Player Quick Pick: Santa Anita 5/31/2015
Sometimes, the best race to bet on a card isn't always the feature. The Siren Lure Stakes is the feature at Santa Anita on Sunday, May 31, but it's probably not the best race in which to find an overlay. That race falls on race 7 at the Great Race Place where 9/5 morning line shot Cervaro and 2 to 1 shot Crucero both look capable of being beat.
Santa Anita Race 7 at 6:40 pm ET
$22.5K Claiming for 3&Up going 1 1/8 mi. (T)
5-Perfect Temptation - 4/1 - This Doug O'Neill runner didn't embarrass itself when running sixth by 6 3/4 lengths at 1 1/8 miles over the turf in the $75K La Puente Stakes 2 back. O'Neill placed the gelding in an $80K optional claimer where it finished fourth by 7 1/4 lengths in its last. This is a steep drop in class and there's no doubt that Perfect Temptation is going to fair much better versus this competition. O'Neill wins 21% of his claiming races. The other 4/1 shot on the morning line, Small Town Cop, allures Rafael Bejarano meaning that Perfect Temptation's odds could drift higher than the 4/1.
6-Crucero - 2/1 - The 15 time race runner was in over his head in the G1 Charlie Wittingham in his last. But, why does trainer Keith Desormeaux drop the 5-year-old horse all the way to this claiming level on the turf? Since the record is 1 win from 15 starts, Desormeaux might have the right idea. Keith's brother, Kent Desormeaux, rides and when the pair work together they can often time end up in the winner's circle. He should offer better odds than Cervaro and with Kent D. on his back, he'll be closer to the pace. Tough to back, but a must use is what I'm thinking.
4-Warren's Wesley - 8/1 - The running line says that Warren's Wesley finished fifth in his last race. That was the same event where Small Town Cop finished second and Cervaro finished third. Both show up in here, but neither had the excuse that Warren's Wesley had. It was the 6-year-old gelding's first race on the turf and first race around 2 turns. Considering that he ended up on the rail, finishing fifth at over 14 to 1 odds is actually a positive. The Jorge Gutierrez trainee could move up in this under terrific turf rider Flavien Prat. Don't discount the long shot's chances.
Santa Anita Race 7 at 6:40 pm ET
$22.5K Claiming for 3&Up going 1 1/8 mi. (T)
5-Perfect Temptation - 4/1 - This Doug O'Neill runner didn't embarrass itself when running sixth by 6 3/4 lengths at 1 1/8 miles over the turf in the $75K La Puente Stakes 2 back. O'Neill placed the gelding in an $80K optional claimer where it finished fourth by 7 1/4 lengths in its last. This is a steep drop in class and there's no doubt that Perfect Temptation is going to fair much better versus this competition. O'Neill wins 21% of his claiming races. The other 4/1 shot on the morning line, Small Town Cop, allures Rafael Bejarano meaning that Perfect Temptation's odds could drift higher than the 4/1.
6-Crucero - 2/1 - The 15 time race runner was in over his head in the G1 Charlie Wittingham in his last. But, why does trainer Keith Desormeaux drop the 5-year-old horse all the way to this claiming level on the turf? Since the record is 1 win from 15 starts, Desormeaux might have the right idea. Keith's brother, Kent Desormeaux, rides and when the pair work together they can often time end up in the winner's circle. He should offer better odds than Cervaro and with Kent D. on his back, he'll be closer to the pace. Tough to back, but a must use is what I'm thinking.
4-Warren's Wesley - 8/1 - The running line says that Warren's Wesley finished fifth in his last race. That was the same event where Small Town Cop finished second and Cervaro finished third. Both show up in here, but neither had the excuse that Warren's Wesley had. It was the 6-year-old gelding's first race on the turf and first race around 2 turns. Considering that he ended up on the rail, finishing fifth at over 14 to 1 odds is actually a positive. The Jorge Gutierrez trainee could move up in this under terrific turf rider Flavien Prat. Don't discount the long shot's chances.
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