October 5, 2024
Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know”
Santa Anita
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Santa Anita 6th Race – Post: 3:30 PT. Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection/Prime Gamble: 10-Mizzyaan
Other contenders: 7-Well Funded; 8-Helga Brandt (Ire)
Forecast: Mizzyaan has acclimated quite well since arriving from Dubai earlier this year and tipped her hand when despite losing much ground rallied bravely to be second in a similar two turn maiden affair on grass for older fillies and mares. In doing so she produced a 13 point Beyer speed figure improvement over her U.S. debut, and with another forward move today the daughter of Justify should be set to earn her diploma. Two easy breezes since raced will have her fit and ready, and with U. Rispoli riding her back the M. McCarthy-trained sophomore appears to have much in her favor. We like her in the win pool at or near her morning line of 5/2 and as the main punch in the various rolling exotics.
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Santa Anita – 8th race – Post: 4:30 PT. Degree of confidence: A-
Top Selection/Prime Gamble: 4-Iscreamuscream
Other Contenders: 2-Sunset Glory (Ire).
Forecast: Iscreamuscream is unbeaten in four starts and faces her toughest test yet in this year’s edition of the Rodeo Drive S.-G2 for older fillies and mares. This will be her first try at 10 furlongs and her first facing older foes, but those challenges should be offset by the projected pace flow, which places her on the front end as the controlling speed and with the likelihood that she can coast early and never look back. A facile winner of the Del Mar Oaks-G1 last time out with a career top speed figure, the daughter of Twirling Candy is a highly versatile sort that can stalk and pounce if the situation dictates, so even if the pace flow comes up contested regular pilot H. Berrios can assess the situation and adjust if need be. She’s listed at 8/5 on the morning line and will offer good wagering value even at that relatively short price if you can get it.
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Santa Anita 9th Race – Post: 5:00 PT. Degree of confidence: A-
Top Selection/Prime Gamble: 7-Getaway Car
Backups: none.
Forecast: Although he was disappointing when establishing the pace before fading readily in the Del Mar Futurity-G1 last month, Getaway Carseems quite likely to snap back in a big way in this year’s renewal of the American Pharoah S.-G1 for juveniles. Certainly bred to run this far (Curlin), the B. Baffert-trained colt removes blinkers, stretches out for the first time, and has been highly impressive in recent morning drills to strongly indicate that he’s set for a career top effort. We prefer to see patient tactics employed, and from where he’s drawn jockey J. Hernandez projects to enjoy an ideal trip outside and then have every chance to seal the deal when he presses the button at the head of the lane. We’ll consider a strong straight play at 2-1 on the morning line and we’re hopeful that we can get that price.
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