12/26: Santa Anita (Meet Opener)

[Kasept]

One of racing's great and important meets enjoys its' traditional Boxing Day opener Wednesday at Santa Anita though the spectre of serious drainage issues with its' CushionTrack surface remain an ominmous issue. As late as December 20, management at Arcadia was unsure if they would have a viable strip on which to conduct racing, and any heavy weather will be a test of the measures taken to prep the sythetic surface's stability.

Wednesday's Gr. I Malibu and Gr. III Sir Beaufort are a harbinger of the stakes-laden meet which has the potential to offer the best racing in the country the next three months. Both 3yo-restricted events drew full fields of 14 and are wonderfully competitive. Below a look at the late P4...


SANTA ANITA


6th: ALW/N1X, 3+, 6.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #12 Forestry Fire 6-1: 2x Canani winner back after 60 days.. 6th
Most Likely: #9 Beyond Loaded 3-1: Sise red aced Cal ALW foes; Loves this course.. 4th
Next Best: #10 Buck 6-1: Miller pacesetter could get away clean, easy.. WON
Super Add: #4 Cotton King 10-1: Stuck at level; Frankel bay tries lawn.. 3rd


7th: 56th Malibu (Gr. I), 3yo, 7f (P3, DD, Super)

Wonderful edition of this year-ender, the 'other' Gr. I soph sprint with the King's Bishop, and last top level stake on the U.S. calendar. Many here look capable on best with several coming in off long breaks to add to the mystery..

Best Value: #3 E Z Warrior 8-1: Square price on sharp-working Zayat-Baffert runner that faced East's top sprinters.. 13th

Most Likely: #12 Cobalt Blue 5-1: Former Merv Griffin Derby hopeful ran down MTH slop foes on BC undercard; Should get desired pace target under GoGo.. 12th

Next Best: #14 Divine Park 5-1: Unbeaten $20k Chuck Simon purchase aced Gr. III Withers and went on shelf; KMc deadly off extended breaks.. 9th

Super Add: #2 Les Grands Trois 4-1: 5/3-1-1 Live Oak-Frankel colt looks underlaid on ML but never off board and was well-regarded from start.. 5th

Longshots: #13 Incriminate 15-1: $1.5MM Darley grey shows string of 6 (!) a.m. efforts since 11/11 ALW score on sod.. #11 Silver Stetson Man 8-1: "Other" Baffert may get lost on board but is 3 for 4, has drilled well for this and gets Edgar..


8th: 8th Sir Beaufort (Gr. III), 3yo, 1m-T (DD, Super)

Tremendous betting race with few throwouts..

Best Value: #12 Adagio 15-1: IEAH and Dutrow shipped around for scores all annum.. 8th
Most Likely: #9 Whatsthescript 7-2: O'Neill poised to start meet with bang.. 13th
Next Best: #13 Twilight Meteor 9-2: Drew poorly but trust Gomez to work trip on cutback.. 3rd
Super Add: #7 Mast Track 15-1: Frankel-owned/bred bay threat with top try.. 5th


9th: MDN CLM, 3+, 6f (Hi 5)

Best Value: #8 Home of the Bold 8-1 WON
Most Likely: #1 Salty Scholar 6-1 6th
Next Best: #6 Press Release 8-1 3rd
Super Add: #12 Forest Edge 12-1 11th
Hi 5 Play: #11 Big River Ruler 12-1 10th


<$75 P4 Play:

6: 9-12
7: 2-3-11-12-13-14
8: 9-12
9: 1-6-8

2x6x2x3 = $72


Good luck!
Steve