Horse Betting World

Twirling Candy Returns in the Strub Stakes

By Aaron Huber

The $200,000 Strub Stakes at Santa Anita is a Grade 2 race for 4-year-olds over 1 1/8 miles. The likely odds-on favorite will be only once-beaten Twirling Candy off a record setting performance in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes on December, 26 at Santa Anita. While, Twirling Candy has the class and speed to handle this field – upsets in big stakes races at Santa Anita have not been that uncommon – so let’s take a closer look at the entire cast of 8 starters.

1 Honour the Deputy

Making his stakes debut here, big things have been planned for Honour the Deputy by leading trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The original plan was to ship this horse to Gulfstream to compete in the Sunshine Millions Classic. But because he finally acclimated to the track and conditions as Santa Anita his connections decided to save him for this spot. Honour the Deputy is coming off a very impressive workout and has shown he win going a mile and longer – his preferred distance.

2 Indian Firewater

Won the Grade 2 San Fernando by just a nose – hanging on the front end from gate to wire. With only two off the board finishes in his 14 race career it would be a big mistake to leave Indian Firewater off of any exacta or trifecta plays. Even though he won’t be the favorite trainer Bob Baffert has already upset many favorites – and is showing a 27% ROI in graded stakes.

3 Twirling Candy

The talented son of leading sire Candy Ride – Twirling Candy broke a 30 year track record for 7 furlongs set by the great Spectacular Bid in the Malibu Stakes on December 26th. Now, making his second career start on dirt – we’ll find out if this horse can go as far on the dirt as he could on synthetics and turf. All signs point to a winner.

4 Tweebster

Lost by just a nose in a tight photo with Indian Firewater in the Grade 2 San Fernando. Tweebster picks up leading jockey Rafael Bejarano – which doesn’t hurt his cause. Again – never count Baffert out in a stakes race.

5 Paris Vegas

Came over to the US from racing in France and Austria but hasn’t found much success except for a win in an optional claimer at Monmouth. Was one of the longest shots on the board in the Malibu Stakes at 60-1 and his odds don’t look much better here.

6 Make Music for Me

Was a 3-year-old derby prospect and finished 4th place in the 2010 Kentucky Derby. However, since then only has one win in an allowance race at Hollywood Park. Make Music for Me will have no problem with the distance in the Strub – but has had a ton of traffic trouble in his last few races. Others seem more likely.

7 Do It All

A lightly race horse with only 4 starts to his resume was third in his stakes debut in the San Fernando. While he out ran his odds of 16-1 and got a great rail trip, its unlikely that he’ll be able to outrun the two horses that beat him that day or Twirling Candy – still an interesting choice for the place and show pools.

8 Oilisblackgold

Makes his first start in a stake race and only has a single win in six starts against maidens. Likes to race mid pack most of the way – does not have the class or speed to hit the board.