10.05 Santa Anita
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (Grade 1) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner $572,101
Taptowne: Sent off a warm favourite for the Ack Ack Handicap
following smooth win in the West Virginia’s Governor Stakes at Mountaineer Park
but rapidly outpointed by Pants On Fire after pressing a fast pace and again tired
late after pressing early in lower company; This a much deeper race and will do
well to get to the lead here.
Golden Ticket: Highlight of career when deadheating with
Alpha as longshot for Travers Stakes and in that same vein of form when second
and fourth in major 10 furlong races at Chruchill Downs and here; If able to
repeat either of those efforts, can go well. 
Hymn Book: By far his best effort when third behind rapidly
improving Graydar in the Kelso Handicap, an effort that can be upgraded given
that winner set his own fractions infront; Pace should be more to his linking
here and not without his chance if there’s a total burnout upfront’ Had
previously been behind Pants on Fire.
Brujo De Olleros: Has found his best form hand over fist
lately, running a close second in the Donald Levine Handicap (pushed a hot
pace, fell into a hole late) before easy allowance win and second to Graydar in
the Kelso handicap when he was forced wide early and could never quite run him
down (winner set own fraction) progressive feel about him for all he needs to
improve. 
Fed Biz: Three time C&D winner who well fancied for this
last year but disappointment then, never any better than fifth and fading badly;
Didn’t take his best form to turf when only fourth in Eddie Read handicap but
withering late run under perfect ride saw him catch Goldencents in Pat O’Brien
Stakes latest; That arguably a career best and if able to repeat that has to be
considered strongly. 
Broadway Empire: Here slightly under the radar, having won a
pair of stakes at Northlands Park in Canada before leading pillar to post in
Oklahoma Derby latest; Respected here for all that fierce competition for lead
can be slightly off-putting. 
Alpha: Very, very good on his day, as wins in the Travers
(2012) and Woodward Stakes two starts back, both at Saratoga; Flat in the
Jockey Club Gold Cup when he stumbled at the start and could never reach the
lead; Mile should suit him and not without a chance if he shows his best but
worry he’ll burn himself out early. 
Holy Lute: Game as a pebble when winning Del Mar’s El Cajon
Stakes in August but put in his place behind Power Broker in Indiana Derby 
Centralintelligence: So impressive when landing the Triple
Bend Handicap sprinting over a long 7 furlongs at Holllywood Park but never
able to get into it in the Santa Anita Sprint Championships here and might be
caught between a rock and a hard place here. 
Verrazano: Carried huge amount of buzz coming into the
Triple Crown season but a blowout in Kentucky Derby where insane pace and
sloppy track got better of him and many others; Stunning Haskell Invitational
win was all of his earlier promise and more but taken on for the lead, pushed
early, and never got going when a well beaten seventh in Travers; The worry is
that he’s taken on early in a race burning with early speed but at the same
time dropping back to a mile looks to be a great positive and only beaten at 10
furlongs so far. 
Pants On Fire: One time Derby contender who lost his way but
has since started to show something close to his best and come here having
beaten two rivals in equally impressive fashion last twice at Montmouth and
Churchill Downs, dismissing Taptowne in fine style latest; Another that likes
to be close to the early pace but not one to give in easily and contender here.
Goldencents: Launched his name into the Derby reckoning when
landing the Santa Anita Derby and while Triple Crown campaign was a blowout,
strong efforts the last thrice dropped down to sprint trips, although on each
occasion he’s been beaten; Chase and set far too hard a pace when Fed Biz mowed
him down in the Pat O’Brien but can be more reserved and one of the leading
players here. 
Easter Gift: First reserve but couldn’t land a blow behind
two key rivals in the Kelso latest.
VERDICT: With stretch-out sprinters a plenty and classic
distance non stayers aiming at this, there’s a strong possibility of a hot pace
if anyone of the front-runners takes eachother on. Favourite Verrazano should
relish the trip of a mile – his only two defeats have come at 10 furlongs and
his very best form so far is at 9 – but he is in a race loaded with early speed
to take him on and lumbered with a draw of 10, which tempers enthusiasm for his
chances in a race no favourite has won from 6 runnings. Goldencents and Pants on Fire are just two who
merit respect here while Brujo De Olleros and Hymn Book would relish a turn up,
but GOLDEN TICKET’S efforts of late are as good as any form he’s shown and his
late stamina could play a big part, especially if he's improved for his recent four in the Awesome Again Stakes after a two month break. Of the rest, perhaps FED BIZ can make
amends for last year if this race develops into a last man standing contest.
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