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Thumb_brad-free Brad Free , Santa Anita , 01/13/2018 , Race 1 - DRF Live Posted : Jan 13, 2018, 12:16 PM

Santa Anita Saturday preview

Here’s what is happening Saturday at Santa Anita …

Race 1 – Four of the last eight one-mile turf races were won by the pacesetter. However, this older-maiden mile has a shortage of speed. Top choice Combat Zone (9), runner-up both recent starts, is not particularly quick. New York shipper Gosilently (7) will be forwardly placed. First-time gelding Indoctrination (1) has worked particularly well according to National Turf clocker Andy Harrington.

Race 2 – Soul Sound (2) is favored in this sprint for Cal-bred maiden-50 fillies and mares. She finished in the money her last three sprints. Trainer Jeff Mullins and jockey Tyler Baze are 8-for-17 with maiden-claiming favorites the past five years. Class dropper Topaz Time (4) is this handicapper’s top choice, but the favorite is a must-use.

Race 3 – A salty maiden sprint for 3yos includes high-profile comebacker Nero (5), who would have won his debut at Del Mar except he pulled himself up in the stretch. He is working well for his comeback for trainer Bob Baffert, who also entered sharp-working second-time starter Curly’s Rocket (1). Jimmy Chila (2) ran well finishing third in his debut in November, he could be tough to catch second time out.

Race 5 – El Super (6) gate to wire? Listed at 9-2 in the program, he looks like the controlling speed of this $12.5k claiming route. Four of the eight dirt races this meet at a mile and a sixteenth were won by the pacesetter. Win or lose, 9-2 is an appealing price.

Race 6 – Not a fan of New York shippers trained by David Jacobson, except those ridden by Kent Desormeaux. He rides Clever Royal (11), trying to add to the 5-for-13 local trainer-jockey stats of Jacobson-Desormeaux. Clever Royal is good enough to win this $50k claiming turf sprint based on his runner-up finish last out at Aqueduct. However, locals Zuri Chop (3) and Secret Primero (8) already have won on the hill.

Race 8 – Majestic Heat (2) appears to be a standout in this G2 for fillies and mares. She is favored at 9-5, based on two big wins since switching to dirt. Most probable winner on the card, it appears.

Saturday first post 12:30.

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