Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for January 3, 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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Won’t knock chalk in this $25k claiming N2L on grass, but MERINGUE PIE (#2, 6-1) ran better than the line shows last out. Blocked at the quarter pole, stalled in traffic until deep stretch, he did not have a fair shot. He has speed to be forwardly placed. -Brad Free

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Race 6

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TOSHEEN (#2, 8-5) certainly deserves status as the favorite having won his last 2 and 3 of his last 4, including a big win in a race just like this here Oct. 18. He comes off a game win vs. more expensive at BHP Dec. 5 to show he holds his edge. All that being said, it’s not as if he’s run all that fast as his best dirt Beyer is 57 – hardly enough to have his foes quaking in their shoes. And he takes on a few guys who appear on their way up. -Michael Hammersly

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Race 7

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Australian-bred New Zealand shipper REMISE (#1, 6-1) had good form in the Southern Hemisphere; she finished first or second in four other starts while facing good company in big fields carrying a lot of weight. Good works for trainer Dan Blacker and a top turf rider in Corey Nakatani, and might just come out firing at an overlay price. -Brad Free

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Race 8

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FULLMERIZED (#5, 5-2) looks like a good linchpin for your multi-race wagers at the end of the card. The son of Dunkirk dueled and fizzled in his straight maiden debut at BHP Nov. 16 but dropped in for $50K, added blinkers and improved dramatically, finishing 2nd there Dec. 8. That run was flattered, too, as the guy he beat back into 3rd fairly easily (Papa’s Paisley) came right back to win here the other day. With that improving form and a good work since comes a further drop, which can get him his diploma. - Michael Hammersly

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