Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for January 23, 2014

Race 1

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Race 2

Spot Play

A blowout maiden win last August stamps ADVISORY (#3, 3-1) as a standout. The pace of the field, he returns from a five-month layoff with a once-a-week work pattern for a winning stable. He should be long gone. -Brad Free

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Race 3

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Race 4

Spot Play

The speed is NEW ORDER; the upset candidate is EXPONENTIALLLY (#6, 7-2). He returns to his favorite surface (dirt) at the short distance of five and one-half furlongs, and would get first run if the pacesetter falters. -Brad Free

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Race 5

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Race 6

Spot Play

RED SHARP HUMOR (#4, 5-2) dueled in a spot like this when last seen at BHP Nov. 23 and while he ran only 5th he still ran very well. After all, despite dueling he was beaten just one length. Pender now only saw fit to claim him that day (4 for last 16, 25%, off a claim) but has freshened him up for his first start for him. He has speed to be in a good spot from the start, but is by no means a need-the-lead type, and some snappy recent drills indicate he’s ready to fire off the freshening. With the Pick-6 carryover this guy could be a linchpin for your ticket. -Michael Hammersly

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Race 7

Spot Play

A pick six single is MISS WELL MOLDED (#4, 9-5). She drops from N2X, and recently defeated better. Her placement in this optional $25k claimer makes sense. -Brad Free

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Race 8

Vulnerable Favorite

RUNAWAY QUE (#3, 2-1) is certainly the one to beat off a fine 2nd in a race like this here Dec. 27. That being said, one of today’s foes (Bluegrass Fox Trot) was less than a length behind him in 3rd, and from a Beyer standpoint ‘QUE doesn’t have much of an edge, if any at all. While he earned a career-top fig (57) note foe Keeneland Kitten has registered slightly higher and a couple other rivals are right in ‘QUE’s ballpark figure-wise. -Michael Hammersly

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