1 st. Handicappers Selections. A Closer Look... RACE. Horses listed by program number. Mark Ratzky. Bob Mieszerski

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1 1 st by 3-Year-Olds and up, fillies and mares, top claiming price $,500, One Mile Jockey Assael Espinoza Top Recent Equibase Speed Figure at this distance: KP's Smokin 1. Reinahermosa - Just the lone victory from 38 starts and you have to go pretty far back to find it; winless in 15 starts over this layout with 5 place and show finishes, all at this once-around distance; even though this is a modest cast, she needs to find a little more punch to get the job done. 2. Swallows Inn Gal - The maidenbreaker came over this strip while she's 0-for-16 everywhere else; graduation came sprinting in June and she's been trying a little bit of everything in the interim, short and long, dirt and turf, with nibbles to show; back to two turns today with Figueroa trying his hand and figures in the mix 3. Cee Sam s Girl - Like her inside neighbor, she earned the diploma here during the summer meet, coming from far back to roll the past the leaders at 13-1 going this trip; mixed results in the ensuing half-dozen appearances with that last runner-up effort going short at Del Mar certainly giving encouragement. 4. Greater Glory - Didn't have the best of takeoffs and failed to menace while finishing behind both Cee Sam's Girl and Swallows Inn Gal in that dash last month at the seaside; broke her maiden at Prairie Meadows over modest types and will have to pick up her game as she races behind 6 1/2 furlongs for the first time. 5. Jewelof California - Been doing all her recent work here on the smaller night track and has basically been a bystander while competing at the bottom level; might be an early factor on the stretchout, but looking in other directions. 6. K P s Smokin - An even show finish when racing under these conditions at Santa Anita two back in the initial try off the claim, then took the short way around and lacked a rally as the mild chalk when last seen going this trip down at the seaside; has some races that would put her right in the hunt in her first attempt over this unique track. 3. Cee Sam s Girl 2. Swallows Inn Gal 6. K P s Smokin 3. Cee Sam s Girl 6. K P s Smokin 2. Swallows Inn Gal

2 2 nd by 2-Year-Olds, California-bred, maiden special weight, Five & One-Half Furlongs Trainer Daniel Dunham Top Recent Equibase Speed Figure at this distance: Scouted 1. Golden Image - Didn't attract much tote attention in the June debut at Santa Anita, came away last and failed to make an impression; blinkers come off and didn't get any breaks landing what can be a tricky rail slot here. 2. Grandpa Louie - First of 3 new faces; Coil is 6-for-28 with his juvenile beginners while this is the first to the wars for mom, who was winless in her only start; has turned in some decent local drills for Puype and looks like a live commodity in this line-up. 3. Loud Mouth - Scratched from a 50K seller on Thursday; sire has had 2 wins from 17 debut youngsters, while dam won 5 of 10 starts for 54K and has seen 3 of her 4 to the races get the picture taken. 4. Mulzoff - Only appearance came in late September across town and stopped in the stretch; hard to endorse off that unveiling 5. Lieutenant Dan - Rounds out the newbies; sire has connected at 10% thus far with his debut babies while the dam won 4 of 14 (49K) and has seen all 6 of her starters get the picture taken, headed by Hunger (5K); barn has winning ROI with beginners and the slow works are par for the course. 6. Scouted - Had a little support in the long try last month at Del Mar, got pinched at break and ran on for a share without threatening the winner; Dollase has had 2 wins from the last 6 2nd-time starters and this one has every right to move forward with a clean break and the race under his belt. 7. Spendaholic - Outrun his odds when he completed the exacta here at first asking during the Los Angeles County Fair meet, then chased home a couple of tough customers at Santa Anita and was finished by the stretch; neatly drawn with a Del Mar bullet in the holster and must respect. 7. Spendaholic 2. Grandpa Louie 6. Scouted 6. Scouted 7. Spendaholic 2. Grandpa Louie

