Maiden King

Maiden claiming $25,000, 7 furlongs, 4-yo’s and up

Possible overlays                          Morning line

#2 Sleep Tight                                       3/1
#10 Sunny Peace                                 7/2
#11 Tiz Salsa                                           5/1

The Mike Mitchell-trained #2 Sleep Tight broke slowly on Dec. 13 and was quickly seven lengths behind, however she rallied to be second. Mitchell has been excellent over the years with second timers and this one has a big shot. 

Jockey Alex Solis took #10 Sunny Peace to the lead in her first race on the synthetic Dec. 10. For the first part of 2008, Sunny Peace was showing speed in grass route races over in England. She’s dropping in class and running her shortest lifetime distance. If this horse sits off the pace a bit and comes with a run it can win, especially if #2 Sleep Tight doesn’t fire her best shot. 

On the outside, Rafael Bejarano rides #11 Tiz Salsa who is running her second race after a seven-month vacation. I only like her if she’s bet down.

Therefore, I will bet $300 on #2 Sleep Tight at odds of 2/1 and up. But if Sleep Tight is bet too low then I’ll put $200 to win on #11 Tiz Salsa only if she is less than 4/1.  

If those two horses don’t fall into their odds ranges, then I want $150 to win on #10 Sunny Peace at 2/1 or better.

Maiden Special Weight, 5-1/2 furlongs, 3-yo colts

Possible overlays                            Morning line

#1 Pauper’s Prize                               12/1
#2 Street Car                                        4/1
#4 Ego                                                  20/1
#7 Snapshot                                          5/2
#8 Wall Street Wonder                       5/1
#9 Gotmymojoworkin                       8/1

Both of the Bob Baffert trained colts — #2 Street Car and #8 Wall Street Wonder — have several quick workouts showing in the Daily Racing Form. But I believe Corey Naktani on Wall Street Wonder will be quicker out of the gate. For one thing, he’s a Florida-bred and those debuters have performed better in So. Cal than those from Kentucky or California over the last few years. Other betable firsters, at the right price, include #9 Gotmymojoworkin and #1 Pauper’s Prize.

Martin Wygod owns #7 Snapshot who was laid off for five months after showing speed in his Aug. 2 Del Mar debut. Wygod and Sise have won many races together with second-time starters.

At 7/2 or more, I’ll bet $300 to win on #8 Wall Street Wonder, and $200 on both #9 Gotmymojoworkin, and #2 Street Car.

This race began with 99/1- shot Far Turn bursting from the rail post to the lead. He battled with #4 Goodlookindude, at 48-to-1, down the backstretch and around the turn, but in the stretch 3-to-5 favorite #8 Motorboat took the lead briefly nearing the wire. But then Motorboat got nailed on the outside by a late charge from #7 Weevescent.

Many of the contenders that I was watching in this race got scratched, such as #3 Mort Robbins, #13 Sailboat Sam and #14 All About Larry. I ended up with a small wager on #11 Stray Cat, a second-time starter who was in good position turning for home, but had no late kick. 

To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com