Month: December 2018

Ponies

New Years Eve Knockouts: The Conductor’s Plays at Santa Anita Park

The Conductor's Scribe

The Conductor’s prayers were not answered yesterday, as we only had a couple of 2nds and 3rds.  Looks like the stews played a factor.  However, Santa Anita is running today and tomorrow due to the New Year and that makes the Conductor very happy.  His New Year’s resolution is to pick more winners and get all of you passengers fat and rich.  What a generous man, Let’s Ride.

driving black and white GIF

Race 1: 1 Mile (Turf) Clm 25000

#10 Offshore (3/1) – He’s in good form and is a very consistent runner.  If he runs the same as he has in his two prior efforts vs tougher, he’ll win today.

Race 2: 7 Furlongs. F.MC 16000

#5 Heloise (4/1) – She’s steadily progressing and ran a solid 2nd at this level last time with a troubled trip. With another step forward, she’ll have every chance at a nice number.

Race 3: 1 Mile (Turf) S.Alw 67000n1x

#3 Brandothebartender (7/2) – He’s run two big efforts in his last two races including a win on this turf course two starts back.  His A race beats this field.

Race 4: 1 Mile. Mdn 55k

#4 Route Six Six (3/1) – This colt has been off since March, but trainer Brian Koriner brings them back ready to run.  He’s working well and has the fastest race in this field.

Race 5: 6 ½ Furlongs. Alw 57000n1x

*Never a Doubt New Years Kiss Lock of the Day #9 North County Guy (7/2) – His last victory down the hill in October beats this field 100 out of 100 times.

good morning money GIF

Race 6: 6 Furlongs. F.Alw 50000n2L

#5 Tiz a Master (6/1) – This filly blew away the competition last start with ease.  She’s stepping up in class today, but a step forward is likely and will give her a major chance.

Race 7: 1 1/8 Mile (Turf) F.Alw 57000n1x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #2 Screenshot (8/1) – She will take on winners for the 1st time today, but she was very impressive in her 1st time routing last start, winning with ease.  There are no standouts in this field and she should run even better with more experience.  The Conductor hopes her price stays high.

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Race 8: 6 Furlongs. S.MC 50000

#2 Loud Mouth (3/1) – This colt ran competitively in his debut against tougher.  He’ll step forward naturally and that will make him tough to beat.

Ponies

Sabbath Sunday: The Conductor’s Prayers at Santa Anita Park

The Conductor's Scribe

The lock of the day hit early yesterday, and the Conductor handed out the ice cold late double that paid 18/1.  Time to double down, Let’s Ride.

man save train GIF

Race 1: 6½ Furlongs. (Turf) Clm 50000

#5 Flip the Coin Jan (4/1) – He has two wins down the hill and the cutback works all the time on this turf course.

Race 2: 6 ½ Furlongs. F.Clm 20000

#2 Queen Carmelita (10/1) – She has strong early pace figures and is in good form.  That’s a great recipe in these claiming races.

Race 3: 6 Furlongs. F.Clm 25000

#7 Sturdy One (7/2) – Making her third start off a layoff, she’s drawn well to the outside and loves Santa Anita.  Last time she was at this level she dominated.

Race 4: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.75K Blue Norther Stakes

*Never a Doubt Sunday NFL Losing Bets Bailout Lock of the Day #1 Lady Prancelot (5/2) – She gets back to a firm turf course today and is working well.  She’ll get a perfect setup with lots of speed signed on in here.

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Race 5: 1 Mile. Clm 16000n3L

#5 Elwood J (9/2) – He’s been facing much tougher and the Conductor always bets on this horse, so he will do so again.

Race 6: 6 Furlongs. F.Mdn 55k

#4 Free Belief (5/1) – When Prat teams up with Hollandorfer, you must take notice.  This filly’s sire wins 16% with debut runners.

Race 7: 6 ½ Furlongs. MC 16000

#Artie B Good (4/1) – The Conductor was very impressed by this boy’s last race.  Nothing creative.

