MICKS MIRACLE, Santa Anita R4 Dec. 26th (Maiden Special 6.5 furlongs) is a very athletic horse with a lot of scope, not something that is typical from sons and daughters of noted Florida-based speed sire Wildcat Heir. The “workout guys” were all over this one before the race, but what I really liked about this horse is that he seems to have several gears, he is not a “one-paced” speed ball. A mile is definitely in this one’s scope and if American Pharaoh hasn’t come back in time for the Classics this guy might be the next best classic contender in Southern California.
WABEL, Santa Anita R4, Dec. 26th (Maiden Special 6.5 furlongs), is a horse that has sprinted twice and shown good early speed but no finish. Being by Curlin, he probably would improve going two turns. Finishing a well-beaten second to potential star Micks Miracle may also help to “darken his form” a bit.
JOJO WARRIOR, Santa Anita R6, Dec. 26th (Grade 1, F&M, 7 furlongs) was stuck very wide FROM POST 10 chasing a 43 and change half mile and never got into the race. If news reports indicate she was not injured in the La Brea stakes, give her a chance to rebound, especially in two-turn races where she can control the early pace.
PRINICIPESSE AVA, Gulfstream R5, Dec. 26th (N2x allowance, 8.5 furlongs, turf) is a mare that is starting to put it all together. Her Nov. 13th race at Aqueduct, when she showed a 115 BRIS late speed rating, showed she is learning how to relax, and in the Dec. 26th race she just exploded in a way that indicates that a stakes race is next in her future.
GIANT EGO, Santa Anita R6, Dec. 28th (Clm. $40,000 down the hill – 6.5 furlongs) showed incredible early speed at 25/1 and held well enough before losing to perfect tripper Pepnic narrowly. This distant relative of Giant’s Causeway just might be a force to recon with in the $32,000 to $50,000 claiming ranks.
BETTYS BAMBINO, Santa Anita R8, Dec. 28th (GR. 3 Daytona Stakes down the hill – 6.5 furlongs) is maturing into a real racehorse and 5-4-0-1 going down the hill at Santa Anita. Horses that enjoy the downhill course outperform all other types, and in addition this horse showed blistering late speed to win the Daytona, which is not typical for a speed horse. I think this one can get a mile as well.