Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for April 27, 2014

Race 1

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Race 2

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Race 3

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Race 4

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Race 5

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Race 6

Spot Play

MISS SUPER QUICK (#3, 9-2) looks ready to graduate. The daughter of top grass sire Rock Hard Ten showed talent back east last summer. After a long vacation (6 months) she resurfaced here for her Hall of Fame trainer (Mandella) and was a fine 3rd down the hill March 22. That shows she’s doing well, feels good in her new surroundings, handles the hill and has the requisite talent. She can certainly move forward off that run and a big bullet 5 work here April 20 (:58.80, best of 54 at that distance that day) screams that she’s ready. After all, Mandella isn’t one to really hammer down on his horses in the a.m. so if one of his horses works fast odds are they did it on their own. -Michael Hammersly

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Race 7

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Race 8

Wilshire Stakes by Michael Hammersly

When MOONE’S MY NAME ran on well for third in this race last year, at Betfair at Hollywood Park she looked like she might be a comer in the division. Alas, after that she wasn’t seen for over seven months. At least when she did resurface she did so nicely, winning a nice allowance race at BHP Dec. 5. That was enough to earn a shot at the Grade 3 Robert Frankel here Dec. 29 but that didn’t go so well (ran 5th). Then came a not-so-hot run in the Grade 2 Buena Vista here Feb. 17 and suddenly the questions were mounting.

But things got back on track March 29. That’s when in the American Beauty, on this course at this trip, she bided her time early, had some traffic issues turning for home but finished strongly to win going away. Apparently trainer John Sadler has her back on track and that run should set her up nicely for a big try here.

It doesn’t hurt many of the big gals on the West Coast for this type of trip aren’t in here. Good for her. But one thing that stands out is her versatility, how it gives her rider Victor Espinoza options. When she was second in the American Beauty last year she came from just off the pace. Her aforementioned Dec. 5 allowance win was done in wire-to-wire fashion. And, her American Beauty win here last month was achieved from well off the pace.

From her rail slot she can save ground and Espinoza can see how things develop. THEATRE STAR may make the pace, possibly prompted by JOURNEY ON and NICKELS WILD and maybe even PREMIER STEPS and PARRANDA. Regardless, MOONE’S MY NAME should fall into a great trip sitting just a few lengths off that. She can bide her time and with her versatility that means Espinoza can move early, if need by, or bide his time; whatever the situation warrants.

However the trip shapes up MOONE’S MY NAME looks well spotted for action. Just don’t expect to get rich on her as that last American Beauty win, after the promise shown, likely means she’ll only be in the 3-1 range. But we’ll take it. Exotically speaking there are a number of candidates to back her up.

PARRANDA comes here very sharp from Florida, having won four of her last six, one of those wins the Grade 3 Suwannee River, so she’s got quality. She also gets leading rider Rafael Bejarano for new trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Her tactical speed should have her in a good spot from the start.

PREMIER STEPS continues her ascent. Her form was spotty when she first came from France but she may well have figured things out here recently. She was a good second in a sprint on the hillside course Jan. 31 and backed it up with a very nice win on this course at this trip March 9. It’s a step up in class, yes, but she looks as though she may be ready for such a task.

THEATRE STAR lost her debut on AQU sod last over a year ago but has made no mistakes since. She’s won next four and done it with speed and versatility. Two of those wins came wire to wire but the other two were accomplished from just off the pace so while she may be the quickest here if someone outguns her early or is more eager to make the running, that won’t be an issue. What may be an issue is the class hike – this is the toughest bunch she’s faced.

NICKELS WILD is an interesting price play underneath. Her lone win came at this distance and while she’s yet to beat winners her last three starts show talent. She was fourth (beaten just 2 1/4 lengths) in the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel Dec. 29, was a solid second vs. N1X foes here Feb. 9 and then a respectable fifth (beaten just 2 3/4 lengths) in the Grade 2 Santa Ana March 16 so she’s handled herself well vs. some tough gals.

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Race 9

Vulnerable Favorite

SHARED IMAGE (#7, 5-2) flashed talent when 3rd for $50K in her debut here Jan. 19 but was then no factor when 6th twice vs. straight maidens this winter. She’s been freshened since and now takes the most important drop in the game, hence the reason she may well go favored. But they don’t give anything away out here so considering she ran well for $50K just over 3 months ago it’s a tad disconcerting they’re now willing to part with her for much less than even that ($20K). And you’ll be taking the risk at a short price. -Michael Hammersly

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