Rhythm of Light make her U.S. debut after winning a Group 2 event two months ago ... in Turkey.
With the clocks turned back, post time moves up to high noon as the autumn meet closes after a Breeders’ Cup where the local contingent did not fare well with females at a mile on turf in the first running of the $150,000 Goldikova Stakes (Grade I).
Rhythm of Light can continue the success for horses shipping in making her first start in the U.S. after winning 5-of-16 starts in a career that has taken her to Turkey, Dubai, England and France. The 4-year-old British-bred daughter of Beat Hollow is listed at 6-to-1 on the morning line having shown no local works, but we’re confident she’s fit and will make her presence felt through the lane with Garrett Gomez aboard.
With a trio of need the lead types signed on, Hard to Resist can also make a big impact from off the pace as the 4-to-1 co-second choice. The 4-year-old Johannesburg filly hasn’t fared well in her two previous tries in graded stakes, but could be set for her best career performance in the second off a layoff for Pete Eurton and with Julien Leparoux aboard for the first time.
The final contender that can roll late is the other second choice, Byrony, who has regressed in her last two after a pair of wins and a runner-up effort upon arriving in the U.S. After going off favored in four of those five starts local starts, the 4-year-old Irish-bred daughter of Byron could offer some value today if the front-runners take action.
We’re off to the races!
Late Pick 4 -
Leg 1 – Race 7 (2,3,4,5) – Leading the local Breeders’ Cup disappointment was Bob Baffert, but we won’t let that stop us from using his No. 2 Bobby Flay and No. 4 Brannaman.
No. 5 Career Student is the on to beat off a solid debut after breaking from the rail and No. 3 Fit To Rule is also worth inclusion despite getting pulled up and vanned off in his last.
Leg 2 – Race 8 (3,4,6) – Use the trio of closers discussed above with No. 3 Rhythm of Light, No. 4 Hard to Resist and No. 6 Byrony.
Leg 3 – Race 9 (1,6,7,8,9,11) – Six runners that have never won twice and are in cheap with No.1 Broken Glass, No. 6 Big G’s Dance, No. 7 Sidepocket Kid, No. 8 War Face, No. 9 Toomanylucky’s and No. 11 Just Tripping.
Leg 4 – Race 10 (1,2,3,5,8) – No. 8 Grand Giant moves to Bejarano on the stretch out and is the top pick, but we’ll spread with No. 1 Irish Surf, No. 2 Christopher Street, No. 3 Caramuru and No. 5 I’m Wide Awake.
Recap – (2,3,4,5) w (3,4,6) w (1,6,7,8,9,11) w (1,2,3,5,8) – Total cost of ticket = $180
Yesterday’s Result – (-$324)
Total for current Santa Anita meet – (-$5.40)
Total from 12/26/10 – 9/5/12 – (-$2,966.60)
Pick 5 –
Leg 1 – Race 1 (4,6) – No. 4 Sacred Ovation was on his way to an easy score at this level in a race that was declared a no contest due to a horse running the wrong way. Things are a bit more difficult for him today with a No. 6 Really Mr Greeley getting dropped in for a tag by Baffert after breaking from the rail in his debut.
Leg 2 – Race 2 (2,3,4,7,9,10,11,12) – The late scratch of morning line favorite No. 13 Miss Becca makes the spin down the hill for Cal-bred females even more wide-open so we’ll spread with No. 2 Brilliant Melody, No. 3 Georgie’s Sweetie, No. 4 Miss Reditore, No. 7 First Class Flyer, No. 9 Raven Wild, No. 10 Lookin for Jonesy, No. 11 Miss Well Molded and No. 12 Briteness.
Leg 3 – Race 3 (1,3,5,6) – Speed is key on the main track and No. 1 Taking Form, No. 3 Rock U Up and No. 5 Queen Mercury all possess it, but there’s other speed too so we’ll use the lone closer with No. 6 Hout Bay.
Leg 4 – Race 4 (3,5,6) – A trio of runners that can again be close to the pace early in this bottom-level maiden claimer with No. 3 California Roll, No. 5 Racy Rosa and No. 6 Quiet Sunshine.
Leg 5 – Race 5 (1,2,6) – The speed comes from No. 1 Escape Act and No. 6 Rosies Ready in this maiden allowance heat, with No. 2 Wednesday the late-runner trying to win against the bias.
Recap – (4,6) w (2,3,4,7,9,10,11,12) w (1,3,5,6) w (3,5,6) w (1,2,6) – Total cost of ticket = $288
Yesterday’s Result – (-$189)
Total for current Santa Anita meet – (-$407.40)
Total from 7/20/11 – 9/5/12 – (+$17,380.65)
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Good luck!
