LOS ALAMITOS/SANTA ANITA
UNDERHILL DRIVE: Looked to have a big shot in this spot off some real nice works, but she hopped and had to be steadied at the start and that cost her several lengths. She moved up between horses but got in tight midway on the turn and had to come out four wide into the stretch. Came on strong, but had to settle for the show dough, just missing the place by a half-length and the win by a length. No mistakes next time out on the dirt. $$$$$
POWER PED: Tweeted this one out at sabesbets on Twitter as he looked very live off of his last work and went off at better than 8/1. Ran his race, but came up a half-length short of the win, finishing second and paying $8 to place. Sitting on the win – we will be on him.
AIR OF ROYALTY: Ran big in this 5-furlong race finishing second after breaking slow. She made a big late run when angling out in upper stretch to just miss by a dwindling half-length. This race will have her set up perfectly for one down the hill at Santa Anita, which opens on Dec. 26.
APPEALING CAT: Trainer Graham Motion wasn’t happy about the trip this filly had in the Red Carpet Handicap, going 1 3/8 on the grass, as it was just horrible. Don’t know where this filly will show up next, but we will be keeping an eye out for her return.
DAKOTA KID: First time starter lost all shot at the start of this race as she hesitated and began dead last. She looked hopelessly beat, but made a big late run to finish a clear third. May go long next time out and we will be firing a big shot. $$$$$
KRISTO: Ran a winning race when finishing second behind the wire-to-wire winner on this speed-favoring track. He surged late, but just failed to get up by a half-length. Ready to win next time out.
GOLDEN GATE
AALSMEER: Hopped at the start to break behind the field and then had to take up hard off heels to the half-mile pole when under a tight hold. Once clear he made a steady run to finish second. No mistakes next time out with a clean break.
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].