Race 8: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 62500n2x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #3 Pulpit Rider (6/1) – She showed a thunderous late kick last start and is steadily progressing.  She’s 3/5 at this distance.

Image result for kick throat gif

Race 9: 6½ Furlongs. F.Alw 57000n1x

#3 Uppercut (5/1) – She’s been sidelined since May, but she’s run well against graded stakes company and ran a big figure in her debut.  She has talent and is working well.

Race 10: 6½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.Mdn 55k

#9 Unicorn (6/1) – Prat doesn’t hop aboard 1st time starters that can’t run.  Plus she has mythical powers.

*Disclaimer: The Conductor had too many stews last night and these picks may not be held against him in the court of law.

Ponies, Videos

Esophagus Slice Saturday: The Conductor’s Plays at Santa Anita Park

The Conductor's Scribe

When your 4/1 lock of the day loses in a photo like this:

You know its going to be a brutal day at the track.  Whatever, the train rolls onward. Let’s have ourselves a Saturday, Let’s Ride.

Race 1: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) F.Mdn 54k

#9 Maxim Rate (12/1) – She was 235k at auction and is working like a good thing.  The Conductor isn’t sold on the runners with experience in here and will key this 1st time starter in the exacta and trifecta.

Race 2: 6½ Furlongs. Clm 12500n2L

*Never a Doubt Free Weekend Lock of the Day #3 Facts Matter (2/1) – Taking a huge drop in class with good early speed and cutting back to a sprint, the Conductor can’t see her losing.

beer drinking GIF by Shake Shack

Race 3: 6 Furlongs. F.S. MC 50000

#12 Comegowithme (8/1) – She’s dropping to the claiming race for the first time and her debut effort two starts back was the fastest race in this field on the Conductor’s numbers.

Race 4: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) F. G3 Robert J. Frankel Stakes

#2 Escape Clause (7/2) – She loves to win and runs her race no matter what the surface, distance, or competition.  She’s the type of racehorse the Conductor loves.

Race 5: 6 Furlongs. Clm 8000

*Gullet Shot of the Day #7 Monterey Shale (6/1) – He has good early speed, is cutting back to a sprint and is working well.  The Conductor loves him at a nice number.

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Race 6: 6 ½ Furlongs. Clm 25000

#9 Treasure Hunter (4/1) – He’s dropping in class and looks to be rounding into form after his last quality start.  He is the class of the field.

Race 7: 6 Furlongs. MC 30000

#5 Bachchan (10/1) – This field looks ripe for a 1st time starter and this colt is working like a rocket for top connections.  His sire also wins at a 19% clip with debut runners.

Race 8: 1 1/4 Mile. (Turf) F. G1 American Oaks

#5 Princess Warrior (6/1) – An impressive winner at the G2 level last start, she’s steadily improving and hasn’t run a bad race on the grass.  She’s drawn well and will be very dangerous.

teen wolf idk GIF

Race 9: 6 Furlongs. Alw 50000s

#7 Macwinnon (4/1) – His maiden breaker last start destroys this field.

Race 10: 6½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.MC 50000

#11 Madaket Sunset (5/1) – She’s progressed in each start and is dropping to the claiming ranks for the first time.  We also have top connections in our corner.

Ponies, Videos

Force-Feed Friday: The Conductor’s Plays at Santa Anita Park

The Conductor's Scribe

Let’s build some momentum today and have the train flying heading into the weekend.  Let’s Ride.

PT 3:30pm ET Race 1: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) Mdn 55k

#7 Seven Oxygen (10/1) – He’s shown a strong late kick in his two turf starts and is steadily improving.  The Desormeaux brothers bring their horses along slowly and they always step forward with experience.

Race 2: 1 Mile. MC 50000

#2 Frozen Money (6/5) – What a terrible betting race with only 5 horses.  He looks like the one to beat.

Race 3: 5 ½ Furlongs. Clm 12500

#4 Quad (7/2) – His win last start makes him competitive against this group and his pattern suggests he can take another step forward.  He’ll be a decent price in a small field.

