by Jeff Siegel
January 6, 2024
FIRST RACE – Post: 12:00 PT
1-JESSEBEAR
Degree of confidence: C+
• Seems as good as any in soft state-bred grass miler.
• Ran better than the line shows when third in last start.
• Lost more ground than he was beaten by, lands the rail.
Others to consider: 4-Ashley’s Sandcastle.
SECOND RACE – Post: 12:30 PT
5-LONESOME STEW
Degree of confidence: B-
• Burned money at Los Alamitos when third at odds-on.
• Cozy outside draw, adds blinkers, no excuses today.
• Projects as the controlling speed, may get brave.
Others to consider: 3-California Tiger.
THIRD RACE – Post: 1:00 PT
3-CARMEN MIRANDA
Degree of confidence: B
• Never off the board in six career starts over the local lawn.
• Freshened since November and switches to Flavian Pratt.
• Catches a soft pace scenario, projects as the controlling speed.
Others to consider: 2-Kitty Kitana (GB).
FOURTH RACE – Post: 1:30 PT
4-SAFA
Degree of confidence: B-
• Hit the board in four of five career starts, ready to graduate.
• Grazen filly adds Lasix (they all do) and returns to the dirt.
• Bullet five furlong drill since raced, seems the solid choice.
Others to consider: 1-Flamina.
FIFTH RACE – Post: 2:00 PT
3-EL REY REY
Degree of confidence: B
• Route-to-sprint angle, adds Lasix, gets F. Prat, ready to win.
• Prototype late-running sprinter should be rolling in the lane.
• Much improved speed figure in second start, on the upgrade.
Others to consider: 2-Money Makes Money; 7-Uncharted; 4-De Medici.
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SIXTH RACE – Post: 2:34 PT
4-BIG CITY LIGHTS
Degree of confidence: A-
• Stumbled badly at start and lost all chance in Cary Grant Stakes.
• Now five years old but is lightly raced and will be adding Lasix.
• Stakes winner has the perfect stalking style for this distance.
Others to consider: none.
SEVENTH RACE – Post: 3:07 PT
4-MISS LIZZY
Degree of confidence: B+
• Genuine, versatile, and improving; style suits the Hillside course.
• Two time winner over the local lawn; packs a powerful late kick.
• Earned a career top speed figure in most recent win at Del Mar.
Others to consider: 8-Diamonds Danzing; 5-Irresistible Force; 6-Arinniti (Fr).
EIGHTH RACE – Post: 3:40 PT
4-PILOT COMMANDER
Degree of confidence: B
• Loved his maiden debut sprint win at Del Mar, much upside.
• Pace pressing style suits seven furlongs, will run farther, too.
• Breezed with Muth recently and appeared slightly the best.
Others to consider: 3-Muth.
NINTH RACE – Post: 4:13 PT
12-SBAGLIATO
Degree of confidence: B-
• Seeking valuable ship-and-win money off an 11-month gap.
• Both races last winter in Florida were good, works say ready.
• First time gelding must overcome the extreme outside draw.
Others to consider: 2-Legislator; 6-Percolate; 10-Hula Candy; 11-Tesoro.