3 3 rd by 3-Year-Olds and up, maiden claiming $20,000, Five & One-Half Furlongs Jockey Joe Talamo Top Recent Equibase Speed Figure at this distance: Optimun 1. Captain N. Barron - No threat going a mile in his most recent down at the seaside, but his 4 local starts this season have resulted in a pair of 2nd and 3rd-place finishes; certainly doesn't run them alike, but his best effort puts him in the picture for veteran conditioner Lewis 2. Irish Ballad - Showed brief interest and then backed up in a hurry while finishing behind today's rival The Bull Moose a month ago at Del Mar; obviously needs to do better. 3. Optimum - Battled inside a four-horse spread in the most recent try down south and had nothing left for the lane; go back a race, however, and he turned in a solid runner-up effort after an awkward start over in Arcadia; very dangerous if he repeats the latter effort with daytime track's leading man Pedroza trying his hand. 4. Sharp Ruler - Yet to really get involved in three starts, now he drops to the bottom level and will add blinkers while racing over the track he calls home; must pick up his game to get it done. 5. Impeachment Ace - Has missed quite a few chances, the majority of those coming against softer company over the five-eighths night oval here; pass. 6. The Bull Mousse - Showed speed in his Del Mar unveiling last month, pressed the issue outside a 4-way spread and while no match for the top pair, did easily beat the rest, including a trio of today's foes; may prove an elusive target with Joe back at the controls and the race under his belt. 7. Jimmy the Bull - The only firster in the line-up; sire has had 10 wins from 69 overall debuters and this is the first starter for the mare, who won 7 of 49 starts for 275K; check the toteboard and post parade for more clues. 8. Violent Affair - Shows up a fresh gelding with a bullet local 6 furlongs on his card last month for Sherman; tried a mile twice at the fall session here and tired after being part of a battle in the first and was no menace in the next one; not out of the question. 9. Silver Badge - Sent off at in his lone try at this level and stopped badly; enough said. 10. Grand Minister - Another who crossed the wire behind The Bull Moose in that November 11 affair at Del Mar, finishing best of the rest while double digits behind the winner; has displayed a little life in his 5 appearances and should be in stalking mode from this outside post. 11. Blaze of Glory - Figures to be a player if he can draw in from the also-eligible list; came up a nose short after opening a clear lead going a mile two back in the 2nd start off the claim, then lacked the needed kick in the most recent; back to sprinting now and would seem to be a good fit with this cast.. Gold and Guns - Returns from Northern California and his best race to date came when he was 2nd vs. softer company at the Fresno Fair in mid-october; minor award seems the ceiling. 6. The Bull Moose 11. Blaze of Glory 3. Optimum 6. The Bull Moose 3. Optimum 1. Captain N. Barron

4 4 th by 3-Year-Olds and up, claiming price $6,250, Six Furlongs Owner Jeryl Hartley Top Recent Equibase Speed Figure at this distance: Love Your Life & Johann's Command 1. From the Distance - He's the only member of the field with a victory over this mile layout, breaking his maiden here off a year's vacation during the summer stand; weakened after opening a clear lead at Del Mar last month, but drops to the lowest level and his career today and could prove hard to catch at this abbreviated trip under Espinoza. 2. Michael Mundo - Lit up the toteboard at 19-1 with a coast to-coast tally two back, then moved up a notch and was burned up early; figures to be lapped on the rail runner and a repeat of that October 6 upset would certainly make him a major player with Fuentes back at the helm. 3. Here is Happy - Things have gone downhill since that winning debut at months ago; just hasn't shown much spark in the last pair while moving down the class ladder, now he takes another dip in hopes of turning things around; only local try obviously came vs. much better. 4. P Town Titan - It's been slim pickings for this guy here under the lights since he beat a bottom-level group in late March and was claimed; did show more life in that recent runner-up effort, but he'll need to make another move forward if he wants to seriously threaten. 5. Master Ruler - They had high hopes for this guy last year when he shipped up from Panama, but it hasn't worked out and he continues to move down the claiming rung; still has his speed and he joins forces with Maldonado for the first time in his softest assignment to date. 6. Hollywood Sky - Claimed for a modest tag here at night two back and paid instant dividends 15 days ago for the 2nd lifetime score; obviously headed in the right directions, but must continue to pick up his game if he wants to do a curtain call. 7. Love Your Life - Another member of the cast who suits up following a tally over the night oval, doing the track-and-attack to perfection; claimed by veteran Cooper, who moves him over to the big track where he has a pair of 2nds and 3rds from his 5 attempts; new best friend Orozco guides. 8. Johann s Command - Well beaten by today's rival Michael Mundo when last seen across town and stopped badly at a mile the last time he tried this course; can't endorse. 9. Lucky Patrick - Nothing doing since he broke his maiden in handy fashion back in July at Pleasanton; a steady slide down the ladder in the last 7 appearances and another who followed Michael Mundo home two months ago at Santa Anita. 1. From the Distance 2. Michael Mundo 7. Love Your Life 1. From the Distance 2. Michael Mundo 7. Love Your Life

