Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for February 17, 2014
Race 1 |
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Race 2 |
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Race 3 |
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Race 4 |
Vulnerable FavoriteJET WARRIOR (#3, 8-5) has made no mistakes so far as he’s a perfect 2 for 2. That being said, those wins, while nice, came on BHP synthetic and turf here, meaning today it’s first time on dirt. And while those wins were nice, the Beyers weren’t any great shakes (76, 82). In fact, those figs leave him a long ways behind the likes of Memphis who ran 2nd here Dec. 28 while posting a 92 Beyer or Toledo Eddie who comes off a big win at BHP where he also posted a 92 Beyer. -Michael Hammersly
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Race 5 |
Spot PlayLADY SORELLA (#10, 7-2) ran a lot better than it looks in her fourth-place debut. Not quick, behind rivals into the lane, green, finished with run. Sure to improve. -Brad Free
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Race 6 |
Spot PlayThere is lots of suspect speed in maiden-claiming sprint to set up the stretch run for dropper WARRENSPOWERLOFLOVE (#9, 4-1). -Brad Free
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Race 7 |
Buena Vista Stakes by Marty McGeeEvery race should be as good as this renewal of the one-mile Buena Vista. There are some terrific turf mares in here but no clear-cut favorite, although clearly Egg Drop and the uncoupled Proctor duo of Pontchartrain and Customer Base belong among those taking the most play. Where to start? Well, value can usually be had in a deep spot such as this, and we’ll look toward the rail with Bejarano taking the call for Hall of Fame trainer McAnally on Miss Serendipity (#1), who was so well-prepped that she came favored in her North American debut five weeks ago, only to have a legit excuse when blocked at a critical venture. Yes, she will have to step it up Beyer-wise and otherwise, but Bejarano is riding with great confidence and skill, and the rail draw can’t hurt; let’s look for her to benefit greatly from that last out and the move to the grass and figure highly into the mix with a big late run. The play: key 1 first and second (and third, if you must, given how nicely any of these exotics figure to pay) in tri’s and supers with a handful of the other contenders, those being Egg Drop (#2), the popular, nearly-white mare who sure isn’t camera shy; Appealing (#3), who will be a price with the ever-dangerous Blanc aboard; Moone’s My Name (#5), another price play who can do better than her last; and Stormy Lucy (#9), who has never been better. (OK, OK, sprinkle in either or both of the Proctor horses if you must.) Good luck with what really should be a Presidents Day treat.
Spot PlayOn paper, UNUSUAL HOTTIE (#8, 20-1) is not “good enough” to win this G2. But she stretches out to her preferred route trip after a good sprint tune-up. Win or lose, she is likely to outrun her odds. -Brad Free
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Race 8 |
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Race 9 |
Spot PlaySHAME ON ALEX (#3, 6-1) hasn’t been seen in 11 months but that may actually be a good thing. After all, trainer Ellis is superb off the bench and this runner has been working superbly for his return (bullet 4fs in :46.60 here Feb. 13). Ellis isn’t one to hammer down on his runners in the a.m. so if one of his horses works fast it likely means that horse did it on its own. Not only that, but this guy is proven on this hillside course, having won smartly here exactly a year ago, off a layoff (albeit much shorter) no less. -Michael Hammersly
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