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.
A $97,259 Pick-6 carryover awaits Sunday players at Santa Anita in a challenging and competitive nine race program.
In the opener, Cabo Chico missed by a neck in a similar spot two races back and then was overmatched vs. allowance company earlier this month. He’s wheeled back quickly by Heap while switching to Talamo, and he has plenty of back numbers that would beat this group. However, there’s the question of the quick turnaround. We’ll make him a rolling exotic single for those who want the action but a better strategy might simply be to sit out the race.
The Friday card may be short on quality but there are plenty of attractive opportunities in rolling exotic play.
Pastoria makes her third start off a layoff in the opener and it should be her best. The Jones-trained filly had a sharp easy drill last week to indicate she’s moving forward and Talamo rides her back. We like her on top but will also include in our rolling exotics Spacecoast, in the money in her last four starts and landing the cozy outside post with Bejarano.
Not much will be needed to win the Thursday opener. Cat’sdoubledaygirl is making her first start since being claimed by Spawr and switches to Bejarano; the work tab looks okay and she’s shown she can fire fresh. We’ll make her a rolling exotic single but not really with a large degree of confidence.
The Super Bowl Sunday program begins at 11 a.m. and includes eight races, with post for the finale at around 2:30 p.m.
In the opener, Lanida, first off the claim for Mullins (31% with a flat bet profit), has been freshened since November and has worked well enough to be fit and ready in her return. She’s a perfect one-for-one over this course and Baze should have her within range throughout. Mia Isabel returns to her winning level and retains Bejarano. She’s the one to fear most, but we’ll prefer Lanida on top.
A terrific 10-race Saturday program offers a number of outstanding wagering opportunities.
In the opener, trainer Bob Baffert has the goods with the uncoupled Tiz the Truth and Spirited Touch; both are worth using in rolling exotic play. The former is improving with racing and continues to impress in the morning; with another forward move he’s home free. Spirited Touch probably is better than his debut indicates and should move forward in his second start, as most young runners from this barn do. Toss him in for a ticket or two.
