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Saturday, May 30: Eddie Olczyk’s Santa Anita Spot Plays

May 28, 2020

Greetings racing fans! I've taken a look at Saturday’s Santa Anita slate and identified four ‘spot plays’ that I think are worth playing and can be included in your horizontal and vertical exotic tickets.

Let’s hope for good racing luck this weekend, and more importantly, I hope you continue to be safe and healthy as we navigate COVID-19. I’m excited to see you back at the track, whenever that may be.

Here are the four horses that caught my eye for this Saturday. Good luck if you’re playing!

Santa Anita – Race 1 (3:30PM ET)
#2 OH PRETTY WOMAN (2/1)

It is always nice to find a horse you like in the opener as it’s the kickoff leg of the low-takeout Early Pick 5 and - hopefully - an Abel Cedillo Early Double. In this race, #2 OH PRETTY WOMAN caught my eye. She is a five-year-old mare with just seven career starts, so we can assume she has had some issues. But she's working lights out for her return, has been in great form and should get a perfect trip from an inside post. Plus, you have to love that the hot riding Abel Cedillo, who won a combined seven races here on Sunday and Monday, has the mount.

Santa Anita – Race 2 (4:02PM ET)
#1 ROSSMAN (3/1)

Let's hope for an Abel Cedillo Early Daily Double! #1 ROSSMAN gets a big jockey upgrade to Cedillo and I'd like to see him ridden like he was three starts ago when he came from off the pace to miss by a little more than a length. I'm hoping that #3 Sensuous and #2 Shanghai Curly set the pace and ROSSMAN is able to follow them out of the gate and sit behind the speed. I don't think he's going to get hammered at the windows, so I'm hoping for him to go off at his morning line price of 3/1.

Santa Anita – Race 5 (5:35PM ET)
#6 COUNT ALEXEI (7/2)

This is a state-bred turf sprint maiden race and, honestly, I’m not overly impressed with any of the horses that have started. That leads me to look to a first time starter and #6 COUNT ALEXEI checks a bunch of boxes. He was an expensive auction purchase ($110,000) for a son of Vronsky (who stands for $4,500) and he seems to be working lights out in the mornings for Brian Koriner, who knows how to get horses ready to race on debut. And finally Umberto Rispoli is riding and he has been lights out at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita – Race 7 (6:37PM ET) – Honeymoon Stakes
#8 PARKOUR (7/2)

I’m hoping PARKOUR goes straight to the front and refuses to stop. There isn’t a lot of speed in this race and if Mike Smith is able to assert her on the front end early, they may never look back. I don’t think LAURA’S LIGHT has the speed to go with her early and that one might be challenged to get the 1 1/8-mile distance, which could put PARKOUR alone in front at the head of the lane.
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Race of the Week: Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita

May 28, 2020 | By Jeremy Plonk

GRADE 3 $100,000 HONEYMOON STAKES AT SANTA ANITA
Saturday, May 30, 2020
By Jeremy Plonk

The Lead:
Our Race of the Week analysis heads to the Santa Anita turf for the second straight week as we'll look to build on a profitable score in the Charlie Whittingham with a double-down in the Grade 3 Honeymoon. Saturday's featured event goes as Race 7 of 9 on the card and kicks off a local weekend stakes double that includes Sunday's Grade 2 $200,000 Santa Maria.

​Field Depth:
LAURA'S LIGHT is a Grade 3 winner stateside, while STELA STAR won at the Group 3 level in Ireland. They own the field's only graded scores. K P DREAMIN is multiple Grade 1-placed. This race can be won on the class rise with no discernible standout on resume alone.

Pace:
PARKOUR and LAURA'S LIGHT should take the race to one another from the start. There's really no other certain pace pressure. How aggressive Mike Smith on PARKOUR and Abel Cedello on LAURA'S LIGHT get with one another will determine how much chance the closers have over 1-1/8 miles. If either were to scratch, it would absolutely be a lone speed pace advantage for the remainder.

Our Eyes:
LAURA'S LIGHT has won both starts on the Santa Anita grass, the 1-mile listed Blue Norther and the 5-1/2 furlong Grade 3 Sweet Life. She disappointed last out when fading to fourth as the 4-5 favorite on Polytrack in the Bourbonette at Turfway. She's questionable on stamina for 1-1/8 miles based on past races and a damside sprinter's pedigree. If PARKOUR turns up the early heat, I expect LAURA'S LIGHT to struggle to outlast the trip.

