Racing At Santa Anita With Marc Doche: Abnormally Cold In Southern California

Rains have been replaced by a high temperature in the 40’s and whistling winds make it feel even colder on the penultimate day of 2010 at Santa Anita.

The main track continues to play lightning fast and is likely to stay that way at least until warmer weather dries it out. We’re back on a turf course listed as good today.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion Dancing in Silks looks to break his four-race losing streak against five other tough California-bred sprinters in today’s fifth race.

We’re off to the races!

Best Bet of the Day (ROI based off $2 WPS bet)

Race 2 - No. 5 Kris Silver (3/1 ML) – The scratch of Mr. Katz should let Kris Silver get to a clear early lead returning to his favorite turf course where he’s won 4-of-9. He’s been the beaten favorite in his last two, but should offer a touch of value even as low as 2-to-1 in this short field of five.

Yesterday’s Result – Held on for show dough with Warren’s Gridlock (+$1.40)

Total for 2010-11 Santa Anita meet – (+$2.60)

Late Pick 4

Leg 1 – Race 5 (ALL) – As mentioned above, this six and a half furlong allowance sprint features some tough customers. With Dancing in Silks the 5-to-2 morning line favorite and a pair of others the biggest prices at 9-to-2, this is as evenly matched as a field can get. 

Leg 2 – Race 6 (7) – After punching the ALL button we find our single in this allowance optional claiming event for older females going a mile and a sixteenth on the main track.

On paper the race sets up beautifully for No. 7 Vision in Gold with lots of early speed signed on to set up her closing kick. Third off a layoff, this $360,000 daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is set for a breakthrough performance off a pair of second place finishes at Hollywood Park.

Leg 3 - Race 7 (1,3,5) – Another allowance optional claiming event for older females, this time going a mile on the turf.

While No. 4 Southern Fireball should get to the early lead, her fitness is in question off a sketchy work tab. We’ll expect her to come back to the pack and get run down by either No. 5 Talktoomuch, looking for her fourth straight win, No. 1 Hameildame, who has proven she can fire fresh, or No. 3 Late Cuddle, who has yet to look as impressive as she did in her U.S. debut, but cannot be overlooked.

Leg 4 – Race 8 (1,3,8,10) – Slow older females wrap up the day in this bottom-level maiden claiming affair and we’ll go four deep.

No. 1 Miss Addy Kiss looked like a winner for us last time at 12-to-1, but was caught in the final strides. She’ll likely find it more difficult to clear today’s field, but her front-running style should suit her well over this conveyor belt.

No. 3 Elegant has five in the money finishes in six career starts.

No. 8 Truckee Thrust will also be forwardly place and could get the best trip drawing outside the other speed.

No. 10 Devil’s Choir drops from allowance company and shows a pair of solid works since her debut.

Recap – (ALL) w (7) w (1,3,5) w (1,3,8,10) – Total cost of ticket = $72

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @mdoche for last minute changes caused by scratches and much more.

Good luck!

Yesterday’s Result – (-$54)

Total for 2010-11 Santa Anita meet – (-$262)

Total for 2010 Del Mar meet – (-$554.55)