October 11, 2024
Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know”
Santa Anita
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Santa Anita 4th Race – Post: 2:30 PT. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 3-Size Does Matter
Other Contenders: 4-Sbagliato; 7-Night Out
Forecast>: Size Does Matter drops into a realistic spot – he’s entered in a claimer for the first time since his debut win last November – and seems likely to return to good form in a soft restricted (nw-2) affair that should be well within his scope. The P. Miller-trained gelding is reequipped with blinkers, has recent speed figures that fit, and projects to be comfortably placed in the second flight before having every chance to accelerate when asked at the head of the lane. He’s run well over this course in the past, so at or near his morning line of 7/2 the son of Mr. Big offers a reasonable gamble in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
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Santa Anita – 6th race – Post: 3:30 PT. Degree of confidence: A-
Top Selection/Prime Play: 5-Nene Diamond
Other Contenders: none.
Forecast: Nene Diamond was extremely well meant in her comeback last month at Del Mar but after a less than ideal start the daughter the Stanford was given a bit too much to do and just failed to catch Diamond Bar Gal in a strong effort in her first outing since February, 2023. Her speed figure improved 17 points off her maiden win, and we’d be surprised if she doesn’t step forward significantly again today. A healthy work pattern in the interim is another plus, so at 5/2 on the morning line she’s a strong win play and rolling exotic single.
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