Happy February and good luck to everyone
Here are my picks for todays race card. Yesterday the turf was washed off, weather for southern califorina for Friday calls for small sprinkles in patches, I would expect the turf to be off for a second day as well as throughout the weekend
Race #1 starts the card going a mile on the turf, which I think will be off which makes this race a tough call as I expect the dirt track to be listed as wet/sloppy. Top choice is Independent Deputy this horse is 1 of 2 horses that has ran a wet track previously going 3-1-0-0, he has face softer horses and now steps up a bit at the Calim level 32000. Desormeaux gets the nod. Second choice includes turf runner and late closer Tammy's Window, has faced tougher racing turf miles at GG, Del Mar, and Santa Anita but may be stuck with the task of going 1 mile on the dirt facing a softer field, has the best beyer figures in the field as well. Rosario gets the nod. Miss Boom Boom is my wild card
Race #2 is a 8000 Claim race on the dirt going 6 1/2 furlongs. Top choice is Trapalanda who nearly wired the field at a half furlong shorter on January 13th, has had success going a mile Vs. tougher and has the top recent beyer figure of 81 and a bullet work tab on January 24 to back it up. Figueroa gets the nod. My second choice goes to Boy Howdy, finished a solid second here last out on December 29th finishing with a solid place performance at a half furlong shorter and has solid 1st off the claim numbers. Rosario gets the nod. Wild card goes to Zap Again
Race #3 is a optional claim race on the turf going 1 mile, my picks reflect the probability of turf being off. Top choice goes to the Irish runner Rijeka. This stakes placed horse was last seen going a mile in the Eddie Logan on the turf in which he closed in late for a place finish, has also placed well in past stakes races at Del Mar, has certainly proven it can run with the boys, the wet surface will truly be a challenge. Prat gets the nod. My second choice goes to another shipper in from Ireland Eagle Song a Handicap winning horse that has at the least ran on Synthetic with success now aims for the santa anita wet dirt after having ran to a solid 4th place finish on the downhill against similar foes January 11th. Rosario gets the nod. Neptunes Storm for the W.C.
Race #4 begins the .20 Rainbow Pick 6 that has a 2 million dollar carryover is a 50000 maiden race at 6 furlongs Top choice goes to Coil to Strike who has his debut race nearly 1 year ago finishing a late charge 6th place going 6 1/2 then came back on new years day fading late to a third place finish, has ran both vs. tougher special weight and now drops into a softer field, Fuentes gets the nod. My second choice goes to Awesome Amanda who ran her debut here at santa anita on the turf vs. special weight foes at 6 1/2 furlongs finishing a distant 7th but came storming back at Del Mar 3 weeks later vs. similar on a fast surface finishing second, outside post certainly will help as well. Espinoza gets the nod. Erebuni is my W.C.
Race #5 is a 40000 Optional Claim on the dirt going a mile. Top choice goes to Queen Bee To You, this stakes placed horse has seen success going miles both on dirt and turf at Del Mar and Santa Anita, gets out of the gate well and boasts top beyer speed figures and drops into a nice field here. Bejarano gets the nod. Second choice goes to Dulce Ride, has placed well 5 of the last 6 races this horse has ran and has fared well vs. tougher fields, workout tabs suggest this horse is ready to run with a bullet workout on January 14th. Rosario gets the nod. Giving my W.C. to Exuberance
Second half of the card to come shortly, thank you