$300,000 American Pharoah (G1) – Santa Anita

Race 6 (Saturday, September 29, 2018: 5:30 p.m./ET; 2:30 p.m./PT). Mile and a sixteenth on the main track (two-year-olds)

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah exuded speed, athleticism, dominance, power and class on and off the track. American Pharaoh’s conditioner, legendary horseman Bob Baffert, saddles #4 GAME WINNER, while fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer has a pair of talented sophomores trying to be the spoiler. Let’s begin our analysis with the rail post position:

#1 ROWAYTON broke his maiden at first asking and came back to run a gallant second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) to #4 GAME WINNER. In both career races, ROWAYTON failed to switch leads down the stretch, which is a cause for concern considering he’ll be racing around two turns for the first time. That said, he has raw talent, with room for improvement. Florent Geroux picks up the mount.

#2 GUNMETAL GRAY is the second Hollendorfer entrant in the race. The son of EXCHANGE RATE comes off a smashing win going one mile at Del Mar, winning the race by almost seven lengths. Unlike the others in here, this guy has experience routing. Yes, he’s facing tougher than what he saw in the maiden breaking effort, that’s for sure, but maybe he’s up for the challenge.

#3 JEFE is still a maiden. The Keith Desormeuax trainee most recently finished second, well behind #2 GUNMETAL GRAY in their common August 22 maiden race. He’ll need to make up a lot of ground on the aforementioned rival to win this Grade I but in the past we’ve see young Keith Desormeuax maidens hit the board in Grade I races. Feeling he’s an exotics contender, if used anywhere on tickets.

#4 GAME WINNER broke his maiden in stylish fashion first time out and came back 16 days later to win the Del Mar Futurity (G1). Looking to remain unbeaten, this colt by CANDY RIDE looks like the one to beat.

#5 SIGALERT broke his maiden first time out at Del Mar in August and came back one month later to finish a nonthreatening fourth in the Del Mar Futurity (G1). His connections have always said this guy wants to route and now he gets that chance. With that mentioned, he still needs to run faster than he has been to win this.

SELECTIONS 

1. #2 GUNMETAL GRAY – Has route experience and that lone try was a romp.
2. #4 GAME WINNER – A young Baffert trainee in a Grade I is always dangerous.
3. #1 ROWAYTON – Come and catch him.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #5 SIGALERT – Most expensive baby in the bunch.

 WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll make a straight win bet on my top choice.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$50 Win: #2 GUNMETAL GRAY

 

 

 

 

The post $300,000 American Pharoah (G1) – Santa Anita appeared first on TVG BLOG.