$200,000 San Vicente (G2) Santa Anita Park

Race 6 (Saturday, February 10, 2018: 5:30 p.m./ET: 2:30 p.m./PT)
Seven furlongs on the main track (three-year-olds)

Previous winners of this event include NYQUIST (2016), IMPERIALISM (2004), and SILVER CHARM (1997). Let’s see if we can find another possible gem in the rough in this year’s San Vicente (G2), starting with the inside post position:

#1 AX MAN went to the front and never looked back in his career debut, trouncing the opposition to win by nine-and-a-half-lengths while earning a 97 Beyer Speed Figure. The third place finisher in the race, LOMBO, has since come back to win two races: a maiden special weight event and the Robert B. Lewis (G3) last weekend. One of two talented runners signed on from the Bob Baffert barn, who has won this race nine previous times.

#2 MR. JAGERMEISTER is a Minnesota-bred that has won twice, both by double digit lengths. In his most recent start, he finished second (18 lengths clear of third) when defeated by AMY’S CHALLENGE, who came back to win the Dixie Bell Stakes at Oaklawn. He sports a couple of wicked fast workouts at Turf Paradise in preparation for this race, like a 57 and 3 five-furlong work on January 17 and a 1:10 and change six-furlong drill in his most recent workout. That said, this is a tough spot.

#3 NERO was a $950,000 sales purchase that has always been well regarded by the Baffert barn. He broke his maiden last time, defeating next out winner CURLY’S ROCKET in a photo finish. He is facing tougher now and will need to pick up the pace to win. Wouldn’t dismiss.

#4 ALL OUT BLITZ was a game winner of a strong six-furlong maiden special weight race at Los Alamitos in December, then came back to run second in the Sham (G3) to MCKINZIE, one of the top three-year-olds in the country. He cuts back in distance for this run (a move his trainer excels with) and has gotten better with each and every race. Improving sort merits respect.

#5 KANTHAKA beat a group of maiden special weight runners going this distance on December 26 and now tries winners for the first time. Is the only horse in the field that has won at this quirky seven-furlong distance.

#6 KRIS’ ROCKET KAT was an easy winner of a six-and-a-half furlong maiden special weight race on November 25 last time out. His only other run resulted in a fifth place finish behind subsequent graded stakes winners MOURINHO and INSTILLED REGARD. Bejarano picks this guy over #5 KANTHAKA and he has a stalking running style that suggests he’ll get a great trip just off the projected fast pace. Things to like here.

SELECTIONS

1. #6 KRIS’ ROCKET KAT – Tons of upside.
2. #1 AX MAN – Maiden score was eyepopping.
3. #4 ALL OUT BLITZ – Cuts back from a route to a sprint.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #3 NERO – The ‘other’ Baffert.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll make a straight win bet on my top choice and box my top three picks in exactas.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$20 Win: #6 KRIS’ ROCKET KAT

$5 Exacta Box: #1 AX MAN and #4 ALL OUT BLITZ and #6 KRIS’ ROCKET KAT ($30).

(Bankroll at -$114.00 after 2018 Week #1 Based on $50 Wagers; -$114.00 last

Newsletter).

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