GOLD CUP ANALYSIS, COURTESY OF BRISNET.COM
8th Race, Santa Anita, $500,000 Gold Cup, 1 1/4 miles. Post Time 7:43 p.m. ET, 4:43 p.m. PT.
3
Son of Candy Ride comes off a second straight victory in the Californian (G2) and enters with ascending Speed figures as a very dangerous player in the field. Craig Lewis trainee packs a big late punch and we love that he draws in the 3, with Speed to his inside which should allow him to get to the rail and save ground throughout. Chesntut six-year-old might be ready for another peak showing as his last four morning drills have been bullets, and the price should be decent in here as well as he hopes for his first Grade 1 conquer. Lots of appeal with Talamo in the silks.
2
Bay son of Tiznow has a ton of speed and is very stubborn, making him a decent alternative in here for Hollendorfer. The four-year-old colt has been razor sharp and comes in with four wins and a second, as he earned some props for battling on late last time after being passed. We have very little question that the improved Kentucky-bred will handle the trip, and him winning wouldn’t be a shocker. Big morning drills most recently, Gary Stevens inherits the mount.
1
Two-time winner of this race is surely the one to beat and he might take to the rail with his abundance of early speed. Bob Baffert trained son of Awesome Again has kept top form for four years now and continues to roll on, where he amassed more than $6.4 million, and on this oval, he dons a wicked 8-for-11 mark. We do fear that the Bob Baffert trainee will get hounded every step of the way here without a clean break, and we might try and knock him off at expected low odds while also including him in nearly everything. Mike Smith stays — fast drills once again in advance of this.