my doctor-mandated semi-hibernation is over. spent some time with the out-of-state tracks, but mostly just watched a couple races a week without any action. it's time to jump back in as the BC prep-season kicks into full swing over the next two weeks. mineshaft was absolutely awesome yesterday and i hope he makes the trip. no candy ride, no empire maker, no funny cide, but it should still be a good race. and the best thing for my odds in the BC Turf happened yesterday, sulamaani beat absolutely nobody, so he will be supported yet again on BC day- he has no chance and i can't wait to play against him. here's my initial thoughts from santa anita, pre-scratches.
r1: action this day. this one will probably be favored, and rightfully so, as the son of kris s. was asked the impossible for a two year old- win at a route of ground first time out. he ran credibly behind runaway winner coldntight and now gets to try again with the benefit of an educational spin last month. looks like the only worry is that native approval or courageous act get loose on the lead, but 'act looks like a sprinter only, so we'll take our chances.
r2: this race is usually an automatic pass for me as handicapping 10k claimers is not my forte, but i mention this only b/c i think pammy n'cami is a good play against a very short price. while she's been remarkably consistent in her career, her last work was so bad
39 and 4 for 3 furlongs??), that you have to wonder if she's going the wrong way or she's just not cranked up and coupled with the suspicious drop to 10k, i'd search for an alternative. i guess pearl hunt looks as good as any as at least she has some early speed, but if you find a better alternative, by all means go for it.
r3: storming home is the best turf marathoner in north america. period. irish warrior is the best of the rest in here. exacta.
r6 and r7: what's the over/under on the azeri/tates double going to pay? 3.40? good luck beating those two ladies.
r8: she's movin on. think she'll be helped tremendously by the drop as her big gate speed will carry her a lot further today. at 3/1 or better, she's probably worth playing. the other one to look at it is brite lassie- very good win early breeding with high brite on top, and good connections in krone/sadler. she may need one as she's only had one 6f drill, but if she gets away on the board, perhaps she merits a small play.
r9: i love halfbridled- i've bet her in both outs and she deserves to be odds on in here and will likely go favored next month in the BC juvenille fillies. however, i know how the second most talented runner is in here and her name is tarlow. she overcome a terrible start to run away in final eigth of a mile, much like halfbridled did her debut. now, she gives away the all-important seasoning edge to halfbridled, so perhaps we're just running to complete the exacta, but keep your eye out on this daughter of storming fever, who should absolutely love going two turns.
as long as i've been waiting for this card, you'd think the races would be fantastic- well they are, they're just not that appealing to wager on as the heavy favorites look everything like legitimate winners. if i was to try to beat one of them, it would be halfbridled (and pammy n'cami), but tates creek, azeri and storming home look virtually unbeatable.
r1: action this day. this one will probably be favored, and rightfully so, as the son of kris s. was asked the impossible for a two year old- win at a route of ground first time out. he ran credibly behind runaway winner coldntight and now gets to try again with the benefit of an educational spin last month. looks like the only worry is that native approval or courageous act get loose on the lead, but 'act looks like a sprinter only, so we'll take our chances.
r2: this race is usually an automatic pass for me as handicapping 10k claimers is not my forte, but i mention this only b/c i think pammy n'cami is a good play against a very short price. while she's been remarkably consistent in her career, her last work was so bad
39 and 4 for 3 furlongs??), that you have to wonder if she's going the wrong way or she's just not cranked up and coupled with the suspicious drop to 10k, i'd search for an alternative. i guess pearl hunt looks as good as any as at least she has some early speed, but if you find a better alternative, by all means go for it.r3: storming home is the best turf marathoner in north america. period. irish warrior is the best of the rest in here. exacta.
r6 and r7: what's the over/under on the azeri/tates double going to pay? 3.40? good luck beating those two ladies.
r8: she's movin on. think she'll be helped tremendously by the drop as her big gate speed will carry her a lot further today. at 3/1 or better, she's probably worth playing. the other one to look at it is brite lassie- very good win early breeding with high brite on top, and good connections in krone/sadler. she may need one as she's only had one 6f drill, but if she gets away on the board, perhaps she merits a small play.
r9: i love halfbridled- i've bet her in both outs and she deserves to be odds on in here and will likely go favored next month in the BC juvenille fillies. however, i know how the second most talented runner is in here and her name is tarlow. she overcome a terrible start to run away in final eigth of a mile, much like halfbridled did her debut. now, she gives away the all-important seasoning edge to halfbridled, so perhaps we're just running to complete the exacta, but keep your eye out on this daughter of storming fever, who should absolutely love going two turns.
as long as i've been waiting for this card, you'd think the races would be fantastic- well they are, they're just not that appealing to wager on as the heavy favorites look everything like legitimate winners. if i was to try to beat one of them, it would be halfbridled (and pammy n'cami), but tates creek, azeri and storming home look virtually unbeatable.
