August 25, 2023
“What You Need to Know” – Del Mar
by Jeff Siegel, 1stbet.com Handicapper & Analyst
Specifically designed for the rolling exotic player, Jeff Siegel’s Daily Santa Anita Handicapping Analysis, Wagering Strategies, and Workout Commentary identify those horses that should be included in daily doubles, pick-3s, pick-4s, pick-5s, and the pick-6.
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Grade Descriptions:
Grade A=Highest degree of confidence
Grade B=Solid Play.
Grade C=Least preferred or pass
Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play
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RACE 1: Post: 3:00 PT Grade: B
Main ticket: (in order of preference): 2-House of Magic; 6-Katerini
Backups/Savers/Underneath: none.
Forecast: House of Magic shortens to five furlongs, switches to grass, and should be capable of outrunning this starter’s allowance field of fillies and mares. The daughter of Good Magic is solid on speed figures for this level, switches to leading pilot Juan Hernandez, lands a good inside draw, and catches a field that lacks dependable closing types. Katerini has been freshened for 10 weeks and shows the route-to-sprint angle, so we’re expecting her to make some headway late. She also gets a break in the weights, so if given the patient ride that might bring out her best, the Mark Glatt-trained mare must be considered a legitimate contender.
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RACE 2: Post: 3:29 PT Grade: C+
Main ticket: (in order of preference): 2-Thirsty; 6-Too Much Info
Backups/Savers/Underneath: none.
Forecast: Thirsty won a maiden $50,000 state bred sprint at Santa Anita by almost eight lengths in his most recent start in late January but then disappeared. The Peter Miller-trained gelding returns cheap in this restricted (nw-2) $16,000 dash, not a healthy pattern to be sure, but if has one good one left he’ll most likely outrun this modest group of 3-year-olds. The work pattern at San Luis Rey Downs should have him fit enough. Too Much Info takes another class drop while seeking his proper level and may have found it. The Gary Stute-trained gelding is a one-paced grinder but he’s a trier and should at least get a piece of it. Tread lightly here.
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RACE 3: Post: 3:59 PT Grade: C+
Main ticket (in order of preference): 3-Sushi Sticks; 1-Harney Lane; 10-Moment’s Pleasure
Backups/savers/Underneath: 2-Kitzkaty; 4-Annie Fox.
Forecast: This grass grab bag for juvenile fillies over a mile on turf could be won by just about any of the 10 entrants, so best advice is to spread as deeply as your budget allows. Sushi Stick is bred strictly for grass (Karakontie) and has done some reasonably good work in the morning while preparing for her racing debut. The Michael McCarthy-trained filly lands top rider Juan Hernandez, will leave from a comfortable inside draw, and has been given enough of a foundation to be fit and ready in somewhat lackluster state-bred affair. Harney Lane is another bred for turf (Sir Prancealot) and has worked okay for trainer David Hofmans while landing the good rail. She certainly won’t have to be a world beater to be competitive first crack out of the box. Moment’s Pleasure had a debut run sprinting on dirt facing maiden $50,000 foes and didn’t do badly while finishing steadily to be fourth. She should like turf and she should handle the trip, so despite her far outside draw we’ll toss her in.
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RACE 4: Post: 4:29 PT Grade: C+
Main ticket (in order of preference): 4-El Magnifico; 6-Ultra Power
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 3-Wynstock.
Forecast: El Magnifico was no worry to Muth in his racing debut but did well to finish a distant second (beaten almost nine lengths) while well clear of the rest in a fast dash in mid-June at Santa Anita. The son of Street Sense faces a considerably easier task in this extended sprint for maiden juveniles, and with a race under his belt the Keith Desormeaux trained colt should step forward considerably. The first timers don’t really impress, though we get the feeling that Unique Bella’s first foal (by Curlin) Ultra Power will develop in due time and should be running on late. We’ll toss him on the main ticket.
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RACE 5: Post: 4:59 PT Grade: C+
Main ticket (in order of preference): 1-She’s Got a Way; 4-Queenzy
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 9-Albayaader.
Forecast: Here’s another borderline inscrutable turf sprint, this one for first level allowance fillies and mares. She’s Got a Way hasn’t been trustworthy, having failed to deliver as the favorite in three of her last four starts. However, on her best day, the daughter of Tonalist is right there with these. The Peter Eurton-trained 4-year old should settle in the second flight from her inside draw and then have every chance from the quarter pole home to tag the leaders. Maybe the rider switch to Antonio Fresu will make a difference. Queenzy has been away since last November but the works at San Luis Rey Downs should have her fit enough and it’s conceivable that the daughter of Classic Empire might be an improved type this time around. She’s a first time Lasix user and is switching to Juan Hernandez, two positive factors that make her a legitimate contender. These are the two we’ll prefer but we suggest you spread as deeply as you can afford to.
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RACE 6: Post: 5:29 PT Grade: B-
Main ticket (in order of preference): 4-Havoc; 1-Diamond Concerto
Backups/Savers/Underneath: none.
Forecast: Havoc had an outing against straight maidens California-bred juveniles last month and under the circumstances didn’t do badly when winding up fifth of 10 behind Lord Prancealot, who returned to win the Graduation Stakes. This drop into the maiden $50,000 ranks looks like a proper move, so let’s go with the Ryan Hanson-trained gelding on top in a below average race for the level. Diamond Concerto a fair fifth after a slow break in his debut, certainly has a right to improve and can be within range throughout if he leaves cleanly from the rail.
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RACE 7: Post: 5:59 PT Grade: B-
Main ticket (in order of preference): 3-Eddie’s New Dream; 1-Chancery Way
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 4-Ultimate Hy; 8-Rose Maddox.
Forecast: Eddie’s New Dream is a tough-as-nails veteran mare who has finished first or second in four of six career starts over the Del Mar turf course. Nosed out in her last outing when facing open company, she returns to the state-bred stakes ranks today and can win this year’s edition of the Solana Beach Stakes with her best effort. Chancery Way has never been sharper, but it remains to be seen if she can perform as well routing ln grass as she has sprinting on dirt. She’ll try gate-to-wire tactics from the rail and if not pressured early could take this field a long way. Her two prior starts on grass (both sprints up north) were solid, so the surface shouldn’t be an issue.
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RACE 8: Post: 6:29 PT Grade: B-
Main ticket (in order of preference): 3-Satellite Heart; 5-Big Rainbow.
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 7-Cocktail Cutie.
Forecast: Satellite Heart makes her debut for trainer John Sadler in a weak maiden $50,000 claiming sprint for state-bred juvenile fillies and has trained well enough to be a major player at this level. She’s a bit of a tail-swisher but has shown the ability to finish a bit in her morning drills, so at 5-1 on the morning let’s give her top billing in a field that doesn’t offer many viable alternatives. Big Rainbow shows a pair of outings against much tougher straight maiden fields and should greatly appreciate this class drop. Look for her to be running on late.
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