PARKOUR looked like a future star in a front-running allowance win at Santa Anita in March. She went fast early (:45-1/5 for the opening half-mile) and was never challenged in a daylight victory over the likes of Honeymoon re-matched rival K P DREAMIN. PARKOUR is 2-for-2 when she makes the lead and 0-for-3 when she doesn't. The Richard Mandella trainees have come back running since the Santa Anita re-opening and I expect she'll be sharp again. PARKOUR can't go :45-1/5 again over a furlong longer and last to talk about it. But there was a gate incident with 2 horses breaking through pre-start last time while PARKOUR stood next door in the gate. She might have been too keyed up from that and it caused her to run off faster than expected. Her pedigree, like LAURA'S LIGHT, does not beg for the distance.

If you want a closer here, you're banking on the distance or potential duel tripping up LAURA'S LIGHT and/or PARKOUR. The options from off the pace are many in this field of 9.

STELA STAR closed nicely with a 92 BRIS late pace figure in the China Doll at Santa Anita going a mile in March. That was the John Sadler trainee's first US start and far shorter than her pedigree suggests would be her best distance. Look for her to finish with a flourish under Flavien Prat, the king of the SoCal riding colony. She got very little pace help in the China Doll after 6 furlongs in 1:12-1/5.

K P DREAMIN was my pick to win last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies when she looked like the lone closer in a speed-laden field at 33-1. She didn't run a jump that day and hasn't lived up to expectations. Trainer Jeff Mullins has become more of a turf trainer in recent years, and moving this Union Rags filly to grass in a March 22 mile allowance vs. PARKOUR appears to have been a reawakening. K P DREAMIN rallied nicely from far back to be third and galloped out very strongly beyond the wire. She's got Belmont Stakes winners as sire and damsire.

CROUGHAVOUKE also goes for trainer Mullins as an uncoupled entrant in the Honeymoon. The Irish import is 0-6 since arriving in Southern California, but owns runner-up finishes in 3 of those and has not been beaten by more than 4-3/4 lengths stateside. She's consistently 90-95 on the BRIS late pace figure scale and could get a minor share under Umberto Respoli.

Others in the line-up include the Patrick Gallagher-trained pair of RED LARK and FASHION ROYALTY, imports from the UK with only a maiden win between the 2 of them in 5 domestic bids; LITTLE BIRD, off the board in the Blue Norther and China Doll; and GUITTY, who has yet to place in 3 SoCal turf stakes bids but with an interesting look (see below).

Most Certain Exotics Contender: STELA STAR will have no issue with the distance and can be expected to produce a solid finishing run.

​Best Longshot Exotics Contender: GUITTY was full of run at the top of the stretch in the China Doll but an indecisive ride whether to stay outside or dip inside cost her. She galloped out very strong at 37-1 in that race and could get a better trip from the rail in a more modest field size.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll): $50 exacta part-wheel PARKOUR and STELA STAR over the longshot GUITTY ($100).
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Al Cimaglia: Northfield Park Late Pick 4 Analysis

May 30, 2020 | By Al Cimaglia

Northfield Park has a 15-race card set to roll this evening. The Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11 and has a 14% takeout. This sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool and will be my focus. On Friday, the combined Early and Late Pick 4 pools averaged over $30,000.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 11

1-Foolish Terror (5-1)-Comes off a nice tune-up but loses Wrenn to #5 which should help the price. Tries hard at this level but usually falls short. Will take a swing the rail makes a difference, and qualifier was forecasting a big effort.
4-Mcdazzle (5-1)-One of two Burke entries and this mare stole the show in her qualifier by 16 lengths. Consistent competitor has been in the money in 25 of 32 starts at Nfld and should be a major player again.
5-Camera Lady (5/2)-Here's another 6-year-old mare from the Burke barn that loves Nfld. Has recorded 12 wins in 17 starts and has 3 second place finishes as well. May look to get the top and make every call a winning one.

Race 12

1-Jeramayer (4-1)-Likes to be on the engine or up close and can get that trip from this post. Fits well with this group and should offer a square price.
5-Endeavor Stars (5/2)-Rhodes barn has been hot and Merriman steers after a solid qualifier on a sloppy track. Figures to be a solid threat and should be bet hard but is 0-5 at Nfld.
6-St Lads Maggie Mae (7/2)-Has won >26% of Nfld starts and 10-year-old comes off a sharp win in her qualifier. If Sugg leaves and gets a good seat chances for success go up, best to not overlook.

