Jeff Siegel: What You Need to Know - Santa Anita | Sunday, January 14, 2024

RACE 1

4-RUNAMILEINMYSHOES
Degree of confidence: B

•      Missed in debut as the favorite but had a legitimate excuse.
•      Freshened since August, shows steady work pattern for return.
•      Will enjoy the extra furlong, retains red hot Juan Hernandez.

Others to consider: 7-Jane Kendeigh.


RACE 2

2-JOHN DUNBAR
Degree of confidence: B+

•      In the money in both starts with rising figures, ready to graduate.
•      Two month freshening, can continue his improving pattern.
•      Monumental jockey switch to Flavian Prat, looms a short price.

Others to consider: none.


RACE 3

3-MUTEKI
Degree of confidence: A-

•      Million dollar American Pharoah filly is infinitely better than shown.
•      Speed and fade in debut, returns with a series of eye-popping drills.
•      Gets Lasix, removes blinkers, retains Hernandez, should love grass.

Others to consider: 7-Make It Snow.


RACE 4

4-DIAL A FRIEND
Degree of confidence: B+

•      Toyed with maiden claiming foes in 10 length romp at Los Alamitos.
•      Protected today in starter allowance, appears to be a likely repeater.
•      Impressive workouts including a bullet five furlong drill at San Luis Rey.

Others to consider: 1-She’s My Niece.  


RACE 5

2-LADY MONCLAIRE
Degree of confidence: B+

•      Wide in turf miler at Del Mar in debut, shortens up, better than shown.
•      Now in Richard Baltas barn, adds blinkers and Lasix, this is her distance.
•      Healthy series of breezes at San Luis Rey Down and catches a soft field.

Others to consider: 6-The Shushala; 7-Wishes to Riches.  


RACE 6

1-BIG RAINBOW
Degree of confidence: C

•      Six race maiden has burned money but has little to beat today.
•      Slow on numbers (so are the others) but rates edge by default.
•      Rail post no bargain, must avoid trouble in an abbreviated dash.

Others to consider: 5-Stay Up.


RACE 7

9-ELM DRIVE
Degree of confidence: B-

•      Proven winner over the tricky Hillside Turf Course, always tries hard.
•      Projects to enjoy an ideal pace stalking trip and have every chance.
•      Fast on speed figures, six weeks rest but always fires huge fresh.

Others to consider: 5-Kissed by Fire; 7-Wakanaka; 3-Nadette.


RACE 8

6-MIDNIGHT LOVE
Degree of confidence: B

•      Second in last pair with rising speed figures and adds Lasix.
•      In the money in four of five starts and is ready to graduate.
•      Shows the sprint-to-route angle, likely to enjoy two turn trip.

Others to consider: 2-Thirsty Lov.


RACE 9

1-ENAHM
Degree of confidence: B-

•      Wide open grass grab bag, drops to proper level, as good as any.
•      Gets the rail and is assured an ideal ground-saving, stalking trip.
•      Was given too much to do facing tougher foes in last outing.

Others to consider: 8-Thirty Four Coupe.


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