Fri, 11/01/2013 - 13:51

Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for November 2, 2013

Race 1

Closer Looks >>

Race 2

Spot Play

Front-runner ANILLO (#5, 8-1) is the speed of this small field, racing in sharp form. He faces odds-on Flashback, who is stuck on the rail returning from a long layoff. -Brad Free

 

Fri, 11/01/2013 - 12:29

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile: State veterinarian scratches Taptowne with foot bruise

Barbara D. Livingston
Taptowne would have given trainer Tim Glyshaw his first Breeders' Cup starter.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Taptowne, who would have given trainer Tim Glyshaw his first Breeders’ Cup starter, was ordered scratched by the state veterinarian’s office at Santa Anita early Friday from the BC Dirt Mile because of a bruised foot.

Owned by a four-partner group that runs under the stable name of Clovertowne Farm, Taptowne was 15-1 on the morning line after drawing post 1 for the Dirt Mile. The gray 5-year-old gelding, an earner of more than $550,000 from 28 starts, has ample speed and was expected to be part of the pace in the race.

Fri, 11/01/2013 - 09:29

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf: Laughing eating light but still good to go

Tom Keyser
Laughing, expected to set the pace in BC Filly and Mare Turf, has proved to be a picky eater since arriving at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Laughing does not have quite the appetite in California as she does at home in New Jersey, but as of Friday morning the 5-year-old mare remained on target to set the pace Saturday in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

“I can’t say she’s banging the feed tub,” trainer Alan Goldberg said early Friday at Santa Anita. “At home she’d probably have 14 quarts (of feed). We’re getting nine or 10 into her here.”

Thu, 10/31/2013 - 16:30

Breeders' Cup workouts: Game On Dude still sharp for Classic

Barbara D. Livingston
She's a Tiger, with Gary Stevens aboard, works a half-mile in 48.45 seconds Sunday at Santa Anita.

The following are final thoughts on selected horses racing on Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup card from impressions formed over the past two weeks at Belmont Park and Santa Anita, with additional input from the rest of the Daily Racing Form clocker team, Mike Vesce in Kentucky and David Grening in New York.

Thu, 10/31/2013 - 16:15

Breeders' Cup notes: Dance Card, Summer Applause shortening up

Barbara D. Livingston
Summer Applause is shortening up from 1 1/8 miles to seven furlongs for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

Dance Card and Summer Applause, two of the challengers to Groupie Doll in the seven-furlong Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, have raced primarily in longer races, and their presence represents an angle frequently favored by handicappers: route horses going short.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he hopes Dance Card breaks more alertly than in her return from a 10-month layoff in the Sept. 21 Gallant Bloom at Belmont Park, where she finished third.

Thu, 10/31/2013 - 16:04

Breeders' Cup: Asmussen staying at Santa Anita

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Thursday that he plans to have a stable at Santa Anita this winter for the fourth consecutive season.

Asmussen said the number of runners and which horses will be sent will be determined in the coming weeks. He said he would send horses to California “if I think it’s the best thing for them.”

Thu, 10/31/2013 - 16:01

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf: Marketing Mix might make one December start

Shigeki Kikkawa
Marketing Mix might make a final career start in December after Saturday's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Marketing Mix, who starts in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita, will be retired at the end of this year, but a successful race Saturday could lead to another start in December.

Craig Bernick, president of Glen Hill Farm, said Thursday that the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup at Betfair Hollywood Park over 1 1/2 miles on turf Dec. 14 or two turf races in Hong Kong on Dec. 8 – the $2.8 million Hong Kong Cup over 1 1/4 miles or the $1.9 million Hong Kong Vase over 1 1/2 miles – are being considered for Marketing Mix.

Thu, 10/31/2013 - 15:56

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies: Sweet Reason stretches legs

Tom Keyser
Sweet Reason is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Sweet Reason, the morning-line favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies who worked a slow mile Sunday, stretched her legs through the lane Thursday, going an easy quarter in 27.36 seconds from the top of the stretch to the wire.

Sweet Reason was on the track for an extended period Thursday as the equine ambulance was on the track when another horse, not running in the Breeders’ Cup, needed to be vanned off.

After visiting the starting gate, Sweet Reason stayed alongside a pony until horses were allowed to breeze.

Thu, 10/31/2013 - 15:51

Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Diamond Bachelor blows out

Barbara D. Livingston
Diamond Bachelor, a 12-1 morning-line choice for the BC Juvenile, blew out a half-mile in 47.20 seconds Thursday.

Diamond Bachelor, who figures to be a pace factor in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, blew out a half-mile in 47.20 seconds Thursday over Santa Anita’s main track.

With jockey Julien Leparoux aboard, Diamond Bachelor zipped an opening quarter in 22.91 seconds before going a bit slower through the lane. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.37.

“That’s what we do with him – that’s how he likes to train,” trainer Patrick Biancone said.

The Juvenile will be Diamond Bachelor’s first start on dirt after making his first three starts on turf. He will break from post 12.