Tag Archives: Arcadia

Fair Grounds, Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, Feb. 16 (Plus Fair Grounds stakes races)

Preview: Again not doing turf races.

FIRST RACE: 1. Over Emphasize, 2. Flat Out Joy, 3. Chocolate Speights. LONG SHOT: Morning Cynn.

THIRD RACE: 1. Vangilder, 2. Palladium, 3. Swamp Souffle. LONG SHOT: Ack.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Prodigal Son, 2. Play Money, 3. Don’tteasethetiger. LONG SHOT: Curry.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Whirling, 2. Heloise, 3. Gia Lula. LONG SHOT: Lucky Val.

NINTH RACE: 1. Marley’s Freedom, 2. Paradise Woods, 3. Dream Tree. LONG SHOT: Escape Clause.

Good Luck.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS (Dirt races only)

Top choice winners: 2 (Conquest Cobra $11.20, sixth race; Zestful $6.40, eighth)

Second choice winners: 1 (Contagion $4.40, second)

Third choice winners: 0

Long shot winners: 0

Fair Grounds stakes opinions for Saturday, Feb. 16
Preview: Big day in New Orleans so I looked at the stakes races only. It rained a little on Friday so check the track conditions, especially on the turf.
SECOND RACE: 1. Adonis Creed, 2. Hogy, 3. Wings Locked Up. LONG SHOT: Chaos Theory.
FOURTH RACE: 1. Pretty Lady, 2. Beau Recall, 3. Mitchell Road. LONG SHOT: Promise of Spring.
NINTH RACE: 1. Krewe Chief, 2. Lone Sailor, 3. Flameaway. LONG SHOT: Long On Luck.
10TH RACE: 1. Big Changes, 2. Synchrony, 3. Markitoff. LONG SHOT: Combatant.
11TH RACE: 1. Serengeti Empress, 2. Positive Spirit, 3. Bell’s the One. LONG SHOT: Oxy Lady.
12TH RACE: 1. Henley’s Joy, 2. Will of Will, 3. Mr. Money. LONG SHOT: Country House.
In the interest of honesty, I am friends with HENLEY’S JOY’s owner, Jeff Bloom. This 3-year-old has been running on the grass, but they are taking a shot here. The colt has trained well on the dirt and now is the time to see if he belongs on the Kentucky Derby trail. At 10-1, I think he’s worth a shot. I know he can get the distance.
Good luck.
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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, Feb. 15

Preview: Didn’t even look at the turf races.

FIRST RACE: 1. Scattering mink, 2. Gold Arrow, 3. Wae Ready. LONG SHOT: Mongoalian Empire.

SECOND RACE: 1. Hard to Come Home, 2. Friday’s at Shady, 3. Contagion. LONG SHOT: Calder Vale.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Factorize, 2. Crackling Bread, 3. Sweetener. LONG SHOT: Secret Offer.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Conquest Cobra, 2. Beantown Boys, 3. R Cha Cha. LONG SHOT: Graycaster.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Zestful, 2. Lindante, 3. Banze No Oeste. LONG SHOT: Crystal Dome.

Good luck.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

Top choice winners: 1 (Big Base $6.20, second race)

Second choice winners: 3 (Platinum Equity $3.60, third; Midnight Lilly $7.40, fourth; Miss Fia $6.80, seventh)

Third choice winners: 0

Long shot winners: 1 (Distinctive B $6.40, sixth)

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Thursday, Feb. 14

PREVIEW: I’m not going to handicap the first race on the grass because it ain’t going to happen with the weather report.

SECOND RACE: 1. Big Base, 2. Awesome Amanda, 3. Whata Flirt. LONG SHOT: Perfect Portrait.

THIRD RACE: 1. Twirling Tiger, 2. Platinum Equity, 3. Little Scotty. LONG SHOT: Elwood J.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Duranga, 2. Midnight Lilly, 3. Sharp Holiday. LONG SHOT: Sea Glass.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Twirling Diamond, 2. Goodtingscominpink, 3. Meritocracy. LONG SHOT: Bluegrass Getty.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Annie’s Candy, 2. Jan’s reserve, 3. Adens Dream LONG SHOT: Distinctive B.