Race 13

4-Vibrent Kally (3-1)-Burke pupil is the tepid program chalk after a no-doubt win in its qualifier. Meadows invader makes Nfld debut and is usually right there at the wire.
5-Sea Rose (8-1)-Veteran mare has won 25% of her starts at Nfld. Looks like a price shot who should be in line for a nice trip.
6-Strawb's Chippie N (7/2)-Likes the slop and raced big in qualifier on an off-track. Might be over bet because of that performance. Will respect chances and has won here at this level on 2/4, but that was also on a sloppy track.

Race 14

4-Alisha's Big Star (9/5)-Makes first start for the Roegner barn since being claimed on 3/14. From January through 3/14 this mare was consistently in the money. Did win its qualifier, so maybe the barn change will lead to similar results.
9-KJ's Foxy Lady (3-1)-Even though the post draw wasn't good, and Myers won't be in the bike this horse likes to compete. 10-year-old can grind its way around and take her 32nd picture in 177 starts at Nfld.

$1 Pick 4

1,4,5/1,5,6/4,5,6/4,9
Total Bet=$54
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Brian Nadeau's Daily Picks

Tampa Bay Downs - Race #1
Picks Notes
#1 Early Deligh Stalker woke back up last time after a dud in the slop two-back, and his fast track form is very solid, plus the expected honest pace will aid his style; can surprise.
#4 Credit Cycle Tricky read didn't fire last time, which is a worry as his prior form had been sharp, but the race flow will help him too, and the price will be right; worth inclusion.
#6 Striking Heir ML favorite wins if he runs back to his last, and drawing outside the other speed will help, but the race flow won't, and the 17-1 last time is long gone; trying to beat.
Race Summary The price and pace will be right on the 1, who got back on the beam last time and can settle and make a run, so play him in all the slots, and especially to kick off the early Pk5 as well, as this is a deep, wide open race, and getting home a $12 winner at the outset will knock out a lot of tickets right off the bat.

Tampa Bay Downs - Race #1
Picks Notes
#1 Lady Jordan Lightly raced class riser was all-out to hold on against MCL'ers last time, and facing winners is never easy, but this is a group there for the taking, with a dicey favorite marooned out wide, and this miss could well be a Lone F too; come and catch the pick.
#2 Wicked Witch Well-drawn filly ran sneaky good in her turf race three-back, against better too, so on the return to the grass, against this kind of crew, with some tactical speed too, she's going to be in the right spot off the far turn, and is in with a big chancel very playable.
#10 Strict Vow Aforementioned favorite wins this for fun if she runs back to her run two-back against tons better, but the effort last time at this level was horrific, and now she's wide, so while it's a good sign Gallardo sticks, where her form is is a real guess; tough to endorse.
Race Summary Pace makes the race and there's not much here to keep the 1 from taking the shortest way around, and it's never a bad thing to have a lightly raced runner who might be getting good in these lifetime N2L's either, so play her in all the slots, and especially in the early Pk5/Pk4 as well, since she won't have to improve much on her win last time to have a major say, at what figures to be a solid price too.

Tampa Bay Downs - Race #6
Picks Notes
#6 Big Money Machine Price player gets back to the dirt, where he was up in time with a good number three-back, and his stalking gear will play in a field loaded with speed; upset special.
#7 Doodle Hopper Heavy favorite looked great wiring last time going longer, which erased the refusal two-back, but there's a ton of speed here, so he could get fired; still, plenty scary.
#4 Perfetto Tricky read woke up in the slop against lesser last time but didn't do much on a fast track two-back, and this is a tough group, though his style helps; can get a share.
Race Summary The race flow says the 6 has a big chance here, and you're getting the right risk-reward on the price to find out if he can compete with a group like this on the dirt, so play him in all the slots, and especially in the late Pk5, and to kick off the late Pk4 as well, since budget players might be singling the 7, even though all the speed might get him on the cutback.
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Brian W. Spencer's Daily Picks

Charles Town - Race #4
Picks Notes
#1 Calling India Fits well on the drop with the most recent races, and she isn't overmatched when compared to the 9/5 ML favorite drawn just outside of her.
#2 Thunder Punch Should be a handful, but I wouldn't want too short a price here, especially after that last race came out of nowhere at 56/1. Trust her to repeat it at maybe 2/1? Not me.
#4 Natural Sonde Wasn't embarrassed in the first two races, so perhaps a little time away will have her recharged and ready to run back to one of those better efforts.
Race Summary Calling India probably doesn't offer the 6/1 ML price, but if Thunder Punch is the chalk here, sign me up for the rail runner. Her form stacks up, and she seems much more likely to bring her A-game than does 'Punch

Charles Town - Race #7
Picks Notes
#6 Two In the Bush Won't be any price off the 19-length romp in the local debut last time out, and they bring her right back at a reasonable level. Even with a modest step back she can win this.
#9 Right Notion Looks like a main danger if the top choice really regresses off that win, and her tactical pace should keep her in the mix throughout from the outside.
#4 Ultimate Justice Brings dull form with much better, but this is a big drop that gives her a real chance to wake up.
Race Summary Two In the Bush made short work of a bad bunch last time out and looks awfully tough with anything similar.

