Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for May 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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Race 6

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Race 7

Spot Play

NEXT SPEAKER (#1, 12-1) comes off some dull recent outings but you can be forgiving. After 2 smart wins on turf at AP he went to CD and was a smart 2nd in a very sprint. He then faded to run 7th there vs. much tougher ($62,500) and was claimed. He came here after nearly 4 months off, faded on this hillside course again to run 7th but was, again, facing much tougher than he sees here. He then blew the start in a strong dirt sprint here April 5 and was no factor, finishing 10th. This is a much better situation. He’s back to turf, his preferred footing, and well down in class. And 2 sharp recent works, including a bullet, show there are no ill effects from those last few outings. Best of all, those last 3 ugly finishes will keep his price lofty.

-Michael Hammersly

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Race 8

Vulnerable Favorite

SATICOY (#4, 5-2) was dazzling in his only start, romping home to win easily while posting a big fig (96). Trouble is, that was over 15 months ago – he hasn’t been seen since. It also came vs. maidens on a wet main track so not only is the layoff a big hurdle but those 2 aforementioned factors do not exist here. It’s first time vs. winners, on dry land and he’s also facing some guys who come here sharp. If he returns with that kind of form he wins, but as noted there are hurdles and you’re embracing a short price for the privilege of finding out if he’s ready to come back at full tilt -Michael Hammersly

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Race 9

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Race 10

Precisionist Stakes by Michael Hammersly

MAJESTIC CITY was no march for FURY KAPCORI when they met here Feb. 7 but there’s reason to believe the tables can be turned. MAJESTIC CITY won the Big Bear going a mile on this track before running into GG specialist Summer Hit when 2nd to that foe there in the Grade 3 Berkeley. He returned south and ran fourth in the Grade 2 San Pasqual, chasing the then-hot Blueskiesnrainbows.

He then ran into FURY KAPCORI going a mile here Feb. 7 and while ‘CITY has loads of speed and figured to press that rival, those plans went out the window from the bell as he blew the start to get away poorly. To his credit, despite being far back he finished with good energy to 3rd in a deceptively good effort. That was enough to convince trainer Ron Ellis to ship to OP for the Grade 3 Razorback March 15. Hey, Ellis isn’t one to ship lightly so the fact he took that risk should tell you something. Things didn’t quite work out, though, as MAJESTIC CITY was wide on both turns and didn’t show his usual early zip. Again, though, he ran on well, finishing 2nd to runaway winner Golden Lad with some very nice horses behind him (i.e. Grade 3 winner Taptowne in 3rd).

Ellils brought him home and has given him time to regroup. Obviously Ellis doesn’t have distance concerns as far as this trip goes; Saturday’s trip is the same as the Razorback. This 5-year-old horse has been working smartly, too. Ellis isn’t one to hammer down on his horses in the a.m. so if one of his runners works fast, odds are that runner did it on his/her own.

MAJESTIC CITY figures to return with his tactical speed. But don’t take that to mean he’s speed-crazy. Far from it. In fact, he may get a great trip here. FURY KAPCORI is no doubt the one to beat coming off three straight big efforts (Beyers of 104, 103, 107) and speed is his primary asset. However, another in here, BATTI MAN, is almost surely going to go, go, go early as well. After all, speed is his game and he doesn’t figure to just lie down and led FURY KAPCORI dictate things. These two have dueled before, with ‘KAPCORI getting the best of things. They may well lock horns again and if that’s the case, the in doing so some of the wind is taken out of FURY KAPCORI’s sails late that could set things up perfect for MAJESTIC CITY, who with his own speed figures to be sitting just off those two battling leaders. Oh, and SECRETSATMIDNIGHT isn’t exactly slow early either, so he could push ‘KAPCORI and ‘MAN along early as well.

In other words, MAJESTIC CITY may be in a great spot. He has the speed to ensure a good trip, should get a nice pace to stalk/chase, and judging by his works during this freshening he’s ready to return at full strength. Best of all, with ‘KAPCORI surely going favored MAJESTIC CITY’s price should stay in the very playable category, likely around 7-2. Keying him on top of those aforementioned three speedsters in the exacta could reap dividends, too.

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Race 11

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