's Boy (ML 4-1)
Going solo in this leg with Indian Peak, who took the Show in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit the last time that he competed on the turf. The only concern I have with Indian Peak is if he'll have enough pace to run down in the stretch; as I don't see a whole lot of early speed in this event. Still, unless the early fractions show real dawdling, I think Indian Peak's class will prevail. So it's Indian Peak all by himself on the big ticket, with all others being relegated to backup "C" Selections.
RACE 7 - [S] OC 20k/N1X - Six Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 4 Gates of Heaven (ML 3-1)
B’s
# 1 Admirably (ML 4-1)
# 8 Crash Corrigan (ML 7-2)
C's
# 2 Scary Fast Smile (ML 7-2)
# 3 Rookie Mistake (ML 12-1)
# 5 Suzie Qzz Brother (ML 6-1)
# 6 Brace for Impact (ML 6-1)
# 7 Alpine Thunder (ML 20-1)
For those who note such things, the two runners in this field that are available for purchase at the $20k claiming price are Scary Fast Smile and Rookie Mistake.
Gates of Heaven, victorious against open (non-state bred restricted) company last time out, looks well meant here. Admirably won at this class level last time out, albeit for a different barn. Crash Corrigan took the Place at this class level last time out, while disappointing as the Post Time Favorite. The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.
RACE 8 - (F) [S] The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint $150k - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 9 Warren's Showtime (ML 5-2)
B's
# 12 Leggs Galore (ML 3-1)
C's
# 1 Alice Marble (ML 8-1)
# 2 California Kook (ML 8-1)
# 2 California Kook (ML 8-1)
# 3 Super Game (ML 10-1)
# 4 Nardini (ML 12-1)
# 5 Smiling Shirlee (ML 20-1)
# 6 Rebalation (ML 15-1)
# 4 Nardini (ML 12-1)
# 5 Smiling Shirlee (ML 20-1)
# 6 Rebalation (ML 15-1)
# 8 Governor Goteven (ML 20-1)
# 10 Sedamar (ML 6-1)
# 11 Eddie's New Dream (ML 15-1)
# 13 She's Devoted (ML 10-1)
Scratch # 7 Nice Ice (ML 30-1)
As you can see by my selections, I'm anticipating that this leg will be very formful. Warren's Showtime, Show finisher in the Grade 3 Bayakoa (on the dirt) last time out, has finished in the Trifecta each of the dozen times that she has competed on the Santa Anita turf, taking the top spot in half of those contests.
Leggs Galore is the defending champ for this event, and Leggs Galore can be expected to be prominent early. The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.
RACE 9 - [S] The California Cup Sprint $150k - Six Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Brickyard Ride (ML 9-5)
B's
None
C's
# 1 Rifey (ML 15-1)
# 2 Peaceful Transfer (ML 12-1)
# 2 Peaceful Transfer (ML 12-1)
# 4 Positivity (ML 3-1)
# 5 Loud Mouth (ML 10-1)
# 6 Letsgetlucky (ML 12-1)
# 6 Letsgetlucky (ML 12-1)
# 7 Principe Carlo (ML 6-1)
# 8 Colt Fiction (ML 3-1)
And here we have my second big ticket single in the sequence. For those who whish to spread, feel free to include any or all of Principe Carlo, Positivity, and Colt Fiction, who filled out the Trifecta in the $100k Cary Grant at Del Mar back in November. However, it's my opinion that Brickyard Ride will be just a bit too quick for that bunch, and will lead this field from gate to wire. So it's Brickyard Ride solo on my main ticket, with all others being used as backup "C" Selections.
RACE 10 - (F) [S] The California Cup Oaks $200k - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 8 Dendera (ML 12-1)
B's
# 1 Big Novel (ML 4-1)
# 2 Ellamira (ML 20-1)
# 3 Vivacious Vanessa (ML 4-1)
# 4 Munny Penny (ML 30-1)
# 5 Madiha (ML 20-1)
# 5 Madiha (ML 20-1)
# 6 Eleuthera (ML 15-1)
# 7 Professors' Pride (ML 5-2)
# 9 Precious Insight (ML 20-1)
# 10 La Deuxieme Etoile (ML 20-1)
# 10 La Deuxieme Etoile (ML 20-1)
# 11 Rose Dawson (ML 7-2)
# 12 Vaping Angel (ML 15-1)
# 12 Vaping Angel (ML 15-1)
C's
None
I'm using two singles in this sequence. Therefore, if by the grace of the Almighty my main ticket should still be alive going into the nightcap, I have absolutely no intention of sweating out this leg. This race has five fillies who have never competed on the grass before. In addition, there are three runners in this field who have yet to visit the winner's circle. This event just screams chaos. So for me it's everybody into the pool, and let's just hope that I catch a price.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P6: 2 with 8 with 4 with 9 with 3 with 8 $1.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.20 P6: 2,3,5 with 8 with 1,4,8 with 9,12 with 3 with ALL $43.20
A's with One C
$0.20 P6: 1,4,6,7,8 with 8 with 4 with 9 with 3 with 8 $1.00
$0.20 P6: 2 with 1,3,4,5,6,7 with 4 with 9 with 3 with 8 $1.20
$0.20 P6: 2 with 8 with 2,3,5,6,7 with 9 with 3 with 8 $1.00
$0.20 P6: 2 with 8 with 4 with 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,10,11,13 with 3 with 8 $2.00
$0.20 P6: 2 with 8 with 4 with 9 with 1,2,4,5,6,7,8 with 8 $1.40
Total: $50.80
Post Time for Race 5 is 5:05 EST / 2:05 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
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