Monthly Archives: December 2006

With 2007 just around the corner and a huge pick-six carryover today at Santa Anita, why not take a stab at it and end the year with a jackpot. Here’s a $144 ticket I think looks good:

I really like the Dan Hendricks-trained Forward Commitment in today’s fifth race at Santa Anita. Alex Solis stays aboard and he looks to be sitting on a win. He went postward at 3-1 in his last, but he’s 8-1 on … Continue reading →

This long-shot player likes two races today at Santa Anita — the sixth and the eighth. I’m intrigued by two 6-1 shots in the sixth — Royal Place, who is taking a nice drop and switching to Garrett Gomez; and … Continue reading →

Garrett Gomez, in search of his first Santa Anita riding title, has won four of the first six races on opening day today, including the $125,000 California Breeders’ Champion Stakes aboard Pirates Deputy for trainer Bob Baffert. Gomez also won … Continue reading →

Handicapping today’s Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Good luck!!! The way I see it, seven of the 13 horses are capable of winning the opening-day stakes. Arson Squad, Brother Derek, … Continue reading →

Ed Golden of the Santa Anita publicity staff talked to Ivan Puhich, agent for jockey Tyler Baze, on his 81st birthday Friday and came away with a story about opening day at Santa Anita in 1969 or ’70.

Veteran jockey Alex Solis had a tough decision to make when choosing between 2006 Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek and Swaps Stakes winner Arson Squad for the opening day Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on Tuesday. Solis has ridden … Continue reading →

To me, it has to be Barbaro’s courageous battle for his life following his tragic breakdown in the Preakness Stakes. The publicity and attention that the talented colt brought to the industry was invaluable and why, in my view, Barbaro … Continue reading →

You can now vote for thoroughbred racing’s “Moment of the Year” on the NTRA Web site — www.ntra.com Voters have the opportunity to choose from among 10 images, drawn from the year’s racing. Those selecting the winning image will automatically … Continue reading →

After winning the San Juan Capistrano Handicap for the second consecutive year with T.H. Approval in April, trainer Eduardo Inda talked about winning the race again in 2007 for an unprecedented third time. But that possibility came to an end … Continue reading →