One could call it Carryover Saturday later today at Santa Anita Park after a pair of horizontal wagers went unsolved on Friday’s 8-race slate. The $1 Sunset Six at Gulfstream and Santa Anita was not hit, nor was the $2 Pick 6 at the Great Race Place at for the second consecutive day. That leaves Southern California horseplayers with a double carryover of $78,330 heading into California Cup Day in Arcadia. The sequence over the last 6 races is a challenging one, so hopefully a few of us can come away with a year changing score.
Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.
Race 4:
Grade: C
Main Ticket: 1 Remember April; 3 Om Time Gal; 8 Smokin Hot Chick
Backups: None
Forecast: It was difficult to get creative in this state-bred low-level maiden claimer at 6-furlongs over the main track since the price options are either horses that have lacked speed and showed little thus far or are likely to need a race on debut. So, I will use the three fillies that have shown a hint of ability in the afternoons thus far. #1 Remember April has not shown a ton of early zip through 6 starts, but the inside draw and overall lack of speed in this race should have her in a prominent spot early. Therefore, she is my lukewarm top choice with class dropper #3 Om Time Gal and off the pace grinder #8 Smokin Hot Chick not far behind.
Race 5: Unusual Heat Turf Classic
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 6 Call Me Sir; 2 Mr. Disrespectful
Backups: None
Forecast: The first of four stakes races within the Pick 6 sequence is a contest where I am willing to take on the morning line favorite. No disrespect to #8 Vodka Vodka, but I prefer him over the dirt despite 2 wins and 2 seconds in 6 tries on the grass. I will try to beat the likely public choice with #2 Mr. Disrespectful and #6 Call Me Sir. The two faced off in a state-bred first-level allowance event at Del Mar in late November and it was Mr. Disrespectful getting his nose down at the wire despite being hemmed in much of the stretch drive. That said, Call Me Sir was unable to save the ground the winner that day and may benefit more from the stretch out to 9-panels. I will use them both in hopes of gaining a little separation from the pack.
Race 6:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 7 Horizon Wildcat; 4 Mr. Machupicchu
Backups: 3 Coach Cronin
Forecast: I will also take a swing against the ML favorite in this state-bred allowance over the main track where #6 Titantic Thompson was made the 9-5-choice. The Grazen colt has run some strong races over the main track, but most of his success through 9 starts has come over the grass. #3 Coach Cronin makes sense as the second choice, but I like a pair that should offer more value. #4 Mr. Machupicchu is tough to trust on top given his 1 for 23-record, but he tries hard and is moving in the right direction. He was caught in an early battle while 3-wide against open company last out and fought hard to the wire to hold third. I like his chances to run well at a big price, but I like #7 Horizon Wildcat most. The Minsters Wild Cat homebred comes into this spot in the best form of his career after battling along the inside at Los Alamitos and tiring last month. He moves outside and attracts hot riding Emisael Jaramillo. Both should help him take a step forward for trainer Brendan Galvin.
Race 7: Cal Cup Oaks
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 2 Tiger Lady; 7 Cashed
Backups: None
Forecast: This year’s Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks is a challenging one to handicap given the field’s lack of form over the grass at two-turns. In terms of pedigree, I like the longest shot on the board to move forward on the surface switch. #2 Tiger Lady has underwhelmed since breaking her maiden against a soft group on debut, but is out of an Unusual Heat mare that won 7 of 18 over the grass. Additionally, she is a half-sister to $582k earner Pulpit Rider. At this price against this bunch, she is worth a gamble. On the other hand, #7 Cashed is not going to offer much value dropping out of a Grade 2, but trainer Doug O’Neill is tough to leave off. The veteran conditioner is 8-33 over the last 20 days with a $4.14 ROI. His barn is firing on all cylinders.
Race 8: Cal Cup Derby
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 4 Smoovin Saturday
Backups: None
Forecast: The pace should be lively in this year’s California Chrome Cal Cup Derby, which bodes well for #4 Smoovin Saturday. The Reddam Racing colt debuted going two-turns at Del Mar this fall and won going away at odds of 9-1 before taking advantage of a great trip in his first start against winners in the King Glorious. I do not love backing horses off really clean voyages, but this colt projects to get another dream run. Plus, he has shown the ability to finish at a pretty strong level through just two starts. Trainer Michael McCarthy keeps Tiago Pereira aboard. I will jump in on the Win end if he stays at 4-1 or higher.
Race 9: Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 6 Tina Turner; 3 Grand Slam Smile
Backups: 8 Take Another Card
Forecast: The finale is one of the best betting races on the afternoon, as often races conducted over the Hillside Turf Course are. This dash for older fillies and mares goes through 9-5-ML favorite #3 Grand Slam Smile. The Smiling Tiger mare is 9 for 16 and has shown an affinity for this course and configuration, but the value will be much greater with #6 Tina Turner. The filly named for the “Queen of Rock n Roll” has proven to be versatile through 4 starts winning on both dirt and turf. I loved her win over this configuration on October 25 and think she works out a favorable outside stalking voyage under jockey Armando Ayuso. At 10-1, I will take my chances!
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