Charles Town - Race #8
Picks Notes
#2 The Better One Reliable type might offer a bit better price tonight than the 3/1 offering from last time out, and she catches a couple of horses who figure to take some cash while having questions to answer in this spot.
#6 Good Karma Didn't miss by much when trying winners for the first time, but it was a pretty slow race for the level, and she might be overbet when compared to her realistic chances of winning this race.
#4 Thislillimeofmine Has a July '19 layoff to overcome here, but she has fired fresh in the past owns form that stacks up really well with these.
Race Summary The Better One brings reliable form to this, and there's a chance she gets just a bit overlooked behind Good Karma and Thislillimeofmine
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Frank Carulli's Daily Picks

Northfield Park - Race #1
Picks Notes
#2 SPOXYS GIRL Encouraging tune-up, gets class relief and better post for new barn.
#9 MAGGIE’S WAY Compiled 43/7-6-5 record as 6yo, starts anew from second tier.
#7 MCTRAVISTY Rallied into fast pace to finish third before shutdown, takes class drop.
Race Summary Spoxy’s Girl made up ground through a :57 back half in her first qualifier for a new barn. She’s one of several class-droppers with a chance, so play a 2-7-9 exacta box.

Northfield Park - Race #7
Picks Notes
#2 TIGER’S SUE Consistent, knows how to win, looms forward factor throughout.
#5 GOOD ROBERTA Awakened on class drop with Wrenn, back at unproven level.
#8 PEARL CRUSH Rallied for a second and a third at notch below, starts outside.
Race Summary Tiger’s Sue plays to a steady beat, fits well under these conditions and is overdue for a victory. Play 2-5 and 2-8 exactas.

Northfield Park - Race #10
Picks Notes
#7 SEA SHADOWS Right set-up, right price for proven winner.
#4 SWEET CHERRY Won off similar rest to start 4yo season for Team Burke.
#2 PLATINUM PEARL Caught loose leader at Yonkers after second fave broke stride.
Race Summary Sea Shadows, a 13-race winner last year, draws outside but should have a very lively pace to rally into at a decent price Play 7-1, 7-2, 7-8 exactas in tonight’s featured race.
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Jerry Shottenkirk's Daily Picks

Remington Park - Race #6
Picks Notes
#6 Tales U Lose Dominated his trial for this and has a solid 2 of 3 record; times are getting better with each and additional improvement will make him the one to beat.
#1 This Wire Is Hot Comes off a maiden score in a trial and is getting better as he goes along; stablemate of top one and can tough with his best.
#9 Queen for Cash Was an easy winner in all three starts and would not be a surprise here; chance to remain unbeaten.
Race Summary Tales U Lose is getting better and better and blasted his competition in a trial for this; solid chance at the big money tonight.

Remington Park - Race #11
Picks Notes
#6 Eagles Fly Higher Has dominated in his last two races and has worked his way into the upper echelon of the older-horse ranks; either of his wins this season would make him a formidable rival.
#11 Mi Amor Secreto Was favored last time out but lost all chance when roughed up at the start; can get back to good running in this one.
#12 Valiant Tiberias Just doesn't run bad ones and comes from one of New Mexico's top barns; a clean trip will make him a big player.
Race Summary Eagles Fly Higher has been terrific in his 1st two this year and can make a strong run down the middle of the strip.

Remington Park - Race #12
Picks Notes
#2 Aint She Tempting Won by more than four lengths last out and her last two have already put her at the top of her division; clearly the one to beat.
#6 Instygator Has some top credentials in his own right as he's won by daylight in both of his start; can make a strong run.
#1 Contender Breaks next to the favorite and can make a run along the rail; chance to get a major slice of it.
Race Summary Aint She Tempting's trial was exceptional and a repeat gets her to the winner's circle. Likely to be one of the top 2-year-olds -- if not the very best -- when this year is all said and done. Potential superstar.
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