Race 4: 6½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.Mdn 55k

#5 Rather Nosy (6/1) – His debut down the hill two starts back was around par for this level.  He is the only runner in this field with experience over this turf course, which is a major advantage.

Race 5: 6 Furlongs. F.Clm 12500n2L

*Never a Doubt Friday Night Bottle Service Lock of the Day #3 Peachy (7/2) – She’s dropping in class, cutting back in distance and adding blinkers.  All signs point to this filly running a big one.

Alcohol Party GIF - Alcohol Party LetsGetItStarted GIFs

Race 6: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) OC 62500n2x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 Whoop Whoop (10/1) – This field is very competitive, and the Conductor is looking for a price.  This gelding has rounded into form and the Conductor liked his finish after pressing a fast pace last start.  He can light up the tote board at a juicy number.

Whoop Whoop GIF - Whoop Theoffice GIFs

Race 7: 6 Furlongs. Clm 16000n3L

#4 Zap Again (6/1) – He’s been off since May, but trainer Charles Treece has them ready off the bench and he’s been gelded since.  A natural progression with age will make him tough to beat.

Race 8: 1 Mile. (Turf) Eddie Logan Stakes

#8 Sparky Ville (9/2) – This gelding is steadily improving and has been running quality races vs much tougher on dirt in his young career.  He’s bred to be better on turf and the Conductor is betting that he will be.

Race 9: 1 Mile. Clm 8000

#7 Dukes Up (4/1) – Dropping in class and returning to Santa Anita where he is 4/7 lifetime, this gelding looks poised to run his best today.

Ponies, Videos

Throat Shot Thursday: The Conductor’s Plays at Gulfstream Park

The Conductor's Scribe

The Conductor had Gift Box at 6/1 yesterday, but other than that he didn’t have many great opinions.  What a day of racing though, highlighted by Mckinzie’s dominant performance in the G1 Malibu Stakes.  Obviously he couldn’t run like that when the Conductor backed him in the Breeders Cup Classic.

Whatever, he train is headed down to Gulfstream today, then we’ll head back to Santa Anita for the weekend.  Let’s Ride.

Race 1: 1 Mile. F.OClm 12500

#5 Amaluna (4/1) – This Ol’ mare is a hard knocker and ran her best race in a long time last start.  The Conductor sees her running a repeat effort and that will give her every chance against this field.

Race 2: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) Clm 16000

*Gullet Shot of the Day #11 The Zip Zip Man (12/1) – He won easily at Suffolk last start and that race was very fast on the Conductor’s numbers.  He’s working well and has run strong numbers at this distance.

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Race 3: 7 Furlongs. F.OClm 50000

#5 Farfalla (5/2) – She blew away the field at Woodbine last start and with a natural step forward today she’ll be tough to beat.

Race 4: 5½ Furlongs. F.Clm 6250n2L

#6 Enigmatica (4/1) – This filly loves to run 2nd, but she’s in the best form of the group.  The Conductor will key her in the exacta.

Race 5: 7½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.MC 50000

#12 War Rose (6/1) – She draws a tough post, but has been posting bullet works and Johnny V hops aboard for a trainer Brandon Walshe, whom he never rides for.  That always catches the Conductor’s eye.

Race 6: 7 Furlongs. Clm 12500

#2 Nomad (8/1) – He ran a strong number in his victory on turf last start and has been gelded since.  Trainer Chad Summers is 20% with a +$0.26 ROI switching runners from turf to dirt this year.

Race 7: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) OClm 25000

#1 Captain Gaughen (10/1) – This veteran gelding runs his race no matter what level of competition and is money at 5 furlongs.  We get top connections in our corner as well.

Race 8: 7 Furlongs. F.Alw 47000n1x

*Never a Doubt Winter Vacation Lock of the Day #1 Pink Sands (9/2) – Closing into a slow pace to finish a solid 2nd vs tougher last time, she looks primed to run her best today.  The Conductor would do terrible things for her price to stay up at 9/2.

happy eddie murphy GIF

Race 9: 7½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.OC 62500n2x

#10 Volatility Index (9/2) – This Chad Brown filly returns to the track after a year layoff.  If she’s the same horse she’ll beat this field, let alone if she’s better.

