img HORSE

SANTA ANITA Race #5

October 16, 2014
img3:05 PM Eastern
Premium Pick

Top pick: #7 (HEAT THE ROCKS) (3-1) - Hollendorfer home-bred chased while wide and stayed on to check in fourth of nine, beaten 4 1/2 lengths when debuting here at this level Sept. 26. Nice debut, she's worked twice since, and draws outside of the speed. Filly gets a slight edge.

2nd pick: #6 (Checxcess) (4-1) - Reddam home-bred overcame a "bumping" incident at the break to finish a solid third when debuting at Los Al on Sept. 19. Working fast since and trainer Leandro Mora (Doug O'Neill's assistant) has already won four here while his boss is under suspension.

3rd pick: #5 (Diamond Debbie) (8-1) - Longshot ran evenly in her debut on Sept. 3 at Del Mar. She's worked fast here since and trainer Rich Baltas has had a story-book year from his smallish barn. Can factor at a square price.

4th pick: #3 (Niassa) (5-2) - Home-bred checked in third and was a "head" better than "Heat the Rocks" when making her debut here Sept. 26. In a capable small barn (Kate Walsh) and this filly is in the mix.

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