$600,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) – Santa Anita

 

Race 10 (Saturday, March 10, 2018: 7:30 p.m./ET; 4:30 p.m./PT)

Mile and a quarter on the main track (four-year-olds and upward)

Previously won by equine icons like SEABISCUIT, ROUND TABLE, ACK ACK, COUGAR II, AFFIRMED, SPECTACULAR BID and JOHN HENRY, eight older colts and geldings will get a chance this year to add their name to the prestigious list of Big ‘Cap champions. Let’s take a closer look at the field:

#1 TOP OF THE GAME won the Comma to the Top Stakes over this track in October but has since finished off the board in three graded stakes. Most recently, this son of DESERT PARTY ran fifth in the San Pasqual (G2) behind #7 ACCELERATE, #8 MUBTAAHIJ and #2 PRIME ATTRACTION. Will need to run faster today to be competitive.

#2 PRIME ATTRACTION lost plenty of ground in the San Pasqual (G2), but finished second, beaten two lengths by #7 ACCELERATE. His best race to date came in the fall when he defeated #8 MUBTAAHIJ in the Native Diver (G3) going a mile-and-an- eighth. May be a notch below the best in this race, but he fits. Exotics candidate.

#3 CURLIN ROAD hasn’t been seen since August. The last time he raced, he ran fourth in the Pacific Classic (G1) at odds of 29/1 and was well beaten by #7 ACCELERATE, ARROGATE, and COLLECTED. This is a tough spot coming off a six-month vacation. Pass.

#4 GIANT EXPECTATIONS got an easy lead in the San Antonio Stakes (G2) and never looked back, defeating #7 ACCELERATE by three lengths, then came back to run ninth in the Pegasus (G1). This is his debut going a mile-and-a-quarter; whether he wants to run this far remains to be seen.

#5 HOPPERTUNITY hasn’t been seen since finishing a sub-par fourth behind #4 GIANT EXPECTATIONS and #7 ACCELERATE in the San Antonio (G2). Career earner of $4.3 million has a ton of back-class and his best obviously makes him good enough to be in the hunt.

#6 FEAR THE COWBOY won the Harlan’s Holiday (G3) at Gulfstream Park before completing the superfecta at 74/1 in the Pegasus World Cup (G1). In with a chance as the competition he faces in this spot is easier than what he saw in South Florida.

#7 ACCELERATE, the 123 lb highweight, was a country mile the best when winning the San Pasqual (G2) after checking hard twice during critical parts of the race. The only time this guy competed in a mile-and-a-quarter race, he finished third behind ARROGATE and COLLECTED in last year’s Pacific Classic (G1). One of the main contenders.

#8 MUBTAAHIJ (IRE) rounded out the trifecta in the San Pasqual (G2), finishing behind #7 ACCELERATE and #2 PRIME ATTRACTION. He really had a no-excuse trip that day, stalking the pace before being outrun by the aforementioned rivals. Blinkers come off today, a move which his trainer wins at a 46% clip!

SELECTION

1. #7 ACCLERATE – Only off the board twice in 16 career starts.
2. #8 MUBTAAHIJ – Look who the jock is.
3. #5 HOPPERTUNITY – Old timer exudes class.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY – #6 FEAR THE COWBOY – Ran a big race in the Pegasus (G1).

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll make a straight win bet on my top pick and play my top three picks in an exacta box.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$20 Win: #7 ACCELERATE

$5 Exacta Box: #7 ACCELERATE and #8 MUBTAAHIJ and #5 HOPPERTUNITY ($30).

(Bankroll at -$79.00 after 2018 Week #3 Based on $50 Wagers; +$105.00 last Newsletter).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post $600,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) – Santa Anita appeared first on TVG - HORSE RACING INSIDER.