12/26: Santa Anita (Opening Day)
 

SANTA ANITA -- OPENING DAY


POST-SCRATCHES


4th: MSW, 2yo, 6.5f (P6, P3, DD)

Seemingly well-matched group of MDN's, most with experience, and a firster in Micks Miracle WON ($5.80) that hints at buzz based on Jon White's 4-1 ML. Notable that Passinaflash, Ideal and Blue Harbor exit races involving Dortmund and Firing Line, with Passinaflash managing to face both. Thankful this isn't in an already treacherous late P4..

Best Value: #11 Ideal 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Steam Play 7-2 9th
Exotics Use: #6 Iancol 5-1 7th
Super Add: #9 Passinaflash 8-1 6th


5th: OC/C, 3+, 9f-T (P3, DD)

SCR of Press Baron leaves this utterly up for grabs..

Most Likely: #3 Mal Verde 3-1 4th
Best Value: #7 Christopher Street 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #9 Bench Light 7-2 WON ($8.80)
Exotics Use: #6 Husband's Folly 5-1 7th


6th: 42nd La Brea (G1), 3yo-F, 7f (P4, P3, DD)

There's just too much speed signed up here to accept the short number on Taris. Stalking Marylou (6-1) and turnback Jojo Warrior (4-1) look like the right late arrivals..

Most Likely: #10 Jojo Warrior 4-1 8th
Best Value: #3 Thank You Marylou 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Taris 2-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #7 Stonetastic 4-1 7th


7th: 15th Mathis Bros. Mile (G2), 3yo, 1m-T (P3, DD)

A lot of sophomores in this that really like to win and enough confirmed frontrunners to anticipate waves of contenders.. Think you're obliged to try and beat Heart to Heart with many prices within range..

Most Likely: #10 Long On Value 5-1 7th
Next Best: #7 Heart to Heart 5-2 4th
Best Value: #12 Talco 10-1 5th
Exotics Use: #9 Home Run Kitten 6-1 2nd


8th: 63rd Malibu (G1), 3yo, 7f (DD)

While there are 'fast' players here, as opposed to La Brea, they aren't as lead-adamant. Baffert quartet appear poised to enter turn as superfecta leaders. Shared Belief will be very short but is the class of the field and wins if at his best..

Most Likely: #8 Shared Belief 4-5 WON ($3.00)
Best Value: #6 Midnight Hawk 6-1 8th
Next Best: #2 Chitu 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #3 Indianapolis 6-1 4th


9th: MSW, 2yo-F, 1m-T (Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #5 Scattagirl 6-1 10th
Best Value: #1 Rue de Cry 12-1 2nd
Next Best: #8 Paulina's Love 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #9 Indian Princess 6-1 5th
Hi-5 Play: #7 Foolish Ways 3-1 4th


<$75 P4 Grid:

6: 3-10 (A), 1 (B), 7-9 (C)
7: 7-10 (A), 12 (B), 2-4-5-9-11 (C)
8: 8 (A), 2-3-6 (B), 5 (C)
9: 1-5 (A), 8-9 (B), 7-10 (C)

Full (A/B/C): $75
Simple (A+B): 3x3x4x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

All A Entries

1 $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 6,10 with 8 with 1,5 - $4.00

A's with One B

2 $0.50 pick P4: 1 with 6,10 with 8 with 1,5 - $2.00
3 $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 7 with 8 with 1,5 - $2.00
4 $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 6,10 with 2,3,6 with 1,5 - $12.00
5 $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 6,10 with 8 with 8,9 - $4.00

A's with Two B's

6 $0.50 pick P4: 1 with 7 with 8 with 1,5 - $1.00
7 $0.50 pick P4: 1 with 6,10 with 2,3,6 with 1,5 - $6.00
8 $0.50 pick P4: 1 with 6,10 with 8 with 8,9 - $2.00
9 $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 7 with 2,3,6 with 1,5 - $6.00
10 $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 7 with 8 with 8,9 - $2.00
11 $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 6,10 with 2,3,6 with 8,9 - $12.00

A's with One C

12 $0.50 pick P4: 7,9 with 6,10 with 8 with 1,5 - $4.00
13 $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 2,4,5,9,12 with 8 with 1,5 - $10.00
N/A $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 6,10 with 5 with 1,5 - $0.00
15 $0.50 pick P4: 3,10 with 6,10 with 8 with 7,10 - $4.00

Total: $71.00


Good luck!
Steve

I'm going back to the well with Midnight Hawk in the 8th, probably at my peril. I do believe it is the correct distance for the horse though.

I just want to say thanks to you Steve, Gus, Kitan and anyone else who takes the time to write up their picks and post them on the site. If anyone thinks that it doesn't take time to do a write up then they should try themselves. Been sick in bed with the flu and haven't been able to even look at a form yet but it is a big help to peruse your selections and get pointed in the right direction.
Happy Holidays to all

:tro: Well put AD!!

"and a firster in Micks Miracle that hints at buzz based on Jon White's 4-1 ML."

Doubles just smashed to him and opens at odd on