The Grade 1 $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap

Last week, we handicapped the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita only to have the racing day washed away with rain in Southern California. Well, we are nothing if not persistent, so we return to The Great Race Place for the Big 'Cap, the Grade 1 $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap with a field of fourteen going 1 1/4 miles.

I will go with #14 Jeranimo to follow up his score in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes with another win here. I know he is coming out of the far outside post position, but that should not dissuade you from liking him here with his running style. Seven of his eight lifetime top three finishes (in eleven starts) have come at Santa Anita. I also like his morning line price of 8-1. Rafael Bejarano will ride. For second, I will look right to the top pick's inside with #13 Misremembered. His last three results have been seconds, so let's see if he can make it a grand slam. The Baffert trainee posted a bullet workout on March 1, going 6F in 1:12.1. His Beyers in those seconds were 102, 97, and 102. A repeat of the 102s could definitely have him in contention. #2 St. Trinians is a mare taking on the boys in a big spot here, but she is working a four-race win streak and must be considered. All of those wins came of the Southern California synthetics. Her last win was over 2009 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic winner, Life Is Sweet. She ran 3rd in her last try at this exhausting distance in August of 2008 in Great Britain. I will round out the top four with #4 Neko Bay, who was a winner last time out at Santa Anita in the Grade 2 San Pasqual. His last three workouts have been excellent to prep for this go. The connections here are the same at Giacomo and Zenyatta, the Mosses own, John Shirreffs trains, and Mike Smith rides. Here is the play for the Big 'Cap:

$10 WP #14 and $2 EX BOX 2-13-14
TOTAL- $32

Remember, They Are Off does not accept any responsibility for any wagers placed in conjunction with these selections. They are merely suggestions. Tune in again next week for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!