October 14, 2024
Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know”
Santa Anita
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Santa Anita 7th Race – Post: 4:00 PT. Degree of confidence: A-
Top Selection/Prime Play: 4-Queen of the Mud
Backups: none.
Forecast: We’re always partial to runners stretching out for the first time, especially if the angle is accompanied by other positive factors on the past performance chart. Queen of the Mud has the pedigree to stay a mile and catches a field that might allow her to be the controlling speed based on our pace projection. This year’s renewal of the Swingtime Stakes didn’t come up particularly strong, so with sprint numbers that fit very nicely on this circuit, she looks extremely live for an outfit that does quite well with these kinds of shippers. The presence of leading rider J. Hernandez certainly doesn’t hurt, so as the lukewarm morning line favorite at 3-1 this Irish-bred filly is worth a confident gamble in the win pool and a key in the various exotics.
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Santa Anita – 8th race – Post: 4:30 PT. Degree of confidence: A-
Top Selection/Prime Play: 6-Zabo
Other Contenders none.
Forecast: Zabo had no idea what he was doing in his recent debut on grass, breaking well but dropping back to last midway before finally figuring things out in the final furlong to close a gap without posing a threat. The son of Justify galloped out very well in that race and since has breezed impressively in a pair of team drills while appearing considerably best and much more focused. He’ll try dirt today – he should handle the surface switch just fine – and with the barn’s “go to” jockey J. Hernandez taking over we suspect this colt will improve a ton. At 5-1 on the morning line, he’s strong play on the tote and the main push in rolling exotic play.
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