We are excited to announce a renewed partnership with the fine folks and handicappers at 1/ST BET. Jeremy Plonk and Jeff Siegel will be sharing their expertise on a weekly basis to pass along some ponies that they like for races at various tracks around the country, including Santa Anita.
For this Friday, October 18 article, Jeff Siegel shares everything you need to know for today’s racing card at Santa Anita.
Santa Anita 3rd Race – Post: 2:00 PT. Degree of confidence: A-
Main Ticket: 6-Winds of Freedom
Backups: 7-A Votre Sante
Forecast: After beating maiden $50,000 foes with authority last month at Del Mar (and improving his Beyer speed figure by 17 months off his debut performance), Winds of Freedom is properly protected in this starter’s allowance affair and is listed at 4/5 on the morning line. An extremely healthy work tab (four breezes since raced) and a decided edge on numbers, the Doug O’Neill-trained colt looks very much like a logical, short-priced single. For those who’d prefer protection on a ticket or two, A Votre Sante should be given consideration. He’s not as fast on figure as our top pick but shows a rising pattern and is drawn comfortably outside. With another forward move, he could make a run for it.
Santa Anita – 4th race – Post: 2:30 PT. Degree of confidence: A-
Main Ticket: 6-Call Me Sir
Backups: 1-Keep Dancin Nick; 2-King of Dragons
Forecast: Here’s another logical short-priced single. Call Me Sir didn’t get the best of trips when veering in sharply at the break to cause interference and then being forced wide early from an outside draw in a similar maiden state-bred turf miler for juveniles at Del Mar. Despite all that, he stayed on nicely to be second in a strong second outing performance, with further improvement expected with added experience. He’ll add blinkers today, and with a similar effort minus the trouble, the Sir Prancealot colt should be set to graduate but won’t offer much value. Those seeking protection can use the possible pacesetter (and first-time router) Keep Dancin Nick and King of Dragon, fourth in the same race our top pick exits in his debut and is likely to be a factor if he can drop his head and settle down during the early stages.