SEVENTH RACE: Twirling Devon, 2. Miss Fia, 3. Diosa. LONG SHOT: Rather Nosy.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Bowl of Spaghetti, 2. Stretford End, 3. Charmer John. LONG SHOT: High Five.

Good luck.

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Horse racing, Santa Anita, Tampa Bay Downs

Santa Anita and Tampa Bay Downs opinions for Saturday, Feb. 9

PREVIEW: Had some family issues on Friday so didn’t get to handicap the full Santa Anita card. Beside, it was suppose to rain overnight leaving the condition of the main track and turf course in question. I will be surprised if anything other than the stakes races are run on the grass. I have handicapped only the stakes races in Arcadia today.
I have also included the four stakes races being run at Tampa Bay Downs today.

SANTA ANITA

RACE 5 (Grade Ii Las Virgenes): 1. Bellafina, 2. Enaya Alrabb, 3. Mother Mother. LONG SHOT: Tomlin.

RACE 7 (Grade III Thunder Road): 1. Blackjackcat, 2. Le Ken, 3. River Boyne. LONG SHOT: True Valour.

RACE 9 (Grade II San Marcos): 1. Chicago Style, 2. Beach View, 3. Epical. LONG SHOT: Sejo.
First off, let me say I handicapped this race thinking trainer Bob Baffert will scratch Roman Rosso and Dabster if this race stays on the grass. Both horses have never run on the green stuff and I don’t Baffert intends to do it here. I also don’t think Prince of Arabia will run if it’s not on the main track. Love Chicago Style here. He can handle a softer turf course and others in here have proven they can’t.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

EIGHTH RACE (Grade III Tampa Bay) 1. Qurbaan, 2. Heart to Heart, 3. Inspector Lynley. LONG SHOT: Irish Strait.

NINTH RACE (Suncoast): 1. Her Royal Highness, 2. Sweet Diane, 3. Lady Kate. LONG SHOT: Point of Honor.

10TH RACE (Grade III Endeavour): 1. Get Explicit, 2. Bombshell, 3. Hawksmoor. LONG SHOT: Viva Vegas.
Note: Trainer Chad Brown intends to scratch Rymska and run her at Gulfstream Park.

11TH RACE (Grade III Sam F. Davis): 1. Well Defind, 2. Knicks Go, 3. Cave Run. LONG SHOT: Still Dreaming.

Good luck.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

Top choice winners: 4 (Runningwscissors $5, first race; Award It $4.20, third; Red King $7.40, sixth; Mobou $4.40, eighth)

Second choice winners: 0

Third choice winners: 2 (Mongolian Window $6.80, second; Ax Man $6.20, seventh)

Long shot winners: 0

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, Feb. 8

FIRST RACE: 1. Runningwscissors, 2. Stay in Yo Lane, 3. Gleyber. LONG SHOT: Irish Polo.

SECOND RACE: 1. Speakers, 2. Wind Tartare, 3. Mongolian Window. LONG SHOT: Quinnie.

THIRD RACE: 1. Award It, 2. Mistressofthenight, 3. Road Test. LONG SHOTS: Ipray.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Magical Gray, 2. Persepolis, 3. Storming Lady. LONG SHOT: Smoovie.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Occam’s Razor, 2. Lieutenant Dan, 3. Our Silver Oak. LONG SHOT: Sayin Grace.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Red King, 2. Ice Kat, 3. Encumbered. LONG SHOT: Falcone.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Edwards Going Left, 2. Calexman, 3. Ax Man. LONG SHOT: Full of Luck.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Mobou, 2. Sea of Liberty, 3. Scrappy Deville. LONG SHOT: Vezuchiy.

Good luck.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

Top choice winners: 1 (Avalanche $8.60, fifth race)

Second choice winners: 1 (Blame It on Kitty $14.80, eighth)

Third choice winners: 1 (The Nine O $11, third)

Long shot winners: 1 (Just a Smidge $52, sixth)

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Thursday, Feb. 7

PREVIEW: Not sure what condition the turf course will be in after this week’s rains, but when half the card is on the green stuff you have to make some picks.

