We couldn’t finish the double yesterday and another poor card at Santa Anita today with small fields. The Conductor doesn’t have many strong opinions, so he’ll pick his spots today. Let’s Ride.
Race 5: 1 Mile. G3 Sham Stakes
#1 Authentic (8/5) – This colt was all the buzz at Del Mar this summer and won nicely in his debut. He’s working well leading into today.
Race 9: 6½ Furlongs. OC 40000n1x
*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 Truck Salesman (4/1) – He’s run big in his last two dirt sprints and has an early pace edge over this field. He’ll get to the front and will be very tough to pass.
This is a very weak card today at Santa Anita, so the Conductor will only focus on the late double. An ice cold double leading into Friday night is just what the doctor ordered. Never use two when one will do. Let’s Ride.
Race 8: 6 ½ Furlongs. F.MC 20000
#5 Buyback (7/2) – 2nd off the layoff today, her race pressing a hot pace vs tougher two back makes her the one to beat in the Conductor’s opinion. She should stay above 3/1.
Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Alw 50000s
#2 Quarelle (3/1) – 1st off the claim for a red-hot Peter Miller, she’s got the strongest late pace figures in the field.
With the chaos at Santa Anita in 2019, the Conductor took his train elsewhere and his bottom line suffered. Barring more catastrophes at the track this year, the Conductor will turn his focus back to the Great Race Place and play there almost exclusively. The California circuit is where the Conductor is at his best and he needs to tighten his scope. Santa Anita will rue the day they let the Conductor walk back in through their gates. In 2020, there will be blood, Let’s Ride.
Race 3: 1 Mile. OC 62500n2x
#1 California Street (3/1) – Stretching out to a route for the 1st time 2nd off the layoff, this gelding has run against some classy runners in his last few. His bullet works entering today show the Conductor he’s ready to fire.
Race 5: 6 Furlongs. F.Clm 25000
#7 Nomizar (4/1) – Drawn well to the outside, this filly can dictate her own trip and is working like a rocket ship.
Race 6: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 40000n1x
*Gullet Shot of the Day #6 Kittyhawk Lass (8/1) – There looks to be a scorching pace up front in this one, so the Conductor is looking for a closer. This filly is steadily progressing and has a win at the distant. She’ll be finishing late.
#8 Mulhima (20/1) – This filly is trying turf for the first time and the Conductor is intrigued that Prat takes the mount for a low % barn he rarely rides for. In his last two rides for trainer Anna Meah, he’s hit the board.
Race 8: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) G2 Joe Hernandez Stakes
#8 Grinning Tiger (15/1) – He can fly early and his sprint efforts on grass have been his best. His race two back over this turf course came back very fast.
Race 9: 1 Mile. Mdn 55k
#4 Snap Chap (5/1) – This 1.2-million-dollar colt will improve on the stretch out. The blinkers come off today and Mike Smith stays aboard.
#3 Don V. (15/1) – A price to include at least underneath. This colt is well bred to route and trainer David Hofmans can pop with 1st timers. He was 17% with a +$0.65 ROI last year with debut runners.
The Conductor loses every college football he get’s his paws on. Its a can’t lose today at the great race place, Let’s Ride
Race 5: 1 1/16 Mile. G2 San Antonio Stakes
*Never a Doubt Must Win Lock #2 Gift Box (9/5) – He’s had some time off and returns to his favorite track. He can’t lose here and he won’t.
Race 7: 7 Furlongs. F.G1 La Brea Stakes
*Gullet Shot of the Day #8 Motion Emotion (15/1) – Cutting back to a sprint after pressing a hot pace routing last time, the Conductor thinks she can hit the board and has an outside shot at a major upset. She looks to get a nice stalking trip sitting behind the speed and will be running late.
Race 9: 7 Furlongs. G1 Malibu Stakes
#5 Omaha Beach (4/5) – With a nice outside draw, he’ll be in the winner’s circle.
Couldn’t quite connect yesterday, but the Conductor will take one more stab at the Fairgrounds before he heads out west. Let’s Ride.
Race 4: 1 Mile. (Turf) Clm 30000
#6 Nicely Nicely (4/1) – Stretching out to a route and switching back to grass, trainer Eddie Kenneally is 32% with a +$0.10 ROI 1st off the claim this year.
Race 8: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Mdn 40k
*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Kiang (8/1) – This colt was favored at this level last time and ran well from the rail. He gets the 6 post today and is working well leading into his third career start.
Boxing Day is the Conductor’s Christmas. There is nothing quite like the opening day at Santa Anita on the 26th every year……except for this one. The 28th can’t come soon enough. In the meantime, the Conductor will take the train down to Louisiana and fire away with both fists. Let’s Ride.