Race 10: 1 1/16 Mile. F.Mdn 60k

#4 Makealitlemischief (6/1) – Heavily bet in her debut, she didn’t bring her best and has been off since.  She’s bred to be a good thing and the Pletcher barn is heating up.

Ponies

Windpipe Whack Wednesday: The Conductor’s Plays at Santa Anita Park

The Conductor's Scribe

Race 1: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) Clm 25000

*Never a Doubt Party Starter Lock of the Day #9 Orchestral (3/1) – This Ol’ boy is nails.  He gets back to the turf after pressing a hot pace last time on dirt and the Conductor is coming out of the gates with a stone-cold lock.

behold american horror story GIF by AHS

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. F.Clm 25000

*Gullet Shot of the Day #2 Empress of Lov (12/1) – She’s dropping in class after closing into a slow pace last time.  She also gets back to the Santa Anita surface, where she always runs her best.

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Race 3: 7 Furlongs. Alw 50000s

#6 Shane Zane (6/1) – Pressing hot paces going longer against much tougher, he’ll run a big race cutting back and dropping in class.

Race 4: 1 Mile. (Turf) F. Lady of Shamrock Stakes

#2 Animosity (12/1) – Everyone has a chance in this race and the Conductor will look for a price.  She’s working well and dropping back to a level where she can compete.

Race 5: 6½ Furlongs. Mdn 55k

#5 All Good (6/1) – Baffert will win this race him or the debut runner #9 Scalper (7/2).  All Good will be a bigger price and is working like a good thing.  He caught a sloppy track in his debut, so the Conductor can forgive him.

Race 6: 7 Furlongs. F.G1 La Brea Stakes

*Never a Doubt T-Bond Lock of the Day #5 Dream Tree (8/5) – Bobby Baffert, ever heard of him? This undefeated filly looks like a standout.

Image result for t bond

Race 7: 1 Mile. (Turf) G2 Mathis Brothers Stakes

#1 Sejo (6/1) – Other than the heavy favorite #5 River Boyne (8/5), this is a weak G2 field.  This colt is shipping in from across the pond and has beaten a combined 31 horses in his last two starts.  We also get top connections.

Race 8: 1 1/16 Mile. G2 San Antonio Stakes

#7 Gift Box (4/1) – Now out in sunny California for the first time, he’s working like he likes his new barn better.  He’s always had the talent, he can beat this boy on his best day.

justin timberlake dancing GIF by Saturday Night Live

Race 9: 7 Furlongs. G1 Malibu Stakes

#12 Kanthaka (6/1) – The Conductor will try to beat Baffert in this one.  She’s working like a monster for Hollendorfer and is 3/3 at the distance.

Race 10: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) Alw 57000n1x

#6 Souter (8/1) – He ran a very strong late pace figure in his win last start vs similar competition.  He’s working well, and the added distance will be in his favor.

Ponies, Videos

Sunday’s Recap at Gulfstream Park

The Conductor's Scribe

Santa Anita’s Picks will be up tomorrow, the Conductor needs a few drinks.

Ponies

Sabbath Sunday: The Conductor’s Prayers at Gulfstream Park

The Conductor's Scribe

Again, only a few short-priced winners yesterday.  If we don’t have a big today, the Conductor will have to pawn off all his Christmas gifts.  He can’t get a feel for Gulfstream Park this week, maybe he’s having too much eggnog?  Who knows, but he better figure it out quick or his family will get Venmo requests for Christmas.  We just need one pony to turn the tide, Let’s Ride.

hustling show me the money GIF

PT 12:00pm ET Race 1: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) MC 20000

#1 Allegiance (4/1) – Dropping in class for top connections, he’s taken money at the windows vs much tougher in Kentucky his 1st two starts.  He’s gotten clipped and claimed since his last start, the Conductor sees him improving.

