Come Dancing (1855 Santa Anita), 2/1: versatile filly with speed to win at 6f and stamina to be effective at 1m. Can lead or come from off the pace and is nicely drawn. Main rival Covfefe will need to burn her fuel from the inside box to avoid getting trapped and that could leave her vulnerable later on.
Stormy Liberal, (1933 Santa Anita), 9/1: has won the last two of these. Was in winning form those two years but has been held in all his runs this year. That said he doesn’t have much to find with the favourites and we know he loves the madcap dash nature of this contest.
Omaha Beach, (2010 Santa Anita), 5/4: was on a winning streak at the start of the year and had a useful mid season break before springing a surprise here over 6f on his return. He’s a 3yo with a perfect preparation and is priced accordingly.
Fleeting, (2054 Santa Anita), 9/1: last year’s winner Sistercharlie is on a winning streak and could be hard to beat. But with respect to Iridessa, this could go to fellow Irish challenger Fleeting. She has been a very unlucky filly not to pick up a big race this season, often finding trouble, but she has plenty of ability and this could be her day if Ryan Moore can avoid trouble.
Hog Creek Hustle, (2136 Santa Anita), 40/1: tremendous amount of early pace in this dash. The likelihood is that whoever bosses the pace will win, but there is an outside scenario in which the pace race blows the race apart for a late finisher and Hog Creek Hustle, whilst modest, certainly finishes well and he could make the frame at a price.
Uni, (2220 Santa Anita), 9/2: nothing in the numerous European challengers appeal including favourite and slugger Circus Maximus who may (ironically) not enjoy the tight turns. Uni leads the home contingent and is in great form, he probably should be shorter but for bookie bias to the raiding team.
Midnight Bisou, (2300 Santa Anita), 5/4: ran an excellent 3rd in this event last year. Has been on a 7 race winning streak since and not only arrives in better form but finds a weaker looking field in opposition.
Bricks And Mortar, (2340, Santa Anita), 7/4: another arriving in prime form and should probably be odds on but for the presence of Derby winner Anthony Van Dijk. He may not be the best classic winner and the home favourite should keep the prize at home.
Code of Honor, (1244 Santa Anita), 4//1: in a race where there are plenty of pace setters this could suit a horse with a closing kick and Code Of Honor is certainly the best equipped to deliver that tactic in the night’s richest prize.
Recommendations:
1 pt wins on Come Dancing, Stormy Liberal, Omaha Beach, Fleeting, Uni, Midnight Bisou, Bricks And Mortar and Code of Honor.
0.5 pts each way on Hog Creek Hustle.
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