PRE-SCRATCHES

6th: NY-ALW/N1X, F&M-4+, 1m-70y (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Go Unbridled 5-2 3rd
Next Best: #7 Moshe Diane 5-1 4th
Best Value: #5 Lady Apple 30-1 7th
Super Add: #2 SCR

7th: CLM/N2L, 4+, 5.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Exalt 2-1 WON ($5.90)
Best Value: #4 Forty Prayers 9-2 7th
Next Best: #1 Sourceofthenile 9-5 6th
Super Add: #3 Pavlov’s Dog 12-1 2nd

8th: OC/N2X, 4+, 6f (DD)

Most Likely: #5 Jack On the Rocks 5-2 WON ($7.60)
Best Value: #2 Dixie Notion 5-1 4th
Next Best: #3 Poppa’s Pick 9-5 3rd

9th: CLM, 4+, 1m-70y (No Super-SCR 1-3-5)

Most Likely: #9 Sun Dance Moon 2-1 WON ($3.30)
Best Value: #7 Ryan’s Gift 15-1 6th
Next Best: #6 Idolatry 4-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Kid Tornado 5-1 5th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x3x3x2 = $72

$1 Pick 4 (1/2-2-5-1/3/5/9) Paid $88.00

SANTA ANITA – SPOT PLAY

PRE-SCRATCHES

5th (6:04pm ET): OC/N3X, 4+, 6.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #7 Kelly Leak 9-2: Timing right 2nd/break & toting three sharp spins to downhill undertaking.. WON ($11.60)

Most Likely: #5 Red Ace 4-1: Note bulbous 9/17 J-T tandem stat.. 4th
Best Value: #7 Rack Daddy 10-1: Chased Machen & more in bow.. 8th
Next Best: #4 Bind 3-1: Stall sharp with FTS; May want more ground.. WON ($4.20)
Super Add: #9 Saracen 9-2: Asked early, often in debut; May clear.. 3rd

4th: 24th Colonel Power, 4+, 5.5f-T (P3, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Due Date 8-5 WON ($3.40)
Best Value: #5 Don’t Shoot 10-1 5th
Next Best: #2 Delano 6-1 7th
Super Add: #4 Royal Express 10-1 6th

5th: 45th Pan Zareta, F&M-4+, 6f (P3, Super)

Most Likely: #8 Beautician 4-1: Doesn’t win often, but set up suits.. WON ($6.60)
Best Value: #3 Eagle Putt 8-1: Back to top last; Primed to move forward.. 7th
Next Best: #1 Moontune Missy 3-1: Amoss & hood could wake her up.. 4th
Super Add: #6 Wild About Marie 5-1: Thrash-Thornbury ‘now’ filly T2D.. 5th

6th: ALW/N1X, 4+, 8.5f-T (P3, Super)

Best Value: #12 Grove Park 8-1 11th
Next Best: #1 Harvest Home 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Avenstoke 8-1 4th
Super Add: #9 Tucky 20-1 9th

7th: 30th Rachel Alexandra (G3), 3yo, 8.5f P6, P4, P3, Super)

Best Value: #5 Inglorious 5-1: Price generous on emerging miss.. 2nd
Next Best: #3 Kathmanblu 6-5: Can’t fault; May prove better as turfer.. WON ($3.20)
Exotics Use: #4 Bouquet Booth 7-2: Has done little wrong since fall.. 4th
Super Add: #6 Tapit Dancer 10-1: Stoutly-bred Tapit steady 2yo improver.. 6th

8th: 26th Mineshaft (G3), 4+, 8.5f (P3, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Mission Impazible 3-1: Pletcher LA Derby winner 2nd/break.. 2nd
Best Value: #5 Le Grand Cru 12-1: Classy 6yo dangerous stretching out.. 5th
Next Best: #4 Apart 2-1: Took time unwinding in return prep; Better today.. 3rd

9th: 24th Fair Grounds H. (G3), 4+, 9f-T (P4, P3, Super)

Head-scratchingly deep edition with 7-8 capable on best, so it’s hard to take too short a number on a just-OK Loup Breton..

Best Value: #5 Sleepless Knight 8-1: Good spot for a fresh face.. 2nd
Next Best: #4 Gran Estreno 5-1: Remarkable winning 8yo bow (G3 Bradley).. 6th
Exotics Use: #1 Dubious Miss 8-1: Saves ground; 2nd chance for Lanerie.. 3rd
Super Add: #7 Joinem 10-1: Sneaky, troubled 3rd behind pair above last.. 5th

10th: 38th Risen Star (G2), 3yo, 8.5f (P3, Super)

Louisiana Derby lead up a corker in its’ own right with full cast coming forward after humdrum, short field Lecomte 4 weeks ago. While the gate filled up with greater numbers, its’ hard to get too far past McPeek’s Rogue Romance and Howard’s Machen. Sometimes the horses that look best on paper by virtue of running the fastest races coming in are just simply best. It feels like any of the other serious contenders will need to display more than they have heretofore to best the top pair..

