by Jeff Siegel
December 25, 2023
FIRST RACE (11:00 a.m.)
Top Pick: 1-Billy’s Bet
Degree of confidence: B-
• Price chance; will enjoy ground saving trip from a favorable rail draw.
• Solid on speed figures and benefits from a positive jockey switch.
• Has a previous win over the local lawn and a sharp recent workout.
• Other contenders: 2-Moogie Son; 5-Bigofromfresno; 8-Barely Funtional.
SECOND RACE (11:30 a.m.)
Top Pick: 6-Urban Legend
Degree of confidence: C+
• Flopped at 3/5 in a similar affair but remains well regarded.
• Brought $1.5 million at auction and is overdue to show it.
• Adds blinkers, sharp recent breeze, gets one more chance.
• Other contenders: 2-All That Glory; 5-New King.
THIRD RACE (12:00 noon)
Top Pick: 2-Easter (Fr)
Degree of confidence: A-
• Vastly improved in last pair and is ready for another smasher.
• Career top speed figure when winning the Seabiscuit Handicap.
• Two nice breezes since raced to maintaining his winning edge.
• Other contenders: 5-Tio Magico.
FOURTH RACE (12:30 p.m.)
Top Pick: 5-Judge Miller
Degree of confidence: B+
• Second as the favorite in his debut but earned a powerful figure.
• One paced grinding type should appreciate the seven furlong trip.
• Mark Glatt barn has strong stats with the second time starter angle.
• Others to consider: 4-Hey Brother.
FIFTH RACE (1:00 p.m.)
Top Pick: 2-Anisette (GB)
Degree of confidence: A-
• Best stride too late when second in the Autumn Miss Stakes.
• Strong second two races back over this course and distance.
• Healthy work pattern since raced, chance to make amends.
• Others to consider: 7-Musical Mischief.
SIXTH RACE (1:30 p.m.)
Top Pick: 5-Subsanador (Arg)
Degree of confidence: B
• Grade-1 import from Argentina has trained smartly.
• Good tactical speed, likely to enjoy a second flight trip.
• Young 4-year-old (August foal) has a very high ceiling.
• Others to consider: 1-Stilleto Boy.
SEVENTH RACE (2:00 p.m.)
Top Pick: 7-Book Smart
Degree of confidence: B
• Much improved since being claimed for $20,000 by Bob Hess, Jr.
• Has blazing early speed and will take his field as far as he can.
• Powerful recent speed figures but this is his first Hillside outing.
• Others to consider: 4-Beef Winslow.
Jeff Siegel’s Day Makers (Late Pick-4 video analysis)
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EIGHTH RACE (2:30 p.m.)
Top Pick: 7-Hejazi
Degree of confidence: B+
• Highly impressive allowance winner over local track last fall.
• Continues to impressive in morning drills, primed and ready.
• Lovely draw, projects to enjoy a pace stalking trip outside.
• Other contenders: 3-Speed Boat Beach
NINTH RACE (3:00 p.m.)
Top Pick: 4-Almendares (GB)
Degree of confidence: C+
• Wide open grass grab bag containing a volatile pace scenario.
• Had a confidence building win facing lesser foes at Del Mar.
• Lacks an intense turn of foot but a mile is his favorite trip.
• Others to consider: 6-Dandy Man Shines (Ire); 2-Panic Alarm (Ire).
TENTH RACE (3:30 p.m.)
Top Pick: 2-Daddysruby
Degree of confidence: B+
• Undefeated sprinting and projects as the controlling speed.
• Highly impressive allowance win last fall with a big figure.
• Perfect in two starts at Santa Anita and retains J. Hernandez.
• Others to consider: 9-Clearly Unhinged; 3-Howl; 6-Ice Dancing.
ELEVENTH RACE (4:00 p.m.)
Top Pick: 1-Speed Shopper
Degree of confidence: B-
• Chance at a price, shows good works and may like the lawn.
• Brought $400,000 as a yearling despite being empty in first dam.
• Daughter of Quality Road projects to enjoy a ground-saving trip.
• Other contenders: 8-Flight to Quality; Americandreammaker; 9-Affair.