Hammersly: Santa Anita Pick 4 for Saturday, Sept. 30
While the first three legs of Saturday’s Pick-4 at Santa Anita (races 8-11) may prove fairly formful, an inscrutable final leg - a sprint stakes on the hillside turf course - could be where you find your price.
Race 8
BOLT D’ORO (#4) won his first two starts in grand fashion, and the way he powered home to win the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 4 indicates this longer trip should be no problem. He looks like the real deal. ZATTER (#2) pressed the pace in the Del Mar Futurity, took the lead into the lane, but then couldn’t quite fend off BOLT D’ORO, finishing second in a fine try. Both were flattered as third finisher Run Away came right back to win a stakes at Los Alamitos last week.
A’s) 2, 4
B’s) None
C’s) None
Race 9
DECKED OUT (#8) was making a strong move into the lane in the Grade 2 Mabee at Del Mar Sept. 2 when she ran into traffic and had to steady hard, losing her action and all chance. That was her first start of the year so she can surely improve. Two of her three wins have come here. AVENGE (#5) went too fast too soon in the Grade 1 Gamely here May 27 and paid the price, tiring to third in the lane. That was also her first start of the year. She then dueled and tired in the Mabee Aug. 5. She may be the controlling speed here. Four of her six wins have come on this course. GOODYEARFORROSES (#10) is a huge threat as she gave Lady Eli, likely the best in the division, fits when second in the Grade 1 Gamely here May 27. After that she was a sharp second despite trouble in the Mabee at Del Mar. The one concern is the far outside post but there’s no doubting her quality. GOLDY ESPONY (#2) has shown big ability at times and could be the spoiler.
A’s) 5, 8
B’s) 10
C’s) 2
Race 10
CUPID (#8) may not be quite up to the level of monster stablemates such as Arrogate, Collected, and Mor Spirit, but he’s still pretty darn good. He’s won four of his last five and his best effort by far came on this track when he romped in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 27. He’s worked well for this. CURLIN RULES (#4) was a smart second to the top pick in the Brubaker at Del Mar last time out Aug. 23. The son of Curlin appears to be putting it all together, making him dangerous. MIDNIGHT STORM (#3) has dangerous speed and is capable of freaky-big efforts when able to dictate the pace and when in the mood.
A’s) 4, 8
B’s) 3
C’s) None
Race 11
MISS SOUTHERN MISS (#11) easily won her only prior grass start, a stakes here a year ago. She hasn’t run in more than seven months, but she moves back to turf and shortens up off a string of strong works. SPIN ME A KISS (#9) has done nothing but fire bullets on turf. Her last two wins came routing, yes, but her three prior starts were on this hillside course and were strong (one win, two 2nds). TAPPED (#4) blew the start in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks last time out and couldn’t get into the game afterward. She moves back to sprinting and drops, both of which may be key. KENDA (#3) also was in too deep in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks waters, but she’s done her best work on this course (only two wins and only two 2nds came on this hillside course). Moving back to the hill along with the drop boosts her stock. STORM THE HILL (#5) found the 1 1/8-mile and Grade 1 foes too much to handle in the Del Mar Oaks last time out, but she’s got quality and figures to appreciate this distance cutback.
A’s) 9, 11
B’s) 3, 4
C’s) 5