5 5 th by 2-Year-Olds, Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity, One & One Sixteenth Miles Elliott Walden of WinStar Farm Top Recent Equibase Speed Figure at this distance: Extra Hope 1. Improbable Dominated eight opponents when stretched to eight furlongs and shipped to Kentucky for the Street Sense Stakes 36 days ago. Chestnut purchased for $200,000 as a yearling, who broke his maiden sprinting in his Santa Anita debut, will try two turns for the first time, but has trained well since the latest victory for Hall of Fame trainer who has won all four renewals of this race at Los Alamitos. The one to defeat. 2. Savagery - Completed exacta behind Mucho Gusto three weeks ago and will make first try around two turns on dirt for productive connectons. Runner-up in last two stakes attempts and will be involved from the outset, but hard to see him taking these all the way. Lone score came vs. high priced maiden claimers three starts ago. 3. Dueling - Distant fifth behind the undefeated and soon to be 2- year-old champion Game Winner in his first venture into a graded stakes Nov. 2 in the Breeders Cup Juvenile. Graduated in his initial try beyound six furlongs two races ago. Capable of sharing for Hall of Fame trainer, but would need to improve to challenge for the top prize. 4. King of Speed - Two race win streak game to a screeching halt when th of 14 when 21-1 in the Grade I Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf some five weeks ago. Switches to dirt after five consecutive races on grass, including a pair of stakes victories. Fourth in his two dirt attempts, but those were going much shorter. Could be a late threat if he handles the surface. 5. Extra Hope - Moves off the rail and goes long again after finishing fourth, beaten a bit more than two lengths, by Mucho Gusto Nov. 17. Homebred broke his maiden stylishly at this trip two races ago and seems much more comfortable routing for Hall of Fame trainer. 6. Mucho Gusto - Stablemate of Improbable has something nobody else in the field has - a race over this track. The $625,000 May purchase scored by four lengths in his Sept. 20 bow during the Los Angeles County Fair meet, then was tenacious against four opponents in capturing a Grade III Nov. 17. No reason to believe he won t handle more ground, so merits much respect. 1. Improbable 6. Mucho Gusto 5. Extra Hope 1. Improbable 6. Mucho Gusto 5. Extra Hope 30

6 6 th by 3-Year-Olds and up, fillies & mares, starter allowance, Five & One Half Furlongs Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer Top Recent Equibase Speed Figure at this distance: Gemini Journey 1. Gemini Journey - Rallied to finish third at this trip 15 days ago in first after being claimed for $8,000 from Chuck Treece. Goes outside to inside and best efforts have come from close range. Contender for stable winning at a 17% clip in Belligerent - Idle since trailing after wide journey when weeks ago. Unplaced in both local triex and her two victories came against softer company in Northern California when trained by John Martin. Pass. 3. Christy Jackson - A neck behind Gemini Journey Nov. 23 and returns to venue where she has a win and a second in two appearances. Gray mare isn t exactly a win machine, but seems capable of finding her way into the exotics and gets a weight break with a switch to an apprentice. 4. Scathing - Seeking first exacta finish of 2018 after picking up four wins as a 4-year-old. Has lost 13 in a row since winning over this track during the 2017 Winter meet. Better fit here as she goes turf to dirt, but still tough to take in her current form. 5. Lucky Student- Veteran mare having a career year as she won for the fifth time 13 days ago, dominating seven opponents when favored in second since being claimed for $10,000 from Mike Pender. Clicked over this track in a similar spot during the Los Angeles County Fair meet in September, so major player right back. 6. Herunbridledpower - Consistent California bred has been 1-2 in more than half of her starts and has been particularly effective over the daytime oval, winning three of four. Can bounce back as she goes turf to dirt for stable winning at a 36% rate this year with a limited number of runners. 7. Atrevida - Third at this trip a month ago while finishing directly behind next out winner Easter Dream. Keeps apprentice who won or shared the riding title at the first two meets of the year here, but would need improvement to end a seven race losing streak. 8. Princess Kendra - Cuts back in distance after rolling a pair of fours in routes, the latest 13 days ago. Lat4 running mare has been effective over this surface, picking up two wins and finishing in the exacta on three other occasions in eight local starts. Two her career victories have come under this jockey. 9. Hero for Hire - Flees the rail after completing the exacta behind Gemini Journey when 8-1 five weeks ago. Has been 1-2 in six of 10 in 2018, but both of her scores came in Northern California. Others preferred. 10. Asem - Trailed when 65-1 in a restricted claimer on the turf 36 days ago, but capable of better over a track where she has been 1-3 in three of four, including a victory vs. softer earlier this year when trained by Gary Sherlock. 6. Herunbridledpower 5. Lucky Student 8. Princess Kendra 8. Princess Kendra 6. Herunbridledpower 5. Lucky Student

