9.05 Santa Anita
GEICO Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 1) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner $572,101
Advice: 1 pt win Mizdirection (4/1 general), 1 pt win Chips
All In (8/1 general)
Jeranimo: Twice a Grade 1 winner over a mile and nine
furlongs, most recently the Eddie Read Stakes in July before not enjoying dirt
last twice; This a whole different ball game and worst draw possible so others make more appeal today.
Rock Me Baby: C&D winner in the past and never got a run
when behind a host of these in big Grade 3 trial for this event but draw to
opposite of right handed turn is no help to him; No surprise to see him go well
here however.
Chips All In: Just a nose behind Unbridled’s Note here in
February and since gained two Grade 3 wins at this track, including in the
Eddie D Stakes, the main warmup over this course, tracking a blistering pace
before fidning enough to hold off number of contenders here (on 5lbs better
terms with all reposing though) although did win San Simeion Stakes as well;
Should go well although slight worry about him falling into a hole late as some
others have here in past over this course (he would have been beaten in just a
couple of strides latest). 
Reneesgotzip: Pushed the pace from the word go and outlasted
the other front runners before falling into a hole late behind Unbridled’s Note
and Mizdirection; Since finished runner up in first Grade 1 over 7 furlongs
here before pair of easy wins here and a prime contender once again. 
Caracortado: Previously unbeaten going less than 7 furlongs
before finding Churchill Downs too quick for him in 2011 renewal and since a
convincing winner when beating just the three rivals here before 20 month
absence due to foot injury; Returned from that with fourth here behind Chips
All In and Boat Trip and tremendous potential if he doesn’t bounce to better
than effort. 
Boat Trip: Good record over this C&D; Crack sprinter who
bettered his previous form by considerable distance when flying home to go down
by just a nose to Chips All In latest; Early pace will be at least strong so has to come
into the reckoning and be high on shortlist for all that he’s going to be 5lbs worse off with that one;
Should go well today. 
Tightened Touchdown: Making a mockery of his $35,000
claiming price but no track experience and been racing in much weaker events so
needs to up his game considerably to make an impact here with so many
specialists running. 
Handsome Mike: Written off by bookmakers on both sides of
the Atlantic but last time that he had what one could call his ideal
conditions, he won Grade 3 Commonwealth Stakes at Keenland and has won over
this C&D too; Not without his chance. 
Capo Bastone: Very useful juvenile last season; Surprising
to see him here after surprise win in King’s Bishop at Saratoga given that he’s
not raced this course and maybe we should take note of that for all he’s up
against some serious speedsters. 
Havelock: Ready winner of Keenland’s Woodford Stakes last
time after failing to make a mark when sent to the UK for two major events;
Needs more than that and first time up on this course here is a worry. 
Spring to the Sky: No answer to Havelock’s charge in that
Keenland Grade 3 and doesn’t look good enough here. 
Mizdirection: 5-5 over this C&D, including when moving
whole field down to land thrilling renewal of this last year in nick of time,
and won every single start since barring failure to stay a mile on yielding
Ground in Belmont’s Flower Bowl; Long absence no worry as she showed last year
and the one to beat once again. 
Dimension: Never raced on this course which is a negative
but that seems to be where they stop; Deeply impressive winner of Play The King
Stakes at Woodbine two starts back and then did too much when behind Wise Dan
at Woodbine but that effort can be tossed; This requires a career best but
prime draw and not without a shot of giving Conor Murphy a second fairtyale big
win in a year. 
Unbridled’s Note: Mid pace and came to win her race in
straight before a close second, caught in the last half a furlong by
Mizdirection, last year; Beat Chips All in at the beginning the year here but
couldn’t catching him latest on 5lbs better terms; That said, plenty to like
about her and will be there or thereabouts.
VERDICT: The most
unique course in American racing plays host to one of its most exciting races.
There are any number of potential scenarios but defending champions
MIZDIRECTION, unbeaten over this course, good off a layoff and likely to enjoy
what is always a blistering gallop, looks a good place to start. Best of the
trailblazers is likely to be CHIPS ALL IN, who would have been passed by Boat
Trip - a prime contender - with one more stride in the Eddie Read but is now 5lbs better off and
rates a value back up bet. Last year’s
second and third, Unbridled’s Note and Renreesgotzip, are sure to be there again.
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