The selections contained within are geared to rolling exotic players. The basic strategy is to isolate those horses that should be included in rolling daily doubles, pick-3s, pick-4s, pick-5s, and pick-6.
It is recommended that Jeff’s selections be used to augment the reader’s own personal handicapping, though excellent results can be achieved by applying the exact rolling exotic strategy specified by Jeff’s analysis. Jeff’s recommended plays are intended for players with a moderate budget; however, readers are encouraged to adjust Jeff’s wagering strategy to fit their preferred investment level.
Unless otherwise noted, all horses listed in the analysis should be used in rolling exotic play. Usually there will no more than three horses listed; occasionally, Jeff will go 4-deep in his rolling exotic play and on a very rare occasion he will recommend a “buy the race” strategy.
The selections are available every racing day after 9 a.m. (PST). For updates, please follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing.
Top selection indicated in bold-face.
A=Highest degree of confidence.
B=Solid Play.
C=Least preferred, or pass.
X=likely winner but odds will be too short to play.
SANTA ANITA
Sunday, May 27, 2018
RACE 1: Post 12:30 PT. Grade: B
Use: 1-Minister’s Glory; 2-Clyde’s Pride
Forecast: Clyde’s Pride flashed ability in his debut when a solid runner-up in a similar state-bred two-turn turf affair and has every right to produce a forward move with that effort behind him. Today’s nine furlong trip shouldn’t be an issue. Minister’s Glory is a seven-race maiden with four runner-up performances in a row; his numbers are rising so he should be able to get there one of these days. He’s a one-paced grinder so, he, too, should enjoy nine furlongs. We’ll use both in our rolling exotics while giving the edge on top to Clyde’s Pride.
RACE 2: Post 1:00 PT. Grade: B+
Use: 3-Data Storm Kitty; 4-King of Speed
Forecast: Bonde holds the aces in this juvenile dash with two very live first-time starters. The filly Data Storm Kitten acts like a very quick sort and is listed as the 2-1 morning line favorite, while King of Speed, a colt by Jimmy Creed, has shown plenty of ability in the a.m. though he’s been a bit slow out of the gate. We’re going to assume the winner will be one or the other and we’ll include both in rolling exotic play.
RACE 3: Post 1:30 PT. Grade: B
Use: 3-Tiny Tina; 4-Meal Ticket
Forecast: Meal Ticket is 6/5 on the morning line and looks it on paper in this starter optional claiming turf miler for fillies and mares. She graduated impressively in her most recent start with a career top speed figure and a similar effort today will be more than good enough for a repeat score. Tiny Tina stretches out for the first time, is bred to handle the extra ground, and has displayed a closing style in her sprints that should serve her well two-turning. She’s much slower on numbers than ‘Ticket but can be used as a saver or a back-up in rolling exotic play.
RACE 4: Post: 2:00 PT. Grade: B
Use: 1-Vinaka; 5-Our Slick Chick
Forecast: Our Slick Chick shows up in a maiden claimer for the first time and should thoroughly enjoy the class relief in her first outing since November. The Hollendorfer-trained filly has worked like she’s fit and ready and faced infinitely tougher company as a two-year-old. Vinaka, third in a similar maiden claiming sprint earlier this month, earned a fairly decent speed figure in doing so and will be tough if she avoids trouble from the rail. We should be able to survive and advance in rolling exotic play using just these two.
RACE 5: Post 2:30 PT. Grade: B+
Single: 3-Miss Boom Boom
Forecast: Miss Boom Boom drops out of a much tougher race but remains above her claim level and seems well-spotted for a major effort in this $40,000 claimer over 10 furlongs for fillies and mares. She’s never tried this trip but we suspect she can handle it against this group. Reunited with “win rider” Gutierrez, the Baltas-trained mare projects to settle just off the pace or perhaps even on it, and then go on when it counts. At 5/2 on the morning line she’s a straight play and rolling exotic single.
RACE 6: Post 3:00 PT. Grade: B-
Use: 1-Saint Tropez; 8-Baby Brown
Forecast: Saint Tropez, away since September, faced straight maiden company last summer and today shows up in a bottom-rung maiden claimer, not the healthiest of patterns. However, if she returns as well as she left – or close to it – she should beat this field. Baby Brown, first off the claim for Morey (strong stats with this angle), was scheduled to run last week but ran off in the post parade and was scratched. If she minds her manners today, the daughter of Big Brown should be highly-competitive. These are the two we’ll be using in our rolling exotics.
RACE 7: Post 3:30 PT. Grade: B+
Use: 2-Ahimsa; 7-Special Purpose
Forecast: Special Purpose is a group-stakes placed filly from England and has trained like a stone runner for her U.S. debut for Callaghan. Drawn nicely outside, the Irish-bred daughter of Scat Daddy should settle in the second flight and then blast home. Ahimsa has the benefit of a sharp recent win over this course and distance and is strictly the one to beat. We’ll prefer Special Purpose on top and have a few extra tickets keying her on top.
RACE 8: Post 4:00 PT. Grade: X
Single: 4-Miss Sunset
Forecast: Miss Sunset was nosed out in the Grade-1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland in her last start and today gets a considerably easier assignment. She can win on the lead or from a stalking position, so Leparoux can assess the situation and then make his move. At 6/5 on the morning line, she doesn’t offer much in the way of wagering value so we’ll simply use her as a rolling exotic single.
RACE 9: Post 4:30 PT. Grade: B+
Single: 6-I Am the Danger
Forecast: I Am the Danger had a run last summer at Los Alamitos and wound up a troubled fifth in a race in which subsequent two-time Grade-1 winner City of Light finished second. The son of Adios Charlie returns as a first-time gelding for Puype (superior stats with comebackers) and has trained well enough to be ready for a big effort. If he handles the turf, he can win, and at 6-1 on the morning line offers excellent value both in the straight pool and in rolling exotic play.
