By Donald Harris

WINNING VOW - Ran a couple of competitive efforts at Turf Paradise before returning to Santa Anita last time.  Rios gave him a sketchy ride in that race.  It appeared that Rios did not trust the way Winning Vow was moving underneath him.  Very cautious ride.  Springer takes over the riding duties today.  He was on this colt for his only win at this track.  It's hard to envision him making a serious impact today.  He has already been spaced by fellow competitor Lesson in Deceit.  He would surprise.

MIGUEL'S MASCOT - Has turned into a nice little colt.  His layoff effort was a good second behind fellow competitor Feisty Suances.  Miguel had no chance to compete for the win because the pace was non-existent in a five horse field.  After going six wide into the first turn, he settled reasonably well.  He grinded his way down the stretch to pick up second money.  Since the pace today does not look much different than last time, the top prize I could see for Miguel is second money.

ROB'S HERO - The one positive angle is that Russell Baze takes the call.  That is where the positives end.  He simply looks outclassed against this group.  He would surprise.

RUN IT - Hard trying little colt grinded his way to a victory in his turf debut last time.  There was nothing in that win that said this guy is stakes quality.  He would have to make up numerous lengths on fellow competitor Arden Park to be a threat.  Arden beat him by 7.5 lengths two races back.  He would surprise.

FEISTY SUANCES - Gets the horse to beat title.  Jogged his way to victory last time when getting a dream pace sequence in a small field.  Today the field is a little bigger but there does not appear to be any other speed signed on.  Kaenel should have him traveling at a very comfortable tempo early.  This should give him the needed juice late to hold off any closer's.  Major player.

ARDEN PARK - Had his unbeaten streak snapped when tackling stakes company for the first time in his third career start. It was also his first try on on the grass.  He had a legitimate excuse in that race.  Mike Smith took him out of the picture when making his rally on the turn.  When I say out of the picture, I mean he was so wide that the replay machine did not have him on the feed for a few strides.  I'd say a minimum of nine wide.  After losing a continent of ground he ended up galloping out with real strength.  There is clear talent with this colt.  His big concern is the lack of pace.  Major player.

LESSON IN DECEIT - Comes out of the same race as Arden Park.  Unlike Arden, Lesson was able to save all the ground.  He was just not good enough to make an impact.  This is a colt that probably needs a pace meltdown.  He will not get it today.  Bottom portion of the trifecta looks like his top prize.

MASSONE - The deserving favorite.  McAnally colt comes out of a monster effort in the Grade 1 Blue Grass.  Before that he shows a good second to Kentucky Derby runner Chocolate Candy.  Those last two running lines are hard to ignore.  Add to that is the fact he turned in a huge finish in his May 15 Santa Anita drill.  Toby Turrell had him coming home the final quarter mile in 23.00.  That is big!   All of the above means he is going to be hammered at the windows.  Major player. 

Wagering Strategy ($100 bankroll)

$10 trifecta:  5 - 8 - 2,6  ($20)

$25 trifecta:  5 - 6,8 - 6,8  ($50)

$5 exacta box:  2,5,6  ($30)


Last Weeks Results:  Profit of $570.50

$50 win:  #8 Fleet O Lei  ($50)  +180  

$10 exacta:  8 - 2,3,4  ($30)  +222

$5 trifecta:  8 - 2 - 3,4,5,7  ($20)  +268.50

 

----