Handicapping: Memorial Day Graded Stakes at Santa Anita

Bob Hill
Tracksideview Feature Columnist

SANTA ANITA

Race 7 – Shoemaker Mile – G! – 1 mile on turf for 3yos and up

Smooth Like Straight (2) has lost by a neck twice and a nose once in his last three races in Grade 1 contests. He has been part of the exacta in eight of his last nine tries. His 4-5 favoritism is deserved and easily understood. Whisper Not (6) came within 1-1/4 lengths of Smooth Like Straight last December on this turf course, so he is not without a chance. Either way, however, it will be hard to extract value in this short field of six horses. The puzzling entry is marathoner Say the Word (7) who makes his living racing at or near 10 furlongs most of the time. The distance of a flat mile should feel like a sprint to him. Crossfirehurricane (3) makes his first North American start for Michael McCarthy. He won at this distance as a 3yo, but he has been going longer since then. If taking a swing at the unknown is your play, he’s inviting. Next Shares (1) and Restrainedvengence (4) round out the field. Either could hit the board. Picks: 2-7-6-4

Race 8 – Hollywood Gold Cup – G1 – 1-1/4 miles for 3yos and up

Express Train (7) has improved significantly during his 4yo campaign. He won the G2 San Pasqual, finished second in the Big Cap in March, and then went on the road where he competed well in the Oaklawn Handicap G2. The race may set up for him if Royal Ship (1) and Country Grammer (2) knock heads up front like they did in the exciting Californian G2 here last month. This is a tough betting race and offers the promise of being very exciting to watch. Rushie (5) has faced tough competition throughout his career. If the pace collapses his chances go way up. Heywood Beach (4) gets the class test he has earned. One could do crazier things than putting Brown Storm (3) at the bottom of a trifecta. Picks: 7-5-2-3

Race 9 – Gamely – G1 – 1-1/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares 3yo and up

Charmaine’s Mia (2) is 3 for 3 since moving into the barn of Phillip D’Amato,. All three wins have been in graded stakes contested at Santa Anita.. She is one to control the pace, and this field may not offer up a contender to challenge her on the lead. Charmaine’s Mia is stretching out to a distance of nine furlongs for the first time, so your opinion of her ability to maintain her speed at that distance is the key to handicapping this race. Keeper Of the Stars (6) lost by a head to her male counterparts in the G3 San Francisco at Golden Gate a month ago, and she won this race last year. She has a very legitimate chance to beat the favorite at this distance. Going to Vegas (4) is an improving 4yo trained by Richard Baltas. She should like this distance just fine and could be worth a shot at odds close to her ML of 6-1. Bodhicitta (9) is one that can round out exotic plays as the attractive ML price of 8-1. La Signare (1) is another to consider in exotics play, especially if bettors lose track of her and let the odds slide up from 6-1. I’m going to take a shot at an upset here. Picks: 4-6-2-9