G1 Santa Anita Gold Cup

[Lemon Drop Husker]

The old Hollywood Gold Cup is now taking on the tradition at Santa Anita today with the G1 race in the 9th.

I don't have much of an opinion on this one as it looks pretty chalky with the :8::9: of Moreno and Catch A Flight.

Pretty weak field for a win and you're in to the BC Classic to be honest. So much so that turf specialist Finnegan's Wake is taking a shot in here.

I guess without Chrome and Shared Belief running on the West Coast, it is free game. Add in other damaged goods in the Older Male Division, and we got a G1 that looks much more like a G2 if not a G3 with a berth to the Breeder's Cup Classic on the line.

Either way, take a stab, stay away, or at worst post some thoughts about the race.

[dilanesp]

I think :9: Catch a Flight is a standout. The pace sets up for him perfectly, and he has a big edge on figures.

I don't really like the 5 to 2 price, so I am hooking him up in a double with :5: He Could in the 10th race (who I am also betting to win).

He Could is a second time starter who will learn from the experience from his first start down the hill. He had a nice workout as well.

In the 5th, I like the :11: Smooth Roller, a nice looking first time starter who is catching what looks like a very weak field.

In the 6th, I like the :8: Avenge, who likes the track and looks like a potential star.

And in the 7th, I like the :4: Sahara Sky, who has looked good in the morning and figures to get a favorable pace scenario.

[letswastemoney]

Everyone says Hoppertunity is overrated and overbet, but the race sets up for him.

He was screwed by the inside track bias on Stephen Foster night, although determining how much closer he would have finished is difficult. Still, a horse like Lea is better than Moreno probably, so he faced good competition.

I think Hoppertunity deserves one more chance. He wouldn't be wheeled back in 2 weeks unless Baffert thought he was feeling well.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Everyone says Hoppertunity is overrated and overbet, but the race sets up for him.

He was screwed by the inside track bias on Stephen Foster night, although determining how much closer he would have finished is difficult. Still, a horse like Lea is better than Moreno probably, so he faced good competition.

I think Hoppertunity deserves one more chance. He wouldn't be wheeled back in 2 weeks unless Baffert thought he was feeling well.

Just like The Mother Goose, I'll go opposed to your opinion.

[Ocala Mike]

I'll go with the in-form :4:, MOTOWN MEN, to pass the class upgrade test.

[Tom]

I'll take Hoppertunity in here.
Hard Aces looks like he will benefit in this race.

[FlintAtTheFetlock]

Sorry, missed this thread... Moving my comments over to here.,..
Good luck to all.


Going with :8: Moreno. Finnegan's Wake porked me last time so going with the solid form play.

__________________

[Lemon Drop Husker]

I'll take Hoppertunity in here.
Hard Aces looks like he will benefit in this race.

Don't douche.

[nijinski]

Just a pl bet here on the :2:

[Tee]

The price is good on Moreno right now. It's all up to the rider with him - make the right choices Cornelio.

[tophatmert]

God help me but Lideris looks like he might be standing up at the finish and that might get him something here. :10: with :2: :9: :11: .

[Kash$]

Hard Aces/Catch A Flight

Hard Aces gets a ground saving trip..

[HuggingTheRail]

Just a pl bet here on the :2:

Nice... :ThmbUp:

[Some_One]

Garcia got outridden there big time, Hoppy was coming back when he got back to the rail and saw the 2

[Tall One]

Don't douche.



I hope he boxed the douche.. :D

[letswastemoney]

Moreno is never going to win a race loaded with run-offs like Big Cazanova. I didn't understand picking him.

Hoppertunity just didn't corner the turn well and was too wide, but he covered more ground than Hard Aces. He's a good horse that was simply compromised by the bias at Churchill Downs on Stephen Foster night.

[Tom]

I hope he boxed the douche.. :D

Yup. ;)
There is a lobster in my immediate future.

[Tall One]

Yup. ;)
There is a lobster in my immediate future.



Solid day, bud..from both coasts... :ThmbUp:


WebService June 27, 2015 8:28 PM 926202 Race 9 Santa Anita WPS 2 Bet $6 $30

12 cold Budweisers, and a large pepperoni & mushroom for me.. :D

[tophatmert]

Hollendorfer and Sherman must be sick right now.

[dilanesp]

Hollendorfer and Sherman must be sick right now.

+1

Either one of those horses wins this race convincingly. And it would have helped Chrome's reputation a lot to win it.

[Tall One]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CIjIhbSWoAAy-Zg.png

[letswastemoney]

+1

Either one of those horses wins this race convincingly. And it would have helped Chrome's reputation a lot to win it.He already won Horse of the Year last year.

American Pharoah won Horse of the Year this year.

If he stayed home and won this, it would just reinforce the notion that Chrome is a California horse that picks on easy competition. I agree with the connections that pointing towards the Arlington Million is the right path.

[Ocala Mike]

Nice picks, Tom! I know the monkey helped you, though.

[nijinski]

Yup. ;)
There is a lobster in my immediate future.

Enjoy :ThmbUp:

[nijinski]

Moreno is never going to win a race loaded with run-offs like Big Cazanova. I didn't understand picking him.

Hoppertunity just didn't corner the turn well and was too wide, but he covered more ground than Hard Aces. He's a good horse that was simply compromised by the bias at Churchill Downs on Stephen Foster night.


Moreno has been passed at the wire consistently at this distance as of late .
8.5 to 9f fits him best .

[dilanesp]

He already won Horse of the Year last year.

American Pharoah won Horse of the Year this year.

If he stayed home and won this, it would just reinforce the notion that Chrome is a California horse that picks on easy competition. I agree with the connections that pointing towards the Arlington Million is the right path.

i agree about the Million, but it is possible to run in this race and the Million.

[raybo]

I'll take Hoppertunity in here.
Hard Aces looks like he will benefit in this race.

Hope you had that box exacta! I had Hard Aces ranked 3rd in my method, behind Hoppertunity and Moreno. Pace was hotter than I figured, even at Santa Anita. It's good to figure pace in more than one way; normal, fast, slow.

[plainolebill]

Moreno has been passed at the wire consistently at this distance as of late .
8.5 to 9f fits him best .

Has Moreno ever won at 10f?

[nijinski]

Has Moreno ever won at 10f?

No , was nosed in the 13 Travers .

[JustRalph]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CIjIhbSWoAAy-Zg.png


Damn, I didn't realize it was that close.......thanks for posting :ThmbUp:

[raybo]

Damn, I didn't realize it was that close.......thanks for posting :ThmbUp:

Yeah, if not for drifting wide coming out of the turn and being blocked from seeing the winner on the rail in early stretch, he probably wins the race. He had, IMO, the best late run in the field (not denigrating the winner's finish), just didn't get the prompting from the jock to open it up until it was a bit too late. Great finish!!