$200,000 Santa Maria (G2) Santa Anita Park

$200,000 Santa Maria (G2)
Santa Anita Park

Race 4 (Saturday, February 10, 2018: 4:30 p.m./ET: 1:30 p.m./PT)
Mile and a sixteenth on the main track (fillies and mares, four-years-old and upward)

Eclipse Award winner UNIQUE BELLA makes her four-year-old debut in this spot. Can the likely heavy favorite get beat? Let’s take a closer look at the field: 

#1 SHENANDOAH QUEEN finished fourth behind #2 MOPOTISM In the La Canada (G2) last time out and ran seventh, beaten 11 lengths by #5 MAJESTIC HEAT, two starts ago. Is not in great form right now.

#2 MOPOTISM was a game winner of the La Canada (G2), snapping an eight race-losing streak in the process. She’ll have to turn the tables on UNIQUE BELLA, who she finished third to in the La Brea (G1) two starts back, but an in-the-money finish is well within range.

#3 KATHY’S SONG was third in the American Oaks (G1) most recently and won the Miss America Stakes at Golden Gate Fields two races back, both of which were on turf. Her only career race on the dirt resulted a second place finish in a maiden special weight race two years ago. On the improve for the Baltas barn.

#4 UNIQUE BELLA won the La Brea (G1) last time out, defeating the very talented PARADISE WOODS and #2 MOPOTISM. Per usual, she sports several fast works and heads into this race as the one to beat.

#5 MAJESTIC HEAT disappointed in the La Canada (G2), sitting farther off the early pace than she prefers before plodding down the lane to run fifth. Before that effort, she easily defeated CHAMPAGNE ROOM and next out Megahertz Stakes winner MADAME STRIPES in the Bayakoa (G2).

SELECTIONS

1. #4 UNIQUE BELLA – Wildly talented filly.
2. #2 MOPOTISM – Classy enough to complete the exacta.
3. #5 MAJESTIC HEAT- Look for different riding tactic today.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY-#3 KATHY’S SONG – Tackles her elders.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll play a straight exacta with my top two picks.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$50 Exacta: #4 UNIQUE BELLA over #2 MOPOTISM

 

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

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