Steve Andersen is Daily Racing Form's Santa Anita correspondent. He's joined us to run the rule over the home team hoping to repel the European raiders at Breeders' Cup 2009. Here's his verdict on all 14 races this weekend.
Saturday November 7
18.45 - Juvenile Turf
I expect Pounced to be winning. I like the way he's coming into the race, improving and has handled the trip well. Interactif has done well for Todd Pletcher and will run well.
19.23 - Turf Sprint
Californian Flag was running loose yesterday but the trainer is happy now. They've put a bad morning behind them. They will try and conserve his pace this year, he finished tired in 10th last year. I still don't think he'll win as I like Gotta Have Her, who won here three weeks ago, while defending champion Desert Code is a huge price. Also expect a big run from Noble Court.
20.10 - Sprint
Zensational will be on the front and setting ungodly fractions. They've never given him his head, they've always tried to preserve him a little. Now he'll be let go from the rail. I expect him to hold off Gayego, who ran well down the straight to win here last time. He didn't beat a whole lot in that Ancient Title Stakes but don't take away from the performance by the competition. However my souce tells me Zensational is 120% right now!
20.49 - Juvenile
I can't wait to unbuckle on Looking For Lucky. I can't wait to bet on him and feel he could be favourite for the Kentucky Derby in 48 hours. He has that really important American style of racing close to the pace. He can harass the front-runners or quicken again if a closer arrives from the pack. Holy Bull did it in the mid 90s, Cigar did it in 95 and 96, Silver Charm did as did Rachel Alexandra. It's a style that suits our racing. He won't blow away at the finish and win by five but he's a horse for Saturday and beyond.
21.28 - Mile
Gladiatorus will go to the front with Cowboy Cal close to him. He's a smart horse too. He can be effective and Todd Pletcher told me yesterday that they're going to have to get by Cowboy Cal at some point. He expects a full performance from his horse. He is an each-way bet at 12/1 but if Goldikova runs to 90 per cent of last year's form she'll win.
22.12 - Dirt Mile
Bullsbay gave Rachel Alexandra a fuss in the Woodward and nearly tipped her over but Midshipsman doesn't look as good as last year. It looks Mastercraftsman's race to me but I'll put Neko Bay up at 20/1. He won a nice allowance race here a couple of weeks ago and I'll combine him with the favourite in a forecast.
22.57 - Turf
Presious Passion is the best of the home team here but it's a horrible group. They'd be Blue Square Premier League material in England. This race is traditionally my favourite of the meeting but we are so weak it's embarrassing. If Conduit doesn't win and Dar Re Mi doesn't win then Spanish Moon will. The turf horses aren't here now. We don't breed for it and we haven't been buying the second-string horses from Europe who need lasix and can come over here and thrive.
23.45 - Classic
The decision to run here for Zenyatta was really made for them. If she was to win this race, she is unbeaten all year, it would be her only shot at being Horse Of The Year. She's coming to the end of her career, it's almost over. She's already champion older female for the year. She's proven all she can in that division. She must have a huge chance. I think I'll back her as well. Zenyatta will sit five or six lengths off the pace and we'll know rounding the turn if she's going to win. She usually makes a big sweeping move on that turn. If she does the same against the boys, and is within two lengths at the quarter-mile pole, she can wear them down. She really has a kick and her jockey knows her really well. Einstein at 25/1 is a tremendous mistake and has a great each-way chance. He runs really well round here. He shouldn't be that price and should be in the first three.
Steve was talking to Dave Ord.
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