FIRST RACE: 1. Lil Milo, 2. Duluth, 3. Shaymin. LONG SHOT: Huddle.

SECOND RACE: 1. Irish Ballad, 2. Rak City, 3. Sergio. LONG SHOT: Victor’s Show.

THIRD RACE: 1. Daybreak, 2. See That Kat, 3. The Nine O. LONG SHOT: Roses and Candy.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Vegas Strong Baby, 2. Sierra Sunrise, 3. Equal Measure. LONG SHOT: Sass Machine.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Avalanche, 2. The Hunter, 3. Shaky Alibi. LONG SHOT: Trojan Spirit.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Bashful, 2. Secret Spice, 3. Mo See Cal. LONG SHOT: Just a Smidge.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Builder, 2. Count Hu, 3. Gentle Prince. LONG SHOT: Frankie Machine.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Lil Sydney, 2. Blame It On Kitty, 3. Frozen Money. LONG SHOT: Resident Liberal.

Good luck.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS (Dirt races only)

Top choice winners: 1 (Calm Down Lady $3.20, third race)

Second choice winners: 3 (Beantown Boys $9, second; Bizwhacks $4.80, fifth; I Am the Danger $5.40, seventh)

Third choice winners: 0

Long shot winners: 0

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, Feb. 3 (First post 11 a.m.)

PREVIEW: Not going to handicap the two turf races again. I don’t see how they run them on the green after Saturday’s drenching.

SECOND RACE: 1. Avanti Bello, 2. Beantown Boys, 3. Clear the Mine. LONG SHOT: Freedom Hill.

THIRD RACE: Calm Down Lady, 2. Gadot, 3. Glitter Gulch. LONG SHOT: Derby Luck.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Anuket, 2. Crreative Instinct, 3. Tapwater. LONG SHOT: Proud Emma.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Mercy Mercy, 2. Soothing, 3. Bizwhacks. LONG SHOT: Bold Mongolian.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Soul Steit, 2. I AM the Danger, 3. Tough But Nice. LONG SHOT: Best Two Minutes.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Surfing Star, 2. Nero, 3. Air Vice Marshal. LONG SHOT: Apalachee Bay.

NINTH RACE: 1. Lanacakes, 2. Jeweled, 3. Desired Edge. LONG SHOT: Venice.

Good luck.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

Top choice winners: 3 (Leroy $7.80, first race; No Wine Untasted $9.20, fourth; Mucho Gusto $3.20, sixth)

Second choice winners: 3 (Omaha Beach $3.40, fifth; Battle of Midway $6.80, ninth; Isee It in Hiseyes $7, 10th)

Third choice winners: 2 (Denman’s Call $6.40, second; Holland Road $17.60, third)

Long shot winners: 0

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Saturday, Feb. 2

Preview: Put on your mud caulks.

FIRST RACE: Leroy, 2. Nap Lajoie, 3. Raul Rosas. LONG SHOT: Cyclometric.

SECOND RACE: 1. Allaboutmike, 2. Stone Hands, 3. Denman’s Call. LONG SHOT: Kochees.
Beantown Boys is likely to scratch from this race because he is enter back on Sunday or he would have been in my top three.

THIRD RACE: 1. Bedeviled, 2. Pioneerof the West, 3. Holland Road. LONG SHOT: Carville.

FOURTH RACE: 1. No Wine Untasted, 2. Team Hollywood, 3. Tyfosha. LONG SHOT: Leveler.

FIFTH RACE: 1. One Bad Boy, 2. Omaha Beach, 3. Polar. LONG SHOT: Alleva.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Nolo Contesto, 2. Mucho Gusto, 3. Gunmetal Gray. LONG SHOT: Magnificent McCool.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Camzul, 2. Royal Aspirations, 3. Calder Vale. LONG SHOT: Toby Time.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Scalper, 2. Norski, 3. Time Is Now. LONG SHOT: C Falls.

NINTH RACE: 1. Giant Expoectations, 2. Battle of Midway, 3. McKinzie. LONG SHOT: Sonneteer.

