SANTA ANITA (opens May 5)
MRAZEK: Was last seen winning at Del Mar this past August. He ran super in this 6 furlong sprint, finishing second by more than three lengths and just 1¾ behind the winner. He was finishing very strong while down on the inside and ran like he wants to go long. $$$
CHERUBIM/PAY THE FINE/DESERT DYNAMO/FUELED BY BOURBON: CHERUBIM trainer D’Amato is at his best with layoff runners and this one held on in a gutty effort to beat PAY THE FINE by a nostril. PAY THE FINE was just a nostril in front of DESERT DYNAMO who had a very wide trip just missing on the line. DESERT DYNAMO was just a half-length in front of FUELED BY BOURBON who found his best stride late and was flying at the wire. We will put all four on our watch list.
ELECTRIFYING: This was an electrifying effort as jockey Kent D had a hold of this colt all the way and never even showed him the whip, he just sat chilly and let him do it all by himself in what was a super confident ride. He will come right back and repeat.
ZIP THE MONKEY: Looks to have found his form and is sitting on the win next out going long on the Santa Anita dirt.
GOLDEN GATE
PAIASOLO: Was last seen running at Del Mar back in August of 2015. Papa Mandella in search of grass sent him to Golden Gate for his comeback race. He was well placed but then had to wait behind horses from the quarter pole into the stretch. Once clear he stormed to the front to win going away.
SPANISH DOLL: First time starter was racing green as grass but somehow when shifted out in midstretch she put in a very impressive run to get up for the win on the line at 26/1. We think she can win right back at another big price.
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GT’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Twitter: @SabesBet. Email: [email protected].