Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for February 2, 2014
Race 1 |
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Race 2 |
Spot PlayLAKE MARACAIBO (#6, 8-5) towers over this maiden-40 starter field. She was tons best in her maiden-20 win last out going long on dirt, and has run well on the downhill turf course. -Brad Free
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Race 3 |
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Race 4 |
Palos Verdes Stakes by Michael HammerslyThe compact field lessens the possibility of find a pricey gem here but as they say, there’s a winner in every race and even if the likely short-priced SECRET CIRCLE gets the job done there’s still the chance the right exacta hook-up can turn an even-money shot into a 3-1 or 4-1 exacta payoff. In order to do that, however, you have to eliminate one of the two big favorites, either SECRET CIRCLE or SAHARA SKY. Nice and powerful as he is, we’re going to take a stand against SAHARA SKY and hope that can buoy our exacta. SECRET CIRCLE, hard as it may be to believe, might actually be underrated. The 5-year-old has finished 1st or 2nd in all 9 starts – but toss the 4 routes and you’re left staring at a perfect 5-for-5 in sprints. He came back after 18 months to win a strong optional claimer here Oct. 14, earning a 104 Beyer. That set him up perfectly for a swing at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint here Nov. 2 and showing his versatility he bided his time and came on smartly to get the win. He’s been freshened again and the son of Eddington has shown that he can fire big off the bench. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s 3 for 3 in sprints here and he’s been working lights-out in recent weeks to indicate he’s feeling quite spry and ready to return. SAHARA SKY is a beast, no doubt, but there are a couple reasons we’ll try take a swing against him and hope to keep him out of the exotics. First, it’s his return after over eight months on the sidelines due to injury. He handles this track and trip, no doubt – heck, he’s the defending champ. But you always wonder how they’ll return from injury and style-wise he’s the one who will be doing the chasing. Certainly SECRET CIRCLE has more speed. ‘CIRCLE figures to stalk the pace and pound; ‘SKY figures to lag back, gather himself and come storming home, but in doing so he’s letting ‘CIRCLE play white in chess: he gets first move. And ‘CIRCLE’s higher cruising speed means a headstart, too. MAJESTIC STRIDE may be coming into his own and ready to make a big splash in the sprint ranks. The son of Trippi was gone almost 19 months before returning to first win easily at Barretts and then win easily over N2X foes here. That earned him a shot at the aforementioned BC Sprint and he had to show a new dimension – versatility – as the sizzlers got away from him early, leaving him in 7th. However, he showed he could finish and pass horses as he ran on well for 4th, just 1 1/2 lengths behind SECRET CIRCLE. He next went in Betfair at Hollywood Park’s Grade 3 Vernon O. Underwood, dueled and drew off. Not only do you have to like his current sharpness, and the fact his Beyers keep trending north, but that speed may be his biggest asset. He may well be the quickest one in here so if he can break sharply and go right to the lead, odds are SECRET CIRCLE isn’t going to run headlong into a duel, and likely WILD DUDE on the rail and MOONSHINE BAY on the far outside aren’t quite as quick; and surely ‘SKY figures to be at the back early. That means MAJESTIC STRIDE may get to dictate things and play come-catch-me. Oh, SECRET CIRCLE is probably a bit too good and will likely run him down but there’s every reason to think this guy will keep improving and keep running, and maybe the buffer zone he establishes between himself and SAHARA SKY is too much for that foe to overcome in the lane.
Spot PlayIt will be a surprise if SECRET CIRCLE (#4, 4-5) gets beat. Sensational workouts, speed for a good trip, low-odds standout and a “single” in every exotic. -Brad Free
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Race 5 |
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Race 6 |
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Race 7 |
Spot PlayThe knock on top choice Cat Burglar is low odds. FOOTBRIDGE (#2, 6-1) goes second start back from a layoff in a race that should unfold perfectly for his closing style. -Brad Free FOOTBRIDGE (#2, 6-1) is 2nd-time Lasix for 2nd start post long layoff, & comeback run came on turf, which is not his thing. Going 2 turns at SA he got within a neck of Govenor (sic) Charlie when that colt was at his peak.- Marcus Hersh
Vulnerable FavoriteCAT BURGLAR (#3, 8-5) has a lot going for him and surely deserves to be favored here. But 2 things he does not have going for him are the likely short price and the fact this spot came up very tough. Yes, he’s got tactical speed, versatility and has run fast (earned a 96 Beyer here Jan. 4) but he faces some very tough customers who are in the same ballpark Beyerwise on their best day. -Michael Hammersly
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Race 8 |
Spot PlayBERTRANE (#5, 12-1) is a half-bro to highly competent SoCal turfer Big Bane Theory. Long string of works for debut – they’re not flashy, but neither were any of them on grass. Barn capable with this type.- Marcus Hersh
Spot PlayLUCKY JACK (#3, 10-1) is an interesting longshot possibility. Yes, his first 2 starts weren’t very pretty but despite that it’s most encouraging trainer Gaines does NOT drop him in class. Note, too, rider Garcia stays. Those were both sprints but today the 3-year-old gelding gets a crack at routing on turf, and that may be what he wants. After all, he’s kin to Super Ability (3 for 6, 2 for 2 on turf) and Highly Rated (2 wins, both on grass). There’s no obvious big power lined up against him and his 2 running lines will surely keep the price lofty. -Michael Hammersly
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