Best Value: #6 Machen 6-1 4th
Next Best: #1 Rogue Romance 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Mucho Macho Man 4-1 WON ($9.20)
Super Add: #9 Justin Phillip 8-1 8th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

2x3x6x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

11th: MSW, 3yo, 8.5f-T (DD, Super)

As wild a wagering affair as you’re liable to see. Lots of big prices on sophs with good grass breeding..

Best Value: #2 Annual Update 20-1 8th
Next Best: #4 Dynamaker 12-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Lookin At Tiger 12-1 5th
Super Add: #8 Callingahardten 15-1 4th

11th: LA-CLM, 3+, 6f (Super Hi-5, Super)

Most Likely: #10 Cy’s Hope 9-2 WON ($3.60)
Next Best: #3 Cool Stream 4-1 –
Exotics Use: #4 Donna’szippyd’jour 5-1 –
Super Add: # 12 Yoda Dakota 15-1 4th

<$50 P4 Play:

9: 1-4-5
10: 1-6
11: 2-4-5-8-9-10-11-12
12: 3-10

3x2x8x2 = 96 x .50 = $48

GULFSTREAM

POST-SCRATCHES

6th: MSW, 3yo, 6.5f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Terrific Maiden event for sophs offers trio exiting Free Entry’s good win, and all of them, my top three below, experienced a hiccup or two in the race. KMc Storm Cat on rail is half to Point Given, and other pedigree powered players include firster Johan, full to Teuflesberg, and Zito-Pell Quiet American bay Saigon Story, half to good ALW runner Quick Delivery who won on this oval earlier in the week..

Most Likely: #12 Simbamangu 7-2 2nd
Best Value: #1 Turnofthecat 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #10 Escort 4-1 WON ($6.20)
Super Add: #6 Saigon Story 15-1 9th

7th: CLM/N2L, F&M-4+, 8.5f-Outer Turf (P5, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Performing 6-1 WON ($7.40)
Best Value: #1 Radiant Sky 12-1 12th
Exotics Use: #6 Nurse Dolce 8-1 2nd
Super Add: #7 Developing Story 4-1 8th

8th: MSW, 3yo, 1m-Inner Turf (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Respect first NA (#9 Straight Line) from skillful Attfield, but 5-2 tough to swallow from outside post this trip. Protect in multis but looking elsewhere for price boost..

Best Value: #3 Cockeyed Rooster 5-1 5th
Next Best: #6 Chinglish 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Nine O Wonderful 8-1 3rd-DH
Super Add: #2 Moonstock 6-1 6th

9th: 21st Sabin (G3), F&M-4+, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Very quirky edition of this stake with questionable pace scenario key to unlocking the mystery. Several here like to be on or near front with Catch a Thief and Hyperlink the entities possessing sprinter’s speed. Amazing will need to be at least forwardly placed out of the chute too, and Pletcher returnees (Awesome Maria) are almost always ‘fresh’, so potential for duel exists. If they all grapple, a meltdown is possible making even 15-1 Musical Romance viable. But it’s always as likely in these situations that everybody looks at each other coming out of the gate and the pace never develops. In that case, a first run stalker like Sassy Image could get the best trip… Freely admit to having no clue as to what happens here. Hit the ‘All’ button in multis if you can afford it because any of the 8 can win..

Best Value: #8 Sassy Image 6-1 7th
Next Best: #5 Hyperlink 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #1 SCR (11:58a)
Super Add: #3 Musical Romance 15-1 5th

10th: 16th Mac Diarmida (G2), 4+, 11f-Inner Turf (DD, Super)

Chose from whichever Attfield you wish (Musketier for me), and though distance a question, hard-hitting Rahy’s Attorney is well drawn for stretchout and may well drift upwards from the 8-1 ML. You need to be searching for altenatives to the vulnerable favorites (Prince Will I Am and Al Khali)..

