Friday, January 31, 2014

Arcadia Stakes, Race 8 at Santa Anita tomorrow

Again no graded stakes dirt routes for older horses tomorrow, but there is the Gr2 Arcadia on the turf at santa Anita. I think it's a rather weak field of 10 for a Gr 2 with at least 4-5 that can be easily eliminated [i.e. 1,4,6,7}. My selection is #5 Regally Ready. Perhaps not quite as classy as #3 Unbridled's Note (a sprinter, untried at distance) or #8 Suggestive Boy (resuming off a 12 month lay off, though working well may still be in need of the outing), RR is a former Gr 1 winner, who's fit, in form and loves this track and distance, Mike Smith up for Steve Asmussen, and 6-1 in ML. RR usu. goes forward, in a race where there is abundant speed. I hope he takes a sit off the pace, maybe in the 1:1 from the gate 5, and proves to be too strong down the stretch. If a closer is sought, could look at #2 Vagabond Shoes, although 0-4 on this track. PREDICTION: 5-8-3-2; RESULT: 9-7-5 (2,4,6 SCR). My race map was pretty close. #5 RR tried to steal it (?not a great ride by Smith), out by 5L to the far turn with the other speedster #9 chasing in a distant 2nd. #5 led down the stretch to the 100m pole then faded, with #9 wearing him down and also #7 was running on to grab 2nd on the line. #3 was saving ground on the rail and only plugged in from there for 4th, while #8 ran on from mid field, looking like he needed the run

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