1/10-11 (SA): San Pasqual H. (Gr. II); Santa Ysabel (Gr. III)
 

8th (4:07) San Pasqual H. (G2)

1 1/16 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $150,000

1 Mostacolli Mort Gomez G K 114 L
2 Marchfield Husbands P 118 L
3 Informed Baze M C 113
4 Cowboy Cal Velazquez J R 117 L
5 Noble Court Smith M E 114 L
6 Past the Point Bejarano R 116 L
7 Well Armed Gryder A T 121 L
8 Magnum (ARG) Pedroza M A 113 L
9 Blue Exit Flores D R 113 Blk-On L
10 Ball Four Decarlo C P 118 L
11 Racketeer Sutherland C 113 L
12 Slew's Tizzy Rosario J 116 L



SUNDAY 8th (4:07) Santa Ysabel S. (G3)

1 1/16 Miles (All Weather Track) | Fillies | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $100,000

1 Acting Lady Baze M C 116 L
2 Haka Gomez G K 116 L
3 Jemmealey Valdivia J Jr 116 L
4 Dave's Revenge Espinoza V 116 L
5 Century Park Baze T C 116 L
6 Lady Lumberjack Bejarano R 114 L
7 Will O Way Rosario J 116 L
8 Crazy Tricia Garcia M 114 L
9 Toro Bonito Flores D R 114 L

With as poorly as Well Armed ran last out and being 1st off the layoff, I'll definitely try to beat him here.

John Velazquez thinks enough of Cowboy Cal (2nd in the G1 Bluegrass in his last start on a synthetic surface) to come across the country from Florida to ride. In his last race, Cowboy Cal finished ahead of Gio Ponti on the turf and we know what Gio Ponti did in his most recent race trying synthetic.

anyone think ball four is worth a look?

he may have had nothing better to do.

Not that I make much on what jocks do - but there is a Pletcher 3yo running at GP on Saturday - a 300K Officer 2yo buy who worked a furlong in 10 flat at the FT Feb sale and ran a triple digit Beyer in his natural dirt debut. While very likely a sprinter and a horse he can always pick up next time - its still a prospect and a nice mount.

Obligingly? He ran over a 100 in his debut?

If he can get a lone lead, he's tough on polytrack. Don't know if that will translate to Pro-Ride, but he's a tryer.

Johnny V must really have nothing better to do to fly across the country for a Grade 2 race with a $150,000 purse (and a 12-horse field).

Cowboy Cal could be pointing for the Strub and Big Cap and this race may be Part 1 of the package deal (if all goes well on Saturday).

Being first call for Todd Pletcher, this may be where Pletcher wanted him to be on Saturday. Pletcher has 3 horses running at Gulfstream on Saturday.

It is interesting to note that Chris Decarlo is named on both Ball Four in the San Pasqual at Santa Anita and Obligingly in Race 10 at Gulstream on Saturday (which leads me to believe that Pletcher could scratch one of his horses from the San Pasqual).

I'm a big fan of Well Armed (even though he screwed me on BC day. NOT redboarding since i didn't hit it but damn was alive and had singled him in the pick 3...:( ).

So while I'm hoping he does well and my money is on Marchfield.

Nice horse who will be overlooked here and who can do it.

This race is like a comeback race for many horses trying to overcome age and downturns in form. I remember when Magnum was a real horse challenging Lava Man on several occasions. On his old form, he's there but maybe that was too long ago. Seems like a lot of early speed here and interested to see if Racketeer can go longer with that nice kick. You know Well Armed would be a lock if his ast race wasn't a dude. I say he comes back to form and takes it.

1st - Well Armed 3/1
2nd- Magnum 20/1
3rd- Racketeer 30/1

I'll box the exacta and hope one of the bombs comes in.

I like Marchfield from off the pace, big class drop from Woodbine to Santa Anita, sad to say.

i was being a bit sarcastic. it's no surprise at all to me that he'd fly cross-country, all things considered. my point really was that i don't think cowboy cal should get a harder look just because a jock is travelling to ride him. if you thought CC had a chance before finding out the rider, then go for it. if you were ignoring him til you found out jv was coming, i'd still ignore him.

doesn't Past the Point hate synthetics?

he may be better on dirt but he can run on it.....he hates not getting the lead.

Interestingly, Magnum, age 8, also is running for the first time since being gelded.

Good to know.

I think Ball Four will be the only value horse, but I just don't see the win.

Great analysis. First, with the call on the jockey. That's an angle I've long played (along with where is the trainer when he has entries at different tracks). And with the way this course favors runners with grass form and after watching Gio Ponti on it, you had a number of factors that led to believing Cowboy Cal had a big chance. I wish I had bet him but I didn't.