There’s a $23,783 carryover in Sunday’s Sunset Six and with much of the northeast battening down the hatches for a potential blizzard – when will this winter end? – I figured this would be a perfect time to do a little write-up.
(I’ll also note there’s a Super High 5 Carryover of $16,854 and Santa Anita $2 Pick 6 Carryover of $40,088 on this card)
For more great info on these races, make sure you check out our regular writers, John Pinder on Gulfstream, and Dean Keppler on Santa Anita. They are giving great info every racing day and it’s all free.
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The Sunset Six, if you don’t know by now, is a six-leg wager that combines the last three at Gulfstream and the last three at Santa Anita. The terms are player-friendly: $1 minimum, 15% takeout, limited access to computer players.
Let’s dive in.
GP R8
3:49 et
#8 BOLT HOUSE goes first off the claim for Mike Maker, a potent angle in and of itself. She’s got speed and looks well spotted here. Even if she doesn’t win, she could help set it up for her stablemate.
That’s #7 PRINCESS SUMMER. She was starting to have that career maiden look before finally breaking through last time. I know she was short and supposed to win but I liked the way she did it, moving efficiently through the race and drawing away clear. I think she’s a contender who might offer some value.
#1 EQUITAS is another I’d like to keep on side. She’s getting back on what I think is probably her best surface and has an intriguing blend of positional speed and finish.
GP R9
4:19 et
#6 ELNAJD was an upset winner on debut but he was good in there and a few of them have some back pretty well, shoring up the form. He looks like the best speed and I need him on side.
There’s #1 NOTHINGSUBTLE about my case for the rail runner here – he’s tough and consistent and dropping in class after an admirable run against stakes company that was better than it looked as he was caught chasing against the flow vs. a 1/5 shot.
GP R10
4:49 et
#3 BIG MAGIC looks a clear selection from a race flow perspective – last time she was far back in a slow pace and this time there should be at least an honest gallop up front. That, plus the drop in class, should help her chances considerably.
#8 ICONA has an obvious look as well. She started her career with two competitive efforts in Ireland and the stateside debut against better company was solid as well.
#2 GELLHORN is interesting and could maybe get a little lost in the betting? You can ignore the turf debut based on the trouble early. She’s run a couple of decent numbers and dirt sprinting but she’s really bred better for a turf mile based on her dam being stakes placed under those conditions.
*dinner break*
SA 8
7:07 et
#5 REFOCUS looks very strong to me. He’s probably a better dirt horse and the stretchout to a mile should be within his scope based on how he finished up last time.
I’ll give #3 OUBABE another try on dirt as it’s my read that he’s been very unlucky on the surface and might be better on it overall. It’s possible he’s just a nibbler (career mark of two wins, eight seconds, and six thirds in 23 starts) but he fits too well here for me to fade.
SA 9
7:37 et
#4 GARDEN PARTY ran better than it looked in his lone downhill start, chasing in a slow pace after a tricky beginning. She can also be considered a flow upgrade from the last run. The pace looks fast here and she could be seen to much better effect. Not just a hunch play for Rick Nelson fans.
If this race flows to the front, #8 LONG MAYSHE REIGN may be the one to benefit. She’s been excellent turf sprinting in conventional configurations but oddly, has never tried the downhill. That’s a question, as is the layoff, but she’s got too much speed to ignore for me.
#9 AMERICA’S MARK is another to include – she’s well drawn and looks like a good candidate to love the downhill. Might be able to work out the perfect stalk and pounce trip if she’s ready off the layoff.
SA 10
8:07
#5 VICKY LYN disappointed twice as the favorite turf sprinting but maybe this added distance can bring her forward the required amount.
#8 HUMIDITY might have moved a hair early last time on a track that was tilted to closers and won by an odds-on shot. She’s got license to improve in her second start off the bench for an old-school outfit.
