Derby Trail Forums - 1/1: Santa Anita (6th-10th); Stake Spot Plays (AQU, TP, OP)

SANTA ANITA

POST-SCRATCHES

6th: Joe Hernandez (G3), 4+, 6.5f-T (P5, P3, DD, Hi-5)

Hronis/Sadler French invader Bran looks like a viable price interloper here..

Best Value: #2 Bran 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Commander 3-1 5th
Exotics Use: #3 Chewing Gum 5-1 WON ($13.40)
Super Add: #1 Beer Can Man 5-2 2nd

7th: Sham (G3), 3yo, 1m (P4, P3, DD)

Can turf proven Mackinnon (Pharoah o/o Scat Daddy mare) translate sharp morning action to afternoon on main track? Short field but good group with the two serious Baffert colts, aforementioned MacKinnon and Desormeaux Brothers' Oviatt Class..

Most Likely: #4 Rockefeller 8-5 4th
Best Value: #1 Mackinnon 3-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 Newgrange 2-1 WON ($7.40)

8th: Bobby Frankel (G3), F&M-4+, 9f-T (P3, DD, Hi-5)

Moraz is dangerous on the front end, but Johnny V reunites with Mucho Unusual and they won this last year by staying close. Meanwhile, Baltas and Luck look to break through after G1/G3 near misses..

Most Likely: #7 Luck 8-5 WON ($3.80)
Next Best: #2 Mucho Unusual 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #4 Moraz 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #3 England's Rose 5-1 5th

9th: La Canada (G3), F&M-4+, 8.5f (Golden P4/GG, DD)

Another short, but nicely assembled group. Graded Stake debuting Quality Road 4yo's Park Avenue (Sadler) & Velvet Slippers (Baffert) look to step up versus As Time Goes By (Baffert) & Moonlight d'Oro (Mandella)..

Best Value: #5 Park Avenue 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #6 As Time Goes By 8-5 WON ($3.20)
Exotics Use: #1 Moonlight d'Oro 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #4 Velvet Slippers 5-2 5th

10th: CA-OC/N1X, 4+, 6f-T (Hi-5)

Most Likely: #4 Aligato 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #7 Riding With Dino 4-1 WON ($5.80)
Best Value: #5 Rifey 6-1 5th
Exotics Use: #2 Brix 4-1 4th

P5 Grid:

6: 2-5 (A), - (B), 1-3 (C)
7: 1-3-4 (A), - (B), 2 (C)
8: 2-7 (A), - (B), 4 (C)
9: 5-6 (A), - (B), 1-4 (C)
10: 4-7 (A), - (B), - (C)

All A's: 2x3x2x2x2 = $48 ($24 for .50)
Backups: $24 (1-3) + $8 (2) + $12 (4) + $24 (1-4)

$0.50 Pick-5 (3/3/7/2,6/3,7,13,14) Paid $183.55

P4 Grid:

7: 1-3-4 (A), - (B), 2 (C)
8: 2-7 (A), - (B), 4 (C)
9: 1-4-5-6 (A), - (B), - (C)
10: 4-7 (A), - (B), - (C)

Simple: 3x2x4x2 = $48 ($24 for .50)
Backups: $8 (2) + $12 (4)

$0.50 Pick-4 (3/7/2,6/3,7,13,14) Paid $56.50 ($28.25 for .50)

AQUEDUCT

POST-SCRATCHES

8th (3:50pm ET): Jerome, 3yo, 1m (DD)

Looks like Jerry O'Dwyer has another nice 3yo for '22 in Cooke Creek..

Most Likely: #1 Cooke Creek 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #6 Courvoisier 5-1 WON ($10.00)
Next Best: #7 Mr. Jefferson 9-2 6th
Exotics Use: #2 Unbridled Bomber 8-1 4th

TURFWAY

POST-SCRATCHES

9th (4:59pm ET): Holiday Cheer, 4+, 6f (DD)

Bulky, open, speed-laden synth dash.. Favored Sir Alfred James certainly bred OK for poly, but you never know until they get over it. Spin the wheel and win!

Best Value: #11 Here Mi Song 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Sir Alfred James 8-5 WON ($6.60)
Exotics Use: #2 Souper Highvoltage 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #7 Aggressivity 15-1 6th

OAKLAWN

POST-SCRATCHES

9th (5:13pm ET): Smarty Jones, 3yo, 1m (DD)

This should be entertaining. Nothing would totally shock..

Best Value: #8 Vivar 8-1 5th
Next Best: #3 Home Brew 3-1 10th
Exotics Use: #6 Bureau 12-1 11th
Super Add: #14 Ben Diesel 5-1 7th

Good luck!
Steve