10TH RACE: 1. Candyman Garrret, 2. Das Bear, 3. Isee It in Hiseyes. LONG SHOT: Warrior’s Lullaby.

Good luck.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS (Main track races only)

Top choice winners: 1 (Queen Bee to You $6, fifth race)

Second choice winners: 0

Third choice winners: 1 (Matriculate $8.40, second)

Long shot winners: 1 (Had Enough K P $13.20, sixth)

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Friday, Feb. 1

PREVIEW: We predicted the turf races would be run on the main track on Thursday and we were right, but why did it take track management so long to take the first and sixth races off, which didn’t happen until less than an hour before first post? Sam story on Sunday. The first is scheduled for the turf. Why? Or better yet why not later on the program? It is suppose to pour in SoCal on Saturday. I’ll be shocked if anything is run on the grass but at least give it a couple hours more to dry out.
No picks in today’s turf races. I don’t see them being run on the surface. So just picks in the main track events.

SECOND RACE: 1. Quad, 2. Trapalanda, 3. Matriculate. LONG SHOT: Lindante.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Coil to Strike, 2. Sea’s Journey, 3. Soul Owner. LONG SHOT: Big Bad Gary.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Queen Bee ti You, 2. Harmony Victory, 3. Dulce Ride. LONG SHOT: Mongolian Humor.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Queen of the Track, 2. True Validity, 3. Thanks. LONG SHOT: Had Enough K P.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Candy Cornell, 2. Solomini, 3. Kylemore. LONG SHOT: Beaumarchais.

Good luck.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS (Off the turf races not included)

Top choice winners: 1 (Extra Hope $8.20, seventh race)

Second choice winners: 2 (Microrithms $6.60, fourth; Perfect Ice Storm $8, fifth)

Third choice winners: 1 (Platinum Equity $6.20, second)

Long shot winners: 0

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Thursday, Jan. 31

PREVIEW: I don’t see any way the turf races will remain on that surface on Thursday. The rain is supposed to hit Arcadia around 8 a.m. and it’s going to rain the rest of the racing week. On Wednesday, Santa Anita postponed the turf stakes races this week due to the forecast and will run an all main track program Saturday and I suspect the same on Sunday. The thing is Santa Anita has been proactive this winter regarding the racing on the turf, but it didn’t for Thursday and Friday, which I don’t understand since the forecast has been out there since last weekend and I predicted on Twitter Sunday night there wouldn’t be any turf racing this week. We’ll see. So any picks for the grass on Thursday are for TURF ONLY. If I get the scratches early enough Thursday, I might re-look at those races. GOOD LUCK.

FIRST RACE (TURF ONLY): 1. Ice Kat, 2. Falcone, 3. Bellerin. LONG SHOT: Hot American.

SECOND RACE: 1. Ronton, 2. Spa Shackalacka, 3. Platinum Equity. LONG SHOT: Gain Ground.

THIRD RACE (TURF ONLY): 1. Big Buzz, 2. Dubnation, 3. Raging Tiger. LONG SHOT: Impeachableoffense.

FOURTH RACE: 1. The Hardest Way, 2. Captain Scotty, 3. Microithms. LONG SHOT: Graycaster,

FIFTH RACE: 1. Choi, 2. Perfect Ict Storm, 3. Tick Tock. LONG SHOT: Discrete Stevie B.

SIXTH RACE (TURF ONLY): 1. Fight On, 2. Risky Proposition, 3. Acker. LONG SHOT: Magic Musketier.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Extra Hope, 2. Gray Magician, 3. Kingly. LONG SHOT: Big Scott Daddy.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. He Be Mojo Risin, 2. Loud Mouth, 3. Abusive Gary. LONG SHOT: King Lebron.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS (Abbreviated picks)

Top choice winners: 2 (Arms Runner $10.60, fourth race; Don’t Stalk Me $5.80, seventh)

Second choice winners: 1 (Nice Work $4, fifth)

Third choice winners: 1 (Conquest Tsunami $4.80, eighth)

Long shot winners: 1 (Mesut $24.60, 10th)

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