By Toby Turrell

The answer of course is Santa Anita!!!!-----I have been stationed at the Great Race Place trackside every morning attempting to scout out tomorrows winners for us ahead of the curve. Things are taking a neat shape as Bill Mott,Ken McPeek,C. Clement,T. Pletcher,G. Motion as well as a top barn from Europe who I understand has shipped accross 12 runners for the upcoming meet.

Opening day will feature the Malibu Gr 1, The La Brea Stakes Gr 1, The Sir Beaufort Stakes Gr3 as well as the 70th running of the Cal Breeders Champion Stakes. I look forward to a big effort from longshot Square Eddie and a huge performance from the Baffert trained Misremembered in the Malibu. Keep your eyes on a shipper named Amazed By Grace in the La Brea as Garrett Gomez worked her in dynamite fashion today over the Pro Ride going a 1/2 in 47 flat with a tremendous gallop out!!! The majestic San Gabriel mountains are capped with snow for the most unique backdrop in North American racing.

To reflect briefly on 2009--let me say that I keep hope alive for the next exciting horse each and every day I am blessed to sit in the stands and watch horses train in front of me. I believe Rachael Alexandra is one of the best horses that has ever raced and I think that Blind Luck who won the Starlet yesterday at Hollywood Park is now the best 2 year old we have seen in the country. If you dont want to take my word for it just realize that she shattered Lookin At Lucky's winning time of the Cash Call the day before by nearly a full second and a 1/2 and went 6 wide entering the stretch in doing so..........I am thrilled that in both cases that Casetherace viewers were hipped to these champions perhaps ahead of anybody in the game!!!!!!!!

In closing, I wish everyone the best of the holiday season and spirit of Christmas-----I will be out each and every day trying to report on the greatest game ever played live and remote from the Great Race Place in Arcadia California---SANTA ANITA RACE TRACK