Santa Anita March 7 Picks

Santa Anita March 7, 2009
Santa Anita Handicap Day

Race 2 Pick: Win: Lucky Honey, Gold Star Status.Going with two 12-1 ML shots here, as I think either of them can win. Gold Star Status must bring his 12/20/08 race in order to win, and GHR Speed Figures show that that race is good enough. Lucky Honey I think is on the improve and his route numbers stack up to the best here. Devoted Magic I think might have peaked and is now leveling off. Of course he can do it, but at 9/5 I do not like. Maui Mark at 3-1 is the newcomer and I kind of like him too, but at 3-1 would pair him with either of the two price horses in an exacta rather than just a straight win. Hard Bill is a total X factor coming from Chile and Garrett Gomez taking the call. He sure looks solid, 7/8 lifetime, but you just don't know, take a wait and see on that one.

Race 5 Pick: Win: Synnin and Grinnin, Petite Cherie.Synnin and Grinnin had a deceptively good race last out, she got in kind of tight in the stretch and looked like she was going to run on, but when she couldn't find room, she dropped back. I like her race two back against Petite Cherie, who I think also has the numbers to compete here. I like Moonshine Alice and Foxy Danseur, but at the lower odds, I prefer the price horses given here. A horse in addition to Synnin and Grinnin that may outrun its odds, Coco Belle, her last race was so-so and the three prior to that were a couple lengths stronger, and Sadler is capable. Don't like Coco Belle quite for the win, but second is a possibility.

Race 7 Santa Anita Oaks: Win: Miss Silver Brook.Of course Stardom Bound is the main choice, but at the 2-5 odds she is likely to be, I would rather take a shot on a talented newcomer. She has a nice long fluid stride, and the 1 1/16 mile distance should be ideal for her. She has Julio Canani as trainer who is A+ (trains the Pamplemousse). She'll have to take a step forward, but if Stardom Bound runs only as good as her Las Virgenes win, she just might upset.

Race 8 Santa Anita Oaks: Win: Cherokee Artist.This is the top choice to win, but a definite use in the money. I like the last effort, it should be good enough to take these. If Zappa gets in, I like that one also, but he may not draw in.

Race 9 Kilroe Mile: Win: Global Hunter.This one is kind of wide open, but Global Hunter ran a solid to Matto Mondo who I think can compete in the Big Cap in the next race. I don't care for the trainer, so thats a concern, but if he can maintain his form, he has a legit shot at 8-1 ML. Frankel wouldn't be entering Mast Track at 12-1 ML if he didn't think he had a shot, after all he won the Hollywood Gold Cup by over 2 lengths. I would take the higher odds horse (Mast Track) over the other Frankel horse, favorite Ventura.

Race 10 Santa Anita Handicap: Win: Colonel John.His Santa Anita Derby last year is actually stronger than any other time run in this field, if you adjust for the trip. If he can bring that game, he can win. He gets Gomez, has a solid trainer, draws a good post (5), and loves synthetic tracks. If Magnum can duplicate the last,he will be really tough. Matto Mondo at the rail under Bejarano looks like he is on the improve, and has a shot too. I am not sure if Bejarano is going to send him through and try to take them wire to wire. John Velasquez will surely track him closely and not let him get away easy. Stream Cat at 20-1 LOVES synthetic surfaces. He draws way outside, but he could be the value in a trifecta or superfecta bomb.

Late Scratch: Colonel John. I like the ones I mentioned above, but the picks will be Magnum.

Good Luck.