Free: How I'd play Santa Anita, Gulfstream on Saturday, Feb. 6
ARCADIA, Calif. – Binoculars, television monitor, or both?
The binoculars will be trained Saturday on live races at Santa Anita, including four graded stakes and the 2016 debut of Songbird. The television monitor will be tuned Saturday to Gulfstream Park, where a second-start maiden and a Grade 1 contender offer wagering appeal at double-digit odds. With a little luck, it could be a super Saturday.
Santa Anita, race 2
Second-time starter THORN LEGACY (5) is sitting on a win. First out, he pressed a fast pace, fought back late, and earned a decent 57 Beyer Speed Figure. The horse who beat him, Passau, is the favorite in the first race. Thorn Legacy is worth a win bet at 6-1 or higher as unretired jockey Chantal Kruse (formerly Sutherland) seeks her first win since March 16, 2014.
Santa Anita, race 5
It’s tough to envision SONGBIRD (6) losing this Grade 2 race. But a longshot maiden could sneak into the verticals. SHE’S A WARRIOR (1), who is not a confirmed runner, is better than her 20-1 odds. She was compromised by a speed bias last out, rallying to be second while lengths clear of third. At 10-1 or higher, assuming similar odds in exotics, She’s a Warrior is an exacta/trifecta mate under Songbird.
:: Santa Anita: Buy PPs, watch Saturday’s card live
Santa Anita, race 6
ROCK SHANDY (10) is preferred in this N1X turf mile while stretching out from a useful prep sprint. At 6-1, he is a must-use in the late pick four. CAPTAIN TIM (11) is second preference, but not by much. At 10-1, he offers win-bet value and inclusion in the pick four.
Captain Tim is by Candy Ride, whose progeny have better numbers on dirt and synthetic than grass. But the dam of Captain Tim is a Kris S. mare who produced Cloud Man, a turf specialist. First-time turf for Captain Tim is worth a straight bet at 6-1 or higher. In the unlikely event that Rock Shandy also starts at 6-1 or higher, he also is worth a win bet.
Santa Anita pick four, races 6-9
Rock Shandy and Captain Tim in race 6, followed by “all” in race 7, an inscrutable edition of the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes. HAY DUDE (8) is favored in race 8, the Grade 2 San Marcos. He offers marginal value at 5-2 but could be the most probable winner on the card. In race 9, Jerry Hollendorfer entered the first-time starter SEVENTH SENSE (12), who held his own while working in company with Robert B. Lewis Stakes (race 4) contender I Will Score. Hollendorfer also entered OPPORTUNISTIC (6), whose debut looked like a prep race. He can improve.
Pick 4 (50-cent wager, $16 total)
Race 6: ROCK SHANDY (10) and CAPTAIN TIM (11)
Race 7: All (1-8)
Race 8: HAY DUDE (8)
Race 9: OPPORTUNISTIC (6) and SEVENTH SENSE (12)
The above takes care of the binoculars. On the Gulfstream simulcast, two price plays entice.
Gulfstream Park, race 7
SUPER SUMMER (1) has shown speed in morning works, according to Daily Racing Form clockers Mike Welsch and Mike Vesce. But in his debut, the colt broke slowly and finished sixth. With a clean start second out, he could upset. Super Summer is listed at 12-1 and worth a win wager at 6-1 or higher.
:: Gulfstream: Buy PPs, watch Saturday’s card live
Gulfstream Park, race 12
TAKEOVER TARGET (7) ran a lot better than the line looks in his fifth-place comeback. He was bottled up behind runners on the far turn, had to wait, negotiated traffic, steadied slightly in the lane, and finished with run.
Takeover Target is a lightly raced (eight starts) colt who won two graded stakes last year against 3-year-olds. His comeback against older was the best race of his career. With a clean trip second start back, he could upset. Listed at 10-1, he is worth a win bet at 6-1.