5th Race @Santa Anita for March 2nd

Deputy Darling was a disappointment yesterday at Gulfstream finishing 7th. I didn't get to see the race but did read the recap, well not much in her case. It read like she went on a tour of the course, strange for a Micheal Maker horse. The only consolation was Mr. Illman at the DRF liked her chances too, so it's good to know I didn't misread it entirely. Today the DRF is tossing us another maiden special weight, but this time it's at Santa Anita. It will be the 5th race on turf, a sprint of six and a half furlongs for 3YO fillies. As a reminder, the Santa Anita turf course starts on a downhill run, it can be tricky.

My opinion it's a wide open field, plenty of first time starters and the others have seen little racing. Overall out of the field of 10, I like the following:

#10 Fast Moka Too, #9 Darling Dodie, #6 Patty's Pulpit #4 Unbridled Ambition and #3 Allswellonceagain.

I have gone over this field for hours, and can't really land on anyone with a strong conviction, so it get's down to price. If the #10 Fast Moka Too can hold at 3/1 or better, then I go there. Ron Ellis horses usually do well coming off a layoff, he hits 33% on maidens, and her last outing was a solid place finish. Her breeding is good and the workouts have been solid. If the odds go down then I will go with #9 Darling Dodie. She is a first time starter (gulp), with good breeding, nice workouts and comes from a successful barn, Mike Puype. The morning line is 6/1 and anything close to that would attract my attention.

Tomorrow and Sunday, I will be blogging the Weekend Handicapping at http://www.horseplayersassociation.org

Results:

Starts: 3

Wins: 0

Place: 0

Show: 1

7th Race @Gulfstream Park onTurf

Yesterday at Aqueduct we got served up the triple whammy. First the track was muddy, Matt Carothers at TVG selected Notell, and the kiss of death on Elusive Rumour is when Simon Bray selected her. I like Simon and his thoughts, especially on breeding, but when he handicaps, I usually go the other way. Likewise, I do like Matt Carothers selections, and usually feel comfortable when he and I agree. I will say I was pleased with Elusive Rumour's effort. She went forward, settled and hung tough for a show finish. I would watch for her next time out, she is ready to break her maiden.

So today we go south to Gulfstream for the 7th race on turf going a mile and sixteenth. It's a $40,000 claiming event for 4YO+ fillies and mares. A field of 11 have entered and it's a competitive group. The #10 Brampton looks like the favorite and did have a good run last out, but for the price play I will go with ...

#9 Deputy Darling ML 5/1

She had won three in a row before she lost in an allowance race here at GP. She shows consistent speed over the grass, and even bumps into the low to mid 80's. I like the connections of Maker and Leparoux, and she has won at this level here and at Churchill. She has had four workouts since her last effort, nothing special but it shows she is fit and ready. Lastly, she has hit the board at GP three of five times, including two wins. My only issue is she is a closer, but I do like how Leparoux has ridden her. Anything close to 5/1 she is a play.


Record:

Starts: 2

Wins: 0

Place: 0

Show: 1