Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for November 3, 2013

Race 1

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Race 2

Spot Play

INSIDEONDOUTSIDE (#3, 5-1) hasn’t had much racing luck in his last 2 starts, and not only did traffic hurt him but so, too, did the level of competition. He’s down in class and while those last 2 results don’t look pretty on the face of it (6th, then 7th) he didn’t run badly either time and since many will view those results as poor it should keep his price boosted despite the class drop. -Michael Hammersly

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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

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Race 8

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Race 9

The one-time Euro performer APPEALING came to the U.S. this spring and made an immediate impact. After a good third in her U.S. debut down the hill here she then won down the hill and was then a romping winner at this distance at Betfair Hollywood Park May 19. That was enough to earn her a stakes shot there, in the Redondo Beach. That didn’t go so well as she dueled and paid the price but trainer Paddy Gallagher wasn’t dismayed – he tried her in another stakes, the Osunitas, at Del Mar July 20. She didn’t get the win but her effort validated his optimism. Instead of dueling this time she bided her time and finished well to be a respectable fourth. That was enough to convince Gallagher to try deeper waters in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon there Sept. 2 and at 34-1 she darn near spoiled the party. As in the Osunitas she had a difficult post (No. 9), was a bit slow into stride and bided her time toward the back. However, she came with a strong run through the lane and it was only the grit of EGG DROP (who she faces again here) that kept her from getting the brass ring. In other words, she’s a proven commodity now. She’s again mired on the far outside but she’s shown the versatility to give her rider options, which can help her avoid getting hung out to dry early.

As noted, EGG DROP beat APPEALING in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon and is surely the one to beat here. Still, the margin was negligible (a head) so there’s very little between them and maybe this time with a bit more racing luck APPEALING can turn the tables. Even so, EGG DROP is a must-use both on top and underneath APPEALING.

There are two others who hold much interest. MORE CHOCOLATE has been facing some of the division’s best on dirt and synthetic in recent months, having run in four Grade 1s and a Grade 2 in her last five starts. Today’s drop not only helps but the surface switch may be key, too. After all, two of her three wins have come on turf and her strong third in the Grade 3 Bobby Frankel here last Dec. 30 shows she’s got the quality to not only run with these, but to beat them.

CUSTOMER BASE is a rugged filly who comes off a sharp rallying second in a stakes on this course at this trip Oct. 5. She was fifth behind EGG DROP and APPEALING in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar prior but was too far back, leaving her with too much to do. Still, it’s not as if she was embarrassed (beaten 2 1/4 lengths). The fact she bounced back to nearly win the Swingtime here Oct. 5 shows there are no ill effects and she could easily be a player here. - Michael Hammersly

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Race 10

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