Summertime Oaks 2014 Odds, Picks, Plays at Santa Anita Park

Summertime Oaks 2014 Odds, Picks, Plays at Santa Anita Park; Eight Three-Year-Olds Ready For Some Summertime Fun: The 2014 GII Summertime Oaks is set for Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia, California. The race was previously known as the Hollywood Oaks and was run annually during the first week of June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California which shut it’s doors December 2013. The race has been renamed and is for three year-old fillies running 1 1/16 miles on the dirt for a purse of $200,000. (see updated race results/replay)

Inaugurated in 1946, the 68th edition of this race is back to the dirt, after being run on the Cushion Track (synthetic dirt) since 2006. Since inception, the race has been contested at various distances and has been back to 1 1/16 miles since 2002.The speed record at the current distance is held by House of Fortune in 2004 at 1:41.55. Last year this race was won by Doinhardtimeagain for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in the time of 1:43.27.

The 2014 Summertime Oaks has a start time of 4:30 pm, PST and is the 8th race of the day on a card of 9.

Last weekend we handicapped the Shoemaker Mile and obviously, we didn’t hit. Obviously ran away from the whole field as we hoped he would not do, but alas, he did. My top pick Summer Front ran a nice second but seconditis doesn’t win. Our other main pick Winning Prize was just off his game and didn’t run well at all. Hopefully he gets back-on-track soon and we’ll see him at the Breeders’ Cup. On to this week.

Kari’s Picks and Plays for the 2014 Summertime Oaks:

I’ll start with JoJo Warrior who I’ve been following since her first time out maiden win. This daughter of Pioneerof the Nile has had nothing but trouble in her last three races. Last out she was bumped out of the gate, ran 5 wide finishing 3rd at Pimlico in the Miss Preakness Stakes on May 16th. Prior on May 2nd in the Eight Belles Stakes at Churchill she again was bumped at the start, set the pace for a bit, gave way and drifted in the stretch for 5th. At Oaklawn on April 12th once again she didn’t break with the field and was moving forward late to windup 2nd. All three races have been off a layoff after breaking her maiden at Del Mar on September 2nd 2013. I think she is all game here and ready to roll with Baffert training, Garcia riding and exits post #1.

Arethusa finally gets a little class relief here after running in three (G1) stakes and a (GII) her last four outtings. She was a close third three starts back in the (GI) Las Virgenes running one mile on February 1st. In the Black Eyed Susan at Pimlico on May 16th (GII) going 1 1 /8 miles she ran 6th last out. This Eoin Harty trained gal has one win five starts back, which was her maiden, going 1 1/16 miles in the Sharp Cat Stakes at Hollywood Park on November 16th, 2013. She can most definitely get the distance and this appears to be a nice spot for her. She’s an A.P. Indy daughter and gets rider Mike Smith aboard again, who was up for debut run on August 10, 2013. Arethusa exits post #3.

I also like Bob Bafferts other runner in here Front Range. This lightly raced Giant’s Causeway daughter broke her maiden two starts back at Santa Anita going 1 1/16 miles. Her last race on May 24th they tried her at a mile on the turf at Santa Anita where she was up close stalking but lugged in and weakened in the stretch for 7th. Her debut was March 29th going 6f at Santa Anita under Stevens where she was very game running between horses, scraped the paint and barreled in for third. We’ll see how she handles the jump in class here from post #6 with Smokin Joe Talamo riding.

I’m also going to mention couple of girls here that I like but am not sure about. First off, ignoring Jerry Hollendorfer here is a little crazy as he has three runners and won this race last year. He has the super speedy Delta Flower out of an A.P. Indy son, A.P. Delta who is seeking her fourth straight win. She’ll be trying a route of ground for the first time and has her first few wins at Oaklawn Park. This will be her second time running for Hollendorfer coming in with three wins and a third out of four starts. Scary but can she get the distance? She has some monster works. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her take this field gate to wire from post #4.

One mention to Wesley Ward’s girl La Mejor Fiesta who was seventh behind Arethusa in the Black Eyed Susan last out on May 16th. Kent Desormeaux has the call on her again who was a first-out maiden winner at Churchill last summer and has run at a different track in all seven of her career starts. Can we say well-traveled? This Harlans Holiday baby has me curious but doubtful for the win. However, love the barn Ice Wine Stables so hope she runs well.

Play: I’m going to play two $2 Daily Doubles. The first one starting race #7 $2 4,10/1,3,6 for $12 and race #8 $2 1,3,4,6/5 $8 using Sigi’s suggested single in race #9 for a bankroll of $20 bucks. Thanks Sigi!

Sigi’s Picks and Plays for the 2014 Summertime Oaks:

Without Fashion Plate in this race, Arethusa is the logical choice because she’s taking a big drop in class and the rider’s change is interesting also. The way Arethusa runs suits perfectly to Mike Smith. The only girl that can beat her is JoJo Warrior, a filly who hasn’t had the best trips in her last three races. With a bit of luck, she is dangerous. Bob Baffert and Martin Garcia are a very effective combo so you can’t ignore them.

Play: This time I’m playing a $1 pick 3 starting in the 7th race 2,10/1,3/5 for $4.00.

Food For Thought:
My single in race #9 is the #5 Alexis Tangier (Tiznow-Cambiocorsa by Avenue of Flags) who is a 1/2 sister of Schiaparelli, Moulin de Mougin and Vionnet, all great runners on the turf. Alexis Tangieris now switching to turf and she will appreciate the change.

Good luck to all of the runners and their connections. Thanks again Sigi for taking the time to handicap this race!

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Summertime Oaks 2014 Post Positions and Odds
1. JoJo Warrior 3-1 M.Garcia/B.Baffert
2. Live For Now 12-1 T.Baze/E.Harty
3. Arethusa 7-2 M.Smith/E.Harty
4. Delta Flower 5-2 C.Nakatani/J.Hollendorfer
5. La Mejor Fiesta 6-1 K.Desormeaux/W.Ward
6. Front Range 6-1 J.Talamo/B.Baffert
7. Fleet Of Gold 10-1 A.Solis/J.Hollendorfer
8. Stop Smiling 5-1 G.Stevens/J.Hollendorfer