6/28/15 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

It's closing day at Santa Anita, with racing not scheduled to return until September 25.  The Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano is on the card as Race 4; but unfortunately that won't be a part of the sequence that we'll be playing, as we take yet another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 7 - [S] (F) Md $50k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Cattle Queen (Morning Line 7-2)
# 2 Take It Easyplease (ML 4-1)

B's

# 3 Only in the Movies (ML 12-1)

# 8 Gorgeous Georgia (ML 9-2)

# 6 Just Peachy (ML 12-1) has been scratched.

Cattle Queen, one of several second time starters in this field, took the Show at this class level last time out.  Cattle Queen has the best last out Beyer Speed Figure in the field, excepting Take It Easyplease, whose number was earned on turf rather than dirt.

As mentioned above, Take It Easyplease has earned the best Beyer Speed Figures in this field; but on the grass, rather than on dirt.  If she can carry her form over to the main track, then she will do well here.  Only in the Movies and Gorgeous Georgia are a pair of first time starters that merit consideration as none the experienced runners has yet earned a Beyer Speed Figure approaching par for this class level.

RACE 8 - Hcp 25000s - Ten Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 2 Big John B (ML 5-2)

# 6 Salah Champ (ML 4-1)

B’s

None

# 9 Macho Sox (ML 12-1) has been scratched.

This contest is open in any runner which has started for a claiming price of $25k or less in 2014 or 2015.  Big John B prepped for his big run last Summer at Del Mar by first winning a similar contest on Santa Anita's closing day last year; a run that saw Big John B winning the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap.  The concern is that Big John B barely picked up his feet his last time out, so it's fair to wonder if his best days are now behind him.

Salah Champ, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, has finished in the Exacta in ten of his eleven career tries on the turf; though this will be his first time competing on the Santa Anita course.  Expect Salah Champ to be forwardly placed early.

RACE 9 - (F) Clm $25k N2L - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Sweet Silver (ML 7-2)

B’s

# 4 Ill Tell You What (ML 5-1)

C's

# 5 Fab Four Ever (ML 10-1)

# 7 Mothernaturespell (ML 4-1)

# 6 Zanab (ML 5-1) has been scratched.

Sweet Silver takes a huge drop in class here, not just in price but in also going from open claimers to this contest limited to non-winners of two lifetime.  Sweet Silver also regains the services of Jockey Rafael Bejarano, who was on board for her maiden score back in March.

Ill Tell You What took the Show against open $25k claimers two starts back.  Jockey Tyler Baze, who was on board in that race as well as the one in which Ill Tell You What graduated, gets the mount again today.  Fab Four Ever graduated last time out; Trainer Eddie Truman does a fine job of getting his last out winners to pose for the camera again.  Mothernaturespell, trained by Doug O'Neill, gets some class relief here.

RACE 10 - (F) Md $50k - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 12 Ya Ya Girl (ML 5-2)

# 13 Katy Drama (ML 7-2)

B's

# 5 Barbs Angel (ML 6-1)

C's

# 7 Canadian Exchange (ML 8-1)

# 8 Scuti de Patuti (ML 4-1)

# 9 Our Candy Charm (ML 15-1)

# 2 Dana's Delight (No Line) is a program scratch; but don't bring in # 14 Aylara (ML 8-1) off the Also Eligibles List, as she gets the afternoon off as well.

Ya Ya Girl has taken the Place twice against more expensive in her four race career; albeit both times while charging down the hill, rather than on the flats.  Katy Drama missed graduation by just a nose last time out against more expensive over this turf course at today's distance.  Barbs Angel, who competed against winners last time out on the downhill course, tries routing on the flat surface for the first time. 

Canadian Exchange, Scuti de Patuti, and Our Candy Charm are all making their first start on the flat turf course after having sprinted on the downhill course, and each of them should appreciate the stretch out in distance.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 2,7 with 2,6 with 3 with 12,13 $8.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 2,3,7,8 with 2,6 with 3,4 with 5,12,13 $24.00

A's with One C 

$0.50 P4: 2,7 with 2,6 with 5,7 with 12,13 $8.00

$0.50 P4: 2,7 with 2,6 with 3 with 7,8,9 $6.00

Total: $46.00

Post Time for Race 7 is 7:14 EDT / 4:14 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo