GR I Santa Anita Handicap

[TJ]

Let's continue with the Handicap Division and head west to Santa Anita for the "Big Cap". Shared Belief will be odds on to win this one. Of interest is Pete Walder sending his recent claim (Sr. Quisqueyano) cross country to challenge him. Also Moreno returns from a poor performance in last years BC Classic. Shared Belief was also nominated to the GP Handicap but opted to stay at home. Should be a good race and along with the GP Handicap, should point out top contenders in the 2015 handicap division ....PP's below. TJ

11th Race. (C10) The 78th Running of
Santa Anita Handicap (Grade I) (Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed
HANDICAP
Purse $1,000,000 Guaranteed One Mile And One Quarter
FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD.
1 COOL SAMURAI (L) '11 G 114 Gryder, A Mr. & Mrs. J. S. Moss John Shirreffs
2 DIAMOND BACHELOR (L) '11 C 114 Pedroza, M Diamond 100 Racing Club, LLC, Mrs. Magnier or Trussel Patrick L. Biancone Blk-On
3 SR. QUISQUEYANO (L) '10 H 115 Talamo, J Loooch Racing Stable, Inc. Walder, Peter
4 DYNAMIC SKY (L) '10 H 117 Nakatani, C John C. Oxley Mark E. Casse
5 SHARED BELIEF (L) '11 G 125 Smith, M Jungle Racing, LLC or Hollendorfer, Todaro, Et Al Jerry Hollendorfer
6 MORENO (L) '10 G 121 Gonzalez, S Southern Equine Stable, LLC Eric Guillot
7 PATRIOTICANDPROUD (L) '09 G 116 Trujillo, E Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners or Barber Mark E. Casse
8 YOU KNOW I KNOW (L) '09 G 115 Van Dyke, D Chacon or Mangini, Jr. John Sadler
9 CRIMSON GIANT (L) '09 G 114 Boulanger, B Bryan M. Carney Charles R. Stutts
10 IMPERATIVE (L) '10 G 117 Desormeaux, K KM Racing Enterprise, Inc. George Papaprodromou
11 BRONZO (CHI) (L) '09 G 117 Baze, T Don Alberto Stable Neil Drysdale
12 CATCH A FLIGHT (ARG) (L) '10 H 114 Stevens, G Haras Santa Maria de Araras, Inc. Richard Mandella
13 HARD ACES (L) '10 H 115 Espinoza, V Hronis Racing, LLC John Sadler

http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... m3=1839695

[geowarrior]

Is there really any threat to Shared Belief?

[Cree]

Let's talk 2nd and 3rd. I really like how Hard Aces has improved. He's been purchased to run in CA, this will be a stiff test for him.
I am not too sure about Catch A Flight, Mandella didn't sound particularly impressed with his last win.
Dynamic Sky is ok on dirt, maybe he can get up for a placing?
Moreno is do or die. If he gets left alone up front, he is dangerous. But I think there is other speed in here, just not sure if they can keep up with Moreno.
Imperative is always a threat to run in the top 5.

[Cree]

Shared Belief
Catch A Flight
Imperative

[TJ]

Shared Belief, Moreno, Sr. Quisqueyano, Cool Samurai

[TJ]

Shared Belief wins under wraps, Moreno ran gutsy off the layoff to hold second, Catch A Flight third and Hard Aces was fourth. TJ

[Cree]

Shared Belief has got to be the best (dirt) horse running these days. He's really something.

[TJ]

Shared Belief has got to be the best (dirt) horse running these days. He's really something.

Hi Cree,
That race certainly flattered him....especially since he didn't have to face California Chrome again, who opted for the World Cup in Dubai. The truth is, he only had a single mediocre handicap horse to beat. He was weighted proportionally unfair, considering he gave Moreno only 4 pounds. Moreno was coming back off an injury and a long layoff (4+ months) and was the only other one time GR I winner in the field. Shared Belief won 4 GR 1's. He was supposed to destroy that field and he did.
He might very well be the best horse out there, BUT....I would like to see him challenge a solid group of GR I winners before I consider him the best. The only way he will face such solid fields, is by coming to NY in August for the Saratoga Meet (compete in the GR I Whitney and/or GR I Woodward) and stay for the Belmont Park Fall Championship meet (The GR I Jockey Club Gold Cup). Then on to the BC Classic (at Keeneland). If he can accomplish any or part of this, he could very well be one of the best ever...but to gain that status, he has to leave the comforts of home. Which is guaranteed, at least for the BC Classic this year....they finally moved it out of Santa Anita:>) TJ

[TJ]

Here's the replay. TJ
http://www1.drf.com/displayVideo.do?tra ... ountry=USA