Friday November 1, 2013
BY ART PARKER
Please double check all program numbers prior to wagering
Santa Anita Race 6
Breeders’ Cup Marathon
1 ¾ Miles Grade Two (4:45 ET)
Best Value Play: #2 Cease (8/1)
Most Likely Winner: #4 Ever Rider (7/2)
Other Contenders: #3 Commander (6/1), #7 London Bridge (8/1), #9 Pool Play (8/1)
#2 Cease deserves a look because he will be near the lead and in striking position, has the breeding to run at this distance, and he runs for David Jacobson. Notice, that Jacobson claimed this six year old gelding back in July for $100,000. Good trainers just don’t make high dollar claims unless they have a serious plan.
#3 Commander comes to the big town after racing at outposts known as Northlands and Hastings up in Maple Leaf country. Has demonstrated his speed in his last handful of outings and may prove very dangerous especially since he is accustomed to going three turns. Only question is the past caliber of competition.
#4 Ever Rider gets Stevens on top and returns after a good rest. But, he didn’t just ship from Argentina the other day, he’s been here a couple of months and has some good works. Probably acclimated and ready to roll going long as he has done many times.
#7 London Bridge comes from Europe with an impressive resume, bred to run all day long and has performed well at the longer distances. Gets Mike Smith in the irons and that is a plus along with first time lasix. Only real question is will he like the dirt?
#9 Pool Play offers little reason to bet on his nose. But, he runs long often, has a decent career record, is trained by the King of Canada, and you never know when he make wake up, even though his naps are getting longer. He could run a good one and help an exotic ticket.
Santa Anita Race 7
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
One Mile Grade One (5:25 ET)
Best Value Play: #9 Wilshire Boulevard (8/1)
Most Likely Winner: #5 Bobby’s Kitten (5/2)
Other Contenders: #4 Outstrip (4/1), #2 Giovanni Boldini (8/1), #13 Bashart (6/1)
#2 Giovanni Boldini is an expensive auction purchase out of the impressive sire War Front. Trainer O’Brien goes to Ryan Moore instead of his son, probably because his son can’t make the weight on the baby runners. But fear not, Moore is one of the best in the world. His two wins were good ones although not in graded company.
#4 Outstrip has Danehill and El Prado as grandpas and that looks perfect for these conditions. Good showings in three graded races and he will carry the Godolphin blue. Hard to ignore.
#5 Bobby’s Kitten will be the standard bearer for the Americans and this guy has won big for the owners that win a bunch-the Ramseys. He is in capable hands in the saddle and the barn with the combo of Javier Castellano and Chad Brown. A favorite every time he steps out of the starting gate.
#9 Wilshire Boulevard ships in from across the pond to run in a town where he is named for one of its most famous streets. Raced well in graded company and has earned frequent flyer points going to a variety of tracks. Breeding suggests that he wants more ground than what he has been subject to in his races, which have been sprints.
#13 Bashart runs for Todd Pletcher with Johnny V. aboard. Has good turf breeding and has run at short odds. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he breaks from the extreme far outside going a mile at Santa Anita’s turf course. Winning from there is like kicking a 55 yard field goal-it’s not impossible, it’s just highly improbable. He can still figure in the exotics.