Race 6: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Clm 15000n2L
#8 Silent Force (20/1) – 2nd off the layoff, this colt’s numbers on dirt fit right in with this group. If he takes to the turf, he can hit the board at a massive number. The Conductor will key him in the trifecta.
Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. Mdn 45k
#1 Ekati’s Verve (7/2) – He’s faced tough fields at Churchill and his race two back would make him tough to beat here.
Race 8: 1 Mile. (Turf) OC 40000n2x
#1 Quinn Murphy (6/1) – Stepping up in class after a nice win last time, she’s in good form and the Conductor thinks she’s up for the challenge.
Race 11: 1m70yds. F.Bob Fortus Memorial Stakes 75k
*Gullet Shot of the Day #3 Out For a Spin (12/1) – 2nd off the layoff, her win in the Ashland this spring shows she is very talented. If she’s anything close to that price, she’s the Conductor’s best bet.
The Conductor’s ponies from yesterday still haven’t finished. But when your hot your hot, and when our cold your due. We’re due, Let’s Ride.
Race 4: 6 Furlongs. Clm 16000n3L
#2 Fleet Warrior (20/1) – #1 Autostrade (9/5) looks like a clear standout on the win end for the Conductor, but he’s going to key the longest shot on the board in the trifecta. This gelding was eased last start but working well and has figures that fit at this level.
Race 7: 6½ Furlongs. Clm 40000
#7 Monteleone (6/1), #8 Earned Success (4/1) – The Conductor will only use the uncoupled Linda Rice entry in this leg of his horizontal wagers. Both are dropping in class and will be ready to fire.
Race 10: 6½ Furlongs. Clm 25000n2L
*Gullet Shot of the Day #5 Legion Storm (6/1) – He ran well at this level last time closing into a slow pace for 2nd. The Conductor will key him in the exacta and he has every chance to win at a nice number.
The Conductor’s lock bailed us out yesterday. Horse racing, bowl season, NFL games, STEW. Not necessarily in that order. Let’s have ourselves a Saturday, Let’s Ride.
Race 2: 1 Mile. Clm 32000
*Gullet Shot of the Day #5 American Lincoln (12/1) – Throw out his last race and his dirt form fits right in with this group. He’s moved into a better barn and is working well off the layoff. The Conductor will key him in the exacta and trifecta.
Race 4: 1 Mile. S.OC 40000n2x
#5 Shamrock Kid (7/2) – Third off the layoff, this gelding looks to get a perfect setup today with a hot pace to run at. He will be flying down the lane.
Race 5: 6 Furlongs. S.Alw 64000n1x
#1 Kadens Courage (12/1) – He has back class and is returning to the races after being clipped. The Conductor likes his work tab and sees him firing at a big number.
Aqueduct cancelling the card right at post time yesterday was a head scratcher. The Conductor was going to win a billion dollars. You can send him a check after the holidays @TheNYRA and the Conductor will allow it. Two billion is on the menu today, Let’s Ride.
Race 2: 1 Mile. F.Clm 16000n2L
#1 Gunboat Diplomacy (6/1) – Her maiden breaker is the best race in this tepid field, and she’s improved in the Englehart barn. The drop-in class will help her as well.
Race 4: 6 ½ Furlongs. F.Clm 25000n2L
*Gullet Shot of the Day #2 Cairo Queen (6/1) – 3rd off the layoff today, she was bumped at the break last time and pressed a quick pace before fading. She looks to get a good trip here sitting behind a contested lead and the Conductor will key her in the exacta.
Race 7: 6 Furlongs. F.S.Alw 82000nc
*Never a Doubt Friday Night Stew Lock #6 Kept True (5/2) – If this filly doesn’t go off favored with early pace advantage she has over this group, take out a loan and sprint to the windows.
Aqueduct is back and the Conductor needs to buy all you little passengers Christmas gifts. Nothing better than cold hard cash that you can spend in the Conductor’s store! Let’s whack this double, Let’s Ride.
Race 4: 6 ½ Furlongs. F.Clm 16000
#1 Trouble for Skyler (4/1) – She’s been facing much tougher and takes a big drop in class today. Last time she was in for a tag she got the job done.
*Gullet Shot of the Day #6 Nowitna River (8/1) – Cutting back to a sprint, this filly loves to win which is always dangerous at the claiming ranks. The Conductor has made lots of money on in form Finger Lakes shippers in his life.
Race 5: 6 Furlongs. Alw 50000s
#5 Inside Risk (5/2) – 2nd off the layoff and cutting back in distance after pressing a hot pace last time, this 1st time gelding has a chance to run off the screen. He’s been facing miles tougher than this group.
#7 Dubai Bobby (5/1) – His maiden breaker two back on turf was the most impressive race in this field. Switching back to dirt, dropping in class and drawn well to the outside, he must be used.
