Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 7-Sixhoofsevenhoof (Race 6)
Race #1: Selections: 2-4-6
2-Grubauer looks like a low-price standout in the Los Al afternoon opener, having won four of his last five starts for trainer Tim McCanna and hitting the board in all nine career tries. The 4-year-old gelding holds a double Beyer (91,90) advantage based on his last pair of starts and returned to fire another four-furlong bullet drill on June 12. The late-closing 4-Final Storm drops out of the Thor’s Echo S. runner-up finish into this softer spot and has run well in both 6 ½-furlong tries for D’Amato. A 2022 stakes winner over this course, 6-Hard to Figure, removes the blinkers today for Team Baffert but finished fourth behind Grubauer in his most recent try on May 26.
Race #2: Selections: 4-3-1
Turf runners have traditionally done well when trying this course, and I’m hoping that is the case with the Rich Baltas-trained 4-Bolt Supremacy. The 1 for 20 5-year-old gelding shortens up with the move to the main track today on the class drop and should be rallying strongly down the long stretch with seven lb. apprentice Bautista. Blinkers off 3-Magic Account exits a solid second on May 30 at this level when finishing in front of a trio of today’s returning rivals. 1-Joey Brackets is 0 for 4 going today’s 5 ½-furlong trip, but exits a sharp 3 ½-length 1,000-yard score over the evening layout just 13 days ago.
Race #3: Selections: 1-2-9
1-Charmed Dream has speed and the rail while finishing second in three consecutive tries for conditioner Sean McCarthy at today’s $12.5k maiden claiming level. One more chance. 2-Expect Love finished third as the odds-on beaten favorite under the lights over the evening layout June 1, but ran well in her lone attempt over the afternoon program. This filly removes the blinkers today and deserves a long look in here, making her second start at today’s reduced level. 9-Arya’s Ride makes the all-important third career start for trainer George Papaprodromou’s barn, exiting a wide-trip improved third on June 12.
Race #4: Selections: 8-2-4
The speedy 8-Goldensunrise is nicely drawn outside, exiting a speed and fade try nearly two months ago for conditioner Andy Mathis. The good news is this gelding has continued to train steadily in the interim and is a multiple winner at today’s 5 ½-furlong trip. 2-Shady Appeal was outrun on turf May 11 but gets back to the main track today, where he was a game winner two back. The 4-year-old colt makes his third start off the bench today for trainer Jeff Bonde. 4-Rogue Son crossed the line first but was placed third via disqualification for drifting in the deep stretch when last seen trying this course last December. The 7-year-old gelding exits a better-than-looks seventh on May 2 and is eligible to improve today with the venue switch. He is reunited with winning pilot Kimura.
Race #5: Selections: 6-5-3
6-Angi’s Tipsy was trounced in her April 20 debut when breaking slowly and racing greenly. Since then, this daughter of Stanford has continued to train well for conditioner Steve Sherman, including a “best of 65” four-furlong bullet drill in :46.4 on June 14. She removes the blinkers today and is eligible to improve substantially for a barn that has solid second-time starter stats. 5-My Eliana exits a pair of non-threatening route efforts, but cuts back to a sprint this afternoon for trainer Gus Headley and had an excusable most-recent effort on June 6 when stumbling at the start and racing wide. 3-Devine Marina is by Oscar Nominated, who is 0 for 21 with debut runners according to DRF Formulator, and this barn is only 3 for 60 (5%) with firsters the past five years. Nonetheless, this filly has trained steadily for today’s unveiling, attracts Kimura, and lands in a weak field debuting with Lasix.
Race #6: Selections: 7-9-5
7-Sixhoofsevenhoof (by Dialed In) was a well-beaten fourth in a short field in his May 26 grass sprint debut for team O’Neill and now drops in for a first-time tag in start number two. This barn is 3 for 7 (43%) with a positive ROI with MDSW to Maiden Claiming dropdowns in career try number two. 9-Going Viral goes turf to dirt and drops in for a career-low tag. 5-Honor the Cat has been trounced by double digits in all three starts, but shortens up today and fired a sharp “best of 34” gate bullet drill on June 13.
Race #7: Selections: 7-4-8
7-Crypto Craze has run equally well over the afternoon and evening program at Los Al and has won two of his last three starts under the lights, facing similar. The 5-year-old gelding’s versatile running style makes him a big threat this afternoon for conditioner Sergio Morfin. The speedy 4-Bobby Anton finished third behind Crypto Craze in his most recent effort on June 1 and is eligible to improve off that sharp try, making his second start off the five-month freshening. 8-Stan From Malibu, beaten by double digits in the last four sprint starts at Santa Anita, this 5-year-old gelding takes a sizable class plunge this afternoon to a career low. He is off form, but did break his maiden over this course.
Race #8: Selections 3-4-7
3-Jarama has not been seen since last September at Del Mar when cruising to a 4-length maiden victory for trainer Tim Yakteen against maiden $50k claimers. The Danzing Candy gelding returns this afternoon for a $12,500 claiming tag but has trained steadily for today’s return to action for a decent layoff barn. A maiden winner over this course, 4-Valentines Candy shortens up to a sprint this afternoon, making his second start off the claim for trainer Gary Stute. This barn is 2-for-7 (29%) and 6-for-7 ITM with this claiming angle at Los Al. 7-Rhino hasn’t been out in seven months for trainer Rafael DeLeon, but is proven off the bench and has been training sharply over this course for his return effort. The 5-year-old gelding ran well in both local starts here and has good positional speed.
