Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 6-Song of Fire (Race #8)
Race #1: 3-Mamba Cool has not been seen in 14 months after earning a strong (74) grass Beyer in runner-up effort over this turf course and distance. This lucrative jockey/trainer combo are 4 for 8 (50%) with a $3.95 ROI with horses returning off greater than 180 Days on grass at Santa Anita. 6-Just About Enough holds the recency edge and is the likely pacesetter this afternoon. 4-Talklessworkmore stretches back out after a solid 3rd place try and makes 2nd start off the freshening.
Selections: 3-6-4
Race #2: 4-McWherter goes turf to dirt; drops in class and should be tough to reel in at this reduced level. First time gelding 2-Manitowish has trained well for return and O’Neil is 3 for 8 (38%) with 2nd off the claim runners returning off of 180 days plus. 1-Black Storm is a consistent hard hitting veteran gelding that’s 10 for 46 lifetime. Trainer Jeff Metz, however, is 0 for 19 with 2nd off the claim runners at Santa Anita.
Selections: 4-2-1
Race #3: 7-Square Cat is the likely pacesetter on today’s stretch-out for trainer Brian Koriner but has yet to show winning desire with 4 third place finishes from 5 starts. One more chance. 8-Overregulated makes the all-important 3rd career start and second attempt on grass. Another move forward for Team O’Neil puts this gelding in the mix. 1-Erebus is now 0 for 11 but has run some competitive grass numbers for this class level and draws the rail. This gelding is running out of excuses, however.
Selections: 7-8-1
Race #4: 5-Mr. Lovejoy this 14-time winner now located in the barn of trainer Vladimir Cerin goes turf to dirt this afternoon and makes 2nd start off the extended layoff. The veteran 7-year-old gelding is 6 for 11 at today’s 5 ½-furlong trip and projects to be today’s speed of the speed. 2-Big Sport was a beaten favorite in last when 2nd best to Starship Chewbacca but should be able to reverse that decision over that gelding making his 2nd start off the layoff and shortening up in distance. 1-Starship Chewbacca has won 4 of his last 5 starts while moving up in class and will be running on late again.
Selections: 5-2-1
Race #5: 3-Lambeau has been plagued by layoff lines throughout his career but has high cruising speed and lands in a paceless short field for return try. A strong wire-to-wire threat if allowed to set a moderate pace. 2-Masteroffoxhounds has been freshened and gets major class relief for trainer Richard Baltas. 5-Ecrivain is a multiple G3 winner over in France and makes his U.S. unveiling today with Lasix for trainer Richard Mandella.
Selections: 3-2-5
Race #6: The lightly raced and speedy 2-Good Vibes Only goes 2nd off the claim today for trainer John Sadler and this jockey/trainer combo are 3 for 4 (75%) with a $6.40 ROI with this angle. Recent Maiden winner 3-Dixie’s Two Stents has run some of the quickest dirt Beyers in this field and fits very well at this level. 6-Make Mine Wine goes turf to dirt in career start number three and was a Maiden winner in main track debut start back on January 15.
Selections: 2-3-6
Race #7: 3-Nero adds blinkers and goes 2nd off the claim for trainer Neil Drysdale. The 7-year-old makes his 3rd start off the extended layoff and could be the frontrunner in a paceless event if aggressively sent from the gate. 2-Bran is also making his 3rd start off the layoff today; adds Lasix and takes a significant class dive from graded-stakes competition. 5-Commander drops off troubled trip and is a multiple winner at this track and turf distance with solid Beyer numbers.
Selections: 3-2-5
Race #8: 6-Song of Fire deserves another chance at this level off a decent 2nd place try when making first start over this Southern California surface. This jockey/trainer combo scored with three double digit horses last week: Park Avenue ($13.80), Loud Mouth ($15) and Shes’a Perfectlady ($16.60). 4-Whistlers Style drops back to level of game 2nd place finish from two-back and last pair of turf Beyers are very competitive against this group. 1-Cheerful Charm has trained steadily since last 4th place finish at this level back at the end of January and could trip out nicely from the rail behind speedster Naughty Evelyn.
Selections: 6-4-1
