a couple for santa anita 12/28

[lg1965]

6th royal place is very capable of 1:12 and small change down the hill, and this is his softest spot in a long time, if not ever. the 1nov06 field would dominate this race. becerra/gomez have been a good team.

8th hoot is another sitting in his softest spot yet and he faces a horrible field. if the #1 pops and stops, as he's done everytime in his life, it leaves the race wide open for a horse with any kind of talent. not saying hoot has any talent, but he should have enough for this group. this is a horrid field.

some other interesting horses

2nd round heels showed versatility in last, and should find herself back on the front end in this one while cutting back.

4th becerra has another interesting one here. ballado's gold broke poorly in his first race and rushed up to go 44 and 4 before puking, but in his 2nd race he ran a much less eventful race and finished with promise. the stretch out should sit well with him. who can tell if baffert/espinoza can get a mile off a 6 month rest. he's probably the best horse, but he might be short. that 1:23 and 1 work is smokin' even for baffert. if baffert's other one runs well in this race, which i think he will, he'll be a definite bet next time. this is a good field.

5th all ice lemon and rum needs to do is run this race like he did the first 6 furlongs in his last, and he should outrun this field. as bad as #3 key maker may look, i'll bet he's the engine in this race. he could carry them a long way.