Saturday’s card at Santa Anita features only one graded stakes, the Grade 2 La Canada, but it does showcase some solid races throughout the day. The two plays I’ll be making include a win wager and a daily double, each keying in on the main event.
Though lacking a stakes and running exclusively claimers and maidens, Sam Houston is an appealing track on which to wager due to its bettor-friendly takeout on multi-race wagers.
I hope Cement Clement and Rizwan will conspire for a pace that is at least honest, and that would be good news for my play, Manchurian High, in Saturday's Sunshine Millions Turf at Gulfstream Park.
An explanation is in order for the Beyer Speed Figure that California Chrome earned in the San Pasqual last Saturday at Santa Anita.
Marcus Hersh's horses to watch at Fair Grounds for the week of Jan. 13.
Dave Litfin's horses to watch at Aqueduct for the week of Jan. 11.
Brad Free's horses to watch at Santa Anita for the week of Jan. 11.
Trip Notes for January 9: Fort Lauderdale, Sham, San Pasqual, and more by Michael Hammersly.
A series of deep, competitive races make the 50-cent pick four at Gulfstream one of the more appealing wagers at that track Sunday. So let’s take a swing at hitting it.
California Chrome’s victory in Saturday’s San Pasqual was not the best performance of his career, but it wasn’t meant to be. The 2014 Horse of the Year was making his first start since his game second in the 2015 Dubai World Cup 9 1/2 months ago, and with a repeat engagement in the World Cup in his sights 2 1/2 months from now, the San Pasqual was merely a means to an end.
