Jeff Siegel’s What You Need to Know Santa Anita – Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Updated: 12/26/23 3:30 p.m. PT)
FIRST RACE (11:00 a.m.)
Top Pick: 1-Billy’s Bet
Degree of confidence: B-
• Price chance; will enjoy ground saving trip from a favorable rail draw.
• Solid on speed figures and benefits from a positive jockey switch.
• Has a previous win over the local lawn and a sharp recent workout.
• Other contenders: 2-Moogie Son; 5-Bigofromfresno; 8-Barely Funtional.
SECOND RACE (11:30 a.m.)
Top Pick: 6-Urban Legend
Degree of confidence: C+
• Flopped at 3/5 in a similar affair but remains well regarded.
• Brought $1.5 million at auction and is overdue to show it.
• Adds blinkers, sharp recent breeze, gets one more chance.
• Other contenders: 2-All That Glory; 5-New King.
THIRD RACE (12:00 noon)
Top Pick: 2-Easter (Fr)
Degree of confidence: A-
• Vastly improved in last pair and is ready for another smasher.
• Career top speed figure when winning the Seabiscuit Handicap.
• Two nice breezes since raced to maintain his winning edge.
• Other contenders: 5-Tio Magico.
FOURTH RACE (12:30 p.m.)
Top Pick: 5-Judge Miller
Degree of confidence: B+
• Second as the favorite in his debut but earned a powerful figure.
• One paced grinding type should appreciate the seven furlong trip.
• Mark Glatt barn has strong stats with the second time starter angle.
• Others to consider: 4-Hey Brother.
FIFTH RACE (1:00 p.m.)
Top Pick: 2-Anisette (GB)
Degree of confidence: A-
• Best stride too late when second in the Autumn Miss Stakes.
• Strong second two races back over this course and distance.
• Healthy work pattern since raced, chance to make amends.
• Others to consider: 7-Musical Mischief.
SIXTH RACE (1:30 p.m.)
Top Pick: 5-Subsanador (Arg)
Degree of confidence: B
• Grade-1 import from Argentina has trained smartly.
• Good tactical speed, likely to enjoy a second flight trip.
• Young 4-year-old (August foal) has a very high ceiling.
• Others to consider: 1-Stilleto Boy.
SEVENTH RACE (2:00 p.m.)
Top Pick: 7-Book Smart
Degree of confidence: B
• Much improved since being claimed for $20,000 by Bob Hess, Jr.
• Has blazing early speed and will take his field as far as he can.
• Powerful recent speed figures but this is his first Hillside outing.
• Others to consider: 4-Beef Winslow.
Jeff Siegel’s Day Makers (Late Pick-4 video analysis)
View Video Presentation
EIGHTH RACE (2:30 p.m.)
Top Pick: 7-Hejazi
Degree of confidence: B+
• Extremely sharp allowance winner over local track last fall.
• Continues to impressi in morning drills, primed and ready.
• Lovely draw, projects to enjoy a pace stalking trip outside.
• Other contenders: 3-Speed Boat Beach
NINTH RACE (3:00 p.m.)
Top Pick: 4-Almendares (GB)
Degree of confidence: C+
• Wide open grass grab bag containing a volatile pace scenario.
• Had a confidence building win facing lesser foes at Del Mar.
• Lacks an intense turn of foot but a mile is his favorite trip.
• Others to consider: 6-Dandy Man Shines (Ire); 2-Panic Alarm (Ire).
TENTH RACE (3:30 p.m.)
Top Pick: 2-Daddysruby
Degree of confidence: B+
• Undefeated sprinting and projects as the controlling speed.
• Highly impressive allowance win last fall with a big figure.
• Perfect in two starts at Santa Anita and retains J. Hernandez.
• Others to consider: 9-Clearly Unhinged; 3-Howl; 6-Ice Dancing.
ELEVENTH RACE (4:00 p.m.)
Top Pick: 1-Speed Shopper
Degree of confidence: B-
• Chance at a price, shows good works and may like the lawn.
• Brought $400,000 as a yearling despite being empty in first dam.
• Daughter of Quality Road projects to enjoy a ground-saving trip.
• Other contenders: 8-Flight to Quality; Americandreammaker; 9-Affair.
Jeff Siegel’s “Eye Catchers”
We keep tabs on key workouts from runners at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita that should be given extra consideration when entered. Horses are listed alphabetically and will be eliminated after 30 days from inclusion, or after their most recent race. Click the link to view the video and listen to our commentary.
Big City Lights – Santa Anita, Dec. 19, 2023
View Workout Video
Bourbon Breeze – Palm Meadows, Dec. 22, 2023
View Workout Video
Gun Barrel City – Gulfstream Park, Dec. 19, 2023
View Workout Video
Subsanador (Arg) – Santa Anita Park, Dec. 18, 2023
View Workout Video
