Big three at Oak Tree
I like three races today at Oak Tree --- the fourth, fifth and nightcap. I'm going to play a double in the fourth and fifth and late doubles in the eighth and ninth.
4 -- Florida Keys loves this Santa Anita turf course and will be closing in the stretch under David Cohen. At 5-1 or higher, he's a win bet.
5 -- Mistical Plan goes from Cohen to P-Val and is a major threat to go gate to wire.
I'm going to play a $10 DD, Florida Keys to Mistical Plan. I'll bet Florida Key separately at 5-1 or more and Mistical Plan at 5-2 or more.
9 -- Poinciana and Badoutoo are both bred royally for the turf. I'll bet 'em separately at 5-1 or higher. Otherwise, I'll play a small win bet on Queen's Song and box Queen's Song, Poinciana and Badoutoo in exactas. I'm also going to play some late doubles -- Horse Greeley in the eighth to Poinciana, Badoutoo and Queen's Song in the nightcap.
I really liked Horse Greeley in the 8th race and was surprised he ran so poorly. I was thinking he may turn out to be something special. Any ideas or have you heard what happened to him today?
Horse Greeley suffered through a terrible trip in the Norfolk. He went way wide into the clubhouse turn and was wide all the way down the backside. All I can say is it was his first try around two turns and he needed the experience. Trainer Richard Mandella seems to think the colt can handle a distance, saying he's worked him behind horses, etc., and he handled the dirt in his face fine.
My guess is, if he comes out of the Norfolk sound, he'll go in the BC Juvenile. If you liked him before the Norfolk, I'd give him another shot. If he runs poorly in the Juvenile, maybe he's not the horse we all thought he was.