Santa Anita 5th Race – Post: 3:00 PT. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 3-Dairago (Fr)
Backups: 4-Rostovsky; 1-Middleburg
Forecast: In his U.S. debut and just his second career start, Dairago (Fr) lost position soon after the start, moved with range on the turn, then was unable to follow through and wound up fourth, beaten less than three lengths, while appearing to be in dire need of the outing. The R. Hess, Jr.-trained sophomore seems certain to be a much tighter colt today, so the European invader can be expected to produce a significant forward move in this maiden nine furlong grass affair for older horses. In his debut last spring in Ireland, he produced a solid effort when second of 13 in a better than average race for maidens, so the son of City Light likely has a higher ceiling than most of the others in this lineup. At 3-1 on the morning line, he’s an aggressive play in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
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Santa Anita – 9th race - Post: 5:00 PT. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 7-Special Flower
Other Contenders none.
Forecast: Special Flower is back sprinting where she belongs, and after scoring handsomely in her debut sprinting over the local lawn in her debut last spring the daughter of Will Take Charge should be capable of returning to winning form in this first level allowance Hillside grass affair. The five year old daughter of Will Take Charge wants patient handling and is likely to settle early and accelerate in the closing stages under new pilot A. Fresu. The D. O’Neill-trained mare is solid on numbers, which are likely to continue to rise, so with good racing luck and some help up front should offer good wagering value at or near her morning line of 3-1.
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