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Gary Stevens is back in a big way ! Our longshot play lit up the exotics...Borrego ! Declan's Moon also waltzes home in Santa Catalina. "Leroid" flies through Frank Kilroe. Story by MC_Excelsior "The Stick" 3/07/05-Additional news extended to our earlier headline. We told everyone who bought our selections card for Santa Anita that Rock Hard Ten was the top horse in this race. Gary Steven rode him to perfection. Sitting in 5th position down the backstretch, Stevens bided his time waiting for the big run off the far turn. As they spilled out into the stretch, Rock came out 3 and 4 wide for the final run through the stretch. Longshot, front runner, Grand Reward tired badly through the stretch as the power closers came calling. The only closer who we liked, but did not fire, was Imperialism who hooked wide and mis steped once or twice before losing his momentum. I made a big point of telling the fans that Borrego was our longshot of the century for the Exotics play. We told you he would light up the tote, and thats just what he did. Coming from 7th position, Borrego, flew home to earn third place, and helped set up a $1,900 Triple and a $44,794 Superfecta. The Superfecta was helped by the 54-1 Grand Reward holding on for 4th. East Coast shipper, Saint Liam, who we really loved at Gulfstream, did what we though also, he bounced. His last race was a tough and determined victory, and he had a good rest, but shipping across country can take a lot out of a horse. Saint Liam found himself in a truly top level running of the Santa Anita Handicap. We look for him to return to his winning ways when he has some time off to rest and he comes back east. For those who were so thrilled by Gary Stevens in the 1980's and 1990's, we are happy to let the fans know....Gary Stevens is back baby ! A huge wave of The Stick to Gary. We may be seeing the next iron man of racing. Gary is the California example of Jerry Bailey....but don't ever confuse the two. Gary Stevens and Jerry Bailey have different strengths and weaknesses....perhaps we will tell you more in our 2nd installment of our series on the Nations Best. We will be opening our notebook's and records for you again very soon Stick Racing Fans. Stay tuned to our web site, and check back soon. The Final Time for the 1 1/4 Mile race was 2:01 1/5. The Exacta of Rock Hard Ten and Congrats, with Tyler Baze up, paid $124.20. We gave you the official exotics prices from the track earlier in the story. In the Santa Catalina, our favorite, "Stick" play, A "Stick" is a odds on favorite for those of you who don't know ! Sitting off the two leaders, Going Wild and Spanish Chestnut's, early, Declan's Moon made a forward, steady progression to the lead in the stretch. Under Victor Espinoza, Declan's Moon could not be defeated. Odds of .80 cents on each dollar in retrospect seems quite generous on this incredible 3 year old. He has already defeated the best horses in his age group only months ago, and was facing some nice 3 yr olds, but certainly not the grade 1 level he is used to. This was a walkover race for him. No matter how hard it might have looked, they were saving this horse for bigger and better races down the road. Look for Declan's Moon to be aiming at the Santa Anita Derby and the Kentucky Derby. He may only fit in one other race on his way to the Triple Crown. We're not saying for sure he will win the Triple Crown, but this looks like a solid 3 year old. Final time for the Santa Catalina was 1:42 2/5. In the Frank Kilroe Mile, Leroidesanimaux, or "Leroid" as we so happily have coined his new name, was a monster. Running hard on the front end, "Leroid" just kept going and going and going. We mentioned in our Stick Selections Sheets, that jockey John Court had to know this is the best horse he has ever ridden. He wants everyone to stay happy with his services and to stay up on this horse. Well, he did not disappoint. In fact, we have to give a big wave of The Stick to John Court for his outstanding riding in this race. After flying through a :22 2/5 first quarter, "Leroid" stayed strong on the engine. Being pushed by eventual 3rd place Sweet Return(Gary Stevens 10-1), and withstanding a strong close by Buckland Manor(Rene Douglas 10-1), "Leroid" showed he is all heart. Final time of 1:33 4/5 for the mile distance leaves no question that Leroidesanimaux is the top "miler" in America. Combine this victory with his previous 4 from last year and we can only pray he stays fit and strong through the racing season. This is one American based horse who can defeat the Europeans at a mile on the turf. In fact, don't wait for them...Lets challenge England and France's best milers in a match race right now ! Do you hear me Magna INT'L ? The Stick Horse Racing wants a challenge issued on behalf of America and "Leroid" for a match race or a challenge race. "Leroid" can take on the world and win ! This might be your next Horse of the Year....and I'm saying this on March 7th Stick Fans. Stay tuned... 3/03/05 Santa Anita Park in beautiful Arcadia, CA. will be the location for Saturday's $1,000,000 Santa Anita Handicap, and a great card of supporting stakes. Most notable on the card is 2 year old Champion, Declan's Moon running 1 1/16 miles in the Santa Catalina. We will be offering a special Hybrid, Instant View card for Saturday's races at Santa Anita. You will notice the color of the date, (05) , will be a different color then the other dates for Instant View selections. In addition, when you click on that date, the payment page will have a special price for the 11 race card. We will have the entire card at EXPERT LEVEL, and the 4 Stakes Races at *GOLD RUSH* LEVEL. Price is expected to be $15.00. The four Stakes races on the card are : Santa Catalina : Purse : $200,000 Level : Grade 2 Distance : 1 1/16 Mile Horses : A six horse field highlighted by Declan's Moon. Will we give out this obvious favorite ? Any way we handicap the race, you will get full comments on the top 5 horses along with stick speed rankings and figures. Baldwin Stakes : Purse : $100,00 Level : Grade 3 Distance : 6 1/2 Furlongs on Turf. Horses : A big 12 horse field is lining up for this sprint on the turf. NY Jockey, Edgar Prado will be aboard High Standards, and we may have some longshot plays for you in this race. We think this race may be the highest price of the day. Frank Kilroe : Purse : $300,000 Level : Grade 1 Distance : 1 Mile on Turf. Horses : A 10 horse field of powerful veterans is looking to push each other to the limit. Don't forget, 1 Mile races help breeders determine stamina and speed factors for future stud duty. In addition, this field has some heavy hitter's including turf sensation, Meteor Storm, and sprinter, Cajun Beat. Lets not forget Singletary...or should we ? Only people with our Sheets will know for sure what we like in this great edition of the Frank Kilroe. Santa Anita HDCP : Purse : $1,000,000 Level Grade 1 Distance : 1 1/4 Mile Horses : An 11 horse field with many of the very best Handicap horses in the nation. Where do we start ? Rock Hard Ten...has he matured into a superstar, or will he have trouble overcoming his own physical and muscular size ? Saint Liam ran an incredible race last time out. Will he bounce ? Or is he ready for a top effort ? Imperialism always come closing late. Can he catch this level field in time ? Supah Blitz from Florida always gives a good accounting of himself. Will he be 8-1 or 10-1 ? Do we like him in this spot, or should he be seeking out Grade 3 races at Gulfstream or Lone Star ? He may be just the kind of horse we are looking for...but maybe not. We are expecting full coverage of the races on Saturday on television. Please check your local listings for channel and time in your area. In the EST time zone it is 4:30 on ABC TV. *Note, Gulfstream Park will also have a big card, and we ALSO OFFER a Hybrid Card for them due to large email requests for a special at Gulf too..Gulfstream Stakes on Saturday, $300,000 Gulfstream Park H G3, $150,000 Bonnie Miss S G2, $150,000 Forward Gal S G2, and a full 12 race card. Best Regards and Racing for the big Santa Anita Handicap Day, MC_Excelsior
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