Race 2: 7 Furlongs. Clm 6250n2L

#6 Artist (7/5) – What a heinous race.  The Conductor doesn’t like anybody.

Race 3: 1 Mile. OC 75000n1x

*Never a Doubt Festivus Lock of the Day #2 Frosted Grace (3/1) – His last two races stand well above any of the races the others have run in here, 3/1 would be stealing.

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Race 4: 7 Furlongs. F.Clm 12500

#5 Return the favor (6/1) – She has an early pace edge over this field.  Her early pace figures stand above this group and she’s dropping in class.  She can get a comfortable lead and gut them.

Race 5: 1 Mile. Alw 47000n2x

#6 Raising the Flag (9/2) – He’s in good form and loves this distance at Gulfstream Park.  We also get Irad in the saddle.

Race 6: 7½ Furlongs. (Turf) Clm 50000n2L

#9 Stock Trade (9/2) – Pressing a hot pace vs tougher and finishing a solid 3rd, he’s the one to beat for top connections.

#8 Be Gone Daddy (12/1) – He’s been running fast figures against tougher on dirt recently and switches back to turf today, where he has his lone win.  The Conductor likes him at a nice number.

Race 7: 6 Furlongs. Mdn 60k

#4 Phantom Currency (6/1) – This 260k 1st time starter has been working like a rocket and his dam is 2/2 producing winners.

Race 8: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Mdn 47k

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Rumson Rally (12/1) – He ran a huge late pace figure in his last start, closing strongly into a slow pace and that race came back very live.  He’s been off since July, but he’s working very well.

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Race 9: 1 Mile. F.Clm 6250

#8 Grace’s Drama (3/1) – Ignore her last race, where she had a trip from hell against much tougher.  Her prior races make her a standout against this group.

Race 10: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 75000n1x

#2 Comic Kitten (5/1) – Trainer Mike Maker has always thought a lot of her, thrusting her into G1 company after breaking her maiden.  She gets major class relief today.

Race 11: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) F.Mdn 60k

#9 Paradise Retained (6/1) – In her lone turf race, she finished ahead of the favorite #3 Lady Grace (2/1).

Ponies, Videos

Esophagus Shot Saturday: The Conductor’s Play’s at Gulftream Park

The Conductor's Scribe

The Conductor had a few short-priced winners yesterday, but his lock fell short and we had a lot of scratches due to races coming off the turf.

Nothing but Sunshine in the forecast today, let’s have ourselves a Saturday. Let’s Ride.

PT 12:00pm ET Race 1: 6 Furlongs. S.MC 50000

#2 Quizzical Cajun (5/2) – Top figures with top connections, he looks tough to beat.

Race 2: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) OC 75000n1x

#1 English Bee (4/1) – He ran a solid 3rd vs similar last start at Keeneland, where he made an early move into a hot pace.  With natural progression, he’ll be very dangerous.

#5 Kentucky Allstar (10/1) – Dropping out of stakes company on dirt, he ran an above par figure for this level last time.  He’s bred to be better on turf and has a major chance at a nice number.

Race 3: 5½ Furlongs. F.Mdn 60k

#4 Tapit’s Princess (5/2) – She was 500k at auction and her dam is 1/1 producing winners.  She’s working well for top connections.

Race 4: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) Mdn 60k

*Never a Doubt Car Payment Stone Cold Lock #9 Lady Worthington (7/5) – She ran too well to lose in her debut, finishing 2nd behind a next out winner.  She ran a figure well above par for this level and is working well.  The conductor guarantees victory.

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Race 5: 1 1/16 Mile. Clm 6250

#10 Regal Force (15/1) – He’s ran well at today’s distance recently and has past figures that make him a contender.  The Conductor will key him in the trifecta at a big number.

Race 6: 5½ Furlongs. MC 12500

#11 Mondaymorningmemo (8/1) – This colt is steadily progressing and has a chance to take a big step forward trying dirt for the first time.  He’s been running on the poly vs tougher at Woodbine.

