by Jeff Siegel
October 31, 2024
Santa Anita – 6th race - Post: 3:05 PT. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 4-Broski (Ire)
Backups: none.
Forecast: Broski (Ire) makes his U.S. debut for sharp connections after displaying a decent amount of promise in his racing debut in Ireland last summer. Second of 17 over the left handed, American-styled Leopardstown course, he was a assigned a solid 66 Timeform rating for that performance and based on that number the P. D’Amato-trained colt absolutely fits on this circuit. The local workouts should have him fit and ready, and the presence of F. Prat in the saddle provides strong indication that he’s extremely well meant. At 4-1 on the morning line, he offers good value in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
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Santa Anita 7th Race – Post: 3:35 PT. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 5-Jerry’s Spirit
Backups: none.
Forecast: After returning off a long layoff to pulverize maiden claimers sprinting at Los Alamitos with a huge speed figure, Jerry’s Spirit was moved into much tougher starter’s allowance company and stretched out to a mile in his next outing, and under the circumstances did quite well to be third after establishing the pace before giving way grudgingly under pressure in the final stages. Today, he’s back around one corner where he belongs, is protected again in a sign of confidence, and shows two recent sharp breezes to indicate he’s held his form. Not a need the lead type, the son of Ghostzapper projects to enjoy a lovely stalking trip outside and then have every chance to seal the deal from the quarter pole home. This extended sprint distance should be right up his ally, so at 5/2 on the morning line the Dean Pederson-trained gelding looks like a good investment in the win pool and in the various available exotics.