AMERICAN TURF CLUB LEAD

By: JOE GIRARDI

               For just $10 a day you get three selections on the NYRA circuit. Here are some of the winners you would have gotten if you ordered those selections. On 9/28, SWAG DADDY, stalked the leaders from third, took over into the lane and edged away late in his first try for Richard Dutrow Jr paying $9.30. On 9/25, we nailed two out of three winners when APTPHILLY got the job done in the sixth race paying $6.80 and three races later when INDEPENDENCE WAR came up the inside and drew away for the score at $10.00. Back on Friday 9/23, again we nailed two out of the three winners. GREY FOOSE, returned from a February layoff in race seven and held on for a wire to wire score paying $11.40 to win. Two races later in race 9, ASSOCIATE, took over soon after the ¼ mile mark, opened up into the lane and score by almost 11 lengths also paying $11.40 to win. On 9/22, we continued our hot hand when we had SALTAMONTES on the line who scored a wire to wire score in the 8^th race for Rudy Rodriguez paying a very generous $34.20 to win. Give it a try by calling 1-800-645-2240 or visit us on the web at www.americanturf.com.

               Santa Anita opens their doors on Friday September 30^th and the meeting runs through Sunday November 6^th. No longer racing over a polytrack. Santa Anita has a conventional dirt course which makes the interest in the Breeders’ Cup prep races more than years’ past. The big races get underway on the second day of the meeting when they host four Grade I races. The Norfolk Stakes, a race run over 1 and 1/16^th miles for two year olds and carrying a purse of $250,000. The Goodwood Stakes, for three years old upward run over 1 and 1/8^th miles also carrying a purse of $250,000 could serve as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Yellow Ribbon Stakes, a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare turf is a race run over 1 and ¼ miles, on the turf, for fillies and mares three years old and upward also with a purse of $250,000. The final Grade I of the day is the Lady’s Secret Stakes, a race for three years old and upward, fillies and mares running a distance of 1 and 1/16^th miles with a purse of $250,000. This race will feature BLIND LUCK who should be a heavy favorite as she preps for the Breeders’ Cup.

               The third day of the meeting, Santa Anita will host the Grade I Oak Leaf for two year old fillies over 1 and 1/16^th miles with a purse of $250,000 as these horses prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The Clement L. Hirsch, a Grade II event for three years old and upward  will be run over the turf at 1 and ¼ miles and carries a purse of $250,000. This race features ACCLAMATION, who is coming off a win in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar but is probably a better horse on the turf.

               The following week on October 8^th Santa Anita will host two more races that could serve as preps for the Breeders’ Cup. The Grade II Oak Tree Mile is a race for three years old and upward, run at a mile on the turf and will carry a purse of $150,000. This race could be used as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The Ancient Title Stakes will also be run that day, a Grade I for three years old and upward, run over six furlongs and will carry a purse of $250,000. This race will be a lead in to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint four weeks later.

               The last meeting run over this course ended on April 15^th, 2011. Joel Rosario was the leading jockey scoring with 88 of his 392 mounts for a 22% winning percentage and an in the money percentage of 56%. Rafael Bejarano had a slightly higher winning percentage at 23% but was 10 wins behind Rosario and Valenzuela was another 18 behind Bejarano scoring with 60 out of his 340 mounts. Some jockeys to look for is Martin Pedroza who had 40 wins to finish fifth but as always had a big Fairplex meeting and can use that to propel him forward here at Santa Anita. Garret Gomez, who was sixth last year with 38 wins but has been riding very well of late and can threaten the top riders if he gets off to a solid start.

               On the trainers side of things, Bob Baffert had an unbelievable meeting scoring with 41 out of his 145 starters for a 28% winning percentage and a 59% in the money percentage. John Sadler was just six wins behind but his winning percentage, although very good was 23%. Mike Mitchell and Mike Puype both had big meets with 22 and 17 wins respectively but their winning percentage of 29% and 25% respectively were very good. Look for these trainers heading into this meeting, albeit it shorter than one where they gained these numbers but a look into had they might perform when the meeting opens. Good Luck!