This Saturday, Xpressbet and 1/ST BET’s January Late Pick 4 Hit/Split returns and does so with not one, but two opportunities at sharing $2M rewards points when you connect at either Santa Anita Park or Fair Grounds. They have a great card in New Orleans headlined by the Lecomte (G3), which I will dive into in a blog tomorrow, but first things first.
It is so wonderful to get back to it at “The Great Race Place” this week after what has been such a terrible time out in Southern California. Hopefully it is a great week in Arcadia!
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 8:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 11 Marc the Money Man; 7 Check’s On the Way; 9 Day At the Track; 12 Santa Barbarian
Backups: None
Forecast: A state-bred $50K maiden claimer for recently turned 3YOs gets things started where it is tough to be too confident in any of the 12 contenders. #3 The Gypsy Cowboy will likely take support dropping out of the King Glorious at Los Alamitos for trainer Steve Knapp, but has had six chances already with only one third place finish to show for it. Knapp also sends out #8 Pax a Punch. The Stay Thirsty gelding comes in off a pair of underneath efforts against similar, but really never threatened as the 8-5-public choice last month. He has had too many chances at this level for me to endorse on the Win end.
I will try to beat the Knapp uncoupled entry with a trio of class droppers in #7 Check’s On the Way, #9 Day At the Track, and #11 Marc the Money Man, as well as first-time starter #12 Santa Barbarian. The fact the best rider in the land sees fit to ride this son of Bodexpress is enough for me to include against the likely favorites.
Race 9: Unusual Heat Turf Classic
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: #1 On the Whim; #3 Old Pal
Backups: #7 Aligato
Forecast: #1 On the Whim (pictured) moves inside for his first start of 2025 after an underwhelming performance as the 2-1-favorite in an open-company allowance over the Del Mar lawn last out. The wide post did not cost him that much ground in the stalk and fade effort to close his 4YO campaign, but he still should benefit with the move to the inside. Plus, the Harris Farms homebred has earned 3 of his 4 career victories over this turf course and trainer Dean Pederson comes in having won with all three of his starters at the meet thus far. On the Whim is my top choice.
I will also include #3 Old Pal. The Grazen gelding lacks early speed, but should get an honest pace to run at over a course he has never finished worse than third over in 7 career starts. The return to Cal-bred company should help his cause. Trainer Mark Glatt also sends out #7 Aligato. The late running son of Kitten’s Joy has not raced since late April, but all 3 of his lifetime scores have come over this course.
Race 10: California Chrome Cal Cup Derby
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 1 Shea Brennan; 5 Whiskyginandbrandy
Backups: None
Forecast: The pace should certainly be contentious in this year’s Cal Derby, which in theory should benefit #6 R Heisman. The Gary Barber owned gelding lacks early speed and has shown the ability to finish with energy, but mainly in one-turn races. He hung as the 3-2-favorite in his lone try going a route of ground over the dirt last out in the King Glorious. I am worried he gets over bet, especially with Flavien Prat jumping aboard for the first time.
I am hopeful #1 Shea Brennan can avoid getting caught up in the potential early tussle. The rail draw could make that a challenge for jockey Antonio Fresu, but I like his chances if he is able to relax just off the pace in his second start at two-turns. If not, #5 Whiskyginandbrandy makes some sense. He has been a better racehorse since trainer Steve Knapp added blinkers last October. The Stay Thirsty colt was floated extremely wide into the first turn in the aforementioned King Glorious last out. yet finished fourth beaten less than two lengths.
Race 11: Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 9 Grateful My Love; 6 Take Another Card
Backups: 2 Tequilaandtherapy
Forecast: The sequence concludes with this one-mile excursion for 3YO Cal-bred fillies over the Santa Anita sod where I will use two on my main ticket, including top choice #9 Grateful My Love. The Danzing Candy filly faces stakes competition once again as a maiden, but does so in her first try over the lawn. The surface switch is an obvious wild card, but I am going to trust in trainer Michael McCarthy. “Whitey” comes in having won with 5 of 17 over the last 20 days for a $2.07 ROI. Expect this gal to be finishing well.
I also like #6 Take Another Card. The Reddam Racing homebred overcame an awful start to win going away in a six-furlong affair to kick off her career. The talent is obvious, but she needs to prove herself still against better and at a route of ground. #2 Tequilaandtherapy moves back to the turf after a pair of solid runs against state-bred stakes competition over the main track. Her inside draw and proven success going two-turns over the lawn make her worth including as a backup.
Good luck!
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