Brian W. Spencer's Daily Picks
Santa Anita - Race #3
Picks Notes
#5 Twirling Derby Just handled a trio of runners he'll face again today, and he turned in yet another reliable finishing effort after a very wide trip last out. The one to beat.
#3 Lucky Ryan Seven He's probably suspect late, but he should be able to control the tempo while stretching around two turns. He could get brave if afforded an easy lead.
#1 K P D Day He was pretty one-paced in that last one, but that sort of grinding style may translate better around two turns here.
Race Summary Twirling Derby beat a few of these while getting a pretty tough trip last time out when five-wide throughout, and he should be able to find a great spot spying Lucky Ryan Seven's speed.
Santa Anita - Race #5
Picks Notes
#2 Idol Despite a short field, this guy might get an honest pace to track, and he has been running like a horse who will appreciate longer distances, so this move to 9f may benefit him most.
#3 King Guillermo Tough read off the flop last out, but perhaps he didn't care for the off going that day. He has looked pretty good prepping for this, but he could be a bit vulnerable late.
#5 Zestful Seems likely to force the issue early with Tizamagician sure to flash some pace from the inside, but this guy might be more intent on the front end.
Race Summary Idol has the look of a really serious distance horse, and he should get a really nice run behind a couple of pace players and the classy, prompting speed of King Guillermo.
Santa Anita - Race #7
Picks Notes
#1 Medina Spirit Didn't miss by much behind Life is Good last out, and he has the natural pace to get involved early from the fence. Think he'll be the right one here.
#8 Spielberg The other threat from the Baffert barn, he was just up to land the Grade II Los Al Futurity, and the guy he beat that day was back to romp by 14 in a short field maiden special weight last weekend.
#4 Hot Rod Charlie Nearly posted a huge upset in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and that is now two really solid efforts since getting around two turns on the dirt with blinkers.
Race Summary Medina Spirit and Speilberg should be tough for Baffert, who has dominated this local series in recent years, and Medina Spirit gets the edge with a bit more upside at this point.
Santa Anita - Race #3
Picks Notes
#5 Twirling Derby Just handled a trio of runners he'll face again today, and he turned in yet another reliable finishing effort after a very wide trip last out. The one to beat.
#3 Lucky Ryan Seven He's probably suspect late, but he should be able to control the tempo while stretching around two turns. He could get brave if afforded an easy lead.
#1 K P D Day He was pretty one-paced in that last one, but that sort of grinding style may translate better around two turns here.
Race Summary Twirling Derby beat a few of these while getting a pretty tough trip last time out when five-wide throughout, and he should be able to find a great spot spying Lucky Ryan Seven's speed.
Santa Anita - Race #5
Picks Notes
#2 Idol Despite a short field, this guy might get an honest pace to track, and he has been running like a horse who will appreciate longer distances, so this move to 9f may benefit him most.
#3 King Guillermo Tough read off the flop last out, but perhaps he didn't care for the off going that day. He has looked pretty good prepping for this, but he could be a bit vulnerable late.
#5 Zestful Seems likely to force the issue early with Tizamagician sure to flash some pace from the inside, but this guy might be more intent on the front end.
Race Summary Idol has the look of a really serious distance horse, and he should get a really nice run behind a couple of pace players and the classy, prompting speed of King Guillermo.
Santa Anita - Race #7
Picks Notes
#1 Medina Spirit Didn't miss by much behind Life is Good last out, and he has the natural pace to get involved early from the fence. Think he'll be the right one here.
#8 Spielberg The other threat from the Baffert barn, he was just up to land the Grade II Los Al Futurity, and the guy he beat that day was back to romp by 14 in a short field maiden special weight last weekend.
#4 Hot Rod Charlie Nearly posted a huge upset in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and that is now two really solid efforts since getting around two turns on the dirt with blinkers.
Race Summary Medina Spirit and Speilberg should be tough for Baffert, who has dominated this local series in recent years, and Medina Spirit gets the edge with a bit more upside at this point.

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