1/16: Aqueduct ($25k C/O); Santa Anita (P4, $46k Hi-5 C/O)

[Kasept]

Missed widely and frustratingly Saturday through most of the proceedings at Aqueduct & Gulfstream before connecting at end of cards for slight gains in the Big A nightcap ($36.75 tri) and Sugar Swirl ($94.90 tri) at Hallandale. Am getting slightly miffed at finding GP horses like Dr. Smarty Jack, who drew in to the 8th and was a fat 13-1, and watching them come up just short at the wire. Not sure what else Elvis Trujillo could have done to get the "W", as short-priced Citrus Kid, whom I was looking to beat, just kept going in the stretch. Dr. Smarty Jack paid $14.20 to place, but a win from him delivers the P4 for between $1,000-$1,250. Uggh.

As I've been writing, it's challenging every race, every day at Gulfstream, and I'm taking the day off from Hallandale with a $25k carryover at Aqueduct on a fun card, and a $46k Super Hi-5 carryover at Santa Anita at the end of the nice P4 sequence. Speaking of Pick-X sequences, the P6 at Santa Anita went to a single winner Saturday for $118k. People are so down on California that they only bet $221k into the P6 pool and $504k into the Late P4...


AQUEDUCT


POST-SCRATCHES


4th: ALW/N1X, 4+, 6f (P6, P3, DD)

You can protect 2-1 fave #5 Sin and the City in the P6, but gleefully play against him within the race. He beat less than nothing at Philly on a notorious speed track. Note race two back for turnbacker #1 Eltish Star who was sandwiched between two impressive next out winners in Driven by Solar and Winning Touch. Had no chance last time trying to close into slow route pace..

Best Value: #1 Eltish Star 4-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 E Knows Why 7-2 5th
Exotics Use: #3 Six Flings 12-1 4th


5th: CLM/N1Y, 4+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD)

Need to note the passing of trainer Faustino Ramos, a victim of a heart attack at age 70 Thursday. Ramos, who started in the U.S. working for Bennie Perkins Sr. and around the game more than 3 decades, posthumously sends his final starter here in #9 Banking Holiday. Ramos last win came in September with Gentle Ride, and he enjoyed success in ALW company recently with In for a Dime. His stakes winners included Punchline Patty, Sam’s Sunny Halo, and Lovely Fiona.. (Alas, Banking Holiday has been SCR'd)..

Most Likely: #4 Saints Alive 2-1 7th
Next Best: #7 Mr. Magenta 5-2 WON ($5.20)
Best Value: #5 Morine's Victory 15-1 4th
Exotics Use: #3 Undocumented 8-1 6th


6th: MDN CLM, 4+, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Quite a lesson in racehorse economics in this event with $625k Sensei, $170k All My Chips, $160k Soldier of Destiny and $350k Seeking Anita all looking for a Maiden victory at the $12,500 tag level..

Best Value: #2 Seeking Anita 6-1 WON ($10.40)
Next Best: #10 Sensei 8-5 5th
Exotics Use: #9 All My Chips 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #4 Mystic Era 20-1 2nd (at 65-1)

$1 Exacta (2-4) Paid $157.00
$1 Trifecta (2-4-9) Paid $584.00


7th: MDN CLM, 3yo-F, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 In Her Hey Day 3-1 WON ($4.30)
Best Value: #10 Southern Sunsation 15-1 5th
Next Best: #1 Dance Card Filled 5-1 4th
Super Add: #7 India Hermosa 6-1 8th

$1 Pick 3 (7/2/4) Paid $58.25


8th: Lady On the Run, F&M-4+, 1m (DD, Super)

Best Value: #4 Wind Caper 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Quiet Giant 7-5 WON ($3.60)

$1 Pick 3 (2/4/5) Paid $34.50


9th: CLM/N2L, F&M-4+, 6f (Super)

Most Likely: #11 No Goal 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Roaring Belle 5-1 4th
Exotics Use: #3 Charmed 8-1 6th
Super Add: #9 Why Then 6-1 WON ($11.80)


<$150 P6 Play:

4: 1
5: 2-3-4-5-7
6: 2-9-10
7: 4-10
8: 4-5
9: 11

1x5x3x2x2x1 = 60 x $2 = $120


<$50 P4 Play:

6: 2-9-10
7: 4-7
8: 4-5
9: 3-7-9-11

3x2x2x4 = $48

$1 Pick 4 (2/4,6/5/9) Paid $175.50




SANTA ANITA


POST-SCRATCHES


6th: CLM, F&M-4+, 1m (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Sweetsouthernqueen 5-2 5th
Best Value: #7 Malusita 4-1 2nd
Next Best: #1 Misinjennuous 7-2 7th
Super Add: #2 Tamerin 3-1 WON ($11.60)


7th: OC/N2X, F&M-4+, 1m-T (P3, DD, Super)

Feels like a contentious pace is in the offing here..

Most Likely: #6 Hemera 3-1 WON ($7.60)
Next Best: #3 Andina 2-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Calle Vista 5-2 2nd
Super Add: #4 Gripsholm Castle 4-1 4th


8th: 47th El Encino (G2), 4yo-F, 8.5f (DD, Super)

Great to get the likes of established MGSW Blind Luck, Always a Princess and Champagne d'Oro back running early in the year, as well as see how much more upside there is on fillies like Malibu Pier and It Tiz..

Most Likely: #2 Blind Luck 4-5 2nd
Best Value: #6 Always a Princess 4-1 WON ($9.80)
Next Best: #3 Malibu Pier 3-1 5th
Super Add: #1 Champagne d'Oro 6-1 4th

$1 Pick 3 (2/6/6) Paid $160.20


9th: MDN CLM, 4+, 5.5f (Super, Super Hi-5)

$47k Super Hi-5 C/O Here..

Most Likely: #1 Resplendently 7-2 WON ($5.60)
Best Value: #7 Our Last Monte 9-2 2nd
Next Best: #10 Naturaliste 9-2 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Gifted Student 4-1 3rd
Hi-5 Play: #11 Indiana Nana 10-1 4th

$1 Exacta (1-7) Paid $18.40
$1 Trifecta (1-7-6) Paid $65.50
$1 Superfecta (1-7-6-11) Paid $349.90
$1 Pick 3 (6/6/1) Paid $113.70


<$75 P4 Play:

6: 1-2-6-7
7: 2-3-4-6
8: 2-6
9: 1-6-7-10

4x4x2x4 = 128 x .50 = $64

$0.50 Pick 4 (2/6/6/1) Paid $316.55



Good luck!
Steve