The main track is “fast” and turf course labelled “good” Sunday at Santa Anita, as of 9 a.m. The main track probably will be less speed-favoring as the wet track on Saturday that produced seven gate-to-wire winners from 10 races. Handicappers can expect a fair track Sunday, and adjust if necessary. Preview …
Race 1 – Yes, Colorofmoney (3) will be tough in this claiming sprint for 3yos. He beat similar last out; he won three of his last five. However, presser Our Tiger’s Boy (6) is fast enough for this level; he won big his last start at Santa Anita. Listed at 6-1, Our Tiger’s Boy is worth backing at 4-1.
Race 2 – Small field in this sprint for older Cal-bred maidens, and before knocking seven-start maiden Sir Eddie (5), remember what happened Saturday in the seventh race. Coco Kisses, a Cal-bred maiden filly making her ninth start, led gate to wire as the favorite. Sir Eddie could do the same, unless top choice stretch-runner Big Barrel (4) rallies for the win. Pass race.
Race 4 – This turf mile for 2-year-old maidens, $100,000 claiming, is tough. With little conviction, this handicapper settled on Golden Gate shipper Data Hawk (8), runner-up last out. Pick five bettors probably need to go deep. Tough to eliminate any of the eight entrants. A wet course complicates matters.
Race 5 – Chasing Yesterday (5) or It’sjustanillusion (2)? The sprint is the $75,000 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies; the favorites are closely matched. Chasing Yesterday’s works suggest she will reproduce her impressive debut two back. But her rival It’sjustanillusion is fast. Tough call.
Race 6 – Although speed has been dominant this meet in downhill turf sprints, the profile is subject to change following weekend weather. Westwood’s Wizard (3) has won on the hill, won on the lead and from behind, worked well and is fast enough on figures. His 4-1 morning line is appealing. The favorite is trouble-prone dropper Cats Blame (4).
Race 7 – Maiden 2-year-old fillies go six and a half; first-time starter Sold It (3) is working well for her debut as the favorite. Show’s Hostess (8) also has worked well for her debut, while Tiz a Sharpie (4) finished with run in her third-place debut. Suspect she wants two turns, but she will rally late. If the first-timers come up short at six and a half, Tiz a Sharpie could get there.
Race 8 – Avanti Bello (5) most probable winner on the card in this Cal-bred N1X/optional $16,000 claiming route. Expect his odds to drop below his 9-5 line. Avanti Bello is the fastest in the race and reunited with Flavien Prat, who has ridden him in seven dirt routes: four wins, two seconds, one third.
Race 9 – It was an oversight by this Daily Racing Form print analyst failing to identify Afleet Ascent (9) as a contender in this N2X turf sprint. The colt’s numbers are good, he likes the hill and trained super for his first start since August. Yes, he is a contender. Sticking with horse-for-course Calexman (7) as top choice, but also will include Afleet Alex and consider front-runner Flip the Coin Jan (6) and late-runner Eric the Trojan (5).
Keys: Our Tiger’s Boy race 1, Westwood’s Wizard race 6, favorite Avanti Bello race 8.
First post Sunday, 12:30.