SANTA ANITA
FLASHY DAME
Came into this turf route off of a real nice work. This mare won a hard fought decision by a head after getting in some trouble. She angled in to stalk the pace but had to wait for room leaving the second turn. Came out and split horses but waited again when tight in mid-stretch. Got through on the inside and made a desperate rally to get up at the wire in what was a big time effort in this $25k claimer.
GO GET EM BABE
Maiden was sent off as the 2/1 favorite but she stumbled at the start and was steadied hard when squeezed back to last, losing all shot. After that she was just running in place and made no attempt. You can just toss this effort and give this filly a big shot to rebound in her next start.
VAVOOM
Is just that, a horse with some big early speed. He showed it, but could not hold off the 2-1 chalk who got up at the wire to get him by a ½ length. Was more than six lengths clear of the rest in this 12 horse field and will be one tough guy to run down in his next start. We will be singling in the picks.
ACCEPTANCE
This was the big WOW run of this past week. This first time starter for trainer Donald Warren was listed at 12-1 on the morning line but the board had a different story as did the exotics. He was sent off at 5-1 and ran like odds-on as he cruised to a 13-length win while under a long Elvis Trujillo hold. We will be very anxious to see this one in his return to see if this was a fluke or not. We say not!
ROCK ME BABY
Really liked this one going a mile on the grass in the Grade 2 City of Hope, even with him coming out of the far outside 11 post. He broke slow and was dead last until the top of the lane when trying to make his run between horses. Got up for fourth but had too much work to do after being so far back in this good field. We will be all over this one next time out going a little longer on the grass with a better post position. $$$
DOELING
First time starter for trainer Tom Proctor was sent down the hill in this very wide open straight maiden race, one we will keep an eagle eye on as it could be key. Cut the corner at the right hand curve but had to be checked off heels and that cost her dearly. Split horses in the stretch and surged late just missing by a ½ length in what was a super try first out of the box. She may want to go long but we will be on her, long or short, on the grass next time out. $$$
SWEETER THAN CANDY
Exits the same race as Doeling. This filly by Candy Ride looked to improve big time but she broke in at the start then hopped and was far back. Angled out turning for home making a big late run to be a much-better-than-looked fifth. We will give this filly a big shot next time out at a fair price. $$$$$
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GamingToday’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Follow Richard on Twitter @SabesBet. Contact Richard at [email protected].