Handicapper's Corner: Triple Bend Stakes (G1)

Plenty of Speed in the Triple Bend Stakes

By Robert Marks, They're in the Gate (and on Twitter @theyreinthegate)

On Saturday, June 25, 2016 there is a nice Grade 1 race for older horses at Santa Anita Park. It is 7 furlongs on the dirt for a $300,000 purse.  Look for horses that finish in the money in this race to be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November.

Here are the participants listed by Post Position, Horse, Age, Odds, Weight, Jockey and Trainer

PP	Horse	A/S	ODDs	Wgt	Jockey	Trainer
1	Clever Royal	5 G	15-2	120	Pedroza Martin A.	Mulhall Kristin
2	Kobe's Back	5 H	5-2	122	Stevens Gary L.	Eurton Peter
3	Cautious Giant	5 G	8-1	120	Perez Fernando Hernandez	Mulhall Kristin
4	Lord Nelson	4 C	3-1	120	Bejarano Rafael	Baffert Bob
5	Ambitious Brew	6 G	8-1	120	Desormeaux Kent J.	Jones Martin F.
6	Subtle Indian	4 G	3-1	120	Smith Mike E.	Diodoro Robertino
7	Home Run Kitten	5 H	12-1	120	Talamo Joseph	Hofmans David E.
8	Coastline	5 H	6-1	120	Baze Tyler	D'Amato Philip

Here's who we like as far as horses to consider:

KOBE'S BACK -The 5-2 favorite is coming off of a 3rd place finish in the Grade II Churchill Downs. For this horse it is simple, he is a deep closer that will be coming late. He will need others to have early speed and set a fast pace that he can close into. The veteran Gary L. Stevens will be on board.  There is no value in picking him to win but should be in your exotics.

LORD NELSON-Unlike Kobe's Back, Lord Nelson will have the early speed, making him dangerous here.  He comes in second off a five-month layoff. LORD NELSON also likes Santa Anita, with three of his four career wins having come over the Santa Anita main. He will be a good win pick at his morning line odds of 3-1 or higher.

COASTLINE- Like Kobe's Back this horse should be rallying late. He will have the addition of first-time blinkers. COASTLINE was fourth behind Wild Dude in the Kona Gold last time out -- this start, second off the lay, could reflect improvement. With such a fast field a good gate break will be needed.

AMBITIOUS BREW- His last graded stakes race was 2 years ago in the Breeders Cup Spring (finished 7th) but he comes off a win at Santa Anita in an ungraded race back on May 28th. He is an earner, having placed 12 out of 16 starts. Kendrick Carmouche has been riding very well this year on the NYRA circuit and always rides hard. Worth a bet at 8-1.

Wagering/Betting Handigambling Bankroll:

We feel confident with Lord Nelson and recommend using him in all your exotic bets.

$25 Win/Place: Lord Nelson (2) ($50 total)

EXACTA: $2 Key Exacta (10 Bets for total cost of $20)

2, 4 / 2,4,5,8

Trifecta ($1 Box for $24 Total)

2,4,5,8

$6 Show: Lord Nelson

As always, watch the Board and if at the track watch how the horses look in the Paddock and adjust your bets accordingly. Good Luck!