I can’t and I won’t quit Santa Anita
Kevin Gazzale
Alright, I’m back on the horse after a disappointing showing in last weekend’s main Saturday qualifier. I knew I was absolutely screwed when Gulfstream pulled off the turf and forced me to handicap Synthetic. Oh well, we still have tons of time this year to qualify, I’m not worried! Are you worried!? Like I said I’m not worried at all and any one who is worried, shouldn’t be worried that I actually suck at this and can’t do it. Couldn’t be me. We go back to Santa Anita, 8 race affair, some nice turf fields.
By the way, 3/29/2026 you heard it here first, Silent Tactic hits the board in the Kentucky Derby if he makes the gate. Quote me on that.
Santa Anita 3/29
Race 2 – 1 Wolf Hill is the lone speed in here and he has been running well, he does have a knack for finishing second so hopefully they just get him out front and let him roll. Jockey switch to Juan Hernandez who has plenty experience of getting Bob’s horses to the front quickly. Give me the chalk.
Race 3 – 5 Savage Warden gets a positive jockey switch and a positive trainer switch. He has decent turf figs at GP and he likes to sit off of it a little bit and this is a race with a lot of front end speed. I think the 5 can get up in time.
Race 4 – 3 County Line Kid, pressing style in a level of race that is about as low as we can go here. ML fav faded badly last out and now wheels back in 2 weeks. Feels like these connections just want this horse out of their barn for whatever they can get.
Race 5 – 4 Tribal, Horse that likes to be up close to hit and has some experience around 2 turns, I have mild fear he may not be able to get the distance but we’ll see if his speed can carry him. 3rd off a long layoff for a positive trainer. Let’s see, this is a wide open race.
Race 6 – 2 Stronghold, Feels like this is Cornucopian’s race to lose, feels like a lot of people will be selecting him so hopefully for me Stronghold is fresh off the bench.
Race 7 -2 Strange Addiction, another wide open turf race here with a deep field…. at Santa Anita!? This is unheard of. Either way I like this horse coming from the back, some early speed from out wide that hopefully gets locked up in a duel. Jaramillo has been riding very well so I can trust he’ll get a decent ride.
Race 8 – 5 Clubhouse Cutie ran a new top last out and lost by a neck at huge odds and then jumped right back on the work tab. 4YO who is lightly raced with a chance to set a new top in here at a price.
Race 9 – 5 Mi Confession, now listen, this horse could totally suck and we have no idea. All I know is she’s run 6 times, 2 were on turf and she won one and lost by a head at this distance. She gets Lasix first time for a solid trainer. Repole enters here and she’s not in for a tag. One note this favorite you absolutely one million percent can not bet. The 2 Eternal Reign is coming off a layoff, 1 for 12 lifetime, mediocre works, does not have a significant speed figure or class figure advantage. I realize I just put her in the winner’s circle.
Wish me luck and see you in the big qualifier Saturday!
