BetPTC.com Analysis – Saturday, January 7, 2023

by: Ed Meyer

Santa Anita

Race #7 – The $200,000 California Derby – 1 /16 miles dirt – 6:00 pm

BetPTC.com Analysis / #4 – Giver Not a Taker / #2 – Passarando / #7 – Geezer

#4 Giver Not a Taker hails from the Peter Miller barn with Flavien Prat in the saddle. 2nd time off the layoff and sports a bullet as his connections win 25% with nongraded stakes. Prat wins 25% teaming up with Miller and he wins 21% with late runners. #2 Passarando ships in from northern California as this late runner has the services of Umberto Rispoli in the irons. He is 1 for 1 at SA and will need to get a perfect trip to set up his late run. #7 Geezer is a stalker in the hands of Tiago Pereira. He has faced lesser and down well, and with a little racing luck could be a player in your exotic wagers.

Race #8 – The $200,000 California Oaks – 1 mile on the turf – 6:30 pm

BetPTC.com Analysis / #9 – Cast Member / #8 – Sell the Dream / #7 – Quickly Park It

#9 Cast Member is a stalking daughter of Munnings for Tim Yakteen with John Velasquez getting the nod. She is undefeated in three starts and appears to be getting stronger with every race. The barn is winning 32% with non graded stakes and 50% for the meet from a small sampling. #8 Sell the Dream drops down in class from the G3 Jimmy Durante shipping in from Del Mar earlier this month. Flavien Prat is aboard for Brian Koriner and drops back down to face state bred competition. #7 Quickly Park It is a late runner in the hands of J.J. Hernandez dropping down in class from the G3 Durante. She has run well against California company and should step up nicely for a rider who wins 22% with turf closers.

Race #10 – The $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic – 1 1/8 on the turf – 7:30 pm

BetPTC.com Analysis / #1 – Aligato / #5 – Kings River Knight / #3 – The Chosen Vron

#1 Aligato is a late running son of Kitten’s Joy for Mark Glatt with Flavien Prat in the saddle. 3rd off the layoff and the barn wins 18% on this move. He is 3 for 4 ITM at SA and gets a rider change to the high percentage Prat who wins 23% with turf closers. #5 Kings River Knight hails from the barn of Andy Mathis with Frankie Dettori in the irons. He’s back in Cal company where he’s a perfect 2 for 2. #3 The Chosen Vron is seeking to make it four straight wins for Eric Kruljac. The barn wins 33% with non graded stakes and comes in fresh off a 49 day break.