The fifth race on Opening day at the Great Race Place provides some nice betting opportunities. With this being the only race carded at 6 ½ furlongs down the tricky hillside course, we see a price play coming in a field with relatively little speed. This is just one of many outstanding races to wager on this Saturday at Santa Anita. Here’s the way we see this race unfold from the rail out.
Leandros has just two U.S. starts and hasn’t done much in either of them. But he gets back to what he does best, sprinting on the grass. He’s been working awfully fast recently and is taking a significant drop in class. He has a good chance of outrunning his odds in this race and we could see him running on for a purse share in the 3rd or 4th slot. I don’t like the rail post coming down the hill and the rider/trainer combo doesn’t click very often, so we’ll pass on Leandros in this spot. But if you play the tri or the super tri, consider him underneath.
Ten Meropa is a little light on numbers at the present time but is in reasonably good form and could fill out the 3rd or 4th spot in the tri or super tri. I just don’t see him getting that good of a trip in this race from the inside and the rider/trainer combo do not win races. Pass.
Searchforthetruth is a solid contender in this field. He is coming off a solid effort, retains the leading rider on the circuit, and is dropping in class. He should be hard to handle in the drive and anything better than 3/1 makes him a legitimate play.
High Standards is the speed of the race in a race with very little speed. And although he’s never won over this course, he is stakes placed in his only try. With the hot riding Joe Talamo in the saddle, he can wire this field at a nice mutual. “Standards” is our selection and is a solid play at 9/2 or better which you should certainly get.
Crossing The Line, with Gomez up, is going to be the post time favorite and deservedly so. He needed his last start, has plenty of back class, and is from an outstanding barn. But he’s never raced down this hillside course before, and with only one race in 2.4 years, you’re not sure exactly what you’re going to get today. At a low price, we are going to go against the “Line.”
Scat Thief can win this race at a price. He’s a solid fit on numbers and has won over this course at this price. He had considerable trouble in his last start that the form does not show and still only got beat a length. The jock knows him well and with a 20/1 morning line, do not leave him off your pick 3 tickets. At 12/1 or better, he is a win candidate.
Noblety is also a fit in this race and comes off a win against slightly easier. But he should get plenty of action at the windows at the current barn just tried to sell him for $10,000 less and there were no takers. With no works in 22 days, he may not be 100%. We will try and beat him today.
Major General has been off for 11 months and comes off a maiden win. Although Mitchell is excellent off a long layoff such as this, and Bejarano takes the mount, I don’t think he is good enough to win this race. His lone win to date was down this course though.
Bonfante used to be able to dominate a field like this, but that was before he got old. Soon to be 9 years of age, Bonfante just isn’t the same horse and he is 0/5 over this layout. Pass.
East Indian is a nice horse at Golden Gate but he is probably outclassed with this group. Although he is in good form, Vallejo doesn’t often win on the turf, and this will be a new experience for the “Indian.” We’ll pass on him.
W: High Standards
P: Searchforthetruth
S: Scat Thief
