December 8, 2024
Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know”
Los Alamitos Race Course
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LOS ALAMITOS RACE 3: Post: 1:30 PT Grade: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 1-Taif
Forecast: Taif finally makes it to the post late in his sophomore season, so he’s obviously had some issues, but the very expensive ($1.45 million) son of Arrogate remains highly regarded and has trained in recent weeks like he’s fit and ready to score at first asking. The B. Baffert-trained colt debuts over a mile but he has displayed plenty of speed in the morning, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see him on or near the lead throughout from his rail draw. The known element looks okay but nothing more, so the situation sets up nicely for a fresh face. At or near his morning line of 5/2 he will offer good wagering value in the win pool and in the various exotics.
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LOS ALAMITOS RACE 9: Post: 4:27 PT Grade: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 3-Grateful My Love
Forecast: Showing the classic two-sprints-and-a-stretch out pattern, Grateful My Love is bred to handle two turns and seems highly likely to continue her improving pattern in this year’s edition of the Soviet Problem Stakes over a mile for state-bred juvenile fillies. The daughter of Danzing Candy was somewhat unlucky when finding her best stride too late to just miss in the seven furlong Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Del Mar on Breeders’ Cup weekend, shows a healthy work pattern since, and today picks up leading pilot J. Hernandez. The M. McCarthy-trained two-year-old is listed at 3-1 on the morning line and is strong play on the tote at anywhere near that price.
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