Horse Betting World

Smiling Tiger Kicks Off a New Campaign in the Palos Verdes

By Aaron Huber

Of the seven entrants in this Saturday’s Grade 2 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita, Smiling Tiger stands out as an imposing favorite. With an impressive effort in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint finishing in 3rd place, Smiling Tiger came back to almost win the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita only to be nosed out by Twirling Candy. This time around Smiling Tiger will get some much needed class relief and face one of the softest Grade 2 fields assembled in recent memory. As in cases like this there are still betting opportunities but they will be in the exacta and trifecta pools. Let’s take a look at the whole field in order to key in on some contenders for the place and show positions.

1. Smiling Tiger

Kicks off his four-year-old campaign coming off two excellent starts on dirt including a narrow loss over the new Santa Anita dirt surface in the Malibu on December 26th. Smiling Tiger will be facing a much weaker field and cuts back to six furlongs – his preferred distance. A strong candidate to single on top for your exotic wagers and in the pick six.

2. Euroears

Switches to the barn of Bob Baffert after a six month break with his last start being a very disappointing performance on turf in the Grade 2 Firecracker at Churchill in July. Seems to like the distance and his last workout was a sharp 4 furlong drill in 46:3/5 over the dirt at Santa Anita.

3. Ventana

As the only other graded stakes winner in the field expect Ventana to be the second betting choice at post time. Ventana had his first out of the money finish in eight consecutive races with a fourth place finish in his last start in the Churchill Downs Handicap.

4. Captain Cherokee

Ran a big race last time out by winning a classy optional claimer at Churchill for trainer Steve Asmussen. He is taking a big step up in class and his average speed figures are not enough to be competitive.

5. Gato Go Win

Though he was second in the Grade 3 Vernon O. Underwood at Hollywood Park last time out – his dirt form leaves much to be desired. Gato Go Win will love the distance but hate the track. He was a non-factor in his dirt performances at Calder, Belmont, and Churchill Downs.

6. Hunch

This lightly race five-year-old only has five starts to his resume. But as a winner of three of those five starts – his connections seem to know how to place him in a position to win.
Hunch will be making his first start on the dirt – but could surprise at a big price if you’re looking for a live long shot. Jockey Joel Rosario has been winning at a 21% clip – so there’s another plus.

7. Don Tito

Comes into this race off a weak performance in the Malibu finishing 10 lengths behind the leaders. With three lifetime wins it’s hard for his connections to find a spot in the allowance ranks – but he looks outmatched here.

SELECTIONS – #1 Smiling Tiger… #3 Ventana… #6 Hunch