Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 4-Pioneer Prince (Race 1)
Race #1: Selections: 4-2-1
4-Pioneer Prince steps up in class off a solid gate-to-wire score just 13 days ago and now goes first off the claim for trainer Doug O’Neill. This barn has solid stats with new acquisitions, and Hall of Fame pilot Mike Smith is back aboard for the return ride. His stablemate, 2-Zio Jo, makes his second start off the extended 15-month break after clearly needing his first try back on July 27 when finishing a troubled trip eighth. Improvement is likely. 1-Kid Azteca is 0 for 6 going today’s one-mile trip but moves inside to the rail today and figures to work out a favorable ground-saving journey for conditioner Peter Miller.
Race #2: Selections: 1-5-8
Class dropping 1-Beatiful Janet goes turf to dirt for Hess off the two-month mini-freshening and is reunited with the winning pilot this afternoon. The 3-year-old filly broke her Maiden over the main track at Santa Anita going this one-mile trip two-back and fits well here. 5-Smile Baby Smile makes her third start of the form cycle today on the class drop and stretch-out for trainer Andy Mathis. This jockey-trainer combo teamed up to score with R B’s Tiger ($30.80) last Saturday. 8-Half Nelson has good speed from the outside and drops in for a career-low claiming tag. She was a well-beaten second over this main
Race #3: Selections: 1-3-6
1-Highlands shortens back up to her preferred one-mile trip (where she’s 3 for 6) and takes the necessary class drop this afternoon off two subpar efforts. She moves inside to the rail and should work out a favorable ground-saving journey. 3-Girl of My Dreams goes two sprints to a route today for Team O’Neill and is reunited with winning rider Antonio Fresu, who was aboard for her Maiden victory. Tampa invader 6-Platinum Diva has been well-rested, exiting back-to-back turf routes over the spring, and is confidently stepped up in class today for her Southern California unveiling. She’s had several local works and looks ready to fire.
Race #4: Selections: 2-4-9
2-Kangaroo Coast (a son of G1 winner Bodexpress) finished ninth of ten rivals in his non-threatening July 25 debut but is eligible to move forward considerably in career start number two. Trainer Tim Yakteen is a strong 5 for 16 (40%) with a $3.80 ROI with his second-time starters sprinting on dirt at Del Mar the past four years. 4-Whiskeyinateacup takes a decisive drop from MDSW to Maiden Claimers for conditioner Steve Knapp and gets a key rider switch to Juan Hernandez. Recently gelded 9-It’s Thirsty Time moves from the rail to the far outside for career start number three and drops in for a first-time tag today for trainer Steve Miyadi. He’s likely to show solid improvement with an alert break. 7-Mr Machupicchu finished a wide fourth as the tepid favorite in his last start when finishing in front of our top choice and can bounce back today while making his second start at this reduced $50k Maiden claiming level.
Race #5: Selections: 2-5-6
Lone Star shipper 2-Straight Luck makes his first Southern California start for new conditioner Phil D’Amato. He looks quick enough to clear these early with aggressive gate pilot Edwin Maldonado signed on, and this 4-year-old gelding has a strong record at today’s five-furlong trip (6-2-2-0). Blinkers on 5-Disko Tribute shortens back up to preferred five-furlong trip on the class drop for trainer Craig Dollase, who has had a solid seaside meet clicking close to 40%. 6-Known Idea has hit the board in four of five career starts for conditioner John Sadler and exits back-to-back game runner-up grass finishes over at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old colt shortens up to his shortest distance to date and arrives here on fresh legs.
Race #6: Selections: 2-5-9
Turf to dirt 2-Bowtie Boys returns off a 3 ½-month freshening today as a first-time gelding for trainer Time Yakteen and ran well over this main track strip last December. 5-Battle Cruiser was a wide, non-threatening seventh on July 25 in his first start over the local course and now drops back in for a tag this afternoon for conditioner John Sadler. The 3-year-old colt is back sprinting after three consecutive one-mile efforts. He finished a good second when last dropped in for a tag two-back with Hernandez aboard. Blinkers on 9-Fast Chaz moves back to dirt on the cutback and class drop and figures to be leaving strongly from her outside post for Team O’Neill. The 3-year-old colt is by Fast Anna (17% with dirt sprint starters) and could be tough to reel in if he successfully clears this group.
Race #7: Selections: 2-7-4
2-Andiamo Ragazza returns to the turf today for trainer Peter Miller, and when last seen trying grass, she was a sharp 3 ½-length Maiden debut winner at Golden Gate. The daughter of Smiling Tiger drops out of the Fleet Treat Stakes where she was clearly overmatched. This is a more realistic spot for a bounce-back effort. The lightly raced 7-Diamonds Bar Girl has not been seen since her Maiden turf sprint score over this strip nearly a year ago for trainer Brian Koriner. The 4-year-old filly has trained sharply for today’s return to action, and this jockey-trainer combo is a strong 4 for 11 (36%) with a $4.89 ROI the past four years. 4-Clubhouse Bride has some solid early zip on the class drop and should be able to clear this field in the early stages. This filly has been unable to maintain that stamina late, however. Maybe the class drop helps her do just that.
Race #8: Selections: 1-5-7
1-Triple Pass finished a much-improved second with a (65) Beyer when dropped to this level on July 21. The 3-year-old colt now makes the all-important third start of the form cycle today for Hernandez and McCarthy. He’ll be tough to overhaul if he runs back to that last figure. Blinkers on 5-Kissmeyoufool goes two sprints to a route this afternoon for conditioner Steve Knapp with an improving Beyer pattern. I’m not convinced, however, that two turns will be to his liking. 7-R Awesome Kid finished a much-improved second at 24-1 when dropped to this level at Los Al on July 4. The 3-year-old gelding’s two local works over the track haven’t been all that inspiring, however.
