SANTA ANITA PICKS SATURDAY FEB 3.

RACE 1: Asian Eyes has the speed, luckily her last mediocre Beyer may throw the crowd off. Asian's maiden race, one back, was at an extraordinary pace.

Lost at 8-1. Fractions of best race were good, but this horse had no early speed, trailing the field early.

RACE 2: Fourteen maidens in the gate, time to pick a 10-1 longshot and go get a beer.

RACE 3: 1-2-5 trifecta, mostly because I'm unable to separate Shakin N Dancin, Red State and Jealous Profit. I see these 3 racing in a bunch right up to the camera.
I was way off. I had so little feeling of what was going to happen that I passed the race.

RACE 4: Through the parking lot and past the hot dog stand. Mamselle Aries on this ridiculous downhill course. Gomez takes a second turn on a horse reaching its form peak. I want 3-1, though.
Finished 3rd at 2-1

RACE 5: $10,000 claimer with horses lined up all the way back to Tijuuana. Almost every horse in here has a reason to lose. I like Lite Man, Neiman the Saint and the Missile Game in a trifecta box.
Lite Man did win. Senator Matty, an 8-1 shot, messed up my tri.

RACE 6: Twelve go in an MSW. I'm looking for a price on Rowan Charm, who's well down in the Beyers, but who nearly won a race exactly like this 2-back. The split time was remarkable for this class: 43 and 4. Most others were four or five ticks off this time in their recent races.
Dead last. Hello, Mr. Handicapper. Are you there? Rowan's Charm's rated race was like, one year back. After a year off he returns to the races, puts in a dull effort. The trainer has a 7% win record in second races after layoff.

RACE 7: The Sham, named after the horse that hooked up with Secretariat during that 31-length Belmont victory back in the halcyon days. Whatever halcyon means. Anyway, it looks like Pirate's Deputy vs. Liquidity. I'm taking the Pirate, who's got a 5-2 edge in classy performances, and a 6-tick edge in best fractional time.
Pirate's Deputy never in it.

RACE 8: A lot of really excellent racers in here for a mere $75K. Sweet Return, at 7 years old, is the most accomplished, but trainer McAnaly has a mediocre turf record. I'm going with Charmo, the French horse. He has 7 sharp races in a row, including 3 graded. Gomez rides for Canani, and they both know what they're doing on the turf.
I'm getting better and better at picking horses to finish last.

RACE 9: Dan Hendricks ought to be slapped silly for mismanaging the career of Brother Derek, a potentially great horse. I see the Brother losing the Strub, although I'd love to see him wake up this time. This is not going to be an easy race for anyone. My pick: Arson Squad. He's fourth in the Beyers, so we might get a price, who knows. I'm looking back at the Swaps G2 in July, when Arson Squad won after a punishing 3/4 time of 1:09 and 4. Other factors: five brave graded efforts and a 1-1 record at the distance. Garrett doesn't hurt his chances, either.
Yes, I'm aware that Arson Squad was fourth to three of his competitors in the recent San Fernando. But he's likekly to get a better trip this time outta the 3-hole.
Finally a winner: pays 8.80


Cashed: $8.80
Bet: $24.00