SRK
03-30-2008, 01:53 PM
Race 1
Not the worst group of older Maiden claimers try 1 1/8 mile on the Turf in today’s opener. Bobby Frankel puts Good Request (5) back on what is probably his preferred surface. Solid works in prep for this, and the right, up close style, go into the plus column. Billion Buck Baby (1) exits the same race as Good Request, draws the golden rail, has wonderful genes, and was a decent 8th (is that possible?) in his first try at the distance.
Hold Your Ground (9) biggest knock is his outside post, which have done very poorly at this distance. Other than that, you get good connections, a close to the pace running style, a near miss at the distance, and some late oomph. A player, but vulnerable on the win end. Deserving a mention on your tickets are Real Big Cozeene (4), who will be passing several late, and surprise package My King (2), who might hang around longer than most think.
Race 2
Old foes do battle once again in the second half of the early double. In addition to reading your PP’s, or your computer printout, in preparation for this race, I suggest you read the results charts and view the race replays of their past battles. I conclude that the best efforts were turned in on the March 10th contest, in terms of class, pace and final time. That leads me to recommend The Supply Program (6) and Larry By The Lake (4) in this one.
After that, I am predicting that either Outside Looking In (5) or Dixie Music Roll (7) will out finish their prior enemies, maybe both. Monk (1) looks to be a vulnerable favorite to win his third in a row, and Mo’s Pocolino (2) (SCRATCH) will be hard pressed to repeat his last effort. Am betting against both.
Race 3
Silk Thunder (3) is the deserving morning line favorite. She ran very well in defeat in her debut, battling a quick pace and finishing in a time that compares well with other races run that same day. She has worked well since, and if she improves in her second start, will be tough to deny. Loses Gomez, however, and that tempers my enthusiasm. Solid, but not a lock. For example, much the same can be said for second timer Enchanting Moment (4). Not sure what to make of the times in her race, as the AW was “off” that soggy day. She also has been training well for her second try, and her trainer does very well under these circumstances.
Several more can hit the board here. Quick Commander (7) is a first time starter who has been training well over at Hollywood. Bella Roja (6) ships in from Churchill for her second try. Finished second in her debut, in decent time, after racing very wide throughout. Four Paws (1) gets the poor rail, but switches back to the AW after a decent try down the hill. Her race two back puts her right there.
Race 4
There are several front runners entered in this one, and that should set things up for the closers. The best closer of them all, is the obvious 4/5 choice Black Mamba (4). She scratched out of the G2 Santa Ana last Sunday, and she’ll find the going much, much easier here.
After that, things get a little tougher to pick. I’ll give long shot Steelin’ (2) a long look in the exotics. She appears to be going good right now, likes Santa Anita, and I like horses stretching out to a flat mile after doing well going down the hill. Connects do not excite, however. Fleet Caroline (6) has been first or second in 3 of 4 tries at this distance. In her last, she won a nice stake, by three widening lengths, at Turf Paradise. Looks sharp and capable of hitting the board versus these.
Not the worst group of older Maiden claimers try 1 1/8 mile on the Turf in today’s opener. Bobby Frankel puts Good Request (5) back on what is probably his preferred surface. Solid works in prep for this, and the right, up close style, go into the plus column. Billion Buck Baby (1) exits the same race as Good Request, draws the golden rail, has wonderful genes, and was a decent 8th (is that possible?) in his first try at the distance.
Hold Your Ground (9) biggest knock is his outside post, which have done very poorly at this distance. Other than that, you get good connections, a close to the pace running style, a near miss at the distance, and some late oomph. A player, but vulnerable on the win end. Deserving a mention on your tickets are Real Big Cozeene (4), who will be passing several late, and surprise package My King (2), who might hang around longer than most think.
Race 2
Old foes do battle once again in the second half of the early double. In addition to reading your PP’s, or your computer printout, in preparation for this race, I suggest you read the results charts and view the race replays of their past battles. I conclude that the best efforts were turned in on the March 10th contest, in terms of class, pace and final time. That leads me to recommend The Supply Program (6) and Larry By The Lake (4) in this one.
After that, I am predicting that either Outside Looking In (5) or Dixie Music Roll (7) will out finish their prior enemies, maybe both. Monk (1) looks to be a vulnerable favorite to win his third in a row, and Mo’s Pocolino (2) (SCRATCH) will be hard pressed to repeat his last effort. Am betting against both.
Race 3
Silk Thunder (3) is the deserving morning line favorite. She ran very well in defeat in her debut, battling a quick pace and finishing in a time that compares well with other races run that same day. She has worked well since, and if she improves in her second start, will be tough to deny. Loses Gomez, however, and that tempers my enthusiasm. Solid, but not a lock. For example, much the same can be said for second timer Enchanting Moment (4). Not sure what to make of the times in her race, as the AW was “off” that soggy day. She also has been training well for her second try, and her trainer does very well under these circumstances.
Several more can hit the board here. Quick Commander (7) is a first time starter who has been training well over at Hollywood. Bella Roja (6) ships in from Churchill for her second try. Finished second in her debut, in decent time, after racing very wide throughout. Four Paws (1) gets the poor rail, but switches back to the AW after a decent try down the hill. Her race two back puts her right there.
Race 4
There are several front runners entered in this one, and that should set things up for the closers. The best closer of them all, is the obvious 4/5 choice Black Mamba (4). She scratched out of the G2 Santa Ana last Sunday, and she’ll find the going much, much easier here.
After that, things get a little tougher to pick. I’ll give long shot Steelin’ (2) a long look in the exotics. She appears to be going good right now, likes Santa Anita, and I like horses stretching out to a flat mile after doing well going down the hill. Connects do not excite, however. Fleet Caroline (6) has been first or second in 3 of 4 tries at this distance. In her last, she won a nice stake, by three widening lengths, at Turf Paradise. Looks sharp and capable of hitting the board versus these.