Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 3-Get The Gold (Race 3)
Race #1: The 0 for 14 1-Carol’s Comic has had several close calls to break through the Maiden ranks including a combined 7 place and show finishes since May of last year. The 4-year-old gelding has run well here and may have finally found a field he can handle. 5-Stan From Malibu sprung to life on the class drop and surface change with a sharp 2nd place finish on June 2 when flashing good speed. His field’s best last out Beyer of (69) makes him a big factor with this dubious group. 4-Lord Tripping has worked well for today’s unveiling for trainer Ryan Hanson and need not be much to compete here. This gelding is by multiple Grade 1 winner Lord Nelson but this sire is only 2 for 44 (4%) with debuting 3-year-old & up prodigy. Mixed feelings.
Selections: 1-5-4
Race #2: 1-Dancing Soul was overmatched in most recent try just 6 days ago in $40k stake event when finishing 9th and last but her efforts two and three-back on the evening program were solid. She has speed; the rail draw and takes a substantial class drop. 2-Roses R Blue has lost 15 straight for trainer Steve Knapp but drops from $20k N3L claimers into $6,250. 3-Half Hoping comes off back-to-back strong tries on both the evening program and afternoon layout. This mare should be passing horses late.
Selections: 1-2-3
Race #3: 3-Get The Gold goes turf to dirt on the turnback for trainer Kristen Mulhall and makes the all-important 3rd career start. This colt was hardly disgraced in first two grass starts and posted an eye-catching “best of 27” 3 furlongs in :34.3 on June 19 at Santa Anita. He gets in light this afternoon and appears primed for top try. 4-Gypsy Tears attracted decent tote support in slow starting debut on May 28 when finishing 4th beaten less than a length earning close to par for this class level. A strong threat here with any normal second-out improvement. 6-Luke Grazzie has not been out in 7 months for Miller but adds Lasix off an encouraging worktab and did show some ability last fall—albeit on turf.
Selections: 3-4-6
Race #4: 3-Moon Time has shown little in 5 career starts but gets the complete makeover this afternoon. The gelding adds blinkers; goes turf to dirt and drops from $50k to $20k Maiden Claimers. His recent a.m. drills have improved presumably with new equipment in place. 6-Tiger’s Arrow is 0 for 17 but comes in here with some competitive evening program form going 1,000 yards and could show more early zip on the stretch-out and quick turnaround. 4-Reign Over Me goes turf to dirt and drops to a career low off the mini-freshening.
Selections: 3-6-4
Race #5: 6-Corporal Klinger is by Grade 1 winner Army Mule who gets a solid 17% with his debuting offspring. This 3-year-old comes in here with some decent well-spaced works and is worth a stab at first asking. 5-Irondale comes off a sharp 2nd (placed 3rd via DQ) for stretch interference in most recent start at this level on June 10. The 5-year-old gelding makes career start number 14 this afternoon but lands in super soft spot. 2-We Need Marketing goes turf to dirt on the cutback while dropping back in for a tag. This colt hasn’t shown much to date but could spring to life at this reduced level.
Selections: 6-5-2
Race #6: 4-Black Magician is a tad light on Beyers but adds blinkers today after flashing good speed in last couple starts while facing better. He battled hard in the most recent start 14 days ago through some taxing fractions. The gelding drops in class this afternoon and makes 3rd start of the form cycle for trainer Hector Palma. 1-Tembo finished 2nd in only a three-horse field in most recent start at Santa Anita on May 21 but comes in here with an improving Beyer pattern on the turnback. This gelding is 1 for 1 over the afternoon course and fits well here for conditioner Steve Miyadi. 6-Sonic Brees drops to a career low and is proven over this racetrack.
Selections: 4-1-6
Race #7: 6-Sugar Sugar was a well-beaten 3rd in first start against winners on June 11 but drops in class today for trainer Steve Knapp and picks up hot rider who opts to ride here over lightly raced ML favorite Signora Minister. 2-Little Liliana showed solid ability in both grass starts at Del Mar, but each effort was followed by an extensive layoff. This 5-year-old mare has not been seen since August 2021 but has worked well for long-awaited return and this barn is 4 for 15 (27%) at Los Al with horses returning >180 days. 4-Teen Drama was overmatched in last on turf but returns to the main track at a reduced level and turned in a 3-furlong blowout bullet drill on June 18.
Selections: 6-2-4
Race #8: 6-In Vronsky Style has never tried dirt but has been freshened since last April 22 grass win for D’Amato and recent drills over this strip have been super solid. This 6-year-old gelding gives all indication he can more than handle the main track. 7-Handsome Gary is a Jonathan Wong re-claim who hasn’t been out since March 26 3rd place finish and $16k purchase. He’s 1 for 1 over this course, however, and is reunited with winning rider who guided him to victory three-back. 2-Upward Mobility disappointed in lone dirt try in debut back in February but his pedigree suggests he should handle the main track just fine and he should appreciate today’s turnback to 6 furlongs.
Selections: 6-7-2
Race #9: 3-Kings River Knight has 4 wins and 4 seconds from 9 career starts for Sadler and is back on the main track after sharp gate-to-wire score in the Crystal Water. He looms a likely repeat winner with Hernandez in town for the return mount. This gelding sports a versatile running style allowing him to adjust to any pace scenario and should be tough right back at short price. 6-Positivity has more early zip than he’s shown in last two starts and drops out of back-to-back graded stakes for Team O’Neill. 1-None Above the Law disappointed in the Crystal Water Stakes when returning off a 6-month hiatus but should be much sharper this afternoon while returning to his preferred dirt footing. This Grade 2 winner broke his Maiden over this strip.
Selections: 3-6-1
