SRK
02-10-2008, 02:22 PM
Race 1
There aren’t any classy horses, but plenty of interesting angles to follow in today’s wide-open opener, for Maiden Claimers. The most important of which might be, don’t bet on proven losers at this level. That tag describes the morning line favorite, Catch Candy (6), who is a bet-against for the win, but still should be considered underneath in your exotics. Then the question becomes, who do you bet on? There are several. Four Paws (9) drops from straight maidens, exits a fast paced heat, gets a favorable post, and her trainer does well with this type of move. Although the inside is not the place to be, both halves of the entry have some appeal. Emily’s Tiger (1) flashed very good speed in a productive debut going downhill on the turf course, and Zoe’s Marq (1a) lost all chance at the start vs. better in her debut. Ellis does well with 2nd timers and both have worked well for this. Coquihalla (scratch) has plenty of things to consider, including a new jock, shorter distance, new track, drops in class, and adds blinks. If that’s not enough, trainer Dollase does well with his 2nd timers as well. Startjumpin Marnie (7) finished just behind Candy in her debut, closed nicely, and if she moves forward, will be in the mix. Iggy is a real concern in the saddle., however. Finally, Classy Attraction (2) ran into a lightening fast pace in her last, and was reasonably close while being hung out in the 12 post at 5.5F. She got up to be second, of 12 starters. The connections aren’t the best, but if you’re spreading, I’d put her on your tickets. You can make a case for several more in here. An interesting handicapping puzzle.
Race 2
NekoBay (2) is the 2/1 morning line favorite here, and call me a skeptic, but once again, I’m going to try to beat the chalk. First or second in 5 lifetime starts, it’s a fair question to ask, “why try the turf?” He doesn’t even have a published workout over the turf. Coming off a 10 month layoff, I’m guessing either Shirreffs is thinking “its now or never,” or “good tune up for whatever is next.” That points toward Thousand Words (5) as the most likely candidate to take down top honors. This is Words preferred surface, having won or placed in several Group events in Europe, and I won’t even try to second guess Frankel. Plus – Words very respectable warm up for this was in the track record setting G2 San Pasqual, where he checked in just behind the top two finishers in yesterday’s G2 San Antonio. With several stretch-out sprinters entered, late running Yodelen Dan (7) figures to be picking up the pieces late. Dan is almost always in the hunt, and he comes off a victory in his last, a fast paced affair at 9F. Did I mention – Dan is my father’s name !!!! Of the speed horses entered, Preacher Brown (6) looks the most likely to last the longest, and is a threat to hit the board.
Race 3 scratch Mary Me Larry (7)
Some cheap looking, rather unattractive ladies line up for today’s third. I’m not ready to go out on a limb for any of these, but Mary Me Larry (scratch) is one of the prettier of the bunch. She won her last at the 10K level, and takes a small hike back up the class ladder. She faced much better last year, and also has wins on the AW, at SA, and at the distance. Stress Free (2) drops in class, and if she sits a little closer to the pace this time, might just might find herself in the right place at the right time as they straighten up for the stretch drive. Katispsublue (5) also drops, and if she’s ready, will be passing the leaders late. Only one work so far this year, makes we wonder, though. Finally, Queen of the Derby (1) ran credibly in her last, drops in class, and should take them a long way today. Yuck. Not much to look at here.
Race 4
Well, this is more like it. Some good looking and classy ladies get a chance at the big time in the G2 La Canada. One that won’t be running is early morning line favorite Tough Tiz’s Sis. She partied yesterday, and that leaves Dawn After Dawn (1) who saved herself for this, as the solid choice. Dawn faced some of last year’s hottest fillies, only to have her comeback party ruined when her girdle slipped in the El Encino. She’ll be attending this event with her stud muffin escort Gomez, and very capable chaperone Mr. Sadler. She’s my true love here. Many of these 9 furlong races are won on the front end, and Eoin Harty’s trainee, Say You Will (4), will try to do just that. She had a very nice tune-up going down the hill, has worked steadily since, and owns a win at the distance over the Keenland AW track. Frankel had two winners yesterday, and just missed with two others. He sends out Down (5) here. She is sharp, and will be coming late.
There aren’t any classy horses, but plenty of interesting angles to follow in today’s wide-open opener, for Maiden Claimers. The most important of which might be, don’t bet on proven losers at this level. That tag describes the morning line favorite, Catch Candy (6), who is a bet-against for the win, but still should be considered underneath in your exotics. Then the question becomes, who do you bet on? There are several. Four Paws (9) drops from straight maidens, exits a fast paced heat, gets a favorable post, and her trainer does well with this type of move. Although the inside is not the place to be, both halves of the entry have some appeal. Emily’s Tiger (1) flashed very good speed in a productive debut going downhill on the turf course, and Zoe’s Marq (1a) lost all chance at the start vs. better in her debut. Ellis does well with 2nd timers and both have worked well for this. Coquihalla (scratch) has plenty of things to consider, including a new jock, shorter distance, new track, drops in class, and adds blinks. If that’s not enough, trainer Dollase does well with his 2nd timers as well. Startjumpin Marnie (7) finished just behind Candy in her debut, closed nicely, and if she moves forward, will be in the mix. Iggy is a real concern in the saddle., however. Finally, Classy Attraction (2) ran into a lightening fast pace in her last, and was reasonably close while being hung out in the 12 post at 5.5F. She got up to be second, of 12 starters. The connections aren’t the best, but if you’re spreading, I’d put her on your tickets. You can make a case for several more in here. An interesting handicapping puzzle.
Race 2
NekoBay (2) is the 2/1 morning line favorite here, and call me a skeptic, but once again, I’m going to try to beat the chalk. First or second in 5 lifetime starts, it’s a fair question to ask, “why try the turf?” He doesn’t even have a published workout over the turf. Coming off a 10 month layoff, I’m guessing either Shirreffs is thinking “its now or never,” or “good tune up for whatever is next.” That points toward Thousand Words (5) as the most likely candidate to take down top honors. This is Words preferred surface, having won or placed in several Group events in Europe, and I won’t even try to second guess Frankel. Plus – Words very respectable warm up for this was in the track record setting G2 San Pasqual, where he checked in just behind the top two finishers in yesterday’s G2 San Antonio. With several stretch-out sprinters entered, late running Yodelen Dan (7) figures to be picking up the pieces late. Dan is almost always in the hunt, and he comes off a victory in his last, a fast paced affair at 9F. Did I mention – Dan is my father’s name !!!! Of the speed horses entered, Preacher Brown (6) looks the most likely to last the longest, and is a threat to hit the board.
Race 3 scratch Mary Me Larry (7)
Some cheap looking, rather unattractive ladies line up for today’s third. I’m not ready to go out on a limb for any of these, but Mary Me Larry (scratch) is one of the prettier of the bunch. She won her last at the 10K level, and takes a small hike back up the class ladder. She faced much better last year, and also has wins on the AW, at SA, and at the distance. Stress Free (2) drops in class, and if she sits a little closer to the pace this time, might just might find herself in the right place at the right time as they straighten up for the stretch drive. Katispsublue (5) also drops, and if she’s ready, will be passing the leaders late. Only one work so far this year, makes we wonder, though. Finally, Queen of the Derby (1) ran credibly in her last, drops in class, and should take them a long way today. Yuck. Not much to look at here.
Race 4
Well, this is more like it. Some good looking and classy ladies get a chance at the big time in the G2 La Canada. One that won’t be running is early morning line favorite Tough Tiz’s Sis. She partied yesterday, and that leaves Dawn After Dawn (1) who saved herself for this, as the solid choice. Dawn faced some of last year’s hottest fillies, only to have her comeback party ruined when her girdle slipped in the El Encino. She’ll be attending this event with her stud muffin escort Gomez, and very capable chaperone Mr. Sadler. She’s my true love here. Many of these 9 furlong races are won on the front end, and Eoin Harty’s trainee, Say You Will (4), will try to do just that. She had a very nice tune-up going down the hill, has worked steadily since, and owns a win at the distance over the Keenland AW track. Frankel had two winners yesterday, and just missed with two others. He sends out Down (5) here. She is sharp, and will be coming late.