SA Race 8, leg 1: 6
#6 Spirit of Makena(8/5) looks tough in this year’s Triple Bend. The lightly raced five year old is making just his fifth career start, but he’s undefeated around one turn and has earned some big speed figures in doing so. The field he faces today doesn’t look very intimidating and he already defeated his biggest rival last time out when Forbidden Kingdom could not have had an easier trip and still got run down by Makena. Outside draw should allow him to get the same trip as last time and the work tab since his last start looks solid.
GG Race 8, leg 2:
Top pick in this spot will be #5 Table For Two (6-1). Again, this is a turf course that I think favors horses close to the front, maybe even more so with the rails at this setting. I think he could get a dream trip sitting just off the two speed horses. I know last time he came from way out of it, but two and three back he stalked the pace and ran well in those spots too so he’s a versatile gelding. His late pace figures are pretty strong and he’s certainly got the best blend of early and late pace figures. The horse that he dueled with two back returned to win yesterday. #9 Heat N Reheat (12-1) is light on figures, but is another who could get a nice stalking trip in here. He’ll need to take a step forward to be competitive, but I think that’s possible in just his second start on the grass and he’s definitely bred for it. #1 Anitanedmercedes (5/2) is a logical candidate to wire this field under the red-hot Evin Roman. He’s been a bit camera shy lately, but comes into this race with the best speed figures and just one other pace rival to worry about.
SA Race 9, leg 3: 7
#7 Paid in Gold(7/2) will be another single for me in this sequence. This maiden claiming route did not come up very strong, and the lightly raced three year old looks like a logical candidate to improve first time going long. She improved vastly when she switched to the turf course and finished a solid third despite a troubled trip. Her pedigree suggests she’ll enjoy stretching out and Glatt is above average with this move. She also looks like she should be on or near the lead since there’s really only one other rival with early speed and that could be a big advantage since she’s already shown she can close ground late.
GG Race 9, leg 4: 2,7
I usually try to take on the SoCal shippers at Golden Gate because they often get overbet, but in this case none of the locals look very strong so I want to try and lock up the pay leg with the shippers that have contrasting styles. #2 Bluegrass Go Go (5/2) has been wildly inconsistent in his last couple starts, but his good races are plenty good enough for this spot. He earned big figures two and four back against much tougher competition and he should be on the lead throughout from this inside draw. I like that Wright claims him and immediately protects him while switching him to the tapeta. Wright doesn’t have a huge presence in SoCal, so I have to assume he identified this guy as a horse who would appreciate the switch in surface and went and got him. #7 Mega Moon (6-1) ships up here in a rare Golden Gate appearance for trainer Peter Miller. He had a rough trip last time on the turf but still closed well late to get up for third. I’m not sure he’ll get a great pace scenario in this spot, but he does have the best kick and will be the one to fear late if the pace heats up.
Ticket:
SA 1: 6
GG 1: 1,5,9
SA 2: 7
GG 2: 2,7
$5 pick 4= $30 total
