Santa Anita Handicap: Entries, Post Positions and Odds
by Matt Gardner on Mar 2, 2011 8:03 PM EST
in Racing News
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It's going to be the Bob Baffert show in Arcadia, California this weekend. The "White Knight" has four of the eleven entries in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap - Spurrier, First Dude, Tweebster, and Game on Dude. However, the headliner of the Big Cap isn't a Baffert trainee, it's John Sadler's Twirling Candy, the top rated horse on the West Coast and possibly the top older horse in the country. Twirling Candy will be looking for his seventh victory in eight lifetime starts and his second Grade 1.
Among the notable entries in the Big Cap is First Dude, a former Dale Romans trainee that will make his first start for Baffert and his first start in California. First Dude will be attempting to finally win his first non-maiden race.
I'll have more on the Big Cap later on in the week.
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML |
| 1 | Soul Candy | G. Gomez | P. Gallagher | 30/1 |
| 2 | Spurrier | A. Quinonez | B. Baffert | 15/1 |
| 3 | Gladding | R. Bejarano | J. Sadler | 6/1 |
| 4 | Pode Ir (BRZ) | D. Flores | A. Avila | 50/1 |
| 5 | Twirling Candy | J. Rosario | J. Sadler | 4/5 |
| 6 | Setsuko | V. Espinoza | R. Mandella | 30/1 |
| 7 | Quindici Man | M. Pedroza | C. Lewis | 30/1 |
| 8 | First Dude | M. Garcia | B. Baffert | 5/1 |
| 9 | Tweebster | M. Smith | B. Baffert | 15/1 |
| 10 | Aggie Engineer |
J. Talamo | P. Gallagher |
6/1 |
| 11 | Game On Dude | J. Velazquez |
B. Baffert | 15/1 |
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He's looked good in his recent races, hasn't he?
There is certainly a lot to like – draws outside, has a ton of early speed, proven at the distance and on the surface. And a decent 6/1 on the ML. If he stays in that range on Saturday he’s an attractive play.
Did you see him run at Hollywood last fall?
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Mar 2, 2011 11:41 PM EST up reply actions
Any Dope On Why First Dude Was Taken Out Of Romans' Barn?
No change in First Dude’s distance with Baffert making the call…which kind of surprises me. I have never thought that First Dude was built for the Classic distance unless he is absolutely the lone speed.
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
I haven't read anything on that...
I was surprised when I saw that about a week ago. It definitely slipped under my radar.
I don’t know if they wanted to get him out to California and the barn switch made sense for logistics or whether they wanted a switch for performance reasons.
I’m not sure what to make of First Dude at this point; they pulled the blinkers last time but he still seemed to be keyed up early. Like you, I don’t think he’s at his best at 10f….needs 8.5 or 9.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
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