12/31: Aqueduct (6th-9th); Santa Anita (5th-8th)

[Kasept]

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and had a successful year playing the horses. I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that for those of us that were too young to appreciate the remarkable Triple Crown exploits of the 70's, 2015 was as dramatic, historic and singularly enjoyable season as we've experienced. It was a special privilege to be in position to try and chronicle it for ATR listeners and I'm not sure how easy it will be to surpass the year's highlights. My position is that the game remains far more vital and vibrant than its' loudest critics want you to believe and I think this past year went a long way towards confirming that. Let's build on these past 12 months and make 2016 another big success. Warm wishes to Derby Trailers, ATR listeners, Dee Tee partners, industry stakeholders and their families for a bountiful New Year filled with health and contentment..

AQUEDUCT


POST-SCRATCHES


6th: NY-CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Superbly matched set of state bred fillies. Pace should be honest or more..

Best Value: #7 Regina Christina 15-1 5th
Next Best: #1 Champagne Ruby 3-1 WON ($7.40)
Exotics Use: #3 Irish Whisper 2-1 7th
Super Add: #4 Touching My Toes 5-2 3rd


7th: NY-OC/N1X, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Another fun, restricted company assembly. Geaux Mets has won for everybody that saddles and may be poised to keep rolling in 2nd start for Rudy..

Best Value: #11 Geaux Mets 5-1 WON ($4.20)
Next Best: #1 Gypsum Johnny 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #9 Commandante 10-1 4th
Super Add: #12 Mighty Zealous 20-1 5th


8th: 37th Alex M. Robb-NY, 3+, 8.5f (DD)

Terrific cast for this final stake of '15 in NY including the '15 winner Big Business and '13 hero Saratoga Snacks. (And as it happens, '14 Robb victor Commandante runs in the 7th!). With Snacks and Big Business, Good Luck Gus the only other p[articipant with a win over the Inner Track. Ostrolenka is the pacesetter here with Snacks likely setting up shop just off his flank with Angel Arroyo back aboard. Big Business will visit the lead pair first in the stretch with Empire Dreams arriving later. Really none of these 8 signed on can be easily eliminated..

Best Value: #8 Big Business 10-1 6th
Next Best: #5 Saratoga Snacks 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Empire Dreams 5-2 WON ($4.90)
Super Add: #4 Ostrolenka 6-1 8th


9th: CLM, 3+, 1m

No shortage of pace involved here..

Best Value: #4 Best Play 10-1 WON ($12.60)
Next Best: #7 Inca Saint 9-2 5th
Exotics Use: #5 Special Agent 3-1 2nd
Super Add: #8 Cosmic Coincidence 4-1 6th


P4 Grid:

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

Simple (A+B): 4x3x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72
Full (A/B/C): $62 (With $1 All A's Play)

$0.50 Pick-4 (1/2,4,8,11/1/4) Paid $125.75



SANTA ANITA


POST-SCRATCHES


5th: CLM, 3+, 1m (P4, P3, DD)

Crazily well-matched group with entire field only a length apart on figs..

Most Likely: #6 Ice Cream Truck 7-2 -
Best Value: #3 Muchos Besos 15-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Noble Kent 5-2 WON ($7.80)
Exotics Use: #2 Carlsbad Mountain 3-1 2nd


6th: OC/N1X, 3+, 9f (P3, DD)

Some class to this set with 7 trying 9f for the first time and the other three unsuccessful in their prior attempts at the trip..

Most Likely: #4 Captain Tim 6-1 5th
Best Value: #3 Little Curlin 6-1 WON ($23.20)
Next Best: #5 Tribal Jewel 5-1 6th
Exotics Use: #8 Grazen Sky 4-1 2nd


7th: 21st Eddie Logan, 2yo, 1m-T (DD)

Most Likely: #7 Path of David 5-2 WON ($4.20)
Next Best: #2 Arabian Leopard 5-1 3rd
Best Value: #1 Trust Your Gut 5-1 5th
Exotics Use: #6 Imperious One 5-1 2nd


8th: MCLM/$20k, 3+, 6f (Super Hi-5)

After 3 tricky events, expect many multi-race plays to lean heavily on D'Amato and Adair..

Most Likely: #9 Adair 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #6 Xerxes 8-1 WON ($16.80)
Next Best: #4 Spirit World 3-1 -
Exotics Use: #5 Captain Carchy 4-1 2nd
Hi-5 Play: #2 Financial 6-1 -


P4 Grid:

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

Simple (A+B): 4x4x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72
Full (A/B/C): $55 (With $1 All A's Play)

$0.50 Pick-4 (5/3/7,11/6) Paid $888.30


Good luck!
Steve