Post-Race Review
East Coast shipper Einstein (BRZ) ruled the day on Saturday, winning the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) by a length as the third choice in a field of thirteen. Morning line favorite Colonel John scratched on race day, leaving the race wide open. Ridden by Julien Leparoux and trained by Helen Pitts-Blasi, Einstein won the tenth race of his career.
Matto Mondo (CHI) led the field early under Rafael Bejarano, and was collared in the stretch by Einstein. Champs Elysees (GB) was twelfth early but came flying late to grab the place spot. Matto Mondo finished third, with Monba fourth and Magnum (ARG) fifth. The highly regarded Blue Exit broke down on the far turn and was euthanized after the race.
Einstein, a seven-year-old dark bay son of Spend a Buck, paid $12 to win, topping a $112.90 exacta.
Pre-Race Analysis
The $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) takes place on Saturday, highlighting a card packed with stakes races, deep fields, and plentiful wagering opportunities. Fourteen of the country’s best older horses will compete over 1 1/4 miles on the synthetic track, and the race is a wide-open betting affair.
Colonel John is the mild favorite in the deep field. Last year’s Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner over this track and the earner of $1.4 million so far in an eleven race career, Colonel John returned in the Malibu Stakes on December 26th and finished fourth. The race was far too short for the big son of Tiznow, but Colonel John received a 100 for Aerobic Efficiency and a 91 for Stride Qualty in that race. The colt has won three of five starts on this surface and has already won at the distance.
After Colonel John, the field becomes somewhat of a mystery. Cowboy Cal is 5 – 1 morning line and although the Giant’s Causeway colt has never run a massive CASE number, his ratings are consistent throughout all of his starts, and Cowboy Cal won two Grade II stakes races here this season already. The Todd Pletcher-trainee has earned over $747,000 in eleven starts, and will be ridden by John Velasquez.
Einstein ((BRZ) has arrived from the East Coast for this race, and the seven-year-old had a great year in 2008 which saw three Grade 1 wins. On January 31st, Einstein finished third in the Donn Handicap, and jockey Julien Leparoux will fly out to ride the Spend a Buck horse again today. Einstein has won $1.6 million.
Matto Mondo (CHI) impressed many when winning the Thunder Road Handicap (gr. III) on February 7th. The flashy son of Sir Cat is improving with leaps and bounds under trainer Richard Mandella and earned an 89 for Stride Quality last out. The classic distance is the only question for Matto Mondo, who is six for eleven lifetime.
Magnum and Blue Exit are a pair of worthy longshots. Blue Exit in particular has a band of loyal followers who are going to back the colt at the windows tomorrow following a second place finish in the Strub Stakes behind Cowboy Cal in February and a sharp January allowance win prior to that. In the Strub, Blue Exit received a 105 for Aerobic Efficiency with a 96 for Endurance. Breaking from the stall next door is Magnum, 12 – 1 on the morning line who was 16 – 1 when winning the San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) last month. The eight-year-old gelding has been better than ever since behind gelded and earned a 102 for Aerobic Efficiency in the San Antonio.
Last year’s Blue Grass Stakes winner Monba, who was given a 97 for Stride Quality in that race, returned from a layoff to finish third behind Matto Mondo in the Thunder Road. Despite being away from the races for eight months, Monba ran well and looks to improve with a race under his belt. Edgar Prado will ride.
Court Vision, Zambezi Sun (GB), and Champs Elysees (GB) all deserve a look as well, since all three are capable of stepping up and winning this race.
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Emily Shields s a regular contributor to Case the Race. She has written for California Thoroughbred, Churchill Downs media, and international racing magazines.