Most Likely: #6 Musketier 6-1 3rd
Best Value: #3 Rahy’s Attorney 8-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Stately Victor 12-1 12th
Super Add: #11 Mint Chip 20-1 10th

11th: MSW, 3yo, 1m-Inner Turf (Super)

Most Likely: #5 Laconic 7-2: Washed off last; Unimaginative choice.. WON ($6.20)
Next Best: #6 Prado Dash 8-1: Nafzger tricky off breaks; First firm turf try.. 3rd
Best Value: #3 Punster 12-1: Well bred and maybe needed lawn from get-go.. 6th
Super Add: #10 Perfect Joiski 10-1: Half to Singletary.. 10th

<$20 P6 Play:

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

2x2x2x7x1x3 = 168 x .10 = $16.80

<$100 P5 Play:

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

4x2x2x2x3 = 96 x .50 = $48

<$50 P4 Play:

8: 3-6
9: All
10: 3-6
11: 3-5-6

2x7x2x3 = 84 x .50 = $42

GULFSTREAM

POST-SCRATCHES

6th: MSW, F&M-4+, 5f-Outer Turf (P5, P3, DD, Super)

Quirky-looking turf sprint to start things with added intrigue of 3 FTS from outstanding outfits v. 6 that have had their chances..

Most Likely: #1 Lady Chesterfield 6-1 6th
Best Value: #5 Deputy Major 10-1 8th
Exotics Use: #4 Heavy Favorite 5-1 3rd
Super Add: #6 Arboria 10-1 7th

7th: MSW, 3yo-F, 1m-Inner Turf (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #9 Giant Sensation 10-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 War Clan 7-2 WON ($5.80)
Exotics Use: #5 Artisanal 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #11 Sense of Pride 8-1 4th

$1 Exacta (1-5) Paid: $19.20
$1 Trifecta (1-5-9) Paid: $126.50
$1 Superfecta (1-5-9-11) Paid: $689.60

8th: CLM, 4+, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Very deep dime bag going a mile, and unless Pressure gets some, he could be loose and gone under excellent front end rider Solis. Should the pace get contentious, this thing could end up in anyone’s lap..

Best Value: #4 Pressure 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #6 Coach Ryan 7-2 9th
Exotics Use: #2 Cove Star 10-1 4th
Super Add: #9 The Braveheart 10-1 10th

9th: ALW/N1X, F&M-4+, 11.5f-Inner Turf (DD, Super)

Three turn turf route yet another reason this sequence is maddening. Host of premier grass conditioners (Biancone, Penna, Motion, Mott, Clement, et al) send well-bred-for-task candidates, including four imports, in assignment that demands pilot patience/precision..

Best Value: #6 Giants Play 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #10 Up in Lights 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #4 Silk Route 7-2 4th
Super Add: #8 La Luna de Miel 5-1 WON ($19.80)

10th: S/ALW, 4+, 8.5f-Outer Turf (Super)

Most Likely: #3 Marvel Wood 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #8 Seeyouinthecity 4-1 3rd
Best Value: #4 Monashee Gold 6-1 5th
Super Add: #2 SCR

<$75 P5 Play:

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

6x3x2x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

<$72 P4 Play:

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

3x4x6x2 = 144 x .50 = $72

Late getting the opinions up after a big Thursday ATR…

GULFSTREAM

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: CLM/N3L, 4+, 6f (P5, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #9 Mine N Gems 4-1 4th
Best Value: #11 Double Holiday 15-1 6th
Next Best: #8 Another Success 3-1 DNF-Lost rider
Super Add: #1 Forward Observer 6-1 2nd

6th: CLM/N2L, 4+, 1m (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #4 Custers Last Stand 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Bull Hole 5-2 WON ($3.80)
Exotics Use: #10 Grand Reality 4-1 9th
Super Add: #7 Malibu Mike 15-1 4th

7th: CLM, 3yo, 8.5f-Outer Turf (P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #3 Madness n’ Mayhem 10-1 8th
Next Best: #1 Bluegrass Jet 8-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #10 Yankee Kitten 6-1 5th
Super Add: #11 Summer in Giza 10-1 4th

8th: ALW/N1X, 4+, 1m-Inner Turf (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Longboarder 4-1 7th
Best Value: #8 SCR
Next Best: #5 Estimate 3-1 6th
Super Add: #4 Devon Rock 6-1 2nd

9th: CLM, F&M-4+, 5f-Outer Turf (Super)

Most Likely: #7 Charlie Papa 4-1 4th
Best Value: #10 Bling Bling Girl 10-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Girl Bar 5-1 2nd
Super Add: #4 Shimmering Tina 12-1 9th

<$75 P5 Play:

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

4x3x3x4x1 = 144 x .50 = $72

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x4x4x2 = 128 x .50 = $64