Horse owner, breeder and HRTV analyst Jeff Siegel also happens to be Southern California's premier handicapper. Check his blog each day before you play!
Handicapping, in short, refers to analyzing the race to come up with best predicted outcome, or pick. There are many angles when it comes to picking a winner. Using some of the help from the professional handicappers below, you can determine your own angle on placing a bet. For more information on how to bet or wager, click here.
Moreno’s Mine adds blinkers in his first start since being claimed by West and in his second start off a layoff the son of Mineshaft figures to move forward in the Friday opener. He switches to Baze and clearly looks best of the known element. Instinctively Bold is an intriguing first timer worth using in your rolling exotics. He’s shown some talent in the morning, lands a comfortable outside post, and looks live for a clever outfit.
The Thursday opener offers little value; any one of three can win. Rolanda takes a substantial class drop while switching to Bejarano should improve a bunch in this league. She’s the likely favorite but we’ll also include in our rolling exotics Norma Reese (second in her last pair but with weak figures) and Tiz Anna (closing style suits this extended sprint distance).
Robie the Cat drops into a claimer for the first time in his second start off a layoff and looks properly spotted in the Sunday opener to regain his winning form. This will be his first start over conventional dirt and he trains well enough over it. Valentine Boy, in the money in his last pair, is a fit on numbers and should at least get a share. ‘Cat gets top preference but both should be used in rolling exotic play.
The Friday program begins with a stickout; Thisonesforricky has rapidly improving numbers, a good inside post, and is switching to Bejarano. She continues to look good in the morning for Jones and seems ready to win as a strong straight play and rolling exotic single.
Santa Anita Derby week begins with a nice Pick-6 carryover and a better-than-par maiden route affair. Chief Havoc got burned up in a speed duel in his U.S. debut and faded in a fast, highly-rated race. He seems sure to benefit from that effort and with a patient ride from Gomez, figures to improve a ton today. Roman Tizzy flashed some ability in his debut sprinting last month and is another likely to step forward today. Talamo rides him back and probably will have him on or near the lead. We’ll use both in our rolling exotics and then press a bit with Chief Havoc on top.
