Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for January 24, 2014

Race 1

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Race 2

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Race 3

Spot Play

TIZ MIDNIGHT (#5, 8-5) is lightly raced (two starts), bred to run long, and has an apparent pace advantage in this maiden route. She stretches out after a runner-up comeback behind a next-out winner. Come and catch her. -Brad Free

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Race 4

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Race 5

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Race 6

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Race 7

Vulnerable Favorite

MESANA (#5, 5-2) was awfully impressive winning her debut at BHP Nov. 28, stalking the pace and powering home to win going away and geared down. Heady stuff. That’s all well and good but that may translate in a shorter-than-should-be price today as it’s not only first time vs. winners but first time on turf. And how many of these big maiden winners have you seen go down in flames at a short price first time vs. winners, hmmmm? A bunch, that’s right. -Michael Hammersly

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Race 8

Spot Play

The apparently slow-working first-time starter JULIE S (#8, 4-1) debuts for Peter Miller, whose long-term win rate with maiden-claimers first-timers is 24 percent. Miller can get them ready to fire without fast workouts. -Brad Free

IPOLITA (#3, 3-1) was no factor in her first 2 starts, yes, but remember, both came vs. tougher straight maidens. Now she takes the most important drop in the game (straight maiden to maiden claiming) for a trainer who’s firing on all cylinders right now. Three solid works since say she’s doing well, obviously the drop helps and Ellis also adds blinkers for the first time (2 for his last 3, 67%, doing so). -Michael Hammersly

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