Santa Anita Park, Race 7
9 Furlongs, Turf
#1 Cleopatra's Strike 15/1
Lacks the resume to run with these. Only topped an 80 Final Figure when getting to go much longer. Doesn't appear fast enough to compete at the shorter distance.
#2 Next Shares 4/1
Inconsistent type has been taking a race off between putting up 80 Finals so if the pattern continues, he would be sitting on a dud today. Still fits well here if he gives best but 4/1 isn't enough given he's hard to trust.
#3 Bob And Jackie 4/1
Owns the best Average 4F Figure by over 5 points and the Last 4F Figure by even more. Must cover more distance today but may be doing it at a very comfortable pace. He isn't just a “go fast and hope to last” type either having passed horses late in recent starts. He popped an 85/82 victory off his last long layoff so should be ready to go coming 90 days off the bench from three consecutive 80 Finals. Big threat.
#4 Multiplier 12/1
Previous turf tries of 74 and 78 Finals include a pair of 74 dirt Finals within. Since then, every dirt Final has been higher and dirt spread has built to one indicating better energy distribution to late with the -13 last out. This type of development in dirt races can translate well to an improvement on turf today. Will have to determine what odds we want to ask for enough improvement to break 80 today. Use underneath for a price.
#5 Count Again 2/1
Will be looking to run on fast down the stretch after a 65/82 win. Last out in the Seabiscuit Handicap, 4 of the top 5 finishers were in the bottom 5 of 12 runners at the half mile split telling me the race set up nicely for his running style. May be tougher today with a field that features runners comfortable on today's projected pace along with stretchrunners that can all match the 82 Final. Too short of price to back.
#6 Anothertwistafate 5/2
He strings 2 races closer together than he has in a while today with an NPT resulting in a next out win on the dirt, then put up a 72/81 in first try on turf. The 3 rivals to beat him in last all came from the very back of a big field so he did well to run against a set-up for closers. Well-placed today where only one other runner would want to set a 4F Figure over 70. The pick.
#7 Bowies Hero 6/1
Consistent type can get to that magic 80 Final Figure mark often. Previously running faster early, runner lately has relaxed into lower 4F Figures to put up bigger turf spreads (Final minus 4F). Possible to run on late for a piece of exotics.