7 7 th by 2-Year-Old Fillies, Starlet Stakes, One & One Sixteenth Miles Aron Wellman of Eclipse TB Partners Top Recent Equibase Speed Figure at this distance: Vibrance 1. Vibrance - Has hit the board in both starts in Grade I races, finishing second behind Bellafina in the Chandlier two starts ago before winding up third in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies dominated by Jaywalk Nov. 2. proven around two turns and must be respected for stable having an excellent year. 2. Mother Mother - Made the lead from the inside post when stretched to a mile six weeks ago and scored in a Churchill Downs stakes. Stablemate to Chasing Yesterday has trained well since returning to California and $450,000 yearling purchase will be prominent from the outset in her first venture around two turns. 3. Sold It - Stretches out and switches to dirt after narrow win going much shorter on the grass 23 days ago. Distant third when favored in her debut on dirt nearly two months ago. Should be a pace factor, but a win would be a big surprise. 4. Oxy Lady - Well-traveled Oxbow miss comes off an easy score in a Grade III five weeks ago when dismissed at Homebred is a.500 lifetime hitter and Los Alamitos will be the fifth different track at which she has run after previous appearances at, in order, Indiana Downs, Belterra Park, Keeneland and Aqueduct. Trainer is a former assistant to Doug O Neill. 5. Enaya Alrabb - Stablemate of Sold It graduated when stretched to eight furlongs in her second start 44 days ago in a race in which the final quarter of a mile was negotiated in 27 seconds. Has worked four times since the victory, but not expecting another trip to the winner s circle. 6. Chasing Yesterday - Half-sister to 2015 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah will race beyond seven furlongs as she tries to stay undefated in California. She s only had to beat a combined six rivals to earn back-to-back stakes scores at Santa Anita and Del Mar and has prepped three times since prevailing in the Desi Arnaz 26 days ago. Hall of Fame trainer won this race a year ago with Dream Tree. 6. Chasing Yesterday 1. Vibrance 2. Mother Mother 6. Chasing Yesterday 1. Vibrance 2. Mother Mother

