Santa Anita Park Late Pick 4 Selections May 23, 2015

Santa Anita Park Late Pick 4 Selections May 23, 2015: After a flop at Pimlico, we are returning to handicap races at our usual racetrack, Santa Anita. This weekend, there are full-field races, including some minor stakes that will make the late Pick 4 very interesting. In an attempt to bounce back, this weekend we’re analyzing the last four races of the Santa Anita card.

Race 7: 3, 6
Sheer Pleasure won her last time out by coming off the pace in a 6½-furlong stakes. This filly passed her rivals with no opposition in her nice late run, giving the impression that she will enjoy two turns. Sheer Pleasure has beaten most of this field, and with the added ground, she should be very tough to beat. I’m trying to beat her with La Fiera, a filly that really likes the distance and has won three races in five starts. La Fiera has never run over the dirt, but her pedigree suggests that she should handle it very well.

Race 8: 4
Although he suffered from a lot of trouble during his last race, Zinvor was able to win in convincing style in his first attempt against his elders. Zinvor has the tactical speed to sit right behind the leaders and make his move in the last turn. This horse just needs a normal trip to win this race handily, so I’ll cross my fingers and use him as a single. This is the key of the Pick 4, so if we hit this one, our chances will increase exponentially.

Race 9: 9, 3, 4
Motown Men is a fresh horse since being claimed on March 8, crushing the field in a 62.5K allowance optional claiming event and then running a nice race in the Precisionist Stakes (GIII). If he reproduces that effort, he will likely be the winner of the race. Toledo Eddie loves to run at a mile and also has a nice record at Santa Anita, so he is a must-use in this race. He’s working very well and looks ready to give a nice performance. Looking for value, I’m using Magic Mark, a horse that was a decent fifth in the Precisionist Stakes (GIII) after a short break. It seems he needed that race, so an improvement is expected.

Race 10: 10, 7, 2, 4, 5
Brimstoned flew in the stretch in his last race at 6½ furlongs on the downhill turf. Now, he will appreciate the stretch out to one mile. This is his third start since the layoff, so he should have improved the necessary amount to win this race. The Custodian has been knocking for a victory lately. Mario Gutierrez insists that someday this horse is going to win, and this is probably his race. Prohibition Repeal failed badly in his last race on the dirt, but he’s returning to his favorite surface, the turf. In addition, in his last work he clocked an impressive 59:00 for five furlongs. Generous Don is improving in each race and is now running at a distance he ought to appreciate. Ace Deuce is the speed of the field and will likely try to wire the field. He’s cutting back in distance, which makes him more dangerous.
Plays:

Pick 4
7) 3, 6
8) 4
9) 9, 3, 4
10) 10, 7, 2, 4, 5