Golden Oldies vie in Charles Whittingham Stakes
By: Stuart deVoe, ThoroFan Handicapper
Formerly the Hollywood Turf Handicap, this event was renamed in 1999 to the Charles Whittingham Stakes in honor of the late Hall of Fame trainer’s seven victories. Two other trainers also have 7 victories (Neil Drysdale & Bobby Frankel), and John Henry won this race three times. It was moved to Santa Anita in 2014 when Hollywood Park closed.
A field of seven are entered, and will start on Santa Anita’s famed downhill turf course. Since it is run downhill for the first 1/8th of a mile or so, some feel this is not a true 1 ¼ mile test. If one had a question about your horse getting the distance, this is where to try. We’ll call it a mile and a quarter “light.”
The weather will be perfect, sunny, in the 80's, with firm turf. Here’s the
field with morning lines:
1. Gregdar 15-1 - His diet of 3 turf sprints this
year will have him close to the pace in this marathon. Last year, he won at 1
1/8th and 2nd at 1 ¼, so this try is not out of the
question. Since he has yet to break through his 2x condition, the competition
may be more the issue than the distance. PASS.
2. Dean Martini 15-1 - The 2020 Ohio Derby winner has shipped to the
left coast and started a career on turf. He had an OK run behind Masterofhounds
in his 1st race off the bench. He was even around and made no
ground. Since he faces that foe and a few others of his caliber, Dean Martini
will have belt out a command performance to compete (see what I did there?). PASS.
3. Majestic Eagle 6-1 – Coming off 2 Turf Paradise
Stakes with a 1st and a 3rd, this 7yo gelding has some
back class going a bit shorter where he was there or thereabouts in some decent
stakes. He’s won almost $500k in 35 starts and could get a slice with the right
race. BOARD CONTENDER.
4. Dicey Mo Chara 4-1 – This 4yo seems to be coming
into his own this spring. Leonard Powell, his trainer, sends him into this
event in the 3rd race of his form cycle and cutting back from a mile
and a half. He should have plenty of bottom now after narrowly missing in the
G3 San Luis Rey to multiple graded performer Acclimate. I expect him to stalk
and pounce, and has some upside. WIN CANDIDATE.
5. Gold Phoenix 6-1 – Another entrant with upside.
Phil D’Amato sends this 4yo Irish Bred into the deep end. In his last, he
cleared the N1X condition after running 2nd in a very productive (5
next out winners) “down the dip” allowance race on the San Filipe undercard. D’Amato
is cagy at placing his horses in the right spot, and the “in form & up in
class” angle may apply. WIN CANDIDATE.
6. Masteroffoxhounds 2-1 – After winning the G2 San Marcos
and running 3rd in the G3 San Luis Rey last year, both turf
marathons at Santa Anita, Masteroffoxhounds headed east to run in the two
biggest Turf events in late spring/early summer. He got beat 5 in the Turf
Classic at Churchill and beat 6.5 lengths in the Manhattan at Belmont. Both G1s
and both loaded fields. He returned last month leading a conditional mile turf
race through swift fractions only to be run down late. He should step forward
off of that. WIN CANDIDATE.
7. Beyond Brilliant 9-5 – Is a horse who looks like he is best when able to control the pace. This was on display when he scored a front-running victory as a 3yo in the G1 Hollywood Derby at 1 1/8 miles. He was allowed to “walk the dog” and then just held against a decent group that day. BB took a step forward in his 4yo debut, almost wiring the G1 Kilroe Mile, which is Santa Anita’s spring turf fixture. However, I wonder how far he wants to go and how he needs to do it. If they let him lead a merry chase, he will be a tough customer in the stretch. This race starts on the hillside turf course, which will help his cause, but with Gregdar stretching out from turf sprints and Masteroffoxhounds showing a new dimension last out, he may not get his way on the lead. WIN CANDIDATE.
Analysis
When handicapping, you have to “crack some eggs” somewhere and make some decisions factoring in who you think can win relative to what price the market gives you.
In the C. Whittingham on Saturday, I have narrowed down 4 of the 7 could win the race. It is clear that the 2 outside horses, Masteroffoxhounds and Beyond Brilliant, are the proven class of the field and deserving favorites.
It is also apparent that it's hard to make any money betting 9/5 and 2-1 shots in exactas or win. That said, I will hang my hat on the up and comer Gold Phoenix. I like his trainer's aggressive placement, and I like that he should be 4th choice. He clearly has a lot to prove, but in a 7 horse field, 6-1 is juicy enough to see what happens.
The Play (based on $100 wager)
If I am right, this play pays me. If I am almost right and he runs 2nd, I feel that that number will be undervalued as most players will try to split the two favorites, and Gold Phoenix is a logical one to use.
$60 win 5
$20 exacta 5-6,7
