Santa Anita December29, 2008

Santa Anita December29, 2008
Races can be seen on Horse Racing TV (HRTV)

Race 3 Pick: Nate' N Ed (win - 1 unit), will also pick Suit Yourself / Nate N'Ed (straight exacta - 1 unit).

On 9/14/08 at FPX, Nate' N Ed dueled with another horse running at least 4 lengths faster than what is normal for that distance at that track, and moreover, according to our GHR Number Speed Figures, the track on 9/14 at Fairplex was playing a bit on the slow side. And he held on pretty well until the end, finishing a solid third. He has a full quarter of a mile less he has to run today and if he can manage to get away with a reasonable pace, he has a decent shot and is 10-1 ML.

Throw out the downhill turf it means little and was at the 50K claiming level. The last routing on the turf also saw him set a pace a few lengths faster than average, and he weakened in the last furlong. He is already proven on the synthetic track at Del Mar and at this level won easily by 3 3/4 lengths.

Of course Suit Yourself is a prime contender also, and is the main threat, but at 2-1 ML, I would rather take a chance pairing him with Nate' N Ed rather than just the straight win.

Race 7 Pick: Zilla. I also like She's Cheeky who could very well do it. Accopela Choir could offer the value to come in underneath on the exactas. Not sure what to make of Modification (Bejarano) and We Will Rock You (Gomez), as they haven't run on synthetic in a while, but their speed figures are a bit light for this race. Still they are X Factors, but I'll let them beat me.

Race 9 Pick: Tanzanite. She is 6-1 ML, and I like her last effort on synthetic over at Del Mar. Her last three have come on the grass, and ran respectably at higher level. Drops alot in class, but I've seen Mullins drop them pretty far before and they run well. She draws the rail so that could be a problem, but will take a chance on her. I also like Steppin Out Rose but for the price, the pick is Tanzanite.

Santa Anita December29