8 8 th by 3-Year-Olds & up, allowance/claiming, claiming price $40,000, One Mile Top Recent Equibase Speed Figure at this distance: Mercer Island & Sheer Flattery 5. Mercer Island 4. King Abner 9. Kylemore 30 Fasig Tipton Photo Larry Best of OXO Equine 1. Croatian - Won, then beat one in his first against winners when 24-1 two months ago. Locally based colt posted lone score over this track when defeating, among others, next out graduate Trojan Spirit and worked a bullet six furlongs six mornings ago for Hall of Fame trainer. 2. Dia de Pago - Idle since finishing distant fourth in race dominated by Ax Man eight months ago. Six listed drills in Arcadia preparing for comeback, but lone win came against weak maiden field going much shorter at Gulfstream Park nearly 18 months ago when trained by Mary Lightner. 3. Hard Fought - Switches to dirt after three consecutive starts on grass, the latest when fourth of 10 after presing the pace Nov. 15. Best efforts have come when close to the pace, but facing other zip and is winless on dirt. Looking elsewhere. 4. King Abner - After disappointing in his first five starts in California while never higher than 3-1 put everything together when stretched out 23 days ago, rolling to an easy victory against fellow state breds. May have found his niche routing and he did run second in both of his local starts earlier in the year. 5. Mercer Island - Bids for repeat after posting 17-1 surprise in his first start after being claimed for $32,000 from Mark Glatt. Gelding is a.500 hitter in 2018, so not impossible if able to run two alike. 6. Violent Ridge - Finished in a dead heat for fifth in same race Kylemore exits and hasn t been on the board since defeating state breds over a muddy track nine months ago. Needs a turnaround. 7. Upper Room - Failed to threaten when 18-1 on turf six weeks ago in first after being claimed for $32,000 from Jerry Hollendorfer. No exacta finishes in four races on dirt, so should welcome the move to the main track and sheds 11 pounds, but tough to endorse for the top prize. 8. Goren - Tries more ground after finishing fifth of seven at shorter trip when 9-1 in initial try vs. winners 20 days ago. Trailed in only other race beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, but that was on grass, so he could should be a pace presence at the very least for Hall of Fame stable. 9. Kylemore - Distant third behind the sharp Surfing Star in second since being claimed for $40,000 from Eoin Harty. Has a win and a third in his two races on dirt, so must be considered in his first try over this surface. 10. Appalachian Gem - Hasn t been seen since finishing off the board in a Grade II at Oaklawn Park nearly 21 months ago. Scored at slightly longer trip two races ago and has prepped locally for winning stable, but new gelding may need an outing before showing his best. Formerly trained by the late Jack Van Berg. 11. Incredible Luck - Chased eventual repeater Acker when completing the trifecta on turf six weeks ago. Winless on main track, so unlikely if he gets to play for trainer who celebrated his 60th birthday Dec. 5.. Sheer Flattery - No match for Kershaw, who was winning his fourth in a rowl, Nov. 24 when claimed for $40,000 from Doug O Neill. Capable off best, but needs scratch help. 5. Mercer Island 9. Kylemore 4. King Abner

9 9 th by 3-Year-Olds & up, maidens, top claiming price $20,000, One Mile Top Recent Equibase Speed Figure at this distance: Bartlett Hall Terry Finley of West Point TB 1. Copper Coated - Idle since finishing far back when 33-1 in debut at shorter trip at this venue nearly five months ago. Lacked speed and homebred would have to take a giant leap forward to contend over the track where he is based. Longshot. 2. Royal Rebel - Failed to threaten once more when seventh of 10 when 38-1 against similar 22 days ago. Has missed 22 opportunities and would be a big surprise for stable seeking its first win of the year. 3. Icouldonlyimagine - Difficult to imagine him reaching the winner s circle based upon his sprint debut five weeks ago. Finished seventh of eight when 29-1 against more expensive state breds. Worked a sharp half mile out of the gate over this surface, but still tough to endorse. 4. Bitter Ring Home - Distant third when lukewarm favorite in first try for this price tag. Gets a weight break with the switch to talented apprentice for Hall of Fame trainer and merits respect in this context. 5. Brahms Forest - Stretches out again after finishing fifth of seven vs. cheaper foes under the lights four weeks ago. Did display some talent in Northern California against tougher in 2017 when trained by Greg James, but may need turf or synthetic for best. 6. Bartlett Hall - Adds blinkers after finishing directly behind next out graduate For the Hustle at shorter trip 34 days ago. Worked a bullet half mile recently, gets a rider change and has to be considered one of the ones in here. 7. When Jesus Walked - Sheds blinkers for new stable after being overmatched in all of his recent, the latest when last of nine when 98-1 vs. state bred maidens on turf Nov. 18. Tough to envision. 8. Bryan Habana - Away since finishing ninth of 10 when 25-1 in cheaper spot on the turf at Santa Rosa four months ago. Best efforts have come over his home track, but still hard to recommend. 9. Sterling s Temple - Puts on the hood in first since being claimed for this price from Carla Gaines more than three months ago. New stable wins at a high rate with recent purchases and gelding just missed at this level two starts ago. Beware. 10. Spend It - Nibbler makes his 23rd attempt at collecting his first win. Completed the trifecta when 5-2 at this trip 34 days ago. Has been 2-3 in five of seven over this track, so a must use underneath. 9. Sterling s Temple 6. Bartlett Hall 10. Spend It 6. Bartlett Hall 10. Spend It 9. Sterling s Temple 30