SANTA ANITA
APACHE PRINCESS: Took all the money in this mile turf race the Cal Cup Oaks with Kent D Riding for his brother Keith. She bobbled at the start and then was bumped hard into the first turn She had to come out and go four-wide into the second turn and five-wide into the stretch and had nothing left down the lane to finish mid-pack on this speed favoring turf course. We will give her a big shot next out at a much better price.
BUMP BAILEY-GRIT AND CURIOSITY: My name for this bet is the blind bet that I make without even thinking. We got two first-time starters running in the same race and both are trained by Peter Miller. One goes off at 12-1 and the other at 26-1. This bettor was in a state of shock. They both ran like trained pigs with Bump Bailey winning and paying $26.40 and Grit and Curiosity finishing a clear second, almost three lengths better than the third-place runner with the exacta coming back a juicy $243.40 for two bucks. Just limp up to the window and make it when you see it.
MAXIM RATE: First-time starter for trainer Simon Callaghan got home on top at 28-1 and the main reason was the jockey was Andrea Atzeni, a name that most just pass on as he has had a hard time getting started. He has been riding for just top barns and is just now getting the hang of it here in Southern California. Do not shy away if you like the horse he is on.
BLITZKRIEG: Had been looking for a downhill turf race and found one in this starter allowance race for 4-year-olds and up. This gelding trained by Doug O’Neill just blasted home to win by more than six lengths while under a stranglehold by jockey Rafael Bejarano down the lane. He will move up and repeat. Use as a single next out down the hill.
DONUT GIRL: Had been waiting for this filly to run down the hill but the races kept coming off the turf. Trainer Hector Palma must have known she was kicking down the barn door so he left her in this 6½- furlong race when it came off the grass and was run on a muddy track. She got home on top and now will be set for a repeat win on the grass next out.