3/20/21 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Preview

“Spring will come and so will happiness.  Hold on.  Life will get warmer.” - Anita Krizzan

Distance is the name of the game Saturday in Arcadia, as there are a pair of twelve furlong turf races on the card, including the Grade 3 San Luis Rey.  I'll be taking a look at that Graded Stake below, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Great Race Place.

RACE 6 - Clm $16k N2L - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Street Behavior (Morning Line 3-1)

B’s

# 3 Robin's Legacy (ML 15-1)

# 4 Kodiaction (ML 30-1)

# 6 Brazilian Summer (ML 4-1)

C's

# 1 Czechmight (ML 7-2)

# 5 Zorich (ML 7-2)

# 7 Prince Ricky (ML 5-1)

# 8 Speakerofthehouse (ML 6-1)

Not sure what was happening in the Racing Secretary's office for this race.  The conditions read, "For Three Year Olds Or Four Year Olds And Upward Which Have Never Won Two Races."  Well, that's just three year olds and up; why specifically mention four year olds?  Was the intent that three year olds did not have to meet the N2L requirement?  If so, no one got that memo, as the only three years olds in this field (Robin's Legacy and Brazilian Summer) both have only one Win apiece.

As to selections, if you can afford it, I would suggest giving strong consideration to hitting the "ALL" button in this leg.  The problem is that the best runners in this field, Zorich and Speakerofthehouse, have both become adverse to entering the Winner's Circle, combining for a Lifetime record of two victories in forty-six tries.  Either one could win; one of those two should win; but I won't be using either on my main ticket.  So if one of those two beat me, they beat me.

Street Behavior took the Show at this class level last time out.  Robin's Legacy graduated in his first try at two turn racing; maybe he just wanted distance all along.

Kodiaction could be the one running best late; providing that Kodiaction does better than he did in his only prior try over a Fast dirt track.  Brazilian Summer could move up with the stretch out.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - The San Luis Rey (Grade 3) - Twelve Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 2 Masteroffoxhounds (ML 5-2)

B's

# 3 United (ML 6-5)

C's

# 1 Acclimate (ML 4-1)

# 4 Say the Word (ML 5-2)

# 5 Multiplier (ML 20-1)

Masteroffoxhounds looks to be in top form, having won the Grade 2 San Marcos by daylight last time out; and Masteroffoxhounds should only be helped by the increase in real estate.  United is classiest here, and perhaps should be my top pick; but this is United's first race since November's Breeders' Cup Turf, and I think United may need a race.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 8 - [S] OC 20k/N1X - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Curry (ML 9-5)

B’s

# 1 Wilson Monk (ML 2-1)

# 4 Fratelli (ML 5-2)

C's

# 3 El Diablo Rojo (ML 8-1)

# 5 Shady Empire (ML 8-1)

# 7 See Through It (ML 10-1)

Scratch # 2 Neah Bay (ML 50-1)

Curry has taken the Place at this class level in each of his last two starts.  Curry could be helped by having a half furlong less to travel this go round.

It's not often that you see a five year old win their debut, but that's what Wilson Monk did last time out, over this main track.  Wilson Monk is trained by Phil D'Amato, who tends to do well when placing his last out Maiden winners.

Fratelli re-joins the barn of Trainer Peter Miller, for whom Fratelli has won in the past.  The backup ""C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - MSW - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 10 Eagle Chief (ML 4-1)

B's

# 5 No Foolery Here (ML 4-1)

# 7 Batukhan (Ire) (ML 8-1)

# 9 Hudson Ridge (ML 7-2)

# 11 Enough Nonsense (ML 6-1)

C's

# 1 Man Friday (ML 10-1)

# 2 Lalalandhellraiser (ML 20-1)

# 3 Airman (ML 10-1)

# 4 Granada Flavor (ML 20-1)

# 6 Special Mission (ML 20-1)
# 8 Pro Bono (ML 20-1)

# 12 Lone Scout (ML 12-1)

Eagle Chief has taken the Show at this class level in each of his last two starts, and Eagle Chief could move up in his first try at two turn racing.  No Foolery Here is another that could improve by going from sprint to route.

Batukhan (Ire) took the Show in his native Ireland in his debut last time out; and Batukan could benefit moving to the turf.  Hudson Ridge is another that could improve by switching surfaces.  Enough Nonsense has finished in the Trifecta at this class level in each of his last two starts.  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: 2 with 2 with 6 with 10 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 2,3,4,6 with 2,3 with 1,4,6 with 5,7,9,10,11 $60.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1,5,7,8 with 2 with 6 with 10 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 2 with 1,4,5 with 6 with 10 $1.50

$0.50 P4: 2 with 2 with 3,5,7 with 10 $1.50

$0.50 P4: 2 with 2 with 6 with 1,2,3,4,6,8,12 $3.50

Total: $69.50

Post Time for Race 6 is 6:55 EDT / 3:55 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo