SRK
03-16-2008, 02:15 PM
Race 1
A compact and rather placeless field contest today’s opener at a mile, for $25,000 3-y-o filly claimers. Hottodi (1) was not totally embarrassed while overmatched trying stakes company on the turf, in her last. She’s back on the AW, and that is a winning move for trainer William Currin. Applaud Dubai (5) finished just behind the top choice two back. She has shown a hint of zip sprinting, and has worked well since returning from her second place effort, up at Bay Meadows, as the even money favorite, at this same tag. She attracted Russell Baze in that one, but the jock switch back to Almeida doesn’t help, though. I don’t recommend playing tri’s in six horse fields, especially when the favorite figures. Another horse with a good chance to hit the board, however, is Queen Holly (2) who usually gets close, likes the AW, and should be finishing better than the rest of the come from behinders.
Race 2
A fairly mediocre group of state-bred maiden claimers try seven furlongs here. None inspire much confidence, including tepid and vulnerable morning line fave Benchmark Kid (10). He has already failed twice at this level, finishing behind Raingear (5) both times. That one is no cinch either, but figures to be prominent here. Two who might pop up are second timer Pre Edge (7) who recovered from a slow start in his debut to finish with interest in a decent time for this level. Toppler (9) has also proved he belongs with this kind, and should be a fair price on the board. I’d include both on your tickets.
Race 3
This time it’s the allowance crowd that go 7F. They look somewhat evenly matched, on paper, so I wouldn’t get too carried away with any of them, including morning line favorite Valiant Effort (2). He certainly has the “numbers” to get the job done, but the question is, can he handle the open company, after handling the Calbreds. Trail Mix came out of the same race as Valiant Effort’s last, to win yesterday, but against modest $10k claimers. Another vulnerable favorite, but would be no huge surprise either. The list of possible up setters include, Instant Action (5) who proved he belonged in this group in his last. In fact, he has finished first or second in nine of his ten lifetime starts. Informed (3), shortens up for Bob Baffert, after a brief vacation. He has been training very nicely for his return, and if the fave takes just one bad step, should be ready to pounce. He has never beaten winners, however. If Tall Texan (6) moves forward in his second start for Richard Mandella, he figures for a slice. He looks like 7 furlongs should be to his liking, and will get some pace to close into.
Race 4
Thankfully, there are only 6 now scheduled to start this midlevel sprint, because I’m having trouble piecing the few pieces of the puzzle that there are, together. Or put more confidently, there are no real standouts here. Let’s start with the M/L favorite, Seven Secrets (4). He’s never tried 6 furlongs, nor has he won on the AW. Connects are decent, but he is winless on this circuit, including four tries at this level or lower. Very iffy. Kamsack (2) will have to move forward in his second try after a 3 ½ year layoff. He takes a slight class drop, and gets a big jock switch to Talamo, so apparently his connections are expecting him to do just that. Both Wheaton Hall (7), who might find things a little easier up front today, and Make Mine Vodka (6), who had a troubled trip, exit the same race as Kamsack. Either could win this, and add to my confusion here.
A compact and rather placeless field contest today’s opener at a mile, for $25,000 3-y-o filly claimers. Hottodi (1) was not totally embarrassed while overmatched trying stakes company on the turf, in her last. She’s back on the AW, and that is a winning move for trainer William Currin. Applaud Dubai (5) finished just behind the top choice two back. She has shown a hint of zip sprinting, and has worked well since returning from her second place effort, up at Bay Meadows, as the even money favorite, at this same tag. She attracted Russell Baze in that one, but the jock switch back to Almeida doesn’t help, though. I don’t recommend playing tri’s in six horse fields, especially when the favorite figures. Another horse with a good chance to hit the board, however, is Queen Holly (2) who usually gets close, likes the AW, and should be finishing better than the rest of the come from behinders.
Race 2
A fairly mediocre group of state-bred maiden claimers try seven furlongs here. None inspire much confidence, including tepid and vulnerable morning line fave Benchmark Kid (10). He has already failed twice at this level, finishing behind Raingear (5) both times. That one is no cinch either, but figures to be prominent here. Two who might pop up are second timer Pre Edge (7) who recovered from a slow start in his debut to finish with interest in a decent time for this level. Toppler (9) has also proved he belongs with this kind, and should be a fair price on the board. I’d include both on your tickets.
Race 3
This time it’s the allowance crowd that go 7F. They look somewhat evenly matched, on paper, so I wouldn’t get too carried away with any of them, including morning line favorite Valiant Effort (2). He certainly has the “numbers” to get the job done, but the question is, can he handle the open company, after handling the Calbreds. Trail Mix came out of the same race as Valiant Effort’s last, to win yesterday, but against modest $10k claimers. Another vulnerable favorite, but would be no huge surprise either. The list of possible up setters include, Instant Action (5) who proved he belonged in this group in his last. In fact, he has finished first or second in nine of his ten lifetime starts. Informed (3), shortens up for Bob Baffert, after a brief vacation. He has been training very nicely for his return, and if the fave takes just one bad step, should be ready to pounce. He has never beaten winners, however. If Tall Texan (6) moves forward in his second start for Richard Mandella, he figures for a slice. He looks like 7 furlongs should be to his liking, and will get some pace to close into.
Race 4
Thankfully, there are only 6 now scheduled to start this midlevel sprint, because I’m having trouble piecing the few pieces of the puzzle that there are, together. Or put more confidently, there are no real standouts here. Let’s start with the M/L favorite, Seven Secrets (4). He’s never tried 6 furlongs, nor has he won on the AW. Connects are decent, but he is winless on this circuit, including four tries at this level or lower. Very iffy. Kamsack (2) will have to move forward in his second try after a 3 ½ year layoff. He takes a slight class drop, and gets a big jock switch to Talamo, so apparently his connections are expecting him to do just that. Both Wheaton Hall (7), who might find things a little easier up front today, and Make Mine Vodka (6), who had a troubled trip, exit the same race as Kamsack. Either could win this, and add to my confusion here.