Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 5-Rosy Edge (Race 2)
Race #1: Class dropping 4-Spirit Maker returns off a two-month freshening for Sadler and has run well at this 1 1/8 mile trip. The gelding looks to have a slight edge in the special Monday afternoon program. 5-Don’tcrossthedevil returns off an extended layoff while stretching out while making second career start on grass. The D’Amato barn usually has these types ready to fire fresh and the blinkers come off today on this gelding who started his career 2 for 2 at Remington. 1-Bee Catcher rarely finds the winner’s circle but drops in class this afternoon and draws the rail while making third start of his form cycle. He’s one that can fill out the vertical exotics.
Selections: 4-5-1
Race #2: 5-Rosy Edge goes 2nd off the claim for trainer Mark Glatt who is a strong 8 for 22 (36%) with a $3.34 ROI with this maneuver in dirt sprints at SA. The 4-year-old filly moves back to the main track today where she was a good 2nd two-back and now drops back down to $20k purchase level. 4-Danehill Song flashed speed and tired on turf in most recent effort against straight MDSW types February 19 and now makes first start for a tag. This barn has solid numbers with this substantial class drop and this gal gets in light this afternoon. 6-Sapadilla is 0 for 10 but has been competitive at this bottom-level in 3 consecutive starts and was only a head behind in most recent try February 12 when finishing in front of similar.
Selections: 5-4-6
Race #3: 2-Bluegrass Go Go was eased and walked off when rank and badly outrun in the San Felipe (G2). He now returns to earth in this Maiden Claiming event where he was runner-up two-back behind stakes-winning Henry Q who romped with a (93) Beyer speed figure at Sunland Park. 3-Abeliefinthislivin returns off a 7-month freshening for trainer Peter Miller after showing solid ability at Del Mar last summer. This son of Arrogate adds Lasix today; has trained extremely well for his return and will be a handful if he can replicate that 2-year-old form. The other Miller runner is first time starter 5-Mega Moon. He’s by multiple G1 winner Frosted and comes in today’s debut with some strong a.m. drills. His sire gets 10% winners with 3-year-old and up debuting prodigy and this lucrative jockey/trainer combo are 4 for 11 (36%) overall with dirt sprint runners at SA.
Selections: 2-3-5
Race #4: 5-Book Smart was a much-improved sharp second when pressing the pace in most recent effort February 3 (his first start in southern California) and now makes second start off the bench for conditioner Mark Glatt. He’s never tried turf, but his sire Stanford gets a respectable 15% with his grass sprint prodigy. 2-Wyfire has 4 runner-up finishes from 10 starts and returns off a two-month freshening today. The gelding is winless since maiden victory back in August 2020, however, and is tough to back on the win end with much confidence. 6-Zookeeper adds blinkers and Lasix on the cut back in distance today and is usually forwardly placed.
Selections: 5-2-6
Race #5: A small but contentious group of fillies and mares line up here for this optional $20k claiming 1x one-mile dirt event. A multiple winner over the track and distance 6-Starship Defiant removes the blinkers today stretching back out and owns the field’s best last-out main track Beyer (72). 2-She’s a Bit Sassy is unproven on dirt but drops in class today shipping back in from Golden Gate and adds blinkers for trainer Luis Mendez. The filly’s breeding suggests that dirt should not be an issue. 1-Glorious Spring goes two sprints to a route today and has finished second 3 out of her 4 tries at this class level.
Selections: 6-2-1
Race #6: 6-Arrest just missed in recent start against slightly better and removes the blinkers today for trainer Mike Puype. Both recent efforts at a mile have been solid. 3-Birth of Cool drops in class today after being outrun on January 27– a race that’s produced a pair of next-out winners. Today’s reduced level appears more fitting. 5-Rosenquist flashed speed and tired at long odds while returning from an 8-month layoff. The 5-year-old gelding removes the blinkers today; drops in class and is reunited with winning rider. Upset chance.
Selections: 6-3-5
Race #7: 2-Coffee in Bed was an 19/1 upset debut winner back in January over a pair of next-out winners. This daughter of Curlin has been coaxed along slowly for trainer Richard Mandella and should be ready to fire off the 10-week freshening. A $290,000 auction purchase 5-Anywho makes first start in southern California since switching barns off Aqueduct debut score last October. Her local a.m. works have been encouraging. 1-Getthemoney has speed and the rail returning off a six-month freshening and has some snappy a.m. drills for today’s return try with Lasix for conditioner Brian Koriner.
Selections: 2-5-1
Race #8: 7-Tiergarten comes off back-to-back 2nd place finishes at this level and at today’s mile trip. An obvious threat again off the mini freshening. 3-One Arrow stretches out for the first time this afternoon and makes 2nd start at this $50K Maiden Claiming level. Perhaps she’ll take to two turns. 8-Cheekiest held on well for third against similar off a 3-month layoff and has trained well since then. Improvement is likely.
Selections: 7-3-8
Love this. !!