Race 7: 7½ Furlongs. (Turf) Alw 47000n1x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 Colonel Moorhead (15/1) – He ran a big 4th with a troubled trip in a stakes race back in July.  That race came back very live, he adds blinkers today and is working well.  Rally the troops.

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Race 8: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) F.Alw 47000n1x

#2 Tap Tap Taparoo (6/1) – She was very impressive breaking her maiden two starts back at Saratoga and will finally get back to a firm turf surface today.  She looks like a tap in for birdie.

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Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) OC 75000b

#10 Bricks and Mortar (9/2) – He’s the class of the field bar none but has been away from the races for over a year.  Does that really matter in the Chad Brown barn though? The answer is no.

Race 10: 7 Furlongs. G3 Mr. Prospector Stakes

#6 Heartwood (9/2) – This colt is steadily progressing an ran a game 2nd vs Grade 3 company last start.  That last start was the fastest last race in this field and he posted a sharp work on December 13th.

Race 11: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) OClm 25000

#4 Who’s Your Drama (5/1) – He’s taking a huge class drop today, is in great form, and absolutely loves the Gulfstream turf course.

Ponies

Friday Night Funding: The Conductor’s Plays at Gulfstream Park

The Conductor's Scribe

God damn Conductor lay off the stew when your handicapping please. Yesterday may have been the Conductor’s worst performance to date.  He couldn’t find a winner if it kicked him in the teeth.  I know what he was doing though, classic bait and switch technique.  Give Gulfstream all his losers on Thursday, then double down and murder it Friday-Sunday. Genius strategy, that’s why he’s the Conductor and we’re just passengers.  Let’s Ride.

Image result for horse kick gif

PT 12:35 ET Race 1: 1 Mile. MC 25000

#1 Dad’s Yankees (8/1) – With two sprint races under his belt, he’s now stretching out to a route for the first time. He’s shown the best early pace figs in the group and rail has been the place to be at the meet so far. He’ll be dangerous on the front end.

Race 2: 7 Furlongs. F.OClm 25000

#7 Bargainaire (6/1) – Steadily progressing, her blowout win a few weeks ago was a very strong performance.  1st off the claim for low % connections should keep her price high enough at post.

Race 3: 1 Mile (Turf) Mdn 60k

#1 Kiing Ottokar (20/1) – This field is almost entirely untested on turf and the Conductor is hunting for a price.  This colt took some money at the windows in his debut sprinting and split the field after breaking slow.  That race came back very live and he has top connections.

Race 4: 7 Furlongs. Clm 25000

#1 The Best Candy (12/1) – The low % trainer will keep his price high, but this colt rattled off three wins in a row in the fall out of the same barn.  He drops back to a competitive class level today and will appreciate the shorter distance.

Race 5: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) F.MC 50000

#5 Gerry’s Big Win (4/1) – She’s taking a significant class drop and has the best early gas in the field.  Gate to wire.

Race 6: 7 Furlongs. F.Clm 6250n3L

*Never a Doubt T-Bond Lock of the Day #5 Go Go Jack (7/5) – Go ahead and throw your life savings on this girl if your willing to take a short price. She won’t lose, she can’t lose.

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Race 7: 1 Mile. (Turf) S.Mdn 45k

#2 Fort King (7/2) – Dropping out of open company, he set a preposterously hot pace last time out.  If he can ration his speed today he’ll be ultra tough.

Race 8: 5 ½ Furlongs. F.MC 12500

*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 One’s Never Enough (15/1) – She caught a sloppy track in her debut against tougher, but she’s been working very well on fast dirt and has solid connections.  One is never enough for the Conductor, he needs at least 7.

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Race 9: 1 Mile (Turf) S.OC 16000n1x

#5 Trumpi (8/1) – Dropping in class, he’ll appreciate the shorter distance and has been running consistently solid figures.  Any debut winner at Toga has talent.

Race 10: 5 ½ Furlongs. MC 12500

#5 Amanacer (5/1) – His race two starts back kills this group.  He’s taking a big drop in class.