January 17 Santa Anita Park Picks

January 17 Santa Anita Park Picks: Santa Anita Park as usual features very tough races in the late pick four, especially to get good odds. The main event will be the La Canada G2 with the presence of the millionaire mare Lexie Lou with her first try on dirt. This week we’re analyzing the late pick 4 for the Saturday, January 17, 2015 card. If we hit this one, we’ll ensure our vacations!

Race #6: 6,2,9,7,4
This is a weak but very tough race featuring a bunch of lightly raced horses. Any of the contenders here can improve and win this race. North Lake Tahoe started in fourth place and finished fourth in his debut after chasing a fast pace. He has very good workouts and if reproduces what he has been doing in the mornings he can win this race. Hot Surfing is a first time starter with a good workout pattern. According to his pedigree he ahould be a fast horse. Don’t be surprised us if he wins gate to wire. Momma Tried returns in very good shape and looks like this is the opportunity for the Venezuelan Jockey Santiago Gonzalez to win his first race in United States. Both jockey and horse are ready to break their maiden! Top State is by Top Hit, an Arizona based stallion I really love. Top State’s debut was a decent 6th place and an improvement is expected in this race. Tiz All That improved a lot in his recent start and that’s a great reason to use him.

Race #7: 3,1,6,8
The Megahertz Stakes is a beautiful race to try to hit a longshot because all of the ladies entered have a shot. Rusty Slipper is the first choice of the race for many reasons. She’s dropping in class and switches to the high percentage winning jockey Rafael Bejarano. The mile also suits this mare perfectly. Blingismything performed well in her fist try in a graded stakes race. She’s cutting back in distance, which will probably benefit her. Winning Rhythm ran a great race against tougher horses, proving she’s is very nice mare. Looking for a longshot to save our weekend, I’ll use Bee Brave. Since her U.S. debut I’ve been following this mare. She’s due to show her potential.

Race #8: 5,3
I’m drawing a line through Jojo Warrior’s last race because she has proved that she’s better in route distance than sprint races. Baffert’s barn has been cold in recent weeks, but I’m giving this Pioneerof the Nile filly a shot. She’s going to run her race, trying to win gate to wire. The race is lacking speed and that will help Jojo Warrior to win this race. If Lexie Lou handles the dirt this race will be a paid workout for the mare. As an anecdote, California Chrome beat her in his first try in the turf. Now she’s trying the dirt for first time. To ensure this race, I’m using both ladies.

Race# 9: 7
If you watch the replay of The Custodian race on November 9, 2014, you’ll notice he ran very wide in the last turn and lost all chance to win. In that race he finished fourth with plenty of gas in the tank. The Custodian, with a clean trip, will be tough to beat so I’m using him as a single.

Sigi’s Plays:
Pick 4
6) 6,2,9,7,4
7) 3,1,6,8
8) 5,3
9) 5

Kari’s thoughts: I’m cracking up after Sigi sent me this today as we picked the exact same horses. Not only did we pick the same, they are almost in the exact same order, bar Race #7 where I didn’t use #6 and we have the same single. Do, de, do, do, do, de , do , do…..crazy. Sometimes we are close, but rarely all of the same picks. So game on! I’m looking at Races 7-9.

Race #7: 3,1,8
Rusty Slipper gets the nod here being a Lemon Drop Kid for me, drops in class, Motion Barn and Bejarano up, not more to be said there. Blingismything will be gunning it from the rail and she does have some speed and the cutback is good for her to the mile. Also drops in class. Bee Brave I’ve been following a while for Eclipse and she is a very nice mare who continues to improve and will hit the board. She won at a mile on this track last year 1/18/14 and drops in class as well with Stevens up.

Race #8: 5,3
I have to go with my girl JoJo Warrior here. Last out route to sprint and first off the layoff wasn’t great. Back to her preferred distance and she’s going to be ready to fire second of the layoff. She’s fast and she’ll try to take them all the way out front. Lexie Lou should take to the dirt and could be ultra tough. Last out was second behind California Chrome on the turf here. So bring it Lexie!

Race #9: 5
I think The Custodian is going to clean up. Exactly what Sigi said above and I like the addition of blinkers. Good luck to the O’Neill barn.

Karis Plays:
I’ll be playing a pick3 R7: 3,1,8/5,3/5 and also a .50 pick 4 using Sigi’s picks for Race #6: 6,2,9,7,4/3,1,8/5,3/5. Exacta box Race #7 3,1,8. Thank you Sigi for letting me add my picks and plays!