| There is some great horse racing in the United States | | | | other two races. In a group of low priced claimers, that |
| in the winter, despite inclement weather throughout | | | | is impressive. She was only one of two horses in the |
| much of the country. The reason is that states like | | | | race who had won at the distance, won at Santa |
| Florida, Arizona, and California have some beautiful | | | | Anita, and won on a synthetic surface. In other words |
| weather, and also some spectacular race tracks. | | | | she was one of my favorite angles, a horse who had |
| Santa Anita, in Arcadia, California is one of them and | | | | done was being asked of her against a field of horses |
| may be the most beautiful of all. | | | | who hadn't. (Bold Cleo had already beaten the other |
| If you want to win at Santa Anita, you must do your | | | | horse, Jungle Girl in two races so Bold Cleo looked the |
| homework and learn how to handicap Santa Anita, but | | | | best of the two). |
| there are some things that do not change from track | | | | Here are the problems with the two horses who were |
| to track. A recent trip there was rewarding because I | | | | going off at lower odds. The 3, Red Neck Gal had ten |
| never forgot the old adage, "Horses for Courses." | | | | starts at Santa Anita but had never won. While she |
| That means that some horses just do better on | | | | had won a other tracks at the distance and on a |
| certain surfaces at certain tracks. | | | | synthetic surface, she hadn't managed to put it all |
| Speaking of surfaces, Santa Anita seems to have | | | | together at Santa Anita and showed only one second |
| solved the problems that plagued it when it first | | | | place finish and two thirds out of ten races. |
| switched to the synthetic surface. When Cushion | | | | The 4, Topper's Gold had a few strikes against her as |
| Track was first installed there were drainage problems | | | | well. First of all, she hadn't raced since November 23. |
| that actually caused the cancellation of racing on some | | | | A six week layoff in the claiming ranks is not a good |
| days. Though the drainage problem has been solved, I | | | | thing. Secondly and even more important, Topper's |
| did notice one statistic related to the track surface that | | | | Gold hadn't won at the distance despite three tries. |
| may be an important handicapping factor for playing | | | | That may not seem too important since she had won |
| Santa Anita. | | | | at longer distances, but along with the layoff, it was |
| The one path, or the path closest to the rail, seems | | | | enough to put me off her as the favorite and to |
| slow to me. In the first four days of racing, out of 21 | | | | choose the 2, Bold Cleo. |
| sprints, only one horse starting from the first post | | | | Bold Cleo had failed in her two most recent starts at |
| position won. Since the horse on the inside has the | | | | Hollywood, and she had also failed at Del Mar. It |
| shortest trip, they usually enjoy a slight advantage. The | | | | seemed to me, while reviewing her record, that she |
| same is true of the second post position, only one | | | | couldn't hold her speed at other tracks but did have a |
| winner in 21 starts. On the other hand, the third path, or | | | | penchant for the Santa Anita track. Not only that, but |
| post position 3 saw 6 winners in 21 starts for an | | | | she had the very capable Mike Smith in the irons, so I |
| amazing 29% winners. It will be interesting to see if the | | | | knew she would get to settle on the lead and run her |
| trend continues. | | | | own race. That was exactly what happened. Mike |
| There had only been 7 races at a mile or longer in the | | | | Smith got her out of the gate cleanly and led every |
| first four days, but of the seven races, no 1's won, but | | | | step of the way. She paid $8.80 $3.80 $3.20. Red |
| the 2 and 3 paths both saw 3 winners each for 43% | | | | Neck Gal did manage to get second place while |
| winners from each post position. That sample is way | | | | Mascota Spa, a first time lasix angle, rounded out the |
| too small to know if a real trend or bias is brewing, but | | | | trifecta at 43-1. |
| bears watching. You can add at least one more | | | | My advice for those of you playing Santa Anita is, |
| winning horse from the 2 path in long races because | | | | watch the rail and the bias that seems to be |
| Bold Cleo won the first race on January 2nd, 2009. I | | | | developing. Time will tell if it is the real deal. Don't wait |
| know because I backed Bold Cleo, which brings us | | | | too long to cash in on it, though. Also, watch for horses |
| back to the earlier statement I made about horses for | | | | that didn't take to the Hollywood surface who do well |
| courses. | | | | at Santa Anita. |
| In the first race at Santa Anita, on January 2nd, 2009, | | | | The most important lesson here isn't just about Santa |
| a one mile claiming event for fillies and mares, four | | | | Anita, but is about all horse tracks and horse racing |
| years old and up, Bold Cleo was the third choice of the | | | | handicapping. I know I may sound like a broken record |
| morning line at 7/2 , and also the third choice of the | | | | because I keep repeating it, but I also keep making |
| bettors, going off at odds of 3-1. The crowd favorite | | | | money on it so someone should be listening. |
| was the 4, Topper's Gold with a morning line of 5/2 | | | | Find a horse that has proven it can do what is being |
| who was sent postward at 2-1. The second choice | | | | asked of it, who is running well and has raced within 30 |
| was the 3, Red Neck Gal with a morning line of 2-1 | | | | days, and who is not being pounded down by the |
| (the morning line favorite) who went off at 5/2. | | | | bettors. It can be done, as this situation proves, and |
| The reason I say Bold Cleo is a horse for the course | | | | they can be profitable bets. It is one of the best angles |
| is because she had four races at Santa Anita and had | | | | in horseracing and you now have it for free. Enjoy |
| won 2 of them as well as placing and showing in the | | | | your days at the races. |