LOS ALAMITOS TB (Santa Anita opens Dec. 26)
VISION: $500K purchase for Baffert and company took plenty of action and really didn’t look like a winner in the 5½ furlong sprint until he found his best stride in deep stretch and was pulling away late. This 2yo ran like he will love going long. A future stakes runner here who could be on his way to being one of Mr. B’s Kentucky Derby hopefuls.
RINGS OF JUPITER: Trainer Baltas may have put one over here as he dropped this gelding into this $16K claimer. He got the easy win and now is eligible for a claim-proof starter allowance race.
TIZONA: Bobbled at the start and then chased the speed but just could not get to him. This 2yo ran his own race, finishing second more than seven lengths clear of the rest. A solid single next out at this $30K maiden level.
DEL MAR DARLING: Really liked this first time starter on our daily horse selections and she got off at 7/1. We took the plunge but after breaking last and being far back in this 5½ furlong sprint she came storming home four wide to just miss by two heads in a horrible beat. Look for her in the winner’s circle next out with a better break and maybe a longer trip.
CAMINO DE ESTRELLA: Another real tough beat on a 7/1 shot as this guy came running like a freight train late, making a four wide run to just miss by a dwindling head. We would love to see him wheeled back by Tim Yakteen before Los Al TB ends this meet.
CHROMIUM: Just blasted home between runners to win like a good thing out of the tough 1 post. Another we would love to see come back before meet’s end and run in an $8K claimer.