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

Race 1

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Race 2

Vulnerable Favorite

EUROCLYDON (#11, 2-1) may well go favored due to the significant class drop but her best form has come on turf – we’re playing on dirt today. And while the drop can surely help, she didn’t get any assistance from the draw as she got assigned a very wide post, meaning she could get hung out to dry. -Michael Hammersly

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Race 3

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Race 4

Spot Play

VELVET MESQUITE (#2, 7-2) returns to the hillside course on which she won her first two starts. Good figs, good style, good price. -Brad Free

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Race 5

Spot Play

INCLUDE THE CAT (#1, 5-2) is sitting on a win. The 7yo mare was gone a while (nearly 8 months) but came back to be a solid 3rd at this trip and level here Jan. 26, and then an even better 2nd (beaten only a neck) at this trip and level here Feb. 23. Three of her 5 wins have come on dirt so the surface is no issue, and her last 2 show the level and distance right up her alley, as well as the fact she looks very good after the lengthy vacation. -Michael Hammersly

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Race 6

Spot Play

YOMYBATO is preferred, but longshot ACCELERANT (#9, 12-1) could outrun his price. He is racing his way into top shape and making his third start back. -Brad Free

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Race 7

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Race 8

Spot Play

Route-to-sprint MERINGUE PIE (#5, 12-1) is qualified to upset. He engaged in a blazing speed duel last out, and tired. The pace figure he earned in that route fits this sprint; front-runners that fade at two turns sometimes find a home sprinting on the hill.-Brad Free

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Race 9

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