Selections by Tom Brohamer.

 

Santa Anita, Saturday, April 25, 2009

 

Selections made for a fast track. Always check the program numbers.

   Handicapper’s comments:   I’ll be on-line every Saturday and Sunday unless the card is so weak that it would not be worth the gamble. I have had several e-mails regarding my play in bettable races. My normal play in the straight pools is win and place with a $20 win and $30 place ratio. Of course, that’s when field size permits. Good luck.

 

I will not be on-line Sunday 4-26. (The card is dreadful.)

 

RACE 1.   This seven furlong sprint kicks off an entire card of restricted stakes races and it happens to be one of the better races on the card. Shrewd trainer Steve Specht ships #2 LADY RAILRIDER south for this and she may hold the aces. She loves the synthetic surfaces, wins races, and her race on Sunshine Millions day would win this. At 3-1 she’s a key bet. Most of the others seem to look alike but I’ll give the edge to #4 WAVELINE who seems to fire every time. Box these two and don’t ignore WAVELINE at 5-1 or better.

 

RACE 2 Pass this one.

 

RACE 3. At 1 1/6th on the turf #3 YOU LIFT ME UP should get the perfect trip. She’s dead game, loves the trip, and should be fit after her try at 1 3/8th’s. 3-1 or better and she’s a play. #7 BEL AIR SIZZLE fires every time and should hit the board. The #3 should get first run but this filly be motoring late. I doubt she’ll be a price but 7-2 would be acceptable. Box these two and also use #6 ONEBADKITTY on a lesser ticket. Koriner’s filly should get a nice trip but the 1 1/8th may be an issue.

 

RACE 4. John Sadler’s #6 TIBAL JUSTICE should get plenty of speed to target and he definitely prefers Cushion Track. He’s worked very well and will be flying late. 7-2 or better is fair. #1 SPIRIT OF COCHISE adds blinkers for Carava and has the look of an improving four-year-old. Look for him to lay just off the pace and get an early run at the leaders. 5-1 looks fair. #5 BUCK’S BRO is a hard knocker who never runs a bad race. The seven furlongs may be a question but at 6-1 or better he’s playable. Box the three and use them in the rolling exotics.

 

RACE 5. This is the filly and mare division of the previous race. #2 CICCINA exits races loaded with next-out winners and should love this long sprint. She’s lightly raced and may have an ok future. 7-2 is our price. #7 MAGIC LAUNCH is on my Horses-to-watch list off the claim by Spawr from Carla Gaines. She absolutely fits in here and may be a price. At 5-1 or better she’s a play. #11 NORTH RODEO has burned more money than the Federal Reserve but she’s always there or thereabouts and has to be included in the exotics. I would need 6-1 in the win pool and that’s highly unlikely. Key the top two and bet whichever meets the odds requirements

 

RACE 6. Pass this race; this is an absolute crapshoot.

 

RACE 7. Unlike the earlier races, this one has far fewer restrictions and the result is a field of tough competitors. Lots of ways to go so we should use several in the exotics. Ted West brings back last year’s Tiznow winner #9 STELLA MARK and he’ll be my top call. These connections (Sengara-West) have been deadly for years and bringing this guy back after a year with no class drop tells me he’ll fire big. He adores the distance and has some very good races in his p.p.’s. At 5-1 he’s a go for me. #3 STAR NICHOLAS also loves the trip and he adores Hollywood Park He’ll be coming late and 5-1 would be fair. #4 ITALIAN RULES is lightly raced and is tough as nails down the lane. The trip may hurt but he’ll be well paced early and has a real shot. 6-1 for this one. Use all three in the exotics and bet whichever fit the odds requirements. Just don’t take too short a price.

 

 

RACE 8. I’ll pass this 1 1/8th mile race on the turf. This is a weak field and most can’t get the trip with a taxi cab. The only par figures belong to MEDZENDEEKRON and SWIFT WINDS and both are coming off sub-par efforts. It’s these two or the “all” box.

 

RACE 9. #3 COMPARI is a rapidly developing three-year-old and is also on my personal Horses-to-watch list. This is basically a first level allowance race in disguise so the class bump is not extreme. Take him at 4-1. #6 FEISTY SUANCES drops from good efforts versus better and should go well in here. He has a nice pressing style and the barn is solid. The figures are sub-par so ask for a decent price. 5-1 plus. #5 J.P.JAMMER is much like the latter but may be a bigger price. Use all three in the exotics.

 

RACE 10. If the first starters are nothing special, look for #9 RAISE THE RIVER to win this with a big number. Gaines has handled this four-year-old gelding with care and he should turn into a useful runner. His style is perfect for 6 ½ furlongs. He’s a single and a key bet at 5-2 or better.

 

 

Tom Brohamer is the author of the best-selling handicapping classic MODERN PACE HANDICAPPING and is considered the leading authority on the subject of pace handicapping. Tom’s selections are available every Saturday and Sunday at TrackMaster Winner’s Circle selections or call (800) 334-3800.