Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for May 1, 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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Race 6

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Race 7

Spot Play

PAY THE DEBT (#7, 9-2) may have turned the corner. The 3yo filly was a tough-beat 2nd for $20K here March 16 (beaten a neck) and then a game winner for $35K (won by a nose) here March 30. Now trainer Sherlock gives her a most encouraging hike in price to the $50K level. That speaks of confidence and also tells others that if they want to claim her that the price of poker just went up, a lot. Yes, it also means facing tougher but that can help keep your price buoyed. Her outside slot gives her a great starting position for her press-the-pace-and-go style. And while she’s up in class it’s not as if she’s facing any monsters here. -Michael Hammersly

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Race 8

Vulnerable Favorite

HIGHLY RATED (#4, 3-1) opens as the ML favorite off a bunch of recent close calls. But therein may also lie her problem – her last win came in August 2012 and there have been numerous good efforts since but she still failed to win. In 3 of those she ran 2nd as the 9-5, 7-5 and 9-5 favorite so she’s burned money before. She’s better at this level as she drops off a stakes try where she set the pace but gave way in the lane and that drop may attract money as well. Leading rider Bejarano was up for her last 4 starts but ends up elsewhere today, so read into that what you will. -Michael Hammersly

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