This is the first Sunday Selections write-up on the blog page. Big shout out to Joe @AndAwayTheyJoe for taking the time to handicap and give his analysis on all 8 races. I highly recommend checking out his podcast, The And Away They Joe Show for Horse Racing— he has many great interviews with top jockeys, trainers, and presenters from around the world. Take it away, Joe!
First off, I would like to thank Nick @NorCalHRNews for the privilege to contribute to NorCal Horse Racing News.
Here are my thoughts on each race:
Race 1: $5000 Claiming (5 1/2 Furlongs)
Nice and True had a very impressive victory in her last race first off the claim. Even drawing the wide gate was on the speed and took them gate to wire. You do have other horses drawn beside her in Real Keeper and Royal Alexei who are also front runners and if they do get into a speed battle it will set up Family Trips who did come off the pace in it’s last 3 runs to nab a placing. Nice and True, if she gets a clear lead, is likely to run away with this one in another repeat performance.
5-1-6-4
Race 2: $8000 Maiden Claiming (6 Furlongs)
A lot of unraced runners in this event but Insaniamania looks to be an interesting one here. Ran well in a step up from the 5K Maiden Claimers to the 8K Maiden claimers, grabbing a second in his last race. After running a mile 2 back and 5 1/2 furlongs last time, I think Insaniamania has hit the sweet spot at 6 Furlongs. Should run them down late. Leme At Em does take a huge class drop into this one but has mostly ran on the turf. Only going against the Southern California shipper because we have not seen what it can do on the Tapeta. With a lot of firsters though, watch the market on them.
3-8-9-7
Race 3: $50000 Allowance (1 Mile)
In a short field of 5, its hard to go against the Morning Line Favorite in Joymaker. You can excuse the last two runs since she was bumped and checked in those races. She is stepping up in distance for the first time and her last runs suggests that she wants 2 turns and a longer. With the experience against winners and if she can run a clean trip, she will be the one to beat. The one danger in this race would be Kate Boss who destroyed the field in her last contest, but what concerns me is that now she is in a new barn and another change in jockey. It should be between those two runners
5-2-1-3
Race 4: $50000 Allowance (1 Mile)
Zagrah at the long morning line odds, could be the value and upset play in this race. She is a synthetic specialist with one placing in the UK at Kempton on the all weather, and her last race at Golden Gate winning in a 8K Maiden Claimer by 8 lengths. When she was shipped over to the US, they tried her on the turf and the dirt and she did poorly by not even hitting the board. This is a big test for her but if she can catch a flyer out of the gate, she does spring a huge chance to upset. 5-2-1-7
Race 5: $12500 Maiden Claiming (1 Mile)
This one looks to be wide open as you can make a case for most of the runners, but Dont Rub It is my top selection here. The So. Cal shipper did well in her Northern California debut at the same level first off the claim. She still hung on for third after battling in deep stretch at the same distance. Lady Of The House is an interesting type though. She did win two starts back on the turf but got DQ’ed to fifth after drifting out at the top of the lane. Her synthetic form isn’t great but I think with the class relief she will be right up there.
1-8-2-6
Race 6: $39000 Maiden Special Weight (6 Furlongs)
Gallant Guy is really close to a win and I think it will be his day on Super Bowl Sunday. In his debut run, he ran 3rd at double digit odds, but disappointed as a favorite in the last start. With a new jockey in Kyle Frey aboard, I think he has a better shot since he has hung around at this level. Out of the first time starters Sawasdee can run a decent race if you are looking for a long shot. The outside draw is concerning for a first time starter but has a lot of good workouts. Watch the market for that one. 3-8-6-5
Race 7: $31000 Allowance (6 Furlongs)
In Our A has been very consistent and lightly raced. Has not ran below 2nd place, and has a lot of bullets in his last couple of workouts heading into this race. Has tactical speed and is very versatile since he can come from off the pace or take the lead. Has a really high chance of winning this one. Square Deal does have a lot of back class since he’s been in stakes races before. Has won at this level and the last race was a class drop but showed his winning form in the claiming race. Nice price if you can catch it.
8-9-5-10
Race 8: $30000 Maiden Claiming (6 Furlongs)
With a big field of 12 to close out the card, Triskaideka caught a second in her last run at this level. She was bumped from both sides at the start and was 4 wide but still ran on strong. I see a big improvement in this race. With the small group of first time starters, My Legal Bet has the jockey trainer combination of Frey and Thomas for this one. With both of them in the 20% plus strike rate its hard to not go against them here. Workouts are suggesting a strong debut.
6-1-4-3
I am hoping in my debut for NorCal Horse Racing News we can get some winners on Super Bowl Sunday. First post is a little earlier than normal due to the game being on. First Post at 11:15AM PST
Good Luck!
NorCal Horse Racing News 