Merry Day After Christmas and Happy Boxing Day! As is tradition, December 26 marks Opening Day for Santa Anita; and, as such, it makes for an unofficial transition from the three year olds of the current year (for whom the final three contests Monday are carded) to the three year olds of the next, who will officially be of Derby and Oaks age in less than a week. To celebrate the occasion the good people of Arcadia have given us a card where each of the final four races is a Graded Stakes; so let's get to it, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.
RACE 6 - The San Simeon (Grade 3) - Six and a Half Furlongs Downhill Turf
A’s
# 2 Hobbits Hero (Morning Line 15-1)
# 11 Bettys Bambino (ML 6-1)
B's
# 3 Stormy Liberal (ML 8-1)
# 9 He Will (ML 6-1)
# 12 Holy Lute (9-2)
C's
None
Scratch # 1 Jimmy Bouncer (ML 12-1) and # 10 Tough Sunday (ML 20-1)
Hobbits Hero has demonstrated an affinity for this course in the past, and his early foot should carry him well charging down the hill today. Bettys Bambino is a Graded Stakes winner charging down the hill; and while the extended vacation is a concern, Bettys Bambino has won off just works in the past, including his debut.
Stormy Liberal makes a sizable move up in class; but his recent efforts fit well with the contenders here. He Will could be the one running best late. Holy Lute won half of the Grade 3 Eddie D charging down the hill two starts back.
RACE 7 - (F) The La Brea (Grade 1) - Seven Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 3 Finley'sluckycharm (ML 5-2)
B's
# 2 Lightstream (ML 2-1)
C's
# 6 Chao Chom (ML 8-1)
# 7 Enola Gray (ML 9-2)
Finley'sluckycharm early or Lightstream late; that's pretty much how this contest shapes up, in my opinion. And while it would have been nice to see these two get at least one work over this main track, I think that these two are clearly the most talented runners in this field, and that should be sufficient to carry the day. However, should they both encounter difficulty handling the surface, Chao Chom and Enola Gray, who filled out the Exacta in the Betty Grable last time out, look to be the most likely beneficiaries.
RACE 8 - The Malibu (Grade 1) - Seven Furlongs Dirt
A’s
# 4 Ten Blessings (ML 3-1)
# 7 Sharp Azteca (ML 3-1)
B's
None
C's
# 2 Mind Your Biscuits (ML 5-2)
# 5 Jazzy Times (ML 8-1)
Scratch # 1 Navy Hymn (No Line)
Ten Blessings took a big step forward last time out in his fourth career start, and has been working well over this main track for Trainer Bob Baffert. Sharp Azteca is a Graded Stakes winner shipping in from the east, and his work here on the 19th suggests that he should handle this track well.
Mind Your Biscuits took the Show in The Breeders' Cup Sprint over this main track last time out. Jazzy Times could be challenging Sharp Azteca up front early, and just might be able to hold on late.
RACE 9 - The Mathis Brothers Mile (Grade 2) - Eight Furlongs Turf
A’s
# 2 Blackjackcat (ML 4-1)
# 4 Conquest Enforcer (ML 7-2)
B's
# 1 Mittersill (Ire) (ML 8-1)
# 3 Moonlight Drive (Ity) (ML 6-1)
# 8 Frank Conversation (ML 4-1)
# 10 Defiantly (ML 15-1)
C's
# 9 Blackout (Fr) (ML 12-1)
Scratch # 5 Fabozzi (ML 20-1)
Blackjackcat should benefit from the reduced amount of real estate that he'll need to cover today. Conquest Enforcer makes his California debut for Trainer Phil D'Amato after having taken the Show against older in a pair of Graded Stakes at Woodbine.
Mittersill (Ire) and Defiantly filled out the Quinella in The Let It Ride at Del Mar last month. Moonlight Drive (Ity) may be the runner here best suited to today's distance. Frank Conversation is too talented to leave off the big ticket, but I suspect that Frank Conversation needs longer in order to show his best. Blackout (Fr) could be the one running best late.
OK, that's the analysis. Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:
All A Entries
$1.00 P4: 2,11 with 3 with 4,7 with 2,4 $8.00
All A Entries with All B Entries
$0.50 P4: 2,3,9,11,12 with 2,3 with 4,7 with 1,2,3,4,8,10 $60.00
A's with One C
$0.50 P4: 2,11 with 6,7 with 4,7 with 2,4 $8.00
$0.50 P4: 2,11 with 3 with 2,5 with 2,4 $4.00
$0.50 P4: 2,11 with 3 with 4,7 with 9 $2.00
Total: $82.00
Post Time for Race 6 is 5:31 EST / 2:31 PST. Good luck to all.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
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